Zheng Kecheng's Tyranny!

Afternoon.

There were no patients at Hundred Herbs Hall, and Doctor Bai was resting in the back hall.

Qin Wang and Bai Fenghuan were sorting medicinal herbs in the back hall. Seeing a peddler diagonally across the street carrying a straw rack with candied hawthorns stuck into it, he immediately went out to buy two skewers.

"Did you hear? Li Laocai was originally supposed to be buried today, but there was a fire last night. His wife and son met with trouble, so they'll be buried together tomorrow. Chief Constable Zheng announced that anyone from the market can attend the funeral feast, so long as they offer a stick of incense."

"Anyone from the market can go?"

"That's right. Old Master Li's brother-in-law said so."

"Then I have to go tomorrow no matter what! Who would pass up free food?"

As Qin Wang walked toward the peddler, he suddenly heard him talking with several nearby vendors, and his heart stirred. A funeral feast?

Qin Wang felt he had to attend this feast.

He could scout out those 850 taels of silver. Besides, there would be many people at the feast, which might trigger more useful intelligence. And after killing Li Laocai, he could still eat at his funeral feast—what could be better?

Li Laocai, you never expected this, did you? I killed you, and I can still eat at your funeral feast!

Qin Wang looked in the direction of Li Family Manor, feeling deeply satisfied.

Qin Wang took out several copper coins, bought two skewers of candied hawthorns, brought them back, and stuffed one into Bai Fenghuan's hand.

"Wow, Big Brother, candied hawthorns? These are for me?"

At the sight of the candied hawthorns, surprise shone in Bai Fenghuan's beautiful eyes, and she practically bounced with joy.

"Mm. The sugar syrup on these candied hawthorns was cooked well today, so I picked one up for you while I was at it."

Qin Wang nodded.

Recently, Bai Fenghuan had noticed he was too thin and added an extra dish every day to make him eat more. Returning the favor with a skewer of candied hawthorns was only proper.

"Thank you, Brother!"

"One for each of us!"

Bai Fenghuan's beautiful eyes flickered. She handed one skewer to Qin Wang, then began savoring hers in small bites.

"By order of Chief Constable Zheng, we are taking away the suspect in the Li Family Manor arson case. Is Qin Wang here?"

Just then, a man's cold, stern voice rang out from the dispensary hall of Hundred Herbs Hall.

"Big Brother, the county yamen constable is looking for you?"

Bai Fenghuan looked at Qin Wang in confusion. She had also heard that the man's tone was far from friendly.

"Let's go take a look."

All sorts of thoughts flashed through Qin Wang's mind. The intelligence from dawn had said Zheng Kecheng would thoroughly investigate the arsonist, and that he would become one of Zheng Kecheng's suspects. It seemed Zheng Kecheng had already begun his investigation.

Qin Wang knew full well that when someone wanted to accuse you, they could always find a pretext.

There were far too many cases of torture forcing false confessions.

He had no choice but to go.

He still had to handle this carefully.

"Sir, I am Qin Wang. May I ask what business you have with me?"

When Qin Wang arrived at the front hall, he saw a middle-aged man in a black constable's uniform. He was of average build, carried a powerful presence, and wore a long saber at his waist. Standing squarely in the middle of the dispensary, his gaze swept about like lightning.

"You are Qin Wang?"

The middle-aged constable looked at Qin Wang and spoke flatly. "I am Lin Bao, a constable from the county yamen. According to our investigation, evidence indicates that you are connected to last night's arson case at Li Family Manor. Come with me."

"Sir, I'm Qin Wang, but I didn't go anywhere yesterday! This—"

Qin Wang frowned deeply.

"Officer, what evidence do you have to decide that my brother is connected to the Li Family Manor arson case?"

Behind Qin Wang, Bai Fenghuan held her candied hawthorns and questioned him.

"There were three points of ignition at Li Family Manor last night, proving it was deliberate arson. Chief Constable Zheng has ordered that everyone who had disputes with Old Master Li be taken away for questioning! Your family's three-tile house and three mu of farmland were once seized by Old Master Li to settle debts. You are highly suspected of setting the fire, so come with me to Li Family Manor for questioning!"

"Unless you want to suffer some flesh-and-blood pain!"

Constable Lin Bao rested a hand on his saber hilt. His tone allowed no argument, as though he were merely carrying out orders.

"Just because my family's land and house were taken to settle debts, you suspect me of arson?"

Qin Wang was so angry that he laughed. That bastard Zheng Kecheng truly did not deserve to be called human!

He was far too tyrannical!

"Constable Lin, this old man still has a little standing. I will go with him and stand surety for him. I guarantee that Little Qin would never do such a thing!"

At that moment, an aged voice came from behind Qin Wang.

Qin Wang turned around.

He saw Doctor Bai, draped in a padded cotton coat, standing at the entrance to the back hall.

"Grandpa Bai!"

Qin Wang looked at Bai Mingliang. He had not expected Bai Mingliang to be willing to stand up for him.

"This old man will make a trip to Li Family Manor with you. It will be fine."

Bai Mingliang waved his hand and spoke.

Li Family Manor.

Inside a main hall, Zheng Kecheng sat grim-faced in the seat of honor, broad and imposing, with five constables in black uniforms standing beside him.

More than ten men stood in the hall as well, their faces sallow with hunger and their clothes patched.

"Chief Constable, suspect Qin Wang has been brought here!"

At that moment, Lin Bao, the saber-wearing constable in black, walked in and cupped his fists toward Zheng Kecheng.

"Bring him in!"

Zheng Kecheng's expression was gloomy as he spoke in a deep voice.

"Qin Wang, come in!"

Lin Bao called outside.

Before long, a thin youth dressed in blue entered. An old man with graying hair followed behind him.

"Eh? Doctor Bai? Why are you here?"

When Zheng Kecheng saw Qin Wang and Doctor Bai behind him, he froze. He remembered that during the days his elder brother-in-law had been critically ill, he had gone to Hundred Herbs Hall to invite Doctor Bai over. This youth had followed behind, carrying the medicine chest.

The youth carrying the medicine chest was one of the suspects, Qin Wang?

"Chief Constable Zheng, Little Qin is this old man's disciple. His family's land and tile house were indeed given to Old Master Li to settle debts, but debts must be repaid—it is only right and proper, nothing more. On the night Li Family Manor caught fire, Little Qin was at Hundred Herbs Hall sorting medicinal herbs for this old man. He slept at Hundred Herbs Hall that night, so it would have been impossible for him to split himself in two and go to Li Family Manor to commit arson."

"This old man can vouch for him."

Bai Mingliang cupped his fists toward Zheng Kecheng as he spoke.

"Doctor Bai is a man of great virtue and high prestige. With your guarantee, there is naturally no problem!"

After hearing Doctor Bai's words, Zheng Kecheng pondered for a moment, then cupped his fists toward Bai Mingliang. "Someone set fire to the manor last night, and my brother's entire family has been wiped out. I was anxious to catch the culprit. Please forgive any disturbance caused to you, Doctor Bai!"

"It's nothing. This old man understands."

Bai Mingliang nodded and cupped his fists again.

"Lin Bao, see Doctor Bai off for me!"

Zheng Kecheng spoke to Lin Bao beside him.

"Yes, Chief Constable!"

Lin Bao gestured for Bai Mingliang and Qin Wang to leave. Bai Mingliang gave Zheng Kecheng a slight fist salute, then called Qin Wang out of the manor.

"Grandpa Bai, thank you!"

Following behind Bai Mingliang, Qin Wang felt gratitude from the bottom of his heart.

He had not slept at Hundred Herbs Hall last night, yet Doctor Bai had unexpectedly helped cover for him. He truly was a good man.

"No need to thank me. You are a good child."

"Since you belong to my dispensary, even if I have to throw away this old face of mine, I cannot let you suffer such injustice!"

Bai Mingliang glanced at Qin Wang with approval in his eyes.

I still need to improve my strength!

Without strength, I will always be at the bottom, bullied by others!

Qin Wang said nothing more, but secretly swore that he would cultivate diligently and become strong—strong enough that no one would dare provoke him!

If he possessed formidable strength—

Would Zheng Kecheng dare act so tyrannically?

Would he dare arrest someone based on nothing more than suspicion?

Zheng Kecheng, once I am strong enough, I will definitely kill you!

The fist hidden inside Qin Wang's sleeve slowly clenched.