After some commotion, another group of soldiers arrived. Zhu Yu immediately recognized the uniforms they wore as belonging to guards from the Imperial Palace.

These guards rushed over, first driving away the crowd of onlookers, then surrounding the women near the prison cart.

The previous clamoring instantly quieted down. The people looked at each other, startled, concerned that the guards were there to protect the women of the Duke Yan Mansion.

Just a moment ago, the crowd’s emotions had been stirred, voices raised in accusations and insults. Seeing the current scenario, they began to feel apprehensive.

Zhao Bocai, who had been silent in the prison cart, shrinking into himself, now raised his head when he saw the arrival of the imperial guard. The guards separated the people shouting insults from his grandmother and mother. He hurriedly took stock of the situation outside.

When he determined that the imperial guard’s posture seemed protective, a near bounce-back of courage surged within him, and he quickly shouted, "Injustice! It’s an injustice! I am wronged! Please report to the Holy Emperor, I am innocent!

Someone wants to frame me, using this to accuse my grandfather of wrongful deeds! Please, you must explain this to the Holy Emperor on my behalf!"

"Silence!" Just when Zhao Bocai was shouting fiercely, the leading guard suddenly turned to him, scolding sharply, "A convicted person, shouting like this, where’s your propriety?

Do you not intend to leave the last shred of dignity for your grandfather?!"

Zhao Bocai hadn’t anticipated being rebuked, and his words were swallowed back. His flushed face turned pale once more.

The guard didn’t bother with him further but turned respectfully to Duchess Yan, bowing slightly.

Despite the respect, his words carried little politeness: "Duchess, with Duke Yan currently detained for embezzling tribute, at such a critical moment, it’s unseemly for the family’s women to be acting out in public.

The Holy Emperor, recalling the favor once shown to the late Consort Zhao and Prince Yi, has been lenient towards the Duke Mansion. However, today’s actions have been disgraceful, bringing shame to Prince Yi.

Thus, the Holy Emperor sent us to escort you back to the mansion.

From today, without special permission, without an imperial decree, the Duke Yan Mansion will reflect behind closed doors. No one is allowed to enter or leave freely."

After speaking, he gestured, and the guards behind him advanced, promptly lifting the startled Duchess Yan and others, almost escorting them back to the mansion forcibly.

The onlooking citizens, initially tense and worried about trouble for themselves, felt relieved when they realized the guards were taking the women back to be confined. Instantly, they dared to follow the guards to watch the spectacle.

The guards seemed oblivious to those trailing behind, ignoring them entirely, allowing them to follow along.

Meanwhile, Zhao Bocai’s prison cart continued to move. Inside it, he almost collapsed from exhaustion, just barely staying upright due to the cramped space.

Zhu Yu had little interest in Zhao Bocai. She took Lu Qing’s hand, blending into the crowd as they moved toward the Duke Yan Mansion, watching the palace guards briskly drag the mansion’s women away unapologetically.

Those women, accustomed to walking only within the confines of their large home and usually traveling by carriage when venturing out, had never walked much.

Now, being dragged by the strong guards, they stumbled and staggered, falling several times before being roughly pulled up by the imperial guard. Having just cried their hearts out before Zhao Bocai’s prison cart, they didn’t even reach the mansion when they were already covered in dust, their hair disheveled, and even a couple of hairpins falling out.

Duchess Yan, due to her age, was held by guards on either side, preventing her from falling much.

This elderly woman, having followed Duke Yan from her youth and experiencing much more than her daughters-in-law, roughly understood the situation. In a state of total resignation, she allowed herself to be dragged by the guards, showing no other reaction, except for silently shedding tears with her gaze turning somewhat vacant.

Arriving at the Duke Yan Mansion, the guards skillfully dispersed to guard the various entrances, while a few others delivered the women to the main entrance, knocking for entry. Before the shocked doorkeeper could react, the women were forcefully pushed inside, the door shut, and a seal quickly affixed.

Armed guards stood outside the door, lined up, with the leader staring at the onlookers, proclaiming loudly, "From today, without permission, no one is allowed to enter or exit the Duke Yan Mansion freely. Otherwise, they will be treated as accomplices!"

Upon hearing this, the crowd hastily turned and left, scattering to avoid being implicated as accomplices by accident.

Zhu Yu and Lu Qing left with the crowd. After walking some distance, they turned back to see the guards standing at attention outside the sealed door, clearly indicating to any observer that something significant had occurred at the Duke Yan Mansion.

A little further away, Zhu Yu snorted, "It seems he has finally reeled in the fishing line, not intending to leave that old meritorious servant any face.

Today’s events have evidently trampled that Zhao traitor’s dignity to the ground. Even if his life is spared this time, returning to his former status is impossible."

"We’ve seen enough of the spectacle; any further developments aren’t something we can witness firsthand given our current situation. It’s unnecessary to linger here and waste time," Lu Qing’s voice came from behind his veiled hat, indicating a plan had long been formed. "Better to set off early."

"Indeed, that sounds good." Zhu Yu’s heart involuntarily quickened a few beats, but she kept her tone extremely relaxed, "It’s quite stifling in the Capital. I’ve long been weary of it."

When the two returned to Yunyin Pavilion, they also passed by the Headdress and Shoes Workshop.

Earlier, with the crowd and the commotion of guards and officers, it was too chaotic to pay attention. Now, with the crowd dispersed, passing by the workshop again, seeing the tightly closed door and the slightly askew signboard made it seem as though this place, once bustling with activity, had suddenly fallen into decline.

Zhu Yu gazed at the once lively and bustling shop, a scene of Gu Lingyun’s tragic end flashing before her eyes.

Gu Lingyun had done so many things, both openly and covertly, and deserved her fate.

Regrettably, her death only cast more suspicion on Duke Yan with no clarity, making the mysterious fabric "Red Jade Fragrance" even harder to investigate.