Chapter 12 (He's actually coming to Xizhou)
This paragraph contains an image. Please visit the correct website, disable ad blocking, and exit your browser's reading mode.
Xi Zhou's clerk, Wu Yanxing, felt that he had lost face in front of everyone and wanted to regain his reputation before leaving. So he deliberately made things difficult for him. After thinking for a moment, he instructed his attendant: "Then let Third Sister write down a few prescriptions for the Golden Elixir."
If you can write it down, it will be easy to explain to the Prince, the Heir Apparent, and the Chief Secretary. If you can't, then it's up to the Prince to decide what to do with you.
The area in front of the post station was bustling with noise. Caravans of camels and horses circled around several times, stretching all the way to the street corner. Attendants and soldiers went in and out, helping the young masters pack and carry their luggage.
This paragraph contains an image. Please visit the correct website, disable ad blocking, and exit your browser's reading mode.
Two guards lifted the curtain, and Wu Yanxing's angry voice came from inside: "If she can't write it down, let's see how she tries to argue!"
Lu Huaying spread out a piece of yellow paper and wrote: "The longer the elixir is burned, the more wondrous its transformations become."
The Lu family's alchemical texts were only passed down to their sons. When Lu Huaying was a child, she wanted to learn them, but her father refused, which angered her so much that she wanted to go on a hunger strike.
Her sister-in-law, Wang Yu, secretly brought her food and laughed at her, saying, "What's the point of learning such a dry and obscure alchemical text if you can't become an immortal?"
Lu Huaying stuffed all the delicious food into her pillow and hid it, then threw away the food that the maid brought her, making it seem as if she was going to continue her hunger strike.
She didn't care whether the alchemical texts were useful or not; her brothers could learn them, so why was she the only one left out? She not only wanted to learn them, but she wanted to learn them even better!
Lu Huaying went on a hunger strike for two whole days. Her grandfather felt sorry for her and made an exception, allowing her to continue learning.
This paragraph contains an image. Please visit the correct website, disable ad blocking, and exit your browser's reading mode.
"If gold is put into fire and does not burn after two hundred refinings, it should be buried."
Lu Huaying hadn't touched a pen and ink for a long time, but these past two days she had been repeatedly reciting alchemical texts, and her writing was still quite fluent.
The bailiff watched for a while, then went inside to report. Wu Yanxing probably didn't expect Lu Huaying to actually write it down on the spot. Suddenly, there was a loud bang inside the room, and a food table was overturned. The bailiff meekly retreated and led the guards away.
This paragraph contains an image. Please visit the correct website, disable ad blocking, and exit your browser's reading mode.
After venting his anger, Wu Yanxing was about to leave for Xizhou. She didn't need to panic. Even if he didn't leave today and insisted on waiting for her to finish writing the entire scroll, she had ways to delay. She could delay for half a month. After finishing the "Dan Jing" and presenting it, the Chief Secretary would still need to find a reliable alchemist to judge the authenticity of the "Dan Jing" and test whether the elixirs made from the recorded formulas could be used. Could Wu Yanxing wait like that for a year or two?
The night Cheng Can splashed wine all over her, Lu Huaying had the idea of offering up the "Dan Jing" (Classic of Alchemy). The Empress's ascension to the throne was the perfect opportunity, but at that time, she wasn't doing it to deal with Wu Yanxing; she was worried about the people in Chang'an.
"The recipe for the minor elixir is to mix three catties of genuine elixir with six catties of white honey..."
This paragraph contains an image. Please visit the correct website, disable ad blocking, and exit your browser's reading mode.
This paragraph contains an image. Please visit the correct website, disable ad blocking, and exit your browser's reading mode.
This paragraph contains an image. Please visit the correct website, disable ad blocking, and exit your browser's reading mode.
The west wind stirred up dust, and the red sun shone brightly, bathing Liucheng in a golden light; it was almost noon.
"The Prince hasn't set off yet? Who will go and urge him?"
"If we don't move soon, we'll be sleeping in the middle of nowhere tonight. It's been windy these past few days..."
The voices of the Registrar and the Magistrate of Liucheng County could be heard from downstairs. A moment later, the Magistrate of Liucheng County led his men into the post station and invited Wu Yanxing to depart.
This paragraph contains an image. Please visit the correct website, disable ad blocking, and exit your browser's reading mode.
Lu Huaying looked down at the yellow paper in front of her when she suddenly heard a sharp, terrified scream. Before she could look up, a jumble of footsteps approached her. The bailiff and the guards, their faces filled with fear and anger, rushed out, grabbed her by the neck, and pinned her to the ground.
The yellow paper covered in writing fell down and was trampled into mud by pairs of boots.
Upon hearing the shouts, the magistrate rushed into the house to investigate. When he saw the situation inside, he was terrified and took two steps back, collapsing onto the ground with a thud.
"The prince has been beaten to death!"
The news quickly spread throughout the inn, and everyone was incredulous, exchanging bewildered glances.
The Registrar of Xizhou, covered in cold sweat, rushed over.
The room was in a mess. Wu Yanxing lay on his back on the ground, his clothes disheveled, his long hair loose, and several bloody scratches from women's fingernails on his face and neck. His eyes were wide open in anger, and his mouth was agape. It seemed as if his arrogant and angry roars echoed in the room.
The official touched Wu Yanxing's limbs and found they were still warm.
The coroner stepped forward to examine the body and said, "The Prince has passed away in less than half an hour."
"You vile servant! Why did you kill the Prince? I'll beat you to death right now to avenge him!"
Wu Yanxing's attendant couldn't believe his eyes. After a moment of stunned silence, he realized that his master was indeed dead. Enraged, he clenched his fist and swung it fiercely at Lu Huaying, venting all his anger on her.
Despite the pain, Lu Huaying raised her head and saw Wu Yanxing lying on the ground inside the room through the crack.
More fists rained down.
...
The face of the Xizhou Registrar was so gloomy it seemed like tears were about to fall.
All the officials, big and small, from Liucheng have arrived.
Suddenly, a prince died in their territory, and everyone wore expressions of horror, shock, and worry.
"That Third Sister was too ruthless. How could she kill someone?"
Everyone sighed and lamented.
Although Wu Yanxing has no real power, he is surnamed Wu and is the Empress's grand-nephew. If the court blames him, Third Sister will definitely pay with her life, and these people will also be implicated and will inevitably lose their official positions. Why are they so unlucky!
The magistrate of Liucheng County knew that his term as magistrate was coming to an end. He stared blankly at Wu Yanxing's corpse, as if he had lost his parents, his eyes glazed over.
The others were in a state of confusion and whispered among themselves.
"Lord Household Officer, what should we do now?"
The Registrar of Xizhou paced anxiously back and forth, sighing, "This matter is of great importance. I've already sent someone to consult the Chief Clerk. What about Lu Sanniang? Is she dead?"
Just now, all of the Prince's entourage rushed into the room and beat Lu Huaying. When the guards pulled them apart, Lu Huaying was already beaten to a bloody pulp, and it was impossible to tell whether she was dead or alive.
One of them went out and asked a few questions, then returned to report: "The coroner said he was still alive, he woke up, and he didn't die."
"She's lucky to be alive." The Registrar sneered. "Keep a close eye on her. I originally pitied her background and wanted to help her, but I never expected her to dare to kill someone! She's committed such a heinous crime. Even if her ancestors showed their spirits, this time, even a god descending to earth couldn't save her!"
"Clerk, after Lu San Niang woke up, she said that she did not kill anyone, and that the Prince was murdered by someone else."
"What an arrogant and shameless wench! She actually dares to lie and deny everything!"
"If she didn't kill him, then who could it be?"
The crowd whispered amongst themselves as a soldier entered and announced, "Minister of Revenue, Prince Chai requests an audience."
"The Prince died tragically, and he still wants to plead for Lu Sanniang?" The Registrar was in a panic, waving his hand, "No!"
...
Outside the post station, Chai Yong gritted his teeth, clenched his fists, and pounded the earthen wall several times, causing chunks of mud to fall off.
Pei Jingyao stood to the side, bewildered, and asked, "Wu Yanxing is actually dead? Who did it?"
"It couldn't be Third Sister. She's all alone and when she's being harassed, she can only fight back, but she can't actually hurt anyone. The other day when she beat up that guy surnamed Zhou, her attacks looked fierce, but she was actually careful not to hit any vital spots. Today, Wu Yanxing can't touch her. If she just endures it for a while, Wu Yanxing will leave. How could she kill Wu Yanxing?"
Chai Yong said angrily, loosened his fist, took a deep breath, suppressed his anger, calmed down a bit, and turned to look at his Hu people followers.
"Pubu! I told you to follow Third Sister, and you've been outside the inn the whole time. What did you see?"
Lu Huaying was taken away to write the "Dan Jing" (Classic of Alchemy). Chai Yong was worried about her safety, so he sent Pubu to follow her. Pubu stayed outside the post station the whole time.
A guard rushed in with a letter in his hand.
A person in a hurry
They strode into the government office, bypassed the main hall, and descended a set of rammed earth steps to a spacious courtyard.
"Chief Secretary, where is the Commander-in-Chief? Why hasn't he returned to Xizhou yet? Please go and invite him back! The Prince and the Heir Apparent are about to come from Liucheng with the Great Cloud Sutra. Is the Commander-in-Chief going to miss the Dharma assembly?"
The officials of the Ministry of Revenue and Liucheng discussed the matter all night and concluded that the evidence was conclusive, the motive for the murder was obvious, and there was no doubt about it.
Recalling the events of the morning, a glint flashed in Chai Yong's eyes: "Before the Third Sister performs her dance, she has to change into a Western Liang men's robe and cannot bring a pestle. She was taken away to write the 'Alchemy Classic' before she even changed out of her Western Liang robe... She didn't bring her pestle with her!"
Pubu stepped forward and whispered, "Young Master, Wu Yanxing was perfectly fine before he came in. I could hear him cursing from outside. After he came in, the bailiff led Madam Lu in. Madam Lu sat in the outer room writing. After a while, Wu Yanxing became unhappy and started cursing again. The bailiff and the others came out. After that, they brought in a cup of tea. Apart from that, no one else came in or out."
Pei Jingyao looked anxious: "So, no one can prove Third Sister's innocence?"
The chief clerk looked up from between two stacks of official documents and said slowly, "What's the rush? It's just a prince. The commander-in-chief is busy with the war and has no time to deal with it. You and I can handle it when the time comes."
Pei Jingyao's face turned deathly pale.
Upon hearing this, Pei Jingyao covered his forehead and paced back and forth: "Was the pestle that killed Wu Yanxing really Third Sister's?"
The newcomer was a middle-aged man with a non-Han appearance, and he was so anxious that his curly hair was about to stand on end.
Pubu quickly patted her awake.
Chai Yong requested to see Lu Huaying, but was flatly refused by the Registrar. Left with no other option, Chai Yong bribed a soldier to deliver some medicine to Lu Huaying, as she had been injured and might not survive the night without it.
Chai Yong sent Pubu to inquire about the situation outside, and also dispatched a servant to take care of Wang Yu and Lu Hongbi.
Pubu returned empty-handed after failing to find the pestle.
The Registrar of Households signaled to the guards to bring out the bloodstained pestle that had been found in the house.
Xizhou, the former capital of Gaochang.
With Wu Yanxing dead, the group could not leave Liucheng. The post station, where the murder occurred, was surrounded by the government troops.
Pubu immediately rode to the Lu family's house and searched the entire earthen house, but could not find the pestle.
Chai Yong shook his head. The young man shed his usual easygoing and carefree demeanor, and a resolute look appeared on his face: "Those soldiers said that when Third Sister was taken away, she said that she didn't kill Wu Yanxing. I believe her!"
"Chief Secretary, a letter has arrived at your residence!"
The young men's luggage was delivered to the magistrate's house.
Lu Huaying's clothes and belongings are still there; she didn't come back. A dancer helped her put her things away.
Chai Yong drew his sword with a snap and slammed it on the table: "I only recognize the 'Law Commentary'! Even if Lu Sanniang is now of lowly status, she is still a citizen of my Wu Zhou. If you do not follow the rules in handling the case, I will submit a memorial to the Supreme Court and have it tried!"
"That vile woman was vicious and treacherous! I was just trying to be kind by showing concern for her brother's injuries, and she suddenly pulled out a pestle and beat me and my attendants until our heads were bleeding. There were thirty or forty pairs of eyes present that day, and they all witnessed it!"
"This morning, the Prince told me that he was determined to brutally kill Lu Sanniang, and that she must have killed him!"
The chief clerk seemed not to hear, and had apparently lost his composure. He stuffed the letter into his sleeve and strode out, shouting, "Someone, prepare the horse! I'm going to see the commander!"
Lu Huaying was sentenced to death.
Chai Yong slowly said, "Fifth Brother, I know that I have only known Third Sister for a few days, but I believe her! She fell from the daughter of a Duke to a lowly status, lived a hard life, and suffered a lot of humiliation. She silently endured it all. She was patient and strong, took care of her brother and sister-in-law, went to work as a laborer, and performed a dance despite Cheng Can's humiliation. Wu Yanxing wanted to provoke me and killed her, but she did not blame me and found a way to solve the problem herself... She said she did not kill anyone, and I believe her!"
Pei Jingyao pushed open his door, his voice sounding like he was about to cry: "Third Sister is right, that brat Cheng Can is too cunning!"
The middle-aged man asked, puzzled, "Chief Clerk, who wants to come to Xizhou?"
Enraged, Chai Yong rushed to the post station and, ignoring the guards' attempts to stop him, stormed up to the clerk: "You sentenced her to death without any interrogation? Did Lu Sanniang confess? Did she sign anything? What law did you use to convict her?"
Pubu immediately rushed to the dancer's courtyard.
Pu Bu asked softly, "Young Master, could it be that the Prince became increasingly angry and unwilling to go to Xizhou, and suddenly tried to take advantage of Lady Lu, and Lady Lu accidentally killed the Prince when she resisted?"
The middle-aged man was taken aback: "The Governor really doesn't plan to come back?"
The chief clerk frowned: "Is it a letter from home? I can read it when I get back. Why send it to the government office?"
"A pestle, covered in the prince's blood."
The chief clerk shook his head.
Moreover, Lu Huaying had no need to kill Wu Yanxing today. Wu Yanxing had taken advantage of her, and she could escape danger by shouting a couple of times after leaving the room.
The sudden death of a prince would require officials in Xizhou to find a scapegoat to appease the court, even if the murderer was not caught. Moreover, Lu Huaying had been in the house the whole time, and there was plenty of evidence.
When Wang Yu heard that Lu Huaying had been arrested, it was like a bolt from the blue; she fainted.
The middle-aged man stood there, dumbfounded.
...
Chai Yong quickly sorted out his thoughts and instructed Pubu: "Go quickly to the house of Third Sister in the south of the city and see if the iron pestle she usually uses to pound medicine is still there."
Wang Yu awoke, her face deathly pale, and cried, "I always carry the pestle with me when I pound medicine."
The Registrar frowned, then smiled and said, "Your Highness, this case has already been reported to the Chief Secretary and the Commander-in-Chief. Since Your Highness is dissatisfied with our verdict, why not wait a few more days, and the Commander-in-Chief will make his own decision."
The middle-aged man looked surprised. He had known the chief clerk for decades. The chief clerk was mature and composed, and never showed his emotions. He had never seen the chief clerk lose his composure like this in front of his subordinates.
The Registrar didn't want to offend Chai Yong, so he turned a blind eye.
Pubu rushed back to the post station to report.
The chief clerk, unaware of his loss of composure, clutched the letter and involuntarily trembled: "He's actually coming to Xizhou!"
The clerk was so frightened that he kept bowing and scraping: "Your Highness, Lu Sanniang is of lowly status. Using her lowly status to harm the noble is unacceptable. Even if she doesn't confess, she can still be convicted... There's nothing suspicious about this case..."
Pei Jingyao glanced at him, slightly surprised.
Pei Jingyao also didn't believe that Lu Huaying was the killer. He was anxious and confused, and asked, "What about the pestle and mortar?"
Cheng Can also went to testify.
He dared not be in a hurry. The Empress sent monks to various places to preach the Great Cloud Sutra. Officials in various places were eager to build the Great Cloud Temple and hold grand Dharma assemblies to celebrate, for fear of being accused of disrespecting the Empress. The Governor of Xizhou was fine, the Prince was almost here, but he still did not show up!
Zhou Wei stepped forward, pointed at the pestle and shouted, "It's this pestle! There's a dent on it, I can't mistake it, this pestle belongs to that wretched maid!"
Ever since being beaten by Lu Huaying, Zhou Wei harbored a deep grudge and planned to take revenge once his injuries healed. Just as he was lying in bed cursing Lu Huaying, a servant told him that Lu San Niang had been arrested for killing the Prince. He jumped up, rushed out of the house, and went to the post station to identify Lu Huaying.
“Someone wanted to kill Wu Yanxing, but didn’t have the guts to confess, so they framed San Niang.”
He opened the letter, and after reading just a few lines, his hands trembled, and he jumped to his feet.
Zhou Wei was the magistrate's nephew, and the Registrar personally met with him. He pulled open his clothes to show the Registrar his injuries, his face full of grief and indignation, accusing Lu Huaying of injuring him and his entourage. He said that if they hadn't run away quickly, they would have died under Lu Huaying's pestle.
In the afternoon, Pubu reported another piece of bad news: "Young Master, Zhou Wei, the nephew of Magistrate Guo, has come to identify Third Sister!"
He told the Registrar that four years ago, when Lu Huaying was still the daughter of a Duke, she acted arrogantly and domineeringly with her family retainers and attendants. Once, a student from the Imperial Academy had an argument with her, and she actually led her people to tie up the student and hang him at the gate of the Imperial Academy for a day and a night, refusing to let him down no matter who tried to persuade him.
Chai Yong's expression was cold and stern: "What is that?"
The middle-aged man's expression changed several times.
Pubu shook his head, looked at Chai Yong, and continued, "Young Master, besides these, they also found something else in the house that proves that it was Lady Lu who committed the murder."
Please move the original, unmodified content to the official website of [website name - implied]. If it's already there, please disable ad blocking and exit browser reading mode.
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
