Chapter 101 Rabid Barking

Chapter 101: Barking in Chaos

After a busy day outside, Huang Zheng used Qingxiao Pavilion’s carriage to send Meng Wan and Bi Yun home. Halfway there, the sky gathered gray-black clouds at an alarming speed, as if pulled together by an invisible giant hand.

Sitting inside the carriage, Meng Wan pushed open the window. Looking up, he saw the darkening sky and low-flying dragonflies. Street vendors packed up their stalls briskly, as a heavy rain was brewing.

“Why has it been raining so much this year?” Meng Wan muttered inside the carriage.

Bi Yun chimed in, “Exactly. We just had a heavy rain a few days ago, and it seems it’s going to rain again tonight.”

Huang Zheng’s carriage had no raincoat. By the time they reached the alley, Meng Wan and Bi Yun got off. “You go back quickly. Since you don’t have a raincoat on the carriage, don’t get soaked on the way back.”

Huang Zheng looked up at the sky, acknowledged, and turned the carriage around. Just as Meng Wan reached the doorstep, a flash of lightning streaked through the clouds, followed by rumbling thunder.

Raindrops as large as beans pattered onto the ground, the roof tiles, and the trees. Meng Wan and Bi Yun covered their heads and dashed into the house.

Chang Jinhua called from inside, “Wan Geer, did you get soaked?”

Meng Wan ran to his room, grabbed a cloth towel, and wiped his face under the eaves. “Mother, I didn’t get wet. Huang Zheng drove us home, and it started raining just as we reached our doorstep.”

“Good. You woke up early this morning, and since there’s nothing to do in the rain, if you’re sleepy, take a nap in the room.” Chang Jinhua always fussed over him.

“Alright, sure.” Meng Wan thought for a moment. There didn’t seem to be any urgent matters. The weather was indeed perfect for a doze.

He took off his outer robe. The rainy weather was cool enough. He closed the window but left the door open, letting a bit of breeze flow in.

Hugging a pillow on the couch, Meng Wan slowly closed his eyes, letting go of distracting thoughts. Listening to the steady drizzle, he gradually fell into a dream.

At that time, Song Tingzhou was just taking his midday break. Zhu Zening looked at the heavy rain outside. “Are we still going to the meal hall? Why not have my servant bring the food in here?”

Song Tingzhou picked up the oil-paper umbrella beside him. “Let’s go. It would take too long for your servant to go back and forth. We’ll just grab a quick bite.”

Zhu Zening also grabbed his umbrella. “Fine. I really hate rainy days… Isn’t that the guy we ran into last time? That fake-smiling one. Why is he running out like that?”

Song Tingzhou followed his gaze. Zhang Jizu rushed out from the scholar’s class into the rain, his expression sorrowful. He slipped and fell in a puddle of dirty water.

A young servant behind him chased after him with an umbrella, “Son-in-law, slow down! Let me hold the umbrella for you.”

Zhang Jizu looked grief-stricken, as if crying, wiping his face vigorously—whether rain or tears, it was hard to tell.

It was break time, and many people stood at the door or under the eaves, discussing Zhang Jizu’s behavior.

“Has this guy gone mad? He has an umbrella but won’t use it.”

“Don’t talk nonsense. Maybe something urgent happened at home.”

“You guessed right. I just came from class Ding-Ban. The scholars there said his family servant came to announce a death—his father-in-law passed away.”

“Ah? That is serious. No wonder he’s in a hurry.”

People secretly sneered. Seeing his expression, one might think his own father had died. But it was only his father-in-law. He must be a sentimental man.

Song Tingzhou coldly observed the pitiful figure. His demeanor was icy. Occasionally, rain blown by the wind splattered onto the hem of his robe, leaving faint marks.

After he had said those words to Zhang Jizu last time, the man would surely be impatient to make a move against him.

In reality, it was common in the academy to use connections and money to get in. Unless there was open hostility like between Song Tingzhou and Zhang Jizu, others wouldn’t bother with such matters.

And Zhang Jizu’s favorite tactic was to smear a person’s reputation. If he feared Song Tingzhou clinging to his vulnerability, he only needed to ruin Song Tingzhou’s name in the prefectural academy. Then his words would lose credibility.

—-

“Did he really die? Really?”

Zhang Jizu knelt in the mourning hall, staring at the coffin in disbelief.

A young man in a purple robe stood impatiently at the entrance of the Zheng family hall. “You did it yourself, and now you’re asking me?”

Zhang Jizu looked down at his own hands, a hint of madness flickering in his expression. “Yes, he’s dead. The Zheng family is all mine now!”

The purple-robed man snorted. Such a paltry amount of property from the Zheng family was barely worth fighting over. Truly a waste. But this waste still had some other uses.

Outside, Manager Jin came over with an umbrella. “Master, Meng Fulang went to Kongmo Bookshop again before noon.”

So the purple-robed man was the owner of Baojin Studio. The sarcastic smile on his lips froze, and his face turned cold.

“Just a young married man. He doesn’t know his place. Does he really think I won’t use my means against him?”

Zhang Jizu requested leave from the prefectural academy, managed his father-in-law’s funeral, and only then returned to the academy. He had to observe filial piety for Scholar Zheng Linsheng, so he could not participate in this autumn’s provincial examination.

In fact, even without the mourning, he wouldn’t have succeeded in the exam. Not only this year, but three years later, he still had no confidence. After years of twists and turns to barely become a scholar, he had already accepted his fate. A scholar was his limit. So he began to focus on other ventures.

Having tasted the prosperity of the prefectural city, he was unwilling to return to a small town like Springs Town and run a business like Scholar He. Now, wasn’t he in charge of the prefectural family?

Although the Zheng family only had a one-courtyard house in the north of the city, that alone was three times better than Springs Town. Not to mention the silver that Scholar Zheng had saved over the years by vouching for others. If he didn’t squander it, he would have enough to live comfortably for life.

With his restrictive scholar father-in-law gone and a foothold in the prefectural city, things were about to get interesting.

—-

In the council hall of the prefectural academy, a plaque hung high reading “Hall of Elegant Refinement.”

Inside the hall sat eight scholars dressed in Confucian robes, with wide sleeves. Regardless of age, they all exuded refined elegance.

Zhang Jizu stood in the hall, wearing plain clothes with a piece of mourning cloth tied at his waist. He had just completed the seventh-day memorial for his father-in-law, Scholar Zheng Linsheng, and rushed back to the academy not to study, but to plead his case.

“My husband personally saw my father-in-law killed by a fox spirit! The demon had blood-red eyes, a huge tail, and claws that could crush a person with a single swipe!”

Zhang Jizu’s eyes were full of fear, as if the scene was unfolding before him.

In contrast, the other student being scrutinized stood on the other side of the hall.

Song Tingzhou’s long, narrow, deep-set eyes revealed no emotion. He said calmly, “I don’t understand what this Scholar Zhang’s story has to do with me. Why have you teachers summoned me here?”

The highest authority here was the prefectural academy’s official, over sixty years old, bearing a ninth-rank official title, appointed by the imperial court, enjoying the treatment and salary of a state official.

For an excellent student like Song Tingzhou, his tone was fairly cordial. “Scholar Zhang from class Ding-Hai has reported you to me, claiming you are connected to his father-in-law’s death.”

Zhang Jizu pointed angrily at Song Tingzhou. “That’s right! I reported you. Because Changping has been peaceful for a hundred years, never hearing of any demons. But after that book ‘Human-Demon Romance’ appeared, a demon emerged—a fox spirit exactly like the one in the book!”

Song Tingzhou stood straight in the hall, letting out a cold laugh. “Nonsense. Do you mean to say that the fox spirit from the book came into reality and killed someone?”

Zhang Jizu’s sharp tongue spilled accusations. “Then how do you explain the fox spirit trouble in Changping? Even the prefect’s family… In short, it’s all the fox spirit’s mischief. And this book, as the originator, was written by Brother Song!”

There was no explicit law in the court forbidding those on the path to officialdom from writing books. But scholars prided themselves on purity and disdained writing storybooks for money. However, there were poor scholars like Wan Sui who wrote stories to supplement their income and fund their studies, which was not condemned—though it might be looked down upon by haughty scholars.

It was generally acknowledged by all bookstores that this book came from the Song family. No one bothered to investigate who the real author was. Because the Song family was small, almost all bookstore owners agreed that “Human-Demon Romance” was written by Song Tingzhou, and that the Qingxiao Hermit was himself.

Except for Master Nie, who sat in his seat sipping tea calmly.

Master Nie set down his teacup, his voice calm as he recounted slowly, "In the eighth year of the Shunchang reign, there was indeed a precedent of demonic disturbances in Shengjing City. Ultimately, Chief Minister Kang of the Court of Imperial Justice methodically traced the matter, spending one year and seven months before finally tracking down the demon—a yaksha with innate monstrous strength and a hideous appearance. Master Kang requested five hundred soldiers, trapped the yaksha in a dilapidated temple outside the city, and after five days of wearing it down, finally captured it. This matter is recorded in the 'Records of Strange Matters of Yu Kingdom.'"

Zhang Jizu's eyes lit up, and he was about to say something more, but Master Nie immediately added, "However, in the official history, this third-rank Chief Minister of the Court of Imperial Justice was executed by strangulation by Emperor Shunchang on charges of fabricating prophecies and spreading demonic rumors."

Under current law, discussions and writings about ghosts and monsters are permissible, but they must not involve the royal family or state affairs. Once bizarre incidents are used to mislead the people, discussing national fortunes and political changes, or endangering the ruler, the offender is sentenced to death by strangulation.

Meng Wan was no fool. As early as his first visit to the prefectural city, he had thoroughly read all of Yu Kingdom's laws and related legal texts. Only then did he dare to release the book for printing and sale. Who would have thought he'd be unlucky enough to have a real fox spirit manifested?

When Master Nie spoke these words, Zhang Jizu couldn't help but tremble. But thinking that if this scheme succeeded, it would not only drag Song Tingzhou down but also earn the favor of the master of Baojin Studio—that was cold hard cash!

He clenched his teeth and held his ground. "Every word the student has said is true. I have both witnesses and physical evidence. I beg you, honored sirs, to look into it carefully."

As long as these school officials, archivists, and academic recorders—the high-ranking members of the prefectural school—questioned him in detail, he would immediately summon the witnesses and evidence prepared by the master of Baojin Studio, quickly pinning everything on Song Tingzhou. Even if it didn't lead to punishment, it would at least ruin his reputation and get him expelled from the prefectural school.

Zhang Jizu fantasized: The academy would then record this in the demerit register. Song Tingzhou, when he took the imperial exams or applied for office in the future, would have to provide a certificate of good conduct to the chief examiner or the government office. For someone like him, recorded in the demerit register, he wouldn't even get past the exam hall doors. His entire future would be ruined!

It was quiet in the Chongya Hall. The several high-ranking members of the prefectural school were all very composed. No one spoke except Master Nie.

After a moment, it was Song Tingzhou who spoke first. He was not as panic-stricken as Zhang Jizu had imagined; instead, he was puzzled by the strange twitch at the corner of Zhang Jizu's mouth.

"It seems, Brother Zhang, that your father-in-law's passing makes you very happy?"

The school official's gaze fell on Zhang Jizu's face. He instinctively tightened his expression. "Song Tingzhou, don't change the subject. I urge you to come clean as soon as possible!"

"Confess?"

A trace of mockery appeared on Song Tingzhou's handsome, expressionless face. "I still don't understand your meaning. You're saying the demon in the book came out and killed your father-in-law? Then why not report it to the authorities or hire a shamaness, instead coming to me for an explanation?"

Zhang Jizu immediately countered, "It was you who wrote all this nonsense about the supernatural..."

"Enough!" the school official barked.

"Both of you go back for now. The prefectural school will sort this out."

Since he had spoken, Zhang Jizu could only retreat unwillingly. However, from that day on, a wave of demonic rumors swept through Changping again—and this time, it was pointedly named: the demon from the book *Human-Demon Romance* had appeared and taken lives.

Merchants are cunning and value profit. Some bookstore owners sensed an unusual signal and all grew cautious. They hid books on strange monsters and demons, waiting for the storm to pass before selling them, or the more timid ones simply burned them outright.

For a time, Qingxiao Pavilion was deserted. Huang Zheng, frantic and fuming, came running to find Meng Wan.

"Even if it really was Xiao Liu who came out, he's a good demon! He doesn't harm people; on the contrary, he's saved many."

Meng Wan raised his arm. "Pour yourself some tea. Don't worry."

Huang Zheng gulped down a large cup, set down the teacup, and said, "How can I not worry? The pavilion still has so many books piled up, and all those writers we're supporting. If no bookstore owners come to cooperate, aren't we just burning through cash every day?"

Suddenly, thunder cracked outside the window—another rainy day. Compared to the affairs of Qingxiao Pavilion, Meng Wan's mind wandered further.

How is the water conservancy of Yu Kingdom?

This year's rain has been so abundant that it's almost flooding. Could it really lead to a massive disaster?

If the rivers overflow, the first to go would be the farmland—flooded. More severely, houses would collapse, people would be injured or killed. It's unimaginable.

Grain, farmland, population...

Meng Wan suddenly asked Huang Zheng, "How much cash can we pull from the pavilion?"

Huang Zheng was taken aback. He thought Meng Wan was getting anxious too, so instead he tried to soothe him. "Well, there's still quite a bit. I was just anxious when I said that. It's not that bad. And I've saved up a fair amount over the years..."

Meng Wan tapped the desk with his slender fingers, deep in thought. "Keep half for daily operations. Use the rest to buy some grain and store it in the warehouse."

"Ah? Okay." Huang Zheng couldn't quite keep up with Meng Wan's train of thought, but he always followed Meng Wan's lead. After a brief daze, he went off to handle the matter.

Later, when Song Tingzhou returned from the prefectural school, Meng Wan first asked him about the school affairs.

Song Tingzhou took off his outer robe, washed his hands with clean water, his demeanor gentle. "Not to mention that Master Nie is there, even the school officials wouldn't believe his claims."

"He's probably being set up as a fall guy. But Baojin Studio has the backing of Prefect Wu; we really can't deal with him for now." Meng Wan opened the window of the room. Outside, the rain was getting heavier. Xue Sheng was unloading the carriage out back. Meng Wan told Bi Yun to go hold an umbrella over him.

Song Tingzhou also stood by his side, watching the rain. "Changping seems peaceful on the surface, but it's rotten and decaying underneath. It shouldn't be long before something happens."