Chapter 149: Clearing One’s Name to Forge a Path Forward

Chapter 149: Clearing One’s Name to Forge a Path Forward

"You’re too kind, Dr. Chang," Lu Mingchao replied humbly with a smile.

"I’d be honored to work with you someday, Dr. Chang."

Dr. Chang, in his fifties, returned the gesture with a solemn bow, his sleeves billowing like clouds, accompanied by the faint, slightly bitter scent of herbs that permeated the surroundings.

A faint whiff of ink lingered in the air.

"The honor is mine," Dr. Chang said, his eyes warm with affection, not as if they had just met, but rather as if they were reuniting after a long separation.

Lu Mingchao felt uneasy but, seeing that Dr. Chang did not wish to elaborate, she kept her thoughts to herself.

After leaving the Juren Clinic, Lu Mingchao returned to Changxi Village to check on the children and calm Yunniang’s worries.

Outside the window, the sunlight vanished in a flash, and the flower shadows on the table shifted subtly.

After a night of heavy drinking, Old Lady Yang’s nephew, still groggy, was roused from his sleep by officers. A search turned up a jumble of bedding, beneath which lay an assortment of items: undergarments, sachets, and handkerchiefs.

Caught in the act, he was hauled off to jail.

Upon hearing the news, Old Lady Yang was frantic with worry, wailing and cursing, and in a frantic rush, she grabbed all the cash at home and hurried to town.

Lu Mingchao took the chance to return the old prescription to Old Lady Yang’s daughter-in-law.

As evidence, it was best for the officers to find it themselves.

"Mr. Lu?" Old Lady Yang’s daughter-in-law was puzzled.

Lu Mingchao explained gently, "Sister-in-law, just put it back. I’ll handle the rest."

It wouldn’t be long before the officers arrived to conduct their search.

"Sister-in-law, if the officers come, don’t panic," Lu Mingchao patiently instructed.

In the afternoon.

The sky darkened, and the wind picked up.

A fierce northwest wind swept across the land, its force unrelenting as it barreled through. Along the mountain path, withered trees stood tall, yet they seemed on the verge of breaking, their branches creaking under the strain.

Soon, snow began to fall.

The stretch of clear weather came to an abrupt halt.

Wrapped in a fox fur coat, Lu Mingchao plucked a branch of wild plum in the courtyard outside the county jail and, after presenting the jailer with a jug of fine wine, was let in to see Cheng Zhi without a hitch.

After several days of imprisonment, Cheng Zhi’s once fair and delicate face had become sunken and sallow, her messy hair strewn with weeds and leaves. Yet, her eyes still burned like wild flames on a desolate plain, flickering with an eerie and terrifying light.

Lu Mingchao sighed softly, "Miss Cheng, have you changed your mind?"

Cheng Zhi, indifferent, replied in a hoarse voice, "I don’t understand what you mean, Mingmei."

Cheng Zhi had addressed Lu Mingchao as "Mingmei."

Lu Mingchao smiled, "Do you really trust the notorious eldest son of the Sun family more than me, Miss Cheng?"

Cheng Zhi's eyes sparkled with curiosity, and she couldn't help but take a few more glances at Lu Mingchao.

Though Lu Mingchao stood in the shadows of the prison cell, she was like a bright light, infusing a breath of life into the otherwise decaying prison.

It was truly a sight to behold.

And truly something to envy.

"Every word I spoke in the court is true," Cheng Zhi said with her eyes lowered, her emotions veiled beneath a calm exterior. "Even though my chastity was taken from me long ago, it does not mean I can be easily manipulated and degraded by your brother."

A shadow crossed Lu Mingchao's face as she carefully placed a wild plum branch into Cheng Zhi's loose hair.

The snow on the petals fell onto Cheng Zhi's cheek, sending a shiver down her spine.

"Even a plum branch, sullied by snow and mud, retains its essence."

"Cheng Zhi."

"Even when it crumbles to dust, its scent lingers."

"Cheng Zhi, Chen Si from the Yongsheng Gambling House in Lotus Town has come forward with evidence. Old Lady Yang's nephew has already been brought to the county jail."

"Do you really believe you can conceal your miscarriage and recovery?"

"Old Lady Yang's nephew admitted that when he was with you three or four years ago, you were no longer a virgin."

"What hardships did you endure in your youth?"

"If you are determined to go down this dark path, your fate will be the pig cage."

"At that time, your claims against my brother will be dismissed as baseless lies. No one will believe the words of a woman defined as promiscuous."

"Think fast, your time is nearly up."

The snow on Cheng Zhi's cheek melted, glistening like a tear of regret.

"Are you really trying this hard to get me to take back my words?"

Suddenly, Cheng Zhi stood up from the straw mat, her hands clenched tightly around the bars, the edges of her eyes flushed with a faint redness.

Lu Mingchao's gaze fell on Cheng Zhi's fingertips.

Her once manicured nails were now jagged and caked with grime.

They looked as though they had been gnawed or dragged across the stone walls.

"Miss Cheng, the phrase 'retract testimony' doesn't fit here."

"I only wish for you to speak the truth, to exonerate my brother, and to find a path to redemption."

"Also, I hesitate to label a young girl as wholly lost and tainted. Perhaps you have your own hardships."

"Think about it, which is more likely to win the world's compassion and understanding: a promiscuous woman or a pitiful person forced into a difficult situation?"

"The world's empathy and support are your stepping stones to a new beginning."

"Let me guess, what did Jade String Gentleman and Zhang Cheng promise you?"

Lu Mingchao unconsciously slowed and lengthened her voice. "Did they promise you gold, silver, or property?"

"Allow you to leave the Cheng family?"

"Help you set up your own household?"

Lu Mingchao watched every subtle change in Cheng Zhi's expression.

"Magistrate Xu is bound to question you and your father again today."

Cheng Zhi gripped the railing tighter, her thin hands' veins bulging, her eyes reddening, and the wild plum branch slipping from her loose hair.

Cheng Zhi instinctively caught the plum branch.

"Even if I confess to false charges, I'll still face flogging."

"If you don't save yourself, you're doomed to the pig cage," Lu Mingchao said indifferently.

"Hasn't your lover Zhang Cheng told you that Jade String Gentleman is in dire straits?"

"Miss Cheng, look out for yourself."

Lu Mingchao gave Cheng Zhi a final glance, adjusted her cloak, and left the jail.

Let's hope Cheng Zhi is smart enough.

In Sun Zhiye's game, Cheng Zhi is already a pawn cast aside.

To survive as a cast-off, she must show true sincerity.

Lu Mingchao walked to the hall's front, where Old Lady Yang's wails cut through the gloom, clouds, and snow.

But some people's dark deeds can't face the light.

Every cry and rebuttal further stained Cheng Zhi's already tarnished name.

Magistrate Xu had Old Lady Yang's house searched, finding a yellowed prescription in a box, turning her defense into curses against Cheng Zhi.

Boiled down to seduction and slut-shaming.

Outside the county office, bundled-up common folk gathered.

Winter offers little amusement, especially not a dramatic case full of twists.

Peeling back a corner of the past.