Freedom Is Not License; False Accusations Do Not Make the Heart Panic

"Gentlemen, there must be some misunderstanding here. My mother usually..."

Meng Sanyi was startled and inwardly thought things were bad, but he immediately stepped forward to explain. Before he could get more than a few words out, however, the burly constable leading the group cut him off.

"Don't try to get friendly with me. Several young masters take this matter very seriously. I've already been reprimanded over it several times, so I absolutely won't let a single person who broke the ban slip through! Never mind that your mother is just a village woman—even someone with scholarly rank will be hauled away all the same! Men, search the place!"

At his command, the constables behind him sprang into action. They rushed through every corner of the yard, overturning the chicken coop and firewood piles, searching them one by one. In only a few breaths, they had turned the once orderly courtyard into a complete mess.

Meanwhile, several constables charged into the house. A burst of crashing and clattering rang out from within; no one knew what they had knocked over, followed by a thunderous boom.

At the sound, Mother Meng's face grew even paler. Her face was full of distress, but she did not dare utter a word to stop them.

Meng Sanyi suddenly clenched his fists, veins bulging across the backs of his hands. He shot the constable a glare. The man actually felt a chill run through him, but quickly came to his senses and glared back.

"What, you want to hit someone? You little brat, don't think reading a few books means you can do anything to us soldiers. You don't even have scholarly rank, and your registered home isn't here. Push us too far, and with a single word, we can send you back to your