Shi He's eyes swept over Chen Yusheng, then fixed on the courtyard gate. There was no need to run anymore; the people had arrived.
Feng Xiao pulled Chen Yusheng into their east room and handed him over to Old Man Chen. "No matter what happens outside later, you are not to get involved. Stay in the room and do not go out. Your life is precious, and swords are blind!"
Old Man Chen, being old and not entirely understanding the situation, nodded repeatedly at Feng Xiao's words. "Ah, alright. If there's a fight, you two be careful. If you can't win, run. Your lives are more important."
Lives were indeed important, but they would certainly not be the ones losing theirs.
In the courtyard stood a group of burly men with fleshy faces and narrowed eyes, gazing at Shi He and his companions. Their eyes widened slightly when they spotted the carriage in the yard.
"Brother Li, looks like we're going to get rich today!"
"More than rich! See those two women by the kitchen door? So radiant, their skin is so fair. And the best part is, they're both virgins! I'm dying to touch them and see if they're so tender they'll 'pinch out water.'"
Chunfen and Su Ya's faces turned red with anger at the lewd remarks, truly wishing they could tear their mouths apart.
They had always been respected by the Madam's side and had never been slandered, nor had anyone dared to speak to them in such a loud and disrespectful manner. These men not only insulted them but even spoke of taking liberties. They were utterly brazen.
Chunfen wanted to go slap their obnoxious mouths, but Su Ya grabbed her arm and whispered, "Sister Chunfen, don't rush. Wait until Guard Shi and Guard Feng apprehend them. Then, you can scold and beat them as you please. No need to hurry!"
Chunfen thought it made sense. Going out now would only be a burden to Shi He and Feng Xiao. She nodded slightly, "I'll listen to you. Once these people are caught, I'll make them pay. Keeping them around is a menace; the sooner they're gone, the better!"
Su Ya merely echoed her nod without speaking. Now, she was a bit worried about the Madam.
If they, as maids, were insulted, it was one thing. But if the Madam were to be insulted, it would be their failure.
While Shi He and Feng Xiao engaged with the thugs, Su Ya seized Chunfen and headed for their master's room, ready to protect her at any moment.
The moment they moved, the Madam and the Master emerged from the room.
Seeing this, Shi He and Feng Xiao stepped aside, their gazes fixed on the thugs. If these men made any move, they would be torn apart.
Li Zhuzi strode with an arrogant gait a few steps towards Fan Zehao, his small eyes already discerning that the person who came out later was the master, and the rest were mere lackeys.
"Sir, you've crippled our town mayor. Do you have any explanation for us, so we can report back?" Li Zhuzi said coldly.
Many people wanted his life, but he had never imagined anyone would want it in such a way.
Fan Zehao asked with a cold smile, "Do you mean for me to maim myself, or do you want me dead?"
Li Zhuzi: "After you're dead, we'll take your balls. Or, you can maim yourself first, then commit suicide. Choose one!"
"You've got quite an attitude. But do you have the right to decide my life or death!"
Hearing this, he laughed even more wildly. After his laughter subsided, his face turned cold. "In this area, my master is the emperor. If he says you'll die at the third watch, you absolutely won't live to see the fifth!"
Zhao Jiaqi raised an eyebrow. She found it hard to imagine that Yuan Xi was even more formidable than the Ox-Head and Horse-Face guards of the Underworld.
"Husband, these people have quite the big mouths, don't they? Their words are bold, but I wonder how tough their skin is."
Zhao Jiaqi, who had been silent for a while, suddenly spoke.
Her words drew Li Zhuzi's attention. He had only been focusing on the man and hadn't noticed that his young wife had a good figure, with fair and tender skin.
The lewd gaze that had just appeared was instantly obliterated as Fan Zehao punched out his front teeth.
"You scoundrel! Come, beat them! It doesn't matter if they lose limbs, as long as they're still breathing. I'll make them know who they can provoke and who they can't."
How dare they covet his woman? It wasn't just men, not even a male animal was allowed.
As his lord's words fell, Shi He and Feng Xiao, who had been impatient, sprang into action. One twirled his sword with excellent skill, the other swung his broadsword with formidable force. While everyone was stunned, the courtyard instantly echoed with a chorus of wails.
Upon closer inspection, their hamstrings and tendons had indeed been severed, just as Fan Zehao had said. The blood on the ground gradually increased, mixing with the rain and quickly forming a river.
Fan Zehao walked up to Li Zhuzi, looking down at him writhing in pain on the ground. He took the knife from Feng Xiao, and with a swift slash, accompanied by Li Zhuzi's howl, an arm was completely severed from his body. Before he could recover, he was castrated. This time, there was no tragic scream; his eyes rolled back, and he directly fainted.
Fan Zehao then threw the knife to Feng Xiao with satisfaction. "Tie these people up and throw them to the county yamen. I want to see how this county magistrate will avenge his sworn brother!"
Feng Xiao returned to the east room to find Chen Yusheng and asked him for some rope to help tie up these bastards like dumplings. Chen Yusheng relished this task, completely unafraid of blood. While tying them, he secretly pinched these men, feeling incredibly relieved.
Seeing this, Zhao Jiaqi gave him a thumbs-up, silently praising her husband for a job well done.
County Town.
At the yamen gate, Li Zhuzi and about seven or eight other people lay on the ground, crying their hearts out. The onlookers were so amused their mouths were wide open.
Zhao Jiaqi mingled with the crowd, observing the enthusiastic and growing number of spectators who, despite the rain, did not seek shelter.
In contrast, the streets were becoming more crowded, with everyone waiting to see County Magistrate Ding Jian's reaction and cheering for this unknown hero who had injured them.
Zhao Jiaqi nudged the person beside her. "Husband, see that? You've eliminated a scourge for the people. Everyone is praising you!"
"No, this isn't eliminating a scourge. Once I deal with these damned people, *then* I will be eliminating a scourge for the people!"
Zhao Jiaqi nodded. This matter involved too many things. She hadn't even told her husband about the grain tax yet, nor about her suspicion that someone in the capital was protecting these people.
If her suspicions were true, she wondered how angry her husband would become.
The thought of him flying into a rage gave her a terrible headache. It was always difficult to find an honest official, as difficult as finding a needle in a haystack.
Soon, a man dressed in casual clothes arrived in a carriage. He needed two people to help him alight, so fat was he that he resembled a ball.
His eyes were so small that no one could tell if they were open or closed. Perhaps, if he strained his eyes, one could vaguely discern that he had eyeballs on his face.
Upon alighting and seeing the tragic scene, Ding Jian's head buzzed, and his blood pressure soared. "Who is it? Who has eaten bear's heart, dragon's liver, and phoenix's gall to dare injure my sworn brother's subordinates? Are they tired of living?"