The wax seal on the letter was intact, indicating that Li Li had not tampered with Prefect Jiao’s correspondence. He wouldn't have known the contents of the letter, nor would he have deliberately dropped it under the desk, leading to Jiao Lianping being beaten.
“Father, may I examine the letter?” Jiao Lianyu, who had been silent, finally spoke. Unlike his elder brother Jiao Lianping, who indulged in a dissolute lifestyle of feasting and drinking, Jiao Lianyu was skilled in seal carving and was known by the elegant moniker "Mr. One-Cut."
Prefect Jiao had Steward Niu retrieve the letter and then explained to Zhan Feiyu, who was seated below, “Lianyu has achieved some success in seal carving. If the wax seal had been repaired, he would surely be able to tell.”
Scholars of the Great Qing Dynasty had always enjoyed carving their own seals. Personal seals and small stamps were mostly self-carved, and seals were often gifted among friends. This had also led to a surge in the prices of Shoushan stones and Tianhuang stones in the Great Qing Dynasty.
“With the splendor of metal and stone, knowing white and guarding black, within a square inch, the blade carves soaring aspirations, and the characters flow with cloud-like grace. Second Young Master truly deserves the moniker Mr. One-Cut,” Zhan Feiyu said with a smile. She didn’t blame Prefect Jiao for valuing Jiao Lianyu, his illegitimate son, more; in comparison, the elder son was indeed far inferior.
Madam Chen’s expression grew increasingly anxious. Especially when Prefect Jiao allowed Jiao Lianyu to examine the wax seal on the letter, wasn’t that akin to the thief crying stop thief?
Yet, this obvious issue seemed to go unnoticed by the amiable Prefect Jiao and Zhan Feiyu. Madam Chen stole a few glances; Madam Jiao and Jiao Lianping also remained impassive.
Just as Madam Chen could no longer restrain herself from speaking, Jiao Lianyu handed the letter back to Steward Niu. “Father, the wax seal on the letter shows no signs of repair.”
This meant that, apart from Prefect Jiao, the letter had not been opened by anyone else.
In terms of time, it was also reasonable. Repairing a wax seal, and doing so perfectly enough that Prefect Jiao couldn't detect it, would require time and prior preparation of tools and materials.
However, no one knew that Zhan Feiyu would send someone to deliver a letter to the Jiao residence. Li Li certainly wouldn't have had the time to repair the wax seal so flawlessly in such a short period.
“May I trouble the steward to let me see the letter?” Zhan Feiyu’s request caused not only Prefect Jiao to startle but also Jiao Lianyu, who had maintained a composed and calm demeanor, to subtly shift his gaze. The change was so swift that no one noticed.
Steward Niu, seeing Prefect Jiao nod, respectfully handed the letter to Zhan Feiyu.
“Your Excellency, you may not know this, but in addition to the usual pine resin and paraffin wax, I added ultramarine to the coloring pigment,” Zhan Feiyu said, lowering her head to carefully examine the wax seal on the letter.
Ultramarine, derived from lapis lazuli, is the most vibrant blue. Within the bright blue, there was a hint of red light. Just as everyone had inferred, if this wax seal had been repaired, Li Li, a mere individual, would not possess ultramarine, which was more precious than gold or silver.
It wasn't that Zhan Feiyu underestimated Prefect Jiao, but the Jiao residence likely didn't even have ultramarine, let alone add it to their wax seal.
Zhan Feiyu's calm demeanor made it sound like casual conversation, but Li Li, kneeling on the ground, turned ashen. He tried his best to suppress his inner terror, but anyone could sense his abnormality.
After a while, Zhan Feiyu handed the letter back to Steward Niu and wiped her hands with a handkerchief handed to her by He Nuan. She smiled and took her leave, “Your Excellency is busy with official duties, so I shall not disturb you further today.”
Prefect Jiao also stood up immediately, immensely grateful to Zhan Feiyu for preserving the Jiao family’s dignity. “This was a domestic matter for the Jiao family, yet I have troubled Miss to make this trip.”
Inside the room, Madam Chen stared dumbfounded as Zhan Feiyu left, escorted by Prefect Jiao himself. Was it over just like that? What was the outcome?
“Husband?” As Madam Chen spoke, Jiao Lianping shot her a warning glance.
Madam Jiao also stood up, her expression losing the stern and imposing air from the interrogation of the servants, replaced by a touch of affectionate gentleness. “Ping’er, your injuries require proper rest. Stay in your courtyard these few days and do not come out.”
“Yes, Mother.” Jiao Lianping allowed the servants to help him as he followed Madam Jiao towards the door. However, as he passed Aunt Huang and Jiao Lianyu, he paused and sneered, “Li Li is one of Father’s most trusted servants. Second Brother, you could even bribe him, truly impressive! I wonder how many of Father’s letters you’ve secretly opened over the years?”
Before Jiao Lianyu could respond, Jiao Lianping continued walking towards the door with a cheerful mood, as if his whip injuries no longer pained him.
A moment later, Prefect Jiao did not return but sent a young servant to deliver a message.
“Lianyu?” Aunt Huang anxiously grabbed Jiao Lianyu’s arm. The usually gentle and beautiful face finally revealed a look of fear.
“Aunt, there’s no need to worry.” Jiao Lianyu spoke to Aunt Huang, but his dark and chilling gaze was fixed on Li Li, who was still kneeling on the ground. Given the situation, Li Li knew what needed to be done.
Aunt Huang couldn't help but worry, but with servants still in the room and guards at the door, she could only suppress her unease and gently admonish, “If there’s a misunderstanding, explain it clearly to the master.”
In contrast to Aunt Huang and Jiao Lianyu’s deep mother-son affection, Prefect Jiao, sitting alone in his study, wore a profoundly solemn expression. No matter how unruly his eldest son, Jiao Lianping, was, Prefect Jiao could accept it.
But today, his most valued second son was implicated, which unsettled the seasoned official, Prefect Jiao. Were Jiao Lianyu’s past actions all a facade?
Li Li, the servant responsible for cleaning the study, had been bribed. Prefect Jiao dared not trust the other servants and directly ordered Steward Niu to have people guard the study’s entrance.
Jiao Lianyu looked at the silent Prefect Jiao, his expression calm and devoid of any panic. “I never intended to frame my elder brother. Father always said that brothers united are like a sharp sword! Although I have some talent in my studies, a single tree cannot make a forest. Mother has always known Father’s favoritism towards me, yet she has never hindered my future. If I were to harm my elder brother, Mother would surely be disappointed and retaliate. With the charge of filial impiety hanging over me, what future would I have in officialdom?”
Jiao Lianyu spoke with genuine emotion, and his words were not without basis. Madam Jiao, as the legitimate wife, if she truly wished to control or harm Jiao Lianyu, even with Prefect Jiao’s protection, it would be useless.
The methods employed in the inner quarters were endless: food, clothing, decorative items, even the flowers and plants in the courtyard. If Madam Jiao made a move, Jiao Lianyu’s survival, let alone his success in the imperial examinations, would be uncertain.
Therefore, the Jiao family had maintained this balance on the surface. Jiao Lianyu had not yet entered officialdom, nor had he taken over the Jiao family. At this point, harming Jiao Lianping would indeed be a loss greater than the gain.
Hearing this, Prefect Jiao finally looked up, but his eyes were dark and unreadable, making it impossible to tell if he believed Jiao Lianyu’s words.
“Your elder brother is not adept at studies, and he is proud and arrogant, acting rashly without considering the consequences. However, he harbors no ill will,” Prefect Jiao admitted that Madam Jiao had taught Jiao Lianping very well in this regard.
As the son of an official, Jiao Lianping’s pride and integrity meant that even if he disliked his illegitimate younger brother, Jiao Lianyu, he would not resort to dirty tactics to harm him.
“I know,” Jiao Lianyu nodded in agreement. It wasn’t just Jiao Lianping; his esteemed legitimate mother also disdained using such methods to harm others, acting with utmost integrity and grace.
Prefect Jiao gazed intently at his candid illegitimate son. One thing Lianyu said was correct: if Lianping were to meet with misfortune, his wife would certainly not let it go.
As the legitimate mother, whether it was his official career or his marriage, Madam Jiao could ensure Lianyu never recovered. Lianyu was always intelligent and would never do something so counterproductive.
With this thought, Prefect Jiao’s heart settled. “Guards, bring Li Li here!”
While showing paternal affection towards Jiao Lianyu, Prefect Jiao’s expression turned solemn and his gaze sharp towards the servant who had betrayed him. He wanted to find out whose spy or informant Li Li was!
Steward Niu pushed open the study door. Two guards dragged Li Li, who was like a lifeless dog, inside and then threw him onto the ground.
“Li Li!” Prefect Jiao sat upright on his chair, his expression growing colder. “If I recall correctly, ten years ago, the village where you lived was struck by disaster. Your entire family was buried by a mountain flood, and only you escaped because you were playing elsewhere.”
Many people remembered that year’s torrential rain, which had continued for half a month. When the skies finally cleared, everyone thought the floodwaters had receded. Prefect Jiao was serving in another region at the time, holding the fifth-rank position of Tongzhi.
A mountain flood occurred in Li Li’s village, and the prefect sent Prefect Jiao to investigate. It was then that Prefect Jiao, seeing the orphaned and pitiable state of Li Li, a seven or eight-year-old child, brought him along.
Ten years had passed in the blink of an eye. Li Li had gone from an ordinary servant to a trusted subordinate of Prefect Jiao and was assigned to the study to handle cleaning. But who would have thought Li Li would betray him?