Chapter 18 is indeed somewhat coincidental.
Song Jin walked briskly to the government office. The yamen runners all recognized her and didn't stop her. They let her go inside and wait. Some of the runners who knew her even served her tea.
They don't treat each other as outsiders.
Luo, the yamen runner: "Magistrate Xiao is interrogating a prisoner and may not have time to see you. Please wait a moment while I go and deliver a message."
Song Jin hadn't expected such bad luck, but she didn't mind and cheerfully said, "Okay, thank you for your trouble, Brother Luo. If it's not possible, I can come again tomorrow."
The constable, Luo, chuckled, "It's only because of you. It's not so easy for ordinary people to enter the city. Yesterday, someone from a nearby town even encountered a giant python on the way. Luckily, no one was hurt."
Song Jin: "Oh, that's right. Luckily no one got hurt. These things are slow; if it were a big insect or a bear, it would be in danger."
Luo, the constable: "Yes, there are quite a few of these kinds of incidents every year, but I haven't heard of them over there."
Song Jin chuckled: "With me here, let's see what demons and monsters dare to come near."
Luo, the yamen runner: "Haha!"
The two talked for a while, then Luo, the constable, checked the time and headed towards the prison.
The county prison was built underground, and it was very dark inside. Even in the sweltering heat, it was damp and cool, and in the winter, it was bone-chilling. Because there was no toilet, they relied entirely on chamber pots. In addition, during interrogations, the stench inside was a mixture of foul odors and the smell of blood, making it exceptionally unpleasant.
Every criminal who enters is skinned alive; those who commit serious crimes are stripped of two layers of flesh and bones.
Magistrate Xiao was already used to this kind of environment. These days, most people were honest and simple; those who committed crimes were mostly wicked, and they wouldn't tell the truth without some trickery, especially not a henchman like the one in front of him who had taken many lives.
Torture was effective, though the scene was rather bloody. He was worried it would frighten the nobleman before him, but to his surprise, Qi Zheng didn't even blink at the torture, treating it as if it were a normal fight.
Sensing his confusion, Qi Zheng explained, "I used to work as a bodyguard for a while. The bandits on the road were rampant, and many people died."
Having seen dead people and even killed some, he naturally wouldn't be afraid of such a small scene.
Magistrate Xiao understood and had many guesses; this prince, who grew up among the common people, must have suffered a lot over the years. But how could he have endured so much hardship and still grow so tall?
Magistrate Xiao, who could only look up at people, felt a deep sorrow.
Qi Zheng didn't continue. His years of experience in the world told him that it's best to speak as little as possible; the more you say, the more mistakes you make. It's better to let the other person figure it out themselves.
The two walked to the interrogation room at the very back of the prison, looking at the gray-clad prisoner they had captured in the mountains last time.
His main responsibility was managing the people and inventorying the ore in the mine. At first, he pretended to be clueless, claiming he knew nothing and was just following orders.
After being subjected to torture, he confessed everything in no time.
When did you arrive at this silver mine? How much have you mined in the last two years? How many of your men have died...?
This is utterly heinous and deserves to die.
Qi Zheng and Magistrate Xiao listened to the interrogating officers recount the events of the interrogation, and both frowned.
Although they had guessed early on that the people working in this kind of illegal mine wouldn't be treated well, the attitude of treating human lives like dirt was still unacceptable to the two people who had been raised in humble circumstances.
Seeing his scattered scars and torn flesh wasn't enough, so while reviewing the evidence, the constable tacitly allowed the bailiff to continue the pointless interrogation.
Knowing that the constable Luo had come over to deliver a message, "Magistrate Xiao, Song Jin is here; he seems to have something to discuss with you."
Magistrate Xiao glanced at Qi Zheng beside him subconsciously, frowned, and said, "I'm busy today. Tell her to come tomorrow."
Just as Luo, the constable, was about to nod, Qi Zheng, who was standing to the side, paused upon hearing Song Jin's name, his gaze lingering on the prisoner, and said...
"The interrogation is almost over. They're just small fry, we can't get much out of them. The main information is still on the people who escaped earlier. Have you found anything in Da'an Village?"
As he spoke, he turned and walked outside.
Magistrate Xiao hurried to catch up. He was more than half a head shorter than Qi Zheng, and had to take a few extra steps to keep up with him.
Magistrate Xiao: "There's been no news. That person was from the village, and he was usually cautious when he went out. The villagers didn't notice anything unusual about him, and those who lived nearby were killed..."
The two men left the cell one after the other. The wails inside gradually subsided, but the stench of decay still lingered in their nostrils.
Qi Zheng stopped, recalling some past events. The humid wind whipped his face, making his expression even more inscrutable, causing Magistrate Xiao to instinctively fall silent.
It's safe to say they're not related by blood. The resemblance isn't very strong when viewed from the front, but even someone who's only seen the present-day person a few times from afar can see the similarity in their profile.
After a while, Magistrate Xiao looked at Qi Zheng, who had no expression, and tentatively asked, "The men we sent out to block the road and search the mountains haven't found anything yet. Your Highness has been interrogating for so long, why don't you take a break?"
The prison smelled truly awful; even a county magistrate like him had to mentally prepare himself for half a day every time he went in and out, let alone a prince like Qi Zheng.
Of course, Magistrate Xiao still wanted to know why Song Jin had come to see him. This man rarely came unless there was something wrong, so he wondered if something had happened to him.
She's always been very outspoken, so it wouldn't be surprising if she offended someone.
Putting aside her appearance, just considering the bandits she rid the county of, Magistrate Xiao wouldn't ignore her.
Qi Zheng snapped out of his reverie and glanced at the cautious Magistrate Xiao. Even after half a year, he still felt a strange sense of absurdity.
Six months ago, he was just a petty thief whom a county magistrate didn't take seriously and casually issued a warrant for his arrest. Six months later, even the prefect had to be wary of him. This world is truly absurd.
Qi Zheng: "Are you going to see Song Jin?"
Magistrate Xiao was taken aback, not expecting him to ask that question, but he quickly realized that this prince was brought back from outside by the Grand Secretary, so he would definitely be able to tell the similarity.
He was somewhat embarrassed and said sincerely, "In my early years, it was Lord Song who helped me escape from my suffering. He helped me a great deal, but I have not repaid him in any way. When I see someone who resembles him, I can't help but pay more attention to them."
Seeing his expression, Qi Zheng couldn't tell whether he was sincere or not, and then said...
"Song Xingzhi met this person a while ago and was trying to find out about her."
Magistrate Xiao was taken aback, then burst into laughter: "Young Master Song, you don't happen to think Song Jin is Lord Song's child, do you? Coincidentally, I had the same guess at first, and even had someone investigate. Although it is indeed a bit of a coincidence, but..."
Otherwise, given his admiration for Song Shang, he would have sent him back long ago.
Lord Song is good in every way, except for his lack of offspring. But then, thinking of his own five unruly children, Magistrate Xiao shook his head again.
Having too many children isn't necessarily a good thing.
**
When Magistrate Xiao and Qi Zheng arrived, Song Jin was sitting in the reception hall of the county government office with the yamen runners she knew.
Shaking the dice
Officer Number One: "Four, five, three, twelve o'clock, hehe."
Officer Number Two: "266, 14, down, down, down, I'm definitely winning this round."
Song Jin opened the dice lid, raised an eyebrow, and grinned broadly: "One, one, three points! But, although it looks like a loss, it's actually a win. Has anyone ever gotten such a smooth hand?"
The constables laughed loudly: "Hahaha, a loss is a loss, it's not like you're a 666! Hurry up and hand over the bets!"
Song Jin shook her head and sighed, "Alright, alright, this is my most treasured possession."
...
Magistrate Xiao, who was standing next to a prince, turned green with anger as he strode over, his voice heavy with rage.
"Is it fun?"
The yamen runners immediately fell silent, standing up somewhat awkwardly and nervously: "Your Excellency, Magistrate..."
Magistrate Xiao stared at them intently, then held out his hand: "Give it all up."
The group hesitated for a moment, then became increasingly flustered: "Take what, take what?"
Magistrate Xiao sneered, "What else could it be? It's the betting, of course! You're all incredibly audacious, gambling in broad daylight right here in the yamen. I guess you don't want to wear this uniform anymore."
The constables looked at him hesitantly, as if wanting to say something but then hesitated: "The bet? None, none left."
Magistrate Xiao assumed they were making excuses, and his face darkened even further. Just as he was about to say something, several strips of dried meat suddenly appeared in their outstretched hands.
Song Jin, with a stick dangling from his mouth, clapped his hands and stood up, nonchalantly saying, "There are only a few left. These things are really hard; I just use them to chew on. If Lord Xiao likes them, I'll bring you some more another day."
Magistrate Xiao: ...
That brat
He took a deep breath and glared at the several constables whose cheeks ached from gnawing on the meat strips: "What are you still standing here for? Don't you have anything else to do?"
The group looked at each other, grabbed their long sticks and knives, and hurriedly ran away, occasionally managing to give Song Jin a look of approval.
When it comes to courage, this little tyrant has to be the best.
Song Jin raised his chin, accepting their admiration without the slightest humility. As soon as they left, he immediately turned to Magistrate Xiao with a grin, trying to curry favor.
"Oh, don't be angry, Lord Xiao. Everyone's been incredibly busy lately, it's a rare treat to have some fun. Don't be so serious. Come, come, have some jerky. They say people who eat more vegetables and less meat tend to have bad tempers."
Magistrate Xiao laughed in exasperation: "If you're so capable, go say that to the monks at Laifu Temple."
Song Jin chuckled: "Well, I don't have that ability. I can only appease someone like you who's accommodating to me. Please, be generous and don't hold it against me. Look what I've brought you!"
Magistrate Xiao: "You, stop looking around and take a look at the person first. This is Lord Qi from the capital. Come over and pay your respects."
Song Jin had already seen the man, but since Magistrate Xiao hadn't mentioned it, she pretended not to know. Now that he had, she would still act as if she didn't know his identity, and cheerfully gave a proper bow.
"Greetings, Lord Qi. I was blind and didn't recognize you before. Please don't hold it against me."
Qi Zheng glanced at her unruly manner and, thinking of those old men in the capital who constantly preached etiquette, doctrine, and rules, he could already imagine the chaos that would ensue once he brought her back.
Thinking of this, he slightly curved his lips into a smile, a smile that seemed to melt like ice and snow, only to freeze back quickly.
"It's alright, it's good for young people to be lively. I heard you had something to discuss with Magistrate Xiao, so I came here abruptly. I hope I haven't disturbed you."
Song Jin chuckled, "Of course not. I don't have any important business. I just found a ginseng root in the mountains and thought the magistrate's wife might need it, so I specially brought it over."
Look!
Upon hearing this, Magistrate Xiao was overjoyed and felt a surge of warmth in his heart. However, upon closer inspection, his expression stiffened, followed by a deep silence and a look of unease.
Song Jin asked, somewhat puzzled, "What's wrong? Is it not to your liking?"
Magistrate Xiao closed his eyes, and after a long while, he reached out to refuse, saying with difficulty, "It's too valuable, I have no money."
He had bought his wife quite a few ginseng roots, the most valuable of which was no more than forty years old, costing him five hundred taels of silver, which was already his limit.
You should know that he was an honest and upright official. His annual salary, when calculated, was only 150 taels of silver. After deducting expenses for food, clothing, and transportation, his wife needed medicine year-round, and his children needed to go to school…
I can't save any money at all throughout the year; the ginseng I bought before was only enough to cover my succession fee.
Now that he's almost spent all his money, his wallet simply can't keep up with the demand for such high-quality ginseng.
Song Jin: ...
I was careless.
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