On this morning in Tong County, light snow began to fall from the sky.

For a southern winter, even when it was cold, snow was a rare occurrence. There weren’t many people on the streets. Walking out from the bluestone alley, one could see women in many household courtyards sweeping away the snow particles. The happiest were the children—snowflakes were natural entertainment and a novel amusement.

Dai Yun had risen early to carefully brush away the snow particles from the vines in the courtyard. Her young daughter, six-year-old Ping’an, sat obediently in the main hall eating her meal. The porridge was so thin you could see your reflection in it, yet Ping’an ate with relish, occasionally lifting her eyes to look out the window where snowflakes drifted down in a rather interesting display.

From the courtyard, Dai Yun called: “Ping’an, close the window. Don’t catch cold.”

Ping’an responded and climbed down from her stool, standing on tiptoe to close the window.

Dai Yun looked at the roof and sighed. The weather was getting colder and colder. When the snow melted, it would flow down through the broken roof, making the room even colder. If it dripped onto Ping’an, that would be troublesome. She needed to find time to have someone repair the roof… If only there were a man in the house. Dai Yun couldn’t help thinking this again. When Xue Huaiyuan was still alive, she had never thought this way, but now this thought surfaced repeatedly.

Dai Yun was not yet twenty-five this year, young and beautiful. She was a widow. When Ping’an had just turned two, her husband had gone fishing in the river and encountered a storm that came once in a decade. The boat capsized and he was lost. Since then, it had been just Dai Yun and Ping’an, mother and daughter depending on each other.

Without a man in the house, things were always inconvenient. That new County Magistrate Feng Yutang kept trying to take advantage of her. Dai Yun could handle and deflect him once or twice, but she didn’t know how much longer she could hold out. Those neighbor uncles who had been willing to help in the past now didn’t dare interact much with her due to Feng Yutang’s threats, so she could only endure silently.

Dai Yun sighed. No matter what, she only hoped that Ping’an could grow up healthy. Dai Yun walked to the stone table in the courtyard and sat down. On the table lay unfinished needlework—she relied on this to supplement the household income. Seeing her like this, Ping’an obediently came out holding her wooden puppy and sat beside Dai Yun. The wooden puppy had been made by Ping’an’s father before he died. Seeing it, Dai Yun’s heart ached even more.

Just as mother and daughter were about to begin the day’s work, they suddenly heard someone knocking at the courtyard gate: “Knock, knock, knock.”

“Someone’s here!” Ping’an said.

Dai Yun looked toward the gate, her heart tightening, afraid it might be Feng Yutang coming to cause trouble again. Every time Feng Yutang came, it was a nightmare for her. But today’s knocking, compared to the usual impatient urgency, seemed much gentler.

Ping’an widened her eyes, staring blankly at Dai Yun. Dai Yun had no choice but to stand up, walk to the courtyard gate, hesitate for a moment, then open the door.

Outside was not the detestable Feng Yutang, but an unfamiliar young girl.

The girl appeared to be only fifteen or sixteen years old, with delicate features. She wore a dark green embroidered lunar blossom skirt with a blue patterned cloak over it. The cloak was large, making her seem especially frail and petite. Her eyes were lively and spirited, with a faint smile at the corners of her lips.

Dai Yun didn’t recognize this girl, but she could identify the fabric of her clothing—it would cost at least a hundred taels of silver.

She said somewhat fearfully: “You are…”

The girl smiled at her: “My name is Jiang Li. I’ve come to see you about County Magistrate Xue’s case.”

Dai Yun froze. Ping’an quietly followed over, hiding behind the fence in the courtyard, secretly peeking at this unfamiliar older sister.

Before Dai Yun could speak, the girl had already walked in on her own: “Let’s talk inside. It’s very cold out here.”

Jiang Li stepped directly into Dai Yun’s courtyard.

The courtyard was still the same as before, though if one had to compare, it was much more dilapidated and worn than in the past. It seemed Dai Yun’s life wasn’t going well. When Xue Huaiyuan had sent her to deliver silver to Dai Yun, Jiang Li had come here too. Back then, Ping’an was just a tiny thing, but now she had grown this tall.

Time really did pass quickly.

Dai Yun looked at this girl, momentarily feeling quite hesitant. This girl named Jiang Li entered the courtyard without any unfamiliarity. She even sat down at the stone table and looked at the needlework, praising it sincerely: “This is really well done.”

Dai Yun couldn’t help pulling Ping’an along as she walked to Jiang Li and said: “Miss Jiang… I don’t know what you mean? County Magistrate Xue’s case… what about it?”

Jiang Li looked up at her: “Dai Yun, County Magistrate Xue has been imprisoned for embezzling disaster relief silver and will be executed in five days. You should know what kind of person County Magistrate Xue is. I want to overturn County Magistrate Xue’s case. I need witnesses. Dai Yun, are you willing to be my witness and clear County Magistrate Xue of this unjust accusation?”

Her voice was soft and gentle, yet it struck Dai Yun’s heart like a heavy hammer. Without reason, Dai Yun gripped Ping’an’s hand more tightly and forced out a smile: “About County Magistrate Xue’s matter… we don’t really know clearly. We’re just common people. Whatever the authorities say is what it is…”

“How could you not know clearly?” Jiang Li looked at Ping’an. Ping’an hid behind Dai Yun, looking at her curiously. Jiang Li extended her hand toward her, and Ping’an couldn’t help walking forward two steps, also extending her chubby little hand to touch Jiang Li’s fingertips.

“Ping’an!” Dai Yun excitedly stopped her. Ping’an was her lifeline—she absolutely couldn’t allow anything to happen to Ping’an.

Hearing her mother’s rebuke, Ping’an quickly withdrew her hand, but still looked at Jiang Li with curiosity, without the slightest fear.

“If not for County Magistrate Xue, Ping’an wouldn’t have lived healthily until now, would she?” Jiang Li looked at Dai Yun. “With this alone, isn’t it enough for you to become a witness and say a word for County Magistrate Xue?”

Dai Yun was struck as if by lightning.

Years ago, after her husband died young, Dai Yun was beautiful and young. As a widow, there was much gossip at her door, and people had designs on her. But Dai Yun had deep feelings for her late husband and was unwilling to remarry. When Ping’an was two and a half, she fell seriously ill. Dai Yun had no choice but to borrow silver everywhere to pay for Ping’an’s treatment. The illness was cured, but it cost quite a bit of silver. The creditor had long coveted Dai Yun’s beauty and wanted to take her as a concubine to settle the debt. When Dai Yun refused, he threatened to snatch Ping’an away and sell her to a brothel madam.

Just when Dai Yun was at her wit’s end, Xue Huaiyuan stood up for her. Xue Huaiyuan rescued Ping’an who had been taken away and paid off all the silver owed by the mother and daughter. At that time, it was Xue Huaiyuan’s daughter who came to deliver the silver. Dai Yun still remembered how Miss Xue looked—she had marveled at how there could be such a devastatingly beautiful yet kind woman in the world. Ping’an had also liked Miss Xue very much, giggling the moment she saw her.

Now that Jiang Li suddenly brought up old matters, Dai Yun was extremely flustered. She didn’t want her daughter Ping’an to know that she was an ungrateful person. But she also couldn’t joke with Ping’an’s safety. What kind of person Feng Yutang was, all the people of Tong County knew—those who obeyed him flourished while those who opposed him perished. If Feng Yutang knew she had come forward as a witness, he would definitely move against Ping’an.

She was a mother. She couldn’t watch her child fall into danger.

Dai Yun looked at Jiang Li, her eyes showing a trace of pleading: “Miss Jiang, we… we really don’t know. Please find someone else… Just consider that we’ve wronged County Magistrate Xue…”

Jiang Li said nothing, but Dai Yun still saw a trace of disappointment in her eyes. In that moment, whether from guilt or not, Dai Yun had the illusion that she wasn’t looking at this unfamiliar Miss Jiang, but at that beautiful and kind-hearted Miss Xue. Her gentle smile was gone, and she just sat there quietly, looking at her with disappointment.

Dai Yun suddenly felt she had no face to see anyone.

Jiang Li stood up and patted Ping’an’s head: “Since that’s the case, I’ll go find someone else.” She said to Dai Yun: “Pardon the intrusion.” She turned and walked toward the exit.

Was that… it? Dai Yun called: “Miss Jiang…” When Jiang Li stopped, she didn’t know what to say. After a long while, she stammered: “Perhaps the other people of Tong County… are also like me…” She couldn’t continue.

Jiang Li said: “I know, but if I don’t do this, County Magistrate Xue will truly have no hope at all. I’m grateful that County Magistrate Xue helped every household in Tong County in the past—five hundred and sixty-eight households. That still sounds quite hopeful. If he had only helped a few people, and those few were all like you, that would truly be disappointing.” She paused, then added: “Raise Ping’an well. Since you’ve paid such a great price, don’t give up.”

Jiang Li left.

Dai Yun lowered her head. Ping’an tugged at her skirt, eyes wide with innocent naivety, calling: “Mother.”

Dai Yun’s tears fell like rain.

…

On the other side, Ye Mingyu was knocking at a household’s door.

This household was very poor, living in a dilapidated grass hut. Because of last night’s snow and wind, the entire house seemed to be teetering on the verge of collapse, a sight that tugged at one’s heart. Ye Mingyu, who had grown up in a wealthy family, rarely saw such impoverished households. It was like viewing something rare and strange.

After a long while, someone came to open the door—an elderly woman dressed in threadbare clothing, wearing only a thin cotton coat. Just looking at her made Ye Mingyu feel cold.

When the old woman saw Ye Mingyu, she seemed not to see him at all and asked puzzledly: “Is someone there? You are…?”

This woman was blind and couldn’t see anything.

Ye Mingyu said: “Old madam, is your son home? I’ve come to find your son.” In the booklet Jiang Li had written for Ye Mingyu, this family clearly still had a scholar son.

“You’re looking for Wenxuan?” the old woman said. “He went out to buy tofu. He’ll be back soon. What do you need him for?”

As soon as she finished speaking, a voice came from outside: “Mother, I’m back!”

Mo Wenxuan had just returned home when he saw a tall, burly man standing at his door. When he turned his head and saw a scar on the man’s face and his bandit-like appearance, he was immediately startled and nearly dropped his tofu. He asked: “This elder brother…”

“Are you Mo Wenxuan?” Ye Mingyu assessed Mo Wenxuan critically. Mo Wenxuan was nearly thirty now and still unmarried, living alone. It wasn’t surprising—his family was truly too poor. And he was single-mindedly devoted to scholarship, though he had only managed to pass the scholar examination after all this time. His hair was somewhat messy, he had grown a beard, and he wore a cotton robe washed until it was white. He seemed to have trouble seeing people clearly and had to lean in closer to look.

Mo Wenxuan said: “Yes.”

“I have something to discuss with you.” Ye Mingyu said roughly: “Let’s speak privately.” He needed to persuade Mo Wenxuan to be a witness, so naturally he couldn’t let such an elderly woman hear. He indicated that Mo Wenxuan should go outside to talk.

Though the old woman was also somewhat hesitant, she didn’t follow. This family was too poor to even have a courtyard, so Ye Mingyu could only speak with Mo Wenxuan in the empty space behind the house.

Ye Mingyu said: “Mo Wenxuan, do you know about County Magistrate Xue being imprisoned?”

Mo Wenxuan froze, then nervously waved his hands repeatedly, looking around: “Elder brother… we mustn’t mention it, mustn’t mention it!”

What a timid and fearful scholar. Ye Mingyu felt disdain in his heart and said: “What’s there to fear? Will mentioning it kill you? Don’t worry, with me here, I guarantee you won’t die.”

Mo Wenxuan probably hadn’t expected to encounter someone so outspoken. Even though he was extremely afraid and tried desperately to stop him, Ye Mingyu remained unmoved, saying “County Magistrate Xue” one phrase after another, as if afraid others couldn’t hear.

“Listen, lad, County Magistrate Xue is now in prison and will be executed in five days. The charge is embezzling disaster relief silver. You know what kind of person County Magistrate Xue is, don’t you? Lad, now we want to overturn County Magistrate Xue’s case. We need witnesses. Are you willing to come forward as a witness, expose Feng Yutang, and help County Magistrate Xue clear his name?”

Upon hearing this, Mo Wenxuan was even more frightened, shaking like chaff: “It can’t be done, it can’t be done!”

“What can’t and can’t be done?” Ye Mingyu despised people like this most and said impatiently: “What can’t be done? Come and tell me! Look, back then County Magistrate Xue helped you settle in Tong County, let you attend the village school, let you take the scholar examination. He didn’t say it couldn’t be done then. If not for County Magistrate Xue, you wouldn’t even have copper coins to buy tofu now. What would you use to support your mother!”

Mo Wenxuan wasn’t from Tong County. Many years ago, he had brought his blind mother to Tong County to seek refuge with relatives, only to discover that distant relative had died. Mo Wenxuan was penniless and a foreigner. He had almost been reduced to begging for a living. If not for Xue Huaiyuan encountering him being bullied by a gang of ruffians on the street and extending a helping hand, learning of his situation and knowing that Mo Wenxuan was devoted to learning, allowing him to attend the village school—only then did Mo Wenxuan later pass the scholar examination. Though his life was impoverished now, if not for Xue Huaiyuan’s help back then, Mo Wenxuan would probably have starved to death long ago. How could he still be supporting his elderly mother?

“They say righteous acts often come from butchers, while ingratitude often comes from scholars. Today I’ve finally witnessed it myself!” Ye Mingyu said hatefully. “If County Magistrate Xue had known that he was helping such an ungrateful wretch, he shouldn’t have extended his hand to pull you up. You should have been bullied to death by those ruffians!”

Mo Wenxuan listened blankly, his face flushing red. Suddenly he shouted angrily: “Enough! Be quiet! Do you think I don’t want to clear Master Xue’s name? Do you think I don’t know that Master Xue is innocent? I’ve read about benevolence, righteousness, loyalty, and filial piety in my studies! But Feng Yutang is truly too despicable! Do you know how he treats those who previously wanted to help Master Xue? He harms their parents, wives, and children! Though I, Mo Wenxuan, am no hero, it’s just one life—there’s nothing to fear, as long as I can help my benefactor! But I still have my mother. My mother worked hard to raise me. Now her eyes are blind and she can’t do anything. I haven’t been able to let her enjoy a good life in this lifetime, but I can’t let her fall into danger because of me!”

Mo Wenxuan finished in one breath, his chest heaving violently. He had probably never argued with anyone like this before. Even his neck turned red, and veins bulged on his forehead from agitation.

Ye Mingyu looked at him. His anger subsided slightly, but he still resented his lack of spirit and only said: “You’re unwilling to let your mother face danger because of you, but are you willing to let your mother be shamed because of you? Don’t you know that if your mother knew what you’re doing, how disappointed she would be? Being such a son makes her unable to hold her head up. This is a hundred times more degrading than any poverty or incompetence!”

“You!” Mo Wenxuan was rendered speechless.

Just then, a trembling voice rang out: “Wenxuan.”

The two turned their heads to see that somehow, Mo Wenxuan’s mother, the blind old woman, had felt her way over with her walking stick, step by step. She had probably heard Ye Mingyu and Mo Wenxuan arguing and finally couldn’t help coming over. One could imagine that their entire argument had been heard by the old woman.

The old woman asked: “Wenxuan, is what this young man said true? Has County Magistrate Xue really been imprisoned?”

Mo Wenxuan stammered and couldn’t answer. The old woman was blind and couldn’t go out, so she didn’t know that Tong County had already undergone earth-shaking changes. He also hadn’t told his mother because he knew that with the old woman’s temperament, once she learned of this matter, she would certainly speak up for County Magistrate Xue.

But he was unwilling to watch his own mother face danger.

“Wenxuan.” The old woman’s voice became stern.

“It’s true.” Mo Wenxuan answered helplessly. “It’s been more than half a year already. Master Xue was imprisoned for embezzling disaster relief silver and will be executed soon.”

“Utter nonsense!” The old woman suddenly extended her walking stick and stamped it hard on the ground, clearly angered. She said: “What kind of person County Magistrate Xue is, all the people of Tong County know. Without County Magistrate Xue, there would be no Tong County today. Wenxuan, quickly tell this young man that you’re willing to be this witness. People cannot forget their origins. If we don’t stand up, then how are we different from those villains? This is aiding the tyrant in his evil!”

“But Mother…”

“I know what you’re afraid of in your heart. I’ve lived to such an old age—I’ve lived enough. I’m not afraid of death! If you’re not afraid of death, stand up. If someone wants to harm you, Mother will face it with you. We mother and son have come through so many years together. What’s there to fear in dying together? The most important thing about being human is having backbone. If you’re afraid of death, go find a place to hide. I’ll go out with this young man to testify and definitely won’t implicate you!”

“Mother, what are you saying? How could your son let you face danger alone?” Mo Wenxuan stamped his foot anxiously, looked at Ye Mingyu, and said resolutely: “Elder brother, you’d better find a place to hide my mother. I’ll go testify with you. Mother is right—people cannot forget their origins. A villain like Feng Yutang will go to hell sooner or later. This time, let me be the one to send him to hell!”

Ye Mingyu had already been planning to give up. This scholar called Mo Wenxuan was too timid and hesitant, and he was least patient with dealing with scholars. Perhaps Jiang Li could persuade him with tactful words, but he really couldn’t manage it. Even after explaining all of Xue Huaiyuan’s help to them, they remained unmoved—that meant there was truly no way. Who would have thought that at the last moment, there would be a sudden turn of events? Mo Wenxuan’s mother jumped out and changed Mo Wenxuan’s mind.

Looking at this mother and son, Ye Mingyu suddenly felt a trace of emotion. He was young and vigorous, and had been quite bold since childhood, doing things without considering the consequences. But many people had families, had ties. Courage wasn’t something that could be summoned so simply. No wonder Jiang Li said the final step was the most difficult—because human hearts were hard to predict and had many constraints.

But finally, someone was willing to stand up, wasn’t that right?

Five hundred and sixty-eight households—if one household stood up, there would certainly be a second, a third… Human nature had evil, but also good.

Ye Mingyu patted Mo Wenxuan’s shoulder and said roughly: “Lad, don’t look like you’re heroically sacrificing yourself. Feng Yutang is just a paper tiger, not worth mentioning. Besides, his good days in Tong County are about to end. No one will do anything to you, and no one will do anything to your mother. Everyone will be fine. The only one who’ll have problems is Feng Yutang.”

Mo Wenxuan cupped his hands: “We’re relying entirely on you, elder brother.”

“Don’t be polite!” Ye Mingyu said. “Then I won’t stay long. I still have to find the next household.”

“The next household?” the old woman asked curiously.

“Five hundred and sixty-eight households in Tong County—every family has received County Magistrate Xue’s kindness. I need to find all these five hundred-plus households, going from family to family to find witnesses.” Ye Mingyu was very proud.

“You’re truly a good person,” Mo Wenxuan said dumbfounded. “Working so hard to help Master Xue—did you also receive Master Xue’s kindness in the past? To have someone so grateful as you, Master Xue must be very comforted. I thank you on behalf of Master Xue.”

“Hey, don’t talk nonsense. I haven’t received any kindness from County Magistrate Xue.” Ye Mingyu said. “It’s my niece—she has an old friendship with Master Xue’s family, so she specially came to Tong County to help. If you want to thank someone, thank her. Her name is Jiang Li. She’s the daughter of the current Chief Minister Jiang Yuanbai. You’ll be able to see her later—she’s a rare good young lady.”

Ye Mingyu thought happily that this was only the first household, and already he had found someone willing to stand up. If Jiang Li knew about this, she would certainly be very happy.

For herself, and also for that pitiful County Magistrate Xue in prison.

…

In the county office, Feng Yutang was anxiously waiting for news.

He had to take Jiang Li’s life within five days. He didn’t know what Jiang Li was doing. Setting aside the Xue family case, even if Princess Yongning learned that he had botched the job, she wouldn’t let him go.

Moreover, those men he had sent out, the twenty corpses displayed in the back courtyard of the county office, truly made Feng Yutang unable to sit or stand in peace. Jiang Li was such a difficult enemy to deal with. Who knew what methods she would use against him? His forces had already lost their twenty most elite members. Would he himself become one of those twenty corpses next?

Feng Yutang didn’t dare think about it. The only thing that could stop his fear now was to have someone kill Jiang Li immediately, right now. Future troubles could be dealt with in the future. At least for now, he had to eliminate this danger that prevented him from being at ease.

But the men he had sent out early this morning, like the twenty-three sent out last night, still had no news even now. Feng Yutang waited from morning until noon, then from noon until afternoon. By evening, the light snow gradually stopped. Outside there was no wind or snow—very calm.

A calmness that made one’s heart grow restless.

No news. Not only that, these people also hadn’t been discovered appearing anywhere. In those brief moments, they seemed to have suddenly vanished without a trace. No one had found their tracks, to the point where one doubted whether they had ever truly existed.

“My lord…” A gatekeeper servant rolled in, his voice terribly frightened. “My lord, they… they’ve been found!”

“Found!” Feng Yutang’s heart stirred as he stood up. Now he didn’t even hope to hear news of Jiang Li’s death—as long as those people had whereabouts, that would be enough. He asked: “Where?”

“In… in the back courtyard,” the servant said fearfully.

Feng Yutang’s heart gradually sank. His feet slipped and he nearly couldn’t stand steady. He forced himself to gather his spirits: “Let’s go see…”

But just from the servant’s expression, he knew the situation in the back courtyard wasn’t good. Yet Feng Yutang didn’t ask, as if only by seeing it himself would he give up hope.

The twenty corpses discovered this morning had been covered with white cloth by his subordinates and stacked in a corner of the back courtyard. They still didn’t know how to handle them. Now that the light snow had stopped, the originally emptied back courtyard had gained another row of lifeless bodies.

Feng Yutang closed his eyes.

Such methods, such provocation—he was at a loss. Jiang Li clearly only had seven people. How could they, as easily as cutting melons and vegetables, mow down his forces wave after wave? Could all their guards be peerless masters?

But how had they silently delivered these corpses to the back courtyard of the county office? Feng Yutang knew that since they could deliver corpses to the county office without anyone knowing, it meant they could also take his life silently at any time.

But why hadn’t they assassinated him?

Feng Yutang didn’t understand. He asked: “Isn’t there a mute old woman in the courtyard? Bring her out and ask when she saw suspicious people. If she can’t speak, have her gesture!”

If the mute old woman was in the courtyard, perhaps she could see clearly how those people got in.

The servant froze, as if just remembering such a person existed: “Speaking of which, we haven’t seen the mute old woman for several days?”

“Could she be dead?” Feng Yutang frowned. That old woman had lived long enough. Every time he saw her, he felt she would breathe her last the next second. They had never paid attention to the mute old woman, so no one noticed her disappearance. Even if they had noticed, they wouldn’t have taken it to heart. She had probably died of old age in her room.

“Since these people couldn’t kill Jiang Li, Jiang Li is still alive now.” Feng Yutang suddenly asked: “Where is Jiang Li now? What is she doing?”

The two subordinates looked at each other, both appearing afraid to speak.

Feng Yutang was angered just looking at them and cursed: “Speak!”

“Jiang… Second Miss Jiang and Master Ye the Third split into two groups early this morning. Starting from the county’s east side, they went westward, knocking on the doors of common households. We don’t know what they said to the people inside. They came out quickly and found a second family, then went on like this for several dozen households.”

“But it’s said that they could be heard mentioning Xue Huaiyuan’s name. They should be talking about the Xue family case.”