Chapter 17

As night fell, the neighbors, having finished their meals and enjoyed some conversation, gradually retired to rest—except for those like Old Madam Zhao, who had washed their hair and were waiting for it to dry.

Once her grandson and A-Jiao had entered the room, Old Madam Zhao shut the south gate. Pretending to be drying her hair in the backyard, she instead crept under the eaves of the east room once again. Her grandson had a soft heart; after she had scolded A-Jiao, he would surely try to comfort the little beauty. If A-Jiao were smart enough to seize the moment, acting coy and charming, she might just succeed in seducing him.

She waited for a while when suddenly, A-Jiao’s aggrieved voice drifted from inside. “Master, is it really not because you mind that I was once a courtesan that you refuse to listen to my singing?”

Old Madam Zhao perked up, listening intently.

Inside, her grandson replied, “No, I just don’t think it’s appropriate.”

A-Jiao continued, “Then, since it’s just the two of us now, may I sing a song for you, Master?”

Her grandson responded with a low “Mm.”

A brief silence followed before a soft, sweetly seductive melody floated through the air. The volume was so low that it felt as if a beauty was whispering right into one’s ear:

“On this fine night, lamplight flickers like tiny beans,
All is set for a delightful affair tonight.
After wine and song, when the guests have gone,
The pipa is gently laid aside, words spoken in hushed tremors,
The candle extinguished as we draw close.
A jade body nestled in another’s embrace,
Tenderly cherished, reluctant to part…”

A-Jiao was singing a well-known tune set to Zhou Bangyan’s poem Qing Yu An. Like many other renowned romantic verses, it was widely popular in brothels and a song that all courtesans had to learn. When she first studied it, she had not fully understood its meaning—only vaguely grasping that a woman had set aside her pipa to meet someone. It was only after reading more over time that she came to comprehend its true essence.

As she sang, longing for the Master’s affection, the melody in her heart became even more intimate and alluring. Her voice carried such tenderness and charm that even Old Madam Zhao, listening outside the window, felt her heart stir—reminiscing about her own newlywed days.

While Old Madam Zhao was merely listening, Zhao Yanping was seated right in front of A-Jiao, watching her lowered gaze, her shy demeanor, and hearing her sultry, mesmerizing voice. For a moment, he felt as if he had fallen into an illusion—one where, in the dead of night, as he lay beneath the canopy of his bed, a seductive beauty slipped under the covers, nestling into his arms, her lips pressing against his.

Caught up in these thoughts, he suddenly felt a tug at his sleeve. Instinctively, he seized the hand that reached out.

His grip was strong, as if grasping a serpent winding its way toward him. A-Jiao winced in pain and hesitantly called, “Master…”

Snapping back to reality, Zhao Yanping saw her delicate face pinched in discomfort and quickly let go. Just as he was about to explain, she suddenly leaned forward and pressed her small hand over his lips, shaking her head toward the north-facing window.

A delicate fragrance enveloped him, rendering Zhao Yanping utterly rigid.

His lips brushed against the soft warmth of A-Jiao’s palm, the heat faintly seeping through. A-Jiao’s heart pounded wildly, and she hastily withdrew her hand.

Silence filled the room.

Regaining his composure, Zhao Yanping continued as planned, “You sang well. Sing another.”

A-Jiao turned away and began another tune. After just two lines, she added to the performance, murmuring, “Master, you… you’re not listening anymore? Mmm… Master…”

Such an act was even more provocative than the song itself.

Hearing this, Old Madam Zhao knew her efforts had paid off. Satisfied, she quietly left. After all, she had only eavesdropped because her grandson had forced her hand. If he had been willing to marry or take in a concubine obediently, why would she have gone to such lengths?

“All right, the old madam has left.”

As soon as Zhao Yanping was certain his grandmother had gone, he immediately called an end to the act—unaware that his back was already drenched in sweat.

Mortified, A-Jiao pulled the blanket over her head, hiding her face.

Understanding her embarrassment, Zhao Yanping considerately hung the bed curtain to shield her entirely from view before swiftly returning to the window, adjusting his breath in silence.

After reading for about a quarter of an hour, he finally folded his book and returned to bed.

A-Jiao lay motionless, staring into the darkness. Zhao Yanping, gazing at the canopy above, found himself unable to sleep for a long time.

———

The next morning, A-Jiao awoke to find Zhao Yanping dressed in his purple constable uniform. He wore a black square-topped cap, his sharp features exuding an imposing air that made him seem unapproachable.

“Master, are you heading to the yamen today?” A-Jiao asked as she slipped on her shoes, holding onto the bedpost. A hint of reluctance unconsciously crept into her tone.

She had just woken up, her long hair slightly disheveled, her fair cheeks still bearing the faint imprint of the pillow, yet none of this diminished her beauty.

Zhao Yanping adjusted the strap of his cap and replied, “I was granted a three-day leave, and it’s over now. While I’m away, follow the old madam’s instructions. If anything difficult arises, have Guo Xing come to the yamen and find me.”

A-Jiao nodded and was about to fetch water to wash her face when she suddenly realized—he had already freshened up.

In a small voice, she murmured, “Master, why didn’t you wake me to serve you? If the old madam finds out I slept in, she’ll be furious.”

Zhao Yanping turned his back to her and said, “It’s fine. She’ll just assume you were worn out last night. She won’t be upset about that.”

A-Jiao’s neck instantly flushed red. These grandparents sure were straightforward with their words.

In truth, Zhao Yanping had only wanted to let her sleep a little longer. Seeing her blush like a ripe shrimp, he pressed his lips together and left without another word.

Heart still flustered, A-Jiao washed up and sat at her dressing table. There, she noticed the two boxes of rouge that Shen Ying had gifted her the day before. She opened the box of face cream, scooped a tiny amount with her fingertip, and spread it evenly over her cheeks. However, since her face was already flushed, the cream did little to enhance her complexion—though the scent it left behind was particularly pleasant.

Just then, Cui Niang entered with breakfast, setting down the dishes. Catching sight of A-Jiao’s delicate, radiant appearance as she stepped out, Cui Niang smirked mischievously.

A-Jiao shot her a playful glare before walking to the dining table to greet Old Madam Zhao.

Old Madam Zhao had long forgotten the previous night’s minor displeasure. She beamed at A-Jiao like a victorious general, motioning for her to sit down and even sharing an egg with her.

Noticing that there were only two eggs on the table, with the other placed before the Master, A-Jiao curiously asked, “Why isn’t Madam eating one?”

Old Madam Zhao waved it off indifferently. “At my age, what do I need this for? You young ones should eat it instead.”

Hearing this, A-Jiao said nothing, quietly peeling the egg. Then, while Old Madam Zhao was distracted, she swiftly placed the entire egg into her bowl. Old Madam Zhao was startled, but A-Jiao gently persuaded, “Please eat, Madam. Eggs are good for your health. If you stay strong, you’ll be able to manage the household for the Master for many more years to come.”

Old Madam Zhao had long been accustomed to saving all the household’s eggs for her grandson. Even when their financial situation improved, and he insisted she eat some as well, she still couldn’t bear to. She hadn’t planned on giving A-Jiao an egg every day either—this was just a small reward for serving her grandson the previous night. But now, not only was A-Jiao being filial, she also knew exactly what to say to warm her heart.

“You and that sweet tongue of yours,” Old Madam Zhao said, pretending to glare at her before accepting the egg.

A-Jiao quietly sipped her porridge.

Zhao Yanping noticed the slight curve at the corner of his grandmother’s lips. The thought that A-Jiao could care for her in his absence reassured him that he had made the right decision in taking her as a concubine.

After breakfast, Zhao Yanping went to retrieve his belt knife.

Suddenly remembering something, A-Jiao hurried after him.

Zhao Yanping, seeing her rush in, adjusted his belt as he waited for her to speak.

A-Jiao beckoned him over to the wardrobe, then discreetly took out the silver and jade bracelet Liu Shi had given her the previous day. In a hushed voice, she said, “Madam secretly gave me these. I forgot to mention it last night. She said the bracelet is a gift for our first meeting, and the silver was a reward from Master Shen. She told me to hold onto it in case you ever need it for an emergency.”

When Zhao Yanping had gone to pick up his mother, he had already guessed as much. Before whispering to his mother, Master Shen had deliberately dismissed his eldest son, Shen Wenbiao.

“Since she told you to keep it, then just keep it,” Zhao Yanping said indifferently before striding out.

A while later, Old Madam Zhao asked A-Jiao, “Why did you rush after the Master just now? What were you talking about?”

Thinking quickly, A-Jiao realized that Liu Shi had likely given her the silver in secret to prevent Old Madam Zhao from taking it. So she made up an excuse. “It was nothing. I just wanted to make him a robe, but I don’t even know his measurements. I was just using my hands to take some rough ones so the fit would be better.”

Old Madam Zhao suspected nothing.

===

Zhao Yanping rode to the yamen on horseback. This horse had been part of the former head constable’s estate, left to him.

Most of the constables in the criminal division had already arrived. Seeing their newlywed superior, they exchanged knowing smirks and began teasing him.

“Master Zhao, you just took in a beautiful concubine—why not enjoy a bit more time at home? What brings you here so early?”

Zhao Yanping’s face was as cold as ice. One sharp glance from him, and each man he looked at immediately shut his mouth.

Calling over the young constable he valued most, Zhao Yanping asked, “Any cases in the past three days?”

The young man was Chen Qing, only sixteen years old, but he was sharp, quick-witted, and more capable than many seasoned Masters.

“Sir, just some minor disputes—nothing major. The magistrate has already handled them.”

Another constable nearby sighed in boredom. “Exactly. Just trivial matters. When will we get another big case? We need some action before we start rusting.”

Zhao Yanping’s expression turned cold. “Major cases usually involve lives. What’s so good about that?”

The constable immediately shrank back, not daring to speak further.

With no cases to handle, Zhao Yanping ordered all thirty constables of the criminal division to line up for martial training under his lead.

They trained for half an hour before taking a break—just as the sound of drumming came from the county yamen’s entrance. Faint cries for justice could be heard.

A public grievance being filed meant a case had arrived. And with someone wailing like this, it was likely serious.

However, within the county yamen, duties were divided among three groups:

• The Zaoban (clerks) handled matters within the court.
• The Constables (including Zhao Yanping and his men) were responsible for summoning plaintiffs and defendants, collecting evidence, and arresting criminals.
• The Zhuangban (enforcers) oversaw prisoner detention, administered corporal punishment, and cleared the way when the magistrate went on patrol.

Each group had its own role. Apart from Zhao Yanping, who was permitted to attend court hearings, the other constables had to remain in the criminal division.

Zhao Yanping’s expression darkened as he headed for the main hall.

County Magistrate Xie Ying had just arrived from his private quarters. Once the Zaoban clerks were in place, he glanced at Zhao Yanping standing to the side and ordered for the petitioner to be brought in.

The ones seeking justice were a couple from Dapan Village, within Wu’an County’s jurisdiction.

The wife was weeping uncontrollably while her husband, Zhang Dajiang, spoke with reddened eyes. “My Master, my son, Sanlang, is only seven years old. He usually follows his grandfather to herd cattle. Yesterday at dusk, he went out with my father, but somehow, they got separated. He has been missing ever since. I suspect that our neighbor, the blacksmith Zheng, has taken him. Please, my Master, help us! Arrest Zheng and rescue my son!”

Magistrate Xie asked, “Why do you suspect the blacksmith Zheng?”

Zhang Dajiang’s wife sobbed, “Because he hates our son! In August, Zheng’s son, Shitou, took Sanlang to swim in the river. Shitou got a cramp and drowned, but Sanlang survived. Since then, Zheng and his wife have blamed our son, saying he caused Shitou’s death and cursing him daily! My Master, we have no other enemies. If anyone took our child, it must be them! Please send Masters to search their house. We tried to enter ourselves, but we were driven away. If we delay any longer, Sanlang may not survive!”

A missing child. A family with a grudge. Based on the current information, Zheng the blacksmith was indeed the prime suspect. Magistrate Xie immediately issued a search order and assigned Zhao Yanping to lead four constables to Dapan Village to investigate.