"If Miss Zhan is willing to spare my life, I will tell you everything I know!" Steward Zeng kowtowed again, his face a mask of desperate resolve, as if his death were certain if Zhan Feiyu refused.
"Who would dare kill innocents under the Emperor's nose?" Zhan Feiyu smiled leisurely.
Glancing at the curious diners in the shop, Zhan Feiyu spoke again, "If someone wants to kill you, I can see you through. I'll escort you to the Shun Tian Fu yamen. Magistrate Bai is impartial and upright; I'm sure he won't let villains harm your life."
Steward Zeng hesitated for a moment, seemingly aware that Zhan Feiyu was not a soft-hearted maiden. He gritted his teeth and spoke with hatred, "The one who wants to silence me is from Magistrate Bai's household. If I go to the Shun Tian Fu, it will be like a lamb entering a tiger's den – no return!"
"Hmph…"
A gasp rippled through the surroundings, and the diners' eyes widened in shock, wondering if Steward Zeng's words were true.
As Zhan Feiyu had said, Magistrate Bai had an excellent reputation, considered a just and benevolent official who championed the common people. But seeing Steward Zeng's desperate state, a seven-foot man kowtowing to a young girl, it was unlikely he was lying. Moreover, he was the second steward of Magistrate Bai's inner household.
"Miss, saving a life is better than building a seven-story pagoda. Since you have the ability, please show some mercy." An elder couldn't help but speak, looking sympathetically at Steward Zeng, who was still kneeling.
"Indeed, it is people from Magistrate Bai's household who are harming him. Miss, if you send him to the Shun Tian Fu, wouldn't that be sending him to his death?"
A middle-aged man of similar age tutted and shook his head, "It's better to be a commoner. Even if we make enemies, we just curse or fight. It won't cost us our lives."
"Please, Miss Zhan, save my life." Steward Zeng kowtowed to Zhan Feiyu again, begging for mercy. He then looked up through the window and saw a few people outside, his face instantly changing.
Terrified, Steward Zeng scrambled to his feet, trying to escape. However, his legs, weakened from kneeling, gave way, and he stumbled and fell again. At that moment, Constable Qing and his men strode in, and the four constables immediately blocked Steward Zeng's path.
Seeing the constables in official uniforms with swords at their waists, the diners who had been urging Zhan Feiyu to show mercy immediately fell silent. They shrunk back, willing to speak up but unwilling to get themselves into trouble, especially with the yamen's officers.
"Miss Zhan." Constable Qing cupped his fist in a salute, slightly surprised to see Zhan Feiyu there. He then looked at the pale and limp Steward Zeng on the ground. Although puzzled, Constable Qing explained in a low voice, "This man's name is Zeng Pin. He was a steward in Magistrate Bai's inner household. After committing a crime, he was sold off. I didn't expect him to still be in the capital. I am ordered to apprehend him and bring him back."
Steward Zeng was part of Madam Bai's dowry. He had not gone to the mines, and by status, he was considered an escaped slave of the Bai household. Magistrate Bai could indeed have him arrested and brought to the yamen.
"Constable Qing, please proceed." Zhan Feiyu nodded in understanding. As for how Steward Zeng knew she was here, or who had secretly informed him, Zhan Feiyu couldn't be bothered. Magistrate Bai would surely investigate thoroughly.
Thanking Zhan Feiyu again, Constable Qing's expression turned cold as he looked at Steward Zeng. "Arrest Zeng Pin and bring him to the yamen!"
"Wait!" Suddenly, a voice from the shop entrance called out to stop them.
Zhan Feiyu turned to see another group of officers in official robes. They were not from the Shun Tian Fu yamen, so they must be from the Five Cities Patrol.
Constable Qing did not expect further complications. He signaled his companions to detain Steward Zeng and then stepped forward to greet the men from the Five Cities Patrol. "Deputy Commander Lü."
The newcomer was Lü Yi, the Deputy Commander of the Eastern Gate of the Five Cities Patrol. He was a seventh-rank military official. Although seventh-rank officials were not particularly significant in the capital, he was far superior to Constable Qing, a constable without rank. Deputy Commander Lü was at least a bona fide imperial official.
"Constable Qing." Deputy Commander Lü returned the salute with an arrogant demeanor. Normally, the Shun Tian Fu yamen and the Five Cities Patrol had little interaction. However, at the end of the year, the two yamen would cooperate to maintain security in the capital, so they were somewhat familiar with each other.
Deputy Commander Lü, clearly with ill intentions, spoke with a forced smile, "I overheard a bit just now. This person has already been sold by the Bai household. Even as an escaped slave, he is an escaped slave from the mines on the outskirts of the capital. Furthermore, he repeatedly claims that people from the Bai household want to harm him. Constable Qing still intends to take him back to the Shun Tian Fu? For the sake of Magistrate Bai's reputation, it would be better to hand this person over to me to be brought back to the Five Cities Patrol."
"Deputy Commander Lü, your words are not quite right..." Constable Qing argued.
The timely arrival of the Five Cities Patrol, possibly targeting Steward Zeng, made Constable Qing determined not to let Deputy Commander Lü take the man away.
Zhan Feiyu watched the two sides refuse to yield. The Five Cities Patrol was clearly deliberately opposing the Shun Tian Fu. She then realized that the Commander of the Five Cities Patrol, Zhu Guanyu, had once been a subordinate of Marquis You. Zhan Feiyu understood the key issue.
Lai San was a jailer at the Shun Tian Fu. He had been imprisoned for his crimes but escaped. He had even killed You Bawang at the Chang residence. Marquis You likely held the Shun Tian Fu responsible for this grudge and was now interfering by trying to take Steward Zeng away.
"Is Constable Qing intending to make a move?" Deputy Commander Lü scoffed, seeing that they could not reach an agreement. He smiled coldly and waved his hand. With a swish, his six subordinates immediately surrounded Constable Qing and his three companions.
The atmosphere tensed, on the verge of eruption. The diners who had been watching the spectacle had already retreated to a corner.
"You?" Constable Qing's face turned extremely grim. His right hand rested on the hilt of his sword, but he knew they were outnumbered and outmatched. If they fought, the four of them would definitely not be a match for the enemy.
But if they let the Five Cities Patrol take Steward Zeng away, where would the Shun Tian Fu's dignity be?
Suddenly thinking of something, Constable Qing's gaze of appeal flashed towards Zhan Feiyu, or more precisely, towards He Sheng and He Nuan beside her. These two siblings were masters among masters.
"The Five Cities Patrol is handling a case. Bystanders, step aside, or else..." Deputy Commander Lü said with a cold smile, drawing his sword with a swish. The cold blade was exceptionally sharp, emitting a chilling glint.
If Zhan Feiyu dared to side with Constable Qing, it would be obstructing the Five Cities Patrol's investigation. Deputy Commander Lü also knew that his men were no match for He Sheng and He Nuan, but as long as they could frame Zhan Feiyu with this charge, the Patrol could openly dispatch troops to apprehend her.
Facing the threatening Deputy Commander Lü, Zhan Feiyu's expression remained unchanged. She even took a few steps back.
Seeing Zhan Feiyu's stance, Constable Qing knew she was unwilling to act. He couldn't help but show a bitter smile. It was indeed his own wishful thinking. He could obstruct the Five Cities Patrol when they were investigating a case, but Miss Zhan could not.
Seeing that neither Zhan Feiyu nor Constable Qing intended to make a move, Deputy Commander Lü's attitude became even more arrogant. "Bring Zeng Ming over."
"My lord!" Someone from the crowd of diners hiding in the corner suddenly spoke.
The confronting parties turned to look. It was the elder who had previously urged Zhan Feiyu to show mercy. He knelt down with a thud, his expression displaying undisguised fawning. "My lord, do not be deceived by this young lady. This humble subject personally witnessed this Steward Zeng kowtowing to her. They must be in league. My lord, please do not let this escaped fish slip away!"
Steward Zeng, having been transferred from the Shun Tian Fu constables to the Five Cities Patrol, had resigned himself to his fate. He suddenly let out a sharp laugh and spoke with extreme malice, "Miss Zhan, you are unrighteous, and I am not benevolent. My lord, she is my accomplice!"
Constable Qing glared furiously at Steward Zeng, who was clearly trying to drag Zhan Feiyu down with him. "Talking nonsense."
"Whether it is nonsense will be personally interrogated by Lord Zhu." Deputy Commander Lü ignored Constable Qing, his sinister gaze fixed on Zhan Feiyu. He ordered his subordinates word by word, "Take her back to the Five Cities Patrol as well!"
Zhan Feiyu, facing this undeserved disaster, couldn't help but roll her eyes. What kind of luck was this?
She hadn't been in the capital for a month, and she had already visited the Shun Tian Fu yamen, the Ministry of Justice, and the Dali Temple. Now, even the Five Cities Patrol was involved. Was she going to visit all the major yamen in the capital for a check-in?
"Without any evidence, the Five Cities Patrol intends to arrest someone based on the word of an escaped slave?" Zhan Feiyu sat down on the bench, casually picked up the warm stove on the table, and continued unhurriedly, "If it is later proven that these two falsely accused me, Deputy Commander Lü, what crime will you be guilty of?"