Chapter 45

At this moment, Boss Song of Yan Yun Building hurried back in a panic. He had just gone out to attend to some business and heard that something had happened at the restaurant, so he rushed back. However, he didn't expect to be too late. Seeing the scene before him, he couldn't help but feel distressed. When Boss Song asked Yuan Shiqing what had happened, the constables from Jingzhao Prefecture and Shi Xuedong's uncle, Shi Jingde, arrived together. Shi Jingde was the Deputy Prefect of Jingzhao Prefecture, holding a rank of Fourth Class Lower.

Although Murong Feiyi had subdued Shi Xuedong, she knew that even if the matter was taken to the Jingzhao Prefecture, it would still end in a stalemate. Earlier, she had only restrained Shi Xuedong and his gang without further tormenting them. She had someone report the incident to the Jingzhao Prefecture and instructed Zhan Peng to leave. After all, Zhan Peng was just an ordinary hunter. Today, he had stood up for justice and provoked Shi Xuedong, the young ruffian. Staying would surely bring him a lot of trouble, so Murong Feiyi advised him to leave before the other side figured out his identity. Although Zhan Peng was somewhat reluctant, he also knew that Hu Xiaotian's status could resolve the issue. Staying would only add to the chaos, so it was better to leave early.

Murong Feiyi knew she would definitely be reprimanded for this incident, and might even be demoted. However, she suddenly had a bright idea and dragged Hu Xiaotian into the mess. This was called pulling someone down with you when you're about to die. She had never really liked Hu Xiaotian, and inciting one ruffian against another, even if they ended up hurting each other, would still be a service to the people. Although her plan was clever, when she saw Hu Xiaotian beating up Shi Xuedong, she didn't feel much satisfaction. Instead, she felt a bit guilty, realizing that she had been a bit too harsh on Hu Xiaotian today.

Shi Jingde, dressed in his official robes, arrived at the second floor of Yan Yun Building, panting heavily. He shouted, "Stop, all of you, stop!" The reason Shi Jingde rushed over so quickly was that he was afraid his nephew would cause a major incident. Others might not know what kind of person Shi Xuedong was, but his family certainly did. Over the years, Shi Jingde had cleaned up his precious nephew's mess many times. He wasn't worried about his nephew being at a disadvantage; Shi Xuedong had always been the one bullying others. What Shi Jingde feared most was a fatal incident. The old emperor's health was deteriorating, and the succession was imminent. During such a critical period, all officials were advised to keep a low profile. His third brother, the Minister of Revenue Shi Bucui, had specifically instructed him to be more restrained recently, but this troublesome nephew had still caused trouble.

As soon as Shi Jingde arrived, the situation on the scene changed. Shi Xuedong, who had just been beaten by Hu Xiaotian, had his arrogance somewhat dampened. But when he saw his uncle arrive, he immediately regained his confidence. Shi Xuedong shouted, "Uncle, arrest them! They are colluding and plotting a rebellion!"

Hu Xiaotian's face turned cold when he heard this. "What the hell? I thought he was just arrogant and tyrannical, but it turns out he has someone in the Jingzhao Prefecture. This guy has a knack for twisting the truth, accusing us of rebellion. Rebellion is a capital offense, and it could even lead to the extermination of nine generations. Hu Xiaotian thought, 'He's ruthless, but let's see who is more ruthless today.'

As Hu Xiaotian prepared to confront Shi Xuedong, the bystanders moved to the side. Even Yuan Shiqing knew it was best to stay out of the conflict between the sons of officials.

From the official robes, Hu Xiaotian could tell that Shi Jingde was a Fourth Class Lower official. Murong Feiyi had mentioned that the green-clothed ruffian's father was a Fifth Class official, but he didn't expect the ruffian to have a Fourth Class Lower uncle. However, Hu Xiaotian didn't feel particularly intimidated. His father was a Third Class official, and what could they do to him?

Shi Jingde didn't recognize Hu Xiaotian. He frowned and asked, "What happened?" As he spoke, he approached Shi Xuedong and gently patted his back.

Shi Xuedong felt his body suddenly relax, and the pressure points that had been restrained were released by his uncle.

Although Hu Xiaotian didn't know martial arts, he could tell from the way Shi Xuedong, who couldn't move before, was immediately freed by Shi Jingde's touch that Shi Jingde must be skilled in martial arts.

Once free, Shi Xuedong immediately rushed at Hu Xiaotian, trying to take revenge, but was grabbed by Shi Jingde, who angrily asked, "What exactly happened?" He directed the question at Shi Xuedong but looked at Murong Feiyi.

Murong Feiyi was his subordinate, and Shi Jingde didn't have much good to say about this female constable who had solved many major cases and was known for her righteousness. If it weren't for his superior, the Prefect of Jingzhao, Hong Baiqi, protecting her, Shi Jingde would have long removed this disobedient girl from the Jingzhao Prefecture. In Shi Jingde's memory, this wasn't the first time Murong Feiyi had opposed the Shi family. Even if his nephew had done something wrong, it didn't warrant such a big fuss, which was embarrassing for him.

Murong Feiyi stepped forward and bowed, giving a brief account of what had happened. In her narration, she didn't mention Hu Xiaotian, only saying that Shi Xuedong had injured someone, and to prevent the matter from escalating, she had taken action to control the situation.

Shi Xuedong angrily said, "You're lying! That blind woman tried to steal my jade pendant. When I caught her, she panicked and dropped it, shattering it. When I confronted her, her accomplices attacked me, and she fell down the stairs. My companions can vouch for me!"

Shi Xuedong's gang of friends, now free, also became arrogant again upon seeing Shi Jingde arrive, and they all chimed in to support Shi Xuedong.

Murong Feiyi said, "That's not how it happened..."

Shi Jingde stopped her with a look. "Were you there when the conflict started?"

Murong Feiyi bit her lip. She wasn't present when the conflict first began, so she could only shake her head. The only witness at the time was Zhan Peng, but Murong Feiyi, considering that Zhan Peng was just an ordinary hunter with no background, didn't want him to get involved in this trouble, so she had him leave.

Shi Jingde coldly snorted and ordered someone to bring the blind woman, Fang Fang, over.

Fang Fang had never seen such a grand scene. Although she couldn't see what was happening, the shouts of the constables frightened her so much that her legs gave way, and she knelt down, trembling. "This is Fang Fang, a commoner, paying respects to the大人..."

Shi Jingde maintained a gentle demeanor in front of the crowd. He said kindly, "Miss, you don't need to be afraid. Just tell me what happened, and I will see justice done."

Fang Fang nodded and softly recounted what had happened, mentioning how she had met Shi Xuedong at the stairs and was pushed by him. Shi Xuedong interrupted, "You were trying to steal my jade pendant. Now you're lying. Such a low person won't tell the truth unless she's punished."

Fang Fang burst into tears. "大人, I'm innocent... I'm blind, how could I steal anything? Gentlemen, fellow townspeople, please stand up for me and speak the truth!"

The surrounding guests, though many, all felt sympathy for the poor blind woman, but no one dared to provoke Shi Xuedong.

Hu Xiaotian couldn't hold back. "Who said the jade pendant was an imperial gift?" He had picked up the jade pendant's fragments from the ground. Hu Xiaotian had some knowledge of jade and could tell it was just ordinary jade, not a treasure. The craftsmanship was also quite ordinary, and finding such a crude piece in the palace would be harder than finding a needle in a haystack. So he asked, "This jade pendant, you can buy dozens for a copper coin at a street stall. You're quite the expert at extortion, aren't you?"

Shi Xuedong didn't know what "extortion" meant, but he glared at Hu Xiaotian and pointed at him. "He and the blind woman are accomplices. Arrest them all."

Hu Xiaotian said, "Whatever you say? Who do you think you are? An imperial gift? Do you think the emperor has time to see someone like you?"

"You..."

Hu Xiaotian said, "I won't say whether the jade pendant is valuable or not, but if you claim it's an imperial gift, proving it shouldn't be hard. Let's go to the emperor and argue it out. If it really is an imperial gift, I'll eat it."

Shi Xuedong hated this kid and gritted his teeth. "Eating it would be too easy for you. Damaging an imperial gift is a crime punishable by the extermination of your entire family."

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