Chapter 221: Promotion

Meng Wan dashed off twenty portraits in one go, and Song Tingzhou had the yamen's constables take the portraits to inquire everywhere, not just in the prefectural city, but also the towns and villages in the surrounding counties.

That man was careful and knew the nearby merchant caravans and people from Zhen Guan Workshop; even if he was not a local of Xiwu Prefecture, he must have lived there for some time. Everyone needs to eat, drink, and use the bathroom—someone would have seen him.

Sure enough, just two days later, the constables heard word in Heiye County. The man in the portrait was named Qian Chun, the manager of a cloth shop in Heiye County. He had been suddenly dismissed and returned to his hometown, and no one had seen him since.

But given that only two days had passed, and with a wanted notice issued across the entire prefecture, how far could he have run?

After another five days, he was captured in a small village in Shakeng County.

Qian Chun was rather tough; he had no parents, no children, and the only person he had ties to was a lover at a brothel. They'd tortured him, flogged him, but he insisted he'd just gotten jealous of Meng Wan—a *ge'er*—for achieving so much, and out of envy had concocted this poisonous scheme.

The yamen could do nothing with him and had to keep him locked up. Meng Wan simply told Tang Jinshuang to fetch his lover, had her hair styled into a married woman's topknot, and dressed her in plain coarse clothes. A modest round pillow was stuffed into her belly, covered by the clothes, just showing a slight bulge.

The lover took the money and did the job with great dedication. She rubbed her tender hands over her eyes until they were red, and wailing as she entered the prison.

"Chun-lang~ you've brought such misery upon me~"

Qian Chun stared in shock at her slightly rounded belly, "You... you!"

After the lover left, that night Qian Chun was tormented by inner conflict. He was a man without roots; suddenly learning of a child, the shock stunned him speechless. First came disbelief and suspicion, then the stone in his heart cracked, and a tender shoot grew out.

The next morning, Qian Chun shouted at the constables, "I want to change my testimony! I didn't poison anyone—I was acting on someone else's orders!" Though he was still guilty of a crime, at least it wouldn't be a capital offense, and he could live to see his son born and grow up.

When Tan Wo was arrested, he was still in his shop, frantically going over the accounts. "Why is revenue after the New Year so much worse than last year?"

The shopkeeper cowered, unable to speak frankly, "Master, our shop couldn't deliver on several large orders from last year..." Not only did they lose money, but those clients went straight across the street to order from the Yu Family. They had not only lost this batch of big customers but also ended up helping their rival.

These were all the shopkeeper's unspoken thoughts; even if he dared not say them outright to Tan Wo, the other man knew the score.

Tan Wo looked across the street at the rival shop, breathing heavily. "The Yu Family has no backing at all. How can they compete with me? Just wait until Song..."

"Tan Wo! Come with us." Several constables burst into the Tan Family shop and seized Tan Wo, who was lost in his fantasies.

Tan Wo shouted, "How dare you! Our Tan family's in-laws are Prefect Zeng himself. Who dares to lay a hand on me?"

At his outcry, the constables' movements actually hesitated.

But Tao Ba and Tao Shi, who entered from outside, didn't give a damn about Prefect Zeng—they only answered to Song Tingzhou. Without a word, they bound Tan Wo and dragged him back to the prefectural yamen.

By the time Prefect Zeng learned of it, Tan Wo was already in prison.

He paced the inner office, thinking it over, and finally invited Song Tingzhou in to talk.

"Jingxing, you know how the Tan family and I are connected. Maybe..."

Song Tingzhou's eyes, dark as a deep pool, stared straight at him. "What do you mean, Prefect Zeng?"

Under those penetrating eyes, as if all his thoughts were laid bare, Prefect Zeng couldn't bring himself to speak. "I... sigh!"

His brow wrinkled

How could Prefect Zeng possibly be unaware of the matters concerning Tan Wo and Zhuang Stronghold? Was it due to ability that the Tan family had risen to such prominence in just a few decades? How much convenience had this kindly old Prefect provided Tan Wo along the way? Probably only he knew himself.

So, putting on such an act now was rather nauseating.

Prefect Zeng turned away from Lord Song, his face showing a look of panic at having his thoughts exposed; his eyelids twitched uneasily. This tolerant and amiable old man had never imagined himself to be the kind of person Lord Song described.

Or perhaps he had always known but had subconsciously buried the truth.

When Tan Wo was escorted into the courtroom and saw, beneath the plaque reading "Mirror of Justice," not Prefect Zeng but Lord Song seated at the head, it was as if the bones had been drained from his body, and he collapsed onto his knees.

During the days spent searching for Qian Chun, the constables had long since located the herbal shops that had sold the poisonous herbs. They had arrested over a dozen implicated clerks, beggars, hawkers, and peasant women. Under interrogation, all of them confessed without exception that they had been bribed by the Tan family steward to carry out the tasks.

And the Tan family steward, under severe torture, had already confessed everything in detail. Even now, in the Tan family storehouse, there were leftover undiluted poisonous herbal liquids.

With the testimonies, physical evidence, and confessions provided by Clerk Chen's sister, Manager Wang, the wagon master, Qian Chun, and the Tan family steward—all complete—even if Tan Wo summoned the highest-ranking Provincial Administration Commissioner in Lingnan, it would be of no use at this point.

Lord Song handled the case with swift efficiency. Attempted poisoning was not a capital offense, but poisoning a workshop under such egregious circumstances—even the Court of Judicial Review would not let it slide.

Lord Song sentenced Tan Wo to death by beheading, and also ordered him to compensate Meng Wan ten times the value of the two thousand jars of orange preserves, and double compensation to the fruit farmers for eight carts of oranges.

The oranges themselves were easily dealt with—Lingnan, being a major citrus-producing region, had low costs. But no one had expected Meng Wan's two thousand jars of preserves to be priced at one tael of silver per jar, and that was already the wholesale price.

Tan Wo's sons refused to accept the verdict and demanded a retrial. Lord Song simply placed the glass jar on the courtroom table.

"This is royal property, used exclusively by the imperial household. Master Meng only has permission to sell it with the Crown Prince's permission. Do you think the royal family's items are not worth even one tael of silver?"

Even one tael of silver was not considered a high price. The Tan family had no choice but to grit their teeth and pay Meng Wan twenty thousand taels of silver, plus the cost of eight carts of oranges.

Through this ordeal, the Tan family had to sell over a dozen shops and lost even their five-courtyard mansion. The Tan family suddenly collapsed. In addition to their sworn enemy, the Yu family, Tan Wo had often bullied other wealthy merchants in the city. Now that disaster had struck his house, those businessmen with grudges against the Tan family swarmed to kick him while he was down. In just two months, this once-mighty behemoth dominating the city had faded into obscurity, reduced to a third-rate merchant.

"Lord Song! Lord Song, please hear me out! I was merely muddled for a moment and was deceived by the Tan family!" Clerk Chen's sister was still serving her hard labor sentence, while he, the instigator, had lost his official post for bribery, but still pestered Lord Song outside.

Lord Song remained indifferent, feeling it was a waste of breath to say even one more word to such a man. It was nothing more than coveting the connections between the Tan family and Prefect Zeng, and the promise that after his superior stepped down, he would be promoted from his lowly clerk position.

Greed was insatiable, and he had even harmed his own sister. From now on, who would dare to employ him?

"My Lord, a messenger from the Provincial Administration Commission has arrived." Tao Shiyi galloped over from the government office to summon Lord Song.

Lord Song shook off the pestering Clerk Chen and returned to the government office with Tao Shiyi.

That evening, the Song family meal was already prepared, but Lord Song still had not returned. A Yan stared at the dishes on the table, took a deep breath, and made Meng Wan laugh. "Dabao, what are you doing?"

A Yan replied honestly, "A Yan is hungry."

He rubbed his belly. "When will my father come back?"

Chang Jinhua gave him a chicken leg. "If you're hungry, eat first. You don't have to wait for your father."

A Yan swallowed hard at the chicken leg but put on a stern little face and refused solemnly, "Father hasn't come, A Yan must not eat first!"

Chu Ci handed him a small plate of dried apricots. A Yan refused even more quickly than he had refused the chicken leg.

Meng Wan knew his son well.

"Xiao Ci, take it back. A Yan is still waiting to eat several chicken legs. If he finishes that plate of dried apricots, he might have less room for the meal."

A Yan blushed and said, "It's not that... It's because Grandmother's cooking is so delicious!"

Tonight, Chang Jinhua was in charge of the kitchen, and she was delighted to be praised by her grandson. "If you like it, Grandmother will cook for you again tomorrow."

The whole family happily gathered around the dining table chatting, when from outside the house came Huang Ye’s voice, “Sir, you’re back. The young master has been waiting impatiently.”

Meng Wan got up to greet Song Tingzhou, but Song Tingzhou was quicker. Song Tingzhou strode briskly into the room, and the two collided.

Putting an arm around Meng Wan’s waist, Song Tingzhou’s upturned lips showed his good mood. “Everyone’s waiting for me? Let’s eat, Mother.”

“Good, let’s all sit down and eat. Xiao Ci, Grandmother will give you a chicken leg too.” Chang Jinhua picked up her chopsticks and also placed a chicken leg on Chu Ci’s plate.

Meng Wan filled a bowl of rice for Song Tingzhou. “Has something good happened?”

Song Tingzhou washed his hands and sat down beside him, taking the large bowl he handed over. “The Provincial Administration Commissioner’s office sent someone. The imperial court has issued a decree to the Provincial Administration Commissioner.”

Meng Wan immediately grasped the key point. “Did the Ministry of Personnel promote you and force Prefect Zeng to retire?”

Song Tingzhou thought of Prefect Zeng, who had recently been shoving all official duties onto him. “No, apparently Prefect Zeng voluntarily submitted his retirement memorial.”

Meng Wan thought to himself: *At least he has sense. Retiring on his own is better than being kicked out.*

Chang Jinhua was overjoyed. “Da Lang… has been promoted again?” Even if she didn’t understand the court, she knew that promotion wasn’t easy. When they first arrived in Heshan County, she had been prepared to spend half her life there. How could a move happen in just three years?

While others had to beg and plead for a promotion, how did it come so easily for her son?

There were many meat dishes today, so Meng Wan cheerfully ladled out a small bowl of vegetable soup for her. “Your son has been promoted to Prefect—are you happy?”

“Happy, of course.” It was natural for a mother to be delighted that her son was so capable and now held such high office.

“Should we hold a banquet?” Chang Jinhua, suddenly becoming the mother of a Prefect, couldn’t adapt on such short notice. She felt awkward.

Song Tingzhou comforted her, “Mother, no need. Our family should remain as it was before, just be careful not to give anyone a handle against us.”

“Alright, alright, I understand.” With her mind racing with random thoughts, the rice in Chang Jinhua’s bowl no longer tasted good. She ate whatever Meng Wan put on her plate.

But the days that followed truly unfolded as Song Tingzhou had said—not much changed. The Zeng family packed their belongings, preparing to return to their hometown for retirement. The northern frontier was worlds away from the south; they probably wouldn’t come back in this lifetime.

Having been their superior, Song Tingzhou and Meng Wan went to see the Zeng family off. Aside from the two of them, hardly any acquaintances showed up. Such is the way of the world: once the tea grows cold, people leave.

Meng Wan walked over to Xiao Qinshi’s side. “Madam Xiao Qinshi, it would be better if you didn’t take Juan Niang with you.”

The Qin family was now in complete chaos, yet no one had come to see Xiao Qinshi off. She hated Meng Wan to the bone but no longer had the arrogance she once flaunted. Warily, she asked, “What does Meng Fulang mean? Can’t I take my own daughter?” Her words were filled with grievance and jealousy, and her tone inadvertently carried emotion. Old Madam Zeng, who had been watching the two closely to prevent her from causing trouble as she left, gave her a sharp tug.

“Whether Juan Niang is your daughter, you should know best. I only recently realized that she is the same age as a friend’s younger sister, though her appearance has changed.” Meng Wan gestured to Dong Dong, who was standing behind him, visibly agitated.

“You!” Xiao Qinshi wanted to accuse him of going too far. Juan Niang was a bought child—how could she possibly have coincidentally encountered a relative?

But Old Madam Zeng interrupted before she could finish, ordering the maid to carry Juan Niang down from the carriage. “I hope Meng Fulang will forgive us. My granddaughter-in-law was childless for years, so we resorted to this arrangement. Since the child has a family, please return her to them. Consider it as repayment for her calling me Grandmother these past few years.”

Meng Wan politely bowed to Old Madam Zeng. “Madam, you are too kind. I’m not certain yet, but if Madam Xiao Qinshi doesn’t care for Juan Niang, forcing her to go would be pointless.”

A lean camel is still bigger than a horse. Even though no one in the Zeng family still held official posts, they had accumulated considerable wealth over the years. Returning to their hometown to live a steady life, they could still be a local Secretariat Director. If Xiao Qinshi treated Juan Niang well, the girl’s life would be good.

But Xiao Qinshi had a violent temper. After the Qin family’s fall, she was heading far away, and Juan Niang’s lot would likely worsen. Even if Juan Niang wasn’t Dong Dong’s sister, Meng Wan intended to step in and keep her.

“Juan Niang?” Dong Dong called out tentatively to the bewildered girl. The more he looked at her, the more she resembled his sister.

“Do you remember your brother? Do you remember the swallows under the eaves of our house? The two peach trees in the yard?”

Juan Niang was completely bewildered, shrinking back as if wanting to hide behind Xiao Qinshi, yet afraid of being hit by her.

Meng Wan said patiently, “Juan Niang, come over here first. This brother might be your real brother. Whatever he asks, just answer, okay?”

Juan Niang was already six years old. She knew long ago that she was not Xiao Qinshi’s child. But where could she go after leaving the Zeng family? Compared to being beaten every day, she feared the unknown future even more.

Hesitantly, she walked over to Meng Wan, and he took her hand. Meng Wan then said to Dong Dong, “Don’t just stand there! Juan Niang was kidnapped when she was very young; she probably doesn’t remember much. Do you recall any birthmarks or such on her?”

At his reminder, Dong Dong suddenly remembered something. “Yes! Yes! I recall that when she was little, the nanny who looked after her was lazy. Juan Niang fell off the bed and hit her back on the bedpost, leaving a long scar!”

Xiao Qinshi’s heart skipped a beat. Juan Niang did indeed have a scar on her back, though it was light-colored and not very noticeable.

Just by looking at Xiao Qinshi’s expression, Meng Wan was already seventy percent sure. He called Dong Dong to go check Juan Niang’s back inside the carriage.

The moment her clothes were half-lifted, Dong Dong’s tears streamed down—not only because the scar on Juan Niang’s back matched his sister’s exactly, but also because her emaciated little body was covered in all kinds of bruises and scars, big and small.