Lei Yun responded and turned to leave, but after taking a step, he turned back and said, "By the way, I've been negotiating business with the Zhao family in the south of the city recently. If anyone disturbs my business, I will not let them off the hook."
After thinking for a moment, Wang He immediately understood what Lei Yun meant.
The Zhao family, a mere merchant, has somehow managed to establish a connection with the General's Mansion!
He clenched his fists tightly in his sleeves. He, Wang He, a dignified imperial censor, had actually been overshadowed by a lowly merchant.
Watching Lei Yun's retreating figure, he said softly, "Prepare the carriage and return to the manor!"
"Yes, sir, please don't be angry. They are just commoners after all. Even with the protection of the General's Mansion, they can't cause any trouble. After the General leaves the capital, we will eradicate the Zhao family completely, so you can vent your anger."
Wang He's expression softened considerably upon hearing this: "It's a good idea. Let's let them be arrogant for a few days."
"I have another idea," the guard said, bowing slightly, his expression somber.
"We'll talk about it when we get back to the manor." Wang He waved his hand and got into the carriage.
Zhao Family in the South of the City
Upon receiving Jiang Bai's message, Zhao Yi led his men to the mansion, where they happened to meet Zhao Ping'an, who was alighting from his carriage.
"Ping An!" Zhao Yi went up and grabbed him, looking him over carefully.
Zhao Ping'an's back was burning with pain, and he felt some discomfort in his chest. He tried to keep his breathing steady: "Father, I encountered some things on the way. I'll tell you in detail when Mother comes back. I'm fine."
"Are you really alright?" Zhao Yi knew that Zhao Ping'an was stubborn and tolerant. Even if he had something to do, as long as he gritted his teeth and didn't say anything, no one could find out.
"Father, I want to go back inside." Zhao Ping'an went inside, and Zhao Xile immediately ran over and knocked on the door, calling out, "Brother! Brother!"
Zhao Ping'an had just taken off his outer garment, and even the slightest movement caused his entire body to ache with a tearing pain. He frowned slightly, put his clothes back on, got up, and opened the door, his expression slightly cold: "Why are you bothering me so late instead of going to sleep?!"
Zhao Xile didn't expect her brother to scold her. She was worried sick when she heard the news of her brother's disappearance. Now that she was being treated like this when she came to care about him, she couldn't hold back her tears.
"Brother! Why are you yelling at me?!" Zhao Xile cried sadly, which made Zhao Ping'an feel guilty. "Come in first."
He pulled her down to sit and wiped away Zhao Xile's tears: "Alright, stop crying. I'm sorry I was mean to you earlier.
"Forgive your brother, don't cry."
He was most afraid of Zhao Xile crying, because once she started crying, it would go on and on, giving people a real headache.
“Then…” Zhao Xile sniffed twice: “Then Le’er will stop crying, Le’er will forgive her brother.”
He had just finished speaking when he started laughing again. Zhao Ping'an was helpless, but since the injury on his back hadn't been treated yet, he said to Zhao Xile, "Brother needs to change his clothes. You can go out first."
"Why?" Zhao Xile asked with wide eyes. "When we lived in the village before, I've seen you and your brother together before. Is your brother shy?"
Zhao Ping'an's face flushed red instantly: "Zhao Xile, you are four years old now, you are a girl."
"You go out first." Zhao Ping'an didn't say anything more, bent down, picked up the person and walked out. The two were playing around and making a lot of noise. Just then, Jiang Bai returned to the mansion and was walking towards his room.
"Alright, you can go by yourself." Zhao Ping'an put Zhao Xile down.
Zhao Xile saw Jiang Bai and ran over happily: "Mother!"
Jiang Bai patted Zhao Xile's head: "You came to see your brother? Our Le'er is so thoughtful."
"But brother still wants to send Le'er away." Zhao Xile pouted, glancing at Zhao Ping'an every now and then.
Jiang Bai knew that Zhao Ping'an didn't want Zhao Xile to know about this, so he had the maid take Zhao Xile away: "Le'er, go to sleep first. Mother will come to keep you company later. Ping'an and I have something to talk about now."
"Mother, don't be happy either." Zhao Xile has many ways of being clingy, and no one can resist her.
"obedient."
"Alright." Zhao Xile paused for a moment, then finally followed the maid back.
Jiang Bai had someone bring over a medicine box and led him into the house.
"Don't worry, no one else can get in. Your father went to entertain Le'er," Jiang Bai said to Zhao Ping'an.
Candles were burning in the room, and the small candlelight shone on the two people's faces, making Jiang Bai's expression much softer.
Zhao Ping'an kept his thin lips tightly closed, and after a long while, he finally spoke: "Thank you, Mother."
"Why are you thanking me? Alright, sit down and let me take a look at your wound."
Zhao Ping'an was very obedient. In the past, he would never have listened to this woman like this, but Jiang Bai was indeed very good to them, almost like a different person than before.
He took off his clothes, revealing a huge wound on his back. His entire back was almost bruised and swollen, making him look quite horrifying.
Jiang Bai could imagine how painful it must have been, let alone the wound on a child who was only nine years old.
Her gaze narrowed slightly, as if the firelight itself was locked within her pupils, and her hand gripping the medicine bottle tightened.
"Little Ping An, I have found out the truth about this matter. Our Zhao family will avenge this one day."
Zhao Ping'an didn't speak. The medicine on his back felt cool and refreshing, which reduced the burning pain a little. For some reason, his eyes became moist, and he couldn't hold it in no matter how hard he tried.
Jiang Bai patted his head: "Alright, I've told the teacher that you won't be going to school for the next few days. Stay home and recover from your injury. I'll take care of everything else."
"Okay." Zhao Ping'an's voice choked with emotion, and he gritted his teeth to keep from shedding tears.
Jiang Bai sighed: "Xiao Ping'an, you are so stubborn. It breaks your mother's heart to see you like this."
"Mother, I'm fine."
Jiang Bai gave a bitter smile: "It's good that you're alright."
"I will avenge this myself!" Zhao Ping'an gritted his teeth.
“But I know it’s not the right time yet, but I can wait, Mother.”
Jiang Bai nodded appreciatively: "This is the son of Jiang Bai. Mother, you will avenge this grudge yourself."
Jiang Bai spoke to him for a while, and after Jiang Bai fell asleep, she extinguished the candle and quietly left the room.
In the main courtyard, Zhao Yi coaxed Zhao Xile to sleep and then came to Zhao Ping'an's place, where the two happened to bump into each other.
"How is Ping An?"
"There are no internal injuries, just superficial wounds, nothing serious." Jiang Bai frowned slightly: "Xiao Ping'an has already rested, let's come back to check on her tomorrow."
Zhao Yi didn't insist. He glanced at Zhao Ping'an's room and then took Jiang Bai's hand and walked back, saying, "You must be tired too. Let's go back and rest."
"good."
On the way, Jiang Bai told Zhao Yi the whole story, and Zhao Yi's expression grew colder and colder: "The Wang family of the capital."
"Our Zhao family will definitely avenge this grudge." Zhao Yi clenched his fist.
"I will arrange this matter, Bai'er, you don't need to worry."
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