The Rebirth of Han Yuxi

Chapter 0680 Redress A Wrongful Conviction (1)

The sky was filled with stars, like golden specks scattered across dark blue silk: bright, sparkling and stunningly beautiful. Unfortogtunately, Xu Wu was not in the mood to enjoy the view at that moment.

Zhuzi said, ”Madam is really something—both Prefect Yao and Tongpan Guo have old grudges with the Zhou family. The Yao familyʼs grudge is a deadly one.”

After pausing, Zhuzi continued, ”The Eldest Young Master Zhou beat the Prefect Yaoʼs elder brotherʼs only son to death. At the time, the Zhou family was powerful and had the backing of another prefect, so they pinned the blame on the Eldest Young Master Zhouʼs personal attendant, who was executed in his place. Prefect Yaoʼs brother died of rage soon after.”

The Zhou family killed Prefect Yaoʼs brother and nephew, thus cutting off his brotherʼs incense line—how could he not hate them!

Xu Wu asked coldly, ”And what grudge does Tongpan Guo have with the Zhou family?”

Zhuzi replied, ”The Zhou family used underhanded tactics to seize two of the Guo familyʼs prime shop lots at a low price. Since then, the two families have been on bad terms.”

By now, how could Xu Wu not see it? Prefect Yao and Tongpan Guo had been using their public authority to avenge their personal grudges.

Although this case wasnʼt particularly serious—and Zhou Weiʼs framing was, in a way, the result of the sins his own family has created—it was enough to show that neither official was fit for their post.

Zhuzi added, ”Guard Xu, Iʼve also discovered that Zhou Wei and Dong San are quite close.”

Before Xu Wu could respond, a guard came in to report that Xu Zhen had arrived. Xu Wu went out to meet him, brought him into his room, and asked, ”What brings you here so late?”

Xu Zhen said, ”Iʼm a bit curious. Why are you so interested in Zhou Weiʼs case?” He himself hadnʼt given it much thought. As the person responsible for law and order in Linzhou and several nearby counties, he was very busy. All the matters recorded in the registers were handled by his subordinates on his orders. However, since Xu Wu was taking such an interest, he felt he had to ask.

Xu Wu replied, ”Thereʼs something fishy about Zhou Weiʼs case. Yao Guangzhang and Tongpan Guo are most likely using their positions for personal revenge. Once we interrogate the suspect tomorrow, the truth will come out.”

Xu Zhen wasnʼt surprised—his subordinates had already informed him of the underlying issues. ”How do you plan to deal with Yao Guangzhang? To be fair, Xu Wu, this guy Yao is quite capable. Heʼs done a good job managing Linzhou lately.”

Xu Wu shook his head. ”No matter how capable he is, if he acts unjustly, such a man canʼt be trusted with power.” As for how to handle Yao Guangzhang, that would be up to Madam to decide.

Seeing this reaction, Xu Zhen didnʼt plead for Yao Guangzhang any further. But he was still curious. ”Come to think of it, how did you realise there was something off about this case?” He still had a copy of the register in his own hands.

Xu Wu smiled and explained, ”Iʼm not that sharp—I couldnʼt spot anything wrong from just a few lines. It was Madam. She read your reports and thought something didnʼt add up.” He then added, ”Xu Zhen, Madam said your records are too brief. From now on, no matter what the matter is, you must clearly state the causes and consequences.”

Xu Zhen froze momentarily, then exclaimed, ”You mean you gave that register I handed you to Madam? How could you hand that over to her?”

Xu Wu responded, ”The General has ordered it — whatever Madam wants, I will cooperate fully. Itʼs not just about Madam wanting to look at a dossier. Even if she ordered me to kill Yao Guangzhang tomorrow, I wouldnʼt be able to stop her.” He said this to make Xu Zhen understand that Yuxi occupied a very high place in Yun Qingʼs heart — it was so high that she could do as she pleased. This way, even if Xu Zhen were displeased, he wouldnʼt say anything more.

How could Xu Zhen not understand Xu Wuʼs words? Anxiously, he said, ”Loving oneʼs wife is fine, but there still have to be limits.” They always said that even heroes found it hard to overcome the beauty pass. Even the General had fallen into Madamʼs hands.

Xu Wu said coldly, ”What are you saying? Not to mention that the General is no fool. Even regarding the Madamʼs conduct, she has always been very measured. Over the past few years, she has only ever helped the General; she has never once pulled the Generalʼs hind leg.” The reason the General allowed Madam to intervene in state affairs was precisely because she was capable of doing so.

Seeing Xu Wuʼs displeasure, Xu Zhen smiled wryly. ”Youʼre not unaware of Weiguoʼs situation, are you? If he hadnʼt indulged Yan Shi so much, he wouldnʼt have reached this point.” Xiang Weiguo had his rank stripped by Yun Qing, his embezzled funds were all recovered, and now he was at home recuperating.

Hearing this, Xu Wu did not relax his expression. On the contrary, he spoke even more coldly, ”Comparing Madam to Yan Shi is an insult to Madam. Madam even gave up her dowry for the orphans of Yu City — have you forgotten that already?” That woman Yan Shi wasnʼt even comparable to Madam — she was not worth a single hair on Madamʼs head.

Xu Zhen had not expected Xu Wu to hold Yu Xi in such esteem. He replied with some concern, ”I do admire what Madam has done before. But the current situation isnʼt as simple as helping a few children or founding a school, is it?”

At a loss for words, Xu Wu said, ”If you think establishing a school is easy, then youʼre too naive. Running a school is much harder than fighting a war.”

Aside from Yu Cong, Xu Wu and several close aides, nobody outside knows of Yuxiʼs assistance to Yun Qing. Xu Zhen said, ”I know Madam is capable, but the matters she has involved herself in now are very complicated. She may intend to help, but what if her help actually makes things worse?”

Xu Wu pointed out, ”Madam could tell from those few brief lines your subordinate wrote that there was something wrong with the case — do you really think she would make things worse? Besides, Madam is well-learned and well-versed in hydraulics and law; few can compare with just those skills alone.” None of the Generalʼs advisors was as formidable as Madam. After this episode, Xu Wu had no remaining doubts about Yuxiʼs ability.

Upon hearing this, Xu Zhen stopped arguing with Xu Wu and raised another matter. ”Xu Wu, does Xiang Weiguo really have no chance of recovery?” Xiang Weiguo and Xu Zhen were brothers who had shared life and death, and Xu Zhen could not bear to see his brother Xiangʼs career ruined like this.

After some thought, Xu Wu said, ”The General only removed him from his post. He didnʼt ban him from returning to the barracks. As long as he is willing to start again, Xiang Weiguo still has a chance to turn things around.” Xiang Weiguo could rise quickly again by starting from the bottom and accumulating military merits.

Seeing that Xu Zhenʼs expression had relaxed, Xu Wu added, ”Donʼt relax yourself too soon. Xiang Weiguo has nothing now, and Yan Shi may not be willing to stay with him. You know how much he values her — if she decides to leave him, itʼs doubtful he can start over.”

A hard look passed over Xu Zhenʼs face. ”If Yan Shi dares to leave Xiang Weiguo, Iʼll k!ll her.” With the power he now wielded, k!lling someone like Yan Shi would be easy.

Back when Xiang Weiguo wanted to marry Yan Shi, Xu Zhen strongly opposed it. The most important thing when choosing a wife was her ability to manage a household, but Yan Shi, who was always dressed like blooming flowers and waving branches all day long, was not someone who could do that. Yet Xiang Weiguo was blinded by desire — he insisted on marrying Yan Shi no matter what, and in the end, Xu Zhenʼs worst fears were realised.

Xu Wu smiled and reminded him, ”If you threaten Yan Shi, given how much Xiang Weiguo dotes on her, Iʼm afraid even the bond between brothers would be severed.” Seeing Xu Zhen say nothing, Xu Wu continued, ”Moreover, even if Yan Shi does not leave Xiang Weiguo, and he gains military merit and rises in the ranks again, she will still hold him back.”

Xu Zhen grew irritated. ”He canʼt leave her, nor can he stay with her — then what should be done?” Yan Shi was truly the calamity in Xiang Weiguoʼs fate.

Xu Wu wasnʼt worried about Xiang Weiguoʼs situation. ”No one can help him with this kind of matter. Let nature take its course.”

Xu Zhenʼs eyes suddenly lit up. ”Didnʼt you say Madam was very capable? Why donʼt we ask her if she has any good ideas?”

Without even thinking, Xu Wu refused. ”If Xiang Weiguo still lets Yan Shi have her way in everything, no one can save him. If he wakes up in time, he can stand on his own two feet again.” If a man didnʼt marry a good wife, his whole life would be ruined — Xiang Weiguo was the best example.

Xu Zhen looked a bit dejected.

Xu Wu patted him on the shoulder and said, ”If he can come to his senses, then as brothers, we are duty-bound to help him. But if he insists on walking his own road until it turns dark, our worrying wonʼt help.” After all, Xiang Weiguo was not a three-year-old child; there was only so much they could do.

Seeing Xu Zhen sigh, Xu Wu said, ”Instead of sitting here sighing and lamenting, why donʼt you go and arrest Zhou Wei, Dong Er and the other witnesses? When daylight comes, let Madam question them herself.” This could be a good opportunity to help Madam build her reputation and authority. He was sure the General would be pleased to see that.

Xu Zhen nodded. ”Iʼll have someone take care of it right away.”

After breakfast, Xu Wu approached Yuxi and reported, ”Madam, Zhou Wei, Dong Er, and the others have been brought in. You can interrogate them personally.”

Yuxi didnʼt know whether to laugh or cry. Of course, the case needed to be adequately investigated, but she had never considered interrogating the suspects herself. ”Letʼs forget it this time, but this action shouldnʼt be repeated in the future.”

Xu Wu had his own reasoning as he said, ”Madam, Yao Guangzhang is the Prefect of Linzhou. If other officials take over, they might not conduct a fair and just trial.”

Yuxi nodded. ”Your concern makes sense. Very well, I will let you handle the trial. I wonʼt appear in person.” Seeing Xu Wu hesitate, she added, ”The case isnʼt complicated. As long as the witnesses tell the truth, thatʼs enough. Iʼll be listening from the back hall, and if thereʼs any mistake, Iʼll have someone remind you.” She simply didnʼt want to appear in public.

Hearing her last words gave Xu Wu some confidence. He smiled and nodded. ”As Madam commands.” Who would have thought that he would ever get to preside over a court case? Just thinking about it excited him.

Yuxi noticed that Xu Wu was very excited and was puzzled, but didnʼt ask further. ”Zaozao has been crying for her father these past two days. The General must have left Yu City by now, right?”

As he hadnʼt received any definitive news, Xu Wu replied, ”Madam, at the Generalʼs pace, he should catch up with us in four or five days.” Their caravan travelled between seventy and eighty li per day, but the General could cover that distance on horseback in a single day.

Yuxi nodded slightly. ”I understand.” Even if Yun Qing caught up with them, he could only stay for two days at most before heading to Haocheng.