Chapter 72

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Protagonist:

Song Miao

Song Miao naturally knew these street rumors were not to be trusted.

But there's no smoke without fire, especially since last night someone had chased their way to the Song household to inform Zhu Shi, saying that Sun Er owed money to a gambling den, had his fingers cut off, and there were ruffians and rascals making a scene demanding to come collect the debt.

Sun Er had most likely truly run into trouble.

Sun Lizheng and Zhu Shi had helped her quite a bit recently, and last night she had learned the news along with them; both emotionally and rationally, she ought to go ask after them.

Song Miao genuinely intended to exert effort, not merely pay lip service, so she first went to the dormitory to finish purchasing tomorrow's ingredients.

After returning home, she soaked the beans that needed soaking, fried what needed frying, did all the afternoon tasks that could be done in advance, then detoured to buy some fruit and went to Sun Lizheng's house.

The Sun family gate was tightly shut; she knocked for half a day before a young woman came to answer — it was Sun Lizheng and Zhu Shi's eldest daughter.

Hearing that Song Miao was looking for Zhu Shi, she said: "So it's Song Xiaoniangzi. My mother went to Second Uncle-Grandfather and Second Aunt-Grandmother's house; there's only me and a few little ones at home. If there's anything urgent, you can tell me and it'll be the same."

Song Miao then said: "It's nothing, just last night someone came to the door looking for Auntie Zhu, saying some frightening things. I was worried something happened at home, so I came to ask, wanting to see if there's anything I can help with."

That Sun family daughter hesitated for a good while, then shook her head in thanks, saying: "If something comes up, I'll come find Song Xiaoniangzi for help."

She also invited her inside to sit.

Song Miao could see the other party had some unspeakable difficulty, but since the person involved didn't volunteer to speak, she couldn't press further; she handed over the fruit and said: "I'm in mourning, so I won't come in and stay long. If there's anything, just call for me."

She took her leave, turned to leave, but saw someone hurrying toward her; looking up, it was precisely Zhu Shi, and she hastily greeted her.

Seeing Song Miao, Zhu Shi was naturally surprised; after learning she had come to help, she hesitated for half a day, finally saying: "You still have to go set up your stall, where would you find the time for this!"

Song Miao then said: "Auntie, if you have something to say just say it; I finished all my tasks for today before coming."

She also said: "Though I may not be able to help with anything major, even just running errands can save some manpower."

"I originally had no face to ask, but right now something has come up and I truly can't manage alone. If you can spare yourself, could you go to the yamen and find Censor Xin, ask where Old Sun is right now."

Song Miao found these words strange, and hurriedly asked for details, only then learning that last night ruffians had indeed shown up at Sun Er's door; fortunately patrol soldiers came and scared them off.

However, the Sun elders learning their son owed so much debt was secondary; seeing those bloody fingers, one fainted on the spot, the other cried herself unconscious.

Sun Er's wife cared for them all night, then the next day made a scene about hanging herself; she was barely saved, and upon waking, only screamed for a divorce, saying she wanted to take the son and daughter back to her natal home, also saying this husband was worse than none, gambling all day and never coming home was bad enough, he only caused trouble, what reliance could there be in the future.

She might as well take the children, go back and remarry, find a good one; who knows, life might be much better than now.

Zhu Shi persuaded to no avail.

Searching her heart, if it were another person, encountering such a husband, they would have run long ago.

That sister-in-law enduring until now was already extremely remarkable.

After the sister-in-law finished crying, she was about to take the children and leave, only to discover the youngest daughter and the third son both came down with high fever.

For a moment the household was in chaos — those who could fetch doctors fetched doctors, those who could brew medicine brewed medicine, those who went out to investigate news investigated news, a complete mess.

Zhu Shi used everyone she could use, even calling her natal brothers to help investigate Sun Er's whereabouts.

As people returned one after another, they first learned that last night the city conducted a major search and inspection, raiding over ten gambling dens in one go, everyone inside was arrested; they also learned Sun Er was among them; trying to investigate further, no one would reveal the follow-up.

According to Great Wei law, gamblers receive one hundred strokes; for large amounts, the penalty doubles, imprisonment for one year; for more severe cases, sentencing depends on the crime.

Given Sun Er's gambling amount, and him being a repeat offender, one knows the beating is certain; only unknown is how many strokes, and whether he must serve prison time.

"Old Second doesn't matter, beating is beating, prison is prison, I can't control him anymore."

"But he has elderly above and young below, especially the children aren't yet married; in the future who knows what they'll rely on to make a living; if they have a father imprisoned for gambling, it will affect them their whole lives."

Zhu Shi briefly explained the ins and outs, but there were deeper words that, in front of Song Miao this outsider, were not proper to say.

For Zhu Shi, Sun Er was after all her husband's blood relative; broken bones still connected by tendons; being implicated was secondary; if they truly divorce in the end, given Sun Er's uncles and aunts' usual conduct, it's impossible they'd let the wife take the grandsons and granddaughters away.

But two half-buried old people, how could they manage people?

In the end it would still fall on her own family to help drag them along.

Zhu Shi's own children she could barely look after; of course she didn't want to bring her nephew's children, especially such a nephew she usually avoided like the plague.

But she was after all just a niece-in-law, couldn't decide anything, still had to get her husband back.

"Old Sun has no news at all, don't know the situation, terribly frightening; I sent people to look, everyone says they can't find out; I thought and thought, yesterday at your house I saw those few..."

Zhu Shi spoke and spoke, then suddenly stopped.

Song Miao was so perceptive, naturally didn't need her to finish; she took the initiative: "Auntie is thinking of asking Censor Xin and them to investigate, and if convenient, help pass a message, is that it?"

Zhu Shi instantly looked somewhat embarrassed, saying: "I originally wanted to go to the yamen myself to find him; right now I came to have my daughter go help watch over her uncle's household; but I've barely spoken a few words total with that Censor Xin, and with the other yamen officials I only have a passing familiarity..."

"Auntie rest assured, it's just inquiring for news; I'll go to the Capital Prefecture Office right now, though as for the actual situation, I ultimately cannot guarantee anything."

Zhu Shi visibly relaxed.

Yesterday at the Song household, those patrol soldiers and yamen runners' attitude toward Song Miao, Zhu Shi had naturally seen with her own eyes.

Eating someone's food makes you soft-mouthed; still borrowing someone's house to live in; whether the Censor, or Young Master Han, Young Master Qin, or the other runner uncles, all were extremely amiable.

She originally worried that going to the yamen she wouldn't know how to ask, or who to ask; but if this Song Xiaoniangzi goes, no matter what, she'll definitely be far more useful than herself!

Zhu Shi hurriedly said: "Truly there was no other way, only troubling you to run this trip; whether you find out or not doesn't matter, just be careful on the way!"

Also said: "Don't know how to properly thank you!"

"Auntie came to accompany me last night; before, when you and Uncle Sun helped me persuade those creditors, you never had a second word either." Song Miao smiled, "Moreover, though you two didn't say it outright, from how Uncle Sun speaks and acts, he never seemed willing to bother; it must be Auntie who pitied me and helped persuade quite a lot."

"Ai! What does this count as!" Zhu Shi rubbed her hands, hemmed and hawed for half a day, but ultimately didn't deny it.

Once Song Miao agreed, she didn't delay even half a bit.

Since she had to go inquire about Sun Lizheng and his brother's whereabouts, naturally she couldn't go empty-handed.

It just so happened the sweet starter prepared the day before yesterday had fermented for two days; calculating the time, it should be edible now; she simply turned back to Sanzao County Alley first.

When she returned to the food shop, lifted the lid, picked a few grains of sparrow wheat and hulless barley into her mouth, sweet, with a very comfortable fermentation fragrance, strong grain aroma; one sip and the inside could already burst with juice, the juice sweet and not greasy at all — truly ready.

Thinking there were many people inside the Capital Prefecture Office, Song Miao placed thick oil paper under that bamboo basket, then lotus leaves, finally filling most of the bamboo basket with sweet batter, covered it, and carried the bamboo basket out the door on her back.

Walking halfway, she again went around to the shop to buy some cheap tea leaves.

The Capital Prefecture Office was not close to the Song Family Residence; even though Song Miao hurried fast and slow, by the time she reached the Capital Prefecture Office, it was nearly Shen Hour.

She had come once before, so now she knew the way well, and did not go to the front yamen, but turned straight toward the back yamen.

According to Zhu Shi's earlier plan, she was to go find Censor Xin.

But as Song Miao saw it, such a major case, Censor Xin must be busy to the point of being frazzled, and most likely could not spare the time.

It was only to send a message and gather some news; killing a chicken did not require an ox-cleaver.

She entered the back yamen, found the guard who looked easiest to talk to, greeted him, and said: "Excuse me, Big Brother, my surname is Song, my family lives in Sanzao County Alley, and I want to find Qin Official Qin Zong of the Left and Right Military Patrol Academy; I wonder if it is convenient for you to help pass a message?"

"You're looking for Qin Zong." The guard shook his head: "Really bad luck, I just saw him leave with someone, he left less than half an hour ago, and I don't know when he'll be back."

Song Miao was stunned.

The chicken-killing knife was actually not there.

She immediately said: "Then may I ask if there is a Taixue student surnamed Han? He was newly transferred here these past two days, and I'm afraid not many people know him..."

"You mean Han Li, Younger Brother Han?" The guard immediately smiled, saw Song Miao nod, and said: "This one is very busy, and may not have time to come out; if you have something, let me pass a word for you."

The matter of the Sun Family Residence naturally could not be told to others, and besides, words passed back and forth would end up unknown what they became, fearing a bad influence.

Song Miao took down the bamboo basket behind her and said: "The other day Censor Xin, Young Master Han, and the many officials of the Left and Right Military Patrol Academy helped my daughter greatly; I am from a cooking family and cannot produce anything good, so I might as well send some food over to thank them."

She handed over the package of tea leaves in her hand, pointing to the bamboo basket: "This is sweet batter, Guanzhong drink; first boil these tea leaves into clear tea, best to make it strong, then scoop a spoonful of this sweet batter, mix it with water, hot or cold doesn't matter..."

The guard listened until his head was big, hurriedly pushed the tea leaves back, and said: "I'll go pass a message for you, I'll go call someone for you!"

Speaking, he handed the Killing Might Stick in his hand to his partner beside him, and hurried away.

The guards inside the back yamen were not like those in the front yamen, much more idle; this partner watched the two speak for a long time and was already curious, first dragged a small table over for Song Miao to sit, and asked: "What does your sweet batter look like?"

Song Miao lifted the lid of the bamboo basket and smiled: "It's made from wild oats, naked oats mixed with wine yeast, but at this time the fermentation is just right, without a wine smell—Official, would you like a bite?"

The guard hurriedly waved his hand and said: "I'm on duty! I'm on duty right now, I can't accept your things!"

Song Miao said: "It's not worth anything."

She said while looking at the sky: "It's already past Shen Noon; Officials can already clock in and start their shift—this surely doesn't count as proper duty, right?"

The guard was amused and laughed: "You even know this? Recently the office has many matters; although I am a gate guard, I can't clock out at Shen Noon either!"

Not to mention Song Miao sitting at the gate waiting for someone to return, another guard went inside to deliver the message; indeed they asked left and right, searched around, but could not find Han Li.

Han Li had just finished reporting to Qin Jie together with Xin Feng, and before stepping out of the Second Courtyard Gate, was blocked on his path by someone coming from the opposite direction.

But the person coming blocked not him, but Xin Feng.

"Censor Xin, what does your Left and Right Military Patrol Academy mean? One moment urgently calling me to arrange the Gong Chu to prepare dinner and late-night snacks, the next moment arresting all three Red Case cooks—what, you arresting the Archives Library's handles isn't enough, you even want to manipulate me, who manages logistics?"

That Qin Jie called out "Zheng Guanren," then said: "How could there be such a thing? Only that those three cooks had matters on them; I had already reported to Judge Qin before taking them..."

"Beating a dog also depends on the master; taking my people, shouldn't you first say hello to me?"

Censor Xin's temper was naturally straightforward; he endured for half a day, finally couldn't help it, blurted out a curse, and said: "Surname Zheng, don't take an inch and demand a mile; those under your hand..."

Han Li saw things were not right; usually being scolded was just being scolded, but right now there were piled-up matters, where was there time to watch the two fight?

He hurriedly pulled the person back, stepped forward to interject: "Zheng Guanren, don't take offense; Censor Xin has stayed up several big nights, and the person is already exhausted to the point of soul not knowing—only those few in the office Gong Chu are involved in the case, related to the gambling den uncovered last night and the women and children missing during the Lantern Festival; the inside story, Official, if you want to know, you might as well go inquire."

That Zheng Guanren had already rolled up his sleeves; hearing this, he hurriedly put his sleeves down again and asked: "What do you mean? What does 'involved in the case' mean? You surely aren't trying to scare me?"

Censor Xin snorted coldly and said to Han Li: "You tell him, so he doesn't go back and file a false complaint."

Han Li then said: "Whenever the office conducts major searches, they always call the Gong Chu in advance to prepare food and dishes; those few cooks were bought by someone, though unaware, every time they received temporary arrangements, they would pass the news out..."

That Zheng Guanren listened until his whole body was covered in cold sweat, and hurriedly said: "I knew nothing about this matter!"

"When those few cooks are interrogated clearly, Zheng Guanren will still be asked a few questions then; at that time, please show much tolerance." Han Li clasped his hands and said politely.

But that Zheng Guanren had already changed his expression, and hurriedly said: "It should be! It should be!"

He responded on one side, but on the other sighed, and said to Xin Feng: "Censor Xin, don't blame me for speaking bluntly; you Military Patrol Academy urge me to arrange for those below to prepare food; in the big afternoon, just as it's time to clock out, you arrest all the cooks, leaving only two miscellaneous workers; how do you expect me to cook? How do you expect me to arrange?"

Xin Feng then said: "Just make anything, as long as it's edible; those few cooks from before didn't necessarily cook well either; it's been many years; haven't we below just endured it like this?"

That Zheng Guanren sneered and said: "Endured what? Don't think I don't know; the Six Ministries file complaints against me in front of the Prefect every day; your Left and Right Military Patrol Academy have also complained plenty about the food not being good..."

He also said: "Can't be bothered to argue with you; you think food for a hundred-plus people just needs to be cooked? Cooking for ten people and cooking for a hundred people are completely different matters!"

"Tonight so rushed, if it's cooked badly, just don't go complain outside!"

Zheng Guanren was shaking the pot, but outside someone quickly entered, standing behind, not daring to enter further, not daring to retreat.

Han Li saw this and asked: "What is the matter?"

That person hurriedly stepped forward and said: "Younger Brother Han, there is a young lady surnamed Song, saying she comes from Sanzao County Alley, outside looking for you and Censor Xin, saying she wants to send some 'sweet batter' to thank the officials of the Military Patrol Academy."