Chapter 425
Jin Jiuye, along with others hidden in the crowd, paid no mind to Yao Zhenyi's life or death. All eyes were now on Prefect Yuan, or more precisely, on the blood-stained roster in his hand.
"Send the injured to the medical clinic first," Prefect Yuan said, casting a somber glance at the roster. He then ordered the constables to carry Yao Zhenyi and the other two to the clinic for treatment. As for the rest…
Constable Zhao withdrew his hand from the victim's neck, unconcerned by the bloodstains. He reported to Prefect Yuan, "My lord, all six of them have stopped breathing."
Regarding the one Constable Zhao had just examined, the person still had a breath when they arrived. Unfortunately, the people who had fled intended to leave no survivors and delivered a final blow to the chest as they departed.
Since they were all assassins sent by various factions, Prefect Yuan had expected no survivors. "Carry all the bodies back to the yamen. Bring the horses back as well for Coroner Wu to examine."
"Yes," Constable Zhao acknowledged, immediately directing his subordinates to escort the bodies and the foaming horses back to the yamen. Constable Zhao also knew that no clues would likely be found; his lord was merely following procedure.
Meanwhile, Vice-Prefect Qiu, clad in his official robes, approached swiftly with two junior clerks. He surveyed the busy scene and then bowed to Prefect Yuan. "My lord, the runaway horses did not cause any fatalities. Only a few passersby who couldn't evade them in time suffered injuries. They have already been sent to the nearest clinics for treatment."
"Vice-Prefect Qiu, please lead your men to tally all the losses incurred from this runaway horse incident. All damages will be borne by the Prefect's manor," Prefect Yuan stated gravely, his tense expression finally easing slightly.
If the masterminds behind this had been a bit more ruthless, and if any common folk had died in the stampede, with the Second Young Madam of the Prefect's manor in the carriage, Prefect Yuan, while not necessarily dismissed, would undoubtedly face reprimand from the imperial court.
"My lord, Jin Jiuye has arrived," Fang Xu, who had been following Prefect Yuan, whispered, his right hand instinctively resting on his sword hilt.
Turning to face Jin Jiuye, who stood at the entrance of the teahouse with his retinue, Prefect Yuan's expression darkened. He handed the roster to Fang Xu. "If anything unexpected happens, you take the roster and leave first."
"Yes," Fang Xu carefully tucked the roster into his robes. As Prefect Yuan's confidant, he understood the roster's immense importance. If these people dared to attempt murder on the Second Young Madam, they would not hesitate to attack his lord.
Jin Jiuye walked over with measured steps and respectfully bowed to Prefect Yuan. "I was having tea upstairs just now and learned that your manor's carriage had lost control."
Jin Jiuye surveyed the chaotic street. The six bodies had already been carried away by the constables, leaving behind crimson bloodstains on the ground. Many small stalls lining the street had been overturned, their food and goods scattered and then trampled by panicked onlookers. Numerous stall owners were now tearfully cleaning up.
"Since I happened upon this, Jin Jiu should contribute his humble efforts," Jin Jiuye said, withdrawing his gaze. He then instructed a young man beside him, "You go with Vice-Prefect Qiu. Give each stall owner five taels in compensation, and each person injured by the runaway horses, one tael."
Prefect Yuan had no choice but to accept this favor. "Thank you for your generosity, Jiuye."
"Prefect Yuan, you are too kind. Jin Jiu is also a member of Minhe Prefecture. As the saying goes, what is taken from the people should be used for the people," Jin Jiuye chuckled repeatedly. After exchanging a few pleasantries with Prefect Yuan, he took his leave.
Once Jin Jiuye had departed, Fang Xu's suspended heart finally settled. However, hearing the surrounding citizens praise Jin Jiuye, he couldn't help but mutter, "The Jin family is truly cunning!"
Hundreds of taels of silver were likely more than ordinary people could earn in a lifetime, but for the Jin family, whose businesses spanned across Longyou Circuit, it was not even a drop in the ocean. It was said that the tea Jin Jiuye was drinking cost ten taels per pot.
Prefect Yuan was well aware that Jin Jiuye was winning over the populace. The Jin family had always acted this way over the years, donating grain and medicine during natural disasters or calamities. The heads of the Jin family in various prefectures would also donate silver to repair bridges and pave roads, which was why the Jin family's reputation had always been good.
"Return to the yamen," Prefect Yuan commanded. Fang Xu immediately became vigilant again, following closely behind Prefect Yuan with Constable Zhao and a few others towards the yamen.
…
Chapter 425
Jin Jiuye, along with others hidden in the crowd, paid no mind to Yao Zhenyi's life or death. All eyes were now on Prefect Yuan, or more precisely, on the blood-stained roster in his hand.
"Send the injured to the medical clinic first," Prefect Yuan said, casting a somber glance at the roster. He then ordered the constables to carry Yao Zhenyi and the other two to the clinic for treatment. As for the rest…
Constable Zhao withdrew his hand from the victim's neck, unconcerned by the bloodstains. He reported to Prefect Yuan, "My lord, all six of them have stopped breathing."
Regarding the one Constable Zhao had just examined, the person still had a breath when they arrived. Unfortunately, the people who had fled intended to leave no survivors and delivered a final blow to the chest as they departed.
Since they were all assassins sent by various factions, Prefect Yuan had expected no survivors. "Carry all the bodies back to the yamen. Bring the horses back as well for Coroner Wu to examine."
"Yes," Constable Zhao acknowledged, immediately directing his subordinates to escort the bodies and the foaming horses back to the yamen. Constable Zhao also knew that no clues would likely be found; his lord was merely following procedure.
Meanwhile, Vice-Prefect Qiu, clad in his official robes, approached swiftly with two junior clerks. He surveyed the busy scene and then bowed to Prefect Yuan. "My lord, the runaway horses did not cause any fatalities. Only a few passersby who couldn't evade them in time suffered injuries. They have already been sent to the nearest clinics for treatment."
"Vice-Prefect Qiu, please lead your men to tally all the losses incurred from this runaway horse incident. All damages will be borne by the Prefect's manor," Prefect Yuan stated gravely, his tense expression finally easing slightly.
If the masterminds behind this had been a bit more ruthless, and if any common folk had died in the stampede, with the Second Young Madam of the Prefect's manor in the carriage, Prefect Yuan, while not necessarily dismissed, would undoubtedly face reprimand from the imperial court.
"My lord, Jin Jiuye has arrived," Fang Xu, who had been following Prefect Yuan, whispered, his right hand instinctively resting on his sword hilt.
Turning to face Jin Jiuye, who stood at the entrance of the teahouse with his retinue, Prefect Yuan's expression darkened. He handed the roster to Fang Xu. "If anything unexpected happens, you take the roster and leave first."
"Yes," Fang Xu carefully tucked the roster into his robes. As Prefect Yuan's confidant, he understood the roster's immense importance. If these people dared to attempt murder on the Second Young Madam, they would not hesitate to attack his lord.
Jin Jiuye walked over with measured steps and respectfully bowed to Prefect Yuan. "I was having tea upstairs just now and learned that your manor's carriage had lost control."
Jin Jiuye surveyed the chaotic street. The six bodies had already been carried away by the constables, leaving behind crimson bloodstains on the ground. Many small stalls lining the street had been overturned, their food and goods scattered and then trampled by panicked onlookers. Numerous stall owners were now tearfully cleaning up.
"Since I happened upon this, Jin Jiu should contribute his humble efforts," Jin Jiuye said, withdrawing his gaze. He then instructed a young man beside him, "You go with Vice-Prefect Qiu. Give each stall owner five taels in compensation, and each person injured by the runaway horses, one tael."
Prefect Yuan had no choice but to accept this favor. "Thank you for your generosity, Jiuye."
"Prefect Yuan, you are too kind. Jin Jiu is also a member of Minhe Prefecture. As the saying goes, what is taken from the people should be used for the people," Jin Jiuye chuckled repeatedly. After exchanging a few pleasantries with Prefect Yuan, he took his leave.
Once Jin Jiuye had departed, Fang Xu's suspended heart finally settled. However, hearing the surrounding citizens praise Jin Jiuye, he couldn't help but mutter, "The Jin family is truly cunning!"
Hundreds of taels of silver were likely more than ordinary people could earn in a lifetime, but for the Jin family, whose businesses spanned across Longyou Circuit, it was not even a drop in the ocean. It was said that the tea Jin Jiuye was drinking cost ten taels per pot.
Prefect Yuan was well aware that Jin Jiuye was winning over the populace. The Jin family had always acted this way over the years, donating grain and medicine during natural disasters or calamities. The heads of the Jin family in various prefectures would also donate silver to repair bridges and pave roads, which was why the Jin family's reputation had always been good.
"Return to the yamen," Prefect Yuan commanded. Fang Xu immediately became vigilant again, following closely behind Prefect Yuan with Constable Zhao and a few others towards the yamen.