Chapter 884

First Volume, Chapter 884: Noble of Liang Kingdom, Arriving from Afar

Just as Zhang Dahu and the four women were in a standoff, Zhou Bantou arrived with his squad, and upon seeing Zhang Dahu, his heart sank.

This bastard doesn't even know Lord Qin is in Changshui County? How dare he cause trouble now? He's clearly tired of living!

Zhou Bantou stepped forward and kicked Zhang Dahu. "Dead yet? If not, get up and tell me what happened—I'm busy, no time to babysit you bastards."

Zhang Dahu clutched his thigh, feigning unbearable pain: "Zhou Bantou, you've finally come! Please be my righteous judge!"

"These women, driving their carriage without looking, ran straight into me. My comrade stepped forward to reason with them, but they were so tyrannical they beat my comrade unconscious."

Accusing the victim first was basic operation for Zhang Dahu.

After all, extortion was one of the methods Zhang Dahu and his gang relied on for survival.

Zhou Bantou knew full well what kind of scum Zhang Dahu was—he'd surely spotted easy targets and deliberately provoked them to extort money.

In the past, Zhou Bantou would've ignored it entirely; such disputes were never clear-cut, and even if dragged to DaTang, the owners of Yong'an Treasure House protected them—it was always a thankless, exhausting mess.

So whenever Zhang Dahu extorted someone, as long as he didn't go too far, Zhou Bantou always let them settle it privately.

Zhou Bantou glanced at the carriage and paid it no mind—until his gaze fell inside, and he froze. Four Celestial Immortals sat within.

What day is this today? Did Celestial Immortals descend from heaven?

Zhou Bantou steadied himself and pretended calm: "Where are you from? Why have you come to Changshui County?"

Shu Feng replied on their behalf: "From afar, coming to Changshui County to visit relatives."

Zhou Bantou nodded, then asked: "Did you truly hit Zhang Dahu?"

Shu Feng didn't hesitate: "This man dares to block the road and extort in broad daylight—he's clearly a notorious hired thug. Whether you hit him or not, you know the truth."

Hey! What kind of talk is that?

Zhou Bantou felt a surge of displeasure—this woman was too arrogant. She'd come to someone else's territory and still dared to act so boldly; no wonder Zhang Dahu targeted her. And since she claimed to be visiting relatives, yet rode in such a shabby carriage, he assumed she was a refugee trying to keep a low profile.

Such people were easiest to bully—but considering Lord Qin was in Changshui County, Zhou Bantou dared not think further. He immediately switched to official procedure.

"Zhang Dahu insists you hit and assaulted him. If you can't prove your innocence, pay compensation."

Saying this, Zhou Bantou looked toward the onlookers: "Anyone willing to testify?"

The commoners naturally avoided getting involved and quickly scattered.

Seeing this, Zhou Bantou said no more and turned to Zhang Dahu: "How much do you want?"

Zhang Dahu's heart leapt: "At least one hundred taels of silver!"

Zhou Bantou's face darkened. One hundred taels of silver? Are you out of your mind? He kicked Zhang Dahu again, coldly: "Speak properly!"

Zhang Dahu, though backed by someone, dared not defy Zhou Bantou. After hesitation, he gritted his teeth: "Then ninety taels."

Zhou Bantou's expression remained grim: "Ninety taels? You've never seen real money! Ten taels—no more. Otherwise, sort it out yourselves!"

Zhang Dahu was reluctant, but if Zhou Bantou left, he wouldn't just lose the extortion—he'd likely be beaten again by that fierce maid.

And ten taels of silver was already a fortune for Zhang Dahu and his gang.

So, better to cut losses and walk away.

Seeing Zhang Dahu nod in agreement, Zhou Bantou turned toward the carriage, about to speak—when something was thrown out.

Ding ling ling…

With a crisp chime, Zhou Bantou finally saw—it was a golden hairpin!

Is this gold?

Zhou Bantou had lived half a lifetime and never seen anything so precious. He snatched it up, examined it closely, stunned—this golden dangling hairpin was worth at least hundreds of taels of silver!

As Zhou Bantou stood frozen, Li Xiaolan's voice drifted softly from the carriage: "We have no silver. You wanted this hairpin? Take it."

"But let me be clear: taking it is easy. Returning it? Impossible."

Zhang Dahu leapt up and snatched the golden dangling hairpin, trembling with excitement!

With this hairpin, he and his comrades could live in luxury for the rest of their lives—never again worry about money.

But Zhou Bantou's heart pounded. Not only was the stunningly beautiful, icy woman speaking with unmistakable authority, but the casual way she tossed out the golden dangling hairpin—this was no ordinary person.

These four Celestial Immortals claimed to be visiting relatives in Changshui County. It couldn't be County Magistrate Chen Tian. Nor Wu Dagui. And the owner of Yong'an Treasure House? A nubi himself—how could he have such noble relatives?

Then who in Changshui County could possibly have such formidable relatives?

Wait…

Zhou Bantou suddenly remembered one person—and his back flooded with cold sweat. He spun around to call out to Zhang Dahu and demand the hairpin back—but it was too late.

Zhang Dahu and his gang fled at top speed, terrified the cooked duck might fly away.

Zhou Bantou sighed inwardly—it was fate. Since you're seeking death, even heaven cannot save you.

Zhou Bantou ignored the fleeing hired thugs and hurried back to the carriage, whispering: "Ladies, may I ask—what is your relative's surname?"

Li Xiaolan replied calmly: "Qin."

The single character "Qin" made Zhou Bantou shudder—he dropped to his knees and began pounding his head against the ground.

"Your humble servant had no eyes, unaware nobles had arrived in Changshui County. I am truly worthy of death!"

"I should not have tried to cover up the truth—I'll send men to capture those bastards and punish them severely to appease the four nobles!"

Inside the carriage, Li Xiaolan watched Zhou Bantou kowtowing, her gaze showing no anger.

"If you're extorted and cannot prove your innocence, it's indeed hard to clear your name."

"He demanded one hundred taels—you brought it down to ten, considering our status. That was a kindness. No need to blame yourself."

Hearing this, Zhou Bantou bowed even lower, trembling: "Your noble status isn't worth ten taels—it's worth far more than ten thousand!"

"That golden dangling hairpin…"

Before Zhou Bantou could finish, Shu Feng cut him off coldly: "His Highness said: taking the golden dangling hairpin is easy. Returning it? Impossible. This matter is none of your concern—it will be handled by others."

His Highness…

Which prince? Could it be… a prince of Liang Kingdom?