Blossom In Adversity - Vol. 2

C255. Shao Yao's Killing Intent.

Chapter 255: Shaoyao's Killing Intent

The magistrate of Zhenyang County was named Chen Jiangying, a man on very friendly terms with the Zheng family.

Upon learning of Zheng Bei's misfortune, Chen immediately led a group of men to the scene. Halfway there, he met the elderly Zheng couple and together they rushed to the wharf.

No amount of hearsay could compare to the shock of witnessing the scene firsthand. Chen Jiangying's legs turned to jelly at the sight of the blood-soaked ground, and would have collapsed if not for his men's quick support. In contrast, the Zheng couple, after their initial shock, regained their composure and began to search the area for their son.

They knew their son had come to capture a woman, and when they saw Shao Yao, they assumed she was the target. The old woman immediately shrieked, "Where have you taken my son?!"

In response, a loud "bang" echoed, followed by a scream. Shao Yao, wielding a long whip, sent Chen Jiangying flying with a well-aimed blow that caused immense pain but no lasting injuries.

She struck three times in quick succession before retracting her whip and turning to the elderly couple. Despite the veil, they could sense her malice and instinctively retreated, pulling their servants forward as a shield.

Shao Yao scoffed, not at all surprised that such a despicable son had such despicable parents.

The yamen had already helped Chen Jiangying to his feet. Pain contorted his features, but with the yamen protecting him, he dared to shout, "How dare you attack a government official? You're audacious! Quickly, seize her!"

Shao Yao's whip slithered through the crowd, snaking around Chen Jiangying again and throwing him to the ground. With a flick of her wrist, she sent him flying towards Yu Tao who stood nearby. "Bind him. Take him away with us tomorrow."

She glanced disdainfully at the immobilized yamen and the elderly couple before turning to leave.

But her unwillingness to engage didn't mean others would let her go. The old woman suddenly lunged at Shao Yao, "You wicked woman, return my son!"

Shao Yao dodged, and the old woman tumbled forward. With a flick of her whip, she caught the woman and sent her flying back to Zheng elder. Meanwhile, the yamen, despite their fear, couldn't allow their superior to be taken away.

Shao Yao sneered and displayed her whip mastery, easily defeating the group of bumbling officials.

Without the yamen's support, the Zheng couple warily eyed the formidable woman before them and retreated. "What... what do you want? I... I'll have you know, my daughter is the wife of the Governor's. You... ah..."

Shao Yao cracked her whip in front of them, the sound alone causing them to scream. Too lazy to deal with them, she turned and left.

This time, the old woman did not dare to attack.

Yu Tao carried Chen Jiangying into a room. Xia Dong was startled to see him and looked between Hua Zhi and Chen Jiangying, unsure of what to do.

"Miss Shao Yao said to take him away with us tomorrow," Yu Tao reported.

"Bind him with Zheng Bei," Hua Zhi replied without hesitation. This was no longer a personal matter; even if Shaoyao were to turn the world upside down, the Seven Stars Bureau would protect her. With Shao Yao's status and Yan Xi's abilities, even if she were truly in the wrong, others would have to accept it.

Shao Yao entered, her aura filled with killing intent. "Huahua, let's go."

Hua Zhi nodded and allowed Bao Xia to help her up. "Yu Tao, Wang Cheng, and Chen Shi, please stay here and watch over these people. If anyone tries to take them, detain them."

"Yes."

Jiang Huanran eagerly went to fetch the magistrate's carriage, his wound aching as he pulled on it. Yet, a smile spread across his face. This trip had been worth it!

"Miss, where are we going?" The word "we" sounded so harmonious, and Jiang Huanran grinned foolishly.

"Back to the inn we stayed at before. It's closer."

"Got it!" Jiang Huanran climbed onto the carriage as if he were going to drive himself, but Xu Ying, unwilling to entrust the young miss's safety to someone else, gently pushed him aside. "Young Master Jiang, please take a seat. I'll drive."

Jiang Huanran, realizing he couldn't drive, obediently moved aside.

Hua Zhi lifted the carriage curtain, "Mr. Xia, please return. I hope our cooperation will be pleasant."

Mr. Xia and Xia Jiang bowed together, "It certainly will."

Hua Zhi nodded to them both and lowered the curtain. She didn't care how the power dynamics of the Zhenyang faction would change, nor would she interfere. If Xia Donglai was smart, he wouldn't try to swallow the Zheng family's entire piece of the pie. As long as the Xia family wasn't the only dominant force, the cooperation should be pleasant for the next few years.

Even if the innkeeper didn't know that these people were the ones targeted by Zheng Bei at the docks, he could guess from their bloodstained clothes. He wanted to drive them away but dared not. He hid behind the counter and kept winking at the waiter beside him.

The waiter was also afraid and dared not approach. He stood far away and trembled as he asked, "Are you, are you, guests staying or eating?"

Xu Ying stepped forward, "Stay, five upper rooms, and bring more hot water to the room."

The innkeeper placed five keys on the counter, and the waiter took them and ran ahead, "Please follow me, guests."

They stayed in the same rooms they had vacated that morning. After sending everyone else away, Hua Zhi collapsed on the table, her body trembling slightly. She was really exhausted, and she was in pain.

"I'll go get some water." Bao Xia left with red-rimmed eyes.

After the Hua family incident, the more comfortable the Hua family members were, the harder the young miss worked. She bore everything on her own shoulders and suffered everything herself. Because she was capable, everyone seemed to forget that she was only sixteen. In many previous years, she had only loved reading books and pondering food.

Shao Yao helped Hua Zhi to the bed and let her lean against the bedpost. Then she stripped her clothes, revealing white skin and wounds that were so swollen that some of the flesh was still flipped outward. Shao Yao had seen life and death and had treated even more serious injuries, but at this moment, she felt extremely distressed.

Her Hua Hua was the most dignified person she had ever met. She should have stayed comfortably in that mansion, surrounded by flowers, plants, books, and food, simply offering advice.

She shouldn't be doing this kind of life-and-death business, but this was already the second time, and as long as Hua Hua was traveling, no one could guarantee that this would be the last.

"Why do you look like you're about to cry?" Hua Zhi joked, trying to reach out and touch her head but found that she couldn't even move a finger. Sure enough, she couldn't relax. As soon as she relaxed, she became useless.

Shao Yao carefully avoided her wounds and gently hugged her, "I thought as long as I was by your side, you wouldn't get hurt."

"Who could have thought they would be so bold as to use the garrison for their own purposes?"

"But you could have hidden behind and waited for us to deal with them before coming out. That way, you wouldn't have been injured."