The Command to Pamper the Husband - Chapter 34

The large body of the fat man fell heavily to the ground, raising a cloud of dust.

Zhao Jide waved his hand to clear the dust in front of him and sighed.

Ah!

Getting old!

He couldn’t even knock out a fat man with one strike!

Back in the day, Zhao Jide…

Enough, a hero doesn’t talk about past glory!

Shaking his head, Zhao Jide went back to supervising the officers sealing the mine entrance.

A nearby officer scratched his head, looking confused.

What game was their master playing just now?!

…

On the mountain, everyone was busy.

Down the mountain, across from Phoenix Shadow Tower, a shop assistant rushed up to the second floor of a jewelry shop.

“Boss, something bad has happened.”

The owner of the jewelry shop, a man in his forties named Qian Lai, was doing the accounts when the assistant burst in.

Hearing the commotion, Qian Lai looked up displeased, “What is it, rushing around like that?”

The assistant, out of breath, said, “Something happened at Linglong Mountain.”

Qian Lai’s hand paused, his face turning pale as he looked up.

“Yesterday there was a loud explosion on the mountain. They said a hunter blasted a tiger’s den, but Prefect Zhao went up with men and discovered a gold mine. The officers are now bringing the miners down the mountain!”

Qian Lai jumped up upon hearing this.

“Really?”

In his haste, he knocked over the account book he was working on.

The assistant wiped the sweat from his eyes, “Boss, would I dare lie about this? It’s absolutely true! The news just came from Linglong Mountain.”

Qian Lai quickly walked around the desk, stepping over the account book without a thought. He took a deep breath and steadied his nerves, “Let’s go and see.”

“Yes!”

As they prepared to leave, footsteps sounded on the stairs.

Qian Lai motioned for the assistant to step aside.

The door opened, and a man entered.

Qian Lai greeted the newcomer with a forced smile, suppressing his panic. “What brings Brother Han here? Please come in.”

Han Bao glanced at Qian Lai and walked inside with a smile.

“Going out?”

Qian Lai sighed, “Don’t mention it. My wife just sent word that our child is sick. I need to go home and check.”

Han Bao’s expression turned odd.

“A sick child?”

Seeing Han Bao’s look, Qian Lai felt uneasy but nodded.

Han Bao said, “I saw your wife and son at Phoenix Shadow Tower across the street just now. What illness is this?”

Qian Lai…

His face turned bright red with embarrassment.

He stood there, wishing he could slap himself.

What a ridiculous lie!

Forcing a laugh, Qian Lai sat opposite Han Bao, lowering his voice, “To be honest, I have a mistress outside. She’s causing trouble, and if I don’t go, she’ll come to my house.”

The assistant stood by, admiring his boss’s nerve for telling such a lie!

Han Bao raised an eyebrow at Qian Lai, coughing. “Your personal affairs.”

Qian Lai…

Han Bao pulled a folded piece of paper from his robe and placed it on the table, sliding it toward Qian Lai with his finger.

Qian Lai looked at Han Bao in confusion, “What’s this?”

Han Bao gestured for him to look.

Qian Lai, puzzled, picked up the paper. His hands trembled as he read its contents.

“This…”

Han Bao glanced at the trampled account book and footprints, then said seriously, “Our master brought this from the capital.”

Qian Lai knew that Song Dingzhong, a notable figure in Yuzhou, had been to the capital.

“Master Song has returned?”

Han Bao nodded, “He was supposed to stay a couple more days, but upon hearing this, he rushed back, fearing it would hinder you.”

Qian Lai immediately clasped his hands in gratitude, “Master Song’s great kindness, I will never forget. But… where did he get this?”

Han Bao glanced at the assistant.

Qian Lai realized the assistant was still there and shouted, “Get out!”

The assistant…

Glanced at Qian Lai, signaling about the gold mine on Linglong Mountain.

But Qian Lai was focused on the letter, waving his hand, “Guard the door.”

The assistant had no choice but to leave.

No wonder Qian Lai was so distracted. The paper Han Bao brought was a plea for help.

The plea was from his eldest son, Qian Zhen, in the capital.

In the letter, Qian Zhen said he was wrongfully accused of murder and imprisoned in the Ministry of Justice’s jail.

Qian Zhen had gone to the capital with the help of the Duke of An’s family to study at the Bright Sun Academy.

He usually spent time with the young masters of the Duke of An’s family.

How could he end up in jail?

Qian Lai’s anxious eyes met Han Bao’s. In an instant, he seemed to age several years.

“Our master was dining in a restaurant in the capital when he overheard people discussing your son’s situation. Upon learning he was imprisoned, our master went to the jail, bribed the guards, and managed to see him.”

Qian Lai listened, feeling his heart stop.

“In jail, it seems your son has been tortured,” Han Bao said, watching Qian Lai’s reaction.

Qian Lai nearly dropped the letter.

He stood up abruptly, “Tortured?”

Han Bao sighed and nodded, “Our master said your son had many whip marks, some of which were festering due to his long imprisonment.”

Qian Lai felt dizzy, swaying on his feet.

“Our master tried to bribe the jailers to get a doctor for him, but they refused. This letter cost a hundred taels of silver to get paper and ink.”

Han Bao paused, seeing Qian Lai’s devastated look, then continued, “I’m just here to pass the message. If you have friends in the capital, seek their help quickly. Your son said he was wronged, taking the blame for the Duke of An’s third young master.”

Qian Lai’s sorrowful eyes widened.

Taking the blame for the Duke of An’s third young master?

How was that possible!

He sent Zhen’er to the capital to be under the care of the Duke of An’s family.

How could he end up taking the blame for the Duke of An’s third young master!

The Duke of An’s family held significant power in the capital. Why would they need…

Qian Lai’s mind was in turmoil.

Han Bao clasped his hands, “I won’t disturb you further. I suggest you head to the capital quickly. If you delay, it might be…”

Han Bao didn’t finish the sentence.

After a moment, he left.

Qian Lai stood there, not even realizing Han Bao had left.

The assistant quickly came back in, “Boss? About the gold mine on Linglong Mountain…”