Chapter 108

Chapter 108

He Rou rinsed her eyes with mild saltwater several times before Lu Yuan continued to examine them. The threadworms inside, stimulated by the saline, became more active.

The elderly woman, unable to bear the sight, retreated indoors, leaving only Qi Cheng to assist.

With no means of disinfection available, Lu Yuan could only soak her hands in the saline basin for a few minutes before proceeding to extract the threadworms from He Rou’s eyes.

A bowl was placed on the stone table to collect the removed worms.

To prevent He Rou from becoming frightened, Lu Yuan covered her other eye before beginning the procedure.

Qi Cheng watched as his wife gently pulled back He Rou’s eyelid, revealing the tiny threadworms wriggling within.

With focused concentration, Lu Yuan carefully clamped onto one of the worms and slowly pulled it out—a threadworm nearly half a finger in length.

Even Qi Cheng, who had witnessed many intense situations, felt his skin crawl.

He Rou nervously clenched her clothes, her knuckles turning white from the strain.

One after another, Lu Yuan continued extracting the worms, losing track of how many she had removed. The bottom of the bowl was soon covered with a dense layer of flesh-colored threadworms.

The bowl was definitely unusable after this.

After searching for a long time, no more threadworms could be found. Though uncertain if all had been removed, He Rou’s condition was undoubtedly much improved.

Lu Yuan looked away from He Rou’s eye to Qi Cheng, then glanced at the bowl and gestured toward the kitchen with her chin.

Understanding her meaning, Qi Cheng quickly carried the bowl to the kitchen.

He poured a little oil into the bowl and added hot charcoal embers.

Soon, a faint burnt smell wafted from the kitchen.

Lu Yuan put down the tweezers and uncovered He Rou’s eye, asking, "How does it feel?"

He Rou replied, "Very itchy, I really want to rub it."

Lu Yuan quickly cautioned, "You mustn’t rub it. Your eyes are very fragile right now. No matter how thoroughly we wash our hands, they’re never perfectly clean, and your eyes can’t withstand any rubbing. If you take good care of them, there’s still a chance your vision can be restored."

Based on what He Rou had said earlier in the house, her eyes had been getting better and worse over the past year, suggesting there was hope for recovery.

He Rou immediately stopped herself from rubbing her eyes upon hearing this.

Lu Yuan continued, "Besides the itching and the urge to scratch, how else do you feel?"

He Rou kept her eyes open, focusing for a moment before saying, "Before, I always felt like there was something in my eye, but now that sensation seems to be gone."

Lu Yuan advised, "For the next few days, soak a cloth in saltwater and apply it to your eyes for about fifteen minutes. If you still feel like there’s something in your eyes, come find me."

He Rou nodded.

The realization that there had been worms in her eyes left He Rou feeling rather stunned.

"Your eyes must be tired. Go back to your room and rest for a while," Lu Yuan suggested.

After thanking her, He Rou returned to her room.

Seeing that the procedure was over, the elderly woman emerged from the house and asked, "Is it done already?"

Qi Cheng, vigorously washing his hands with soapberries, replied, "It’s been nearly half an hour. Of course it’s done."

The elderly woman asked, "How did you know there were worms in that girl’s eyes? And how did you know saltwater could drive them out?"

Lu Yuan wiped her hands and casually replied, "I once saw a traveling doctor treat a similar condition back in my hometown. The child in that family had gone blind from living and sleeping closely with lambs every day. They had tried many treatments without success until a traveling doctor who specialized in difficult cases passed through and cured them."

The grandmother and grandson exchanged a glance.

Having seen it done didn’t necessarily mean one would dare to attempt it themselves. Yet Lu Yuan had acted with such confidence and precision, as if it weren’t her first time doing something like this.

Neither of them voiced their doubts, choosing instead to let the matter rest.

After supper, as night fell, it was time to send the visitors on their way.

Qiu Hua gave the little boy a small dog toy made by the elderly woman.

Over the course of the afternoon, the three children had become fast friends, and now they were reluctant to part.

Lu Yuan reminded He Rou, "If you have any issues with your eyes, you can come find me. Also, make sure to eat light meals."

He Rou gratefully said, "Thank you so much, sister-in-law, for today."

Lu Yuan replied, "No problem."

Just a small favor.

After Qi Cheng escorted the visitors out, Qiu Hua tugged at Lu Yuan’s clothes.

Lu Yuan looked down at her and asked, "What is it, Qiu Hua?"

Qiu Hua asked, "When will we see each other again?"

Lu Yuan shook her head. "I don’t know."

After all, they weren’t closely related, and there was even some unresolved conflict between the families. It was unlikely they would stay in touch, so how could they plan another meeting?

Of course, if He Rou’s eyesight truly recovered, they might see each other again soon.

On the fifth day after Lu Yuan’s stall was destroyed.

Early in the morning, as soon as Scribe Yang arrived at the public office, Deputy General Chen and his men took him into custody.

Scribe Yang, bewildered, shouted, "Deputy General Chen, what is the meaning of this? Are you planning a rebellion?!"

Deputy General Chen laughed mockingly. "Arresting a lowly scribe counts as rebellion? Do you think you’re some kind of royalty?"

Realizing his mistake, Scribe Yang changed his tone. "Even if you’re arresting me, there must be a reason, right?"

Deputy General Chen smirked sarcastically. "Oh, there are plenty of reasons—enough to fill a whole scroll."

"You’d better think carefully about how you’re going to explain your actions in front of Deputy Magistrate Yang."

He then ordered his subordinates, "Take him away."

Seeing his own men among the onlookers, Scribe Yang hurriedly said, "Quick, go find the County Magistrate!"

But Deputy General Zhou showed no intention of intervening.

After being bound and brought to the side hall, Scribe Yang saw Deputy Magistrate Yang seated in the main chair and angrily exclaimed, "Yang Yuanfan, though I may only be a lowly ninth-rank scribe, I am still a registered official of the court. Arresting me without justification is a blatant disregard for the law!"

Deputy Magistrate Yang cleaned out his ear and said, "What a racket."

Deputy General Chen caught on immediately and stuffed a cloth into Clerk Yang’s mouth.

Clerk Yang struggled, but someone pressed down on his shoulders while another pried open his jaw.

Deputy Magistrate Yang was in no hurry to begin the interrogation—he was waiting for someone.

After fifteen minutes, the County Magistrate rushed in. Shock flashed across his face when he saw Clerk Yang kneeling in the hall.

"Deputy Magistrate Yang, what is going on here? What crime has Clerk Yang committed to deserve such humiliation?"

Then he ordered those behind him, "Release Clerk Yang at once!"

Deputy Magistrate Yang raised his hand. "Wait."

He picked up a warrant from the desk and handed it over. "County Magistrate, perhaps you should take a look at this first."

The County Magistrate stepped forward and accepted it. Recognizing it as an official document, he quickly unfolded it. Upon seeing its contents—Clerk Yang's suspension and investigation—he froze. He turned to look at Clerk Yang, now forced to kneel below.

"This is a prefectural warrant," Deputy Magistrate Yang explained. "I only made the arrest after obtaining approval from the prefect."

Hearing it was issued by the prefecture, Clerk Yang’s eyes widened in disbelief.

Deputy Magistrate Yang continued calmly, "Abusing power for personal gain, forcibly seizing property for his daughter; accepting bribes, exonerating murderers, assaulting victims’ families, and coercing them into signing statements of forgiveness."

"Of course, many other crimes remain uncovered. From now on, officials in Guang Kang will recuse themselves due to conflicts of interest, and the prefecture will assume jurisdiction over this case."

The County Magistrate opened his mouth, hesitated, then asked, "But are there witnesses and evidence? We can't proceed on mere accusations."

Deputy Magistrate Yang smiled. "How could there be no witnesses or evidence?"

"His former son-in-law, Lady Qi whose stall was destroyed by his men, and the families of victims oppressed through his corruption—aren’t they all witnesses?"

"As head clerk of the household department, whether he tampered with tax records can easily be verified—that is evidence."

"Moreover, his wife and daughter live extravagantly. Where does all that money come from? A minor clerk earns only three guan and five hundred coins per month. His wife’s family are petty landowners, and he himself comes from humble origins. How could his household afford so much gold and silver to squander?"

As Clerk Yang listened, he glared furiously at Deputy Magistrate Yang, shaking his head repeatedly and mumbling incoherently about "false accusations" and being "wronged."

Deputy Magistrate Yang said, "With corruption so blatant, could it be that you, County Magistrate, have been covering for him?" He spoke slowly, still smiling.

This was a question the County Magistrate dared not answer.

"I’ve never involved myself in his affairs," the County Magistrate replied hastily. "I know nothing about how his wife and daughter spend their money!"

Deputy Magistrate Yang smiled again. "So, County Magistrate, are you admitting negligence?"

The County Magistrate was trapped—unable to confirm or deny.

To admit it would mean accepting responsibility.

He turned and glared at Clerk Yang. He had clearly warned him: Yang Yuanfan’s influential family was not to be provoked. Even if demoted, with support from his clan, he could still leave Guang Kang. He had urged caution—but Clerk Yang allowed his daughter to provoke them by destroying the stall belonging to Deputy Magistrate Yang’s trusted subordinate. Wasn’t that a direct challenge?

Now he had dragged the County Magistrate down with him—utterly ruined.

"In any case," Deputy Magistrate Yang said, "Clerk Yang’s case isn’t under my authority. Prefectural officers will arrive today to take custody of him. I’m merely assisting to save them the trouble."

Hearing he would be taken to the prefecture that very day—and knowing full well his guilt—Clerk Yang panicked. The prefecture was beyond his reach; once there, he might never return.

Unable to speak, he frantically looked toward the County Magistrate, only to see in his eyes a clear desire to cut ties.

Was he being abandoned?!

Shortly afterward, Qi Cheng entered from outside. He bowed to the County Magistrate, then turned to Deputy Magistrate Yang and said, "Sir, all members of Clerk Yang’s family have been taken into custody."

Upon hearing this, Clerk Yang was truly terrified. His face lost all color, turning deathly pale.

"Lock them in an empty room under guard," Deputy Magistrate Yang ordered. "When the prefectural officers arrive, they will be transferred."

"Additionally, seize all of Clerk Yang’s assets. Once the investigation concludes and his crimes are confirmed, the disposal of his property will be decided separately."

At these words, Clerk Yang’s legs gave way, and he collapsed to the ground.

Qi Cheng cast a cold glance at Clerk Yang. His schemes were crude, and he had been caught off guard—so he hadn’t had time to dispose of or destroy the evidence.

Early yesterday morning, Qi Cheng and Constable Ji had driven two carriages, transporting He Bao—Clerk Yang’s former son-in-law, who had become a monk—and the families of victims assaulted due to Clerk Yang’s bribery, all to the prefecture. With the Assistant County Magistrate’s guarantee, they formally accused Clerk Yang.

The Assistant County Magistrate held considerable influence, and the prefect acted swiftly. Rather than hold a public trial, he convened a private hearing in the secondary hall.

Learning that the Guang Kang clerk had not only seized property by force but also accepted bribes, the prefect immediately issued an official arrest warrant to Qi Cheng and Constable Ji, then dispatched investigators to secretly gather evidence on Clerk Yang’s crimes.

Today, when Qi Cheng arrived at the Yang residence to make arrests, Yang Baozhu thought he had surrendered and was quite smug, paying no attention to the constables behind him.

But her arrogance lasted only moments before Qi Cheng coldly declared, "Clerk Yang has abused his power to oppress the people and accept bribes. He is under arrest, and his family is to be brought to the yamen immediately."

Hearing this, Yang Baozhu and her mother screamed for Clerk Yang to deal with Qi Cheng and make him suffer.

They tried to resist, but the Yang family servants were too frightened to fight back.

The entire Yang family was marched through the streets back to the yamen, shouting and cursing all the way.