Wei Baiwan didn’t immediately speak with Zhenniang, but instead sought out Wang Cuiqiao. Such matters weren’t appropriate for him to discuss directly, being rather delicate, so he planned to have Wang Cuiqiao handle it.

His relationship with Wang Cuiqiao required no secrets. Regarding the account books, he had even shown them to her before, jokingly calling them his “golden token of immunity.” Now, this token of immunity had become a death warrant.

Yueyuan was Wei Baiwan’s private garden, yet sitting there now, he felt uncertain about how many more days he would possess it.

Wang Cuiqiao quietly sipped her tea while listening to Wei Baiwan’s request. After setting down her cup, she stared at him for a long while before speaking, “You want me to talk to Miss Li? To persuade Li Zhengping to reveal the location of the account books? Although you suspect the books are with Sister Ge Qiu and Li Zhengping, that’s still uncertain. If they don’t have them, how can Li Zhengping hand them over? If he says he doesn’t have them, would you believe him? Even if Li Zhengping and Sister Ge Qiu know where the books are, those are their lifeline—would they give them up easily? Moreover, even if they do hand them over, would you truly spare them?”

Wei Baiwan fell into deep thought, finding Wang Cuiqiao’s questions difficult to answer. There were some things he couldn’t guarantee.

“Old Wei, you shouldn’t have investigated after Huang Lang’s death. Once you started investigating, you exposed yourself. Originally, Sister Ge Qiu’s killing of Huang Lang was seen as just a revenge killing in everyone’s eyes. But your recent investigation, while others might not know the details, the yamen runners would certainly learn something. Though they might not know the contents of the account books, how could they ignore books related to silk trading secrets? Add to that Huang Lang’s relationship with your concubine. Your investigation only further confirmed the existence of these books. If word reaches the Silk Manufacturing Office, would they spare you? And no wall is completely sealed against the wind.”

Wei Baiwan stood up and walked to the window, silent.

“Old Wei, you should prepare an escape route. Since Huang Lang’s death, this matter has been beyond your control,” Wang Cuiqiao continued, emphasizing each word.

Her relationship with Wei Baiwan was complex. He had once been her patron. Later, when she was with Xu Hai, she maintained business connections with Wei Baiwan through maritime trade. After Xu Hai’s downfall, it was Wei Baiwan who helped her regain her footing.

Since his wife’s passing years ago, Wei Baiwan hasn’t remarried. Many speculated he was waiting for Wang Cuiqiao, though she had no intention of remarrying. Still, there was no hesitation between them.

Back when Wei Baiwan first collaborated with the Silk Manufacturing Office, Wang Cuiqiao had warned him, saying he was trying to skin a tiger. She said he was aiding a tiger’s evil deeds, but Wei Baiwan couldn’t resist the profits and dove in headfirst.

Now it had indeed become a deep pit.

“Well said. If only it weren’t too late.” Wei Baiwan suddenly turned around as his steward led in an officer from the Silk Manufacturing Office.

“Master, Official Wang from the Manufacturing Office has sent someone to discuss some matters with you,” the steward announced.

“Very well, I’ll change my clothes and go,” Wei Baiwan replied.

The steward withdrew.

“You can’t go,” Wang Cuiqiao urged anxiously.

“It’s fine. I’ll see what they want. Not going would only make things worse,” Wei Baiwan said. He understood they must have heard rumors and wanted to question him. If he didn’t go, it would confirm the account books issue. By going, he could at least explain and buy some time.

He needed to plan an escape route.

Wang Cuiqiao helped Wei Baiwan change his clothes and watched as his sedan chair departed, sighing deeply. “Walk too many night roads and you’ll eventually meet ghosts”—these were Xu Hai’s words.

Now they proved true for Old Wei as well. She then left, knowing she needed to find ways to help Wei Baiwan make arrangements.

As for Zhenniang, she had initially thought to warn her but decided against it. On the contrary, going to the Li household now might draw unwanted attention.

Thus, it was better not to make that trip at all.

…

Early morning, a light rain fell.

On the embankment of the Qinhuai River, Zhenniang stretched her arms and legs, though her mind wasn’t on the exercise but rather pondering matters. Below the embankment, washing women chatted.

“Ah, how unpredictable life is! Think how mighty Ge Dana once was, and how proud Sister Ge Qiu was, yet now she’s become a murderer,” sighed a woman beating clothes.

“They say it hasn’t been decided yet. They haven’t even found the murder weapon, and neither Sister Ge Qiu nor Li Zhengping has confessed,” another woman scrubbing clothes replied.

“I think confession is just a matter of time. I heard they’re using harsh torture in prison. Yesterday, Hua’er went to see her brother and came back crying,” the first woman said.

“That’s probably true,” the other woman agreed.

Zhenniang, already troubled, grew more irritated by the women’s gossip. She was about to walk to a willow tree on the other side when suddenly she heard a shout.

“Nonsense! My sister isn’t a murderer! Huang wasn’t killed by my sister!”

A plump figure rushed forward, angrily pushing one of the chatting women on the embankment. The woman fell into the river with a splash. Being from the Qinhuai River area, she knew how to swim and quickly surfaced, though the cold water was truly unbearable.

Her face showed clear resentment.

“Ge San’er, you wretch! Your father was worthless, your mother’s a cheap woman, your sister’s a murderer, and you’re a bastard!” The woman, having climbed out, her face purple from the cold, couldn’t help but curse.

Zhenniang now realized the figure was Ge San’er. As the woman tried to grab him, despite her strength, Ge San’er threw her away with one arm. He then turned back to the woman and growled fiercely, “I told you my sister isn’t a murderer!” His fierce appearance frightened both women. He snorted and walked away.

The commotion lasted only moments. Ge San’er disappeared. One woman was soaked through, the other helped pull her up and was half-wet herself. They gave up on washing clothes and headed home to change.

The embankment grew quiet.

This gave Zhenniang a peaceful place to think. What the two women discussed was exactly what worried her. In recent days, aside from Li Zhengping being in prison, life and production in the Li household have remained relatively peaceful. Yet the more peaceful things seemed the more uneasy Zhenniang felt. Her unease came from Hua’er’s crying yesterday.

Yesterday, when Hua’er went to bring food to Li Zhengping in prison, she returned with red eyes, saying her brother had many new injuries. Moreover, Li Zhengping had casually mentioned to Hua’er that recently there were many new faces conducting the interrogations.

This indicated that more people were getting involved in the case.

Zhenniang realized Li Zhengping’s earlier plan had been flawed. The current situation wasn’t about whether they confessed, but whether others believed them. While Li Zhengping and Sister Ge Qiu wouldn’t confess, everyone believed they had killed Huang Lang and had the account books. If you won’t confess, they’ll beat you until you do.

Human flesh isn’t iron—how long could one endure such treatment?

This couldn’t continue. Zhenniang clenched her fists. She had been holding back, but it seemed impossible now. Since everyone was after the account books, she might as well find a way to release them.

Find someone who could speak for wronged women like Jiang Niang and her daughter…

“The account books stolen by Wei Baiwan’s concubine should be in your hands, right?” A deep, low voice suddenly came from behind.

Zhenniang was terrified, but thanks to her composure developed from ink-making, she steadied herself. Turning around to see Luo Wenqian, she relaxed. Unconsciously, she had developed a trust in him.

However, even with trust, Zhenniang couldn’t acknowledge such matters. Yet she didn’t want to lie either, so she remained silent, quietly watching the river opposite her.

“If you had such account books, what would you do?” Zhenniang turned to ask Luo Wenqian.

“Turn them in,” Luo Wenqian said decisively.

“To whom?” Zhenniang asked.

“To the Princess, of course,” Luo Wenqian replied calmly.

“Doesn’t the Princess usually stay out of court affairs?” Zhenniang asked. As the Princess’s ink supplier, giving them to the Princess was something she had considered. However, the Princess’s nature was typically aloof, especially regarding court matters. Earlier, when Beijing was in turmoil, she had retreated to Nanjing, which showed her character. Moreover, Zhenniang was just an ink-making consultant, not significant enough to warrant the Princess’s intervention. Zhenniang was well aware of this.

“Times have changed. She’s returning to Beijing and needs to bring gifts for the new Emperor. The new Emperor isn’t having an easy time—I heard the palace ladies don’t even have money for powder and rouge. He’s frustrated with nowhere to vent. New officials always make three major moves when taking office; how could the current Emperor be any different?” Luo Wenqian said with a slight smirk.

This made Zhenniang smile. Emperor Longqing’s early days truly couldn’t compare to his father’s. She had only thought of the Princess avoiding matters, not considering how times had changed.

Even the most even-tempered emperor was still an emperor, with their temper. Want to buy some jewels? They won’t allow it. Want to repair the palace? They won’t permit it. Being an emperor yet so restricted would be frustrating. Being forced into such a position by officials, even he would need to show his sword. The Princess was providing the Emperor a reason to draw his sword. Thus, the account books were like a pillow during a nap.

“I understand. I’ll consider it. Thank you,” At this point, Zhenniang stopped pretending ignorance.

“Mm, don’t worry. The sky won’t fall,” Luo Wenqian said.

“Yes.” Zhenniang nodded firmly, then curtsied to Luo Wenqian and hurried back to the ink workshop. She needed to discuss this with her father.

Even giving the books to the Princess wouldn’t be simple. The Princess hadn’t asked for them—how could they just give them? Such sensitive matters, even if the Princess needed them, giving them directly would be inappropriate. It was truly headache-inducing.

Thinking this, Zhenniang ran home.

Returning to the ink workshop, Zhenniang found Li Jingfu. In the small ink room where no one else was present, she explained everything in detail. Then she showed the account books to her father.

“You girl! Ah, such an important matter and you wait until now to tell me? You think because your Seventh Grandmother let you manage the Nanjing household, you’re really in charge?” Li Jingfu shouted angrily. Regarding Li Zhengping’s situation, he had been running around making inquiries these past few days, thinking about bribing the yamen more, but it had no effect. He felt something was wrong with the whole affair, and now he knew the root cause.

“Father… let’s not discuss that now. Let’s focus on what to do next.” Li Jingfu had misunderstood Zhenniang. She had initially decided to act as if the account books didn’t exist, and given her father’s typically unreliable nature, she hadn’t mentioned it. When things changed, just these past couple of days, she naturally told her father what Luo Wenqian had said.

After hearing Luo Wenqian’s words, Li Jingfu grumbled, “Now we owe that fellow a favor.”

Then he closed his eyes in thought. “Since he said so, we’ll follow his advice. Although your father doesn’t get along with him, in the North, when people speak of Luo Jiu, they speak of a man of honor and integrity. When you go to deliver the birthday ink, hide these account books inside. Don’t worry about the Princess not paying attention—that fellow has a life-debt relationship with the Prince Consort, and this matter benefits the Princess. Just go and speak frankly about it.”

“Yes, I understand,” Zhenniang nodded.