Transmigrating with a Five Million Dollar Retirement Life

Chapter 175 Prefect Xiao

Song Jiaojiao protected the woman and retreated repeatedly, not letting the man get any closer.

"If you say so, then so be it. I could say you're my servant, and now you're trying to bully your master. Gentlemen, I have ten taels of silver here. Is there any kind soul who can help me run a errand to the authorities to report this case?"

Song Jiaojiao took out a ten-tael silver ingot, which instantly drew gasps from the onlookers.

They were all eager to earn ten taels of silver for running a errand, pushing the burly man aside.

Taking advantage of the opportunity, Song Jiaojiao took out a handful of copper coins and scattered them, shouting, "Who dropped their money?!"

While everyone was picking up the silver, he grabbed the woman and ran. The burly man, separated by the crowd, had no choice but to watch helplessly as the two left.

The hot pot restaurant wasn't far from here. Song Jiaojiao hadn't brought any servants with her today, so she took the women with her to the hot pot restaurant to avoid danger.

There was no other way; Song Jiaojiao, being a woman, didn't know martial arts, so she had to use this method to lure people over first, then take the opportunity to pull the woman over. Besides, money is a good thing; who wouldn't like it?

The two of them ran into the hot pot restaurant, panting heavily.

"Jiao... Brother Song, what's wrong?" Wang Ziyi heard the commotion and quickly looked over, only to see Song Jiaojiao sitting on a chair with a woman, panting heavily.

After calming down for a while, Song Jiaojiao asked breathlessly, "Zi...Ziyi, is...is there any water?"

"Someone, bring two pots of tea!" Wang Ziyi hurriedly ordered.

When the tea was served, Song Jiaojiao first poured herself a large cup, gulped it down, and then poured a cup for the woman.

The woman held the teacup and sipped it slowly.

"What's wrong with you? Is there a ghost chasing you?" Wang Ziyi teased with a smile when he saw that Song Jiaojiao was better. He glanced at the woman next to him, whom he had never seen before, but judging from her clothes, she must be rich and noble.

"It's a long story..." Song Jiaojiao told Wang Ziyi about what had just happened on the road.

"How could such a thing happen in broad daylight? Someone, take this to the authorities and report it!" Wang Ziyi took off the jade pendant hanging from his waist and called over a servant.

“Yes, that man is obviously a repeat offender. He stole someone's purse one minute and then popped up the next. These two are clearly in cahoots,” Song Jiaojiao said, glancing at the woman.

"Besides, it's obvious from their clothes that the two are not on the same level at all."

"Thank you so much for saving me, young master. If it weren't for your timely intervention, I'm afraid I would be dead or alive right now. Wanyi is extremely grateful," the woman said, bowing to Song Jiaojiao.

"Oh, it was nothing, Miss, you're too kind. It's still early, so you should wait here for me to come, in case that person is still waiting outside."

Song Jiaojiao didn't know if the person from earlier had left or not. Considering that the woman had a maid with her, she figured someone would come looking for her soon.

"Yes, young lady, please sit here for a while. I have already reported this to the authorities. We'll talk when they arrive. Don't worry, it's absolutely safe here. No one will dare to cause trouble."

Wang Ziyi continued.

Indeed, when the man saw Song Jiaojiao lead the woman into the store, he didn't dare to make a move. He could only stand guard around and wait for Song Jiaojiao and the woman to come out.

The fact that this store was damaged like this in just three days shows the formidable strength behind it, making it someone they can't afford to mess with.

A short while later, the servant brought over officials.

"Young Master, Master Xiao has arrived."

The newcomer was a lean man in his forties with a goatee, followed by two constables carrying knives.

Upon entering, Master Xiao exclaimed in surprise, "Young Miss, what are you doing here?"

"Young Miss?" Song Jiaojiao looked at the woman in front of her.

“Since Master Xiao knows him, this matter will be much easier to handle,” Wang Ziyi said.

"Young Master Wang, my apologies, I don't know what happened?" Master Xiao asked in confusion. As soon as the servant went to the government office, he took out the jade pendant. When Master Xiao saw that it was from the General's Mansion, he rushed over, still not knowing what had happened.

Wang Ziyi relayed what Song Jiaojiao had told him to Master Xiao, and Song Jiaojiao occasionally added her own comments, giving Master Xiao a general understanding of the matter.

"Outrageous!" Master Xiao was terrified. If something had happened to the young lady on his own turf, the prefect would have skinned him alive when he returned.

"Thank you very much, Young Master Song. If it weren't for your help, Miss would probably not have escaped this calamity today." Master Xiao bowed respectfully to Song Jiaojiao.

"Master Xiao, please don't be so polite. It was just a small favor, please don't take it to heart," Song Jiaojiao quickly said as she helped the master up.

Just then, the maid came over, her face filled with anxiety, "Miss. Miss."

"Chuncao, I'm here!" Xiao Wanyi called softly.

"Miss, we've finally found you! What are you doing here?" Chuncao rushed over and helped Xiao Wanyi up, saying anxiously.

"Chuncao, how did you take care of Miss? Also, why are there only two of you today? I told you to bring more people with you when you go out, otherwise you'll regret it if something happens."

Master Xiao said anxiously from the side, "If it weren't for someone helping us today, we wouldn't know where the young lady would be right now."

Chuncao was startled when she heard Master Xiao's voice; she had no idea how he had gotten here.

Seeing Chuncao's blank expression, Master Xiao gritted his teeth and said, "I'll settle the score with you when we get back!"

He then turned to Wang Ziyi and said, "Young Master Wang, Young Master Song, since there's nothing else, I'll take Miss back with me. Don't worry, I'll investigate this matter thoroughly."

"Alright, Mr. Xiao, take care." Wang Ziyi cupped his hands and said.

After the officials left, Wang Ziyi said to Song Jiaojiao, "I didn't expect it to be Miss Xiao. This Prefect Xiao's daughter is a pampered young lady who never leaves her home. I wonder why she went out today, and she only brought one personal maid with her."

"Who knows? But isn't Prefect Xiao here? Why is it just a clerk managing government affairs?"

Song Jiaojiao asked curiously.

"Sister Jiaojiao, you don't know this. Prefect Xiao is a restless man. He runs around three counties and six towns every day. The affairs of the prefect are completely managed by his advisor, who is considered his servant. It is said that he has been by Prefect Xiao's side since childhood."

"Well, I've heard a lot of good things about Prefect Xiao along the way. Prefect Xiao must be a good official."

Song Jiaojiao said with emotion.

"He was indeed a good official, but he neglected his family. Madam Xiao died in childbirth while giving birth to Miss Xiao. The maidservant who is now in the household is Madam Xiao's former personal maidservant, and is now Prefect Xiao's concubine. How she came to be a concubine is unknown."

All that is known is that on the day Madam Xiao suffered a difficult childbirth, Prefect Xiao, who had just passed the imperial examination, returned home very late and left very early every day. Even after Madam Xiao's death, Prefect Xiao only learned of it the next day. By the time he rushed home, he hadn't even seen Madam Xiao one last time. Immediately after Madam Xiao's burial, Prefect Xiao elevated this girl to the status of a concubine, claiming it was to take care of the eldest daughter.

Wang Ziyi told Song Jiaojiao about this gossip that was circulating in the capital, but what was really going on inside the Xiao family was unknown.