Chapter Fifty-Two: Blood Boiling

Jiang Lan looked at the man with fierce brows and cold eyes. In the past, those who dared behave so brazenly before her had all been struck down to the mortal realm by her hand. Now that she herself was in the mortal world, should she simply send him straight to the underworld?

Standing atop the crowded hill, Jiang Lan pondered, paying no heed to whatever Xue Dafu was shouting.

“So arrogant! Far too arrogant!” Xue Dafu was beside himself with rage, unable to bear it any longer. He lashed out at the attendants below, “What are you all standing there for? Get him!”

To stir up his men’s courage, Xue Dafu bellowed, “Whoever knocks that brat to the ground gets his golden fan—and that little Cui, she’ll be yours too!”

Jiang Lan eyed the thugs baring their blades, each with a vicious glint in his eyes, then turned to glance behind her.

Liu Jiang’s throat bobbed nervously; Liu He still wore an expression of excitement; the third Liu brother kept his head lowered, unreadable.

Jiang Lan leapt down from the crowd. “Do you have any weapons?”

Liu Jiang held the wooden club Jiang Lan had used earlier, Liu He simply clenched his fists, each as big as a sandbag, and Liu Hu was empty-handed.

Jiang Lan deliberately shifted closer to Liu Hu, lest some fool with a blade inadvertently injure him.

Xue Dafu’s men were used to living in luxury, feasting and squandering without restraint. Now, faced with real trouble, even the lure of gold and women could not stiffen their spines; they were nothing but a pack of cowards, not even as bold as You Da and his companions before.

Jiang Lan, with a flick of her fan, dispatched several troublemakers on her way straight to Xue Dafu.

“You, you, you! Insolence! Do you know who I am?”

“And who might you be?” Jiang Lan looked up at the man on his horse.

“I am a servant to the Duke of Wei’s household, a dowry bondservant of Lady Xue. Lay a hand on me and you’d best consider your own station.”

Jiang Lan sighed. Though the original owner’s parents were dead, the Duke of Wei’s estate remained one of the grandest and most powerful in the Chen Dynasty, under the protection of both the Empress Dowager and the Emperor. As long as they did not court disaster, the house of Wei would not fall for decades to come.

Anyone seeking to bully the Duke’s household would have to think twice.

Yet now, that very power had become the shield of these small-time villains, enabling their misdeeds.

“What if I do hit you? What then?”

With that, Jiang Lan raised her right foot, about to kick him.

Xue Dafu never imagined this person would not be cowed. He yanked the reins, trying to flee, but the horse refused, let out a long whinny, and tossed Xue Dafu to the ground.

Afterwards, the horse nuzzled Jiang Lan’s arm affectionately, as if showing off its good behavior.

“Good boy,” Jiang Lan murmured, rubbing the horse’s mane. The animal snorted twice in pleasure.

Turning, Jiang Lan gazed at the wailing, fallen Xue Dafu.

“Look at you. What use are you if you can’t even tame a horse? Tsk, tsk.”

With a look of utter disdain, Jiang Lan raised the golden fan and gave him several firm smacks, then, under the watchful eyes of the Liu brothers, began a thorough kicking.

“That’s for bullying the weak!”

“That’s for oppressing women!”

“Trying to match status with me? Are you blind?”

“Today, I’ll show you what true privilege and power look like!”

“Cry out, why don’t you? Weren’t you shouting so boldly just now? Why not mention you’re the Duke’s servant or Lady Xue’s dowry bondservant?”

...

“Brother, doesn’t it sound like little master’s words are getting stranger and stranger?” Liu He quirked an eyebrow.

Liu Jiang’s face was awkward. “Kids shouldn’t listen, block your ears!” Then he called out to his youngest brother, Liu Hai, “You too, cover your ears!”

Liu Hai, startled, hurried to cover his ears.

The scene was growing bloodier, almost unbearable to watch.

Liu Jiang did not cover his ears, but his expression grew increasingly odd.

After Jiang Lan had beaten the man to the ground, she even delivered several more kicks, each with a unique insult—Liu Jiang had truly never seen the like.

“You scoundrel!”

Jiang Lan landed another kick. “Scoundrel? You old wretch, you eat my food, use my things, and yet call me a thief.”

“Who are you, really?” Jiang Lan looked at the now-swollen, pig-faced Xue Dafu. “Haven’t you ever been to the Jiang estate?”

Xue Dafu, wracked with pain, barely heard the question, continuing to wail.

Jiang Lan ignored him, dusted off her hands, and led the Liu brothers back.

Once inside the courtyard, she heard the eldest Liu speak, “Young master, the horse followed us in…”

Jiang Lan turned to see the animal’s bright, moist eyes at the gate. “It’s not a Ferghana steed, but still a precious breed. Bring it in, it’s...”

“It’s quite docile.”

Liu Jiang said nothing, though he thought: That horse looks fierce enough, how can anyone call it docile? It takes a wealthy young master’s eye to see such things.

Jiang Lan sat in the courtyard, joined by the four Liu men.

Inside the house, the women’s sobbing continued. Now a man, she could hardly enter.

She knew such matters demanded responsibility toward the women involved.

But she could not—nor would she dare.

So Jiang Lan sat obediently on the little stool where she had earlier rested, waiting for Jiang Cheng to return with reinforcements.

Seeing the Liu men watching her, Jiang Lan felt a bit awkward and broke the silence herself.

“You really don’t need to risk yourselves for a bit of silver from Jiang Cheng—it’s not worth it.”

As soon as she said it, she regretted it. Clearly, she was not skilled in such words. Fortunately, the honest Liu family did not take offense.

“These troubles should have been mine to bear; you only suffered misfortune by association.”

Liu Jiang, perceptive and tactful, replied, “Why say such a thing, young master? If not for your help, Sister Cui and her mother, as well as my own mother, would have suffered at those villains’ hands.”

Jiang Lan shook her head. “That’s because you don’t know who I am.”

Liu Jiang fell silent.

Liu He, however, was intrigued. “Are you perhaps a wandering swordsman, roaming the world, righting wrongs with chivalrous spirit?”

He was clearly off-topic, but Jiang Lan only shook her head, unoffended.

“Then, are you a wanted criminal in some other province?”

The others were startled. Jiang Lan quickly waved her hand, “No more guessing. When Jiang Cheng returns, all will be made clear, and your justice restored.”

The four Liu men were left speechless.

At that moment, Jiang Cheng’s voice called from the gate.

“Little uncle! Little uncle!”

“That’s our benefactor!” Old Liu was moved, grateful, and sent his youngest to open the door.

But it was not just Jiang Cheng who entered, but also Qin Shu and the constables behind him.

“Lord Qin, what brings you here? This little family matter is hardly worth troubling you!”

Jiang Lan bowed in greeting. Beside her, Jiang Cheng kept making frantic eyes. “Uncle—uncle—you’ve made a mistake!”

Jiang Lan raised an eyebrow. “What mistake? Was Lord Qin not here at your request?”

Jiang Cheng shook his head, so anxious he looked about to catch fire.

“He’s come to arrest you, little uncle!”

“You’re here to arrest me?” Seeing Qin Shu nod, Jiang Lan frowned. “On what charge?”

“You’re suspected of murdering Xue Dafu.” Qin Shu looked troubled. There had been a case outside the city, and, upon hearing of trouble with the young lord, he’d rushed over, only to find Xue Dafu’s corpse first.

“I killed Xue Dafu?”

This time, Qin Shu did not nod. “Just a suspicion.”

“Where did he die?”

“At his own residence.”

“Cause of death?”

Qin Shu hesitated, then gave the truth. “...Beaten to death.”

Jiang Lan clenched her fist, saying nothing.

“Many saw you beating him, so... there’s no choice, I must take you to the yamen.” Qin Shu’s voice trembled. He had come to help, yet now was forced to arrest Jiang Lan.

Jiang Lan’s mind was in turmoil. “How did he die? I didn’t use lethal force!”

Knowing Qin Shu was in a bind, Jiang Lan waved her hand. “Take me if you must, but I want to see where Xue Dafu died.”

As soon as she spoke, a constable stepped forward, arms crossed. “My lord, this is against procedure.”

Qin Shu frowned, clearly hesitant.

“It is irregular, but I trust the young lord.”

Jiang Lan handed over her golden fan, raising her hands. “I won’t make things difficult for you, Lord Qin.”

Qin Shu, grateful for her cooperation, signaled for the constables to put her in shackles.

“Uncle, you can’t! You are the heir of the Duke’s house!” Jiang Cheng was furious. If his father found out he’d let his uncle get into such trouble, he’d be skinned alive!

“Lord Qin, my uncle is the son of a duke, cousin to the Emperor, darling of the Empress Dowager! You can’t just arrest him!”

“This…”

Jiang Cheng stood, resolute, as if daring anyone to take Jiang Lan without passing over his dead body. Qin Shu was at a loss, as were the constables.

This old man must be over sixty—why does he call the young lord “little uncle”?

What a tangled family tree!

“Old sir, please step aside. Obstructing an official is a serious crime; you could suffer the same penalty as the accused!”

Jiang Cheng jutted out his chin, his white beard bristling.

“Go ahead, arrest me if you can. I’d be glad to join my little uncle and see just what wonders your yamen holds!”

Such boldness! Jiang Lan gave her “nephew” a secret thumbs-up, then whispered in his ear, “Don’t get stubborn. Hurry back and tell my sister and third uncle. This is a trap—someone is trying to harm me!”

“And you, uncle?”

Jiang Lan kicked her leg out with flair. “I have my own way. Don’t worry.”

“But—”

Jiang Lan, with some difficulty, patted Jiang Cheng’s shoulder with her shackled hands. “Go quickly. My life is in your hands!”

The gravity of her words, her entrusting him as if with her last will, sent Jiang Cheng’s blood boiling with resolve.

“Little uncle, rest assured! I’ll risk this old body to get word to your uncle and sister! Take care!”

Watching Jiang Cheng’s tearful farewell, Jiang Lan felt a pang of guilt.

“There’s really no need for such drama—”

Before she could finish, Jiang Cheng had already ridden off in a cloud of dust.

“Is that really your nephew?”

Jiang Lan nodded.

“Truly, an old man in the family is a treasure!”

Jiang Lan frowned at the saying; if one counted by true age, she was surely the oldest of them all.

On the road, villagers gathered to watch the spectacle.

“Lord Qin, do you know whose estate this is?”

“It was the dowry of the young lord’s mother, Lady Xue—it now belongs to the young lord.”

Jiang Lan nodded. At least Qin Shu had some discernment.

“Xue Dafu was a servant in my mother’s household, his contract still in my possession. Even if I beat him, according to the laws of Great Chen, would it warrant this?”

She lifted her shackled hands, the iron clanking.

“You are astute, young lord, and know the law well. However, Xue Dafu shed his bondservant status a few days ago, so—”

“What! Xue Dafu is no longer a bondservant?”