Zheng Quan was taken aback.
Song Jiyun had already briefed him with a plan, "Go tell Wang Zhubo’s brother-in-law that there’s no need for him to find a buyer anymore. I’ll take a bit of a loss and take over Wang Zhubo’s properties in Liang County for him. I will arrange a boat tonight to quietly send his family to Hangzhou."
Upon hearing this, Zheng Quan touched his head.
The young lady had previously said that she would give Wang Zhubo’s brother-in-law fifty thousand taels of silver as a resettlement fee.
Now that Wang Zhubo had just been dismissed from his post, the young lady’s tone had completely changed.
No more mention of the fifty thousand taels of silver, and now she wanted to take over Wang Zhubo’s properties.
He hesitated, "Wang Zhubo has been operating in Liang County for many years. Although he has fallen from power, being the local boss for so many years wasn’t for nothing. It’s one thing for his brother-in-law to quietly embezzle his money and run away, but to publicly sell the properties registered in his name to you, I’m afraid he doesn’t have the guts."
"That’s not up to him!" Song Jiyun said with a cold laugh, "Don’t forget that it was us who set up the connection and bridge for him to secretly sell those properties."
Zheng Quan understood, and said, "Don’t worry, young lady, I know what to do now!"
Song Jiyun nodded, and said, "We must act quickly. Since Wang Zhubo has fallen from grace, there’s no telling how many people are eyeing the Wang Family’s fat slice. If we’re too slow, we might not get a share."
"I understand!" Zheng Quan said, rubbing his hands together briskly as he walked away.
Song Jiyun nodded in satisfaction.
Turning around, she saw Yuan Yunzhong looking at her with a smile that was not quite a smile.
What did that mean?
Song Jiyun inexplicably felt somewhat guilty.
She cleared her throat twice and said, "To repay evil with kindness, how should kindness be repaid? Didn’t you also say he got what he deserved? My actions could also be considered as carrying out justice on heaven’s behalf!"
Yuan Yunzhong let out an "Oh."
The dragging tone seemed to mock her insincerity.
But since he didn’t say it outright, she pretended not to understand.
Song Jiyun chuckled twice, covering up any disturbance as she instructed the coachman, "Let’s hurry back, so as not to worry Madam!"
The coachman immediately cracked his whip.
The mule-drawn carriage rumbled down the main streets of Liang County.
Yuan Yunzhong sat quietly in the carriage, gazing at her fixedly, his eyes dark and shining, impossibly deep and unfathomable.
Song Jiyun felt uncomfortable under his gaze and simply drew the curtain to look outside.
All along the way, people were discussing Wang Zhubo, and scholars were having heated discussions by the tea houses and taverns: "He should have been dismissed long ago. Didn’t he oversee the Mid-Autumn Festival lantern event that resulted in people being trampled to death? It’s not unjust to dismiss him now!"
Others said, "That’s nothing! During the big disaster, nine out of ten households had nothing. While dispatching people to collect taxes, Wang Zhubo also lent money at high interests rates. The following year, who knows how many families lost their ancestral fields to his family, have you forgotten?"
Old stories were dug up again.
It rather seemed like kicking a man when he’s down!
Song Jiyun listened with great interest.
Seeing this, the coachman slowly drove the carriage down the main street.
Half an hour later, the mule carriage stopped in front of the Song Family’s gate.
Song Jiyun and Yuan Yunzhong got out of the carriage and went to pay their respects to Madam Qian.
Madam Qian did not have the slightest doubt and, holding her hand, said, "No matter how busy the kiln factory is, your health is most important."
Song Jiyun hurriedly said, "This time was an accident, I will be careful in the future. I won’t spend the night at the kiln factory again."
Madam Qian, feeling sorry for her daughter, immediately changed her tune, "If it’s too busy, you don’t have to rush back. Just rest at the kiln factory. With Zheng Quan protecting you..."
As she spoke, she thought of Yuan Yunzhong, and her gaze landed smilingly on him, "And with Young Master Yuan helping you, I’m not worried. Just go about your business."
Song Jiyun understood Madam Qian’s concerns and had a heart-to-heart talk with her for a while before she and Yuan Yunzhong stood up to leave.
But as soon as they exited Madam Qian’s courtyard, they ran into Zheng Quan, who had just returned from Wang Zhubo’s place.
"Miss!" He greeted Song Jiyun with a bow and began speaking at the entrance of Madam Qian’s courtyard about his visit to Wang Zhubo’s brother-in-law, "That boy is a good-for-nothing! He was happy to roll up Wang Zhubo’s silver with glee, but when asked to sell Wang Zhubo’s properties placed under his name to you, he didn’t dare. When I mentioned the properties he had secretly sold, he was still dreaming his Spring and Autumn Annals dreams, muttering that he wouldn’t take the fifty thousand taels of silver and would rather board a ship to Hangzhou himself."
Song Jiyun arched her eyebrows.
Zheng Quan continued, "I then took out the deeds of the properties he had sold in private, and he became scared, clinging to my legs begging for mercy. He said he’s willing to sell those properties to you as well, but insisted that you must go with him to the governmental authorities to transfer the deed."
He added, "Whatever I said was useless; he insisted on not selling unless he sees you."
"Then I will meet with him," Song Jiyun said indifferently.
If she dared to hunt wolves, she wasn’t afraid of being bitten by them.
Song Jiyun excused herself from Yuan Yunzhong and went back to her own courtyard to change her clothes, preparing to meet Wang Zhubo’s brother-in-law.
She had no idea that by the time she returned after changing clothes, the situation had completely changed.
Zheng Quan excitedly told her, "Miss, Wang Zhubo was suddenly arrested and thrown into the major prison. Someone beat the drum in front of the County Yamen, accusing Wang Zhubu of accepting bribes and meddling in judicial decisions.
"The Yamen has already posted a notice on the eight-character wall, and they will hold a public trial of the case soon.
"His brother-in-law must have received the news, as he just secretly came to see me, expressing willingness to sell all the properties placed under Wang Zhubo’s name to us, asking only that we help him leave Liang County tonight. Not only that, but he’s also willing to pay us fifty thousand taels of silver for the boat fare."
What a coincidence!
It was like being handed a pillow as soon as one felt sleepy.
Song Jiyun, looking at Zheng Quan’s happy face, couldn’t help but feel a flicker of surprise.
"Go handle this matter immediately," she pondered, "There’s no need to wait until tonight. Once the deed is transferred, make arrangements for him to leave Liang County right away, without a moment’s delay. To avoid any last-minute changes."
Zheng Quan agreed and left.
Song Jiyun stood under the eaves, watching the chirruping orioles, silent for a long time.
*
In the County Yamen prison, it was dark, damp, and foul-smelling.
Wang Zhubo, who used to inspect the place as if he owned every inch, was now stripped of his coat, his hands shackled, softly speaking to the aged and wan Madam Wang through the bars as thick as child’s arms, "The family’s assets are definitely gone. Tell your brother to sell all my known assets, sell as much as he can. I still have some ties with Prince Huai, and you have seen Princess Consort Huai not just once or twice. Take the silver and see Princess Consort Huai, find a way to get me out.
"As long as I can get out, I am not afraid of lacking an opportunity for a comeback."
Madam Wang’s eyes were red and swollen, nodding constantly, and spoke gently, "My lord, you must take care of yourself! Me and the children are all depending on you!"
Wang Zhubo’s eyes were somewhat moist, but he quickly turned fierce, "If I find out who’s playing tricks on me, I’ll make sure they pay with their lives."
Madam Wang looked on, her voice involuntarily low and breaking again.
"Hurry up and go!" Wang Zhubo looked at her, urging impatiently, "There’s no time to lose. Tell your brother, at this time, not to be stingy or petty, and not to act on impulse. As long as he can get cash, it’s fine if those assets are sold off cheap."
Madam Wang nodded again and again.
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