Lin Shu didn't expect that his peers would help him. He was so moved that tears formed in his eyes. He thought to himself that he would have to properly thank them if he were freed.
Lu Hu looked at the human barricade in front of him and brandished his sabre. "Hurry up and get out of the way. If you obstruct the yamen from carrying out our duties, you'll also be committing a crime."
"But Lin Shu didn't kill anyone, so you can't take him away. Teacher Ji is right. With officials like you, Lin Shu will surely be tortured if he were taken to prison. In due time, you'll torture a confession out of him and have the dead described as being alive."
"No matter what, you can't take Lin Shu away unless you walked over our dead bodies."
"That's right."
Lu Hu had been a constable for a decade or two. It wasn't the first time he was met with such a situation. He threatened, "you'd better get out of the way, or else…"
At this point, several officers stepped forward with fierce and murderous auras.
Suddenly, an ominous drawl drifted over.
"How lively!"
Those students turned around and scattered to the sides as they turned to see Jing Rong strolling over.
Lu Hu examined this person. He was handsome, with an uncommon bearing, and dressed in luxurious brocade clothes that gave him a graceful and warm air. But the sharp savagery reflected in his brows and haughtiness in his thinly curved lips created a sense of wariness in Lu Hu.
Jing Rong stood ramrod straight and swept his gaze over Lu Hu. "Constable Lu of Bingjing yamen?"
"Who are you?"
He smiled without answering and glanced at Ji Yunshu. "Since Teacher Ji has already explained the truth of the matter and proved that Guo He fell into the well and died, Lin Shu is innocent. In this case, there's no need for him to go to yamen."
This was not a comment, but an order! Lu Hu squinted his eyes. "Who are you?"
"An idler!" was the reply.
"Since you're an idler, don't meddle too much."
"It's the idler job to meddle in idle things."
The two people faced each other.
Lu Hu knew this person couldn't simple. He put on a bloodthirsty expression that resembled a ruthless jackal. "If you dare to block our way, don't blame the government for being rude."
His words nevertheless made Jing Rong laugh and coldly retort, "we'll see if you have the ability."
The obviously enraged Lu Hu grasped the hilt of his sabre tightly and pulled the gleaming silver blade out of the scabbard. But before it was halfway out, Jing Rong raised his foot and used his sole to shove the knife back in.
His feet were fast! Lu Hu didn't even have time to react before his sabre was resheathed and the impact pushed him back several steps. His feet drew two deep grooves in the ground. At the moment, Jing Rong's brows reflected the bloodthirsty aura of someone who had spent years fighting with his life on the line.
"Who gave you the order. As a yamen official, how can you draw your knife rashly?" His voice resounded like a clear bell, stabbing at Lu Hu.
Lu Hu steadied his footing. His palms were still numb from the impact of the earlier kick. He was well aware that he wasn't a match for the man in front and he would surely lose if they fought. "When you obstruct yamen from handling cases, you are going against the imperial court. Can you bear the consequence of such a charge?"
"The imperial court?" Jing Rong scoffed. This was the most interesting joke he has heard for a long while. He raised his brows. "Huang Shusan has a good reputation in the imperial court. Half a year ago, the secretary of the Ministry of Personnel intentionally helped him become a principal officer and transferred him to the capital. I initially thought that he could be considered a good official that is just and principled. Who knew that this his subordinates were so lawless and arrogant."
Lu Hu narrowed his eyes, which were roiling with a murderous intent. He thought, does this person know master Huang? He even used his full name and knew about how the Ministry of Personnel transferred the posting. This person's background is not so simple. Could he be the son of an official in the capital? Or a ministry official?
Lu Hu is neither impulsive or reckless but is instead extremely cunning. He stepped forward and asked, "You not only know Master Huang but also matters of the Ministry of Personnel. May I ask you who you are?"
Although his words were no longer as aggressive, the arrogance in his tone remained undiminished.
If I told you my identity, it'll scare you to death! Jing Rong gestured to Lang Po. The latter nodded, pulled out the exquisitely carved token on his waist and showed it to Lu Hu.
Lu Hu was stunned . What son of an official - he's clearly the buddha! He immediately fell on his knees and bowed his head. "Greetings, Your Highness. This humble one didn't know it Your Highness had arrived and acted disrespectfully. Your Highness, please forgive me."
……
Your Highness! The students had their eyes wide open in shock and were scared half to death by the quick changes.
"He...he is a prince?"
"No wonder Teacher would let them stay in the academy."
The officials beside Lu Hu also let go of Lin Shu and knelt down.
Lin Shu's legs went soft, and his eyes widened in shock and fear. How could he be a prince!Would he take revenge on him?
After all, the two of them had been in conflict from the beginning, when they met in the pavilion, seeking shelter from the rain. He had also repeatedly offended the people around His Highness. He was definitely done for. His lips trembled, unable to say a word.
Jing Rong frowned as he looked at Lu Hu kneeling on the ground. "Get up."
"Thank you, Your Highness." He stood up and put away his arrogant attitude. He kept his gaze on the ground, afraid to look directly at the person in front of him.
Jing Rong began, "Teacher Ji has already clearly and logically explained the whole incident. That man fell into the well by accident. This Prince understands that Constable Lu still has some doubts, but This Prince believes in Teacher Ji. Therefore, the case is over. There is no need to continue the investigation."
"Yes!" Lu Hu was so compliant he seemed like a different person altogether.
"It's getting late and the yamen has already been here an entire day. Constable Lu, please quickly bring your men back and write a report for Magistrate Huang. Make sure to clearly detail everything. By the way, pass a message to Magistrate Huang: If he has the chance to go to the capital as an official, have him pay a visit to this prince."
Visit?What is that supposed to mean?
Lu Hu kept his composure. "Yes! This humble one will pass on the message."
"Then get out of here." Jing Rong's expression darkened.
Lu Hu stealthily glanced at him as his lips twitched. He didn't dare to say anything else and immediately took his men away.