In the evening, Madam Su returned after drinking at the Liang family's house.
When she returned, Su Yourong was no longer as worried as before.
As Young Master Shen said, at this point, if Emperor Zhou had truly suffered any ill effects, someone would have come knocking by now.
The continued peace and quiet indicated that Emperor Zhou was likely fine.
After telling Madam Su about Young Master Shen intoxicating Emperor Zhou, Su Yourong then relayed Young Master Shen's conjecture to Madam Su.
After hearing Su Yourong's words, Madam Su immediately shook her head, refuting Young Master Shen's conjecture: "To think that way is to underestimate His Majesty too much."
"What do you mean by that?"
Young Master Shen and Su Yourong both asked curiously at the same time.
"If His Majesty truly wanted to scare you into voluntarily handing over the method for making sugar, why would he need to appear in person?"
Madam Su pondered: "His Majesty is the ruler of a nation; unless he's truly desperate for money, he still needs to maintain some dignity."
"This..."
Young Master Shen frowned.
Her thought process actually aligned with his own.
Could it be that he had really guessed wrong?
Or was Emperor Zhou truly desperate for money?
"That makes no sense!"
Su Yourong interjected, "His Majesty's words, both explicitly and implicitly, were all about how the imperial court was short on silver!"
"How could the imperial court not be short on silver after Great Zhou has only been stable for a few years?"
Madam Su gave her daughter a look. "Have you ever considered that His Majesty was merely stating a fact?"
Su Yourong fell silent upon hearing this.
Could it be that Young Master Shen had truly guessed wrong?
But if Young Master Shen had guessed wrong, why would His Majesty specifically hide his identity to discuss those things with Young Master Shen?
At this moment, Su Yourong was also a bit confused.
Just as they were racking their brains over Emperor Zhou's true motive, the doorman suddenly entered with several people.
Seeing the arrivals, Madam Su's eyelids immediately twitched.
The one leading them was none other than Zhang Ci, the Dali Temple Chief!
Zhang Ci's expression was stern as he strode forward: "Greetings, Madam Su."
"Lord Zhang, there's no need for such formality."
Madam Su returned a faint smile and asked, "May I ask why Lord Zhang is visiting so late at night?"
Zhang Ci cupped his hands and said, "This official has been ordered to invite Young Master Shen to the Dali Temple for a visit!"
"What?"
The Su Family mother and daughter's expressions suddenly changed, and Young Master Shen's heart also gave a sudden leap.
Damn it!
It can't be that serious, can it?
Did that one in the palace really develop some problem from drinking?
After a brief moment of panic, Madam Su composed herself and asked in a low voice, "May I ask, Lord Zhang, what crime has my son-in-law committed that requires you, the Dali Temple Chief, to personally apprehend him?"
Zhang Ci gently shook his head, "This official is merely acting on imperial orders! I'm afraid I cannot disclose anything!"
"Whose orders are you following?" Madam Su asked with a dark expression.
Zhang Ci: "Naturally, it is by His Majesty's decree!"
By His Majesty's decree?
That means His Majesty is fine?
Since His Majesty is fine, why would he still order someone to take Young Master Shen to the Dali Temple?
While Madam Su was bewildered, Zhang Ci looked at Young Master Shen again, "Young Master Shen, will you walk on your own, or shall this official escort you?"
Young Master Shen's face stiffened, and he said testily, "I'll walk myself!"
"Alright!"
Zhang Ci gestured with his hand, inviting him, "Then please, proceed!"
"Young Master Shen!"
Su Yourong came to her senses, quickly stepped forward, grabbed Young Master Shen's arm, and looked at him with reddened eyes, "Don't be afraid, we will surely..."
"It's alright!"
Young Master Shen patted Su Yourong's hand, "I'm innocent, so you don't need to worry! Help me take good care of Chi Chi!"
After Young Master Shen finished speaking, he walked directly outside.
"Madam Su, farewell!"
Zhang Ci cupped his hands in a bow and quickly walked out.
Su Yourong wanted to chase after him but was held back by Madam Su.
"Mother, let's hurry to the palace!"
Su Yourong was pacing anxiously, tears welling up in her eyes.
"Don't panic!"
Madam Su tried her best to remain calm and said with a frosty expression, "I will go to the palace to see His Majesty right now! You shouldn't go. The household is already in a state of alarm; if you leave too, it will fall into chaos!"
Su Yourong hesitated for a moment but ultimately nodded with tears in her eyes.
...
On the way to the Dali Temple, Young Master Shen almost laughed out of exasperation.
He arrived in the capital the day before yesterday, got the Emperor drunk this morning, and was taken to the Dali Temple tonight.
The ups and downs of life were truly too damn stimulating!
And it was the Dali Temple Chief himself who came to apprehend him!
He had to admit, the damn Emperor really thought highly of him!
Amidst his amusement, Young Master Shen looked around, secretly wondering if there was any possibility of escape.
But soon, he dismissed the idea.
Leaving aside whether he could escape from under the watchful eyes of these few Dali Temple officials, even if he did manage to escape, what about the Su Family mother and daughter and Chi Chi?
Damn it!
Did this damn Emperor issue a chaotic decree while drunk?
This morning they were chatting so pleasantly, and by evening, he issued a decree to have him taken to the Dali Temple.
Even if he really developed a problem from drinking, he should look for his own reasons; what's the deal with taking him to the Dali Temple?
Isn't this just pure lunacy?
It's true that being near the ruler is like being near a tiger!
After cursing Emperor Zhou vehemently in his heart, Young Master Shen gradually calmed down.
This whole situation, from beginning to end, was peculiar!
Even if Emperor Zhou wanted to force him to voluntarily offer the method for making sugar, he wouldn't resort to such underhanded tactics, would he?
Couldn't he use a carrot and stick approach?
Something's not right!
Completely not right!
There must be some other reason behind this!
Realizing something was amiss, Young Master Shen immediately began to think calmly.
Unknowingly, they arrived at the Dali Temple.
Zhang Ci didn't say much and led Young Master Shen directly into the Dali Temple.
"Lord Zhang, where are we going?"
Young Master Shen asked.
"To the prison, of course!"
Zhang Ci looked at Young Master Shen expressionlessly: "Otherwise, where did you think we were going?"
"What exactly have I done wrong?"
Young Master Shen frowned and asked, "You're taking me to the Dali Temple, not even questioning me, and directly locking me in prison?"
Young Master Shen was both annoyed and depressed.
The capital truly was a damn good place!
He was experiencing the Dali Temple's prison on only his second day in the capital!
"We'll talk in the prison!"
Zhang Ci remained expressionless.
Young Master Shen's brow furrowed, "What, are you going to torture me?"
This time, Zhang Ci didn't even bother to reply.
Seeing that he couldn't get anything out of Zhang Ci, Young Master Shen could only reluctantly proceed to the prison, secretly grumbling in his heart.
Emperor Zhou is sick, and Zhang Ci is sick too?
He's already been brought to the Dali Temple, and they're preparing to escort him to prison!
And he's still personally accompanying them?
Complaining furiously the whole way, Young Master Shen finally entered the prison.
"Young Master Shen!"
Just as they were walking deeper into the prison, Young Master Shen suddenly heard a voice filled with boundless hatred.
Following the sound, he saw an old acquaintance.
Zhao Jianzhi!
Zhao Jianzhi was filthy all over, his prison uniform stained with noticeable blood, and his hands and feet were shackled with heavy chains.
In the cell next to Zhao Jianzhi, there was another disheveled person squatting there, playing with feces.
Hearing the commotion, that person grabbed a lump of feces, looked up, and grinned foolishly at Young Master Shen: "Come, eat candy..."
...
Young Master Shen suppressed the disgust in his heart, looked closely, and realized that this person was actually Zhao Ying.
This guy has gone mad?
Looking at the father and son, Young Master Shen couldn't help but shake his head and smile bitterly.
He hadn't expected to come and keep them company so soon!
Life truly is unpredictable, a big intestine wrapping a small one!
Amidst his emotion, Young Master Shen looked at Zhang Ci again: "You're not going to lock me up with them, are you?"
Hearing Young Master Shen's words, Zhao Jianzhi couldn't help but be slightly stunned.
After a brief moment of distraction, Zhao Jianzhi suddenly burst into maniacal laughter: "Haha, Young Master Shen, you have your day too! Weren't you trying to take credit from the imperial court? Now aren't you also locked in prison? Haha..."
Zhao Jianzhi laughed wildly, as if the hatred in his heart had been vented.
"Young Master Shen is joking."
Zhang Ci said with a chuckle, "This official has been ordered to invite you to assist in the investigation of the Zhao family's conspiracy with Prince Ji to rebel. Why would I lock you in prison?"