A mere county magistrate dared to raise his voice before the Army Commander. Did he expect to be acknowledged?
It was better to wait obediently outside. After the Army Commander Shen finished his business inside, he would come out to receive you…
“Magistrate Chen, this is our Commander’s token. Please take a look!” A subordinate walked out, holding a token and waving it in front of Magistrate Chen. “The Commander said that Jingzhao Prefecture is handling this matter and requests local officials to cooperate. Magistrate Chen, please wait a little longer. The Commander will personally meet you later!”
Magistrate Chen, utterly bewildered: “……”
What? A mere subordinate official, Cao Jun, dared to cause trouble at the Yun family’s home?
Did he not know that this place was full of hidden dragons and crouching tigers, with deities of all sorts residing here?
“You are obstructing official business. I am going in now…” Magistrate Chen’s mind raced. He knew something must have happened at the Yun family’s. He lifted the hem of his robe and was about to barge in.
Unexpectedly, the subordinate swung the hilt of his saber and knocked Magistrate Chen unconscious with a ‘bang’.
Seeing this, the other constables drew their sabers, ready to fight to the death.
But how could they be a match for these people? After a few struggles, they were all beaten black and blue, tied up, and thrown into the woodshed…
The villagers, having a general understanding of the situation, returned to their homes, locking their doors tightly, not daring to come out to watch the commotion.
Inside the main room of the village chief’s house, a large crowd was gathered, some smoking, some drinking water, some sighing, all unsure of what to do…
“Village Chief, what trouble has the Yun family gotten into? Why have so many people suddenly arrived?” Fu Daqiang asked anxiously.
The village chief glanced at him, “You ask me? How would I know? Didn’t Du Laosan even bring the Magistrate here? Let the officials handle it themselves. We ordinary folk should stay out of trouble…” httpδ:/m.kuAisugg.nět
Aunt Zhang listened and said curiously, “If you ask me, this matter has nothing to do with the Yun family. It must be trouble caused by their tenant. Village Chief, didn’t you see? Before and after the New Year, the Yun family has had a constant stream of guests. Perhaps someone offended a tough character outside and has now come to our village for revenge!”
The village chief grunted, took a couple of puffs from his pipe, and looked up, “When you go back later, close your doors and windows tightly, and keep an eye on the children. Don’t let them run out…”
“Understood, Village Chief!”
The villagers responded, sat at the village chief’s house for a while longer, and then left together for their homes.
Meanwhile, in an inn in the county town.
Gu Zhenshan stood by the window with his hands behind his back, staring intently outside. “Haven’t the scouts we sent out returned yet?”
They were so slow and inefficient…
Steward Cao stood behind him, glancing at the doorway. “Judging by the time, they should be back. Could something have happened?”
As soon as he finished speaking, hurried footsteps echoed from downstairs.
A moment later, the door to the room was knocked.
“Knock, knock, knock…”
“Young General, there’s a situation at Dashui Village!”
Gu Zhenshan heard this and turned around abruptly. “Get in here quickly!”
Shortly after, two scouts entered and recounted in detail what they had seen in Dashui Village.
Gu Zhenshan listened, his eyes widening in fury, and roared, “You, what did you say? Shen Ducai went to the Yun family’s? And wants to slaughter everyone?”
Damn it, he had finally found his sister and hadn’t even had a chance to say a few intimate words, and now she was going to be killed by Shen Ducai?
How many heads did that man have…
The scout replied, “General Gu, the situation inside is a bit complicated. Moreover, after a careful inspection, I didn’t find the Eldest Miss!”
To be precise, everyone in the Yun family had vanished without a trace. Only a young gentleman and a young lady were guarding the house…
“Where, where is my sister?” Gu Zhenshan grabbed the scout’s collar, demanding angrily, “Was she killed by Shen Ducai?”
The scout was so scared he was sweating profusely, his face pale. “General Gu, your subordinate doesn’t know either. If you’re worried, you can go and see for yourself…”
Steward Cao also stepped forward to persuade him, “Yes, Young General. The Eldest Miss is alone in the village, unarmed and weak. How could she possibly fight Commander Shen?”
After speaking, Steward Cao added curiously, “But speaking of which, how did the Eldest Miss provoke Commander Shen? They have no connection whatsoever. This servant finds it very strange…”
Gu Zhenshan had no time to ponder these things now.
The thought of his own sister being sliced to death by Shen Ducai like this ignited his rage like a volcanic eruption, which he could no longer suppress…
“Gather all your men immediately and follow me to Dashui Village!” Gu Zhenshan clenched the sword at his waist. With just one sentence, he fully displayed the demeanor and authority of the Great General of Jingbei.
All the soldiers received the order, picked up their weapons, and surged out of the inn, mounted their horses, and galloped towards Dashui Village, following Gu Zhenshan…
The cold moon hung high, thin clouds drifted lightly, and wisps of cold mist gently floated above Dashui Village, appearing to be stained blood-red upon closer inspection.
Inside the main hall of the Yun family, a prolonged stalemate continued.
Xiao Jinfeng, gripping a dagger, had already drawn blood from his own neck…
Jin Huaihua, having been untied, lay on the ground, unconscious, twitching occasionally.
Shen Ducai’s eyes were red with anger as he glared fiercely at Xiao Jinfeng, “Your Highness Prince Ming, what is going on with you? Have you forgotten your identity? The Empress has been painstakingly worried day and night for years for you to become Crown Prince, but what have you done to satisfy her?”
Xiao Jinfeng chuckled self-mockingly, “Perhaps I am not the chosen one. Even if I become Crown Prince, what then? My father still has many princes. Don’t they also want to be the heir apparent and become emperor? After I achieve my goal, I will still have to worry about those power struggles. Instead of that, wouldn’t it be better to give up those fantasies early, be indifferent to fame and fortune, and live a life of quiet contentment and detachment?”
Shen Ducai: “……”
Are you truly mad, or are you feigning ignorance?
How much benefit did the Crown Prince give you to make you say such outrageous things?
“Your Highness Prince Ming, let’s talk properly. Please put down the dagger first!” Shen Ducai appeased him.
If His Highness Prince Ming accidentally stabbed himself to death, the Empress would surely flay him.
Just then, outside the Yun family’s door, a scream suddenly rang out…
“Ah! It’s bad, the soldiers are here!”