Chapter 127: What a mighty display of official authority!

However, Murong Fu failed to notice that the complexions of everyone present had grown rather unsightly.

Especially Old Wu, who stood by the entrance. Old Wu instinctively looked down at the palm of his hand, almost on the verge of bursting into tears.

What the Great Qin lacked most at present was financial resources. If that luminous pearl could only be sold, it would somehow manage to patch up the shortfall in the imperial treasury's expenditures. But now, it was already far too late.

This was precisely the key reason why Fang Xu, Old Wu, and the guards wore such peculiar expressions. It was not because they were intimidated by Murong Fu, but because it hurt too much—it hurt to lose money!

"Since that is the case... why come to me?" Fang Xu could only force a smile as he questioned Murong Fu, who was busy examining the dolls placed aside.

"This young master now suspects that the luminous pearl I lost is hidden right among these dolls!" Murong Fu folded his paper fan and pointed directly at the dolls gathered in the corner.

Following the direction of Murong Fu's finger, the gazes of everyone present locked onto the spot.

"Brother Jun, aren't these the dolls we acquired just today? Why is Murong Fu saying such things?" Shangguan Lian asked, looking somewhat puzzled as she turned to Zhuge Jun beside her on the second-floor gallery.

Zhuge Jun could not help falling into a brief contemplation. From his perspective, Murong Fu would never act without absolute certainty. Since Murong Fu chose to come to this inn, he must have received some concrete intelligence.

Yet these dolls had been obtained personally by him and Shangguan Lian. Logically speaking, Murong Fu should have had no way of knowing which specific dolls they would choose!

Thinking up to this point, Zhuge Jun still could not figure out how Murong Fu had managed it. Still, it was evident that the matter seemed to have some substance to it.

"I am not sure either, but judging by Brother Fang's demeanor, he seems to hold a winning hand!" Zhuge Jun said with a puzzled expression as he looked down at Fang Xu below. Although Fang Xu's expression carried a trace of panic, his eyes were mixed with a hint of playful amusement. Zhuge Jun wondered if his eyes were playing tricks on him.

"Brother Jun, would you stop joking? Can't you see the worry on Young Master Fang's face?! If worst comes to worst, why don't we step in? I'm sure Murong Fu would still show some respect to the two of us," Shangguan Lian urged anxiously.

"Oh? You haven't even married into his family yet, and already you're plotting on his behalf?" Zhuge Jun could not resist teasing Shangguan Lian, though a strange, sour feeling tugged at his heart.

"Brother Jun, are you still joking at a time like this?! Aren't you afraid something might happen to your good brother?!" Shangguan Lian lowered her head with flushed cheeks, nervously playing with her sleeve as she muttered.

"Silly girl, even if the two of us step in, it won't do much good. If I'm not mistaken, the luminous pearl Murong Fu is talking about is the legendary family heirloom possessed by the old patriarch of the Murong clan," Zhuge Jun said, affectionately patting Shangguan Lian's head.

"So what if it's a legendary heirloom?! Doesn't your family have one as well, Brother Jun?" Shangguan Lian said dismissively, completely failing to grasp why a legendary heirloom carried such weight.

"Silly girl, if it were just an ordinary luminous pearl that went missing, do you think Murong Fu would be making such a fuss? As he mentioned earlier, this legendary heirloom is truly a rare treasure in this world, completely priceless!" Zhuge Jun sighed with a bitter, troubled smile.

"Then what should we do? Brother Jun, think of something!" Realizing the gravity of the situation, Shangguan Lian gripped Zhuge Jun's sleeve tightly and pleaded.

"For now, we can only wait and see if Brother Fang has any good solutions!" For some reason, Zhuge Jun felt that the matter was far from simple. Both he and Shangguan Lian had witnessed Old Wu entering the private room and whispering into Fang Xu's ear earlier. And not long after they left, Murong Fu had come knocking. Could this truly be a coincidence?

Zhuge Jun found himself unable to see through the situation completely and could only watch with hopeful anticipation as Fang Xu performed below. However, should the situation truly spiral out of control, Zhuge Jun would still choose to show himself. After all, precious as a priceless heirloom might be, the prestige of the Zhuge and Shangguan families carried equal weight.

Downstairs, Fang Xu stopped the bailiffs and yamen runners who were attempting to step forward to search.

"Fang Xu! What is the meaning of this?!" Prompted by a glance from Murong Fu, Zhang贺 stood up in dissatisfaction and questioned him.

"Oh? Isn't this Lord Zhang He? My apologies! I didn't notice you there just now," Fang Xu said with an amused smile, eyeing Zhang He.

"Fang Xu! Do you realize you are obstructing official business?!" Zhang He could not be bothered to waste words with him. From his perspective, was there any need to exchange pleasantries with a dead man?

"Such impressive official prestige! Lord Zhang He, I believe you don't have the authority to investigate this official, do you?" Since Zhang He wished to flaunt his authority before him, Fang Xu did not mind returning the favor.

Although Danyang Commandery was under Zhang He's jurisdiction, one must not forget that Fang Xu held the position of Commandant of the Nine Ministries, a status and authority far surpassing Zhang He's. The only ones qualified to put on airs of authority in front of Fang Xu were fellow Commandants of the same rank, the Minister of Ceremonies, senior court elders, and the Chancellor. Everyone else either matched his rank or sat below him; who would dare show disrespect to Fang Xu?

Yet Zhang He had actually dared to put on official airs before him! Was this not courting death?

"Lord Zhang, I call you a lord out of respect, but do not forget your own status, Zhang He! And have you forgotten? Addressing a superior directly by his given name is a grave crime of disrespect! This official has the full right to strip you of your post as Commandery Governor and remove you from office for investigation!" Fang Xu said coldly, fixing his gaze on the blustering Zhang He.

It was only then that Zhang He snapped back to his senses. He was merely a humble governor; he was in no position to act presumptuously before a Commandant, let alone address him by his full name. Such an act was indeed a severe offense of lèse-majesté!

"Young Master Murong..." Zhang He shivered as he looked toward Murong Fu for assistance. After all, every word Fang Xu uttered was logical, well-founded, and irrefutable.

"Utterly useless!" Murong Fu was nearly driven to a rage by Zhang He. Yet, in his eyes, the harder Fang Xu resisted, the more it proved that Fang Xu was terrified of an investigation.

Given this, how could Murong Fu possibly let slip such a golden opportunity to bring Fang Xu down?

"This young master insists on searching! Does the Commandant permit it or not?" Murong Fu asked with a grim, chilling smile. A faint smile also crept onto Fang Xu's lips.