Chapter 42: Unimpressed

“Well, well, who did I think it was? Turns out it’s the famous Constable Zhao!” The leading official straightened his sleeves with a look of disdain.

“It’s not as if I wanted to meddle,” he continued, “but the owner reported the case, and since you’re not up to the task, I had no choice but to come in person.”

“Brother Zhao,” Hua Qinci’s hands were stained with blood, and despite her composure, she was unsteady on her feet. “Wei San and Madam Wei must be sent to the clinic at once. I don’t have enough medicine with me. If we delay any longer, it could be very dangerous.”

“And please, don’t arrest them. They’re innocent. They were just angry in the heat of the moment. If anyone is to blame, it’s me.”

Before Hua Qinci could finish, someone shouted fiercely, “Ha! What a joke. So you finally admit your guilt? Look at what you’ve done to everyone. How are we supposed to survive because of you?”

“I…” Hua Qinci felt deeply wronged. She knew that whatever she said now would only make things worse. The only solution was money, but she had none.

The Qin family was destitute; there was simply no silver to save her. Besides, her relationship with her husband, Qin Youtian, had always been cold and distant. She couldn’t believe he would help her. If he had had a way, he wouldn’t have tried to take her place in prison that day.

“Zhang Junxiu, take them to the clinic.”

“Who dares?” Before Constable Zhao had even finished speaking, and just as Zhang Junxiu was about to act, that arrogant official raised his voice to stop him.

“Zhang Junxiu!” Constable Zhao glared at his hated rival. If it weren’t for him, neither he nor his wife would have ended up like this. He wouldn’t be living this aimless, bullied, miserable existence, devoid of any joy.

The arrogant official stared back. Zhang Junxiu, true to his name, was gentle and refined in appearance. Caught in the middle, he dared not move—no matter whom he listened to, he’d be in the wrong.

“Are you really determined to stand against me today?” Constable Zhao demanded, his anger sharp as a drawn sword.

But the arrogant official ignored him, simply smiling with indifference. After a moment, he reached out and pushed aside Zhao’s sword. “Brother Zhao, calm down. I’m just following orders. Duty is duty—my hands are tied. Besides, as officials, we live off the people’s grain, and our job is to protect the country and serve the people. If we can’t even handle something as simple as this, what’s the point of our positions? It would disgrace our superiors, don’t you think?”

With that, he gestured for his men to make the arrests.

Seeing the officials were determined, Hua Qinci stepped forward. “All of this was caused by me. I am the true culprit. Please, let them go. If someone must be arrested, take me.” She was deeply worried about Wei San’s injuries; if he ended up brain-damaged or dead because of her, she would never forgive herself.

Furthermore, Wei San was injured trying to save her.

“Officer, please, I beg you, save my son,” Madam Wei cried out in despair. “If you must arrest someone, take her. It was all the Qin family’s daughter-in-law’s doing. She deceived everyone out of their money and drove us to ruin. Otherwise, none of this would have happened.”

“Madam Wei!” Qin Youtian frowned, reluctant to let things come to this unless absolutely necessary.

“My son, my poor son! Please, save him, I beg you. Arrest me, it’s all my fault, I did everything, it has nothing to do with my son!”

Madam Wei was completely distraught, speaking incoherently. Now, anyone who could save her son was her savior—she would do anything they asked.

The situation was spiraling out of control. Liu Bingbing watched from the side, gloating. The few who had joined the brawl were the very ones she’d deliberately incited and left behind.

“Take them all away,” ordered the arrogant official, clearly unmoved.

“Wait!”