TGPSAC – Chapter 27

The Qingyuan County Yamen.

Chi Wan’s arrival did not alert anyone. No one thought she would come to take up her post before the New Year. The current Fuma, born of nobility—how could she not be the high and mighty type? Everyone assumed she would certainly wait until after the Lantern Festival to show up.

Besides, the Fuma’s public reputation had never been good. How could such a person possibly attend to her duties properly?

The entire Qingyuan County Yamen was prepared to welcome a profligate. A profligate who might even be corrupt. Forcibly seizing women, beating and killing commoners, plundering by force—these were standard for many nobles.

The Great Zhou had been founded for two hundred years, and the nobility was no longer what it was in the early days—if not cultured, they were at least capable fighters.

The nobles of today were mostly useless parasites supported by the court.

A hundred years into the Great Zhou’s history, a new batch of nobles had emerged, also forged in battle. The struggle between the new and old nobility had lasted a century, and currently, the old-line nobles held no status in the military.

Some scions of noble houses had transitioned to civil official posts, but that was all well and good—not everyone was cut out for studying. It required absolute talent. Someone who could pass the county-level exam might not be a genius, but someone who passed the provincial one could be said to be a diligent and hardworking student with a bit of talent. Only those who truly passed the palace exam could be considered geniuses, at least on a local level.

The advantage of noble scions lay in their resources. They could study at the Imperial Academy, had no shortage of famous teachers for guidance, and at the very least, had access to plenty of books and notes from their predecessors.

The unequal distribution of educational resources was the greatest challenge for the Great Zhou. Even though the dynasty had allowed commoners to take the imperial examinations from its founding, not limiting it to aristocratic and noble families, the inequity in educational resources meant that most who could enter officialdom had backgrounds.

Moreover, a system of relationships based on being disciples of the same master, fellow students, or from the same hometown had now emerged, leading to the natural formation of cliques. One either had to blend in with the world or fall into the dust.

Many scholars from ordinary backgrounds, upon passing the Jinshi exam, would visit their patrons and examiners, essentially finding a backer for themselves first. Over time, the various cliques grew stronger, making it impossible not to join one.

During the Shengyuan era, this situation had become almost uncontrollable. When these people united against imperial authority, even Emperor Shengyuan dared not confront them head-on. Thus, he wanted to support the nobility, using them to counter the scholar-official faction. This was why the Imperial Academy went from teaching only the imperial clan to also enrolling the sons and daughters of nobility.

Later, his support for Yu Jiuzhou was like a chairman of the board wanting to cultivate a CEO without equity to counter the scholar-official faction and help him manage affairs after his death.

But he never expected that the successor he chose would be inadequate, directly denying his own adoption and posthumously naming his biological father as emperor, which put him in a very awkward position. Even though Yu Jiuzhou had acquired equity through her own abilities, she couldn’t fight against the one who was destined by the Mandate of Heaven.

Not to mention those nobles who had long since fallen into decline, most of whom held empty titles.

Therefore, throughout the Shengyuan era, the nobility never even stepped onto the stage of competition.

The officials of Qingyuan County were wary of Chi Wan mainly because of the Princess’s Residence, not the Marquis of Huai’an’s Residence.

Chi Wan had read the novel. After Prince Bao’an became emperor, there was an analysis of the court’s situation. Yu Jiuzhou’s side had one as well. This was, after all, a political intrigue novel, with no shortage of descriptions of the court.

She had a good memory, and combining that with the information her predecessor had overheard in pleasure quarters, she could roughly guess her current predicament.

Before coming, she had also spoken with Chen Yuan about what kind of place Qingyuan County was. She learned that many areas in the capital counties were essentially manors, which were lands enclosed by the imperial family, nobility, or aristocratic officials and then built into estates.

An ordinary noble might have a dozen manors in the capital counties, and even a minor official in the capital would have a few. With all parties carving up the land, very little was left for the common people.

It could be said that the nobility and aristocratic families occupied 80% of the land, while the remaining 20% belonged to the common people, which also included merchants and the like.

Qingyuan County was even worse. The good fields all belonged to the noble and aristocratic families. Only the remote, poor-quality land could the commoners hold onto, or they had to rent from others.

The Great Zhou had been prosperous for two hundred years, which could only be said to truly echo the saying: when the state prospers, the people suffer; when the state falls, the people suffer.

Chi Wan looked at the yamen before her, which resembled the gaping maw of a beast, and suddenly changed her mind. “Chen Yuan, let’s go get some lamb noodle soup.”

Eating a pot of lamb spine hotpot in the winter, a single hot mouthful would warm the entire body.

Unfortunately, hotpot didn’t exist in this world yet, so a bowl of lamb noodle soup would have to suffice to warm her up.

Her trip to Qingyuan County this time was mainly to assess the situation here. It wasn’t about trying to accomplish everything at once and turn the county upside down with an investigation.

“Proprietor, two bowls of lamb noodle soup and two roasted lamb flatbreads.”

Chi Wan entered the lamb noodle soup shop and spoke to the proprietor at the side.

The shop was quite crowded. In Qingyuan County, where conditions were generally average, those who could afford to eat out were well-off. Merchants who traveled far and wide and could afford to dine in restaurants were even better off.

But it was precisely in these mid-sized eateries that more information circulated, and it was more down-to-earth.

Chi Wan sat down on a stool and waved Chen Yuan over.

Chen Yuan hesitated, unsure if she should sit.

“Go on, sit down. Since we’re out, there’s no distinction between superior and subordinate. We’re friends.”

Chi Wan was dressed as a scholar, while Chen Yuan wore a warrior’s attire—a traditional black outfit with a short-sleeved outer jacket, the fabric of decent quality. Judging by their clothes alone, one couldn’t see a significant gap in their status.

She had deliberately dressed so modestly today mainly for convenience. If her high status were obvious at a glance, she probably wouldn’t be able to gather any information.

Chen Yuan still sat down opposite Chi Wan, gaining a new perspective on this legendary profligate scoundrel.

A profligate scoundrel would not sit with a subordinate.

After sitting, Chen Yuan cupped her hands. “This subordinate thanks the Fu… Young Mistress.”

Chen Yuan corrected herself in time upon meeting Chi Wan’s gaze, feeling a strange sense of bewilderment.

Chi Wan didn’t mind, her ears picking out the surrounding conversations. Finally, she heard a useful piece of information.

“Did you know? Someone went to the yamen to sue the Grand Princess’s Residence, but the accuser was arrested. It’s been several days now; I’m afraid they won’t be out for the New Year.”

“How could they get out? In a little while, when no one remembers this, the accuser will be doomed.”

“Isn’t the Grand Princess of Qin said to be intelligent and courteous? I heard that when His Majesty reviews memorials, she even offers suggestions. His Majesty himself said that Her Highness has a compassionate heart and would surely be a good emperor if she were a Qian Yuan.”

“Oh, come on. Maybe His Majesty just said that on purpose. Who doesn’t think their own child is good? And what’s the result?”

“Seizing commoners’ fields, insatiably greedy, using power to oppress people, killing the innocent indiscriminately… How can such a person be worthy of the title of Princess of Qin? How can she be fit to be the Grand Princess of our Great Zhou?”

“Shh, don’t you want to live? Discussing Her Highness the Grand Princess in the street—be careful you don’t get your nine generations of kin implicated.”

“We scholars of the Great Zhou have freedom of speech! We can point out the emperor’s mistakes and criticize the ministers of the court. What do I have to fear? A mere Kun Ze woman acting in such a manner—we scholars ought to petition for the people.”

Chi Wan had just taken a sip of tea. Hearing this, she slammed the cup down on the table. “Simply alarmist nonsense! It’s a good thing you’re only a Xiucai. If you were to become an official one day, you would truly be a cancer upon our Great Zhou.”

He spouted off about matters of state at every turn, which was one thing, but he also looked down on Kun Ze and women. Where did he think he came from?

Moreover, his words were all aimed at criticizing Yu Jiuzhou. The matter hadn’t even been investigated, yet he was already accusing someone like this, full of stereotypes. It was truly despicable.

Chen Yuan’s mouth fell open as she stared at her. This Fuma was too confrontational! In an unfamiliar place, to just start a fight like this… For a Xiucai, such words were undoubtedly a shock.

She wondered, if the Fuma got beaten up here, how would she explain it when she got back?

As expected, the Xiucai heard her and immediately stood up, striding angrily towards Chi Wan. Chen Yuan quickly rose and stood between them.

“Who are you to speak so offensively?”

A mocking sneer touched the corner of Chi Wan’s lips. “And are your words so pleasant to hear? What’s wrong with a Kun Ze woman? Did she eat your family’s rice? Gossiping like this all day, you’re no son of a man.”

“You…” The Xiucai was furious. “Vulgar!”

“Arrogant!” Chi Wan’s cold gaze swept over the crowd as she declared loudly, “You claim the Grand Princess’s Residence seized commoners’ fields, used power to oppress people, and killed the innocent. Do you have any proof?”

“Based on a single person’s accusation, with no evidence whatsoever, you dare to spread rumors. Cases are decided by evidence, not by your mouth. How dare you slander His Majesty’s Grand Princess? State your name.”

This Xiucai was tall and thin, half a head taller than Chen Yuan, and looked quite imposing. But upon hearing Chi Wan’s words, his furious momentum immediately weakened.

He sized up Chi Wan, wondering if this person had some kind of background. Was asking for his name an attempt to suppress him, or something else?

But Chi Wan was dressed like an ordinary scholar in plain clothes. Even with a fur-lined outer coat and cloak, it was standard attire for many scholars.

Any family with solid means could afford such clothes.

This was precisely why Chi Wan had dressed so modestly today; clothes that looked too luxurious would easily put people on their guard.

After assessing her, the Xiucai felt more confident and continued to shout, “What’s my name to you? Meddling dog.”

“Insolence!” Chen Yuan shouted, and in the next second, the tall, thin Xiucai was sent flying with a kick.

The one who kicked was not Chen Yuan, but Chi Wan. She had some awareness of her own martial prowess. She had practiced her forms that morning and felt the intent of the fist. In her previous life, it had taken her twenty years to feel it, but in this life, her body had somehow felt it on the first try.

One needed to reach the pinnacle in both internal energy and comprehension of fist techniques to develop fist intent. The comprehension of fist techniques was etched into her soul, but the mysterious appearance of internal energy did leave her somewhat puzzled.

Before practicing her forms, her body’s dantian had not been opened, so she hadn’t felt any internal energy. But this internal energy felt very familiar, much like the internal energy from her previous life. Could it be that her internal energy had come with her?

It wasn’t impossible. She practiced a Daoist mental cultivation method. In modern society, internal energy was difficult to cultivate, and most people practiced external martial arts. Practicing martial arts was expensive, requiring many medicinal herbs.

When Chi Wan was young, her grandmother had soaked her in medicinal baths for a long time, allowing her to achieve some success with her internal energy by the age of twenty.

In this life, she could clearly feel that when she practiced internal arts at night, her progress was faster than when she had just started in her previous life. She only needed to sufficiently nourish her body before she could begin cultivating internal energy.

She hadn’t expected that one round of practice would save her years of hard cultivation.

Chi Wan’s light kick still sent the tall, thin Xiucai flying. However, as she had deliberately held back her strength, the Xiucai was only disheveled and not injured.

“In broad daylight, you dare to assault a titled Xiucai in the street! This is utterly lawless.”

Someone who might have been on good terms with the Xiucai stepped forward to argue.

Chi Wan only glanced at Chen Yuan, who took a step forward. “Slandering His Majesty and Her Highness the Grand Princess, and insulting a court official—according to the laws of the Great Zhou, the punishment is death!”

A court official?

The crowd began to murmur. “She’s a court official?”

“Looks like that Xiucai Zhang has kicked an iron plate. I’ve disliked him for a long time. He only passed the Xiucai exam at thirty, yet he struts around everywhere, so eager to lecture others.”

“Zhang Quan deserves it. Does he think that just because speech is free, a mere Xiucai like him can comment on state affairs? And he’s commenting on His Majesty and the Grand Princess, no less. It’s not like no one has ever been convicted for their words since the founding of the Great Zhou.”

“The Shengyuan era is lenient towards censors, not towards some scholars. He thinks he knows everything after reading a few books. The truly knowledgeable ones are at home studying for next year’s provincial exams. Only this Xiucai Zhang wanders around outside every day.”

“Say no more.” The person sized up Chi Wan. “This person is dressed like a scholar. I wonder which family’s young mistress she is, to become a court official at such a young age.”

“Either nobility or an aristocratic family. If she were a Jinshi who became an official at this age, how could we not know of her?”

Those people were geniuses from all over the country. Older Jinshi were one thing, but a Jinshi as good-looking and young as Chi Wan—there was no reason they wouldn’t know of her.

Chi Wan took a step forward. “I am the Magistrate of Qingyuan County. I came upon receiving the imperial edict, but I did not expect to hear someone slandering His Majesty in this noodle shop.”

She walked up to Zhang Quan and looked down at him. “Your name is Zhang Quan, is it not? This matter will reach the ears of the Son of Heaven.”

Daring to insult the emperor—truly, the ignorant are fearless. No matter how open the avenues of speech were, it wasn’t for a minor Xiucai like him to question. Besides, the scholars who discussed state affairs were either flattering the emperor or the Grand Secretariat. Who was like Zhang Quan, directly saying this was bad and that was bad?

Only when he heard that this matter would be known to the emperor did Zhang Quan feel fear.

In fact, as the magistrate, she had the authority to deal with him, but at most, it would be a minor punishment. The Great Zhou had been too lenient with scholars for nearly a century. Even for a Xiucai, the local magistrate didn’t have much power to punish him. At most, it would be a caning on the palm. Punishments like caning on the buttocks or stripping him of his title required the authority of a commandery governor.

Normally, as long as the magistrate reported it to the governor, and the person had no powerful backer, the request would surely be approved. Ordinary Xiucai and Juren wouldn’t dare to offend a magistrate, let alone Chi Wan, who had other identities. If she used her status as the Fuma, she could, but in Qingyuan County, she wouldn’t use any other identity.

Moreover, the magistrate of a capital county was different, holding a higher rank. If she were to notify the Shengjing Prefecture, would they refuse her for the sake of a mere Xiucai?

But Chi Wan chose not to. She wanted this matter to be brought before the emperor. Hadn’t she been mentioning His Majesty in all her words, rarely mentioning Yu Jiuzhou? She wanted people to know that she wasn’t venting anger for the Grand Princess’s Residence, but for the sake of His Majesty’s honor.

As for how the emperor would deal with Zhang Quan, it would likely be more than just stripping him of his title.

The moment Chi Wan heard the name Zhang Quan, she remembered him. This person was one of Prince Zhongshan’s men, a key figure in spreading rumors about Yu Jiuzhou. He spread rumors in various taverns and was later beaten up by Xia Qu when she encountered him.

As a result of Xia Qu’s actions, the anger of many scholars was provoked, and they believed the Grand Princess’s Residence was bullying people with its power. These people held a sit-in protest at the Sage’s Temple, demanding an explanation from the emperor.

A deeper investigation would have revealed the truth, but the emperor, worried about being seen as protecting his daughter, directly ruled that the Grand Princess’s Residence was at fault.

Originally, Chi Wan had intended to give him a minor punishment, but after hearing his name, she had no intention of letting him go.

Given the emperor’s personality, he would not let Zhang Quan off easily. Although Zhang Quan didn’t understand the emperor’s character, he had a guilty conscience. He immediately scrambled to his knees at her feet. “Lord Magistrate, this student was insolent. I beg for your forgiveness, Lord Magistrate.”

After passing the Xiucai exam, one could address oneself as a “student” when meeting an official.

Chi Wan stared at him for a moment, then smiled coldly and squatted down beside him, whispering, “Send my regards to Prince Zhongshan for me. And give him a message: if he dares to lay his claws on Her Highness again, I will chop them off.”

Prince Zhongshan had used her predecessor to harm Yu Jiuzhou, then unhesitatingly cast her predecessor aside, leaving her to die. This person was despicable, treating his own subordinates with such cold-bloodedness. She also wanted to take this opportunity to sever ties with Prince Zhongshan.

To resolve this crisis, there was too much Chi Wan had to do.

Zhang Quan was completely stunned. He never expected this person to know so much. He couldn’t help but ask, “Who on earth are you?”

“The Magistrate of Qingyuan County!”

Chi Wan stood up and said to Chen Yuan beside her, “Wrap up the roasted lamb flatbreads.”

She took out a piece of silver and handed it to the proprietor. The proprietor felt the silver in his hand was scorching hot. The person before him was the Lord Magistrate. Which magistrate paid for their meals when they went out?

Moreover, Chi Wan had overpaid. The proprietor quickly said, “It’s… it’s too much.”

Hearing the proprietor’s stutter, Chi Wan smiled. “To compensate for your stool.”

Just now, Zhang Quan had been kicked and had smashed a stool. She had to pay for that.

The proprietor hesitated, wanting to say that the money was still too much.

But Chi Wan had already walked outside, and Chen Yuan quickly followed. “Fuma, where are we going?”

“The yamen.”

She had passed by the yamen without entering just now because it was noon and the yamen was deserted. People had probably gone home for lunch. It was normal for it to be quiet so close to the New Year.

The two walked together, having entrusted their horses to the noodle shop owner to be picked up later.

Qingyuan County was, after all, a capital county and was considered relatively prosperous. Peddlers on both sides of the street hawked their wares. Children ran about the streets holding paper cuttings and other festive trinkets. One child even held a string of candied haws.

It was the New Year. Even for things they were usually reluctant to eat, parents would grit their teeth to make their children happy.

Chi Wan watched the children running around, a smile on her lips. Feeling the repeated glances from beside her, she said helplessly, “What do you want to say?”

Chen Yuan was a step behind her in a protective stance. Hearing her question, she scratched her head awkwardly but still said, “Was the Fuma venting anger for Her Highness?”

“Isn’t it obvious?” Chi Wan raised an eyebrow.

“It’s just very surprising.”

Chen Yuan was usually responsible for gathering information, so she had a decent understanding of the matters between Chi Wan and the Grand Princess. They had especially investigated Chi Wan, and the person they investigated was completely different from the one before her now.

Just now, Chi Wan had gone up and kicked the man. Other than venting anger for Her Highness the Grand Princess, she couldn’t think of any other reason.

What was shocking was that Chi Wan’s martial arts were quite good. As far as she knew, the Fuma was an unlearned good-for-nothing, skilled in neither literary nor martial arts. But after spending time with her, she felt the Fuma was proficient in both, acted with propriety, and was well-mannered.

Chen Yuan thought of the situation in the Marquis of Huai’an’s Residence—a biased father, a heir from a different mother. She had also found out that Chi Wan’s reputation outside was poor, and the heir of the Marquis of Huai’an had done much to fuel the flames and ruin her name.

Youth is wasted if not spent in frivolity. Chi Wan loved to gamble and drink, but almost all the noble scions in the capital had these two vices, so it didn’t seem like a big deal. Perhaps everyone had misjudged the Fuma?

Chen Yuan found excuses for Chi Wan in her heart. When Chi Wan kicked Zhang Quan just now, she had felt internal energy. Martial arts were divided into internal and external schools, and some people practiced both. She herself practiced external martial arts.

As for internal martial arts, they were generally only found in Buddhist and Daoist schools, as well as some internal energy cultivation methods that had spread to the outside world. But these were very rare. Out of a hundred martial artists, there might not even be one who practiced internal arts, and those who practiced both were even rarer.

There were people in the Grand Princess’s Residence who had practiced internal arts, so Chen Yuan could sense it.

She was surprised not only that Chi Wan was venting anger for the Grand Princess, but also that she actually knew internal martial arts. She seemed to have heard that an ancestor of the Marquis of Huai’an’s Residence was a master of internal arts. Unfortunately, two hundred years had passed, and the descendants were unworthy. After two or three generations, no one in the Marquis of Huai’an’s Residence knew internal arts anymore, let alone martial arts in general.

Moreover, internal arts were difficult to practice, even harder than passing the provincial exams. It could only be said that the Fuma was not simple. The internal energy cultivation method of the Marquis of Huai’an’s Residence must have been passed down.

Chi Wan also knew that as she revealed more of herself, she would certainly be very different from before. She had no intention of hiding it. Right now, saving her life was the most important thing. What did a few changes matter?

“Her Highness is my wife, and I am her husband. It is my duty to protect Her Highness’s reputation.”

Chi Wan meant these words sincerely. Even if the two had no feelings for each other, they were partners to the outside world. What was there to say about protecting one’s partner? It was her predecessor, who had tried to harm her own partner, who was the real fool.

Chen Yuan gave her a deep look. “The Fuma’s words are reasonable.”

At first, she was just someone sent by Her Highness to monitor Chi Wan and assist her. She was naturally unhappy about working for a scoundrel Fuma, but she had to obey the princess’s orders. It was only at this moment that her opinion of the Fuma before her truly changed, and a bit of sincerity was born.

The two passed a stall selling wind chimes, and Chi Wan stopped. Shengjing was in the central plains, so wind chimes were mostly made of wooden sticks and iron pieces, their sound heavy and not crisp. But this wind chime stall actually had wind chimes made of seashells.

Chi Wan walked over, picked up a wind chime made of seashells and crystal, and asked, “How much is this?”

The crystal had many impurities and was likely scrap material. It was hard to find high-quality goods at such a stall, but the seashells on it were very beautiful.

Seeing that the person before him was an ordinary scholar, dressed as if from a minor official’s family or an ordinary country squire, likely not from a particularly wealthy household, the stall owner didn’t ask for an outrageous price. “Two liang of silver.”

Chi Wan knew he was asking for too much, so she said, “One liang.”

One liang of silver was enough for an ordinary family to eat for a month. The owner’s eyes lit up, and he feigned dissatisfaction. “Fine, fine. It’s the New Year. One liang it is.”

Chi Wan put down the silver and left with the wind chime. Chen Yuan was surprised that she would haggle, but still said, “Fuma, this thing can be bought for a hundred wen.”

Chi Wan smiled. “Did you see the little girl behind him?”

“What?”

“Still out selling goods so close to the New Year, with a little girl by his side. Her clothes are old and patched. Their family’s condition must be average. With one liang of silver, they can have a good New Year tomorrow and won’t have to come out to sell things.”

Compared to the child running around with candied haws just now, this little girl hid behind her father, obediently watching the passersby. Her eyes were bright, making one fond of her at a glance.

It was clear that although the family was poor, the little girl was well-raised.

And this string of wind chimes was purely handmade; one could see that the family’s craftsmanship was excellent.

Chen Yuan was puzzled. “In that case, why did you bargain when the owner asked for two liang?”

“I like his craftsmanship, but I don’t accept a markup of more than ten times the price.”

Chen Yuan pondered Chi Wan’s words for a long time. Even when they reached the yamen, she didn’t quite understand what “markup” meant.

Chi Wan’s thinking was simple. The material cost of this wind chime was only a few dozen wen. Adding the craftsmanship, a hundred wen would have been enough. The extra nine hundred wen was a New Year’s gift for the little girl, even though the little girl didn’t know her at all.

Arriving at the yamen, the bailiffs guarding the gate were slouched against the wall, rubbing their hands and hopping in place from time to time.

It was freezing cold, and even though they wore cotton-padded clothes, they were still very cold.

Chen Yuan stepped forward and asked, “May I ask which official is on duty in the yamen today?”

“Who are you?” a bailiff asked upon seeing the two of them.

“This is Lord Chi Wan, the new Magistrate of Qingyuan County. Hurry and report it.”

Chen Yuan had been out in the world for many years and knew that one couldn’t be too gentle with these bailiffs, or they would not only show no fear but also put on airs and demand bribes.

Her attitude, however, made the two bailiffs exchange a look. Their tone immediately softened. One went inside to report, while the other bowed. “Please come in, my lord. The Assistant Magistrate is on duty today.”

A capital county was different from an outlying one. A high-ranking official could descend upon them at any moment. In other places, no one cared if the county yamen was staffed or not, but officials in a capital county had to be on duty, even if they just slept in the yamen.

And today, they had run into just such a situation.

The Assistant Magistrate, Lu Zhen, was from the Lu clan of Fanyang. At a young age, she was already a seventh-rank Assistant Magistrate in a capital county. Chi Wan remembered this person. This Assistant Magistrate Lu might seem to have a low rank, but later, when the Ning Country invaded the northern border and fought all the way to the gates of Shengjing, reaching Qingyuan County, the magistrate of Qingyuan had long since fled. Only Lu Zhen had gathered the soldiers in the county town and organized a militia.

The Ning army was forced to take a detour, resulting in them being attacked from both front and rear, which was a great contribution to driving them away.

The Lu clan of Fanyang had produced many great literary figures. It was unexpected that Lu Zhen also understood warfare. She eventually rose to become the Minister of War and entered the Grand Secretariat.

This person also didn’t take sides. When Yu Jiuzhou and the new emperor fought so fiercely, she had only one belief: as long as the common people were not harmed, the two could fight as they pleased.

Unfortunately, after Prince Bao’an defeated Yu Jiuzhou, he believed she was one of Yu Jiuzhou’s people and had her entire clan of nine generations executed on some trumped-up charge.

Chi Wan held great admiration for Lu Zhen, who truly served the country and its people.

It was undeniable that Prince Bao’an was capable in the early stages, but later, in order to completely control imperial power, he killed too many innocent people, Lu Zhen being one of them.

Chi Wan’s gaze swept around the yamen. Inside the gate was a courtyard, and in the center of the courtyard was the place for trials—the main hall where they shouted “Might” in television dramas.

The county yamen consisted of a main hall, a prison, a constables’ office, a dining hall, a reception hall, and the clerks’ quarters. There weren’t many ranked officials in the yamen; it was mostly composed of clerks. The quarters served as their dormitories. Those with families went home, while those without lived here.

There were also offices, an accounting office, a warehouse, and the offices for the registrar, the county cheng, and the magistrate, all spread out over a large area.

The yamen also had inner quarters. The Great Zhou had a rule that local officials must reside within their yamen for convenience in handling cases.

Of course, this didn’t mean Chi Wan had to live in the Qingyuan County Yamen from now on. She was the Fuma, belonging to the imperial clan. There was a saying that imperial clan members and nobles were considered one rank higher than officials they met, so she didn’t have to abide by these rules.

Her primary responsibility was still being the Fuma; serving Yu Jiuzhou was her main duty.

Just as Chi Wan stepped into the main hall, a woman who looked to be in her twenties walked over. Upon seeing her, she quickly bowed. “Fuma.”

Chi Wan reached out to help her up. “In Qingyuan County, just call me Magistrate.”

After all, she had announced her name, so it was normal for Lu Zhen to know she was the Fuma.

Lu Zhen shyly agreed. Although the person before her was younger, her difficulty with communication was innate.

Chi Wan, however, could see that she had mild social anxiety.

“Assistant Magistrate Lu, I just came to check in today. There is one more thing I’d like to ask. Where are the people who filed a complaint against the Grand Princess’s Residence?”

She already knew that the commoners’ fields seized by the Marquis of Huai’an’s Residence were mainly in Qingyuan County, and the victims were also imprisoned in the county yamen.

Hearing this, Lu Zhen’s brow furrowed imperceptibly. “What does the Fuma mean?”

Seeing the flash of vigilance in her eyes, Chi Wan smiled slightly. “I want to know why the yamen imprisoned them.”

Why?

Lu Zhen raised an eyebrow. Was Chi Wan here to call her to account?

She couldn’t help but think so. She had proposed to try this case, but word came down from above to first imprison them in the yamen jail and not allow a trial. Otherwise, while the magistrate had not yet taken office, she, as the Assistant Magistrate, would have already handled the case.

Whether it was the Princess’s Residence or someone else, she would try the case.

She had studied and passed the exams for her personal ambitions, for the common people of the world, and for the injustices in this world. As for sharing the monarch’s worries or the worries of her superiors, that had nothing to do with her, Lu Zhen.

There were so many people to share the monarch’s worries; they didn’t need one more Lu Zhen. As an official, she did not seek high position, only a clear conscience.

No matter what background was behind the case of seizing commoners’ fields, she would at least challenge it, even if it meant splattering the imperial court with blood.

“Lord Magistrate came to Qingyuan County in such a hurry for this matter?” Lu Zhen assumed Chi Wan was here to make excuses for the Grand Princess’s Residence and then make an example of the victims.

Chi Wan raised an eyebrow meaningfully. “Assistant Magistrate Lu, this official is the Magistrate of Qingyuan County. This matter falls within the scope of my duties.”

She had rushed over because she was worried the yamen would kill the witnesses to silence them. If Lu Zhen was here, their conspiracy would likely not be so easy to carry out.

Lu Zhen bowed. “Yes. How does the Lord Magistrate intend to handle this?”

Faced with her probing, Chi Wan’s tone became grave. “Protect them and clear Her Highness the Grand Princess’s name.”

She wanted the victims to get their land back without being harmed, and she also declared the innocence of the Grand Princess’s Residence.

Lu Zhen pressed, “Does the Lord Magistrate believe the Grand Princess’s Residence was framed?”

“Whether it was or not, the evidence will speak.” Chi Wan was certain this matter had nothing to do with Yu Jiuzhou, so she wasn’t afraid of what evidence might be found.

From her tone, Lu Zhen could tell that she was certain of the Grand Princess’s Residence’s innocence.

If the Grand Princess’s Residence was innocent, then this matter must have been done by the Marquis of Huai’an’s Residence. And Chi Wan came from the Marquis of Huai’an’s Residence.

However, Lu Zhen liked what she said: everything would be decided by the evidence. Only with conclusive evidence could a conviction be made.

But Lu Zhen still had to ask, “What if the evidence shows that the perpetrator of all this is the Marquis of Huai’an’s Residence?”

Chi Wan understood that Lu Zhen must have found something. This was a test of her attitude towards the case—whether she would be partial or uphold justice even against her own family.

“Assistant Magistrate Lu, this is not a question for this official, but for the laws of the Great Zhou.”

With conclusive evidence, the case should be judged according to the laws of the Great Zhou. There was no need to ask her, the magistrate.

Chi Wan’s meaning was clear: she would uphold justice impartially.

In their brief meeting, they had delved into deep topics for such a short acquaintance, but Chi Wan trusted Lu Zhen.

Lu Zhen didn’t trust her, but she firmly believed in the evidence she had found. As long as Chi Wan chose to be partial, she would take action.

“Yes, the Lord Magistrate is right.”

Chi Wan chuckled lightly. Lu Zhen understood her words and knew that she hadn’t come to be partial this time. According to the laws of the Great Zhou, if the Princess’s Residence had really done this, even if the Grand Princess was fine, the Grand Tutor and the Chief Administrator would not escape punishment. Especially the Chief Administrator, who could be stripped of his position entirely. At the very least, several people would have to die.

If the Marquis of Huai’an’s Residence had done it, the official positions they had just obtained would likely be stripped away. Whether they could keep their noble titles would depend on the emperor’s thoughts.

Since Chi Wan had made her stance clear, Lu Zhen spoke openly. She wasn’t very good at speaking in such a roundabout way anyway. “Lord Magistrate, I wonder how you plan to deal with these people who came to file a complaint?”

“What is your opinion, Assistant Magistrate Lu?” Chi Wan felt that since Lu Zhen was on the side of the accusers, why hadn’t she released them? There must be some inside story.

Since she had started, Lu Zhen told the truth. “The Shengjing Prefecture has given orders not to release them.”

“The Shengjing Prefecture?”

For the same position, a capital official was considered two ranks higher than a local official. A local prefect was of the senior fourth rank, while the Prefect of Shengjing was of the senior third rank, with the junior third rank in between.

Officials of the Shengjing Prefecture held high status, and the senior officials had the right to directly audience with the emperor. They were generally ranked below the Six Ministries but above the Nine Ministers, with a few exceptions like the Grand Court of Revision. Such officials were considered high-ranking even in the capital.

If the Shengjing Prefecture had given instructions, even if Lu Zhen tried to force their release, she would likely be stopped.

Lu Zhen said in a low voice, “A Supervising Censor from the Shengjing Prefecture.”

The Shengjing Prefecture had three Supervising Censors, of the junior fifth rank, all higher in rank than Lu Zhen. Could it be that one was in Qingyuan County?

Just as Chi Wan was about to ask, a voice came from the side. “This subordinate, Zhang He, Supervising Censor of the Shengjing Prefecture, pays his respects to the Fuma.”

Chi Wan sized up the man. His beard was as smooth as if he had used conditioner. He wore a red official robe, a black official hat, and a leather belt. He looked to be in his thirties or forties. “Why is Supervising Censor Zhang here?”

“It’s the end of the year. This subordinate has come to check the tax accounts.”

This was likely just Zhang He’s official task. In reality, he was here to monitor how the Qingyuan County Yamen handled the land seizure case.

Chi Wan raised an eyebrow. “Supervising Censor Zhang has worked hard.”

Then, right in front of him, she said, “This Fuma has heard that someone has filed a complaint against the Marquis of Huai’an’s Residence?”

Hearing this, Zhang He immediately smiled. As one of Prince Zhongshan’s men, he felt that Chi Wan was on his side. He quickly said, “The Fuma may have misheard. The complaint was filed against the Princess’s Residence.”

“Is that so? Assistant Magistrate Lu, I entrust this investigation to you. Find out whose name the land is under. In half a shichen, this official wants an answer.”

Then, Chi Wan looked at Chen Yuan beside her. “Chen Yuan, you will assist Assistant Magistrate Lu. Remember, what I want is the truth and the evidence.”

When facing Zhang He, she referred to herself as “Fuma,” but when facing Lu Zhen, she used “this official.” Anyone could see that she was using her status as the Fuma to suppress Zhang He.

Zhang He was stunned. Just as he was about to say something, he heard Chi Wan send her own person along. He assumed she was just putting on a show of being impartial and said nothing more.

But he didn’t know that Chen Yuan was from the Princess’s Residence. How could she bend the law for the Marquis of Huai’an’s Residence?

Lu Zhen also thought so. Then Chi Wan gave her a look, and she silently held her tongue.

Lu Zhen and Chen Yuan, along with the bailiffs on duty, went to investigate. Half a shichen was enough for them to find out whose name the seized land was under.

Just as they left, a person burst in, shouting, “Uncle, bad… news?”

This person was Zhang Quan. Upon seeing Chi Wan, he choked and hiccuped.

Zhang He frowned and scolded, “Shouting and yelling, what kind of behavior is this?”

Then he apologized to Chi Wan. “Fuma, please forgive him.”

“Fu… Fuma?” Zhang Quan continued to stutter.

Chi Wan waved her hand and raised an eyebrow meaningfully. “Supervising Censor Zhang, is he your relative?”

“No,” Zhang He denied flatly.

“But I heard him call you uncle.”

Zhang He smiled awkwardly. “A distant relative, I don’t even know how distant.”

Hearing his contradictory words, Chi Wan didn’t press further, only saying, “Supervising Censor Zhang, show this Fuma around Qingyuan County. I can also bring some novelties back for Her Highness.”

Since Zhang He was sent by Prince Zhongshan, she would keep him occupied to buy time for Lu Zhen and the others. As long as the evidence was conclusive, they wouldn’t be able to sling this mud onto Yu Jiuzhou.

She remembered that it was during the New Year’s Eve banquet that someone brought this matter up. As long as she got the evidence in advance, what could they do even if they brought it up?

Chi Wan smiled at Zhang Quan. As she passed by, she stuck a silver needle into the top of his head. Zhang Quan immediately became dazed, staring blankly as they left.

The spot where the silver needle was inserted would cause a person to become temporarily foolish, like a mild concussion. They would recover once the needle was removed.

As he was leaving, Zhang He looked back at his nephew, who was about his age. Seeing him looking dazed, he was a bit puzzled but didn’t know what was wrong.

Beside him, Chi Wan spoke up. “Supervising Censor Zhang, hurry up. I have to return to the Princess’s Residence tonight.”

“Yes, Fuma.”

Next, Chi Wan made Zhang He experience what it was like to be a bag carrier. A dignified official was carrying large and small bags of items that were not valuable but unique.

Even more absurdly, he was still in his official robes. Zhang He regretted it deeply, feeling that a scholar could be killed but not humiliated. But looking at Chi Wan’s smiling face, he felt that she wasn’t trying to humiliate him.

After all, Chi Wan was also carrying large and small bags. It had to be said, she was very interested in these inexpensive but fun things.

However, she remembered that she was buying them for Yu Jiuzhou to pass the time, so she focused on exquisite items.

As for Zhang He, Chi Wan was doing it on purpose. People from Prince Zhongshan’s faction were no good. If she didn’t occupy his time, who knew what kind of trouble he would stir up.

She had definitely fallen out with Prince Zhongshan, but while Lu Zhen and Chen Yuan were looking for evidence, it was best that Zhang He did nothing.

Finally, half a shichen passed, and Chi Wan had little silver left in her purse. So she said, “That’s about enough. Supervising Censor Zhang, let’s go back.”

“!!!” The listless Zhang He suddenly came alive. “Yes, yes, it’s getting late. This subordinate has arranged for a banquet. Would the Fuma care to join?”

“No need, this Fuma has already eaten.”

Chi Wan had been using “this Fuma” to express her arrogance and pride. The more she did so, the lower Zhang He bowed.

Returning to the Qingyuan County Yamen, Lu Zhen and Chen Yuan had already returned with the evidence.

Chi Wan looked at the signed and sealed evidence and some land deeds, folded them up, and put them in her robes.

Beside her, Zhang He craned his neck to look but saw nothing, only managing a dry laugh.

Then, Chi Wan said to Lu Zhen, “Alright, you can release the accusers now.”

Zhang He was surprised. “Why?”

Chi Wan looked at him strangely. “Now that we have the evidence, they are useless.”

But Zhang He hadn’t seen anything. How was he supposed to report this to his superiors?

“Fuma, these people falsely accused the Princess’s Residence. They should be beaten to death.” As long as these people were beaten to death in the yamen, they could say that the Grand Princess of Qin, along with the Fuma Chi Wan, had killed them to silence them.

Chi Wan was the Magistrate of Qingyuan County. The Grand Princess’s Residence would never be able to wash this stain away.

Chi Wan’s eyes turned cold, her tone icy. “Supervising Censor Zhang, this Fuma is the Magistrate of Qingyuan County.”

“This subordinate…” Zhang He wanted to say something, but when he met her gaze, he didn’t dare to say another word.

“Supervising Censor Zhang should just check his accounts. Otherwise, go home for the New Year. There’s no need to work so hard during the holidays.”

Chi Wan turned to Lu Zhen. “Assistant Magistrate Lu, I’ll leave the rest to you. This official will return after the New Year.”

She had only come to get the evidence to prevent it from being tampered with and to prevent the witnesses from being killed. This way, she could also deal with the situation at the New Year’s Eve banquet tomorrow.

The reason Lu Zhen was able to get the evidence so quickly was that she had already been investigating in secret. Seeing Chi Wan take the evidence, she certainly had objections, but with Zhang He here, she might not be able to protect it.

On the way, Chen Yuan had also said that since the evidence showed it had nothing to do with the Grand Princess, Her Highness would certainly not sit by and let others sling mud at her.

Chen Yuan had shown her token to prove she was from the Grand Princess, which had put Lu Zhen’s mind at ease.

Outside the yamen, Chi Wan mounted her horse. Lu Zhen suddenly gave a deep bow. “This subordinate looks forward to the day the Lord Magistrate officially takes office.”

Chi Wan cupped her hands towards her. “Lu Zhen, the next time I come, I will definitely resolve the case of the seized fields.”

“Good. This subordinate will wait for you.”

Chi Wan rode away first, with Chen Yuan following behind her.

They hadn’t gone far when Zhang He came out. “Assistant Magistrate Lu, what evidence did you give the Fuma?”

The content of the evidence was very important. Zhang He had to report back to Prince Zhongshan in the capital. If anything went wrong, his little life would be over.

Lu Zhen glanced at him. “This subordinate cannot disclose this matter.”

Zhang He: “This official is your superior!”

“This official, as your direct superior from the Shengjing Prefecture, orders you to speak.”

Lu Zhen stared at him intently, a look of struggle on her face. After a long while, she said, “It was just their confessions.”

“Confessions?” If it was just confessions, he was relieved. The people who came to complain were accusing the Grand Princess’s Residence, so their confessions naturally wouldn’t implicate anyone else.

Zhang He smiled, then thought of something else and asked in a low voice, “Assistant Magistrate Lu, just now when this official went out with the Fuma, she didn’t let this official pay for anything she bought. What do you think is the reason?”

Lu Zhen: “…”

“Could it be that the Fuma dislikes this official?” Zhang He began to worry.

She was the Fuma, after all, a member of the imperial clan and nobility. In the capital, a Supervising Censor like him could only throw his weight around in the county. In the capital, he was a nobody.

Lu Zhen gave him a strange look. “Why should the Fuma like you? She should like Her Highness the Grand Princess.”

Zhang He looked at Lu Zhen speechlessly and cursed, “Blockhead!”

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Meanwhile, Chi Wan had already left the county town. She had left enough time to definitely be able to return to the capital before the city gates closed.

It was freezing cold, so the two of them didn’t ride very fast, feeling more like they were in a horse race walking competition.

Chen Yuan hesitated for a long time before asking, “Fuma, why didn’t you directly announce that the land seizure had nothing to do with the Grand Princess’s Residence?”

Could it be that Chi Wan was shielding the Marquis of Huai’an’s Residence? She couldn’t help but think so. The evidence showed that the Marquis of Huai’an’s Residence had done it, and Chi Wan was a young mistress of that residence.

Chi Wan chuckled softly. “The unknown can lure out a bigger fish.”

Chen Yuan didn’t understand this sentence. When she returned to the Princess’s Residence, she reported everything that had happened that day, including Chi Wan’s words, to Yu Jiuzhou.

Yu Jiuzhou listened to the sentence thoughtfully. Perhaps the answer would be revealed tomorrow.

“Where is Chi Wan?”

Since she was back, why was she nowhere to be seen?

Chen Yuan was taken aback. Thinking of the large and small bags they had returned with, she felt a headache coming on. “Your Highness, the Fuma is organizing the things she brought back from Qingyuan County.”

“Hmm?” Yu Jiuzhou frowned, not quite understanding.

It was Chun Gui who said with a helpless expression, “Your Highness, you’ll know when you go and see.”

Yu Jiuzhou walked out of the bedchamber and heard a pleasant, crisp clinking sound, followed by a cold draft.

It was Chi Wan, hanging a wind chime. Seeing Yu Jiuzhou come out, she immediately broke into a smile. “Your Highness, a gift to help you pass the time.”

Yu Jiuzhou looked at the wind chime hanging on the windowsill, then looked at Chi Wan as if she were an idiot. “Are you trying to freeze Us to death?”

Uh… Chi Wan blinked, awkwardly trying to close the window, only to find that it wouldn’t close.

She had only thought it looked nice in that spot, and the tinkling sound when the wind blew was pleasant. She had overlooked the need to close the window. No wonder people said that academics were often clueless about daily life.

Chi Wan quickly said, “I’ll move it right away.”

She took down the wind chime, hung it a little further inside, and then smiled with satisfaction. “This should be fine.”

Having done that, Chi Wan picked up the small trinkets arranged on the arhat bed one by one, presenting them like treasures. “Dough figurines, puppets, a tangram, a nine-linked rings puzzle, a Luban lock, shuanglu, liubo, xiangqi, a round fan…”

Chi Wan displayed the things she had brought back one by one for Yu Jiuzhou to see. “I didn’t know what Your Highness would like, so this subject bought a few more things.”

Yu Jiuzhou had played with the board games, the nine-linked rings, and the Luban lock before. The rest, which were more common folk toys, she had never played with.

From a young age, her imperial father and mother had been strict with her. She was not allowed to touch toys that were considered a waste of ambition. Some she had never even seen.

Looking at Chi Wan’s bright smile, Yu Jiuzhou felt an indescribable feeling in her heart, warm and bittersweet. She inexplicably felt that Chi Wan had truly become a different person.

If Chi Wan was now really a lonely soul from the world, then where did that lonely soul come from?

No, she couldn’t be deceived by Chi Wan. This person must be feigning, trying to mislead her. It was all a disguise.

The scoundrel Chi Wan must die. If she didn’t die, how could the hatred in her heart be appeased!

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Footnotes:

1. Xiucai (秀才): A Xiucai is the lowest degree-holder in the imperial examination system of premodern China. It is often translated as “scholar” or “budding talent.” Holders of this title had passed the county-level exams and were exempt from corvée labor and certain taxes, but it did not qualify them for official appointment.
2. Juren (举人): A Juren is a higher degree-holder who passed the provincial-level imperial examinations. The title means “recommended man” and qualified the holder to serve in mid-level government positions. It was a significant step toward becoming a Jinshi (進士), the highest degree.
3. Jinshi (进士): The highest and final degree in the imperial examination system. Passing the palace-level exams to become a Jinshi guaranteed a prestigious official appointment.
4. Shujishi (庶吉士): A Shujishi was an outstanding scholar selected from the pool of new Jinshi (進士) degree-holders to undergo advanced training in the Hanlin Academy (翰林院). This prestigious appointment prepared them for high-level positions in the imperial bureaucracy.

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