Chapter 300: Pleading for Mercy

Chapter 300: Pleading for Mercy

The whole family made a grand entrance, and after taking care of business, they returned home in high spirits. Only A Yan, who had nearly reached the end of Yongle Street, kept glancing back wistfully at the huge sign of Tingxiang Pavilion.

Huh? On his final look back, he suddenly spotted what seemed to be a familiar figure heading toward Tingxiang Pavilion in the crowd, but in the blink of an eye, the person had vanished.

---

"I was just bluffing randomly, who'd have thought we'd actually land a big fish." Meng Wan only spoke up once they were back home.

Song Tingzhou's first order of business was to check the charcoal in the stove—sure enough, not much was left. He added more charcoal while responding to Meng Wan, "There'll be more small fry coming after."

Meng Wan wanted to give him a thumbs up, then washed his hands thoroughly, "Actually, we should've brought Xiao Ci today. Maybe we'd have found something."

Song Tingzhou knew what he was getting at, "They wouldn't dare, and they're not that stupid."

Meng Wan took out what Fuyin had given him—a plain piece of paper with six names on it, including Bian Erxing's. He handed the paper to Song Tingzhou, "Do you think any of this is real?"

Song Tingzhou said thoughtfully, "Half true, half false."

Huang Ye brought over a plate of tangerines, and Meng Wan casually placed two by the edge of the stove, "I'd say only a third are real. At least four of the six are fake, and the other two are useless pawns."

After all, Lord Bian was already dead, so that play was wasted.

He snorted, "Anyway, we only gave them some vague info in return, so we're not at a loss. Oh, yeah, there's also a painting."

Song Tingzhou sat down beside him and took the list into his own hands, "Useless but useful—depends on how we use it later. Don't worry about the painting."

Meng Wan flipped his two little tangerines, his fingertips reddening from the heat. He casually slipped his hand into Song Tingzhou's, "This painting thing is really weird. You finally got a few days off—no need to rush. Just take it easy at home."

Song Tingzhou held his hand and brushed the hair at his temple with the other, "Alright."

Though he said he'd rest at home, there were still plenty of decisions that needed his input. In the afternoon, Tao Ba came over, and Song Tingzhou instructed him, "For the next few days, day and night, keep Yongle Street under tight watch."

Since the Censor had impeached Song Tingzhou for frequenting brothels, Song Tingzhou simply took that responsibility on himself. After all, aside from the imperial city, all of Shengjing fell under the Shuntian Prefecture's jurisdiction.

Under the pretext of Shuntian Prefecture business, he had Tao Ba rent the small shopfront across from Tingxiang Pavilion, then had six Vice-Prefects and a few minor clerks take turns sitting at the main entrance of Tingxiang Pavilion every day, recording the names, addresses, and other info of everyone who entered the brothel.

Anyone wanting to get into Tingxiang Pavilion had to pass inspection one by one. Anyone caught lying was arrested for fraud by the bailiffs waiting nearby and taken to the Shuntian Prefecture for interrogation. Those who just told simple lies were let go after a night in custody. But if any real criminal record turned up—well, that'd be quite the show.

His heavy-handed tactics scared off anyone who wanted to visit the brothel, since regular folks didn't want to deal with government officials.

Tingxiang Pavilion became as deserted as a church on a weekday, which ironically made it even easier for Shuntian Prefecture folks to keep an eye on people.

Shengjing had countless entertainment spots. Your average lecher could just hit up other brothels instead of Tingxiang Pavilion, but for those who had to go there for secret reasons, it was pure agony.

The three Tao brothers had been with Song Tingzhou long enough to know how to handle cases. Each led a few constables in rotating shifts. They didn't wear uniforms—just plain clothes and strolled around Yongle Street. On the fifth day of Song Tingzhou's self-imposed house arrest, they nabbed four officials in one go, catching every last one.

On the sixth day, Song Tingzhou returned to the morning court. This time, even more officials glared at him with open hostility, but no one dared to impeach him again, because...

"I hear that the Shuntian Prefecture arrested several Imperial Officials yesterday." The Emperor sat high on the dragon throne, his tone sounding almost amused.

Song Tingzhou stepped forward from the front row of civil officials and reported respectfully, "Your Majesty, that is correct. Previously, Censors Zhao and Ding impeached me for disregarding regulations and openly frequenting brothels. While reflecting at home, I thought it over and found their accusations quite reasonable. So I resolved to strictly investigate officials who visit brothels, to restore the dignity of the officialdom."

Censor Zhao, who'd impeached Song Tingzhou for visiting brothels, felt a chill run down his spine. He didn't know where the stare came from, but it felt like it was boring a hole through his spine.

Seeing that he didn't dare show his face, Censor Ding, who'd impeached Song Tingzhou and his husband for overly intimate behavior unbecoming of propriety, still wanted to have one more go.

Censors were masters of veiled barbs. After court adjourned, Censor Ding deliberately walked past Song Tingzhou on his way out of the palace, sneering sarcastically, "Lord Song is truly a model for all officials. But how is it that this subordinate hears your husband also frequents brothels? Such a shocking xiaoge—Lord Song should discipline him properly. Who knows when he might bring disaster upon you."

Song Tingzhou had initially planned to ignore him, but upon hearing this, he suddenly stopped and fixed his gaze on him, "Censor Ding should know that this official was transferred up from the Lingnan region."

"Lord Song's achievements in Xiwu Prefecture are remarkable and admirable." Censor Ding was suspicious—what did he mean? Everyone in court must know that Song Tingzhou had fought his way back to Shengjing from the barren mountains of Lingnan through his own ability. After Xiwu Prefecture became wealthy, the Minister of Revenue praised Song Tingzhou to everyone he met, as if Song Tingzhou were his own son.

Song Tingzhou's pupils were dark, his ink-black eyes like a deep pool that could drown a person, "In my six and a half years in Xiwu Prefecture, I executed seven corrupt officials and replaced all four County Magistrates under my command. Compared to verbal sparring, I prefer more clean and direct methods."

Censor Ding's hairs stood on end under his gaze. He already regretted provoking the man, but couldn't swallow his pride to apologize, so he slunk away in embarrassment.

After returning to the Shuntian Prefecture, Song Tingzhou immediately began interrogating the officials Tao Ba had arrested days earlier. Combined with probing leads from the list Fuyin had given, he unsurprisingly found another key figure connected to the Bian Family.

Among the twenty-one corpses in the Bian household was that young lady cousin, surnamed Qi, named Rui. Her father was Lady Bian's half-brother from a concubine. Qi Rui had lost both parents at a young age and was raised in Lord Bian's household. But very few people knew she also had an aunt.

This aunt was the younger sister of Qi Rui's mother. She had once come to visit her niece. Because her family was poor, Qi Rui had secretly helped her out a few times, which led the Bian servants to mock her as a poor relative coming to sponge off the family.

The aunt was old enough to value her dignity, but her family was truly destitute. In winter, when food ran short, the children couldn't even eat their fill. To beg for some grain for the children, she had no choice but to trouble her niece.

It was already humiliating enough to beg at her niece's doorstep. Fearing it would put Qi Rui in a difficult position, she always came secretly, not daring to let anyone know.

When Qi Rui died, her aunt had been hiding in the inner room of her niece's boudoir. She witnessed with her own eyes Lord Bian storming into the courtyard and committing violence. The scene was brutal—several servants tried to pull him off but couldn't, and were injured by the frenzied Lord Bian instead. Two even collapsed onto broken porcelain and died on the spot.

The aunt was so terrified she barely dared to breathe. She couldn't bear the consequences of being discovered, so she abandoned her niece, whose eyes were filled with despair, and fled amid the chaos.

After running out of Qi Rui's courtyard, she saw the mistress of the Bian household rushing over with a group of people to surround the courtyard...

"It really was Lord Bian who killed Rui'er. This common woman saw it with her own eyes—every detail is vivid in my memory. I'll answer whatever you ask. I only beg you to bring justice for my niece. She was in the bloom of youth—she can't just die so inexplicably, without even a burial mound!"

The aunt wept uncontrollably in the courtroom. In recent days, every time she closed her eyes, her dreams were filled with her niece, face covered in blood, demanding to know why she had abandoned her.

The woman, tortured by poverty and guilt, had become gaunt as a skeleton and on the verge of collapse. No one would guess she was only in her early thirties.

Song Tingzhou's expression beneath his black gauze cap was solemn and severe. He commanded in a deep voice, "Eleven, bring her and come with me to the Bian residence."

"Tao Ba, bring all the constables and bailiffs from the prefectural office, and summon the coroner as well. We'll investigate everything today, piece by piece, and see if her testimony matches the scene at the Bian residence."

More and more people gathered on their way to the Bian residence. Eventually, even the Ministry of Justice sent representatives. Lord Bian could essentially be convicted—though he was already dead, the deceased still deserved justice.

They worked from morning until dusk. A large group filed out of the Bian residence, with Song Tingzhou in his official robes leading the way, radiating authority. Passersby barely dared to breathe as they walked past.

The old woman selling steamed buns panicked, and half a steamer of buns fell to the ground. She only earned a couple of coppers per bun, and the heartache made her forget her fear entirely. She crouched down, picking them up while sighing.

"I'll buy this steamer of buns." Song Tingzhou noticed the commotion from the corner of his eye, walked over, and tossed a handful of copper coins from his pouch into the old woman's cracked bowl.

"Lord Song? No... these buns are dirty. Let me get you a fresh steamer." At least five of the buns in that half-steamer had dirt on them. Even ordinary folks wouldn't buy such buns—how could she sell them to an official?

Seeing her hesitate, Song Tingzhou picked up a bun from the steamer himself, tore off the dirty parts with his hands, and finished it in three bites.

"Anyone hungry, come grab a couple to tide you over. This official is treating."

The others exchanged glances. Tao Eleven came over first and grabbed two dirty buns. He was even less particular—just patted them off and wolfed them down, "Sir, this isn't enough to feed all of us!"

Tao Ba and Tao Shi each came over and smacked him once.

Tao Eleven muttered, "Well, it's true."

The other constables hesitantly came over, "Sir."

Song Tingzhou nodded, "There's a noodle stall and a wonton stall nearby. You've all worked hard all day—have them all come over and sit together."

"Yes!" The constable's eyes stung with emotion. They, the lowest-ranking runners, were always bossed around by officials and rarely received any kindness. Lord Song also gave them orders, but every word treated them like human beings, not dogs.

Song Tingzhou also gave the old woman half a piece of silver, buying all her remaining buns, and paid in advance at both the wonton and noodle stalls, telling them to make as much food as their ingredients allowed.

In no time, every food stall on the street was filled with seated constables, bailiffs, clerks, and other officials in uniform.

Song Tingzhou and the Tao brothers found a table in the corner and sat down. The table was laden with wontons and noodles, and each one outdid the other in how much they could eat.

Song Tingzhou finally set down his chopsticks and turned around to see the other constables all waiting for him.

"Go on back now. I'm heading home as well."

As soon as he finished speaking, the constables came forward one by one to take their leave. After just one meal, their tone carried a trace more sincerity than their usual routine formality.

After closing the case of the twenty-one corpses at the Bian family, Song Tingzhou sent the case files to the Ministry of Justice. Zeng Shiqi personally brought the files to Song Tingzhou.

"Lord Song should already know of my relationship with Huanren. Huanren is gone now—can you not, for my sake, grant him a measure of dignity?" Zeng Shiqi was practically pleading with Song Tingzhou, showing just how close he and Lord Bian truly were—bosom friends, indeed.

Song Tingzhou's gaze swept over the files in his hand. He straightened his expression and asked gravely, "Whether in life or death, those who commit wrongs must face the full severity of the law. The law shows no favor to the noble, and punishment makes no distinction of rank. Lord Zeng, as Vice Minister of Justice for so many years, surely you understand this principle?"

Seeing the firmness in Song Tingzhou's tone, Zeng Shiqi knew there was no room for negotiation. His eyes shifted from pleading to cold and hard. "Lord Song is upright and unyielding. I pray you never face the day when you must pass judgment on your own kin or dearest friend!"

Song Tingzhou clasped his hands indifferently. "No need for Lord Zeng to worry about that."

—

Lord Bian's case was officially closed, and all his family's wealth was confiscated. What would have allowed his descendants to live comfortably as landed gentry for three generations now left them not even commoners—they were kin of a convicted minister.

Though the Bian family case was resolved, Chang Jinhua had no desire to move back into that mansion. She even suggested that she take A Yan and Tong'er to live in Shichun Lane, letting Meng Wan accompany Song Tingzhou to stay at the government office.

Meng Wan was at a loss whether to laugh or cry, saying there was no need to divide the family over this.

In the dead of winter, with the Little New Year (a festival a week before the Lunar New Year) fast approaching, since they hadn't found a suitable house yet, it was better to settle in snugly at Shichun Lane for the New Year. Once spring warmed up next year, they could search for a residence near Shuntian Prefecture, lowering their expectations—even a three-courtyard house would do if they squeezed in.

Having not spent the New Year in the north for many years, Chang Jinhua started preparing New Year provisions early. She was simply too idle, with no peers her age to talk to, so she brought Jin Gu along wherever she went.

While Meng Wan was taking inventory of the festival supplies in the courtyard, the imperial edict arrived.

His household had no preparation whatsoever. Meng Wan hurriedly ordered the main gate opened, set up an incense altar in the center of the main hall, and lit incense and candles. He then pushed Chang Jinhua back to her room to change into their most valuable formal attire, ensuring everything was immaculate and properly worn to show due reverence to His Majesty.

Fortunately, before returning to the capital, he had consulted several scholars at Songyun Academy; otherwise, he wouldn't have known what to do. Even so, Meng Wan caught a hint of mockery in the eyes of a junior palace attendant whose composure wasn't fully mastered.

The imperial edict was not for anything else—it was that the emperor had somehow learned the Song family couldn't find a house to buy. Using Song Tingzhou's meritorious handling of the Bian family case as a pretext, he specially bestowed a residence upon him.

Meng Wan, with a respectful expression, led Chang Jinhua in expressing gratitude for the imperial favor, not daring to show any other emotion throughout.

"Master Meng need not be afraid. Keep the edict properly enshrined and do not damage it," the palace attendant delivering the decree kindly reminded.

Meng Wan waved his hand, and Huang Ye brought over several small embroidered pouches made of Zhuang brocade, handing them over with a bow. Meng Wan gave the largest one to the chief palace attendant, distributed the smaller ones to the others, deliberately skipping the one who had shown disrespect.

"Thank you for your care, Eunuch. These are just small trinkets for everyone to enjoy. If you're not too busy, please feel free to drop by the Song residence anytime for a cup of hot tea."

"Absolutely not, this... Master Meng is far too kind." The palace attendant declined a few times before tucking the pouch into his robe and leading the group away.

Just after leaving Shichun Lane, the young eunuch who hadn't received a pouch eagerly tattled, "Eunuch Xi..."

"Shut your mouth, you clueless thing. Don't come out with me again next time." Eunuch Xi rolled his eyes and scolded.

The other palace attendants exchanged glances and, without exception, pulled out their pouches to sneak a look.

"Oh, I thought it was small—it's actually a gold ingot!"

"This piece weighs at least five taels (about six ounces), and you're complaining it's small?"

"I said I thought it was silver."

"Five taels of silver is still plenty, isn't it?"

"Look at the embroidery on this pouch—what technique is this? I've never seen it before."

"It doesn't look embroidered; it's woven. It's called Zhuang brocade, a type of silk from the Zhuang people. I saw it at the Consort's residence, said to be tribute goods from Lingnan (south of the Nanling Mountains)."

Since they rarely left the palace, the chief eunuch let them chatter away. Once back in the palace, they'd have to follow the strict protocols again.

He slipped his hand into his sleeve and squeezed the pouch inside. Beneath the distinctive pattern of the Zhuang brocade was a hard, angular lump—at least fifteen taels.

This Master Meng—what a fascinating person.