Volume One: The Youngest Among Three Hundred Chapter Thirty-Seven: Looking for Trouble?

Chen Chang'an forced a smile, muttering, "I... I have nothing to do with this family. If you're here to collect debts, just go in."

"Nonsense! How could the Su family's blind son-in-law not be connected? You think we're easy to fool, don't you?"

"Exactly! Tie him up first, then we'll storm the Su family and demand an explanation."

"Right, tie him up!"

Chen Chang'an: "..."

He struggled in vain, and in the end, the crowd dragged him along, bound and helpless, smashing open the tightly closed gates of the Su family's mansion. Finally, Su Qingtang, the family head, cursed "disgraceful child, disgraceful child" as he reluctantly surrendered all their possessions—five wagon loads of goods and money—as compensation.

Qin Fuluo stood nearby, biting her lip, brows furrowed, on the verge of tears. Su Wanqiu showed little emotion, while the second daughter, Su Wanqing, saw her cosmetics pillaged by the local women and stomped her foot in frustration, muttering, "My brother is an idiot. How did Bashan Sword Sect teach him?"

She glared at Chen Chang'an: "It's all your fault! Why did you have to come back now, of all times? Our doors were shut tight—couldn't you just say no one was home?"

Chen Chang'an: "..."

"Bang!"

As they argued, Zhu Jiawen, battered and bruised, was shoved inside from outside, landing face-down on the floor. Four men in official uniforms, swords at their waists, followed close behind, led by a burly, bearded man.

They'd also dragged along several Su family maids and servants.

"Ah—Jiawen, what happened to you?"

Upon seeing her husband injured, Su Wanqing's face drained of color and she rushed to help him.

The bearded man, introducing himself as Zhao Gang, shouted, "Hmph! The Su family has some nerve. You were banished to the outer city, and the Ministry's seal is still posted on your door. Yet you dare to stay here—do you think the laws of Great Min mean nothing?"

Chen Chang'an edged closer to Su Wanqiu, whispering, "Wha... what's going on? What was he doing outside?"

Su Wanqiu raised her delicate brows: "Mother and Second Sister refused to move to the outer city, so the whole family hid here, waiting for you to solve Princess Changning's case. But our food stocks are low after an earlier search."

"So today, Jiawen took a few maids out to buy supplies. Looks like he was caught by the Jingzhao Prefecture officers!"

"Uh..."

Chen Chang'an recalled his mother-in-law mentioning their last bit of food yesterday when trying to curry favor with him. How unlucky.

These men were from Jingzhao Prefecture, unrelated to the Three Departments. Pulling strings wouldn't work. According to the Great Min Dynasty's system, the former was like city management, the latter actual police.

But, glancing at the imperial edict restoring the Su family's inner-city registration, perhaps there was no need to curry favor.

Su Wanqing cradled Zhu Jiawen, calling his name through tears; seeing him unconscious, she grew angry: "What are you trying to do—assaulting citizens of Great Min? I'll report you to the prefecture!"

The officers snickered, Zhao Gang sneering, "Report? Go ahead. Try it. The Su family was banished to the outer city days ago and now you're sneaking back—this is a capital crime!"

"Never mind beating Zhu—if I chopped him in the street, it'd be justified!"

"I..."

Su Wanqing's neck stiffened, shrinking back helplessly as she held Zhu Jiawen, tears falling, unable to utter another word. Qin Fuluo was likewise terrified. Yes, the Su family was illegally residing in the inner city; if exposed, the entire family could be executed.

Su Qingtang laughed bitterly, searching his pockets—everything valuable had been given away. Nothing left for bribery.

He forced a smile, groveling, "Honorable officers, it's all a misunderstanding. We're just preparing to move out."

"Nonsense!"

Zhao Gang refused to be mollified, cursing, "By regulation, you should have moved out yesterday at the latest. You blatantly ignore Great Min's laws, and must be severely punished."

He paused, then changed his expression: "But, Su Qingtang, you were once Captain of the Royal Guard—we're colleagues, and your rank was higher than mine. If you pay four hundred taels, we'll pretend none of this happened."

As expected, impartial law enforcement was impossible—it was pure extortion.

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"What? Four hundred taels?" Qin Fuluo shrieked.

Su Qingtang hesitated, forcing a smile: "Honorable officers, four hundred taels is too much. That's impossible for us."

"Ridiculous, Su! As Captain of the Royal Guard, your monthly salary was fifty or sixty taels, and you served for years. Can't produce four hundred taels? Do you take us for fools?" Zhao Gang looked down at them, full of swagger.

The other officers threatened, "Exactly. A former Captain of the Royal Guard can't produce four hundred taels? Hah, you just don't want to pay!"

"Big brother, I think we should just arrest them and send everyone to the Jingzhao Prefecture."

"Hey!"

Zhao Gang waved dismissively, grinning coldly: "Don't be too ruthless."

"Yes, yes, yes!" Qin Fuluo nodded quickly, "Jiawen is still young—please, show mercy."

Zhao Gang strode over, eyes roaming greedily over Qin Fuluo's mature figure, his gaze lecherous: "No money? Fine. If Madam Su and your two daughters serve our brothers, this matter will stay between us."

The three officers behind him immediately leered, staring hungrily at Su Wanqing and Su Wanqiu, drooling.

"You—how dare you!" Qin Fuluo retreated, scolding.

Su Qingtang, fiercely protective, clenched his fists until they cracked, his internal energy at the peak of Martialist Third Rank, sending dust swirling around him.

"Phfft!"

Zhao Gang and his men drew their swords, sneering, "What, Su Qingtang? You've been stuck at this stage for years without awakening your true skill—do you want to fight?"

"You'd better think twice! If you act rashly, things will get out of hand—and besides, the four of us, you might not win!"

Su Qingtang's internal energy gradually subsided, his fists unclenching. They were right—if things escalated, the consequences could be catastrophic for the whole family.

"Hahaha!"

Zhao Gang laughed triumphantly, spat on Su Qingtang's clothes, and pointed his blade at Qin Fuluo's chest: "That's better. Come now, Madam Su, let me see what color undergarments you wear. Once I've seen, everything will be settled."

His men jeered, "It must be green—married women love green."

"Not necessarily. Madam Su is so beautiful—pink would suit her better."

Zhao Gang boasted, "What's the rush? I'll find out soon enough!"

He slowly raised the blade as Qin Fuluo, shapely and graceful, breathed heavily, her chest heaving and sweat mingling with rouge on her brow.

"Smack!"

The next moment, a crisp slap rang out. Zhao Gang was sent flying, tumbling across the ground, rolling several times before he finally stopped.

Qin Fuluo, trembling, steadied herself and looked up. The second son-in-law—the blind one she'd always called useless—stood before her, steadfast as a mountain.

Su Qingtang, Su Wanqing, and Su Wanqiu all turned in unison. It was Chen Chang'an—a single slap had sent Zhao Gang flying.

Especially his nominal wife, Su Wanqiu—her eyes shimmered, her beautiful face moved, a trace of unfamiliar emotion flickered in her gaze.

"Big brother, are you alright?"

The three officers rushed to help Zhao Gang.

Zhao Gang staggered to his feet, glaring at Chen Chang'an, furious, waving his sword and howling, "Damn you, blind son-in-law! How dare you assault a government officer?"

"You may have helped the Three Departments investigate cases, and even worked for Princess Changning lately, but the fact remains—the Su family is illegally living in the inner city, violating Great Min's laws. No one can protect you!"

"Kneel and admit your guilt, or I'll kill you!"

"Kill me?"

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Chen Chang'an's consciousness stirred—the green bamboo hairpin in his hair quivered imperceptibly, a mysterious force coursed through him. He picked up the axe from the courtyard, aimed at Zhao Gang, and flung it without hesitation.

The spinning axe whistled through the air.

"Ah!"

Zhao Gang screamed, hastily drawing his sword.

Clang!

Thunk!

The result: the sword snapped, the axe buried half a foot into his shoulder, blood gushing, Zhao Gang's eyes bulged as he convulsed in agony.

Qin Fuluo fainted at the sight, leaping behind Su Qingtang. The second daughter, Su Wanqing, clutching the unconscious Zhu Jiawen, buried her bejeweled head as deep as she could.

Su Wanqiu's beautiful eyes widened, incredulous—how could Chen Chang'an dare to hurt someone? And blind, how had he thrown it without missing?

The three officers were equally stunned. Their leader, Zhao Gang, was a second-rank Soul Cultivator, long past the first rank—his skin and bones as tough as iron, impervious to ordinary blades.

How could a blind son-in-law so easily break his sword and cleave his flesh?

Finally reacting, the three cursed, "Chen, how dare you assault Jingzhao Prefecture officers! You defy the law—prepare to die!"

"The Su family has blatantly disregarded Great Min's laws, desecrated imperial authority—they deserve execution, all of them!"

Zhao Gang, gritting his teeth, yanked the bloody axe from his shoulder, brandished his sword, and roared, "Su family son-in-law, kneel!"

"Hmph!"

But Chen Chang'an, fearless, raised his hand and unfurled the imperial edict: "You kneel!"

Zhao Gang and the officers froze. Yellow silk, jade scroll, dragon embroidery—and most importantly, the imperial seal. Their legs buckled and they fell to their knees.

Chen Chang'an strode forward, his voice booming: "By the grace of Heaven and the decree of Her Majesty, Chen Chang'an, for meritorious service investigating Princess Changning's case, is hereby rewarded: the Su family shall have their inner-city registration restored."

"The Su family is now officially registered in the inner city, by Her Majesty's command. Do you still see the laws of Great Min? Do you still respect Her Majesty?"

"Well? Answer me!"

His question crackled like thunder, rolling over them. Zhao Gang trembled, his legs clamped together as he wet himself.

The other three struck their heads on the ground, denting the bricks: "No, no, that's not it! We didn't know—we are absolutely loyal to Her Majesty!"

Chen Chang'an's blurred eyes shone: "The Su family—are we allowed to live in the inner city?"

The three buried their heads in their laps, teeth chattering, unable to speak. Zhao Gang, shivering, forced out, "A-allowed!"

Chen Chang'an kicked him in the stomach: "My brother-in-law, Zhu Jiawen—can he walk the streets of the inner city?"

"Y-yes, yes, he can!"

Chen Chang'an grabbed a stick from the gate, handed it to Su Wanqing: "Here, all the grievances your husband suffered—beat them back!"

In that instant, Su Wanqing's eyes reddened as tears fell—joy, gratitude. She'd never imagined that the day her husband was bullied, it would be the brother-in-law she'd always scorned who would step forward and avenge him.

Su Qingtang, Su Wanqiu, and Qin Fuluo gazed at Chen Chang'an anew, their eyes shining with admiration, as if worshiping a deity. At the moment of humiliation, it was he—the blind son-in-law everyone looked down on—who stood tall and proud!

Of course, Chen Chang'an understood the family's excitement and gratitude. Holding the imperial edict, he basked in their admiration until his vanity was fully satisfied. He squinted at Second Sister Su Wanqing, teasing, "Aren't you going to act? Waiting for fried noodles?"

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