"Master, an invitation from the Prefecture Chief Pei Jian has arrived, inviting you to join the night market tour and lantern festival on the evening of the fifteenth day of the first month at the city gate tower!"

Returning home from the clinic that day, Mr. Xie brought Lin Miao an invitation sent by Pei Jian from Dongshan Prefecture.

"Is the lantern festival a tradition in Dongshan City?" Lin Miao asked.

"Yes, it is held every year on the fifteenth day of the first month. It’s hosted with donations from prominent merchants and aristocrats. On this day, colorful lanterns are hung in the east and west markets and main streets of Dongshan City, and they remain lit throughout the night. It’s a grand event where both officials and citizens celebrate." Mr. Xie explained.

"Who is eligible to be invited to view the lanterns at the city gate tower?"

"Usually it’s the donors, well-known family members, and sometimes court officials—someone like you might be considered a socialite." Mr. Xie replied.

"Did Ding Shouzhong, Xu Yao, and Zhong Yu receive invitations?"

"I don’t know about that. Would you like me to find out?" Mr. Xie replied with a sheepish smile; he was once just an assistant at a pawnshop, only slightly higher in status than an average person, and the ranks beyond are not within his reach.

However, it is foreseeable that following Lin Miao, the heights he will be able to reach in the future are certainly beyond his previous reach.

Sometimes, choice truly outweighs effort.

Mr. Xie suddenly felt that his current life is quite good, far more meaningful than the previous forty years.

"No need, you may leave now." Lin Miao shook his head, gesturing him to leave.

... 𝕗𝚛𝚎𝚎𝐰𝗲𝗯𝗻𝚘𝚟𝚎𝗹.𝕔𝐨𝕞

Ye Mi Yuan was finally released; Ye Shengyuan ultimately asked Mrs He for help, who intervened and secured his release from the Arresting Department.

Feng Sheng couldn’t ignore the influence of the Marquis Lingyang’s Mansion’s lady, or he’d be recklessly unaware of the power dynamics.

Unless he no longer wishes to stay in Dongshan City.

He took the opportunity that came his way.

During the few days in the Arresting Department’s prison, although he wasn’t beaten anymore, it was still a fate worse than death.

Previously being an arresting officer who caught, detained, and interrogated people himself, he suddenly became a prisoner, almost dying inside.

How immense were his anger and hatred?

His mental state collapsed.

His bottom was beaten to a pulp; Feng Sheng certainly wouldn’t find someone to treat his injuries. The wounds festered and emitted a foul stench. He was carried out of the prison, people covered their noses, lying in a carriage until returned to the Ye Family.

Ye Shengyuan, seeing this scene, was first stunned and then furious, quickly commanding his men to clean the wounds, apply ointments, and, lastly, change into clean clothes.

Four or five people busy for over an hour finally completed the cleaning.

Lighting incense, the smell in the air remained faintly lingering, and it might take quite some time to fully dissipate.

Despite such cleaning and disinfection, the pain was beyond what a typical person could endure; Ye Mi Yuan lay on the bed without a groan, converting his overwhelming resentment into powerful determination.

"Mi Yuan, how do you feel? If it’s painful, you should cry out..." Ye Shengyuan said, looking at the pus-soaked bottom; even though the board hadn’t struck him, he could feel the pain.

The arresting officers were too ruthless; how could they indiscriminately beat people?

All blame goes to that Lin brat with intestines so rotten they’re oozing foul water. What’s the point of reporting for no reason?

"Mi Yuan, don’t worry; this revenge, I swear, I shall avenge you. That Lin Miao, I will certainly not let him off." Ye Shengyuan swore an oath and promised Ye Mi Yuan.

"Patriarch, I will avenge myself."

"You want to avenge yourself..." Ye Shengyuan was puzzled, unsure if Ye Mi Yuan was out of his mind or if something went wrong, wondering why he’d say such a thing.

"Yes, I’ll avenge myself." Ye Mi Yuan stated, "Being knocked out must be related to that Lin; otherwise, why would he report me to the Arresting Department? Surely, he recognized me, and due to inconvenience to act directly, he utilized others to kill me."

"Is that what you think?" Ye Shengyuan was taken aback.

"Patriarch, behind that Lin brat, there must be someone; although the young master’s death wasn’t by his hand, it very much relates to those behind him..."

"Mi Yuan, have you considered if that person indeed exists and can easily knock you out, even bringing you to Mr. Xue’s site, then killing you would be effortless. Seeking revenge might be a futile act, so perhaps this should be approached cautiously." Ye Shengyuan wasn’t foolish; if there’s a master behind Lin Miao, recklessly acting would be suicidal, so what’s the point?

"Patriarch, first we must determine the identity of the person behind that Lin brat. Therefore, I won’t act rashly; rest assured." Ye Mi Yuan assured.

"Good; it’s excellent that you have such thoughts." Ye Shengyuan was relieved upon hearing this.

"Patriarch, given this injury, I fear I won’t return to Lanzhou for a while, so I’d like you to help with one more thing?"

"Go ahead."

"Please have Marquis Lingyang’s Mansion intervene to transfer me from Lanzhou to Dongshan; I want to join the Dongshan Prefecture’s Arresting Department!" Ye Mi Yuan gritted his teeth and said.

"This..." Ye Shengyuan found it difficult, as if it is a transfer within Dongshan officials, he might ask Mrs He for help; for the Lanzhou official transferring to Dongshan Prefecture, it’s cross-regional transfer unless the Marquis Lingyang acts; otherwise, too many barriers need clearing.

Besides, the Arresting Department is a crucial court department serving the public; transferring across regions involves tedious procedures, although for big figures, it’s nothing but why would they help you?