Chapter 57: Identity Revealed

County Magistrate Bai was also implicated by him. His prospects in officialdom were likely over.

“Brother Han, we’ve finally found the evidence. With this, we can prove that this gambling house is indeed entangled with some murder cases!” Lord Wen spoke with relief.

The Bai family had been notorious for their power and greed, provoking the resentment of other merchants for a long time. Had Old Master Zhao not stood up in opposition this time, the rest of the merchants would have kept their heads down, too intimidated to speak.

“Three years ago, this place wasn’t a gambling house at all. It was an ordinary money exchange. I heard it was robbed, and the whole family perished in that calamity…”

That was the truth presented to the public at the time. Whether anyone else could testify remained uncertain. The property had changed hands without a single coin spent, falling directly into the Bai family’s possession. Afterwards, the gambling house was established.

“Recently, I found a dancer who survived that massacre. She was still young then and managed to hide in a well, avoiding discovery.” Lord Wen’s eyes flashed with deep regret as he recounted the tale.

How could things have come to this?

“She is the one.”

What? Miss Zhilian?

Seeing who had arrived, Han Qing was a little perplexed. He hadn’t expected her.

“You are a descendant of the Chen family. So much time has passed—do you regret anything?” Han Qing asked gently.

Some wounds need not be reopened. Whether the person wished for vengeance was a matter of their own will. He respected everyone’s choices.

“Master Han, I apologize for concealing the truth before. These old grievances—I never wanted to revisit them, after so much time has passed,” she said, her face clouded with uncertainty.

“Then why are you willing now?”

“I always thought that once I had the ability, I would destroy the Bai family. But Lord Wen told me there was no need to sacrifice half my life for someone unworthy,” she replied, her temperament truly different from others.

“I was not the only survivor. The rest have concealed their identities and are living within the Bai household.”

Ah?

It had always been a premeditated, carefully planned vengeance. How could they easily give up?

“If the case is exposed to the world, it will fulfill my wish,” Zhilian nodded.

It seemed she had already made her plans.

“Relying on this evidence to argue in court is no simple matter. In all of North County, only the Bai family holds sway. My strength alone is insufficient,” she admitted uneasily.

Her heart was willing, but her power was lacking. The longer time dragged on, the more excuses others would have to delay.

“The Ministry of Justice can open a case directly. Even if we can’t prove everything is the Bai family’s doing, evidence will accumulate over time,” Lord Wen cautioned.

“Alright,” Zhilian agreed.

She could give a written statement, and if needed, she would testify in court.

“What are your thoughts?” Lord Wen turned to the silent Han Qing.

“It’s merely a delaying tactic. Truly bringing down the Bai family is no easy feat,” Han Qing said quietly.

But he had another idea.

By harnessing public opinion, he could make the people realize that the Bai family’s dazzling facade was only skin-deep.

“Could your Flower Pavilion girls stage a play soon?”

Ah?

Zhilian was momentarily stunned. Weren’t they discussing the investigation just now? Why talk about romance and frivolity?

“Just those comedic skits and short songs.”

“If they acted out some events from that year, wouldn’t it provoke deeper thought?”

Zhilian didn’t quite understand. She looked at him, puzzled.

Han Qing’s idea was to write a script based on the tragedy and have it performed on the stage of Drunken Flower Pavilion. It would warn the public and threaten the Bai family, sending the message that their past deeds would eventually be repaid.

“In a few days, I’ll come to Drunken Flower Pavilion to discuss it with you.”

The whole exchange was shrouded in ambiguity.

Lord Wen never quite grasped what they meant.

“Can you stop being so cryptic? Let me know the details of the case!”

“Lord Wen, you only need to let the case rest for a while, and afterwards, do not mention it again.”

What? So he was just being used and discarded?

It was clearly Han Qing who brought up the Bai family’s gambling house. He went through all the trouble to investigate, and in the end, he gained nothing?

That wouldn’t do.

“Are you afraid of the Bai family?”

It was the only explanation he could think of.

But Han Qing merely smiled.

“No, but it’s best not to reveal anything yet.”

He didn’t wish to say more, and returned at once to Tinglan Court to begin drafting the story. When the Lantern Festival arrived, he would surprise everyone.

These days, Jiang Xiuxiu had been rather busy, probably helping Zhao’s tailor shop train new employees.

His mother’s face was gloomy.

“You two, do you both refuse to come home?”

“Mother, you’re mistaken. It’s just that urgent matters have kept us away,” he hurried to explain, not wanting to upset her.

“I understand you meeting friends, but what about Xiuxiu?”

“Mother, that’s unfair. I have my affairs, and so does she. Even after marrying into the family, a woman shouldn’t spend all her days busy only for her husband’s kin.”

He grew serious, feeling his wife had endured enough. Now that others were displeased with her, Han Qing was certainly unhappy.

“Fine, we’ll do as you say,” his mother conceded, sensing his anger and unwilling to argue.

Yet which newlywed wife spends her days out in public after marrying in? It simply wasn’t proper.

But Han Qing paid no heed. In his heart, everyone deserved respect.

“Husband, I know Mother quarreled for my sake. Tomorrow I won’t go out anymore,” she said sadly, her eyes dimming.

“It’s alright. I’ll shoulder everything. Do what you wish,” he comforted her and embraced his wife, without a trace of reproach.

“But…”

“No ‘but’. I don’t believe you’ve done anything wrong.”