In the days since returning to the capital, Jiang Bai and Zhao Yi have been spending time with the child. After the Wu Clan members came down from the mountain, they have all found their own jobs and made proper arrangements, so Jiang Bai has no worries.
As for her identity as the Holy Maiden of the Witch Clan, that has already been forgotten.
Life went on as usual, flowing by like a gentle stream.
However, even in calm weather, troubles can arise in the capital. Zhao Ping'an's growing influence in the capital inevitably aroused resentment among some aristocratic youths.
The fact that a merchant's son could possess such abilities not only made him a son of an official but also displeased Jiang Bai's business rivals.
In a place like the capital, where every inch of land is incredibly valuable, when the Zhao family first entered the capital, Jiang Bai, a woman, quickly established herself and was secretly watched by countless eyes.
The Zhao family was powerful, which naturally squeezed out a lot of the profits of other merchants, most of whom were narrow-minded.
By the end of May, the daytime heat was getting increasingly intense. Jiang Bai lay in his courtyard, checking his account books.
The sun had long since set. Zhao Ping'an hadn't left school with Zhao Xile today. After checking the accounts, Jiang Bai looked up at the sky and frowned: "Has the young master returned yet?"
"Reporting to Madam, the young master has not yet returned to the manor today."
"Hasn't he returned to the manor yet?" Jiang Bai felt uneasy. Zhao Ping'an always returned to the manor on time. His daily routine was regular. After finishing his homework, he would practice martial arts. But today, he hadn't returned yet. Not only that, but he hadn't sent anyone back to inform him.
"I'll go take a look." Jiang Bai stood up, supporting himself on the armrest of the bamboo chair. Because he had been sitting for a while, he almost stumbled.
"Bai'er." Zhao Yi supported Jiang Bai from behind, his face full of worry.
"I'm fine, maybe I've been lying down for too long. By the way, did you see Ping An when you came back?"
Zhao Yi shook his head: "No, the private school has already ended."
Zhao Yi had to pass by the private school every day on his way back. Today, when he returned, there were no servants from the various families at the entrance of the private school, let alone any students.
"This is bad, Ping An hasn't returned yet. I'm worried something might have happened." Jiang Bai stopped and immediately sent someone over: "All of you go down and look for the young master. Be careful not to make a sound!"
Seeing Jiang Bai's worry, Zhao Yi pulled her aside to calm her down: "Bai'er, Ping An is steady and has martial arts skills, so don't be anxious."
"Guards!" Zhao Yi commanded.
"You come with me to find the young master. If we haven't found him within two hours..." Zhao Yi looked at Jiang Bai: "Bai'er, you should report to the authorities."
The two exchanged a glance, both knowing exactly what was going on.
When they first arrived in the capital, they were already being watched, and their business dealings had also aroused the hostility of many local merchants. Now that the two children are becoming increasingly prominent, it is feared that someone is planning to take action against the Zhao family.
"good!"
The two went their separate ways, and in a narrow alley at the end of the capital city, several people surrounded a young man. The young man's face was calm, but his eyes were quite deep: "Who are you people?"
"Zhao Ping'an, I've heard you've been making quite a splash in the capital lately. I've been a powerful figure in the capital for so many years, and I've never heard of you before. I've come to see you today." The fat young man, who looked only three or four years older than Zhao Ping'an, had a big belly and a face full of fat, and looked down at Zhao Ping'an.
Behind him were four or five adult men, each holding a thick stick. Clearly, this group had often followed him in committing misdeeds.
Zhao Ping'an naturally felt a lot of pressure. Even with his martial arts skills, it would still be difficult for him to defeat so many adult men.
Damn it! Zhao Ping'an narrowed his eyes and cursed inwardly.
Seeing Zhao Ping'an's fierce expression, the fat boy laughed twice: "I thought it was someone important, but he's just a merchant's son. How dare a lowly commoner like you stay in the capital?"
"Today, I'll show you who's the real boss in the capital!"
"Men, get him!"
His lackeys, waving wooden sticks, surrounded him. Zhao Ping'an dropped what he was holding, picked up a long stick beside him, and transformed it into a spear for self-defense.
"Oh, looks like you've got some skills. But you've run into me today, so don't even think about leaving here unscathed."
"If you let him go, you'll all go back and face your punishment!"
Upon hearing this, these people naturally dared not be negligent and all exerted all their strength to attack.
It's simply unacceptable for five adult men to gang up on a teenager, but these men are used to causing trouble in the capital because of their young master status, so they don't care about such things at all.
"Under the emperor's nose, you dare to say you can command the wind and rain? Is there any truth to that?" Zhao Ping'an scoffed.
These words made the chubby boy even angrier: "If I don't give him a discount today, you're all going to die!"
"Give me a beating!"
As the blows came down one after another, Zhao Ping'an was able to keep up at first, but he inevitably struggled as the blows came down. He was no match for the strength of these men, and before he knew it, a blow landed on his back, causing him to fall forward. After finally regaining his balance, another blow landed on his head!
Zhao Ping'an's pupils dilated slightly; it was too late!
Just then, a man blocked the stick with his bare hand and caught it in his own: "Such a thing happens in the capital city. It seems the patrol battalion are all just freeloaders!"
This person didn't look very old, maybe seventeen or eighteen, but he spoke with a strong voice and exuded an inexplicable pressure with every move he made. Zhao Ping'an admired this person's strength and martial arts skills.
The young man beside him seemed to recognize the man, and his body trembled slightly: "General... General!"
"Quickly! Retreat!"
Lei Yun glanced at the group, kicked the stick on the ground into the air, and with a slash of his palm, the stick flew out and hit the fat boy on the back, forcing him to vomit blood.
"Tell your father that if he wants revenge, he should come to my residence. How could such a thing happen in the capital? I wonder how Imperial Censor Wang will report this to His Majesty." Lei Yun's voice was not loud, but it sent chills down the spines of the group.
Several men carried the fat boy and quickly slipped away.
Lei Yun glanced at Zhao Ping'an and felt that the man's face was somewhat familiar, but he didn't think much of it and turned to leave.
"Wait!" Zhao Ping'an struggled to his feet. "May I ask how I should address you?"
Zhao Ping'an bowed. Just now, he heard those people call this man a general.
"You don't need to ask me who I am. You should go home soon." After saying that, Lei Yun paused and looked at Zhao Ping'an: "I saw that you were quite good at using the long staff just now. Have you been practicing martial arts?"
"I know a little bit about it."
Lei Yun's lips curved slightly: "For someone your age, it's already quite impressive that you can act like this."
"Peace!" Behind him, Jiang Bai's eyes were filled with tears, his face full of shock: "Lei Yun?"
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