The next morning, YQ, EK, and ET, accompanied by guards that were still loyal to Wang Da Ye, walked with great dignity into the local official's work place. YQ carried himself like the true prince he was while EK and ET easily fit into the role of bodyguards.

Before Official Li could protect, EK unrolled HS's letter regarding full cooperation for the travelers and proclaimed in his official voice:

"Huang Shang yo zhi (by royal command of the Emperor), the Royal Fifth Prince Aisin-Gioro Yongqi is traveling South on an official inspection tour. Full cooperation is expected of all officials of all regions. The Prince brings with him two beloved Princesses of the Emperor and other honored guests. Their words are to be treated as law. All efforts must be made to ensure the success of their journey. Anyone who dares to reject their authority will suffer immense consequences." He closed the letter and proclaimed: "Long live the Emperor!"

ET next stepped up and dropped a roll of paper on the table in front Official Li: "Here you will find an official script written in Wang Da Ye's hand and sealed with his House Seal. He has generously followed HS's orders and given full and complete authority to his Royal Fifth Prince Aisin-Gioro Yongi."

YQ sternly looked at Official Li and said with all the arrogance and power he could muster: "I believe you are in my seat."

The other minor officials broke into hushed whispers at this blatant show of power. Official Li felt himself break into a cold sweat but refused to appear daunted by the royal bearing of the three young men.

He spoke in a simpering voice: "Your royal highness. Your humble servant believes that Wang Da Ye has been unwell. But he has entrusted the running of the province to my humble self these past few years. Your humble servant is sure that no inspection is needed."

ET glared at the official: "How dare you speak back to His Royal Highness! Down on your knees and pay him the proper respect!"

Official Li trembled but followed suit.

YQ likewise glared at the cowering man in front of him: "Hmmp. No need? Ha! You dare threaten HZGG with imprisonment yesterday. Not only is she my wife but she is also a beloved daughter of the Emperor. Just for that you ought to be punished. And sending a man to his death without a proper trial, what kind of a government are you running here! You have sullied the name of my father and violated the trust of our people. Guards, seize him! I want him in prison within the hour. I'll deal with him once I've cleared up all the mess he has caused!"

Official Li immediately kow-towed but to no avail; soon his pleads begins faded from hearing as the guards roughly dragged him away.

The disturbance gone, YQ solemnly walked up to the official seat and with great dignity took his seat. He slammed the wooden wedge on the table: "Now, what have you all to say for yourselves?"

The minor officials all bowed down and kow-towed. One of the older ones replied bravely: "Your Royal Highness, we beg your forgiveness. We had no choice but to follow Official Li's stance. He held many of our sons prisoner and threatened many of our daughters."

YQ said with great anger: "Qi you ci li (What kind of logic is that?). How could you all allow a mere advisor hold such sway over you? Fetch me the list of current prisoners immediately!"

A moment later, the list was brought and EK handed it to YQ for perusal.

YQ carefully looked it over and his expression grew stormier: "I do not see the names of your sons on this paper! But I do see the names of some of your fellow officials. You people disgust me! Guards, release those officials and throw these worthless worms into their cells! Let them have a taste of their own medicine!"

Ignoring the officials' protests, YQ declared: "I hereby official declare the city's curfew and all prisoner movements null and void. All prisoners will have their cases reviewed by me personally. EK and ET, by my orders, you are to go around the city and gather all complaints of the people against Official Li. We will see just how deep this corruption runs. Court is adjourned!"

EK and ET bowed and replied in unison: "Shi, we will obey."

With that, the three young men walked out and began to gather evidence from the people.

News of the shift in power spread like wildfire throughout the city and the region. Citizens who were scared to speak up before found their voice. Over the next few days, the list of the corruption and crimes grew steadily longer. After the imprisonment of the corrupt officials, XJ joined the other three men in perusing through all the different cases. YQ, EK, ET, and XJ found themselves working from sunrise to sunset to settle complaints that had been neglected. They ate when they could and would return to Wang manor exhausted every evening. Every victim added more fuel to their fury. One of their largest findings was that Official Li had been squirreling money away from the people and putting it into his own personal accounts. YQ had all his assets seized and the valuables redistributed as restitution for all the victims. Some of the imprisoned minor officials also recovered and returned to work, thankful for their release from prison. It seemed that Official Li had imprisoned anyone who remained loyal to Wang Da Ye. He did not order their death because their families remained powerful but he used their imprisonment as leverage in keeping their families silent. These officials were carefully screened by YQ, EK, ET, and XJ to ensure their reliability prior to returning to work.

Finally, after two long weeks of hard work, the influx of complaints slowed to a normal level, the four young men took a brief break and joined their loved ones and new friends for dinner in the Wang manor.

XYZ, ZW, and SY fussed over their husbands and continuously filled their bowls with food. Qing-er likewise fussed over XJ, causing him to smile tiredly and thank her, addressing her as 'Xiao Fu Ren.' When the others heard his nickname for her, they teased the two mercilessly. Qing-er blushed but persisted in her fussing.

Wang Da Ye looked at their tired faces and shook his head: "I can tell how bad things are from all the work you four have been doing. I am so very sorry that I have let things slide so much."

YQ shook his head: "No, Wang Da Ye, you had no way of knowing. I'm just glad you sent your letter to HAM when you did. I think things are more manageable now."

EK likewise added: "Besides, it provided a good chance for house cleaning. I think we addressed cases from even before your sickness. It seems Official Li had all this planned for a long time."

ET nodded: "He's been building up his personal funds to bribe minor officials and other businessmen of the city for years. In a way, it's good, since it gave us a chance to repay the victims without emptying the city's treasury."

XJ took a sip of tea and asked: "Any news regarding Xing-er?"

YuZhen shook her head: "Not much, I'm afraid. He has woken up and is recovering well. Chun-er has been taking good care of him. The good news is that he does remember us and that we're family. But he's not sure if he is fit to be the heir. He worries that he lacks the experience."

Wang Da Ye: "I keep telling him that I would guide him but he still worries that he will not be able to do good for the people."

Despite this news, XJ smiled: "I think that's actually a good sign. I would have been more worried if he had jumped at the chance. His concerns show that he is a thoughtful person and is truly concerned about the people."

SY added thoughtfully: "It may be that XJ is correct. My father once said that sometimes, a reluctant leader is the best one. He is not drawn in by power but by a genuine need to help others. He once tested my brothers by asking them to choose from a selection of goods. He knew that the ones who chose the gold and jewels lusted after wealth, the ones who chose weapons would cause bloodshed, but the one who chose the livestock truly understood the ways of our people."

ET: "Yes, I've heard him say that as well. It reminds me of when we were children, EK, and Er Niang and Ah Ma had us pick certain items to predict our future fortunes. Of course, I think SY's father's actions were much more logical."

Wang Da Ye sighed: "Be that as it may. If Xing-er remains reluctant, I still cannot force him to accept."

Qing-er spoke up: "Is he well enough to join the four of them in their daily dealings? If it is experience he is worried about, why not acquire some now? I think it would be good for him to see how to deal with corruption as well."

ZW agreed: "The best way to learn is by doing. How can he know if he is fit or not without trying?"

Even XYZ nodded: "It's like that story you told me, Qing-er, about the fox and the grapes. How can he know if the grapes are sour or sweet without first trying them?"

YuZhen looked at her father: "What do you think Ah Ma? Is Xing-er well enough to try?"

Wang Da Ye smiled: "Well, as all of you so kindly pointed out, we won't know until we try and ask him. You four are tired, why don't you rest now and I will speak with him."

The four friends nodded gratefully and returned to the mound of food their loved ones had piled in their bowels.

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That evening, Qing-er found XJ playing his flute in the pagoda. She silently waited for him for conclude his song before asking: "Should you not be resting?"

XJ turned towards her and smiled a little: "I find a lot of rest in my music. And being able to see you helps me relax as well."

Qing-er blushed but asked: "How goes the work, really?"

XJ sighed: "Slowly, actually. In all my wanderings, I mostly dealt with individual cases, but this (he shook his head), this is beyond the scope of anything I've encountered."

Qing-er nodded: "How are you doing?"

XJ: "I'm doing well. I'm learning a lot from YQ, EK, and ET actually. I used to think that anyone of high status was a spoiled gentleman who had never done an honest day's work, but from all their work for the people of this city and region, I can tell how many responsibilities they shoulder back in BeiJing as well. YQ might not be good for drying grain or chopping wood, but he certainly knows his way with policy and philosophy. EK and ET too; the three of them are a good team."

Qing-er: "I'm glad to hear that. But XJ, what about you? Are the grapes bitter or sweet?"

Remembering XYZ's comment from earlier, XJ chuckled: "Me? I'm grateful to be part of the team. It's intriguing to put all my academic trainings to practice. I don't often have a chance to do so."

Seeing the relived look on her face, he added: "You've been worried?"

Qing-er: "Well, yes. I fear that this work is more cerebral and while you have a wonderful mind, I always think of you more as a man of action."

XJ replied: "That is true. But I can't underestimate the power of words. After all, that's what supposedly got my father into trouble. I'll just think of it as practice, just in case I need to become an official to make you my Xiao Fu Ren."

Qing-er smiled and laid her head on his shoulder as he put his arm around her. Content, the two basked in the fragrance of the flowers around them and the warm glow of their love.