Chapter 063: Opposition

As the situation grew increasingly chaotic, Du Juan had no choice but to plead for Chen Yage. She tugged at Master Xu Yu’s sleeve, looking at him beseechingly. “Father, Father, please forgive Sister Yage this once. She didn’t mean to oppose you.”

Meng Haoran, seeing the commotion escalating, stepped forward and bowed respectfully to Master Xu Yu. “My lord Xu, the fault does not lie with Li Bai but with Wang Fugui, who pursued your daughter. At that time, Li Bai and I were drinking at the Wangjiang Pavilion—I can testify to this.”

“Hmph!” Master Xu Yu snorted coldly and brushed Du Juan’s hand away. Had it not been for You Huan’s swift reflexes, Du Juan would have stumbled. Xu Yu hadn’t expected his own strength, and for a brief moment, he felt a pang of regret, but his expression quickly turned cold again.

The air thickened with tension, and the atmosphere grew uncanny.

Chen Yage saw that Xu Yu’s attitude was unyielding and realized that her pleas would be in vain, but she would not give up on saving Li Bai. Even if it meant offering her own life in exchange, she was willing! Besides, she knew well that Xu Yu had always harbored resentment toward her—for bringing them into Taoyuan, for shattering its peace, and for causing Yue Ji’s death. But had she truly done wrong? She didn’t know. Her remorse toward Midnight Water Buffalo only grew, and she often saw both of them in her dreams.

Suddenly, Chen Yage knelt, lowering her eyes and saying, “I am the one who killed him. Please release Brother Bai. Do whatever you wish with me!”

Xu Yu’s lips curled in a faint smile as he appraised Chen Yage. His imperious demeanor irritated her, but she had a request to make, so she swallowed her displeasure.

“Please, release Brother Bai!” Chen Yage pleaded sincerely once more.

“To release him is sheer wishful thinking. Leave, and for the merit you’ve achieved, I’ll let this go for now.” Xu Jin’s voice came from outside the door; everyone turned to watch him stride in.

“Jin’er, is it true? Young Master Wang—is he really dead?” Xu Yu still asked in disbelief.

“Yes, the murderer has been apprehended and awaits your judgment, Father,” Xu Jin replied with his head bowed, but his gaze drifted to Chen Yage kneeling on the floor, a subtle smile curling at his lips.

“Judgment? It won’t be so simple. Has the Wang family arrived yet?” Xu Yu said coldly.

“Not yet.” Xu Jin had barely finished speaking when hurried footsteps sounded from outside. Everyone turned curiously to see a group swaggering in.

Leading them was a man dressed in luxurious violet robes, his face fat and his ears large, his rounded belly reminiscent of a frog at the pond’s bottom. He was Wang Zhiguo, Wang Fugui’s father—the richest man in Xiangyang, backed by the current prime minister.

Wang Zhiguo marched up to Master Xu Yu, his face furious, demanding, “Hand over the murderer who killed my son!”

Xu Yu replied, “The criminal is imprisoned. I will deal with him according to the law—it would be improper to hand him over to you.”

“I don’t care about your bureaucratic rules. Listen up—if you don’t hand over the killer today, I won’t let this matter rest! If you refuse to let me deal with the criminal, I’ll make sure your Xu residence knows no peace!”

“Outrageous! This is the Xu residence—how dare you speak so brazenly?” Xu Jin, unable to contain his anger at Wang Zhiguo’s arrogance, interjected, only to be silenced by Xu Yu. “Jin’er, hold your tongue!”

Xu Jin glared at Wang Zhiguo but lowered his head in reluctance.

Wang Zhiguo was quite pleased with Xu Yu’s attitude toward him, but he hadn’t forgotten the purpose of his visit. With an air of superiority, he declared, “Where’s the murderer? I’m taking him away!”

Xu Yu said, “Every nation has its laws, every family its rules. The Great Tang has its criminal code. An eye for an eye is only right, but I cannot hand him over to you. Otherwise, you would be committing vigilante justice!”

Wang Zhiguo laughed quietly. “Do you think I’m afraid? Unless I can cut him to pieces, how can I quell the hatred in my heart? How can my son rest in peace?”

Chen Yage could no longer suppress her indignation and retorted, “Your son brought this upon himself—he was wicked and deserved retribution long ago. Brother Bai simply rid the people of a menace. What crime is there?”

“Yage, stop!” Meng Haoran, knowing Wang Zhiguo was not one to reason with, tugged at her sleeve to urge restraint.

You Huan, familiar with Wang Zhiguo’s ways, also hoped Chen Yage wouldn’t act rashly. If trouble arose, not only would Li Bai not be saved, but they might all be ruined.

You Huan spoke, “The Great Tang is a land of propriety, and we have always dealt fairly. Even if Brother Li is guilty of murder, he should be tried and judged, not handed over for arbitrary punishment. Master Wang, what is your intention in insisting on settling this yourself? Do you disregard the criminal law of the Great Tang, or do you ignore Lord Xu?”

Though Wang Zhiguo possessed wealth and influence, Master Xu Yu had once been a prime minister, and even now, as the magistrate of Xiangyang, he was a revered official. You Huan’s words made Wang Zhiguo’s face flush with anger and embarrassment. Xu Yu was quite pleased by You Huan’s intervention, feeling a surge of pride.

Wang Zhiguo barked, “Who are you? Who are you to meddle here? If you don’t hand over the murderer today, don’t blame me for what happens next!”

Wang Zhiguo’s tone became increasingly forceful, which irked Xu Yu. He had been courteous because Wang Zhiguo was a prominent figure in Xiangyang, but Wang Zhiguo refused to yield and pushed his advantage. Xu Yu snapped, “Wang Zhiguo, don’t try to take more than you’re given. I tolerate you, not because I fear you. I am a government official, and the handling of suspects is not yours to dictate. If you refuse to leave, don’t blame me for my actions! Guards!”

With a furious shout, Xu Yu summoned his guards, who quickly surrounded the hall.

Wang Zhiguo realized that Xu Yu was serious and, with fewer men at his side, would gain nothing in a confrontation. Fuming, he threw out a threat and left the Xu residence with his entourage.

Once Wang Zhiguo and his men departed, Xu Yu’s expression softened considerably. He ordered, “Guards, escort them out!”

Chen Yage wished to resist, but You Huan and Meng Haoran held her back, whispering in her ear, “Don’t be rash. We’ll figure something out once we’re outside.”

And so, Chen Yage, Meng Haoran, and You Huan were expelled from the Xu residence, while Xu Ziyan was placed under house arrest.

Outside the Xu residence, Chen Yage sat down on the stone steps. You Huan, unconcerned with propriety, sat beside her, and Meng Haoran hesitated before joining them.

“What can we do to save Brother Bai?” After a long silence, Chen Yage asked in distress. She stared blankly at the passersby—some laughing, some calm—while she herself was so agitated she wished she could press a block of ice to her face to cool her anger.