"Make way, make way! Who's causing trouble here?"
Before long, the constables from the Jingzhao Prefecture arrived with a group of officers.
Han Xingchang couldn't summon the Prefect of Jingzhao, and this wasn't the first time he'd caused trouble in Duanjing. The Prefect didn't want to get involved, but out of respect for Prince Qi, he had to send a constable to handle the matter. He assumed it was just a minor dispute that could be settled with a bit of money and an apology.
"Ah, Constable Hu! It's you," Han Xingchang seemed quite familiar with this constable and greeted him with a broad smile.
Constable Hu, eager to curry favor with Prince Qi, was very deferential to Han Xingchang: "Master Han."
Han Xingchang was pleased with the greeting, puffing out his chest even straighter than before.
Seeing their familiarity, everyone couldn't help but worry for Wang Qingyao and her servants.
Constable Hu was shocked to see the wound on Han Xingchang's mouth: "Master Han, what happened to your mouth? You were beaten by someone? In the capital, and such audacious commoners?"
Without asking for details, Constable Hu immediately accused Wang Qingyao and her servants. The shopkeeper, seeing that they were all women, couldn't help but explain, "Officer, it's all a misunderstanding..."
Constable Hu glared: "Did you hit him?"
"No, no," the shopkeeper quickly waved his hands.
"If it wasn't you, why are you talking? Did I ask you?"
Constable Hu's authoritative demeanor terrified the shopkeeper into silence. He could only look sympathetically at Wang Qingyao and her servants, wishing them good luck. The onlookers also dared not make a sound.
Han Xingchang, smugly, pointed at Zhenzhu and said, "It was this woman who hit me. Constable Hu, look, she's even carrying a sword. I suspect she's a notorious bandit, and her master is no honest person either. They should be thrown in jail for a thorough interrogation."
Constable Hu saw that there were only four women and didn't take them seriously at all.
"Master Han is right. They don't look like good people to me either. Guards, apprehend them all!"
At Constable Hu's command, several constables behind him stepped forward to make the arrest.
Wang Qingyao was truly astonished. What kind of people were these? They were ready to arrest someone based solely on Han Xingchang's word without asking any questions. Truly corrupt officials bullying others with their power!
Zhenzhu whispered, "Protect Madam." then stepped forward to engage the arresting constables.
Wang Qingyao was pregnant, and Yin Zhu and Shan Hu were also tense, afraid of accidentally bumping or hurting her.
Zhenzhu was highly skilled in martial arts. These useless constables were no match for her, and soon they were all lying on the ground, unable to get up.
Constable Hu, fearing injury, kept retreating, shouting, "How dare you! You dare to strike officers! I say you are a notorious bandit. I'll go back to the Prefect now. If you have the guts, stay here and don't leave!"
Zhenzhu sneered, "This lady will wait for you right here!"
Han Xingchang was also stunned. He had never imagined Wang Qingyao and her companions would be so bold as to attack anyone.
However, he soon became gleeful. Personal grudges were one thing, but assaulting public officials was another. He had only meant to scare them before, but now they were surely doomed! Spending a night in jail was a certainty, and if their families came to ransom them, tsk tsk tsk, that would be another hefty profit!
Han Xingchang's gaze shifted back to Wang Qingyao's face. This delicate young lady still showed no fear, holding flowers in her hand. She truly had a personality! He wondered what kind of taste such a spirited young lady would have. Would she resist fiercely when pinned down?
The mere thought made Han Xingchang unbearable. He was determined to have her tonight.
Constable Hu returned not long after he left. He had found reinforcements.
It turned out that not far from the shop, he had encountered people from the Dali Temple on duty. He immediately went up to explain the situation, saying he had found notorious bandits in a shop and that they had injured his men.
Notorious bandits were no trivial matter. As the Dali Temple was currently investigating spies from the Xia Kingdom, they immediately followed him upon hearing of suspicious individuals.
"Master Fang, look, it's these women. The one with the sword is the notorious bandit, and she's very skilled. Be careful not to get hurt..." Constable Hu said, stepping aside to let Fang Zheng enter first.
Fang Zheng took one look and saw Wang Qingyao. He paused, and Wang Qingyao gave him a slight smile.
"What is going on?" Fang Zheng asked.
He was asking Wang Qingyao, but Han Xingchang thought Constable Hu had called him for support and immediately said, "Your Honor, this woman with the sword is a notorious bandit, and the others are harboring and abetting her. They not only injured me but also injured these officers. Such commoners should be arrested and brought to justice immediately!"
Fang Zheng glanced at him, seeing his greatly swollen mouth and slurred speech. He frowned and asked, "Who are you?"
Han Xingchang unconsciously straightened his back: "I am Han Xingchang of Jiangling."
Han Xingchang announced his name, but Fang Zheng did not recognize it and had never heard of him. His brow remained furrowed, and he said indifferently, "I don't know you."
Han Xingchang felt no embarrassment and quickly added, "Actually, I am Prince Qi's brother-in-law, but I am a very low-key person..."