Chapter 104: Lodging a Complaint

Chapter 104: Chapter 104: Lodging a Complaint

"Jin guard, let them in."

A clear, melodious male voice drifted from the room. It was crisp and steady, with a lazy drawl at the end of his words. Just hearing the voice was enough to spark an intense desire to see the speaker’s face.

Bai Zhi thought to herself, ’A man with a voice like that must be handsome. Incredibly handsome.’

’Could he be even more handsome than Hu Feng?’

Hu Feng’s voice was pleasant, too, but it was just so cold. He always spoke in an icy tone, devoid of any and all emotion.

The Jin guard looked helpless but had no choice but to step aside. "Go on in."

The Government Official, however, refused to enter. He just turned to Bai Zhi, who was standing in the courtyard, and said, "You can go in and see the official by yourself. I’m leaving now."

The Government Official turned and left. Though his face revealed no emotion, Bai Zhi still caught a flicker of panic in his eyes.

’Why the panic? Is this Lord Tongpan really that frightening?’

She followed the Jin guard to a closed door. He reached out and pushed it open, and a thick wave of incense washed over her. The fragrance was overpowering, but mixed within it were faint traces of an unusual aroma.

’Others might not have noticed anything, but Bai Zhi was no ordinary person. She was a top-tier physician from the 23rd century, a master of both Chinese and Western medicine. She knew that smell instantly.’

As she stepped inside, her gaze fell upon a long, low table at the far end of the room. On it were numerous books and scrolls, neatly arranged writing implements, and a pair of slender, pale hands.

Those hands were either writing or painting.

He was a young man, but his face was covered by a mask, obscuring his features. All she could see were his eyes, which were focused on the brush in his hand. They were beautiful eyes—framed by well-defined brows and almond-shaped eyes, with long, dark lashes. A single, stunning black beauty mark was perfectly placed between his eyebrows.

As if sensing her stare, he stopped his brush and looked up at her.

One of his well-defined brows arched slightly, his gaze indifferent. "Here to file a complaint?"

Bai Zhi snapped back to reality, inwardly cursing her lack of composure. ’I haven’t even seen his face and I’m already completely captivated by his eyes.’

She curtsied to the man and said, "My Lord, I am from Huangtuo Village. Someone in my village has falsely accused my mother and me of stealing thirty taels of silver from their family. I have been wronged and have come to beg you, My Lord, to grant me justice."

The man set down his brush. "They claim you stole the money. Do they have any proof?"

Bai Zhi shook her head. "There is no proof. They are just making baseless accusations. I couldn’t reason with them, and I refuse to be branded a thief over a baseless claim. Left with no other choice, I came to the government office to seek justice. I implore you, My Lord, to see the truth of the matter."

The man nodded. "You said Huangtuo Village? Is that far from the government office?"

Bai Zhi nodded. "Thirty li."

The man nodded again. He then stood up and, right in front of Bai Zhi, gave a long, lazy stretch. "Alright then. I haven’t been out in ages. This is a good chance to get out and about."

Hearing this, the Jin guard immediately protested, "Young Master, you shouldn’t expose your injury to the elements! You can simply send someone to bring them back to the government office. Why must you go in person?"

The man waved his hand dismissively. "I’m a person, not a piece of furniture. How long has it been since I’ve seen the sun? It’s about time I went out and stretched my legs."

The Jin guard stubbornly blocked his path. "Young Master, you can’t be so reckless. The doctor said that your injury—"

The man’s eyes turned cold, and his voice deepened. "Did the doctor say when this injury is supposed to heal? How long has it been? Poultices, potions... how much medicine have I used? Has there been the slightest improvement? That doctor is a quack. Why should I listen to him?"