When Master Jiang, the official in charge of patrol and defense in Zhang Ye City, arrived panting and wiping the sweat from his brow, Doctor Zhu from Huichun Hall was crouching on the ground, taking Feng Dahu’s pulse. Upon seeing Master Jiang, Doctor Zhu stood up with relief, abandoning Feng Dahu to greet him.

“Master Jiang, you’ve finally arrived!” Doctor Zhu cupped his hands in greeting to Master Jiang. “I only treat children’s convulsions and such illnesses. External injuries like Master Feng’s are beyond my expertise, and I am truly powerless to help. I implore Master Jiang to find another skilled physician for Master Feng.”

Doctor Zhu ran a medicine shop in Zhang Ye City, and Master Jiang was in charge of the city’s patrol and defense, so the two were already acquainted. But considering that Feng Dahu was the Deputy Commander-in-Chief’s brother-in-law, and Zhao Ling was Marquis Yingchuan’s man, Master Jiang felt as bitter as if he had swallowed gall, and had no mood for pleasantries with Doctor Zhu, so he went straight into the inner room.

Feng Dahu lay in a pool of blood. The flesh on his left face, buttocks, thighs, calves, and even four fingers of his left hand were gone, presenting a terrifying sight.

He quickly walked back out and asked Doctor Zhu, “How serious are Feng Dahu’s injuries?”

Doctor Zhu was already regretting his involvement.

When the officers came to fetch him, he had been half-asleep, thinking that since it was official business, it would just be some fighting or injuries—he could either treat them or prescribe some medicine, or if he couldn’t help, he’d just say so. Who knew the person lying there would be Feng Dahu?

This Feng Dahu looked like he wouldn’t make it, but if he died, given the tyrannical nature of his sister, who was now Deputy Commander Liu’s concubine, Doctor Zhu feared he would be blamed for failing to save Feng Dahu!

Hearing Master Jiang’s inquiry, Doctor Zhu strolled toward the outside while loudly explaining, “Master Feng’s injuries are all external. The most urgent matter now is to find a doctor skilled in treating external wounds to apply wound medicine to stop his bleeding. I usually treat children’s illnesses and don’t have wound medicine on hand. There’s no time to prepare any now. Master Jiang should find another renowned physician for Master Feng! If we continue to delay like this, I fear Master Feng’s condition will worsen.”

His voice carried outside, and the onlookers who heard it engaged in another round of hushed discussions.

Master Jiang couldn’t help but curse Doctor Zhu for his cunning.

Could Feng Dahu’s condition be cured with just some wound medicine?

This Doctor Zhu feared that if Feng Dahu died, the Feng family would hold him accountable. So he was making up excuses. When the Feng family questioned later, he would insist that it was the yamen’s delay in treatment that caused the problem, shifting all blame onto the yamen officials.

But Master Jiang had no way to refute Doctor Zhu’s scheming.

From the time of the report until now, almost two hours had passed, and they had not taken Feng Dahu for medical treatment. If the Feng family were investigated, they would indeed be indefensible.

Thinking of this, he shot a fierce glare at the lead officer, while from the corner of his eye, he noticed two fierce-looking wolf dogs lying in the courtyard.

Having eaten their fill, the two wolf dogs were resting with their eyes closed.

These beasts must be the ones that bit Feng Dahu, right?

If not for these creatures, would they be in such a predicament? To the point where he stood at the scene of the incident, still not knowing how to handle the matter?

“Dashan,” he called to the lead officer, “beat these beasts to death for me.”

At least it would be something to report to the Feng family.

The officer called Dashan hesitated for a moment, then whispered, “Shouldn’t we inform the victim’s family first?”

Master Jiang, upon hearing this, grew even more annoyed. But then he thought of Marquis Yingchuan… and deflated.

“Forget it, just tie up these two dogs securely. Don’t let them escape, and don’t let them die,” he said sullenly.

Dashan acknowledged, then asked, “What about Master Feng’s injuries…?”

Not providing medical treatment would only cause more trouble.

“Take him to Jici Hall,” Master Jiang impatiently replied. “Do I need to teach you this?”

Jici Hall was the largest medicine shop in Zhang Ye City, owned by the Marquis of Xiping’s family.

Dashan understood and immediately ordered his subordinates to carry the injured man.

The officers took down a door panel and lifted the man, creating a scene of confusion in the courtyard.

Master Jiang quietly instructed Dashan: “Tell the brothers that if they want to live, push back the reported time by one hour.”

“I understand,” Dashan nodded, though he wasn’t confident about it.

Master Jiang gave a slight nod and called out loudly, “Which one is Zheng San?”

Zheng San quickly stepped forward and bowed respectfully: “It is I!”

“With such an incident, you’ll need to come with us to the yamen,” Master Jiang said kindly. “Just explain what happened, make your mark, and you can return.”

Zheng San’s heart sank.

The yamen gates open southward; without money, don’t enter even if you’re right.

But at this point, he had no choice but to comply.

Steeling himself, he answered, “Yes.”

Two officers carried Feng Dahu out on the kitchen door panel from Fu Tingyun’s house, with Master Jiang, Zheng San, and the two wolf dogs following behind.

The sky was gradually lightening.

The crowd of onlookers parted, standing on tiptoes to look, letting out exclamations of shock one after another.

“How terrifying, did you see? Half his face was bitten off.”

“Is Feng Dahu dead or alive?”

“Doctor Zhu is there; we can ask him later.”

Two sedan chairs approached from the opposite direction. One was a green woolen official Fujian chair, with servant women attending on each side.

From the dispersing crowd, someone recognized one of the servant women.

“It’s the wife of Commander Wang from Zhuanglang Guard.”

“The other is Zheng San’s wife, who serves Miss Fu.”

The crowd gathered around again.

Master Jiang secretly cursed his bad luck.

The sedan chairs had stopped, blocking Master Jiang’s path.

The servant woman lifted the curtain, and out stepped Mrs. Wang with a dignified expression, followed by Fu Tingyun with a headscarf covering her head.

“Miss!” Zheng San excitedly stepped forward.

He first bowed to Fu Tingyun, then to Mrs. Wang: “It’s fortunate you weren’t home, otherwise… even if I died a hundred times, a thousand times, it wouldn’t be enough atonement!” He lowered his head in shame.

“How is this your fault?” Before Fu Tingyun could speak, Mrs. Wang angrily replied, “If thieves come to steal from your home, is that somehow your fault?” As she spoke, she fixed a stern gaze on Master Jiang. “Master Jiang, I heard someone tell me that the Zhao residence was burglarized. What exactly happened?”

It was just dawn, and the Commander-in-Chief’s mansion was still under curfew. Who had reported this to Mrs. Wang?

Master Jiang silently sighed to himself and explained what had happened. Of course, he would not and could not mention whether Feng Dahu was there to steal affection or virtue without solid evidence.

Mrs. Wang showed a surprised expression: “You say it was Feng Dahu who broke into the Zhao residence? How can this be? He is the brother of the Deputy Commander Liu’s concubine! Isn’t this knowingly breaking the law?”

Master Jiang could only smile bitterly.

Who didn’t know Feng Dahu committed evil acts in Zhang Ye? Wasn’t Mrs. Wang just pretending ignorance?

After all, when immortals fight, the lesser beings suffer.

He now only wanted to quickly send Feng Dahu to Jici Hall. If the Feng family inquired, he would at least have an excuse.

“Mrs. Wang, this Feng Dahu was bitten by the wolf dogs at the Zhao residence and needs to be taken to Jici Hall for treatment as soon as possible…”

Master Jiang stood respectfully with his hands at his sides, but was inwardly shouting: Mrs. Wang, please stop us! That way, Feng Dahu’s matter will have nothing to do with us!

“So that’s what happened!” Mrs. Wang said sympathetically. “Then hurry to Jici Hall! Let Zheng San accompany us back to see if anything has been stolen from the house.”

Master Jiang looked at Mrs. Wang in astonishment.

Mrs. Wang stood there motionless.

As if telling him, if you don’t hand over Zheng San to me, I won’t let you pass.

The consequence of not letting them pass would be Feng Dahu’s death, and then, the responsibility for Feng Dahu’s death would fall on Master Jiang.

Master Jiang cursed inwardly but dared not show any disrespect outwardly. He handed Zheng San over to Mrs. Wang, and they departed from the back street carrying Feng Dahu and leading the two wolf dogs.

Zheng San breathed a sigh of relief.

Mrs. Wang’s mama urged everyone: “Move along now, move along!”

Some people dispersed, while others came forward to greet Fu Tingyun and Mrs. Wang: “Oh my, it’s fortunate you weren’t home. If you had been, you would have been scared half to death.”

It was the talkative Mrs. Qi.

Fu Tingyun, thinking of the glimpse she had of Feng Dahu lying on the door panel, nodded with lingering fear: “Yes, thank the Bodhisattva for protection.”

Mrs. Qi gave Fu Tingyun some advice: “A house that’s been broken into has a murderous aura. It’s best to invite a Taoist priest to perform a ritual. I know Taoist Master Shanning from the Seven Stars Temple. Why don’t I accompany you to the Seven Stars Temple tomorrow to invite Master Shanning to exorcise evil spirits for you and check the feng shui? You’ve had an unsettled time lately; perhaps you’ve offended something!”

Fu Tingyun, thinking about how Feng Dahu had sneaked into her residence, felt a knot in her heart. Plus, she had unintentionally provoked this Feng Dahu, creating a lot of unnecessary trouble. She was quite tempted and was about to say something when Zheng San suddenly shrieked beside her: “Miss, Madam, look…”

In the dawn light, many neighbors on the back street saw two furtive men climbing over the wall from Mo Yi’s house.

“This is truly… truly…” Mrs. Wang’s face flushed crimson. “Scandalous! Scandalous!”

Fu Tingyun stood dumbfounded, staring blankly as the two figures disappeared into the adjacent alley.

“Heavens! I never imagined Concubine Lu would do such a thing!” Mrs. Qi’s shrill voice carried a hint of excitement.

Someone who hadn’t yet dispersed said: “I recognize that man. He looks like Deng Xiaoxian from Drum Tower Street. The one who lives off women.”

“No way!” someone objected. “Didn’t Deng Xiaoxian hook up with that ‘white lotus’ singer? How is he now involved with Concubine Lu?”

“You don’t know the half of it,” someone laughed. “How can that ‘white lotus’ compare with Concubine Lu? If nothing else, Concubine Lu at least has money! Isn’t money exactly what Deng Xiaoxian socializes with women for?”

“Enough!” Mrs. Wang shouted. “Such wild talk. Aren’t you afraid of rotting your tongues?”

Some people appreciated Mrs. Wang’s straightforward and resolute nature, while others disliked her self-righteousness.

“Mrs. Wang, you can’t say that. Two men climbing over the wall from Concubine Lu’s house—that’s a fact, isn’t it? We haven’t made up a single word! You don’t think that in broad daylight, respectable men would climb over a wall instead of using the front door, do you?”