Chapter 113: Luo Zijun's Backer, Master Jia Apologizes

"Take him!"

The angry shout from the old man in the brocade robe immediately startled everyone else.

Who? Take whom?

The maids and matrons walking in front all turned their heads in astonishment.

"Eh, that person is..."

"It seems to be Steward Wang, how did he become like that?"

"Looks like he was beaten by someone..."

"Pfft—"

Seeing this scene, the maids and matrons whispered among themselves, unable to hold back their laughter.

The old man's current appearance was truly comical.

Several guards heard the noise and immediately walked over with serious expressions.

The old man in the brocade robe pointed at a youth in a Confucian robe at the very back, hopping on one foot and screaming: "It's him! It's this little beast who beat me!"

They had thought he was some noble Young Master, but he turned out to be just a servant.

Walking alone behind the maids and matrons, with no one following or surrounding him, if he wasn't a servant, what was he? He might not even be from the two mansions at all, but just another tourist taking shelter from the rain.

So the old man had no more scruples and started shouting directly.

At this moment, everyone's gaze turned toward the refined youth walking at the very back.

Those maids and matrons were all stunned.

"Eh, who is this person? Why have I never seen him before? Did he beat Steward Wang?"

"That is the tutor from the Anguo Mansion."

"Is that the Young Master Luo? I did hear the girls mention him last night, saying he is very talented and also very interesting. Why did he beat our Jia Mansion's Steward Wang?"

At this time, the maids and matrons of the Jia Mansion and the Bai Mansion were all very surprised.

Those few Jia Mansion guards, upon hearing this, immediately stepped off the corridor and arrived in front of the youth.

Ziyuan immediately shielded him, her pretty face stern as she said: "What are you doing? This is our Anguo Mansion's Young Master Luo!"

Once these words were spoken, the few guards looked at each other in dismay, not daring to make another move.

The old man in the brocade robe was taken aback, clutching his bruised cheek, and said with a lisp: "What... what Young Master Luo? By what right did he beat me?"

At this time, the nobles who had been lighting incense and praying to Buddha in the main hall in front, hearing the commotion outside, also hurried over.

The monks also came over in a rush.

"What is going on?"

A young man wearing a blue brocade robe, tall and thin, with a handsome appearance, walked over quickly surrounded by a group of attendants, his face full of severity.

Seeing him, the old man hurriedly clutched his face and cried out: "Second Master, you must uphold justice for this old man! This person just now, without rhyme or reason, gave me a sound beating the moment he saw me; I was almost beaten to death by him!"

That young man was none other than the Jia Mansion's Second Master Lian.

Jia Lian frowned upon hearing this, looked at the youth in the Confucian robe, who was elegant and refined, and asked: "This Young Master is very unfamiliar; I wonder which mansion you are from?"

Ziyuan hurriedly said: "Second Master Lian, Young Master Luo is our Anguo Mansion's tutor. Young Master Luo is a scholar and has always been steady; it is impossible for him to beat someone without reason."

"Tutor?"

Jia Lian was slightly taken aback.

At this time, a matron went over and whispered an introduction into his ear.

Jia Lian's gaze shifted, and he said: "So it is the tutor from the Anguo Mansion. Teacher Luo, Steward Wang is a man of my Jia Mansion; since you beat him today, you should at least give a reason."

Luo Zijun cupped his hands and said neither humbly nor arrogantly: "This old thief is shameless and intended to sexually assault a woman in the temple. Seeing this, I felt indignant and could not help but take action."

Once these words were spoken, everyone was shocked.

That Steward Wang immediately shouted in anger and grievance: "Second Master, don't listen to this brat's nonsense! What kind of person am I? How could I do such filthy things in this temple? This brat is slandering me and smearing my name!"

Jia Lian frowned and asked: "Teacher Luo, you say Steward Wang intended to sexually assault a woman; do you have proof?"

Luo Zijun said: "I saw it with my own eyes."

Jia Lian smiled faintly and said: "That is not proof."

Seeing this, Steward Wang grew bolder and immediately clamored: "Brat, you slander me for intending to sexually assault a woman; may I ask which woman? Can you call her out to testify face-to-face? If she says I truly did such a despicable and lewd act, I won't need anyone else to rebuke me; I will immediately dash my brains out right here!"

Once these words were spoken, everyone's gaze turned toward the youth in the courtyard.

Luo Zijun's gaze swept through the crowd, and at a glance, he saw the Young Maid who had almost been assaulted.

At this moment, after her eyes met his, the Young Maid hurriedly lowered her head, her face pale and her body trembling, as if disaster were imminent.

Luo Zijun withdrew his gaze and said with a calm face: "That woman has already left the temple, and as for who she is, I do not know."

Steward Wang immediately laughed loudly: "Second Master, did you hear that? This brat cannot even produce the most basic evidence, and he still says he isn't slandering and smearing me?"

At this time, someone suddenly walked out from behind the crowd and sneered: "You, Steward Wang, have always been lecherous; it is known to everyone in our Jia Mansion. This Young Master has no reason to frame you."

Once these words were spoken, everyone turned to look, secretly surprised at who was so bold as to dare say such a thing.

After seeing who it was, everyone thought to themselves: it could only be this girl.

A maid wearing a pale green dress, with a slender figure and a pretty, moving appearance, stepped out from the crowd, then looked at Jia Lian and said: "Second Master, it's not as if you haven't read books; you must know some principles. If this Young Master Luo really said that woman's name in public, how would that woman be able to face people in the future? She would probably go home and throw herself into a well, ending it all once and for all."

The maids and matrons were even more secretly impressed upon hearing this.

This girl was not only sharp-tongued but also very bold, daring to lecture even her master.

Jia Lian glanced at her and smiled: "Qingwen's words are very true, but this matter certainly won't work without a witness."

Steward Wang, however, was furious: "Miss Qingwen, what is your motive for slandering me like this?"

Qingwen snorted coldly and said: "If you don't want people to know, you shouldn't have done it! You like to bully the newly arrived maids in the Jia Mansion; do you think we don't know? This Young Master is a total stranger to you, with no grudges or enmity; why would he slander you and beat you? You tell us the reason, old man."

"You..."

Steward Wang faltered and said angrily: "How would I know? You should ask this brat!"

Then he hurriedly bowed to Jia Lian, his face mournful as he said, "Second Master, you must make the decision for this old man. If you cannot make the decision, I can only go find the Eldest Master. When I was working outside, it was the Eldest Master who brought me into the mansion. Now that I have been beaten for no reason and had my reputation ruined, I cannot swallow this insult, even if I were to die."

"It would be cleaner if you died."

Qingwen curled her lips and muttered, her pretty face full of disdain.

Jia Lian was frowning and thinking about what to do when a group of people suddenly walked over from behind the crowd.

A middle-aged man wearing purple-gold robes, with a thin, tall build, long beard, and small eyes, walked over surrounded by a crowd and shouted, "What are you all making a racket about here? Do you not know that they are chanting scriptures and praying for blessings for the King in front?"

As soon as the crowd saw this person, they all lowered their heads in fear.

Even Jia Lian hurriedly lowered his head and said, "Father, something happened here. Steward Wang was beaten by someone, and the other party is a tutor from the Anguo Mansion."

As he spoke, he carefully recounted the words the two had just exchanged during their confrontation.

Upon seeing the newcomer, Steward Wang immediately rushed over as if he had seen his own father, knelt before him, and wailed loudly, "Eldest Master, you must make the decision for your servant! To beat a dog, one must look at its master. Not only did this brat beat your servant for no reason, he also spat blood and slandered your servant, woo woo..."

The person who arrived was none other than the Eldest Master of the Jia Mansion, Jia She.

Upon hearing this, Jia She angrily rebuked Luo Zijun, "Without evidence, you dare to raise your hand to hit someone, and then slander them with blood-spitting lies? Do you still have the law in your eyes?"

He then shouted at the several guards, "Someone, tie him up for me and take him to the yamen for interrogation!"

Ziyuan hurriedly shielded him in front and said urgently, "Master Jia, my Young Master would never hit someone without reason. Please be discerning."

Jia She sneered and was about to speak when Luo Zijun said, "Ziyuan, move aside. No need to beg him. These two are birds of a feather, colluding together; can you not see that yet?"

As soon as these words were spoken, everyone's expressions changed drastically.

This boy has such great courage!

Upon hearing this, Jia She was furious: "Presumptuous!"

He then shouted angrily, "Tie him up! Tie him up for me!"

The several guards were about to move immediately when a voice suddenly came from the front: "Stop!"

At this moment, Bai Qingtong and a group of people had just hurried over from the front.

The monks who had been chanting scriptures also crowded around the Abbot and rushed over together with the nobles.

"Brother, what is going on?"

Jia Zheng, wearing a brocade robe and possessing a scholarly temperament, also arrived with his people at this time.

Jia She said in a flustered rage, "This person has no regard for the law! No regard for the law!"

Then, with a gloomy face, he recounted the events that had just occurred.

Others were also whispering to the nobles, young ladies, and maids who had just arrived about what had just happened.

Abbot Fayuan of Jinshan Temple was also quietly listening to a monk's report.

Bai Qingtong walked over, shielded Luo Zijun, and said neither humbly nor arrogantly, "Uncle She, both sides have their own story, and we do not yet know who is telling the truth and who is deliberately concealing it. If you want to tie someone up, both should be tied up together and taken to the yamen for a final decision."

Jia She sneered and said, "Niece Qingtong, he is just a tutor, is it necessary for you to defend him like this?"

Bai Qingtong said, "Uncle She has misunderstood. Qingtong is not defending him; Qingtong is merely speaking according to reason."

Jia Zheng hurriedly advised, "Brother, let's just reconcile this matter here; why bother taking it to the government? It's a small matter, don't hurt the harmony between the two families."

Jia She immediately said angrily, "You don't know how this brat just cursed me! For such an arrogant and despotic thing who has no respect for his elders, how can I let him go! Today, I must have him tied up and taken to the yamen for interrogation!"

Jia Zheng frowned.

At this time, Abbot Fayuan walked over, hands pressed together, with a kind and benevolent expression: "Amitabha, that such a thing happened in my temple is this poor monk's fault. If the Eldest Master wants to blame someone, blame this poor monk. If this goes to the government, it will not look good for anyone, so why not..."

"No!"

Jia She said with a gloomy face and full of anger, "Master, forgive me, but today no one's words will work! I must bring this brat to justice!"

He then shouted at the guards, "Are you deaf? What are you still standing there for? Tie him up! Tie him up immediately!"

This was the true Eldest Master of the Rongguo Mansion who had inherited the title; once he was angry, who dared to speak?

The guards were about to act when a shout of anger suddenly came from the round gate: "Who dares!" After saying this, a figure flashed, and a horsetail whisk flew like a whip, "Pa-pa" sounds rang out, whipping the tall and sturdy guards until they were reeling and stumbling backward.

Everyone was shocked, and only then did they see an old Daoist with white hair and beard, holding a horsetail whisk, standing in front of the youth, eyes wide with anger, his aura terrifying.

Jia She was stunned for a moment, then immediately shouted angrily, "Where did this old Daoist come from! Do you know..."

"Brother!"

Before he could finish his sentence, Jia Zheng at his side hurriedly reached out to cover his mouth, whispering in terror, "This person is Ziyang Zhenren of the Qinglong Temple in the capital, a Daoist name personally bestowed by the Emperor! The horsetail whisk was personally granted by the Empress Dowager!"

As soon as these words were spoken, Jia She was startled.

Jia Zheng hurriedly cupped his hands and smiled apologetically, "Zhenren, it has been a long time since we parted in the capital that year. I did not expect that you would have the leisure to come here today; why did you not come to my mansion for a chat?"

The old Daoist snorted coldly and mocked, "Your Jia Family covers the sky with one hand here in Lin'an City, acting like tyrants; this old Daoist would not dare to go."

Jia Zheng's expression changed instantly.

Jia She had also sobered up by now, hurriedly wearing a smiling face and cupping his hands in apology, "I did not know it was Ziyang Zhenren who had arrived; I hope you will not take offense."

!

He had naturally heard of this person; it was said that he was not only skilled in refining various magical pills but could also teach people how to prolong their lives and cure all kinds of diseases. Not only was the royal family on good terms with him, but various noble families also tried their best to curry favor with him, hoping to meet him once.

At this moment, he naturally had other thoughts in his heart.

The old Daoist did not even look at him, but just patted the shoulder of the youth beside him and said indifferently, "This youth is my person. If you want to tie him up and take him to the government, you might as well tie me up too."

Upon hearing this, Jia She's eyes flickered, and he hurriedly smiled apologetically, "Zhenren is joking. Since this person is a friend of yours, then let this matter be dropped, let this matter be dropped."

"Amitabha..."

At this time, an old monk with white eyebrows and beard suddenly walked out from the round gate, pressed his hands together and said, "Benefactor Jia, this matter happened in my temple; in terms of both sentiment and reason, it cannot be dropped."

Seeing this old monk come out, Abbot Fayuan and the other monks were all shocked and hurriedly stepped forward to pay their respects: "Uncle-Master Wuchan."

"Master Wuchan?"

Upon hearing this, Jia Zheng and Jia She were both surprised and delighted.

The two had come to pay their respects several times but had never seen him; even when they were sent on orders, the other party had avoided them. They did not expect him to come out at this moment.

Who would have thought that the old monk's next sentence would shock everyone again.

"This Young Master Luo is an honored guest invited by this poor monk. Since Benefactor Jia believes he is guilty, this poor monk will naturally not sit idly by. Who is innocent and who is guilty, we shall naturally distinguish clearly today."

The old monk's tone was calm, yet his attitude was exceptionally firm.

Jia She's expression changed instantly; he glanced at the youth before him, feeling a secret regret in his heart.

Just as Jia Zheng was about to apologize again, Ziyang Zhenren suddenly walked up to that Manager Wang and asked coldly: "You said Young Master Luo was making false accusations and slandering you; is that so, or is it not?"

Even if Manager Wang were any more foolish, he would have known the gravity of the situation by now and realized he could no longer afford to offend that youth, but he was caught in a dilemma and could only say with a mournful face: "This old one... this old one truly did not do it..."

A flash of sharp light appeared in Ziyang Zhenren's eyes; he stared into his eyes and suddenly shouted like thunder: "Confess honestly! Did you do it or not!"

Manager Wang's body shook instantly, his brain buzzed, his vision blurred, his soul trembled and his courage failed, and he stammered: "This old one... this old one..."

"Speak! Did you just attempt to bully a woman in this temple?"

Ziyang Zhenren let out another loud shout.

Everyone else around was terrified, feeling their legs trembling.

Manager Wang was scared to the point of wetting himself, and he cried and trembled: "This old one... this old one saw that the girl looked quite good and was timid, so... so..."

"Beast!"

Upon hearing this, Jia She suddenly slapped him across the face with a "crack," then kicked him hard to the ground, shouting angrily: "Someone! Beat this wretch to death for me!"

"Master, spare my life!"

Manager Wang lay on the ground, shivering, weeping bitterly, and losing control of his bowels...

He did not understand why he had just confessed.

"Beat him to death! Beat him to death for me!"

Jia She was ashamed and angry, gritting his teeth, his old face looking exceptionally ferocious.

"Amitabha..."

Master Wuchan looked at him with an expressionless face: "Benefactor Jia, calm your anger. Since this matter is now clear, it has nothing to do with Young Master Luo. As for your punishment of your house servant, please discuss it after returning to the mansion, Benefactor Jia."

Jia Zheng also hurriedly said in a low voice: "Brother, tie this person up first and deal with him after returning to the mansion."

Only then did Jia She calm down; he hurriedly cupped his hands in apology and sighed: "I, Jia, have been lax in managing my subordinates and failed to distinguish the loyal from the treacherous, making a laughingstock of myself before you all. I am ashamed, truly ashamed..."

He then shouted: "Someone! Tie this wretch up for me and take him back to the mansion for disposal!"

"Yes, Master!"

Those guards immediately took action and bound the limp Manager Wang who was on the ground.

Jia She paused, squeezed a smile onto his face, and cupped his hands toward the youth before him: "Young Master Luo, I am truly sorry. My eyes were blinded by this wretch. Young Master Luo stood up for justice and acted bravely; I admire you greatly."

Luo Zijun glanced at him and returned the salute in a lukewarm manner: "If Master Jia can recognize this person's true face and restore this junior's innocence, this junior is deeply grateful."

Jia Zheng hurriedly smiled: "Since Young Master Luo is a teacher at the Bai Mansion, you must be overflowing with talent and well-versed in the classics. If you have time, please do us the honor of gathering at my Jia Mansion. My untalented juniors at the Jia Mansion love to recite poetry and discuss various books; I believe they could become friends with you, Gongzi."

Jia She realized this and also hurriedly smiled: "Yes, yes, yes. If Young Master Luo has time in the future, you must visit our Jia Mansion often, get close to my juniors, and teach them more about reading and how to conduct themselves."

Since this person was valued by Ziyang Zhenren and Master Wuchan, he naturally dared not underestimate him again. If he could establish a connection, he might have a chance to seek some good things in the future.

Being old, one fears illness and death the most.

Ziyang Zhenren could cure illnesses and refine pills, and Master Wuchan was proficient in Buddhist dharma and understood heavenly fate; he naturally had to curry favor with them.

"Hmph!"

Ziyang Zhenren did not give them any face; he directly took the arm of the youth beside him and said: "Let's go, this old Daoist will escort Gongzi down the mountain."

"Amitabha..."

Master Wuchan pressed his palms together and was about to speak when Ziyang Zhenren suddenly chuckled, turned his head, and said: "Bald donkey, Young Master Luo is mine today, so don't you try to snatch him."

Having said that, he immediately took Luo Zijun and strode away.

Seeing this, Bai Qingtong hurriedly glanced at Ziyuan.

"Gongzi!"

Ziyuan hurriedly chased after them.

The crowd from the Jia Family who were crowding the front hurriedly cleared a path.

Those noble ladies, young masters, maids, and nannies all looked with curiosity at the delicate youth being led away by the old Daoist.

Just as Luo Zijun was being forcibly dragged away by the old Daoist against his will, a young girl surrounded by maids and nannies nearby suddenly smiled: "Young Master Luo, so it really is you!"

Luo Zijun turned his head to look; the young girl had sloping shoulders, a slender waist, a tall figure, an oval face, beautiful eyes, and elegant eyebrows; she was spirited and quite outstanding, and she was actually that noble from the Inner City he had seen at Taoyuan Jiulou that time.

Jia Tanchun, the Third Miss of the Jia Family.

At this moment, a girl in red nearby asked in surprise: "Sister Tanchun, do you know this Young Master Luo?"

Just as Luo Zijun wanted to look again, he had already been dragged far away by the old Daoist.

"Young Master Luo, your constitution is very weak. If it continues like this for long, I fear you won't live past twenty."

After walking out of the temple, Ziyang Zhenren suddenly frowned and said.

Upon hearing this, Luo Zijun felt a sharp pain in his heart and thought secretly: If I am subjected to this for one night every month, let alone twenty, I fear that this time next year will be the anniversary of my death!

"This old Daoist has a bottle of pills here; take them and eat them first. After some time, I will come to see you again. If it still doesn't work, I will personally take action to help you nourish your body. People say that beautiful women have short lives, but you, on the other hand, are a talented man with a short life."

Ziyang Zhenren sighed, took out a White Jade porcelain bottle, and handed it to him.

Luo Zijun hurriedly took it in his hands and thanked him repeatedly.

Ziyang Zhenren smiled: "No need for thanks. I only hope that after you return, Gongzi, you will nourish your body well and then write down the remaining text content. If you can write it all down, this old Daoist will definitely not treat you poorly, Gongzi."

The two of them talked while walking down the steps.

Ziyang Zhenren looked back, shook his head, and said: "Gongzi's body is already weak, and you have so many pretty young girls around you; how could you not die quickly? Women are things that suck the marrow from one's bones and eat people without spitting out the bones; you must never become addicted. If you want to live long, you must abstain from women."

Luo Zijun agreed deeply with these few sentences and expressed his approval: "What the Daoist says is true. This junior also believes that women are things that suck marrow and take lives; they are not to be touched. If there is a chance, this junior would love to beat all the women in the world to a pulp, one by one!"

When he said the last sentence, he could not help but grit his teeth, his hatred exposed.

Ziyang Zhenren looked at him with great surprise.

Ziyuan, who was following silently behind, was also stunned, her eyes filled with confusion.

What has happened to Young Master?

When we were coming here, weren't you laughing and talking with those little maids in the carriage, perfectly fine? Why do you suddenly have such great hatred for women now?

Could it be because the woman Young Master just saved did not step forward to testify for you?

The three of them quickly descended the mountain.

Ziyang Zhenren gave a few more instructions, telling him to take good care of his body, then holding his horsetail whisk, he strode away.

Without his support, Luo Zijun's legs went weak, and he was about to collapse onto the ground.

Zhiyuan was startled and hurriedly stepped forward to support him.

Leaning in her embrace, pressed against her swelling chest, and smelling the faint fragrance of a young girl on her, Luo Zijun unconsciously clenched his fists, feeling an urge to punch her a few times.

He hurriedly suppressed the urge and said, "Let's go, let's go home."

Go home, sleep, cultivate, and become strong.

Then, take revenge and wash away the shame!

When the time comes, if he encounters that female flower-plucking thief again, he will definitely make her taste the experience of being had six times in one night!

Hmm? Pfft!

If that were the case, wouldn't that just let that female lecher get her way again?

For that shameless female flower-plucking thief, that wouldn't be punishment or revenge, but a reward—a huge reward!

In that case, I will serve her with my fists then!

I will definitely beat her until she cries for her father and mother, begs for mercy, and is smashed to pieces!

(End of this chapter)