In the capital, Lord Bao slammed the gavel on the table and announced the verdict.
The three groups of yamen runners cheered in unison while the commoners sang their thanks. The plaintiff and the defendant had reached a consensus and the dispute was resolved. Both sides were sincerely convinced.
Bao Xiren reminded them a few more times, and the two of them left with gratitude. In the imperial capital, the official leaned back on the spacious hall chair and pinched the space between his eyebrows to slightly ease his tired mood.
It was just an ordinary neighborhood fight and neighborhood dispute, but it had to be brought to court to determine who was right and who was wrong. As the capital's Governor, the number one official in the country, he had to work hard every day and deal with these trivial matters. After all, where did so many murder cases come from? Where did so many powerful officials come from to bully the weak? The capital was densely populated with all sorts of people. Most of the cases were disputes and disputes between commoners.
Although it was his duty, it was really frustrating to have to do this kind of work every day.
Now that there was no one in the court, Lord Bao could take a break.
He had been very unhappy these past two days, mainly because of a certain person. That person had just returned to the capital and turned the situation upside down. First, it was his duty, and second, it was because he couldn't stand the other party's arrogant attitude. However, he couldn't do anything to the other party, so he became even angrier.
In the court, there were treacherous officials and rebels, but in front of the court, there were endless trivial matters. The former was due to the lack of power, the latter was due to the unrequited ambition. Helplessness and boredom would quickly erase a hero's ambition. These days, Lord Bao had been thinking about the past. He missed the past more and more.
He missed the era of the Four Great Detectives. The four of them held up the prestige of the Six Fan School in the capital. They solved big cases and arrested criminals. Their names spread throughout the capital and shook the martial arts world. Every day was very fulfilling.
Unlike now … there was nothing he could do and nothing he could change.
At this moment, Gongsun Ce, who had just gone to the back of the court, quickly walked over and whispered a few words in Lord Bao's ear.
The gloominess on Bao Xiren's face was swept away, and his whole person was filled with joy. He stood up and said, "Mister, quickly lead me there!"
While Lord Bao Xiren was handling the case, an old friend had quietly entered the manor through a side door. In the back hall of the capital office, Bao Xiren saw his Eldest Martial Sister, whom he had not seen for a long time.
Things remained the same, but people had changed, and the affairs of the world were impermanent. The Grand Senior Sister in his memory had suddenly changed, and in one night, she had turned back into a delicate little girl. Bao Xiren saw that little figure, and for a moment, his eyes were filled with tears. He quickly stepped forward, and bowed deeply: "Grand Senior Sister …"
Ke Nan, dressed in snow-white robes, looked at her junior brother in front of her. He was the governor of the capital, one of the three assistants of the imperial capital, and an important official of the imperial court. Her junior brother, who was full of mettle and talent, now had a bright future.
For a moment, she also felt a surge of emotions, and said softly: "You've grown up."
Bao Xiren directly squatted down, and then raised his head. His eyes reflected his senior sister's figure, and his face could not hide his excitement, but his mouth joked: "Senior Sister is getting younger and younger …"
Ke Nan stretched out her small hand, and lightly flicked her junior brother's forehead.
Among the four of them, although Ke Nan was the youngest, she was the first to enter the sect, so she was the Eldest Martial Sister. Usually, she put on the airs of a Senior Sister, and also considered herself as a think tank. Although everyone respected her, they also treated her as a little sister, and doted on her, as if she was a family member.
Although they had been separated for a few years, their close relationship had not faded.
With the return of his Senior Sister, Bao Xiren's depression in his heart was swept away, and his whole body was filled with joy. He invited her to take a seat, and poured tea for her. His enthusiasm made Gongsun Ce, who was beside him, speechless, and Zhan Zhao, who was guarding outside, narrowed his eyes, lowered his ears, and vigorously wagged his tail.
When the two sides sat down, Bao Xiren asked about the recent situation: "Senior Sister, did you just come?"
Ke Nan and Ke Bowen looked at each other, and forced a smile: "… Yes, you can say so."
Lord Bao was now dizzy with joy, and he was not as sharp and meticulous as when he was solving the case, so he did not notice the difference in his Senior Sister. He could guess the purpose of his Senior Sister's return, and also knew what she was most concerned about. Although it involved a person who made him very unhappy, he had no choice but to put his Senior Sister first … That person was indeed the most likely person to cure his Senior Sister's injury.
He hesitated for a moment, and decided to put aside his personal grudge with Sun Lang: "Senior Sister, did you come back to the capital this time for Sun Lang?
Ah, Sun Lang is Jia Ying. He has changed back to his original name, and he is currently in the capital. With his martial arts, there is indeed a high chance that he can cure Senior Sister's internal injury … "
Thinking of Sun Lang's face, Bao Xiren's heart was extremely unhappy, but there was nothing he could do. He sighed in his heart, and on the surface he said without any change in expression, "This little brother can be considered to be familiar with him. If Senior Sister is in a hurry, I can bring you to see him right now and ask him to treat your internal injuries …"
Forget it, I'll just put aside my pride. At most, I'll be mocked by that fellow, and I'll just have to bear with it. Senior Sister's injury is the most important thing.
Just as Bao Xiren made up his mind to sacrifice his pride for his Senior Sister, he suddenly realized that his Senior Sister's eyes were red, and tears were rolling in her eyes.
What … What's going on?
Are they tears of joy?
Obviously not.
Ke Bowen's face was dark, and he was clenching his fists tightly.
Bao Xiren's heart quivered, and cried out involuntarily, "Senior Sister has already seen him?"
A bad feeling rose in his heart, "He rejected?
Why? "
Ke Nan's face revealed a distressed expression, and softly said, "Yes, he rejected. Because I did not agree to his conditions, so he chased us out …"
Bao Xiren was shocked, "Conditions?
What conditions? "
Ke Nan calmly said, "He said, let Master personally go and beg him."
Lord Bao suddenly stood up, and angrily said, "Taking advantage of people's difficulties, with ill intentions, shameless!"
Their master was the famous Wu Hou of the Imperial Court. He was a scholar, a teacher of the world. He had countless students and officials, and his prestige and achievements were outstanding. If Sun Lang really proposed such a condition, then his sinister intentions could be seen at a glance. To be able to make Wu Hou owe him a favour, even if it was just a matter of paying him a visit, it was enough to set off a huge wave in the Imperial Court, allowing him to obtain countless hidden benefits.
Bao Xiren was so angry that he was trembling.
It was not because he was angry at Sun Lang for taking advantage of the situation, but because he felt a deep sorrow.
Back then, the kind and upright Commander Of War would not do such a thing. Ignoring people who needed help, and instead thinking about the benefits involved, only thinking about profit, with a heart like stone, this was something that only a despicable politician would do — — He thought of what Sun Lang said that night at the Copper Sparrow Terrace, and thought of what Sun Lang did in the Imperial Temple. The person in his memory, could it be that he had really changed … — —
At this time, Ke Bowen heavily snorted, and angrily said, "Not only that — —"
Ke Nan anxiously said, "Brother!"
Ke Bowen's face revealed an unwilling expression, but he still closed his mouth. Only the veins on his hands were bulging, and his temples were throbbing, indicating that this calm and steady man was already extremely angry.
Bao Xiren asked, "Senior Sister, could it be that he proposed other conditions?"
Ke Nan's petite body slightly trembled, and she gritted her teeth, "No … — — no …"
"… Brother Bowen, please say it."
Bao Xiren's tone became cold, "Did that Sun person make some shameless request again?"
Ke Bowen gritted his teeth, and slowly said, "He wants Junior Sister to accompany him."
"… — —" Bao Xiren's angry face froze, "Huh?"
The brother and sister were shocked by his reaction, and looked blankly at Lord Bao who had cried out.
Bao Xiren's expression was very complicated and subtle. He blinked, suspicion and shock coexisting in his eyes. After a while, he hesitantly said, "Is … is it like this?
It doesn't make sense … "
Before Ke Nan could say anything, Ke Bowen snorted angrily. After experiencing what had just happened, his impression of Sun Lang had fallen into the negatives. Sun Lang had coveted his closest family member and had even attacked his closest family member. That kind of anger, that kind of fury, was something he would never forget in his life.
So he looked at Bao Xiren, and coldly said, "I heard it with my own ears, I saw it with my own eyes. How can it be false?
You may know a person's face, but not his heart. Although this person is a meritorious general, his personal morals are really despicable! "
Bao Xiren's heart was still a little confused. Could it be that Sun Lang's personality had changed?
All the actions and words of this person in the past came to his mind. It was hard to imagine that such a cowardly person in the past had become a pervert who forced beautiful girls to give themselves to him. He was very puzzled, but seeing Ke Bowen's anger and Ke Nan's tears, it was obvious that they were not lying. What was going on?
No matter what … — — a rejection was a rejection.
He suppressed this doubt in his heart, and thought for a moment, "Senior Sister, don't worry. I'll go ask that guy!"
"No need, it's just vexing. Maybe he's just putting on an act."
Ke Nan wiped the tears from the corner of her eyes, and stubbornly said, "Anyway, these two years of running here and there to no avail. I've gradually given up. Actually, there's nothing bad about this. At least I don't have to put on makeup, and I don't have to worry about aging …"
Bao Xiren advised, "Senior Sister, it's better not to give up so easily. Since he asked Master to ask him, it means that he has a lot of confidence. Otherwise, if Master asks him and he can't cure you, it's equivalent to offending Master. Although that guy is crazy, he's not stupid. He won't ask for trouble …"
Ke Nan gritted her teeth and said, "You don't have to say anymore. I've already made up my mind. Even if he can cure me, he put forward such conditions. What chance do I have?
Treatment requires physical contact. His lust has already been exposed. How can I let him treat my body?
After he was rejected by me, he flew into a rage out of humiliation. The two of us parted on bad terms. Our mutual trust has already collapsed. How can I trust him again? "
Bao Xiren was speechless. He always felt that something was not right, but he couldn't put his finger on it.
"In short, I won't treat you."
Ke Nan's tone was resolute. "He looked down on me, he insulted me, he looked down on me. Since that's the case, I'll let him see what I can do!"
She turned to Bao Xiren and firmly said, "Junior Brother, Sun Lang has returned to the capital and stirred up a storm, throwing the Imperial Court into chaos. You have a loyal personality and are also the governor. You must not approve of his actions, right?
Since that's the case, Senior Sister is willing to lend you a hand. I'll make him regret it! "
At the same time, in Tensei Province …
Her Highness Empress had returned in a sorry state. Today, she had gone to block the Ke Clan siblings, but she hadn't expected that bastard Sun Lang to scheme against her. That dog thief had actually been hiding in his carriage! Truly despicable, shameless, and sinister!
Wei Zheng and the others had heard the news and guessed that Her Highness's operation had not gone smoothly, but the High General had locked herself in her room and had not allowed anyone to disturb her, so no one knew what had happened.
After waiting for some time, there was still no response from the room. Before Wei Zheng and Qin Qiong could see Empress, it was Hou Junji who had arrived.
The old Hou had been in charge of protecting Her Highness Empress, and according to the witnesses, when Her Highness Empress had retreated, it had been the valiant Old Hou who had brought up the rear. Wei Zheng and the others had been alarmed by this news and had sent men to search, but Old Hou had not returned. They had believed that the venerable Old Hou had fallen into enemy hands and been cruelly tortured by the evil Sun Lang. Now that he had returned safe and sound, it was truly a cause for celebration.
Qin Qiong warmly went up and patted Old Hou on the shoulder. "You've worked hard. Are you alright?"
Old Hou had a rather strange expression on his face, and when he heard Qin Qiong's question, he shivered and shook his head. "I'm fine, I'm fine, I'm fine!"
Wei Zheng couldn't help but narrow his eyes at Hou Junji's agitated expression.
Li Jing was also suspicious and asked, "Old Hou, what happened?"
Hou Junji gave a full account of what had happened. When everyone heard that Sun Lang had been hiding in the Ke Clan's carriage, they all cursed him for his shamelessness. But when Li Jing heard the entire story, he frowned and muttered, "Something's not right …"
Wei Zheng turned and asked, "What's wrong?"
Li Jing silently turned to Hou Junji.
Hou Junji had a guilty conscience, but he feigned confusion and asked, "What's wrong?"
Li Jing smiled. "… It's nothing. You've worked hard."
It was clear that Sun Lang and Ke Nan were in cahoots. After all, everyone knew about Ke Nan's condition. The important thing was that Ke Nan was Wu Marquis's senior disciple, and treating his internal injuries was tantamount to obtaining a favor from Wu Marquis. This was a very serious problem.
After all, given Wu Marquis's status and prestige, even a small favor would cause a massive shift in the winds of society. If Sun Lang were to take advantage of this situation, the situation would not be good.
Just as everyone was worrying, a new report arrived.
The Ke Clan siblings dejectedly left the Copper Sparrow Pavilion, Ke Bowen angrily and Ke Nan sorrowfully. The two of them had gone to the capital office, probably to seek refuge with Bao Xiren.
The Tensei officials glanced at each other in confusion. What was going on?
Sun Lang couldn't treat it?
Soon after, another piece of classified intelligence arrived.
"What's going on?"
Just as everyone was nervously discussing, Empress Concubine finally opened the door and stepped out with a sullen face.
"Your Highness, according to the report from the capital office, Sun Lang has made a request to Ke Nan. Either Wu Marquis personally came to beg him, or Ke Nan … gave herself to him."
"…" Empress took the report, and after reading it for a few moments, a Senran sneer appeared on his lips. "Nonsense! He doesn't have the guts! It's fake!"