Chapter Fifty-One: The Scheme
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Uncle Quan gazed at the three men, a glint of coldness flashing in his eyes.
“All together!” Zhang Daniu roared, charging at Uncle Quan.
The other two brothers gritted their teeth and followed suit, their anger at losing their money overpowering their fear.
Uncle Quan picked up the hemp rope on the ground; it seemed almost alive, flying toward the trio.
“Aaargh!” They howled like pigs being slaughtered.
Brushing the dust from his hands, Uncle Quan looked at the three bound men on the ground, shook his head, and turned to the stunned Wen Jing. “Madam Wen, I’ll trouble you to go inside and rescue her.”
Wen Jing nodded, hurried to the door, and pushed it open without hesitation. Though she was prepared, the scene inside still shocked her to the core. Leng Yijun was tied to the bed, her mouth stuffed with a rag, her body bare and covered in wounds of all sizes.
Wen Jing stepped forward, cut the ropes with her knife, and found Leng Yijun unmoving, her eyes vacant and staring at the ceiling. Wrapping her in a bedsheet, Wen Jing called, “Uncle Quan, please take these three back to the magistrate’s office.”
Supporting Leng Yijun, Wen Jing walked to the door.
Uncle Quan brought over a donkey cart, glanced at the trio, unhitched the donkey, and harnessed the cart to their shoulders instead.
The two gently laid Leng Yijun flat in the cart, and Wen Jing climbed aboard as well.
Uncle Quan sat at the front—
“Crack!” With a whip, Uncle Quan struck the three men, a crimson welt blooming on their dark skin.
“Animals! Move!” Uncle Quan barked.
Groaning in pain, the three trudged forward.
“Miss Leng?” Wen Jing called softly, noticing Leng Yijun’s eyes were unfocused, staring at the cart’s ceiling like someone lost to madness. Even after being called, she showed no reaction.
Wen Jing sighed. Proud as she was, Leng Yijun had always retained her dignity, even in the brothel. How could she bear such humiliation? Putting herself in Leng Yijun’s place, Wen Jing knew no one could accept this.
...
Ji Changge stepped out of the dungeon, just as Su Mu approached.
“What did the interrogation reveal?” Su Mu asked.
Ji Changge sighed. “The madam is tight-lipped. She only claims that Lu Hongjian was ransomed, denying everything else. Under torture, she may be innocent. For now, there is neither witness nor evidence linking her directly to Lu Hongjian’s death. Perhaps it was the merchant who killed her. Chun Gu has no motive to murder; killing one of her own girls would bring her no benefit. Do you have any insight, Master Su?”
Su Mu nodded slightly. “Poor Lu Hongjian, beauty so short-lived.”
Ji Changge looked at Su Mu. “Are you not curious how I knew the corpse belonged to Lu Hongjian?”
Su Mu hesitated, then smiled. “Master Ji has his methods, far beyond my guessing.”
Ji Changge smiled. “I heard the Ministry of Punishments recently developed a new interrogation pill. Whoever takes it suffers unbearable itching, and soon confesses.”
“Is there truly such a pill?” Su Mu asked.
“You’ll see for yourself, Master. I’ll make a trip to Yangzhou tonight, and have the Ministry send someone with the pill. Please ensure the prisoners are well guarded during this time. No mistakes.”
“Rest assured, Master Ji. I will fulfill my duties.” Su Mu bowed.
...
Wen Jing found that the cart didn’t stop at Hanjiang County, but headed straight for Yangzhou. Uncle Quan had struck the trio’s sleep acupoints and tied them to the horses.
When Wen Jing and Uncle Quan arrived in Yangzhou, Ji Changge was already waiting.
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Opening the cart door, Wen Jing stepped down.
“Miss Leng’s condition isn’t good. I’ll treat her first,” Wen Jing said.
“Master, I’ve brought you the men,” Uncle Quan tossed the three onto the ground.
“Put them in the dungeon,” Ji Changge ordered, kicking them.
Uncle Quan dragged the men away.
Ji Changge summoned a few maids, who carried Leng Yijun into a room.
Wen Jing removed the filthy bedsheet and looked at Leng Yijun’s wounds—she had been tortured for hours.
“Miss Leng, don’t be afraid. We’ve rescued you. Peony House is finished,” Wen Jing said as she gently washed her wounds with warm water, seeing both fresh and old scars on the proud woman.
At the mention of “Peony House,” Leng Yijun’s gaze flickered, but soon returned to emptiness.
Wen Jing sighed, finished cleaning, applied medicine, and dressed her. Physical wounds heal, but those of the heart may last a lifetime.
“Go see her,” Wen Jing said, stepping out and opening the door.
Ji Changge nodded, entering.
“Miss Leng...” Ji Changge called softly.
“Ah! Don’t come near!” Leng Yijun screamed, burying her head in the blanket.
“It’s me, Miss Leng.” Ji Changge wondered if she mistook him for her tormentors.
Wen Jing entered, and the two exchanged glances.
“Miss Leng, this is Master Ji. He won’t harm you.”
“Go away!” Leng Yijun shrieked, still hysterical.
Wen Jing signaled Ji Changge, then said, “Alright, I’ll have him leave. You rest.”
The two left, Wen Jing closing the door behind them.
“Is she traumatized, perhaps mentally unstable?” Ji Changge asked quietly.
“Very likely. But even if she were sane, you may be the last person she’d wish to see,” Wen Jing replied, looking at him.
Ji Changge paused, then understood—recalling the portrait hidden in her sleeve, his heart filled with melancholy.
“Hey, isn’t this cousin Yan Fei? Did you come to play with me?” Suddenly, Magistrate Wang grabbed Wen Jing and spun her around.
Shocked, Wen Jing let Magistrate Wang lead her, thinking that he was truly mad.
“Yes, cousin, let’s talk inside,” Wen Jing replied, playing along.
“You’re fooling me again! You’re the murderer of my son!” Magistrate Wang suddenly punched Wen Jing.
Too slow to dodge, Wen Jing fell back.
Ji Changge caught Wen Jing with one arm and blocked Magistrate Wang’s punch with the other.
Servants pulled Magistrate Wang away.
“Master, that’s the divine physician Wen who saved the young mistress and Feng last time. You can’t treat her like this,” Wang Fu pleaded.
“Divine physician Wen, Feng... my Feng...” Magistrate Wang suddenly collapsed, sobbing.
Wen Jing breathed a sigh of relief; she’d been truly frightened. Magistrate Wang was pitiful, unable to enjoy his old age.
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“Wang Fu, when will your second young master return?” Ji Changge asked.
“He left five or six days ago; he should be back soon,” Wang Fu replied.
“Did he mention his purpose?”
Wang Fu shook his head. “The second young master didn’t say. He just told us to care for the master and that he’d return in a few days.”
Ji Changge waved. “Help your master back to his room.”
“Thank you for saving me, Master Ji,” Wen Jing said.
“It was nothing,” Ji Changge replied calmly.
“Is the second young master connected to these two cases?”
“He’s likely the most crucial link in both,” Ji Changge’s expression darkened. During previous investigations, he’d overlooked him. Everyone had testified the second young master went to the estate to collect rent. If he and his elder brother went to Peony House, they couldn’t have been at the estate at the same time.
...
The next morning.
“The second young master is back!” someone shouted.
Wang Junlin wiped sweat from his brow, feeling parched, and entered the main hall. Looking up, he saw Ji Changge smiling at him.
“Ma—Master Ji, you’re here,” Wang Junlin stammered.
“I have some unfinished business, so I must trouble your family a bit longer.”
“You’re too courteous, Master Ji. Your presence honors our humble home. It’s no trouble. Only my father’s madness worries me; I fear he might offend you,” Wang Junlin sighed.
“It’s alright. Magistrate Wang was traumatized. When I return to the capital, I’ll invite an imperial physician to treat him. Whether he’ll recover depends on his fate.”
“Thank you, Master Ji.”
Ji Changge glanced at Wang Junlin. “Recently, passing through Qinghe County, I heard a strange tale—a fisherman found a corpse in his net at dawn. A traveling physician happened by, and after treatment, the woman survived. Fate would not let her die. She was said to be extraordinarily beautiful, but her throat was injured and her speech unclear. Seeing me in official attire, she wept and begged me to take her away. I understood little, but sensed injustice. So I brought her here to the magistrate’s office. Once her throat heals, we’ll learn her grievance.”
Wang Junlin’s trembling hands made his teacup rattle; he quickly set it down. “Such wonders exist—there’s nothing the world doesn’t hold.”
“Yes, she’s recovering well. In two days, she should be able to get out of bed.”
Ji Changge glanced at Wang Junlin, noticing his restless hands and flickering gaze.
“Brother Wang, rest well. I’ll take my leave.” With that, Ji Changge strode out.
Uncle Quan approached Ji Changge, whispering something.
“Proceed as planned,” Ji Changge murmured.
As Ji Changge and Uncle Quan walked away, Wang Junlin quickly called Wang Fu over. “Did Master Ji bring a young woman?”
Wang Fu nodded. “Yes, a wounded lady—her eyes open but she doesn’t speak, tightly wrapped, but her face is truly angelic.”
“Why so much nonsense!” Wang Junlin snapped.
“Forgive me, second young master!” Wang Fu knelt hurriedly.
A hint of panic flashed in Wang Junlin’s eyes. He’d thought Ji Changge was deceiving him, but now realized there really was such a woman in the magistrate’s residence.
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