The magistrate of Zhenyang County was named Chen Jiangying, and he had always maintained close ties with the Zheng family.
Upon learning that Zheng Bei had suffered a loss, he immediately gathered his men and rushed over personally. On the way, he encountered Zheng Bei’s elderly parents, and together they hurried straight to the dock.
Hearing about the situation was nothing compared to witnessing it firsthand. Chen Jiangying was so terrified by the sight of bloodstains covering the ground that his legs gave way beneath him. If not for his attendants quickly supporting him, he would have collapsed to the ground. In contrast, the elderly Zheng couple, after their initial shock, quickly regained their composure and scanned the surroundings, searching for their son.
They knew their son had come here to capture a woman. When they saw Shaoyao approaching, they assumed she was the one their son had been after. The old woman immediately shrieked, "Where have you taken my son?!"
Her answer was a heavy thud and a sharp cry of pain. Shaoyao’s whip lashed out, coiling around Chen Jiangying and slamming him forcefully to the ground. She used a clever technique—inflicting pain without causing serious injury.
After repeating this three times, Shaoyao retracted her whip and turned her gaze to the elderly couple. Even through her veiled hat, they could sense her malice. Instinctively, they stepped back, pulling their servants in front of them as shields.
Shaoyao sneered, unsurprised that a shameless son would have equally shameless parents.
The constables helped Chen Jiangying to his feet. His face was contorted in pain, and only after they had surrounded him did he dare to shout, "How dare you attack an imperial official! You are utterly reckless! Quickly, seize her!"
Shaoyao’s whip slithered like a snake through the crowd, wrapped around him again, and flung him heavily to the ground. With a flick of her wrist, she tossed him backward. Yu Tao, standing not far behind, caught him and ordered, "Tie him up. We’ll take him away tomorrow."
Shaoyao cast a disdainful glance at the cowering constables and the two elderly Zheng parents before turning to leave.
But her unwillingness to engage further did not mean others were ready to let her go. The old woman suddenly lunged at Shaoyao, screaming, "You vicious woman! Give me back my son!"
Shaoyao sidestepped, and the old woman stumbled forward. With a swift motion of her whip, Shaoyao coiled it around the woman and flung her back toward the old man. At that moment, the constables also sprang into action. No matter how frightened they were, they couldn’t stand by and watch their magistrate being taken away right before their eyes—it would mean certain death for them.
Shaoyao let out a cold laugh, wielding her whip with unparalleled skill. In moments, she had incapacitated the entire group of incompetent fools.
With their support gone, the elderly Zheng couple stared warily at this baleful figure before them, retreating step by step. "Wh-what do you want? I-I’ll have you know, our daughter is the wife of the chief steward! You… Ah—!"
Shaoyao cracked her whip in front of them, the sharp sound making them shriek in terror. She couldn’t be bothered to engage with them any further and turned to leave.
This time, the old woman didn’t dare to lunge at her again.
Yu Tao dragged Chen Jiangying inside. When Xia Donglai saw who it was, he jumped to his feet in alarm, glancing nervously between Hua Zhi and Chen Jiangying, unsure of what to do.
"Miss Shaoyao said we’ll take him away tomorrow."
"Tie him up with Zheng Bei," Hua Zhi said without hesitation. This matter was no longer just her personal affair. Even if Shaoyao were to tear the sky apart, the Seven Constellation Bureau would handle the fallout. Given Shaoyao’s status and Yan Xi’s capabilities, it didn’t matter if Shaoyao was entirely in the right or even if she had wronged someone—those involved would have no choice but to accept it.
Shaoyao strode in, her entire being radiating a baleful aura. "Hua Hua, we can leave now."Hua Zhi nodded and allowed Bao Xia to help her stand. "Yu Tao, Wang Cheng, and Chen Shi, please stay behind and keep an eye on these people. If anyone tries to snatch them, detain them all."
"Yes."
Jiang Huanran eagerly went to fetch the county magistrate's carriage. The movement tugged at his wounds, making him grimace in pain, yet his smile never faded. In his heart, he thought only one word: Worth it. This trip out had been absolutely worth it!
"Young Mistress, where shall we go?" The word "we" felt so pleasing to his ears. Jiang Huanran grinned, looking somewhat foolish.
"Back to the previous inn. It's nearby."
"Right away." With that, Jiang Huanran moved to sit on the driver's seat, as if intending to drive the carriage himself. Xu Ying, however, dared not entrust her young mistress's safety to anyone else. Half-politely, half-firmly, she nudged him aside. "Young Master Jiang, please take a seat. I'll handle the driving."
Jiang Huanran truly didn't know how to drive a carriage and didn't insist, moving aside obediently.
Hua Zhi lifted the carriage curtain. "Shopkeeper Xia, you may return now. I hope our cooperation will be pleasant."
Xia Donglai and Xia Jiang both cupped their hands in salute. "It certainly will be."
Hua Zhi gave them a nod before letting the curtain fall. She didn't care what shifts in power would occur in Zhenyang, nor would she interfere. If Xia Donglai was smart, he wouldn't monopolize the Zheng family's assets. As long as the Xia family didn't dominate entirely, they could likely cooperate harmoniously for the next few years.
Even if the innkeeper didn't know this group was the one Zheng Bei had confronted at the dock, the bloodstains on their clothes gave him a fair idea. He wanted to turn them away but didn't dare. Hiding behind the counter, he repeatedly shot meaningful glances at a nearby servant.
The servant was equally fearful and hesitated to approach, standing at a distance and stammering, "G-g-guests, are you staying or j-just passing through?"
Xu Ying stepped forward. "We'll stay. Five superior rooms, and send plenty of hot water to the rooms."
The innkeeper placed five keys on the counter. The servant took them and scurried ahead. "G-guests, p-please follow me."
They were given the same rooms they had vacated that morning. Once inside, Hua Zhi dismissed the others and slumped over the table, her body trembling slightly. She had reached her limit—exhausted and in pain.
"I'll fetch water." Bao Xia left with red-rimmed eyes. Since the Hua family's downfall, while the rest of the family lived in relative comfort, the young mistress had shouldered all the hardships. She bore everything alone, and because she was capable, everyone seemed to forget she was only sixteen. In previous years, she had only enjoyed reading and experimenting with food.
Shaoyao helped Hua Hua to the bed, letting her lean against the bedpost. Then, she carefully removed her clothing. The pale skin was marred by swollen, red wounds, some so deep the flesh gaped open. Shaoyao had witnessed life and death and treated severe injuries before, but at this moment, she felt an overwhelming sorrow.
Her Hua Hua was the most dignified person she had ever met. She should have been living peacefully in her estate, surrounded by flowers, plants, books, and delicacies, merely offering advice when needed. Life-and-death struggles were never meant for her, yet this was already the second time. And as long as Hua Hua remained outside, no one could guarantee it would be the last.
"Why do you look like you're about to cry?" Hua Zhi teased, wanting to reach out and pat her head but finding she couldn't move a single finger. Indeed, she couldn't afford to relax—the moment she let her guard down, she became utterly useless.Shaoyao carefully avoided her wound and gently held her, "I thought as long as I stayed by your side, you wouldn't get hurt."
"Who would have thought they'd be so audacious as to use the garrison troops for their own purposes?"
"But you could have clearly stayed back and waited for us to handle them before showing yourself. That way, you wouldn't have been injured."
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