The Battle of the Noble Ladies (Book 2)

Chapter 107 - Shades of Color

Seeing Huang Yuanwai react this way confirmed that his son truly was the apple of his eye. It hadn't been in vain that Song Chuyi had gone through so much effort to locate his son and wife's hiding place with the help of Lady Fang. Satisfied, Song Chuyi let a smile curl on her lips, her tone softening slightly.

"Since you keep saying this has nothing to do with him, then who is it about? I understand that you think you have connections that will keep you safe, but consider this: Prefect Song isn't just some rootless scholar. If this goes to court, it's anyone's guess who might win, but people caught in the middle often end up as cannon fodder. Don't you agree?"

The voice seemed like that of a young girl, but Huang Yuanwai immediately sensed he'd underestimated her. No ordinary girl could have this kind of ruthlessness—her words were sharp, her eyes even sharper, and her mind likely had a thousand clever schemes. He'd been led along, unable to utter even a single denial. Resentfully, he asked, "How do I know you aren't bluffing?"

Ma San had no patience for this dance around the truth. With a swift kick to Huang Yuanwai's back, he spat, "Who the hell do you think you are? You think we went all the way to Changsha, found your ancestral home, then tracked down your wife and son in your rural sister-in-law's home just for kicks? Listen up: we already have that servant you told to file the false charges and your so-called daughter who faked her death. We're only waiting on your confession."

Any last bit of hope Huang Yuanwai clung to vanished, and he collapsed to the ground, looking as defeated as a stray dog. "I'll tell you everything, as long as my son is spared," he said, resigned.

This was exactly what Song Chuyi had been waiting for. Smiling coldly, she replied, "All you need to do is appear before the magistrate and truthfully confess who directed and coordinated your false charges against Prefect Song. That's all."

Yet the implication of such words was clear: a death sentence. Even if the Song family showed him mercy, those behind him certainly would not. His face drained of color, and even the hairs on the mole by his cheek seemed to tremble.

After a long pause, he agreed, though he couldn't resist adding one last request. "Miss... is there any way to ensure I survive? Ideally..."

"Ideally, you'd like to keep your lands, live in comfort with your wife, son, and daughters, isn't that it?" Song Chuyi glanced down at him. "I hear that your own father removed you from the family registry after you refused to support him, adopting your cousin in your place. But the moment your father passed, you paid to have your cousin cast out and took over his lands. These lands were never truly yours; they were only awarded to you thanks to Prefect Song. I doubt your cousin's family would hesitate to file a complaint with the next governor."

A person like this, if allowed to prosper with lands and wealth, would likely only harm more people in the future.

Huang Yuanwai, struggling, murmured an attempt at self-defense, "So you see, Song Yi isn't a good person either. Why must you help him?"

Song Chuyi pretended not to hear, her tone hardening as she warned him, "When you're in court, you had better know which words to say and which to keep to yourself. I know you're a fence-sitter, always looking to cover your bases, but don't worry—I've got your precious son and beloved daughter in my hands. If you make even one misstep, I'll make sure your whole family has no place to be buried. Don't believe me? Go ahead and test it."

Seeing that she'd dug up even his oldest skeletons, Huang Yuanwai had no choice but to believe her words. He quieted down, curling up in the corner, sighing deeply as if his heart had been ripped out.

Song Chuyi instructed Ma San to keep a close eye on him, then walked out of the courtyard.

As she left, Ye Jingchuan followed close behind, looking around at the whitewashed ground and asking curiously, "Where did you find so many tough guys to use as your lackeys? Can you really trust them? If not, I could find some reliable people for you."

Seeing that both Qingying and Qingtiao had already come out, Song Chuyi shook her head. "Actually, I do have something I'd like you to help with, but it's not this. These men are from my uncle's household, people I know well. Don't worry."

When Ye Jingchuan heard they were from the Cui family, he didn't ask further. Instead, his attention shifted to her request for help, and his spirits lifted. "What is it? Just say the word, and I won't hesitate to do it for you!"

"I heard that the Ministry of Justice is quite invested in investigating this case." Song Chuyi, standing beneath the banyan tree, cast her eyes over the courtyard and then turned to Ye Jingchuan. "Why not subtly drop some hints to Minister Cen when you go with Guo Yantang to his residence?"

Ye Jingchuan quickly caught her meaning: she wanted him and Guo Yantang to let slip some information to Cen Biliang to cast suspicion on Huang Yuanwai. He was already inclined to help her, and since all she was asking was to say a few words, he naturally agreed. Thinking it over, he nodded. "I've no problem with that. But what's the best way to mention it without being too obvious?"

"After all, he's from the King of Zhennan residence, and everyone knows that the King of Zhennan Residence and the Changning Marquisate have been close allies for generations."

Song Chuyi's lips curved in a clever smile, her long lashes fluttering like butterfly wings. "Isn't it simple? Just mention that Huang Yuanwai approached you privately about selling two pieces of land in Yongzhou, and that he drunkenly let slip a few things he shouldn't have said. Wouldn't that be enough?"

On one hand, Huang Yuanwai kept claiming his land had been seized, while on the other, he confidently assured others he'd soon be selling it. When Cen Biliang holds the formal inquiry, a chastened Huang Yuanwai would naturally tell the truth. The previously elusive servant is now in custody, and it's already proven that Huang Zhen'er is alive and well. The family of the girl who died in her place has been found, and there are plenty of witnesses now. With the proper records in the brokers' files, this case would be straightforward.

Ye Jingchuan quickly grasped Song Chuyi's idea and clapped his hands in excitement. "I get it! All it takes is someone to nudge Uncle Cen a bit. Once reminded, he'll naturally see the suspicious points in this case. When Huang Yuanwai is interrogated, Your father's innocence will be clear."