Chapter 11: Beating the Drum to Seek Justice from the Xiangzhou Saga: A Soul Transcending Worlds

Dong Feiguang immediately wanted to slump to the ground in despair—this was truly bringing up the one topic he least wanted to mention!

“Reporting to His Highness the Crown Prince, originally I intended to send a servant to invite the current imperial scholar—who was personally appointed by His Majesty—to come and welcome you. But who would have known that the scholar had gone to the capital? That’s how the matter of that young lady coming to my residence arose,” Dong Feiguang recounted the incident of Ye Qiaoqiao’s visit to his mansion in a calm, detailed manner.

Fearing that the prince might not believe him, he ordered a nearby servant to kneel alongside him.

Adding on, he said, “You should tell His Highness the Crown Prince: wasn’t it that day when you were sent to deliver the invitation to the scholar, but the invitation was taken by the scholar’s wife!”

The servant dared not conceal anything and immediately knelt down, replying, “Reporting to His Highness the Crown Prince, every word my lord has spoken is true!”

However, martial artists are naturally endowed with keen experience and sharp hearing.

The voices of the young lady and Lord Dong were caught word for word by Zuo Wenshan and Shen Jianzhou.

Shen Jianzhou slowly set down his teacup and looked around the courtyard, now empty and devoid of the pillars that once stood there. He asked calmly, “I recall there used to be a pillar in your lordship’s residence. Where has it gone now?”

Pillars...

At that moment, Dong Feiguang genuinely felt like crying.

It was clear they already knew what he had discussed with that young lady today.

Dong Feiguang had no choice but to slowly reveal the truth, explaining that Ye Qiaoqiao had confided in him about her illness. He went on, “Today, that young lady spoke exactly as the imperial physician did, saying I wouldn’t live past next year!”

“Oh? Is that so?” Shen Jianzhou furrowed his brows slightly.

“Yes, that’s why I dared to let her treat my illness! That’s why I gave her five taels of gold leaf!” Dong Feiguang hurriedly explained, fearing that missing this chance to clarify would only deepen the misunderstanding. He nodded emphatically.

Shen Jianzhou seemed unprepared for Dong Feiguang’s explanation but seeing how matters stood, he chose not to press further. Instead, with feigned sympathy, he said, “Lord Dong suffers from a heart ailment that causes great pain and is indeed urgent. This Crown Prince understands.”

As he spoke, his gaze swept slowly over Dong Feiguang kneeling there, as well as the servant beside him. Then he said slowly, “Rise.”

“Thank you, Your Highness.” Dong Feiguang, perceptive and quick-witted, gratefully wiped the sweat from his brow and slowly stood.

Once both were standing, Shen Jianzhou looked toward Zuo Wenshan and commanded, “Investigate the background of that scholar’s wife.”

“Understood.” Zuo Wenshan responded and then vanished into the main hall of the official’s residence.

Dong Feiguang did not know why the Crown Prince had come to Xiangzhou City and assumed it was a private visit, so he spared no effort to entertain him.

Seeing Zuo Wenshan’s exceptional skill as he disappeared into the night, Dong Feiguang immediately realized that those around His Highness were all extraordinary individuals, and his respect deepened accordingly.

At dawn, Ye Qiaoqiao changed into a coarse linen garment from home and went alone to the city magistrate’s office.

She looked at the wide open space before her, where the Drum of Justice hung high on its wooden frame. The drum’s stretched cowhide gleamed faintly in the sunlight.

Seeing no one around, Ye Qiaoqiao stepped forward to the empty Drum of Justice, picked up the drumsticks in both hands, and began striking forcefully.

“Dong, dong, dong”—the tremendous sound echoed through the streets and alleys.

In an instant, the city constables arranged themselves neatly and appeared.

Dong Feiguang was the first to step out. Seeing Ye Qiaoqiao approaching, his eyes widened in shock. Ancestors above! Was this really how the matter was to be resolved?

Meanwhile, Shen Jianzhou, who had been resting in the official’s residence, was awakened by the sound of the drum calling for justice.

“Young master, someone outside is beating the Drum of Justice. Shall we go see?” Zuo Wenshan, who had been investigating the scholar’s wife all night, respectfully appeared before Shen Jianzhou upon hearing the drum.

Shen Jianzhou said nothing, but quickly dressed and used his lightness skill to fly out.

Clad in flowing white robes, he hovered above the beams inside the hall.

His gaze fell upon a young woman dressed in coarse linen, her hair tied up with a few loose strands cascading against her fair neck—a bride newly wed.

Yet her faintly smiling, enigmatic expression not only lent her an air of heroism but also added a touch of gentleness to her countenance.

Some constables came out to seize Ye Qiaoqiao, and the drumming ceased.

Ye Qiaoqiao glanced at the constables on either side holding her and smiled lightly, speaking nonchalantly, “Good morning, esteemed gentlemen.”

The constables restraining her were so furious they rolled their eyes.

This woman was truly amusing. Having already beaten the Drum of Justice, she still greeted them so calmly and politely—it was hard to fathom her true intentions.

Dong Feiguang, noticing the Crown Prince suspended above the beams, knew this matter was beyond his control.

It would likely have to be handled entirely by His Highness.

Thinking this, he composed himself and stepped out from the rear chamber into the courtroom. He approached the large seat behind the bench, sat down, and asked sternly, “Why is the Drum of Justice being beaten?”

“Sir, please investigate thoroughly! Scholar Chen has wronged me, his lawful wife!” Ye Qiaoqiao wore a tearful, beseeching expression.

Dong Feiguang was at a loss for words.

He desperately wished he could pry open Ye Qiaoqiao’s mind to understand her thoughts. The matter that was supposed to be resolved quietly and peacefully had somehow turned into a public accusation?

Truly perplexing!

But with the Crown Prince watching silently nearby, he dared not say more and could only proceed with the formalities.

Otherwise, any additional words might be misinterpreted as favoritism or shielding.

“Speak carefully and tell me everything—what exactly happened?” Dong Feiguang’s voice was low and commanding, echoing through the courtroom.

Ye Qiaoqiao adopted a serious expression and slowly poured out the grievances and wrongs that weighed on her heart:

“Sir, you may not know, but three years ago I married Chen Bai Lei. Due to his ambitions for official rank, I spent our early years alone in the Chen family manor. Three years later, when he succeeded as the imperial scholar, the first thing he did was to bring his favored concubine back and insist she be treated as an equal legitimate wife beside me!”

“I originally agreed to treat her as a co-wife, but who would have thought Chen Bai Lei did not trust me. To seize the fortune I had saved over those three years, he, along with that favored lady, Xiang Ling’er and others, buried me alive. Moreover, they submitted a death report to the magistrate’s office!”

“Sir, now that I have returned to life, I vow to seek justice for myself!”

“Do you have any evidence to prove you were buried alive by them?” Dong Feiguang scanned the court and cleared his throat as he inquired.

Ye Qiaoqiao seemed to have anticipated this question and had her response ready:

“First, he emptied the silver notes and contracts from my household, which points to flight with large sums of money. Second, the death report was submitted without a proper post-mortem examination. Third, and most crucially, his favored concubine is already pregnant! Afraid I would complicate matters for her and prevent her from becoming an equal wife, they buried me alive.”

“These three points are sufficient to prove that he intended to kill me!”