Outside the garden, Cao Family retainers gripped their clubs and faced off against a group of people led by a noble-looking man. Neither side would give an inch.
"His Majesty already accepted Prime Minister Zhuge and Minister Situ's remonstrances at the Imperial Court. He permitted us to search for land around Jiankang to build temples! If you obstruct us like this, are you defying the imperial decree?"
The newcomer glared at the Cao Family members and demanded an answer.
The middle-aged man remained unruffled. In a low voice, he said, "His Majesty spoke of unclaimed land. This land has an owner. How can you take it to build your temples?"
"An owner?"
The man gave a soft snort. "Then where are the documents? The deed? You have nothing. How dare you claim this land has an owner?"
"Hmph! I say your Cao Family just wants to seize it!"
"You're twisting the truth!"
The man snapped, "This garden was passed down by our ancestor, Cao Zhi. It's been in our family for a hundred years, and every household in Jiankang City can attest to that! How dare you spout such nonsense?"
"I only recognize the deed. Without one, the land is unclaimed!"
The man swept his hand through the air and shouted, "Attack!"
Just as he was about to lead his retainers into a fight, a leisurely voice rang out. "Everyone, stop."
The voice held no force, yet everyone who heard it stopped without thinking.
They turned to look and saw two women approaching at a leisurely pace. One led an ox; the other rode on its back. It was an unusual sight in Jiankang City.
Though both women wore fine silks and satins, not one noble lady from Jiankang's aristocratic families would travel sitting directly on an ox's back!
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