Chapter 61 - What Kind of Order?
Zhu Zan is fighting Lu Yunqi?
It seems not unusual for Duke of Chengguo's heir to fight Lu Yunqi; it is said that these two are archenemies, and they start fighting whenever they meet.
It must be the same this time.
"After they finish fighting, you guys return the dowry," Seventh Chen said.
The shop assistant looked somewhat odd.
"But the dowry was taken away by Duke of Chengguo's heir," he said.
Seventh Chen and Fang Jinxiu were startled and involuntarily turned to look at Miss Jun.
Could it be...
Duke of Chengguo's heir fighting Lu Yunqi, was it because of Miss Jun again, just like last time?
........................…
Where it used to be rarely trodden and officials passing by would hold their breath, the Northern Administrative Court government office was now bustling and noisy.
With a loud crash, a box was smashed against the blue-gray doors of the Northern Administrative Court.
Though the box did not shatter when it rolled onto the ground, its lid flew open, scattering gold and silver treasures all around.
A boot covered in mud stepped on these treasures, creaking underfoot.
"Lu Yunqi, come out," Zhu Zan yelled, holding another box, throwing it in as he shouted.
The box flew through the gate and landed in the courtyard, making a loud noise; gold and silver cups tumbled on the cobblestone floor, coming to a rest at someone's foot.
The brilliant red Jinyiwei uniform shone brightly in the sunlight, overshadowing the dazzling gold and silver items underfoot.
Lu Yunqi stood motionless, watching Zhu Zan from outside.
Zhu Zan, wearing coarse clothes and looking travel-weary, still exuded an aggressive aura.
"You shameless thing," he cursed, stepping forward to enter.
About a dozen Jinyiwei rushed forward, their embroidered spring sabers aimed at Zhu Zan.
Zhu Zan didn't stop; he thrust forward forcefully, like a giant boulder charging towards the blade tips.
One Jinyiwei was knocked aside; one's saber was grabbed and turned towards another Jinyiwei.
People collided with people, sabers with sabers, bodies tumbled, sabers flew.
In the blink of an eye, the entrance blocked by about a dozen Jinyiwei was torn open, and Zhu Zan was in front of Lu Yunqi.
Lu Yunqi did not retreat or dodge, and directly reached out to meet Zhu Zan's attack.
Those hiding outside and peeping seemed to hear the sound of flesh and bone colliding painfully, making everyone involuntarily close their eyes, unable to watch.
More and more people gathered around, mostly officials from nearby government offices, shocked at the sight of the two entangled in the courtyard.
"What is happening?" they whispered to each other.
No one could give an answer; eyes then fell on nearby carriages and several servants.
The carriages bore the insignia of Jiuling Hall, with a few red silk-wrapped gift boxes remaining on top.
Several servants with rolled-up sleeves looked dumbfounded.
This...
The officials present immediately thought of something.
Could it be...
Could it be...
Rushing over, Seventh Chen swallowed hard at the scene before him.
"What's going on?" he squeezed in and asked the apprentices in a low voice.
["The apprentices, having finally calmed down upon seeing him."]
"We don't know either; we were supposed to go to Lu Mansion, but Duke of Chengguo's heir suddenly came over, asked us to drive here, and then…" they spoke over each other, pointing towards the government gate.
Scattered boxes, two men still fighting in the courtyard.
A chaotic flurry of footsteps sounded as more people poured in from the other side; they were government soldiers from the Five Cities Military Department.
They had come to maintain order upon hearing the news.
"What is happening here?" shouted the leading officer, "Daring to gather and create a disturbance here, truly rare sight."
Indeed, it was rare.
Everyone usually avoided the Northern Administrative Court entrance, yet unexpectedly, a day came when someone would fight here.
The soldiers drove the people away, standing in front of the government gate.
"Stop! What kind of behavior is this! Outrageous!" the officer shouted sternly.
At this moment, more Jinyiwei surged toward the two entangled men inside the Northern Administrative Court government office, protecting Lu Yunqi as they attacked Zhu Zan.
The general outside spotted it at a glance.
"Damn!" he yelled, "So many people beating up one, that's disgraceful."
He shouted as he leaped off his horse and charged forward like a fierce tiger.
As he charged, the soldiers naturally followed, charging in and almost knocking down the great gate of the Northern Administrative Court.
The Northern Administrative Court government office became a battleground.
People on the street were dumbfounded.
Weren't these people supposed to break up the fight and maintain order? Why did they also start fighting?
How disgraceful! It's outrageous!
After all, this place is near the Imperial City, where the gold list was announced, and there were still many preparations to be made, with countless court officials busy from the previous night. The commotion here was quickly reported, disturbing the imperial guard. A host of sleep-deprived court officials also came furiously.
With their arrival, the chaos on this side was finally stopped by shouts, and the two sides were separated, although the shouting match continued.
"Lu surnamed, you shameless thing!" Zhu Zan cursed, pointing at Lu Yunqi.
Following his curse, although not knowing why he cursed, a group of soldiers also unhesitatingly followed in cursing.
"Shameless."
Compared to Zhu Zan, who remained unscathed, Lu Yunqi was more disheveled, wiping the blood from the corner of his mouth with his hand, yet remained as silent as ever.
His silence was mirrored by the grim-faced Jinyiwei around him, but they too remained silent.
"Enough!"
The oncoming Imperial Censor with a grim face yelled.
"What a disgraceful sight!"
Zhu Zan nodded, gesturing towards Lu Yunqi.
"Exactly, what a disgraceful sight," he shouted along.
As he spoke, the soldiers also shouted along.
"What a disgraceful sight."
This scene made the bystanders laugh, and the faces of the Imperial Censor and other court officials darkened even more.
It was well known throughout the court that the Duke of Chengguo's heir was good at making trouble and being shameless.
"Zhu Zan, why are you here causing a ruckus and fighting?" the Imperial Censor yelled.
"Because he's shameless," Zhu Zan replied without hesitation.
"What did he do to be shameless?" the Imperial Censor yelled.
Zhu Zan looked at the Imperial Censor seriously.
"Lord Bai, everything he does is shameless," he said.
Laughter erupted from the crowd again, and Lu Yunqi looked over to this side, causing the Jinyiwei around him to also turn their gazes, as the laughter abruptly ceased, freezing like solidified water.
Soon more urgent hoofbeats were heard, and everyone turned to see several eunuchs arriving.
Being so close to the Imperial City and given the incident at the Northern Administrative Court, the emperor was sure to know.
"What exactly happened?" the leading eunuch shouted sharply.
Seeing this eunuch, Zhu Zan immediately rushed over to look around.
"Hey? Where is Eunuch Du?" he asked.
The eunuch rolled his eyes—Eunuch Du, that son of a gun, had fled quickly after hearing about the Duke of Chengguo's heir's trouble. The emperor was left with only him, and he reluctantly came here.
Before he could speak, Zhu Zan had unceremoniously grabbed his arm.
"Eunuch Liu, I am wronged," he shouted, "I want to see the emperor."
Eunuch Liu chuckled dryly.
"Princely Heir, the emperor said, whatever you have to say, say it here," he said, "If you can fight in front of everyone, you can certainly talk in front of everyone."
He said this while forcefully trying to shake off Zhu Zan's grabbing arm, of course, without success.
Zhu Zan's grip was like iron pliers, unmoved, and he didn't even let the eunuch get angry.
"I absolutely wouldn't do such a thing to embarrass the emperor," Zhu Zan yelled, "I want to see the emperor."
The bystanders couldn't help but laugh again.
Only a person like Zhu Zan could behave so shamelessly.
The commotion here made a man who walked out of a government office stop.
"What's going on over there?" Ning Yan asked, slightly frowning.
Following behind Ning Yan, Ning Yunzhao also looked up when he heard this.