“Wuu! My poor son!” The old woman burst into tears. “Our daughter‑in‑law just gave birth to a baby girl half a month ago. When she heard of his arrest, she cried so much she couldn’t even produce milk. Oh heavens, if someone must die, let it be me—spare my poor son!”
After hearing their story, Wang Shuang slammed the table with a bang.
“Those bullies abusing their power—this matter, I will…”
“Sister Shuang!” Zhao Mingyan quickly stopped her. She knew exactly what Wang Shuang was about to say. With her temperament, she would definitely want to intervene. But this was a classic case of powerful people trying to swallow up another’s property—using connections to frame ordinary folk with no background.
For commoners facing such deliberate false charges from those in power, there was truly no way to appeal. Report to the authorities? The rival’s family *was* the authorities.
Appeal higher? They lived right under the shadow of the imperial city!
As for the “Drum of Petition” outside the palace gates—that wasn’t something ordinary people could even approach. If they came within two miles of the palace, they’d be driven away. One step closer, and they’d be beaten to death with rods.
Even if by some miracle they reached the drum, struck it, and even saw the emperor himself, their case would still go nowhere.
Because officials protect one another.
Behind Guangfeng Teahouse stood the county magistrate. And behind the magistrate? Surely more powerful patrons. Step by step upward, all the way to the Golden Throne—those men only needed to insist the Qiao family were troublemakers, that their teahouse had poisoned a man.
The corpse was already in the yamen. One life for another—what could the emperor say?
Would he uproot the entire network of officials beneath him for the sake of one insignificant life? That would shake the foundations of his court.
The life of one commoner was far too small a price for such upheaval.
Thus, the only path left for the old couple was to beg for mercy from some high official with a softer heart and a sense of justice—someone willing to lower his gaze, accept their humble offering, and through official channels, secure their son’s release.
For ordinary people, facing these towering layers of power, they were as small as ants.
Zhao Mingyan wanted to help, but she couldn’t agree outright. First, she whispered a few words to Uncle Chen and sent him out. After he left, she turned to the still‑weeping elderly couple and asked her first question.
“How did you know this was Lord Nan’s residence?”
Nan Yan was far too low‑key. He never accepted gifts, never built factions—almost no one knew where he lived. Only certain officials, and high‑ranking ones at that, like Marquis Guangping, would know. So how did these two know?
“It was yesterday!” The old woman wiped her tears and pointed outside.
“Madam and young lady were shopping at Caiyi Lane. One of the clerks there is our relative, and she also lives nearby. She recognized you both!”
So it was when she and Wang Shuang revealed their identities at Caiyi Lane that someone recognized them.
“She told us that the Grand Secretary Nan lives in this area. Today we’ve been knocking door to door,” Old Qiao explained.
Hearing this, Zhao Mingyan nodded, her suspicion easing by half.
At that moment, Uncle Chen returned. He came back and whispered to Zhao Mingyan and Wang Shuang, “I asked around outside. The Qiao family teahouse in the south of the city was recently shut down by the authorities. A death occurred there, and many people say they were falsely accused!”
Wang Shuang’s eyes lit up. “Uncle Chen, how did you think to go ask around?”
Uncle Chen glanced at her. “It wasn’t me—it was Miss Mingyan. She told me to go verify the matter.”
At this, both Wang Shuang and Uncle Chen turned to Zhao Mingyan with deep admiration in their eyes. It was as if their patched‑together household had finally found someone who could truly take charge.
“Miss Mingyan is so cautious.”
“Yes, I said we should let Mingyan handle it. From now on, all household matters should be decided by her!”
Zhao Mingyan: “……”
She had no time for their praise. Instead, she continued, “Uncle Chen, go find out more about the victim—every detail you can.”
“Yes.” Uncle Chen answered and went out again.
After he left, Wang Shuang clung to Zhao Mingyan as if holding onto her lifeline. “Mingyan, what do you think? Should we help them? Whatever you decide, I’ll follow you! You’re clever, you think things through—you must be right!”
Zhao Mingyan: “……”
At that moment, the elderly couple once again knocked their heads to the floor with loud *thuds*.
“Miss, Madam, please help us! As long as you can save our son, we are willing to offer up our entire Qiao family teahouse!”
Old Qiao had already made up his mind completely. He no longer cared about the teahouse—he only wanted his son back. They had only one son, Qiao Dayu. He had just recently married, with a wife who had given birth to a baby girl less than a month ago. Now that he had been taken away, the whole Qiao family was finished.
If their teahouse were only going to be seized by those beasts at Guangfeng Teahouse, then it would be better to hand it over to someone who could save them!
Nan Yan’s household was the only high official they could approach. Now, all they could hope for was that Nan Yan would accept their teahouse and save their son’s life.
Just then, a clear female voice rang out above the two elders’ heads.
“We will ask our lord to save your family’s son. However, we will not take your teahouse for free—we will buy it.”
It was Zhao Mingyan speaking to the Qiao couple.
The Qiao elders’ eyes widened instantly at her words.
Zhao Mingyan gave them a gentle smile. “You can give us a fair discount. Once this matter is resolved, we will purchase your teahouse.”