This is the ancient world, after all. Powerful clans can run rampant.
And my movements are restricted.
As long as the Li clan finds a way to get rid of me and become the guardians of the children, it would be easy for them to transfer the assets before the children grow up. A few years later, they could just as easily arrange for the children to suffer an accident or die of illness.
When it comes to seizing the property of a household without an adult male heir…
The victim’s own clansmen are often the ones who do it most.
Widows and fatherless children were the ones who suffered most from such schemes.
Weisheng He immediately understood Madam Jia’s good intentions and wasted no time taking advantage of the opportunity.
“Madam, your status is as noble as the bright moon in the heavens. For an ordinary woman like me to have the good fortune of receiving even a little of your light is already an honor. How could I possibly refuse?”
“That would be terribly ungrateful of me!”
“My son and daughter would only be happy to have such a connection with you.”
“Please rest assured, Madam. After I married, my late husband taught me enough characters to read and write a little. I’ll record the children’s daily experiences every day. Whenever you send someone to visit, I’ll present those records with both hands so that you won’t miss their growth.”
Jia Min had never expected her to say such a thing and was momentarily stunned.
She wanted to refuse, but when she met the eyes of the two children looking up at her, the words died in her throat.
After a long moment, she said, “Then I’ll have to trouble you.”
Weisheng He shook her head.
“As long as you don’t find it troublesome.”
Jia Min shook her head and said nothing more.
She slowly walked back to Lin Hai.
Lin Hai glanced at her pale face and decided to settle the matter quickly.
“Since Madam has taken such a liking to Madam Weisheng and her children, it would hardly be proper for me to do nothing.”
“A widow with young children will inevitably face difficulties, especially while observing mourning at home with limited freedom to go out. Why not ask the clan head’s wife to visit every few days?”
“With her helping to keep an eye on things, Madam Weisheng and her children’s health and safety should be protected.”
“Of course, I won’t ask her to do this without compensation.”
“I seem to recall that Clan Head Li has a son around the same age as Madam Weisheng’s late husband who intends to sit the imperial examinations?”
“As it happens, a few months ago I hired a jinshi to teach my daughter and begin her education. She is still young and cannot study for many hours each day.”
“If your son has any questions about his studies, he may come to the residence and ask the gentleman for guidance. That will also keep the teacher from sitting idle and wasting his talents.”
Clan Head Li was immediately both delighted and afraid.
He was delighted because his son would gain a jinshi teacher without paying a thing. Forget anything more ambitious, becoming a xiucai… no, even obtaining the preliminary tongsheng qualification would practically be within reach.
The Li family could never have hired a teacher like that on their own.
But he was afraid because once his son truly began studying at the Lin residence, he would effectively become a hostage in the Lin family’s hands.
If anything happened to Madam Weisheng or her children during the mourning period, then his own son…
Sweat covered Clan Head Li’s forehead.
For a moment, he could not make up his mind.
Lin Hai gave him another push.
“Madam Weisheng observing mourning for her father-in-law and for her husband are both virtuous acts worthy of being reported to the imperial court for commendation. No one is permitted to force her to stop.”
“If the Li family dares force her to remarry during the mourning period, I will report the matter to the court and request severe punishment for such corrupt customs.”
He paused.
His gaze swept over Li Boyong, the wives of the three clan elders, and Madam Sun before finally settling on the coffin in the center of the mourning hall.
“From this day forward, if anything happens to Madam Weisheng or any of her four children, whether illness, injury, or accident, I will regard the Li family as responsible.”
His voice was not loud, but every word struck the Li family like a hammer.
Their expressions changed at once.
“When that happens, I will have every Li family member involved thrown into prison and all Li family property confiscated.”
The mourning hall went deathly silent.
Everyone stared at Lin Hai.
No one dared speak.
Lin Hai was the Salt Censor.
Salt was precisely what he controlled.
And the Li family was the largest salt-merchant household in Weiyang. The lifeblood of the entire clan was in Lin Hai’s hands.
He did not even need to investigate them or confiscate their property as he had threatened.
All he had to do was place a few restrictions on the distribution of salt permits, and the Li family would be ruined.
Li Boyong’s legs went weak.
He opened his mouth, wanting to say something, but it felt as though something had lodged in his throat.
Not a single word came out.
The wives of the three clan elders did not dare make a sound either.
Each lowered her head, with none of their earlier arrogance remaining.
Madam Sun’s expression changed as well.
She instinctively took a step backward, trying to make herself less noticeable.
Lin Hai looked at Li Boyong.
“Do you understand?”
Li Boyong nodded with difficulty.
“I… I understand.”
“Good.”
Lin Hai withdrew his gaze and turned to Weisheng He, his tone softening slightly.
“Madam Weisheng, observe your mourning without worry. If anyone dares make things difficult for you, simply send someone to the Lin residence.”
After a pause, he looked toward Jia Min.
“Madam will see that justice is done for you.”
Weisheng He dropped to her knees and kowtowed three times before them.
“Thank you, Madam Lin. Thank you, Lord Lin.”
Jia Min found her reaction somewhat amusing and smiled as she helped her up.
“Take good care of yourself. Everything will get better.”
Weisheng He nodded, her eyes reddened.
Jia Min looked at her and sighed, but there was little else she could do.
She shook her head, took Lin Hai by the arm, and left the mourning hall with him.
Lord Zhou and the other guests also began taking their leave.
As they departed, the looks they gave Li Boyong were rather complicated.
Being watched by the Salt Censor from now on…
Tsk. He’d better watch every word and every step and make sure no one catches him doing anything wrong.
After all, Weiyang was full of salt merchants.
There would surely be people willing to keep an eye on the Li family. The moment they discovered any wrongdoing, they could run straight to the Lin residence to report it and curry favor with Madam Jia.
Li Boyong clearly understood this as well.
His expression grew even uglier.
Only after all the guests had left did he finally manage to collect himself.
He looked at Weisheng He, then at Madam Sun, and finally at the coffin in the center of the mourning hall.
With a heavy snort, he flicked his sleeves and stormed off.
The wives of the three clan elders hurried after him, moving so quickly it was as though ghosts were chasing them.
Madam Sun hesitated for a moment before lowering her head and quickly leaving as well.
At last, silence returned to the mourning hall.
Weisheng He’s parents walked over and supported their daughter from either side.
“It’s all right now,” Madam Lin comforted her softly.
Weisheng He nodded, but her gaze passed over them and settled in the direction the Li family had gone.
This isn’t over yet.
The wind stirred the funeral banners, sending a soft rustle through the hall.
Outside, sunlight spilled across the stone paving, dispelling the chill of the autumn day.
Throughout Weiyang City, everything went on as usual.