Wang Anming's brow twitched. Although he was the City Lord of Yu Yi City, he didn't dare show the slightest disrespect to a Great Scholar.
Someone with the cultivation of a Great Scholar was bound to hold a high position in the imperial court.
He was also very clear about Jiang Lan's identity.
When Jiang Lan first arrived in Yu Yi City, he had personally appeared to pay a visit and host a banquet, hoping to invite Jiang Lan to stay at the City Lord's Mansion for a while, but Jiang Lan had rejected him outright.
Neither the Great Scholar before him nor Jiang Lan was someone he, the mere City Lord of Yu Yi City, could afford to offend.
"And who might this senior be?" Wang Anming clasped his hands, looked at Zhao Tianhe, and asked politely.
Zhao Tianhe's expression was indifferent. He merely glanced at the City Lord and paid him no mind.
It was only because of Jiang Lan's father that he had been polite to the young man; a mere City Lord of Yu Yi City was still beneath his notice.
Wang Anming was rebuffed, but he didn't dare show any anger, remaining polite and deferential.
As the powerful and influential City Lord of Yu Yi City, when had he ever needed to be so subservient?
'Damn it all,' he cursed inwardly. 'Who would have thought this little place, Yu Yi City, would have such a string of major figures appear one after another? What has it done to deserve this?'
In truth, on his way here, Wang Anming had already learned the gist of what had happened at Snow Moon Pavilion from his confidant.
But how could he dare to meddle or ask too many questions about the affairs of the Prime Minister's Mansion?
But now, with a Great Scholar suddenly intervening, he, as the City Lord, was caught in the middle, in a more difficult position than anyone.
"Lord City Lord, you've arrived at just the right time."
At that moment, Jiang Lan's unhurried voice came from the pavilion. "I have long heard that public order in Jiangling County is excellent, and that Yu Yi City is a famous, major city within its borders. Yet I have been in this city for less than a day, and I have already... been subjected to repeated assassination attempts."
"This assailant is outrageously bold and rampant. Not only did he injure my guards, but he also intended to take my life."
"I wonder, Lord City Lord, just how do you govern this Yu Yi City? If your ability is insufficient, perhaps you should abdicate in favor of a more worthy person sooner rather than later..."
Upon hearing the word "assassination," Su Qinghan, who was standing to the side, saw her expression change slightly. Her delicate body tensed, and her slender hands clutched the hem of her dress.
Wang Anming's expression changed dramatically. Fear and trepidation appeared on his naturally imposing face. He quickly clasped his hands, his voice trembling as he said, "I have been derelict in my duties. I hope Young Master Jiang can forgive me."
"I will certainly investigate the perpetrator thoroughly and give Young Master Jiang a satisfactory explanation."
Assassinating the Son of the Prime Minister—once this crime was confirmed, forget about the little Yu Yi City; the entire Jiangling County would likely experience a massive earthquake.
In the Great Xia Dynasty today, who didn't know that the Prime Minister's power was overwhelming, enough to cover the heavens with a single hand?
And he had only one son, Jiang Lan.
If something were to happen to him, all the heads in Yu Yi City combined probably wouldn't be enough to roll...
Although this mysterious Great Scholar, Zhao Tianhe, was on Lin Fan's side...
...at this moment, City Lord Wang Anming couldn't be bothered with that. No matter how astonishing the Great Scholar's background was, could he possibly compare to the current Prime Minister?
He looked at Lin Fan, a cold glint in his eyes, and waved his hand. "Men, seize this assassin who tried to kill Young Master Jiang."
As his words fell, a large group of armored Patrol Guards with long sabers at their waists surged forward. They drew their weapons, their eyes filled with killing intent, and completely surrounded Lin Fan.
On Lin Fan's pale, bloodless face, his expression was exceptionally ugly. His fists clenched so tightly they CRACKED.
Though he stood ramrod straight, like a drawn sword, he couldn't hide the rage and humiliation consuming him.
To him, this was an unprecedented humiliation.
During his time as a matrilocal husband in the Su Family, he thought he had already lived through the darkest period of his life.
But he had never imagined that on an occasion like today, under the watchful eyes of so many, Jiang Lan could so blatantly twist black and white and distort the facts.
Even the City Lord of Yu Yi City didn't bother to ask what had happened. Regardless of the truth, he was ordering his men to seize him.
The corner of Lin Fan's mouth lifted into a mocking sneer. He swept his gaze over the surrounding Patrol Guards, his voice laced with irrepressible anger and coldness. "Without even asking what happened, you've condemned me as an assassin based on a few mere words. Is there any law left in this world?"
"Insolence! How dare you presume to question the iron laws of the land?"
Wang Anming's expression changed again as if he too were thoroughly enraged, and he bellowed.
'Of course, there is no law when the Prime Minister's Mansion is involved,' he thought, 'but how could I ever say such a thing out loud?'
No matter how this conflict started, now that Jiang Lan had spoken, this matrilocal husband of the Su Family had to be an assassin, even if he wasn't.
"That matrilocal husband of the Su Family, Lin Fan, how could he be an assassin trying to kill the Son of the Prime Minister? Isn't he just a piece of trash with no cultivation?"
"Could there be a mistake?"
The crowd was also extremely puzzled, but seeing Lin Fan covered in blood and clearly having just been through a major battle, they were even more bewildered.
The Su Family's trashy matrilocal husband was no secret in Yu Yi City. On the contrary, many people knew of his existence.
Basically, all the talented youths of the younger generation recognized him.
When news broke that Lin Fan had joined the Su Family as a matrilocal husband with just a marriage certificate, and that even the number one beauty of Yu Yi City, Su Qinghan, had been forced by her family to marry him, it caused a huge sensation in the city.
Even some of Su Qinghan's suitors from thousands of miles away made special trips to verify the news, only to sigh at the heavens, practically mad with resentment.
During that period, if Lin Fan had dared to take half a step outside the Su Family residence, the young elites of Yu Yi City who looked down on him would have certainly found an opportunity to humiliate and beat him.
Countless young geniuses were so envious and jealous that they could have ground their molars to dust.
Fortunately, many people later learned that on the day of Lin Fan and Su Qinghan's wedding, they didn't even complete the ceremony of bowing to heaven and earth before Su Qinghan slipped away and returned to Cyan Mountain Academy, leaving Lin Fan alone to guard an empty room.
This brought a bit of relief to many, who then began to mock Lin Fan, believing that one day, Su Qinghan would surely find a way to annul their marriage contract.
And if that happened, they would have their chance.
But the scene before them now was truly shattering their perceptions.
The members of the Su Family were also stunned. Was this still the same trashy matrilocal husband they knew?
Where did he get such ability and strength?