First watch, requesting pink votes.

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Whether the Magistrate was giving lip service or it was true, Wu Lang’s invitation and his personal presence were very timely. Whatever those people in the Upper Room did in Taicang, they could not mind and could not care. But in Qingyang Town, and even the whole of Jinyang County, if someone acted under the banner of the Lian Family of Taicang, they needed to take a stand.

Now that Wu Lang had the title of Scholar, even more so.

Wu Lang was also well aware of this. So he not only wrote an invitation but also went to the County Yamen himself, overseeing the arrest before returning home.

"Brother, did the Magistrate say anything else over there?" Lian Manman asked Wu Lang.

"I told Lord Magistrate to make sure to interrogate Zhao Wencai and his son thoroughly. Find out if those statements were concocted by them or if there is some truth to them. If those words were fabricated by them, please publish a notice countywide, Lord Magistrate. If there is truth, please report it to Hejian Prefecture for a proper investigation, and whoever is responsible should not be let off easily," Wu Lang said.

Lian Manman nodded repeatedly, thinking Wu Lang’s words were exactly right.

"Brother, when the Zhao Family’s shop was sealed and people were arrested, did the Old Zhao family say anything?" Lian Manman asked again.

"They claimed injustice," Wu Lang sneered, "and said I disregarded family ties. When the officials sealed the shop and arrested people, many people went to see the commotion. I straightforwardly explained everything in front of everyone."

"Brother, what did you say?" Lian Manman hurriedly asked.

Lian Shouxin and Lady Zhang also looked at Wu Lang.

"I said they were engaging in illegal and coercive trade practices, and regardless of family ties, I had to intervene. Moreover, our family has long separated from the Taicang side. We are not one family, but since the Old Zhao family acts under the Lian Family of Taicang’s name, I can’t ignore it. This matter will be clear after the County Yamen’s interrogation. If it doesn’t involve Taicang, only the Old Zhao family’s people will be held accountable to clear the name of Taicang’s side. If Taicang is involved, then the people there won’t get away either: the crime will be whatever it is," Wu Lang stated.

"Well said," Lian Manman nodded approvingly. Wu Lang’s words were a clear declaration to the public and the Government Office, distinctly separating from the Lian Family of Taicang and establishing a reputation for him and his family that values principles over kinship.

As they were talking, Xiao Xi rushed in.

"... It’s bad, the Old Zhao family’s daughter-in-law and daughter have come to our doorstep, demanding that the master return their men. If we don’t return their men, they will hang themselves at our home," Xiao Xi reported as soon as he entered, "My father and others have blocked them at the door."

Lian Shouxin and Lady Zhang’s expressions changed. They had witnessed the Old Zhao family’s daughter-in-law and daughter’s ability to cause a scene and curse, which was definitely not inferior to that of Lady Zhou, and these two were not only good at verbal confrontations but also adept at physical ones. In Qingyang Town, the number of people who dared to provoke this mother and daughter could be counted on one hand.

They did something wrong, showed no signs of remorse, and still dared to cause trouble at their home. Did they really think they were easy to bully?

Lian Manman involuntarily glanced at Lian Shouxin and Lady Zhang. She knew that the reputation of these two as gentle and honest, hence easily bullied, was quite entrenched. However, in the future, it would be Wu Lang who would support the family. If they continued to give off such an image, it would bring many troubles to Wu Lang’s affairs.

Since the Old Zhao family’s mother and daughter had delivered themselves, it was a good opportunity to use them as an example to make the Lian Family known anew, with a clear message.

"Brother, how do you think we should handle this?" Lian Manman asked Wu Lang.

"Manman, what do you think?" Wu Lang looked at Lian Manman and asked.

The siblings exchanged a look, and both understood that they were thinking the same thing.

"The County Yamen only arrested Zhao Wencai and his son, not the mother and daughter, because I considered them as women. Now not only do they not appreciate it or repent, they dare cause a disturbance at our door. This is preposterous; I shouldn’t have been lenient," Wu Lang said.

Wu Lang, being young and kind-hearted, if it were someone more ruthless, they would have taken down the Zhao family entirely, and everyone would have applauded.

"Brother, it’s not your fault. It’s their fault for not knowing what’s good for them and having the audacity to cause a ruckus at our door, treating our Imperially Bestowed Archway as if it were merely decorative," Lian Manman thought for a moment, then turned to Lady Zhang, "Mother, choose two assertive women from among those who work for us."