Since Feng Yutang took office in Tong County, no one dared mention the three words “County Magistrate Xue” on the streets anymore. Not just outside—even at home, those three words had become everyone’s shared taboo, and no one dared bring up that name of their own accord.

Over time, it seemed people had forgotten what those three words “County Magistrate Xue” meant. They meant a glimmer of hope when all paths were blocked. They meant the only hope when facing injustice. They meant justice. They meant conscience.

But no one had truly forgotten. It was like buried embers of humiliation, waiting for someone to bring a spark one day. Just the tiniest bit would be enough to set it ablaze.

Today, those three words “County Magistrate Xue” quietly began to resound throughout Tong County again, spreading like grass in the spring night breeze. Some were stirring restlessly, others were anxious and uneasy.

That night, lamplight flickered in a room on the bluestone alley.

The lamplight was dim. A roomful of people, some sitting, some standing, all wore dejected expressions.

Ye Mingyu sat on a low stool and pounded his fist on the table, saying angrily: “This is too difficult!”

He, Jiang Li, and six subordinate brothers had split into several groups early in the morning to find the people of Tong County one by one. Of the more than five hundred households, from morning to night today they had only managed to ask several dozen. Actually, several dozen households wasn’t few, but the only one willing to stand up and testify for Xue Huaiyuan was that poor scholar Mo Wenxuan. And that was only because Mo Wenxuan’s blind mother had heard and sternly rebuked him, after which Mo Wenxuan stood up with the tragic determination of mutual destruction.

Ye Mingyu didn’t know what to say. Should he blame these common people for being ungrateful? They only wanted to protect their families. Rather than blaming the people, it would be better to curse Feng Yutang’s despicable methods. But did these common people truly bear no responsibility? If only they had resisted even slightly, perhaps even if County Magistrate Xue was imprisoned, it wouldn’t seem so tragic.

The human world was always full of helpless matters.

“It’s alright, Uncle,” Jiang Li smiled. “It’s not entirely without results. At least having one person is good, isn’t it? As long as we have one person today and one person tomorrow, by the time five days pass, we’ll have five people total. That’s not few.”

One guard muttered: “Out of five hundred and sixty-eight households, only five people standing up—that’s too heartbreaking.”

Jiang Li still smiled, but Ye Mingyu felt that his niece seemed somewhat sorrowful in that moment. As if from these people and matters in Tong County, she had glimpsed how human hearts could not be counted upon. Ye Mingyu also became melancholy, but quickly collected himself and secretly slapped himself, wanting to comfort Jiang Li but being clumsy with words and not knowing how. He sighed, thinking it would be good if that handsome Duke from last night were here—perhaps Jiang Li, with a young girl’s heart, would temporarily forget present troubles upon seeing the one she cared for.

But Ji Heng ultimately wasn’t there.

Ye Mingyu could only clumsily change the subject: “Speaking of which, I felt several times today that someone was following us. There seemed to be killing intent too. I was ready for a big battle, but after a while, that feeling disappeared again. Very strange.”

“Me too, me too!” The guards in the room chimed in one after another: “I had that feeling today too. I thought I was overthinking it.”

“Could we have seen ghosts? How come everyone has this feeling?”

“I think it was bandits from Tong County who wanted to rob and extort us, but saw that we brothers had strong martial skills and became wary, so they retreated.”

“That makes sense. I think that’s exactly it!”

“Go, go, go,” Ye Mingyu waved his hand. “What do you idiots know? Don’t try to claim credit for yourselves. Who would rob you? Do you look wealthy? If anyone’s getting robbed, it’s me. Besides, could there be bandits in Tong County? Tong County is so poor that if there were bandits, they’d have starved to death long ago!”

The room fell silent. Ye Mingyu turned to ask Jiang Li: “A Li, this matter—it was that worthless Duke helping out, wasn’t it?”

Ye Mingyu didn’t know Ji Heng’s name and thought “Duke” was an official title, so whenever he addressed Ji Heng, he called him “the Duke.” Jiang Li didn’t know whether to laugh or cry: “Most likely.”

Feng Yutang had lost so many men overnight yet remained completely silent without any movement—naturally, this was Ji Heng’s handiwork. Today when they openly brought up Xue Huaiyuan’s case in Tong County, Feng Yutang’s people didn’t come to obstruct them either. This was naturally impossible. The only possibility was that Feng Yutang had indeed sent people to obstruct them, but they were intercepted by Ji Heng’s people.

One matter was one matter. At least in this affair, Ji Heng had helped her and saved her much trouble. She should be grateful. Jiang Li inexplicably thought that if someone formed an alliance with Ji Heng, it would truly be the most profitable deal in the world. Because Ji Heng would clear away unnecessary obstacles for his allies to the greatest extent—those “irrelevant people”—making many things twice as effective with half the effort.

Upon hearing this, Ye Mingyu immediately fell silent. Though that man’s appearance was too striking, at least he knew to protect Jiang Li’s safety. Even if he couldn’t be a nephew-in-law, being friends was also good.

“Uncle Mingyu, you should all rest early,” Jiang Li said. “You’re tired from today too. Get some rest tonight to restore your energy. We have to continue early tomorrow morning.”

Ye Mingyu nodded. Today they had gone recruiting people, talked until their mouths were parched and tongues dry, traveled far, and their backs ached. They should bathe and rest well. He didn’t object to Jiang Li’s words and took his subordinates to rest first.

Jiang Li sat back down at the table.

Tong’er and Baixue had thought she would rest too, but seeing this, they asked in surprise: “Miss, why aren’t you sleeping?”

“I still need to write some booklets to distribute to my uncles tomorrow. I’ll sleep after I finish writing.” Jiang Li pressed her forehead. “Baixue, please pour me a cup of hot tea.”

…

After the snow, the sky cleared. The second day was exceptionally fine weather.

Early in the morning, Jiang Li parted ways with Ye Mingyu and the others, each going to find their own households.

She wasn’t afraid now that Feng Yutang’s people would strike at her from behind, because Ji Heng would handle it for her. She felt at ease exposing her back to Ji Heng.

Yesterday’s outing, she had visited the most households. Even Ye Mingyu hadn’t visited as many as she had, simply because she knew the roads of Tong County and knew where each household lived, saving considerable time. When passing the entrance to the bluestone alley in the early morning, she still saw Aunt Chunfang from the first day in Tong County. Aunt Chunfang, carrying her basket, stood in the courtyard, carefully watching as Jiang Li’s group walked away. She moved her lips as if wanting to say something, but ultimately said nothing.

Jiang Li didn’t look at her either. Her time was too limited; she had no leisure to attend to everyone. The fate between people depended on destiny. Some things, once you’ve tried your best, if they don’t succeed, it’s fate—no need for unwillingness.

Yesterday, the whole day from the first household, Dai Yun, to the last household, at least on Jiang Li’s end, she hadn’t persuaded a single family. To say she wasn’t disappointed would be a lie, but today she had to continue. Whatever the outcome, she had to accept it.

In the distance, she could already see the door.

Jiang Li walked to this household’s entrance, hesitated, but finally knocked on the door.

The husband of this household was a butcher, called Butcher Zhang. He had a fierce and menacing appearance, very frightening. Ordinary children would cry just from one look at him. Jiang Li only remembered that Xue Zhao was very afraid of this Butcher Zhang as a child, always feeling that the butcher’s cleaver was terrifying. But as Xue Fangfei, she only remembered that every time she passed by the meat shop, this man would rigidly pull his lips into what seemed like an attempt at a gentle smile toward her, though in a very awkward manner.

Three knocks on the door, and someone came to open it.

It was Butcher Zhang who opened the door.

After all these years, Butcher Zhang looked exactly the same as back then, not changed at all. In the dead of winter, he wore only a thin coarse cloth single robe, his sleeves rolled up on his arms, probably for convenience in cutting meat. He was tall and fat, with a face full of flesh. From years of butchering pigs, his body gave off a meaty smell with a sticky, greasy feeling. He had probably risen early to prepare for the meat shop. He held a bucket in his hand with a white cloth covering it. Jiang Li knew that under that white cloth was fresh pork.

Butcher Zhang also had a long knife, placed on top of this bucket. The knife was extremely long and extremely sharp. Whether because it had seen too much blood or not, just looking at it made one feel cold.

Jiang Li’s gaze involuntarily fell upon that long knife.

Butcher Zhang looked down at Jiang Li and set the bucket in his hand down at his feet with a “thud,” his tone unfriendly: “Who are you looking for?”

“I’m looking for you,” Jiang Li withdrew her gaze. “My name is Jiang Li.”

Butcher Zhang said: “I know you. Yesterday it was you, starting from the east of the city, going door to door asking about County Magistrate Xue’s matter, wanting people to stand up and testify for Master Xue!”

Butcher Zhang’s voice was very rough, sounding even more fierce than Ye Mingyu’s. When speaking to Jiang Li, he was expressionless, though the flesh on his face trembled a few times.

“Yes,” Jiang Li looked at him calmly. “Whether County Magistrate Xue is truly a good official, whether he would embezzle disaster relief silver—the people of Tong County surely know. I want to ask this uncle whether you’re willing to stand up as a witness and overturn this innocent county magistrate’s wrongful case?”

Butcher Zhang stared fixedly at Jiang Li.

Actually, his eyes were very small, almost slits, making it hard to see his expression clearly. This Butcher Zhang was also alone, still without a wife, because he looked too ugly and fierce, and no one dared get close to him. Looking down at Jiang Li from this height, it was as if the next moment he would raise his butcher’s knife at her.

But the next moment, he suddenly burst into loud laughter.

Jiang Li had never seen Butcher Zhang laugh like this. She had seen him try to force out a friendly smile when he saw her, had seen him show a shy smile at pretty girls on the street, had seen his relaxed smile when using his knife to chop bones, but she had never seen him laugh so freely and heartily. As if a cherished wish had been fulfilled, the happy laugh of having one’s heart’s desire come true.

He said: “Little miss, I’ve been waiting in my house for you since early morning, thinking you might not come. Finally, I’ve waited for you! I’m willing to stand up! I’ll go with you to help overturn Master Xue’s case!”

This time, it was Jiang Li who was astonished.

Amid Butcher Zhang’s loud laughter, thinking it over, Jiang Li asked: “Why are you willing?”

“Why am I willing?” Butcher Zhang looked at her as if she had asked something funny. “You should ask me why I wouldn’t be willing! To me, Master Xue is like a reborn parent. Back then someone framed me, saying my pork killed someone, saying I was a murderer. I was wrongly imprisoned and suffered terribly in jail. If not for Master Xue’s keen perception, re-examining my case and restoring my innocence, there would be no me today!” He stamped his long knife. “Hey, though I’m a butcher who kills pigs, I’m not an ungrateful wretch!”

Jiang Li knew about this matter. When Xue Huaiyuan first took office, the previous county magistrate had taken bribes. In that case, it was clearly the son of a wealthy family who had committed the crime, but he had given the previous county magistrate silver and found a scapegoat. It clearly wasn’t Butcher Zhang who poisoned someone, yet they insisted it was Butcher Zhang’s meat that killed people. Butcher Zhang became a sacrificial lamb. That county magistrate, having taken the money, didn’t care about a butcher’s livelihood and reputation. Moreover, because Butcher Zhang looked fierce, no one suspected otherwise for a time.

After Xue Huaiyuan took office, he saw the doubts in this case and didn’t hesitate to offend that household with power and influence in Tong County in order to overturn Butcher Zhang’s case. Fortunately, the evidence was conclusive in the end, restoring Butcher Zhang’s innocence and saving his life. From then on, Butcher Zhang regarded Xue Huaiyuan as his lifesaving benefactor.

“I’ve been in prison myself. I know what it feels like to be wrongly accused. To say that someone like Master Xue would embezzle silver—no one believes it! I originally wanted to think of a way to take that dog official Feng Yutang’s life, but even if I did, I couldn’t rescue Master Xue from prison. Shamefully, I dragged it out this long. I had originally planned to storm the execution grounds five days from now. Even if it was just me alone, even if I died, I would die together with my benefactor. Then my benefactor wouldn’t feel wronged, wouldn’t think that saving me back then was a mistake!”

Butcher Zhang looked at Jiang Li: “Little miss, I can see you’re not ordinary people. Your status and position aren’t low, and you’re not afraid of Feng Yutang’s power. You’re determined to overturn Master Xue’s case. I believe in you! Since that’s the case, if you’re overturning Master Xue’s case, count me in. Whatever you need me to do, through mountains of blades or seas of flames, I absolutely won’t say a second word! Anyway, I have no relatives, no ties, just myself and this butcher’s knife. I’ll take this butcher’s knife and kill those animals worse than pigs and dogs!”

Even Jiang Li hadn’t expected that such words could come from Butcher Zhang’s mouth. She suddenly felt she had never truly known this Butcher Zhang, this upright man. She also hadn’t expected that when all the people of Tong County were avoiding Feng Yutang, intimidated by his power, there were still people secretly plotting to overturn Father’s case.

Perhaps Butcher Zhang wasn’t the first person. Perhaps there were others like him. Feng Yutang could suppress the people’s words and actions, but he couldn’t suppress their hearts.

Jiang Li’s heart was suddenly stirred as well.

She bowed deeply to Butcher Zhang.

Butcher Zhang was startled and quickly said: “Little miss, what are you doing?”

“I’m thanking you on behalf of County Magistrate Xue,” Jiang Li said earnestly. “We all know what Feng Yutang has done in Tong County. Standing up to speak for County Magistrate Xue isn’t something everyone can do. I’m very grateful that you can stand up.”

“There’s nothing to be grateful for,” Butcher Zhang waved his hand. “Back then when I became a rat everyone wanted to beat, only Master Xue was willing to believe me and didn’t disdain me. Without Master Xue, I would have been tortured to death in prison long ago. I often look at the sun outside and tell myself that being able to feel all this is Master Xue’s achievement. This life of mine originally belonged to Master Xue. If Master Xue is in trouble and I sit by and watch, am I even human? They say killing too much leads to hell. I never believed that. But forgetting kindness and repaying it with enmity leads to hell—that I believe.”

“Just consider that I don’t want to go to hell!” he said.

Looking at this man’s fierce appearance, Jiang Li also found him endearing. The two looked at each other and both smiled.

…

On the second day, when gathering with Ye Mingyu and the others at night, Jiang Li discovered that the only willing witness they had found was Butcher Zhang alone.

After meeting Butcher Zhang, the households she encountered afterward all showed difficulty, stammering. Jiang Li didn’t force anyone. If others were unwilling, naturally that was that. Ye Mingyu and the other guards came up empty-handed. Ye Mingyu was somewhat discouraged.

“It’s alright,” Jiang Li encouraged him. “Didn’t we find one person? I said before, one person a day, and we can find five people. It’s fine.”

Ye Mingyu looked at Jiang Li but didn’t speak. His sigh wasn’t about being unable to find people, but about disappointment in human hearts.

Household after household, family after family—the booklet Jiang Li gave them recorded that every single family had truly received Xue Huaiyuan’s help. So now that Xue Huaiyuan was in difficulty, just because of Feng Yutang’s power, no one dared stand up?

He knew thinking this way was somewhat petulant, but it was like a basin of cold water poured over Ye Mingyu’s naturally passionate heart, chilling it thoroughly. He liked the free and easy life of the martial world where gratitude was gratitude and grudges were grudges. But this Tong County journey showed him too much helplessness in the marketplace. He had no way to blame anything, because everyone had their own reasons. But his chest just felt uncomfortable, as if blocked by a mass of air—stuffy.

He looked at Jiang Li, a fifteen or sixteen-year-old girl. Facing these successive blows, how could she still remain so calm? As if being rejected was just an utterly ordinary matter. If it were Ye Jia’er and Ye Rufeng encountering such a situation, they would probably have become disheartened long ago.

But Jiang Li never did.

Jiang Li indeed wouldn’t feel sad because of these things. In fact, since she had died once, though she was still willing to treat others kindly and wouldn’t become cruel and ruthless because of experiencing cruelty, she no longer had expectations of human hearts.

Just like after becoming Second Miss Jiang, regarding Jiang Yuanbai’s fatherly love, Old Madam Jiang’s grandmother-granddaughter affection, and the Jiang family’s various relatives big and small—certainly, it was because she wasn’t the real Second Miss Jiang, but she also hadn’t invested much emotion. She didn’t care how the Jiang family might treat her because she had no expectations.

Shen Yurong and Princess Yongning had ultimately changed her. She couldn’t say whether this change was good or bad, but sometimes she could feel her own inherent indifference, watching these people related to her with cold eyes, as if watching the excitement of people who had nothing to do with her.

Just like… just like Ji Heng.

Perhaps her current self and Ji Heng were fundamentally the same kind of person at heart. Ji Heng’s purpose was to achieve his political ambitions, while her purpose was revenge. Living for a purpose was perhaps naturally this boring and colorless.

Jiang Li collected her thoughts: “It’s alright, Uncle. There are still three days. Starting tomorrow, I’ll begin reporting to the Xiangyang Prefect. Once Feng Yutang’s crimes are established and County Magistrate Xue’s execution order is suspended, on the last day we can bring County Magistrate Xue out of prison and take these Tong County people to the capital to lodge a complaint.”

“Will Tong Zhiyang agree?” Ye Mingyu asked.

“He has no choice but to agree. The rules are thus. Moreover, Director Tang from the Bureau of Weaving hasn’t left yet. Director Tang knows what’s at stake and will persuade Tong Zhiyang.” Jiang Li said: “Of course, it would be better if we could find more willing witnesses among the people.”

…

Jiang Li’s steps didn’t stop. On the third day’s morning, she still rose early and split up with Ye Mingyu’s subordinates into several groups to persuade those common people who had received Xue Huaiyuan’s kindness.

Aunt Chunfang also stopped going out and just stood in the courtyard, watching Jiang Li and the others leave, staring blankly, not knowing what she was thinking.

Another day of leaving early and returning late.

That day when evening came, Jiang Li and Ye Mingyu came up empty-handed, but one of Ye Mingyu’s subordinates had persuaded a couple who ran a noodle shop, called the Aguai couple. Years ago, the Aguai couple had been deceived. There was a problem with their deed, and they nearly had the noodle shop seized, losing their means of survival. Xue Huaiyuan judged this case and let the Aguai couple reclaim their deed, preventing them from being displaced and homeless.

Therefore, the Aguai couple had always been grateful to County Magistrate Xue. Now that Xue Huaiyuan was imprisoned, the Aguai couple wanted to cry out injustice for him but didn’t know what they could do. They always felt that standing up was like a mantis trying to stop a chariot. Now with Jiang Li’s group appearing, they were overjoyed, as if finally knowing what they could do. Without much thought, they agreed.

“We’ve found three people in total,” Ye Mingyu said. “Tomorrow we send the order to Xiangyang?”

Jiang Li nodded: “That’s enough.”

Ye Mingyu asked: “Then do we continue looking for people?”

“Yes,” Jiang Li said. “The more common people there are, the bigger this matter becomes. Whether submitting to the Court of Judicial Review or lodging an imperial complaint, only then can no one suppress it. Only then can the whole world see, once this layer of skin is torn off, what a huge mess the true County Magistrate of Tong County has caused.”

Ye Mingyu said: “I understand. Then let’s continue!”

That night, Jiang Li slept very soundly. In her dreams, she saw Xue Zhao and Father again. The three of them were on the bluestone alley road home. Night was falling. Xue Zhao, carrying his sword, proudly demonstrated a set of sword techniques before Jiang Li and was laughingly scolded by Xue Huaiyuan.

So warm that Jiang Li didn’t want to wake up.

Until Baixue gently came to wake her: “Miss, it’s time to get up.”

These past few days, Jiang Li had risen early every day. There was no help for it—time couldn’t be delayed. Her heart was still recalling last night’s dream that made one reluctant to wake, but her actions were alert and decisive. In just moments, she had finished washing up, eaten something, and was ready to go out.

Out of five hundred and sixty-eight households, half still hadn’t been visited. And of the past half, only three people were willing to stand up.

Sad? Perhaps. But one should be glad it wasn’t zero, that it wasn’t yet the worst time.

Ye Mingyu smiled and greeted Jiang Li: “A Li, we’re busy again today.”

Jiang Li also smiled: “Today will also be hard on Uncle and all the young brothers.”

Everyone smiled and went out. Opening the courtyard gate, they suddenly froze.

Aunt Chunfang stood at the entrance. She was dressed thinly, not knowing how long she had waited. Her body trembled slightly. Seeing Jiang Li, her eyes brightened.

“Aunt Chunfang?” Jiang Li looked at her puzzledly. “Why have you come?”

“I… I…” Aunt Chunfang moved her lips. It seemed like after a long while she finally gathered courage and said: “Miss, I… I’m willing to stand up and testify for Master Xue!”

Jiang Li froze.

“I’ve thought it over. Master Xue helped us so much. If we don’t care, that’s being conscienceless. I’m willing to stand up!”

This timid woman, as if granted inexplicable courage, suddenly raised her voice, lifted her head, and said firmly.

Neither Jiang Li nor Ye Mingyu had expected her to say such words.

After a long moment, Jiang Li smiled. She said: “Thank you, Aunt Chunfang.”

Chunfang’s face reddened. She hastily waved her hands, as if unable to accept it, and said: “It’s not just me. There are also them.”

From the corner of the wall, two more people emerged—it was Dai Yun holding Ping’an’s hand.

Ping’an, seeing Jiang Li, smiled sweetly at her. Dai Yun said: “Miss Jiang, I’ve thought it over. Master Xue saved Ping’an. We cannot be so heartless to Ping’an’s lifesaving benefactor. We mother and daughter have always received Master Xue’s help in Tong County. We cannot let a good person suffer injustice because of our selfishness. We’re willing to stand up.”

Jiang Li looked at her. Dai Yun tightly held Ping’an’s hand. One could tell that making this decision, she had also struggled for quite some time. But now, she had come with Ping’an.

“Thank you,” Jiang Li smiled. “With you all, Master Xue’s case will be much easier. I think the day Master Xue is vindicated is not far off.”

“It’s not just us,” Chunfang said. “Look outside.” She pointed in a direction.

Jiang Li walked forward a few steps.

At the entrance to the bluestone alley, somehow, a dense crowd had already gathered, some outside, some inside, blocking the alley so thoroughly that not even water could pass through. There were at least over a hundred people. Men, women, old and young were all there. At a rough glance, they were all Tong County common folk.

Seeing Jiang Li, they called out loudly: “Miss Jiang, we’re all willing to be County Magistrate Xue’s witnesses!”

“Miss Jiang, take us to help County Magistrate Xue! A drop of kindness should be repaid with a fountain. We’ve all received Master Xue’s kindness. Now it’s our turn to repay Master Xue!”

“We know about Miss Jiang’s plan. We came specially to find Miss Jiang. Whatever Miss Jiang needs us to do, we’ll do it, as long as we can save Master Xue!”

Jiang Li stared blankly at everything before her eyes.

Ye Mingyu and his subordinates stepped forward two paces and also saw the scene before them. Ye Mingyu said in a low voice: “Good heavens…” His voice was full of disbelief.

Compared to the situation of being turned away door after door the past few days, today’s everything was unrealistically dreamlike. These Tong County common people—old and weak, women and children all present—but their faces all bore the courage of going all in.

Those people Xue Huaiyuan had once helped, those who had hidden in their homes, who for various reasons hadn’t dared stand up, after experiencing struggle, hesitation, anxiety, and unease—righteousness had triumphed over fear, and they still stood up.

Were human hearts worth expecting?

Were human hearts not worth expecting?

Ping’an broke free from her mother’s hand, ran forward two steps, grabbed Jiang Li’s hand, and called softly: “Elder sister, we’re willing to stand up.”

Jiang Li’s eyes grew hot. She couldn’t speak.