Chapter 63: The Fearsome Reputation of the Bastard Son

In the official residence of Zhang Shou, Prefect of Zhen’an Prefecture.

Judge Liu Binfang was reporting to the Prefect on the progress of the interrogation in the case of the witch Ma Daopo.

“Your Excellency, that old witch has fully confessed to the entries in her little ledger—casting curses to extort money—and all the victims have been verified.”

But she refuses outright to admit any involvement in cursing the wife and husband of the Jia family’s assistant magistrate, or Jia Cong—insisting she never did such a thing.”

Yet her little ledger clearly records it in black and white, and the handwriting has been verified—she claims the characters aren’t hers, yet cannot explain why.”

Zhang Shou said: “She has confessed to crimes enough to warrant death—why then does she refuse this one?”

Liu Binfang said: “Your Excellency is right. Since she knows she has no hope of survival, yet still denies this one act, her demeanor doesn’t seem feigned—there must be something suspicious beneath.”

I also interrogated Wang Zhangshi of the Jia household. At first, she too denied colluding with Ma Daopo to curse the Jia assistant magistrate and others.”

But under torture, she finally changed her story, claiming she acted on orders from Jia She and his wife, and offered to testify—only asking for a chance at life.”

Zhang Shou frowned: “If you suspect framing, do you have any suspects? Any physical evidence?”

Zhang Shou said: “But you found the paper effigies and yellow talismans used for cursing in her room—exactly matching the entries in Ma Daopo’s ledger. That is concrete proof; her denials are useless.”

Yet Wang Zhangshi is a wicked, deceitful woman—when she was in the Jia household, she freely accused others on the spot to clear herself. She may simply be repeating her old tricks.”

Liu Binfang was recommended by Zhang Shou upon his appointment and is his trusted man, so he spoke without much restraint.

Now our Zhen’an Prefecture has uncovered the scandal of the Jia family’s heir attempting to murder his younger brother—haven’t we deeply offended them? If they use their connections, your and my official careers will become arduous!”

Liu Binfang’s expression turned startled and uncertain.

Liu Binfang hurriedly said: “Your humble servant is dull-witted—I only know how to interrogate cases, never considered this layer. I am truly guilty.”

Yet he could not grasp the key point—the case seemed shrouded in an indescribable fog.

After all, she was merely a servant. Let her die—what does it matter?

Seeing Liu Binfang’s flustered expression, Zhang Shou felt a faint satisfaction: “Ma Daopo’s use of witchcraft to harm others is undeniable, and Wang Zhangshi’s disobedience to her masters is fully corroborated by physical evidence—submit the case to the Ministry of Justice for final judgment as soon as possible!”

Zhang Shou sighed: “Wang Zhangshi was caught red-handed with evidence of witchcraft—under countless eyes, she cannot possibly clear her name.”

“The Jia family holds two dukedoms—among the military nobility, their power is immense. Though the Dukes of Rong and Ning have been dead many years, the lingering influence and connections they left behind are no small matter.”

Zhang Shou spent half his life climbing to the position of Prefect of Zhen’an—he holds this office in the highest regard, weighing every decision carefully, terrified of missteps that might ruin his career—truly living up to his name, Shou’an.”

Liu Binfang said: “Both women deny this outright—I suspect that the witchcraft case in Rongguo Mansion may be a frame-up.”

Liu Binfang smiled bitterly: “I noticed many inconsistencies during my investigation, which led me to this conclusion—but I have no concrete proof yet.”

Binfang, you’ve given me a huge trouble.”

Occasionally, Liu Binfang’s mind flashed back to the calm, ruthless Jia youth from that courtroom day—he was impressed, but after brief thought, he deemed it irrelevant to the case and let it pass.

Liu Binfang was meticulous; over the years he had handled many strange and difficult cases, his experience and insight far beyond the ordinary. These past days, as he pondered the case, he sensed something hidden beneath.”

The most pressing issue now is that you extracted from her the claim that she performed witchcraft against the Jia second branch on the orders of the victim’s elder brother, First-Rank General Jia She and his wife.”

He added: “Yet Jia She and his wife ordering a servant to commit witchcraft against a younger brother remains suspect—there is still insufficient concrete evidence…”

Liu Binfang suddenly understood—the Prefect intended to let the matter slide and muddy the waters.

Wang Zhangshi was merely a servant of the Jia household—the Prefect didn’t care a whit for such people. Since concrete evidence had been found, he would use her life to close the case.”

As for Jia She ordering witchcraft, Zhen’an Prefecture would likely find ways to deflect blame, to avoid stirring up trouble.”

Thus, this major witchcraft case would be neatly wrapped up by Zhen’an Prefecture, leaving no room for anyone to find fault.”

Zhang Shou stroked his beard calmly, wearing an air of masterful planning: “Our Zhen’an Prefecture handles only civil and criminal matters. Matters concerning the private conduct of military nobles fall under the jurisdiction of the Clan Office. Draft the official document and send it to the Clan Office for their ruling.”

Liu Binfang’s face showed sincere admiration: “Your Excellency’s insight is profound. I shall proceed immediately.”

…

Since the incident at the East Courtyard, Jia Cong had acquired a “fearsome reputation” among the Jia household servants.

Many maids and old women whispered behind closed doors that on that day in the East Lu Courtyard, it was this Third Master Cong who had ordered the breaking of Wang Shanbao’s wife’s legs.

Wang Shanbao’s wife had always been a servant of some standing in the household, yet on that day before Third Master Cong, she had been like a skinned, mangy dog.

Whether she cursed or begged pitifully, the master never so much as blinked—he watched coldly until her legs were broken, then stopped.”

After all, Wang Shanbao’s wife had previously committed evil deeds—she had driven Jia Cong’s maid to suicide. This was revenge.”

No one expected that this lowborn, despised bastard of the main house—who was once scorned even by cats and dogs—could harbor such a cruel heart.”

These household-born servants of the Jia family were mostly a pack of fickle, cruel demons—when Jia Cong had suffered in the East Courtyard, they had naturally looked down on him.

Though recently permitted by the matriarch to move to the West Mansion, he was assigned to the lonely, isolated Qingzhi Study—clearly, the matriarch still disdained him.”

So just days ago, countless people had mocked him behind his back, saying dog meat could never grace a banquet table.”

Take the kitchen women, for instance—when they first heard that Liu’s daughter had suddenly been raised to a second-class monthly allowance, they had felt envy and resentment.”

But when they saw her moving into the cold, abandoned Qingzhi Study with Jia Cong, they began mocking her mercilessly in the kitchen: What could a daughter of a courtesan ever amount to? No matter how hard she jumped, she’d never reach the sky.”

They also said Liu’s daughter had truly raised a daughter—so quickly had she risen to power. This enraged Liu’s wife so much she nearly spat blood.”

But after the East Courtyard incident, word spread through the household: Wang Shanbao’s wife hadn’t just had her legs broken by Jia Cong—she had been thrown into the Zhen’an Prefecture jail, and would be executed after autumn.”

Hearing this terrifying news, the women who had mocked her instantly dared not utter a single word.

If they spoke out again and the demon heard it, they’d be treated like Wang Shanbao’s wife—and would they still have their lives?”

In the past, when Wu’er went to the kitchen to fetch Jia Cong’s meals, the women and their daughters would call her “Liu’s girl” and order her around like a servant.”

Now, seeing Wu’er, their faces creased into wide, fake smiles, they respectfully called her “Miss Liu,” insisting: “How could Miss come herself? We’ll bring the food to you!”

Wu’er was sharp-witted. Though she found the sudden shift from arrogance to servility repulsive, she showed no sign of it on her face—still fetching the meals herself, or sending Juan’er and Si’er, to avoid giving the impression that Qingzhi Study’s people were arrogant.”

But Qingwen was never allowed to go—her fiery temper could not tolerate such filth; one visit would guarantee a quarrel.”

Since the Wang Shanbao’s wife incident, the East Courtyard had fallen silent—Jia She no longer dared to drink and revel daily, fearing Wang Shanbao’s wife might blab in prison and bring Zhen’an Prefecture’s officials to his door.”

Jia Mu ordered Lady Xing to seclude herself and reflect on her sins. He had always despised this eldest daughter-in-law—greedy, harsh, and the source of countless scandals.”

Now that her personal retainer had committed witchcraft against the second branch, she had touched the matriarch’s wrath—clearly, they were trying to pin the blame for inciting Wang Shanbao’s wife onto her, to preemptively shift guilt away from their own son.”

With both husband and wife now barely saving themselves, they had no energy left to scheme against Jia Cong—allowing him to enjoy a rare period of peace in Qingzhi Study since arriving at the Jia household.”

Moreover, he was waiting for developments from Zhen’an Prefecture—he was certain Wang Shanbao’s wife would cause more trouble. He wasn’t the only one waiting; Jia Mu, Jia She, and others were waiting too.”

But Jia Cong watched coldly from the sidelines, while they were ants on a hot pan.”

(End of Chapter)