Hanyue and the others halted. Only two horsemen were chasing after a rider without stopping.
Hanyue's expression was tense at first, but when he saw Bairan clearly, his eyes widened in disbelief. "It's you…"
Bairan called out, "Sir, please save us!"
A crowd had already gathered, watching the scene as if it were a show. Master Tong's men arrived soon after, breathless and glaring at Bairan and Baian with hatred—but none dared to move forward because of the horsemen nearby.
Not long after, Master Tong himself arrived. He raised an eyebrow when he saw the scene, but unlike his men, he remained composed. He stepped forward and gave a polite bow toward the group.
With a warm tone, he said, "I'm terribly sorry, young master. Some of my slaves have caused trouble for you."
He bowed even lower. "I will make sure they're taught a proper lesson."
Then, turning to his men, he shouted, "Hurry! Clear the path for the gentlemen!"
Some of Master Tong's men stepped forward.
Bairan looked directly at Hanyue and said firmly, "No, it's not true. I'm not a slave…"
Master Tong's voice thundered, "Shut up, you damned slave! How dare you speak so rudely to this gentleman?"
He turned to Hanyue with a forced smile. "Young Master, it's not her first time—she's used her face to mislead men before…"
Bairan snapped back, "Just like your smooth tongue, then."
One of Master Tong's men growled, "How dare you!" and raised his hand to strike her.
"Bairan-jie!" Baian cried out.
But out of nowhere, something sliced through the air with a sharp whoosh and struck the man's hand. He staggered back with a cry of pain, clutching his wrist.
Bairan turned toward the cold man's direction. He was looking down at the reins of his horse, calm as ever. When he finally lifted his eyes, their gazes met.
There was no trace of emotion in his eyes
no anger, no warmth, not even curiosity.
They were calm and unmoved
It was hard to say if it had really been him.
Hanyue's voice was calm but firm as he looked at Master Tong.
"I want to listen to her as well. Please ask your men to step aside."
Master Tong frowned slightly but gave a reluctant signal. His men stepped aside.
Bairan glanced at him with a faint smirk, then turned to Hanyue.
"Sir, this morning you saw me heading into town. I was separated from my family, and I came here hoping to find them. On the way, I met the teahouse owner and the innkeeper. They both offered to help me... but they had other plans. They intended to sell me in the capital—to this man."
She pointed directly at Master Tong.
"Slander!" Master Tong shouted, stepping forward.
Hanyue raised his voice sharply. "Sir, I said—let her finish speaking."
Master Tong bowed slightly. "But she's ruining my reputation!"
Bairan cut in coldly, "You say I'm slandering you, but do you have any proof I'm your slave? You say I've used my face before, then tell me—does anyone here..."
She pointed to the crowd.
"...know me?"
There was a whisper among the onlookers, but no one stepped forward to say they recognised her.
Master Tong's expression darkened. He hadn't thought this young girl could have such a sharp tongue. His face twisted with rage.
But Bairan continued calmly, her voice steady.
"But I do have proof for what I said."
She turned her gaze to Baian and gave him a small smile.
"This young man—he works at the teahouse. He was the one who told me about their plan. That's why we ran away."
She paused, then lifted her hand to her hair.
"I didn't have any valuable item with me only a hairstick, which I gave them. Look at me now. All I'm using is a chopstick to tie my hair. If they truly meant to help me, why did we run away?"
A man in the crowd raised his voice. "I know that boy—he works at Uncle Mu's teahouse!"
Another shouted, "I was at the inn for lunch—I saw the innkeeper speaking with this girl!"
A third chimed in,
"Indeed, that's why Master Tong was in such a rush to get to the capital today…"
Master Tong's face turned red with fury, but he forced himself to speak calmly.
"Young Master, please believe me—I'm just a merchant. I didn't know Master Mu and Master Fu were doing such things. They sold me a slave, and I simply bought her, that's all. If I knew…"
Bairan interrupted him, her voice sharp and unwavering.
"So, it's not the first time you've bought a free girl as a slave—just because someone offered her to you ?"
Master Tong's brows furrowed. He was clearly losing ground as the murmurs in the crowd grew louder.
He tried to gather his composure and sneered at her.
"But in the end, it's only your story—you're forcing people to believe you."
He turned to look at Hanyue.
"Young man, don't take this as defiance. But what gives you the right to make judgments in this matter?"
Hanyue's gaze remained calm. Without a word, he slowly reached inside his robe.
From beneath the fine silk layers, he withdrew a gleaming white jade token.
"This is the special Seal of the Palace," Hanyue said, his voice firm but composed.
"We are acting under His Majesty's direct command."
He held it high for all to see. The token was deep, ink-green jade, its polished surface holding a faint cloud pattern that glinted in the light.
"I do have the right to interfere. It's the emperor's rule—justice must be served when someone asks for it," Hanyue said calmly.
"However, since this incident occurred within your jurisdiction, it is only proper to notify the local authorities."
His eyes locked with Master Tong's, unwavering and cold.
"Now, do you still question my right to act?"
Master Tong's movements slowed. His expression stiffened as realisation dawned.
Gasps rippled through the crowd.
"They're from the capital !" people whispered, turning to one another in hushed awe.
Without delay, Hanyue turned to his men.
"Take them to the yamen," he ordered. "Arrest the innkeeper and the teahouse owner as well. Tell the local magistrate to handle the interrogation with care."
At once, Hanyue's men stepped forward, seizing Master Tong and his attendants with swift precision.
Snapped out of his shock, Master Tong cried out, his voice trembling, "No, Daren —please! It's not true! Don't let her fool you, I'm just a merchant—just a merchant!"
He struggled, trying to break free from their grip.
But his voice was quickly drowned out as one of Hanyue's men tightened their hold, silencing him.
Meanwhile, Bai Ran was gently helping Baian to his feet. She paid no mind to Master Tong's shouting. Her attention was entirely on the boy.
"Are you alright? Did you get hurt?" she asked softly.
Baian seemed a little dazed. He nodded, then shook his head, eyes blinking as if still unsure of what had just happened.
Bairan smiled and touched his head gently.
"Don't be afraid. We're safe now."