Chapter 15
Chapter Fifteen
He was willing to stand, so Qian Tong no longer bothered him.
Seeing that several constables were still lingering among the crowd, Qian Tong kindly reminded them, “This matter is no longer something you can suppress. Hurry and fetch the Prefect.”
The head constable was so tightly pressed in he could barely move his feet; he wanted to leave but couldn’t.
Qian Tong helped clear a path for him. “Please, everyone, make way for the officials.”
Today, the Seventh Lady of the Qian family had become a victim sharing the hardships. Had she not come, who knows how many would have fallen prey to the Cui family’s cruelty. Those who escaped the tavern were all grateful. Upon her command, the crowd slowly parted. The constables finally breathed in fresh air. The stout constable was drenched in sweat, his collar disheveled. Adjusting his belt, he strode out, shouting, “You just wait!”
Qian Tong waited.
Out of boredom, she twisted her neck and spoke to the gentleman standing beside her, “Who do you think will arrive first, the Prefect or the Second Young Master Cui?”
Song Yunzhí was somewhat surprised she would ask such a question. He had some self-awareness about his status in her eyes. Lowering his gaze, he fixed his eyes on hers.
Qian Tong smiled at him. “Aren’t you afraid?”
“Afraid of what?” he asked.
“You’re really bold.”
She lifted her chin, staring intently with a trace of curiosity, seemingly waiting for an explanation.
She was referring to the way he had stopped the constables earlier. Cunning people tend to be suspicious, so Song Yunzhí had no choice but to say, “Those who escort the convoy are no cowards.”
As soon as he finished speaking, she cheerfully said, “If that’s so, when Second Young Master Cui arrives later, you must protect me well.”
Realizing he had been mocked again, Song Yunzhí turned his face aside and refused to look again.
However, the person who came was not the Second Young Master but the Eldest Young Master.
The young heirs of the four great families had grown up together in Yangzhou. In childhood, unaware of family interests, they were less calculating and more innocent, often playing together.
The Eldest Young Master of the Cui family was born of a concubine. Unlike the domineering second son of the legitimate line, he was gentle and refined, always surrounded by many followers.
Qian Tong had a good impression of him. Because of his relationship with her eldest sister, she often followed him around, calling him “brother-in-law” for over ten years. Now, the woman he brought was not her eldest sister.
He had a child with his concubine and brought them to her.
He showed no shame at all.
Qian Tong looked at the family of three, deeply in love, walking through the crowd. Her smile gradually faded, and her eyes grew colder.
“Tong’er,” the Eldest Young Master of the Cui family, looking weary as if freshly arrived from afar, called out. One corner of his robe was stained from water, leaving a dull grey mark.
Her childhood nickname, once a term of endearment from family, now felt twisted and uncomfortable. Since the Second Young Master hadn’t come, it was better that the Eldest had. Qian Tong rose from her chair, her tone indifferent. “Young Master Cui, please still call me Seventh Lady.”
He was unbothered by her hostility, speaking softly, “I want to talk to you.”
Qian Tong replied, “Fine, talk.”
She glanced at the mother and child behind him. “Young Master, you’re bringing your concubine and illegitimate son too? I see the two of you are quite fearless, not afraid we might scare you?”
Feeling her gaze settle on her, the concubine instinctively shrank and hugged the child protectively, softly calling, “My lord...”
The Eldest Young Master soothed her gently, “Wait here.”
Qian Tong was relieved her eldest sister was not here to witness this.
He was nowhere near too busy to care about his children; he was very good to women. While he lived in passion with his concubine, the Qian family’s matriarch was still drinking some ridiculous fertility soup daily.
Qian Tong disdainfully turned away, stepping into the tavern ahead. A fleeting glance to the side showed hatred, jealousy, but most of all, sorrow.
She felt pity for her eldest sister.
Song Yunzhí remained standing still.
“Yun Zhen, follow,” Qian Tong said without turning her head, her mood sour. Her tone was harsh as she faced the battered waiter who tried to stop her, “For your mistress’s sake, today I’ll give you a chance to talk. Step aside!”
After all the commotion, the Cui family’s head finally arrived—the future family leader.
Today’s matter had escalated too far to be settled easily. Seeing the Second Young Master still absent and the constables gone, the men with firewood felt increasingly uncertain. Hearing the Eldest Young Master’s arrival, they all felt as if released from prison.
—
Today, the Qian and Cui families had completely torn apart their relationship. During the conversation, their respective attendants guarded outside the door.
Inside were only Qian Tong and the Eldest Young Master of the Cui family, the door slightly ajar in case something happened, allowing their people to break in and rescue them.
The Eldest Young Master knew she was protective and hated himself for mistreating her eldest sister. Without much small talk, he asked directly, “What does the Qian family want?” Since she came to make trouble, it was clearly not just to seek justice for the Qian family’s son-in-law. He asked proactively, “Do you like the young master of the Lan family?”
Their conversation was clearly audible outside.
Qian Tong had only two attendants with her—Fu Yin and Song Yunzhí. Hearing the Eldest Young Master mention her lady’s other lovers without hesitation, Fu Yin secretly glanced at the son-in-law beside her.
His expression was calm as ever.
Inside, Qian Tong was somewhat surprised, not understanding what the Eldest Young Master meant.
He explained, “Your eldest sister said you liked to play with him.”
“You have no right to mention my eldest sister!” Qian Tong had told herself to stay calm but couldn’t hold back. What right did he have to bring up her eldest sister before her?
The Eldest Young Master said nothing, falling silent for a moment before continuing, “If you want this marriage, my Cui family can grant it.”
Qian Tong understood. The Eldest Young Master took her for a fool. “Do you think I’m easy to fool? After today’s trouble, the marriage between the Cui family and the Prefecture is off. What do you have to offer to make it happen?”
She said, “Since you asked, I might as well tell you—I never liked the young master of the Lan family. The Qian family never intended to ally with the Prefecture. You, Young Master, want too much. You always keep an escape hatch, but humans only have two legs. Stretch too far, and you might tear yourself apart...”
Her coarse words were about to slip out when Fu Yin urgently whispered, “My lady...”
Looking anxiously at the son-in-law, she found him already with eyes closed.
Qian Tong stopped herself from speaking further, but the sarcasm in her words had already taken effect. The Eldest Young Master’s face darkened. “Then what do you want?”
Qian Tong said, “The business contract.”
The Eldest Young Master frowned. “What contract?”
“The teeth guild,” Qian Tong said. “Young Master, don’t tell me you don’t know what your family’s been up to. The sins committed by the Second Young Master deserve death for your entire family. Handing over the guild now would actually help reduce your guilt.”
Qian Tong didn’t want to argue further. She laid it out plainly, “Lan Mingquan is no good. The imperial forces will arrive in Yangzhou in two days; his term ends soon. Before leaving, he wants to shake down the four great families. Your Cui family is eager to send money. The money’s already in hand. Young Master, do you really think if you were me, you’d protect a Cui family being watched by the court, acting recklessly and angering the people?”
The Eldest Young Master looked at the young woman opposite him with newfound seriousness.
Her first half was right—the Prefecture wanted only money, he knew that. But the latter part—if not for her stirring the pot, how would the Cui family have drawn such public outrage?
Qian Tong was unafraid of his scrutiny; in life and death, she survived by her own skill.
The Eldest Young Master understood this too. Without questioning her, he pondered for a moment, then ordered the page outside, “Go fetch the guild’s contract.”
The teeth guild...
That was the Second Young Master’s most profitable business.
The tavern owner outside panicked immediately, blocking the way. “Young Master, Second Young Master hasn’t returned yet...”
The Eldest Young Master interrupted sharply, “Even if he returns, he must deliver it himself.”
—
Half an hour later, Qian Tong received a wooden box.
Just before leaving, she suddenly turned back to ask the Eldest Young Master, “Have you visited my eldest sister?”
Their conversation had already made his expression harsh, but upon hearing this, a trace of guilt flickered across his face as he lowered his eyes, silent.
That pitiful look was all that was left. Qian Tong said, “You should go see her. She’s ill and has something to tell you.”
Without another word, she strode out of the tavern.
Half an hour passed before the Prefect arrived, fashionably late. At last, the man was here, and unlike the constables’ earlier attitude, he humbly apologized to the gathered townsfolk as soon as he stepped from the carriage.
“Such bullying of the people in Yangzhou is my failure. I am deeply ashamed and will ensure justice is served.”
Accompanying him was the county magistrate overseeing this part of East Street, a short man resembling a quail. He nodded repeatedly after the Prefect’s words, “Yes, yes, everyone please remain calm. The Prefect is here; no matter how many grievances there are, they will be resolved.”
The Prefect’s kind countenance and approachable manner soothed the crowd, who unconsciously stepped back and made way.
The group slowly moved to the entrance, greeting the townsfolk along the way.
Prefect Lan smiled at the young lady standing by the door, calling out from afar, “You must be the Seventh Lady of the Qian family. I have yet to visit and thank you for setting up the porridge stand to aid the people of Yangzhou. This merit will surely be reported to the court, earning the Qian family a reward.”
When it came to empty promises, compared to corrupt officials, Qian Tong felt no shame.
She stepped forward and bowed, “I pay my respects, Your Honor. You flatter me. His Majesty governs diligently with the people in mind, advocating for taking from the people to benefit the people. This is only what my Qian family ought to do.”
“Well said...” The Prefect showed no official airs, more like a kindly old grandfather at home. Looking behind her, he asked about the gentleman, “Is this the son-in-law of the Qian family? Indeed, a remarkable presence and handsome young man...”
Before he finished, the county magistrate behind him suddenly collapsed as if struck by lightning, curling up on the ground. The Prefect was startled and turned back, “What’s wrong?”
The magistrate’s knees were on the ground, and he tried several times to stand but failed, drenched in sweat and pale-faced.
The Prefect was puzzled, “He was fine just now; why can’t he stand now?”
“Su-subordinate, subordinate...” the magistrate stammered.
Before he could straighten his tongue, the Qian family’s seventh son-in-law stepped forward, bowed respectfully, and said, “I pay my respects to the Prefect and the Magistrate.”