Old Madam Qian listened to Qian Yuanbao's words, her expression one of facing a formidable enemy. "Those people, can they really be so arrogant? Do they have any regard for the law?"
"The Shadow Pavilion is a martial arts organization; the law holds little deterrence for them. People of the martial world value chivalry, but the Shadow Pavilion doesn't employ ordinary martial artists. Most of them are vicious villains who often disregard chivalry. When we didn't know, we could pretend nothing was happening. Now that we do, it's better to be cautious. Zhenzhen's side has strict defenses; they shouldn't gain anything. As for the matters concerning the Duke of Protector's mansion, they are common knowledge without needing to inquire. The other party definitely won't capture Gu Siya and the others to threaten A'nian. As for the Imperial Consort and her faction, those people likely wouldn't dare to act, as direct opposition to the imperial family has severe consequences," Qian Yuanbao analyzed.
With that explanation, if they couldn't succeed against Qi Zhenzhen's side, it was indeed possible they would target Qian Yuanbao.
"Those damned bastards, truly audacious. How about this, to be safe, the镖局 (biāo jú - escort agency) will temporarily cease accepting escorts. Summon all the镖师 (biāo shī - escorts)," Old Madam Qian suggested after some thought.
The escorts of the Qian family were skilled. Qian Yuanbao and Gu Sinian had trained them in their early years. Some of them had even served on the battlefield with Gu Sinian and survived, albeit with varying degrees of disability.
To provide for them, Qian Yuanbao had established the escort agency.
While the initial intention was to give those men a place to belong, the agency had surprisingly prospered, becoming a leading name among escort agencies over the years.
"Alright, I'll do as you say." Qian Yuanbao found his grandmother's arrangement sensible.
The escort agency had dozens of men. Qian Yuanbao personally delivered the orders, dividing them into two groups: one to protect the Qian family residence, and the other to guard the vicinity of Taihe Temple.
After making the arrangements, Qian Yuanbao went directly to visit Sun Sizheng.
"Young Master Qian, these are the case files I transcribed years ago."
Upon hearing Qian Yuanbao's purpose, Sun Sizheng did not refuse or play hard to get, but readily produced his handwritten case files.
Qian Yuanbao quickly read through the case files and understood why Sun Sizheng had been so accommodating.
It was because he already knew everything recorded in the files.
"Lord Sun, you know that's not what I'm looking for," Qian Yuanbao said, his face darkening with displeasure.
Sun Sizheng picked up his teacup and slowly took a sip. "Young Master Qian, I'm not sure what you mean. These are all the case files regarding the Yuan family's affairs. Isn't this what you're looking for?"
"I don't believe you know nothing about Qin Lang's identity."
"The direct disciple of the Cloud Opening Academy's headmaster, raised in the academy since childhood – isn't that common knowledge? Someone the Dean Cloud regards as his own son. Isn't that his identity?"
"Weren't we told the Yun family was implicated?"
"The case files also state they were implicated! For such a grave crime, collective punishment is inevitable."
"But it clearly states they were accomplices here."
Sun Sizheng's expression shifted. The late Emperor, based on some evidence discovered, had indeed believed the Yun couple to be unaware. They only needed further confirmation for the Yun family to be absolved. However, fate was cruel to the Yun couple; they both perished before this outcome could be reached.
"Were the Yun couple truly struck down by sudden illness?"
Sun Sizheng's gaze flickered. "Imperial physicians were sent to treat them at the time. Could there be a falsehood?"
Qian Yuanbao had a strong premonition that something was amiss, but after Sun Sizheng finished speaking, he remained silent, refusing to say anything beyond what was written in the case files. Qian Yuanbao, furious, stomped out.