Chapter 14

Chapter Fourteen

The Cui family’s illicit business had been operating in Yangzhou for at least three years by now. They had long grown arrogant and ruthless, never allowing anyone to live who dared report them to the authorities.

In the past, anyone who resisted would inevitably suffer brutal consequences—broken legs or tongues cut out. But this time was different. A certain Seventh Madam Qian had come looking for trouble, and among the townsfolk were several skilled fighters.

Once the fight broke out, they targeted the wine and liquor in the tavern, smashing tables and chairs into chaos.

Chai Tou’s eyes twitched with irritation, a dark shadow flashing through his gaze. He sneered, “Close the doors. Don’t let a single one out!” Seventh Madam Qian had come looking for death herself; he wouldn’t show any mercy.

Several waiters instantly surged to the door. Before anyone could grasp the nature of the Cui family’s dealings, Song Yunzhi, unwilling to get involved in a brawl between merchants, was about to step back. Suddenly, a young lady grabbed his arm and pulled him behind her. “Yunzhi, fight them.”

Song Yunzhi’s brow twitched slightly as he endured the urge to resist. He turned his head coldly and said, “Aren’t you the one helping me get revenge?”

“I’m not as good as you,” Qian Tong answered matter-of-factly. “I can’t beat them... Don’t look at me. Hurry, someone’s coming.”

He had no wish to stir trouble now, but with such a troublesome companion pressing him forward, he had no choice.

Since that night, he no longer carried his bronze sword. Without a weapon, he relied solely on his fists. When a long blade swung toward him head-on, Young Master Song nimbly lifted his leg and kicked the attacker’s neck.

From the age of three, the princess had dragged him out of bed to train in martial arts. Later, he fought alongside the emperor for over a year. Dealing with these petty thugs was effortless.

Waiters trying to close the door and silence them were all beaten until their faces were bruised and swollen.

Seeing Song Yunzhi’s formidable defense at the entrance, a scholar who had earlier been cowering suddenly dashed out from behind the two fighters and shouted loudly into the street, “Help! There’s a murder...”

The tavern stood in a bustling market district, where passersby halted and gathered upon hearing the commotion.

The scholar knelt, weeping bitterly. “This tavern is a den of black deeds, engaged in extortion and human trafficking. There are still townsfolk trapped inside. Heroes, please help us report this to the authorities and save us...”

“What’s going on?”

“Isn’t this tavern owned by the Cui family?”

“Yes, the Cui family’s.”

“This is lawlessness—does no one care?”

“Who would? Not long ago, someone crawled out covered in blood. What happened in the end? Nothing. Besides, the Cui family just allied by marriage with the prefect himself. Who dares cause trouble now?”

“Better watch your words.”

“Madam! Madam!” Amid the crowd’s murmurs, several young women pushed through from behind. One of them, the foremost young lady, suddenly faltered at the sight of the fighting inside and collapsed to the ground in tears. “Seventh Madam, where are you? Please come out...”

“Who are they?”

“Seems to be the maidservants of Seventh Madam Qian.”

“Seventh Madam Qian? What is she doing inside?”

...

Fu Yin said, “I’ve long warned you, madam. We can’t afford to provoke the Cui family. You insisted on seeking justice for the young master. If anything happens to you, how am I to explain it to Master Qian and Madam Qian?”

Her voice was loud enough to carry indoors to Song Yunzhi’s ears, like the wails of ghosts. His control slipped, and he kicked fiercely, leaving the opponent down for a long while.

Taking a breath at that moment, someone grabbed his sleeve. “Wait a moment.”

Song Yunzhi turned his head. The young lady behind him suddenly reached out, her fingers brushing just below the corner of his lips. Startled, his pupils contracted. He lifted his chin and turned away coldly, “What are you doing?”

Though quick to react, the soft touch lingered, growing warmer and more intense. Did she even understand shame...

Meeting his angry glare, Qian Tong looked utterly innocent, raising a finger to show him, “There’s blood. I was wiping it off for you.”

Getting some blood on one’s clothes during a fight was normal. He didn’t care. Having spilled far more blood on battlefields, he wanted to warn her not to touch him again. But then she tilted her head and began removing the hairpins from her head.

Uncertain what she planned, Song Yunzhi was more wary of her than the waiters brandishing knives opposite.

She removed all her bejeweled hairpins, tucked them into her sleeve, and then tousled her hair into a messy nest.

Song Yunzhi was speechless.

“No need to fight anymore. Someone’s here. Let’s go,” Qian Tong said, noticing his suspicious expression. She didn’t want to drag him, but if she didn’t, he wouldn’t move. So she tugged his sleeve and pushed him toward the exit.

The tavern’s entrance was already surrounded by a crowd.

Fu Yin rushed forward, “Madam, my good madam, you’re finally out! I was so scared... What happened? Are you hurt?”

Qian Tong thought her tears were exaggerated and felt too embarrassed to look.

The waiters at the door, kicked by Seventh Young Master Qian, couldn’t get up. The townsfolk inside surged out like a flood. Even the Cui family’s strongest waiters dared not follow, unable to wield knives openly in broad daylight.

The tavern entrance quickly echoed with the victims’ cries.

The previously weeping scholar turned and kowtowed to Qian Tong. “It’s Seventh Madam Qian! Thank you for saving us. Without you, we would have perished inside, never to see the light again.”

Qian Tong said nothing. She brushed her disheveled hair aside and looked up with a face both battered and stubborn, lips pressed tight. “I am reporting this to the authorities.”

Song Yunzhi had seen enough of her theatrics and turned to leave.

After a few steps, a squad of officials arrived. Their voices reached first, “Who wishes to report? The official is right here. Speak up!”

“Everyone, make way, clear the path!” The officers pushed through the crowd.

Ordinary townsfolk dared not block the officials’ way. The crowd hurriedly parted, leaving a clear path.

The lead officer wore a black official’s robe and was round as a ball, with a horn-shaped curved sword at his waist, exuding a commanding presence.

Because Song Yunzhi had stepped forward, standing before the crowd, the officers scrutinized him as they approached.

Is this the poor young master from the Qian family? Changing clothes, he looked presentable enough.

Yangzhou was never short of wealthy merchants. Even the heads of the four great families bowed to curry favor with these officers. What was he, to them?

The officer’s eyes roamed shamelessly, his tone haughty. “Are you the one reporting?”

Song Yunzhi lowered his gaze, silent, eyes coldly fixed on the man.

The officer grew uneasy under his stare, wondering where he got the nerve to glare so boldly. Angered, he snapped, “Take him away for thorough questioning. Everyone else disperse.”

Song Yunzhi did not move.

Several officers stepped forward, ready to seize him, when Qian Tong came up and said, “I’d like to see who dares touch him.”

He was stubborn indeed. Qian Tong didn’t know what would happen if she didn’t speak up—would he even withstand the officers’ assault? Reluctantly, she pulled him by his sleeve to her side and addressed the officials, “Your Honor, what is the meaning of this? We are the ones reporting. Why question us?”

The officer recognized her. “Madam Qian, your family has garnered some goodwill recently by distributing porridge. Don’t think causing a scene here means the government won’t question you.”

Qian Tong paused, then stood firmly beside her young master, pointing to each other’s faces. “Look closely. Who is causing trouble? Who is being beaten?”

Song Yunzhi struggled free from her grasp and stood apart with a cold expression.

A grateful scholar spoke up, “Officers, I can testify. It’s the Cui family...”

The officers were exasperated. The Second Young Master was waiting for them to oversee his affairs. Before the scholar finished, they cut him off impatiently. “Anyone else causing trouble will be taken to the magistrate’s office.”

The officers’ indiscriminate and hostile attitude stirred murmurs among the crowd.

“How is this possible? Isn’t the evil party the Cui family? Why arrest Madam Qian and the townsfolk?”

Someone erupted angrily, “I think the Cui family and the officials are already in cahoots. They recently arranged a lavish wedding banquet costing tens of thousands of taels—no doubt all ill-gotten gains.”

“A half-month ago, a townsman crawled out of the tavern covered in blood. You officers turned a blind eye then. Now the Cui family is harming the people. Are you going to protect them still?”

“Official corruption and merchant collusion, what do they think the people are?”

“Enabling ruthless merchants to trample lives, how can they claim to be righteous officials?”

“Silence!” The officers didn’t expect such defiance and shouted angrily, “Quiet!”

But no one listened.

Amid the crowd, the scholar grew even more agitated. “The imperial court is sending inspectors to Yangzhou. When they arrive, we will petition the throne!”

“Yes, petition the emperor!”

Qian Tong glanced at the sweating officers trapped in the center of the crowd and pulled her young master aside. They stepped back to a corner. Fu Yin somehow found two chairs in decent condition and placed them behind them.

Standing was too tiring. Qian Tong sat down and looked up at the young man beside her. “Do you want to sit?”

Song Yunzhi said nothing.

With the current situation, leaving was impossible. They had to wait for the prefect.

His gaze quietly landed on the impassioned townsfolk. He admitted the sorceress of the Qian family had employed some tricks, but the Cui family’s crimes were undeniable.

If Lan Mingquan recognized him today, he might as well be dead immediately.

“Young Master...” Fu Yin instinctively turned to him, holding an ice pack carefully. Song Yunzhi looked puzzled. “I don’t need it.”