“Li Qinghe?”
Why?
Atonement?
Scheming?
The risk of beating the drum of petition is extremely high. If this endeavor succeeds, others aside, Li Qinghe will certainly become the thorn in the eyes of aristocratic families. If it fails, he will anger the Emperor, face exile to thousands of miles away, and all his efforts so far will be in vain.
He has already passed the imperial examination and is merely awaiting official appointment; his descendants will never fall into such destitution that they cannot even scrape together a mere tael or two of silver…
However, due to the impact of the “corruption” case, Li Qinghe is merely an associate Jinshi, and his family background is unremarkable. If he waits passively for an official appointment, who knows when it might come? From his previous actions, he is clearly not one to accept mediocrity, so taking proactive action this time is understandable.
Being from a humble background himself, and one of the victims of the tragedies caused by the protection of Yin, he can rally public support in a just and reasonable manner.
After today, the “Li Party” among the common people will be established!
Everyone present isn’t foolish, and having long witnessed the constant power struggles among the capital’s officials, they quickly grasped the deeper implications.
Officer Song clicked his tongue, “That kid really has an agenda.”
But then Xie Yu suddenly said, “So what?”
Everyone was stunned, not quite understanding his meaning.
Xie Yu was still looking down at the clues from the Zhou Xun case they had compiled earlier, speaking casually, “Grand strategies serve the nation, petty schemes serve personal interests. Whether it’s intrigue or open maneuvering, they’re all calculations. Throughout history, those who have left their names in the annals of history have all acted thus.”
In this vast world, how many people have truly devoted themselves to public duty, forgetting their own interests?
Li Qinghe likes scheming, so let him. He gains the reputation and status he desires, the underprivileged gain opportunities to rise, the court gains more capable talents, and the Emperor gains a reputation for wisdom…
It’s beneficial with no downside. What’s wrong with that?
People often say, “It takes ten years for a scholar to rebel and still fail,” mocking how scholars are always cautious, having the heart but not the guts.
Without someone like Li Qinghe to take the lead in this matter, it might really not succeed.
Watching Xie Yu speak so casually, Ma Bing couldn’t help but feel a myriad of emotions.
Despite his usual affability, he was ultimately different from others. While others were still mocking Li Qinghe’s petty schemes, he was thinking about the court and the entire realm…
From the beginning, Xie Yu had been observing coldly as a person in power, acting with the instinct of a superior who knows how to utilize talents effectively.
After all, considering his background and experience in the imperial guards and the Kaifeng Prefecture, perhaps it wouldn’t be long before he officially entered the imperial court…
As Ma Bing was lost in thought, Xie Yu suddenly said, “Miss Ma, do you have something to say?”
She snapped back to reality, realizing she had been staring at him for too long and had been caught.
Though the saying goes, “A beauty under lamplight is truly enchanting…”
“Oh, nothing, I just wanted to say you’re truly far-sighted and have a unique vision! I admire you greatly!”
She blurted out casually.
As soon as she spoke, the room fell into a heavy silence.
Everyone stared at her with strange expressions. Yuan Pei whispered to Huo Ping, “Has Erliang gone mad from exhaustion? Look at her, starting to talk nonsense!”
Huo Ping nodded in agreement.
Normally, you’re like a little bantam rooster, chattering away and teasing everyone, but suddenly spouting such flattery, there must be something wrong!
Ma Bing: “…These are my heartfelt words!”
What’s wrong with you guys? Am I wrong for praising him?!
Everyone collectively showed expressions of disdain, and Xie Yu himself even wrinkled half his face.
Your praise was great. Please don’t do it again.
Xie Yu pinched the bridge of his nose and simply put away the documents, “Well then, everyone’s tired. Go back and rest.”
Ma Bing felt deeply insulted. I thought my flattery was pretty good!
On the way back, Ma Bing racked her brain trying to redeem herself, when a sudden idea struck her, “Director Xie, have you ever been to a brothel?”
Xie Yu: “…”
The others who hadn’t walked far away: “…”
Seriously, Erliang, what’s wrong with you?
Ma Bing belatedly realized the loophole in her question, laughing awkwardly, “What are you thinking? We’re going to the brothel tomorrow to find clues, so I just… asked.”
She thought Xie Yu probably wanted to roll his eyes, but due to his lifelong etiquette training, he restrained himself and merely sighed.
“I’ve never been,” Xie Yu replied earnestly.
Everyone: “…”
Oh my, you actually answered honestly?!
Ma Bing burst into laughter, clearly with a mischievous undertone.
A young nobleman like Xie Yu, who was both refined and handsome, would naturally be highly sought after. Given his cultivation, he probably wouldn’t be harsh towards women… Suddenly, she really wanted to see that side of him!
Then she heard Xie Yu continue, “So tomorrow, I won’t be going either.”
As he spoke, he glanced at the officers, his calm eyes brimming with icy intent:
Anyone dares to say more, and I’ll kill them!
Everyone: “…”
What does that have to do with us!
The next morning, Xie Yu gave instructions, “I’ll go check things out at the imperial city. You all continue with the investigation.”
Tu Yao hadn’t returned all night, and he was a bit worried.
After walking a few steps, Xie Yu suddenly remembered something else, “Have Miss Ma follow with the medicine box.”
After sitting still all night, quite a few scholars might not be able to endure.
But the officer replied, “Miss Ma went to the brothel early this morning.”
Xie Yu: “Huh?!”
Meanwhile, at Bai Hua Lou.
Bai Hua Lou was a well-known brothel in Kaifeng City. The courtesans there were especially skilled in playing musical instruments like the sheng, guan, and pipa. According to the old woman from the pastry shop, this was one of the favorite places Zhou Xun frequented before his death.
“Oh my! I never expected there to be a female investigator in the yamen, truly a sight to behold,” the madam repeatedly examined Ma Bing’s badge, then looked at her face and figure, clearly delighted, “Please come in, my dear. Who would you like to accompany you… Oops, look at my tongue! Who would you like to speak with?”
She handed the badge back with both hands.
Ma Bing smiled, “Madam, there’s no need to be nervous. I’m just here to ask a few questions. I heard that a scholar named Zhou Xun was a regular customer here?”
Seeing her approachable demeanor, the madam became even more cautious. Officials from the government often wore smiles while hiding daggers. Besides, how could a woman thrive in the yamen without having some skills?
“Zhou Xun, ah, yes, him. He wrote wonderful songs, and our several girls and customers loved them very much, so they often invited him to play here.”
The madam glanced nervously at Ma Bing as she spoke, “Miss, ah, Officer, that Zhou Xun hasn’t gotten himself into any trouble, has he? This has nothing to do with our girls!”
Ma Bing paused, looking at her with a half-smile, “You just said a moment ago that your girls and customers adored his songs. That should count as a favor, right? So, why are you so quick to distance yourself at the first sign of trouble? That seems rather cold-hearted.”
Unexpectedly, the madam was completely unmoved. While eagerly lifting the curtain for Ma Bing, she cheerfully replied, “Look at you, Officer, one thing at a time. He wrote good songs, but we didn’t take them for free. We either paid him for his efforts or provided him with accommodation and meals here for free. It’s all about mutual benefit. Please take a seat in the private room,” she opened the door and smiled at Ma Bing, her face covered in powder revealing several obvious fine lines, “Haven’t you heard a saying?”
Ma Bing walked in and sat down, “I’d love to hear it.”
The madam poured her tea personally, speaking calmly, “Prostitutes have no feelings, and actors have no integrity.
We prostitutes, if we were too emotional and loyal, we wouldn’t be far from death.”
As she finished speaking, the tea was already poured. The madam placed the teacup in front of her, bowed, “Please wait a moment, Officer,” then bowed again and gracefully turned to leave.
Ma Bing was stunned by her blunt words for a while. After a long time, she turned her head and saw the madam’s face filled with smiles again, speaking various subtle or overtly suggestive remarks, skillfully navigating among the customers. Her fluttering sleeves made her look like a flower in full bloom, nearing its withering.
Soon enough, a delicate woman in a yellow silk dress gracefully approached. She was holding a porcelain jar and smiled as she entered, “Good day, Officer. I am Zhang Baoyue, and I greet you.”
Her face might not be considered exceptionally beautiful, but her figure was excellent, especially her slender waist, which swayed like a willow by the shore, graceful and charming.
When she spoke, her voice was soft and crisp, truly like a nightingale singing, making one feel half of their body melting in delight, forgetting the passage of time.
Even Ma Bing, being a woman herself, couldn’t help but feel a little stirred, “Are you the famous pipa player Zhang Baoyue?”
Before coming, she had already inquired. It was said that a singer named Zhang Baoyue at Bai Hua Lou had a pipa skill so exquisite that it could pierce the clouds and split rocks, making her a regular guest at all kinds of banquets.
Zhang Baoyue giggled softly, using her slender fingers like chives to open the porcelain jar she had brought. She scooped out a spoonful of the amber-colored honey-like paste inside and placed it into an empty cup, adding hot water while saying, “You flatter me, Officer. It’s just a minor skill; the nobles are just being gracious.”
She gently stirred it, and the paste quickly dissolved in the hot water, forming threads and clouds swirling and dancing, its color fading from deep to light until it finally disappeared completely.
“This is the lychee paste I just bought. They say it’s made from a rare fruit from the south. It’s sweeter than honey when mixed with water. If you don’t mind, Officer, please try some?” she said gracefully, her eyes seemingly filled with affection.
Lychees are difficult to transport, often only accessible to high officials and nobles. Thus, some people began to boil lychee flesh with honey to make a thick paste, which wouldn’t spoil easily.
Ma Bing had already caught the faint sweet aroma in the air and took it casually, “Thank you.”
She took a small sip and indeed found it fragrant and sweet, with a unique flavor different from northern fruits.
“Miss Zhang, you know why I’m here?”
Zhang Baoyue tilted her head, stirring her handkerchief, her eyes flowing with charm, naturally exuding allure, “The madam told me everything. So, Officer, has Zhou Xun died?”
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