Chapter 21 A Drunken Journey to Xiangzhou: The Image of a Beautiful Woman, Thoughts Lingering Even After Awakening...
Deep within the dungeon of Xiangzhou.
The flickering candlelight cast distorted shadows of the man on the rack, projecting them onto the damp, cold stone wall.
Prefect Li was bound to a frame with hemp rope, and two yamen runners were torturing him with whips soaked in salt water. Each lash was accompanied by his heart-wrenching screams.
In the shadows of the corner, a handsome young man leaned back in a rosewood chair, his long eyelashes drooping, his right hand bent in a relaxed posture, asleep with his forehead resting against it.
Even though the screams around them were like those of hell.
Prefect Li's sudden, loud howl startled Wen Shiqin awake. His eyelashes fluttered, and he groggily opened his eyes, only to frown impatiently at being disturbed from his light sleep.
"Tsk."
Wen Shiqin straightened his clothes and stood up, strolled to the side of the execution rack, and took out a dagger from his sleeve.
The bailiff beside him wisely put down his whip and asked at the opportune moment, "I'll ask you one last time, where is the embezzled grain transport silver hidden?"
Prefect Li coughed up blood, yet stubbornly laughed: "Even if I am beheaded today, I will remain pure and innocent, knowing nothing of it!"
Wen Shiqin was carefully wiping his dagger when he heard Prefect Li's harsh words. He suddenly chuckled, "Oh my... Prefect Li's integrity is reminiscent of the ancient sages Boyi and Shuqi. It's truly admirable." He then raised the dagger again, squinting in the dim light to examine it. "Once this matter is settled, I will definitely have your story of refusing bribes and upholding justice engraved on stone and spread throughout Xiangzhou, so that your wife, children, and clan can admire it morning and night and learn from your unyielding spirit."
Prefect Li was so angry that his throat made a hoarse sound: "You brat, don't try to win with your words! I have always acted uprightly and honestly, why would I be afraid of your slander!"
Before he finished speaking, a guard strode through the corridor and knelt down to whisper in Wen Shiqin's ear.
After listening, Wen Shiqin paused for a moment, then asked again in a voice that was neither too loud nor too soft, just loud enough for Prefect Li on the rack to hear clearly: "Has Yuan Huang been interrogated?"
The guard nodded: "The prefect has confessed everything, including the details of how the money was circulated."
Wen Shiqin turned to look at Prefect Li's stiff expression, his eyes filled with a nonchalant air of waiting for a good show, and then let out a relieved sigh.
"Then there's no need for a dagger. Bring me my sword."
The yamen runners dared not delay and hurriedly stepped forward with their swords. The sword's spine reflected the candlelight, its cold light like a ribbon.
Wen Shiqin gently stroked the sword and slowly walked towards the rack. He lightly patted Prefect Li's blood-stained cheek with the scabbard: "The magistrate in the next cell has already confessed that you handled all the grain transport transactions. He was just an accomplice."
Prefect Li was slapped across the cheek by the cold iron scabbard, and blood mixed with saliva immediately spilled from the corner of his mouth. Yet he still stared wide-eyed in disbelief and roared, "This is a frame-up! A confession obtained under torture, how can it be used as evidence in court?"
Wen Shiqin raised an eyebrow and said, "At this time and in this place, who can distinguish between false accusation and innocence? The magistrate speaks first, and he can offset his crime with merit. But what is your tough attitude worth in this case, sir?" After speaking, he suddenly tightened his grip on his sword. "I have been spending several days and nights with you, and I am already very annoyed. Now I will take your head to atone for this crime of delay!"
Prefect Li finally panicked and threatened in a desperate voice like a cornered dog: "You dare! I am, after all, a prefect of a prefecture. My subordinates and old friends in the court are deeply entrenched. If you dare to touch me today, a thousand forces will seek revenge against you tomorrow!"
Wen Shiqin gasped, feigning alarm: "Does Your Excellency truly believe this?"
Upon hearing this, Prefect Li suddenly realized that the servants and guards around him were all staring at him with bated breath, and his face instantly turned pale.
Before he could defend himself, Wen Shiqin turned to the crowd behind him and said, "Did you all hear that? Prefect Li himself admitted that he recruited subordinates in Xiangzhou Prefecture and colluded with old friends in the court. He admitted to this crime of forming cliques and engaging in wicked deeds, and it was not something I framed out of thin air."
Prefect Li felt a lump in his throat, his arrogance instantly extinguished by panic. He struggled to change his words, but the iron shackles tightened around him, leaving him only able to watch helplessly as the jade-faced demon approached.
"Many officials in Xiangzhou are just incompetent and lazy; this is nothing more than retribution." With these words, the sword was drawn and placed against Prefect Li's neck. Prefect Li's pupils constricted in shock, his previous arrogance crumbling instantly. He cried out urgently, "Stop! Before I die, I only ask to see the Vice Prefect one last time!"
"When disaster strikes, everyone flees for their lives; this is only human nature." Wen Shiqin paused slightly at his wrist, and with a slight twist of the blade, the sharp edge immediately sliced through the skin of his neck, and blood flowed slowly. "Prefect, stop your nonsense. Go to the underworld and ask your confidant why he betrayed you."
After speaking, Wen Shiqin gripped the scabbard with both hands and held the long sword at an angle.
Prefect Li looked up and saw a vengeful ghost that had crawled back from the deepest hell, its body shrouded in a chilling murderous aura, staring intently at him, as if it wanted to expose all his past sins and put him on trial in court.
Without the slightest hesitation, Wen Shiqin suddenly lowered his wrist, and the sword slashed down with the force of cutting through the wind, aiming straight for Prefect Li's neck. It looked like he was about to cut off this stubborn head on the spot.
Terrified, Prefect Li screamed in anguish just before the sword was about to strike: "I confess! I confess! The money is hidden in the granary outside Xiangzhou City!"
The blade was just barely wedged against the side of his neck.
Before Prefect Li could catch his breath, Wen Shiqin suddenly twisted his wrist and stabbed the long sword diagonally into Prefect Li's thigh. A shrill scream instantly echoed throughout the dungeon.
"If you had been so sensible earlier, why would you have suffered this physical pain and disturbed my sleep for several days for nothing?"
The yamen runners and servants stood with their heads bowed, but couldn't help but steal glances out of the corner of their eyes. When they first saw this official, they thought he had a handsome face, like a young nobleman from a wealthy family. They secretly thought that with such a good appearance, he probably wouldn't even dare to see blood, and that the trial was just a formality.
But after these past few days, I realized how absurd my previous thoughts were. This handsome appearance hiding a demonic heart is more terrifying than a cruel official with a fierce face.
As soon as Wen Shiqin stepped out of the dungeon, he saw Mu Hualin standing in the corridor waiting for him. The other party came up to him, his tone full of admiration: "I just interrogated that magistrate. He was as stubborn as iron, not uttering a single word. He even tried to kill himself. I was really at my wit's end."
Wen Shiqin chuckled softly: "Evil people need to be dealt with by other evil people. To deal with such slippery people, you have to use both soft and hard tactics effectively."
Previously, Xiangzhou had been short of taxes for more than half a year, and corruption was rampant, causing resentment among the people. Upon hearing this news, Mu Hualin felt that if he could solve this case, he could firstly rectify the government and relieve the people's suffering, and secondly, he could establish his reputation with real achievements, paving the way for him to take real power and realize his ambitions in the future. Therefore, he petitioned the emperor for the appointment, and fortunately, his elder sister spoke up for him, which pleased the emperor, and he was granted the position.
The group stayed in Xiangzhou for less than half a month, and they recovered 200,000 strings of cash in back taxes, temporarily clearing the officialdom and earning praise from the people.
After achieving success, Mu Hualin hosted a banquet at Wangshu Pavilion, a famous building in Xiangzhou, to reward his comrades for their hard work.
The air was filled with the gentle sounds of traditional Chinese string and wind instruments. On stage, dancers dressed in exquisite silk robes twirled their sleeves like startled swans and danced like swimming dragons, immersing the entire audience in the elegant music and tranquility.
After several rounds of drinks, the atmosphere gradually warmed up, and the air was filled with the sounds of clinking glasses.
Mu Hualin, accompanied by his colleagues, moved among the guests, raising his glass to recount the twists and turns of the Xiangzhou case with a smile, and thanking everyone for their help when he finished. His voice was full of the cheerful pride of a young man who had achieved great success. Wen Shiqin also raised his glass in response. During his trip to Xiangzhou, he had made many acquaintances with officials who held real power and had also displayed his talents in front of others, making the trip worthwhile.
However, his alcohol tolerance was always pitifully low, and after just a few cups of sake, his cheeks were already flushed. Seeing his swaying eyes, Mu Hualin laughed and scolded, "With your alcohol tolerance, you still want to drink more? Go and rest over there, don't wander around blocking the way."
Wen Shiqin swayed as he sat down, his eyes shrouded in a hazy, drunken haze, no longer as clear and sharp as before.
Suddenly, a fragrant breeze carrying the scent of perfume wafted over him. It was Pan Xi, the most outstanding dancer on stage. A silver chain around her waist accentuated her slender figure. She moved gracefully, her steps light and swift, like flowing clouds skimming the water. Before Wen Shiqin could react, she had already sat down next to him.
Panxi filled the jade cup with amber-colored wine. The wine dripped down the rim onto the tablecloth, but she didn't care. She simply raised the cup to Wen Shiqin's lips and said softly, "Just now on the stage, I saw your extraordinary demeanor. I, Panxi, would like to offer you a toast."
Wen Shiqin didn't look at her or reply. He just turned his head away from the wine glass, his brows furrowed slightly, his fingertips unconsciously rubbing against his knee, and then he reached into his shirt to reach into his chest.
Seeing this, Panxi assumed the handsome young man was just shy. With a flicker of her eyes, she leaned closer to his shoulder and coaxed him in a soft voice, "Don't be shy, young master, it's just a cup of wine..."
Before he could finish speaking, Wen Shiqin suddenly raised his hand and pushed Panxi aside. His eyes were unfocused, but his voice was clear and stubborn: "No need, I already have a family."
Panxi's gentle smile froze instantly, and she stood frozen in place.
She looked Wen Shiqin up and down. This young man looked quite young, with delicate features that made him seem naive and inexperienced. He didn't seem like a married man at all. On stage just now, she had been attracted by his demeanor. In the past, no man had ever refused her advances. Now, she was being rejected so decisively, which made her even more indignant.
She bit her lip and asked coquettishly, "Young master, are you joking with me? How can such a handsome young man be detained so early?"
Wen Shiqin stopped brushing her hand away, and instead smiled faintly, slightly bending his index finger and beckoning her.
"Come."
Seeing this, Panxi assumed he had changed his mind and quickly moved closer, gently placing her hand on Wen Shiqin's arm. The silver bell at her waist swayed lightly, and her eyes were full of joy.
Unexpectedly, Wen Shiqin turned his head and pointed to the elegant young man sitting opposite him, who was fanning himself with a folding fan, and said, "My wife at home is very strict with me, so I really dare not overstep the bounds. But that young master is Qin Wangfeng, the son of the Provincial Surveillance Commissioner of Xiangzhou."
Seeing that Panxi's gaze had already drifted towards Qin Wangfeng, he added, "This young master Qin is the most charming and also the most considerate of women. A few days ago, a courtesan played music for him, and he casually rewarded her with a hundred taels of silver. Go and talk to him, make him happy, and you'll surely receive plenty of benefits."
Panxi's eyes lit up immediately, and she quickly asked, "Is what you say true, young master?"
“Of course it is true.” Wen Shiqin withdrew his gaze, his tone calm and even. “He has always loved to associate with beautiful women. You’ll know when you get there.”
Panxi quickly made a decision in her mind. Although this young man was captivating, he was henpecked and afraid of his wife, so he wouldn't gain anything from him. Qin Wangfeng, though less magnanimous, was the son of the Provincial Surveillance Commissioner and was generous, making him a more practical choice.
"Thank you for your guidance, young master." Panxi stopped clinging to Wen Shiqin, took light steps, and looked at Qin Wangfeng sitting opposite her as she walked gracefully.
Without further entanglement, Wen Shiqin finally managed to pull a silver hairpin out of his bodice.
The hairpin reflected the candlelight, gleaming with a warm and soft light.
Holding the hairpin, he gazed intently, as if he could see a graceful woman under the lamp, her hair loosely tied up, her makeup light and natural, her brows lowered as she tied her silver hair, her fair hands moving nimbly.
His eyes were only focused on the soft light of the hairpin, and he didn't even notice that half a cup of sake had been spilled on the table, wetting the hem of his clothes.
"Hey, what amazing thing are you looking at? You're practically drooling!"
Mu Hualin returned from his social engagements at some point and saw him staring blankly at something. He reached out to take a closer look.
Wen Shiqin suddenly came to his senses and, as if protecting his food, quickly pressed the silver hairpin to his chest, his palm pressed tightly against his clothes to protect it.
Seeing this, Mu Hualin raised an eyebrow and smiled: "Oh, I've known you for so long, but this is the first time I've seen you guard something so tightly. Could it be... a token of love from some young lady?"
These words touched a nerve, and Wen Shiqin lowered his guard, handing the silver hairpin to Mu Hualin and softly showing it off: "Isn't it pretty?"
The candlelight reflected off the hairpin, shimmering with tiny silver sparkles. Mu Hualin leaned closer for a closer look and exclaimed in admiration, "The craftsmanship of this engraving is unparalleled in any jewelry shop in Bianjing." Then, she asked curiously, "To have you treasure it so much, I'm truly curious. What does that girl look like?"
Wen Shiqin was only slightly drunk, but the thought of her made the alcohol surge up again, and he could only chuckle foolishly and murmur: "...her temperament is as beautiful as an orchid...her talent...is as fragrant as a fairy..."
Hearing this, Mu Hualin's eyes gleamed with even greater interest. Going along with his thoughts, she teased, "If you ever get married in the future, I won't be spared from your wedding feast. Don't hold back then!"
These words struck a chord with Wen Shiqin, who immediately forgot his composure and raised his wine cup to toast Mu Hualin.
The two drank back and forth, their cups clinking as the alcohol intensified, until finally they both collapsed drunk on the table.
A note from the author:
Note:
"Her temperament is as beautiful as an orchid, her talent as fragrant as a fairy." (Quoted from Cao Xueqin's *Dream of the Red Chamber*)
"Her hair was loosely tied up, her makeup lightly applied" is a quote from Sima Guang's poem "Xi Jiang Yue".
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