Chapter 16: The Mute Girl

"Oh, look how beautiful she is!" Mrs. Zhao said with a beaming smile.

The clothes prepared by the lady of the house were, of course, exquisite.

Due to the urgency, they weren't tailor-made but picked from a ready-made clothes shop in town. They were all beautiful silk dresses, far better than the padded clothes previously gifted by the lady of the house. They featured embroidery and had different styles.

There were not only clothes but also jewelry, superior to what Mrs. Xu and her daughter possessed, except Zhu San had no ear piercings, so several pairs of earrings had to lay idle in a small makeup box. The household also provided her with a complete new set of bedding, fragrant, soft, and satin.

Truth be told, a full set of wedding items in the countryside couldn't compare in beauty or value.

Zhang Xianju was still unwilling, holding her daughter tight, "No! My child can't be separated from me!" Mrs. Zhao commanded several women to tear them apart.

Mrs. Zhao, representing the lady of the house, reassured Zhu San, "Don't worry about your mother; the master and lady of the house will take care of her! Just serve General Zhou well. Ah, such a young general, handsome too. It's a fortune built up from a previous life."

Zhang Xianju furiously accused, "You, old beast, acting as both matchmaker and virtuous wife, do you enjoy deceiving people? If this is fortune, let your entire family serve them!"

Mrs. Zhao retorted, "Why can't you see what's good for you? Take her away!"

Mrs. Xu felt deep guilt, comforting Zhang Xianju, "This house has strict rules. Angering the master could lead to severe punishment. Who would your child rely on then? Bear with it for now; there will be opportunities to meet. It's all fate…"

Zhang Xianju, coming back to her senses, wanted to protest but knew better against the household's authority. Crying out of frustration, "Why is our fate so miserable?"

Mrs. Xu quickly silenced her, "Don't cry! You'll upset the child too. Speak softly to her. Hmm? Next time I go out to buy groceries, I'll take you with me."

Caught in the situation, Zhang Xianju and Zhu San had no choice but to listen to Mrs. Xu. In the end, Zhang Xianju warned Zhu San, "Take care of yourself and don't worry about us. Any general must be a cursed soul," without instructing Zhu San to try to escape. Surviving in the governor's mansion was hard enough, let alone under the imperial envoy’s scrutiny.

Zhu San inwardly calculated: they're using my mother as a hostage! Alright, you're ruthless! We'll see.

Before boarding the sedan, she noticed someone carrying two large boxes following behind the sedan, frowning slightly.

By this time, after a whole day of tense preparation, it had already become dark, and the curfew had started.

The local curfew, of course, couldn't restrict those carried out from the governor's residence. The governor and his wife didn't come along, only the steward and Mrs. Zhao followed, carrying people and boxes to the imperial envoy's quarters, claiming, "General Zhou requested this."

Then they left the sedan and boxes behind, taking even the sedan bearers with them, leaving Zhu San to roll her eyes grandly inside the sedan.

………………

The "short-lived ghost" cursed by Zhang Xianju, Zhou You, was not in the quarters at this time. He had been out all day challenging the governor and was on his way back.

The people inside the quarters knew Zhou You had indeed met with the governor today, and the governor's steward had previously visited the quarters. The guards recognized him, so they called a few people to carry both the sedan and boxes into Zhou You's courtyard.

The imperial envoy was actually in the quarters but busy reorganizing case files, not paying attention to such trivial matters.

Thus, when Zhou You returned and met with the imperial envoy, they didn't discuss anything about "people sent by the governor."

After clashing with the governor all day without desired results, Zhou You complained to the envoy, "Uncle Zhong, this governor, his calculations are too cunning! He's just trying to pin those charlatans on Zheng Qi to pass them off to Zheng Qi, hmph! Scoundrel! He better not set foot in the capital in his lifetime. Once he does, I'll make sure he regrets it!"

Imperial Envoy Zhong snorted, "He's hedging his bets, surely instigated by some minor clerks within the mansion! You're 22 now, it's time you understood these machinations. Look at Zheng Qi, only a few years older than you, yet already capable of handling imperial assignments on his own."

Zhou You also snorted, "What's so great about Zheng Qi? Heartless and ruthless, and yet his father covers for him. This must be the work of Duke Zheng."

Imperial Envoy Zhong said, "Alas, your father passed away early. All of us, your uncles, treat you as our own. With proper experience, you'll mature quickly, which will also bring joy to your mother."

Zhou You muttered, "So, those charlatans are still locked in the state prison, and we're just giving up? You were the first to come across this case, how did it end up in Zheng Qi's hands? It should have been one case under your investigation. Otherwise, let me take the stage and confront them without you stepping in!"

Imperial Envoy Zhong replied, "Enough, don't bring trouble upon yourself. As my assistant requested by His Majesty, what difference does it make whether you or I take the lead? The Ministry of Justice's oversight in trafficking human lives has already angered His Majesty."

"But His Majesty entrusted you with the investigation, which shows his trust in you."

Imperial Envoy Zhong's lips curled into a bitter smile, "He sent me here to investigate these minor officials' corruption. This is just one case of substituting death row inmates uncovered, how many more are there over the years? Who has been investigating those old cases?"

Zhou You fell silent, feeling anxious, "What... what should be done?"

"Hence, we must tread carefully! Finish the current cases, report back, and follow His Majesty's instructions. Stay low for a few years. Don't provoke Zheng Qi; I must admit, I somewhat fear his tactics. Not even thirty, and he's already handling cases like me."

"But he can't surpass you."

Imperial Envoy Zhong patiently explained, "He's 27, I'm 57. Think about it, should I not be wary of him?"

Zhou You remarked, "Well, let's see if he lives to fifty-seven first..."

Imperial Envoy Zhong, aware that this young nephew was somewhat spoiled due to his father's early death by his mother, grandmother, and his father's friends, including himself, said, "Enough, you've had a long day. Go rest."

"Oh." Zhou You touched his nose and winked at Imperial Envoy Zhong, cheerfully turning to run to his room.

His joy lasted only until he reached the courtyard entrance, where he immediately sensed something amiss, "What's this?"

A servant he had brought along rushed out, "Lord, you're back! Take a look! The mansion sent this, claiming it's what you requested!"

Surprised, Zhou You asked, "What did I request?" He walked over, lifted the lid of the box, rummaged briefly, then shut it again. Casually, he pulled aside the curtain of the sedan chair to look inside and stepped back, "Who are you?"

Zhu San, frustrated and fuming, felt her anger deflate at his question, "Great, the so-called 'doomed one' doesn't even know who I am, yet here I am, sent to this godforsaken place because of a word from him. What a farce!"

She glanced at Zhou You expressionlessly. His servant brought over a lantern, "Eh? Another one sent? The last one came to seduce the imperial envoy, and this one..."

Zhou You dismissed, "Away with you! Hey, you, not the one from the daytime!" He brought the lantern closer, recognizing her. Zhu San was indeed a pretty girl, not easily forgotten.

Zhu San remained silent.

"Who are you? Do you belong to the prefect's household?"

Zhu San remained silent.

The servant, seeing his master being ignored, couldn't help but urge, "Lord asks you a question, and you don't answer. Are you deaf or mute?"

Zhu San nodded.

The servant was taken aback, "What? You... can't speak, or?" He pointed to his own ears and then to his throat.

Zhu San nodded again.

Both the master and servant were dumbfounded.

Zhou You urgently shouted, "Quick, get Uncle Zhong to have a look! You, you, come out for a moment." He gestured repeatedly, worried Zhu San couldn't understand.

Zhu San slowly crawled out of the sedan, accustomed to the women's work attire she had been wearing, now encumbered by the cumbersome dress. Moving sluggishly, she then tried to retreat back—Zhou You, towering over her by more than a head and looming close, gave her a sense of oppression.

Zhu San cautiously kept her distance from Zhou You, who then realized he might have come too close and cleared his throat, "Ahem! Did they not tell you anything?"

Zhu San, much shorter, had to crane her neck to see his face even after taking three steps back. The "doomed one" had a look of privileged curiosity, staring at her. Zhu San gave him an indifferent glance.

At that moment, footsteps approached, and the "doomed one" eagerly greeted, "Uncle Zhong."

When Zhu San looked, she saw a man of medium build, with a square face and stern features illuminated by two lanterns. This must be the imperial envoy.

Imperial Envoy Zhong sized up Zhu San, somewhat surprised to hear she was mute, "Hmm?" He motioned to go inside for a discussion, indicating the boxes be brought in as well.

Inside, he first examined the boxes, not questioning Zhu San yet. One box contained Zhu San's bedding and clothing. After a glance, Zhong ordered, "Cover it up!" Upon opening the second box, Zhu San, Zhou You, and the servant were all astonished.

The inside was stuffed with silk. Even if Zhu San didn't understand much, she could tell these items were of higher quality than what she was wearing. Imperial Envoy Zhong, very accustomed to such sights, ordered, "Take them out." Dozens of rolls of fine silk were moved aside to reveal what was beneath.

Two heavy little leather cases were brought out, filled to the brim with gold. Another box contained pearls and precious gems. Another case held a set of jade liquor utensils. There were also two boxes, one with a bottle and the other with a bowl. Zhu San, unaware of what these were, surmised they must be very valuable, possibly antiques.

Zhu San thought to herself: No wonder I felt something was off; just one box would have been enough for bedding and clothes.

Zhou You cursed, "Scoundrel!" and grabbed a bowl, about to smash it.

Imperial Envoy Zhong intervened, "Hold on! Have you asked her permission to smash her belongings?" pointing at Zhu San.

This stopped both Zhu San and Zhou You in their tracks.

Imperial Envoy Zhong sighed, "This is an old trick. Did you think he was sending just a person? This is her 'dowry'!"

Zhou You, having an eye-opener, asked, "But the one we sent back last time didn't come with all this, did you collect it elsewhere?"

Imperial Envoy Zhong scoffed, "Collect what rubbish! You know nothing! Times change, my affairs are none of your concern. Now, tell me, what's the deal with her? What do you plan to do?"

Zhou You, scratching the back of his head, said, "I merely complimented her in passing, who knew he would actually send her over? And with all these things! Hey, you, what's your story?"

Imperial Envoy Zhong reminded, "Have you forgotten? She can't speak."

"Then what do we do?"

Imperial Envoy Zhong asked, "What do you plan to do?"

Zhou You, puzzled, asked, "What? Are we not supposed to send it back?! Are we actually supposed to keep it?"

Imperial Envoy Zhong patiently explained to him, "There's a way to accept and a way to decline."

Zhou You eagerly sought advice, "How so?"

Imperial Envoy Zhong's stern face showed a hint of a smile, "To decline, naturally, is to return everything untouched, making no ties with him! As for accepting, there’s a manner to it too. We're here to investigate clerical corruption, not to scrutinize the prefect! When people were being traded for their lives, he wasn’t even in office yet. Write a piece of calligraphy or paint a picture, and send it to him tomorrow."

"Eh?"

"Don’t you even understand the basics of social exchanges?"

"But we're here on official business, my calligraphy or painting can't be worth this..."

Imperial Envoy Zhong responded, "As long as he values it, that’s enough. What’s your choice?"

Zhou You questioned, "Are we to engage in favors with him? He’s still holding onto suspects of the witchcraft case and won’t hand them over to you!"

Zhu San's heart skipped a beat.

Imperial Envoy Zhong smiled and asked, "How will you choose?"

While Zhou You was still frowning and pondering, Zhu San had already understood; not accepting wasn’t due to integrity, otherwise, they wouldn’t have accepted a maid before only to send her back. Moreover, they hadn’t taken her seriously, or else they wouldn’t discuss such matters in front of her.

Zhou You had made up his mind, saying generously, "Send it back then!"

Thus, Zhu San was packed back into the palanquin and sent back to the prefectural yamen overnight.