Young Master Gao? Call me Little Grand Secretary!

Gao Zhao rescued the two of them, glanced at Qian Bao'er who was clutching his clothes and crying with tears streaming down her face, and couldn't help but sigh.

We can't keep using this gratitude on her!

If I keep refreshing it, I'll probably develop feelings for it!

He glanced again at Qian Bao'er's unremarkable figure and sighed once more.

It's not that you're not good enough, it's just that my standards are a bit high!

"Those children are pitiful, but they're a little afraid of me. Try to coax them!"

Gao Zhao found an excuse to get rid of Qian Bao'er, so as not to cause trouble by sticking around him. After all, he was talented and virtuous, and it was easy for him to win the heart of a naive young girl.

If he makes a mistake and does something improper to me, that's fine, I can forgive him magnanimously. But if I have to take responsibility, that's troublesome, he's not that kind of person!

The two women, still shaken from their ordeal, only wanted to escape as quickly as possible, but upon hearing Gao Zhao's instructions, they instinctively looked over.

When they were captured, they were in a panic and didn't notice these things. Only when they looked closely did they realize the children's terrible condition. The two women cried out in shock and covered their mouths.

This frightened the children even more, causing them to shrink back even tighter. The little girl who had just given Gao Zhao pointers mustered her courage and timidly asked, "Can you go out? We need to sleep; we have work to do tomorrow, or we'll get beaten again!"

Gao Zhao turned his head away, sighed softly, and said, "You two stay with them for now. I've already sent someone to report to the authorities. We'll take care of things concerning these children and you later!"

When Qian Bao'er heard that the officials were coming, she felt a little more at ease. She walked towards the children, smiled, and talked to them. Perhaps because of her childlike appearance, the children thought she was one of them and gradually relaxed.

Li Qiaoniang's expression changed, she hesitated, her gaze complex, but finally gritted her teeth and walked towards Gao Zhao, bowing and saying, "Sir, could you... please don't let the officials arrest... my father..."

Gao Zhao glanced at her and said coldly, "He sold you out, and you're still pleading for him?"

Li Qiaoniang's face turned deathly pale instantly, her body trembled slightly, and she stammered, "He... he is still my father. He only did such a thing because he was confused for a moment... If he is arrested, our family will be finished..."

"You're wrong! If he stays, your family will be ruined!"

Gao Zhao bluntly shattered her illusions, coldly saying, "Gamblers have no humanity! He's blinded by greed; he even sold your own daughter. What else do you think he wouldn't do?"

"Have you ever thought about what would have happened if I hadn't come to save you today?"

Li Qiaoniang lowered her head, her eyes red, clearly understanding what she was about to face!

Gao Zhao continued, "You are his daughter, perhaps you are willing to forgive him, but what about Qian Bao'er?"

"I can persuade her..."

Li Qiaoniang was about to speak when Gao Zhao raised his hand to interrupt her.

"You can try to persuade her, and maybe she'll be soft-hearted or too embarrassed to agree. But have you considered what her parents will think? Their daughter kindly helped your family, only to be betrayed. Even repaying kindness with enmity is unacceptable, isn't it?"

Gao Zhao spoke calmly, yet his words made Li Qiaoniang turn pale.

"And if your father doesn't receive the punishment he deserves this time, he'll only become more emboldened and escalate his actions even further next time!"

"He won't..."

"Perhaps he won't!" Gao Zhao said earnestly, "But neither the people of the Song Dynasty, for public or private reasons, have any obligation to gamble on the character of a heartless, ruthless, and inhuman gambling addict!"

Li Qiaoniang swayed and almost fell over, her face turning ashen.

Gao Zhao knew that she must be in immense pain, conflicted, and struggling right now. He was just about to soften his tone and offer some words of comfort when he heard footsteps overhead and could vaguely hear Lu Zhishen's loud voice.

He knew that people from Kaifeng Prefecture had arrived!

……

The investigation of cases in Kaifeng Prefecture was handled by the Left and Right Military Patrol Offices. The western part of the city was under the jurisdiction of the Right Military Patrol Office. Due to the importance of the case, the judge of the Right Military Patrol Office personally led the team.

When the group arrived at the scene, the judge's expression immediately turned serious upon seeing the group of Beggar Clan members who were tied up.

"This is a large-scale armed conflict! So many people are injured; the case is extremely serious and must be dealt with severely!" The judge waved his hand and ordered, "Someone, go check the injuries and take statements!"

Upon receiving the order, the soldiers immediately went to untie the Beggars' Gang members.

Shi Qian sensed something was wrong and quickly said with a forced smile, "Sir, the case you reported is something else entirely, it's coming up later..."

"Hmm?" The judge snorted, glancing at him sideways, and said unhappily, "The government has its own methods for handling cases. Do you expect me to turn a blind eye to these Song Dynasty citizens who have been beaten and bound, given your meddling?"

"No, no!" Shi Qian shook his head repeatedly.

"Hmph!" The judge turned his head away, ignoring him. After a while, the chief presented a stack of confessions. He glanced at them and exclaimed, "This is appalling! Breaking into a private residence in the dead of night and beating innocent civilians—and this is right under the emperor's nose! Gentlemen, such heinous acts occurring so openly is a dereliction of duty on our part!"

"Come, take me to see what heinous crime you have discovered!" After delivering a heartfelt speech to his subordinates, the judge turned to Shi Qian and gave the order.

Shi Qian lowered his head and led his men toward the back garden. Over the years, he had traveled all over the country and seen all kinds of people. He knew the judge's intentions perfectly well. There was no point in saying anything more now; he could only wait and see how the young master would respond.

As soon as the group arrived at the back garden, Fu Jin shouted, "Judge Chen, save me!"

The judge's face darkened, and he shouted, "What are you yelling about in this courtroom! The imperial court has its own laws. We won't let a wicked person go unpunished, but we also won't wrong an innocent one! Monk, release him first!"

Lu Zhishen said, "You bird official clearly know him; I'm afraid you're going to bend the law for personal gain!"

"Nonsense! How dare you, a member of your family, slander me like this? I am a military inspector, and I often walk among the common people. Many people know me. Do you expect me to show favoritism to everyone?"

The judge rebuked him, saying, "I have studied the classics since childhood and know the importance of loyalty and righteousness. Having passed the imperial examinations twice and been granted an official position, I should serve the emperor and bring peace to the people! However, all my actions must be in accordance with the law and human sentiment!"

Seeing that the official was upright and dignified, and didn't seem to be pretending, Lu Zhishen released Fu Jin, letting him escape behind the judge. Then he shouted, "This scoundrel is the leader of the Beggars' Sect, gathering beggars to beg and swindle money on the streets!"

After listening to Lu Zhishen's words, the judge nodded and said to the clerk behind him, "Record this: Fu Jin saw that the beggar was poor and destitute, had no food or clothing, and felt pity for him, so he took him in and provided him with a place to live!"

Lu Zhishen's eyes widened in shock and anger. "You corrupt official! You've completely distorted the truth!"

The judge looked up and said calmly, "I judge cases with justice in mind, so how can I listen to only your side of the story? Now it's time to talk about your case! You monk, instead of practicing meditation in the temple, broke into a private residence in the dead of night and injured an innocent person. Do you know your crime?"

When Lu Zhishen saw that he had turned the tables on him, he became even more furious. He swung his staff, ready to lash out, when a series of clapping sounds came from behind him.

"The military magistrate of Kaifeng Prefecture really handled a good case!"

Upon closer inspection, everyone saw that Gao Zhao had crawled out of the hole in the ground.