A freshly issued canal transport manifest was found tucked inside Murong Bin’s inner robe, and it had been issued by the Murong household itself.
“I have never authorized a shipment of court-designated textiles!” Murong Chong’s veins bulged as he roared, “You unfilial wretch! A menace to others!”
He kicked Murong Bin to the ground. “You secretly sold out the Xie family, did you really think I wouldn’t know? I have been waiting for you to come forward and confess, yet instead you grew bolder, entangling yourself with officials right under my nose!”
Murong Bin’s face scraped against the floor, blood seeping out as he hurriedly pleaded, “Let me explain—”
“Guards, take the young master to the inner chamber of the ancestral hall. He is to chant scriptures and copy texts daily, and is forbidden from leaving the courtyard!”
Murong Chong hurled the transport document, stamped with the Murong merchant seal, straight into the brazier in the courtyard, where it was quickly consumed by flames.
“Let go of my son! Let go!” Concubine Ruan shrieked, clawing at the servants, tears streaming down her face as she shouted at Murong Chong. “He is your only son! If you imprison him, who will carry on the Murong family line!”
Murong Chong stepped onto the raised platform in the courtyard. Though past forty, his graying hair only added to his stern presence, his figure still upright and imposing. He looked down coldly at Concubine Ruan, then grasped Murong Yun’s hand and raised it high.
“From this day forward, the Murong household has only one young master, Yun’er!”
Everyone present stared in shock before the matrons responded in unison,
“We obey!”
“You’re all mad! Completely mad!” Concubine Ruan’s hair fell loose as she staggered into the crowd of matrons, pointing at them and laughing hysterically.
The servants restrained her. Murong Chong gently placed his rough hand against her cheek and said, “From now on, devote yourself to vegetarian fasting and prayer, and pray for the prosperity of the Murong family.”
Once Concubine Ruan and her son were taken away, the courtyard fell into an unusual calm. Even the pear tree beyond the wall seemed delicate and pleasing.
“This maid was pitiful. Give her a proper burial and compensate her family with one hundred taels of silver. Let it be considered money spent to ward off misfortune.”
Murong Chong personally covered her body with a white cloth and let out a soft sigh. After a moment, Steward Yao stepped forward, his voice firm as he addressed the gathered servants.
“Remember this well. If a single word of today’s events is leaked to outsiders, you will face consequences you cannot bear!”
“Yes!”
The response was loud and unified. Under Murong Chong’s governance, the household ran with strict order and discipline. His business thrived, his management was meticulous, and his acumen undeniable. He was a man accomplished both within and beyond the household.
Murong Yun smiled brightly. “Father is truly impressive, judging the case with such brilliance.”
Murong Chong shot her a glance. “If someone hadn’t delivered the body, none of this would have unfolded as it did.”
Murong Yun silently accepted the compliment.
Then she recalled what he had said the night before, that she would be allowed to live as a man.
Had Father already foreseen today’s outcome for Murong Bin and Concubine Ruan, or had he orchestrated it himself?
He was ruthless, but fortunately, he treated her well.
“The sooner this is resolved, the cleaner it ends. Once court business is involved, it is difficult to extricate oneself,” Murong Chong said. There was a wisdom in him that had never been mentioned in the book. The Murong family’s eventual downfall must have stemmed from Concubine Ruan and her son.
“I will handle these matters. From now on, you may live freely in a man’s identity.”
Murong Chong’s beard was neatly trimmed, his chin clean-shaven. His face bore the marks of time, slightly sallow, yet dignified. His purple robe stood out without being ostentatious.
He had yet to release her hand. The warmth of his palms felt especially comforting in the early winter chill.
The midday sun was bright, warming the bodies of those beneath it. Stay in it long enough, and it almost became stifling.
They rode together to the Yinzhao Prefecture office.
The gates stood wide open, two guards posted upright at the entrance. The steps still bore traces of last night’s rain.
“You didn’t come last night,” Shangguan Xuan said, fanning her lightly as he muttered, “I nearly got caught on my own.”
“Don’t worry. If you were caught—”
“I knew you would come rescue me!” Shangguan Xuan leaned closer deliberately.
“I would turn myself in and sit in prison with you, so you wouldn’t be alone,” Murong Yun said, patting his shoulder.
Shangguan Xuan fell silent.
Xiao Qian, wearing men’s clothing for the first time, stood awkwardly in a corner. She exaggerated her stride, afraid of being recognized as female, and ended up walking like a crab.
“Young Master, the grievance drum has been removed. How are we supposed to get in?” she asked, twisting the hem of her clothes nervously.
Murong Yun, dressed in a pale blue robe, smiled faintly. “We don’t need to go in. They have legs, they can come out on their own.”
A vendor sold flatbread by the street, tea drinkers whispered among themselves, and a few beggars wandered near the walls. Behind them, the inn conveniently blocked the harsh midday sun.
“Go buy ten flatbreads. Fresh from the oven, the stronger the aroma, the better.”
Xiao Qian didn’t understand but hurried off with some silver. She even asked the vendor to sprinkle sugar on top. Soon, the sweet fragrance mixed with the heat of fresh bread filled the air.
Back on the third floor of the inn, the breeze tousled Xiao Qian’s hair as she clutched the wrapped bread. “Young Master, what is this for?” she asked, her voice nearly lost in the wind.
“Look down carefully. Who’s below?” Murong Yun said, unwrapping the bread. The rich aroma instantly stirred hunger.
“Beggars,” Xiao Qian replied.
“When people are hungry, they are extremely sensitive to smells. These flatbreads will cause a commotion among them,” Shangguan Xuan said with a knowing smile.
Murong Yun tore the bread into small pieces and scattered them below.
The three of them sat quietly, never showing their faces. From below, only three hands could be seen lazily tearing bread, like idle young nobles wasting food for amusement.
By the fourth bread, the beggars were already scrambling and shouting, drawing a crowd.
“People love a spectacle,” Murong Yun said coldly.
“A clever plan. This way, the crowd will naturally gather by the wall,” Shangguan Xuan added as he poured tea.
Xiao Qian still looked confused.
“Last night, Shangguan stole the official seal and posted something on the wall,” Murong Yun explained, dangling the last piece of bread before dropping it.
The beggars fought over it, then someone noticed the notice pasted on the wall.
“This is the Xie family’s transport fleet… Why are they all stamped with the Yinzhao seal? The house was only sealed yesterday…”
“Normally, without cause, they can only seal a residence for one day. They should release them today.”
The Xie family had long been known for their charity. Each month they distributed porridge to the poor, and Miss Xie would personally serve it.
The beggars grew furious.
“Let’s go! The gates are open. Let’s demand justice for Miss Xie!”
They surged forward.
“You corrupt officials! Release the Xie family!”
More people joined, voices rising:
“The Yinzhao office wants to swallow the Xie family’s business, they even killed a three-year-old child!”
“They’ve dug up the entire residence searching for hidden silver!”
Fueled by rumors, the crowd’s anger spread rapidly.
Murong Yun leaned against the railing, watching as more people gathered. Her fingers traced the rim of her teacup.
“Those few people we arranged, how are they?” she asked.
“They’re storytellers by trade, and dabble in other work. Your judgment is as sharp as ever,” Shangguan Xuan replied.
Xiao Qian worried, “What if the soldiers use force to disperse them?”
“Even better. Tomorrow’s rumors will grow stronger, and more eyes will watch the Xie residence. The Yinzhao office won’t be able to act freely,” Murong Yun said, tapping the table lightly. “If they don’t come out soon, their reputation will be trampled.”
Just then, a group of soldiers emerged, pushing the crowd back.
“Shangguan, you go,” Murong Yun said with a smile. “My face is too memorable.”
Shangguan Xuan hooked his finger around hers briefly before leaving. “Wait for me.”
Xiao Qian stared wide-eyed. “Young Master… does he like you?”
“He likes men,” Murong Yun replied calmly.
“What?! Then doesn’t that mean he likes you even more?”
Murong Yun flicked her forehead. “Once he learns the truth, that will change.”
Xiao Qian smiled foolishly. “Maybe he already knows.”
Murong Yun shook her head. Impossible.
Inside the Yinzhao office, the advisor was drenched in sweat.
“Sir, a group of troublemakers is spreading rumors using a sealed notice!”
The prefect, Chen De, had just finished adjusting his official hat.
“Daring to rebel on my turf! Tell the guards not to hold back. Kill a few to set an example!”
The advisor dropped to his knees. “Sir, the provincial exams are near. Bloodshed now will draw attention, especially from the inspector…”
“Then make up a charge. Say the Xie family transported forbidden Western ceramics!”
Moments later, the advisor returned bruised and trembling. “Sir… they say trade in ceramics has already been permitted…”
Chen De frowned. “Since when?”
Before long, he strode out and shouted, “Since when does the Yinzhao office need the people’s approval to make arrests!”
The crowd fell silent.
But then Shangguan Xuan stepped forward.
“What evidence is there?” he asked with a smile.
“Confessions!”
“Confessions without signed statements are not valid evidence.”
At that moment, a guard rushed out, blood still on his hands.
“Sir! They’ve confessed! We have their signed statements!”
Shangguan Xuan raised his fans. “You tortured them into confession. That blood is proof. Everyone here is a witness.”
The crowd erupted.
“Corrupt officials! Unfit to govern!”
Shangguan Xuan continued calmly, “And these thumbprints are identical. They were clearly forced unconscious.”
Chen De staggered back. “Who… who are you?”
Panic spread among the officials. The crowd surged forward, smashing and looting.
Shangguan Xuan slipped away amid the chaos, knocked out the guards, and rescued the Xie family.