Chapter 57: Dare He Utter a Single Word of Refusal?

Realizing that the two were about to transfer their wealth, Yang Chuan quickly straightened his clothes, preparing to have a chance encounter with them.

However, an official who had only embezzled a few thousand taels of silver did not interest Yang Chuan enough to take him down outright.

Otherwise, if he startled the snakes and alarmed some bigger fish, the consequences would outweigh the benefits.

Yet, since Zuo Ci was indeed guilty of embezzlement, if Yang Chuan could use words to threaten him and help capture some higher-ups in the capital, it would be a win-win situation.

All he needed was to make Zuo Ci hand over half of the embezzled silver to the treasury personally, thereby establishing a small “bond” between them.

With this leverage in hand, who would dare refuse any of his future requests?

Approaching the gate of the Vice Minister’s residence, Yang Chuan found the door half-open and, without hesitation, pushed it open and entered.

Sticking close to the wall, he entered the courtyard and indeed found a carriage parked inside.

The top layer of the carriage was covered with quilts, beneath which were the chests of silver that Zuo Ci intended to transfer.

At this moment, Vice Minister Zuo Ci had yet to notice Yang Chuan’s arrival and was still standing by the doorway, speaking to his wife about precautions for going out.

Only when Yang Chuan’s voice rang in his ear did he let out a startled “Ah.”

“Oh, Vice Minister, madam, where have you been making your fortune lately?” Yang Chuan greeted them casually.

After the greeting, he took a closer look at the layout of the Vice Minister’s residence.

He immediately thought that this Vice Minister was truly careless!

The main chamber, located directly to the north, was the best place for secret discussions. No matter how loud the conversation, no one outside could overhear it if held there.

Yet this Vice Minister insisted on discussing the embezzlement in the east wing with his wife.

Tsk tsk, it seemed this gentleman had the intention of returning the embezzled wealth to the treasury after all!

Zuo Ci, surprised, soon realized the man before him was the dreaded Yang Chuan. He quickly forced out a sheepish smile and began to make excuses to save himself.

“Oh, I’m just a humble civil servant. Where could I possibly be making a fortune? Lord Yang, you must be joking!” he said.

After speaking, he glanced nervously at the bundle he had just placed on the ground, realizing how awkward his words sounded, and a cold sweat broke out.

“Oh? It’s early autumn already, Vice Minister, why are you sweating so much? Could it be age catching up, some kidney problems?” Yang Chuan teased.

“You… Yang Chuan, regarding our rank in court, you are at best my equal now. Don’t joke at my expense, or else…” Zuo Ci’s words came out with difficulty.

Suddenly, he realized Yang Chuan had another identity.

Though often forgotten by officials, it was extremely important!

That identity was linked to the blue robe embroidered with a python pattern that Yang Chuan wore.

Yang Chuan had no intention of directly exposing Zuo Ci’s embezzlement right now, preferring instead to chat a bit longer.

This Vice Minister was amusing indeed!

He could have stubbornly denied everything and at least saved some face.

But instead, he tried to defend himself with words, only to contradict himself twice.

Noticing Zuo Ci’s gaze fixed on his blue python robe, Yang Chuan smiled slyly, tugged at the embroidered python, and asked,

“Vice Minister, take a closer look. In the imperial family, what kind of status does this pattern represent?”

“Hehe, Lord Yang… Your Highness, your servant has been busy with affairs of state recently. If I dared to offend you just now, please forgive me, Your Highness! Please forgive me!” Zuo Ci stammered.

“Hmm, so I see. You said you were busy making a fortune, yet you contradicted me. It seems, Vice Minister, you are a bit dishonest after all!” Yang Chuan remarked.

The wife, seeing that Zuo Ci could not extricate himself, quickly tugged his sleeve, signaling him to escort her out first and then deal with Yang Chuan later.

This Yang Chuan was clearly no friend.

They had just planned to hide the stolen silver when Lord Yang arrived, seemingly on cue!

If no one had reported them, then Yang Chuan must have obtained some evidence of their corruption.

After the wife’s reminder, Zuo Ci suddenly understood and turned with a forced smile toward Yang Chuan.

“Lord Yang, my wife intends to visit her family. I shall escort her out first, and when she has left, I will prepare tea and receive you properly.”

With that, he picked up the bundle he had just placed on the ground, hoping to bluff his way out.

“Hey! Vice Minister, if your wife is just visiting her family, why is she bringing an entire carriage full of belongings?”

At this moment, Yang Chuan dropped all pretense and grabbed Zuo Ci’s arm, pulling him toward the carriage.

The heavy bundle weighed down on Zuo Ci. He wanted to protest but struggled for breath and could only let Yang Chuan lead him.

At the carriage, Yang Chuan patted the quilt at the back and found that beneath the thin layer lay solid wooden chests.

Tsk tsk, truly careless!

This few thousand taels of wealth was covered with only a thin cloth. If a patrolling officer had checked, how could the Vice Minister’s wife have explained it?

“Lord Zuo, I suspect your carriage holds quite a treasure, does it not?”

“Your wife is just visiting her family, not dismissed by you. Surely there’s no need to take all your wealth along?”

“Lord Yang, what are you saying? I—I don’t understand a word!” Zuo Ci stammered.

As a civil official, Zuo Ci’s tongue was clearly less sharp than others.

Seeing him unable to respond, his wife crossed her arms and shouted, “Lord Yang! If you have nothing better to do than to cause trouble for my husband, pick a better time! I’m in a hurry to leave!”

“Madam, you may be in a rush, but there’s no need to get so angry,” Yang Chuan said with a sly smile.

He then snatched the bundle from Zuo Ci’s hand and spoke in a low voice:

“After all, when all these ugly truths come to light, it will be I who lets you and your wife go who should be angry!”

With that, Yang Chuan gave a sharp tug, and a cascade of silver ingots spilled out from the bundle.

Once exposed by Yang Chuan, Zuo Ci could no longer find any excuse.

However, his wife still tried to defend him.

“Oh, Lord Yang, you are truly rude! That money was given to me by my husband to offer to my parents-in-law. Why would you tear open the bundle?”

“Oh? Then all this money on the carriage is also for your parents-in-law?” Yang Chuan asked pointedly.