A pure heart in a jade pot

Chapter 58

"Never mind, never mind," Mo Yan patted his shoulder, silencing him and trying to calm things down. "Just don't talk to him on the way, and things should be fine." With that, she got into the car before Ning Jin could say anything more.

Ning Jin was so angry that he yanked the reins hard. The skinny horse was startled by his tug, reared up, neighed loudly, and then galloped forward, running much faster than before.

The carriage was naturally jolting violently, and even Mo Yan had to hold onto the window with one hand to keep her balance; Bai Yingyu was also jolted so badly that she almost bumped into Xiao Chen several times, but fortunately Mo Yan pulled her back each time.

As the carriage moved forward, Xiao Chen's brows furrowed more and more. After enduring for a long time, he finally said in a deep voice, "Could you please move your feet?"

Mo Yan was startled and looked down...

"Ah!" Bai Yingyu exclaimed softly, hurriedly moving her right foot away. Seeing that Xiao Chen's black boots were filthy, she quickly apologized.

"Why don't we buy a new pair when we get to the next town?" she asked softly.

Xiao Chen snorted coldly: "No need to bother."

Faced with such an indifferent person, not knowing what to say, Bai Yingyu stopped talking and looked to Mo Yan for help.

At this moment, Mo Yan was staring at Xiao Chen's boots with great interest, completely unaware of what the two of them were saying, and naturally did not see Bai Yingyu's embarrassed expression.

“Second brother, were these boots bought in the capital? I saw Ma Han in Kaifeng wearing the same boots.” She laughed. “It’s a pity his footwork isn’t good; the heels are worn and fuzzy, unlike yours, which are still smooth and even.”

Xiao Chen smiled faintly. Martial artists move with focused energy, avoiding dragging their feet; the better one's skill, the less wear and tear is on the heels of their boots.

"If Lord Zhan hadn't been injured, his boot heels would have been perfectly flat. I used to think that the title 'Royal Cat' was just an empty name, but I didn't expect his lightness skill to be so good. That night when we went to Hanshan Temple, if he hadn't been holding me back, I really wouldn't have been able to catch up."

Upon hearing this, Xiao Chen's expression darkened, a fact that Bai Yingyu noticed.

"I wonder which of you two has better lightness skills, you or Lord Zhan?" Mo Yan chattered on, laughing with great interest. "When we get to the capital, we should find an excuse for you two to have a competition." She was a child at heart, and when it came to martial arts, she only thought about who was better. She didn't think at all about whether the two of them were willing to compete, or what they would think if they were better.

Xiao Chen said calmly, "Whether his kung fu is good or not has nothing to do with us. It's best to stay away from these government officials. After Fifth Junior Brother's matter is settled, you will come back with me."

"oh."

Mo Yan casually agreed, not taking it to heart at all.

Hearing her quick reply, Xiao Chen knew she hadn't taken it seriously. He wanted to say a few more words to her, but he didn't. He just thought to himself: Since they met, Zhan Zhao has been mentioned by my junior sister many times, but I don't know how much my junior sister and I have gone through in these few dozen days, and how we have become so close.

"...You just said Zhan Zhao was injured?" he asked hesitantly.

"Mm." Mo Yan nodded. Thinking about what had happened along the way, she decided to sit down next to Xiao Chen. She had been unable to tell her senior brother about what had happened in detail in the shop earlier, so now was the perfect time to tell him slowly.

Author's Note: Happy New Year everyone!!!

In the new year, Leo will try to speed up the update frequency, hehe~~

Chapter Forty-Six

As dusk approached, Bao Zheng and Gongsun Ce were in their study reviewing cases involving officials from various departments in Jiangnan when hurried footsteps sounded outside. In an instant, Ma Hanren entered, bowing and smiling at the two men, "My lords, Guard Zhan is back! He's waiting in the inner hall."

Upon hearing this, Bao Zheng and Gongsun Ce both showed joy and hurried to the inner hall.

"My lord, Mr. Gongsun." Zhan Zhao stepped forward to greet them and introduced Wu Zichu to the two men. "This is Wu Zichu, a member of the Prince of Ning's inner circle and a bodyguard. We were fortunate to have his help this time, otherwise we would have been in grave danger."

"My humble efforts are insignificant, but Brother Zhan's words are too kind."

After a few brief pleasantries, everyone took their seats.

Seeing that Zhan Zhao was moving more slowly than usual, Bao Zheng asked with concern, "Is Guard Zhan injured? Is it serious?"

"It's just a minor injury, adults don't need to worry."

Zhan Zhao hurriedly said, then took out the account book from his pocket, handed it to Bao Zheng, and briefly recounted the course of his journey.

Bao Zheng glanced through it and saw the names of officials of all ranks, and the sheer number of them was shocking. He couldn't look at it all at once, so he put it away for the time being.

With this ledger in hand, the case was about to become clear, and there was hope for impeaching Zhang Yaozuo. Bao Zheng felt a great weight lifted from his heart. Looking at Zhan Zhao, who was covered in dust and looked even thinner, he couldn't help but say, "Guard Zhan, you've had a hard time this time! ...By the way, where is Constable Mo who traveled with you?"

"Miss Mo is traveling with Prince Ning, escorting Bai Baozhen's daughter, Bai Yingyu, to the capital," Zhan Zhao reported. "Bai Yingyu is also a crucial witness in this case, so to prevent any mishaps, we've split into two groups. Brother Zichu and I are traveling day and night, so we'll arrive a few days earlier. Prince Ning and his party will ask the prefect of Yangzhou for passage. If nothing unexpected happens on the way, they should arrive in the capital in three or four days." Although he spoke simply, a lingering worry remained in his heart, hoping that nothing would go wrong.

Bao Zheng pondered for a long time, his expression solemn: "Guard Zhan, Constable Mo is still young. How can we let her take on such an important task alone?"

Sensing the worry in Bao Zheng's tone, Zhan Zhao said with shame, "I am not capable. I was injured when I fought with the Soul Chaser. To ensure that the evidence is intact, I had no choice but to resort to this measure after careful consideration."

The injury that forced Zhan Zhao to decide to part ways was definitely not a minor one, Bao Zheng understood this in his heart, but knowing that Zhan Zhao was always proud, he did not want to ask about the injury again, and only said: "You go and rest first, and let Mr. Gongsun take a look at your injury."

Zhan Zhao still wanted to decline, but Gongsun Ce had already walked to his side. Without saying much, he simply made a gesture and smiled, inviting him to come. How could Zhan Zhao accept such an offer? He quickly got up and reluctantly followed him.

Bao Zheng then ordered someone to escort Wu Zichu out of the mansion before returning to his study. He lit a lamp and took out the account books to examine them carefully. Not long after, Gongsun Ce also returned.

"How is Guard Zhan's injury?" Bao Zheng asked, looking up from his desk.

"It's an arrow wound that went right through the bone. He hasn't rested since being injured, so the wound hasn't healed yet. Fortunately, the wound medicine used is of good quality, otherwise it would probably have become infected long ago..." Gongsun Ce sighed softly, "I really don't know how he's managed to endure these past few days."

"..."

Bao Zheng remained silent for a long time, unsure how to cherish this subordinate. There were too many things he had to do, and too many dangers he had to face. Over the years, Zhan Zhao had risked his life several times, yet he had never complained, always smiling as if nothing had happened.

"Fortunately, he's back. As long as he rests well for a while, he'll recover. You don't need to worry too much, sir." Gongsun Ce saw the worry on Bao Zheng's face and offered a few words of comfort.

Bao Zheng sighed deeply, "This prefecture truly owes him a great debt."

"grown ups……"

Gongsun Ce was well aware of what he was thinking, and felt a pang of sympathy, but for a moment he had nothing to say.

In the following days, Bao Zheng carefully examined the two account books, and even had his meals brought to his study for a quick and hasty meal each day.

Zhan Zhao was ordered by Mr. Gongsun not to get out of bed and could only rest in bed. Fortunately, nothing serious happened in the past few days, so he obediently followed orders to recuperate. Wu Zichu waited for Ning Jin outside the city for several days in a row, but unfortunately, he never saw them.