Twenty days later, Ye Mingyu’s convoy of carriages and horses had arrived at the gates of the capital.

Though Ye Mingyu prided himself on years of traveling north and south, his last visit to the capital had been many years ago. Arriving suddenly, the unfamiliar yet familiar feeling that washed over him made this imposing man show some awkwardness.

The Tongxiang villagers had seen even less of such grandeur. Just the capital’s city gate alone had everyone pointing and commenting. Ping’an held Dai Yun’s hand, staring blankly at the young soldiers at the gate—in Tongxiang, those guarding the city gates didn’t wear such mighty armor.

“So this is the capital,” Butcher Zhang said cheerfully, then suddenly remembered something. “County Magistrate Xue’s daughter married into this place back then.”

Jiang Li glanced at Xue Huaiyuan, already asleep in the carriage, her heart filled with gloom.

When she married out, Xue Huaiyuan had constantly given her detailed instructions, saying that once he had the opportunity, he would come to the capital with Xue Zhao to visit her. But Jiang Li also knew that Xue Huaiyuan was busy with affairs. Though Tongxiang was a small county, when all matters big and small piled up, it wasn’t so easy for Xue Huaiyuan to find a suitable time.

Indeed, before Xue Huaiyuan could reach the capital, she and Xue Zhao had met with disaster first. By the time Xue Huaiyuan truly arrived in the capital, she was no longer Xue Fangfei, and Xue Huaiyuan had lost his wits—meeting without recognition.

“A-Li, let’s go in now,” Ye Mingyu said.

Jiang Li snapped back to attention: “Alright.”

This group numbered at least a hundred people. The young soldiers guarding the gate saw such a large crowd suddenly arrive and thought they were refugees fleeing for their lives. Several immediately surrounded them with serious expressions, blocking Ye Mingyu at the entrance for thorough questioning.

Jiang Li lifted the carriage curtain, supported by Tong’er as she descended, then walked straight to those young soldiers. She handed over the Jiang family’s travel pass with a smile: “Brothers, I am Second Miss of the Jiang family. These are all Tongxiang villagers who’ve come to the capital to file lawsuits and complaints.” She pulled out another sheet of paper from her sleeve and handed it over with a smile. “This is a copied complaint. Everyone here has their name on it. I’ll give you this copy. After this lawsuit is finished, when everyone leaves the city, you can check them one by one. Is that acceptable?”

The young soldiers froze. Second Miss Jiang?

Wasn’t that the same Second Miss Jiang who’d been the talk of the capital these past days, supposedly bringing a group of commoners from the Xiangyang countryside to overturn a convicted criminal’s case? What? She’d already arrived?

Looking at the travel pass in hand, she was indeed from the Jiang family without doubt. The gate-guarding soldiers suppressed their curiosity, returned the pass to Jiang Li, took the paper densely covered with names, stepped aside, and had the other side open the city gate wide, saying: “Please proceed, Second Miss Jiang.”

Since she was a young lady of the Jiang family, if anything happened, the Jiang family would handle it—they weren’t afraid. So they respectfully withdrew to the side.

The city gate opened wide. Seeing this, the commoners looked at Jiang Li with even more awe. In a place like the capital, they were just country folk. Never mind the gate guards—even ordinary people looking down on them would be normal. With just a few words, Jiang Li had these gate guards treat her so respectfully and let them through, clearly showing the Jiang family’s influence in the capital.

Ye Mingyu also clicked his tongue in wonder: “I must say, your father’s worthless travel pass really is useful. I remember when we came to the capital before, we had to be inspected several times. You folks have it good—so many people, and they let you through just like that.” Whether he was speaking thoughtlessly or mocking how capital officials all bent with the wind was unclear.

Jiang Li smiled: “Human nature.”

The group entered the city gate in a grand procession.

Behind them, the gate guards whispered among themselves: “She’s entered the capital, entered the capital! The storytellers in the wine houses finally have new material. Who knows what kind of storm Second Miss Jiang will stir up in the capital this time.”

“But something’s wrong,” another said, stroking his chin. “Didn’t Second Miss Jiang bring these people to overturn a case? Why are there prison carts behind them, and who’s sitting in those carts? Are they using private punishment?”

“Hey, don’t worry about all that. Official family business—is that something we can manage? Even if Second Miss Jiang pokes a hole in the sky, her father is still the First Minister. It won’t matter. We just watch the excitement.”

“That makes sense. Looking at this situation, the capital truly won’t have peace this time.”

…

Once inside the city, it became even livelier.

The capital’s streets were much wider than Tongxiang’s. People and horses came and went on the streets. Wine houses were built tall and imposing. Acrobats could be seen everywhere, along with vendors selling candied hawthorn. For the Tongxiang people visiting the capital for the first time, their eyes were nearly dazzled. The older ones were better—though they found it novel, they could still restrain themselves. The younger ones couldn’t help it—watching everything with dazzled eyes, they nearly tripped while walking.

While the Tongxiang people marveled at the sights, the capital’s residents also marveled at this group from Tongxiang. Such a large group of obvious outsiders appearing in the capital was too conspicuous no matter how you looked at it. But the accompanying people all dressed very ordinarily, even looking somewhat plain, so they weren’t imperial relatives or nobility traveling.

Someone recognized the guards accompanying the convoy and whispered to those nearby: “Hey, aren’t those guards from the First Minister’s mansion?”

“The First Minister’s mansion? Nobody from the First Minister’s mansion has left the capital. Could it be Second Miss Jiang? Didn’t they say she was bringing a group of villagers to the capital to overturn a convicted criminal’s case? Counting the time, she should be arriving in the capital right about now.”

The news that “Second Miss Jiang has returned with the Tongxiang county folk” swept through the entire capital like a tidal wave. Every street and alley learned this news. People watching the excitement all came out from their homes.

Someone asked: “Is Second Miss Jiang taking all these people back to the Jiang mansion? Though the First Minister’s home is large, with so many people, I’m afraid they can’t all stay there. Besides, would the First Minister allow these people to move in? Even if he’s kindhearted… it could invite trouble!”

“Don’t know. If it were me, I definitely wouldn’t do it.”

“Ah, this Miss Jiang is really too outrageous. Giving birth to such a daughter—the household will have no peace, no peace at all!”

In the First Minister’s mansion, Jiang Yuanbai had just returned from court. He’d barely removed his outer robe in the study and taken a sip of hot tea brought by Ji Shuran when someone came to report: “Master, Second Miss has returned to the capital!”

“What?” Jiang Yuanbai paused mid-sip: “When?”

“Just now. The messenger is currently in Wanfeng Hall, telling the Old Madam about this. They say Second Miss brought over a hundred people. The capital’s streets are half-flooded. The streets are full of people watching the excitement, all staring at Second Miss.”

Jiang Yuanbai’s face flushed red then pale. He’d always been smooth—in his official career and in his dealings with people. Though vain, he didn’t love showing off. In court, how many eyes were watching? The more you showed off, the more tongues would wag. Jiang Li was something else—just returning to the capital and making such a huge spectacle. Now the entire capital was probably paying attention to their Jiang family. If Jiang Li did anything outrageous, outsiders could gossip about him, Jiang Yuanbai, for a lifetime!

“I’m going to Wanfeng Hall,” Jiang Yuanbai said, then grabbed his outer garment and left. Ji Shuran responded: “I’ll go too,” a trace of a smile flashing across her face.

Before she even needed to act, Jiang Li was digging her own grave. Even she, a woman of the inner quarters, knew that women shouldn’t interfere in court affairs. Jiang Li was only fifteen and already turning everything upside down. Never mind anything else, what good family would dare want such a restless mistress of the household? Jiang Li was crushing bit by bit any good marriage prospects she might have in the future.

Of course, Ji Shuran couldn’t wait for her to make things worse—best if the matter became so big it couldn’t be contained, best if she dragged herself down with it.

Victory without bloodshed—that would be best.

Arriving at Wanfeng Hall, Old Madam Jiang was discussing something with Jiang Yuanping.

Jiang Yuanping’s usual smiling expression was gone, showing some seriousness. Jiang Yuanxing wasn’t present. Since Jiang Yu’e married into the Zhou family as a concubine, Jiang Yuanxing had become much more silent. Previously he would exchange a few words with the two Jiang brothers, but now when they met, he only briefly greeted them before having no further interaction.

However, the two Jiang brothers didn’t mind—they weren’t full brothers from the same mother anyway.

Seeing Jiang Yuanbai arrive, Old Madam Jiang said: “Eldest, you’ve heard.”

“Mother,” Jiang Yuanbai said, “your son is ashamed. It’s my fault for not teaching Jiang Li properly.”

Old Madam Jiang sighed. She actually thought Jiang Li was quite intelligent. Ever since Jiang Li returned to the Jiang family from Qingcheng Mountain, she’d watched Jiang Li’s every word and action, every move, feeling that Jiang Li was probably the most intelligent and most perceptive among the younger generation in this mansion. But she couldn’t say she liked Jiang Li very much—for no particular reason, perhaps because Jiang Li always carried a gentle distance.

Just as when Jiang Li looked at her, though respectful, she wasn’t warm.

This most intelligent junior was now being foolish about such a major matter. Old Madam Jiang said: “I don’t want to blame her. After all, she’s my granddaughter. But Eldest, the second girl always forgets one thing—she’s a daughter of our Jiang family. Before doing anything, she must first consider whether the Jiang family will be affected. Now what she’s done has caused citywide uproar. Never mind the Jiang family—how will you and Second handle yourselves? How will your colleagues view you? What will the Emperor think? And there’s Youyao—her betrothal with the Zhou family is already broken. She still needs to marry eventually. With Second Girl making such a fuss, Youyao’s marriage prospects will also be affected. What is she… what is she doing!” Old Madam Jiang shook her head repeatedly.

Hearing Jiang Youyao mentioned, Ji Shuran immediately seized the opportunity, saying tearfully: “Master, Mother is right. This time Li’er really went too far. Youyao did nothing wrong. First there was Young Master Zhou’s matter. Now I want nothing more than to find Youyao another suitable match… With Li’er making such a fuss, which good family in the capital would dare associate with us? This, this—I really have no way to handle this. I’m Li’er’s stepmother. Ordinarily I don’t dare reproach her. I can’t control her. Master, you’re her birth father. You must manage her!”

Ji Shuran used her handkerchief to wipe tears. Whether she was genuinely worried for Jiang Youyao or not, it looked very real. These words sounded extremely grating to Jiang Yuanbai’s ears. He said heavily: “What do you mean dare or don’t dare? You’re the first branch’s madam. She calls you Mother. What do you have to fear managing her! If she talks back in the future, bring her to see me! I refuse to believe that in this entire Jiang household, not one person can control her. These past days I thought she’d made some progress since returning from Qingcheng Mountain. Now it seems she’s still the same as before—completely unruly. I should never have brought her back to the mansion!”

Hearing this, Ji Shuran was overjoyed inside. Jiang Yuanbai’s words clearly showed his disappointment in Jiang Li. As long as Jiang Yuanbai’s guilt toward Jiang Li disappeared and he became thoroughly disappointed, making Jiang Yuanbai detest Jiang Li was only a matter of time.

Old Madam Jiang glanced at Ji Shuran. She knew perfectly well what Ji Shuran was scheming, but only said calmly: “What’s done is done. Blaming someone can wait. The urgent matter is what to do now.”

“Yes, Elder Brother,” Jiang Yuanping also said. “Li’er just returned to the capital. The entire capital is watching us. We can’t let her continue like this.”

“I’ve decided,” Jiang Yuanbai said grimly. “Once they return to the mansion, I’ll lock her up. No one is allowed to see her! Whatever convicted criminal case overturn, whatever Tongxiang incident—it has nothing to do with her, nothing to do with our Jiang family! Let those people make whatever fuss they want. In any case, Jiang Li is no longer permitted to participate! Without Jiang Li, I doubt they can accomplish anything. We’ll treat it all as a joke. The capital’s people will laugh and laugh, and the matter will pass. No one should mention it again! I’ll just treat it as our Jiang family playing a clown role and performing a show for the audience’s amusement!”

Everyone fell silent. Now it seemed this was indeed the best solution. What Jiang Li had done couldn’t be changed. All they could do was prevent what she would do next. Whether Jiang Li’s “case overturn” could succeed or not, the final result would be the Jiang family becoming a laughingstock.

A young girl interfering in political affairs? Xue Huaiyuan had no relation to her—why work so tirelessly to help him?

People’s gossip could sometimes drown a person. It was the most terrifying weapon.

Just as they were talking, Jiang Jingrui ran in from outside. Upon entering, he said: “I heard Jiang Li came back? Why haven’t I seen her?”

Jiang Yuanbai said irritably: “She hasn’t arrived yet.”

“Not yet?” Jiang Jingrui found this strange. “Based on the earlier message, Jiang Li should have reached our mansion by now. However slow her pace, she should have arrived. Could she have not returned to the mansion?”

“How is that possible? Just returning to the capital and not coming to the mansion—where else could she go? Is that proper!” Jiang Yuanbai said angrily, though he felt a trace of unease in his heart.

Jiang Li was intelligent—smart and with her own ideas. When she decided to do something, she would certainly consider it very thoroughly. Could she have already anticipated that he would confine her, so she simply wasn’t returning to the mansion, planning to stay elsewhere?

Thinking of this, Jiang Yuanbai grew even angrier. This showed she didn’t put him, her father, in her eyes at all. Besides, did she think that by not coming home, he had no way to deal with her? As long as this case hadn’t gone to court, he would drag her back even if he had to bind her.

Jiang Jingrui shrugged and said nothing more. Just then, the messenger servant returned again.

This time, he looked much more panicked than before. In the dead of winter, sweat streamed down his forehead along his cheeks. He said: “Old Madam, Master, Second Miss and her group didn’t return to the mansion. They, they went to Chang’an Gate.”

Chang’an Gate?

Jiang Yuanbai’s expression changed drastically.

“What are they doing at Chang’an Gate?” Jiang Jingrui asked curiously.

“Going to Chang’an Gate to strike the stone lions and sound the grievance drum,” Jiang Yuanbai squeezed out these words.

…

Chang’an Gate stood directly in front of the imperial palace.

On special occasions, the Emperor held ceremonies here. Normally soldiers stood guard, and no one came.

In the spacious square area, two tall and mighty stone lions stood. Before each stone lion was a giant drum covered with red lacquer sheepskin. The drumsticks also lay on top. Perhaps it had been a very long time since anyone had touched them—the drum surfaces were covered with a thick layer of dust.

The convoy stopped before Chang’an Gate. Jiang Li jumped down from the carriage.

With Chang’an Gate as the center, crowds of onlookers gathered from all directions. When those crowds saw Jiang Li descend from the carriage, their eyes all lit up. Jiang Li was the protagonist of this drama. With Jiang Li’s appearance, the good show was about to begin.

In a wine house not far away, a beauty in red robes also casually watched the slender figure before Chang’an Gate, instructing those nearby: “Watch closely. Don’t let anyone slip through and kill the little one.”

“Yes,” Wen Ji acknowledged the order.

With Jiang Li making such a huge spectacle, that person would naturally fly into a rage upon learning of it. Unfortunately, that person wasn’t one to show restraint—there was a fear of someone hiding in the crowd and secretly making a move against Jiang Li. Since she was his person, if someone else took her life, it would reflect poorly on him.

Moreover, he wanted to see how Jiang Li would win this round, so he absolutely had to protect her.

Jiang Li walked to Chang’an Gate.

Two young soldiers before Chang’an Gate stared at her woodenly.

Jiang Li turned around. Ye Mingyu stood beside her. The Tongxiang villagers all quieted down. Having reached this place, they all knew what needed to be done.

“I’ve thought and thought about this. This matter cannot wait long. Therefore, I haven’t returned to the mansion and came straight here. Today’s business should be finished today. Since we’ve arrived in the capital today, let’s simply handle the first matter. Everyone,” she pointed at those two stone lions, “this is also my first time coming here. This is Chang’an Gate.”

“Chang’an Gate—strike the stone lions, sound the grievance drum,” Jiang Li said. “This is the last chance to obtain justice.”

She thought that if back then she’d still had a breath left and could have left the Zhuangyuan Manor, the first thing she would have done was rush here, pick up the drumstick, strike the stone lions and sound the grievance drum, pouring out all her grievances. However, under those circumstances, it might not have been feasible either. Her opponent then was Princess Yongning, and she was just one person. Princess Yongning could easily erase her evidence with a wave of her finger, just like her life.

Now it was different. As Second Miss Jiang, everyone in the capital—from high officials and nobles to common folk—all paid attention to this matter. Moreover, she had so many people beside her. For Yongning to clean up all traces this time would be somewhat difficult.

And she wouldn’t give Yongning this opportunity.

Facing the Tongxiang villagers, Jiang Li said: “In this world, fairness and justice are inherently difficult to obtain. Sometimes, even sacrificing one’s life may not achieve them. Fortunately, we’ve at least obtained this opportunity, though this opportunity didn’t come for free either.” After a pause, she spoke the rest: “When commoners accuse officials, it’s like a son killing his father—fifty lashes as punishment. After striking this stone lion and sounding this grievance drum, one must endure fifty lashes. If we win, naturally everyone rejoices. If we lose, at best the case won’t be overturned and we’ll suffer the rod punishment; at worst, lives will be lost.”

The Tongxiang villagers exchanged glances. The capital’s residents also whispered among themselves. Even Tong Zhiyang and his group in the prison cart showed some surprise. They all didn’t know these circumstances existed.

Jiang Li said: “Exchange these for fairness and justice, though the outcome is uncertain. Who is willing to step forward? To sound this grievance drum?”

Fifty lashes would cost at least half a life. For those with weaker constitutions, death was possible. In that case, even if the lawsuit was won, the price paid would be too tragic.

Jiang Li said calmly: “If no one is willing, I will sound this grievance drum.”

The crowd immediately stirred.

Her expression was calm, as if she felt this was natural and didn’t think her actions were wrong at all. Mind you, she had no relationship with Xue Huaiyuan whatsoever, yet had done so much for him, even willing to risk her life.

“How can we trouble Second Miss?” One person stepped out from the crowd, saying calmly: “I swear to follow the Magistrate to the death, to overturn his case. This is a subordinate’s duty. I will sound this grievance drum.” It was Peng Xiao.

“And me,” He Jun also stepped forward. “Fifty lashes—compared to the cruel torture that dog official inflicted on us in Tongxiang, this is nothing worth mentioning. I’ll come too.”

“And us,” Gu Da and Gu Er also stepped forward. “It’s just sounding a grievance drum. We two brothers are willing!”

Ye Mingyu laughed heartily: “These people with their thin arms and legs needn’t bother. This old man has thick skin—I’m not afraid of being beaten. I’ve never sounded a grievance drum in my life. I’ll do it!”

“Nobody fight me for this. How could I be left out of this matter?” Butcher Zhang also stepped forward. “You all have less strength. I’m a pig butcher with great strength. One strike and I guarantee the entire capital will hear it. I’ll do it!”

“I’ll do it!”

“I’ll do it!”

“I’ll do it!”

As if infected, one Tongxiang villager after another stepped forward, competing to sound this grievance drum.

Even the frail Dai Yun said: “I also want to sound the grievance drum. Even if not for County Magistrate Xue, it’s for ourselves. During the days Feng Yutang was there, we Tongxiang villagers suffered too much, too much. Since fairness and justice are so hard to obtain, what do fifty lashes matter? Second Miss, let me come too!”

Not a single person retreated.

The two young soldiers guarding Chang’an Gate showed changed expressions for the first time in their wooden demeanor. Standing guard over these two stone lions, they’d seen many people who wanted to sound the grievance drum.

Unless driven to desperation with grievances having nowhere to be heard, who would come to such a place? Most of those who came wandered around for a long time before going back—unable to bear the “price” of justice, fearing that before winning, they would lose their lives first. Those who didn’t leave mostly held the determination to die, wanting to perish together with their enemies, as if rushing to an execution ground.

But if they had any other choice, they would never voluntarily sound that drum.

This was the first time the two young soldiers had seen so many people competing eagerly to strike that great drum with no intention of retreating. Even the young girl held by the frail woman had eyes full of determination, unwavering.

It seemed they truly had enormous grievances. It seemed they were truly fearless.

The capital’s residents watching from here gradually fell silent. Though they came with a mind to watch excitement, all hearts were made of flesh. With so many people so resolute, it seemed the matter wasn’t so simple.

And Second Miss Jiang stood right in the center of the crowd. She was like the backbone of the crowd. Her few short sentences represented the people’s will. People were willing to follow her because she could bring them hope. No matter how slim or difficult the hope, hope was hope.

Hope could give people the courage to continue. Hope could overcome everything.

In the prison cart, Feng Yutang suddenly burst into loud laughter. He laughed arrogantly. Everyone’s gazes turned toward him.

A Tongxiang villager found him extremely detestable. Seeing him laugh, he immediately picked up a pebble from the ground and threw it at him, saying viciously: “What are you laughing at!”

Feng Yutang said: “I’m laughing at your stupidity! I’m laughing that Heaven truly favors me. No matter how this lawsuit goes, before it even starts, half the people here will fall, and maybe some will die! You’re paying such a huge price just to get me—I’m delighted and can’t contain my joy!”

With that, he burst into laughter again.

The crowd looked at him angrily, but had to admit Feng Yutang spoke the truth. This feeling was truly suffocating. The wicked hadn’t been punished yet, but good people would lose things first. Who the hell made these rules!

Jiang Li also laughed softly.

Feng Yutang gradually stopped laughing and looked at her darkly, asking: “What are you laughing at?”

“I’m laughing at Magistrate Feng’s naivety,” Jiang Li said coolly. “Fifty lashes is true, but you forgot—the people sounding the grievance drum aren’t just one person. No one ever said that for a single case, having all the people together take fifty lashes is impermissible.”

“There are over a hundred people here. Even if each person takes one strike, it’s more than enough. We can endure it—it’s nothing much,” Jiang Li said mockingly. “Don’t you agree, Magistrate Feng?”

Feng Yutang gradually couldn’t laugh anymore. In its place came the crowd’s roaring laughter.

“Just one and a half strikes per person! That’s nothing! I’ll help everyone take a few more! I have thick skin—no problem!”

“Don’t! I also want to taste what it’s like. Nobody take my share!”

“Can we take an extra half strike? Taking half a strike here and half there is really too damn troublesome. Make it quick!”

In the small building, Ji Heng burst out laughing.

This kind of method… she really could think of it. But exploiting loopholes in official regulations had always been her greatest skill. She absolutely refused to take losses. She was shrewd beyond measure.

Jiang Li slowly walked to that giant drum.

The giant drum sat there quietly, as if it had been waiting for a long time. The stone lions stood majestic, their heads covered with frost and snow. Having passed through the four seasons, justice was finally coming.

“Boom!” The dust on the drum surface was scattered everywhere by the heavy strike, almost mixing with the snow from above. After the dust settled, there was clarity.

“Boom!” Two lifetimes of grievances finally found justice’s outlet. This outlet was narrow and bottomless, yet carefully following the light to find the way out, she finally saw a sliver of sky.

“Boom!” From dull to clear, from chaos to clarity—it was but three drum strikes.

The drum sound resonated throughout Chang’an Gate, startling the entire capital.

Everyone heard it.