"Let go of me..." A panicked scream rang out early in the morning, causing passersby in the alley to stop in their tracks.
"In broad daylight, under the Emperor's nose, you dare abduct people on the street? The constables from Shuntian Prefecture will be here any moment!" The burly man who yelled this put down his cart full of vegetables and blocked the path of the fierce-looking ruffians.
Seizing the opportunity to escape, Xiao the cook had calmed down. Yufeng Tower was not far away. She had only been startled because two strangers had suddenly grabbed her arms.
Several aunts who were also selling vegetables nearby chimed in with furrowed brows.
"Someone fast, go call for help! No one dares to cause trouble on East Street."
"Every wrong has its source, every debt its owner. Go find the masters if you have something to settle. What kind of skill is it to bully a woman!"
"Don't be afraid, dear. It'll be alright once the constables arrive."
Xiao the cook was plainly dressed, but she was neat and tidy from head to toe. Her hands, holding the basket, were clean. Her face was kind, clearly the wife of a good family.
The men who had stopped her had sharp, monkey-like faces and shifty eyes. Such hooligans were not common on East Street, but they were plentiful at the mixed crowd of North Street. Therefore, the residents of East Street were not afraid; the constables of Shuntian Prefecture would not help these ruffians.
Li Er, the leader, looked angrily at the meddling citizens. He raised his fist and shouted at the big man blocking him, "Get lost if you don't want to die! How dare you obstruct me, Li Ye, from doing my business? See if my fists agree!"
The other ruffians also started shouting. One even drew a knife with a flash. Although it was only a dagger about half a foot long, it scared the few enthusiastic aunts into retreating several steps.
Xiao the cook frowned, looking at the ruffians. An ominous premonition surfaced, but her face remained calm. "I'm a cook. My young lady is staying at Yufeng Tower. Have you mistaken me for someone else?"
Upon hearing Yufeng Tower, the aunts living nearby were surprised. The cheapest dormitory bed at Yufeng Tower cost three hundred copper coins a night, which was what their husbands earned after a day of hard work. Those dormitory beds were for servants attending noble guests. It was said that a room in the Heaven Suite cost one tael of silver a night.
"Didn't you hear this dear sister? You've got the wrong person." The thin-faced aunt's eyes darted around. With an air of righteous indignation, she stood beside Xiao the cook. If she helped a noble guest staying at Yufeng Tower, even a small reward would be enough for her family's food and drink for a month.
The other aunts, who had retreated from the knife, also spoke up, "Those staying at Yufeng Tower are all nobles. You can't afford to offend them!"
These people clearly looked like ruffians, only good for scaring common folk. If they encountered nobles, they would probably wet themselves. Looking at the vegetables in Xiao the cook's basket, they thought, "Well, she's definitely a cook. This black chicken alone is not cheap, costing half a tael of silver each."
Not to mention the fresh green onions and vegetable sprouts, and two bright green cucumbers. Only hot spring estates could grow them. A cucumber was more expensive than a black chicken.
"What nobles? Our master is the Emperor's uncle by marriage!" Li Er proudly announced the identity of the person behind them. Seeing the stunned and then fearful look on everyone's faces, he became even more smug. "Alright, Li Ye is in a good mood today and won't bother with you commoners. Get out of my way, or don't blame me for being impolite!"
Even the thin-faced aunt who had wanted to curry favor was scared and retreated to a corner. She didn't want to get a reward and end up in prison.
Even the man who had initially wanted to help, seeing the sharp dagger, stepped aside with a grim expression. If he got stabbed, even if he didn't lose his life, his family wouldn't have the money to take him to a doctor.
Watching the two ruffians swagger over to grab her, Xiao the cook's face grew serious as she took two steps back. The title "Emperor's uncle by marriage" made Xiao the cook think of the Wen family. Madam Wen and Consort Min in the palace were sisters. These people were likely sent by the Min family to capture her.
"Alright, come along obediently with Li Ye, lest you suffer a beating." Li Er looked at Xiao the cook, who dared not struggle, with satisfaction. If this task was done well, he would make a name for himself with the Emperor's uncle by marriage, unlike that idiot Zhao Hu, who got himself thrown into Shuntian Prefecture prison on his first assignment.
Patrolling constables strode over, pushing aside the crowd blocking the alley entrance, and shouted, "Make way! Who is causing trouble here!"
"The constables are here..."
The surrounding crowd quickly parted to the sides. The constables then saw Xiao the cook being held by Li Er and his group, and the dagger that had not yet been put away.
"Oh, bothering you officers so early in the morning." Li Er winked at his subordinates and then quickly stepped forward, lowering his voice to state his identity. "This is an escaped slave from our Emperor's uncle by marriage's household. We need to take this person back. We ask for your convenience, officers."
Using his body to shield the action, Li Er quickly slipped a five-tael silver ingot into the constable's hand.
Constable Ke frowned, looking at the fawning Li Er. The silver in his hand was indeed tempting.
The monthly salary for constables patrolling the streets was only two taels of silver. Five taels of silver divided among four people meant he would get at least two taels, which was equivalent to a month's salary.
Not to mention the Emperor's uncle by marriage that Li Er mentioned. Constable Ke was not foolish enough to think he was from the Shi family. The Empress only had two elder brothers. The Grand Imperial Uncle was a Grand Scholar of the Hall of Literary Brilliance and concurrently the Libationer of the Imperial Academy. The Shi family was the most noble, and they would certainly not be involved with such ruffians.
Constable Ke guessed that the Emperor's uncle by marriage Li Er mentioned was a relative of some consort in the palace. However, anyone involved with noble people in the palace was not someone that petty constables like them could afford to offend.
"Rest assured, officers. Even if Lord Bai found out, we would still have to take this escaped slave back," Li Er added. Governor Bai governed strictly, and no constable would dare to bend the law for a few taels of silver and lose their job.
Hearing this assurance, Constable Ke finally felt relieved. With a flick of his wrist, the silver in his palm was still collected. He then put on a stern face and said, "In that case, take the person back, but do not cause further trouble."
"Don't worry, officers. We are all law-abiding citizens and will absolutely not act recklessly." Li Er smiled. As long as he took this cook back, the matter would be settled.
Glancing at the people approaching, Xiao the cook, who was being pushed, finally relaxed her worried heart.
"How come I didn't know my cook became an escaped slave of the Emperor's uncle by marriage?" A clear voice rang out. Zhan Feiyu walked over leisurely.
Without even looking at Li Er, Zhan Feiyu said to Constable Ke, "This cook was bought by me from the registry office. The contract was processed at the prefecture three days ago. Or are you saying that this person's empty words are more effective than the official seal of the yamen?"
Constable Ke's expression changed when he was questioned. He hadn't expected that facilitating this would cause trouble. Zhan Feiyu had no arrogant attitude, but her attire and demeanor made people not dare to underestimate her.
"We did not know this cook was bought by the young lady," Constable Ke first distanced himself, then continued, "Since the contract was processed at the yamen, everything should be based on the contract. We acted carelessly, and we ask for the young lady's forgiveness."
Li Er glared angrily at Constable Ke, but given his constable uniform, Li Er did not dare to truly fall out with Constable Ke. His anger could only be directed at Zhan Feiyu.
"Miss," Li Er, relying on his height, looked down at Zhan Feiyu. If her attire today were more ordinary, Li Er would not have suppressed his anger.
"I believe Miss also knows that this cook was not sold by her owner, but by a wicked servant who used underhanded means to sell her to the registry office. Therefore, the contract in Miss's hand is not legal. Our Emperor's uncle by marriage has already discussed this matter with Lord Ge of the Household Department."
Constable Ke did not speak, but his expression clearly became more troubled. This Emperor's uncle by marriage was probably a fake. Ge Zigui was merely an official in charge of the Household Department, a seventh-rank official. If he were truly the Emperor's uncle by marriage, even if he didn't inform Lord Bai, he would at least inform Deputy Prefect Sun or Judge Lu.
"Lord Ge of the Household Department?" Zhan Feiyu asked back with a calm expression. Seeing Li Er nod proudly, Zhan Feiyu smiled. "So I heard correctly. I thought there was a new order from the Ministry of Revenue, and Lord Zhao and the others had been dismissed."
Constable Ke and the others twitched their mouths. This young lady dared to joke. Lord Zhao was a Left Vice Minister of the Ministry of Revenue, a third-rank official. How could he be easily dismissed?
However, Constable Ke also understood. The "Emperor's uncle by marriage" was probably not a real imperial uncle by marriage, but the young lady in front of him definitely had a significant background. Since she dared to mention Lord Zhao, she must have dealings with the Zhao family.
Li Er did not expect Zhan Feiyu to maintain her attitude even after he brought up the Emperor's uncle by marriage. He became angry. "Miss, don't refuse a toast only to be forced to drink a forfeit! In the capital, there are people you cannot afford to offend."
Li Er sneered condescendingly. "Even the Lord Zhao you mentioned cannot afford to offend him! That is the Emperor's uncle by marriage. You should think carefully and not endanger your entire family for an escaped slave!"
"Why are you, Li Ye, wasting words with a mere girl? We'll take the person away. Let's see if her elders dare to go to the Emperor's uncle by marriage's mansion to demand her back!" His subordinates echoed the shouts. She was just a rich young lady with some money, pfft, she was nothing compared to the Emperor's uncle by marriage.
"In front of the constables of Shuntian Prefecture, you still dare to snatch people on the street?" Zhan Feiyu glanced meaningfully at Constable Ke and the other four, then said to Li Er, "You say Xiao the cook is an escaped slave and her contract is invalid. Then let your Emperor's uncle by marriage file a complaint with Shuntian Prefecture. The truth will be judged there. If you think Lord Bai's rank is too low for your Emperor's uncle by marriage, I will even beat the Dengwen Drum to accompany you."
"You!" Li Er glared angrily at Zhan Feiyu. This young girl was not old but was very bold. He had already mentioned the Emperor's uncle by marriage, yet she still refused to back down.
Knowing that words wouldn't work, Li Er became enraged. He shouted sternly, "You have a glib tongue. Today, I, Li Ye, will take the person away. Let's see how you stop me! Let's go!"
The ruffians immediately shouted menacingly and began to drag Xiao the cook away.
Seeing this, Zhan Feiyu not only did not stop them but instead smiled and took two steps back. This made Li Er and his group's arrogance surge, as they thought Zhan Feiyu was scared.
"Stop!"
Unfortunately, Li Er's smug expression did not last for three seconds before a gleaming broadsword blocked his path.
Constable Ke had to stop them. He no longer cared whose influence was greater behind these two. Constable Ke considered it his duty to act impartially, favoring neither side. Therefore, this cook could not be taken away by Li Er, at least not in front of the constables.
"This cook's contract is with this young lady. If you want to take her away, go to the yamen and file a complaint." Constable Ke, using the opportunity to block them, pushed the five-tael silver ingot back into Li Er's hand.
The silver that was given away returned. Li Er looked at the impartial Constable Ke with extreme anger but knew that he could not take the person away in front of them.
But he wouldn't lose face! Li Er glared fiercely at Zhan Feiyu and threatened, "In that case, Miss, you can wait to go to court. But I wonder if the Lord Zhao you mentioned will offend the Emperor's uncle by marriage for an escaped slave!"
"How come I don't know Uncle Zhao recognizes a country girl like you?" A mocking voice sounded. Zhe Jing stood outside the crowd, having listened for a while. She walked over contemptuously, looking at Zhan Feiyu and exposing her pretense. "You've only met my sister-in-law twice, yet you dare to boast and implicate Uncle Zhao."
Uh...
Whether it was Constable Ke, Li Er and his ruffians, or the surrounding onlookers, they were all stunned. Their gazes all turned to Zhan Feiyu. Who would have thought this young girl was bluffing? And they had all been fooled.
Could the Emperor's uncle by marriage really refer to Consort Min's brother? Zhan Feiyu looked suspiciously at Li Er. The Min family was also a noble family. Had they stooped so low as to associate with ruffians?
"Your true colors have been exposed. Are you scared now?" Seeing Zhan Feiyu fall silent, Zhe Jing assumed she was scared and looked at Zhan Feiyu contemptuously with raised eyebrows.
"I won't make things difficult for you. First, I'm taking this cook away, and hand over the contract. Second, if you kowtow and apologize to me, I'll pretend nothing happened. Otherwise, if you dare to falsely accuse government officials..."
Li Er was a ruffian. Although he knew the Prefect of Shuntian was Lord Bai, he really didn't know Lord Zhao, the Vice Minister of the Ministry of Revenue. But since his sister-in-law was Lord Zhao's daughter, even if Li Er was stupid, he knew she must also be a daughter of an official.
Constable Ke and the other four immediately recognized Zhe Jing. She had been chasing after the eldest young master of the Ning family all over the capital. Constable Ke and the others had encountered her a few times while on patrol. Coupled with the matter of Xiao the cook, they now all knew that Zhan Feiyu was the benefactor who had saved Bai Zhaohui at Yufeng Tower that day.
"I'm afraid I have to disappoint Miss Zhe. As I said, I bought Xiao the cook from the registry office, and her contract was registered at the prefecture. If Miss Zhe wants to snatch people on the street, I'm afraid you'll have to spend some time in the Shuntian Prefecture prison first." With every word Zhan Feiyu spoke, Zhe Jing's face grew more displeased.
But Zhan Feiyu's words were reasonable, and she had saved Bai Zhaohui. Constable Ke and the others, as constables of Shuntian Prefecture, would naturally stand with Zhan Feiyu both in reason and in sentiment.
"Fine, I'll see if you can still be so arrogant at the yamen!" Zhe Jing laughed angrily. Since she had come, she had made thorough preparations.
A quarter of an hour later, at the Prefecture yamen, Household Department.
With a mustache, Lord Ge's beady eyes twinkled with shrewdness. He was pretending to flip through the scrolls in his hand. After a while, he frowned, appearing troubled.
"My lord, it is I who should not have accepted the bribe of ten taels of silver." Suddenly, a scribe knelt on the ground begging for mercy, taking out a ten-tael silver note from his怀. "I accepted the money from Madam Tang. Please spare me..."
Madam Tang, who was plump, no longer had the shrewish and overbearing demeanor she had at the estate. Her face was pale, and her legs trembled as she also knelt on the ground. "It was this commoner who gave the money... My lord, it was this slut who shamelessly seduced my husband. I was forced to do this and sell her to the registry office. My lord, have mercy."
Madam Tang was a hereditary servant of the Wen family. She was also a servant and had no right to sell Xiao the cook. However, she deceived her masters and framed Xiao the cook for substituting inferior goods with superior ones, and embezzled the money for buying groceries from the kitchen.
She also placed medicinal herbs for the second young lady of the Wen family in Xiao the cook's cabinet, and stole quite a few of the second young lady's jewelry.
When Madam Wen was furious, she wanted to sell Xiao the cook. But this was just a word. However, Madam Tang deceived everyone and used this excuse to trick the head housekeeper into getting Xiao the cook's contract. Fearing that something might go wrong, she found the registry office overnight and sold Xiao the cook.
Madam Tang also worried that the Household Department would send people to the Wen family to verify, so she bribed the scribe with money. That's why when Zhan Feiyu bought Xiao the cook at the registry office, the contract was so simple and easy to finalize.
"My lord, my lady truly does not know that Xiao the cook was sold," the second steward of the Wen family bowed to Lord Ge, expressing the Wen family's attitude. He then requested Zhan Feiyu.
"Miss Zhan, please forgive us. Xiao the cook has been serving the second young lady on the estate for years. The second young lady is frail and has not much time left. In the past few days, because the cook changed, her taste has changed, and she hasn't eaten or drunk for several days. We ask Miss Zhan for some leniency. For the safety of my second young lady, Xiao the cook must be taken back to the Wen family."
The second steward's words, while seemingly an apology, were also putting Zhan Feiyu in a difficult position. The selling of Xiao the cook was originally done by a servant, and the contract was invalid.
If Zhan Feiyu stubbornly refused to release her, and the second young lady of the Wen family had an accident, the charge of causing death would fall on Zhan Feiyu.