County Magistrate Cheng pondered and suggested, "Why don't I accompany you and Sanlang to the private school to apologize to Tutor Zhong? With me there, I doubt Tutor Zhong would make things difficult."
Jiang Pan was reluctant to involve County Magistrate Cheng, but his family was not influential. Without the magistrate's assistance, it would be difficult to resolve the matter.
So, Jiang Pan bowed to County Magistrate Cheng, "Thank you, Your Honor."
County Magistrate Cheng waved his hand, "No need for such formality. I'll have someone prepare some gifts first. It wouldn't be right to visit and apologize empty-handed."
Jiang Pan quickly said, "Your Honor, we will prepare the gifts ourselves."
It wasn't proper to ask someone who was helping them to worry about such things.
County Magistrate Cheng replied, "The gifts you prepare might not even open the door to the private school. At this point, let's not be so particular. Let's resolve the trouble first, and we can discuss other matters later."
Jiang Pan was so touched he didn't know what to do.
In truth, County Magistrate Cheng didn't need to trouble himself with this matter.
Yet now, he was not only offering financial support but also his effort. How could the Jiang family ever repay such a great favor?
County Magistrate Cheng quickly sent someone back to his manor to have Madam Cheng prepare several generous gifts.
Once everything was ready, County Magistrate Cheng, along with Jiang Pan and the silent Sanlang, headed to the private school.
As soon as Jiang Wan arrived at the yamen, she saw County Magistrate Cheng emerging from it with Jiang Pan and Sanlang.
Sanlang, with his sharp eyes, spotted her and quickly waved her over, signaling her not to approach.
Jiang Wan moved aside. After County Magistrate Cheng and the other two had driven off in their carriage, she followed them.
The gate of the private school was shut tight. County Magistrate Cheng personally went up to knock.
After a long while, the main gate was opened. The ill-tempered old gatekeeper showed a flicker of fear upon seeing County Magistrate Cheng.
"This old servant greets Your Honor."
Upon seeing Jiang Pan and Sanlang, the old man's face darkened. "What are you here for? Are you here to beat our tutor to death since you didn't succeed the first time?"
County Magistrate Cheng replied with a humble tone, "Old man, I am here with the Jiang father and son to apologize to Tutor Zhong. Young children are unruly and do not know the gravity of their actions. Please inform Tutor Zhong."
When the old man heard that County Magistrate Cheng was here for this matter, his attitude immediately changed.
"Your Honor, our tutor has already declared that no one, regardless of who pleads for them, will be allowed in. Please return, Your Honor. Our tutor sustained severe injuries today, and the doctor is currently treating him. He is not available to see guests."
With that, the old man closed the main gate.
However, this time he closed it gently, unlike before when he had slammed it shut with a bang.
This was considered giving County Magistrate Cheng some face.
As County Magistrate Cheng was about to knock again, Jiang Pan quickly stepped forward to stop him. "Your Honor, there's no need. Your duties are heavy; please don't waste your time here."
Jiang Pan felt extremely apologetic for making the esteemed county magistrate endure such disdain.
County Magistrate Cheng frowned. "What other way do you have? Tutor Zhong, relying on Master Wan's influence, won't even see me. It's even less likely he'll see you. If he knows it's just you father and son here, he will surely humiliate you severely."
"You two come back with me. I'll find a way to meet Master Wan. As long as we can get Master Wan on our side, Tutor Zhong will be insignificant."
Fearing Jiang Pan's refusal, he added, "Brother Jiang, apologizing also depends on who you apologize to. Even if Master Wan doesn't give face, I still have other methods. In any case, showing up in person to be humiliated by Tutor Zhong is the most useless approach. Even if you can swallow your pride, how will Sanlang and the other children establish themselves in the future?"
This point touched upon Jiang Pan's deepest concerns.
Thus, he wordlessly followed County Magistrate Cheng back to the county yamen.
Inside the private school, Tutor Zhong's face was covered with a swelling-reducing ointment, making his appearance rather disheveled and comical.
Upon hearing that the Jiang father and son had left with County Magistrate Cheng, he became enraged.
He had expected the Jiang family to come and apologize, but he hadn't anticipated them bringing County Magistrate Cheng along.
Tutor Zhong was also stunned by the severity of Jiang Wan's beating. After Jiang Wan and Sanlang left, he had fainted for quite some time. He only woke up after the doctor administered acupuncture.
The doctor had just left, and before he could send someone to the Wan family, the Jiang father and son arrived.
It seemed the Jiang family was well aware of the consequences of beating him.
Tutor Zhong touched his greatly swollen face, a glint of hatred flashing in his eyes.
If he didn't eradicate the Jiang family, how could he conduct himself in Yao County in the future!
"Go and investigate why County Magistrate Cheng is pleading for the Jiang family. Also, send someone to the Wan family and explain the situation. This matter arose because of someone from the Wan family, so they should seek justice for me."
The old gatekeeper acknowledged the order and quickly made arrangements.
However, as the old gatekeeper opened the door, he was startled by a large swarm of buzzing things before him.
"Are these... bees? Where did these bees come from? Ah, they're stinging me to death!"
The old gatekeeper's cries greatly angered Tutor Zhong. "What are you yelling about! I told you to handle it, and you're... What is this devilry, ah—Quick, someone, someone, drive these bees out, ah—"
The private school descended into chaos. The buzzing of bees and the screams of Tutor Zhong and his family members merged into a cacophony, attracting nearby residents to come and watch the spectacle.
Jiang Wan, blending in with the crowd, let out a cold sneer and turned back towards the small mountain village.
Wan Manor.
Zheng Cuier, along with her parents and brother Zheng Yushan, was crying and complaining to Master Wan.
Ignoring her father, mother, and brother who were present, she threw herself into Master Wan's arms with a semblance of fragility, weeping softly, "My Lord, you must do justice for my brother!"
"That private school was chosen by you, my Lord. Yushan had only been in the private school for a few days before he was beaten like this. He is my only brother. If anything were to happen to him, how could I go on living?"
Zheng Cuier's appearance was ordinary, but her figure was excellent—large bust, slender waist, and shapely hips, with legs that were both slender and long. She had recently been taken in by Master Wan, and his infatuation with her had not yet waned.
Before coming, she had deliberately changed into a simple dress and used a handkerchief soaked in ginger water to vigorously rub her eyes, making them appear red and swollen, which indeed made her look somewhat pitiful.
Master Wan saw his concubine crying so miserably and recalled that Tutor Zhong was an acquaintance of his. How dare the Jiang family be so presumptuous as to even strike his people!
Were they striking Zheng Yushan and Tutor Zhong?
They were striking his pride, Wan Fulin!
"Cuier, don't cry. I will handle this for you! How dare a mere Jiang family lay a hand on my people. They are ignorant of the heavens and earth!"
Zheng Cuier sobbed, resting her head on Master Wan's chest. "My Lord, that Jiang family has a backer. County Magistrate Cheng is on good terms with them, and I fear they will seek his help. My Lord, he is the magistrate of Yao County. I am so afraid he will side with the Jiang family and cause trouble for you."
She remembered very clearly how, upon arriving in Jiangnan, Madam Cheng had used her influence to drive their family out of the city!
Now that she had gained influence, she naturally had to find the right opportunity to retaliate against that couple!