What a day! Today is the final day for the double bonus, and I will keep writing non-stop until I see how much Li Jiao Zhi can manage to produce; I should have at least three updates!

The heroes and bold spirits rushed forward, seven of them utterly smashed from drink, bellowing opera tunes. With their drunken eyes squinted, the seven brothers eventually tumbled onto the ground, their snores shaking the room.

Everyone, it seemed, had drunk too much. When a maid came in to say something, no one even registered what she said...

Even the Eldest Young Master didn't escape. He ended up staying the night at the Dugu family estate. There was no helping it; the Eldest Young Master had also consumed quite a bit. Although he’d managed to force out a good amount through cheating, the residual alcohol was enough to knock him sideways. By the end, he was reeking of liquor and completely muddled. He searched everywhere for Tang Yuan but couldn't find him, so he just stumbled into a guest room and fell asleep.

The next morning, as soon as he woke up, he heard two maids whispering outside: "Hey, did you hear? That distinguished guest who came yesterday got completely wasted."

"Mmm-hmm, I heard too, but not the details."

"Then let me tell you, but you absolutely can't tell anyone, okay?"

"Mmm-hmm, I definitely won't spread it."

"I heard that that fatty went to the latrine yesterday and was throwing up for ten days straight! Then, plop—guess what happened?"

"What happened?"

"He actually jumped right into the cesspit! He was trying to catch fish in there! Oh my heavens, it had just poured with rain, and that stuff was splashing everywhere—ugh, it was utterly disgusting!"

"Really? So what happened in the end?"

"Heh, it completely exhausted Wang Tong and the others. The stench was terrible, and the location wasn't right. That fatty was completely submerged, and it took more than a dozen people tying ropes around him just to drag him out! Everyone got splashed with... [sound of retching]! Then they dragged him over to the pond and washed him five times front to back before finally getting him into a guest room. They say even after he got to the room, he still smelled terrible." Wang Tong and the others had no choice but to fetch another seven or eight buckets of water and wash him twice more before he was finally clean.

"After all that commotion, he’s still not awake?"

"Not awake! Not only is he not awake, but he kept yelling that he wanted to catch fish in there!"

"Truly... formidable."

"That's not even the end of it. I heard that when he went in, the Young Cousin Master was squatting inside at the time. The fatty grabbed him with one hand and just tossed him out! Even later, he was still shaken. It’s a good thing the Young Cousin Master was thrown out, otherwise, he surely would have ended up smashed into the cesspit with him. Although the Young Cousin Master is tall, he still can't compare to that Young Master Tang in stature. I heard the Young Cousin Master insisted on trying to fish out the fatty, and then he jumped in himself."

"Ah? Hahaha, that kills me!"

"Hahaha, it kills me!" Jun Moxie, who was eavesdropping, also burst out laughing. Although he knew perfectly well this was his good brother's embarrassing moment and he shouldn't laugh, that damned fatty was just too outrageous! With his bulk, falling into that place—there would be no calling heaven or earth for help.

Hearing the Eldest Young Master’s laughter, the two maids immediately became flustered.

They watched as he came out, still chuckling. He merely inquired about Tang Yuan's location and then left. Only then did they breathe a sigh of relief. You must know that the rules of the noble houses were the strictest; for maids like them to privately discuss visiting guests, and for the guest's companion to find out—that was an unforgivable offense.

When Jun Moxie saw Tang Yuan again, the man was sound asleep, wrapped tightly in his quilt, the room thick with the smell of wine.

Judging by his appearance, this fellow had no memory whatsoever of the events of the previous night.

Before arriving, Jun Moxie had only found it amusing; this fatty was just too reckless. To go stumbling into someone else’s cesspit just because he drank a little too much. But now, seeing Tang Yuan sprawled on the bed, Jun Moxie suddenly felt a surge of suspicion.

Tang Yuan might be reckless, careless, irresponsible, or even vulgar, but he was absolutely not muddled! Even if he were drunk, he would never be so mentally deficient as to jump into a cesspit to catch fish. Besides, given Tang Yuan’s physique, how large could the cesspit possibly be?

Large enough to let him fall in, and large enough for him to thrash about in?

This wasn't some swimming pool!

Others might not know, but Jun Moxie knew the latrines at the Jun residence. Besides the private facilities for the master, there were facilities for entertaining guests, and then there were the places for the household guards to relieve themselves. Except for the guards’ latrine, which was larger, the others were all quite well appointed. There was simply no possibility of a guest falling into them. Furthermore, considering the fatty’s size, even cramming him in would be impossible.

Yet, the fact remained. So how did Tang Yuan end up in the cesspit?

The only explanation was...

Was he set up?

Jun Moxie gently lifted Tang Yuan’s quilt and examined his body closely. He couldn’t discern anything amiss. He stood up, pondered for a long while, and then walked out. He casually hailed a guard: "Take me to where we were drinking last night."

The guard, seeing the future son-in-law beckoning, dared not delay. He led Jun Moxie back to the place where they drank the previous night. The area was already a mess that had been cleaned up, but the faint scent of alcohol lingered.

Jun Moxie stood where the fatty's special large chair had been—it had already been removed. The Eldest Young Master pondered for a while longer and then asked, "How many convenient places are there nearby?" The guard was startled. "Convenient places? There are two nearby, and others farther away."

"Oh, take me to see them." Jun Moxie waved his hand.

The guard was greatly astonished. He thought this future son-in-law was strange. Visiting rockeries and gardens was normal, but visiting a latrine was certainly a first. However, a guest had made a request, especially the family's future son-in-law, so he absolutely dared not refuse. Helplessly, he led the way.

After viewing three facilities, Jun Moxie's suspicions grew heavier. There were no traces of the incident in any of those three places. But from where they came, these were the only places one could relieve oneself. So where did Tang Yuan go to relieve himself?

"Are there any other convenient places to go?" Jun Moxie asked, straightening up thoughtfully.

"There are, but they are a bit farther, and those places are used by the servants. They are filthy." Jun Moxie inexplicably felt a chill.

This Young Master Jun was truly odd. Most people would cover their noses in such a place, yet he acted completely unconcerned, not even frowning.

"Take me there!" Jun Moxie said, his face grim, and he stepped forward first.

The guard became anxious. He now realized something was amiss. He feared this son-in-law was investigating the matter of Young Master Tang falling into the cesspit last night. He promptly led Jun Moxie to the site of the incident, signaling a few familiar guards along the way to quickly find the young masters and the Lord, sensing that something major was about to happen...

Jun Moxie paid no mind, allowing the guard to send messages. This matter would certainly have to be discussed with the decision-makers of the Dugu family, so he might as well save himself the effort of sending messengers.

Jun Moxie stood with his hands behind his back before the large cesspit where the incident occurred last night, examining it closely. Yes, this had to be the spot—a few stone steps leading down to a deep pit. However, at the edge of the stone steps, there was an additional protrusion, about forty to fifty centimeters high. This was apparently a preventative measure made to stop adults who were drunk or small children from falling in.

The Dugu family had done a very thorough job in this regard.

How could Tang Yuan have fallen in? He was still quite a distance away from the edge. Below was indeed a large pool, slightly iced over in the winter. Jun Moxie’s expression grew colder the more he looked. He snorted, walked out, and asked, "I heard another Young Cousin Master was here last night? May I ask who he is?"

"Yes, that Young Cousin Master is the nephew of the Second Madam’s family. He has been at the Dugu residence for several days now."

"Call him here! Tell him this young master has something to ask him!" Jun Moxie interrupted the guard before he could finish speaking, his tone stern and cold. In that instant, the Eldest Young Master’s speech was filled with a chilling murderous intent!

Outside the latrine, General Dugu Wudi rushed over in a state of agitation, accompanied by the three brothers Dugu Ying, Dugu Xiong, and Dugu Hao. Seeing Jun Moxie emerge, Dugu Ying spoke first: "Brother-in-law, why are you searching around latrines so early in the morning, yet not using them? What are you trying to do?"

Only Dugu Wudi noticed the ominous, murderous look on Jun Moxie's face and sensed that something was seriously wrong. He asked, "Moxie, has something happened?"

"Last night, Tang Yuan got drunk..." Heh heh, that fellow is utterly useless, actually falling into this cesspit," Jun Moxie said, pointing behind him, his cold, electric gaze sweeping across the faces of the four men. "That's the whole story."

"Fell into this cesspit?" Although Dugu Wudi was rough, his mind was by no means dull; otherwise, how could he be a commander? With a moment’s thought, he instantly understood: "How could he possibly fall in here?"

"Has the Great General also considered this? I am also suspicious. Among the many latrines in your estate, why did he have to travel so far to this one, especially when he is unfamiliar with the place? And during a banquet, while drinking two li away in the great hall, he suddenly decided to jump into this cesspit?"

Jun Moxie let out a cold laugh. "Did that fatty get possessed by a ghost?"

Dugu Wudi’s face was like still water. Although the fatty might not have been particularly likable, he was still the confirmed successor to the Tang family leadership. Furthermore, the current Tang Yuan was vastly different from his past self; merely holding the title of Grand Manager of the Noble Hall and the God of Wealth of the Capital meant his worth was multiplied tenfold. Moreover, he was one of the few brothers Jun Moxie genuinely recognized—he could not be taken lightly. If this matter were handled even slightly incorrectly, it would trigger extremely severe consequences!

General Dugu suddenly turned, looking at his three sons: "Who can tell me exactly what happened?"

"Father, this is quite normal... What can't one do when drunk? With Fatty Tang's clumsy physique, him falling into a cesspit after drinking so much shouldn't be a big surprise, right?" Dugu Ying’s mouth twitched, still trying to suppress a laugh; the incident was simply too ridiculous.

"You foolish, muddle-headed brat! You're still laughing? Have you lost your brain, or has it grown moldy!" Dugu Wudi was nearly driven to spit blood by his son. Not worth making a fuss about? Didn't he see his good brother-in-law looking ready to kill? Given Fatty Tang's heavy frame, hadn't he considered how he could even stumble two li after drinking so much?

"Moxie heard that your estate has another Young Cousin Master staying here?" Jun Moxie smiled, his eyes narrowed, his tone surprisingly gentle. "And this Young Cousin Master had the great fortune of squatting in the same latrine as Tang Yuan last night. I’d like to meet this person of destiny."

A few words: After today, our Vice-Moderator Xizhu will be taking a break from us for a while due to work and health reasons. Xizhu is a respectable older sister; in writing this Xie Jun novel, Sister Xizhu has contributed tremendously. She never asked for anything from me, and when we chatted, it was usually her speaking while I listened. Frankly, I feel ashamed!

But Sister Xizhu worked tirelessly, single-handedly creating a harmonious review section for our Xie Jun, and managing two Steel Class groups, working diligently without complaint! Thanks to her efforts, many of the brothers and sisters in our groups have become real-life good friends—talking about everything. In the group, there is a kind of home feeling among us.

In daily life, she also showed great concern for my living situation online, making me feel as if I truly had an older sister looking out for me at all times. That feeling is very warm! I am deeply grateful!

Now, Sister Xizhu is not in good health, and because she worked herself ragged running sales in previous years, she developed rheumatism, which is much worse in the winter! Moreover, due to work commitments, winter is the busiest time, requiring her to step away temporarily. All we can do is quietly wish her well!

I wish her success in her work and good health!

Here, speaking as a younger brother, I want to say: Thank you, my sister! I will keep your Moderator account active. No matter when, please remember that you still have many brothers and sisters here! I wish you a safe journey! Whenever you return, we will be waiting for you! We will miss you! To know what happens next, please log on to [URL], where there are more chapters and support is available.