Courtyard House: A System Connecting Two Worlds, Resources for the Nation

The next morning, just as Zhao Pan'er and her two daughters finished washing up and were about to head to the teahouse, Yu Zhongquan and his men blocked their way.

The wooden courtyard gate was no match for the Imperial City Guards; it was kicked open from the outside.

"The Imperial City Guard is handling a case; unauthorized personnel must stand aside!"

Yu Zhong, dressed in full official uniform with a knife at his waist, entered in single file with seven or eight men. He glanced sideways at the three women in the courtyard and asked, "Which one is Zhao Pan'er?"

Zhao Pan'er frowned, but calmly stepped forward: "May I ask what brings the esteemed officials of the Imperial City Guard here?"

"You're Zhao Pan'er?"

"Exactly."

Yu Zhongquan sneered: "Someone reported that your identity is questionable. I have been ordered to take you back for questioning. If you know what's good for you, you'd better come with me obediently and not make me resort to violence."

Unlike the original plot, without Gu Qianfan, the deputy envoy of the Imperial City Guard, Yu Zhongquan didn't even have any evidence to frame Zhao Pan'er.

A mere merchant girl from Qiantang, could be dealt with by the Imperial City Guard with ease?

Why go through all that trouble?

Sun Sanniang and Song Yinzhang stood beside Zhao Pan'er at the same time: "On what grounds are you arresting her? What law has my Pan'er broken?"

"Yeah...yes! What right do you have to arrest people!"

Although Song Yinzhang was scared and his fingers were trembling, he still gritted his teeth and asked a question.

"Heh...they're quite united."

Yu Zhongquan's smile grew even more contemptuous as he glanced at the three women before him: "I'll say it again, this is an official case handled by the Imperial City Guard; bystanders must stay out of the way. Zhao Pan'er, are you leaving on your own, or am I asking you to leave?"

Seeing that Sun Sanniang was about to speak, Zhao Pan'er reached out and pressed her down, then pulled Song Yinzhang behind her, her tone still very calm: "Sir, I am of good birth, I have been running a teahouse in Qiantang for many years, and I have all the proper procedures for coming to Dongjing, every document is complete. You say my identity is problematic, do you have any evidence?"

"The Imperial City Guard's words are the evidence!"

Faced with her identity as a merchant, Yu Zhongquan didn't even bother to fabricate evidence. He figured that once she was arrested and subjected to severe torture, she would confess to whatever crimes she had committed.

"We are men of Zhou Feng, the Celestial Master of the current dynasty. Sir, if you feel there is any problem, shouldn't you first consult with the Celestial Master?"

"Heh... Zhao Pan'er, stop with the nonsense. I'm just asking you, are you coming or not!"

Yu Zhongquan definitely couldn't afford to offend that Celestial Master who was one rank higher than any official. Not to mention him, even Lei Jing couldn't afford to offend him.

But Director Lei must have done his investigation before assigning him this task. How could it involve such a big shot?

Lei Jing actually thought the same thing.

Since Gao Guanchajia's people were able to ask him to help deal with this woman, they probably don't have any powerful connections.

Little did they know that Gao Hui, the source of this incident, was used to being domineering and had not seriously investigated Zhao Pan'er's recent affairs. She only knew that the other party was a merchant girl from Qiantang, and knew nothing else.

Yu Zhongquan took another step closer, and before Zhao Pan'er could speak, a clear, cold female voice came from behind her: "She's not going anywhere!"

Su Xiaoya walked out wearing a neat, narrow-sleeved outfit.

Upon seeing her, Yu Zhongquan's pupils constricted slightly for a second.

As a member of the Imperial City Guard, he has a good eye for people.

The woman in front of me walked steadily, breathed deeply, and had sharp eyes; she was clearly a trained fighter.

Moreover, she possessed an indescribable aura, unlike an ordinary guard, more like someone from a military background.

How could a mere merchant girl from Qiantang have such elite guards?

"And who are you? What brings you to Tokyo?"

A feeling of unease suddenly welled up in his heart, yet it was also tinged with a subtle excitement.

Maybe we'll actually stumble upon a big fish on this mission!

"That's none of your business!"

Su Xiaoya walked up to Zhao Pan'er and shielded her behind her, saying, "I advise you to leave quickly, otherwise you won't be able to leave later."

She wasn't bluffing.

From the moment Yu Zhongquan arrived, he had already sent a signal to Zhou Feng, using the drone to monitor Lin Yin's situation.

At this moment, Zhou Feng was leading his men on their way here, and they would arrive soon.

Yu Zhongquan was unaware of this situation; in his eyes, Su Xiaoya was provoking him!

As a member of the Imperial City Guard, he was used to walking around Tokyo with his head held high. When had he ever been talked back to like this by a woman?

"Insolence!" He waved his hand sharply. "Take them all down!"

The seven or eight Imperial City Guards behind him immediately drew their swords and surrounded Su Xiaoya.

Su Xiaoya's eyes sharpened, and instead of retreating, she advanced.

With a quick reach and grab of her right hand, gloved with stab protection, she caught the first officer who rushed forward off guard before he could react.

Using this force, Su Xiaoya twisted and pulled, and the constable screamed as he was thrown out, crashing into the courtyard wall, his knife falling to the ground.

The second constable swung his knife, but Su Xiaoya dodged it by sidestepping. She then delivered a powerful elbow strike to his ribs with her left hand, followed by a sweeping kick with her right leg that sent the third constable sprawling face-first into the mud.

She's just good at hacking; she's not completely incapable of fighting.

As a former elite soldier, she was quite skilled in close-quarters combat techniques used in the military.

Although they can't match the freaks like Chen Xiao, Tie Jianguo, and Bai Lang, they have no problem dealing with ordinary constables.

The courtyard suddenly fell silent. Su Xiaoya's joint lock technique made Yu Zhongquan's eyes widen, and his expression changed from arrogant to somewhat solemn.

"How dare you! You actually attack the Imperial City Guard! Are you trying to rebel?"

Enraged, Yu Zhongquan drew most of the knife from his hand.

Although the woman was quite skilled, he was still confident he could take her down.

Su Xiaoya stared at him as if facing a formidable enemy. Just as the two were about to fight, her expression suddenly relaxed, and she took a step back, blocking Zhao Pan'er's path.

Just a second ago, Zhou Feng's voice came through her Bluetooth earpiece: "Xiaoya, just protect Pan'er, we've arrived."

No sooner had the words left his mouth than footsteps sounded again outside the courtyard gate.

There were more people coming in this time than Yu Zhongquan had.

Zhou Feng walked in front, followed closely by Chen Xiao and Tie Jianguo, with several strong men behind them carrying bulging bags around their waists.

These people are all elites sent from this world. Although their individual strength may not be as good as Yu Zhongquan's, as long as the Equalizer of All Beings is pulled out, they will all be easy prey for him!