Chapter 236

Chapter 236: Lawless

He didn’t truly wish to earn blessings; all Duke Qi wanted was to embarrass Sheng Zhi Wan.

Now that his goal was met, he simply waved his hand, turned, and entered his residence.

This left his steward stunned.

The guards, still tossing silver ingots to the crowd, stood equally frozen in surprise.

The commoners’ eyes gleamed fiercely, like starving wolves about to devour prey.

“No more! There truly isn’t a single copper left! Everyone, go home…” The steward shouted these words, then quickly followed Duke Qi inside.

Seeing this, the guards naturally didn’t linger. With a loud bang, the doors of Duke Qi’s residence shut tight.

Commoners who had traveled from far away especially to pick up coins felt deeply wronged. Those in the back who had gotten nothing refused to leave; those at the front who had already gotten coins were still greedy for more.

Encouraged by ruffians and troublemakers in the crowd, the angry mob surged forward, beating against the Duke’s door with deafening thuds.

The steward, his forehead beaded with sweat, quickly went to seek Duke Qi’s instructions.

Duke Qi was in high spirits, writing a letter destined for the Northern Desert. Hearing the steward’s plea, he replied impatiently, “My son risks life and limb fighting at the Northern Desert, yet these people dare to cause trouble at my doorstep? If they’re not afraid to die, let them in. Arrest them all and send them to the magistrate!”

“Yes,” the steward answered. Returning to the gates, he shouted warnings through the closed doors.

Yet, the commoners remained stubborn, standing their ground, hoping for a miracle. Furious, the steward finally ordered the gates opened.

Dozens of fierce guards, gripping clubs and blades, appeared threateningly. The commoners at the front immediately hesitated, recalling the earlier warnings. However, those behind continued pushing forward relentlessly.

In moments, the front row was trampled by those behind.

“My legs!”

“Stop stepping on me!”

“Help—please, someone help!”

Terrified screams soon vanished beneath the wave of panic and chaos. When people finally noticed the tragedy at the front, it was too late to stop.

People fell layer upon layer, cries of agony echoing endlessly.

Duke Qi, eager only to ruin Sheng Zhi Wan’s day, had never considered what might happen if the commoners were denied the riches they had come for.

The steward and guards were helpless against the raging crowd.

When patrolling soldiers finally arrived and restored order, dozens of injured lay on the ground.

Among them, the most severely hurt was an old woman.

Her hair was snowy white, both legs completely crushed. She lay limp and silent on the ground, her eyes shut, possibly dead or barely alive.

“Mother! Mother! What happened to you? Don’t scare Dog Egg!” A thin, scruffy-haired boy stumbled forward, tears and mucus streaming down his face.

The boy had no proper name, just a humble nickname. He had grown up alone with his mother, and today they had gotten up early, hoping to taste the celebratory cakes given out for Princess Ning’s engagement.

Dog Egg had dreamed of soft, warm cakes, waiting eagerly. But then his mother suggested they pick up some reward money as well. With extra coins, maybe he could even taste meat today.

Meat… Dog Egg struggled to remember the taste, from long, long ago. But before he could recall clearly, his mother lay broken on the ground.

“Mother!” Dog Egg cried, collapsing over her body.

The Duke’s mansion was vast. Duke Qi’s study was deep inside, completely isolated from the chaos outside. Thus, he only learned of the commotion after finishing his letter.

Seeing constables crowding his gate and hearing the anguished cries outside, his smile vanished.

“Outrageous!” Duke Qi thundered. “My son, Shu Xian, risks his life for the kingdom. I generously share His Majesty’s reward, yet these greedy fools dare attack my home? Robbing openly? Utter lawlessness! They deserve this!”

Not bothering to look again, Duke Qi ordered all those wounded and wailing removed from his doorstep.

The constables knew Duke Qi enjoyed royal favor, especially after his son’s recent victory. Still, such cold-heartedness was hard to stomach.

“Lord Duke,” one officer pleaded cautiously, forcing a polite smile. “These commoners were indeed greedy, yet driven by poverty. Those injured were hurt on your grounds, so perhaps…”

Duke Qi didn’t spare him a glance, merely snorting dismissively as he turned away.

His guards mercilessly dragged the wounded outside.

A constable, unable to bear the sight, helped Dog Egg carry his mother out.

The old woman weakly opened her eyes, her lips trembling, unable to speak. Someone advised Dog Egg to quickly take her to a doctor.

Dog Egg wiped his tears and hurriedly carried his mother away, only to emerge moments later in despair.

He had no silver coins.

The doctor had said his mother’s injuries were severe. Without lots of silver, she would die.

Dog Egg’s mind wasn’t very sharp, but he knew clearly he did not want his mother to die. Carrying her on his back, he sobbed uncontrollably.

Eventually, guided by someone unknown, Dog Egg knelt at the Duke’s gates.

When Duke Qi heard of this, he became furious again.

These troublemakers truly knew no bounds! Were they now trying to extort his household?

He ordered his steward to drive them away, but Dog Egg stubbornly refused to leave. Even poked by clubs, he merely crawled aside and kept kneeling toward the Duke’s mansion.

The steward, utterly frustrated, went once more for instructions.

Duke Qi was currently at Lady Tao’s courtyard. His daughter Rui’er was wrong earlier; how could Lady Tao’s unborn child be a burden? This child clearly brought luck to the Duke’s family!

Lady Tao was nearly five months pregnant, and Duke Qi was lovingly stroking her belly when the steward interrupted again, irritating him immensely.

“If you can’t handle even this, perhaps someone else should be steward! Get out!” Duke Qi roared.

Humiliated, the steward returned and angrily ordered the guards to drag Dog Egg inside.

The mansion gates slammed shut. Inside, the steward personally wielded the club, strikes landing viciously alongside Dog Egg’s desperate cries.

The old woman, barely conscious, crawled forward, dragging herself painfully on the ground. Her broken legs useless, she clawed feebly at the mansion’s gate, leaving a long trail of blood behind.

Spectators wanted to intervene, but the guards’ menacing stares frightened them away.

“Release…release Dog Egg,” she whimpered softly. “I won’t seek treatment. Just please…let him go.”

Her anguished plea was too weak to penetrate the mansion gates. The rhythmic sound of clubs striking flesh continued relentlessly.

In desperation, the woman begged the guards nearby, tears and blood mingling as they fell. The guards looked away, pretending not to hear.

The helpless mother, tortured by her son’s screams, her eyes filled with grief and hatred, suddenly clenched her teeth. With one final act, she plunged her head down forcefully onto the cold, merciless ground.