Gu Yunrong stood by the doorway, still unable to fully process the tremendous commotion coming from the front courtyard.
When she had awakened from the darkness, she had found herself lying safely in bed. At once, she recognized the room as her bedroom in the Gu family’s residence in Jiangnan.
It was only after she hurried out in shock and saw the chaos outside, hearing the confused shouts and cries of the people, that she finally became certain of one thing.
She had returned to three years earlier—the very day her father had been falsely accused and taken into custody.
Another angry shout came from the front courtyard. It was her father arguing with someone. Gu Yunrong suddenly snapped out of her daze, remembering something important, and hurried toward the commotion.
The Gu residence was not very large, so it took her only a short while to reach the front courtyard.
A group of uniformed constables were dragging her father away. Their shouting and curses filled the air. The Gu family’s servants tried to stop them, but the constables greatly outnumbered them. The household had only a limited number of people, so all they could do was delay the men as best they could.
Madam Xu, Gu Yunrong’s mother, was weeping uncontrollably. If the maids had not been supporting her, she would already have collapsed to the ground.
Gu Yunrong was about to rush forward when her elder sister, Gu Shuyu, grabbed her firmly.
“Don’t go, Doudou,” Gu Shuyu whispered sternly. “Go back to your room.”
Doudou was Gu Yunrong’s childhood nickname.
Seeing that her father was about to be taken away, Gu Yunrong grew frantic. She tugged at her sister’s hand.
“I’ll just say a few words to Father, then I’ll come back.”
Gu Shuyu did not believe her. She called over a maid and prepared to have the girl help drag Gu Yunrong away.
Unable to free herself from her sister’s firm grip, Gu Yunrong quickly looked around. She urgently signaled to several servants and maids, telling them to step forward and block the constables. They absolutely could not allow the men to take her father away!
The constables had been struggling for quite some time without managing to arrest their prisoner. Their tempers immediately flared.
The leading officer, a squad leader surnamed Zhao, shouted angrily, “What a bunch of troublesome peasants! Are you all blind or just stupid? Let me make this clear: the county magistrate himself ordered us to arrest this man today. If you keep interfering and causing trouble, don’t blame us for arresting every one of you as well!”
The “county magistrate” he mentioned was Wan Liang, the magistrate of Qiantang County in Hangzhou Prefecture. The title “Magistrate” was an honorific used by subordinates when addressing their county official.
Gu Tongfu was being held tightly and could not move. His anger was already boiling over. Hearing the constable’s insults, he retorted indignantly,
“I have no idea where this accusation of colluding with the Japanese pirates came from! This is an enormous crime. How can you simply pin such a charge on someone without evidence?”
“Although I, Gu Tongfu, am only a low-ranking clerk, I would never do anything that would bring shame upon my family and make people curse my name behind my back! Even if the magistrate intends to punish me, there must be evidence. Is it proper to arrest someone without any reason?”
The constables burst into laughter.
“If the magistrate says it’s proper, then it’s proper! Whether this clerk has colluded with the Japanese pirates is something the higher authorities will decide!”
For years, Japanese pirates had raided the coastal regions, burning villages, killing innocent people, and robbing the people of their belongings. Their crimes were countless, and the people hated them so much that they wished they could tear them apart with their bare hands.
If someone were branded as a collaborator with the Japanese pirates, not only would his life be in danger, but he would also be condemned by the entire population. His family’s reputation and the honor of his ancestors would be ruined. It was even possible that people might dig up his family’s ancestral graves.
There was no way Gu Tongfu could accept such a baseless accusation.
Gu Yunrong called her maid, Chunsha, over and whispered a few instructions into her ear. Chunsha immediately went to deliver a message to Cheng’an, one of the household servants.
Cheng’an discreetly accepted the silver envelope Chunsha slipped to him. Wearing a flattering smile, he approached the constables.
“Gentlemen, perhaps there’s been some misunderstanding. Why don’t you calm down and return to the county office for a little rest? You could discuss the matter properly with the magistrate.”
As he spoke, he stepped closer and, concealing the envelope of silver inside his sleeve, tried to slip it into Squad Leader Zhao’s hand.
Zhao’s eyes lingered on the envelope for a moment. But then, as though he had suddenly remembered something, he quickly pulled his hand away and put on a stern expression.
“The magistrate has ordered us to bring Gu Tongfu into custody today. No exceptions! Take him away!”
Madam Xu understood how serious the situation was. Even if her husband was not convicted, being imprisoned could cost him half his life.
Seeing that he was already being dragged toward the gate, she suddenly rushed forward and grabbed him. She cried out desperately to the constables,
“Please, gentlemen! Have mercy on us and give us half a day…”
Squad Leader Zhao shoved her aside.
“Give you more time? I know exactly what you’re planning. Let me tell you this: even if I gave you six months, it wouldn’t make any difference!”
He glanced disdainfully at the small courtyard of the Gu residence, with its white walls and dark-tiled roofs.
“It’s not as if your family has enough money to bribe the right people. And even if you did, it would still be a waste!”
“People like you…” He sneered contemptuously. “Do you know any powerful officials in the provincial government? Do you know anyone in the capital? Look through your relatives within five generations. Is there even one person in Qiantang County who can speak on your behalf? Why should the magistrate show your family any consideration? Hah! You really don’t know your place!”
Before Squad Leader Zhao could finish speaking, another constable leaned over and whispered,
“Squad Leader Zhao, don’t waste your time arguing with these people. We still need to prepare for the arrival of the royal guest. We mustn’t delay the important business.”
Zhao slapped his forehead.
“That’s right! That’s right!”
He immediately shouted orders to his men, telling them to hold Gu Tongfu firmly. Then the group hurried away with their prisoner.
After the constables left, the two Gu sisters rushed over to help their mother. But no matter how hard they tried, they could not get Madam Xu back on her feet.
“What a terrible fate!” Madam Xu sobbed bitterly. “Your father has always treated others kindly. Why would such a disaster befall him?”
Gu Yunrong’s nose stung, and anger filled her chest.
Wan Liang simply wanted a scapegoat. The county magistrate, the prefect, and the three provincial judicial authorities were all in league with one another. With powerful people protecting him, Wan Liang had no fear of being exposed.
If the family had connections in the capital, there might still be a way to turn things around. Unfortunately, the Gu family had no such influence.
Gu Shuyu was trembling with anger. After a moment, she suddenly suggested, “Why don’t we send a message to the Shen family, the Marquises of Runan? I’ve heard that the Shen family is extremely influential these days. Their daughter has even become the Crown Princess.”
Madam Xu’s crying gradually subsided when she heard this.
“That might work.”
But Gu Yunrong immediately blurted out, “No! We should find another way.”
Madam Xu and Gu Shuyu both turned to look at her.
Gu Yunrong paused before explaining seriously, “Our family’s connection with the Shen family belongs to the previous generation. It’s been many years since we had any contact, and whatever relationship we once had has long faded. The Shen family is flourishing now. They won’t risk offending the officials in Zhejiang and Fujian just to help us.”
Gu Shuyu had been so anxious that she had not thought things through. After considering her younger sister’s words, she realized they made sense.
However, apart from the Shen family, they had no better option. She was still unwilling to give up.
“Even if there’s only a tiny chance, we should try. Sending someone to ask won’t cost us anything. Even if the Shen family refuses to intervene, perhaps they can point us toward another way to solve this.”
Gu Shuyu was about to order someone to prepare a messenger, but she noticed that her younger sister was still firmly opposed.
She sighed.
“Doudou, don’t be unreasonable. Father is in this situation, and Brother Yan isn’t even home. What other solution can we possibly come up with? There’s no harm in trying.”
Gu Yunrong lowered her head for a moment before replying,
“It’s better not to contact them… Sister, don’t worry. I have a way.”
She had always felt that her death in her previous life was somehow connected to Shen Biwu.
Although Shen Biwu had never had any particular conflict with her, killing her would have been an utterly foolish move. Even so, Gu Yunrong could not shake her strong suspicion of that woman.
Moreover, after entering the capital in her previous life, she had dealt with the Shen family several times. She had vaguely sensed the contempt they felt toward the Gu family.
By then, the Gu family had already become related to a prince through marriage, yet the Shen family still looked down on them because they were not a prestigious family with a long and distinguished lineage.
If that was how the Shen family had treated them then, there was even less reason to expect them to help the Gu family now, when they had nothing to their name.
But Gu Yunrong could not explain any of these reasons to her family.
Hearing her youngest daughter’s final words, Madam Xu could not help asking,
“What plan do you have, Doudou?”
Gu Yunrong gently patted her mother’s hand.
“Mother, come back to my room with me. I’ll explain everything slowly.”
She knew that her father’s imprisonment this time was extremely dangerous. At first, she had wanted to keep him from being taken away and then find a way to negotiate his release.
But they had been powerless to stop the constables.
Now, they could only try another approach.
After returning to the county office, the constables handed Gu Tongfu over to the jailers. They made sure he was safely locked away before going to report to Wan Liang.
Wan Liang was sipping tea. When he heard that the arrest had been completed, he let out a relieved breath and set down his teacup.
He pointed at the men one by one, his finger hovering over their heads.
“His Highness will arrive in three days! All of you had better be careful. Don’t do anything that might offend His Highness! If any of you embarrasses me or ruins my plans…”
Everyone immediately bowed their heads in fear.
“We wouldn’t dare, sir!”
Wan Liang leaned back in his chair and gave them further instructions about the arrangements for the day of the royal visit. He also ordered them to clean the county office thoroughly once more.
Only after finishing everything did he wave his hand and dismiss them.
Before they left, however, he ordered his trusted subordinate, Squad Leader Zhao, to stay behind.
“Tell me, do you think we should prepare something else? Will those few shouma catch the prince’s attention?”
Wan Liang looked at Zhao.
Shouma were young women from impoverished families who were trained and groomed to become beautiful, refined companions or entertainers, often intended for wealthy and powerful men.
Zhao thought for a moment before bowing slightly.
“In my humble opinion, sir, you’ve already made very careful preparations. Besides, there are only so many ways we can entertain him, whether openly or discreetly. There’s really nothing more we can add.”
Wan Liang sighed and rubbed his forehead.
“To welcome His Highness, I’ve barely had a proper night’s sleep in half a month. He’s a member of the imperial family, a prince of royal blood. Such people are far more difficult to please than noble officials.”
With such a major scandal taking place in Zhejiang, the imperial court was bound to send someone to investigate. The officials throughout the province had expected this for some time.
At first, word had spread that the Emperor would send Li Boyuan, the Left Vice Censor-in-Chief of the Censorate, to Zhejiang to investigate the matter.
But what no one had anticipated was that the Emperor later changed his mind for reasons unknown. At the last moment, he decided to send Prince Heng in Li Boyuan’s place, assigning him both the investigation and supervision of the military campaign.
For the sake of security, however, this arrangement had been kept secret from the public.
As Zhao poured more tea for Wan Liang, he asked,
“Why do you think His Majesty suddenly changed his choice?”
Wan Liang shook his head with a sigh.
“The Emperor’s intentions are impossible to guess. Perhaps the earlier announcement was nothing more than a diversion.”
As he spoke, he straightened up again.
“Go and bring those few shouma here later. I have some more instructions for them.”
According to the information he had gathered, Prince Heng had an unusual temperament and showed very little interest in women.
However, Wan Liang believed that as long as a man was perfectly normal, he could hardly be completely indifferent to beautiful women.
Besides, the shouma from Yangzhou were famous throughout the empire. He had gone to great lengths to select several exceptionally beautiful women with graceful manners and refined appearances.
He planned to have them disguise themselves as maids and attend to the prince personally. Perhaps one of them would catch Prince Heng’s attention and earn his favor.
When Zhao heard Wan Liang mention those women again, he seemed hesitant to say something.
He had suddenly remembered the two daughters of the Gu family.
Gu Tongfu had previously worked as a clerk at the county office, so Zhao had heard plenty about the beauty of his two daughters.
It was said that the younger daughter, in particular, had already become exceptionally beautiful at only twelve or thirteen. Once she grew a little older, who knew how stunning she would become?
After seeing her today, Zhao realized the rumors were not exaggerated.
In fact, he felt that even the carefully selected shouma Wan Liang had prepared could not compare with the Gu sisters.
It was a pity that Gu Tongfu had now been branded a serious criminal for colluding with the Japanese pirates. His daughters’ family background made them unsuitable for such an offering.
Otherwise, Zhao would have considered presenting one of them to the prince.
Three days later, early in the morning, Zhejiang Governor Chen Han led the three provincial judicial authorities and officials from prefectures, counties, and districts throughout the region to the ferry crossing to welcome the royal prince.
The gathering was enormous. Hundreds of officials assembled, their ranks stretching across the riverside in an impressive procession.
Because of the rising and falling tides, boats often had to stop some distance from the shore. For this reason, ferry crossings along the Qiantang River were usually equipped with long wooden gangways and sloping boarding platforms, commonly known as tiao bu.
The official ferry crossing here had a gangway stretching more than a hundred zhang. It was an impressive sight and the largest ferry crossing in the surrounding area.
In a cherry blossom grove beside the river, Gu Yunrong hid behind the trees and cautiously peered out.
From a distance, she watched the officials orderly board the long gangway. Their grand formation and solemn manner made her feel increasingly uneasy.
Although Li Boyuan held a high position, surely he did not deserve such an extravagant reception?
Looking at Governor Chen’s movements and expression, Gu Yunrong could see that he was extremely nervous and respectful.
It was almost as though a son were welcoming his father. Even that might not have been this excessive.
After all, the governor of Zhejiang was a powerful official entrusted with authority over an entire region. There should be no reason for him to be so nervous about welcoming an imperial envoy.
Could it be that he was feeling guilty?
Unfortunately, the area around the ferry was heavily guarded. Otherwise, she could have moved closer and gotten a clearer view of what was happening.
Just as this thought crossed her mind, a grand procession of drums and music suddenly sounded.
She looked into the distance and saw several enormous ships approaching across the river. Their vast sails seemed to block the sky as they advanced with magnificent grandeur.
Gu Yunrong quickly gestured to the maids and older female servants accompanying her, signaling them to get ready.
However, when the leading vessel—a massive, thousand-liao double-masted ship resembling a broad-beamed Guangdong trading vessel—finally approached, Gu Yunrong was waiting for its passengers to disembark.
Instead, all the officials suddenly bowed and knelt together.
In loud, respectful voices, they cried:
“Long live Prince Heng! Long live Prince Heng! May Your Highness live for ten thousand years!”
Gu Yunrong’s entire body stiffened. Her eyes widened in shock.
Prince Heng?
What Prince Heng?
Was she dreaming?
On the enormous ship, a young man stepped out of the cabin, surrounded by attendants.
The moment he appeared, everyone was stunned.
His bearing and appearance were so extraordinary that he seemed like an immortal who had descended from the heavens into the mortal world.
The officials respectfully escorted the young prince onto the gangway.
As they walked toward the shore, Governor Chen used every gesture and expression to convey the enthusiasm of the officials and common people of Zhejiang. He described their welcome as being as overwhelming and magnificent as the great tides of the Qiantang River.
Just as he was speaking passionately, the young prince interrupted him.
“How is the case being handled now?”
Everyone fell silent for a moment.
Chen Han quickly recovered and bowed.
“Your Highness, the principal offenders involved in deceiving His Majesty have already been detained according to the imperial decree. In addition, the clerks accused of colluding with the Japanese pirates have also been arrested and placed in custody.”
Seeing the look his superior gave him, Wan Liang hurried forward. He bowed respectfully and smiled obsequiously.
“Your Highness, the investigation into the spies has already been completed. It has been determined that Gu Tongfu, a clerk in this county office, secretly colluded with the Japanese pirates in an attempt to curry favor with foreign enemies and seek personal gain!
“This man has shown utter disregard for the law and possesses no sense of shame or integrity. He must be severely punished!”