No matter what, Dai Lin was still a court-appointed official. In his daily interactions, he mostly dealt with people of the same social stratum, and even his wife’s social encounters were mostly with gentle and charming young ladies from distinguished families. How could he have imagined that a dignified Princess, Qin Yining who came from a distinguished family background, would actually swing an axe at people like some street ruffian?

Dai Lin was so frightened he cried out “Oh my!” and retreated in panic.

The axe fell right before his eyes, heavily striking the ground with a loud “clang.”

“You, you’re trying to kill someone!”

“Slandering my father, I’d rather pay with my life today!” Qin Yining swung another axe at him.

“Quickly grab her! Grab her!!” Dai Lin turned and ran.

Qin Yining pursued him from behind, trying to hack at him.

The surrounding people had long been frightened into stunned silence, each one staring wide-eyed. It took a long while before the guards Dai Lin had brought finally reacted and reached out to intercept.

How could the Qin family let Qin Yining suffer? The Second Master and Third Master led people charging forward. But they all understood that this was the time to show weakness appropriately, because ever since Qin Yining started fighting, she intended to make this incident big, letting everyone see the grievances the Qin family had suffered.

If Li Qitian didn’t care about people gossiping behind his back about mistreating court officials, he could continue doing nothing.

“You stop! Stop!”

“At the foot of the Son of Heaven, did you bring people here planning to raid our home? Let go of my niece!”

…

With signals from the Second Master and Third Master, though those at the gate didn’t quite understand, they also followed suit and didn’t use deadly force.

Ji Yun’s hand rested on the soft sword at her waist. If Qin Yining hadn’t whispered to her not to act, she would have pounced long ago. Now she could only “wail” in panic with Bingtang, Xian Yun and the others where they stood, loudly crying out about the grievances and wrongs the Qin family had suffered.

The Qin family side made a lot of noise but didn’t use deadly force, though their momentum was intimidating. Dai Lin’s subordinates immediately used all their strength, actually trying to break into the mansion.

This made Qin Yining’s eyes turn red with rage. She turned back to look at Ji Yun and several brothers from the Azure Sky Alliance, just about to give orders, when she suddenly heard a loud shout from the street intersection.

“Stop!”

With the melee in progress, who would be willing to listen?

Qin Yining turned back and saw Ji Zeyu dismounting from his horse, holding a riding whip and leading a group of attendants as they strode quickly over. Encountering one of Dai Lin’s subordinates, he lashed him hard with the whip.

“Stop, I told you to stop…”

He whipped three or four people along the way. With each lash, a cry of pain could be heard, and the whip tip left bright red marks on these people’s shoulders and faces.

Soon, these people became afraid of Ji Zeyu and his men’s intimidation and dared not continue fighting. They held up their clubs and retreated behind Dai Lin, staring at Ji Zeyu as if facing a great enemy.

When Dai Lin saw that the newcomer was Ji Zeyu, his movements also stopped. His facial muscles twitched, and his heart began racing.

“Isn’t this the Marquis of Dingbei? What wind has blown you here?”

Ji Zeyu stood in front of Qin Yining, glanced back at the Qin family’s group of “old, weak, and remaining soldiers,” then looked at the sturdy men Dai Lin had brought, and slowly tapped his palm with the riding whip, asking casually: “What are you doing? Hmm?”

That last “hmm” was drawn out with a rising intonation that made people shiver all over upon hearing it.

Dai Lin, being a weak scholar, naturally had never experienced the fierce intimidation that only existed on battlefields. Ji Zeyu’s light comment frightened him into breaking out in a cold sweat.

He secretly cursed his luck and bowed with cupped hands: “Marquis Dingbei, this official came for the court’s sake. Qin Meng betrayed the country and defected to the enemy – he deserved to die! This group of Qin family members actually still dare to set up a memorial hall. It’s simply the greatest joke under heaven. A person of such character doesn’t deserve to have a memorial hall at all!”

Qin Yining looked at Dai Lin with a somber face, the anger in her heart rising again. Behind her, the Second Master, Third Master, Qin Han and others were already red-faced with anger, gripping their various “weapons” tightly, ready to charge forward and fight again at any moment.

Ji Zeyu expressionlessly looked Dai Lin up and down, then down and up again.

“Who would have thought that besides indulging in flowers and willows, Lord Dai would actually have such insights?”

“You!” Dai Lin had always prided himself on being part of the clean stream of officials. Now being so publicly humiliated by Ji Zeyu, his face turned the color of pig’s liver with anger.

Ji Zeyu’s expression darkened as he said just one word: “Scram!”

This time Dai Lin was truly infuriated: “Silence! As one of His Majesty’s beloved ministers, why are you speaking up for a traitor’s family! That scoundrel Qin Meng sent all the military provisions’ grain and silver to the Tatars. Duke Dingguo’s Longxiang Army is in the south and couldn’t even get these military provisions because of Qin Meng. Not only are you not angry about such a pest appearing in our dynasty, you’re even reaching out to obstruct – what’s the reasoning behind this?!”

“Reasoning? His Majesty hasn’t yet passed judgment, so what gives you the right to block their door and act tyrannically? Bullying them because they have few people!”

“Who would have thought Duke Dingguo would act in such a manner! This official will definitely impeach you! This is the capital – it’s not your place to point fingers and give orders!”

“Oh? Me like this?” Ji Zeyu let the riding whip hang at his side. “What exactly am I like?”

Dai Lin gritted his teeth: “Not distinguishing between loyal and traitorous, not discerning right from wrong – how can someone like the Duke even lead troops!”

Ji Zeyu had long lost patience. The veins on his forehead bulged taut as he flicked his whip, landing it solidly on Dai Lin’s face with a sharp “crack.”

“Ah!” Dai Lin covered his face and fell to the ground. Seeing his hands covered in blood, he screamed even more miserably.

“His Majesty hasn’t spoken yet – who do you think you are!”

Ji Zeyu turned and walked toward the Qin mansion.

Dai Lin was in so much pain that his face had lost all feeling. He only knew that his face was now truly completely ruined.

The Great Zhou had always had rules – those with physical defects or disfigurements could not serve as court officials. Ji Zeyu’s single lash had directly destroyed Dai Lin’s official career!

“You! Just you wait, I’m going to impeach you, I’m going to file a complaint before His Majesty!”

“Do as you please.”

Dai Lin glared at Ji Zeyu through gritted teeth. Knowing he could gain nothing more, he decided not to linger, threw down a “just you wait,” and led his crowd away in grand fashion.

The onlooking common people had seen enough excitement. Now with the murderous Ji Zeyu present, no one dared to keep watching, so they all dispersed.

Quiet was restored in front of the Qin mansion.

Qin Yining handed the axe to Ji Yun and bowed to Ji Zeyu: “Thank you, Duke Dingguo, for resolving this crisis.”

Ji Zeyu stepped aside to avoid Qin Yining’s bow and said: “I want to offer incense to Minister Qin.”

Qin Yining looked up in surprise, seeing Ji Zeyu’s profile as he gazed at the white lanterns hanging at the mansion gate.

“Duke Dingguo, forgive my directness, but many people who know the news don’t dare come to the Qin family. Everyone understands what it means to seek advantage and avoid harm. Why must Duke Dingguo bring trouble upon yourself?”

Ji Zeyu said: “It doesn’t matter. I’m not afraid of trouble.”

Ji Zeyu walked past Qin Yining and headed straight into the Qin mansion.

Qin Yining exchanged glances with the Second Master, Third Master and the others, and then they all followed Ji Zeyu into the mansion.