The Command to Pamper the Husband - Chapter 35

Right now, Qian Lai’s mind was filled with Han Bao’s words.

His son had been whipped.

Moreover, after being imprisoned for a long time, the whip marks had festered.

Not even a doctor had looked at him.

Song Dingzhong had to spend a hundred taels of silver just to get the jailer to allow his son to write a letter.

How could this happen!

Wouldn’t the Duke of An’s family intervene?

Even if his son took the blame for the Duke of An’s third young master, couldn’t the Duke of An’s influence get him out of jail?

Wait…

Even if he got out, what about the future imperial exams? His record would be tainted!

How could such a thing happen to a good child sent to the capital?

Also, how long had he been in jail?

Why hadn’t he received any news?

He was here, guarding the gold mine for the Duke of An’s family, while his son in the capital was taking the blame for their young master!

Qian Lai felt like his insides were on fire.

He couldn’t offend the Duke of An’s family, but he couldn’t just watch his son perish either.

Taking a deep breath, Qian Lai started to leave.

The assistant saw the boss’s face and wanted to ask but swallowed his words, following closely behind.

Leaving the jewelry shop, Qian Lai got into a sedan chair, heading straight for Linglong Mountain.

Halfway there, he encountered Zhao Jide returning from the mountain.

Both men got out of their sedan chairs. Qian Lai glanced at the long line of prisoners beside Zhao Jide. Taking a deep breath to calm himself, he clasped his hands in greeting and asked, “Master Zhao, what has happened? I heard someone blew up the tiger’s den on the mountain?”

By now, the night sky was filled with stars.

Zhao Jide looked at Qian Lai suspiciously.

“Out so late, Brother Qian? Heading up the mountain?”

Qian Lai…

He was so anxious he had forgotten it was nighttime.

Qian Lai shook his head and smiled, “Not up the mountain, just collecting some debts.”

Zhao Jide laughed, “Brother Qian, you’re too diligent. What debts can’t wait till daytime? Collecting at night, you’re not letting people sleep in peace!”

Qian Lai’s heart was about to explode.

He wasn’t in the mood to joke with Zhao Jide.

“Master Zhao, who are these people? They all look so thin and weak.”

Zhao Jide watched Qian Lai’s expression, smiling casually, “It’s embarrassing to say, someone used the name of the Duke of An’s family to secretly mine gold here. These are the miners. If it weren’t for the hunter blowing up the tiger’s den, causing a commotion, I wouldn’t have discovered such a thing happening right under my nose!”

“Using the Duke of An’s name?” Qian Lai’s eyes darted to the captured miners, “Did they say that?”

Zhao Jide sneered.

“They know nothing about the Duke of An’s family. It was the leader of the mine who said that.”

Qian Lai’s heart skipped a beat, “The leader?”

“A fat man!” Zhao Jide carefully watched Qian Lai’s reaction, “He has a black mole by his ear, about my height, twice as fat as me, and wheezes when he talks.”

Qian Lai gasped for breath.

“Did he say anything else?”

“I couldn’t let him spout nonsense in front of so many people and tarnish the Duke of An’s reputation. As soon as he opened his mouth, I knocked him out.”

Qian Lai’s eye twitched, looking at Zhao Jide’s hand.

Your martial arts skills aren’t rusty yet!

A nearby officer…

Silently rolled his eyes.

Ah, the stars are so bright tonight!

Ah, the moon is so round tonight!

Ah, our master is lying again!

After some more small talk, Qian Lai stepped aside with a bow.

Zhao Jide joked a bit and then got back into his sedan chair.

Once Zhao Jide left, the assistant quickly approached Qian Lai, “Boss, what do we do? They caught Liu Da. Liu Da has met the Duke of An and his heir. Master Zhao doesn’t believe Liu Da now, but if he presents the case, Liu Da will testify…”

This assistant was sent by the Duke of An’s family to assist Qian Lai.

The fat man he referred to was Liu Da.

Qian Lai was consumed with worry for his son’s safety.

If his son were safe, he would find a way to stall Zhao Jide and keep the case from progressing, giving time to inform the Duke of An’s family.

Once the Duke of An’s family was notified, everything would be easier.

But right now…

He couldn’t focus or have the patience to stall Zhao Jide!

“We must go to the capital immediately.”

The assistant quickly responded, “Boss, if you go to the capital now, what if Master Zhao submits the case first? That would ruin the Duke! Why don’t you stay to stall him while I go send the message?”

Qian Lai slapped the assistant’s head.

“Nonsense! How can I stall Zhao Jide? What if Liu Da identifies me?”

The assistant suggested, “Then kill Liu Da?”

As soon as he said it, the assistant felt he had come up with a brilliant idea.

“If Liu Da dies, no one can identify the Duke of An.”

Qian Lai…

He had to admit, it was a good idea.

Even though he was anxious to save his son, he didn’t dare jeopardize the Duke’s affairs.

After a moment’s thought, Qian Lai said, “Then you arrange to assassinate Liu Da. I’ll go to the capital to inform the Duke.”

The assistant quickly agreed.

Then he realized something, “If you go to the capital, who will stall Master Zhao?”

Qian Lai…

“Planning Liu Da’s assassination won’t be quick. The earliest you can succeed is tomorrow. And Master Zhao can’t submit the case until tomorrow. I need to buy time from now until then. Do you understand?”

Qian Lai spoke in a tone full of urgency.

The assistant…

Blinking, he rubbed his head.

“That makes sense, but I still think you should stay. After Liu Da’s assassination, you can continue to stall Master Zhao, and I can deliver the message. That gives the Duke more time to prepare.”

Qian Lai raised his hand to slap the assistant again.

But the assistant quickly ducked to the side, avoiding the blow.

“That’s a gold mine! Do you think I can easily stall Master Zhao? Stop dreaming. The most important thing now is to deliver the message quickly. Go prepare! Don’t delay the Duke’s affairs!”

With that, fearing the assistant might say something else, Qian Lai quickly got back into his sedan chair.

“Hurry, back to the city!”

Qian Lai’s group hurriedly returned to the city.

Qian Lai prepared to go to the capital, while the assistant arranged to assassinate Liu Da.

Meanwhile, Song Dingzhong stood in his courtyard, fuming.

“Where is he?”

Han Bao stood respectfully before Song Dingzhong, “He’s already down the mountain, on his way back. He should arrive in about half a stick of incense.”

Song Dingzhong clenched his fists.

“How many times have I said that Jin’er can only accompany Fourth Highness to find the route, not to the gold mine! The gold mine is a dangerous place, filled with the Duke of An’s killers. What if something happened…”

Han Bao was also filled with fear and regret.

“Before leaving, Fourth Highness personally assured me that he only wanted Young Master to scout the route and would send him back immediately once they confirmed the direction…”

“Men’s words are deceitful! How could you believe that!” Song Dingzhong snapped.

Han Bao…