Upon hearing this, Zhang Yuanzong immediately rose from the hall's forefront and descended, with his advisor and bailiffs following closely behind.
After alighting from his sedan, Meng Hechuan, the Prefect of Anyang, saw many commoners gathered at the entrance of the county office. He stepped onto the stairs and walked inside.
"This humble official pays his respects to the Prefect."
"Respects to the Prefect."
Everyone inside and outside the county office knelt down in a wave.
Seeing people kneeling before the hall, Meng Hechuan inquired, "Is a case being adjudicated?"
Zhang Yuanzong clasped his hands and replied, "Reporting to Your Excellency, a homicide occurred within the city last night. This humble official is currently conducting inquiries."
Meng Hechuan gave a slight nod. "His Majesty has issued an edict commending the Song daughter who presented the excellent waterwheel strategy, ordering this official to personally proceed to the Song family's inner residence to announce it. You shall accompany me."
Zhang Yuanzong's body stiffened momentarily. With a troubled expression, he looked at Meng Hechuan and said, "Your Excellency, Song Jinzhao is currently at the county office, undergoing questioning."
Meeting the gaze Zhang Yuanzong shot her way, Song Jinzhao bowed once more. "This commoner woman, Song Jinzhao, pays her respects to the Prefect."
Meng Hechuan's brows furrowed. He withdrew his gaze and fixed it on Zhang Yuanzong's face, demanding in a deep voice, "What is the meaning of this?"
Zhang Yuanzong recounted the sequence of events in detail.
Provincial Graduate Wang and his wife, kneeling to the side, were now filled with extreme trepidation.
An imperial edict bestowing favor upon Song Jinzhao? And she was the one who devised the waterwheel? How could that be possible?
After listening, Meng Hechuan felt a wave of relief in his chest. "Since someone can prove Song Jinzhao did not enter the city last night, it indicates the murderer is someone else."
If the person being honored by imperial decree became entangled in a murder case, it would be a slap to the Emperor's face. Such a thing absolutely must not happen.
Zhang Yuanzong lowered his gaze and explained, "The Wang family insisted Song Jinzhao was the murderer, so this humble official had no choice but to summon her for questioning. I was just about to adjourn the court when you arrived, Your Excellency."
Meng Hechuan nodded. "Then have her return home immediately. We must not delay the reception of the imperial decree."
Provincial Graduate Wang, unwilling to accept this, kowtowed and pleaded, "Prefect, Song Jinzhao is the one with the strongest motive to kill my son. How can she simply be released?"
Meng Hechuan's sharp gaze shot toward Provincial Graduate Wang, his eyes revealing clear displeasure.
A man who breaks his word and covets others' wealth.
Afterwards, he sent his own son to hire local thugs to attack a mere woman. Such a man actually managed to pass the provincial examination.
"Song Jinzhao has twice assisted the authorities in capturing northern bandits, rendering great service. She invented the hydraulic noria to alleviate the people's suffering from drought. Even His Majesty the Emperor has praised her profusely."
"You have neither witnesses nor material evidence, yet you slander a person of merit based solely on your words. For this alone, this official can have you beaten with thirty strokes of the heavy rod."
Provincial Graduate Wang's gaze trembled. He fearfully averted his eyes, his heart pounding as if it might leap from his chest.
"My son was murdered. This commoner spoke rashly in his grief. I beg Your Excellency for forgiveness."
In full view of everyone, Song Jinzhao rightfully led Old Lady Song out of the county office.
Even after boarding the carriage, Old Lady Song's spirit seemed still floating above her head, stunned.
An imperial edict bestowing favor, and the Prefect himself coming to announce it—what an immense honor!
With gongs and drums clearing the way all the journey from Xining City to Song Family Village, the villagers all stood at their doors to watch the spectacle.
The previous times it was only the County Magistrate's rewards. This time, it was from the Emperor himself.
The plaque covered with red silk was particularly conspicuous in the procession. The gleaming gold on the trays drew everyone's gaze, unable to look away.
In front of the hall, Song Jinzhao knelt at the foremost position. Behind her, Old Man Song led the entire first and second branches of the family kneeling on the ground. Even the three children studying at the private school had been called back.
"By the decree of Heaven, the Emperor proclaims: The Song daughter, Song Jinzhao, has rendered meritorious service by constructing the waterwheel. She is hereby bestowed with twenty bolts of brocade, one hundred taels of gold, and additionally granted the plaque 'Ingenious Craftsmanship' to glorify her achievement. So ordered!"
Song Jinzhao received the imperial edict with both hands and spoke, "This commoner woman kowtows in gratitude for the Emperor's grace."
After the formalities were completed, Meng Hechuan's expression relaxed considerably.
He looked toward the several boys. "I have heard that Miss Song's younger brother is currently studying at a private school. Which one is he?"
Song Jinzhao turned slightly and beckoned to Song Qiming.
"Qiming, come and pay your respects to the Prefect."
Song Qiming, standing behind his uncle Oldest Song, straightened his posture. As he walked over, his heart held a trace of nervousness.
"Your student, Song Qiming, pays his respects to the Prefect."
Meng Hechuan observed his scholarly demeanor; he did not seem like one who had only recently begun his studies.
"Have you encountered any difficulties in your studies? When do you plan to sit for the examinations?"
Song Qiming lifted his head. "Reporting to Your Excellency, this student plans to sit for the county examination next February."
Meng Hechuan lightly stroked his long beard with his fingertips and smiled faintly. "Excellent. I hope to see you next at the prefectural examination hall."
Song Qiming retreated three steps, clasped his hands, raised them to his brow, and bowed in reply. "This student's talent is shallow and learning meager. Honored by Your Excellency's regard, I shall certainly exert my utmost effort and strive not to disappoint your expectations."
The other's modest and courteous attitude greatly pleased Meng Hechuan. He raised his eyes to look at Song Jinzhao and praised, "Miss Song has taught your younger brother very well."
Song Jinzhao politely curved the corners of her mouth. "Your Excellency flatters me. This commoner woman dare not accept such praise. It is all due to the good teaching of the school's master."
Meng Hechuan stayed at the Song residence for nearly a quarter of an hour before departing.
Watching the official sedan and entourage disappear beyond the gate, the members of the first and second branches exhaled and slumped to the ground.
They had been so nervous just now, their legs had been weak the whole time, and they hadn't even dared to breathe loudly.
Song Mancang, who had been waiting outside for a long time, rushed in.
Gazing at the imperially bestowed plaque, his heart swelled with excitement, mixed with a tinge of regret.
That very afternoon, Song Mancang visited dozens of households in the village.
As dusk approached, he found Old Man Song and said, "Tomorrow at mao hour (5-7 AM), take Jinzhao to the ancestral hall. The village has decided to open the inner shrine for a ceremony."
Old Man Song's aged pupils suddenly constricted to pinpoints. His fingers seemed to lose all sensation, barely able to hold his bowl.
"Let Jinzhao enter the inner shrine?"
The inner shrine of the Song Family Village ancestral hall housed the spirit tablets of the ancestors who had fled from various places a century ago to establish the village. It was only opened during the four major seasonal sacrifices, and women had never been allowed to enter.
Song Mancang nodded emphatically. "The imperial grace is vast and profound. For such a great event not to allow our ancestors to share in it would be to forget our roots and betray that grace."
"The village elders have all agreed. You just need to bring Jinzhao there tomorrow."
After Song Mancang left, Oldest Song said with a smile, "I haven't even entered the inner shrine yet, and Jinzhao gets to go in first."
Old Man Song, coming back to his senses, sighed with emotion. "I truly never imagined the village would make an exception and open the inner shrine for Jinzhao. Thinking back, the first time I entered was only after your grandfather passed away."
Oldest Song fell silent, saying no more.
The day he himself would be able to enter the inner shrine would signify that Old Man Song had already died.
In summer, the sky had just begun to brighten at mao hour.
Song Jinzhao held the imperial edict aloft. Four villagers of Old Man Song's generation carried the imperially bestowed plaque behind her.
The main gates of the ancestral hall were thrown wide open, with many young men already waiting outside.
The village chief opened the door to the inner shrine before the assembled crowd. Song Jinzhao noticed that aside from a few elderly men, everyone else remained kneeling outside, not entering.
She raised her head to look at the more than twenty spirit tablets arranged on the shelves. These were the founders of Song Family Village.
She raised the incense sticks above her head and kowtowed three times with audible bows. Thinking this would conclude the matter, she found the entire sacrificial ceremony lasted a full two hours. By the time she emerged, the sun was already halfway down the mountain.
