Before departure, Su Zhen had been somewhat puzzled why Lian Yu was holding back, only waiting for everyone’s investigation results. But soon she realized she was wrong.
Lian Yu turned to give instructions: “Prime Minister Yan, Minister Gao, and Minister Li will arrive shortly. Xuan Wu, go tell Minister Li he needn’t come – I’ll go play a game of chess with him to relax. With so many people supervising this case now, he doesn’t necessarily need to go. Tiger, go invite Prime Minister Quan. If he has nothing else to do, have him come along as well.”
“Yes.” Xuan Wu and Bai Hu immediately agreed. Lian Jie and Lian Qin were walking over. Seeing this, Lian Jie said: “Should we have Qing Long watch Huang Tianba to prevent him from causing trouble at this critical moment?”
Lian Yu picked up the tea cup from the table and took a sip: “I had exactly this intention. Of course, whatever he needed to smooth over or instigate, he would have arranged long ago – he wouldn’t wait until now. But keeping an eye on him is still necessary.”
Lian Qin was somewhat puzzled: “Sixth Brother, why are you in such a leisurely mood to play chess with that Li Zhaoting?”
Lian Jie smiled: “Sixth Brother is sending him away because he definitely has business for us to handle.”
Lian Yu nodded: “When Prime Minister Yan and Gao Chaoyi arrive, you few go to the prison. You must pry open the mouths of the death row prisoners and make them overturn their original confessions. Otherwise, there’s only the path of death. Tell them that even if they die, their families won’t be saved – Huang Tianba won’t release people. Isn’t Huang Tianba afraid that survivors might appeal for case reversal someday? Only the dead don’t speak. We’ll find ways to investigate their families’ whereabouts.”
Lian Jie and the other knew this was of great importance. Their expressions couldn’t help but grow serious. These death row prisoners were all simple-minded common people – this persuasion wouldn’t be easy.
Su Zhen understood that though not much time had passed, ultimately not everyone could be tied up here indefinitely. Even though before leaving the capital Lian Yu had Murong Jinghou protect the capital’s security, with Xiao An such a figure watching and even Quan Feitong coming to Min Province, everyone was exerting effort behind the scenes. Openly, there wouldn’t be trouble for a while, but Lian Yu couldn’t neglect court affairs too long, and these people also needed to return to the capital. If this case couldn’t be satisfactorily resolved this time, even if Lian Yu sent others to handle it, the case probably wouldn’t end well.
Individual heroism was admirable, but collective wisdom was invincible. If even collective wisdom couldn’t solve something, the difficulty afterward would only be greater. How many unsolved cases disappeared into time’s dust like this?
“Traveling so far to handle a case – isn’t Minister Li afraid of hardship?” Murong Xin’s sarcastic words shot over.
Su Zhen was walking at the back with Leng Xue and the others, not responding. Murong Xin was left without satisfaction. Lian Yue was formidable though, smiling slightly at Murong Xin: “Look what you’re saying – clearly you’re the one afraid of hardship and fatigue. Relying on His Majesty’s favor, you’re taking it out on others.”
Little Zhou patted Su Zhen’s shoulder: “The outcome is still unknown.”
Su Zhen found this comfort both touching and amusing.
Leng Xue looked coldly at Little Zhou: “Deer? Huaisu doesn’t want any deer.”
Little Zhou glared back at him: “Mind your own business!”
Huo Chang’an played peacemaker, pinching Lian Yue’s chin: “Look how serious you are – could you really be addicted to this and want to become a female official in the future? What about your husband?”
Lian Yue pretended to be angry, hitting him once: “A married woman follows her husband – naturally I’ll stay home to support my husband and teach children in the future. But Marquis, you must let me finish this case well first.”
Murong Xin covered her mouth and laughed: “You criticize me for relying on His Majesty’s favor, but your intimacy with Marquis Huo is incredible.”
“Exactly. Sister Lian Yue enjoys three thousand favors.”
Lian Xin echoed, quietly moving to Wu Qing’s side. Wu Qing’s eyebrow twitched slightly, but he said nothing. Little Zhou licked her somewhat dry lips and moved forward to walk alongside Su Zhen. Su Zhen, however, thoughtfully glanced toward Wu Yan’s direction. Wu Yan walked with her head down in silence. Though Wu Yan had broken with her, seeing this scene still made her heart ache.
Soon they reached a very bustling street. Shuangcheng stopped first in front of a medicine shop.
This was a large pharmacy with “Healing the World” written on the plaque. Built in the center of the street, people came and went continuously – business was excellent. To the right of the main entrance stood a counter where two men in their fifties or sixties were busy. One occasionally instructed several assistants in front of the hundred-compartment cabinet to prepare medicines, while the other handled accounts. Seven or eight round tables in the hall were specifically for those waiting for diagnosis or medicine – nearly all occupied. At the back of the room sat a desk with a doctor on each side, with assistants arranging patient consultations. On the left side of the room were several chambers where medicinal aromas drifted out, specially used for brewing medicines – convenient for patients who didn’t want to go home to brew, and it could increase medicine profits.
This was the scene of the second case – the mystery of fake medicine.
The land enclosure case had entered a maze, making progress difficult. Everyone decided to investigate the second and third cases first. Like the land case, the families of the accused in these cases had been taken hostage and disappeared, so they could only gather evidence from the plaintiffs.
Their arrival immediately drew attention. A manager stopped his work and personally came to receive them. Something flickered in his eyes, but his manner was very attentive: “Are you here to buy medicine or for diagnosis?”
Shuangcheng explained their purpose, concluding: “I heard that after your old master passed away, the shop has been managed by the young master. I wonder if the young master is currently here? If so, could the manager please ask him to come out, or lead us in? Otherwise, standing at this main entrance might disturb your business.”
The manager’s eyes flickered again: “My young master is inside. Let me go report. Please wait, honored officials.”
“Please.”
Miao Yin gestured. The manager entered one of the chambers. Soon he emerged through the curtain, followed by a man in his early thirties. He introduced him as Young Master Cheng, styled Qizhu. This person was clean-shaven with thin lips and sharp eyes – clearly a formidable character.
After pleasantries, Cheng Qizhu said: “Please don’t take offense, honored officials. I originally wanted to invite you inside, but the inner rooms are too cramped for receiving guests. With patients in the hall, it wouldn’t be appropriate to dismiss them. How about we speak here? Since my father opened this shop, it’s been thirty years of genuine goods and honest dealing, treating all fairly. There’s nothing to hide – even if the neighbors hear, we’re not afraid.”
His words were clean and efficient – not easy to deal with.
“It’s rare for Young Master Cheng to be so straightforward. You wouldn’t mind us examining this hundred-compartment cabinet to clear your shop’s name? Otherwise, rumors spread and distort the truth, which wouldn’t be good.” Lian Yue smiled slightly.
“Of course that’s fine. Please go ahead.” Cheng Qizhu also smiled, immediately making way. “I’ll have the assistants take some of each medicine for you honored officials to take back for verification?”
Wu Yan politely declined: “Young Master’s shop is busy – we can see the assistants are overwhelmed. We needn’t trouble Young Master. We brought our own people.”
As she spoke, several middle-aged men stepped forward from their group. When leaving, Su Zhen had noticed these strangers. Now she could almost certainly confirm these must be experts brought from other pharmacies.
Following Cheng Qizhu’s words, the assistants opened the hundred-compartment cabinet section by section. The medicinal smell in the shop immediately became even more intense.
Meanwhile, Miao Yin began asking about that day’s situation: “According to Guan He-shi, her daughter-in-law was weak in qi and blood after childbirth, so she hired a doctor to examine her. After diagnosis, the doctor prescribed medicine including angelica, prepared rehmannia, polygonum multiflorum, astragalus, and other herbs. Ginseng is very tonifying and shouldn’t be taken much after childbirth, but considering the daughter-in-law’s qi deficiency, he still added ginseng. Unexpectedly, after taking the medicine, Guan He-shi’s daughter-in-law mysteriously died. Later investigation revealed that this ‘ginseng’ wasn’t ginseng at all, but pokeweed, which closely resembles ginseng. Pokeweed has violent medicinal properties – once the dosage is excessive, it’s lethal for pregnant and postpartum women. Of course, pokeweed costs much less than ginseng.”
Cheng Qizhu had been listening quietly, but at this point his expression changed. He pointed at the hundred-compartment cabinet and laughed coldly: “You say my father’s matter still needs investigation. Cheng graciously cooperates, risking the humiliation of being questioned by opening the cabinet for inspection, only to end up accused of selling fake medicine. Ginseng is expensive – that old woman didn’t buy much and cheaply bought additional goods elsewhere. Who knew what she bought later was pokeweed? Magistrate Huang already investigated clearly – that woman bought fake goods by mistake. With malicious intent, she tried to frame my father and demand compensation. That old woman killed my father. You delay judgment but instead cause trouble here unreasonably. Could it be as rumored outside – the court’s two factions are fighting, so you take it out on us common people? Magistrate Huang ruled not guilty with Prime Minister Quan’s support – does His Majesty want to prosecute us because of this?”
His face showed grief and indignation as he actually swung his fist at the wall. His fingers immediately became bloody. Seeing this, the common people waiting for diagnosis became righteously indignant, shouting: “Don’t wrong good people!”
Seeing this, Cheng Qizhu smiled bitterly: “Everyone, this humble shop won’t do business today. Diagnosis fees and medicine costs are all waived. This matter will probably drag on – whether this small shop and several branch stores can continue operating in the future is unknown…”
This made the crowd even more agitated. People surrounded them inside and out. Several assistants in the shop even rushed out, shouting sternly: “Investigate? What’s there to investigate? Settle the case quickly! Can officials just bully people randomly?”
Everyone’s hearts sank – this Young Master Cheng was indeed formidable. Miao Yin was pushed and stumbled. Su Zhen was walking forward to look when someone pushed her backward. Fortunately, her waist was immediately gently encircled by someone. But Leng Xue and the others were all beside her – who was behind her… She was immediately startled.