From a tuberculosis patient to a martial arts master

"A member of the Jiang family?"

"Well, this is going to be interesting. A member of the government has run into a member of the Jiang family. This is going to be a big deal."

But that's not right!

That old man keeps saying that the Jiang family's young master was killed, but not a single member of the Jiang family has come?"

"Now that you mention it, it does seem rather strange."

……

The whispers outside the hall reached Zhao Lai's ears.

He knelt before the hall, feeling a heavy weight on his heart, cold sweat streaming down his temples. The situation before him had already veered far beyond his expectations. Zhu Hong was merely a newly recruited soldier, yet for some reason, he seemed to be particularly favored.

Zhao Lai grew increasingly panicked as he thought about it:

"The Jiang family is not coming."

Today, I am like meat on a chopping board. No, I must delay a little longer. What if, what if Young Master Feng is just late and will arrive soon? He dared not think further, and quickly raised his head, speaking hastily:

"Your Honor, I have a second petition!"

As he spoke, Zhao Lai hurriedly pulled a yellowed contract from his robes, held it high with both hands, swallowed hard, and blurted out, "This contract is the proof, written in black and white, stamped with cinnabar." His body trembled like withered leaves in autumn, and his voice was weak and feeble.

Zhu Hong was originally an apprentice craftsman in a small shop.

It was a contract with no future.

"Even if he enters the public service, we will still be implicated in this record." Zhao Lai spoke faster and faster, almost shouting hoarsely: "According to the laws of the Great Chu, killing a free person of low social status is an even greater crime! Killing Zhao Biao, the son of a commoner, is killing a free person! Killing the two young masters of the Jiang family is even more of an act of insubordination."

"Using the cheap to bully the rich!"

"This is adding insult to injury, adding a capital offense!"

When he said the words "death penalty," his voice almost broke, and he lay prostrate on the ground, his back trembling violently, clearly terrified.

"Human contract?"

"Even after entering public service, one can't escape the lowly status?"

Someone muttered under their breath, "There is indeed such a clause in the Great Chu Law: those of low social status cannot be removed from the list for three generations without a special amnesty. Even if they become public servants, they are still lowly people at heart."

"cut."

Suddenly, a soft sneer rang out.

Everyone turned to look, and saw a young man in brocade robes standing in the crowd. He glanced indifferently at the people in front of him, and already knew the outcome: "A mere contract, governing ordinary people, and yet he really treats a trivial matter as an imperial edict."

"What do you mean by that?"

Someone nearby pressed, "A legitimate contract isn't valid?"

The young man in brocade robes curled his lips and said, "Of course it counts. But," he slowly uttered, "that old man is neither a member of the Jiang family nor the Chi family."

Everyone was speechless.

Gu Huai'an remained unmoved, simply placing his teacup lightly on the table with a soft "tap," silencing the clatter of the room. His gaze shifted from Zhao Lai to Zhu Hong:

"Zhu Hong".

What do you have to say?

Zhu Hong stood ramrod straight in the middle of the procession, his face expressionless. He stepped forward slowly, bowed, and spoke in a tone as indifferent as if he were discussing someone else's business: "Reporting to the Registrar, what Zhao Lai said is not untrue."

There was another uproar outside the hall.

"Huh? He actually admitted it!"

"Yeah, has he gone mad?"

The Zhao family was also stunned, never expecting Zhu Hong to admit it so readily, and for a moment they were at a loss.

"only……"

But Zhu Hong abruptly changed the subject, a slight smirk playing on his lips: "He only said half of what he meant, he hid the other half." He turned and looked down at Zhao Lai on the ground, his gaze cold and sharp, as if he were looking at a chicken waiting to be slaughtered.

"Zhao Biao, Jiang Chengzhi, and Jiang Heling were in cahoots."

They gathered a dozen or so men and ambushed the constables in the rift valley. "Tell me," he said, each word firm and resolute, "that according to the laws of my Great Chu..."

"What crime should be punished?"

Zhao Lai's old face turned deathly pale in an instant.

"This is a heinous crime of treason; kill him on the spot without mercy."

Zhu Hong withdrew his gaze and turned back to Gu Huai'an, saying loudly, "Reporting to the Registrar, I have been bullied beyond endurance. Today, I will file a countersuit in court against the Zhao family and the Jiang family!"

"you--!"

Zhao Lai wanted to argue, but Gu Huai'an's cold gaze had already pressed down on him: "Zhao Lai." His voice rang out again, this time with a hint of chill: "You accused Zhu Hong of indiscriminate killing, and he said you attacked and killed the constables."

"Both sides have their own reasons."

That book asks you.

He leaned forward slightly, his gaze sharp as a needle: "Do you have any proof that your son didn't go to kill someone?"

Zhao Lai opened his mouth, but couldn't say a word.

He kept glancing back out of the corner of his eye, but he couldn't see anyone from the Jiang family, nor could he see Jiang Feng. At this moment, he knew clearly that if the Jiang family didn't send anyone, nothing he said would make a difference.

"It seems there's no evidence whatsoever."

Gu Huai'an leaned back in his chair, smiled faintly, "Then I'll have to proceed according to the law. Your son and the others deserved to die for attacking and killing the police officers. Zhu Hong acted in self-defense and is innocent. As for you—" His gaze fell back on Zhao Lai, his tone turning cold:

"Beat the drum to appeal for justice and falsely accuse public officials."

According to the law,

"To implicate one's own family."

"No!"

Before Zhao Lai could react, Zhao Gui sprang up like a cat whose tail had been stepped on, but as soon as his knees left the ground, he was shoved back down by the guards behind him and could not move.

"Lord Palm!"

He struggled desperately, his voice trembling: "Boy, you have something to say! Su Zongyao, the master of Zhenyuan Martial Arts School, he can testify!" He shouted frantically.

"And, and..."

Young Master Jiang Feng of the Jiang family! Young Master Jiang Feng can also testify!

Upon hearing this, Zhu Hong's eyes lit up; he had finally heard what he wanted to hear. Gu Huai'an raised an eyebrow and spoke with a meaningful tone, "Oh? You said the Jiang family was willing to testify for you, so why is there not a trace of them here?"

"I, I..."

Zhao Gui's lips trembled uncontrollably, and he was so anxious that he could barely speak. He just stared at Zhao Lai with pleading eyes: "Father! Say something!"

"Oh."

Zhao Lai was a seasoned shrewd man; though he lacked the breadth of vision, he had foreseen his impending doom. Now, whether he spoke or remained silent, death was inevitable. Perhaps this fate had already been sealed the moment he stepped through the gates of the Jiang residence with Su Zongyao yesterday.

"Zhu Hong..."

He slowly raised his head, his face suddenly contorting as if he had gone mad: "You will die a horrible death! You killed my Biao'er and ruined the future of the Zhao family!" He roared fiercely.

"Even if I become a vengeful ghost, I will never forgive you!"

Upon hearing their father's insane words, Zhao Gui and his wife were terrified and cried out in unison, "Father, what are you doing?"

"What are you doing?"

Zhao Lai, his hair disheveled, glanced back at the useless Zhao Gui, his voice hoarse:

"Next life."

Go as far away as you can!

Seeing that the time was ripe, Gu Huai'an didn't bother to watch their family's shabby drama any longer. He glanced at Zhu Hong and said indifferently, "You can deal with this man yourself."