Zhou Min’s widow?
Upon hearing this, Xu Qi An’s first reaction was: She’s lying.
Except for clerks, officials throughout Da Feng, from provincial governors down to county magistrates, were all from other regions.
As a registrar in the Command Post, Zhou Min was no exception. Moreover, the registrar was just his cover; his real identity was a Night Watchman mole.
Would Wei Yuan allow a mole to bring his wife and children with him? That would risk exposing him in an instant.
“Zhou Min?” Governor Zhang frowned, “What grievance does he have?”
He maintained an attitude of “I don’t know who Zhou Min is.”
Yang Yingying lamented, “My husband was originally a registrar in the Yun State Command Post.”
Governor Zhang was startled, his attitude suddenly changing. He bent down to help the kneeling Yang Yingying up, “So you’re Registrar Zhou’s wife. What happened to Registrar Zhou? And why are you going all the way to Qing State to file a complaint?”
“Qing State and Yun State are of equal rank. Governor Yang, might not take on this case. Well, I am the Governor of Yun State, and all three departments in Yun State must obey my orders. Madam, please tell me your grievances.”
It seems not only women are born actresses, but officials are also quite skilled in acting… Xu Qi An silently observed, watching Old Zhang perform solo.
Yang Yingying hesitated for a moment, staring at Governor Zhang, and said, “Sir, may I see your appointment document, or perhaps your official seal?”
At these words, Governor Zhang and the Night Watchmen all frowned.
The Bronze and Silver Gongs instinctively gripped their sword hilts, scrutinizing Yang Yingying.
This was not something an ordinary woman would say, even if she was the wife of a registrar.
She’s quite knowledgeable about official matters… Xu Qi An also gripped his sword hilt, seriously staring at Yang Yingying. This woman showed no fluctuations in her qi, and judging by her body fat coverage, she didn’t seem to be a martial artist.
While this ruled out her being a warrior, there were too many tricks in other systems to let their guard down.
Governor Zhang subtly stepped back two paces and said, “Jiang Jingang, please fetch my document and official seal.”
Coward… Jiang Luzhong gave him a sidelong glance as he retrieved the document and seal.
Governor Zhang didn’t take them, automatically ignoring Jiang Luzhong’s gesture, and looked at Yang Yingying: “Out of consideration for your status as the registrar’s wife, I’ll allow you to take a look.”
Jiang Luzhong had no choice but to step forward and present the document and seal.
Yang Yingying examined them carefully for a long time. It was her first time seeing an appointment document. Her eyes searched for the words “Yun State” and “Governor,” and after seeing the bright red seal, she had no more doubts.
Up to this point, the fact that they were willing to argue with a weak woman for so long was itself a kind of sincerity and comportment.
Yang Yingying knelt again, kowtowing as she spoke: “I, Yang Yingying, was originally a woman from the pleasure district of Yun State. Several years ago, I met and fell in love with Lord Zhou, left my lowly status, and have been serving by Lord Zhou’s side ever since…”
Everyone tacitly showed an “I see” expression.
…So she was a courtesan. No wonder she’s more knowledgeable than ordinary women and even knows how to check documents and official seals. Xu Qi An suddenly understood.
In this era, courtesans were among the most highly educated and cultured women. They were skilled in the arts of music, chess, calligraphy, painting, poetry, and prose.
Yang Yingying briefly recounted her past with Zhou Min, frankly stating that she was a woman kept outside, and Zhou Min would only meet with her once in a while.
“Some time ago, Lord Zhou suddenly came to find me and gave me an object. He said he might be in danger soon, and if something happened to him, he wanted me to hide immediately, then find a way to leave Yun State and deliver this object to Governor Yang of Qing State.”
“Not long after, I received news of Lord Zhou’s death…” Yang Yingying’s tears fell in streams as she sobbed:
“I was both grieved and frightened. I dared not continue to stay, so I hid at a sister’s house and asked her to gather information.”
“After hiding for a while, my sister told me that Mr. Zhao’s caravan was going to Qing State soon. So I borrowed twenty taels of silver from her, bought a horse, and left Yun State with the caravan…”
The rest of the story, everyone already knew.
Xu Qi An coldly observed, examining Yang Yingying’s micro-expressions. This time when she spoke, her gaze was steady, her voice sorrowful, full of emotion.
He couldn’t detect any signs of falsehood.
So he searched for clues in Yang Yingying’s words — Zhou Min had not revealed his identity as a Night Watchman mole even until his death, not even to someone who could be completely trusted as his intimate companion. This showed that Zhou Min was a qualified mole.
If he had easily disclosed his identity, that would have been more suspicious.
As for why he chose to go to Qing State to find the Purple Sun Hermit, rather than other neighboring states, Xu Qi An judged that Zhou Min trusted no one except this great Confucian scholar from the Cloud Deer Academy.
Firstly, compared to ordinary scholars, the great Confucians from the Cloud Deer Academy were more trustworthy due to their cultivation system. After all, bad people couldn’t progress in the Confucian system.
Secondly, there was a doctrinal dispute between the Cloud Deer Academy and the scholars from the Imperial College. Following the principle that the enemy of my enemy is my friend, seeking out the Purple Sun Hermit was the right choice.
Governor Zhang frowned, “You suspect Zhou Min was murdered.”
Yang Yingying nodded vigorously: “Isn’t it obvious? I beg you to seek justice for my husband.”
“This…” Governor Zhang pondered for a moment: “Alright, I promise you. Now, please bring out the item Registrar Zhou left for you at the end.”
Yang Yingying immediately kowtowed: “Thank you, sir.”
Xu Qi An couldn’t help but look at him with new respect. Old Zhang’s scheming was quite good; he was indeed a seasoned official. Those who worked with Wei Yuan all had somewhat dirty minds.
Yang Yingying straightened up, reached into her bosom, and pulled out half of a jade pendant, offering it with both hands: “This is what Lord Zhou gave me that night.”
Everyone’s gaze focused on the jade pendant.
It was a half-circular jade pendant, translucent green in color. It should have been a round jade, but it had been cut in half by a sharp tool.
Jiang Luzhong took the pendant and handed it to Governor Zhang, who held it between his fingers, pondering silently.
“This looks like a token?” Jiang Luzhong said in a low voice. After speaking, he looked at Xu Qi An, seeking his opinion.
Governor Zhang also looked over.
Why are you looking at me? I can investigate cases, but I’m not a fortune teller… You two aren’t even trying to hide that you’re treating me like a tool… Xu Qi An pondered and said, “Let’s go to Yun State first. What’s the use of blind guessing?”
Governor Zhang put away the jade pendant while instructing the troops: “Continue to Yun State.”
They dug holes to bury the bodies, took the surviving merchants and goods with them, and the team set out again, advancing along the official road towards Yun State.
…
The sun was high, spreading warmth. On this rare morning, Huaiqing finished her sword practice and was about to call for her maids to prepare hot water when she turned and saw two maids playing chess in the pavilion.
Huaiqing frowned slightly, not because she disapproved of the maids playing chess, but because they clearly didn’t understand the game.
She didn’t speak, silently walking into the pavilion to observe the two maids playing.
The pretty young maids were completely absorbed in their game, unaware of their mistress’s approach.
Their play was chaotic, showing no understanding of strategy, position control, or the need for careful thought. They placed pieces rapidly, as if not needing to think at all.
Huaiqing’s frown deepened. This childish way of playing was very uncomfortable for a grandmaster like her. But after watching for a moment, she understood.
This game was very simple. It was just about who could first arrange five pieces in a row, whether vertically, horizontally, or diagonally. Whoever first connected five stars would be the winner.
Unable to hold back, she asked: “What game is this?”
The two maids jumped in fright, hurriedly standing up and answering in soft voices: “It’s Five in a Row.”
Five in a Row? What is that?
The erudite Huaiqing was momentarily stunned.
Another maid explained: “It’s something that spread from Princess Lingan’s place. It’s already popular in the palace now, everyone is playing it.”
By “everyone,” she meant the eunuchs and maids in the palace.
“I heard even Noble Consort Chen said it was interesting,” the other maid added.
Lingan? She’s just a foolish girl… Huaiqing nodded and said, “I want to bathe. Tell the kitchen not to prepare lunch.”
Emperor Yuanjing was holding a family banquet this morning, and the princes and princesses were to dine at the Qianqing Palace.
After bathing, Princess Huaiqing left her residence and headed to the Qianqing Palace.
In the splendid hall, she met her brothers and sisters. In places where she wasn’t present, Lingan, who liked to wear red dresses and ornate jewelry, was always the center of attention.
Today was somewhat different. The princes and princesses merely nodded in greeting Huaiqing before continuing their previous topic.
“Lingan has created a new school. The rules of Five in a Row are easy to understand, and it’s more fun to play. Even the servants in my palace have easily picked it up and are enjoying it immensely.”
“Our Princess Lingan’s name will surely spread far and wide.”
With her round face and alluring peach blossom eyes, Lingan was enjoying the praise from her siblings. A sweet smile curled her lips, though she tried to maintain a modest demeanor and humbly deflected a few compliments.
She was like a proud little hen trying to show off while holding back.
Seeing Huaiqing enter, she slightly raised her snow-white chin, striking a proud pose.
Be jealous of me, be jealous of me… Lingan chanted inwardly, glancing at Huaiqing from the corner of her eye.
But the aloof Huaiqing merely sat down and drank a few sips of tea, ignoring her foolish sister.
Hmph… Huaiqing must be jealous of me. Lingan consoled herself.
Princess Huaiqing was an unsociable princess, not just because of her pride, but because her thoughts were unfathomable to the other princes and princesses. While the princesses discussed beautiful clothes and cosmetics, she was interested in the Four Books and Five Classics.
When the princes discussed state affairs and grand strategies, she would ask: How to solve water management issues? How to govern officials?
The princes would be very uncomfortable, thinking: Who knows how to do that? We’re discussing grand strategies and macro issues, aren’t you just being difficult?
As noon approached, a eunuch from Emperor Yuanjing’s palace came to invite the princes and princesses over.
Lingan trotted behind her elder brother, the Crown Prince, her skirts fluttering. Suddenly, she heard Huaiqing’s voice from behind: “Lingan.”
Lingan let out a “heh” and couldn’t control her expression, proudly saying: “What?”
After the other princes had walked far ahead, Huaiqing said calmly: “Who taught you Five in a Row?”
“I created it myself.” Lingan was very conflicted because Xu Qi An had taught her, that she shouldn’t claim credit against her conscience, but her brothers’ words were too flattering, and she couldn’t resist.
I’ll say it was Xu Ningyan who taught me later… she thought.
“When Father Emperor asks about it later, you’d better say the same thing,” Huaiqing walked out, her cold, melodious voice mixed with a warning:
“Father Emperor doesn’t like that fellow. You need to use your brain when speaking.”
After saying this, Huaiqing added: “If you have one.”
The words “Why?” were swallowed back by Lingan. Like a little lion baring its teeth and claws, she caught up with Huaiqing, angrily saying:
“You’re the one without a brain! You’re the one without a brain!”
“I’m prettier and smarter than you. Look, Xu Ningyan is willing to be my servant, he doesn’t want you.”
Huaiqing suddenly stopped in her tracks, giving her a stern sidelong glance.
Lingan, like an agile cat, jumped back with a “whoosh,” but then felt she was too cowardly. Her peach blossom eyes defiantly glared back.
Princess Huaiqing raised her hand.
“Crown Prince brother, Huaiqing wants to hit me.” Lingan cried out as she fled.
At the banquet, Emperor Yuanjing indeed asked about this matter.
How did Huaiqing know Father Emperor would ask… Lingan was greatly shocked and instinctively looked at the hateful Huaiqing, whose beautiful face showed no expression as she ate her meal.
Lingan’s eyes rolled, and she smiled coyly: “Because Lingan is Father Emperor’s daughter, and Father Emperor is the smartest person in the world.”
Emperor Yuanjing laughed heartily.
Father Emperor has indeed been paying attention to the palace situation all along, just as he silently oversees the court… Huaiqing ate her meal with an unchanged expression.
She hadn’t cultivated her confidants in the palace and never actively sought palace news. Even the recently popular Five in a Row game, she didn’t know about.
It wasn’t that Huaiqing didn’t know, but that she didn’t want to know.
Princess Huaiqing had to admit that although her sister Lingan was extremely foolish, even useless things have their uses, depending on how you use them.
At least in pleasing Father Emperor, no one in the palace could surpass Lingan, including those unfavored or once-favored consorts.