Taking the Blame, Turning the Trap Around

Just seconds ago, Dominic Zhai was swaggering around, kicking officers aside; now he stood quietly, letting the refugees point fingers and accuse him as much as they pleased.

Faced with the refugees’ accusations and complaints, Dominic Zhai couldn’t say a word—the truth was plain to see: it was his officers who destroyed the refugees’ last chance to survive, who acted recklessly without caring whether the people lived or died.

All his life, Dominic believed in defending home and country—like a true warrior, picking up his weapon and fighting to protect his nation with his life. But now?

Dominic Zhai lowered his head in silent guilt.

He’d come too late. If only he’d arrived a little earlier, none of this tragedy would have happened—these people wouldn’t be bloodied over a bowl of porridge or a single bun.

Serena Feng let out a sigh. This wasn’t Dominic Zhai’s fault—he was already one of the good ones. For a nobleman to care about commoners and not get angry when blamed by them was rare.

If it had been anyone else, they’d probably be furious at being scolded by a crowd of refugees after coming to help—most would just arrest everyone. But Dominic Zhai didn’t; he stood there and let the refugees vent their anger.

That kind of character—who knows if it’s good or bad? For the common people, an official who hates evil is a blessing, but for the official himself, it’s a fatal flaw. If you can’t tolerate any injustice, how do you survive in the cutthroat world of officialdom?

Serena Feng couldn’t help but worry about Dominic Zhai’s future. Seeing the mood turn increasingly tragic, she had to step in: “Everyone, don’t be too upset. Since Young Lord Dominic was late today, let him help us get back the porridge and buns the officers smashed.”

Letting Dominic Zhai do something would help ease his conscience and win the refugees’ gratitude. Without Dominic, most of them probably wouldn’t have survived—he truly was their lifesaver.

“Fine! The food those bastards smashed today—I, Dominic Zhai, will get it back for you, double! Brothers, go call in the city garrison! If those dogs dare send out officers, I’ll send out soldiers. If it comes to a fight, so be it! Hit them hard, and if anyone dies, Prince Samuel Manor will take care of the bodies!”

Dominic Zhai was full of bravado, acting as if he feared neither heaven nor earth, but Serena Feng was alarmed. “What did you say? The Capital Inspectorate Office sent out officers?”

If that was true, things would get out of hand quickly.

To frame a group of refugees—how shameless!

Labeling the refugees as ‘rebels’ was to drive them to their deaths. If the Inspectorate slaughtered them all, no one would blame them—after all, they’d already been branded as rebels.

“We’re not rebels, we’re not rebels!” The people nearby trembled in fear at Dominic Zhai’s words.

“Sir, we’re not rebels. We just want a full meal—is that so wrong?”

“We just want to survive, we’re not rebels…”

Fear spreads quickly—everyone in the free clinic shrank together, terrified, watching the outside, afraid the soldiers would storm in and kill them all.

Being branded a rebel was a crime that could wipe out nine generations.

“Don’t worry, as long as I’m here, no one will lay a finger on you.” Dominic Zhai drew his sword and spun, pointing it at the doorway. “I refuse to believe there’s no justice left in this world. Right under the Emperor’s nose, they dare act lawlessly? Men—guard this place. Anyone who forces their way in, kill them!”

Dominic Zhai was throwing caution to the wind, determined to stand against the Inspectorate for the refugees’ sake. But if he kept this up, both sides would be ruined—the Emperor would never allow his own men to fight each other.

“Dominic, don’t be reckless.” Serena Feng hurried after him, standing behind Dominic and whispering a warning.

“Serena, how am I being reckless? It’s the Inspectorate who’s gone too far. If they want to catch rebels for credit, fine, but they can’t take it out on ordinary people.” Dominic glared at Serena—wasn’t she the one who called him here? Why was she now telling him not to fight?

If he didn’t fight, how was he supposed to swallow this anger today?

Serena Feng had seen Dominic’s impulsiveness before. To keep things from getting out of hand, she quickly grabbed his arm. “Dominic, think about it. The Inspectorate wouldn’t dare attack the refugees unless they had backing. And don’t forget—the Chief Inspector is the Emperor’s confidant. If you openly go against him, what do you think the Emperor will do?

Even if the Chief Inspector is in the wrong, we can’t embarrass him like this. If he complains to the Emperor, you’ll be the one in trouble. Besides, ‘rebels’ is just a label—he can pull anyone from the crowd and call them rebels. What can you do about it?”

“Is there really no justice left in this world? Does whatever the Inspectorate say become law? Can innocence be turned into guilt?” Dominic realized, thanks to Serena’s analysis, that going head-to-head would only bring him disaster.

Family scandals shouldn’t be aired in public. Dominic’s city garrison and the Inspectorate’s officers were both powerful forces keeping the Capital safe. If these two giants clashed, it would embarrass the Emperor—and when he got angry, both Dominic and the Inspectorate would suffer. As for who was right or wrong, the Emperor wouldn’t care.

“If someone wants to frame you, evidence is easy to fabricate. Wronging a couple refugees is nothing.” Serena understood these dark workings even better than Dominic did.

“So what now? Just stand by and let the Inspectorate come in and arrest people? I can’t do that.” Dominic was stubborn—he’d just made a big promise to protect these refugees, and he couldn’t back down now.

This guy...

Serena shook her head, realizing Dominic really wasn’t suited to be an official, much less a commander. If it weren’t for the Prince of Su backing him, Dominic’s upright nature would’ve offended countless people.

In the world of officials, you have to bow your head sometimes—even the Emperor has to compromise with his ministers now and then.

“Dominic, don’t forget—catching rebels is your duty. The Inspectorate is already overstepping by hunting rebels so openly. If they want to go head-to-head with you, it’s just to steal credit.” Sometimes, changing the perspective changes everything.

Dominic wasn’t unwilling to bow his head because he was stupid—he just hated to give in. Hearing Serena’s words, he understood at once. “Serena, you mean I’m not here to protect refugees—I’m here to arrest rebels?”

If that’s the case, he’d have a reason to send troops—and a reason to confront the Inspectorate.

The Emperor likes officials who catch rebels, not those who fight their colleagues just to protect refugees.

Serena Feng nodded. “Exactly. Remember, you’re not here to protect refugees—you’re here to arrest rebels. Have your men shift their focus and point their weapons at the free clinic.”

Only by doing this could the blame be shifted onto the Chief Inspector, and the Emperor’s reputation would be preserved. His soldiers weren’t bullying the people—they were arresting criminals. That way, everything made sense.

“Good idea, but where am I supposed to find rebels? Am I really supposed to pull a few refugees and treat them as rebels? I’ve done that before, but never with ordinary people—it was always enemies, branded as rebels and tossed out.

“Honestly, you really are a bit slow. Why are you here to arrest rebels? Because of the Inspectorate’s intel. When you arrive and find only refugees, just say the Inspectorate’s information was wrong.” Any mistake would be the Inspectorate’s fault. In short...

Chief Inspector, get ready to take the blame. Though, to be fair, it’s not really undeserved.

“This is a good plan.” Right and wrong didn’t matter—the key was surviving this crisis. Serena’s idea might not punish the Inspectorate for abusing refugees, but it would save their lives. Otherwise...

If word got out that soldiers were fighting civilians, the Emperor would be furious—and the refugees wouldn’t stand a chance. The person who cared most about his reputation was the Emperor; no one could embarrass him.

Once Dominic understood, Serena added, “Just stall the Inspectorate’s men—don’t let them act. I’ve already sent Jada Tang to Prince Samuel Manor. Once the Prince knows what’s happening, he’ll know how to handle it. Just stick to your story: you came to arrest rebels, and you don’t know anything else.”

Serena had basically blocked all the Inspectorate’s escape routes. The Inspectorate had the Emperor behind them; Dominic had the Prince of Su. And the rights and wrongs were obvious. Even if the Emperor wanted to protect the Chief Inspector, it wouldn’t be easy.

Dominic was thoroughly impressed and gave Serena a thumbs-up. “Serena, you’re so sly… cough, I mean, brilliant!”

Under Serena’s cold stare, Dominic forcibly changed ‘sly’ to ‘brilliant.’

“Just keep watch. If you do this well, it might even count as a major achievement.” Serena shot Dominic a look and headed back toward the free clinic.

She’d rather not get involved in the officials’ power struggle—there were patients inside, and her job was to be a good doctor.

“Master, will we be alright?” As soon as Serena walked in, the refugees all looked to her, anxious but hopeful.

No commoner in the world isn’t afraid of soldiers. If not for survival, these refugees would never have dared to confront them.

“Don’t worry. With Young Lord Dominic here, nothing will happen.” Serena made sure to praise Dominic. “Simon, are all the patients settled? If so, come help bandage the wounded.”

“Alright.”

Master and apprentice plunged back into their tense and busy work. As for the chaos outside, Simon Sun said, with Master here, there’s nothing to fear.

Serena Feng said, with Ninth Royal Uncle behind us, there’s nothing to fear!

Sean Xuan had been standing quietly in the corner, saying nothing, but he hadn’t missed a single move Serena made.

Able to bend and stretch, with a sense of the bigger picture—she truly was the daughter of a victorious general.

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