Chapter 154

Since the Wang Min’er incident, the Wang family has been shrouded in gloom. Grandma Wang fell ill and was reliant on medication, Grandpa Wang’s daily tobacco pipe usage increased, and Wang Er’s family suffered silently. The only cheerful soul seemed to be the carefree Fuquan, who maintained his usual grin.

Life had to go on while awaiting the Tang family’s arrival. Even though Wang Yuan’er felt troubled, she couldn’t spend all her time focusing solely on Wang Min’er’s predicament.

The construction of the fermented tofu workshop was already underway. Song San had to return to Jiangnan on business, but he left someone in charge of the project—Guan Fang, whom Wang Yuan’er addressed as Manager Guan.

Wang Yuan’er took some time to check the progress of the workshop’s construction. Considering potential future mountain floods, she chose a location at the highest elevation. Now, the workshop was already nearing completion of its roofing.

Indeed, money made things easier. Seeing how quickly the workshop was coming together, Wang Yuan’er couldn’t help but marvel at the saying, “Money makes the world go round.”

“The workshop is expected to be completed by September. After consulting the almanac, the young master intends to open it on September 9. What do you think?” Manager Guan asked with a smile.

“I have no objections, but…” Wang Yuan’er hesitated.

“Miss Wang, if you have concerns, feel free to voice them,” Guan Fang said with his hands behind his back.

“It’s just about the Bai family’s tofu.”

Since this business was intended to expand, controlling various costs became essential. The most critical ingredient in making fermented tofu was tofu itself. Previously, the tofu used by Wang Yuan’er for her fermented tofu had always been supplied by the Bai family. If the large workshop continued to use the Bai family’s tofu, costs would soar. Therefore, the best option was to produce their own tofu at a lower cost. However, the Bai family had consistently refused to sell the recipe for their tofu.

Manager Guan smiled and said, “Don’t worry about that. The Bai family has already sold the recipe to us at Jinwang. In the next couple of days, someone will learn how to make it.”

Wang Yuan’er was a bit surprised. “Why did they suddenly decide to sell it?”

“It’s all about the plasticity of interests. As long as the benefits offered are sufficient, naturally, it can be obtained with ease,” Guan Fang replied.

Wang Yuan’er nodded, understanding the reasoning. Wasn’t this why she chose the greater benefit of collaborating with Jinji?

With the most critical issue now resolved, the rest posed no significant challenge.

After taking a thorough tour of the workshop with Guan Fang, Wang Yuan’er bid farewell and left.

It was already late August, and as Mid-Autumn had passed, the weather was starting to cool gradually. Passersby on the road had already donned autumn attire. Passing by a tea stall, Wang Yuan’er sat down and ordered a bowl of tea to take a break.

“Have you heard? The infamous case involving the ‘Drum of Appeals’ from six years ago in the capital has been reopened. Someone is seeking justice for He Zhenghong.”

“The He family? The one where eighty-five members were executed? The Fifth-Rank official in the Ministry of Works, He Zhenghong?”

“Yes, that He family. I’ve heard…”

As Wang Yuan’er sipped her tea, she overheard the conversation at the neighboring table, and memories of the ‘Drum of Appeals’ case from six years ago surfaced in her mind.

Six years ago, Yuhang was struck by a catastrophic flood, leading to the dam’s breach. More than 100,000 residents were affected, over 10,000 people lost their lives, tens of thousands of homes collapsed, and the losses were immense.

In the aftermath, recovery efforts were difficult to launch. Disaster relief funds were delayed in reaching the citizens, and when they did, they were merely a drop in the ocean. Later, allegations arose that the magistrate of Yuhang had embezzled the relief funds, uncovering an even larger corruption scandal.

Rumors spread that the dam collapsed in Yuhang due to poor oversight during its construction—corners were cut, and substandard materials were used. When the flood hit, the dam failed, resulting in the disaster. At the time, the person overseeing the dam’s construction was the Ministry of Works official and hydraulic engineering expert, He Zhenghong.

He Zhenghong was renowned for his expertise in water management and infrastructure, and he had been directly involved in supervising and overseeing the dam’s construction.

When this news broke, it sparked public outrage. Led by a Yuhang scholar named Pan Gongming, the entire Yuhang scholarly community united, co-signed petitions, and struck the ‘Drum of Appeals’—the massive drum hanging outside the court in the capital—to bring their grievances directly to the imperial court.

Throughout history, whenever the Drum of Appeals was struck, the emperor, no matter what he was doing, was obligated to convene court and listen to the people’s grievances.

Thus, the embezzlement case became known as the “Drum of Appeals Case.”

After investigation, it was revealed that the funds embezzled from the Yuhang waterworks project exceeded 100,000 taels of gold, with the blame directly pointing to He Zhenghong. In a fury, the late emperor ordered a thorough investigation and had He Zhenghong imprisoned and subjected to severe interrogation. Despite the evidence and testimony presented against him, He Zhenghong persistently pleaded his innocence. Furthermore, no trace of the 100,000 taels of embezzled gold was ever found, even after thoroughly searching the He family.

As the whereabouts of the embezzled silver remained undiscovered, the He family was consequently convicted, their estate confiscated, and their entire clan of eighty-five members executed. The bloodshed stained the execution platform, lingering for ten days before it could be cleaned. Even at the execution site, He Zhenghong continued to cry out his innocence.

Six years had passed, and the missing 100,000 taels remained unaccounted for. However, this “Drum of Appeals Case” had been reopened.

“I heard that the person striking the drum and seeking justice is He Zhenghong’s own legitimate daughter.”

Hearing this, Wang Yuan’er was shocked. Wasn’t it said that all eighty-five members of the He family had been executed? How could a legitimate heir suddenly reappear?

Yet in families facing dire catastrophes, they often harbored a glimmer of hope—likely, the He family had secretly preserved this bloodline back then.

“Madam, the bill, please.” Wang Yuan’er took out two copper coins and placed them on the table. Idle gossip aside, she reminded herself she was just an ordinary commoner. Such monumental matters were beyond her involvement.

As Wang Yuan’er passed various tea houses and restaurants, she could hear storytellers recounting the details of the Drum of Appeals Case. Clearly, this case had become a hot topic for people to discuss over tea and meals.

In one of these tea houses, a man and a woman were also talking about the Drum of Appeals Case.

“This is Yuji Ointment. It can promote blood circulation and reduce bruising. Take it home and apply it daily,” the man said as he pushed an exquisite jade bottle toward the woman sitting across from him.

“Thank you, Brother Cui. My injury has mostly healed,” the woman replied with a faint smile, though her expression betrayed a hint of strain.

The two individuals were Cui Yuan and He Xiuxian, the woman renting a room in Wang Yuan’er’s small courtyard. “I’m sorry you had to endure this, but to strike the Drum of Appeals and petition for the case to be overturned, one must first endure punishment,” Cui Yuan said, his face filled with guilt.

He Xiuxian shook her head gently and said softly, “I understand; even if it takes my life to clear my father’s name, I would gladly give it. Let alone these twenty strokes—I can bear them.”

She added with a faint smile, “Besides, didn’t Brother Cui intervene behind the scenes? It didn’t hurt at all.” As her words fell, the maidservant Du Juan standing behind her opened her mouth as if to speak but refrained.

Cui Yuan sighed inwardly, knowing that no matter how much effort he put in secretly, twenty lashes could never truly be painless. Especially for a delicate young woman, how could she endure such suffering?

Seeing He Xiuxian’s still pale complexion, Cui Yuan reassured her, “Don’t worry, I will clear the teacher’s name. His Majesty, wise and just, will discern right from wrong. Moreover, His Majesty greatly respected the teacher and will certainly see justice done.”

“I hope so,” He Xiuxian said, gazing wistfully at the small bird perched on the roof opposite the window. “I’ve lived under a hidden identity for six years. Every night, I dream of my father and mother and all the others—they died so tragically, so unjustly. They beg me to seek justice for them. For six long years, I’ve waited for this day. I’m not afraid of waiting, only of never seeing justice served.”

“Don’t overthink. I’ll look into this matter myself, and we’re already seeing some leads, aren’t we?” Cui Yuan reassured her upon seeing He Xiuxian’s teary demeanor.

He Xiuxian took out a handkerchief to dab at the corners of her eyes and smiled. “I hope you don’t laugh at me, Brother Cui. I’m just soft-hearted. These years, I’ve been so fortunate to have you caring for me, and now you’re running around for my father’s case as well—I truly don’t know how to repay you.”

“As the teacher’s disciple, it’s my obligation and responsibility. And as you’re the teacher’s only blood relative, taking care of you is naturally the right thing to do.” Cui Yuan replied with a smile. “When the time comes for justice to prevail, as your older brother, it’ll only be right for me to arrange a fine marriage for Xiuxian and ensure you marry off with grand celebration!”

Hearing this, He Xiuxian was momentarily stunned. Her expression subtly changed, and her smile grew strained. “Marriage is something I haven’t given much thought to.”

“A man marries when he comes of age, and a woman does the same. You’ve long since reached the age—it’s time to start preparing,” Cui Yuan said casually, seemingly unaware of her discomfort, as he lowered his head to sip his tea.

Forcing a smile, He Xiuxian shifted the topic. “My father always praised your intelligence and shared all his life’s knowledge with you. Now, seeing your efforts for his case, I’m sure he’s at peace. Brother Cui, you have immense talent in waterworks engineering, and His Majesty has offered you official positions multiple times. Why not accept them? If you achieve something in this field, I’m sure my father would be even more delighted, knowing his legacy continues.”

Cui Yuan chuckled. “You know my temperament—I’ve never liked restraint and thrive on laziness and freedom. Following the rigid routine of court life doesn’t suit me.”

“Brother Cui, are you still concerned about Madam Cui?” He Xiuxian blurted out. “Brother Cui has served alongside His Majesty even before his ascension to the throne, and now you have gained his favor. Surely, you need not concern yourself with others’ opinions.”

Cui Yuan pressed his thin lips together slightly. He Xiuxian was startled and immediately apologized, “Brother Cui, I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to bring it up—”

“It’s fine. My reluctance has nothing to do with her. I simply have no interest in the court,” Cui Yuan said with a wave of his hand, smiling.

He Xiuxian wanted to say more, but Cui Yuan stood up and said, “It’s getting late. Shall I escort you home?”

He Xiuxian had no choice but to nod, and her maidservant, Du Juan, promptly helped her up.

When Wang Yuan’er arrived at the Youwei Teahouse, she noticed a simple carriage parked at the entrance. Someone emerged from the teahouse, helping a familiar figure onto the carriage. Wasn’t that Young Master Cui and Miss He?

Wang Yuan’er raised her eyebrows. Watching Young Master Cui’s cautious manner, as though handling a fragile pearl, she thought to herself, “Truly, the demeanor of nobility.”

With a crack of the whip, the carriage began to move slowly. As the wind lifted the curtain of the small window, Wang Yuan’er caught sight of Miss He’s gaze toward Young Master Cui—filled with tender affection and longing. Had Qing’er been here, she’d undoubtedly add a few words of gossip. Wang Yuan’er shook her head and continued on her way home.