Chapter 16

Zhang Meng sat outside the teahouse to rest. The teahouse owner personally brought out a pot of tea and sat across from Zhang Meng.

She poured tea for Zhang Meng and moved the cup in front of her: “Constable Zhang, please drink.”

Zhang Meng said: “Boss Lin, you don’t need to attend to me. Go about your business, I’ll just rest here for a bit.”

But Boss Lin didn’t leave. She leaned in close to Zhang Meng mysteriously and asked: “Constable Zhang, you’re not so young anymore. Have you thought about taking a husband?”

Zhang Meng hurriedly swallowed her tea and replied: “I’m not in a rush to take a husband.”

“Constable Zhang, no need to be shy. Women marrying men is the natural order of things, we all understand. A few days ago, I saw my nephew stealing glances at you from time to time. I reckon he has feelings for you. What do you think?”

Zhang Meng’s eyes widened: “You mean Lin Hao?”

Boss Lin nodded: “Though he’s ugly and hot-tempered, he has a very good heart. He’s hardworking and capable, a good man. Constable Zhang, I don’t think you’re the type to care much about looks… How about I offer my nephew to you?”

Zhang Meng was startled. After a long pause, she declined: “Boss Lin, I know Lin Hao is a good man, but I already have someone I admire…”

Boss Lin looked disappointed: “What a pity.” Her gaze swept towards a corner of the teahouse.

Zhang Meng followed Boss Lin’s gaze and saw Lin Hao.

Lin Hao wore brown clothes. He was tall and sturdy, with a handsome face. Though his skin was very dark, one could see his face had turned bright red. His deep, large eyes glistened with tears.

Lin Hao’s deep, coarse voice rang out: “Who gave you permission to offer me to Constable Zhang? When did I ever show interest in Constable Zhang?” His voice carried angry emotions, but even more so a choked sob of grievance.

Boss Lin was at a loss for words. Zhang Meng nodded at him awkwardly.

Lin Hao’s eyes were red-rimmed. Without even glancing at Zhang Meng, he turned and left. Boss Lin hurriedly stood up and chased after him a few steps, calling out: “Hao’er…”

Lin Hao stopped in his tracks and turned back, speaking viciously: “I will absolutely never marry Constable Zhang! I’d rather die than marry her!”

Zhang Meng: “…”

Boss Lin turned back to look at Zhang Meng, her expression awkward: “Constable Zhang…”

Zhang Meng smiled at Boss Lin: “Lin Hao is a good man. He’ll find a more outstanding wife-master. I’m really not suitable for Lin Hao.”

…

It seemed she truly had no luck in love. Boss Lin had only briefly mentioned the possibility of a match between her and Lin Hao, yet Lin Hao had rejected it so resolutely. She really wasn’t popular with men in this women-dominated country.

Even though she truly had no intention of forming a marriage bond with Lin Hao, being so strongly rejected by him still left her somewhat dejected.

Zhang Meng patrolled the streets. Suddenly she saw a man in black crouching in a street corner, tearing his bun into small pieces to feed to a stray cat.

The skinny stray cat wolfed down the food. The man reached out to pat the cat’s head. After finishing the bun, the cat rubbed against the man’s leg, then turned and sauntered away.

But the cat hadn’t gone far before it was hit by a slingshot wielded by some mischievous children on the street. It yowled in pain and ran about frantically.

The man in black quickly stood up and stepped in front of the cat, trying to stop the children from hitting it.

The children roughly shoved the man aside and swarmed forward, attempting to catch the cat.

Seeing this scene, Zhang Meng felt both angry and anxious. She strode quickly to stand in front of the children and called out loudly: “Don’t touch it!”

Seeing Zhang Meng in her red and white constable’s uniform and stern expression, the children all fearfully retreated a step before turning and running away.

The cat cowered under a bamboo basket, shivering. Zhang Meng tried to approach it, but it bolted away at full speed.

Zhang Meng turned back to look for the man in black. She saw him kneeling in front of a man in green clothes, trembling.

The man in green tried to help him up, but the man in black shook his head vigorously, shrinking away and not letting himself be touched.

“Xiao Chou, what’s wrong?”

Zhang Meng walked towards the man in black. She saw that the man standing in front of him was Xu Lu Cha. Xu Lu Cha glanced at the onlookers, his handsome face showing a wronged expression. Zi Yi, following behind Xu Lu Cha, saw Zhang Meng appear and hurriedly explained: “Constable Zhang, this gentleman accidentally bumped into my young master. My young master doesn’t mind, but he knelt down and refuses to get up.”

Zhang Meng helped Xiao Chou up. Xiao Chou’s originally trembling body gradually calmed down.

From the moment Zhang Meng appeared, Xu Lu Cha’s body had stiffened for an instant. Then he slowly clenched his fists, his beautiful eyes full of coldness. He gave a slight curtsy to Zhang Meng and smiled tightly: “Constable Zhang.”

Zhang Meng smiled and nodded at him: “Young Master Xu.” Her gaze turned to the man in purple following behind Xu Lu Cha, and she nodded: “Zi Yi.”

Zi Yi lowered his head, his face slightly red.

Zhang Meng turned back and carefully comforted Xiao Chou: “Xiao Chou, don’t be afraid. Young Master Xu doesn’t blame you for your mistake. And it wasn’t intentional, Young Master Xu surely understands that.”

Xiao Chou still remained silent. Zhang Meng spoke again: “You won’t face any retaliation from Young Master Xu. Everyone in Yan City knows Young Master Xu is kind and gentle. He wouldn’t do something like that. All the common folk in Yan City can guarantee you won’t encounter any strange incidents in the coming days.” Zhang Meng smiled at Xu Lu Cha and said, “Isn’t that right, Young Master Xu?”

Xu Lu Cha smiled and nodded: “Constable Zhang praises Lu Cha too highly. I feel truly guilty for frightening this gentleman so.” He lowered his eyes slightly and said: “It should be Lu Cha apologizing to this gentleman.”

…

Yingyue Teahouse.

“Young master…”

Zi Yi stood beside Xu Lu Cha, anxiously looking at him.

Xu Lu Cha slammed his teacup heavily on the table. The tea splashed violently.

“Zi Yi, did you arrange for Sister Long to deal with that person like I told you to?”

Zi Yi replied: “I did indeed find Sister Long. She said she would deal with Constable Zhang when she had time, in the next couple of days at the latest.”

Xu Lu Cha’s face was icy, his eyes full of anger: “Go find Sister Long again later and tell her to beat Zhang Meng to death or disable her, whichever she prefers.”

“…Young master, didn’t we say just to disable Constable Zhang?” Zi Yi looked up.

Xu Lu Cha snorted coldly: “Someone like her deserves to die.”

It was clearly that bastard Xiao Chou who carelessly bumped into him, yet she took that bastard’s side!

For a constable to be so biased, he had truly seen it all.

Xu Lu Cha took a new teacup and slowly filled it with tea from the pot. He said coldly: “A lowlife like Xiao Chou, even after becoming hideously ugly, still doesn’t forget to seduce women. That Zhang Meng must be blind to want someone like Xiao Chou.”

Zi Yi frowned slightly, but remained silent.

Xu Lu Cha seemed to think of something, the anger in his eyes growing stronger. He smashed the teacup on the table: “Zi Yi, go find Sister Long right now!”

She had only seen his beautiful body for a few days, yet she was already flirting with other men, and an incredibly ugly man at that!

Where did that leave him?!

He, Xu Lu Cha, simply couldn’t swallow this anger.

Indeed, it would be best if someone like her died!

…

“Xiao Chou, where did you go?” A young woman hurriedly walked up to the man in black, her voice filled with worry and concern. “Why didn’t you tell me where you were going when you left? I was so worried.”

Xiao Chou lowered his head: “Sister, you don’t need to worry. I went to see Constable Zhang.”

The woman grew more exasperated: “That Zhang Meng is quite close with Xu Lu Cha and the others. Aren’t you afraid Zhang Meng will help Xu Lu Cha harm you again?”

Xiao Chou shook his head: “Sister, Constable Zhang isn’t that kind of person.” Having said that, he quietly returned to his room.

The woman looked at Xiao Chou’s silent and melancholy demeanor, her heart aching terribly.

Xiao Chou used to be so cheerful and lively. Now he had been reduced to this state by that poisonous husband Xu Lu Cha. She wished she could run to the Xu mansion right now and kill Xu Lu Cha.

She had promised their deceased parents that she would take good care of Xiao Chou. Now that Xiao Chou had suffered such a great injustice, how could she face their parents’ spirits in heaven?

The woman clenched her fists.

Sooner or later, she would kill that poisonous husband Xu Lu Cha with her own hands.

…

At the crack of dawn, Zhang Meng finished breakfast and was about to head out, gripping her sword.

Zhong Huo called out to her: “Zhang Meng, wait…”

Zhang Meng turned back: “Chief?”

Zhong Huo seemed somewhat conflicted. She hesitated for a good while before tossing something behind her back to Zhang Meng.

Zhang Meng hurriedly caught it. Looking closely, it was an exquisitely crafted sachet. Whether in terms of the fabric used, the embroidery skill, or the embroidered pattern, every aspect was refined and ingenious.

Zhang Meng exclaimed in surprise: “Chief! This sachet is so beautiful!”

Zhong Huo’s tense expression eased somewhat. She gave a light snort: “Embroidering sachets…”

“Chief, did Young Master Ji embroider this for you? He’s so skillful!” Zhang Meng smiled.

Zhong Huo’s face immediately darkened: “I embroidered this myself!”

Zhang Meng’s smile froze, but she quickly recovered and smiled: “I had no idea Chief was so skilled at embroidery. I’m impressed.”

So that’s why Zhong Huo had been cooped up in her study lately, not going out for inspections. She must have been embroidering this sachet. Probably for Ji Ming.

She handed the sachet back to Zhong Huo, encouraging her: “Chief’s embroidery is so beautiful, Young Master Ji will surely love it. Chief needn’t worry.”

Zhong Huo looked at her with an expression that suggested she wanted to kick her. In the end, she did indeed kick Zhang Meng. She glared at Zhang Meng: “Forget it, go patrol your streets. Looking at you really is irritating.”

Zhong Huo took back the sachet and turned to leave.

Zhang Meng rubbed her leg, which didn’t actually hurt, not understanding why Zhong Huo had suddenly gotten angry.

…

“Sister Long, make sure you do a clean job. Don’t let me down.”

Xu Lu Cha stood with his arms crossed, looking askance at Sister Long. Sister Long’s face was covered in thick flesh, her eyes glinting fiercely. She grinned: “Xu Lu Cha, don’t you trust me?”

Xu Lu Cha snorted coldly: “After the job is done, I’ll give you the promised reward. You’d better do your utmost.”

Sister Long called her underlings over and, pointing at her group of sturdy sisters, said to Xu Lu Cha: “With them here, you needn’t worry the job won’t get done.”

Xu Lu Cha looked over the group of women, seeing that each was large and burly, strong and powerful. He nodded in satisfaction. Suddenly his gaze fixed directly on a young woman mixed in among the group. He frowned and pointed at that young woman: “What’s your name?”

The person replied: “Ying Xiaoyue.”

Xu Lu Cha frowned, carefully examining the young woman. He saw that she kept her head lowered, her expression and demeanor very honest and proper, but he still felt somewhat uneasy.

In the end though, he didn’t say anything. He turned back to Sister Long: “I leave it to you then.”

…

Zhang Meng regretted not asking Zheng Shu to accompany her.

She had been ambushed. Dozens of large, burly women wielding clubs charged at her. Even with her martial skills, she couldn’t avoid being struck by the clubs a few times. Her sword was at her waist. At first she didn’t dare draw it, fearing she might harm innocent people. But in the end, unable to endure any longer, she drew her sword and sliced through all their clubs.

The women fearfully surrounded her, not daring to approach. A few of the women kept glancing towards the street corner.

Zhang Meng quickly looked towards the street corner. Even though that person hid swiftly, she still caught a glimpse of pale green clothing.

She let out a soft sigh. Without weapons, the women were forced back by Zhang Meng’s sword even when they charged forward.

Suddenly, she heard a cry of alarm from the street corner. Then, she saw Zi Yi frantically running out from around the corner.

“Help!”