Regardless of how aggrieved and unwilling Magistrate Zhang was, since it was Commander Liu who had set them up, he could only accept it begrudgingly. "Lord Qiu, what about the aftermath?"
The fire at Juwenzhai had resulted in three deaths, and Qi Heng had been rescued from a secret chamber in Xingyuan. The previous search had been conducted with great fanfare, so the news could not be suppressed. Someone had to take the blame.
Commander Qiu glanced at Magistrate Zhang, who was suppressing his emotions. Governor Meng was clearly favoring Assistant Governor Qi, which would make Magistrate Zhang's future at the yamen difficult.
Furthermore, although Qiu Ding Si had been involved in Qi Heng's disappearance, he had operated behind the scenes. The actual perpetrator was Zhang Changsong, who already possessed the scholar's degree. If he did not distance himself from this matter, his official career would be in jeopardy.
"Chai Yi has already been apprehended," Commander Qiu stated. As soon as he spoke, Magistrate Zhang understood that all the blame would be shifted onto Chai Yi.
Chai Yi had previously been a strategist for Master Chen. Master Chen was a merchant and a collateral branch of the Chen family. His strategists were not significant, but as they involved the Chen family, Magistrate Zhang had some reservations.
"Given the Chen family's caution, Chai Yi will not live for many days," Commander Qiu said, unafraid of the Chen family. The Chen family was powerful, but they were merely the maternal relatives of the First Prince, not the Crown Prince. The Chen family's influence did not extend to the military garrisons.
If not for the fear that He Sheng might be waiting outside the yamen, Commander Qiu estimated that Chai Yi would not have survived the night. The assassins sent by the Chen family were likely already on their way to Fengzhou.
Magistrate Zhang pondered for a long time, recalling the enmity between Zhan Feiyu and the Chen family. Even if Zhan Feiyu said she would not pursue the matter further, the Chen family would not be at ease and would have to silence him. This would, in turn, simplify matters.
Nanhu Alley.
After washing up and eating two bowls of pork rib congee, Qi Heng, who had fallen asleep, snored like a little piglet. Ming San smiled and shook his head, then quietly withdrew from the bedroom.
"He's asleep?" Zhan Feiyu asked from outside the door, turning to look at He Nuan. "Keep the calming medicine warm. Give it to Qi Heng after he wakes up."
"Yes," He Nuan replied. She had only gone back to the kitchen to get the medicine and he had already fallen asleep. It was likely that he had been frightened and terrified these past few days, exhausted from the ordeal.
The summer heat was intense. By the time Zhan Feiyu reached the backyard, sweat had already broken out on her forehead. Fortunately, the Qi family intended to foster good relations and had previously sent someone to deliver ice. As soon as she entered the house, she felt a wave of coolness.
After drinking two mouthfuls of cold tea, Ming San asked, "Is that how this matter is settled? What exactly did you discuss with Liu Hefeng?"
Commander Liu treated human lives as if they were worthless weeds. Ming San glanced at Hong'er, who was standing obediently by his side. The little fellow had almost been whipped to death by a whip earlier and had been greatly frightened by the fire, appearing dazed.
Ming San had inquired a little and learned that over the years, no less than eighty people had been crippled by Commander Liu's whipping. Although no lives were lost, and compensation was paid, some injuries could never be compensated by money. In the end, it was Commander Liu's power that prevailed.
Zhan Feiyu smiled. "Are you worried that I'm colluding with a tiger or conspiring with a wolf?"
He glared at her impatiently. Ming San said lazily, "If a disciple of Scholar Gu dares to commit evil, Scholar Gu will surely discipline him. There's no need for me to worry. I'm just curious about what you said to Liu Hefeng."
"Confucius said it cannot be spoken of," Zhan Feiyu said, creating suspense. She walked towards the desk. The provincial examinations were imminent, and she still had to study diligently. To forge iron, one had to be strong oneself.
This girl was too detestable! Ming San rolled his eyes in anger, his heart itching with curiosity.
But thinking of Zhang Changsong and the others, Ming San felt refreshed. He leisurely fanned himself and said, "Did Zhang Changsong and the others escape unscathed?"
Zhan Feiyu added water to the inkstone and slowly ground the inkstick. "We can't uproot all the families in Fengzhou. It's better to compete in the examination hall."
Those involved in kidnapping Qi Heng were all prominent families in Fengzhou, and most of them were scholars. It would not be easy for Zhan Feiyu to pursue the matter to the end. The families in Fengzhou would surely band together to protect themselves. It was better to do them a favor and then suppress them fiercely in the imperial examinations, like a sword hanging over their heads, making them live in constant fear.
Ming San was arrogant and unrestrained, not skilled in schemes and stratagems, but he understood Zhan Feiyu's meaning. "When the little fatty wakes up, I'll tell him this. He can avenge this with his own strength."
Two hours later, the awakened Qi Heng expected to receive his junior uncle's full affection and care. However, upon seeing a piece of paper full of homework, Qi Heng stared blankly at Ming San.
"What are you spacing out for? Get up and do your homework as soon as you wake up!" Ming San hit Qi Heng's forehead with his fan, speaking sternly. "There's only a little over a month left until the provincial examinations. How much time have you wasted! Look at Zhan Xiaoyu. When you were missing, she also slept until the hour of Chou and got up before dawn to study and practice martial arts! You were imprisoned for three days without paper or pen, but did you recite articles from memory? Did you compose poems properly?"
Suffering a double blow, Qi Heng mumbled aggrievedly, "Aren't you worried about me?"
When he was imprisoned in the secret chamber, besides thinking of his parents, Qi Heng thought of Zhan Feiyu and Ming San the most, hoping they would break down the door and rescue him. To his surprise, his junior fellow student was diligently studying every day, and his junior uncle was madly assigning him homework!
"Sentimental!" Ming San looked at the little fatty with disdain and sneered. He mercilessly struck him down, "Your tutor is not as good as Scholar Gu, and your talent is not as good as Zhan Xiaoyu. You are not as hardworking or diligent as her. Little fatty, you can only rely on yourself to get revenge. Only when you pass the imperial examinations will those who kidnapped you be afraid!"
"I..." Qi Heng's cheeks puffed out, but he couldn't find any reason to refute. In the end, he could only dejectedly sit on the chair and start his homework.
Ming San was then satisfied. He sat in the armchair like a supervisor and sighed, "Jade cannot be carved into anything without polishing. Little fatty, why do you think they dared to kidnap you? It's because you are easy to bully."
"If you were Scholar Gu's disciple, do you think they would have the guts? The kind are bullied, and the good horses are ridden! If I had studied for the imperial examinations back then, even if I were only a fifth or sixth-rank official, do you think these people in Fengzhou would dare to kidnap you?"
The arrogant scholar Ming San was merely an empty title, insignificant in the eyes of Fengzhou's noble families. However, they would respectfully keep their distance from a disciple of Scholar Gu.
Qi Heng, the little fatty, was stunned for a moment. He looked back at Ming San, who was sighing, and suddenly remembered the "Poem of the Prodigy" taught by his tutor during his enlightenment: "In the morning, a farmer's son; in the evening, a scholar in the imperial court; prime ministers and generals are not born with a pedigree; a man should strive for himself."
...
Prefectural Prison.
Just a day ago, Chai Yi was a young master fawned over and flattered by Fengzhou's noble families. Today, he was a prisoner. Chai Yi sat on the straw, staring blankly at the dark and dirty prison cell, wondering how he had ended up like this.
He touched the wound on his neck. Although the constables had applied medicine, it was only the lowest quality hemostatic. Even now, a touch caused a wave of pain.
Chai Yi understood that Liu Hefeng had truly intended to kill him that morning. He was a madman. If he fell into his hands and he didn't release Qi Heng, he would only have death awaiting him.
But looking at the rats scurrying past in the prison cell, Chai Yi laughed silently, wondering how long his life could be prolonged.
In the study, by the bright candlelight, Governor Meng put down his official documents. "Come in."
"Master, it's late. I've brewed some ginseng soup," Madam Meng said softly, placing the food box on the table. She looked back at Governor Meng, who was walking over. "Master, are you worried about the Chen family?"
Governor Meng sat down and patted Madam Meng's hand, signaling her to sit down as well. "Fengzhou is a small place, and there are no prominent families worth the Chen family's favor. There's no need to worry."
The Chen family was powerful, but they disdained the small Fengzhou. Fengzhou had produced many skilled craftsmen over the years, but in the eyes of the Chen family, these were merely lowly professions in the hierarchy of scholars, farmers, artisans, and merchants.
Also, because Commander Qiu was backed by the imperial merchant Liu family, the waterways and docks were under the Liu family's control. Half of Fengzhou's tax revenue came from the Liu family's businesses. Therefore, in reality, the Liu family held control over Fengzhou.
To maintain the balance in Jiangnan Province, the Chen family had not interfered. Therefore, even though Governor Meng favored Zhan Feiyu and sided with Scholar Gu, he was not worried about the Chen family retaliating.
Madam Meng nodded in understanding, but a sense of unease lingered in her heart. "The Chen family is powerful. If they want to retaliate against Master, they can easily frame him."
"I am upright and proper in my conduct. Over the years, I have only turned a blind eye to Liu Hefeng's affairs. However, he compensated those he injured, and the plaintiffs were appeased. This matter is not enough for the Censorate to impeach him. If they were to frame me, not only Scholar Gu but also other princes would intervene." This was the way of officialdom; a single move could affect the entire situation.
If the First Prince and the Chen family were to falsely accuse Governor Meng, then the political rivals of other princes and the Chen family would not miss the opportunity to suppress the First Prince. Moreover, the Emperor was a wise ruler. Governor Meng thought of Zhang Chengli and the Chen family being in direct opposition to the Governor of Nanxuan. As a prefect, he truly had no reason to worry.
"My Lord," a servant reported in a low voice from outside the study. "Constable Qian requests an audience."
Madam Meng immediately stood up. "Master, I will retire to the inner chambers to avoid suspicion."
If it were not a major matter, Constable Qian would not request an audience so late at night. After Madam Meng entered the inner chambers, Governor Meng said, "Come in."
Constable Qian had assigned four constables to guard Chai Yi in the prison. He and his team were staying at the yamen, so as soon as there was any trouble with the jailer, Constable Qian immediately came to request an audience with Governor Meng.
"Chai Yi wants to see Zhan Feiyu?" Governor Meng put down the soup bowl, feeling a bit more energetic after drinking the ginseng soup. "Did he say why he wants to see Zhan Feiyu?"
"No," Constable Qian replied. Before coming, he had gone to the prison to ask Chai Yi, but Chai Yi had only said that.
Governor Meng frowned. He did not want to stir up trouble. After Zhan Feiyu decided not to pursue the matter, he wanted to conclude the case quickly and stop at Chai Yi. However, Governor Meng also knew that the Chen family would silence him, which was why he had asked Constable Qian to guard the prison strictly.
"Tomorrow morning, send someone to Nanhu Alley. Whether she comes or not depends on Zhan Feiyu," Governor Meng said. He was not worried that Chai Yi would reveal any secrets of the Chen family. Chai Yi was not privy to the Chen family's confidential matters. His desire to see Zhan Feiyu was merely to save his own life.
Constable Qian acknowledged.
"Chai Yi cannot die in prison, otherwise it would be my dereliction of duty. You and your men must continue to guard him closely for the next few days," Governor Meng instructed further before waving Constable Qian away.
...
The next day, the Wei family.
Scholar Wei glared at the rogue-like Zhan Feiyu. "I'm not going anywhere. I'm staying in Fengzhou!"
"Then I'll give you a sleeping potion and carry you to the carriage," Zhan Feiyu said with a shameless grin. "Besides, aren't you afraid that those people, driven by poverty, will come to cause trouble again?"
Scholar Wei had handed over five thousand taels of silver, and the elder patriarch and members of the Wei clan had left. With the elder patriarch's restraint, there was no need to worry about the Wei clan members coveting Scholar Wei's silver and property.
However, the first and second branches of the Wei family were different. They were a group of old, weak, women, and children, yet they were greedy and selfish, driven mad by poverty. Who knew what they were capable of? If they were to throw themselves to their deaths here and the yamen were involved, they would likely have to spend money to resolve the issue.
But given Scholar Wei's disposition, he would rather go to prison than give them a single coin. He was old, and if they caused too much trouble, Scholar Wei's health might not be able to withstand it.
The old butler stood by the side, smiling silently. His master's stubbornness could only be subdued by Miss Zhan.
"Let them come and cause trouble!" When Scholar Wei mentioned the people from the first and second branches, his aged face still revealed a deep-seated hatred. Some grudges and hatreds could not be erased by time.
Zhan Feiyu quickly poured him a cup of tea and handed it over. "As soon as you mention those people, you get angry. It will only bring joy to our loved ones and sorrow to our enemies! If you go to Nanxuan Prefecture, take good care of your health. Then you can see them living in poverty, counting every penny, and you can generously fund the students in the academy, letting them see and hear but not use it. Wouldn't that be satisfying?"
Scholar Wei looked at the smiling Zhan Feiyu, realizing how cruel this young girl was.
"The key is that I have offended all these families in Fengzhou. They could even kidnap Qi Heng. After I leave Fengzhou, they might help the first and second branches to bother you," Zhan Feiyu said with an innocent smile. Her words were not alarmist.
The old butler's heart skipped a beat. He looked worriedly at Scholar Wei, who was in a wheelchair. Although his master had kept his doors closed to visitors over the years, scholars still came to seek an audience incessantly.
However, due to the lack of vested interests and the deterrence of his reputation as a great scholar, things had been peaceful. But now it was different. Those dissolute youths were truly capable of anything.
And the most disgusting action would be to help the first and second branches seize Scholar Wei's family property. They dared not retaliate against Zhan Feiyu, so they could only retaliate against those around her.
"It's settled then. We'll return to Nanxuan Prefecture tomorrow. The luggage will be sent over after it's packed," Zhan Feiyu declared, ending the discussion. Regardless of whether Scholar Wei agreed or not, the priority was to get him back to Nanxuan Prefecture.
Despite his anger, Scholar Wei was helpless. He dismissively told her to leave, "Alright, go and read your books."
Zhan Feiyu stood up and saw He Nuan bringing Constable Qian over. She walked out. "Constable Qian."
"Miss Zhan," Constable Qian stated his purpose.
"Chai Yi wants to see me?" Zhan Feiyu smiled faintly, looking at the clear blue sky. She knew with her toes that Chai Yi didn't want to die, so he intended to negotiate terms with her.
"I apologize for the trouble, Constable Qian. I am returning to Nanxuan Prefecture tomorrow. Later, I will be going to the Qi family with Qi Heng, so I don't have time to see Chai Yi." No matter what conditions Chai Yi had, Zhan Feiyu would not cooperate with a villain.
Governor Meng had already said last night that whether to see him or not was up to Zhan Feiyu. Constable Qian naturally did not say much at this moment. After exchanging pleasantries, he took his leave.
The news that Chai Yi wanted to see Zhan Feiyu but was refused spread, and the families in Fengzhou were all relieved. Magistrate Zhang, in particular, was at ease. After all, Zhang Changsong was the mastermind behind the kidnapping of Qi Heng, and it was he who had orchestrated it. Chai Yi, in order to escape punishment, would definitely expose Zhang Changsong.