Chapter 43 A Ruse of Suffering

Chapter 43: A Bitter Ploy

Li Gan slammed his teacup down on the table, frowning. "Just relay my message as I said. Tell them it's official policy; no private visits with a prisoner's family. Ask them to leave."

An elderly doorman stood before him, looking hesitant. "Sir, I've already told that gentleman, but he insists on asking you a few questions in person. I saw he came alone, not making a big scene. He said he would wait outside until you were willing to see him."

Li Gan gave a cold snort. "If he wants to stand outside and wait, then let him wait. Go close the courtyard gate and tell him to suit himself."

A young man with a baby face was leaning against him. Li Gan himself had a fierce appearance with a dark, bronze complexion. The young man, clinging to Li Gan's back, appeared even more porcelain-skinned and handsome by contrast. While Li Gan wore a stern expression, the young man wasn't fazed at all. "What kind of case is this anyway? It's not like this hasn't happened before. Don't all your brothers under you rely on this grease money to live it up for a few days? Usually, you say you won't accept bribes to spare the guilty, which already means a lot less money coming in. Any other officer would be falling over themselves to take it."

Li Gan glanced at him sideways. "What, I'm getting in the way of your fortune?"

The young man giggled, wrapping his arms around Li Gan's neck and spinning around to sit directly on his lap. Afraid he might fall from wobbling, Li Gan quickly reached out to hold him, still keeping a straight face. "Su Su, stop fooling around."

Su Su reached up to pull on the short beard on Li Gan's chin. Li Gan merely tilted his head back slightly, and seeing Su Su wasn't willing to let go, he allowed it. Satisfied, Su Su swung his feet and asked, "You still haven't told me, what exactly did they do?"

Li Gan briefly explained the situation. Upon hearing it, Su Su frowned. "The physicians from the Lei family? I know them. Haven't we been to their clinic before? Don't you remember? Last time when our Xiao Shiliu was sick, it was a physician from their family who cured him."

Xiao Shiliu was their three-year-old son. Su Su was originally a young man sold into a brothel. With a stubborn, unyielding nature, he initially only did odd jobs. On his first night serving a client, unable to bear the customer's humiliation, he jumped from the upper floor. Li Gan happened to be patrolling the streets that night and found him with a broken leg, hiding in a large snowdrift, nearly frozen stiff. Su Su tearfully begged Li Gan not to send him back to the brothel. Li Gan took him home, and after much entanglement, Su Su became his husband. When their son was first born, he was very thin and small. Su Su was always afraid the child wouldn't survive. Later, following an elder's advice, they gave him the milk name Xiao Shiliu (Little Pomegranate), homophonous with 'liu' (to stay), hoping it would help him thrive. When the child fell ill previously, it was Cui Nanshan who treated him, so Su Su naturally remembered.

Li Gan sighed. "That's precisely why. You don't know, but this time they've offended the Liu family. The Prefect personally told me to ensure he dies during the caning punishment."

Su Su spat fiercely on the ground. "Pah! That Liu family is a bunch of scoundrels. Lord Lei must have been framed by them. That won't do. We have to save them."

Su Su hugged his shoulders and shook him. "Aren't you the one who can't stand injustice, wanting to fight injustice in the world? Let's not promise anything for now, but at least meet the person. Don't let them wait outside in vain. How about this? I'll go to the gate first, have a couple of words with him."

Not waiting for an answer, he jumped off his lap and ran towards the main gate. Li Gan didn't stop him, sitting quietly in his original spot, waiting for Su Su to return.

Wu Qiu stood outside. In truth, it hadn't been long, less than a quarter of an hour, but his pregnant body was heavy, forcing him to support his lower back with both hands. Cui Nanshan and the others had been sent by him to wait in a nearby alley. They tried several times to come up and support him, but Wu Qiu waved them away.

Suddenly, the door opened a crack again. Wu Qiu hurried forward, but the person who emerged wasn't the old servant from before, but a young man with large eyes. He looked at Wu Qiu and cried out in alarm, "Good heavens! Why didn't you say this gentleman is pregnant earlier? How could we make someone stand outside waiting like this? Quick, quick, let me help you inside to sit."

As he spoke, he jumped out and carefully supported Wu Qiu's arm. Wu Qiu didn't know who he was yet, thanking him while inquiring. The young man smiled. "You're looking for Li Gan? I'm his husband, my name is Su Su. Don't worry, I'll bring you inside. If I had known you were pregnant earlier, I would have let you in long ago. How many months along?"

Unlike Su Su's lively nature, Wu Qiu spoke softly and gently, whispering near his ear, "Over eight months. I only beg to see Lord Li once. The Lord is busy with official duties; waiting outside for a short while is nothing. Thank you for your kindness."

Su Su helped him into the main hall and, ignoring Li Gan for the moment, pulled over a chair and pressed Wu Qiu to sit down.

Wu Qiu had already seen a person seated at the head of the room, who appeared to be the Li Gan he had come to visit. He hurriedly stood up again and bowed deeply. Li Gan also hadn't known he was so far along in pregnancy. He had always been unwilling to bully the weak, so he felt rather guilty. He quickly said, "Sir, there's no need for such courtesy. Please, sit."

Watching Wu Qiu support his belly and sit down, Li Gan then asked, though he already knew the answer, "Sir, have you come regarding Lord Lei's matter?"

Wu Qiu still didn't dare sit too comfortably. He straightened his back, only perching on the edge of the chair, his posture very humble. "Yes. The one detained, Lei Ding, is my husband."

Li Gan said, "I see. Regarding Lord Lei's matter, the Prefect has already made a decision. We only await tomorrow's court session for the verdict. Sir, have you come to see me about something else? I must tell you in advance, I am but a lowly officer; I cannot influence the Prefect's judgment. Whether Lord Lei is truly guilty or you wish to proclaim his innocence, speaking to me is of little use. I have no say during the trial."

Wu Qiu's hands trembled with nervousness, but this matter concerned Lei Ding's life. He couldn't retreat. He steadied his resolve once more in his heart. Before coming, Yu Yuan and Sun Xun had told him that Li Gan was straightforward in character; when speaking to him, there was no need to beat around the bush—just speak directly. So he began, "Lord, rest assured. Since I have come here, it is after careful consideration. I will not make unreasonable demands that put you in a difficult position. My husband and father-in-law have been framed to this point. I also know there are some complications involved that cannot be stated openly. My father-in-law is advanced in years; my husband will certainly take all the blame upon himself. I fear that during tomorrow's court session, he will not escape punishment. I have come here to beg you, Lord Li, to be merciful and spare my husband's life. Here is all the ready cash the clinic currently has, eighty-six taels in total. Please accept it as a token for you and your brothers to buy some wine. I beg you, save my husband."

After speaking, he presented a bundle he carried with both hands, then knelt on the ground, preparing to kowtow to Li Gan. His belly was already very large, making it difficult even to bend over, let alone prostrate himself for a kowtow. Before his head could touch the ground, Su Su had already rushed down and helped him up. "Sir, please don't do this. You must take care of your body. Why didn't you send other family members?"

Wu Qiu shook his head. "I do not intend to use the child in my womb to gain your sympathy and force your hand. However, the family clinic must retain physicians to avoid patients with urgent illnesses finding no one there. Moreover, Lei Ding is my husband. If even his own husband is unwilling to come, sending two younger brothers or other friends would show too little respect. I have heard that you, Lord, have always been chivalrous and righteous, and would not wrongly harm a good person. Therefore, I dared to come, hoping to beg for your mercy. If you are willing to help, all future medicinal supplies for maintenance will be provided by our clinic."

Li Gan sighed. "Lord Lei's reputation is known to all in Yongning City. However... there are some things I cannot tell you. Tomorrow's matter is truly beyond my control. Though I have the will, I am powerless to help. Sir, please return. Take good care of yourself; that is most important. Please take that silver back as well."

Anxiety rose in Wu Qiu's heart, and tears glistened in his eyes, but he held them back, pleading, "Lord, please, just spare my husband's life, let him continue to treat the people of Yongning City. I know if there are orders from the Prefect, you might find it difficult to intervene. But think carefully: although the yamen arrested my husband and father-in-law, they did not shut down our family clinic, did not order it closed for rectification, still allowing us to open and treat the city's people. This shows the Prefect has no real intention to destroy the Lei family. If you, Lord, could mediate slightly, the Prefect likely wouldn't truly hold you accountable. We only need to deceive the Liu family. I beg you, think of a way to save him."

Su Su supported Wu Qiu, soothing him, and looked up at Li Gan together. The deep affection between Wu Qiu and Lei Ding was not something that could be faked for show. They both knew that if Lei Ding truly died, Wu Qiu and the child would likely not survive either. Li Gan had always been known for his iron-faced impartiality and cold demeanor. Now, with Su Su and the child, he had experienced the love between husbands and the bond between father and son. Thinking of his own family, his heart softened, and he sighed deeply.

Seeing his expression, Su Su knew he was wavering. Su Su was naturally straightforward, with clear likes and dislikes. From the first moment he saw Wu Qiu, he sympathized with this young man and wanted to help him. Now, seeing Li Gan hesitate, he quickly added fuel to the fire. "That makes sense. In my opinion, the Prefect must also find it difficult to openly break with the Liu family, hence having to order the arrest. Now, we're not asking you to find a way to absolve Lord Lei of his crime. Can't you think of some method?"

Li Gan gave him a helpless look, pondered for a long moment, then finally made up his mind and spoke. "Fine. I'll risk disobeying the Prefect's order, treating it as repaying Lord Lei for his years of kindness to the people of Yongning. Let me be straight with you. Lord Lei will be sentenced to caning tomorrow. The Liu family wants us officers to use some technique during the punishment to take his life. When the caning is administered, sometimes it looks severe but is actually only superficial wounds, healing after ten days to half a month of rest. Other times, the skin appears undamaged, but the inside is already ruined; twenty strokes can make the condemned vomit blood and die. The only plan now is to manipulate this aspect. Naturally, hitting lightly won't do; it won't appease the Liu family. If they are dissatisfied, never mind what happens to me, if they cause trouble at the clinic again, it might not be like today where the yamen stands in between."

He hardened his heart, looking at Wu Qiu. "These powerful, wealthy families want to kill a common physician. Using the yamen's hand this time is simply because they have officials in court and don't want to ruin their reputation. If truly pushed to desperation, they won't care about that. We must enact a bitter ruse. A bitter ruse must be bitter. I won't beat him to death, but I certainly won't hit lightly either. It must satisfy the Liu family's inspection and allow the Prefect to have an explanation."

In his cell, Lei Ding barely slept all night. He knew his chances of survival were slim, but how could he willingly go to his death? Fame, fortune—he could disregard them all. Only his family was an unbearable parting. He thought of his parents, his two younger brothers, of Wu Qiu and the child. The more he thought, the more his heart ached. The next day, when the jailer came to escort him to court, seeing his haggard appearance and the despair of a heart resigned to death, even he felt a pang of sympathy, whispering, "Lord Lei, I know you've been framed, but I can't help you much. Is there anything I can do for you? I'll certainly do it."

A flicker of life finally appeared in Lei Ding's eyes. He bowed deeply to the jailer, his voice hoarse. "I beg you, let me see my father, let me speak a few words with him."

The jailer brought Lei Xun out from his cell as well, allowing father and son to talk. Lei Ding knelt at Lei Xun's feet, kowtowing three times. "Father, your son is unfilial..."

He had only uttered this one sentence when Lei Xun threw himself to the ground, embracing Lei Ding tightly. He also knew that with the Liu family interfering this time, things would be hard to resolve. He feared he might truly have to bury his own child, his heart feeling as if cut by a knife. Tears streamed uncontrollably, his words incoherent, as if comforting Lei Ding, yet also comforting himself. "Ting Er, it won't happen. Nothing will happen."

Lei Ding shook his head, choking up for a moment. "I know the danger ahead is great. It's just a pity I can no longer fulfill my filial duties before you and A-Die, cannot see my two younger brothers start families and establish careers, and can no longer stay with Qiu Geer forever, destined not to lay eyes on my child. I only beg you to take good care of Qiu Geer. If I meet this sudden disaster and he cannot bear it, it's hard to avoid something happening to him as well. I beg you to ensure his safety. Treat him and Lady Yang well in the future. You and A-Die, take good care of yourselves. Then even in death, I can rest in peace."

Lei Xun could no longer speak. Even the two jailers standing by wiped away tears. At that moment, someone outside came to hurry them again. The jailers had no choice but to help Lei Ding up and support Lei Xun, stepping out of the prison door.

Not seeing Wu Qiu, Lei Ding actually felt a slight relief in his heart. If Wu Qiu witnessed his miserable death, he would certainly be unable to withstand such a shock. He figured Cui Nanshan must have prevented him from coming. This was also good, offering a great chance to preserve him.

Everything proceeded much as he had anticipated. Their defense was, as usual, ignored by all. In the end, adding to it his taking the blame for his father, he was sentenced to fifty strokes of the cane.

Lei Xun refused to leave, tearfully begging the Prefect to let him share the punishment with Lei Ding. But Lei Ding knew deeply that these fifty strokes were meant to take his life. If changed to be shared between them, they could still find a way to beat him to death, only causing Lei Xun to suffer in vain. He looked calmly at the Prefect. "Your Honor, there is no need for further consideration. Please carry out the original sentence."

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