Chapter 323 – The Young Miss of the Qiao Family
Her slender frame stood in his way, her clear gaze confident, unwavering, firm. "You know I can't leave it alone," she eked out, eyes slightly reddened.
Jing Rong did not pale in comparison as he stated, "Listen up, Ji Yunshu. This Prince forbids you from delving any further – since the Supreme Court will not accept the appeal, it is set in stone no matter how you try, whatever that solution is. In any case, that solution is prohibited in this Prince's books." He left with a flourish.
Ji Yunshu stood rooted to the spot, staring blankly at the painting destroyed by Jing Rong. She clutched on tightly to her gown through her sleeves, preventing it from ruffling in the wind. Does she really have to give up on investigating this case? What is that solution she seeks? No matter how much she questioned, no one would tell her anything – clearly, Jing Rong had ordered for his subordinates to keep their mouths sealed.
The next day.
Ji Yunshu got ready to leave the house, only to meet Ji Wanxin at the estate gates, who was holding an ornate lunchbox in her hands.
"Yunshu, I've brought some cakes and biscuits that you enjoy, but I haven't made any in a long time so I'm not sure if it's any good." Ji Wanxin pushed the box towards Ji Yunshu, opening its lid to reveal several delicious looking pine flower cakes.
Ji Yunshu did love these, but it wasn't the right time for snacks. She called over a servant and handed the box over to her, instructing, "Place this in my room."
"Understood!" The little servant girl trotted along.
Ji Yunshu addressed Ji Wanxin, "Second Sister, there is somewhere I must be; I can't stay and chit-chat with you."
"For you to be in such a hurry, where are you going to"
"It's nothing major."
"Then let me go with you; I've been idling around all day, let me accompany you." Ji Wanxin was eager, beckoning with a pleasing, inviting smile.
"I still think there's no need. You're still frail, I'm concerned…"
"I'm alright – the physician has said it's okay for me to get up and about, especially if I'm only idling around." She linked arms with Ji Yunshu, leaning over endearingly. A passing servant girl hugging a flowerpot witnessed this scene, almost dropping the flowerpot in her hands – who knew that Teacher Ji would appeal to both men and women?
Ji Yunshu could not shake her off. She eventually brought her along, the two of them traveling to the inn together.
As soon as they stepped in, they could hear crashing sounds coming from the inside. The first floor of the inn was an absolute mess; broken dishes, wine and food were scattered on the floor, with the furniture in disarray. In the middle of the inn stood a ferocious lady smashing and throwing things around, simultaneously scolding a woman on the floor. The innkeeper persuaded, "Miss, please stop destroying things."
"Scram," she waved him away. "Aren't you only concerned with money?" She dug out a golden ingot from the pouch dangling from her waist, flinging it at the innkeeper, "Here, take it. It's enough to buy your entire inn."
The innkeeper's eyes lit up. He held the ingot to his teeth and bit into it – it was real! Money never failed; the innkeeper retreated to a corner, handing over several vases for the young lady to thrash.
The woman on the floor barely supported herself, her head lowered. Her messy hair obscured her ghastly pale face. Yet she never made a single sound in the face of such public humiliation, only clutching tightly to the yellowed bundle in her hands, not moving an inch. Wasn't that woman Aunty Xie?
Ji Yunshu was pulled back by Ji Wanxin as she attempted to enter, "Yunshu, let's not meddle in someone else's affairs." She shook her head, scared.
That lady raised her voice again, "Your daughter wasn't clean to begin with, working in a brothel. It's her good fortune that my brother took a liking to her, but that loser took her own life by poison. This case was resolved three years ago, yet you still stubbornly insist that my brother killed your daughter, even coming all this way to the capital to stir up trouble!" She emptied a wine jar all over Aunty Xie's trembling body, and the crowd fell deadly silent.
Aunty Xie sobbed, "My daughter is innocent."
"How is a prostitute innocent? She obviously killed herself, how dare you wrong my big brother."
Aunty Xie's eyes were bloodshot as she trembled continuously. She replied firmly, "My daughter didn't commit suicide, it was that animal who killed her."
Smack! The lady bent over and gave Aunty Xie a resounding slap across her face. She then haughtily ordered the innkeeper, "Listen up, throw this woman out of here now, otherwise, this Miss will turn your entire inn upside down."
"But … she was sent here by the Governor."
"Then return me those silvers now."
"This…" No way in hell! The innkeeper gritted his teeth and called his lackey over, "Quick, quick, quick. Throw her out!"
He dragged Aunty Xie off the floor, across the inn where the crowd parted, leaving a clear path to the exit. Ji Yunshu stopped him as he reached the door.
"Get out of the way, get out!" He was impatient.
Ji Wanxin tugged on the corner of Ji Yunshu's sleeve, reminding her to move aside. Ji Yunshu's expression grew steely as she helped Aunty Xie out of that man's hold. He pointed an accusing finger at her, "You?"
Aunty Xie saw that it was Teacher Ji, and she looked at her hopefully.
That haughty lady strutted over, pushing that man aside, proclaiming, "Who are you? How dare you meddle in my business?"
Ji Yunshu gave her an unfriendly glance, pulling Aunty Xie safely behind her and handing her over to Ji Wanxin, "Take care of her."
"Ah?" Ji Wanxin was startled, but carefully brought Aunty Xie to one side.
"Let go of that wench," the young woman wanted to pull Aunty Xie over, but Ji Yunshu aimed for and pressed hard on a painful point on the other's wrist, flinging her away.
"Young miss, this one would like to give you a word of advice – stop before things get out of hand."
"Who the hell are you?"
"You don't have to know or care who I am, but this aunty was settled here in this inn by the Governor. If you dare harm her, you would be obstructing official business – I don't think this is a crime you can bear." Ji Yunshu stated these matter-of-factly, but everyone else who could hear her in the vicinity took a step back.
Ugh! The young woman gave a cold smirk, pointing towards herself, "I can't bear that crime? Do you know who I am? Did you think a mere Capital Governor could touch me?"
"Then you can give it a shot! Before this one came over, I saw the Governor and his men heading this way. If you were to chase this aunty out of the inn, when he gets here to find that she's missing, delaying all investigations – this is not a sentence anyone can handle."
She froze. Her second uncle was Qiao Zheng of the Ministry of Personnel, a first-ranking official. What was a measly Capital Governor? On the other hand, however, if she were to pit her own second uncle against the capital mayor due to her own foolish actions, she might become the culprit in this war between officials.
Grenn’s Rants Corner
My god! It’s already December.
When I read that Ji Wanxin grabbed onto Ji Yunshu’s arm, I’m picturing a snake coiling around her. We all know Ji Wanxin is going to do something at some point, but what? This is killing me waiting for that key money.
Chapter 324 – Sounding the Royal Drums (1)
After much consideration, the young miss decided to take a softer approach, but not backing down, "Listen carefully, I'm the eldest miss of the Qiao Family, Qiao Xiao. My second uncle is Minister Qiao Zheng of the Ministry of Personnel, what do I have to fear about a measly capital Governor?" Her savage visage could compare to that of Jing Xuan when she decided to mess around.
So, she had an uncle who was a first-ranking official! No wonder she could throw her weight around. Ji Yunshu wasn't fussed, "Miss Qiao, Aunty Xie has travelled such a long way to the capital for her daughter, why make it difficult for her?"
"Make things difficult?" Qiao Xiao shot Aunty Xie a hateful glance, raising a plucked brow as she huffed derisively, "This woman has been claiming that my big brother killed her daughter for the past three years – everyone in town has heard of it. She's continuously made a scene at our estate, tarnishing the name and reputation of our Qiao Family. Such a woman should rot in hell! If not for my parents' kindness, how did you think she could survive till today? If this Miss had not come to the capital to visit my second uncle, who would have known that this filthy woman would come all this way to submit a claim? This Miss is not as kind as my parents – it's a miracle if I don't kill her today." She spoke as though she was the one who had suffered great grievance.
Ever since Aunty Xie's daughter's death, she had not left the Qiao Estate alone in peace; whether it was burning incense and paper money before their gates, throwing paper men across their walls, or poisoning the Qiao Estate well and getting imprisoned as a result. The Qiao Family took pity on her, especially since she still had a young grandson to care for, and let charges go. She was much quieter these two months and had stopped making trouble at the Qiao Estate, so the Qiao Family had thought that she had finally thought things through, but who knew that she was here in the capital to file a claim? Qiao Xiao's anger was not unfounded!
However, Ji Yunshu tried to convince her, "Miss Qiao, Aunty Xie only came to the capital to understand the real reason behind her daughter's death. If your big brother did not kill her, then there is no need to fear. If things could be settled once and for all, won't your Qiao Estate also be free of further harassment?" Mm?
Qiao Xiao scanned Ji Yunshu – the well-dressed man before her emanated a mysterious, charismatic aura, but his eyes were icy cold. Qiao Xiao bit her lower lip, glancing outside to make sure the Capital Governor was still nowhere near, "Forget it then; I've given her a talking to today, but if I see her again, I won't be this lenient next time around." She left, and the crowd naturally scattered.
Together with Ji Wanxin, Ji Yunshu helped the soaking wet Aunty Xie up to a room on the second floor so that she could change into a set of fresh clothes.
"Many thanks for that, Teacher Ji."
"There's no need; I didn't do much."
Aunty Xie asked hopefully, "How goes my daughter's case?"
JI Yunshu could not bear to tell her that the application was rejected by the Supreme Court, so she told a white lie, "Wait a little longer – it's not an easy task to have this case re-opened."
"Not easy? I've travelled all this way to the capital after years of fruitless begging – it cannot end just like this. My daughter was murdered and she died with injustice! I can't wait any longer." She wailed, tugging at Ji Yunshu's heartstrings.
Ji Yunshu wrecked her brains: the only way the Supreme Court would accept and investigate this case was with His Majesty's decree, but would Qi Zhen Emperor concern himself with such a trivial matter?
Ji Yunshu brought Ji Wanxin home after Aunty Xie calmed down considerably with much persuasion and consolation. On their way back, Ji Wanxin was curious, so Ji Yunshu quickly summarised what had happened.
That night.
Ji Yunshu stood awake outside her room, trying to figure out the best way to get this case approved by the Supreme Court, if not, convincing Qi Zhen Emperor to agree to the investigation. What was that option Jing Rong refused to share with her?
Suddenly – "Did you go to see that woman today?" She turned to see Jing Rong walking towards her.
"Mm."
"You have to investigate this case?"
"Mm."
"Why?"
She glanced at him out of the corner of her eye as she hesitated in giving her answer. She carefully removed the object hanging around her neck, fingering the square wooden amulet. It was roughly five millimeters in diameter, and the edges were extremely well-rounded and smooth. The amulet's colour was light in some areas and darker in others, resembling that of a beautiful watercolour painting. An ornately carved picture sat in the centre of the piece; it looked like an ancient symbol from some angles, and a flower from another. She caressed the carved symbol, several of its original owner's memories flashing across her mind.
"Young miss, this was your mother's. Keep it safely with you at all times. Remember not to give it to anyone else – this amulet is more important than your own life." These words were said to the original owner by the nanny looking after her when she was about only seven or eight.
In the last five years, Ji Yunshu had heard whispers of memories and searched countless references and books, but could discover absolutely nothing about that amulet, until she saw that doll in Aunty Xie's bag! Her gaze grew heavy, "I have to, for this."
Jing Rong did not understand, "What has this … amulet have to do with that case?"
"This was left to me by my late mother. According to my nanny, this amulet is more important than my life. These few years, I have managed to dig up nothing about this symbol, but that doll of Aunty Xie's daughter has the exact same symbol. She said that her husband made that doll for her daughter, so, I want to make a trip to Yufu County – to investigate the cause of death of Aunty Xie's daughter, as well as the secret to my mother's amulet." This was the true reason!
Jing Rong looked at that amulet and fell silent.
……….
The next morning.
Ji Wanxin hurried over, "Yunshu, quick! I was on my way to see that aunty at the inn, but god knows where did she learn that the Supreme Court has rejected the application, and she is now on her way to the palace to sound the royal drums!"
"Sound the royal drums?" Ji Yunshu flinched! She finally knew what that solution Jing Rong had forbidden the entire estate from mentioning was, sounding the royal drums! Anyone from anywhere in the Great Lin could sound the royal drums and submit their claim, but to sound it, one must endure the beatings of forty paddles, no more and no less, but Aunty Xie's frail frame could never survive those paddles.
Ji Yunshu rushed out immediately and headed straight for the East Gate of the palace. Four guards surrounded the royal drums, with an overseer standing in the centre. Two other guards held paddles, striking Aunty Xie's body in turn. She was splayed all over the floor, blood seeping through her gown, staining her back scarily red. The guards mercilessly raised their paddles once more, preparing to land the next full blow.
"Stop!" Ji Yunshu cried out, scrambling on top of Aunty Xie.
The guards rested their paddles against the ground as Aunty Xie panted heavily on the brink of death, unable to even cry out in pain. She struggled to open her eyes, using the last of her strength as she pleaded painfully, "Please … please help me."
Grenn’s Rants Corner
Lol! Dragging element alert – Ji Yunshu’s Mother’ real identity! It looks like having a mother as a simple prostitute is not an option for any female lead. I guess this is to have a worthy identity to easily marry JR later maybe. I hope the author can still surprise us with another new development instead.
Chapter 325 – Sounding the Royal Drums (2)
Aunty Xie's entire body was shaking. Some blood sputtered from her mouth as she feebly grabbed onto Ji Yunshu's sleeve.
Ji Yunshu began to tear up, "Aunty Xie, I promise you I would definitely help you, but these paddles cannot be taken lightly."
"As long as … I can … clear my … daughter's name, it … doesn't … matter if I … die." What fear did a mother have if it were all for the sake of her child?
"Why put yourself through all these?"
"If I die, my only wish, Teacher, is to … serve justice … to those who deserve it." Aunty Xie's face was wrinkled in pain, and she looked miserable.
Ji Yunshu crinkled her nose as she looked to that overseer, "How many strokes are left?"
The overseer was deadpan, "There are twenty-seven strokes left – all must be administered."
"If the remaining twenty-seven paddles were borne, could we sound the drums?"
"According to the Great Lin's laws, that is correct." He replied accordingly, next addressing Aunty Xie, "Are you going to continue?"
Aunty Xie slowly closed her bloodshot eyes and nodded, unwavering. She managed to force out only one word, "Yes!"
The overseer ordered Ji Yunshu to be pulled aside, "Continue hitting."
Smack! Another heavy stroke struck Aunty Xie's back, more blood soaking her already stained dress.
"Stop hitting, stop hitting …" Ji Yunshu screamed, but she was firmly held back by two burly guards.
Smack!
…………
Smack!
Another four paddles fell.
Aunty Xie had long lost consciousness, but none of the guards were about to stop any time soon.
Tears streamed down Ji Yunshu cheeks as she used all her strength to break out of those guards' deathgrip. She clamoured to where Aunty Xie was and the next stroke landed squarely on her back.
"Oof!" She bit her lips, holding back her tears from the numbing pain burning across her back.
Ji Wanxin was flabbergasted, "Yunshu?" She stood where she was, her feet rooted to the ground.
The overseer had no mind to stop his men, instead ordering his guards, "Continue!" The guard began to raise his paddle, intending to strike once more, but that heavy paddle was stopped in mid-air by Shi Zijin who was observing in the shadows, her sword skillfully pushing it away. She gave him a kick, berating, "What guts!"
He clutched his stomach as he doubled over, looking toward the overseer, "Sir, this is?"
The overseer was likewise surprised as he questioned, "Who are you?"
Shi Zijin could care less. She squatted down and checked on Ji Yunshu, "Teacher, are you alright?"
Ji Yunshu eyed Shi Zijin and shook her head feebly, "I'm alright." She was barely audible, sweat dripping down her strained neck. The pain on her back where the paddle landed was excruciating. She thought of Aunty Xie who had endured thirteen paddles, how much more pain was she in? If not for her pursuit of revenge, she would long be dead.
Ji Yunshu spoke, "I will bear the remaining paddles on her behalf."
Not far away.
Jing Yi was seated comfortably in his sedan. He opened the curtains, staring indifferently at what had unfolded before his eyes, a devious smirk naturally appearing. Things were going exactly as he planned.
Dou Quan was waiting outside the sedan, "If Your Highness had not alerted that woman to sound the royal drums, we would never have witnessed such an exciting display."
"The real show has yet to begin." In his eyes, this was only the beginning.
"I have a question, Your Highness. That Teacher Ji is known for her stubbornness, what if … she was really beaten to death?"
"Jing Rong would never leave this or her alone; he must already be on his way."
"This servant would like to congratulate Your Highness's success in advance."
Jing Yi smirked devilishly, "Jing Rong, oh Jing Rong. This Prince is waiting for you to come beg me." It was as if that panorama of his dreams was already painted before his eyes – as long as this plan of his succeeded, that position of power he so longed for would be his to lose. His eyes were full of power, greed for control, as he continued watching from afar.
Shi Zijin was about to help Ji Yunshu off Aunty Xie's body, when –
"Leave her there!" A forceful voice rang across the hall.
Jing Rong marched across the hall, his long gown swaying behind him. His stone cold expression bore both that of steely rage and iciness, his eagle-sharp eyes so deadly they could kill.
Unlike Jing Rong before him, Lang Po was only sorry, oh, my Teacher Ji!
The overseer was startled and he quickly paid his respects, "This one pays his respects to Prince Rong."
Jing Rong walked straight past him towards Ji Yunshu, fixing his icy cold glare on her. She did her best to look up, following the finest handmade boots upwards to meet his stare as he asked, "Is this worth it?"
She panted, trembling, "Yes!"
"Fine, then this Prince will fulfill your wish." He ordered Lang Po, "Take this woman away first."
"Understood!" Lang Po lifted the already unconscious Aunty Xie and left.
He turned to the guard still clutching his abdomen, "This prince orders you to continue hitting." The guards were shocked!
Shi Zijin hurried forth, "Your Highness, this has nothing to do with the Teacher."
"Continue!" This was a direct order, and the guards nervously raised their paddles.
Smack!
It fell, but it stung less compared to the previous one.
Ji Yunshu bit her lips, her face scrunched up in pain.
"Continue," Jing Rong ordered again.
Just then, Ji Wanxin scrambled forth, falling to her knees with a clap, "Your Highness, she would die like this. She's already received one stroke on Aunty Xie's behalf; any longer and she would definitely die, please, Your Highness." She cried beautifully and gracefully that red mole at the edge of her eyebrow made her look even more pitiable.
Jing Rong did not even glance in her direction, all of his attention devoted to Ji Yunshu, and the blood stains seeping through her gown. How could he be unmoved, not affected at all? He was in pain as well! However, he clenched his fists and gritted his teeth, ordering, "Strike!"
Smack! Smack! Smack!
A rain of paddles fell; Ji Yunshu received six paddles in total. She collapsed on the ground, blood covering her entire back. Her breaths were shallow – all she could feel in her entire body was numbness, numbness from the pain. Her entire body was trembling, from her lips to her brows, and she said nothing, she could say nothing.
Jing Rong steeled himself again, "This Prince will ask you once more – is it worth it?"
It took quite a while before Ji Yunshu pursed her lips, eking out with the remaining of her strength, "It … is!" Her voice was hoarse, so feeble and weak.
Tears overflowed from Jing Rong's bloodshot eyes. He bent down, scooping up Ji Yunshu in one smooth movement, holding her tightly in his arms. He conceded; if she were to die, he could not live. He could feel his own hands the blood flowing out of Ji Yunshu's back, flowing gently into the creases of his palms, cold, and wet, reminding him to be gentle and careful. This woman was light beyond belief.
Ji Yunshu crumpled lifelessly in his hold, the acrid ferrous odour of blood gently washed away by his scent, enveloping her tenderly …
Grenn’s Rants Corner
*cries* They are both so stubborn. Each had their own reasons.