Chapter 16: There Is Still Time Ahead

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Wang Lingxin’s face flushed crimson. How could Meng Yuxi have found out so quickly about his scheming to curry favor with the Eighth Prince? It had to be that wretched woman, Qinglian.

“Nonsense! Miss Qinglian is a virtuous and chaste lady, who only sells her art, not her body. Moreover, that is the rule of the Azure Cloud Pavilion, known throughout Su City. You scoundrel, don’t even think of sullying her reputation!” Wang Lingxin shouted loudly from horseback.

“Sorry to inform you, Miss Qinglian ceased to be a lady of the Azure Cloud Pavilion last night. She has become the top courtesan of the Heavenly Pleasure House, and her virginity was purchased by me just last night.”

“Lord Wang, it all happened right downstairs last night. You should know better than anyone,” Meng Yuxi said as she pulled out a white handkerchief, stained with a faint red mark.

“Look at this,” she said, shaking the handkerchief to show the gathered crowd.

After hearing Qinglian’s grievances the previous night, Meng Yuxi had quickly borrowed a tactic her third sister used against the Crown Prince. Though not original, it worked well against Wang Lingxin. Qinglian was no noble daughter; at best, she was a concubine residing in a secondary residence, utterly insignificant to the Eighth Prince. Wang Lingxin’s flattery was merely a ploy to eliminate Zhang Dewang’s rivals in Su City.

However, the blood on the handkerchief came from Qinglian’s finger.

Some scholars who knew of the poem Meng Yuxi composed last night loudly praised, “A perfect match of a talented scholar and a beautiful lady. I am convinced.”

“Congratulations, young lady.”

“Congratulations, Miss Qinglian.”

“Corrupt official, be gone and wash yourself for your mother. Go be the foot washing wife of the Eighth Prince!”

The crowd was so large that it was impossible to tell who said what. Since taking office, Wang Lingxin had plundered the people's wealth shamelessly; his reputation was notorious.

Wang Lingxin’s face turned green with rage. One of his soldiers rode out from behind and whispered a few words in his ear. After listening, Wang Lingxin regained his composure.

“Meng Yuxi, stop your nonsense here. The evidence and witnesses against you for the assault on Qin Ming are irrefutable. Come back with me to the magistrate’s office at once. I advise you not to resist futilely. Remember, the law treats the emperor and commoners equally. Don’t foolishly think that being the son of Meng Hongchang exempts you from the law!”

Wang Lingxin’s impassioned speech even moved himself, a corrupt official, to vow to limit his greed to fifty thousand taels and build shoddy projects to improve the lives of Su City’s people—except in scholarly circles, where ten times that was necessary.

He waved his hand, and a squad of soldiers stepped forward to drag Meng Yuxi off her horse, restraining her arms.

“Oh my, Lord Wang, what grand official airs you put on! I wonder how my master Meng Hongchang persuaded you to defy the law.”

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A woman’s voice rang out. Startled, Wang Lingxin quickly dismounted.

Pushing aside the blocking soldiers, he shouted, “Move aside! Move aside! Don’t you know you’re blocking the street?”

He approached a woman in elegant attire, her hair adorned with five golden hairpins, and lightly slapped himself twice on the face. “Lady Meng, please forgive my foul mouth. It has nothing to do with Lord Meng.”

Wu Jiwen smiled coldly. “Deng He?”

Deng He stepped forward, smiling at Wang Lingxin. “Lord Wang, please be understanding. The mistress is old and not well.”

With that, she slapped Wang Lingxin twice loudly.

Wang Lingxin covered his face, grinning broadly. “Lady Meng is looking out for me, helping me correct my mistakes in time. I am grateful for her kindness. Please convey my respects to the Crown Prince and Her Majesty the Empress.”

Wu Jiwen said nothing in reply, her eyes fixed on Meng Yuxi.

Wang Lingxin glanced too, then quietly asked, “Lady Meng, what do you mean?”

Wu Jiwen ignored him and walked straight to Meng Yuxi’s side.

“There will be a long future ahead,” she said softly, covering her face with a gentle smile, looking at Meng Yuxi with satisfaction.

Meng Yuxi smiled faintly. “It won’t be that short. Mother, rest assured.”

“Bah, a bastard child. I won’t call you mother. I don’t even know which wretched woman bore you. Foolish enough to kill—aren’t you afraid of divine punishment?”

Wu Jiwen’s words were cold and cutting, her eyes full of anticipation as she watched Meng Yuxi. She wanted to see him humiliated in rage.

Unexpectedly, Meng Yuxi seemed deaf to her words, his expression calm, even with a trace of a smile.

After watching him for a long while, Wu Jiwen saw no shame or discomfort, bored, she said, “Lord Wang, take her away. Please handle this matter officially. Do not let this scoundrel disgrace the Meng family’s name.”

“Deng He, you and the deputy steward stay behind and accompany Lord Wang back to the magistrate’s office to handle the case. If there’s any progress, keep the Meng family informed,” Wu Jiwen warned sharply.

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“I understand, old servant,” Deng He replied.

“It’s an honor. I will handle this matter impartially,” Wang Lingxin said smoothly, as if singing.

“That’s good. I am tired now and will return home first. Please excuse me,” Wu Jiwen said, casting one last glance at Meng Yuxi, thinking, “This bastard is doomed to die, still with that annoying expression.”

She smiled coldly and left.

“Lady Meng, please take care,” Wang Lingxin called out, waving farewell even after she had gone quite far. Only when her figure disappeared completely did he turn around.

“Deng He, please come. Deputy Steward Li, please follow me,” he said.

Meng Yuxi watched the direction Wu Jiwen had gone, his smile fading into a cold, murderous glare.

Only now did Wu Jiwen make her move. Out of respect for Meng Hongchang, he had not wanted to force matters to this point. But with the sudden appearance of the deputy steward—whom he had never met—and Wang Lingxin knowing his full name and background, it was clear that the forces backing Wang Lingxin were not only the prince in the capital but also Wu Jiwen herself.

In just one night, the conspirators within the Xiang Pavilion’s copper-door chamber were indeed many.

As soon as Meng Hongchang left, these people could no longer hold back. Su City and the hidden corners of the Meng estate had been thoroughly infiltrated.

“Meng Yuxi, as an educated man, I will conduct a public trial. People of the village, the Xiang Pavilion murder case will be held at noon!” Wang Lingxin announced loudly from his horse.

The crowd murmured among themselves.

Some already believed Meng Yuxi was the murderer, while others refused to believe it. Everyone wanted to see what kind of person could produce such a perfect human verse.