Everyone present was stunned. Was Lixi really planning to escalate the matter this far?
What was even more surprising was that Chi Mu agreed. Suddenly, everyone looked at Lixi with complicated expressions. Even Lixi herself had not expected Chi Mu to agree so readily. She had assumed he would ask her to settle things quietly, as any blemish on Lu Meng's reputation would inevitably ruin his own future. Lixi began to hesitate, wondering if she should give Lu Meng a chance, or at least avoid implicating Chi Mu.
Chi Mu, however, did not give her a chance to back down. Wincing from the pain in his abdomen, he spoke up, "You don't need to go; call the police directly. Let them find her."
"If Lu Meng brings up her status as the Marshal's wife again, don't worry about my face. Just tell them everything is being handled according to the laws of Country A."
The guards hesitated when they saw Chi Mu was serious about calling the police, but one look from him silenced them. They did not dare delay any further, answered in unison, and quickly turned to leave.
Chi Mu was doing this for more than just Lixi; he had wanted to do this ever since the last time Lu Meng had someone beat up a servant who had kindly tried to report something to him. By the time he found out about that incident, the servant's family had already signed a settlement agreement, accepted a large sum of money, and taken the servant away.
Lixi’s throat tightened as she watched this. She had not expected Chi Mu to truly stand on her side. After a long moment, she asked with difficulty, "Marshal, won't you help her?"
Hearing this, Chi Mu walked to the side of the bed and pulled up a chair. "How could I help her? She is the one who did wrong, and you are the victim. If you don't want a private settlement, then we will proceed according to your wishes."
"Besides, if she isn't taught a lesson now, she will surely cause even greater trouble later."
Lixi’s eyes turned slightly red. It had been a long time since anyone had stood by her so firmly. However, if she wanted to live a comfortable and peaceful life where no one dared to bully her, she had to stand up for herself. Originally, she had only thought of studying to improve her credentials, but now it seemed she needed to learn self-defense as well. Otherwise, if she faced danger again, she would just end up pinned to the ground and beaten.
The doctor began to treat her wounds. The stinging sensation of the antiseptic on her skin made Lixi tremble slightly. The pain brought her back to reality, and she noticed Chi Mu unconsciously pressing his hand against his abdomen. Feeling guilty, she hurriedly said, "Marshal, perhaps you should go back and rest. I will be fine here."
Chi Le and Chi Yue, who had been standing to the side, walked up to Chi Mu, sobbing. Chi Le, with red eyes, said, "I'm sorry, Father. It’s all because of us that Mother was so angry."
"I am too useless. Auntie Lixi got hurt so badly because she was afraid Mother would hit me."
Before Chi Mu could speak, Lixi softly comforted them, "Honestly, this isn't your fault. These are grown-up matters."
"You two just need to eat well and grow up happily."
Hearing this, Chi Le felt even more aggrieved and hid in Chi Mu’s arms, crying softly.
Just after the doctor finished treating Lixi, the police arrived. They first politely saluted Chi Mu, acknowledging his status, before turning their attention to Lixi. The lead officer, Qin Dongyang, looked solemn but his tone remained gentle. "Miss Li, we have received a report regarding a conflict here. We need to ask you for a detailed account of what happened. Please cooperate with our investigation."
The police left after gathering the basic facts, intending to take Lu Meng to the station for questioning. Lixi urged Chi Mu to go back and rest. Chi Mu was indeed exhausted by then, so he did not decline. Thinking it best to let Lixi get some proper rest, he took Chi Le and the others with him.
...
As soon as Lu Meng returned home, a servant hurried forward. "Madam, the police will be here soon to investigate. They say you are accused of intentional assault. It would be best if you cooperate."
Upon hearing this, Lu Meng backhanded the servant across the face. "Who let them in? This is the Southern District, and I am the Marshal's wife! No one is allowed in without my permission."
"And as for you, people are supposed to cater to me, yet you dare tell me to cooperate with them!"
"Who exactly pays your salary?!"
The servant covered her face and said indignantly, "They are already inside."
The moment the words left her mouth, Lu Meng saw the police entering the front gate of the Lu Residence, heading straight for the house. Lu Meng sat impatiently on the sofa, waiting for them.
When the police reached her, she scoffed. "Do you know where this is? Do you know who I am?"
"Be careful, or I’ll make a phone call, and you can forget about wearing those uniforms ever again."
Qin Dongyang’s expression was cold; he ignored Lu Meng’s arrogant attitude entirely. With a stone-faced expression, he produced his identification and said sternly, "Ms. Lu, we are police officers. A report has been filed accusing you of intentional assault. We are here to take you to the station for investigation in accordance with the law. Please cooperate."
"Intentional assault?" Lu Meng shrieked. "Did she tell you why I hit her?"
"She was interfering in the relationship between me and the Marshal, so I gave her a small lesson."
"And now she’s acting like the victim?"
"She really is just a cheap woman who knows how to play weak to win people's pity."
Setting aside the personal history between Lixi and Lu Meng, Qin Dongyang looked at Lu Meng’s pristine, uninjured state and thought of Lixi’s swollen face and broken right hand. His tone grew harsher. "Ms. Lu, please come with us immediately, or we will be forced to use measures of restraint."
Seeing that the police did not hold her in any regard, Lu Meng turned bright red with rage. "Measures of restraint? I’d like to see who dares to touch me!"
As she spoke, she habitually swung a slap at him. Qin Dongyang immediately caught her hand, stunned. Was this woman insane? She actually dared to assault an officer!
Qin Dongyang twisted her arm behind her back in one clean, fluid motion. Lu Meng felt a sharp, searing pain in her wrist and let out a miserable scream. She tried to struggle, but found she couldn't break free.
She began to panic. "You bastards, let me go! Do you know who I am? My husband is Chi Mu, the Marshal of the Southern District in Kyoto! You are dead for treating me like this!"
The other officers stepped in to assist, quickly surrounding her. One pulled out handcuffs and, with a sharp "click," secured Lu Meng’s wrists.
Lu Meng was eventually dragged away by the police, still cursing and swearing. After watching her go, the servant considered calling the Lu Family, but decided against it. The Madam was right—she should listen to whoever paid her salary. It was the Marshal who paid her, and the Marshal was the one who called the police. She decided to follow the Marshal's will and let the Madam spend some quality time at the station.