Hearing that her son had finally returned, Wang Feng’s anxious heart finally settled.
Before long, a disheveled and dirt-covered Xu Pangda stepped into the courtyard.
Wang Feng’s eyes flickered, and she hurriedly walked up to him.
Seeing her son covered in mud, his clothes even torn, Wang Feng became even more concerned.
She had originally intended to voice her worry, but in the end, what came out was a reprimand: “What happened to you? You’re a county magistrate now—how can you allow yourself to look like this? Where is your dignity?”
Xu Pangda felt a pang of grievance in his heart. “Mother, I was ambushed on the road.”
“What?!”
Old Madam Xu slammed her hand down on the table as she shot to her feet, her face full of anger.
“Who has the audacity to attempt to assassinate a government official?!”
“Yes, Grandmother, please don’t get upset,” Xu Zheng also stood up. “The important thing is that Pangda is safe. As long as he’s unharmed, that’s all that matters.”
Compared to everyone else’s reactions, Wang Feng was particularly silent—so silent that it was unsettling.
She grabbed Xu Pangda’s hand and asked coldly, “You were ambushed. Do you have any idea who was behind it?”
Xu Pangda opened his mouth, about to say, It seemed they were after Fifth Brother, but in the end, he swallowed his words. He was afraid that if he said it, his mother would start to resent his fifth brother.
“Mother, I don’t know who they were. I was just sitting in my carriage when they suddenly attacked and killed my guards, and without hesitation, they tried to kill me too.
Luckily, a wandering swordswoman happened to pass by and saved me. Otherwise… I might not have made it back alive.”
Looking at his mother, Xu Pangda still felt a lingering fear—he had almost never gotten the chance to see her again.
“Come, we’re going to find Ming’er!” Wang Feng made up her mind and said to her son.
“Fifth Brother? Fifth Brother is back?” Xu Pangda asked in surprise. He had thought his brother was still away.
“He’s back. Ming’er will definitely get justice for you!” Wang Feng nodded.
“Mother, there’s no need to trouble Ming’er. Just send a few people from the manor with me to the eastern outskirts. My guards sacrificed themselves to protect me—I want to see them properly buried.” seaʀᴄh thё NovelZone.fun website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.
Xu Pangda shook his head.
Wang Feng glanced at Chunyan beside her. “Chunyan, take some people from the manor and go to the eastern outskirts. Bring back all the fallen guards, give them a proper burial, and console their families. Each family will receive a hundred taels of silver.”
“Yes, Madam,” Chunyan quickly responded.
“Let’s go. We’re going to find Ming’er!”
With that, Wang Feng stubbornly pulled her son toward the mansion gates, not willing to take no for an answer.
Now that Xu Ming was in charge of the Jinyiwei, he oversaw all affairs in the capital. Since a government official had been attacked, this was naturally within his jurisdiction.
Going to him was not about abusing connections for personal gain—it was about seeking justice. Moreover, Xu Ming and her son were biological brothers with a good relationship, so he would certainly do everything in his power to investigate the matter thoroughly.
Old Madam Xu glanced at Xu Zheng.
Xu Zheng understood her meaning and quickly stepped forward to persuade his wife. “Feng’er, Pangda said he will report this directly to His Majesty. His Majesty will surely uphold justice. Ming’er is extremely busy right now—it’s not appropriate for you to go like this.”
Wang Feng raised her head and stared at her husband, her gaze unwavering.
“Reporting to His Majesty is one thing. Going to Ming’er is another! This is my son! I’m going to file a report—are you saying I can’t even do that?”
Xu Zheng was startled and quickly let go of her hand.
Without hesitation, Wang Feng took Xu Pangda and left.
Watching his wife leave with their son, Xu Zheng turned to Old Madam Xu and said, “Matriarch, Feng’er has always been a bit impatient, and she deeply loves her children. Please don’t take it to heart.”
Old Madam Xu shook her head and sighed, “I can understand Feng’er’s feelings. To be honest, I’m also worried about Pangda.”
“Well, of course,” Xu Zheng quickly agreed. “He’s your grandson—how could you not be concerned?”
“Since Pangda is safe now, let’s eat first. Later, we’ll see what Ming’er has to say.” Old Madam Xu let out a deep breath before turning to Xu Shuiya. “The ancestral banquet is in just a few days. Have Yi’er and Shan’er returned yet?”
Madam Qian immediately responded, “Of course, Madam. My son, Xu Yi, will be back tomorrow. He’s even arriving earlier than expected—our family takes the ancestral rites very seriously.”
Madam Lin quickly followed up, “Xu Shan as well. He’s even coming on behalf of the Yan Yang Sect.”
“Good, good.” Old Madam Xu’s face lit up with a smile. “Let’s eat, let’s eat. No matter what, the ancestral rites are the most important matter.”
“Yes, Matriarch.”
Meanwhile, Xu Ming was neither at the Xu family estate nor at the Princess’s residence—he was at the headquarters of the Jinyiwei.
After Emperor Wu issued the imperial decree that morning, Xu Ming wasted no time. He immediately moved out of the Xu residence and into the Jinyiwei Commander’s estate, which had already been built in advance.
All the maids and attendants within the estate had been personally selected by Emperor Wu.
As for how many of them were actually the emperor’s spies, Xu Ming didn’t concern himself with it.
What preoccupied him more was how to structure the ranks and recruitment of the Jinyiwei.
It seemed that no matter what world he was in, certain things remained the same.
On his previous homeworld, Blue Star, the Jinyiwei had existed as well. But in this world, Emperor Wu had personally established his own version.
However, compared to the well-defined rank system of Blue Star’s Jinyiwei, the one in Wu Kingdom was far more loosely structured.
Emperor Wu had only appointed Xu Ming as the sole Commander of the Jinyiwei, leaving the selection of all subordinate officers entirely in his hands.
That afternoon, Xu Ming had already drafted a memorial and submitted it to the emperor.
He planned to establish two Deputy Commanders, eight Thousand-Man Commanders, and eighty-eight Hundred-Man Commanders.
Each Hundred-Man Commander would oversee around a hundred soldiers, with each unit divided into five squads, each consisting of twenty men.
If everything proceeded smoothly, Emperor Wu would likely respond by tomorrow, and approval was almost guaranteed.
As for selecting officials, Xu Ming intended to invite Xiong Haizhi, Li Han, and a few others to take up positions. He would also allow the emperor to appoint a few trusted individuals to keep things balanced.
With that, the command structure would essentially be complete.
In just a few days, the Jinyiwei would officially begin operations.
“Master.”
Just as Xu Ming was contemplating the framework of the organization, a maid approached and respectfully bowed.
Her name was Yang Que’er.
She was one of the people personally chosen by Emperor Wu.
“What is it?” Xu Ming asked.
“Madam Wang and Young Master Xu have come to visit.”