Chapter 399: Zhen Shi Has Zhen Fangqing

Jin Ling, Qingyin Pavilion.

Zou Min'er returned from Apricot Blossom Alley; the carriage had traveled for half an hour before reaching the gates of Qingyin Pavilion, yet her mind remained unsettled.

What Xu Xu Qiniang recounted about the past of the Du family in Jin Ling had deeply shaken and stunned her.

Even she could not say whether she hoped Jia Cong was connected to the Du family, or whether she wished him to be entirely unconnected to a clan wiped out in massacre, for his own safety.

From start to finish, her wild, fanciful suspicions found not a single shred of corroborating evidence.

And the surviving descendants of the Du family today were also entirely beyond her expectations…

As the carriage neared Qingyin Pavilion, before stepping down, she took a veiled hat from it and placed it upon her head.

Since returning to Jin Ling, she had developed this habit: every time she went out, she prepared a veiled hat and rarely revealed her true face in public.

After all, her current identity was unusual, and even the name she used publicly was an alias.

The musicians of Qingyin Pavilion, and the guests coming and going,

knew only that she was Madam Zhou from the Imperial Music Bureau in Shenyang, a novice disciple taken in by the pavilion's mistress, Du Qingniang—but they did not know this Zhou was not that Zou.

Originally, as the daughter of a fourth-rank military officer, she had always lived secluded within the inner chambers; few outsiders beyond close kin had ever seen her face.

Yet the matter she had come to Jin Ling to handle was deeply entangled with the old Water Surveillance Bureau case; in this familiar land, extra caution was always wise.

…

Qingyin Pavilion was a renowned music hall in Jin Ling, frequented by the city's wealthy and refined elite, all of whom possessed considerable means.

Naturally, such a place attracted many merchants seeking profit.

Along the street before Qingyin Pavilion, shops lined the sidewalks, and many vendors hawked goods—many of them relying on the patronage of the pavilion's wealthy guests for their livelihood.

Thus, the entrance to Qingyin Pavilion was always crowded; carriages typically could not stop there, and earlier Zou Min'er had ordered her carriage to wait at a distance while she walked in on foot.

Just as Zou Min'er was about to step through the pavilion's gate, a summer breeze stirred, lifting the white gauze of her veiled hat and revealing her radiant, exquisite face—a sight that stole breath for an instant.

On the street before Qingyin Pavilion, a middle-aged woman, dressed in tattered clothes and looking weary, stood with an open box of cosmetics and silk flowers hung at her chest, hawking women's cosmetics and floral ornaments.

As the wind lifted the gauze of Zou Min'er's veiled hat, the woman caught sight of her true face and seemed unable to believe her eyes, murmuring under her breath: "Miss!"

…

Jin Ling, Rongyu Lane, Zhen Residence.

Though the Zhen family mansion lacked the imperial prestige of the Jia family's Lady Rongguo Mansion, it was still a grand ancestral home passed down through generations.

In recent years, as the Zhen family grew wealthy through maritime trade, their mansion had been renovated and expanded several times—its gates deep, its halls opulent, a sight of grandeur.

In the Yuhetang hall of the Zhen residence sat an elderly woman, over sixty, adorned in silks and jewels, her hair a mix of black and silver, neatly combed.

Beside her leaned a boy of thirteen or fourteen, his face round as the full moon, his complexion like spring blossoms, his brows sharply cut, his skin fair and clear—a face of noble beauty.

Today, the old lady's face bore none of its usual dignity; instead, it showed irritation and anxiety.

She asked the servant woman standing below: "Did the Embroidered Uniform Guard really raid the shop? Zhen Shiwen is an official—why didn't he handle the matter properly?"

Why did he let the Embroidered Uniform Guard storm in like bandits? What's going on?"

The old lady's pride was high: the Zhen family was among Jin Ling's top clans; her eldest son held a hereditary third-rank official post, and her second son's maritime trade had made the family immensely wealthy.

Moreover, the Zhen family had a revered dowager imperial consort who had once raised the Retired Emperor; even he bowed in filial respect before her.

Thus, Jin Ling's officials always gave the Zhen family face; minor scandals could be smoothed over with silver and favors.

Yet no one expected the Embroidered Uniform Guard, who had never had any dealings with the Zhen family, would treat them with such contempt, storming into their shops to search—now the family's honor was in tatters.

…

The servant woman was the wife of Chen Qiong, the Zhen household's steward; Chen Qiong had once served under Zhen Zheng Yingquan, but since Zhen Zheng Yingquan vanished at sea, Chen Qiong had switched allegiance to the eldest son, Master Zhen San.

Now, Chen Qiong's two sons had been placed by Zhen Zhen Shiwen in the old shops as his spies, for the chief clerks of those five shops had originally been appointed by the second branch.

Chen Qiong's wife replied: "I would never dare lie to the old lady. My two sons work in the shops and just returned at noon to tell our master."

"The Embroidered Uniform Guard came with the Firearm Bureau's men, ransacked the shop from top to bottom, turned the storerooms upside down, and scared away all the customers."

"And the other four old shops were also searched. The whole market is buzzing—everyone says the Zhen family is in trouble with the authorities."

Hearing this, the old lady's face turned pale; the noble boy beside her frowned, his eyes filled with disdain—he hated hearing such vulgar matters.

The Zhen family's eldest lady's face darkened. "What is the reason? Why did the Embroidered Uniform Guard suddenly search our shops?"

Chen Qiong's wife hesitated slightly, then said: "I shouldn't speak of such things, but since the old lady and madam ask, I must tell you."

"The Embroidered Uniform Guard said the court issued an edict to punish private smuggling of firearms. Our third master once smuggled three muskets by sea, and the Maritime Customs Bureau caught him and kept a record."

"Though the muskets were confiscated and a fine paid, the Embroidered Uniform Guard considers him a suspect due to his past offense, so they must search all shops under his control."

The old lady gasped in shock. "What? Zhen Shiwen smuggled firearms? That's a crime punishable by imprisonment!"

Though she spent her days in comfort within the inner quarters, the old lady came from a great family and knew well the gravity of smuggling firearms.

The Zhen family's eldest lady felt even more humiliated.

Earlier, after the second uncle's death at sea, she and her husband had spent countless words

exploiting the second branch's lack of heirs, persuading the old lady to let the eldest branch take part in the family business.

Jia Cong of the Jia family had just come to Jin Ling on official business; the match with the third girl was nearly settled—once she married out, the entire business would belong to the eldest branch.

Yet her own son had acted so foolishly at this critical moment, giving the eldest branch a massive scandal to be mocked for.

The Zhen family's eldest lady, her face grim, asked Chen Qiong's wife: "Where is Zhen Shiwen? He manages the family business—send a servant to summon him home immediately."

"Jia Baoyu is still young; among the younger generation, Zhen Shiwen is the only man who can uphold the household. I want to know how he could cause such a foolish mess and invite official trouble upon us!"

Though her words scolded her son, the phrase "only man who can uphold the household" rang with pride; the old lady turned to look at her eldest daughter-in-law.

…

Chen Qiong's wife looked embarrassed, unsure how to answer—she couldn't stay silent, but speaking would shame the eldest lady.

The Zhen family's eldest lady, impatient, snapped: "I asked you a question—where is Zhen Shiwen? Send someone to fetch him home—the old lady wants to speak with him!"

Seeing the eldest lady's anger, Chen Qiong spoke up: "Third master can't return yet. The Embroidered Uniform Guard searched our shops and found nothing."

"They took him to the Battalion Command. They say anyone with a record of smuggling firearms must be interrogated there—they didn't say when he'd be released."

The eldest lady's face turned deathly pale. How could he be taken to the Embroidered Uniform Guard's territory? Their prison was a place you entered but never left.

The old lady was also startled; the eldest lady cried out: "Mother, Zhen Shiwen has been taken by the Embroidered Uniform Guard—what do we do?"

The old lady was stunned; an elderly woman accustomed to comfort in the inner chambers had no idea what to do.

The eldest lady told Chen Qiong's wife: "Send a servant to the yamen to summon the master home—only he can decide what to do now."

As all in the hall were in panic, a maid at the door announced: "Third miss has arrived."

The curtain parted, and a slender, upright figure entered—Zhen's third daughter, dressed in a blue scholar's robe, disguised as a man.

The old lady hurriedly asked: "Qing'er, do you know your third brother has been arrested by the Embroidered Uniform Guard?"

Zhen's third daughter replied: "I just returned from outside. I heard from Linjiang Xian Shu that the Embroidered Uniform Guard searched our five old shops and took third brother to the Battalion Command for questioning."

"But Mother and madam need not worry too much—it's only for questioning. If third brother did nothing unlawful, no serious harm will come."

The old lady said: "That worthless wretch—how could he not have done something unlawful? He smuggled firearms for others! That's a crime for the dungeons!"

"Qing'er, you manage the family business now—you've always been sharp. Why didn't you watch over your third brother? Why didn't you advise him more? Letting him run wild outside like this!"

Hearing this, the Zhen family's eldest lady's face flushed; moments ago, she had tried to defend her son by declaring him the only man among the younger generation capable of upholding the household.

Her implication was clear: even if her son made a mistake, he was still the Zhen family's indispensable heir.

Third miss, no matter how capable, was merely a girl—she would eventually marry into another family.

Yet the old lady, it seemed, still favored third miss, and now she had laid this trap for her.

Since childhood, the old lady had doted on her clever, capable younger son; now that he was gone, her affection had shifted entirely to this granddaughter.

Perhaps the old lady never wanted one branch to dominate; with the second branch reduced to a girl, she had grown partial.

This favoritism stemmed partly from the dowager imperial consort's influence, and partly from third miss's habitual sweetness and charm.

Most likely, the old lady hoped the eldest and second branches would remain balanced—so that she, as the matriarch, would remain more precious.

…

Zhen's third daughter said: "I never imagined third brother had smuggled firearms. I heard he was asked by a friend—Madam, do you know who that friend was?"

As she spoke, her eyes, clear as autumn water, fixed steadily on the eldest lady's face, missing no detail.

But the eldest lady looked bewildered. "Zhen Shiwen never told me anything. How could he do such a foolish thing? If the master finds out, he'll give him a severe beating."

Zhen's third daughter saw no sign of deceit on the eldest lady's face and concluded she spoke truthfully; she lowered her eyes slightly.

Third brother wouldn't have told the eldest lady—and certainly not the master, who held an official post and was somewhat rigid.

Thus, the smuggling of firearms was likely a secret plot with outsiders, unrelated to anyone in the household.

The Zhen family's eldest lady suddenly asked Chen Qiong's wife: "Just now, I heard you say the Embroidered Uniform Guard came with the Firearm Bureau's men."

"I've heard Jia Cong of the Jia family was ordered by imperial decree to establish the Peidu Firearm Bureau in Jin Ling—he's the supervisor of the Firearm Bureau, and all its personnel answer to him."

"Why did his men join the Embroidered Uniform Guard in arresting Zhen Shiwen? We're old family allies—generations of connection—how could this happen?"

Chen Qiong's wife stammered for a long time before saying: "I heard it from my son—he said the Embroidered Uniform Guard came with Firearm Bureau men."

"Whether it was the Jia family's young master's doing, I don't know."

Zhen's third daughter added: "I know some of the background. Today, when the Embroidered Uniform Guard raided Haiyun Pavilion, Linjiang Xian Shu was there."

"He found it odd, so he inquired and learned that the Embroidered Uniform Guard was cracking down on private firearm smuggling, but they themselves lacked expertise in firearms."

"So they requested Jia Cong to assign his subordinates, who were skilled in firearms, to assist in the raids—hence their joint appearance."

The Zhen family's eldest lady's face brightened slightly. "Mother, our family has never had dealings with the Embroidered Uniform Guard, nor do we know anyone there."

"But if third miss's words are true—if the Embroidered Uniform Guard turned to Jia Cong for help, then Jia Cong must have some influence there."

"Why don't we ask Jia Cong to help get Zhen Shiwen released? That boy can't endure the Embroidered Uniform Guard's prison—I fear if he stays too long, something terrible will happen!"

As the eldest lady spoke, her face paled; the Embroidered Uniform Guard had a terrible reputation—rumor said anyone who entered their prison was skinned and dismembered, dying a horrible death!

Though her son was the Zhen family's legitimate heir, surely the Embroidered Uniform Guard would show some restraint, not dare go that far.

But once inside their prison, emerging unharmed was unlikely—these men were always arrogant and cruel; her son would surely be humiliated and beaten.

Her own son was a pampered scion of a noble family; he had never endured such hardship since childhood, and if he were harmed, she would be heartbroken.

Madam Zhen also feared that if her grandson stayed too long in that hellish place—the Embroidered Uniform Guard—he might suffer some mishap, so she hurriedly said: "Then take Zhen Yingjia's letter of introduction and invite Cong-ge to come to the mansion."

I, an old woman, beg him personally to save my grandson. The Jia and Zhen families have been old, close allies for generations; I trust Cong-ge will grant this old woman this favor."

The Third Miss Zhen, however, said: "Grandmother, your words are correct—by all normal standards, the Jia and Zhen families have had ties for generations."

Moreover, Third Brother's matter is not life-or-death; Cong Jia will surely help."

But it is just too coincidental: recently, something has occurred that may have caused Cong Jia to harbor ill will toward Third Brother. If we go to him now to beg for help, I fear there will be complications."

Madam Zhen looked astonished and said: "Third girl, what are you saying? Third Brother and Cong Jia have never even met—how could he have offended him?" (End of chapter)