57: If we are guilty, so be it.

“That’s not right, Big Brother…”

Lu Qianyuan really couldn't listen anymore from the side. Although they were carrying out a search and seizure by imperial decree, the problem was... could he please tone it down? What kind of savage words were those?

“Did I say something wrong?” Mo Yingqi feigned confusion and looked back at Lu Qianyuan. “Accepting bribes, allowing his Estate Managers to oppress the local villagers, privately mining coal, and selling contraband salt—these are all crimes. He should proactively hand over the evidence and ill-gotten gains to the court in exchange for leniency.”

“And what did Lord Wang do? Not only did he fail to turn them in, but he actually enjoyed them himself? Was what I just said incorrect?”

Fang Wenbo, Lu Qianyuan, Tang Jingzhong, and the surrounding Flying Fish Guards exchanged glances, thinking for a long time... What this person said actually made a lot of sense!

Lord Wang knew that desperate resistance was pointless, but people, sometimes, don't reach that final step without clinging to hope and avoidance. Even knowing their fate, they will still put up one last meaningless struggle.

If it were a good or benevolent deed, no one would laugh, and while some might not understand, at least one would have a clear conscience. But to think this way about such ugly matters truly invites ridicule.

Lord Wang didn't equivocate; he genuinely took out the hidden ledgers, silver notes, and other items, and also handed over the records detailing all the possessions in his residence.

“I have handed over everything that should be handed over, Commander Fang…” Lord Wang let out a long breath. At this point, he felt much more relaxed. “It’s just my family…”

“Oh, Lord Wang, rest assured. The Emperor does not intend to confiscate this house; we are only taking these.” Commander Fang pointed to the ledgers and silver notes. “The Emperor is merciful. Your father was, after all, the Late Emperor’s teacher, so he won't truly exterminate your entire family. As for entering the Imperial Prison, our Pacification Bureau's Imperial Prison isn't a place where everyone who enters is immediately tortured. It’s just temporary confinement. The Three Judicial Offices will conduct the final joint trial. However, The Emperor has given his word: at most, you will be stripped of your office and exiled to the military frontier; your life will be spared.”

Lord Wang was stunned, seemingly not having expected that after committing so many wrongs, his punishment would only be exile to the military frontier?

“Lord Wang, The Emperor has shown extraordinary clemency,” Commander Fang patted his shoulder. “Given the charges against you, both past and present, The Emperor would be justified in wiping out your entire clan. But The Emperor is filial. If for no other reason, he must consider the Late Emperor, wouldn't you agree?”

Lord Wang stood there blankly, motionless. It wasn't until two Flying Fish Guards walked over and placed shackles on his hands that his throat moved a few times, followed by a mournful cry.

Mo Yingqi and the others could guess what he was crying about. Perhaps it was surprise and gratitude for The Emperor's mercy, or perhaps it was regret—regret that if he hadn't continued to protect the Rebel Prince's Descendants, and hadn't committed these foolish crimes, but instead served peacefully and assisted The Emperor, he wouldn't have met such a fate.

Regret was meaningless now. The Flying Fish Guards systematically followed the ledgers, taking away everything that was due to be seized. As for items that shouldn't be taken, the Flying Fish Guards left them untouched.

“Take Lord Wang back to the Imperial Prison and guard him properly,” Fang Wenbo instructed his subordinates. At the same time, a Flying Fish Guard came over and whispered a few words to him. Fang Wenbo sighed, then waved his hand again. “Don’t rush off. Let his family see him one last time.”

“Father!”

Just as Fang Wenbo finished speaking, Lord Wang’s young daughter ran out crying and threw herself into her father’s arms: “Father, don’t go! If you enter the Imperial Prison, you won’t ever come back!”

“Be good, listen to me. Father made a mistake…” Lord Wang stroked his daughter’s head, forcing a smile. “It’s just that I don’t know when I’ll be able to see you again… Little girl, don’t blame Father. It’s all Father’s fault for implicating you all…”

The girl just kept crying bitterly. Suddenly, she seemed to think of something, turned to look at Mo Yingqi, and immediately ran over and knelt before him: “Captain, last time you said you would take me to the Bureau of Music and Dance. If I enter the Bureau of Music and Dance, will my father be safe?”

“Little girl, what nonsense are you talking about?” Lord Wang shouted urgently. “No one is going to take you to the Bureau of Music and Dance! Don’t worry about it. This is the retribution for the sins Father committed. I have failed The Emperor, failed the Late Emperor, and failed your grandfather and the ancestors of the Wang Family even more!”

Mo Yingqi looked at the girl, whose face was streaked with tears, silently shaking his head, a hint of bitter amusement on his face. “Miss Wang, this has nothing to do with you…”

“Take me! Take me to the Bureau of Music and Dance!” She acted as if she couldn't hear him, desperately gripping Mo Yingqi's scabbard. “As long as it ensures my father's safety, I am willing to do anything!”

“Guards, have the Maids and Nannies in the residence come over and pull her away!”

Lu Qianyuan had a terrible headache and instructed his brothers. Mo Yingqi gently drew his saber, then stepped back two paces before slowly bending down to look at her. “Your father already said it: he made a mistake, and everything happening now is what he deserves to bear. Alright, Miss Wang, you can leave now.”

“I won't! Then tell me, how can I save my father?” Miss Wang screamed hysterically. “I know he did wrong! I have read books and attended the Women's School; I know my father's actions deserve punishment! But even so, he is still my father, and he loved me dearly since I was little!”

“Don’t you people wearing the flying fish robes have parents? Or were your hearts born cold?”

Mo Yingqi didn't answer, just watched her quietly, then suddenly chuckled. “So, when your father allowed his Estate Managers to bully the tenants on his estate, did he ever consider whether they were someone’s parents or someone’s children?”

“When your father was corrupt and bent the law, did he ever consider which child might lose their loved ones because of his ill-gotten silver, or which white-haired elder might lose their own child?”

“So, Miss Wang, tell me, if children entering the Bureau of Music and Dance could truly atone for their father's sins, then those people... might not even have the chance to atone.”

Mo Yingqi’s words made Miss Wang stop crying instantly. She just stared at him with a tear-streaked face and a look of astonishment. Mo Yingqi slowly stood up and said to Fang Wenbo: “Commander Qianhu, shall we move on to the next household?”

“Leave a few brothers to handle the rest. The Yamen has already sent people over,” Fang Wenbo nodded. “That’s enough, Lord Wang. It’s a temporary inconvenience for you to stay in the Imperial Prison for a few days. After the joint trial by the Three Judicial Offices, where you are exiled to will no longer be our concern.”

Just as everyone was about to leave, Miss Wang suddenly spoke, her tone laced with venom: “My father committed a crime and entered the Imperial Prison. If one day you commit a mistake, will you still be able to be so impartial and merciless?”

“If we commit a crime, our fate will be the same,” Mo Yingqi said as he walked past her, without looking back. “Perhaps this world is unfair, but seeking a sliver of fairness in this unfair world—that was the founding purpose of the Pacification Bureau when the Grand Ancestor established it.”

“Naturally, Miss Wang, you are welcome to hate us. In this entire capital, those who hate our flying fish robes and our embroidered spring blades—you are one more, but not one too many.”

Miss Wang turned her head, staring intently at Mo Yingqi’s retreating figure. Her hands clenched tightly, then slowly released, and finally, she could only cry out helplessly...