The Red Mansion in its bustling glory

The Xue family did not report it to the authorities.

No, it should be said that the Xue family hadn't had time to report it to the authorities yet.

But the officials had already arrived.

Upon hearing that a vicious fight had broken out in his jurisdiction, and that the victims were members of a prestigious family like the Xue family, the Prefect of Yingtian Prefecture, Jia Yucun, took the initiative to visit them.

Since he came to visit, the Xue family couldn't very well refuse to receive him. However, at this time, apart from Xue Pan, there were no other male heirs in the family. So, Aunt Xue had no choice but to talk to Jia Yucun through a curtain.

The conversation was quite simple; it was nothing more than Yucun promising to arrest the person.

After Jia Yucun took his leave, Aunt Xue said to Xue Baochai, "Now that this Magistrate Jia has taken the initiative to handle this matter, it seems that justice will be served."

Xue Baochai did not think so in her heart—judging from what her brother had said, the person who hit her was riding in a magnificent carriage with a canopy, so he must be from a noble family. However, Xue Pan had never seen him before, which meant that this person was from out of town and had come to Jinling.

The circle of nobles in this dynasty is only so big. Although the Xue family cannot be considered a top-tier wealthy family, it is still one of them. Recently, there has been news that a noble son has come to Jinling. That person is none other than the Second Master Jue of the Jia family.

Moreover, it is said that he encountered Japanese pirates on his way here, but arrived here unharmed, so he must have some strength. This makes sense, as his brother said that the man who beat him up could take him down in a few moves.

Therefore, Baochai roughly guessed that the person who hit her brother was Jia Jue.

But, given the prestige of the Jia family, could Jia Yucun truly control them?

Moreover, Jia Jue's father had shown Jia Yucun some kindness by mentoring him!

Thinking of this, Baochai couldn't help but shake her head slightly.

Although I had these thoughts in my heart, I couldn't bring myself to tell my mother.

After all, Aunt Xue was currently daydreaming about the future!

While Baochai was talking to her mother, Jia Jue was meeting with Xianglian again.

It turned out that Liu Xianglian had been wandering around the city and had heard about this incident, so he came to find Jia Jue.

Upon hearing someone outside announce that Xianglian had arrived, Jia Jue hurriedly went to the outer room to greet her.

Upon meeting, Liu Xianglian went straight to the point: "I heard that the young master of the Xue family was beaten up. Was that you?"

Jia Jue smiled and nodded.

Liu Xianglian laughed and said, "Well done!"

It turns out that after Liu Xianglian arrived in Jinling City, the name "Dumb Tyrant" had already reached his ears.

What kind of person was Liu Xianglian? He was chivalrous, upright, and hated evil.

Hearing about someone like Xue Pan naturally evoked resentment, and it was inevitable that one would want to teach him a lesson.

Now that they know Jia Jue beat Xue Pan, they naturally feel relieved.

However, Liu Xianglian was too oblivious to realize that hitting someone, especially someone like Xue Pan, would lead to endless trouble.

Otherwise, Liu Xianglian wouldn't have been able to hit Xue Pan and then act as if nothing had happened.

If Baochai and Aunt Xue hadn't been unwilling to pursue the matter at that time, he would probably have been arrested by the authorities long ago.

Back to the story, while Liu Xianglian was chatting with Jia Jue, Fu Shu came over.

Upon seeing Jia Jue, he addressed him as "Second Master" just as he had when they were in the mansion.

Jia Jue was pleased to see him, but noticing the absence of the sword-wielding figure, he asked, "Where's the sword? Didn't he come with you?"

Fu Shu laughed and said, "Ever since the day Second Master mercifully returned the indenture to us, I have been working hard with my sword, practicing martial arts every day without stopping. I'm probably practicing with my sword in the courtyard right now."

Jia Jue smiled and said, "It's good that he has this ambition."

The three chatted for a few more minutes before Fu Shu spoke up, "Second Master, I heard someone beat up the eldest son of the Xue family. Did you do it, Master?"

Jia Jue and Liu Xianglian exchanged a glance and both laughed. Jia Jue said with a smile, "Why are you all asking me about this?"

Only then did Fu Shu realize that Liu Xianglian had come for this very reason.

Fu Shu said, "Second Master must have his reasons for doing this. However, Second Master is going to visit the Xue family tomorrow, and he will inevitably have to meet this young master. It would be bad if he were recognized. Moreover, I heard that the Prefect of Yingtian Prefecture has already visited the Xue family."

"The Prefect of Yingtian Prefecture?" Jia Jue asked with a smile, "Could it be Jia Yucun?"

Fu Shu said, "He is right."

Jia Jue laughed and said, "Since that's the case, there's no need to worry anymore."

Then, he invited Liu Xianglian and Fu Shu to go out together, and they arrived outside the Yingtian Prefecture government office.

Outside Jia Yucun's official residence, there were many minor officials standing outside, serving as servants and guards.

These minor officials have been in this line of work for many years. The prefect of Yingtian Prefecture has changed many times, but they have not changed many times. Some of them even hold hereditary positions.

After all these years, they've naturally developed a keen eye, knowing who to stop and who not to stop.

Seeing that the three men before him were all imposing, distinguished, and dressed in fine clothes, he knew they were not to be trifled with. One of them stepped forward and asked, "May I ask what brings the three gentlemen here?"

Jia Jue smiled and said, "Please go and inform the Prefect that an old friend has come to visit."

The man quickly accepted the order and left.

Upon arriving at the government office, Jia Yucun was sitting in his study, enjoying tea and reading.

Just as he was drinking, he heard his servant speak to him: "Master, someone just came to report that an old friend of yours has come to visit."

"Old friend?"

Jia Yucun frowned, wondering to himself if he had any old friends in Jinling.

He didn't have many friends in official circles to begin with, you could count them on two hands. Now, after thinking it over, he couldn't think of anyone who would come to visit him at this time.

With a question in mind, he said to the servant, "Please come in."

With that, he got up and left the study, heading to the reception area.

A moment later, Jia Yucun heard some noises. Looking up, he saw three young masters entering, led by servants.

The one on the left has a calm expression, is dressed elegantly, and has a graceful demeanor; the one on the right is spirited, stands tall and proud, and is handsome in bright clothes; the one in the middle is refined and elegant, like a celestial being.

He didn't recognize two of the three people.

He recognized the person in the middle.

"Who is it!" Jia Yucun quickly stood up to greet him, saying, "It's you, my brother!"

"You flatter me," Jia Jue said with a smile. "How has Brother Yucun been since taking office?"

Jia Yucun laughed and said, "I'm quite pleased with myself, thanks to Uncle Shi's mediation."

Jia Jue smiled and said, "I've heard that something in the city has been troubling Brother Yucun quite recently?"

Jia Yucun smiled wryly and said, "Don't mention it! Actually, this matter has something to do with you, Brother Jia."

"Oh? What's the relationship?" Jia Jue asked him.

"It was your cousin—Young Master Xue Pan—who was beaten up!"