Horse-head Wall Reflects the Qing Dynasty

Chapter 90: The smoke dissipates, spring is intentional, nominations are made on the golden list, but the scholar has no thoughts.

"Is it really that easy?" Zhang Shuwen came all this way just to have me deliver a message to Ling Xiao and bring back some silver? Cheng Heng didn't think the former's purpose could be so pure. "If that's all, why doesn't my brother go himself?"

"If you go in person, it will put Miss Lingxiao's mind at ease, won't it?"

“As you know, my dear brother, I just turned down that so-called ideal son-in-law, and now this marriage proposal has come to you… I suppose that girl isn’t interested in our talents, but is just taking a gamble on how high a position we can reach, whether we become the top scholar or the third-ranked scholar.”

As fellow townsmen and classmates, Zhang Shuwen, now at the top of the list, harbored no animosity towards Cheng Heng. Perhaps to ensure the latter's willingness to work for him, Zhang Shuwen poured his heart out to Cheng Heng.

"As you know, my good friend is a girl from a brothel. If someone were to harm her, she wouldn't be alive today."

That makes sense. Since you, Zhang Shuwen, used a courtesan to humiliate my unmarried daughter, then after dealing with Ling Xiao, I'll make you willingly submit.

Those in positions of power often disregard gains and losses that seem insignificant to them; what they truly care about is face.

A singer and dancer from a music academy was able to outshine the only daughter of a high-ranking official in the capital and win the favor of the top scholar in the imperial examination. There were many girls from music academies named Ling Xiao, and it was not uncommon for a top scholar to have never passed the imperial examination. However, there were very few who held high-ranking civil service positions in the capital.

“Compared to what I’m doing, you’re visiting relatives, so they can’t really do anything to you.”

Cheng Heng didn't rush to reply. He took a sip of the tea, which was slightly bitter from being steeped for too long, but his gaze never left Zhang Shuwen.

Cheng Heng's meaning was clear: Now that you've made your purpose clear, you should show me whether what you've brought me is worth me getting involved in this mess!

As he navigated the officialdom, Cheng Heng understood that it was like acting; what one did on stage had to conform to the character's image.

You can want to be an honest official, you can want to not go along with the corrupt officials, but you can't be a muddle-headed official who tries to solve everything by pretending to be stupid... Being really stupid is absolutely unacceptable.

“Back then, there was a great flood in Huizhou Prefecture. Some people who shouldn’t have died died, and some people who shouldn’t have lived survived.” Zhang Shuwen brought evidence to exchange with Cheng Heng. “This is the evidence I can provide you. If you can find another witness, then this matter will be settled.”

A single delivery of silver in exchange for an old, long-standing case? Cheng Heng didn't believe there was such a cheap deal.

This is yet another letter of surrender—a surrender to the people behind Zhang Shuwen.

"Okay." This old story was the main plot in Cheng Heng's mind. As for the intricate web of human relationships in the capital, Cheng Heng knew he couldn't handle it, and the original owner of the body, Cheng Jianwei, had no intention of getting involved.

At worst, I can retreat gracefully before things escalate and return to a quiet corner to continue teaching. I can always find a way to avoid trouble.

Cheng Heng agreed to the "deal" without hesitation. Zhang Shuwen was very satisfied with Cheng Heng's shrewdness. Before he had even finished his cup of tea, he hurriedly took his leave: "The money will be sent to you later, and the carriages for your return journey have also been prepared. We are just waiting for you to pack your bags."

The candidates of the Yi Si year examination were not particularly outstanding, and the fame of Zhang Shuwen and Cheng Heng was somewhat exaggerated. If the original Cheng Jianwei were still alive, perhaps there would have been a specific target for the emperor's audience.

Nowadays, it's just a routine banquet to show the emperor's favor. Afterwards, no one is summoned separately, let alone any omissions or gaps in the appointment of anyone to an official position.

As for the stories on the opera stage where someone becomes the top scholar in the imperial examination and then the next day becomes the imperial inspector, those are things you shouldn't even dream about.

No wonder Guan Yin told Cheng Heng early on that the stories on the opera stage were like the kind of exciting novels read by scholars and young ladies from noble families in that era. Only after Cheng Heng actually became a character in the play did he agree with Guan Yin's words.

"Yin Yunshanren?"

"What? You mean that Yin Yunshan was originally a woman?"

Liu Qingxian, Liu's father, suddenly turned his head back, his eyes like eagle claws piercing into the eyes of the person in front of him: "Do you have any evidence for what you're saying?"

“I have no evidence, but I have witnesses.”

"If you, sir, were willing to go and investigate the brothel where Yin Yunshan used to work, you would find out... that most of the women there should know that she is a woman."

“Sanheng, Jiao'an’er has treated you very well, could it be…”

“Master, Sanheng has parents in the Liu family.” Liu Qingxian was interrupted by Sanheng halfway through his sentence, as he did not want to hear Liu Qingxian mention the young lady.

When the mention of the prostitute comes up, every word and action I utter feels like a betrayal.

"My parents are both in the Liu family mansion. I can't bear to watch Miss ruin the Liu family mansion." Over the years, Sanheng had developed a habit that made him feel that his parents and he would have nowhere to go if they left the Liu family mansion. No one would hire them to work, and they would starve to death on the streets.

Sanheng forgot that Huizhou Prefecture had a tradition of combining farming and scholarship. Even if they couldn't afford to study, his family could still cultivate a piece of land and be self-sufficient.

"Oh? If that's the case, why didn't you stop your young lady back then?"

Faced with Liu Qingxian's words, Sanheng couldn't answer: Why? Should he say that at that time he was indulging in the warmth of Miss and that Yin Yunshan man, which felt more like home than home?

"Sanheng, tell me, have you fallen in love with your young lady?" Yin Yunshan is a woman? Liu Qingxian felt that this was too absurd, so the answer must lie with Sanheng, who was looking away. "Considering the messages you sent me in the past, I'll give you a chance to say it again."

"If this Yin Yunshan is truly a woman, even if she is a master of disguise, how can she be a schoolteacher? How can she write those lyrics and songs?"

"Since she kept it so well hidden, how did you find out?"

"Why didn't you tell me then, but now you're finally willing to tell me?"

Liu Qingxian clearly adopted the demeanor of interrogating a criminal. When his gaze fell on Sanheng, the latter almost lost his balance and had to grit his teeth to keep himself from kneeling down without any backbone.

"In reply to your question, sir, Sanheng would never dare to have any designs on Miss, nor has he ever had any intention of doing so."

This is the first sentence, and Sanheng's answer is neither humble nor arrogant.

"Okay, continue." Not noticing anything amiss from Sanheng's subtle movements, Liu Qingxian raised his hand, signaling Sanheng to continue.

"This Yin Yunshan is an old acquaintance of Miss. It seems that they have known each other since they were very young. I vaguely remember them talking about something like a housekeeper or Tongtong. This Yin Yunshan should originally be called Guan Tongtong. Her father was imprisoned, and she was originally a young lady from a prominent family."

This was the second sentence. Before Sanheng could finish speaking, Liu Qingxian's expression changed.

"She's still alive?" She's been alive right under my nose for so long?

Liu Qingxian knew, of course, that the music academy had powerful backers, and those positions must be quite high. However, he had never had any conflicts of interest with them, and the gifts he was supposed to give were always given without fail, so Liu Qingxian was naturally willing to do them a favor... Hearing that his master and the steward must have some connection, Sanheng lowered his head and wisely refrained from asking.

The more he knew, the more dangerous it became. Sanheng only hoped that his family could survive. He silently apologized to the young lady and Yin Yunshan, hoping they could understand his predicament of being forced to make a living. He continued, "This Miss Guan has been well-educated since childhood. She also has a sworn brother, Mr. Cheng Jianwei, who just passed the imperial examination and became a third-ranked scholar."

"At the time, I just wanted Miss to be happy. But now that Cheng Jianwei has become the third-ranked scholar, if you were to investigate the matter of how you hindered Miss and Miss Guan, it might harm the Liu family. That's why I... I had no choice but to speak to you."

This is the third thing.

Liu Qingxian looked Sanheng up and down—it seemed that the people in front of him did not know much about the flood in Huizhou Prefecture back then, and were more afraid that the current top scholar might want to take revenge.

How much did Sanheng actually know about what happened back then? Liu Qingxian was pondering whether it was necessary to spare Sanheng's life, or to become a false witness and bring down Cheng Jianwei, who was investigating the past.
A chill ran down his spine and up his neck. Sanheng raised his head slightly and glanced at Liu Qingxian, noticing the murderous intent in the latter's eyes.

Of course, Sanheng didn't know that the man-made disaster behind the flood many years ago was inseparable from the person in front of him. Otherwise, these secrets he overheard wouldn't have been told to Liu Qingxian. Sanheng wanted to live, and he had already learned many lessons from the two girls.

For example, how could someone who is willing to sacrifice thousands or even hundreds of lives to benefit their own embezzlement be spared just because you, Sanheng, were briefly "useful"? Killing you to silence you is the safest way.

At this point, lacking information, Sanheng could only face Liu Qingxian's probing and was sent back to Liu Jiao'an's side along with the people around Liu Qingxian.

"Go and stay with your young lady. Before these matters are settled, do not allow your young lady to have any contact with outsiders... including Qingmiao, who is by her side."

Sanheng thus returned to Liu Jiaoan's side in a daze.

"Jiao'an, I wonder if you're finding Qingmiao easy to use? Father has brought Sanheng back for you." Father Liu personally escorted the person to Liu Jiao'an's boudoir. Although he constantly talked about "daughters avoiding their fathers as they grow up," Liu Qingxian never paid attention to this etiquette for show when they were secretly clashing.

"Would you like someone from Father's family to look after Qingmiao? This girl is clumsy, and Father is always a little worried about having her by your side."

"In the end, he is not as capable as Sanheng."

Qingmiao looked at Liu Jiaoan with a hint of helplessness, but saw the comfort that the latter had already been suppressing in her eyes: "Don't worry, you can stay by my side."

Ever since learning that Qingmiao was connected to the flood years ago, and after testing her father with Qingmiao's past, Liu Jiao'an understood that no matter whether the investigation continued or not, Qingmiao had to stay by her side at all times, otherwise her father would not easily let go of this "risk".

"Father, please let Sanheng come up directly."

“I really like Qingmiao’s personality. If Father is short of manpower, it would be better to take Sanheng with you… I’m returning home after a divorce. If I always have a man with me, people will probably gossip.”

Jiao An'er was becoming increasingly eloquent, always managing to leave Liu Qingxian speechless. In order to keep Sanheng under surveillance, Liu's father could only smile and reply, "Jiao An'er is joking. Father is not short of money, and I am never short of manpower. If you don't accept Sanheng, then I will have his whole family look after the courtyard."

“It’s just that his parents are getting old, and out of compassion for him, I thought of letting him come back to serve you.”

The shrewdness that Liu's father used in officialdom was now being used on his own daughter without any reservation, and he didn't feel ashamed at all.

"Alright, then Father should go back and rest early."

Liu Qing returned home satisfied, unaware that his actions had completely dispelled Liu Jiao'an's hesitation, shattering the already precarious father-daughter relationship. The father had outsmarted his daughter, and the official had outsmarted his subjects. Liu Jiao'an's previously wavering heart now completely swayed towards the truth.

"Miss, thank you..."

"No need to thank me." Actually, Liu Jiao'an was a little afraid to see Qingmiao right now.

Qingmiao's existence constantly reminded Liu Jiao'an that all the fine silks, rouge, and jewels she possessed were built upon the suffering of ordinary people—Huizhou Prefecture had produced so many honest officials, so why couldn't her father be one?

They all studied diligently for ten years, day after day, and some even failed the imperial examinations repeatedly, yet they still didn't have a family as happy as their father's...

Liu Jiao'an couldn't understand it. She couldn't understand who her father, who had solemnly made a vow in the ancestral hall, had lived up to.

A corrupt official brings shame upon his ancestors.

With the truth revealed, how many members of the Liu family will be able to survive?
It is said that what scholars seek is nothing more than to leave a name in history, so why didn't Father care about his own integrity?

Heaven, Earth, Ruler, Parents, Teacher; Father and the People; Family and the Truth; Wealth and Glory versus the Wrongfully Dead and the Wandering Souls—the conflicting pains intertwined in Liu Jiao'an's mind. Just a few days ago, her father had wanted to go for a walk to clear his head and pray for blessings from her aunt.

These past two days have been a clear indication that he has been placed under house arrest in this place where he can hardly see any sunlight—Sanheng, who used to treat him sincerely, has become someone sent by his father to keep an eye on him.

"Qingmiao, what do you think of the master?"

"Miss……"

"But it doesn't matter."

"The master doesn't seem like a bad person, but he seems to have many secrets... secrets that he doesn't even tell the young lady."

"Like my stepmother back then, but also different..."

The difference is that one person's secret is a well-intentioned concealment, while another person's secret needs to be hidden away, unknown to the world. Liu Jiao'an filled in the gaps in Qingmiao's indescribable feeling in her heart.

"Qingmiao, what would you do if someone close to you hurt you?"

“Look at what he did.” Qingmiao’s response was unwavering.

Only after she finished speaking did Qingmiao remember to ask Liu Jiao'an if she was the person she was thinking of: "Is Miss referring to Sanheng?"

After a moment of silence, Liu Jiaoan shook her head.

"No, it's Father, it's Daddy, it's our official."

① I made some minor revisions to the previous chapter—you can check them out.

② For the final assignment, please help your child. Follow me on Douyin/Xiaohongshu (same nickname as pen name). Thank you.