Old Madam Ren stared resentfully at Lai Chenglong without yielding an inch.
Other people feared Lai Chenglong because he was a god of slaughter, wherever he went, someone was bound to suffer misfortune.
And now he wanted to treat the Ren family the same way.
How ridiculous.
Their Ren family was not like ordinary households.
They were not hereditary nobles, nor did they possess a noble title, but the Ren family’s standing was different.
Back then, Ren Zhong had been born into poverty. As a cowherd and farmhand, he had received his employer’s charity and been allowed to study diligently at a private school. Eventually, he passed the county examination and became a xiucai.
From then on, he received support from one influential benefactor after another.
But those things alone had not made the Ren family prosperous.
The person who truly elevated the family was Ren Ming.
Ren Ming was not good at studying, but he excelled at martial arts.
After Ren Zhong became successful, he naturally wanted to help his elder brother and arranged for Ren Ming to join the capital garrison as an ordinary soldier.
Then fate intervened.
While escorting Emperor Yongchang on a journey back to his ancestral homeland for sacrificial rites, Ren Ming and several thousand soldiers encountered a massive earthquake. Mountains collapsed, rivers changed course, and the earth split apart.
Many soldiers died.
Many officials died as well.
It was Ren Ming who dug Emperor Yongchang out of the rubble with his bare hands.
He even caught snakes and squeezed their blood to quench the Emperor’s thirst.
It was thanks to Ren Ming that Emperor Yongchang survived long enough for the Crown Prince and the rescue forces to arrive.
Because of that deed, Emperor Yongchang had originally intended to grant Ren Ming a noble title.
But Ren Ming declined, claiming that his virtue was insufficient.
Instead, Emperor Yongchang bestowed a death-immunity plaque upon the family.
Ren Ming then entered official service.
Lai Chenglong had enjoyed smooth success for so many years that he probably thought this case would be no different.
Old Madam Ren sneered.
“I know my grandson. He’s timid. How could he possibly join the White Lotus Sect? Besides, he has food, wealth, and a prominent family background. Why would he need to risk his life with the White Lotus Sect?”
Lai Chenglong could not be bothered arguing.
“Old Madam Ren, telling me that is useless. I believe only in evidence. This item was found on him. That gives me sufficient reason to search the residence for additional evidence.”
Old Madam Ren shouted sharply: “How dare you?!”
Lai Chenglong merely looked at her and raised his hand.
Immediately, Chunsheng bellowed: “Men!”
Dozens of Embroidered Uniform Guards streamed into the residence.
Old Madam Ren had not expected Lai Chenglong to disregard all courtesy and charge ahead so brazenly.
Her expression changed completely with fury.
Pointing at Lai Chenglong, she shouted: “If you dare enter my residence without cause, I will smash my head against this place and die today! Let the whole world see how your Embroidered Uniform Guard abuses power and tramples the law!”
Chunsheng rolled his eyes internally.
Die if you want.
As if they had never seen a corpse before.
There were at least hundreds, if not thousands, of people who had threatened the Embroidered Uniform Guard with suicide.
If they gave in every time, how would they ever get anything done?
Besides, this was a ladder personally handed to them by Miss Qi.
There had to be an important purpose behind it.
Thinking of Qi Yuan, Chunsheng subconsciously turned his head.
Sure enough, he saw Qi Zhen walking in with his hands clasped behind his back.
Chunsheng was puzzled.
What was Yongping Marquis doing here?
The moment Old Madam Ren saw Qi Zhen, however, her spirits lifted. “Marquis!”
Old Madam Ren enjoyed tending flowers and plants at her country estate, and through that hobby had become acquainted with the Qi family’s Old Madam Qi.
The two families knew one another.
Now, seeing Qi Zhen felt like seeing a savior.
“Marquis, these Embroidered Uniform Guards are trying to force their way into my residence without evidence. Please judge fairly, has Lord Lai become arrogant through imperial favor and begun disregarding the law?”
Qi Zhen gave a dignified cough and said sternly: “The Embroidered Uniform Guard was formerly the Imperial Escort Office, responsible for palace security. Later it was merged with the Ceremonial Luan Office and tasked with supervising officials. But even when investigating officials, you must produce genuine evidence!”
Chunsheng tilted his head, bewildered.
Had Yongping Marquis become a different person?
Actually, when he wasn’t busy punching trees, the marquis really did look imposing.
He carried himself with all the dignity expected of a noble marquis.
Old Madam Ren finally breathed a sigh of relief.
Lai Chenglong, however, immediately confronted Qi Zhen. “Is the Marquis teaching me how to do my job? You belong to the Office of the Commander of the Five Armies and oversee the capital garrison. Instead of training troops there, what are you doing here?”
Qi Zhen frowned. His authority became instantly imposing. “Insolence! Lord Lai, you may work for the Emperor, but don’t forget your rank! I am a Second-Rank Marquis of the realm. What kind of attitude is this?”
Ren Shuquan quietly let out a sigh of relief.
Heavens above.
At last someone could keep Lai Chenglong in check.
Yongping Marquis was truly imposing!
Lai Chenglong refused to back down. “If the Marquis wishes to display your authority, do so in the capital garrison. For now, please stop obstructing official business. Otherwise, I have grounds to suspect that you are Ren Shuquan’s accomplice and likewise connected to the White Lotus Sect!”
Chunsheng suddenly sensed that something was off.
His superior treated Miss Qi extraordinarily well.
As for Yongping Marquis…
Well, he practically treated him like a future father-in-law.
Ahem.
Not exactly, perhaps, but close enough.
There was no way he would genuinely speak to the marquis so rudely.
Unless…
Standing nearby, Old Madam Ren seized the opportunity to sow discord. “Lord Lai truly possesses great authority. Even a Second-Rank Marquis is beneath your notice!”
Qi Zhen immediately stepped forward and shoved Lai Chenglong. “Lai Chenglong! Even your father would respectfully address me as ‘Marquis.’ What are you? How dare you posture in front of me?!”
For a moment, the two men looked on the verge of coming to blows.
Instinctively, Ren Shuquan wanted to shout: “Fight! Fight!”
But he quickly covered his mouth.
Just then, a voice sounded from outside the courtyard. “Father! Why did you come here?”
Chunsheng’s eyes lit up.
Ren Shuquan’s eyes lit up as well.
The eldest daughter of Yongping Marquis was actually this beautiful?
He hurriedly moved forward, intending to greet her.
Qi Zhen merely snorted. “I was passing by. Our family has some friendship with the Ren family. Seeing the Embroidered Uniform Guard acting so aggressively, I came to ask what was going on.”
Qi Yuan widened her eyes and quickly walked toward him. Then she suddenly cried out in alarm.
Only then did Ren Shuquan and Old Madam Ren notice that behind Qi Yuan was a yellow dog.
At that moment, the dog broke free from its leash and sprinted into the wooded area beyond the bluestone path.
“My dog!” Qi Yuan looked startled. Gathering her skirts, she immediately ran after Ah Huang.
Qi Zhen hurriedly explained to Old Madam Ren: “Please forgive her, Old Madam. That dog has been with Yuan Jie’er since childhood. She treasures it like a precious possession.”
Old Madam Ren’s expression remained unpleasant. After all, Qi Yuan had just barged directly into the back part of her residence without warning, which was highly improper.
Still, Qi Zhen had come to support her side. It would not be wise to offend him.
Between two evils, one chose the lesser. She was only a young girl, after all.
Thus, Old Madam Ren could only suppress her displeasure and nod stiffly.
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