Chapter 68 Market Official Abuses Power, Qin Jiao Kidnapped

Chapter 68: Market Inspector Abuses Power, Qin Jiao Is Taken

"Elder brother is injured?"

"Come, let me see, what's wrong?"

Qin Han and Jiang Qingrong both wanted to look at Qin Jiao's neck, and Qin Jiao had no choice but to step back awkwardly. "It's nothing, it's nothing..." When he had backed up as far as he could, a long sword suddenly appeared out of nowhere, blocking the two of them.

The three of them looked over in bewilderment.

It was Luo Yue, who had been sent out by his prince to act as a human screen.

Luo Yue's face was stern and unyielding. "Don't come any closer."

Qin Jiao looked behind Luo Yue and saw Xie Nai hiding in the shadows, watching him intently, his gaze blazing and stirring.

The young gentleman's heart skipped a beat, and he quickly averted his eyes.

"Qin Jiao, you and Lingnan..." Jiang Qingrong noticed Qin Jiao's unusual behavior and started to ask, but Luo Yue cut him off on Qin Jiao's behalf. "Don't ask."

Jiang Qingrong: "..."

Thank you. But, please, do not make it so obvious.

Qin Jiao's face was full of embarrassment, wishing he could just sink into the ground.

Fortunately, Luo Yue's next words eased the awkwardness. He said, "Young master, this Inspector Zhuge, the prince has already sent people to look into his background."

"Good, please go on."

Qin Jiao breathed an imperceptible sigh of relief. This interruption came just in time!

"This Inspector Zhuge is named Zhu Geyong, a market official of the Market Inspectorate, responsible for the merchants and market operations in the capital. He is usually fond of drinking and gambling, and frequents brothels. Today, he got drunk at the Yiqing Pavilion, which is why he went mad and offended Miss Qin and Prince Jiang."

After Luo Yue finished, Jiang Qingrong muttered sarcastically, "Such a lowly official dares to act so arrogantly. The laws and regulations of the imperial city have been completely thrown out. I wonder how the Second Prince manages things."

"Don't talk nonsense." Seeing Jiang Qingrong speak disrespectfully, Qin Jiao quickly covered his mouth.

Nowadays, the Tianyuan Dynasty did indeed have the Second Prince acting as the administrator of the Ministry of Revenue, overseeing the people’s livelihoods and controlling the market inspectorates. It was said that the previous Minister of Revenue had suddenly fallen seriously ill, and the court had been unable to find a suitable new candidate, so the Second Prince had taken over. But regardless of whether the Second Prince managed well or not, it was not something they could comment on.

Three years ago, Qin Jiao had seen the Second Prince from afar in the palace. Back then, he was surrounded by many people. Qin Jiao vaguely remembered him as having a gloomy temperament, dark and haughty.

"Exactly. In the capital now, the market inspectors abuse their power, and many merchants have been forced to make a living elsewhere. The market, which was once good, now has merchants full of complaints. As the administrator, doesn’t he bear responsibility?" Although Jiang Qingrong’s mouth was covered, he still murmured softly.

Jiang Qingrong was different from Qin Jiao. He had always been in the capital and liked to mix in the streets, so he had long heard about the market inspector’s abuse of power in the capital, and witnessing Zhu Geyong's actions today only made him more furious.

"Shut up." Qin Jiao slapped Jiang Qingrong hard. "Save your parents some worry!"

"Ouch! Qin Jiao, you traitor!" Jiang Qingrong cried out in pain.

"Elder brother is right. One must not discuss the imperial family lightly. Prince, be careful with your words." Qin Han also advised Jiang Qingrong.

But Jiang Qingrong was naturally rebellious and was about to retort, but when he saw Qin Han’s worried expression, he inexplicably backed down.

"Hmph!" Jiang Qingrong raised an eyebrow. "Alright, I won't say anything!"

Seeing that Jiang Qingrong had stopped speaking recklessly, Qin Jiao breathed a sigh of relief. After scanning the surroundings, his eyes fell back on Jiang Qingrong. "Qingrong, send someone to find my father and the others. It would be better for them to handle this matter."

If the matter only concerned Luo Yiqi, Qin Jiao would have stepped in, but since it also involved Qin Han, it was naturally more appropriate for Qin Yuanshan and Yu Shuhan to deal with it.

"Good. Someone, go quickly..."

"Young master, the prince has already sent his shadow guards to find them. Lord Qin and Lady Qin are already on their way." Luo Yue interjected.

"Oh! Really? The prince is truly thorough in his thinking!" Jiang Qingrong exclaimed exaggeratedly, winking repeatedly at Qin Jiao. But Qin Jiao just pretended he had a twitch in his eye and ignored him.

Before long, a group of people pushed through the crowd in a fluster. It was Qin Ji, Qin Yuanshan, and the others, along with Concubine Yin and Qin Chaole.

"Hanhan, are you all right? Someone just told us you were injured." Yu Shuhan rushed over, pulling Qin Han to ask with concern.

"Is Xiao Han okay? Is she hurt?" Qin Ji looked at Qin Han self-reproachfully. "It was all my carelessness!"

"It's all your fault. I told you to watch over and protect your sister, and how did you protect her?"

"Mother, I'm sorry. Xiao Han, I'm sorry." Qin Ji apologized softly.

"It's fine, Mother. Second Brother, I'm not hurt."

While the Qin family gathered around Qin Han in concern, Qin Jiao had quietly stepped back. Luo Yue and Luo Bei had also vanished without a trace. Now Jiang Qingrong stood gloomily by Qin Jiao’s side, silently watching the affectionate scene not far away.

Over there, Qin Han said something to Yu Shuhan, and Qin Ji and Qin Yuanshan all looked over at Qin Jiao and Jiang Qingrong. Qin Jiao forced a smile, while Jiang Qingrong simply turned his head away.

With Qin Yuanshan's arrival, the chaotic situation naturally fell to him to handle. His official rank was far higher than that of a market inspector, and moreover, the inspector was clearly in the wrong this time. The outcome was obvious, so Qin Jiao didn't intend to pay further attention to what followed.

"Qingrong, I want to go see Luo Yiqi. You can go enjoy the lanterns first." Qin Jiao said to Jiang Qingrong.

"I'll come with you. Let's go, let's go." Jiang Qingrong threw his arm around Qin Jiao and dragged him away.

"I can go myself. Go have fun."

"Am I a child who only knows how to play? It's New Year's Eve today. How could I let you, all alone, welcome the new year alone!"

Jiang Qingrong pushed Qin Jiao forward. "Quick, after we see Luo Yiqi, you'll come back with me to the Marquis's residence to welcome the new year!"

Qin Jiao was led forward by Jiang Qingrong. A group of guards swarmed up, blocking Qin Jiao's line of sight as he tried to look back.

Oh well, so be it.

Qin Jiao and Jiang Qingrong went together to see Luo Yiqi. His hand injury was not serious, but it would require some rest before he could work again. Qin Jiao left him all the silver he had on him and told him to rest well before heading back with Jiang Qingrong.

In the Marquis of Pingning’s carriage, Jiang Qingrong sighed. "That vendor surnamed Luo is truly brave and righteous. If he hadn't stopped them back then, your second sister's face would have been disfigured."

"He really is a good person." If Luo Yiqi hadn't been of good character, little Lady Ning wouldn't have been so kind to him back then.

"Just now, when you asked him about the situation, he didn't mention how dangerous it was or ask for any reward for saving someone. That's truly rare."

Jiang Qingrong had witnessed the whole thing, which made him admire Luo Yiqi even more. "You should make sure to thank him properly later."

"Don't worry, I know."

Although Qin Jiao said this, he knew in his heart that since Qin Han had been implicated because she spoke up for Luo Yiqi, the Qin family would probably not acknowledge any need for gratitude or compensation.

So Qin Jiao thought that when Luo Yiqi came to deliver the Guanyin statue, he would give him a little more silver.

Afterward, Qin Jiao and Jiang Qingrong chatted about other things, but before long, their eyelids started to droop.

Jiang Qingrong was exhausted after the fight, and Qin Jiao had also had a rollercoaster of a day. In the end, they mutually agreed to stop talking and rest for a while.

They didn't know how long it was before the carriage suddenly stopped, and a familiar voice came from outside: "Young master, we're here."

"We're home. Qin Jiao, get down!" Jiang Qingrong patted Qin Jiao and got off the carriage first.

But as soon as he got off, he froze. The gates were grand and tall, with halberds arrayed inside. This wasn't the residence of the Marquis of Pingning, was it?

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