Chapter 34: Ten Thousand Taels of Gold?

"Squeak~"

In the dark prison cell, the iron gate slowly opened.

A slight creaking sound startled the creatures inside. Swarms of cockroaches rushed towards the cracks in the wall, gray tails swayed among the piles of straw, and a bold rat, its small, dark eyes wide open, lay motionless between the iron bars.

A large foot stomped down mercilessly, the sound of flesh and internal organs bursting sending chills down one's spine. The newcomer, however, paid no heed, spitting out a curse as he continued forward until he reached the end. There, he picked up a candle; its flickering light dimly illuminated only a corner of the cramped cell.

Piles of moldy straw mats, a filthy chamber pot in the corner, a swarm of rats huddled together to feast on scraps, and cockroaches crawling around...

The last figure to appear was curled up in the corner.

"Shu Chenghao, Shu Qingxiang, right?"

Hearing his name called, Shu Chenghao, who had been fast asleep, opened his drowsy eyes. Seeing a blurry figure before the prison door, he jolted awake, stumbled to his feet, ran to the door, grabbed the iron bars, and looked at the person with a mixture of fear and anticipation. Straw fell from his once-smooth long hair.

"Oh, it's us. What can I do for you, sir?"

Over this period of time, his once somewhat round face had developed a pointed chin. His face was dirty, covered with mosquito bites, and was swollen and red. At first glance, it was hard to connect him with the Little Master from before. However, upon closer inspection, his eyes were still bright, only he had lost weight.

Compared to other people who went to prison, his days in jail weren't too bad.

Although the daily meals were simple and plain, they were always fresh, not leftovers that were rotten and smelly. While they were still interrogated daily, the questioning was gentle, unlike some who resorted to torture, which was chilling to behold.

Shu Chenghao knew that this preferential treatment had nothing to do with him and his father; it was all thanks to his good friend's hard work outside. Thinking about this, he felt both happy and guilty.

Getting involved in this matter was not his intention, but it was serious in nature. He both hoped for a turn of events and that he and his grandfather could be released, yet he also feared that there was no way to reconcile the situation and that it would implicate his friends.

Because of this, he tossed and turned in prison, and in just a few days, he lost about ten pounds.

Yang, the constable, raised the candle flame, illuminating Shu Chenghao's face so clearly that his features were visible. With certainty, Shu Chenghao gave a serious smile.

"You two are lucky; you were just deceived by the escort agency and there was no real smuggling involved. Otherwise, even Song Jin's merit in saving the city wouldn't have saved you. Get out of here, and be more careful in the future. If there's a next time, things won't be so simple."

Under Shu Chenghao's delighted gaze, Yang, the constable, opened the door and gestured with his chin towards them: "Come on, I'll take you out."

With that, Yang, the constable, strode ahead, leading the two, who were both delighted and alarmed, out of the cell. They walked calmly past the dimly lit, cramped cells until they reached a corner. He paused, turned to look at the dark cell, sighed silently, and pulled a cloth bag from his waist, tossing it inside.

It was quiet inside, without the slightest sound.

Yang, the constable, simply said, "That girl is gone; this is for you."

After saying this, he led the bewildered grandfather and grandson of the Shu family out of the cell. The creaking sound of the door closing followed, the footsteps gradually fading away, and the insects and rats returned, making rustling and squeaking noises.

Luo, the constable, slowly stood up, looked down at the round, black cloth pouch, and picked it up.

The purse was quite heavy, as if it contained stones. Upon opening it, several brown pills were found nestled among the exquisitely crafted rock candy, their black and white colors clearly contrasting.

It looks so cloying.

The constable, Luo, gripped the object tightly in his hand, closed his eyes, and lay back down on the dry, new straw mat, burying his head in the clean, soap-scented quilt, waiting for the first rays of sunlight to break through the darkness.

I don't know how many more times I'll see him in this lifetime.

...

At the same time, Shu Chenghao and his grandson Shu Qingxiang followed Yang, the bailiff, out of the prison cell.

The faint light of dawn was almost blinding at this moment, and the usually sparse and ordinary air smelled wonderfully fresh.

Shu Chenghao stared blankly at the person in front of him, then opened his mouth and asked, "What are you doing here?"

This person was none other than Yan Sheng, a student of Wenyuan Academy, Song Jin's neighbor and childhood sweetheart, and also Shu Chenghao's one-sided rival in love.

At this moment, Yan Sheng was dressed in a sky-blue scholar's robe, impeccably dressed, with a handsome face, and a sachet on his body emitting a faint fragrance of osmanthus. In contrast, Yan Sheng, who had just been released from prison, had a bird's nest-like head, tattered clothes, and a haggard appearance with a faint fishy odor, resembling a beggar on the street.

Shu Chenghao felt uneasy and, in his frustration, said with a hint of malice, "Are you here to laugh at me?"

One was a poor student at Wenyuan Academy, and the other was the young master of the largest bookstore across the street from the academy. In the past, Shu Chenghao had always looked down on Yan Sheng, this country bumpkin who lived off his wife. Now that his family was in trouble, this man was specifically waiting for him, making it hard for Shu Chenghao not to be suspicious.

Yan Sheng glanced at his disheveled appearance, made no gloating remarks, simply smiled, and handed him the clothes he had prepared.

"Go over there and tidy up. Jinjin and the others are leaving soon, and I don't think you want to see her one last time looking like this."

Shu Chenghao was stunned: "What do you mean?"

Yan Sheng sighed, "Aunt Niu is unwell and needs to go to the capital for medical treatment. They've already been delayed for a while, and they're waiting in the carriage outside now. They'll leave after seeing you one last time."

Shu Chenghao was taken aback: "No, you're not coming back?"

Yan Sheng didn't answer his question because he didn't know if they would come back. He simply handed the packed clothes to Shu Chenghao.

Go and pack up.

...

Outside the county government office, a group of people dressed in dark red robes stood in neat rows. Each of them was tall, with regular features and a serious expression. Any one of them would be a talented and outstanding individual, but now they were all gathered together, standing guard in a defensive posture.

In the very center, a six-horse carriage, resembling a small cottage, stands majestically. Its body is made of fine rosewood, adorned with gold thread, exuding opulence and nobility. Behind it is a slightly less grand four-horse carriage.

However, the inferiority is only relative. Individually, the four-horse carriage is tall and sturdy, and although its style is simple, its considerable value is still evident.

Among the three white horses that Gao Jun rode in front of the carriage, a slightly shorter black mule stood tall, munching on its fodder, which slightly disrupted the harmony.

"How about we let Blackie run at the back?" Niu Tielan lifted the carriage curtain and peeked out. Looking at her incongruous black mule, a blush crept onto her pale face. She whispered, "Blackie and the white horse are different sizes; it'll affect the carriage's speed, Jinjin."

Compared to her mother's thin skin, Song Jin was much calmer. She sat in the driver's seat, her feet resting on Xiao Hei's bottom, her back against the frame, a straw dangling from her mouth, seemingly oblivious to the discord.

"It's alright, Mother. You have to trust Little Black. It's just as good as an ordinary horse. Besides, this is a carriage, not a race. We're not competing on speed. If we really ran at a certain speed, what would happen to the guards following behind?"

That would kill people with exhaustion!

Niu Tielan choked, it wasn't a matter of speed, it was mainly about watching, and he blushed a little.

Back in town, everyone's life was just average, so it didn't matter what they did. Everyone knew their family was well-off anyway, so there was no need to show off.

They were heading to the capital soon. Although Niu Tielan didn't really want to go, since she had already decided to go, she still had to maintain some dignity—she admitted she was a somewhat vain person.

"Whatever you want. If the road gets too steep, we can just switch to horses. Xiao Hei can walk alongside." Seeing her daughter's composure, Niu Tielan silently swallowed her words of advice and changed the subject, "Why haven't Xiao Shu and the others come out yet? Are they really alright?"

Song Jin spat out the straw in her mouth, not too worried: "They'll definitely be fine. One of them is a prince, and the other is a treacherous official. If they can't even handle this little thing, then they've really wasted their lives, right?"

Song Xingzhi stood in front of the carriage to say goodbye, feeling heartbroken upon hearing this: "I think you've misunderstood me. I am a legitimate fifth-ranked scholar in this dynasty, currently serving as the Left Vice Minister of the Ministry of Revenue. I'm not a petty traitor, and my father isn't a major traitor either. Don't spread rumors like this."

Song Jin shrugged: "What, did he not have someone torn apart by five horses, or did he not confiscate other people's property, or did he not have a fortune?"

Song Xingzhi's brow twitched as he listened, but he couldn't refute it, because it was all true. However, he silently reminded him, "He's still your father; everything is yours."

Although the Song family still has five brothers, they were already incredibly grateful to Song Shang for taking in and raising them, children with complicated backgrounds in their early years. Now that they've grown up, how could they possibly compete with their only younger sister?

A real man should strive for what he wants; those who covet the family fortune are cowards.

Song Jin, who had been scoffing, blinked and tentatively asked, "I heard he owns tens of thousands of acres of fertile land."

Song Xingzhi waved his fan: "That's a rumor, it's only a little over a thousand acres."

Now, a mu of fertile land is worth around thirty taels of silver. A thousand mu would be worth at least tens of thousands of taels. And this thousand mu is a lot; nine thousand mu would also be worth a lot.

Song Jin's eyes lit up instantly, and she continued, "It's said he has ten thousand taels of gold?"

Song Xingzhi said seriously, "That's just an exaggeration. Father is an honest official, and his annual salary is only a little over a thousand taels. That's enough to cover his food, clothing, living expenses, and social obligations. How could he possibly raise so much money? It's just that the Emperor has given him a little over a thousand taels of gold over the years. There are quite a few paintings and antiques, though. When you get back, find Fifth Brother and have him take you to the storeroom to see for yourself."

Song Jin swallowed hard and continued, "I heard he owns countless houses and shops."

Song Xingzhi was surprised: "How could there be countless? It's just three mansions in the capital, eighteen shops, and two hot spring estates in the suburbs. As for the houses and shops in Jiangnan, they're not worth much, so let's not mention them."

Song Jin: ...

A treacherous minister, a treacherous minister! And you still say he's not a great treacherous minister?

Mother, Mother, the rumors are all true!

Is she going to transform from an ordinary daughter of a small landlord into a wealthy landowner?

Song Jin's dark eyes shone brightly, almost as bright as her yellowish eyes. Seeing that she still wanted to ask more questions, Niu Tielan, who was standing nearby, couldn't take it anymore. She slapped Song Jin on the head, grabbed her ear, and angrily...

"What are you asking? Have I starved you or kept you cold? When has the family ever been short of money for you? What does it matter to you if other families have more? What's mine is mine. So, you've been bought off with this little bit of stuff, and now you don't recognize your mother anymore?"

"Ouch, ouch, ouch, Mother, it hurts!" Song Jin cried out in pain, "I was just asking, just asking casually. Besides, how could I not acknowledge you as my mother? Once you're my mother, you're my mother for life. Even if my dead father has other mothers, you will always be my only mother."

Niu Tielan's face turned red with anger, and she tightened her grip: "You little rascal, you little brat, I've wasted my time raising you, you're driving me crazy..."

Song Jin: "Your Majesty, please be gentle. You really only have one daughter!"

...

Song Xingzhi watched helplessly as the mother and daughter bickered. He could naturally see Niu Tielan's wariness and displeasure towards him. In the past, he would have tried to explain and make assurances.

However, with the situation in the capital still unclear, their journey there is destined to be fraught with difficulties.

Song Xing stepped back, bowed, and solemnly said, "I hope you take care, Madam."

Niu Tielan released her grip on her mischievous child's hand, the blush on her face from the playful fight gradually fading. Her expression was calm as she pursed her lips: "I don't know what you two discussed, but I just hope you can keep your word and not betray this child's trust."

After saying that, she lifted the curtain and went back into the car, making no attempt to hide her dislike for Song Xingzhi.

Song Xingzhi smiled wryly: "It seems that Madam has quite a few misunderstandings about me."

Song Jin sat outside, rubbing her bright red ears, and sneered, "How could this be a misunderstanding? My mother clearly saw through your facade; staying away from you is the right thing to do."

It's fortunate that Song Xingzhi is now sensible; if he were still as dissolute as he was at the beginning, he would definitely be getting a beating every day, and he wouldn't be able to chat and laugh with them like he does now.

Under her warning gaze, Song Xingzhi's eyelids twitched violently. Recalling the brutal beating he had received and the innocent baby bee that had been sacrificed, his face turned sorrowful.

"As the saying goes, ignorance is no excuse, and besides, I've already been punished. Can we just let this matter drop? Don't you always settle scores on the spot and never hold grudges?"

Song Jin shrugged, speaking with self-righteousness: "Taking revenge on the spot isn't called revenge, it's called disliking someone."

Even if ten or twenty years have passed, she can still take revenge whenever she suddenly feels resentful again.

Song Xingzhi: ...

Whether he will die at the hands of his political enemies in the future is unknown, but he will certainly die at the hands of those few people.

For the sake of his own life, Song Xingzhi wanted to fight for himself one more time, but Song Jin had already stood up, her gaze passing over him to the people who had appeared on the steps behind them.

She jumped off the carriage and ran over there, patting Shu Chenghao's shoulder heavily, exclaiming in surprise, "You've lost so much weight! Looks like going to jail wasn't all bad; you look much more handsome now!"

Shu Chenghao, who was initially quite uneasy, clutched his aching shoulder and gritted his teeth: "Are you even speaking human language? You have no idea how dark it is in there. Those damn rats bit my toes a few times."

Song Jin laughed mockingly: "You should be glad you weren't bitten in the groin, otherwise you should change your name to Shu Cheng Mei Ge (meaning 'Shu Cheng is Gone')."

Shu Chenghao immediately blushed and said angrily, "Song Jinjin, can't you speak properly? Did you come here to welcome me or just to annoy me?"

Song Jin's teasing smile faded, replaced by a serious expression: "I came specifically to say goodbye to you."

Shu Chenghao fell silent, pursed his lips, and asked, "You're not planning to come back?"

Song Jin said frankly, "Home is where my mother is. If she wants to come back in the future, we will."

But based on Song Jin's understanding of Niu Tielan, putting aside her emotional entanglement with Song Shang, even if Niu Tielan were to regain her mobility one day, she probably wouldn't want to spend the rest of her life in a small place. At that time, the mother and daughter would likely travel by carriage and horseback, exploring this new world inch by inch.

Shu Chenghao and Song Jin had known each other for over ten years, so he naturally understood what she meant. His face gradually darkened, and his forced smile looked more like a grimace.

"So this is the last time we'll meet, right?"

Song Jin slapped him on the shoulder again, saying irritably, "Alright, why are you making that face? What do you mean by 'last time we meet'? What, are we going out here to find a grave to bury ourselves in?"

Shu Chenghao: "Pah! Pah! Pah! Speak properly!"

Song Jin laughed: "The capital is right there, can't you just try your best to pass the exam and get there, Scholar Shu?"

Yan Sheng, who had been quietly listening to their conversation, had a slight change in expression: "He passed the imperial examination and became a scholar?"

Shu Chenghao had originally intended to say that he passed the imperial examination purely by luck, as he happened to be on the part he excelled at. However, upon hearing Yan Sheng's words, he immediately straightened his back and gave a light snort.

"Don't worry, Song Jin, you just wait for me in the capital. Even if I fail once, I'll pass the exam sooner or later, no matter how many times I try."

Yan Sheng, who had initially dismissed him, changed his expression slightly, sneered, and said to Song Jin, "I'm different from some people. I'm sure I'll pass the exam this time. Jin Jin, let's meet in the capital."

Shu Chenghao retorted angrily, "What do you mean by 'some people' or 'no people'? It's not like anyone failed the exam! Song Jin, you just wait, we'll see you early next year!"

Yan Sheng chuckled: "Some things are easier said than done."

Shu Chenghao gritted his teeth: "Just you wait, I'll go back and watch over you for eight hours a day."

Yan Sheng: "I study for more than eight hours every day."

Shu Chenghao, indignant, boasted, "Then I'll take ten hours."

...

Song Jin stood to one side, watching as the two of them completely ignored her, comparing their writings and the books they had read...

She rolled her eyes, cursed him inwardly as a lunatic, and then turned and left.

At Niu Tielan's insistence, Song Jin wore a dress that Niu Tielan had specially commissioned at a high price. The dress was predominantly gold-woven, shimmering like the blazing sun, with silver threads forming clouds on the hem. A crane, its head held high, seemed to spread its wings and soar into the sky as she descended the stone steps.

Shu Chenghao and Yan Sheng stopped arguing the moment she turned around, standing there watching her walk step by step to the carriage, watching her wave casually with her back turned, just like any other parting, ordinary and unremarkable.

But they both knew that this parting would be the last time they met.

This impressive and orderly convoy, like a chasm split open, tore apart their differences.

...

Song Jin didn't turn around. She walked down the steps and gracefully approached the six-horse carriage, gently knocking on the window.

The intricately carved wooden window retracted, revealing a sculpted profile of the person inside. Qi Zheng, dressed in a dark gold robe, with the golden tiger eyes on his cuffs gleaming, exuded his usual coldness and sternness.

"alright?"

Song Jin raised her phoenix eyes slightly, her gaze sparkling, and smiled, "Thanks, we can set off now."

Qi Zheng looked into her overly bright eyes, maintained a composed expression, and nodded slightly: "Okay."

Song Jin took two steps back to the carriage, lifted her long legs, and nimbly mounted the horse. She gripped the reins, her demeanor both elegant and composed, exuding a free and easy, chivalrous air.

Song Xingzhi remained standing by the carriage, looking at the young man who stood like a stone pillar. He said with a meaningful sarcasm, "Our Jinjin is really popular."

Song Jin beckoned to him.

Song Xingzhi waved his fan, gracefully leaning closer, wanting to hear what she had to say.

Song Jin didn't speak; she merely curled the corners of her lips into a smile and, under Song Xingzhi's astonished gaze, flicked her riding whip.

Caught off guard, Song Xingzhi stumbled backward and fell hard on his backside. Just as he was about to be trampled, he dragged himself backward in a disheveled manner.

At that moment, the steed pulled the carriage forward, and one after another, tall guards holding long swords and shields walked past him, their gazes sweeping over him.

"..."

Song Xingzhi sat on the ground, not knowing whether to laugh or cry. Only when there was no trace of carriages or horses left did he slowly get up, look in the direction of the capital, and chuckle softly.

The show is about to begin.