Bai Zheng hadn't been in shock for long when Uncle Zhu walked in with a white paper drawing a figure. Seeing that everyone was still lingering around Feng Linyuan, he immediately frowned and shooed them away.
"Stop crowding around His Lordship. His Lordship has just recovered from a serious illness and needs to rest well."
Bai Zheng was driven out of the room. Seeing that it had completely darkened, and learning that Feng Linyuan had sent someone to report her safety to the Bai Mansion when he rescued her, she decided not to go back and simply went to sleep in a small room next to the kiln.
Perhaps she had been too tired and emotionally drained that day. She fell into a deep sleep soon after lying down.
Whether it was an illusion or a dream, in a daze, Bai Zheng vaguely felt as if someone had entered the room. The person tucked the quilt around her and stroked her face while saying something.
But her head was so heavy that she didn't even have the strength to respond.
When Bai Zheng woke up, there was already a faint light outside. Remembering what had happened the day before, she got up immediately, put on her outer robe, and opened the door.
"Miss Bai." A maid was standing guard at the door. Seeing her come out, she curtsied.
"Who are you?" Bai Zheng thought she looked unfamiliar.
The maid lowered her head and replied respectfully, "My name is Qing Shao. I'm sent by His Lordship to serve you from now on."
Bai Zheng nodded. She guessed this was the so - called highly skilled maid that Feng Linyuan had mentioned in the carriage the day before.
But... Qing Shao?
The name sounded somewhat familiar, but she couldn't remember where she had heard it.
Bai Zheng didn't show her confusion on her face and asked, "How is His Lordship?"
Since this maid was sent by Feng Linyuan, she must know his condition.
"His Lordship is fine, but many medicinal herbs are only available in the Marquis Mansion. To recover sooner, His Lordship returned to the mansion last night."
For some reason, Bai Zheng wasn't surprised by this result. Remembering that hazy dream from last night, a blush crept onto her face.
She coughed lightly and nodded, "This house next to the kiln is indeed not suitable for recuperation. It's better for him to return to the mansion."
Qing Shao lowered her eyes and answered yes, then added, "Before His Lordship left, he arranged a carriage and attendants for you. You can return to the city at any time."
Qing Shao spoke at a moderate pace. Her voice was not loud, but it was full of energy.
She was indeed a maid with extraordinary skills.
Feng Linyuan was truly a meticulous person who could always arrange everything properly for her.
After a day of commotion, she should go back quickly today. After all, the grand drama in Yongding City was still waiting for the leading actress - her - to return.
A faint smile played on Bai Zheng's lips. "Very well. Go and inform the coachman. I'll get ready to return to the mansion now."
The day was about to break, and she couldn't afford to delay any longer.
At this moment, Bai Yinan, wearing the official robe of a third - rank assistant minister and a high hat, was standing in front of the Yamen of the Magistrate of the Capital.
There was a big drum in front of the yamen gate. This drum was originally used for the common people in Yongding to appeal for justice. Only when a case exceeded the jurisdiction of the local officials or when there was a major unjust case could people beat this drum.
Seeing more and more onlookers gathering, Bai Yinan took a deep breath, stepped forward, picked up the drumstick, and struck the drum hard. The sound of the drum was deep and steady, echoing through the yamen.
The onlookers showed shocked expressions and whispered to each other, "Isn't this Lord Bai? I didn't expect that even high - ranking officials like him would have grievances to appeal!"
"You don't understand. Lord Bai's daughter was abducted in broad daylight by Young Master Chu from the Prime Minister's Mansion yesterday!"
"Lord Bai is here to appeal today. I'm afraid Miss Bai hasn't returned yet. The Prime Minister's Mansion is really despicable to do such a thing!"
As the onlookers were talking, Bai Yinan raised his voice, "Bai Yinan, the Assistant Minister of the Ministry of Revenue, is here at the Yamen of the Magistrate of the Capital to seek justice!"
With the slow and rhythmic sound of the drum, the sun slowly rose from the east. The light gradually spread across the city and fell on Bai Yinan who was beating the drum.
More and more people gathered, but no one in the Yamen dared to open the door.
Qin Mu, the Magistrate of the Capital, was pacing back and forth in the hall anxiously. "What's Lord Bai's status? What's mine? The person he wants to sue, that Young Master Chu, is not someone I can afford to offend!"
Yesterday, Chu Feng abducted Bai Zheng openly in front of many onlookers. Almost everyone in Yongding knew about it.
Now that Bai Yinan was here to file a complaint, it was easy to guess who he was going to sue.
On one side was the Bai Mansion, and on the other side was the Prime Minister's Mansion. Neither was someone he, a fourth - rank magistrate, could afford to offend.
"What's the use of coming to me! If he wants to, he should go to His Majesty directly and file a complaint with the emperor!"
The advisor sitting beside him, who had been thinking seriously, looked up and said urgently, "My Lord, you mustn't do this."
"Why?"
"This incident happened within Yongding City. It's in line with the rules for Lord Bai to come to our yamen first. If Lord Bai comes to the yamen gate to file a complaint and you refuse to accept it, you'll not only offend the Bai Mansion but also leave an impression of incompetence in front of His Majesty."
Qin Mu said anxiously, "Then what should I do? Am I really going to offend the Prime Minister's Mansion?"
"My Lord, since Lord Bai wants to file a complaint, you can accept this case. If you think this case exceeds your authority, you can then report it to His Majesty and let His Majesty decide. In this way, you won't offend either side." The advisor said slowly.
Qin Mu was stunned for a moment, pondered for a while, then suddenly realized and stood up. "Someone! Prepare for the trial."
As the big door of the Yamen creaked open, the sound of the drum suddenly stopped.
Bai Yinan tidied up his clothes and then walked in with his head held high.
The onlookers craned their necks and looked into the main hall of the yamen. Qin Mu, wearing his official robe, was sitting upright on the high seat. His sharp eyebrows showed a hint of solemnity.
When he saw Bai Yinan come in, he stood up and bowed neither arrogantly nor humbly. "Greetings, Lord Assistant Minister."
"Lord Qin." Bai Yinan returned the greeting. "I'm here today to ask Lord Qin, the Magistrate of the Capital, to seek justice for my daughter."
Qin Mu's expression remained unchanged. He said calmly, "Please speak, Lord Bai."
"Early yesterday morning, Young Master Chu Feng from the Prime Minister's Mansion injured the guards of my Bai Mansion in public and abducted my daughter, Bai Zheng. She hasn't returned yet. I earnestly request Lord Qin to arrest Chu Feng and find my daughter for me!" Bai Yinan said painfully.
Hearing this, Qin Mu showed a shocked expression on his face in a timely manner. "Really? Hurry up and send someone to invite Young Master Chu Feng from the Prime Minister's Mansion!"
Bai Yinan seemed not to hear the word "invite" and said gratefully, "Thank you, Lord Qin!"
As soon as he finished speaking, a group of officers from the Yamen filed out and rushed towards the Prime Minister's Mansion.
As more and more people gathered in front of the Yamen of the Magistrate of the Capital, the news that Bai Yinan, the Assistant Minister of the Ministry of Revenue, was suing Young Master Chu Feng from the Prime Minister's Mansion gradually spread throughout Yongding.