On the morning of the eighth day of the twelfth lunar month, Jiang Yushu dressed neatly and walked quickly to the door. The maid hurriedly opened the curtain. She stepped out of the door and looked out:
The wind stopped and the snow stopped, the sky was covered in silver and the whole world was covered in white.
"Oh, it's not snowing and it's not windy, that's great!" Jiang Yushu smiled happily.
The maid said cheerfully, "Today is Laba. I heard you have to go to the altar to perform the winter sacrifice ceremony. It will be much warmer if there is no wind or snow."
"Yes." Jiang Yushu went to the side hall to have breakfast. When the curtain was lifted, warm charcoal smoke hit her face, mixed with the sweet aroma of food.
"Madam," Cuimei lifted the lid, stirred it, and poured a bowl of porridge, "It's Laba Festival, let's eat Laba porridge! This is what I made. It's the flavor of our capital. Would you like to try it?"
Jiang Yushu took a seat and took it. After a taste, she praised it highly: "Hmm, not bad, soft, sticky and sweet, just like the taste I remember. Cui'er is becoming more and more capable!"
"As long as you like it." Cuimei's hands and feet were quick and her cheeks were rosy.
"It's a festival today, so you guys should sit down and eat quickly. The taste will change if it gets cold."
"Thank you, Madam." The confidants agreed, but did not dare to sit down. They just stood by and ate with her.
Soon, Jiang Yushu rinsed her mouth and wiped it. Before going out, she went to the side room to check on her daughter as usual. Seeing that the child was still sleeping, she led a group of followers to the front hall to prepare to preside over the La Day sacrifice ceremony.
On the way, Cuimei leaned in and whispered pleadingly, "Madam, I received a letter from Changrong this morning. He said he has made up his mind and insisted on requesting to be transferred to Tuning Guard. He will probably arrive in the next two days. Please ask you and the Second Master to get a transfer order."
Jiang Yushu slowed down her pace, treating her and her husband's confidants equally and gently. She frowned and asked with concern, "Could it be that he was bullied in Heqinwei?"
"No, no!" Cuimei shook her head repeatedly, sighed, and explained, "Brother Rong always said, 'In the past few years, I often went into battle to kill the enemy. Although it was busy and dangerous, it was exciting. In the past two years, I have been free and safe, but I am bored and irritated.' He always preferred to follow the Second Master and kill the enemy."
Jiang Yushu said as they walked, "I understand his ambitions, but when Changxing came to Tuning, he said the brothers had already agreed: the elder brother would be transferred, and the younger brother would stay in Heqin to take care of the elders. Do your parents-in-law agree to both sons running to a dangerous place?"
"Oh, my parents-in-law are very worried. Brother Rong has been scolded a lot in the past two years, but no one can persuade him. The whole family can only agree to it to prevent him from being bored."
Jiang Yushu nodded and praised, "It's rare that he's not afraid of danger and volunteered to guard Tuning. If so, let him stay here first. Don't worry. When Honglei is free to go home, we can discuss it and issue him a transfer order."
"Thank you, madam, for your help!" Cuimei smiled happily.
The snow crunched under her feet. Jiang Yushu said, "Why thank me? It's Changrong himself who has the passion and ambition to kill the enemy and defend the country."
The master and servant chatted for a few words and then walked on quietly.
After a while, the moon-shaped door leading to the front hall was several feet away, separated by a corridor and a wall. Suddenly, an angry voice was heard:
"If you insist on thinking this way, I can't help it!"
Beside the frozen lotus pond, Li Qigong, wrapped in a black mink cloak, his eye bags bruised and swollen, was restless. He turned in a circle, suppressing his anger and whispering an apology: "Brother-in-law, calm down. I don't doubt your intentions. It's just that I've been begging you so much these past few days that I've been sleepless and dizzy. I'm sorry if I said something careless."
Wen Xi softened his expression and lowered his voice, saying, "Recently, regarding Xiao Fan's case, I've racked my brains, pleaded several times, and tried to test the county magistrate's attitude. But Huang Mutou made it clear: the magistrate is very concerned about this case and has personally inquired about it, so he dare not show leniency."
"Believe it or not!"
"I believe it, of course I do." In fact, Li Qigong was half-believing and half-doubting. His brows were gloomy, his eyes dark. "Oh, what trouble! Xiaofan has been detained for over a month. Not only has he been tried, but he has also been tortured. The Chinese New Year is coming soon. According to the rules, the government will conclude the case before the New Year. If he is sentenced to death, I'm afraid there will be no room for maneuver."
Wen Xi curled his lips. "Your cousin—well, I'm not saying anything bad about him! He argued with the plaintiff in court, spoke without restraint, was arrogant and rude, and angered Huang Mu. How could he not get a beating?"
"He's the late-born son of my fourth uncle and aunt. He's been spoiled since he was little, impatient and impulsive. Despite repeated admonitions, he refused to change, and as expected, he got into big trouble."
Wen Xi folded his hands, gathered his sleeves, and spoke frankly, offering kind advice: "Qi Gong, now is not the time like the chaos of war when you could take advantage of the situation and take sides. The government has its own rules, and the evidence is irrefutable. We are just minor officials, how can we help? We are powerless! In my opinion, if we do our best, we will have a clear conscience."
"I advise you to forget about it. We are relatives of the defendant and should avoid suspicion. Instead, you risk pleading for mercy. Be careful not to let Huang Yichun catch you and accuse you of favoritism and abuse of power."
Li Qigong hesitated, wanting to save his family but also fearing being implicated. He said hesitantly, "Never mind? But Xiaofan is my cousin after all. We've been close since childhood. It's just rape, not a heinous crime. In my opinion, the most he can get is exile."
"Actually, if you had been the one to sentence him back then, he wouldn't have needed exile. He could have just paid the defendant a few taels of silver and served a few months in jail," Wen Xi sighed. "However, it's been delayed until today. Qi Fan hasn't surrendered himself, but has become a defendant again, making him a fugitive. His crime is even more serious, and according to the law, he deserves the death penalty."
Li Qigong's face darkened, and he gritted his teeth in frustration as he said, "Who could have predicted that the plaintiff would survive the torture and serious injuries he sustained while fleeing? If I had known this would happen, I would never have spared him!"
"It's too late to regret. Now that things have come to this, I'll just leave it to fate." After saying that, Wen Xi raised his foot and wanted to leave.
Li Qigong grabbed the man and suggested, "I'll host a banquet tonight and treat Huang Mu to a drink. Then I'll try to plead for mercy! Otherwise, I won't be able to explain to my grandmother and my fourth uncle and aunt."
Wen Xi struggled impatiently, "Oh, don't waste your time. Huang Mutou is timid and unwilling to help! I'm busy tonight. I've met up with some friends to discuss buying wood for the workshop. You can have a couple of drinks with Huang Mutou."
"Xiaofan's case is about to be decided. It's urgent. Can't you discuss it another day?" Li Qigong was displeased.
Wen Xi was also displeased. "Jiang Yushu said that after the workshop is completed, the prefect will personally inspect it. She ordered the charter to be submitted before the New Year. Can I refuse?" He paused, then added, "Well, your fourth uncle has more than one son. Xiaofan will most likely be sentenced to death. Rather than risk saving him, it's better to persuade the old man to mourn."
Li Qigong's expression suddenly changed, "You——"
The next moment, Jiang Yushu led her followers out of the moon gate and walked towards the conference room.
"Hush, the magistrate is here!" Wen Xi immediately smiled, trotted over, and bowed politely to greet him:
"Your Excellency always gets up so early! The weather is getting colder and the roads are covered with snow. You must be careful. I almost slipped when I was going up the stairs just now."
Jiang Yushu said slowly and pleasantly, "I live in the back yamen, and it's just a short walk away. You who live outside should be more careful."
Li Qigong also approached and said calmly: "Today is Laba Festival. The Laba porridge is ready. It is Tuning style. Please lead everyone to taste it."
"Let's go, try the porridge first, and then go to the altar." Jiang Yushu raised her head and led the crowd to the meeting hall. She ate Laba porridge with her subordinates, socialized and chatted, and then rushed to the altar in a mighty manner, worshiped solemnly, and was busy until noon.
The next day, afternoon
Several official documents were spread out on the table. Jiang Yushu lowered her head and read through them carefully one by one.
After a while, she looked up and asked curiously, "Among the six offices, the Civil Service, Household Affairs, Rites, Military Affairs, and Engineering Offices have all completed their duties for the year. What's going on with the Criminal Office? Why haven't they submitted their official documents yet? Are they encountering difficulties?"
"This, this..." The clerk in the criminal department looked embarrassed. He glanced at the county magistrate and stammered.
Huang Yichun hesitantly explained, "There's a case that hasn't been decided yet."
Jiang Yushu took a sip of tea and asked, "Which one?"
Huang Yichun glanced at Li Qigong, looking embarrassed. "Ahem, Li Qifan's rape case."
"Didn't you say the evidence was conclusive when I asked you last time?" Jiang Yushu frowned.
"Yes, it has been investigated thoroughly. The case is clear."
Jiang Yushu asked again: "Since the evidence is conclusive, why haven't you made a verdict yet?"
"This, this..." Huang Yichun also began to hesitate.
The petty officials were drinking tea, trying to protect themselves and keeping silent, but in fact they were enjoying the fun and glancing around.
Jiang Yushu said calmly, "Everyone has worked hard all year. We were supposed to rest before the New Year, but now we've cleaned up most of the cases. Only the torture chamber has not been closed yet, so everyone has to continue working."
"I understand. I will close the case as soon as possible." Huang Yichun nodded.
Jiang Yushu looked calm as she stared at Li Qigong and asked seriously, "Li Dianshi, you are in charge of patrols and arresting thieves. How do you think this case should be judged?"
Li Qigong stood up and answered with a stiff upper lip, "Your humble servant, your humble servant—" He gritted his teeth and forced himself to put on a righteous attitude. "Your Excellency, the defendant is my cousin. To avoid suspicion, I have been evading the case and have not participated in the trial. I am not familiar with the case files. However, a prince who breaks the law is subject to the same punishment as a commoner. When the evidence is conclusive, the sentence shall be passed according to the law."
"Well, that's right." Jiang Yushu sighed and said solemnly, "If you break the law and bring it to court, the government must handle it impartially, otherwise it will fail to appease the public anger."
"...Yes, sir, you are right." Li Qigong was at a loss as to what to do. He subconsciously glanced at his brother-in-law - Wen Xi didn't even look up. He was holding a cup of hot tea, sniffing the fragrance, and looking calm and relaxed.
Instantly, Li Qigong, who had been grappling with his situation for over a month, was filled with disappointment and rage. He thought to himself, "You chose to play it safe, and I don't blame you. But Xiaofan is my cousin after all. We brothers often drink together and have known each other for over a decade. Xiaofan is in trouble, and you've been trying to distance yourself from any involvement. Whenever I ask you to help, you're the one who makes excuses and even hints that Xiaofan deserves death. How cold and indifferent... Wen, you're an ungrateful person, a complete wretch!"
From now on, you'd better not ask me for help.
Li Qigong gritted his teeth secretly, his sadness turning into anger. He was so angry that he held it all in and slumped to the ground.
Jiang Yushu remained calm and composed, pretending not to notice the sullen expression on the Dianshi's face. She instructed the County Magistrate, "This year's case must be concluded this year. Don't delay any further. Make a judgment as soon as possible, organize the case files, and submit them to the government office to await approval from above."
"Yes." Huang Yichun nodded in acceptance.
In a blink of an eye, it is the middle of the twelfth lunar month and the festive atmosphere is getting stronger.
There have been strong winds and heavy snow recently, and Jiang Yushu accidentally caught a cold. She had a headache, fever, pain and weakness all over her body, and had to rest for two days.
Because of her illness, she did not dare to get close to her daughter and stayed in her bedroom thinking about her official duties for the coming year.
At noon, Cuimei pushed the door open and said excitedly: "Madam, the case has been decided!"
"Oh?" Jiang Yushu closed the book. "How was the verdict?"
"The rapist has been at large for years, a fugitive who escaped prison during the war. County Magistrate Huang has sentenced him to death! The plaintiff's family is laughing and crying, kowtowing in gratitude, and even clamoring to kowtow to you."
Jiang Yushu smiled and said, "As long as the verdict is fair, that's good." She saw the other party holding something in his hand and asked, "What is that?"
"Oh, a visiting card!" Cuimei hurriedly handed it over. "The Wen family, the imperial merchant Wen family, and their husband and wife, Wen Yizhai, wish to see you."
Jiang Yushu was stunned. "Wen Yizhai? What does he want from me?"
"He said he was going to 'carry the thorns and apologize'!"
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