Chapter 600: Chapter 600: Your Majesty?

Soon after the soldiers entered the hostel, a handsome man draped in a white cloak hurriedly approached the group.

Zhou Shiyue had long heard of General Zhan Hui’s great reputation and had admired him for a long time. With respect, Zhou Shiyue clasped his hands and said, “Young General!”

Zhan Hui nodded. He first quickly surveyed the group, noting their faces were flushed red from the cold, their lips white and purple from constantly braving the cold wind. They exhaled visible breaths, and their hands and bodies bore injuries.

“You all, please enter the hostel and rest,” Zhan Hui indicated for the soldiers to take them inside.

After Zhan Hui lifted the cotton curtain and boarded the carriage, he supported Lord Ji Yun’s head with his hand, then looked at two of the soldiers, “Come, help me carry him inside!”

Zhou Shiyue watched as Zhan Hui and the other two carried Ji Yun inside, stunned in place.

He had always thought that the higher the rank of an official from a major place, the greater their airs would be. He never expected Zhan Hui to personally carry Ji Yun inside.

His white cloak was stained with bright red blood.

The four people behind Zhou Shiyue were also stirred, realizing that this was the Young General Zhan Hui of the Zhan Family Army, and that he was so approachable.

Their County Magistrate Wang would make a great show with gongs and drums even when pretending to visit the common people, fearing they wouldn’t know of his good deeds.

Given Zhan Hui’s current status, he absolutely didn’t need to personally carry someone inside.

“Let’s head in as well!” the soldier who came to report reminded Zhou Shiyue and the others.

Zhou Shiyue and the others followed up cautiously and reservedly.

Inside the hostel, Zhou Shiyue noticed a robust figure draped in clothing emerging, followed by a doctor with swollen eyes.

Zhou Shiyue recognized him; this was the Vice Minister of Public Works, Huang Gun.

On the bed, Doctor Zhu was cleaning the blood on the back of Ji Yun’s head and bandaging his wound.

After examining him, Doctor Zhu said, “Fortunately, you sent him here in time. If he had been freezing outside for another couple of hours in this weather, this lord would surely be done for.”

“Then why hasn’t he woken up?” Huang Gun asked, craning his head.

Earlier, he and Zhan Hui went to a stall to have wontons, and the stall owner told him that County Chief Ji Yun was a good man.

Unable to sleep, he was pacing in the corridor when a soldier informed him of the situation outside. Upon hearing that Ji Yun was injured, he immediately informed Zhan Hui.

Zhan Hui and he quickly reached a consensus that Ji Yun must be saved, so Zhan Hui went to fetch him, while Huang Gun woke up Doctor Zhu, Lu Zhong, and Wang Qingchen.

Doctor Zhu nodded, “My medical skills are limited. There is a blood clot at the back of Lord Ji’s head. I’m afraid there might be brain damage. Such a coma can last a few hours or even several days. I’ll prescribe some medicine and see if he can wake up tomorrow.”

Zhou Shiyue’s eyes darkened. Their Lord Ji Yun truly had a bitter fate. He had always been upright and often offended County Magistrate Wang, and now he had been beaten into a coma by County Magistrate Wang. It’s unknown whether he’ll wake up.

He had a sister at home who was harassed by ruffians and couldn’t get married despite being of age. His father was pitifully pushed from a height for no reason and broke his leg, and he himself had suffered greatly.

Still, he never bowed to County Magistrate Wang.

Lord Ji Yun was not as adaptable as these constables and government officials. His only trait was a sincere heart for being a paternal official.

Thus, he had long been targeted by County Magistrate Wang. Likely, it was because he told Zhao Jiu to clarify things with the four officials that he invited calamity upon himself.

Doctor Zhu went to prepare the medicine.

Huang Gun, rarely serious, solemnly looked at Zhou Shiyue and the others, “You all, come with me.”

Lu Zhong and Wang Qingchen dressed and emerged from their respective rooms to meet with the people brought by Zhan Hui and Huang Gun.

Zhou Shiyue and the others knelt together before the four of them.

Zhan Hui raised his hand, “Please sit quickly and tell us everything that happened.”

The hostel attendants served ginger tea to the group.

Zhou Shiyue’s four constable brothers were inwardly excited, as they had never before sat together with such high-ranking officials.

Someone, trembling, took a sip of ginger tea. Another uneasily picked at his fingers. One stared at the teacup, their demeanor a complete departure from the heroism they showed when sacrificing themselves for justice earlier.

Warming his icy hands with the hot porcelain cup, Zhou Shiyue took a sip of tea and then recounted the events in full, also detailing some of County Magistrate Wang’s misdeeds.

Lu Zhong’s expression grew grave, and he slammed his hand on the table, angrily cursing, “Despicable bastard, a scourge to the nation!”

He had not imagined that County Magistrate Wang, who seemed to meet everyone with smiles, was such a person.

Wang Kun, modest and courteous with everyone, was praised by the people when he arrived—words they’d later learn were spoken by people Wang Kun had arranged to deceive them. Despite meeting countless people in his life, Lu Zhong was fooled by Wang Kun’s façade!

Huang Gun gritted his teeth, “This Wang Kun is a real scoundrel! Deserving a slap on the left and a kick on the right; even a donkey would kick him, a pig would trample him!”

Wang Qingchen’s gaze was icy cold, “Although we don’t have the authority to judge the case, we must save County Chief Ji Yun’s life. Let’s report this matter to His Majesty.”

Lu Zhong nodded slightly and looked appreciatively at Zhou Shiyue, gently reminding, “County Magistrate Wang will surely seize the opportunity to retaliate against you. You should stay in the hostel and not go anywhere.”

Lu Zhong suddenly realized something and his expression changed, speaking with difficulty, “But His Majesty is in Ding’an City; we cannot wait for distant salvation while we’re in dire need, and we don’t have the authority to arrest him.”

Huang Gun, infuriated, exclaimed, “Why keep such a beast around? I don’t want to arrest him; I want to chop him down with one strike!”

Zhan Hui pressed down on Huang Gun’s arm, “Don’t be impulsive. Tomorrow, you all will leave and return to the palace to report. I will stay behind.”

Lu Zhong nodded in agreement, “With Marquis Zhongyong overseeing, even if Wang Kun tries something, he won’t dare!”

Wang Qingchen considered briefly, wanting to say he also wished to stay, but upon reflection realized that against such a cruel and rogue county magistrate, a military officer would indeed be more suitable than a mere scholarly civil servant like himself.

Huang Gun propped his chin and looked at Zhan Hui, “Then I’ll stay as well.”

Zhou Shiyue and the four constables exchanged surprised glances, not expecting the four officials to take this matter so seriously.

Moreover, Marquis Zhongyong Zhan Hui and Vice Minister of Public Works Huang Gun were willing to stay behind to handle this matter.

Lu Zhong looked at Zhou Shiyue and the others, “You may stay at the hostel for now, go ahead!”

The five of them nodded and exited the room.

Soon after Zhou Shiyue’s departure, a Hidden Guard entered the room.

The four people looked towards the black-clad Hidden Guard.

Zhan Hui saw the slight change in their expressions and reminded them, “No need to panic; it’s the Royal Dark Guard.”

The Hidden Guard produced Mu Yan’s token.

The four recognized this white jade pendant as something His Majesty carried on his person.

The Hidden Guard said, “Lords, His Majesty has already learned of Ji Yun and Wang Kun’s situation. His Majesty commands that you four continue on your journey from Shuiyu City as planned tomorrow.”

In unison, they exclaimed, “His Majesty?”

They glanced at each other in confusion, wondering how His Majesty knew about Ji Yun’s situation. Since He knew Wang Kun’s heinous deeds, why instruct them to leave?