Chapter Fifty: Deterrence

Wen Qiran and Su Mu exchanged looks, both unaware of the events surrounding the identification of the corpse the previous night. Yet, if Ji Changge had decided to make arrests, he surely had his reasons. Besides, even Su Mu had no authority to interfere in the affairs of the Court of Judicial Review. Catching sight of Su Mu’s somewhat unfriendly expression, Wen Qiran adopted a composed demeanor, eyes lowered, feigning detachment. He understood Su Mu’s displeasure—after all, this was the Hanjiang County office, and Ji Changge had sent his men to make arrests without so much as a word of notice. If he were in Su Mu’s place, he too would not be pleased.

“Miss Wen, my master requests your presence,” said Uncle Quan, approaching.

Wen glanced at her father, who, as expected, frowned but said, “Go on.”

As she walked, Wen pondered what might have happened. Had some prisoner fallen ill during questioning?

Lost in thought, Wen soon found Ji Changge waiting for her not far ahead.

“Qiniang, please take your medical kit and go with Uncle Quan to Qinghe County at once. I’ll explain everything in detail when you return; the matter is urgent,” Ji Changge said.

Wen gave a slight nod. Even if unwilling, she could not refuse. So long as it did not involve autopsy work, she had no grounds to decline Lord Ji’s “request.”

The carriage sped away in a cloud of dust. In Ji Changge’s eyes flickered a trace of exhaustion—why, though he meant no harm, did misfortune come to others because of him?

Ji Changge turned to the two women he had seen quarreling at Peony House the day before.

“State your names,” he ordered.

“I am Xu Yingying,” the younger woman replied fearfully.

“I am Zhang Peach Blossom,” the slightly older one answered.

“Do you recognize this man?” Ji Changge asked, presenting a portrait of Wang Junfu.

The two women exchanged glances, remained silent, and their eyes darted uneasily.

Ji Changge regarded them with a half-smile. “Peony House will cease to exist from now on. Only one of you can earn merit by confessing. Whoever speaks first will be credited for her service—she will not only be released without charge, but I will ensure her a life free from want. The other will be punished as an accomplice to murder. Consider carefully.”

“I’ll tell!”
“I’ll tell!”
The two women spoke at once, desperate.

Ji Changge smiled. “Since you both spoke together, I am not a petty man. If your accounts are true, I will honor my word. But if there is even a hint of deceit, the punishment will be doubled.”

The two nodded furiously.

“Was the man who came to Peony House that day the one in this portrait?”

“Yes, he was the one who took away Sister Hongjian,” they both replied.

“He came alone?”

“There was another gentleman with him—they looked quite alike,” Zhang Peach Blossom said.

“I heard him call the other ‘big brother,’” Xu Yingying added.

Ji Changge was startled. “Are you certain?!”

Xu Yingying, unsure if she had misspoken, nodded hesitantly, flustered.

Ji Changge’s expression darkened. After a moment’s silence, he continued, “Describe in detail what you saw that day.”

“That day, these two gentlemen arrived and went straight to Sister Hongjian’s room. They stayed inside for a long time. Since both were handsome and well-dressed—clearly not ordinary folk—we were all envious, thinking that Sister Hongjian had snagged a wealthy patron,” Zhang Peach Blossom recounted.

“The next night, Madam Chun suddenly told us that Miss Hongjian had been bought out by one of the gentlemen, and instructed us to clean out her room for Yingying to move in. Later... later, I found a hairpin on the bed and secretly hid it in my clothes, but Yingying noticed,” Zhang Peach Blossom admitted guiltily.

“After you entered the room, did you see either of the two men again?”

“The gentleman in the portrait and Miss Hongjian did not return. The other gentleman came and went once. And then...” Zhang Peach Blossom suddenly fell silent.

“What else?” Ji Changge pressed.

“Nothing...” Zhang Peach Blossom avoided his gaze.

“Speak freely, I will keep it confidential,” Ji Changge assured her.

“I... I also saw... I saw, yesterday, the new county magistrate who came with you, meet with that gentleman in the room,” Zhang Peach Blossom confessed, as if forcing out the words with great difficulty.

“Be careful with your words—making false accusations could cost you your head,” Ji Changge warned sharply.

Zhang Peach Blossom waved her hands frantically. “I swear, sir, not for a hundred or a thousand lives would I dare fabricate such a thing! I am old and no longer favored by clients, so I often stand at the door, watching who earns more and currying favor accordingly. Those days, Miss Hongjian never left her room, so I was curious and kept peeking in.”

Ji Changge had the bailiffs lead the two women away, then ordered several brothel keepers to be brought in for further questioning.

...

Meanwhile, Wen, following Uncle Quan, arrived at a village in Qinghe County.

“Could you tell us the way to Zhang Danio’s house?” Uncle Quan asked an old farmer.

“What business do you have with him?” The old man eyed Uncle Quan and Wen with cloudy suspicion.

“We are doctors summoned by his family,” Uncle Quan replied.

“Oh, the house with the cockscomb flowers at the door,” the old man directed.

“Thank you, elder,” Uncle Quan said, and hurried toward the indicated house, Wen in tow. The old man glanced back at them as they left.

Arriving at the doorway, Wen glanced around. The house was dilapidated and shabby.

“Miss Wen, step back,” Uncle Quan instructed before kicking the door. It shattered instantly. Wen was taken aback, unsure whether to blame Uncle Quan’s strength or the utter decay of the door.

“Who are you?!” Three bare-chested men ran out from inside.

“Where is Miss Leng?” Uncle Quan demanded with obvious disdain.

“What Leng girl? Get out of here, or we’ll make you!” the brawniest of the men bellowed, clearly dismissing the threat posed by an old man and a young girl.

“Danio, what’s going on?” Suddenly, a dozen men burst into the yard wielding pitchforks, hoes, and cleavers. The yard was small, and soon Wen and Uncle Quan were surrounded.

“Hand her over, and I’ll leave,” Uncle Quan said impatiently.

Veins bulging on his forehead, Zhang Danio shouted, “He’s trying to steal my newly bought wife! Everyone, help me drive him off! Whoever grabs the girl beside him can keep her as a wife!”

“Alright!” The dozen men surged forward.

Uncle Quan seized a water vat by his side and hurled it into the air!

Everyone gaped as the massive, water-filled vat was sent flying over ten meters. Instantly, the crowd retreated several paces, fearing the vat might crash down on them. Even Zhang Danio and his two brothers turned deathly pale; it took all three of them to budge that vat, and even then they couldn’t lift it very high—yet this frail-looking old man had tossed it effortlessly.

The vat hung momentarily in the air, then plummeted even faster!

Several faint-hearted men screamed and crouched, covering their heads. If the tank smashed down it would mean certain death or injury.

A hush fell.

Opening their eyes, all were dumbstruck: the gaunt old man was holding the vat aloft in his hands.

“Do any of you still wish to try?” Uncle Quan asked coldly.

The dozen men grabbed their tools and fled, leaving only Zhang Danio and his two brothers in the yard.

The three exchanged glances, menace twisting their faces. This was their hard-earned bride, bought with nearly a lifetime’s savings—how could they give her up so easily?