Chapter 7

Chapter 7

The Office of Judicial Affairs Headquarters.

Jiang Heng handed the visitation request for her older sister to the attending clerk and bowed respectfully to Director Du Zhong, the supervising official who had personally come to oversee the matter. "Thank you for your trouble, Director Du."

"Madame Jiang, you are too kind," Du Zhong replied with equal deference. Though he found it curious that Jiang Heng had bypassed closer channels, seeking his assistance through her mentor, he refrained from prying. He simply stated, "The order from above is that no unauthorized personnel are permitted visits. Therefore, I can only submit your request through proper channels to Prince Qin. Whether it will be approved, I cannot guarantee."

"I understand," Jiang Heng said, her tone reasonable. After another round of thanks, she took her leave.

Outside the office, she found Tang Yue still waiting for her.

"Uncle, is there something you wish to discuss with me?"

Tang Yue had already made arrangements with the Office of Judicial Affairs earlier. Besides, this visit was merely to submit a request, not a difficult task that Jiang Heng couldn't handle alone. Tang Yue’s insistence on accompanying her suggested there was another matter.

Tang Yue nodded, sighing helplessly: "That young Yan Rong is too impudent and unruly, very hard to manage."

"Have you visited him in prison?" Jiang Heng asked, her voice thick with concern. "How is he? Did he show you any disrespect?"

"I told Prince Qin that he is my student. But in prison, no matter how I hinted to him, he refused to acknowledge it, saying he didn’t care to be my student and that I was no different from the others—just those who fish for fame and compliments."

Jiang Heng frowned deeply, pounding the seat in anger: "When did this Yan Xiaojiu become so foolish!"

Tang Yue, who had been holding back his frustration and initially intended to tell Jiang Heng he wanted nothing more to do with it, swallowed the rest of what he wanted to say when he saw how upset she was.

"Uncle, what about Prince Qin..." Jiang Heng worried that Prince Qin might be angered and punish Yan Rong again.

Tang Yue said: "Fortunately, Prince Qin thought the young Yan was trying to avoid bringing disgrace upon me by refusing to acknowledge me as his teacher. Not only did he not take it seriously, but he also released him."

"Released him?" Jiang Heng let out a soft sigh of relief and asked, "Where is he now?"

Tang Yue relayed all the information he had gathered from the scholars and concluded: "He has been released. As for becoming my student..."

Sensing what Tang Yue was about to say, Jiang Heng quickly interjected: "Uncle, I will make him kowtow and apologize to you. He is actually an exceptionally bright young man—he could read at three and write essays at five. The reason he has become like this is because..."

Jiang Heng’s lips trembled slightly, but she ultimately did not reveal the reason. She slowly closed her mouth, calming her previously urgent tone. When she spoke again, her voice had returned to her usual soft, gentle tone.

"In any case, I will make him change, Uncle. Please don’t give up on him."

Tang Yue sighed softly and nodded: "I hope he does not disappoint your efforts."

After parting ways with Tang Yue, Jiang Heng went to Yan Rong’s residence but was stopped at the doorway.

"Madam, Yan Jiulang is injured and cannot receive guests," said the scholar sharing the residence.

Jiang Heng then learned that although Yan Rong had been released early, he had still been subjected to a caning. "Has a physician been called to see him?"

The scholar nodded, saying it was nothing too serious and that he would recover after a few days of rest.

Jiang Heng nodded slightly, her expression easing a little. She instructed Chun Jin to give some money to the scholar and said, "I am Yan Jiulang’s distant cousin. Please take care of him these days."

She glanced around the courtyard and added, "This courtyard is cramped and narrow, with all sorts of people coming and going, which may disturb your studies. I have registered both of you for the Imperial College entrance exams. Once he is better, you can go together. Given your talents, it should not be difficult."

The scholar was taken aback for a moment, but as he was about to be profuse with gratitude, Yan Rong shouted from inside the room: "I’m not going! I don’t need your false concern!"

Jiang Heng’s expression remained unreadable, neither hurried nor angered. She simply said to the scholar, "Don’t worry, he will go."

She turned and approached the door but did not enter. Speaking to Yan Rong through the wall, she said, "I will come to see you tomorrow. Rest well and don’t run around."

"Don’t come to see me! I don’t want to see you! Do you think I’ll still listen to you? You’re not my sister-in-law! You’re not my sister-in-law!"

Jiang Heng remained silent, standing quietly outside the door as he repeatedly shouted "sister-in-law." Her usually calm expression grew several degrees colder, and she said sternly, "The Yan family has only you and your brother left. Restoring the family's reputation and bringing honor to your lineage must not be forgotten, even for a moment."

Yan Rong inside abruptly fell silent.

Knowing he had heard her, Jiang Heng continued slowly, "Only by studying at the Imperial College will you have a chance to pass the imperial examinations. The way of the world is what it is, and you are not yet capable of going against it. For now, follow the current."

After saying this, hearing no response from inside, she knew he must still resent her and that his heart would not be easily softened. She said no more, instructing the scholar to take good care of him before leaving.

"To the Eight-Nine Fragrance Shop," Jiang Heng instructed.

"Miss, are you sponsoring two people this time?" Chun Jin, the maid Jiang Heng had brought from her hometown, was well aware of her mistress’s habit of supporting scholars from poor families. She also knew that whenever Jiang Heng visited the fragrance shop, it was to withdraw some silver to send to Mr. Tang.

Jiang Heng merely nodded without speaking, sitting by the window with her gaze fixed outside, her eyes faint and lacking their usual liveliness.

Chun Jin sighed softly and said no more. She still remembered when the young lady was brought back to the capital and bought this fragrance shop. Every time she visited, she was in high spirits, and even when silent, her eyes were brimming with hope and happiness.

She recalled the first time the young lady withdrew money from the fragrance shop to sponsor eight scholars, among them Director Du, whom they had met today, and another...

Chun Jin glanced at Jiang Heng, pulled herself out of her reverie, and did not continue reminiscing.

***

Early the next morning, Jiang Heng went to the Office of Judicial Affairs to await news.

"Madame Jiang, your request to visit Madam Guiyi was not approved."

Du Zhong spoke apologetically, though he was puzzled. He had agreed to help Jiang Heng submit the request, having privately thought that Prince Qin would approve it out of consideration for Gu Yu. After all, Gu Yu was currently the only one permitted to visit Madam Guiyi at any time, so his wife should logically be allowed as well. Unexpectedly, it was rejected.

Though not surprised by the outcome, Jiang Heng couldn't help sighing in disappointment. Suddenly, she paused and murmured, "Madam Guiyi?"

Du Zhong nodded slightly and explained, "The imperial edict of conferment was issued yesterday. Outsiders simply don’t know yet."

Jiang Heng pondered for a moment, reading the implication behind Du Zhong’s words.

Regardless of whether her older sister was guilty of murder, the title of Empress Jiang could no longer be used. Since the Emperor had conferred upon her the title of Madam Guiyi, it at least indicated that she was still in good standing and was not yet considered a criminal.

"Thank you, Director Du." Jiang Heng smiled slightly, bid farewell to Du Zhong, and prepared to return home to share the news with her mother to ease her worries.

Just as she stepped out of the office and was about to board her carriage, she heard someone respectfully call out "Madam" from behind.

Jiang Heng turned to see Zhou Wu, Gu Yu’s personal guard.

"Madam, the master has something to ask you. He requests your return home today."

Jiang Heng thought for a moment and asked, "What is it about?"

Zhou Wu said he did not know. "The master ordered me to wait here for you and deliver the message. He did not specify the reason."

Jiang Heng’s eyelashes fluttered slightly. Gu Yu had specifically sent someone to wait for her at the Office of Judicial Affairs, likely because he knew about her submission of the request. The matter he wanted to discuss was undoubtedly related to this. It should be fine to delay for a couple of days.

"I still have some minor matters to attend to. I will return once I’ve finished them." With that, Jiang Heng boarded the carriage.

"Madam said she has matters to attend to and will not return." This was the reply Zhou Wu brought back.

As soon as he finished speaking, he saw Gu Yu’s brows furrow slightly.

His face was unusually severe; even in his usual calm demeanor, he carried a commanding presence. Now, with his brows furrowed, he appeared even more intimidating.

"Did she say when she would return?"

The man's furrowed brows relaxed quickly, but the icy intensity from moments before did not dissipate, lending a tone of bone-chilling authority to his question.

Zhou Wu lowered his head and replied cautiously, "She didn't say."

Gu Yu's expression remained unchanged. After a long silence, he waved Zhou Wu away.

When Jiang Heng's request to visit was presented to Prince Qin the day before, Gu Yu happened to be discussing matters with him. Prince Qin glanced at the request, first puzzled, then smugly amused, teasing Gu Yu about having a jealous wife.

If Jiang Heng wished to visit the prison, she could have simply spoken to him. Whether it was possible or not, he could have given her an answer. Yet she chose to bypass his convenience, taking a roundabout route through the Court of Judicial Review instead. Clearly, she was upset with him.

Now, even when he sent someone to fetch her, she still made excuses not to return.

She was truly acting out.

Was it because of the three concubines?

Her own sister was still in prison, facing difficult circumstances. Although he had returned victorious from battle, he had both old and new enemies watching him closely, waiting for him to make a mistake. At such a critical moment, was she really sulking over three concubines and retreating to her maiden home?

She had even brought her grievances to the government office and Prince Qin.

Gu Yu's eyes darkened, his lips pressed into a tight line as he turned his attention back to the map, continuing to plan his affairs.

Just after dusk, Luo Ci arrived again, asking softly, "Cousin, the items for Seventh Sister are all prepared. Would you like to check if they are appropriate?"

Gu Yu did not look up, his expression composed as he replied indifferently that it didn't matter and told her to handle it as she saw fit.

Luo Ci agreed. Seeing Gu Yu's gloomy expression, she knew he was in a bad mood but still asked casually, "Has Sister-in-law not returned yet?"

Gu Yu responded with a faint "Hmm," as if he didn't care about his wife's whereabouts.

Luo Ci fell silent for a moment before gently and understandingly advising, "Cousin, I think Sister-in-law must be sulking. Why don't you go and bring her back yourself?"

Gu Yu did not answer, his gaze fixed on the map, appearing too busy with official matters to concern himself with anything else.

Luo Ci naturally understood his meaning but deliberately added, "If you're busy, A Yue and I could go instead..."

"Don't go," Gu Yu interrupted, his voice inexplicably colder. "Let her stay there for a few days. There's no need to fetch her."

Luo Ci pretended to be cowed and fell silent, quietly leaving the study.

At the entrance of Ninghe Yard, she saw two young masters sneaking around, peering inside while holding a small cage. In the darkness, it was hard to see what was inside.

The two boys, one five and the other six years old, were named Gu Duan and Gu Hong, the sons of Gu Yu's elder brothers.

Luo Ci approached them quietly and whispered, "What are you doing here? If your uncle catches you, he'll make you copy books as punishment!"

The two boys quickly pulled her down and begged, "Aunt, please don't tell Uncle. We caught something good to feed the cat. Can you take us to feed it?"

They brought the cage closer for her to see—inside were a few grayish mice.

The two boys were playful and had previously begged their grandmother and mother to keep cats or dogs for amusement. However, Gu Yu was strict and focused heavily on their studies, forbidding such distractions. Luo Shi and the two daughters-in-law didn't dare keep pets without permission, so the boys could only occasionally sneak over to Jiang Heng's place to play with the cat. Unbeknownst to them, the striped cat had already been moved elsewhere.

Luo Ci thought for a moment and did not stop them. Pointing to the western chambers, she said, "The cat is over there. You can go, but I don't dare to."

She crouched down and warned them, "If you get caught, don't say I told you. If you betray me, I'll never play with you again or share any treats or fun things with you."

The two boys patted their chests, repeatedly vowing to bear the blame alone, and eagerly ran toward the western chambers with the cage.

Soon, a commotion broke out in the western chambers as a servant girl shouted, "Young Master Duan's eye was scratched by the cat!"

Immediately, Luo Shi, Xiao Luo Shi, the Gu family's Silang, and others rushed to the western chambers in a panic.

By the time Gu Yu arrived, Luo Shi was holding her grandsons, wailing and cursing, "Where is that beast? How dare it scratch my grandson's eye! I'll skin it alive!"

"Send for a physician, quickly!" Gu Yu ordered while checking his nephews' wounds. Gu Hong had scratches on his face but fortunately not in a critical area. Gu Duan, however, was not as lucky—his left eye was covered in blood, mixed with tears, staining his face and hands crimson.

Gu Yu's brows drew tighter, worried that his nephew's rubbing would worsen the injury. He held the boy's hands and ordered warm water to clean the wound. Once the blood was washed away, everyone breathed a sigh of relief—the wound was near the corner of the eye, close but thankfully not damaging the eye itself.

Xiao Luo Shi, shaken with fright, hugged her son, covering him in kisses and tears, unable to contain her sorrow. "Your father left only you behind. If anything happened to you, how could I face him?"

The three Gu brothers had once served in the army together, sharing life and death experiences, and were thick as thieves. Five years ago, Gu Yu's two elder brothers died in battle. At the time, the second brother's son was less than a year old, and the eldest brother's son had not yet been born. Thus, these two nephews were not only the only grandchildren of the Gu family but also the only living legacy of his two brothers. Gu Yu had always treated them as his own. Hearing his elder sister-in-law's anguished cries, his already cold gaze turned even frostier as he looked at the two serving girls responsible for the striped cat in the western chambers. "What happened?"

The two serving girls, terrified, knelt on the ground and wept, "The young masters caught mice and insisted on feeding them to the cat. But the cat had just been moved to the western chambers and was already frightened. The young masters made the cat eat the mice, and it struggled free, scratching them."

Upon hearing this, Luo Shi angrily scolded, "You wretched creatures! How dare you blame my grandsons for feeding the cat!"

Gu Yu's frown did not ease in the slightest. He said sternly, "Find that cat, whether it lives or dies."

The servants immediately fanned out with staves to search for the cat.

Seeing the situation, Luo Ci thought for a moment and quietly ordered a maid to get word to Jiang Heng, "Tell Sister-in-law to return quickly. If she delays any longer, her cat will be done for."