Inside the courtyard.

Upon hearing Xiaoyun's words.

Xiaoli, originally puzzled about how her maid could have ended up at the Old Su Mansion, was momentarily taken aback.

She suddenly sprang to her feet, even knocking over her chair without noticing, staring in shock at Xiaoyun:

"What? What's wrong with the master... what happened to him?"

Xiaoyun wiped the tears from the corner of her eyes and choked out:

"The master was resting in the study when suddenly a group of people burst into the house and took him away..."

Upon hearing this, Xiaoli's pupils contracted, her body swayed slightly, and her eyes instantly filled with tears.

However, having once experienced exile with Old Li ten years ago, she steadied herself and asked:

"Without any proof or evidence, why did they arrest people?"

Xiaoyun shook her head, replying, aggrieved:

"Steward Chen asked the same question at the time but was rudely pushed aside by the leader, who is known as Zhao Yuanpeng..."

"What? Zhao Yuanpeng?"

Upon hearing this name, Old Su's eyebrows furrowed immediately, exclaiming in surprise:

"How could it be him?"

Upon hearing this, Xiaoli immediately looked at him, her tears carrying a sliver of hope:

"Uncle Su, do you know him?"

Old Su nodded slightly, his brows still tightly knitted:

"He is the Standard Sixth-Grade Chief Eunuch in the court, known for being stubborn and insidious."

"More importantly, although his official rank is not high, he is a former commander of the Imperial City Department, whom all officials avoid."

Upon hearing the words 'Imperial City Department,' Xiaoli tightened her grip on Xiaoyun's hand again.

Speaking of ancient espionage organizations.

The majority of people might immediately think of two names:

The Jinyi Guard of the Ming Dynasty and the Blood Drop of the Qing Dynasty.

But in reality.

To maintain the rule of the Feudal Dynasty, almost every emperor in history established some special inspection agencies.

For example, the Observation Official was established in the early Cao Wei.

The Sui Dynasty had Observation Officials.

Wu Zetian created the Plum Blossom Imperial Guard, who liked to stamp a small plum blossom on their elbow, claiming that they had come by imperial decree to 'pick' you!

As for the Imperial City Department.

It was the espionage agency during the Song Dynasty.

Initially, the Imperial City Department wasn't called that, it was called the 'Wude Bureau.'

In the Sixth Year of Taiping Xingguo, a certain unnamed automobilist at Gaoliang River gave up morality, thus it was renamed to the 'Imperial City Department.'

According to records in Song History: Imperial City Department:

"Imperial City Department, staffed by seven officials, including those above Doctor of Martial Arts and the Chief Eunuch, and Chief officer, responsible for the prohibition on entering and exiting the palace. All matters relating to the Zhou Lu Guard and the palace gate opening and closing schedule are under their jurisdiction."

Furthermore, based on the division of functions, the Imperial City Department had different positions and personnel allocations.

Some were responsible for personal protection of the Emperor, acting as guards.

They do not belong to the Three-Yamen System but do similar tasks, used to balance the Palace Guard under Wang En previously mentioned.

Others specialized in inspecting the officials.

For instance, Zhao Yuanpeng who captured Old Li belonged to this category of official and held a rather high internal ranking.

Realizing this.

Old Su grew increasingly puzzled:

"However, while Zhao Yuanpeng is indeed an inspector, his actions this time do not conform to the rules..."

Xiaoli hurriedly asked:

"Uncle Su, what rules?"

Old Su quickly glanced at her out of the corner of his eye, shook his head, and did not speak.

Having served as a Prime Minister across four dynasties, although he somewhat despised the Imperial City Department's claws of the celestial family.

Over the years, he has come to understand some of their internal rules to some extent.

He knew very well.

Although the Imperial City Department had great power, it was not without constraints.

For example, internal officials could not easily leave the Imperial City, and family members could not easily leave the capital, as well as.....

The Imperial City Department only had the power to inspect, not to arrest.

In other words.

Allowing the Imperial City Department to break the rule and arrest someone requires the Emperor's approval.

To be more precise, it requires a decree directly conveyed by the Emperor.

However, considering that such words would bring no benefit to the current situation and might even make Xiaoli worry unnecessarily, Old Su chose to keep the information concealed.

Then he thought of something and turned to ask the teary-eyed maid Xiaoyun:

"Xiaoyun, did Zhao Yuanpeng only take Uncle Wen?"

Xiaoyun timidly nodded:

"Yes, they only took the master."

"What about items?"

"It seems they searched the study for some things, then drove all the servants away, left guards, and sealed the main door."

Upon hearing this, Old Su pondered for a moment, forming a vague judgment, then said to Xiaoli:

"Qingzhao, the fact that the servants from Uncle Wen's mansion were unaffected indicates that this matter either involves high-level individuals, irrelevant to ordinary servants."

"Or it is merely a trivial matter, such as colleagues being taken away to assist with inquiries and so on."

"But regardless of the scenario, you, being Uncle Wen's daughter, won't be easily released like a servant. If there's no accident, someone will likely come to take you and keep you confined."

"Remember, wherever you're taken to in the future, do not panic excessively. I will be outside maneuvering for Uncle Wen."

"Moreover..."

"Although the one in the palace is a bit muddled, he is not a tyrant. You needn't worry too much about suffering harm; maintaining your composure is crucial."

Xiaoli lightly nodded, evidently prepared, attempting to speak.

Just at that moment.

Zheng Kuan, the guest responsible for guarding the residence, suddenly rushed in from outside the courtyard and hurriedly said:

"Sir, it's bad, a group of people arrived outside with a Golden Decree from the palace, saying they want to take Miss Li!"

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