"Madam just mentioned that she used medicine to knock these people out..." Zhao Ting continued cautiously.
"Oh, my late husband taught me medicine. Perhaps I have some talent, and I’ve learned it quite well." Meng Yao spoke casually.
Alright, he learned more things that he didn’t remember.
Fortunately, he didn’t reveal his identity right away. Otherwise, not knowing this and that, wouldn’t he immediately expose himself?
"Madam’s late husband knew a lot," Zhao Ting said.
"Yes, indeed, he knew quite a lot." Meng Yao agreed.
Anyway, all the skills she had, except for the original embroidery, were all attributed to Zhao Ting.
That proved the original Zhao Ting had also taught the Meng clan many things.
No matter whether he admitted it or not, Zhao Ting felt he should slowly figure out what the Meng clan knew. Meanwhile, he should learn everything Meng clan knew, just in case.
He was a bit thankful that even when he was a Prince, he only appeared to indulge in food, drink, and entertainment, but secretly learned many skills. For example, this medical skill he had been learning since childhood. Otherwise, if he wanted to switch paths now, it wouldn’t be so easy.
While Zhao Ting was secretly muttering, arrest officer Xu came with some people.
Seeing that Meng Yao was fine, he breathed a sigh of relief, "You don’t know, the young master is extremely guilty, saying that if anything happened to you, he would compensate you with his life."
Meng Yao knew that Zi’an was taking all the responsibility upon himself.
"Fortunately, Mr. He arrived in time, just a minor injury." Meng Yao said, "When we return, I will console An Ge’er."
"I have to trouble you to travel with these criminals." Arrest officer Xu apologized.
"These people are cunning. Though they are tied up now, no one knows if they have any backup plans. For safety’s sake, it’s better not to let Madame ride in the carriage." Zhao Ting suggested, "Moreover, Madame is injured and needs immediate medical attention. How about I escort Madame first?"
Arrest officer Xu was a bit troubled. He had been instructed by his superior to keep an eye on the man surnamed He to prevent him from being too attentive to Madame Zhao.
But Mr. He’s words made complete sense, and he couldn’t think of a reason to refuse.
Zhao Ting clearly overheard the instructions given to arrest officer Xu, which is why he deliberately made the suggestion.
So, arrest officer Xu could only watch as the man named He helped her onto the horse and then jumped on himself. Soon, the two of them disappeared from sight.
Zhao Ting was very gentlemanly; although he encircled her in his arms, he tried his best not to let his arm touch Meng Yao.
The two of them were already at the county gate.
Meng Yao saw Li Chang’an, Qin Zheng, Zi’an, and Wen Nuan.
Zhao Ting first dismounted, then reached out to help Meng Yao down.
Zi’an rushed over, but before he could throw himself into Meng Yao’s arms, Zhao Ting grabbed him, "Watch out, your aunt is injured, if you bump into her, you’ll hit her wounds."
Zi’an’s eyes were already red, and hearing Zhao Ting’s words, he broke into tears.
Li Chang’an also looked tense, with red-rimmed eyes.
"Don’t just stand here, hurry up and have her checked by a doctor." Qin Zheng seemed calm and called over a porter with a sedan chair from the city gate.
Meng Yao wanted to say she was fine, but seeing their worried faces, she went along with them.
"I still need to report back to the government office, so I won’t be going with you." Zhao Ting said.
Meng Yao nodded slightly, "See you later."
When arrest officer Xu and the others returned, Ren Zhong would definitely summon her to the government office.
Moreover, she needed to report the information she had gathered to Ren Zhong.
After newly examining her wound at the medical center, when the doctor said "just a minor wound, change the dressing regularly, and it will heal with care," they finally relaxed.
Afterwards, they returned to the inn, where Wen Nuan helped Meng Yao change her clothes and wash up.
Zi’an rolled up his sleeves, revealing his white arms, and said in Meng Yao’s astonished gaze, "Aunt, make a few cuts on me too!"
Meng Yao was amused, "An Ge’er, it’s very painful."
"I know." Zi’an said with a serious face, "I caused Aunt to get hurt, so I should share the pain with Aunt."
If it wasn’t for him wanting to eat vegetarian delicacies, Aunt wouldn’t have risked her life to protect them.
"Bravery doesn’t work that way." Meng Yao patted Zi’an’s little head, "This matter isn’t An Ge’er’s fault, those bad people were too cunning. Moreover, this is a trouble Aunt brought upon herself earlier."
Meng Yao told An Ge’er about the Taoist Wu Kong, and briefly mentioned the goals of these people.
Zi’an’s small face tensed up, "Since they’re so bad, I’ll tell father, they must be punished severely."
"Then Aunt thanks An Ge’er."
Zi’an was eager to go back and tell his father to vent for Meng Yao, and since arrest officer Xu and the others should be back soon, Meng Yao took Zi’an to the government office.
Li Chang’an and Qin Zheng, worried, decided to accompany them.
Wen Nuan stayed at the inn to prepare medicine for Meng Yao.
Ren Zhong felt guilty seeing Meng Yao. It was his failure to solve the case promptly and uncover the forces behind Taoist Wu Kong that led to Meng Yao’s injury.
Therefore, when the man named He mockingly spoke just now, he kept silent.
"Are you alright?" Ren Zhong asked with concern.
"Just a slight injury, nothing serious." Meng Yao replied indifferently, "The doctor also said it will heal with care."
"I have some Scar Healing Ointment here, I’ll have Apu bring it to you. Once the scabs fall off, using it for a while will make the scars fade." Ren Zhong said.
Meng Yao could also make this ointment herself, but since Ren Zhong offered, she didn’t want to refuse his kindness, so she said, "Thank you, brother-in-law."
Zhao Ting wanted to slap himself; why didn’t he think of this?
He could make Scar Healing Ointment, even better than the Imperial Physicians in the palace.
Such a good opportunity to build rapport, and he didn’t think of it. Where was his brain?
Meng Yao relayed everything she had learned from the woman to Ren Zhong.
Ren Zhong’s brows furrowed tighter and tighter. The forces behind Taoist Wu Kong were much larger than he had imagined. Throughout history, there have been such organizations among the people. While their initial formation might have had good intentions, they often evolved into entities that could destabilize the state.
"Rest assured, I will uncover this force," Ren Zhong said firmly.
Not only for political merits but also to save more people.
"Sir, don’t boast prematurely," Zhao Ting splashed cold water on Ren Zhong, "Such organizations usually have a strict hierarchy, and you haven’t even scratched the surface yet."
Zhou Country has Sixteen States, hypothetically, if each state had a branch.
Then, this force must not be underestimated.
"That’s why I need your help," Ren Zhong said.
Being able to extract information from White Cloud Temple within such a short time proved that the man named He had considerable skills.
Having a ready-made ally, it would be a waste not to utilize it.
Investigating was inevitable, but Zhao Ting didn’t want to agree to Ren Zhong so quickly.
"I’m just trying to earn some reward silver. Such a big case for the country and the people, it’s still up to the officials."