Through an exhaustive inquiry, someone finally admitted to seeing Hu San being escorted through these gates, and Qi Yue was the first to arrive, bringing only seven or eight guards.

She looked up at the high, imposing plaque, which bore the simple yet powerful inscription: Wang Zhai (Residence of Wang).

“The Wang family!” the head guard’s expression shifted slightly.

“What Wang family?” Qi Yue inquired.

“It is... it is the former Minister of Personnel…” The guard’s voice trembled slightly.

If the established nobility and imperial relatives in the capital had seen these high court officials, it might not have caused such a stir. But for a noble house like the Marquis of Dingxi, which was already somewhat marginalized, they could not casually provoke even a former minister of the court.

After A'ru left to fetch reinforcements, the steward immediately mustered eight guards according to official protocol. Thinking the primary goal of any ensuing conflict was deterrence, not bloodshed, he thoughtfully left behind the blades and spears, equipping them instead with sturdy clubs.

“Be sharp when you go out; don’t bring shame upon the Marquis of Dingxi’s Residence,” the steward repeatedly instructed before they left. After all, such an incident was rare, and the household guards lacked experience. “Of course, don’t be too heavy-handed either; things will be hard to explain later.”

The guards arrived feeling a mixture of relief and excitement, only realizing at that moment that the situation was far more serious than they had imagined.

This wasn’t a mere spat between young masters; the opposing party held such an illustrious status!

Given their status, Qi Yue quickly smoothed her garments, approached the gate politely and kindly, and stated the reason for their visit.

Because of the name attached to the Marquis of Dingxi’s Residence, the gatekeeper dared not delay and immediately reported the matter to the steward.

“A woman?” Because it was the New Year, and because it was dark, the steward, who was usually less busy, had indulged in a few extra cups of wine, leaving him slightly tipsy. “Our household has never had dealings with the Marquis of Dingxi’s Residence; why would a lady call upon us after dark? I’ll go see.”

He stepped outside wrapped in a heavy fur coat and hat, and upon seeing the woman standing beneath the lamplight, he couldn't help but stare blankly for a moment.

Hiccup. The steward couldn’t suppress a drunken burp… A beauty.

Quezhi and A’ru shielded Qi Yue, stepping back a few paces, their brows furrowed as they looked at the man swaying slightly from drink.

“Who are you people?” the steward asked, his eyes hazy with intoxication.

“We are from the Marquis of Dingxi’s Residence,” Quezhi spoke up, covering her nose with her hand. “You captured a doctor today; release him quickly, and this matter can be dropped…”

The steward was completely bewildered, but seeing the young girl’s unfriendly demeanor, he immediately felt a surge of irritation.

Although he was merely a steward, as the saying goes, even the prime minister’s retainer ranks as a seventh-rank official. With a household as prominent as the Wang family’s, when he walked outside, he held more authority than a county magistrate. To be ordered about by this mere girl was simply too much bullying.

That little brat…

The steward recalled a tenant farmer’s daughter he had taken a liking to a few days prior. She was about the same age and not particularly beautiful, but she possessed a certain vibrant freshness that he admired. He had intended to take her as his third concubine, but was actually refused.

Truly ungrateful, did she look down on him just because he was a bit older?

What was wrong with being older? Truly unappreciative!

“Ungrateful, insolent girl!” Anger flooded the steward, and he glared, shouting, “Get out of here!”

Quezhi’s eyes widened at the insult.

My heavens, how long had it been since someone dared to curse at her?

Heavens, and it was an old man at that! Never mind that he was the steward of the powerful Wang family; even if the most exalted official pointed a finger and swore at her, it was still an insult to the Marquis of Dingxi’s Residence.

“You old vagrant, didn't you hear what I said? We are from the Marquis of Dingxi’s Residence! Hurry up and report! Hand the person over…” Quezhi shouted, planting her hands on her hips, her eyebrows sharply raised.

Qi Yue frowned and reached out to hold Quezhi back.

“Quezhi, mind your tone. My apologies, esteemed sir, please listen to me…” she said, pulling Quezhi back while stepping forward herself. Just as she turned to speak, a sharp slap came flying toward her face.

The crisp sound of the slap echoed in front of the gate, and instant silence fell.

Old vagrant! That phrase had completely provoked the steward; this insolent little brat!

The steward swung his hand viciously, feeling as if the frustration he had bottled up for days was finally released.

“Young Madam!” Quezhi shrieked, while A’ru and A’hao hastily rushed over.

This old vagrant actually has some strength…

Qi Yue felt her vision swim with stars, a buzzing ringing in her left ear, and a warmth at her nose as something began to flow.

She raised her hand to touch it and looked under the lamplight.

“Blood!” Quezhi screamed again, and seeing the old man grinning triumphantly nearby, she lunged at him.

The steward cried out in pain as several burning scratches suddenly crisscrossed his face.

“Little slut!” Though he was old, he was still a man, and he kicked the girl who was clawing at him, roaring in anger.

Quezhi was sent flying by the kick. Since they were standing on the steps, the force sent her tumbling down.

A’ru, pale with fright, quickly called out and ran down the steps to Quezhi.

“Dare to cause trouble at my Wang family gate! You people don't want to live!” the steward bellowed, spitting heavily. “Close the gate! If anyone dares to cause trouble again, we’ll break their legs!”

Qi Yue touched her face, still slightly dazed from the blow.

This was the first time she had been struck since arriving here…

“Your grandmother…” she muttered, then lifted her foot and delivered a fierce kick directly at the man who had turned away.

To hell with your prestigious, high-mansion family…

Even if you were the Emperor, I, your older sister, could not swallow this insult….

If you dare bully me, I must have my say, even if it costs me my life!

The steward hadn't expected these people to fight back. Coupled with his drunken imbalance, he was actually sent sprawling onto the ground by the kick.

“What insolent ruffians dare…” Filled with shame and rage, he shouted without bothering to get up. “Seize them!”

At the very moment he shouted, the Marquis of Dingxi’s guards, who had been waiting quietly by the gate, finally snapped back to attention.

Heavens, the Young Madam was bleeding from being hit, and the maid had been kicked down the steps! They could worry about offending powerful families later; if they behaved like this as guards, they would have no face to show anyone if they didn't reclaim their honor today.

“They struck first!” they yelled in unison, brandishing their clubs and charging forward. To win back their honor, every blow they aimed was the most vicious.

But the Wang family’s gatekeepers were no pushovers, and moreover, this was the Wang family’s territory. After a brief moment of being caught off guard, the Wang family’s house guards also rushed over. At this moment, it didn't matter who started it or why; if someone attacked their door, they had to fight back.

Thus, the area before the Wang residence descended into chaos.

Meanwhile, Huang Ziqiao and his group, who were causing a ruckus elsewhere in the city, also heard the news and rushed over, hearing the sounds of wailing and fighting mingling together from a distance.

“They’re fighting!” the young masters shouted in voices cracked by adolescence.

“Hurry up!” Huang Ziqiao felt a heat rush through him, yelling in his croaking, changing voice, “What the hell are you waiting for!”

Fighting was always the most exhilarating sport for young men, and in an instant, they all clamored and charged forward.

“No, no, we can’t go! This is the Wang family, the Wang family!”

The servants and guards from the various noble houses realized what was happening and frantically tried to restrain their young masters.

The children playing with Huang Ziqiao were all roughly the same age, right at the age where they loved to cause trouble and annoy everyone. Fights outside were common, but those were skirmishes between children who saw each other daily. Therefore, the families usually paid them no mind—let the children sort out their own affairs; involving adults complicated things too much.

The retainers these half-grown youths could command were merely attendants assigned to them, also around the same age, essentially playmates, not the true household guards used for protection. Seeing the formidable residence of the Wang family and witnessing the real fight unfolding at the gate, they became genuinely frightened.

The constables who had accompanied Huang Ziqiao were now desperately holding back his horse.

“Young Master, this is no joke; you absolutely cannot go,” the head constable said, sweat beading on his brow.

Huang Ziqiao kicked him aside.

“To hell with you! Can’t you see Madam Qi has been hit?” he cursed, spurring his horse, brandishing his club, and shouting as he charged forward.

With him taking the lead, the other young men naturally dared not lag behind, all letting out strange cries as they rushed forward.

Seeing their own masters charge into the fray, and considering that the fighting was reckless and blows were indiscriminate, the servants reasoned that if their young lords offended the Wang family, their masters would handle the consequences. But if their young masters were injured, they, the servants, would bear the responsibility. With grim determination, the retainers dared not hesitate and flooded forward.

The Wang family members didn't know where this sudden influx of people came from. Although most were barely grown youths, even a good dog can’t hold off a pack of strays, and a chaotic flurry of fists could defeat a master craftsman. Seeing they couldn't hold the line, they retreated inside and slammed the gates shut. By this time, the commotion had grown so large that it was reported to the inner courtyard.

Everyone else who heard the news also rushed over, their faces etched with disbelief.

What kind of joke was this? Perhaps someone dared to surround the government yamen, but who dared to attack the inner compound of the Wang family?

The masters who were still on holiday thought they must have misheard. Only after going outside to look for themselves did they confirm the reality.

“It’s true, quite a few people, some from the yamen, and many house guards…” one of them said, wiping his sweat.

It was late, and the household was lighting lamps one by one. The torches in the courtyard crackled loudly, making the atmosphere even more tense.

“There are people from the Prefectural Yamen, people from the Liu family on East Street, and people from Old Wang the Banner Commander’s house on Cross Alley…”

Listening as the masters rattled off so many well-known family names in one breath, the faces of those in the room changed color.

These people were not common citizens; they were all either rich or noble. While they might not claim equality with the Wang family, they were the sort who deserved courteous greetings and exchanges of pleasantries.

“What do they want?” Wang Tongye asked.

“They said… they said they want us to hand over the person…” a family member reported.

This statement only added to everyone’s confusion.

“What person?” Wang Tongye asked.

“I don’t know. It was all so chaotic, and I didn’t dare show my face,” the Second Master said in a low voice.

A disturbance of this magnitude was no small matter.

“Who among you was causing trouble outside?” Wang Tongye commanded in a deep voice.

With such a large household, it was inevitable that some of the family’s children and spoiled dependents would cause trouble.

The younger members in the room looked at each other.

“Grandfather, we wouldn't dare. These past few days we’ve either been visiting relatives or staying home receiving guests; we haven't been out at all,” one descendant stepped forward to say. “Let alone capturing anyone.”

That was true. Their family emphasized strict discipline; the children were always diligent and respectful, never stirring up trouble or foolish enough to blatantly abuse their privilege.

Wang Tongye nodded, his gaze settling on Fan Yilin.

Fan Yilin started.

“Father, I have been home the entire time I’ve been here these past few days,” he quickly stated. “Besides, this is Yongqing Prefecture, not the capital…”

He wasn't foolish enough to stir up trouble on someone else’s territory. He understood the principle of acting like a dog when he was a tiger fallen to the plains.

“None of you went out to cause trouble, and none of you captured anyone you shouldn’t have?” Wang Tongye asked again.

Everyone in the room nodded solemnly.

Fan Yilin naturally followed suit, but halfway through his nod, he hesitated, somehow recalling that rabbit-like man…

If someone was captured, perhaps it was only him, right?

It couldn't be? Based on his clothes and demeanor, he looked like a complete pauper… How could anyone raise such a massive fuss over him?

“No,” Fan Yilin finished, nodding heavily once more.

Wang Tongye’s face darkened. No matter who it was, no matter the issue, daring to bring weapons and surround the Wang family gate was going too far!

“Go tell them that out of consideration for them being from the same region, they should withdraw quickly. I will dismiss this as children playing during the New Year and won't take it to heart. Otherwise, don't blame us for showing no mercy,” he said slowly.