Chapter 19: Bringing Things to a Close (2)

When Liu Yitiao followed the man in the yellow robe back to the county office, Yang Bofang was playing a game of Go with Wang Zhihong at the same table. The black and white stones on the board were enough to make Liu Yitiao dizzy.

Yang Bofang was rather surprised to see Liu Yitiao enter. He set down his stone and looked at Liu Yitiao, saying, “Yitiao, why have you come? Didn’t I tell you yesterday that you don’t need to come for now?”

“Eh?” This surprised Liu Yitiao in turn. So Yang Bofang still knew nothing up to this moment. He glanced at Wang Zhihong, not expecting this fellow to keep his mouth so tightly shut.

Wang Zhihong saw Liu Yitiao return with the yellow-robed man and noticed that he bore no injuries, realizing things had gone well. His anxious heart finally relaxed. When Liu Yitiao looked at him, Wang Zhihong gently shook his head. Matters like this were best kept to as few people as possible.

Understanding, Liu Yitiao bowed to Yang Bofang and said, “Uncle Yang, last night after I returned home, I couldn’t put my mind at ease. My parents and siblings are still in the jail, and I do not know whether they are hungry or full, warm or cold. So I brought them some clothes and food early this morning and came to ask Master Wang for permission to visit them.”

“Oh,” Yang Bofang nodded. “That’s only natural. Master Wang is renowned for his filial piety; I doubt he would refuse you.”

Yang Bofang’s gaze shifted to Wang Zhihong, his tone rather unfriendly, as if he would turn hostile at the slightest disagreement.

“Of course, of course,” Wang Zhihong replied with a smile. “Tang law does not forbid prison visits. Young Liu wishes to see his parents, an act of filial devotion. No one will stand in his way.”

He then instructed the yellow-robed man, “Constable Huang, please take Young Liu to the prison. Let them meet and spend some time together.”

“Thank you, Master Wang. I’ll take my leave,” Liu Yitiao said gratefully. He saluted both Wang Zhihong and Yang Bofang, then followed the yellow-robed man out.

Once outside, Liu Yitiao asked, “Constable Huang, are my parents well here? After all that’s happened, they must be terribly frightened.”

Huang smiled lightly. “Brother Liu, don’t worry. Right now, everything in the county prison is under my command. No one will dare treat your father badly.”

—

Actually, after bringing your father and family back yesterday afternoon, Master Wang personally explained everything to your father and took Liu Ertiao as his disciple, even giving him several books to study. So, aside from their concern for you, your family is quite well.”

“Oh?” Warmth filled Liu Yitiao’s heart, and he silently praised Wang Zhihong for his thoroughness.

“What does Master Wang intend to do about Wang Kui? Can you tell me anything, Constable Huang?” Hearing that his family was safe, Liu Yitiao began to inquire about Wang Kui. Although he had devised and executed the plan, the final decision rested with Wang Zhihong, whose choices would directly affect the future safety of Liu Yitiao and his family.

Huang gave Liu Yitiao a thoughtful look. He couldn’t understand why this young man, not tall or old, seemed so exceptional in both intellect and conduct—so shrewd and decisive.

He said, “Brother Liu, you ought to know Master Wang’s decision best. Didn’t you already mention it to him yesterday? Catch the thief, recover the stolen goods, expose the crime and the criminal. Now that we’ve caught the thief and found the evidence, do you think he can escape?”

“Oh?” Liu Yitiao’s eyes brightened in delight. “Does that mean Wang Kui has already been arrested?”

Huang nodded happily. “As we returned, someone was already sent to Wang Kui’s residence. At this moment, Wang Kui and his son are likely reunited in the main jail.”

“So quickly?!” Liu Yitiao was surprised. They hadn’t even held a proper trial, yet they rushed to arrest him. It seemed Wang Zhihong was determined to thoroughly bring Wang Kui down: arrest first, interrogate later, then search for more evidence. Wang Zhihong’s actions were even more ruthless than Liu Yitiao’s original plan. Wang Kui was doomed.

Huang smiled mysteriously and whispered to Liu Yitiao, “Brother Liu, perhaps you don’t know. For reasons unknown, the magistrate’s post in our Sanyuan County has been vacant for three years, and the county administrator has been acting in his stead. This case is a perfect opportunity for Master Wang.”

“Previously, Wang Kui relied on his uncle Liu Peng to bully others in Sanyuan, paying little heed to Master Wang. No one could touch him. But now that Liu Peng has fallen, Wang Kui’s retribution has come.”

“These matters wouldn’t have happened so quickly, since Master Wang wasn’t fully prepared and dared not act rashly. But your punch at the market brought everything forward.”

“Haha, it was just luck,” Liu Yitiao replied with a sheepish laugh.

Huang looked at Liu Yitiao with meaning. “Luck is sometimes a kind of ability. Not everyone’s luck is so good. At least Wang Kui’s wasn’t. This time, he’s utterly defeated and won’t rise again.”

—

Liu Yitiao responded, “As they say, in the end, good and evil are rewarded in kind. If Wang Kui had acted uprightly and done good, if he had nothing to hide, no one would have sought to bring him down.”

Huang smiled, neither agreeing nor disagreeing.

Together, they reached the cleanest cell at the far end of the prison, where Liu Laoshi, Lady Liu, Liu Xiaohui, and Liu Ertiao were sitting. Liu Laoshi and his wife chatted together, while Liu Xiaohui pestered Ertiao to teach her to read.

Among the four, Liu Xiaohui was the first to spot Liu Yitiao. The little girl depended on him as much as she did her mother, so, as soon as she saw him, she happily cried out, “Brother! Brother! Xiaohui wants a hug! Xiaohui wants a hug!”

“Yitiao!” “Brother!” The other three rose and looked toward him, joy on their faces.

“Father! Mother! Second brother! Little sister!” Liu Yitiao called out, delighted. He entered and picked Xiaohui up, saying to Liu Laoshi and the others, “I’m sorry for worrying you.”

Liu Laoshi nodded. “So long as you’re safe, nothing else matters.”

Lady Liu came forward, inspecting Liu Yitiao from top to bottom, left and right. Only when she saw he was unhurt did she relax, pulling him down to sit and fuss over him.

Liu Ertiao eagerly approached and asked, “Brother! Did you catch the villain? You look like you did! You’re amazing! I admire you!”

Liu Yitiao laughed and patted Ertiao’s head. It seemed he had successfully established himself as an invincible big brother in Ertiao’s heart.

This week marks the start of my quest for the Newcomers’ Ranking. It lasts one week. Young Liu shamelessly asks for votes—friends with tickets, please cast one in support.