"Yes." Meng Zheng responded, "And thank you for the Buddhist bead bracelet. I really like it."
Yan Tongshu stole a glance out of the corner of her eye. Meng Zheng's wrist was bare, with nothing on it.
The two of them stood there for a while, chatting idly.
At this time, a soldier came out and said, "Two lords, please wait for a moment. Magistrate Jin is having a meeting with guests."
Yan Tongshu craned her neck curiously to peek inside. Since Magistrate Jin didn't even rush out when there was evidence, there must be a very important person inside.
How important?
Qin Yi?
The matter of the Yu State Marquis Mansion involved the state treasury, so the emperor was bound to inquire.
"Actually," Meng Zheng turned to look at Yan Tongshu, "I really like that little lantern."
Yan Tongshu gave a soft "hmm", looked at him, and blinked her eyes.
Meng Zheng pursed his lips and said, "It's always been hanging nicely in my bedroom."
Yan Tongshu said, "I thought you had thrown it away long ago."
Meng Zheng replied, "I don't blame you. I also know I shouldn't blame you."
Meng Zheng lowered his eyes and said, "I'm just very disappointed in myself."
A look of confusion appeared between Yan Tongshu's eyebrows. She didn't understand what Meng Zheng was talking about.
Meng Zheng's voice was very low. "When the bandits were being executed, I said that no matter next time or the time after that, no matter what happened, I would stand by your side. I didn't keep my word. As his son, I should have unhesitatingly and whole - heartedly tried to save him, but I didn't do that either. So, I wasn't a good enough son to my father, and I didn't fully adhere to my own beliefs. When I was in a dilemma, I still needed you to help me out of it. A general should be brave and powerful, and be unyielding until the end. Yan Tongshu..."
Meng Zheng raised his head, and his gaze met Yan Tongshu's directly. "I've never held a grudge against you, and I never will. I'm just very disappointed in myself and need some time to sort things out."
Yan Tongshu's eyes stung with soreness, and for a moment, she didn't know what to say.
After a moment, Yan Tongshu finally said, "Meng Zheng, you're being too hard on yourself."
Really, too hard.
In fact, Meng Zheng was only in his early twenties.
Converted to modern times, he would have just graduated from undergraduate school and was just starting to look for a job in society.
When she just graduated, she was completely beaten up by reality.
Countless ideals, beliefs, and perceptions were broken and rebuilt again and again.
At that time, she was also in great pain.
At that time, she thought that when people have a sudden growth spurt in adolescence, they would have growing pains, and growing pains meant growing up.
Maybe, this was another kind of growing pain in life.
Yan Tongshu said softly, "Meng Zheng, we're human beings. As long as we're human, we can't help but hesitate, be confused, and struggle. Everyone is like this. You're being too demanding of yourself."
It was still a very high - standard kind of self - demand.
In such a situation, no one could make decisions, handle things, and take on responsibilities purely based on reason.
No one could.
Meng Zheng stood there, looking at Yan Tongshu without blinking.
The evening breeze blew across the afterglow of the sunset, across the willow trees, and ruffled the lotus leaves. Ripples spread out on the surface of the pond.
Meng Zheng raised his hand and pulled Yan Tongshu into his arms.
After a while, a dry cough sounded beside them.
Meng Zheng let go of Yan Tongshu.
The soldier lowered his head and said, "Two lords, Magistrate Jin requests your presence."
Yan Tongshu nodded and walked into Jin Chi's room with Meng Zheng.
Once inside, Yan Tongshu understood why Jin Chi hadn't rushed out excitedly to get the evidence. He was indeed meeting an important person.
The most important one.
Yan Tongshu and Meng Zheng knelt down and bowed. "Your subject, Yan Tongshu (Your humble general, Meng Zheng) pays respects to the emperor."
Qin Yi's gaze rested on Yan Tongshu, then shifted to Meng Zheng. His face was very gloomy, and he put the teacup in his hand back on the table.
Perhaps not controlling his strength well, Yan Tongshu heard a loud "thud".
Qin Yi said in a cold tone, "Get up."
Yan Tongshu and Meng Zheng stood up.
Jin Chi couldn't wait to ask, "Lord Yan, Lord Meng, have you found the evidence?"
Yan Tongshu nodded and handed the evidence to Jin Chi. "I'll trouble you with the rest, Magistrate Jin."
As Jin Chi flipped through the evidence, he said, "We're all serving the emperor. We don't dare to say it's hard work."
After a brief glance, Jin Chi knew what it was. He presented it to Qin Yi with both hands. Qin Yi slowly flipped through the pages one by one and said, "Yan Tongshu."
Yan Tongshu replied respectfully, "Your subject is here."
Qin Yi asked, "Where did you find it?"
Yan Tongshu said, "Your subject suddenly had an inspiration and figured out some details. I led the yamen runners from the Kaifeng Prefecture to dig it out from the cemetery that Wang Quanan bought for his step - wife and step - daughter. When we arrived, there were already masked men who had dug open the cemetery and were trying to grab the evidence first. The yamen runners from the Kaifeng Prefecture fought desperately, but they were still no match. Fortunately, General Meng led the Divine Guards to arrive in time and managed to protect the evidence."
Qin Yi's hand that was flipping through the ledger paused. "Are you injured?"
He looked at Yan Tongshu, and his gaze swept over her body inch by inch.
Yan Tongshu answered honestly, "Thanks to the desperate protection of the yamen runners from the Kaifeng Prefecture, your subject wasn't injured."
After saying that, Yan Tongshu looked at Qin Yi expectantly.
She had made it so clear. Surely the emperor should understand what she meant?
The yamen runners from the Kaifeng Prefecture and the Divine Guards had made great contributions by risking their lives to seize the evidence. They should be rewarded!
Meeting Qin Yi's gaze, Yan Tongshu was very puzzled. The evidence had been obtained, and Magistrate Jin was going to check the accounts smoothly. Why did the dog emperor look so unhappy? He looked as if someone had owed him millions of taels of silver.
Qin Yi awkwardly averted his gaze. "Next time, go directly to the Divine Guards and bring enough people with you."
Yan Tongshu was very puzzled, but still showed respect on the surface. "Your subject understands. It's just that this time I was just trying to save time at first. I didn't expect that the two groups of people would run into each other so coincidentally. Fortunately, before I set off, I wrote an order for the Divine Guards. They arrived in time and fought bravely, repelling all the enemies."
Qin Yi continued to flip through the ledger and didn't reply to this.
Yan Tongshu was even more puzzled.
Was the dog emperor really stupid or just pretending?
She had hinted so clearly. Wouldn't he even give out some reward money?
So stingy. Who would work for him in the future?
After Qin Yi finished reading, he returned the ledger to Jin Chi. This ledger alone wasn't enough as evidence. It had to be combined with the evidence in Jin Chi's hand to be conclusive.
Out of the corner of his eye, Qin Yi saw Yan Tongshu looking so innocent and stupid. He became even more angry. A third - rank official was hugging someone outside. What a disgrace to the court officials!
"Alright, leave. Yan Tongshu, stay behind." Qin Yi said indifferently.
Meng Zheng looked at Yan Tongshu in confusion, exchanged a glance with her, and then bowed and left.
Yan Tongshu stood there boredly.
She had already understood everything she needed to know. Qin Yi got up and left, and Jin Chi saw him off respectfully.
Just as Yan Tongshu was about to see him off, Qin Yi suddenly said, "Follow me."
Yan Tongshu silently lowered her head and followed Qin Yi.
When they reached the outer room, Qin Yi suddenly stopped, with a frosty face. He suddenly turned around and stared at her.
Yan Tongshu stared back at Qin Yi without moving.
What's wrong?
She hadn't done anything bad. Why did he look at her as if he wanted to devour her?
"Yan Tongshu." Qin Yi said.
Yan Tongshu replied obediently, "Your subject is here."
Qin Yi said angrily, "You go back and re - read the handbook for officials' conduct carefully. Your improper behavior outside has shamed the court officials."
After saying that, Qin Yi strode away.
Yan Tongshu was stunned.
This is so unreasonable.
Is the dog emperor out of his mind?
She had just rendered meritorious service, yet he gave her no reward. Instead, he scolded her, saying that her behavior was improper and she had shamed the court officials.
Where was her behavior improper?
Stingy, petty, sarcastic, and crazy!
Who in the future would work for such an emotionally unstable boss!
...
The moon was high in the sky, and the night breeze was cool. The bamboo branches rustled, and the candle flames flickered.
It was already the third watch in Funing Hall.
The lights inside the hall were dim.
Qin Yi smelled a fragrance of flowers.
It was the fragrance of peach blossoms.
He looked down and saw that the ground was covered with soft petals.
The fallen petals fluttered in the air like feathers, as the red petals were carried by the wind in a romantic dance.
He heard a familiar voice: "Long live the emperor, long live, long live!"
Qin Yi looked over. Yan Tongshu forcefully tossed the petals in her hand into the air. More pink petals fell like a curtain of red rain, dyeing the whole world pink.
Yan Tongshu looked at him with a big smile: "Your Majesty is wise and powerful, and unparalleled in wisdom."
Then she stretched out her hands and pounced on him like a happy bird. He subconsciously reached out his hands to catch her.
Qin Yi suddenly sat up from the bed, with cold sweat pouring out layer by layer.
That pink dream was nothing less than a terrifying nightmare to him.
He propped his head up with one hand. How terrible.
What on earth was this.
Among the nine continents and the four seas, and among all the people in the world, why did he have to dream about Yan Tongshu?
"Lu Xi!" Qin Yi called out in a deep voice.
It wasn't Lu Xi's turn to keep watch tonight, but since Qin Yi called, the other eunuchs had to reply to Qin Yi and quickly called Lu Xi back.
Lu Xi nervously helped Qin Yi get out of bed: "Your Majesty, it's not time for the morning court yet. Do you want to rest a little longer?"
Qin Yi shook his head. "Make me a cup of tea."
Lu Xi replied, "Yes."
After a while, the tea was brought over. Qin Yi took a sip, and the cold sweat on his body had stopped. Qin Yi sat down at the table and asked, "How long is it until Yan Tongshu's birthday?"
Lu Xi said softly, "Your Majesty, there are still three days."
Qin Yi asked, "What about the suitable marriageable women I asked you to find for Yan Tongshu?"
Lu Xi glanced at the sky outside. At this hour?
He asked, "Does Your Majesty want to review the portraits of these women now?"
Qin Yi nodded.
Although he didn't understand what had suddenly come over Qin Yi, Lu Xi didn't dare to displease him. He scurried out of the hall in small steps and fetched the portraits of those women.
Qin Yi flipped through the portraits one by one.
In addition to depicting the looks of these marriageable young women, these portraits also marked their heights, ages, family backgrounds, and personalities. They were all carefully selected by the Inner Court Department. Each of them was excellent in terms of appearance, conduct, and family background, and was more than suitable for anyone.
However, the more Qin Yi flipped through, the uglier his face became.
Lu Xi noticed that the emperor's face looked wrong and secretly peeked at the portraits with his peripheral vision.
There was nothing wrong with them.
Each of them was as beautiful as a celestial being, well - educated, from a superior family, and gentle, kind, thrifty, and yielding. They seemed perfect for Lord Yan.
Lord Yan had such an upright temper that it was easy for her to offend people. She needed a virtuous wife to manage the inner household and handle the complicated social interactions.
After flipping to the end, Qin Yi's face was as black as a ten - year - old pot: "You didn't do a good job. Select them again."
Ah?
These were the best girls in Bianjing City.
If they were to select again, there wouldn't be any better ones.
Lu Xi tentatively asked, "Your Majesty, isn't there even one suitable girl?"
Qin Yi pursed his lips and didn't respond. Lu Xi had to reach out to take the portraits back and said, "I'll have the Inner Court Department select them again right away."
"Wait." Qin Yi raised his hand and pressed down on the thick stack of portraits. He said in a stiff tone, "Some of them are barely okay."
Lu Xi let out a questioning "ah".
Qin Yi picked through them again and selected five portraits: "Keep these five portraits well. Give them to Yan Tongshu to choose from on her birthday."
Thank goodness. Thank goodness the emperor had selected five. Otherwise, the entire Inner Court Department would have been in a complete panic.
Lu Xi let out a sigh of relief and replied, "Yes."
...
In Yu Village, Yan Liangrong and Yan Liangyu led the anxious female doctors from door to door, asking if anyone needed a doctor and giving out basic medicines.
These medicines were purchased with the donations collected by Yan Liangrong and Qian Buping.
The Law Department had no real power, and the court's appropriation was limited. Everything had to be self - sufficient.
Yan Liangrong knocked on a door and said, "Hello. I heard that your mother - in - law is ill."
She looked up and saw Ying Li.
Ying Li was wearing a simple silk dress and had her hair in a bun for married women. Obviously, she was already married.
When they saw each other suddenly again, both of them were very embarrassed.
Yan Liangrong smiled and asked again, "I heard there is a patient here. I've brought a female doctor who can provide free medical treatment."
Ying Li lowered her head and opened the door wide. "My husband and father - in - law are out. There are only my mother - in - law and I at home. My mother - in - law has been coughing and not feeling well since five years ago. Her feet are also rotten and smelly. Please don't mind."
Yan Liangrong nodded and led the female doctor in.
The female doctor felt Ying Li's mother - in - law's pulse and asked, "Do you usually always feel thirsty? No matter how much you drink, you can't quench your thirst. You also urinate often and are getting thinner and thinner?"
Ying Li's mother - in - law nodded. "It wasn't obvious at first, but it has gotten worse in the past two years. Now even my feet are rotten."
The female doctor nodded, lifted the quilt, and examined her feet.
The feet were rotten, with ulcers, and the toes were black and necrotic.
The female doctor said, "It's diabetes. I'll prescribe some medicine for you."
Ying Li's mother - in - law's lips moved. "Is it very expensive?"
The female doctor smiled. "Don't worry. It's free."
The room where Ying Li's mother - in - law lived was very small. While the female doctor was writing the prescription, the two of them waited outside.
Ying Li lowered her head and twisted the corner of her clothes with her hands. "Ma'am, I'm sorry. I was ignorant before."
"It doesn't matter," Yan Liangrong said indifferently. "By the way, I've divorced Zheng Chun. You don't have to call me ma'am anymore."
Ying Li raised her head in shock. "Divorced?"
Guilt welled up in her eyes. "Is it because of me?"
Yan Liangrong shook her head. "No. It's because our personalities are no longer compatible."
Ying Li still felt very guilty. Her lips twitched, and then she lowered her head again.
Yan Liangrong smiled and said, "If you don't know what to call me, you can call me 'Lord'. The court has established the Law Department to provide free assistance to women. I'm one of the first officials admitted. I'm a ninth - rank female scribe."
"Ah." Ying Li looked at Yan Liangrong with shining eyes. "You're also a lord now. How amazing."
"Yes," Yan Liangrong replied indifferently.
Ying Li thought for a while and then said, "Do you want to eat peaches?"
She went to the cold water well to wash two peaches and brought them over. She handed them to Yan Liangrong. "These were sent by my husband's aunt the day before yesterday. There are only two. They're very sweet. Thank you for helping my mother - in - law see a doctor and giving her medicine."
Yan Liangrong refused. "This isn't all my credit. These female doctors and herbs were purchased with the donated money. Everyone in the Law Department and the participating merchants have all contributed. You don't have to..."
Seeing that Yan Liangrong didn't want to eat, Ying Li was very sad. Yan Liangrong took one from Ying Li's hand. "Then I'll take one and take it back later to share with my colleagues in the Law Department."
Hearing this, Ying Li immediately became happy. "Okay."
Ying Li smiled like a blooming flower and said, "You're such a kind person."
Yan Liangrong smiled and replied, "I'm not a completely kind - hearted person."
Ying Li said, "Huh?"
Yan Liangrong looked at Ying Li and said, "Don't think too highly of people. I'm just an ordinary person. I'm neither a completely kind - hearted person nor a bad one. My desire to help patients is genuine, but I also want to make achievements and get promoted. The Law Department has just been established. After six months, officials' positions will be adjusted based on their merits. I want to help others and also want to be promoted. Ying Li, your biggest problem is that as long as someone shows you a little kindness, you'll idealize them as the best people in the world in your heart. This is not good. You're very likely to be taken advantage of by those with ill intentions."
Yan Liangrong didn't know if Ying Li had taken it to heart. Ying Li gave a sweet smile and looked at her gratefully, saying, "Thank you for teaching me."
Yan Liangrong held her forehead. This girl was already married, yet still so naive and innocent.
After examining the patient and leaving the medicine, the female doctor came out of the house. Yan Liangrong took her to the next house.
Ying Li saw Yan Liangrong off at the door. As soon as Yan Liangrong left, a figure emerged from behind her. The girl was simply dressed, with a sallow complexion and a dirty face smeared with mud. She had big, black eyes. She whispered, "Sister Ying Li, do you know that adult?"
The sudden appearance of someone startled Ying Li. She covered her pounding heart and said, "Tao Jiang, you scared me to death."
Tao Jiang quickly lowered her head and apologized, "Sorry, Sister Ying Li. I didn't mean to."
Tao Jiang was only fourteen years old. How could Ying Li really blame her? She took her hand and said, "I know you didn't mean it. I won't blame you."
Tao Jiang stared at Ying Li with her big, watery eyes and asked, "Sister Ying Li, do you know that female official? Is she a good person?"
Ying Li nodded and said, "All the family members of that official are extremely good people. That female official's surname is Yan. The magistrate of Kaifeng Prefecture is her younger brother, Lord Yan Tongshu."
Tao Jiang grabbed Ying Li's sleeve tightly and eagerly asked, "Who is Lord Yan? Is she very smart? Is she a good person?"
Ying Li had only been married to this village for less than two months and hadn't made any good friends yet. Tao Jiang's sister, Tao Yang, had been ill for half a year and hadn't recovered. The two sisters were living a difficult life, so Ying Li would occasionally send them some food. Their relationship was better than that with others.
Ying Li was broad - minded and innocent. She didn't notice the tremor in Tao Jiang's voice. She was just very happy to have someone to talk to. She pulled Tao Jiang to one side and talked endlessly about the stories of Lord Yan in Kaifeng.
Tao Jiang covered her face and listened to the story with great interest. There was a glint of excitement in her eyes.
"Wow, so amazing. Even the imperial son - in - law and the princess were caught when they did something wrong," Tao Jiang said, grabbing Ying Li's arm with both hands.
Ying Li nodded and said, "Yes, so amazing. That female official is also very capable. She's Lord Yan's sister. She's an official of the Law Department and came here specifically to help us. Look, she specially raised charity funds to invite doctors to give us free medical treatments and medicines."
Tao Jiang tightened her grip on Ying Li's arm and asked, "So, they're good people. Will that female official help us with everything?"
Ying Li nodded.
"Well...then if..." Tears welled up in Tao Jiang's eyes. "If... Tao Jiang also did something bad, will they arrest me?"
Ying Li tilted her head and thought for a while. "Probably. Kaifeng Prefecture never lets a bad person go."
Tao Jiang's face turned deathly pale all of a sudden.
Tao Jiang suddenly stood up and ran home at full speed.
As soon as she got home, she saw Yan Liangyu knocking on her door.
"Don't!"
Tao Jiang shouted and rushed over, spreading her arms to block the door. "Go away."
Yan Liangyu stepped forward and explained, "Little girl, don't be afraid. We have no ill intentions. We're from the Law Department. We're knocking on the door to ask if there are any patients in your family who need medical treatment. You can rest assured that the doctors and medicines are all free."
Tao Jiang pursed her lips, and tears welled up in her eyes. "I don't need it!"
Yan Liangyu felt that Tao Jiang's attitude was strange. She explained again, "Little girl, we're not bad people."
Tao Jiang tensed up and stubbornly refused to give in. "I don't need good people either."
"Ah—"
Just then, a woman's shrill scream came from inside the house.
Tao Jiang stiffened. Oh no, her sister was having an attack.
She pushed open the door. Inside the house, Tao Jiang's sister, Tao Yang, was holding a sharp piece of porcelain in her hand and slashing it across her arm again and again.
Her fair and tender arm was lacerated, and blood was dripping everywhere.
What was even more terrifying was that her whole arm was covered with dense scratches. Each one was deep and hideous. Some had scars, and some had just scabbed over.
This meant that Tao Yang almost hurt herself on purpose every once in a while.
Tao Jiang was worried about her sister and wanted to rush over to snatch the broken porcelain from her hand, but Tao Yang went crazy and pointed the broken porcelain at everyone. "Don't come over! Don't come over! Get out! All of you get out!"
Yan Liangyu grabbed Tao Jiang. "Don't go over first. Let's see what's going on."
Tears streamed down Tao Jiang's face. "My sister, my sister..."
Yan Liangyu pulled her behind and said, "Don't be afraid. I'll figure out a way."
"Miss," Yan Liangyu took a step forward. "What's wrong with you? We're not bad people. Your arm is injured. Do you want to get it bandaged?"
"Injured?"
Tao Yang murmured to herself and looked down at her injured arm. "Hehe, injured. It's good to be injured. I shouldn't be alive. I should die. I should go to hell!"
She shouted and stabbed the broken piece into her arm.
Yan Liangyu didn't have time to be scared. While the piece was stuck in the arm and couldn't be pulled out, she rushed forward and tackled Tao Yang. The female doctor, who was already stunned on the side, immediately stepped forward and joined her in holding down the struggling Tao Yang.
Tao Jiang also rushed over crying and held down Tao Yang. "Sister, don't move. Don't move... Wuwuwu... Sister, sister... I'm Tao Jiang. I'm your sister. Don't do this. I'm scared..."
The three of them worked together to tie Tao Yang up with ropes.
The female doctor pulled out the broken piece, cleaned the wound, and bandaged Tao Yang.
At this time, Yan Liangrong heard the commotion and rushed over. "What's going on?"
Yan Liangyu shook her head. "This girl seems to have a mental illness. She just tried to hurt herself."
Yan Liangrong carefully examined Yan Liangyu, nervously sweating. "Are you okay? Did you fall?"
"Sister, I'm fine," Yan Liangyu said.
Yan Liangrong examined her arm. "You still say you're fine. Your hand is scratched, and your arm is bruised. It must have hurt a lot, right?"
Yan Liangyu shook her head. "It's just a bruise. It doesn't hurt."
Yan Liangrong took out some medicine and applied it to Yan Liangyu's wound.
Tao Jiang blinked her eyes and looked at Yan Liangrong and Yan Liangyu. They were also sisters.
