Chapter 24 Case Closed
Qiu Heng was surrounded by a group of young women, their fragrance lingering in the air.
"Miss Qiu, did Lord Xue give you any trouble?"
"Miss Qiu Liu, I made a scented pendant according to the fragrance recipe you wrote that day, but the fragrance is just not right..."
"Sixth Miss Qiu, would you like to join the Cuju (ancient Chinese football) club?"
...
Not far away, Qiu Song exclaimed in awe, "Big brother, second brother, did you see that? Sixth sister is amazing at Cuju!"
His eyes were so high and so small, I could kick them in with a single kick! No wonder I beat him so easily.
Qiu Feng remained silent, gazing at the girl whose figure was concealed, and thought to himself: Is Sixth Sister really that popular outside?
"Second brother, third brother, do you still want to play Cuju?" Qiu Yang's heart was also unsettled. His younger sister, whom he didn't have a deep impression of, suddenly became vivid.
"No thanks, I'm not as good at kicking as Sixth Sister."
The three brothers returned to their tent, and Qiusong couldn't wait to say, "Grandfather, we saw Sixth Sister over there. She's really good at playing Cuju (ancient Chinese football), and she won with great fanfare."
"Really?" Earl Yongqing smiled as he looked at Changsun Qiuyang.
"Sixth Sister is very popular," Qiu Yang said with a smile.
Yongqingbo breathed a long sigh of relief.
He knew he hadn't misjudged that girl.
The subsequent dragon boat races were exceptionally exciting and proceeded without further incident.
Back at the Yongqing Marquis's residence, Qiu Heng called out to Third Master Qiu.
“Father, I heard from a friend today that the incense at Dafu Temple outside the city is very effective. I would like to go and offer incense.”
Without hesitation, Master Qiu agreed: "Father will go with you."
"Thank you, Father."
The following day, Master Qiu rode a horse, and Qiu Heng, along with Fang Zhou, Qing Luo, and their wet nurse Wang Mama, rode in a carriage to Dafu Temple.
Qingluo was one of the maids assigned to Lengxiang Residence, and she had become familiar with the place over the days.
The car curtains were almost never drawn throughout the journey, and Qiuheng was enjoying the scenery with great interest.
Wang's mother has gained weight recently, and her heart has softened even more. She feels sorry for Qiuheng when she sees her: "My daughter has suffered so much in the southern countryside all these years. She hasn't even been to many places in the capital."
Dafu Temple was very popular with worshippers, and the monks who were in charge of receiving guests were very attentive. The group stayed at the temple for a vegetarian meal before continuing their sightseeing.
The temple was built on a mountain, with breathtaking scenery. Seeing his daughter lingering there, Old Master Qiu happily accompanied her until it got too late to return to the city, so they decided to stay overnight at the temple.
The group returned to the Earl's residence just before noon the next day.
Upon hearing this, the old lady was so angry that she drank a pot of cold tea.
Before, it was the youngest son who would run out to drink alone, but now the father and daughter run out to play together. So what does it mean that she exempted the sixth daughter from paying her respects?
But thinking about how strange that girl was, the old lady couldn't help but feel disgusted, so she could only try to avoid seeing her and worrying about her.
Anyway, the old lady thought angrily, "The old man said he would make the decision about Sixth Sister. If that girl causes trouble, let the old man worry about it."
A few days later, Han Ziheng's case was reopened in court.
In court, Qiu Heng saw a testimony bearing a handprint, which was the testimony of a resident doctor from Suiyun County.
Although the journey from the capital to Suiyun County was slow, urgent letters could be delivered in a short time.
Qiu Heng held the testimony in her hands, remaining silent for a long time.
"Has Miss Qiu made her decision?" asked the Prefect of Jingtian Prefecture.
"Watch closely."
"This testimony was investigated by the local government, who personally witnessed the doctor's signature and fingerprint. If Miss Qiu still has any objections, you may summon that doctor to the capital." The Prefect of Jingtian Prefecture spoke in a relatively mild tone.
Qiu Heng felt cold inside, her lowered eyes making her emotions unreadable: "This humble woman has no objection."
Upon hearing this, the Prefect of Jingtian Prefecture breathed a sigh of relief and glanced at Han Wu, the Commander-in-Chief of the Palace Guard.
Han Wu also breathed a sigh of relief.
Although the outcome will not change, if Qiu's daughter insists on seeing the doctor who testifies, her son will have to stay in the prison for a while longer.
This girl is quite sensible.
Qiu Heng really didn't want to waste any more time, so she silently listened to the verdict against Han Ziheng.
"Han Ziheng, riding his horse, knocked down Qiu Heng's adoptive father, causing his death. Because he was unwell and urgently needed medical attention, and had both public and private matters to attend to, he was punished according to the law as a lesser offense of negligent injury. Since Han Ziheng did not ride his horse in the bustling city center, he is sentenced to a reduced sentence..."
Redemption, also known as ransom, is the act of paying a ransom to the victim in exchange for exemption from other punishments.
"I am willing to offer a thousand taels of silver to atone for my son's sins," Han Wu declared loudly.
A thousand taels of silver for the life of an ordinary person—that's an exorbitant ransom. But for the Han family, a thousand taels of silver is utterly insignificant compared to sparing Han Ziheng from physical suffering.
The Prefect of Jingtian looked at the young woman below the hall: "What does Miss Qiu think?"
"My daughter has no objection."
A thousand taels of silver to buy her father's life... These people probably still think she made a profit.
Qiu Heng wanted to laugh.
But she didn't. She just watched expressionlessly as Han Wu took out the silver notes he had prepared beforehand, handed them to her, and led his beloved son away.
Even as Han Ziheng left, he gave her a smile.
His arrogance and smugness made Master Qiu want to raise his fist and rush at him.
"Is there anywhere you want to go, Heng'er? Father will go with you," Master Qiu asked cautiously.
He's so angry, Heng'er must be feeling so bad.
Qiu Heng forced a smile: "Father, please accompany me to Dafu Temple again. I want to light an eternal lamp for my mother and my adoptive parents."
"Okay, let's go today."
As long as his daughter made a request, he readily agreed.
Han Ziheng returned home, bathed and changed his clothes, and appeared in the brothels that night.
A few friends celebrated his release from prison and brought him some fine wine.
After a few drinks, one of them asked, "Ziheng, are we just going to let this go like this?"
Han Ziheng sneered: "Let it go? How could that be!"
"So what are you planning to do? Let me know if you need my help."
"Let's wait until this period is over. On the day of the Dragon Boat Festival, Cui Er went to cause trouble for that little bitch, which brought Xue Han along. Although that dog comes from a lowly background, he has nothing to lose and nothing to fear. It's not worth getting bitten by a mad dog."
As Han Ziheng spoke, he raised his glass to the young man in the blue robe: "Cui Er, thanks."
The young man in blue robes, the same playboy who kicked the ball at Qiu Heng, clinked glasses with Han Ziheng and drank his wine. For some reason, he thought of the girl's words from that day.
She wasn't annoyed by his deliberate targeting, and earnestly said, "Then don't do that again."
She's a very well-behaved girl, but she went all out and sued Han Ziheng, so she must have been really heartbroken.
"Cui Er, what are you thinking about?" Han Ziheng patted Cui Er on the shoulder.
Cui Er snapped out of his daze and continued drinking and chatting with his friends, but he couldn't seem to get into a good mood.
After the banquet, Han Ziheng was still in high spirits. He instructed his servants not to return to the mansion, but to head straight for the Xiangsha River.
Along the banks of the Xiangsha River, rows of small buildings rise up, brightly lit.
Han Ziheng entered the small building he frequented with ease, and the madam greeted him with a beaming smile.
"It's been a long time since I've seen Young Master Han. Has Young Master Han come to see Hanfang?"
Han Ziheng hiccuped: "Don't use Hanfang, have Zhilan keep me company."
Zhilan has only been in the small building for a few months, yet she has already rivaled the most beautiful courtesan, Hanfang.
Thank you to Moyu Moyi for the 10,000 coins, and thank you to all the readers who donated and voted.
(End of this chapter)
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