Chapter 45 You'd better remember my kindness day and night.
"Bai Xiuming, how dare you!" Marquis Zhenbei was furious. "Today, I will take this living corpse away to pay for my grandson's life. Even if the King of Ming comes, he will not be able to stop me."
“She bears the mark of my Mingjing Division on her forehead and is under the supervision of the Mingjing Division.” Bai Xiuming’s voice was deep. “The fact that the Marquis of Zhenbei dared to take her away today is tantamount to challenging the authority of the Mingjing Division. I have the right to execute her first and report later.”
As soon as Bai Xiuming finished speaking, the Marquis of Zhenbei suddenly felt a strong sense of crisis.
He raised his head, and a golden light faintly appeared above his head, as an array enveloped him.
That was part of the grand formation of the capital. Although it couldn't kill him on the spot, it could suppress his strength. If they were to actually fight now, it would be extremely disadvantageous for him.
"Do you think you can punish me with just a few words?"
"The Marquis of Zhenbei can give it a try."
The Marquis of Zhenbei's gloomy gaze swept over Achan and Chen Hui. Even though the murderer who killed his grandson was right there, he ultimately did not step forward.
Bai Xiuming dared to attack him today, he must be fearless. If he really disregards everything and fights with him, the emperor will probably have an excuse to make trouble for him at the morning court tomorrow.
The Marquis of Zhenbei took a deep breath, suppressing the killing intent in his heart, and coldly shouted, "Let's go."
The guards quickly formed ranks and were about to ride away when Achan, who had been standing at the back, suddenly spoke up: "Wait a moment."
The Marquis of Zhenbei turned his head and saw the woman who had spoken run to Bai Xiuming's side.
Achan stood beside Bai Xiuming, her voice aggrieved: "Lord Bai, my perfectly good house has been destroyed like this, and now I can't open my shop. There's no other source of income for us. Isn't anyone going to compensate us?"
"How much silver do you want?" Bai Xiuming asked.
Achan counted on her fingers: "Last time, the Lady of Jinyang Marquis smashed my shop and paid me a thousand taels in compensation. This time, the shop is gone, so paying five thousand taels shouldn't be too much, right?"
This was truly an outrageous demand. The entire shop, including the spices, might not even fetch a thousand taels of silver. But since the Marquis of Zhenbei was the one who fled in disarray, she certainly couldn't let go of the opportunity to take advantage of his power.
A smile flickered in Bai Xiuming's eyes. He really was willing to risk his life for money, and he was willing to make money off anyone.
However, he didn't say anything, but instead raised his voice and asked, "What does the Marquis of Zhenbei think of this price?"
The implication is that the other party should pay compensation.
“Very well.” The Marquis of Zhenbei tightened his grip on the reins and said, word by word, “I will have someone send five thousand taels of silver over shortly.”
"Your Excellency truly cares for the people," Bai Xiuming praised, but only received a cold snort from the Marquis of Zhenbei in return.
Immediately, the Marquis of Zhenbei turned his horse around and rode away, with his personal guards following closely behind.
As Chan watched those people's retreating figures, they seemed to be fleeing in panic.
Before she could look away, her wrist was suddenly grabbed.
Achan turned her head and saw Bai Xiuming grabbing her wrist and leading her into the dilapidated shop.
She stumbled after him, saying, "Sir, wait! That house is about to collapse; we can't go in."
"Don't scream, or you'll get crushed to death." Bai Xiuming uttered these words and then fell silent.
He pulled Achan into the house on his own. Chen Hui wanted to follow, but Bai Xiuming's cold gaze froze her in place.
Achan turned around and gestured to her not to follow her in, then Bai Xiuming dragged her to the backyard.
Once they reached the backyard, where there was no one else around, Bai Xiuming released her wrist.
"My lord, you don't have to come all the way here to whisper to me, do you?" Achan rubbed her reddened wrist, her tone somewhat reproachful.
She had barely finished speaking when Bai Xiuming, who had been so imposing just moments before, suddenly coughed up blood.
Achan's eyes widened in surprise: "My lord, are you injured?"
Just now, when he was being so aggressive that he almost fainted from anger, he didn't seem to be injured. So why did he suddenly vomit blood?
Bai Xiuming ignored her and spat out another mouthful of blood.
"handkerchief."
"Ah? Oh." Ah Chan quickly handed over her handkerchief.
Bai Xiuming wiped the blood from her lips with her handkerchief before saying calmly, "You saw nothing today."
Ah Chan held back for a long time, but finally couldn't hold back anymore: "My lord is really cautious. You can't even let others know that you're spitting blood."
Bai Xiuming glanced at her sideways: "Yes, do I need to kill you to silence you?"
Achan immediately shut her mouth.
"Bring me a chair," Bai Xiuming said to her, leaning against the wall.
Ah Chan had no choice but to risk running into the shop and dragging the chair that had luckily escaped the disaster to the backyard.
Bai Xiuming sat in the chair with his eyes closed, seemingly regulating his breathing.
Ah Zhuan spun around him twice, getting a little bored while waiting. So he simply moved a small wooden stool from the kitchen where he sat to sit while tending the fire, and placed it opposite Bai Xiuming's chair.
She looked up at the man who was meditating with his eyes closed, and wondered if he had already guessed that the Marquis of Zhenbei would come, since he had arrived by such coincidence today.
She and Hui Niang were really lucky to have had him; otherwise, they would have been in trouble.
When Bai Xiuming opened his eyes after he had finished his meditation, he saw A Chan huddled on a small wooden stool, her hands supporting her chin, looking as if she were lost in thought.
"Is the master alright?" Achan asked, her eyes lighting up as she saw him open his eyes.
In fact, Bai Xiuming didn't need much time to adjust his breathing; it was only about fifteen minutes.
"not yet."
He had only temporarily calmed his surging blood pressure; his injuries were caused by the backlash of the formation, and he would probably need several days to recover.
"Oh..." Ah Chan stopped asking and said, "I have some incense here to regulate the internal organs, would you like to try it, sir?"
Bai Xiuming stared at her for a while before speaking: "I am not worthy of your fragrance."
"That's a real pity." Ah Chan was just being polite casually.
However, Bai Xiuming did not stop there. He spoke again: "Back then, was this how you sold your incense to Xue Mingtang's concubine?"
Achan blinked rapidly.
Bai Xiuming hadn't mentioned it when they were at the Mingjing Division, so she thought Xue Mingtang's matter had been glossed over. But now he's bringing up old grievances.
Ah Chan said calmly, "Yes, my cousin's money is so easy to make, of course I can't let it go."
The fact that she sold the face powder to Zhao Wenyue couldn't be hidden anyway; if anyone wanted to investigate, they could just ask Zhao Wenyue.
What kind of incense did you sell to her?
"Do you need some sleep-inducing incense, adults? I can give it to you for free." Ah Chan's eyes crinkled, certain that he had no evidence and could only test her with words.
Bai Xiuming indeed had no evidence and did not intend to investigate the matter further. He stood up and said, "I would like to live a few more days."
Seeing that he was about to leave, Achan quickly stood up: "Are you leaving already, sir?"
"Is there anything else?"
Achan's eyes darted around, and she quickly took a few steps forward to block his way: "Thank you so much, sir, for saving my and Huiniang's lives. Achan will never forget it."
Bai Xiuming looked down at her and said, "It's not enough to just be grateful. You'd better remember my kindness day and night and avoid causing me any more trouble in the future, especially things like picking up living corpses to raise at home. Don't let it happen a second time."
Achan's eyes flickered: "I've got it."
"If there's nothing else, move aside."
Of course, Achan didn't move aside; they hadn't even gotten to the important matter yet.
Bai Xiuming seemed to have anticipated that she had more to say, and waited patiently for her to speak.
Under his gaze, Achan asked somewhat awkwardly, "May I ask where you live, sir?"
Bai Xiuming raised an eyebrow, thinking he had misheard.
"What did you say?"
"I want to know where you live, sir," Achan said, raising her voice slightly as she repeated herself.
"Xuanyangfang".
"Does your neighbor have any plans to sell their house recently?" Achan asked expectantly.
Bai Xiuming suddenly chuckled: "My neighbors on the left and right are the Minister of Rites and the Duke of Song, respectively. They are in residences bestowed by His Majesty, and they probably don't plan to move out anytime soon."
"Oh dear, what a blunder," Achan lamented in her heart, forgetting that Bai Xiuming was a member of the imperial family and lived in a place frequented by powerful and wealthy people.
"So... does Your Excellency have any plans to move recently?"
"No."
Ah Chan sighed. Although the Marquis of Zhenbei had retreated today, it was hard to guarantee that he wouldn't make a comeback in the future. No, to be precise, he would definitely make a comeback. That person didn't seem like someone who would follow the rules.
If he makes a move next time while Bai Xiuming is away, Achan will have no way to stop him.
So she was thinking about moving to the vicinity of Bai Xiuming's house, hoping it would be safer.
Unfortunately, the plan was blocked from all sides before it even began.
"Is there anything else you want to ask?" Bai Xiuming asked, unusually good-natured.
Achan's eyes darted around. Since this method wouldn't work, she had to try another one.
"My lord~" Ah Chan called out to him sweetly, and Bai Xiuming suddenly felt a sense of unease.
"……explain."
“If the Marquis of Zhenbei hadn’t come today, I would have almost forgotten that Huiniang was killed by Fang Yu and Yan Cheng. My lord, the Marquis of Zhenbei’s daughter secretly raised living corpses and used them to kill people. Over the years, many innocent people must have been killed. It’s too cruel.”
"Hmm, so what?"
"As Fang Yu's father, Marquis Zhenbei should be held accountable for simply condoning and protecting his daughter's violent acts. Your Excellency should impeach him severely." Achan said fiercely, but unfortunately, she lacked the necessary force and sounded more like she was pleading with him.
Bai Xiuming feigned hesitation: "If I were to impeach him, I would inevitably offend him completely..."
Ah Chan said anxiously, "Oh dear, since we've already offended him, and you stabbed him, he'll definitely hold a grudge against you. Let's go all the way and seize this opportunity to get His Majesty to punish him."
"That sounds reasonable." Bai Xiuming seemed to be persuaded.
"Right?"
"Then how would you like His Majesty to punish him?"
Ah Chan had a wild idea: "Three to five years of seclusion to reflect on one's mistakes?"
Bai Xiuming smiled but remained silent.
"One or two years should be fine, his daughter has harmed so many people."
Bai Xiuming shook his head.
"Then he'd have to be locked up for at least six months, right?"
"You seem to really want him locked up?"
Ah Chan had already given up all hope. She angrily said, "He looked like he had ill intentions towards me and Hui Niang. Did you see the look in his eyes when he left? He clearly wanted to tear me to pieces. If he's not locked up, I won't dare to go out again."
Bai Xiuming twitched the corner of her lips. If she hadn't asked for the five thousand taels of silver, the Marquis of Zhenbei's eyes might not have been so fierce.
However, he didn't mention this, only asking, "What will you do if the Marquis of Zhenbei isn't punished?"
"Then I'll just have to pack up with Hui Niang and go sleep outside the master's house, braving the elements."
"So pitiful?"
"That's right, sir, please help me."
"I will go back and consider it."
Why do I need to go back and think about it? What if I suddenly change my mind and can't figure it out?
Achan didn't want him to leave, and dawdled, unwilling to move aside.
Just then, Feng Yang's penetrating voice came from outside: "My lord, I am late."
Bai Xiuming looked at A Chan, who reluctantly stepped aside.
The two walked out of the backyard one after the other, passed through the dilapidated house again, and walked to the front.
The people from the Mingjing Division arrived late.
"My lord, are you alright?" Feng Yang asked Bai Xiuming with a worried expression.
Upon learning that the Marquis of Zhenbei had led his men to Changping Ward, the lord used the authority of the Mingjing Division to manipulate the city's formations in order to arrive here as quickly as possible.
That formation is usually controlled by several people. If he controls the formation alone, he will inevitably suffer a backlash from the formation and may suffer internal injuries.
"It's alright, let's go back."
Seeing Bai Xiuming about to leave with his men, Achan called out from behind, sounding aggrieved, "My lord."
Bai Xiuming stopped in his tracks but did not turn around. He simply instructed Feng Yang, "Leave two people behind to follow her for the next few days."
Feng Yang was taken aback. Follow her? Does monitoring someone have to be so blatant?
However, he quickly realized that the adults were probably not there to monitor him, but to protect him.
He immediately selected his two most clever centurions to stay and protect Ji Chan before leaving with Bai Xiuming.
Although these two centurions might not be able to withstand a single move from the Marquis of Zhenbei, they are from the Mingjing Division. Their presence at least demonstrates Bai Xiuming's attitude and should be able to intimidate the Marquis of Zhenbei for the time being.
On the other side, the Marquis of Zhenbei had just returned to his residence when he could no longer suppress his anger.
With a wave of his hand, the stone lion at the entrance was reduced to dust.
Once he entered the manor, the vermilion gates of the Marquis's residence were tightly closed, concealing everything inside.
"You brat, you dare to humiliate me like this just because you rely on the power of the Ming King." The Marquis of Zhenbei gritted his teeth. "You bastard, I will personally twist your head off sooner or later."
Seeing that the Marquis of Zhenbei was angry, none of the guards dared to speak. At this moment, a middle-aged man dressed in a Taoist robe and with a thin build stepped forward. After hearing his words, he laughed and said, "Why should the Marquis lower himself to his level? Bai Xiuming is just a pawn. The Ming King adopted him only to counterbalance the Xiling King."
Upon seeing the gaunt middle-aged man, the guards behind the Marquis of Zhenbei greeted him in unison, "Greetings, Military Advisor."
This man was named Liu Zhou, the strategist of the Marquis of Zhenbei. The reason why the Marquis of Zhenbei was able to win every battle in Xiling over the years was inseparable from Liu Zhou's planning.
When Marquis Zhenbei saw Liu Zhou, he was somewhat surprised: "Didn't you say you had something to do and would be returning to the capital later? When did you get back?"
"The matter has been settled. I was worried that the Marquis would be in trouble with the Emperor, so I returned early. Unfortunately, I arrived just as the Marquis left the manor."
The Marquis of Zhenbei snorted coldly: "The emperor hasn't even made a move yet, and some people are already getting impatient."
Liu Zhou advised, "My lord, this is, after all, the capital. We should be more discreet."
"How can I possibly restrain myself? My only bloodline was killed by a living corpse, and the Mingjing Division not only turned a blind eye but even obstructed me. If it weren't for the Ming King..."
Liu Zhou interrupted him, saying, "I know you are troubled, but you have only just returned. It would be unwise to offend the Mingjing Division rashly. If you really want that living corpse to pay for its blood debt, you can do it slowly. Bai Xiuming can't keep an eye on things all day long."
Marquis Zhenbei frowned. He didn't actually like the strategist's way of doing things. He preferred to be straightforward and would kill anyone who made him unhappy.
In all these years away from the capital, no one has ever dared to make him so unhappy.
But he often had to admit that the strategist's methods could indeed avoid a lot of trouble.
After considering for a long time, he finally nodded reluctantly: "Let's do as the strategist said and let this matter go for now. We'll capture that living corpse after things have calmed down, and I will grind her bones to dust."
"Your Excellency is wise."
At Liu Zhou's urging, the Marquis of Zhenbei finally decided to postpone his revenge for his grandson, but unexpectedly, the next morning, before he could even retaliate, Bai Xiuming retaliated first.
Bai Xiuming submitted a memorial impeaching the Marquis of Zhenbei for condoning his daughter Fang Yu's practice of secretly raising living corpses to harm people, causing chaos in the capital and resulting in the deaths and injuries of several civilians. He argued that the Marquis's crime was unforgivable.
After reading the memorial presented by Bai Xiuming, the emperor did not get angry. Instead, he looked at the Marquis of Zhenbei and asked in a calm tone, "Does the Marquis of Zhenbei have anything to say?"
The Marquis of Zhenbei strode forward: "Your Majesty, yesterday I had some misunderstandings with Lord Bai. I know that Lord Bai is dissatisfied with me, but when it comes to my reputation in front of my daughter, I absolutely cannot admit it. Although my daughter may act absurdly in front of me, she would never do anything that is immoral or immoral."
"Bai Xiuming, what do you say?"
Bai Xiuming said, "Your Majesty, I have captured the people who raised the living corpses for Fang Yu. According to the confessions of those three, Fang Yu and his son used the living corpses to kill no less than a hundred people over the past twenty years. I have ordered people to search for the remains based on the clues provided by them. Before the court session, we have found thirty-eight unidentified corpses."
"Your Majesty, someone must be trying to frame my daughter," the Marquis of Zhenbei said urgently.
Bai Xiuming remained unhurried: "In addition, I have brought the head of that wreaking havoc zombie today. Perhaps the Marquis of Zhenbei can explain to His Majesty why the guards of the Marquis of Zhenbei's mansion turned into zombies twenty years ago and were controlled by your daughter?"
The Marquis of Zhenbei suddenly fell silent. If Bai Xiuming hadn't brought it up, he would have completely forgotten about it.
They actually managed to find out the identity of that zombie.
"Perhaps it was a coincidence that the guard died unexpectedly, and his body was turned into a living corpse by someone else." Marquis Zhenbei still tried to salvage the situation.
“Perhaps, it was the Marquis of Zhenbei who killed the guard so that his daughter could refine a living corpse.” Seeing that the Marquis of Zhenbei seemed to want to refute, Bai Xiuming immediately said, “Your Majesty, I have presented all the evidence and hope that Your Majesty will investigate thoroughly.”
The emperor, seated high on his dragon throne, looked down at the Marquis of Zhenbei, who was arguing vehemently, and suddenly asked, "Marquis of Zhenbei, are you aware of this matter?"
Marquis Zhenbei's heart skipped a beat. Having lost the initiative, he had no chance to refute and could only say, "Your Majesty, I have been fighting abroad for many years and am unaware of this matter."
At this moment, an imperial censor stepped forward and said, "Your Majesty, it is the father's fault if he raises his child without teaching him properly. The Marquis of Zhenbei has failed to educate his daughter properly. His daughter and grandson have abused his power to harm countless people. He cannot escape blame and should be severely punished."
Other court officials also spoke out, demanding that the Marquis of Zhenbei be severely punished.
Some nobles who came from military backgrounds did say a few good words for the Marquis of Zhenbei.
Duke Xu stepped forward and said, “Your Majesty, Marquis Zhenbei has indeed rendered meritorious service in guarding Xiling. His daughter’s wrongdoing was not instigated by Marquis Zhenbei. This matter needs to be considered carefully.”
After the ministers finished arguing, the emperor said, "The Marquis of Zhenbei has allowed his daughter to commit a serious mistake, so he shall be ordered to reflect on his actions in seclusion for three months."
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