Chapter 116: Huo Ling’s Incognito Travels: …

Chapter 116: "Huo Ling's Incognito Travels" – ...

The laws were flawed, the world unjust—Zhu Wan felt as though she had fallen into deep trouble.

And the person who could answer her doubts and resolve her dilemma sat at the seat of authority.

Zhu Wan looked expectantly at Huo Ling, seeking an answer from her.

Huo Ling looked down and spoke slowly, "Why can't women inherit family property in this world, while only men can...? This question you ask is one I have asked myself before."

Her relationship with her younger brother, Huo Ze,

was far better than Zhu Wan's with her half-brother.

Yet, in her youth, because her talents far surpassed Huo Ze's, she had once been puzzled—

If her father were to choose someone to lead the Huo family, why wouldn't it be her?

Zhu Wan asked, "Has Your Majesty found the answer?"

To Zhu Wan's surprise, Huo Ling shook her head.

"It has been a long time since I last thought about this question." Huo Ling seemed to be asking Zhu Wan, or perhaps herself, "Tell me, why did I forget this question?"

In her youth, she had been so unwilling, yet if Zhu Wan hadn't brought it up today, it seemed she would have completely forgotten that resentment.

Zhu Wan didn’t know how to respond.

Huo Ling snapped out of her contemplation and looked at Zhu Wan with a faint smile. "Changing the world’s ways is as difficult as moving heaven. But revising the law, giving you something to rely on—that is not an impossible task."

The kingdom of Great Yan had established its capital in Luocheng for ninety years, under five emperors. Its customs and societal norms were vastly different from those of the previous dynasty, yet its legal statutes were still copied from the old dynasty’s laws—truly outdated.

Huo Ling had not considered this before. But now that Zhu Wan had come to her, she could seize the opportunity. Through Zhu Wan's case against her father, Zou Tianyi, she could push officials to deliberate on the law and revise Great Yan's *Penal Code*.

The confusion on Zhu Wan’s face vanished.

In its place was pure joy.

This was the best outcome she had longed for.

Huo Ling said, "I’m changing the law rather than directly stepping in to seek justice for your grandparents and mother. Why are you still so happy? Don’t you feel disappointed?"

Zhu Wan smiled brightly. "Three years ago, I would have wished for Your Majesty to step in—it would have saved me a lot of hassle. But in these three years, I’ve read the *Penal Code* and come to understand some things.

"Your Majesty directly interfering in this case would be an exception made for me alone. I was fortunate enough to meet you, but what about the unfortunate ones like Liu Shi, or that official’s widowed mother? Revising the law doesn’t just benefit me—it ensures that many others in similar circumstances have the law on their side.

"I may not be someone important, but I can see sense. Naturally, I would rather see this happen. After waiting a decade, I don’t mind waiting a little longer."

Wu Mo praised, "Lady Zhu, you are truly clever and big-hearted."

Huo Ling also smiled. "Don’t sell yourself short. If you claim not to understand grand principles, then my entire court should hang their heads in shame."

Song Xu, too, praised Zhu Wan’s earlier words.

If the court could indeed amend the law, ensuring that widows and orphans could protect their family’s breadwinner after his death, it would be truly wonderful.

He would be thrilled to see it happen.

Ding Jinghuan added, "The court is too distant—I don’t know if they feel ashamed. But as for me, I’m already so ashamed I wish I could sink into the ground."

Zhu Wan couldn't help but smile. "Lord Ding, you're teasing me."

Ding Jinghuan was surprised. "How did you figure out who I am?"

Zhu Wan replied, "I've long heard of Justice Ding in the capital—someone who judges thousands of cases a year, fair and incorruptible, deeply trusted by Her Majesty the Empress Dowager. Every time I bring up the *Penal Code*, you instantly know the right passages. Who else but Justice Ding could do that?"

Ding Jinghuan pointed to Wu Feng and Song Xu beside him. "And these two? Any guesses who they are?"

Zhu Wan shook her head.

Ding Jinghuan grinned, flicked open his fan, and started fanning himself dramatically.

Wu Feng and Song Xu shared a look, rolling their eyes.

Did he really have to turn this into a competition?

What was Ding Jinghuan so proud of, anyway?

When Huo Ling and the others got back from Qingyu River to the villa, it was already dark outside. They huddled in the hall, talking for hours. Now night had fully fallen, and they still hadn’t eaten.

Changing laws wasn’t as easy as just saying so—it required thorough discussion in court, with the Ministry of Justice, the Dali Temple, and the Capital Prefecture all involved.

So Huo Ling and the others dropped the debate and headed to dinner.

Zhu Wan was asked to join them for the meal.

"My maid’s still waiting in the side room..."

Zhu Wan hadn’t forgotten Xiao Tao.

Wu Feng said, "Relax, I had someone bring her food."

Only then did Zhu Wan feel at ease.

After dinner, Wu Mo asked Zhu Wan if she wanted to go home or stay at the villa: "If you plan to go home, I’ll arrange a carriage to take you back safely. If you’d rather stay, I’ll have a room prepared for you."

Zhu Wan was surprised she even had a choice. "Sister Wu Mo, would it bother Their Majesties if I stayed?"

"Not at all," Wu Mo replied.

"Then I’ll stay—thank you, Sister Wu Mo!"

It was too late—going back now would tip off Zou Tianyi, and there'd be no escaping his scolding.

Relieved of her biggest worry, Zhu Wan was practically glowing. She had no intention of inviting trouble at this moment.

Besides, staying here was an honor—who’d say no to that?

Always thorough, Wu Mo asked, "Should we send word to your household?"

Zhu Wan almost blurted out "no."

She only saw Zou Tianyi during festivals—otherwise, he forgot she existed. A single night away wouldn’t matter.

But then she thought better of it—Zou Tianyi might not care, but the servants in her courtyard would surely worry if neither she nor Xiao Tao returned.

Better to send word—not to Zou Tianyi, but to her servants via the gatekeeper.

***

The original Zhu residence.

The Zou residence today.

This mansion was originally acquired by Old Master Zhu, and had four courtyards in total.

Zou Tianyi lived in the main courtyard, while Zhu Wan lived in the northwest corner of the estate. The distance between them was so great that it took a full half-hour just to walk from Zhu Wan’s quarters to the main courtyard.

Generally, Zou Tianyi paid little attention to his daughter’s whereabouts, but today was different.

He was plotting to marry her off—preferably as far away as possible, ideally beyond Cangzhou, so she’d have little chance of returning to Cangzhou City.

That way, she wouldn’t hinder his control over the business, nor serve as a constant reminder of the shame of being the Zhu family’s live-in son-in-law.

Zou Tianyi had kept this quiet.

Yet, for some reason, Zhu Wan had caught wind of it. That morning, she’d stormed into the main courtyard, they’d had a fierce argument, and then she left the Zou residence with her maid, Xiao Tao.

His daughter’s open defiance infuriated Zou Tianyi.

He left in a rage to discuss business, only to hit a snag, leaving him humiliated.

Upon returning home, he ordered servants to fetch Zhu Wan.

However, the servant sent to find her reported that Zhu Wan still hadn’t returned.

Zou Tianyi flew into a rage. Instead of resting, he sat stiffly in the main hall, waiting for Zhu Wan to come home.

“Tell the gatekeeper—if Zhu Wan returns, bring her to me at once.”

But after waiting and waiting, Zou Tianyi did not see Zhu Wan or Xiao Tao. Instead, the gatekeeper came to deliver a message.

Zou Tianyi’s face turned black as coal. “What did you say? An unmarried woman like her dares to stay out overnight? It seems I’ve been too lenient with her, allowing her to grow bolder—not only defying me but also pulling such shameless stunts!”

After unleashing his fury, Zou Tianyi questioned the gatekeeper: “Who was the one who came to deliver the message?”

The gatekeeper thought for a moment and confirmed, “A wiry, strong man. Not one of our household.”

“Did he say where Zhu Wan was staying?”

“No. Only mentioned that she was staying at their mistress’s villa.”

Zou Tianyi’s frown deepened. “Has that man left?”

“Yes. After delivering the message, he turned and left before I could even speak.”

Zou Tianyi waved the gatekeeper away.

His daughter was growing more defiant.

Not only had she secretly contacted the shop managers and allied with certain members of the Zhu family to oppose him, but she had also dared to defy him openly—and now, even stayed out overnight.

She might not go along obediently with his plans to marry her off far away.

Zou Tianyi made up his mind. Once Zhu Wan and Xiao Tao returned, he would confine them to the estate, forbidding them from stepping outside. Then, he would swiftly find a suitable groom and marry Zhu Wan off.

A married daughter wouldn’t cause trouble.

After spending the night at the villa with Xiao Tao, Zhu Wan bid farewell to Wu Mo the next morning after breakfast.

***

The detached villa was some distance away from the Zou residence, so Wu Mo had a carriage arranged to send her back.

Sitting in the carriage, Zhu Wan breathed in the fresh morning air, feeling completely at ease, as if she'd finally shed a heavy burden.

But this lightness and comfort didn't last long.

When Zhu Wan spotted the side gate of the Zou residence from afar, her smile slowly disappeared.

Not wanting to alert too many people, Zhu Wan didn’t let the carriage approach directly. Instead, she and Xiao Tao disembarked while still some ways off, planning to slip quietly through the side gate.

But the moment they stepped inside, Zhu Wan knew something was wrong. Several stern-faced servants blocked the entrance.

On instinct, she pulled Xiao Tao backward.

The carriage that had escorted them home hadn't yet turned to leave.

"Where is the young mistress going?" the leading servant spoke up. "The master wishes to see you. Please come with us to the main courtyard—don't make this difficult for us."

While parrying with the servants, Zhu Wan anxiously glanced outside, hoping the coachman would sense trouble.

The coachman who had driven her home was no mere driver but one of Wu Feng’s undercover guards.

His mission was to escort Zhu Wan safely back, so after she got out, he didn’t immediately drive off, but watched her enter the estate.

Seeing her step through the side gate, the guard prepared to return to the villa to report, but his trained instincts as an undercover agent alerted him that something was off.

When Zhu Wan saw the coachman jump down from the carriage and walk toward her, she felt both relieved and a twinge of concern.

He was alone, while the men blocking her were four strong.

But...

Would the Empress Dowager’s coachman really be ordinary?

After exchanging a few words with Zhu Wan, the leading servant ran out of patience. He waved his hand and stepped forward with his men, but before his hand could reach her shoulder, another hand shot out from behind her, grabbing his wrist with unerring, iron strength.

After just a few minutes, with the servants groaning on the ground, Zhu Wan confirmed it—this was no ordinary coachman.

Still, this was the Zou residence. Though these servants were down, other maids and attendants had arrived, drawn by the commotion.

The coachman said, “Miss Zhu, things look bad. Perhaps you should come back to the villa with me for now.”

Zhu Wan agreed without hesitation.

By the time Zou Tianyi finally showed up, Zhu Wan and Xiao Tao had already left in the carriage.

Looking at the disheveled servants, Zou Tianyi was equal parts furious and baffled. “Where in the world did Zhu Wen find such a tough character? Did you send anyone after that carriage?”

The servants exchanged uneasy glances before one swallowed hard and cautiously replied, “Master, we have no horses. On foot, we couldn’t possibly catch up.”

Zou Tianyi snorted coldly. “Does she think running away solves everything? The people in her courtyard must know where she went. Go give them a good questioning.”

Even Wu Mo hadn’t expected Zhu Wan to reappear less than an hour after leaving.

Seeing Zhu Wan shaking all over, Wu Mo helped her sit down and poured her a cup of hot tea.

Only when Zhu Wan’s trembling began to ease did Wu Mo ask with concern, “What happened?”

Zhu Wan took a deep breath, her face cold. "My father must have heard by now that I didn't return home last night. He sent people to intercept Xiao Tao and me at the side gate. Fortunately, the coachman who was taking us back noticed something was wrong and got us away safely."

Wu Mo asked, "What are you going to do now?"

Before Zhu Wan could reply, Wu Feng approached from the distant corridor. "The Empress Dowager heard you'd returned. She wants to see you."

Once again, Zhu Wan was brought before Huo Ling.

After hearing everything, Huo Ling asked the same thing as Wu Mo: "What are your plans now?"

Zhu Wan pressed her lips together. "Truthfully, Your Majesty, yesterday morning I had a big fight with Zou Tianyi over the marriage arrangement. Upset as I was, I took my maid and went to eat at Zuixianju. I know Zou Tianyi well—if Xiao Tao and I hadn’t escaped today, he would have locked me up and pushed to marry me off quickly. But even though we got away, the servants in my courtyard couldn’t escape..."

And Zhu Wan couldn’t keep hiding from Zou Tianyi forever.

Even if the Empress Dowager were kind enough to let her stay indefinitely at the villa, she had done nothing wrong. Why should she hide like a criminal?

Huo Ling studied Zhu Wan and suddenly said, "I meant to wait longer, but since things have come to this, would you dare—before the legal reforms begin—to go to the magistrate’s office and beat the grievance drum, just like Liu Shi did?"

Zhu Wan nodded firmly, her voice resolute. "Your Majesty, I dare."

Huo Ling said, "If you do it now, you'll face harsh criticism."

Zhu Wan replied, "Your Majesty, this is what I want with all my heart."

Huo Ling smiled gently. "Then go ahead without holding back. Don't worry about anything—I will stand behind you."

Zhu Wan's eyes suddenly welled up.

"Stand behind you..."

How long had it been since she'd heard those words?

It felt incredible to have the most powerful woman in the land supporting her. At last, she could give it everything she had to do what she had dreamed of for years.

...

Great Yan had a tradition of officials neglecting the upkeep of government offices, so most yamen appeared run-down and neglected from the outside—even those in the capital were no exception.

Yet the Cangzhou Magistrate’s Office looked grand and impressive.

Several bailiffs, clad in black robes and holding wooden staffs, stood guard at the entrance.

Passersby avoided even looking at them or getting too close, to avoid trouble.

Amid the bustling crowd, a young woman suddenly stepped forward.

Her movement went unnoticed at first.

Only when she reached the grievance drum and struck it forcefully did the deep booms draw everyone’s attention.

Zhu Wan put all her strength into ten powerful strikes, then knelt before the yamen gates, raising her petition high as she cried out:

"I, Zhu Wan, hereby accuse my own father, Zou Tianyi, shopkeeper of Jinzhou, and Zhu Chang, patriarch of the Zhu family!

"For over a decade, they have conspired to seize the estate left by my grandfather. I implore the magistrate to deliver justice for my family!"

As the drum’s echoes faded, her voice rang out—like thunder, bold and unyielding.

Cangzhou Prefect Cui Zhao was canoodling with his concubine in the backyard when the incessant drumming made his face darken.

He rushed from the backyard to the front courtyard and coincidentally ran into his clerk, who was hurrying to find him.

After hearing the details from the clerk, Cui Zhao was completely thrown.

What was going on? Had public decency in Cangzhou City worsened recently?

Not long ago, there had been the absurd case of a wife suing her husband, which he had barely managed to suppress. Now, another case had emerged—this time, a child suing their father!

Utter disregard for human ethics!

A daughter daring to accuse her own father, an elder within her family—this defied all propriety!

If such reckless behavior continued unchecked, the very foundations of decency in Cangzhou would collapse.

With the Empress Dowager and the Emperor currently residing in Cangzhou, if these two cases reached the imperial residence and reached their ears, how was he supposed to answer to them!?

Without even hearing the case, Cui Zhao had already decided its outcome.

He glared at the clerk and said viciously, "We must find a way to bury this case—no matter what it takes. It must not reach the higher-ups.

"It seems I was too lenient with that Liu woman before. This time, you must act ruthlessly—put the fear of god into those peasants to ensure no other upstarts get any ideas!"