Chapter Ten: The Strike

Song Qingcheng stood with her hands on her hips, looking down at the figures in the tree. "Too impulsive. Now look at the mess you’ve landed yourselves in."

Baili Shui struggled, dangling from the branches. "Don't forget my father is a Vice Minister. If you dare to hurt me, you won't survive either."

Song Qingcheng spread her hands. "Who said I wanted to hurt you? I am a law-abiding citizen, of course, I’m taking the proper path to hand you over to the authorities so the law can punish you."

Shen Runzhi served at the Grand Court of Justice; dealing with a few pieces of trash was simple. There was no need for back-alley methods—that would be too bloody. Better to throw them in a cell and have them whipped.

Bei Meng met Baili Shui's gaze. Both secretly mocked Song Qingcheng for her naivety and stopped struggling, letting them take them into the city to report the incident.

Their excursion had been interrupted, and Song Qingcheng felt bad. "I'm sorry, Cousin. We can't go out and play today."

Shen Runzhi shook his head. "It’s fine. Just make it up to me next time, Yaoyao. Get in the carriage."

Shen Runzhi reached out to help Song Qingcheng inside. As for Li Feixue, who was trailing behind, he didn't even glance at her, leaving his subordinates to assist her.

Li Feixue, shrinking away, felt too embarrassed to accept the subordinates' help. She looked at the carriage curtain, hesitated, and ultimately sat by the coachman, cradling her small dog.

Seeing that she hadn't come inside, Song Qingcheng lifted the curtain. "Come in. There’s plenty of space; it’s no trouble at all."

Besides, she had a favor to ask later; it wouldn't be right to let her sit outside in the wind.

Li Feixue touched her face, lowered her head, and stepped inside. She wasn't wearing her bamboo hat, and being exposed like this was indeed improper. She complied, curling up in a corner.

"Thank you for today, but reporting this to the authorities might bring trouble upon yourselves. These people have powerful connections; corruption runs deep, and it’s hard to see them punished." Li Feixue warned.

She had encountered this many times, always with the same outcome. Even her own brother...

Touching upon a painful memory, Li Feixue’s tears fell. She hugged her puppy tight, hiding her face so they wouldn't see.

Song Qingcheng had been trying to find the right moment to speak. Seeing her cry, she explained patiently, "Don't worry, nothing will happen. My cousin works at the Grand Court of Justice. Baili Shui's backers are useless against him."

Song Qingcheng spoke with pride. Shen Runzhi rested his chin on his hand, his eyes fixed deeply on her every movement as she spoke.

Li Feixue glanced quickly at Shen Runzhi. He looked familiar, but she couldn't place him. "Just be careful, don't let yourselves get hurt."

Since she put it that way, they must be capable, she thought, though she remained uncertain.

***

As the topic faded, Song Qingcheng leaned toward her. Before she had even shifted an inch, a hand landed on her arm. Shen Runzhi said gravely, "The road is bumpy, Yaoyao. Be careful."

"Oh, right. Thank you, Cousin." Song Qingcheng felt a bit baffled, but her mind was on other things. She turned to continue speaking to Li Feixue. "I went to the apothecary today to buy some Snowflake Grass, but I heard you had bought them all. Could you spare one or two? I’d like to purchase them."

Li Feixue shook her head, looking troubled. "I’m sorry. My family has a critical need for the Snowflake Grass; I can't sell a single stalk." The woman before her had saved her life, and by rights, she should have given it to her, but her brother was in desperate need, and she simply couldn't agree.

Song Qingcheng was disappointed, but she accepted it quickly. "It’s fine. When they’re back in stock, I’ll just go to the apothecary again."

Song Qingcheng was heavy-hearted. It seemed she would have to go to Hancheng after all. She wondered if the war in Hancheng had settled down.

That place was near the frontier and perpetually cold, leading to a scarcity of supplies. People from beyond the border, lacking food and resources, often harassed the city, and few merchants traveled there, making such trips rare.

Shen Runzhi made a mental note: *Snowflake Grass. What does Yaoyao need that for?*

They entered the city and headed straight for the Grand Court of Justice. As soon as they arrived at the gates, a commotion broke out.

"Father! Look at your son's face! The people inside dared to strike your son!" Baili Shui cried out upon seeing his father.

Vice Minister Baili felt humiliated. "Shut up! Stop shouting like a madman."

He turned to the carriage, rapping on the side. "Everyone inside, come out! Striking commoners without cause—come with me to the cells."

Li Feixue shrank back in fear. "What do we do? Vice Minister Baili is here. My father will have to spend a fortune again. It's all my fault for insisting on going out."

Li Feixue felt guilty and self-reproachful; the dark clouds of her distress seemed to swallow her whole.

Song Qingcheng patted her shoulder, lifted the curtain, and stepped out first. "Vice Minister Baili, you haven't even asked about the sequence of events, yet you rush to pass judgment. Isn't that absurd and a violation of the law?"

Vice Minister Baili sneered, waving his men to surround them. "The law? I am the law! I say you are guilty—who dares to dispute it?"

Baili Shui was released and strutted over triumphantly. "Father, don't throw them in the cells. I want this woman; keep her as my concubine. As for the man inside, castrate him and turn him into a eunuch."

Seeing him, Vice Minister Baili felt his temper flare. He struck his son. "You can’t keep your lower half in check, and you nearly brought disaster upon me again!"

"I know I was wrong about last time, Father. I’ll be more discreet in the future so no one finds out," Baili Shui said, scratching his head.

***

Song Qingcheng leaned back and clicked her tongue in disdain. Truly, like father, like son—not a single decent soul in the nest.

Having played enough, Song Qingcheng tapped on the carriage. "Cousin, there are people here causing trouble. Aren't you going to come out and deal with it?"

Shen Runzhi had understood her desire for a bit of sport; only after she was satisfied did he lift the curtain and emerge. "Since Yaoyao says so, I must intervene."

Vice Minister Baili hadn't bothered to look, but when he saw Shen Runzhi’s face, his knees turned to jelly and he slumped against Baili Shui. "It... it is... you!"

*Disaster!* he thought, his heart turning cold. *How did I provoke this calamity?*

Since Shen Runzhi had become the Vice Minister of the Grand Court of Justice, his ruthless methods were well-known, and he was famously incorruptible. He had truly stepped into a plague by crossing him.

Baili Shui was confused. "Father! What are you doing? Hurry up and arrest this man, and throw that woman into my chambers!"

Bei Meng had been watching from afar. Seeing Vice Minister Baili’s expression, she scoffed and stepped forward. "I am the daughter of the City Lord! The people before you dared to harm me. Vice Minister Baili, hurry and arrest them! When my father finds out, there will be rewards for you."

Having been pampered since childhood, Bei Meng was used to everyone bowing and scraping. Her hubris blinded her to the possibility that anyone could be superior to her.

Baili Shui had long coveted the beauty from the North City. "Yes, yes! Give me a few more beauties later, Father. Hurry and deal with them!"

Vice Minister Baili felt his soul departing. He stood up straight and looked at Baili Shui with fury. "I do indeed need to deal with this."

He swung a heavy slap that echoed throughout the space. Baili Shui clutched his stinging face, stunned. "Father, why did you hit me?!"

"I am your son! You didn't hit him, you hit me!" Baili Shui was incredulous.

Bei Meng was also confused. "Vice Minister Baili, you’ve made a mistake. I told you to arrest them, not hit your son."

Vice Minister Baili shook his hand, glancing at Shen Runzhi. Seeing his impatient expression, he gritted his teeth and rained several more slaps down on Baili Shui. "Shut up!"