relics

"I know." Jiang Jin waved his hand dismissively. "I'm leaving now. If you have nothing else to do, go and talk to Sima and the officials of Beizhou. Maybe you can find some clues."

After Jiang Jin finished speaking, he left the government office with Zhou Cong. As they walked along the road, they saw that the people around them were all beaming with joy, especially the dockworkers who were practically ready to set off firecrackers in celebration.

"It seems that Governor Qu is quite unpopular with the people," Jiang Jin said to Zhou Cong behind him.

"Didn't Madam also disapprove of it back then? If we hadn't been rushing to Yuezhou, I think Madam would have already stormed into the prefectural government and shot Governor Qu twice." Zhou Cong's rare joke caught Jiang Jin's attention.

"Assassinating the governor in the government office, do I look like the kind of person who would risk their life?" Jiang Jin had no idea what was going on in the minds of the people around Wei Shu.

"Did Madam come to the street to observe the people's conditions?" Zhou Cong watched Jiang Jin look left and right, as if searching for something, or perhaps just simply looking around.

"I just think that the fate of a prefecture isn't determined by the officials or the censors; only the people have the final say. Look at those people, aside from the fact that Prefect Qu died, how much joy do they actually feel? The rest are just numb." Jiang Jin walked up to a stall and picked up a steamed bun.

"Boss, three steamed buns, please." Upon hearing this, the boss somewhat blankly picked up three steamed buns and handed them to Jiang Jin. "Six coins."

"Okay, thank you." Jiang Jin took out ten coins and placed them on the stall, which the owner simply accepted.

"Do you remember what happened in Yuezhou and Bianzhou?" Jiang Jin handed Zhou Cong a steamed bun.

“The people of Yuezhou are very fortunate; even the poor have the governor's office to provide for them. Bianzhou may have been wealthy to begin with, so even with heavy taxes, the people can still make a living. It's at least more vibrant than Beizhou.” Zhou Cong could clearly sense the differences between these three prefectures.

"Therefore, the matter of Beizhou is urgent. If it continues like this, there is no guarantee that someone will stir up trouble. If it becomes a big deal, it will be a waste of manpower and resources."

Jiang Jin could see that the people of Beizhou were at their last gasp. If someone stepped forward now, perhaps they could gain widespread support.

"Madam, why don't we return to the governor's mansion now and have the general send some men? That way, they can protect you should anything happen." Zhou Cong immediately became alert upon hearing Jiang Jin's words, glancing at the surrounding people as if afraid a wise person might appear at any moment.

"It's alright. For now, with Wei Shu's reputation standing tall here and the Imperial Guards around, there shouldn't be any major trouble. Besides, Governor Qu is dead, so the resentment in the people's hearts should dissipate somewhat." Jiang Jin sighed, looking at the people around him.

"Whether he was deceived or genuinely sincere, Governor Qu never truly put the people first. Water can carry a boat, but it can also capsize it; he simply took his own life prematurely."

Jiang Jin glanced in the direction of the governor's mansion. "Actually, although your general doesn't say it, he understands it in his heart, which is why he's eager to find out who's behind it all."

"Madam, shall we go back now?" Zhou Cong was now on high alert; he could foresee his own fate if anything happened to Jiang Jin.

"Let's go to the dock." Jiang Jin felt like she was overlooking something, but couldn't quite put her finger on it, so she decided to go back to the dock to take a look. There were very few people working at the dock; she wondered if it was because Governor Qu had died and was no longer collecting river taxes.

"Madam?" Zhou Cong watched Jiang Jin slowly walk towards the riverbank. If there hadn't been nothing unusual just now, he would have thought Jiang Jin was going to jump into the river and commit suicide.

"When did the dock stop collecting taxes?" Jiang Jin suddenly asked, interrupting Zhou Cong's thoughts.

"We told them that when we went to fetch the boatmen yesterday," Zhou Cong suddenly realized, "So that's why the river tax didn't stop immediately after Governor Qu's death!"

“If the officials of Beizhou were truly coerced by Governor Qu, then they should have immediately ordered the cessation of river tax collection upon Governor Qu's death.” Jiang Jin had witnessed Sima Sheng’s tearful performance, completely absolving himself of responsibility.

"So, officials are good at acting." Jiang Jin snorted and patted Zhou Cong on the shoulder, making him shudder.

"Madam, I can assure you that the General is completely devoted to you and there is absolutely no acting involved!" Zhou Cong hurriedly explained to Wei Shu, adding that if the two of them quarreled, he and Zhou Liao would be the ones who suffered. Wei Shu, whose love life was not smooth, was particularly terrifying.

"I didn't expect your general to be so cautious. Your general's prudence is renowned throughout the court and the country. But this can be considered an admission of guilt," Jiang Jin said, watching Zhou Cong's face turn from green to white, feeling a little pleased.

"Alright, enough joking around. But it would be best to investigate the officials in Beizhou. I have a feeling they're hiding something. It would be terrible if Governor Qu was just a scapegoat."

Seeing no further clues at the dock, Jiang Jin was preparing to take Zhou Cong back home when she noticed a crowd gathered in the distance. Not wanting to cause trouble, Jiang Jin ignored them and had only taken three steps when she heard a familiar voice.

"Are you trying to make me report this to the authorities?" Song Zhimin, dressed in a blue robe, stood in the crowd. From a distance, he did look somewhat familiar.

Jiang Jin initially didn't want to get involved, but then he thought that if Song Zhimin died in Beizhou, it would be a waste of His Highness's efforts. However, Zhou Cong, who was with him, was somewhat of a hindrance. After all, Zhou Cong was Wei Shu's man, and if he recognized Song Zhimin, it would be a huge loss.

"Zhou Cong, go back to the governor's mansion and wait for me. I have some matters to attend to." Zhou Cong, unlike the first time, bowed respectfully and left without any hesitation. Jiang Jin breathed a sigh of relief, lifted her skirt, and walked towards Song Zhimin.

"What happened?" Jiang Jin asked, approaching a woman.

"This young man in blue took a fancy to a pair of jingles, but unfortunately, the young man in black beat him to it and paid for them first, which led to the argument." Upon hearing this, Jiang Jin was so angry that she almost stepped forward to hit Song Zhimin, but she managed to restrain herself by looking at the people around her.

"I heard that General Wei Shu is currently residing in the government office. If he finds out that something like this happened on the street, will he arrest the person and throw them in jail to be executed?"

Jiang Jin pretended to whisper and sure enough, she saw the man in black look scared. Taking advantage of the moment, Jiang Jin gave Song Zhimin a wink.

Seeing that things were going well, Song Zhimin stopped pressing the matter and only said he wanted to buy the ring from the man in black. The man in black, fearing Wei Shu and not wanting to escalate the situation, readily agreed and sold the ring. Seeing the matter resolved, Jiang Jin took a few steps back and walked into an alley. A moment later, Song Zhimin entered.

"What's the point of this ring? Do you know that if you report it to the authorities, Wei Shu will find out?" Jiang Jin crossed his arms and looked at Song Zhimin with a serious expression.

"These are my mother's belongings. I saw them on the street today and was momentarily overwhelmed with emotion, so I..." Song Zhimin felt a little guilty; it seemed he had caused Jiang Jin trouble again.

"There's no need to argue with him in the street. Doing it secretly isn't a big deal. You can use incentives or threats. You still can't uphold your gentlemanly conduct, can you?" Jiang Jin said with a hint of exasperation.

"I'm sorry, it's my fault." Song Zhimin knew Jiang Jin was angry, but he didn't dare get too close to her for fear of upsetting her.

"Alright, if your personal matters are settled, hurry back. I'm worried sick about you hanging around under Wei Shu's nose." Jiang Jin realized her words had been a bit harsh and looked up at Song Zhimin.

"Alright, you have your own judgment, so I won't say anything more. Song Zhimin, you must remember your place and never be complacent. The court is not peaceful right now, which is why you've been able to fish in troubled waters." Jiang Jin walked up to Song Zhimin and carefully looked at the person she hadn't seen for many years.

"Song Zhimin, you have shed some of your childishness and arrogance. Go back now and don't worry His Highness."

Jiang Jin walked past Song Zhimin and left the alley. Song Zhimin leaned against the wall and slowly squatted down, holding the jingle in her hand. A tear the size of a bean fell onto her fingertip.

"Mother, Mother..." Song Zhimin seemed to see Jiang Jin's figure before her eyes. She rode her horse with heroic grace and often accompanied her. She was the sun in her heart during that time.

Jiang Jin returned to the governor's mansion alone. She saw Zhou Congzheng anxiously looking around, and only breathed a sigh of relief after spotting Jiang Jin.

"Why are you so worried? I'm not a child, who would take me away in broad daylight?" Jiang Jin returned to the courtyard and, not hearing Zhou Cong, said quietly, "You may not be worried, but others are."

After confirming that no one else was around in the courtyard, Jiang Jin called out to Yi Yi, "What's wrong with Song Zhimin? Weren't we supposed to be keeping an eye on him? How can he just show up on the street like this? What if Wei Shu sees him? Are we all going to die together?!"

Jiang Jin's suppressed anger erupted instantly. Yi Yi dared not be negligent. "Wife, we can't tie him up here. Besides, given Song Langjun's status, we don't have the right to take him back."

Yi Yi's words, spoken at the end, evoked a hint of pity in Jiang Jin. "I understand," Jiang Jin said, rubbing her forehead. She began to plot how to get Song Zhimin to leave Beizhou as soon as possible.

"Why don't you ask him, madam? Maybe Young Master Song can leave tomorrow." Yi darted around and came up with a terrible idea.

"Otsuichi, have you been having too much of a hard time lately?" Jiang Jin turned her head and met Otsuichi's smiling eyes.

“My lady, you are mistaken. Since you and Young Master Song are acquainted, it will surely be much more effective for you to speak to him. Perhaps Young Master Song will even leave Beizhou tonight.” Yi Yi silently turned away, no longer looking at Jiang Jin.

"I don't know if you think he's too brainless or you think I'm too important. Why do you think my words can influence his decision?" Jiang Jin sneered before looking at Yi Yi.

"If he listened to me, he wouldn't have brazenly appeared on the street like that." Jiang Jin rubbed her temples, now wishing she could knock Song Zhimin unconscious and carry him out of Beizhou.

"Should we ask Young Master Song what his private matters are? If we help him resolve them, it will allow him to leave Beizhou as soon as possible," Yi Yi suggested to Jiang Jin, offering a useful suggestion.

"The situation in Beizhou is a complete mess. Do I need to spare any attention for his affairs? Do I look like such a compassionate person? Have someone keep an eye on him. If anything goes wrong, knock him unconscious and take him out of Beizhou. When he wakes up, say it was my order." Jiang Jin stood up and gave a firm order, determined not to let Song Zhimin interfere with his affairs.