Chapter 73

Chapter 73

Dong Wenjin was furious. Who dared to interrupt him? His venomous glare swept around, but he couldn't find the speaker.

He then turned his fierce gaze to Meng Shuping. "Hmph, do you know who my father is?"

Meng Shuping shook his head, bewildered. "N-no, I don't."

[Huh? Am I supposed to know? How would I know if he doesn't tell me? Do all these spoiled brats have issues? Do people really need to ask who their fathers are when they go out?]

"Pfft—" The surrounding crowd couldn't help but laugh at Meng Shuping's words. Was this official pretending to be clueless or genuinely so? How could he answer so earnestly?

After their laughter, however, they began to worry about Meng Shuping. They wondered if this official had powerful connections. If he did, it would be fine, but if not, offending Dong Wenjin might cost him his position.

Dong Wenjin was flummoxed. Where did this naive fool come from? He dared to ask, and this fellow actually dared to answer! Then he grew angry—wasn't that the same voice that had laughed at him earlier?

He narrowed his eyes, staring at Meng Shuping. Why hadn't he seen Meng Shuping's mouth move when those words were spoken? Could it be that those were the fellow's inner thoughts?

Realizing this, Dong Wenjin exploded with rage. This guy was asking for death!

He lifted his chin arrogantly and ordered the servant beside him, "Tell this clueless fool who I am!"

The servant immediately puffed out his chest and said haughtily, "How dare you, blind fool? Do you know who our young master is? Just hearing it would scare you to death! You know the Empress Dowager, right? Our master is the Empress Dowager’s own nephew!"

"Hmph, you should've inquired before stepping out. In the capital, you ought to know who you can and cannot mess with! How dare you offend our young master? Trying to play the hero? Check yourself—do you even have the capability? If you know what’s good for you, step aside now and don’t interrupt our young master’s business. Otherwise, you’ll be next!"

After saying this, the servant stood by smugly, waiting for Meng Shuping to cower in fear. After all, even some court officials had to be polite when meeting their young master, let alone a mere low-ranking official.

If he made their young master unhappy, a single word from him could get this guy fired!

The commoners nearby looked worried. They had thought an official had stepped up to uphold justice, but Dong Wenjin clearly wasn’t intimidated. They sighed, wondering if this official could hold his ground.

Dong Wenjin sneered. So what if he was an official? Without backing, he was nothing to nobility like them!

Just as he expected Meng Shuping to fear him and beg for mercy on his knees, he heard Meng Shuping say in surprise, "That’s it?"

Dong Wenjin was stunned, his expression one of utter disbelief. Before he could erupt in anger, he heard Meng Shuping continue, [Tch, talking so big—I thought he was a prince or something. Turns out he’s just some minor royal relative. What’s so great about that?]

[Does he really think this status is impressive? Please, there are tons of royal relatives in the capital. You could throw a brick and you'd hit a dozen. Who does he think he is?]

Hearing this, Dong Wenjin’s face turned livid. He said sternly, his voice dark and threatening, "You brat! Don’t think just because you’re some petty official you can act so arrogantly. Do you know what will happen if you offend me?"

By now, he was convinced that this guy was nothing but a naive, pedantic bookworm. Unless he taught him a harsh lesson, this guy would never realize his mistake!

Meng Shuping was at his wit's end. [Who’s the one being arrogant here? He knocked me off my horse and didn’t even apologize. Now he has the nerve to threaten me? Watch me read him to filth!]

Meng Shuping lowered his head slightly and said stiffly, "Then... then do you know who my father is?"

The eyes of the onlookers instantly lit up. "Oho!"

Could it be that this official also had a powerful background? This was going to be interesting. Seeing how this official, though nervous, refused to back down, had Dong Wenjin bitten off more than he could chew?

Dong Wenjin looked at Meng Shuping with doubt and suspicion. Could this guy’s status be even higher than his? Impossible! Absolutely impossible! He knew every notable figure in the capital—he’d met them all.

Was this guy bluffing?

Though he thought Meng Shuping was boasting, Dong Wenjin decided to ask scornfully, just in case, "Oh? Then I’d like to hear, who exactly is your father?"

Meng Shuping nervously grabbed the hem of his clothes. His lips trembled as he spoke, "Why... why should I tell you?"

[Hahaha, since he doesn't know who my father is, I’m relieved. Is he stupid? Would I be dumb enough to tell him my family background and wait for him to come after us?]

Dong Wenjin’s face flushed red with anger. "Are you mocking me?"

Meng Shuping nodded. "Y-yes!"

Seeing Meng Shuping’s innocent yet infuriating expression, Dong Wenjin was beside himself with rage. Ignoring the pain in his body, he shook off the two servants supporting him and moved to attack Meng Shuping.

Just as Meng Shuping was about to dodge, he heard Lai Xing calling his name. At the same time, others shouted, "The Military Hall Department is here!"

So he let himself fall in the direction of Dong Wenjin’s strike and collapsed to the ground.

Dong Wenjin’s swing missed, and he nearly wrenched his back. To outsiders, however, it looked like he had struck with such force that he lost his balance.

When Lai Xing and the Military Hall Department officers arrived, they saw Dong Wenjin attacking Meng Shuping. Lai Xing rushed over in a panic to help Meng Shuping up. "Young master, are you alright?"

Jia Yue, arriving a step later, angrily confronted Dong Wenjin. "How dare you assault an imperial official?"

He turned to the Military Hall Department officers and said, "It’s him! He caused our young master to fall from his horse. You must arrest him and throw him in jail!"

Dong Wenjin was also confused. Had he actually hit the guy? Impossible—this guy must have lost his balance and fallen on his own!

Seeing that Meng Shuping’s servant was calling for his arrest, Dong Wenjin sneered. Hmph, how out of his league. He resumed his arrogant demeanor and said to the Military Hall Department officers, "You’ve arrived just in time. This guy is protecting the person who tried to harm me. Arrest him!"

When the officers didn’t move, he shouted angrily, "My father is the emperor’s cousin! Think carefully about who you should and shouldn’t arrest!"

Meng Shuping glanced at him mockingly. [No way, no way! Does he really think the Military Hall Department is here to help him? Is he stupid? Doesn’t he know I’m the one who called them? They’re here to arrest him, okay?]

Dong Wenjin was instantly dumbfounded. The Military Hall Department officers were called by Meng Shuping? How did Meng Shuping have such influence? Who exactly was he?

The onlookers glanced back and forth between the two. Both sides were demanding the other’s arrest—who would the Military Hall Department officers take away?

The officers were also frozen in place. One was a royal relative, the other was someone Prince Zhao valued highly. This was putting them in a difficult position.

Fortunately, they hadn’t come alone. The officers turned to look behind them, and moments later, Jiang Cihe strode over quickly.

He walked up to Meng Shuping and asked with concern, "Are you alright?"

As soon as he saw Jiang Cihe, Meng Shuping felt completely at ease. He leaned weakly against Lai Xing and said, "I’m fine, I’m fine. I’m just sore all over from being knocked down, with maybe a minor fracture. I’ll probably need to rest in bed for ten days to half a month."

[The fact that I didn’t die from the fall is pure luck! Don’t let him get away with it!]

Jiang Cihe had been somewhat worried, but hearing this, he immediately understood—Meng Shuping was likely not seriously injured.

Hearing this, Dong Wenjin nearly spat blood. Forget whether he had actually hit Meng Shuping—even if he had, could he have fractured his bones? Since when was he that strong?

What’s more, he never expected Jiang Cihe to show up. Even more surprising was how Jiang Cihe went straight to Meng Shuping. A bad feeling crept into his heart—could this guy actually have some powerful background?

Even if he didn’t, Jiang Cihe’s attitude made it clear the two were close. Did this mean he would have to swallow his pride today?

Sure enough, after speaking with Meng Shuping, Jiang Cihe turned a cold face to him. "Galloping on the streets, causing harm intentionally, and assaulting an imperial official. Arrest him."

Meng Shuping immediately felt vindicated. [Exactly, exactly! Throw him in prison! How dare he attack an imperial official? If we don’t teach him a lesson, he might think he can do whatever he wants!]

With Jiang Cihe’s order, the Military Hall Department officers had no more reservations and rushed menacingly toward Dong Wenjin and his group.

Dong Wenjin had thought the matter would be dropped, but he never expected Jiang Cihe to actually arrest him. Panicked, he struggled and cried out, "You can’t arrest me! How will you explain this to the Empress Dowager?"

Jiang Cihe smiled faintly. "That’s none of your concern. Take him away!"

Watching Dong Wenjin being taken away, the onlookers let out a collective sigh of relief and felt thoroughly satisfied. Who would have thought that a Dong would one day be arrested? They looked at Meng Shuping with admiration—this official seemed so shy, yet he was a real dark horse!

After having Dong Wenjin taken away, Jiang Cihe instructed the others, "One of you take the injured man to the clinic and get a clear account of what happened. The rest of you check the street for other casualties or property damage. Report all findings to me once you’ve gathered the information."

Everyone promptly responded, "Yes."

After handling these matters, Jiang Cihe turned to Meng Shuping again. "Let's go, I’ll take you to the clinic first."

Meng Shuping murmured "Oh" and went with Jiang Cihe to the clinic. After examining Meng Shuping, the doctor prescribed some medicine and said with relief, "Fortunately, your horse wasn’t going that fast, or you could have suffered serious injuries. Still, you should be careful these next few days—sometimes injuries aren’t immediately apparent."

Meng Shuping quickly replied, "Alright."

After asking the doctor a few more questions about precautions, the two left the clinic together. Jiang Cihe saw Meng Shuping to the entrance of the Earl's estate. Before parting, Meng Shuping hesitated but still asked, "Will you get in trouble for arresting him?"

[I’ve heard the Empress Dowager always protects her relatives. Will she hold it against Prince Zhao?]

Jiang Cihe replied casually, "Don’t worry, it’s not a big deal."

Meng Shuping immediately complained indignantly, "Then, Your Highness, you must let him rot in jail a few more days and make him suffer. It’s not that I’m being vindictive—it’s just that his behavior is truly appalling. You’re a prince, yet even you aren’t as arrogant as him! He relies on his family connections to commit crimes, which gives the royal family a bad name. People might even talk smack about the Empress Dowager, saying she’s just like her relatives! If he’s released without serious consequences, won’t my pain have been for nothing? It’d be best to quickly make sure the Emperor hears all about this and knows all about his wicked actions!"

Jiang Cihe chuckled under his breath. Even while injured, you still don’t forget to tattle—quite something.

He patted Meng Shuping’s shoulder. "Alright, go inside now. Rest well and recover."

Meng Shuping was also worn out, so he nodded and returned to the Earl's residence.

After leaving Meng Shuping, Jiang Cihe went straight to the prefect’s office. Seeing him arrive, Peng Boshan hurried over and said anxiously, "Your Highness Prince Zhao, how should I handle this case?"

Matters involving royal relatives were always troublesome; one wrong move and you’ve made an enemy. Whenever such situations arose, he found them particularly a pain.

Jiang Cihe said, "Keep him detained for now. Don’t give him any special treatment, and don’t worry about the rest."

Hearing this, Peng Boshan got the message and quickly replied, "Very well, very well."

When Dong Lide learned that his son had been arrested by Jiang Cihe, he was furious. The next morning, right after the court session ended, he went to Emperor Qianyou to complain, "Your Majesty, you must help my boy! He merely got into a little argument with someone on the street, yet Prince Zhao had him hauled off to jail and refuses to release him, saying he’ll keep him locked up. Your Majesty, even if Prince Zhao sides with outsiders, how can he treat his own family like this?"

Emperor Qianyou asked doubtfully, "Is that so?"

He ordered the eunuch beside him, "Go summon Seventh."

"Yes."

Before long, Jiang Cihe was summoned. Emperor Qianyou asked him, "I heard you imprisoned his son?"

Jiang Cihe feigned helplessness and said, "Indeed, Father. It’s not that I wanted to punish him, but he not only was galloping recklessly on the street and intentionally harmed others, but also assaulted a court-appointed official. In front of everyone, how could I possibly shield him?"

"What?" Emperor Qianyou exclaimed in surprise. "Assaulted a court-appointed official?"

He wasn’t particularly surprised about reckless riding and harming others—after all, such behavior was somewhat common among privileged young nobles. But assaulting a court-appointed official in public was a different matter altogether.

Wasn’t this a disregard for the court itself?

Seeing Emperor Qianyou’s serious expression, Dong Lide hurriedly said, "Your Majesty, that’s not true. It was just a verbal argument. Young people, when tempers flare, a shove is pretty normal, right? How could it be considered assault? And that minor official wasn’t seriously hurt, was he? Besides, that official is on very good terms with Prince Zhao, so of course Prince Zhao would take his side."

Emperor Qianyou asked in surprise, "On good terms with Seventh?"

He turned to Jiang Cihe. "The official who was assaulted is…"

Jiang Cihe paused briefly and said, "Meng Shuping."

Emperor Qianyou burst into laughter. "So it’s him! No wonder then. Very well, summon him here. I’d like to hear what happened."

Because of his fall the previous day, Meng Shuping had taken sick leave, finally able to rest properly.

Unexpectedly, just after waking up naturally, he was summoned to the palace by Emperor Qianyou. Meng Shuping smacked the quilt in annoyance, got dressed, and headed to the palace. Now what? Can’t I even get a break?