Lu Bing immediately responded, "Well... their naked parade through the streets is known throughout the capital. Everyone on West Drum Tower Diagonal Street witnessed it. These three are too ashamed to show their faces and have locked themselves in their school dormitories. Moreover, their names are now infamous across the capital. When they attempt the imperial examinations, they'll need fellow candidates to vouch for them. With such reputations, who would dare risk their own futures to guarantee them? Without guarantors, they're effectively barred from the examinations. So Wang Daxia has already destroyed their scholarly and official careers. Why trouble yourself further?"
Lu Ying insisted, "Their exclusion from the examinations is their problem. Whether the school and Ministry of Rites punish students who publicly humiliate widows is another matter entirely. I shut down over a dozen Taotie Restaurants and demand severe punishment for these three students because I want the world to know: don't think you can casually label a woman 'promiscuous' to justify humiliating her, and don't assume you can escape responsibility by being a passive bystander."
"I'm deliberately making this a major issue, not just for Doctor Wei alone, but for any future woman subjected to public humiliation. For such offenders, moral instruction is useless—only severe punishment will make them remember."
Unlike her father or even Wang Daxia, as a woman, Lu Ying naturally empathized with Wei Caiwei, understanding viscerally her fear and rage at that moment.
For Wang Daxia, this was about people bullying his "rumored woman," essentially challenging him. The gossip didn't harm him—people might even envy him, considering him dashing. No one would mock him as a "promiscuous man" while he dined at a restaurant or scorn him. Instead, they'd eagerly invite him to share meals and seek advice on how to seduce pretty widows.
But for Lu Ying, she saw the world's malice toward women—how easily a woman labeled "promiscuous" could find herself condemned by all, with everyone feeling entitled to kick her while claiming to uphold justice and morality.
Though a noble young lady, Lu Ying spent her days among men. To investigate the murder of Thousand Household Chen and his son, she'd even stormed the male bathhouse Huaqing Pool with Wang Daxia, weaving through naked bodies to raid a hidden underground gambling den and capture a page.
If her true gender were ever exposed, or if she lost the protection of her father Lu Bing, everything she'd done could plunge her into far greater peril than Wei Caiwei faced.
After all, Wei Caiwei's promiscuity remained mere rumor—no one had actually seen her with two men. But Lu Ying's actions were widely known facts.
As the saying goes, "the fox mourns the hare's death"—only Lu Ying could truly share Wei Caiwei's sorrow. Thus, Lu Ying demanded severe punishment, something even Wang Daxia wouldn't have considered.
This was purely about gender, not about who cared more for Wei Caiwei.
Lu Bing couldn't comprehend his daughter's demand. "Must you do this?"
Lu Ying nodded. "Can't Father manage such a small matter?"
A father fears nothing more than disappointing his children. Yet Lu Bing felt that while Lu Ying's request was feasible, it was unnecessary.Lu Bing rubbed his forehead, "It's not difficult at all, much simpler than shutting down over a dozen Taotie Restaurants overnight. Anyway, I get impeached every month—a few more impeachment memorials this June won't make a difference. With His Majesty's support, no one dares touch me. My position is even more secure than that of Yan Song and Yan Shifan. Since you insist, I'll send someone to handle it."
Since ancient times, the catering industry has been highly profitable, especially establishments like Taotie Restaurant, which are expensive and operate over a dozen branches in the capital. Such large-scale businesses inevitably have powerful backers; otherwise, they wouldn't survive. Taotie Restaurant pays its backer a substantial annual dividend.
Lu Bing knew exactly who the backer was—a prominent figure—but this backer would never risk confronting Lu Bing, the Commander of the Embroidered Uniform Guard, over a lost dividend. It would be a case of petty gains leading to significant losses.
Lu Bing, ever the shrewd old fox who avoided making enemies and always left room for maneuver, had already sent someone to inform the backer. He noted this favor and intended to repay it in the future.
As for the prefectural school and the Ministry of Rites, this year marked the six-year metropolitan evaluation. Officials in the Ministry of Personnel and the prefectural school were anxious about losing their positions. The Ministry of Personnel, headed by his close friend Wu Peng, was responsible for evaluating officials of the fourth rank and below. The two families were even discussing a marriage alliance, poised to become in-laws.
With Lu Bing's word, the Ministry of Rites would certainly revoke Lu Renjia's scholarly rank, and the prefectural school would expel the three students. Who would want to risk being accused of shielding offenders and receiving a "negligent oversight" verdict in the metropolitan evaluation, leading to dismissal?
Thus, with a mere flick of his finger, Lu Bing could accomplish this—far easier than uprooting a dozen Taotie Restaurants.
Lu Ying said, "Thank you, Father."
Pleased by the address, Lu Bing teased, "Not calling me 'Lord Lu' anymore?" During their recent strained relationship, she had persistently used the formal title.
Lu Ying replied, "I'll still use it when outsiders are present."
Lu Bing stroked his chin and asked, "Aren't you happy with what I've done?"
Lu Ying said, "I am happy."
Lu Bing pressed, "If you're happy, why do you still look so serious? Can't you even smile?" This daughter of his was far too rigid.
Lu Ying forced a smile, baring four teeth.
Seeing his daughter's strained expression, Lu Bing thought, Well, never mind.
By the time Lu Ying returned to the northern part of the city, it was already the fourth watch. The heavy rain showed no sign of stopping, as if heaven had resolved to usher in autumn and drive away summer relentlessly.
The Embroidered Uniform Guards took turns resting while continuously draining water from the tunnel. Lu Ying joined their efforts.
By morning, the downpour had eased into a drizzle. Wang Dxia personally visited to deliver an invitation, rescheduling the farewell banquet for the following evening.
Due to his "heroic" parade the previous evening, Wang Daxia became the center of attention as soon as he entered. Wu Dianyong quickly escorted him to Boss Wang.
Wang Daxia handed the invitation to Boss Wang, "...Tomorrow evening at Santong Restaurant. I've also invited Commander Wu and Brother Ding to join us. We'll drink until we drop."
Upon hearing that Commander Wu would attend, Boss Wang knew Doctor Wei would certainly not come, especially after the fright she had experienced the day before.
But a wise man sees without exposing, so Boss Wang feigned ignorance of the previous day's events. He accepted the invitation with both hands, promised to arrive on time, and personally saw Wang Daxia to the door.
By noon, the drizzle had turned into a torrential downpour. In the afternoon, an undercover agent of the Embroidered Uniform Guard secretly slipped Wei Caiwei's "Lanke Dream" into a water delivery cart.In the evening, the cooking smoke from the Myriad Goods Trading Company curled upward in the rain.
Due to the rain, business was slow. Even the Myriad Goods Trading Company was nearly deserted, closing its doors at nightfall. Most people had gone home, leaving only about ten behind to settle accounts, guard the shop, and watch the warehouse.
Normally, the shopkeeper Wu Dianyong lived in a small courtyard behind the trading company for the convenience of managing the shop. However, whenever Shopkeeper Zhao came to the capital, Wu Dianyong would vacate the courtyard for him and make do with a few nights at an inn on Toutiao Alley.
After closing up, Wu Dianyong, wearing wooden clogs and holding an umbrella, did not return to the inn. Instead, he went to the Lakeside Tavern at the end of Toutiao Alley and ordered a table full of dishes.
Usually, Wu Dianyong also dined out in the evenings, so the followers were not surprised.
However, after the dishes were served, Wu Dianyong did not touch them. Instead, he asked the waiter to pack them in a food container to take away.
Could it be that Wu Dianyong disliked the noise of the tavern and wanted to take the food back to his inn room to eat slowly?
But Wu Dianyong did not ask the waiter to deliver it. Instead, he picked up the heavy food container with one hand, held the umbrella with the other, and left.
The five undercover agents scattered and followed him, only to discover that Wu Dianyong did not return to the inn to rest at all—he went back to the Myriad Goods Trading Company!
What was going on?
The undercover agents quickly reported this unusual change to Lu Ying.
Lu Ying furrowed her brows. "What does he mean by this? Does he want to treat the night-shift workers at the shop to a few extra dishes?"
Wang Daxia asked, "What dishes did he order?"
The undercover agent replied, "Sweet and sour fish, lotus seed soup, osmanthus glutinous rice lotus root, water chestnut powder cake, and a pot of warmed rice wine—he even specifically asked the waiter to add extra sugar to the rice wine."
"All these dishes, including the rice wine, are sweet. So they’re not for the shop workers—they’re specially prepared by Wu Dianyong for Shopkeeper Zhao." Wang Daxia said, "I noticed at the banquet on the decorated pleasure boat the night before last that Shopkeeper Zhao prefers sweet dishes, with sweet and sour fish being his favorite, and dislikes raw, cold, or fishy foods. He didn’t touch the crabs, nor did he try the most expensive dish at the banquet—raw pufferfish slices. Meanwhile, Wu Dianyong enjoys such raw delicacies and didn’t even touch the sweet and sour fish."
Lu Ying was puzzled. "Wu Dianyong didn’t touch his chopsticks before sending the dishes to Shopkeeper Zhao. If he was going to eat and drink with Shopkeeper Zhao, why didn’t he order something he likes? Everything is sweet, and he doesn’t care for that."
"It’s deliberately done for show," Wang Daxia explained, enlightening Lu Ying, who was unaware of the "hardships" of those in lower positions. "For example, if I were to invite Commander Lu to a meal, I would definitely order only what Commander Lu likes to eat, even deliberately choosing dishes I detest but Commander Lu enjoys. The purpose is to let Commander Lu know my sincere intentions—I’d rather disgust myself to please Commander Lu."
Lu Ying’s gaze was somewhat bewildered; she couldn’t understand Wang Daxia’s almost self-tormenting way of currying favor with others.
Wang Daxia lowered his voice and said, "For instance, during the New Year, when Lord Lu takes you visiting relatives and you go to the in-law Yan Shifan’s house, don’t you have to perform a grand bow, kneel, and kowtow to receive the New Year’s money? Even though you despise Yan Shifan, you’re forced to do something you dislike. It’s similar to this."
Lu Ying said, "It’s not for the New Year’s money; I do it out of courtesy. After all, my second sister is his daughter-in-law."
Wang Daxia replied, "Your courtesy is the same as our way of pleasing superiors—it’s something we must do. Otherwise, how can we get promoted and make a fortune?"Since his first confession was rejected two nights ago, Wang Daxia had been striving to mature quickly. Not only did he focus on saving money, but he also delved into career advancement and financial success—he had completely forgotten his original intention for joining the Embroidered Uniform Guard. Initially, he had only wanted to smoothly inherit his father's rank of Battalion Commander and then idle away his life comfortably on that title.
In the Embroidered Uniform Guard, Wang Daxia had always adopted a slack attitude, never arriving early and clocking in exactly on time each day.
During the day, he only did the bare minimum required, never going beyond his duties.
At noon, he was always the first to rush to the canteen for meals.
In the evening, he left promptly at the end of his shift, never staying overtime, leaving everything for the next day.
But after Wei Caiwei rejected his confession, Wang Daxia resolved to change himself. Since she thought he was immature and fickle, he would prove his maturity to her, showing that his confession was not an irresponsible jest.
How to appear mature? In Wang Daxia's view, it boiled down to four simple and straightforward words: "Career advancement and wealth."
How to achieve career advancement and wealth? First, please his superiors; second, perform his duties well.
Thus, during the operation to raid the White Lotus Sect lair, Wang Daxia completely abandoned his usual laziness and procrastination, becoming proactive and dedicated. He followed every order from Lu Ying and charged ahead fearlessly.
Using Lu Ying's New Year visit to Yan Shifan as an example, Wang Daxia made Lu Ying instantly understand Wu Dianyong's intention in buying all sweet-flavored food for Boss Wang.
However, Lu Ying thought more deeply. She pondered Wang Daxia's words repeatedly, and suddenly, as if fireworks lit up her mind, she asked, "What did you just say about pleasing whom?"
Wang Daxia replied, "Pleasing my superiors, of course."
Lu Ying asked, "Who are your superiors?"
Wang Daxia said, "Naturally, it's you, Commander Lu, and also Lord Lu. To advance my career and gain wealth, pleasing you two is more important than doing my job."
"Wrong." Lu Ying excitedly pointed at Boss Wang's name. "It's him. All along, we speculated that Boss Wang's highest identity was one of the Four Great Disciples of the White Lotus Sect—the 'Money Vase,' most favored by the cult leader and responsible for amassing wealth everywhere. That's why Wu Dianyong has always been so cautious around him."
"But from Wu Dianyong's deliberate effort to please him tonight by ordering all sweet dishes, we've underestimated Boss Wang's status within the White Lotus Sect. He isn't just one of the Four Great Disciples and the Money Vase; he is likely Wu Dianyong's superior—the White Lotus Sect leader, Zhao Quan."
Wang Daxia was stunned. "Commander Lu makes a valid point. So, he isn't just a big fish—he's a whale!"
Lu Ying's expression grew even more serious than before. "But since Wu Dianyong delivered the food, Boss Wang and he won't eat the meals prepared by the company's chef. Doctor Wei's medicine will have no effect on them. The others will be easy to capture, but these two might cause unexpected complications."Author's Note: Gender has inherent identification. Jinjiang is a female-oriented website, so the comment section is quite harmonious, with everyone finding it immensely satisfying. If I were to post the recent three chapters on a male-oriented site, the comment section would definitely explode, with people thinking Lu Ying's punishment was too harsh and excessive. Women ultimately rely on women, especially those with political influence who can understand women's suffering and protect their kind. Of course, many women choose to be male accomplices, bullying and belittling women or demanding their submission as slaves to gain recognition and support from the patriarchal society, just to get a few scraps.
Next chapter will be the final move—so excited!
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