The burly constable Ling Sheng declared, "You're reported for stealing jewelry and minerals! Come with us to the yamen!"
Upon hearing the constables, the waiter and Uncle San's eyes widened in shock.
This... this dark-skinned young man was a thief? But he had just sold a stone to their young master. Could it be stolen goods?
Heavens! This thief was too audacious! After selling the stolen goods, he nonchalantly engaged in business with their young master, showing no intention of fleeing! Kuaishu Ge
Enraged, they pointed at Bai Sheng and said to Wen Zimo, "Young Master, he's a thief! That stone of his—"
"Nonsense!" Wen Zimo's face turned stern, and he coldly reprimanded them. Throughout, a flicker of doubt crossed his face, but he didn't believe the constables' words.
Bai Sheng felt a surge of emotion. They were mere acquaintances, yet he offered her his utmost trust.
Wen Zimo was a man worth befriending!
Bai Sheng already knew who was plotting against her. Perhaps as soon as she left Ming Bao Zhai, Manager Wen had already sent people to watch her.
However, she showed no fear and smiled calmly, "Officers, may I ask who reported me? What jewelry or minerals am I accused of stealing? Where and when was the theft committed? What are the witnesses and evidence?"
The two constables were taken aback. They hadn't expected this ugly man in red to be so sharp-tongued. They had thought a mere wave of their swords would send him scurrying away, but he turned out to be quite resilient.
A crowd of onlookers had gathered at the entrance. Hearing that the constables were arresting a thief, they were curious to see what the thief looked like and what he had stolen.
With onlookers present, the constables found it inconvenient to force an arrest and reluctantly produced some justification, "Someone reported you possessing a rare treasure, and given your appearance, you don't seem like a person of great wealth, therefore, it's highly likely you stole the treasure!"
Within the space, Siwu, enraged, beat his chest and stamped his feet.
Lightning was extremely agitated, wishing it could rush out of the space immediately, devour these two constables and the one who framed them, and then excrete them as snake droppings to fertilize the land!
Hmph hmph calmed it down, advising it to observe the situation. After all, their master was not to be trifled with. Let the master handle it first.
Wuyun and Baoyu seconded this.
Bai Sheng smirked and pointed at the waiter, declaring loudly, "Officers, this young man wears simple clothes and doesn't look like a person of great wealth, yet he's selling jewelry in a jewelry store. Perhaps he's a con artist or a thief. Should you arrest him?"
"You, you, you! What does this have to do with me? Don't you make wild accusations! I, I, I—" The waiter looked at Bai Sheng and then at the constables with a look of terror, his face turning pale.
Bai Sheng smiled and patted his shoulder as if to comfort him, leaving the waiter completely bewildered and confused.
She then walked up to Wen Zimo, winked at him, and raised her voice with a laugh, "This Young Master Wen is handsome, with a posture as upright as a jade tree. He's charming and dashing, with a pair of alluring peach blossom eyes. He's definitely a flower thief who defiles virtuous women. Officers, should you arrest him?"
The two constables looked embarrassed but maintained their posture of intent to arrest.
Wen Zimo lowered his gaze and smiled.
"Oh, and this one too," Bai Sheng walked to Uncle San's side, "He looks steady, reserved, and deep in thought. He must have embezzled a lot of property from others. Officers, should you arrest him?"
Uncle San's face flushed slightly, but constrained by his young master, he dared not say anything.
Bai Sheng scanned the onlookers at the entrance and said seriously, "Investigating and arresting people requires solid evidence! As esteemed officers, when dealing with us common folk, if you judge loyalty and wickedness solely by appearance, wouldn't this world descend into chaos?! What hope would we commoners have for survival!"
"Well said!" A cheer came from the crowd.
"Arrests require solid evidence. You can't just call someone a thief because they look like one!"
"Exactly! Look at me! I have a shifty, rat-like appearance, but I'm a good person!"
A burst of laughter erupted from the crowd.
The constables' imposing presence visibly weakened. They softened their tone slightly and said, "Young Master Bai, regardless, someone has reported you, and we must verify it. Even if you are not as they reported, you must accompany us to the yamen to clarify the situation."
Bai Sheng sneered, "I conduct myself uprightly and walk the righteous path. I have violated no laws, so why should I go to the yamen and ruin my reputation for no reason? Merely based on the baseless accusations from Ming Bao Zhai?!"
The two constables clearly paused.
The waiter and Uncle San were both astonished. Was Ming Bao Zhai involved in this matter?
In that case, it seemed Young Master Bai was likely wrongly accused. Not a single person from Ming Bao Zhai was any good!
They suddenly regretted their earlier impolite words towards Young Master Bai.
Wen Zimo's expression turned cold. It seemed Ming Bao Zhai wasn't just targeting Bai Sheng; they feared Bai Sheng would reveal the location of the superior mineral stone to him.
Therefore, they intended to arrest Bai Sheng and intercept the mine.
Wen Zimo stepped forward and smiled at the constables, "Officers, Young Master Bai is my friend. We arranged to meet at the shop today. Perhaps there's been some misunderstanding?"
"Whether there's a misunderstanding will be clear after a trial at the yamen!" The burly constable, losing patience, reached out to grab Bai Sheng.
Lightning urgently whispered to Hmph Hmph, "Quick, let Master release me! I want to bite them to death! Turn them all into snake droppings!"
Hmph Hmph calmly replied, "No need for you to bite. Someone else is going to bite."
"What's the big deal that requires going to the yamen to clarify?" Two people suddenly walked in. A handsome young man in guard attire exclaimed loudly.
He was followed by a slightly shorter young man in brocade.
Everyone present was surprised and turned to look at the two newcomers.
Oh, it's getting more lively! The onlookers outside became even more excited.
The handsome man in guard attire glanced at Bai Sheng, couldn't help but "Aow!" and then turned to give a signal to the young man in brocade beside him.
The young man in brocade immediately stepped forward, approached Bai Sheng, and whispered, "Please, Miss Bai, turn your back. Absolutely do not let my... friend see your 'face', otherwise, he will keep vomiting."
Miss... Bai?
Although the young man in brocade had lowered his voice, the people inside still heard him, and beams of inquisitive gazes shifted towards Bai Sheng's feminine features.
Uh, there, it was indeed a little… full.
They had thought… it was his well-developed chest muscles.
Who were these two? How did they know this young master was named Bai? And that she was a girl?
Bai Sheng was still surprised when she felt gazes directed at her chest muscles, causing her to stiffen all over.
However, she quickly regained her composure.
After all, she was a woman from modern times and wouldn't be mortified to death by someone's "回头率" (literally "turnaround rate", meaning how many people look back at her).
She puffed out her small chest and generously admitted, "That's right, this young master is a woman! However, Sir, I'm very sorry, but this young master will not turn her back. Anyone who wants to vomit is welcome to do so."