PCA Chapter 77

The cool night air enveloped the scene as Qi Lin escorted Jia Wangchun out of the city by boat along the river. Su Cen finally breathed a sigh of relief and returned home with Qu Ling’er after a long day’s work.

 

Exhausted from the day’s events, Su Cen had just finished preparing for bed and was about to close the window when he noticed a silhouette in the corridor. After a moment’s hesitation, he put on his robe and went out to approach the figure.

 

“Not sleeping yet?” Su Cen inquired.

 

The person in the corridor turned around, revealing himself to be Jia Zhen. He offered Su Cen a faint smile and replied, “I… I can’t sleep.”

 

“Still thinking about today’s events?” Su Cen sighed. Having been raised as a young master, he was unaccustomed to comforting others. After some internal struggle, he simply said, “What’s done is done. Overthinking won’t help. Let’s take it one step at a time.”

 

“Mm,” Jia Zhen nodded.

 

A moment of silence fell between them. Su Cen hesitated between returning to his room and making another effort to converse. Finally, searching for something to say, he asked, “Why didn’t you leave with them?”

 

Jia Zhen gave a bitter smile. “I wouldn’t be much help if I went along, and it would just burden that guard to look after me. Also—” his voice grew softer, “I want to stay here and witness He Xiao being brought to justice, to avenge my brother. I’m not saying I don’t trust you… I just… want to see it happen.”

 

“Mm,” This time it was Su Cen who nodded.

 

As silence fell again, Su Cen once more debated whether to leave.

 

“You’re quite impressive,” Jia Zhen suddenly said in a low voice.

 

“Hm?” Su Cen tilted his head.

 

Jia Zhen continued, “I thought you were impressive when we were on the boat, but I never imagined you’d become a government official so quickly. I’m even more surprised that the court trusts someone so young with such a significant case.”

 

Su Cen thought to himself that it wasn’t the court’s trust, but rather the trust of a particular person, and he was merely striving not to disappoint that person’s faith in him.

 

Su Cen smiled, “You didn’t even know who I was, yet you intentionally revealed so much about He Xiao to me. Even that time at your house, when I was eavesdropping at the door, you still helped me?”

 

“You noticed all that?” Jia Zhen scratched his head sheepishly. “I just felt that you weren’t afraid of He Xiao. Everyone in Yangzhou fears him, but you don’t. So I figured you must have some real ability.”

 

Su Cen found Jia Zhen’s way of defining capability quite peculiar. He sighed, “Didn’t you consider the possibility that I might be working for He Xiao?”

 

Jia Zhen scratched his head again, admitting he hadn’t thought of that.

 

Su Cen smiled without saying more, thinking to himself that this could be considered a case of the fool’s good fortune. If Jia Zhen were truly cunning, He Xiao probably wouldn’t have tolerated him.

 

Over the next few days, Su Cen went about his business as usual, eating and sleeping normally, staying at home without venturing out. He watched with a calm demeanor as He Xiao scrambled outside.

 

After all, he wasn’t the one who needed to worry now.

 

He Xiao only learned that Jia Wangchun’s body hadn’t been found the day after the fire at the Jia residence. He immediately contacted Xue Zhi to seal off all exits from Yangzhou, but Qi Lin and the others had left a night earlier. Traveling light and swift by boat, they had already passed beyond Yangzhou’s borders.

 

A new internal strife arose before the external threat was resolved. A children’s rhyme began to spread through the streets, its origins unknown:

 

“In Dihua Village, a young man stands,

Exposed to wind and rain, with no helping hands.

His wife spent all to aid his scholarly quest,

Hoping he’d pass the autumn test.

Winter passed, spring came anew,

The man left without a word or clue.

His wife searched far, only to find,

He’d formed new bonds, leaving her behind.

In life apart, in death united,

She sings of butterflies’ love blighted.

May his worldly ties soon be done,

And on the Yellow Springs road, they’ll be as one.”

 

The detailed nature of the rhyme made its meaning clear to those who listened carefully. Yangzhou was soon abuzz with gossip, and the story became the talk of every teahouse and tavern. Some quick-witted writers even began selling dramatized versions of the tale on the streets the very next day.

 

The Wang family was in turmoil. Their daughter demanded a divorce daily, crying and threatening suicide in front of He Xiao. Unable to face this, He Xiao dared not return home and instead slept at the salt shop’s accounting office.

 

As if things weren’t bad enough, He Xiao discovered that Xue Zhi and others were secretly gathering evidence of his crimes, likely trying to distance themselves now that his fortunes were waning.

 

He Xiao coldly smiled, thinking these short-sighted fools didn’t realize that if he fell, none in the local government office would be spared.

 

After two more days, seeing He Xiao overwhelmed, Su Cen began preparing for his return to the capital.

 

Though reluctant to part, Su Lan was relieved that Su Cen hadn’t been dismissed from his position. He spent two more days feeding him well before letting him go.

 

To be safe, Su Lan had arranged for Su Cen to travel on a merchant ship bound for the capital with the Yutai Tea House. As the Su family’s tea was tribute tea, even Xue Zhi and his men had no authority to stop or search it. The departure was set for noon. Qu Ling’er left early to bid farewell to Xiao Hong at the flower boat, while Su Lan had to attend to an issue at a branch store, leaving only Yue Wanqing to help Su Cen pack.

 

As noon approached and the others hadn’t returned, Yue Wanqing urged Su Cen to board the ship to avoid missing departure, saying Qu Ling’er could catch the next one if necessary.

 

Su Cen frowned slightly and asked for two ounces of pre-Qingming roasted Longjing tea, leading Yue Wanqing to the storeroom.

 

Once inside, Su Cen closed the door and asked, “Has something happened to my brother?”

 

Yue Wanqing’s gaze wavered, and under Su Cen’s intense stare, she finally broke down crying: “He Xiao… He Xiao sent people to take Zi’an away early this morning.”

 

“How could this happen?” Su Cen paused. “Doesn’t my brother know He Xiao’s true nature? Why would he go with him?”

 

In Yangzhou, who could force Su Lan to do something against his will unless he chose to?

 

Yue Wanqing continued sobbing softly, offering no answer.

 

Su Cen suddenly understood. “It’s because of me, isn’t it? He Xiao threatened to reveal my identity if my brother didn’t go with him, right?”

 

If his name were made public, not only the salt merchants but also the officials who had accepted their bribes would surely attack him. Even high-ranking court officials might not be able to remain uninvolved, let alone a mere fifth-rank official like himself.

 

“How foolish,” Su Cen gritted his teeth. “He wants me. I’ll go exchange myself for my brother.”

 

As he took a step forward, Yue Wanqing grabbed him, wiping her tears. Her delicate hand held Su Cen firmly: “You must leave. Zi’an once helped He Xiao, so He Xiao won’t harm him. Only if you leave can Zi’an be at ease. Don’t worry about anything else. Return to the capital and continue to be a good official, advocating for the people.”

 

“What kind of official am I if I can’t even save my own brother!” Su Cen lowered his head to steady his emotions, then looked up earnestly at Yue Wanqing and said, “He Xiao holds several lives in his hands. I can’t leave my brother with him betting on his mercy. If anything happens to my brother, I’ll never have peace for the rest of my life.”

 

Seeing Yue Wanqing soften slightly, Su Cen continued, “Don’t worry, since I dared to come to Yangzhou alone, I naturally have a way out planned. There are powerful people in the court protecting me. He Xiao can’t do anything to me.”

 

Yue Wanqing, out of options, tentatively asked, “Really?”

 

“Of course,” Su Cen smiled at her, “Just wait, I’ll bring my brother back.”

 

Finding He Xiao was much easier for Su Cen than for He Xiao to see him. He just needed to signal the two people tailing him outside, and someone would naturally take him to He Xiao.

 

The meeting place was in a villa outside Yangzhou city. Su Cen noticed that although the garden was not small, it lacked a lived-in feeling. Packed bags could be seen everywhere in the courtyard, indicating this was just a temporary place to stay. He Xiao knew he couldn’t stir up much trouble in Yangzhou anymore and was ready to leave at any time.

 

As soon as Su Cen entered, he saw He Xiao sitting opposite the door. Compared to their last meeting at the Wang family’s birthday banquet where he had appeared radiant, He Xiao now looked haggard, with streaks of gray in his temples. He coldly smiled at Su Cen and said, “Assistant Magistrate Su Cen, Su Zixu, you certainly have a grand manner, requiring such effort to invite you here.”

 

Su Cen frowned and asked directly, “Where is my brother?”

 

“Zi’an…” He Xiao narrowed his eyes, pain flashing in them, “Zi’an is fine, in a safe place. I want you. As long as you obey, he naturally won’t come to harm.”

 

“How has my brother treated you these three years, for you to do this to him,” Su Cen coldly looked at the man before him, “You truly are ungrateful and disloyal.”

 

“You think if it weren’t for Zi’an’s sake, you’d be standing here talking to me now?!” He Xiao slammed the table, “If it weren’t for you… if it weren’t for you, Zi’an and I wouldn’t have come to this!”

 

“Do you really think without me, my brother wouldn’t have known about the things you’ve done?” Su Cen coldly smiled, “All these years, my brother saw you as a confidant, so he deluded himself into believing that everything you did was because you had no choice. He treated you sincerely, but you took advantage of his soft heart, deceiving him again and again. You should be grateful that I was the one who told him these things. If he had uncovered the truth himself, he might have hated you to the bone, wishing he had fallen into the hands of bandits on Huaiyang Road rather than being saved by you.”

 

The room fell silent for a moment. After a long while, a sigh slipped out. He Xiao leaned back in his chair and said softly, “Whether you believe it or not, when I saved Zi’an back then, it was sincere.”

 

“I didn’t know who he was at the time, and I didn’t ask for his repayment. But the mistake was that Zi’an was too pure-hearted, wholeheartedly wanting to repay me. He brought me back to Yangzhou, letting me see that world. Beautiful wives, luxury, with money in hand, there was nothing that couldn’t be bought. But that wasn’t all. Do you know what else money could buy?” He Xiao laughed self-mockingly, shaking his head, “It could buy official positions.”

 

Su Cen frowned as He Xiao continued, “Once, at a wealthy family’s birthday celebration, Zi’an took me to attend. That’s when I learned that merchants and government officials could sit as equals, with just a flimsy curtain separating them from the world’s eyes. Coincidentally, at that table was the chief examiner who had tested us, drunkenly accepting others’ toasts, thanking him for replacing a poor scholar’s name with his own son’s!”

 

“After that, I asked him if he remembered who was replaced. Ha! Guess what he said?” He Xiao laughed even more maniacally, tears forming in the corners of his eyes. “He said he didn’t remember! Ha ha ha, he didn’t remember! An insignificant nobody, replaced and forgotten, he couldn’t even recall who that person was!”

 

Su Cen frowned, “If he doesn’t remember, how do you know the person replaced was you?”

 

He Xiao wiped away the tears of laughter from his eyes, his gaze turning fierce in an instant, “He may not remember, but I do. I remember every word I wrote! I obtained the copied examination papers from that provincial exam. My essay was there, but with someone else’s name beside it!”

 

He Xiao gritted his teeth: “Why should I study diligently for ten years, only for some illiterate rich young master to claim the glory? At that moment, I suddenly understood. There’s no gold house in books, but gold can buy everything you want!”

 

“Including lives?” Su Cen asked.

 

He Xiao paused briefly, then turned and smiled, “Lives are worth little.”

 

Su Cen said: “What about Xiu Niang? How much is her life worth?”

 

“Xiu Niang…” He Xiao laughed, supporting his forehead, “That foolish woman, ha ha, I had almost forgotten about her. That stupid woman was the least valuable of all.”

 

“Indeed,” Su Cen said coldly, “You killed her with your own hands, not even needing others to do it.”

 

“That stupid woman was asking for death!” He Xiao laughed coldly, “I told her I’d find her a house, ensure her comfort for the rest of her life. But she refused. She insisted on staying in that wretched flower boat, even turning our story into a song to sing for those patrons. She was just trying to threaten me, to prevent me from marrying the Wang family’s daughter! Tell me, what use was keeping such a stupid woman?”

 

“You’re truly pitiful,” Su Cen said softly.

 

He Xiao was slightly taken aback.

 

Su Cen lowered his gaze to look at He Xiao, with a hint of pity, and said word by word: “She refused your house because she didn’t want you to be gossiped about. And that song she composed, have you heard it?”

 

He Xiao’s face showed traces of confusion, clearly he had never heard the song.

 

Or perhaps he never dared to listen.

 

Su Cen continued: “That song tells the story of a courtesan and a scholar who pledged their love with a butterfly hairpin. The scholar passed the imperial examination and returned with the hairpin to find the woman, but she had already transformed into a butterfly. Because she was from the brothel, she didn’t want to burden the scholar. Is this the same story you imagined?”

 

“You’re talking nonsense!” He Xiao tried to maintain composure, but his fingertips began to tremble, “If she truly feared burdening me, why didn’t she leave?”

 

Su Cen mercilessly shattered his last bit of hope: “She wanted to leave, you just didn’t give her the chance.

 

“A poison expert once said that when two certain poisons are mixed, they can create a fragrant scent that clings to clothes. Back then, Xiu Niang’s body floated on the river for days, its fragrance filling the city. Do I need to say more?”

 

He Xiao’s face turned deathly pale. After a long while, he managed to say with difficulty: “You mean… she, she committed suicide?”

 

Su Cen lowered his gaze and said: “She had already taken poison, and you gave her more. Even in death, she thought of preserving your reputation, yet you extinguished your last chance at redemption with your own hands.”

 

“I don’t believe it!” He Xiao nearly roared, but ultimately couldn’t deceive himself. His voice gradually softened as he muttered to himself: “How could this be?”

 

He still remembered that little girl giving him the only piece of cake from her home, smiling and telling him she wasn’t hungry.

 

Her lying skills had always been poor. As soon as she finished speaking, her stomach growled, yet she still blushed and made him eat the entire piece of cake.

 

How did he not realize that night by the river, when she smiled and said she wanted to be with him forever, her expression was exactly the same as when she said she wasn’t hungry years ago? Her acting was so clumsy, yet he believed it. Watching her drink that cup of wine, he actually felt relieved.

 

Su Cen was right, Xiu Niang was his only redemption. If he hadn’t offered that cup of wine back then, would he have ended up in such a hopeless situation as he was now?

 

In his daze, he suddenly heard a commotion outside. He Xiao snapped back to reality, finally realizing he had been tricked: “You were stalling for time?!”

 

As he spoke, the door burst open. Feng Yiming entered, smiling at the two: “How’s your conversation going? I hope I’m not interrupting?”

 

Su Cen breathed a sigh of relief, nodding towards Feng Yiming: “Arrest him.”

 

“Of course we’ll arrest him.”

 

Suddenly, a cold glint flashed in Feng Yiming’s eyes. Before Su Cen could react, a dagger was pressed against his neck.

 

Feng Yiming smiled: “Master Su, our leader requests your presence for a chat.”

 

 

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