Chapter Twenty-Six: The First Wave of Turmoil
The 23rd day of the twelfth lunar month is approaching, and the Little New Year is just around the corner.
Heavy snow fell in Beijing, covering the red walls and yellow tiles of the Forbidden City in white. The bronze bells on the corner towers of the Forbidden City rang crisply in the cold wind.
The residence of Censor Zhang of the Censorate in the capital.
Imperial Censor Zhang Mingyuan returned home after court. His sedan chair stopped in front of the gate, and his old servant hurriedly stepped forward with an umbrella. He changed out of his court robes and into a casual indigo robe, then sat down in front of the fireplace in his study.
The study was warm and cozy, filled with the gentle scent of sandalwood, a stark contrast to the snowy landscape outside the window.
An old servant served him hot tea, and he finally breathed a sigh of relief, taking out a secret letter from his sleeve. The letter had been delivered by the Yong Sheng Escort Agency the previous night, with elegant handwriting on the envelope that read "To Censor Zhang," but no signature.
Zhang Mingyuan unwrapped the sealing wax, unfolded the letter, paused slightly at first, and then his expression became serious.
The letter detailed how Chief Steward Liu of the Imperial Household Department, under the guise of the Summer Palace's renovation, demanded 500,000 taels of silver from the Shen family of Yangzhou. It also included evidence of Steward He spreading rumors and colluding with salt merchants in Yangzhou. At the end of the letter, Guazhou was mentioned, which immediately reminded him of the talented woman, Su Moqing, who had once helped organize case files at Scholar Li's residence.
“So it was her…” Zhang Mingyuan murmured to himself.
At that time, he was a minor official in Guazhou Town and was close to Scholar Li. However, he was ostracized because of the case involving Scholar Li's son. It was Su Moqing who helped him clear his name. If it weren't for her meticulousness in collecting evidence and devising countermeasures for him, he would probably have been demoted to the frontier long ago.
Zhang Mingyuan rose and walked to the window, gazing at the snow-covered pines and cypresses in the courtyard. He already had a plan in mind. Chief Steward Liu had long been arrogant and domineering in the court, and the Emperor had long intended to reorganize the Imperial Household Department, but had been hampered by a lack of solid evidence. Now, this letter had arrived at the perfect time, not only providing conclusive evidence but also involving the important matter of Yangzhou's salt tax—a golden opportunity for impeachment.
The next day at dawn, Zhang Mingyuan got up early, changed into a dark blue embroidered peacock robe, put on a warm hat with a sapphire bead on his head, and rode in a sedan chair to the Forbidden City.
After the snow, the capital city was covered in a blanket of white, and the sedan chair carriers crunched through the snow.
After passing through numerous palace gates, we arrived at the Hall of Supreme Harmony, where civil and military officials were already lined up according to their ranks, waiting for us.
The white breath they exhaled condensed into frost in the cold air, and the faces of the officials appeared particularly solemn in the morning light.
The bells and drums sounded in unison, signaling the Emperor's arrival. The morning court session began, with each department presenting its reports in turn.
When the Imperial Household Department petitioned to urge merchants from various regions to pay for repairs, Zhang Mingyuan stepped forward, holding a memorial of impeachment, his voice booming like a bell:
"Your Majesty, I have a memorial to the throne! Under the pretext of the renovation of the Summer Palace, Liu Zheng, the Grand Steward of the Imperial Household Department, extorted 500,000 taels of silver from the Shen family, salt merchants in Yangzhou. His subordinate, Chief Clerk He, has been spreading rumors in Yangzhou, framing loyal officials, and colluding with unscrupulous salt merchants. The evidence is conclusive!"
An uproar erupted in the imperial court.
Zhang Mingyuan, with tears streaming down his face, recounted the Shen family's contributions to the imperial court in paying salt taxes over the years, and presented letters as evidence of correspondence between Steward He and the salt merchants. These letters, secretly collected by Lin Xiao's men, clearly showed that Steward He had accepted bribes from Pan Shizhang's former subordinates and was deliberately targeting the Shen family.
The Emperor was already dissatisfied with the corruption within the Imperial Household Department in recent years. Upon hearing this, he was furious and immediately ordered: "Dismiss Liu Zheng from his post and investigate him. Principal He shall be escorted back to the capital for interrogation. The matter of funding the repairs shall be temporarily suspended! The Censorate must thoroughly investigate this case without fail!"
After the court session, Zhang Mingyuan was summoned by the emperor for a private audience.
Inside the Hall of Mental Cultivation, the Emperor inquired in detail about the salt administration in Yangzhou and expressed concern for the Shen family's situation.
Taking the opportunity, Zhang Mingyuan advised, "Your Majesty, the Shen family has managed the salt affairs of Yangzhou for many years and has always been diligent and conscientious. If they are harmed due to corruption within the Imperial Household Department, it may affect salt tax revenue, which would be detrimental to both the country and the people."
The Emperor nodded: "What you say is absolutely right, my dear minister. I hereby issue a decree to bestow upon the Shen family a plaque inscribed with the words 'Model of Salt Administration' by the Emperor himself, in recognition of their contributions over the years."
The news was delivered to Yangzhou by official post and fast horse in just three days.
That afternoon, Shen Rulan and Su Moqing were organizing their paintings in the studio.
Sunlight streamed through the window lattice, casting dappled shadows on the rice paper.
Inside the art studio, the charcoal fire burned brightly, creating a warm and inviting atmosphere that contrasted sharply with the snow-covered landscape outside the window.
“Look at this painting, ‘Snowy Bamboo,’” Su Moqing said softly. “I was moved when I saw the snow-covered bamboo in the garden that day, so I painted this picture. Although the bamboo is bent by the snow, its resilience is not diminished. When the snow melts, it will straighten up as before.”
Just as Shen Rulan was about to offer her opinion, she suddenly heard hurried footsteps outside the door.
Shen Fu disregarded etiquette and pushed open the door, his face beaming with rare joy: "Young Master! A letter has arrived from the capital! The Emperor has dismissed Chief Steward Liu from his post, and Chief Clerk He will also be escorted back to the capital for interrogation! He has also bestowed upon him a plaque personally inscribed with the words 'Model of Salt Administration'!"
"What?" Shen Rulan jumped up, took the letter, and quickly glanced at it, a relieved smile gradually spreading across her face. She turned to Su Moqing, tears welling in her eyes: "Moqing, we're together."
Su Moqing took the letter, her fingers trembling slightly. After reading it, she let out a long sigh of relief; the tension of the past few days finally dissipated, and her body went limp, almost causing her to lose her balance.
Shen Rulan quickly helped her up, and the two looked at each other and smiled, their eyes glistening with tears.
"Give the order quickly," Shen Rulan said to Shen Fu, "Hold a banquet tonight to celebrate properly. Give each saltworker a tael of silver as a reward, so they can share in the joy. Also, send invitations to all the businesses in my name, saying that the Shen family is hosting a banquet tonight to thank everyone for their support over the years."
The news quickly spread throughout Yangzhou.
Those salt merchants who had wavered before came to offer their congratulations, and the area in front of the Shen family's house was bustling with activity.
Although Shen Rulan was delighted, she dared not be negligent and received everyone respectfully. Her words were neither arrogant nor timid, maintaining the dignity of the Shen family in just the right way.
That evening, the Shen residence was brightly decorated with lanterns and colorful streamers, and a banquet with thirty tables was held.
Almost all the prominent figures in Yangzhou were present, and amidst the clinking of glasses, they exchanged compliments.
Shen Rulan handled the situation appropriately, while Su Moqing sat quietly to the side, occasionally exchanging a few words with the other women.
However, the turmoil has not completely subsided.
Three days later, on the 26th day of the twelfth lunar month, the festive atmosphere in Yangzhou was growing stronger.
The streets were decorated with lanterns and colorful streamers, vendors hawked their New Year's goods, and children chased and played in the snow.
The "Moxiangzhai" shop was bustling with people, many of whom came to buy New Year pictures and Spring Festival couplets.
A strange man suddenly appeared in the store, claiming to be Cao An, Cao Jin's distant cousin. He was holding a painting of orchids by Su Moqing from her early years and insisted on seeing her.
Seeing the visitor's gloomy demeanor, Manager Chen dared not be negligent and immediately sent someone to inform the Shen family.
Su Moqing was painting in his study when he heard the news. He took out the "Ink Orchid Painting" and examined it carefully. He recognized that it was painted when his father was seriously ill to raise money for medicine. He wondered, "What does this person want with me?"
A wary glint flashed in Shen Rulan's eyes: "Although Cao Jin has been exiled, his followers are still around. I'm afraid he's up to no good. I'll accompany you to see him."
The two arrived at the back hall of "Moxiangzhai". Cao An, dressed in a blue long robe with a gray squirrel fur coat, stood up and bowed upon seeing Su Moqing, his tone deliberately friendly: "I have long heard of Miss Su's painting skills. I have come today to ask you to paint a 'Hundred Longevity' painting for the Cao family. I am willing to pay five hundred taels of silver for the painting. I wonder if you would be willing?"
Su Moqing noticed that although Cao An spoke politely, his eyes were shifty, and he kept glancing at the furnishings in the shop, as if he was observing something.
Just as she was about to refuse, Shen Rulan spoke first: "Young Master Cao, Mo Qing has been busy organizing painting manuals recently and is probably not available. If Young Master Cao is truly seeking a painting, you may come another day."
Cao An was rebuffed, his face darkened slightly, but he didn't dare to linger and could only leave dejectedly.
Before leaving, he suddenly turned back and said, "Miss Su, do you know that although the Cao family has fallen, they still have old friends in the court? If you are willing, perhaps you can help the Su family regain its former glory."
Watching his departing figure, Shen Rulan whispered to Su Moqing, "Stay away from this person in the future. The remnants of the Cao family are vicious and malicious. Don't let them scheme against you. I'll send someone to investigate Cao An's background right away."
Upon returning to the Shen residence, Shen Rulan immediately instructed Shen Fu: "Investigate the background of this Cao An, and also, have any strangers been inquiring about Mo Qing recently?"
Su Moqing seemed thoughtful: "That 'Ink Orchid Painting' was sold at Moxiangzhai by me years ago to pay for my father's medical treatment. How did it end up in the hands of the Cao family? Could it be that they've been secretly watching me all along?"
Shen Rulan held her hand: "No matter what their purpose is, I will not let them hurt you. The end of the year is approaching, so try not to go out alone these next few days."
That night, Shen Rulan summoned Lin Xiao and told him about what had happened during the day.
Lin Xiao pondered for a moment and said, "Although Cao Jin has fallen, his former subordinates are still active in Yangzhou. I heard that recently some unfamiliar faces have been inquiring about Miss Su, and they seem to have some connection with the Salt Gang."
"The Salt Gang?" Shen Rulan frowned. "The Cao family has never had any dealings with the Salt Gang, how could they..."
“Young Master, you may not know this,” Lin Xiao lowered his voice, “After Cao Jin fell from power, his influence in Yangzhou was divided up by several salt gang leaders. These people ostensibly distanced themselves from the Cao family, but secretly they were still providing protection for the remnants of the Cao family. I suspect that this Cao An was sent by them to test us.”
Shen Rulan's expression was solemn: "It seems this turmoil is far from over. Lin Xiao, I'll have to trouble you to send more people to secretly protect Mo Qing's safety."
On the 28th day of the twelfth lunar month, light snow began to fall in Yangzhou.
Su Moqing sat by the window, watching the swirling snowflakes, her heart filled with unease. The painting "Ink Orchid" stirred up many memories for her: the decline of her family, the death of her father, and the difficult years when she had to sell her paintings to make ends meet.
"What are you thinking about?" Shen Rulan's voice came from behind her, and a warm cloak was draped over her shoulders.
Su Moqing turned around and forced a smile: "It's nothing, I just miss my father a little. If he were still here, I wonder what he would think if he saw Moqing today."
Shen Rulan sat down beside her and said softly, "When spring comes, I'll accompany you to pay respects to your uncle. Now..." She paused, "With me here, I will never let you suffer any more grievances. I've already increased manpower, and the Cao family won't dare to make any rash moves."
Just then, a maid brought a letter: "Young master, a child outside the door brought this, saying it's for Miss Su."
Shen Rulan took the letter, opened it, and her expression immediately turned solemn. The letter contained only a few words: "The fragrance of the ink orchid lingers, and the past is hard to forget. If we meet again, I will repay your great kindness." At the end of the letter was a painting of an ink orchid, exactly the same as the one in Su Moqing's painting.
“It seems they won’t give up easily.” Shen Rulan lit the letter on the candle flame and watched it turn to ashes. “You need to be extra careful during this time.”
Outside the window, the snow fell heavier and heavier, covering the streets and alleys of Yangzhou...
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