Chapter 234: If You Know Nothing, Then I Will Ask Someone Else
“I... I am just a businessman. What crime could I have committed? My lord, there must be some misunderstanding.”
Qian Shengcai had originally still possessed some confidence, but after discovering that his own thugs were no match for the Jinyiwei at all, he could no longer act arrogantly without any guarantee of safety.
He stammered and mumbled, pretending not to understand Cheng Yu’s words.
At the same time, everyone inside Harmony Tower, whether waiters, runners, or guests, stared blankly at the scene in this direction.
What were the Jinyiwei trying to do in Harmony Tower?
They suddenly remembered the group of women they had seen earlier. They were all beauties Harmony Tower used to provide its signature specialty—the Beauty Banquet.
Some people began whispering among themselves.
“What are the Jinyiwei doing? Could they be investigating the Beauty Banquet? After that year, every restaurant restrained itself. Why are they investigating again?”
“Who knows? In any case, it has nothing to do with us. Besides, I think today’s incident is probably just for show. It will not become anything major.”
“That is true. Boss Qian is Minister Qian’s nephew. Who would dare touch Harmony Tower? Do they really think everyone in the Jinyiwei is that fierce man who killed Duke Dingguo?”
The person behind Harmony Tower was none other than Qian Sunbao, the second-in-command of the Moderate Faction, whose power filled the court and the realm.
As a Second-Rank High Official of the Great Qian Court, and with Jianghu forces as support behind him, who would dare touch his property?
A single restaurant was nothing to the Jinyiwei, but offending the person behind it because of this was far from worth it.
The Jinyiwei would definitely not take action against Harmony Tower.
Unless it was a certain fierce man.
That man had already become famous throughout Great Qian long ago. He had slaughtered the Jianghu of Jiangnan until they trembled in fear, and after coming to the Great Qian Capital, he had directly uncovered Duke Dingguo’s collusion with Prince Chu and even destroyed him.
That fierce man was Cheng Yu!
If he were here, then not only Harmony Tower, but probably quite a few guests as well would be in trouble.
However, the Great Qian Capital was so large.
If they could run into that fierce man merely by casually eating a meal, their luck would be far too terrible. They thought it was probably impossible.
What these people could never imagine was that fate was a very marvelous thing.
Their luck really was just that good.
On the other side, when Cheng Yu saw Qian Shengcai playing dumb, he did not get angry. Instead, he revealed a faint, calm smile.
“His Majesty once issued an order. Do you not know it?”
When Qian Shengcai heard this, panic immediately rose in his heart.
Of course he knew about Xiao Wuji’s original decree, which forbade all places from holding “Beauty Banquets.” Harmony Tower had deliberately violated the order because it relied on its backing.
Now that Cheng Yu had mentioned the Emperor, he intended to convict them of defying an imperial decree.
That would be troublesome!
If that happened, even his uncle Qian Sunbao would be unable to resolve the matter.
Qian Shengcai could only open his mouth wide, pretending to be foolish.
“My lord, what are you saying? Harmony Tower earns only hard-earned money through business. How could it have anything to do with His Majesty...”
He had to stall!
Harmony Tower had already been brought under the Jinyiwei’s control. With such a huge commotion, someone would definitely go and notify Qian Sunbao and the others.
When the important figures and experts arrived, they would naturally be able to drive these Jinyiwei away!
His only duty was to stall!
He absolutely could not let the Jinyiwei obtain more leverage and evidence.
Cheng Yu raised his brows.
“You do not know?”
“I do not know. My lord, even if you ask me a hundred times, my answer will still be the same. I do not know!”
Qian Shengcai understood his duty clearly. He straightened his back, looking upright and righteous.
As someone from a wealthy and powerful clan who had come out to do business, he understood one thing very clearly.
When the Jinyiwei investigated cases and handled affairs, most of the time, they relied on the intimidation of thunderous action to frighten the other party into terror, making them confess everything they should and should not say.
In that case, the person behind them would not even have the chance to intervene.
As long as he could stall and stubbornly refuse to speak, the Jinyiwei could not casually kill people. After all, this was no longer several hundred years ago.
Even the slightest major action could possibly cause trouble.
“You do not know?”
“I do not know!”
Qian Shengcai’s gaze was firm. He simply did not know. No matter what they asked, he knew nothing!
As long as he refused to loosen his tongue and left them no handle, it would be the Jinyiwei’s turn to scratch their heads and think of a solution!
Once his uncle’s people arrived, these men who dared scheme against the Qian Family’s Harmony Tower would be waiting to face an endless eruption of consequences!
At that time, no matter how they explained it, Harmony Tower would still be trusted, and the ones at fault would become the Jinyiwei who had acted recklessly!
However, no matter what, Qian Shengcai could never have imagined that all his considerations were built upon one foundation: the Jinyiwei had to have scruples. They had to want to investigate the matter clearly, while also fearing the person behind Harmony Tower.
As for Cheng Yu, as long as he did not provoke a Grandmaster, nothing was worth having scruples over.
“Then do you need me to find someone to explain what decree His Majesty once issued?”
Seeing that Cheng Yu was still asking, Qian Shengcai immediately raised his head and pursed his lips, feeling somewhat pleased inwardly.
The Jinyiwei had no way forward now, did they?
Was this not merely using a beauty’s body to enjoy delicacies? His Majesty had lacked taste back then and forbidden it. Why was this Jinyiwei getting so agitated?
He said calmly, “As my lord wishes! In any case, I know nothing...”
Before his words had even finished, a sharp blade light suddenly flashed. A scene no one could have predicted occurred.
Qian Shengcai’s head abruptly fell to the ground.
His face still held that stubbornly resolute expression.
Cheng Yu’s face still bore the same faint smile as he wiped the Dragon-Dethroning Xiuchun Saber in disgust.
“If you know nothing, what use is there in keeping you? Then I will ask someone else.”
After wiping the saber clean, he sheathed it.
In the next moment, he suddenly raised his head and looked around. The other people inside Harmony Tower had long since been frightened senseless. At this moment, their hearts trembled even harder.
The people of Harmony Tower screamed with their eyes nearly splitting.
“Boss!”
The guests each widened their eyes, their legs trembling slightly. They were just here to eat!
How had a meal ended with someone dead?
“The Jinyiwei killed Boss Qian?!”
“They have gone mad!”
“They have simply gone mad!”
They even dared to kill Minister Qian Sunbao’s nephew. Did they truly not know how petty that man was, and how unscrupulous and brutal he could be when taking revenge?
Cheng Yu did not need these people to consider the consequences on his behalf.
He casually pointed at a refined-looking scholar.
“You. Answer the question in Boss Qian’s place.”
The person who had been pointed at cried out inwardly at his own misfortune, but he did not dare defy Cheng Yu’s words at all. He feared that he might also be cut down with one slash.
He stammered slightly, “Three... three years ago, His Majesty issued a proclamation to the realm, ordering the dynasty to strictly forbid ‘Beauty Banquets.’ Violators were to be imprisoned, and in severe cases, beheaded...”
Cheng Yu nodded in satisfaction and smiled.
“You answered well. You answered the question for Boss Qian. He will surely thank you from beyond the grave. By the way, have you tried it before?”
“Ah? No! No...”
“Then go back.”
Cheng Yu did not question him for nothing. Magnanimously, he let the scholar leave.
As for the others...
The smile on his face gradually disappeared, becoming incomparably cold.
“Seal this place...”
After giving instructions to the Jinyiwei, he looked toward the people around him.
“As for everyone here, you will first come with us.”