Chapter 20: The Old Case Revisited

She admitted it frankly, which left the elderly woman before her momentarily stunned.

Why wasn’t she trying to defend herself at all?

“In those years, my family did indeed fall under imperial censure. It was because, during the management of the famine north of the river, we failed to carry out the court’s directives, which forced countless commoners to become homeless.”

The woman spoke calmly.

Her words immediately stirred a wave of murmurs among the onlookers.

“Could this be the person involved in the Lin family case from all those years ago?”

“If you count the years, if their only daughter had survived, she would be about this age.”

Among them were some sons of noble families who had, indeed, heard rumors of the matter. But that had happened seven or eight years ago—what use was it to dredge up the affair now?

“In that case, shouldn’t Drunken Blossom Pavilion investigate thoroughly? How can such a criminal be allowed to remain here?”

“Exactly! I am here today to demand justice for my family. Her father has paid for his crimes—heinous and unforgivable. Why should his children be allowed to show their faces in public?”

Seeing the support, the old matron embellished her accusations further.

“I know everyone is furious about this, but the case from back then was riddled with injustice. I am not the daughter of a criminal.”

What?

Another unexpected turn left the crowd in shock. The woman who had been so self-assured moments ago now appeared flustered.

“Don’t listen to this girl’s nonsense! The case was settled long ago; how could there be any talk of injustice? The Ministry of Justice has a complete and thorough record of the proceedings.”

Neither side would yield.

Young Master Zhu was just as bewildered.

“Is this what you asked me to investigate before?”

“Yes, there were hidden truths in those files.”

He had originally wanted to get to the bottom of things in advance, so that, should such a commotion arise, he would have a countermeasure ready. He had not expected, however, to uncover evidence of a wrongful conviction—most of it deliberately concealed by someone back then, which led to the case being allowed to fade away.

“What she says is true. The Lin family was wronged, their case twisted by a colleague. And who was that colleague? I believe Old Madam Wang remembers very well.”

The elderly woman, moments ago so fierce, now averted her eyes, her guilt plain to see.

“How would a woman like me know such details?”

“You not only know, but, to prevent the truth from coming out, you had those who delivered the letters then all ruthlessly silenced.”

The daughter of the Lin family spoke each word with deliberate clarity.

The hatred in her eyes, suppressed for so long, was at last laid bare as the truth emerged.

“No, that’s impossible! How could you know?”

The old woman was clearly shaken, her words now incoherent.

At that moment, the Assistant Minister of Justice arrived. He had heard rumors of unrest here—normally outside his jurisdiction—but when he learned that an old miscarriage of justice had surfaced, he knew he had to investigate. It was his duty.

“I am the Assistant Minister of the Ministry of Justice. Regarding the wrongful conviction of the Lin family north of the river—there is indeed such a case. The Lin daughter is not the child of a criminal…”

He had come prepared, evidence in hand. He had not expected the culprit from that year to walk willingly into his net.

“Are you sure you’re not just causing them trouble?” Zhu eyed the official with irritation. The two had clashed before, bitterly, over an arson case. Now, with an old affair being brought to light, it felt like a slap in the face for the Ministry of Justice.

“No, he ought to thank me.”

What?

Han Qing remained perfectly calm. It had been his colleague who had presided over the case back then, and now, by exposing the truth, he cleared the Ministry’s name and gained himself a valuable ally. Why not be pleased?

The troublesome matron was promptly taken to the Ministry for questioning.

“I am truly sorry for today’s events and for disturbing everyone’s enjoyment at Drunken Blossom Pavilion,” the woman on stage offered a humble apology.

Zhi Lan understood that the effect she desired had been achieved. She promptly instructed the servants to make all expenses at the pavilion that day free of charge, as a gesture of apology.

It was a considerable loss in silver, but Drunken Blossom Pavilion gained a sterling reputation.

“Han, that was a brilliant move!” Zhu finally understood. He had long since investigated the woman’s true identity, but had kept it secret until the scandal reached its peak.

This way, the public’s sympathy was aroused, and their view of the pavilion transformed. Not only did it shelter women with nowhere else to go, it even helped them resolve past injustices.

“Just going with the tide,” Han said with a shake of his head. The facts were there; it was a matter of how to best use them.

Tonight, the Ministry of Justice would likely be sleepless, forced to re-examine a mistake from eight years before.

“I will call upon you in person in the coming days,” the Assistant Minister promised before leaving. He seemed to have unraveled the whole truth. But he still had a virtuous wife waiting at home, and this was no place for a man of his station to linger.

“Mother, why are you still up?”

Han Qing entered to find his mother glaring at him, her face thunderous. He must have gotten into trouble again.

“You’re finally home? Xiu Xiu has been working herself ragged around the house for days, knowing you are busy with your studies and not asking for your help. But you’ve been out every day—just what have you been so busy with?”

“Mother, you wrong me. Xiu Xiu is about to start learning to read, so I’ve been out searching for books.”

As he spoke, he glanced at Jiang Xiu Xiu, hoping for a lifeline. But no help came; it seemed he would not escape his mother’s scolding tonight.

“Yes, I asked to learn more characters, so that I could help out more at home. If anyone is to blame, let it be me,” Xiu Xiu said.

Hearing this, Han Mother’s anger subsided.

“Xiu Xiu, it’s only because you defend him! Even learning a dozen characters will help, so you won’t be bullied by him in the future.”

Han Qing nodded sheepishly, recalling all his past mischief.

“Enough. In that case, you both should get some rest.”

He took his wife’s hand and led her gently back to their rooms.

“My love, did you truly go out to find books for me?”

Now that they were alone, she asked softly, hope shining in her eyes.