Chapter 73 It was such a coincidence, it was as if heaven was paving the way for her…

Tang Wan'er cried even harder, still relieved that the account book was still beside her when she woke up.

Believing that having the ledger as leverage gave her the means to negotiate, she wanted to learn how to use others to avenge her and save her sister.

“Auntie, Wan’er was wrong. I didn’t say the right thing. May I ask my husband again? Wan’er only needs a promise.”

Tang Wan'er sat on the edge of the bed, her face pale, silently shedding tears, like a fallen flower whose branch had been broken by the wind and then drenched by raindrops, looking extremely pitiful.

The woman was truly pitiful. Aunt He felt sorry for her and even regretted saying such harsh words to Tang Wan'er. She got up, lifted the windproof curtain, and went out to chase after Yu He'an, hoping to discuss things with her.

The courtyard was long gone; there was no one to be seen. Yu He'an had already left with Changming.

Aunt He was stunned for a moment. She had long been used to Yu He'an's attitude towards Yu Tan, which was gentle and patient. She had forgotten that coldness and ruthlessness were Yu He'an's true nature.

Aunt He had no choice but to return to her room, unable to bear looking at Tang Wan'er's sorrowful face any longer. "Madam Tang, your husband has already left."

Tang Wan'er's heart sank. She chuckled a few times, thinking herself clever enough to manipulate people, but little did she expect...

Tang Wan'er then offered a compromise: "Please, madam, give me a ride when you return to Bianjing."

"nature."

After resting for a while, Aunt He led Tang Wan'er into the carriage. Tang Wan'er leaned weakly against the carriage wall and tentatively asked, "Auntie, after I go and beat the drum, do you have any way to protect me? I don't want to die."

His tone was weak and listless, utterly pitiful.

Hearing this, Aunt He felt a pang of sadness. Tang Wan'er was unaware that she was already on the verge of death and was only holding on because of the effects of the medicine.

Looking at Tang Wan'er's face as she cried softly, Aunt He remained silent, watching her cry for half an hour.

"Auntie, you must save me! I don't want to die."

"You were the one who kindly helped me from the wall last night, weren't you? I remember you."

Aunt He pursed her lips, unsure how to tell Tang Wan'er about this.

"Since you saved me, there's absolutely no reason for you to send me to my death again." Tang Wan'er wiped away her tears and glanced at Aunt He. "Saving a life is better than building a seven-story pagoda. Aunt He must be a good person. If I really die, I'll be pitiful in a foreign land, just a lonely ghost."

Aunt He finally realized that this woman was using weakness as a weapon and manipulating her like a gun. Her heart, which had been softened by tears, hardened a bit.

She, who had lived half her life and wandered the martial arts world, almost fell for her trick.

"I don't want to die yet, Auntie, my life depends on you."

She had saved Tang Wan'er and was now clinging to her. She stared helplessly out the window. "Madam Tang, I really wanted to save you."

Tang Wan'er stopped crying, her tears falling like pearls, and smiled. "I knew Auntie would save me. I also have an older sister who is still in the wolf's den. I beg you to have mercy and save her too."

"But as you said, the most important thing in this world is to save yourself." Aunt He gave a bitter smile, knowing that saving herself didn't mean dragging others down with her to be her scapegoats. She thought that Yu He'an had seen through Tang Wan'er at a glance and left.

*

Yu Tan went to the post station to mail the letter. The sky grew increasingly gloomy, and a cold wind howled.

A short while later, small snowflakes began to fall. She reached out and caught a small snowflake, which melted instantly on her fingertips. The chill crept up her fingertips and into her body. She breathed on her hands to warm them, then tightened her cloak to wrap herself up in warmth.

Catching a chill in winter is the worst thing, so he quickly boarded the carriage.

Once the heater in the carriage warmed her up, she finally felt a bit more comfortable.

As the carriage traveled along the official road, she first returned to her residence, packed her things, and picked out some useful items to take with her.

After all that effort, the snow fell heavier and heavier, covering the ground and eaves with a thin layer, blanketing the entire world in white and hiding all the filth. But once a pedestrian walked by, the dark interior was revealed.

The number of pedestrians on the road did not decrease; instead, they formed small groups and walked forward.

Yu Tan lowered the carriage curtain but couldn't hear what was being said outside. Qiao Xin, however, did hear it clearly.

"My lady, these people have gone to watch the excitement. It seems someone is beating the drum to appeal to the emperor."

If the petition drum could reach the ears of Heaven, who would dare to beat it unless there was a truly great injustice?

On the way back to the courtyard, the carriage would pass by Dali Temple. As the carriage traveled through the streets of Dali Temple, the sound of drums could be heard, each beat more urgent than the last, as if urging someone to die.

She clenched her fists, wondering if, according to her original fate, she would also have to beat the drum and cry for justice when she was driven to desperation.

Fortunately, she was lucky enough to lift the carriage curtain and let in a blast of cold air.

A woman dressed in thin clothes struck the drum again and again; she was slender, fragile yet resilient.

The gates of the Dali Temple finally opened, and leading the way was Sun Qiao, the Dali Temple Minister in his crimson official robes. Beside Lord Sun stood a richly dressed man, surrounded by a crowd of people, his expression the same as when he was neglected in the past. This man was none other than the Third Prince, Chu Yunce.

The woman knelt on the ground, her voice booming so loudly that the onlookers could hear her clearly.

“I beg you, sir, to do me justice. I want to sue Pei Ji for selling official positions. Pei Ji has been selling government positions at ten times the price, and all the proceeds have gone into his private account. He has even used the sale of official positions to forcibly take women from the people.”

As soon as she finished speaking, the onlookers started discussing among themselves. The gist of it was that this young woman was incredibly bold to dare to sue the Pei family.

Even ordinary people know that with the fall of the eldest prince, the third prince is the heir apparent. The Pei family is the maternal family of the third prince, a prominent family in Bianjing, and the most prosperous of them all. Pei Shen holds the title of Duke, and Pei Yuanqing serves as the Minister of Revenue.

Lord Sun coldly swept his gaze over the woman: "You can't just say things like that. Do you know that arbitrarily accusing and slandering court officials is a capital offense?"

"I have evidence." Tang Wan'er took out a book half a finger thick from her bosom. Instead of handing it to Lord Sun who had stopped her, she handed it to the well-dressed young man beside her. She had a feeling that he was more reliable. "My lord, this is the account book I stole. I also have a witness who witnessed the whole process of Pei Ji selling official positions. She is my sister and is being imprisoned at Pei Family Manor in the suburbs."

Chu Yuance casually flipped through a few pages, his brows furrowing more and more. His fingers rubbed the rough paper, and he already had a guess in his mind. "It seems that there is indeed a wrong in this case, so I will take it on."

Unable to voice her grievances in public, the yamen runners helped the young woman into the Dali Temple.

Only when it was completely out of sight did Yu Tan lower the curtain, and the carriage slowly headed back.

The timing of this woman's appearance was so coincidental, it was as if heaven was paving the way for her.

Back in the courtyard, after taking off her thick cloak, she was finally able to move around. She sat on the couch for a long time, unable to figure out the crux of the matter.

Aunt He did come back, but she seemed absent-minded and spaced out several times.

It was too cold because of the snow, so she wanted to eat something warm. While Aunt He was preparing the hot pot, she was distracted and burned her hand. Qiaoxin quickly wrapped Aunt He's hand with a cool cloth.

"Aunt He, if you're tired, take a rest."

Qiaoxin helped Aunt He change her handkerchief: "The servants behind can do it too, Aunt He, please go and rest."

Standing aside, Aunt He learned that after sending Tang Wan'er to Dali Temple, Yu He'an had taken people to the outskirts of the city to look for the other people who had gone there the night before, as well as the account book that Tang Wan'er had mentioned.

Aunt He was lost in thought for a while, sometimes shocked that she had almost been used as a pawn, and sometimes feeling sorry for Tang Wan'er's fate.

Seeing that Aunt He was in a daze, Yu Tan told her to go and rest.

After all that fuss, she was starving. After eating and drinking her fill, she rested on the armchair for a while.

She had originally planned to wait for Yu He'an to tell him the whole story and ask him questions, but the timing of her appearance was just too coincidental.

Even by midnight, Yu He'an hadn't returned, and sleepiness had already set in.

Chu Yunce is currently riding high, and if he takes the lead in handling this case, Yu He'an, as one of Chu Yunce's capable subordinates, will be very busy during this period.

Yu Tan glanced out the window; large snowflakes were falling, the first heavy snow of winter.

*

A group of people rode fast horses through the wind and snow, snowflakes drifting down their backs.

The woman's words were half true and half false. It was Aunt He who found out where the other woman had been detained and transferred.

Yu He'an had just led his men to surround the courtyard. He stood in front of the mansion gate for a short while, and frost and snow fell all over his head, making him look like an icicle standing between heaven and earth.

"Lord Yu, what does this mean? You've brought people to surround my private residence."

A tall, handsome young man in black robes emerged from inside, his servant attentively holding an oil-paper umbrella over him. The umbrella, though only a short distance long, was already covered with a thin layer of snow.

Having stood still for only a moment, snow fell on his shoulders and hair. Yu He'an shook off the snow and said, "Lord Pei, I have also come here on orders to inquire about your affairs."

As scions of prominent families, comparisons were inevitable. Pei Ji was eight years older than Yu He'an, but he was far inferior to Yu He'an in both the imperial examinations and his official career, and he always harbored a deep resentment.

Pei Ji gave a forced smile: "Selling official positions is something that can be done through donations. What does it have to do with me? Lord Yu, you've come to the wrong place. You should go back quickly. Otherwise, you might do something wrong and catch a cold, which would be a loss."

“Lord Pei.” Yu He’an held up the crumpled piece of Xuan paper in front of Pei Ji, a slight smile playing on his lips as he looked at Pei Ji. “Do you recognize this? Someone is beating the Dengwen Drum outside the Dali Temple, accusing Lord Pei of buying and selling official positions.”

Upon seeing the Xuan paper, Pei Ji's expression darkened further, and his breathing became heavy.

This morning he realized that an account book was missing. He searched through all the houses he had moved to, but couldn't find it.

All the servants were punished, but none of them admitted to anything. The young ladies who were sent there were even punished by being made to stand in ice water for three hours, but none of them admitted to anything either.

He suddenly remembered that he hadn't had time to take people to the mass grave to check on the woman who had been beaten to death for pretending to be a ghost last night.

A servant came to report that Yu He'an had led his men to surround the courtyard.

"I don't know him. How can Lord Yu use even a piece of scrap paper he picked up casually as evidence? Ridiculous."

Yu He'an ignored Pei Ji's clumsy attempt to provoke him: "Whether Lord Pei can be used as evidence is a matter for the Dali Temple to decide."

"Nonsense! Stop making wild accusations. If it were truly a case handled by the Dali Temple, it should be the Dali Temple officers and soldiers who would be dispatched. When did Lord Yu become a member of the Dali Temple?"

Pei Ji was furious and took a step forward, but stopped abruptly when he saw that Yu He'an wouldn't budge.

"I am naturally acting on the orders of the Fifth Prince."

Pei Ji gritted his teeth and said, "Yu He'an, do you really think that by climbing up to the Fifth Prince, you've found a legitimate path? You're openly challenging my Pei family. Who do you think you are? Daring to interfere with me."

No sooner had he finished speaking than a large number of soldiers and servants armed with swords rushed out, their weapons drawn against each other.

Yu He'an arrived a step earlier, thus tying up Pei Ji. He only brought twenty or thirty men, and naturally, he was outnumbered by the garrison soldiers.

Pei Ji roared, "Get out of the way! If a conflict really breaks out today, even if it's reported to the Emperor tomorrow, it will be you, Yu He'an, who will have to apologize."

"If Lord Pei is truly innocent, then the appropriate compensation will naturally be paid in full."

As soon as Yu He'an finished speaking, the sound of iron hooves could be faintly heard. A dark figure broke through the snowy night and arrived. The soldiers of the Dali Temple had arrived, wearing silver armor and carrying Tang-style swords at their waists, and surrounded Pei Family Manor.

"The Dali Temple is investigating a case, and we request Lord Pei's cooperation."

Pei Ji's face drained of color, and he glared fiercely at Yu He'an. "We'll see."

"Please, Lord Pei."

*

The heavy snow fell for a day and a night, but the sky cleared up and became a clear blue. The snow in the yard was knee-deep.

Yu He'an did not return for three consecutive days. He only sent Changming back to get a change of clothes and a message of peace. It seems that he will not be back for several more days.

Zhao Qiuci did come once during that time, but they only chatted about everyday things.

Madam Song asked her to pass on a message, saying only: "These things should have been their own choices. She shouldn't have interfered. And now, don't let her have any reservations about what she did in the past."

Yu Tan nodded, understanding now. Old Madam Song was practically saying "agree" and "matchmaking" aloud.

Even if they disagree this time, she doesn't intend to give up.

After clearing the snow from the yard, she saw Zhao Qiuci out.

Before leaving, Zhao Qiuci instructed: "Pei Ji was imprisoned in Dali Temple for selling official positions. A few days ago, my brother led people to find evidence."

Pei Ji has no real power. If we really want to count the donated houses, they belong to the Ministry of Revenue, which would implicate Pei Yuanqing, the Minister of Revenue. It seems that the Pei family has abandoned Pei Ji.

But the Pei family has been domineering in the court for many years, and they will not swallow this insult.

Father is always worried that the Pei family will harm you, so he's placed secret guards around you. Try to stay home as much as possible these days and be extra careful.

Yu Tan nodded; this meant they had completely broken off all pretense of civility.

She doesn't like going out in winter anyway, and she stayed in the courtyard for a few more days.

News of Pei Ji's secret sale of official positions and abduction of women had spread throughout the streets and alleys. He was executed on the streets of Bianjing fifteen days later.

Upon hearing this news, Yu Tan's hand holding the storybook froze. Pei Ji's death was too swift and decisive, much like someone trying to survive by cutting off an arm.

The accident happened the next day. Jiang Tingfeng returned, but he was carried back.

I heard that when he was found, he had been stabbed through the waist and abdomen, and his blood stained the snow red. If he had been an hour later, he would have either bled to death or frozen to death in the snow.

When he was found, Jiang Tingfeng, who was completely unconscious, only repeated one sentence: "Pei Shen betrayed the country, Pei Shen betrayed the country."

The incident happened that very night. Yu Tan had just fallen asleep when she heard a noise coming from the eaves.

Author's Note: Thank you MiMao for the nutrient solution! [Lop-eared rabbit head][Lop-eared rabbit head][Lop-eared rabbit head]