Old Su exchanged a glance with Zong Ze beside him:

"They've come so quickly!"

As soon as he finished speaking.

Seven or eight men in plain clothes flooded into the courtyard.

Leading them was a small-statured middle-aged man with triangular eyes, exuding a somewhat sleazy demeanor.

This kind of appearance usually disqualified one from holding office in ancient times.

This person clearly knew Old Su, as he entered the courtyard and presented a small golden token, bowing slightly to Old Su:

"Zhao Yuanpeng, the Chief Eunuch, at your service, Mr. Su. I've intruded upon your esteemed residence today under orders to take the daughter of the Assistant Minister, Miss Li Qingzhao, with me."

"This warrant serves as proof, and I ask Mr. Su not to obstruct."

Old Su discreetly cast a 'remember what I told you earlier' look at Xiaoli, then nodded slightly:

"Since the Chief Eunuch has the warrant, I have no reason to obstruct."

"However, Chief Eunuch, since Uncle Wen is an old acquaintance, may I be so curious as to ask what crime he has committed?"

Zhao Yuanpeng forced an unpleasant smile, responding:

"Mr. Su, this involves significant matters at highly elevated levels."

"If I divulged the reasons, I fear I might not keep my head by tomorrow. I beg your pardon, Mr. Su."

Perhaps considering Old Su's personal prestige and connections, Zhao Yuanpeng hesitated for a moment, then added:

"Mr. Su, we are acting under the orders of the Master, and from within, taking Miss Li for questioning, not detaining or imprisoning her, so you need not worry about any other issues concerning Miss Li."

After saying this, he glanced at Xiaoli, gesturing for her to proceed:

"Miss Li, the sedan chair awaits outside the residence, please."

Xiaoli looked at Old Su and Xu Yun, slightly bowed.

Then she released her tightly clasped hand with the maid Xiaoyun, wiping the maid's eye corner, as portrayed in "Do You Know, Do You Know, It Ought to Be Honeysuckle and Red Blossoms", and followed Zhao Yuanpeng out of the courtyard.

Old Su watched the group gradually disappear, sighing wistfully.

Not long after Xiaoli was taken away.

A sudden violent wind blew through the courtyard, the sky turned dark, and a torrential rain began to pour down.

Drip, drip.....

Old Su stood under the eaves, watching the storm and slanting rain ravage the courtyard, his expression not as relaxed as when he was dealing with Xiaoli earlier.

It was clear.

Judging from the behavior of Zhao Yuanpeng and the others, Old Li's arrest was surely connected to Zhao Ji inside the palace.

But Old Li was merely a Senior Fifth Grade official, what significant trouble could he have stirred?

As we know.

The Song Dynasty was not like the previous Tang Dynasty.

The highest rank among officials during the Tang Dynasty was Third Grade, with the positions of First and Second Grade being honorary and not dealing with state affairs.

However, it was different in the Song Dynasty, where many First Grade officials with real duties existed, both civil and military.

During the reign of Emperor Shen Zong, the number of First Grade officials in the court reached as high as thirty-eight.

A Senior Fifth Grade Assistant Minister was just an ordinary minor official.

Moreover, Li Gefei wasn't known to be indulging in politics, nor was there any news of him taking a side..... wait a minute!

Old Su's mind raced, and his heart suddenly chilled.

A possibility emerged in his mind:

Could it be.....

Prince Jian?

He then turned his head to Elder Xie, the Chief Steward beside him, and asked:

"First Year, how has Prince Jian been recently?"

Although he had retired for several years.

But the recent demise of the Empress Dowager Xiang, coupled with visits from numerous officials, stirred a peculiar feeling in his heart.

Hence, he reactivated certain connections to keep track of the developments in the capital.

And the one responsible for gathering this information was Elder Xie, who had followed him for decades.

Upon hearing Old Su's words, Elder Xie quickly responded:

"Sir, Prince Jian hasn't shown any unusual behavior lately. The only exception in recent months was moving out from the palace and temporarily residing in the Prince's Mansion on Donghua Lane."

Old Su nodded thoughtfully and turned to Xu Yun:

"Xiaowang, it seems you were the one who initially suggested that Prince Jian leave the palace?"

Xu Yun glanced at the low dark clouds in the sky, adjusted his emotions, and tried to maintain a calm tone:

"Indeed, at the time I believed that after the Empress Dowager's death, to avoid suspicion, Prince Jian should find a dwelling outside the palace."

Emperor Huizong of Song was born in June 1082, and is now just 18 years old.

Xiaozhao was born in 1083, a full year younger than Zhao Ji, and is only 17 years old now.

According to ancient customs.

Men came of age at 20, which was also the age when an ordinary prince would move out of the imperial palace and establish his own residence.

However, three months ago, after the interment of Empress Dowager Xiang, Zhao Ji had to observe mourning at the Song Mausoleum for a month.

Xu Yun seized this opportunity to persuade Xiaozhao to move out of the palace.

After all, with Zhao Ji mourning in Gongyi, a hundred concubines remained in the palace, who were only required to eat vegetarian meals according to the rites.

Xiaozhao, thanks to his mother Noble Consort Zhu being alive, could often visit the harem.

Upon reflection, it seemed rather inappropriate.

Therefore, out of consideration for avoiding suspicion.

Xiaozhao listened to Xu Yun's suggestion and proposed to Zhao Ji the idea of moving out of the imperial palace.

Even though Zhao Ji "had another five children" after being captured by the Jin people.

This was a matter of circumstances and didn't imply he had inherent minotaur traits or peculiar preferences.

Therefore, after Xiaozhao proposed this idea, Zhao Ji quickly gave his consent.

Aside from this.

Xiaozhao indeed had no other noticeable peculiarities during this period.

Subsequently, Old Su's chest rose and fell a few times, as if he had made some decisions, and said to Elder Xie and Zong Ze:

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