This was a tiny private room, a measure taken out of respect for scholars, to prevent them from being confined with other prisoners until the case was finalized. Zhang Rui, who was lying in bed, rushed down and hugged Su's legs, bursting into tears. Seeing that only a few months had passed, Zhang Rui's face was filthy, his clothes tattered, and he reeked of a terrible stench, Su pushed him away and opened the food box, saying, "My son, eat something."
Zhang Rui hadn't tasted meat in a long time, so he grabbed the chicken and started gnawing on it. As he ate, he sidled up to Madam Su and said, "Mother still loves me the most."
As he spoke, Su couldn't help but feel a lump in her throat and asked, "How did you get into this?"
Zhang Rui took a big bite of chicken and mumbled, "It was all Yu Yichen's doing. He wanted to frame my master, Wang Canzhi, so he set a plan to leak the exam questions. Except for Tong Qisheng, everyone in our sect was arrested."
When Su heard him mention Tong Qisheng, she was worried about Zhenxiu and quickly asked, "How did Tong Qisheng slip up?"
Zhang Rui knew, of course, that Tong Qisheng was more talented than him. Although he had taken the exam, he had not followed the format given by Wang Canzhi and had passed the exam based on his own ability, which was why he was able to slip through the cracks. But at this moment, he was filled with jealousy and anger, and said bitterly, "He has a lot of money in his hands. If he can smooth things over, he can naturally slip through the cracks."
After breaking off his engagement with Nie Shiqiu, Zhang Rui began to pester Zhenyuan. This was because Tong Qisheng and Zhenxiu had been getting together and were spending large sums of money. Zhenshu was also running a successful mounting shop. Seeing the business thriving, he assumed there was money to be made inside, so he devoted himself to groveling and ingratiating himself with Su Shi and Zhenyuan.
However, when he finally got his hands on the money and started coaxing it, he discovered that Zhenshu was in charge of the finances, and Su Shi only had a small allowance. Fortunately, Su Shi was soft-hearted and easily coaxed, so he kept using her to get some pocket money while secretly resenting Zhenshu for not giving him more. Later, Zhenyuan became pregnant, and he got some money from Zhenshu before the imperial examinations, but it was still a small amount. When it came time to seriously seek official positions, Tong Qisheng, with a large sum of money, rose to the position of Vice Minister of the Ministry of Justice in one step, while he could only take a sinecure in the Hanlin Academy.
Fueled by resentment, Zhang Rui simply stopped caring about Zhenyuan and spent his days hiding outside. Whenever he was short of pocket money, he would cry and be comforted by Su Shi. Today, seeing that Su Shi had even managed to get the Assistant Prefect of Yingtian Prefecture to accompany her, he thought that perhaps Su Shi had some tricks up her sleeve, so he pleaded again, "Mother knows that I have been wronged. Please, Mother, go up and find a way to plead my case and clear this injustice from being proven."
He suddenly remembered the rumors circulating in the capital and quickly added, "Tell my second sister to beg Yu Yichen. He is now the top superior of Yingtian Prefecture. If we beg him, I can leave this place tomorrow."
Madam Su bit her lip and said with difficulty, "Your second sister has no further dealings with that eunuch. I begged her, but she refused."
Zhang Rui was so angry that he pounded his thigh and shook Su Shi, saying, "Mother, you must think of a way for me. I was in a daze for a few days after passing the imperial examination, but I am fine now. As soon as I get out of this prison, I will go to Liu Family Village to bring Zhenyuan and the child here. We will rent a house to live with you, Mother, so that I can take care of you in your old age and see you off when you die."
Madam Su recalled the distress Song Anrong felt when he was about to pass away, fearing that he would not be able to be buried in the ancestral grave without a son to see him off. She also thought that if the third branch of the family wanted to control her with their property when she passed away, or refused to let her wear mourning clothes, leaving her a lonely ghost, it would also be a difficult situation. Since Zhang Rui had agreed, she was moved again and nodded, saying, "Mother will go upstairs and think of a way for you."
Zhang Rui nodded in agreement, and then began to devour the chicken again.
Su found the stench unbearable and hurriedly left the cell. She then heard Mr. Wei summon the guard and instruct him, "Change him to a better cell, preferably on the first floor."
The ground floor is dry and doesn't smell bad.
The guard nodded in agreement and went to coordinate the matter.
Mr. Wei escorted Madam Su and her aunt to the gate. After Madam Su got into the carriage, he said to her aunt, "Please make another trip to see the Prefect."
Grandma Su lifted the curtain and gestured to Madam Su, whispering, "This matter is probably going to work out. Since the Prefect has taken a liking to the Second Miss, your godson can also be released. Why are you so worried?"
☆、95|Chapter 95
Madam Su also noticed that the Prefect Wang seemed quite willing, but he was rather too old. Although Zhenshu herself had a somewhat eccentric temper, she was still a beautiful young woman. Marrying a man her own age, old enough to be her father, seemed like a terrible injustice. However, Zhenshu's reputation was now a hundred times worse than it had been in Huixian County. Everyone in the capital knew she was going to marry a eunuch. With such an absurd and laughable thing on her mind, how could she possibly find a good husband?
Although the Prefect of Yingtian Prefecture was a bit old, he was still quite handsome. Besides, becoming the Prefect's wife would bring her a lot of prestige. She hesitated for a moment, but still nodded and said, "Then, Miss, go ahead."
After seeing Madam Su off, Aunt Su went with Mr. Wei to the residence of Magistrate Wang, where they saw Magistrate Wang pacing back and forth. He stood with his hands behind his back, and when he saw Aunt Su enter, he quickly invited her to sit down, saying, "Aunt Su, please sit down."
They then asked Mr. Wei to pour them tea, and this treatment was much better than before.
Then Prefect Wang sat down next to Aunt Su and said, "Aunt Su knows that my wife probably has some days left to live."
Grandma Su nodded and said, "I know that. Are you still keeping her on medication?"
Prefect Wang nodded and then asked, "I didn't think that lady from a poor family was from a humble background. What is her family background?"
Grandma Su counted on her fingers and said, "Back then, it was the wife of Song Gongzheng's second son from a concubine's family."
Song Gongzheng was quite accomplished in calligraphy and painting, and even officials who had been away for many years knew of him. Prefect Wang hesitated and asked, "I'm afraid a daughter from such a family wouldn't want to become a concubine."
Grandma Su said, "Once the one with tuberculosis in your family passes away, you can then elevate her to the position of wife."
The granddaughter of Song Gongzheng, around twenty years old, was eagerly seeking to become a concubine. The Prefect Wang, somewhat skeptical, scrutinized Granny Su and asked, "If a woman is still unmarried at twenty, is her reputation still intact?"
Generally, girls reach marriageable age at fifteen and are betrothed by sixteen. Those who remain unmarried until twenty are likely to have impeccable reputations. Grandma Su's words are a mixture of three parts lie and two parts truth, and seven parts lie, making it difficult to discern the truth. She glanced at Mr. Wei, and with a signal from Magistrate Wang, Mr. Wei tactfully withdrew. Grandma Su then said, "My second daughter is exceptionally beautiful. If you say my niece still has some looks, she is far inferior to her daughter. However, the second daughter's reputation was ruined when she was kidnapped back in our hometown of Huixian. Therefore, she wishes to hastily marry here."
The prefect nodded in sudden realization, now completely convinced. In terms of age, he was now old enough to be the father of an eighteen-year-old girl. Since she was a concubine and possessed beauty, what did it matter if her reputation was ruined? He could simply confine her to a small courtyard in the mansion and not let her out.
With the plan settled, Prefect Wang then asked, "When will we be able to meet?"
Grandma Su's eyes darted around quickly, but her mind was preoccupied with something else. The news that Zhenshu intended to marry the Grand Eunuch Yu Yichen was now common knowledge throughout the capital. However, there were discrepancies in the information. People only knew her as Song Anrong's daughter, or perhaps the young manager of the Song family's mounting shop. Going further back in her lineage, unless one had very close relatives, most people wouldn't know she was Song Gongzheng's illegitimate granddaughter.
She was now like a brand, even though her engagement with Yu Yichen was off, with Yu Yichen around, who would dare to marry her or ask her for a marriage? So, Aunt Su was determined to arrange a marriage for Zhenshu before the Prefect of the Prince's Mansion could match her with someone else, and to find Zhenshu a good match.
If Magistrate Wang wants to meet Zhenshu, going to the mounting shop is naturally the best option, as it would allow him to see Zhenshu without arousing her suspicion. However, if he goes to the mounting shop and then inquires further, Zhenshu's true colors will be revealed. Presumably, Magistrate Wang doesn't dare to touch any woman Yu Yichen has been with yet; in that case, the marriage might not go through, and he might end up suffering the consequences.
But matchmaking, like drinking tea, can be addictive. A matchmaker who meets two good men and women but can't bring them together feels worse than death. After thinking it over, she came up with a plan: "How about this, I'll arrange a place for us, and the prefect and my second young lady can go together to meet them, what do you say?"
Although the wife of the Prefect Wang was suffering from tuberculosis, her powerful family and numerous brothers suppressed any attempt to force him to take a concubine. He was also in his prime, the time when he was most sexually aroused, and the cases in Yingtian Prefecture were exhausting. The prostitutes in brothels were heartless and only interested in swindling money. He wanted the pleasures but didn't want to spend money, which is why he sent Granny Su to inquire about finding a beautiful concubine.
He feared that if he met the young lady outside, word would leak out and his wife's family would find out, beating him to a pulp. So, after much hesitation, he said, "How about Mama Su brings the second young lady to my residence another day?"
The most dangerous place is the safest place.
Grandma Su was also afraid that she wouldn't be able to coax Zhenshu out easily. If they went to the Yingtian Prefecture office, it would be easier to make up a reason to trick Zhenshu into coming. So she nodded and said, "That's very good."
She took her leave, and the Prefect Wang escorted her all the way to the gate before returning home.
Having secured a good match, married off her renowned grandniece, and solved a difficult problem for the prefect, Aunt Su was now a respected figure in Yingtian Prefecture. Thinking this, she was extremely excited. Ignoring the aching in her bound feet, she carried a basket and headed towards the East Market.
Zhenshu was sitting behind the counter, rapidly calculating accounts on an abacus. Granny Su quietly entered the shop and watched from outside. She saw that Zhenshu's hair was pulled up high and secured with a hairpin, and she wore a short skirt and a vest, looking neat and tidy. Her small face, with its willow-leaf eyebrows and almond-shaped eyes, was fair and delicate, and increasingly beautiful. Granny Su thought to herself that if the Prefect Wang saw this beautiful young lady, he would be completely captivated, probably rushing to marry her without caring about the girl's reputation.
As she was smiling, Zhenshu looked up and saw her, then stood up and offered her a seat, saying, "Where did you come from, Miss? Why don't you sit in the back?"
Grandma Su quickly pressed her down to sit down, saying, "You go ahead with your work, I'll go to the back to talk to your mother about something."
After saying this, he went into the inner room and then to the backyard. He went up to the small building and saw Madam Su rubbing her feet. He clapped his hands and sat down next to Madam Su, saying, "It's done, it's done. The matter is settled. The Prefect Wang is now completely willing."
Seeing that the Prefect Wang was quite old, Madam Su felt uneasy and said, "I think he's too old; he could be Zhenshu's father."
Grandma Su slapped her thigh and said, "Only when you're older do you learn to cherish people. Besides, with the Second Miss's current reputation, what young man would dare to want her?"
Upon reflection, Madam Su realized this was indeed the case, and then asked, "Is it true that his wife has died?"
Last year, Aunt Su had said that Magistrate Wang's wife had died, but now that the wife was still clinging to life in the mansion, she dared not lie to Madam Su on this important matter. So she said, "She has tuberculosis and is about to die. Her coffin and burial clothes are ready and waiting."
Upon hearing this, Madam Su knew she had fallen into her mistress's trap again, and complained, "Although my reputation has been ruined by my chastity, I am still a young girl of ten years old. How can I go and become a concubine for a forty-year-old man?"
Grandma Su advised, "His wife is on the verge of death, so he can just quietly enter the house and wait. Once she dies, he can immediately make her his legal wife, right? If we wait until his wife is officially dead, I'm afraid all the high-ranking families who want to propose marriage will be knocking down our door. How will we have a chance then?"
To put it bluntly, it's all about seizing the initiative.
Su hesitated for a long time before saying, "Zhenshu has a fiery temper; I'm afraid she won't agree."
Grandma Su said, "Marriage is arranged by parents and matchmakers. Now that her father is gone, you should be in charge of everything. You must not let the child have her way and cause her to ruin her own life's most important event."
Madam Su thought to herself that what she said made sense. She and Song Anrong had spoiled Zhenshu too much back then, which led to her causing a huge mess and earning her a bad reputation. Thinking of this, she sighed and asked Aunt Su, "If we really get married, my godson will definitely be released, right?"
Grandma Su then realized that she had forgotten about this matter. But then she thought again, if the marriage could be arranged, what difficulty would it be for Magistrate Wang to release a couple of people? So she comforted Madam Su, saying, "Look, we only exchanged a few words today, and your godson was able to go upstairs to stay in a private room. As long as the marriage is settled, I'm afraid he will release your godson the next day."
Madam Su felt somewhat relieved, but she didn't dare to give her mistress a definite answer. She said, "In that case, mistress, please go home and wait. I'll inquire here again and give you my word once it's confirmed. How about that?"
Grandma Su had been running around all day, her mouth and lips were dry and she hadn't had a drop of water. Hearing the suspicion in Madam Su's words, she said in a huff, "If that's the case, then keep asking around. That lady might die at any time, and Magistrate Zhou is also anxious. If there's another good match, I'll arrange it for him. Don't blame me for not keeping it for you then."
After saying this, he ignored Su's repeated attempts to persuade him to stay and refused her hard-earned money. He then carried a small basket and went home.
Madam Su was torn between wanting Zhenshu to help her manage the shop and earn money, wanting to find Zhenshu a good place to stay, and worrying that Zhenyuan would be left without support if Zhang Rui didn't come out. She sat in a chair, sighing deeply. Seeing Zhenshu close the shop and come upstairs, her face still calm and collected, completely unaware of her inner turmoil, and noticing her youthful appearance, she felt it was a pity that she was paired with a man around forty. So she sighed and said, "You're living a carefree life now, but it's a pity Zhang Rui is still in jail."
Zhenshu soaked her feet, picked up a book and flipped through it on her lap, while also munching on a plate of malt candy in her arms. She said nonchalantly, "If we don't lock him up, are we going to let him out and run wild all day?"
Remembering Zhang Rui's pitiful state, Su threw her handkerchief at Zhenshu and said, "You have no idea what the prison is like. It's smelly, filthy, and dark. It's truly terrifying. Good people would die there."
Zhenshu's heart skipped a beat. She remembered the dark room in the Yu residence. She threw away the malt candy, wiped her feet, slipped on her shoes, and picked up the book, saying, "You've already gone to see it?"
Madam Su nodded and said, "Grandma Su has some connections who can help me out. I went to check on her today."
No wonder that Aunt Su came in through the front door of the shop. Zhen Shu had no idea that the two of them had already sold her out under the guise of a shop today. She picked up the malt candy and was about to go inside when she threw out a sentence: "If you ask me, he doesn't seem like someone who can pass the exam. Even if he gets arrested now, he deserves it."
Su couldn't reason with Zhenshu no matter what she said, so she hurried over and said, "Why don't you go find Yu Yichen again and ask him to release Zhang Rui?"
Zhen Shu stomped her foot angrily and said, "I'm done with him a long time ago, why won't you believe me? Even if I were to die right now, I wouldn't ask him to save me, so just give up."
Su Shi was furious after Zhen Shu said a few words to her, and roared, "Do you think I'm begging you because I have nothing better to do? If it weren't for Zhen Yuan and the child being destitute, and if I didn't have someone to be my filial son when I die so that I wouldn't become a lonely ghost, would I do this?"
After all, Song Anrong was dead, and Madam Su was now all alone. How could it be justified not to be filial to her? Seeing Madam Su burst into tears, Zhenshu hurriedly came over to comfort her, saying, "It's not that I'm unwilling, but I've truly severed all ties with him. How can I go looking for him again for these matters? If you, Aunt Su, have any connections, I'm willing to spend several thousand taels of silver for you. You can go and get him out."
Madam Su then stopped crying and said, "There is a way that doesn't cost money, and I can find you a good family to marry into. It just depends on whether you are willing to do so."
Upon hearing this, Zhenshu suddenly remembered that some time ago, Aunt Su had mentioned that a prefect of Yingtian Prefecture had lost his wife. She threw the book aside and said, "I will never marry again in this life. Mother, give up on that idea."
After saying that, she turned and went inside. Madam Su slumped back into her chair and scolded, "We've spoiled you rotten. You're still young now, so it's nothing for you to show your face in public like this. But what will you do when you're older, unable to get married, childless and helpless?"
Seeing that Zhenshu had also slammed the door shut, Madam Su was both anxious and angry, wishing she could immediately summon her great-aunt Su to come and find a solution. She waited until the next morning and hurriedly sent a messenger with a verbal message, summoning her great-aunt Su to come.
Upon receiving the news, Granny Su knew the matter was settled. She quickly bound her feet again, slung her small basket over her shoulder, and her thin feet seemed to fly as she headed towards the East Market. Madam Su was not one to keep secrets, and she poured out everything that had happened the previous night to Granny Su. Granny Su listened and nodded, and only after Madam Su finished speaking did she say, "Since that's how it is, I have an idea. Why don't we devise a plan? We'll say that Magistrate Wang wants a painting and ask Second Miss to come with me to Yingtian Prefecture for him to inspect. After the inspection, we won't rush into discussing marriage. We'll ask him to release your godson first, and then we'll discuss the marriage with him. What do you think?"
Madam Su was somewhat skeptical: "Is that really possible? Firstly, I'm afraid Zhenshu won't agree, and secondly, I'm afraid that Prefect Wang won't do the job since he hasn't found a wife yet."
☆、96|Chapter 96
Grandma Su, now taking full responsibility, came up with a brilliant plan and exclaimed, "Just trust that I'll take care of everything!"
After discussing it with Mrs. Su, he went home again.
Zhenshu tended the shop outside, occasionally going out to deliver calligraphy and paintings or collect them from customers, always accompanied by her two apprentices. She lived a peaceful and stable life, much more relaxed than the previous two years when she frequently interacted with Yu Yichen and was always in a hurry. On this particular day, she was sitting behind the counter when she saw Madam Su come out from the inner room with an awkward smile, while Aunt Su stood to the side, pursing her lips.
Madam Su first took Zhenshu's hand and said, "My son, there is news about Zhang Rui's matter. However, you don't need to spend any money. The Prefect Wang heard that your father's calligraphy and paintings are in high demand, and he wants us to send him a piece of calligraphy so that he can find a way to release Zhang Rui."
Zhenshu thought it made sense, so she got up and went upstairs to get a six-foot-long scroll to show to Madam Su and her aunt. She then rolled it up and handed it to Madam Su, saying, "Mother, you can decide what to do yourself."
When Su refused to accept the painting, his great-aunt quickly interjected, "We don't know anything about calligraphy and painting. Now we need you to explain it to him and let him know the benefits and value of this calligraphy and painting before this matter can be accomplished."
Zhenshu was used to delivering paintings for others and knew that the two women didn't seem capable of getting things done. So she replied, "I wonder where the prefect is? I'll take an apprentice and deliver it to him personally."
Grandma Su said, "He naturally works in the Yingtian Prefecture government office. You don't need to bring an apprentice. I'll accompany you."
Since it was a public housing unit, Zhenshu couldn't possibly imagine going on a blind date.
The two went out, and Zhenshu wanted to hire a carriage, but Aunt Su waved her hand and said, "No need, no need. I'm used to walking and my feet don't hurt. We can walk."
Along the way, Zhenshu was forced to hear many royal secrets, the wicked nature of Yu Yichen, and the secret story of how Du Yu and Dou Mingluan were in love and about to get married. They walked until they were covered in sweat before finally arriving at the Yingtian Prefecture government office. Aunt Su stepped forward and, seeing that they were two unfamiliar yamen runners, pointed at Zhenshu and said, "We are here to deliver calligraphy and paintings for the Prefect."
She had made several trips to Yingtian Prefecture and had become quite well-known. Without needing to announce her arrival, the two constables let them in. They walked to the small building of the prefect's residence, where Mr. Wei happened to be standing. Seeing that it was Aunt Su with a tall, pretty, and fair-skinned young woman, he knew this must be the concubine the old matchmaker had arranged for the prefect. He thought to himself that the old woman was quite capable, managing to find such a stunning beauty to be the prefect's concubine.
He hurried over, cupped his hands in greeting, and asked, "Is Madam Su well?"
Grandma Su asked, "Is the Prefect upstairs?"
Mr. Wei said, "Yes, yes, but there are guests inside talking right now, so why don't I go and ask them?"
Normally, if there were guests, someone should wait outside. However, Mr. Wei wanted to curry favor with the prefect's future concubine first, so he didn't dare to keep her waiting. He went upstairs in a few steps, entered the official room, and whispered in the prefect's ear, "The matchmaker has brought the woman."
The Prefect's words to Granny Su had piqued everyone's interest, but after being out of the public eye for many days, she heard that Granny Su had brought her daughter here today. Without even having guests in front of her, she quietly asked, "How is Rongyang?"