Sir Song, do you want to pledge yourself to me?

"Song Huai."

"Young Master!" Song Huai responded and walked out from behind the crowd, bowed respectfully, and waited for Song Jinbai's instructions.

Song Jinbai ordered in a deep voice, "Go and call the town magistrate, and ask him to send someone to invite the county magistrate as well."

"Yes." Song Huai respectfully accepted the order and left.

Wang Yuanwai hadn't expected Song Jinbai to make such a big deal. In Taoli Town, even with the town magistrate, there was nothing he could do. If the matter really reached the county magistrate, it wouldn't be so easy to resolve. Panic suddenly welled up in him, and he didn't know how to respond.

"Do you think the county magistrate is your relative and you can invite him whenever you want? I'm telling you, the chief clerk of the county yamen is me..."

Young Master Wang wanted to continue speaking arrogantly, but Mr. Wang covered his mouth with one hand, fearing that he would say something he shouldn't say.

Wang Yuanwai was secretly annoyed in his heart. What sins had he committed in his previous life to give birth to such a stupid thing? If the county magistrate was really invited, what would a ninth-rank chief clerk do to him? If his son-in-law was implicated, it would be a loss.

Mr. Wang pretended to be calm and said, "Even if the county magistrate comes and sees the injuries on my son's body, you will not be able to escape an explanation." He tried to use his son's injuries as a bargaining chip to put pressure on Song Jinbai.

However, Song Jinbai responded coldly: "I didn't touch your son. What do his injuries have to do with me? Besides, anyone with a discerning eye can see that your son has scratches, and they are fresh scratches." He almost said that Mr. Wang was simply being unreasonable.

Mr. Wang no longer had the arrogance he had just now. He said weakly, "He got itchy all over and scratched his skin after he had some friction with you yesterday. You dare say this has nothing to do with you?"

Song Jinbai refuted mercilessly, "Just because you met with us, you conclude that we were the ones who did it? Do you have any evidence? Judging from the ease with which they abduct women, it's obvious this isn't their first time. Who knows how many people they must have offended to deserve this kind of retribution?"

Mr. Wang was speechless for a moment.

Ji Shan and Ji He did not expect that Song Jinbai, who always looked gentle and polite, also had such a sharp side. It was really surprising and admirable.

The town commander quickly brought his men to the inn.

Young Master Wang seemed to be still indifferent to the situation. He was delighted to see someone coming to take charge of the matter for him, so he shouted loudly: "Lawyer Li, these two outsiders are too arrogant. Look at what they have done to me!" He also tried to use the friendship between their Wang family and the lawkeeper to suppress Song Jinbai and Ji Nuan.

Mr. Wang had no time to stop it. He could only cover his throbbing forehead and wish he had never given birth to this son.

When Li Zhenling walked into the inn, he didn't even glance at the Wang father and son, for fear of having anything to do with them.

He walked directly to the tall and graceful Song Jinbai. With a respectful look, he knelt on the ground with a plop and bowed deeply.

Commander Li Zhen said with a hint of self-blame and great fear, "Your humble servant, Li Zhen, greets you, sir. Allowing you to be threatened in your own territory is a crime worthy of death."

Song Jinbai's face was cold, and his tone was filled with unquestionable majesty. "Stand up. The court gave you a salary so that you can serve the people. If you don't know how to fulfill the duties of a town magistrate, I suggest you resign from the county government as soon as possible and stop occupying the position for nothing."

Upon hearing this, Town Magistrate Li was so frightened that a cold sweat soaked his undershirt. He kowtowed and apologized, "Please forgive me, sir! I will do my utmost to fulfill my duties as Town Magistrate and serve the people of Taoli Town." His position as a ninth-rank Town Magistrate might be lowly, paying only six taels of silver a month, but it was earned with great effort. Not only did it allow him to manage the town's affairs, but it also provided him with a considerable income. He didn't want to lose his position and future because of the Wang family's misfortune.

The three Jishan brothers were also a little stunned. They had always thought of Song Jinbai as the owner of Ping An Hospital, never having imagined that he was actually an official of the imperial court. Moreover, judging by Li Zhenling's attitude towards him, his official position must be quite high.

Song Jinbai asked calmly, "Get up. When will the county magistrate arrive?"

Li Zhenling quickly stood up, not daring to look up at Song Jinbai, and replied respectfully: "Your Excellency, it will take about two hours to arrive." He was secretly glad that he had not offended this lord just now, otherwise the consequences would be unimaginable.

"Take them back and lock them up first, and then interrogate them after the county magistrate arrives." Song Jinbai ordered.

"Yes, sir." After the town commander finished his respectful salute, he immediately turned around and ordered the people he had brought with him without question, "Take these people back."

Upon hearing that he was going to be taken away, Young Master Wang struggled on the stretcher and shouted anxiously, "Li Zhenling, Li Zhenling..." He obviously wanted to seek Li Zhenling's help, but before he could open his mouth, Mr. Wang covered his mouth with his hand.

They had already offended this lord, and he was really afraid that his foolish son would say something irreparable, making the situation even more difficult to resolve. He covered the prince's mouth tightly, fearing that he would cause more trouble.

As Li Zhenling took everyone away, the lobby, which had been quiet due to his arrival, began to buzz again. Some tenants tried to get close to him and inquire about Song Jinbai's identity, but were stopped by Song Huai.

Ji Nuan instructed the shopkeeper who was still a little unresponsive, "Shopkeeper, please prepare the meal. We are all hungry."

"Okay, okay, wait a moment, I'll go and arrange it." The shopkeeper was even more respectful now, even changing his own way of addressing himself, clearly intimidated by Song Jinbai's status and aura. He quickly turned around to arrange the food, not daring to neglect it in the slightest.

After they sat down, Song Jinbai began to instruct Song Huai: "After dinner, go and find out about the Wang family, especially what's going on between Yichunyuan and this young master Wang."

Song Huai responded: "Okay, sir."

At this time, the three brothers of the Ji family were staring at Ji Nuan with questioning expressions, obviously dissatisfied with Ji Nuan's previous concealment of Song Jinbai's identity.

If you ask them how they knew Ji Nuan had concealed this matter, they would have to look at everyone's shocked faces just now, while only Ji Nuan had an expression as if she had known about it for a long time, which made them have to doubt it.

Seeing Ji Nuan being embarrassed by her brothers, Song Jinbai jokingly asked, "What's wrong? Are you interrogating Miss Ji?"

Hearing Song Jinbai's words, Ji Nuan quickly put away her guilty look, looked at her three brothers innocently and said, "I just found out about this too. If you don't believe me, ask him."

It is better for me to let my friend die than for myself. She quickly put the blame on Song Jinbai who was standing next to her, trying to shirk her responsibility.

Her actions made Song Jinbai and his servant couldn't help laughing.

The three brothers of the Ji family were afraid to ask Song Jinbai, so they turned to ask their sister. But now their sister pushed them away without mercy, and they felt that this sister was simply not worth keeping.

When the three were hesitating whether to kneel down to Song Jinbai, Song Jinbai stood up to rescue them.

He explained with a smile: "Actually, it was me who didn't let Miss Ji tell you before. I was also worried that after you knew my identity, you would feel uncomfortable and wouldn't be able to get along with me as easily as before."