BXG - 67

◎Zi Jin◎

Qu You nodded at Wang Yi Ran and went up the city wall alone. Wang Yi Ran walked expressionlessly to Wu Bin, looked at his pitiful state on the ground, and said: “Let me ask you one more time, what exactly happened back then?”

Wu Bin clutched her legs and begged incoherently: “Yi Ran, Yi Ran! We have been married for many years, surely, surely there must be some affection...”

Wang Yi Ran ignored him, but tears welled up in her eyes: “She was playing with Nuo Er in the backyard garden. You were lustful and played around with her, dismissing the servants... Nuo Er was only three years old. The moss by the lake was slippery; after falling into the water, he didn’t even have time to cry for help. You killed your own son, and afterward, you blamed it on me, making me think it was my fault...”

A long laugh escaped from her throat: “I was deceived by you for ten years, wanting to end my life many times. My brother always granted my requests, allowing you to do whatever you wanted in Ruo Zhou! Now, I will personally settle this karmic debt between us...”

Zhou Tan stood on the city wall, looking down at the situation below, and said to Wang Ju Qian: “Tomorrow, I will write a verdict for the Ruo Zhou State Office. This person Wu Bin should be sentenced to death. It is lawful for your sister to act as the executioner.”

Wang Ju Qian sighed: “Thank you.”

Realizing that begging was useless, Wu Bin raised his head, tears and snot streaming down his face, and suddenly let out a strange laugh: “Ha, ha, you’ve been wearing such a gloomy face all these years, making people feel sick just looking at you! You relied on your brother’s power to give me dirty looks, and I had to grovel and pretend to be deeply in love to please you—”

Wang Yi Ran bent slightly, grabbed his collar, and said hatefully: “If you hate me, come at me directly. But my child was so young... He was also your flesh and blood!”

“Yes, he was so young,” Wu Bin repeated dully, then wiped his tears and wailed, “He was my flesh and blood, how could I not grieve? Yi Ran, even for his sake, spare my life. I’ll serve you like a beast of burden in the future...”

Wang Yi Ran let go, closed her eyes, and said: “The future? You’ve deceived me and my brother for so many years. If I can’t personally end your life, I’d look down on myself.”

She picked up the long knife beside her and said coldly: “If there’s a next life, you should be more careful. I was never a lamb for you to manipulate. You’ve committed countless evil deeds. Not subjecting you to lingchi is already showing consideration for our past relationship.”

Wu Bin struggled in horror: “You, you wicked woman—”

Before he finished his sentence, blood splattered everywhere, soaking the pristine Xuan paper on which He Yuan Kai had written his crimes.

He Yuan Kai walked over from behind Zhou Tan, his face half-lit and half-shadowed in the moonlight: “Tomorrow, I will post this list of crimes in the bustling market. Those who were suspicious about the registration matter will finally be reassured. Sir acts decisively and swiftly. Wu Bin is dead, and the people of Ruo Zhou are trembling. Whatever you want to accomplish, you can proceed without restraint.”

Upon hearing this, Wang Ju Qian turned his head in confusion: “My wife mentioned that Young Master Zhou was originally a trusted aide of the Crown Prince and was highly regarded by His Majesty in court. If you wanted to stay in Bian Du, you would have countless means. Why did you have to come to Ruo Zhou? Someone of your caliber probably isn’t here just to execute that scoundrel Wu Bin, right?”

Zhou Tan smiled faintly and replied succinctly: “I intend to abolish the Tang Hua Decree in Ruo Zhou. What does General think about it?”

“What?” Wang Ju Qian was deeply shocked, then pondered: “The Tang Hua Decree has run rampant in Ruo Zhou. Many unscrupulous merchants colluded with Wu Bin to oppress displaced people. At the time... sigh, although I knew something, I didn’t realize Wu Bin was so audacious. Looking at these charges now, they are truly shocking. However, the Tang Hua Decree involves the interests of merchants. If we act too hastily, won’t we offend these people?”

He Yuan Kai nodded on the side: “This matter still needs careful deliberation.”

Zhou Tan tightened his grip on Qu You’s hand and narrowed his eyes slightly.

Ruo Zhou changed overnight.

It was the season when apricot flowers bloomed. In previous years, by the end of the third month of spring, merchants were busy, and city walls were under repair. Everything pressed down heavily on those passing through Ruo Zhou, leaving them breathless.

Now they finally got a chance to rest and look at the new governor’s notice posted in the bustling market.

That blood-stained notice listed more than fifty old cases of Wu Bin’s over the years. It included not only the accusations of those seeking justice but also detailed records of other matters carefully investigated by the authorities.

The crowd surrounded the notice tightly. Illiterate elders and strong young men asked scholars to read it aloud. With each sentence read, they trembled and exclaimed “Good.”

The common people didn’t care who the new governor was, his background, or his previous relationship with Wu Bin. They only knew that he helped civilians register their residence at the city gate that day, tirelessly working for a whole day without stopping.

Working alongside him was reportedly a young official from Bian Du. This young man was extremely handsome, helping everyone verify and stamp documents under the scorching sun with great patience. Moreover, he opened Ruo Zhou’s long-sealed granaries to distribute grain. The porridge tents were set up on the other side of the registration area. Bring a bowl, and you could get a fragrant bowl of rice porridge.

In the middle of the porridge tent was a beautiful lady, said to be Young Master Zhou’s wife. She was also very kind, smiling all day. Several beggar children nearby liked her very much. She took them to distribute silver coins, washed their hands in the porridge tent, and served porridge to others.

Within just a month or two, those who paid attention realized that Wu Bin’s downfall was largely due to the efforts of the newly arrived Tong Pan. The state office issued several laws consecutively, each one benefiting the people. Not long after implementation, every commoner praised them.

Nowadays, people no longer fear officials as they used to.

In mid-May, Ruo Zhou was festooned with lanterns to celebrate the Grila Festival, unique to the western border region. Qu You went out for a stroll and was given three or four flower garlands by enthusiastic elderly women, along with two bunches of fresh flowers and several woven bracelets, asking her to pass them to Lord Zhou.

Using the occasion of the Grila Festival, Zhou Tan and He Yuan Kai hosted a banquet at the rear of the state office, inviting all the merchants of Ruo Zhou.

After the temporary ban on the Tang Hua Decree, the merchants’ interests were naturally shaken quite a bit. However, at least now they didn’t have to rack their brains to please the local officials.

Before the displaced people were registered, though they were exploited by merchants, they were treated with hatred as if they were mortal enemies whenever seen. Merchants’ status was inherently low, and this was no exception even at the border. To please the government, merchants groveled and demeaned themselves.

After the new Tong Pan took office, the displaced people were no longer exploited by merchants, and they could coexist peacefully within the city. Incidents of smashing shops, looting goods, and even injuring people for revenge greatly decreased.

Initially, it was thought that if the Tong Pan’s decrees benefited the displaced people, they would inevitably sacrifice the merchants’ interests. However, Zhou Tan subsequently issued several decisions favorable to merchants, spearheaded the establishment of a Chamber of Commerce in Ruo Zhou, and personally visited the most prestigious Ge family to take charge of the Chamber’s self-governance, clearly showing intentions to win them over.

Therefore, during the Grila Festival, almost all the merchants in Ruo Zhou received invitations from the government.

Zhou Tan and He Yuan Kai treated people courteously, without any disdain despite them being merchants. The nearly seventy-year-old Elder Ge shed tears several times during the banquet and spoke generously, admonishing everyone not to let temporary interests blind their conscience.

Everyone echoed his words, and from then on, there were no more objections.

Everything was resolved smoothly, surprisingly so. In early June, Wang Ju Qian bid farewell to Zhou Tan, intending to resign from his position as the city defense general and take his family and sister to explore the Jiangnan region.

Zhou Tan tried to persuade him twice but failed. Yan Fu took over Wang Ju Qian’s position. As everyone saw them off, Wang Yi Ran suddenly received a marriage proposal from He Yuan Kai.

The matter of the Wang family’s departure was temporarily put on hold.

Qu You paid a visit to Wang Yi Ran.

She had just turned thirty this year. Since Wu Bin’s death, she had gradually regained her vitality, like a withered flower that had been watered anew. At first, Qu You felt somewhat apologetic because she had approached Wang Yi Ran with ulterior motives. However, Wang Yi Ran herself didn’t mind at all.

“Back then, I was also kind to you with an agenda. We’re even now, so it doesn’t count for much,” Wang Yi Ran said, tasting the lotus seed pastry Qu You brought, and praised it endlessly. “To be honest, I’m more grateful to you. If not for you and Young Master Zhou, I’d still be in the dark.”

Qu You quickly said “I don’t deserve your thanks” and teased: “In that case, Sister Yi Ran should thank Lord He.”

Since Wu Bin’s death, Qu You had started calling her “Sister Yi Ran.”

He Yuan Kai’s marriage proposal was sudden and startled Wang Yi Ran, especially since he was a few years younger than her. However, after a few days, following private discussions with Wang Ju Qian and Wang Yi Ran, Wang Yi Ran personally agreed to the marriage.

Speaking of He Yuan Kai, Wang Yi Ran blushed slightly: “Little girl, how dare you tease me like this?”

Qu You was very curious about their story and pressed her with a few questions. Wang Yi Ran twisted the handkerchief in her hands and recalled faintly: “After our parents passed away, I followed my brother to the western border. When he was unmarried and pursuing military achievements outside, I opened a porridge shop in the city. One day, I saw a frail child beaten black and blue outside the door. Out of great kindness, I invited him in for a bowl of rice porridge.”

“That person was Lord He?” Qu You asked in surprise, “In that case, Sister, it really is fate that brought you together.”

Wang Yi Ran nodded with a smile: “He indeed grew up following the troupe leader when he was young. After escaping, he nearly died... He’s quite old-fashioned, though. That day, he told me that without that bowl of porridge back then, he wouldn’t have survived until now.”

Qu You watched as Wang Yi Ran propped her chin, her face glowing with youthful aspirations: “Later, he went through great hardships to make a name for himself. But my brother was more successful, and I married early. He could have had a better future but unhesitatingly became an undercover agent in Wu Bin’s household when Marquis Xiang Ning needed him. Ten years passed, during which he groveled and investigated Wu Bin’s actions thoroughly. Yet, he couldn’t find an opportunity to tell me. If I hadn’t decided to leave, he probably wouldn’t have dared to propose, keeping his feelings buried forever.”

“A smart person like Lord He can also be so deeply affected by love,” Qu You sighed, “Having someone like him protect you makes up for past regrets.”

Wang Yi Ran held her hand earnestly and said: “Yes, my brother is a rough man. Though he treats me well, he doesn’t understand a woman’s delicate thoughts. I was deceived by Wu Bin because I desperately wanted someone to care for me. He wasn’t a good man, but now that I’ve met a good one, it’s not too late... That day, when Lord He came to see me, I asked him, ‘You have such a bright future ahead. There are many eligible young women in Ruo Zhou you could marry. Why choose me and invite gossip?’”

“He said, ‘Back then, I was still young. The year I first entered the Wu household, I gave you a green robe on your birthday. You didn’t understand its meaning, but now I know it meant ‘Your green collar, my longing heart’... Looking back, I received much care from him. During my most painful years, there was someone by my side. After hearing this, I thought, if he wants to marry me, what do I have to fear?’”

Wang Yi Ran suddenly felt a bit embarrassed at this point: “Talking about these things with a young wife like you makes me feel a little shy. Young Master Zhou is so good to you; surely your relationship is even more affectionate than mine... Why don’t you tell me how you two fell in love?”

Qu You was eating a lotus seed pastry when she heard this and suddenly choked. She poured some tea and swallowed, slowly realizing belatedly.

“I… I and Tan Lang never really courted,” Qu You held her chest and muttered blankly. “On our wedding night, he was severely injured and only spoke to me a few days later. At that time… we were suspicious and testing each other. It wasn’t until I realized he was a good person.”

“You didn’t even speak on your wedding night?” Wang Yi Ran, unaware of the assassination attempt, was puzzled. “Oh dear, what kind of wedding is that? In my opinion, you should redo it. The wedding ceremony is so important for a woman. Your husband didn’t even bow to you properly. Don’t you feel regretful?”

Perhaps due to past events, today Wang Yi Ran suddenly asked, and Qu You only then realized that her relationship with Zhou Tan had somehow transformed into what it was now.

Thinking back to their initial coldness and estrangement, it felt like a lifetime ago.

They had traveled all the way from Bian Du to here, becoming intimate and in perfect harmony like they had known each other for many years. Yet, she would only light a lamp for Zhou Tan returning late at night and forget to tell him...

—Her feelings.