Zheng Yu suddenly saw in Ruan Ning a reflection of his ideal wife and dismissed thoughts of canceling the marriage. He said to Meng Chi, “Brother Meng, that’s not right. As a woman, she should be obedient. Being scolded by my mother is nothing; how can you say she’s being bullied? She’s fulfilling her duty. You shouldn’t make things difficult for her.”
Meng Chi sneered, scornfully glancing at Ruan Ning while addressing Zheng Yu, “I discipline my sister. It’s not your place to teach her a lesson. Get out!”
He easily tossed Zheng Yu aside and turned his gaze back to Ruan Ning, saying, “Look at the good man you’ve chosen. He hasn’t even married you and already scolds you, telling you to endure. What kind of person is he?”
“I’m worried she’ll run out and get hurt.”
Meng Chi glanced at her, his face gloomy. “But I want to warn you, only I can do this. If I find out you’ve bullied or humiliated her, I, surnamed Meng, am not a pushover.”
He crushed a teacup into several pieces with slight force. Wu Shi shivered and quickly laughed, “Look at what you’re saying. I cherish her more than anything, how could I?”
As they spoke, the village elder and village head arrived. Meng Chi stated, “I have urgent matters to return.”
Ruan Ning coldly replied, “You treat me like this, just wait until my brother comes out.”
Wu Shi sneered, “Who are you trying to fool? I’ve heard all about it. Meng Chi is charged with a major crime. Want to get out? Not a chance! Hand over the money, or I’ll kill you!”
Ruan Ning’s heart pounded, but her mouth was tough: “My brother knows many high-ranking officials and has black accounts in his hands. Do you think these fabricated charges can stop him? When he gets out, none of you will escape!”
Wu Shi was about to hit her when Old Man Zheng called him out and whispered, “What she says makes sense. Better to be safe than sorry. Don’t push too far. What if Meng Chi is fine?”
Wu Shi suppressed her anger and locked the door, muttering, “I’ll wait a bit and deal with her after Meng Chi is finished!”
Late at night, Ruan Ning’s stomach growled hungrily. She recalled the canned meat porridge Meng Chi had brought last time and wished she could have a bowl now. She sighed, caught between resentment and gratitude for Meng Chi’s earlier words: “If it weren’t for me, you would have been bullied countless times.”
“Why don’t you have your sister write a letter describing the recent situation, and I’ll help you deliver it to Meng ge?” Sun Jiancong suggested, concerned that Meng ge might be locked up and lose his bearings.
“I don’t know many characters,” Meng Yao replied, shamefully blaming the old wicked woman Wang for preventing her education. Although she had tried to learn again as she grew older, she could barely recognize any characters.
“You speak, and I’ll write,” Sun Jiancong offered, asking the jailer for writing materials. “A Yao mei mei, go ahead.”
Meng Yao recounted the events of the past few days. Sun Jiancong quickly finished writing, blew on the ink, and handed it to her. “Take a look.”
Meng Yao glanced at it hurriedly, recognizing only a few classical particles.
She nodded and listened to Sun Jiancong ask, “Will you stamp your handprint or write your name?”
“I can write my name.” She took the brush and wrote her name.
Sun Jiancong laughed, “Sister, wait. News will come soon.”
In the male prison, a Xiaoyun Guard spoke to Meng Chi through the cell bars. Meng Chi, neatly dressed, occasionally responded. Finally, he said softly, “Quietly send a letter to Lord Lu from the Ministry of Punishment, mentioning his young aunt and his cousin.”
Lord Lu was having an affair with his young aunt, and the four or five-year-old cousin was actually their child. Though not the main interrogator this time, he would know what to do after seeing the letter.
The Xiaoyun Guard nodded and noted it down, then asked, “What about the others?”
“Just touch on it,” Meng Chi said calmly. “Let them remember what the Xiaoyun Guard does.”
The Xiaoyun Guard’s jobs included discreet dealings of royal families and secret matters that concubines and royal relatives needed to handle. They naturally knew more dirty secrets and anyone who dared to move against them would pay a price.
On the fourth day, Niu Da’s only son from his love life was found by Xiao Yun Wei’s subordinates.
Niu Da recanted, admitting that Sun Jiagong had coerced him with threats against his son to report Meng Chi, and that Meng Chi and his sister were innocent. Everything he had said before was fabricated by Sun Jiagong.
Lu Shilang, observing the situation, sighed, “Sun Jiagong’s actions are truly unforgivable. Poor Commander Meng has suffered an undeserved disaster.”
The yamen sent several groups to the Sun family, but Sun Jiagong, recovering from an injury, had vanished.
Although Lin Zhou was close to the capital, it took time to transmit messages. As Meng Chi’s case was determined to be a false accusation, the Zheng family learned of the love letter from Meng Yao revealed in court.
Old Master Zheng shook his head, saying, “With this letter, Meng Chi’s crime is sealed. I doubt he can escape punishment. Has the nun’s money been found?”
“No,” Mrs. Wu replied angrily, “Your son has been acting strange, crying and shouting that he wants to marry her. I want to rid ourselves of that demon. Keeping her will only bring disaster. She’s ruined my son! He should become a top scholar and imperial son-in-law. I’ll never allow him to marry the sister of a prisoner!”
“A human life is at stake,” Old Master Zheng said, “I’m soft-hearted. I can’t do this. Would you? But I keep thinking Meng Chi must have given her more money. We should find a way to extract it before killing her.”
Suddenly, a servant knocked and reported, “Young Master has run away with the nun!”
“This bewitched child!” Mrs. Wu exclaimed, standing up furiously. “When I catch him, I’ll slap him silly!”
Ruan Ning ignored them. Wu’s wife wouldn’t harm her, but she was wary of her own safety. If he didn’t want to leave, that was fine; she could escape on her own.
As she walked away, Zheng Yu felt something was wrong and called out, “Where are you going? Didn’t I tell you to rest?”
“Rest my foot!” Wu’s wife and a group of servants charged at her. “You shameless nun, how dare you kidnap my son? I’ll teach you a lesson!”
Zheng Yu sighed in relief. Her arrival was perfectly timed.
Ruan Ning tried to run, but Wu’s wife quickly caught her, viciously attempting to attack. Zheng Yu only mumbled, “Mother, please don’t do this. It will affect my son’s reputation.”
Damn, what a useless waste!
Ruan Ning dodged dejectedly, not expecting him to save her or commit suicide successfully.
Wu’s wife dragged her back, and Ruan Ning seized the opportunity to grab Zheng Yu’s sleeve, eyes brimming with tears. “Good brother, they won’t let us get married. Remember Liang Shanbo and Zhu Yingtai? If we die together, might we also become butterflies?”
Her words inspired Zheng Yu. If his mother wouldn’t listen, he could seek death! He picked up a branch and poked himself in the chest, shouting, “Mother, if you embarrass me again, I’ll kill myself!”
Ruan Ning: …
If this could actually kill someone, I’d write my surname backwards!
Wu’s wife snatched the branch and broke it, then knocked Zheng Yu’s head: “You little brat, how dare you threaten your mother with suicide!”
After a few knocks, Zheng Yu obediently followed Wu’s wife as they walked back. He looked thoughtfully at Ruan Ning and said, “Don’t worry, I’ll find a way.”
