Chapter 49: Who Is She

“Who dares attack an official from the shadows!” Liang Yu casually wiped his face and found his hand covered in blood. A searing, fiery pain spread across his skin. Enraged beyond reason, he ignored the gash on his face and yanked his saber from his belt.

Chu Mingxi had already seen the newcomer: Wei Qingchen, garbed in a brocade robe with a jade belt and golden crown. Backlit at the Imperial Medicine Hall entrance, she stood like a bamboo shoot in the wind—tall and long-legged.

Wei Qingchen glared at the military officer before her, her eyes emanating pure frost. “You dare call yourself ‘this official’ in my presence?” Wei Qingchen pointed her horsewhip at Liang Yu, looking down on him with utter disdain.

Rising to his current rank, Liang Yu had seen a fair share of the world. He scrutinized the newcomer carefully and realized he truly didn’t recognize him. But his bearing and attire suggested he might possess some truly formidable background.

Swallowing his rage, he ground his teeth. “I am the Zhechong Commandant of Peaceful Ease Prefecture, Liang Yu. Who might Your Excellency be?”

“Zhechong Commandant?” Wei Qingchen repeated, just as Kang Xun entered from outside and whispered something in her ear. She nodded, then gave a cold smile. “I am the Left Assistant General of the Palace Guard, Wei Qingchen. What, do you not even know to salute when you see me?”

Liang Yu’s brow furrowed. The Left Assistant General of the Palace Guard belonged to the Sixteen Guards of the Capital Region, militarily commanding the regional Zhechong offices. He was indeed one of his direct superiors. But… this youth was far too young—how could he possibly be a General of the Palace Guard? Furthermore, the Sixteen Guards were the Emperor’s personal forces. Why would one appear in Peaceful Ease Prefecture?

Wei Qingchen didn’t care whether he believed it. She walked to Chu Mingxi’s side and reassured her wife with a look. Chu Mingxi hadn’t felt afraid, but she still accepted the concern, offering a small smile. Wei Qingchen’s gaze then fell on the hand Liang Yu had just used to seize Chu Mingxi, and her expression darkened once more. “What were you trying to do just now?”

Liang Yu’s face was equally black. He had no idea how such a simple matter had become so complicated. The wound on his face burned with pain, but he still had to answer, “By the orders of Governor Wen and his Madam, I was here to invite Doctor Chu to the Shattered Jade Pavilion as a guest.”

“As a guest?” Wei Qingchen raised an eyebrow, casting a meaningful glance at the three or four soldiers he had brought. “Are you certain this is how one invites a guest?”

Liang Yu snorted through his nose and made no reply.

“So this is how it’s done in Peaceful Ease Prefecture.” Wei Qingchen seemed to be speaking to herself. She beckoned. Kang Xun, grinning widely, stationed himself right beside her. She pointed at Liang Yu. “I, too, would like to invite Lord Liang as a guest. You lot, go and tie him up for me!”

“Yes!” Kang Xun acknowledged cheerfully, ready to move.

Liang Yu had long been accustomed to throwing his weight around in Peaceful Ease Prefecture; it had always been him using his power to bully others. When had anyone ever dared bully him? That whiplash had already lit a fire in his heart, and this was adding fuel to the flames. He tightened his grip on his saber hilt, his voice menacing. “Lord Wei, aren’t you overreaching?”

Had he not spoken, it might have been fine. But mentioning “overreaching” enraged Wei Qingchen further. She gently pushed Chu Mingxi toward the inner door, then shouted, “Beat them up!”

The guards waiting outside rushed in, swarming the soldiers with punches and kicks. It happened so fast that Liang Yu and his men hadn’t even reacted before their weapons were seized.

Wei Qingchen didn’t go too far, only having them beaten black and blue, with no broken limbs at least.

Liang Yu bellowed in fury. Kang Xun found a rag, wadded it up, and stuffed it into his mouth. Liang Yu’s face turned green!

The soldiers were all tied up tight—all except for one, the youngest-looking of the lot.

Wei Qingchen said, “Go tell your Governor Wen that his Zhechong Commandant has offended me. Have him come personally to apologize.”

The young soldier trembled uncontrollably, nodding randomly, his face pale as he fled.

Outside the Imperial Medicine Hall, a massive crowd had gathered, pressing in layers upon layers. They had witnessed the soldiers acting tyrannically, and then watched as they were bound hand and foot. It took less than half a day for the teahouse storytellers to have a script ready for their next performance.

Wei Qingchen paid no mind to any of this. Her only concern was following her wife into the rear courtyard of the Imperial Medicine Hall.

“Today’s scene—will it cause you any trouble?” Chu Mingxi knew Wei Qingchen’s status meant she need not fear a mere Zhechong Commandant—even the Governor would have to apologize if he offended her. But they were, after all, imperial officials. If Wei Qingchen were impeached for “humiliating a local dignitary,” the loss would outweigh the gain.

“It’s no trouble. I was just pondering how to use them to serve a warning; they delivered themselves right to my doorstep.” Wei Qingchen took her hand, then frowned, looking at the wrist hidden under the flowing sleeve. “What about you? Does your wrist hurt?”

They were standing in the corridor as they spoke, with maids and serving-women all around. Chu Mingxi tried to pull her hand free, but Wei Qingchen extended both, one cupping her palm, the other carefully lifting her sleeve. “Don’t move. Let me see.”

Qingdai and Yining immediately lowered their heads, pretending to examine the items in their hands. The younger maids all followed suit, looking up at the sky or down at the ground.

Chu Mingxi’s cheeks flushed faintly. She tried to pull her hand back. “What are you thinking, fooling around here!”

Just then, the door suddenly opened. Chu Mingyu stepped out, and there, unexpectedly, were her sister and brother-in-law caught in a tussle. Chu Mingyu froze, then immediately clapped her hands over her eyes. “I didn’t see anything!” she yelped, failing utterly to suppress her laugh as she turned and darted back into the room.

Chu Mingxi gave Wei Qingchen a smack on the back of her hand, lifted her skirt, stepped over the threshold, and entered the room.

Wei Qingchen chuckled and followed her in.

Chu Mingyu was about to tease them further, but a sharp glance from her sister silenced her immediately.

“I heard such commotion outside. I asked the maids, but they couldn’t explain clearly. I was about to go see for myself. How come you two came back together?” Once her sister and brother-in-law were seated, Chu Mingyu poured tea for them both.

Chu Mingxi then recounted what had happened in the shop. Chu Mingyu was furious upon hearing it, rising at once to seek trouble with that Zhechong Commandant herself.

Chu Mingxi hurriedly stopped her. Wei Qingchen, however, gave a cold laugh. “No need for the Second Young Miss to lift a finger. Someone will deal with him!”

The ruthlessness in her tone was unmistakable to both sisters. Chu Mingyu looked from her brother-in-law back to her sister, nodded, and settled back into her chair.

Wen Minxu received the news at the government office. He was reviewing official documents when a subordinate entered to report. He frowned, just as a young soldier rushed in, pale-faced and panicked. His frown deepened. Putting on his official dignity, he said, “Why such panic? Has the sky fallen?”

The soldier was still trembling, barely managing to stammer out the events at the Imperial Medicine Hall.

Governor Wen’s face gradually darkened. He stood up, glaring at the soldier. “Left Assistant General of the Palace Guard? What surname?”

“Surname… surname… Ah, Lord Wei!”

Wei?

Governor Wen turned the surname over in his mind a few times, and suddenly a thought struck him. His expression tightened. It couldn’t be, could it?

Without daring to probe further, and seeing that dusk was approaching, he immediately gathered a few attendants and rushed toward the Imperial Medicine Hall.

Wei Qingchen met him in the outer study of the Imperial Medicine Hall.

Governor Wen had been to the Capital City a few times and recognized her instantly. He smoothed his sleeves and offered a formal, perfect bow. “Your subordinate, Wen Minxu, greets Lord Wei. I was unaware of the Heir’s grand arrival in Peaceful Ease Prefecture. I have been remiss in welcoming you.”

Wei Qingchen lounged like an idler, eyeing him from across half the study. “So Governor Wen knows me. I thought Peaceful Ease Prefecture was so special that everyone just shouts and draws swords at my sight.”

Wen Minxu understood perfectly that this was about the day’s events. He remained bent in his bow, not daring to straighten. “I have only just now learned of today’s incident. It is my failure to govern strictly. Liang Yu has a rash temper and offended Your Lordship. I will severely punish him afterward. I beg the Heir to be lenient.”

“Lenient?” Wei Qingchen’s foppish air vanished, replaced by the cold arrogance of a superior. “Do you know who it was he was trying to forcibly drag away?”

The flower-viewing banquet at the Shattered Jade Pavilion had already dispersed. The Zhechong Commandant, detained by some unknown matter, had yet to return. The Governor’s Wife had invited several officials’ wives back to the mansion for tea, primarily, of course, for the Zhechong Commandant’s wife, Madam Liang.

“The Master has returned.” A young maid ran in to deliver the news. “Madam, the Master he—”

She didn’t finish, because the Master was already at the door.

The officials’ wives taking tea in the hall immediately moved to withdraw. Governor Wen swept the door curtain aside with a violent flap and strode in, forcing the ladies to drop into hasty bows.

“Was it you who sent Liang Yu to cause trouble at the Imperial Medicine Hall?” Wen Minxu demanded, launching straight in.

Lady Bao’s smile was still plastered on her face. Seeing her husband so publicly disrespect her, she could only stifle her smile, aggrieved.

“I asked you a question!” Governor Wen roared.

The Governor’s Wife jumped in fright, instinctively glancing toward Madam Liang.

Madam Liang was also displeased. Harrumphing, she said, “It was the Imperial Medicine Hall’s female doctor who started this mess. We kindly invited her to enjoy flowers; she refused a toast and insisted on drinking a forfeit. I only had my husband go and invite her. So what? Did she go beat the drum and cry for justice?”

Governor Wen slowly turned his head to stare at her. Without an ounce of courtesy, he said, “So it was you who sent Liang Yu. Fine. She wants someone to come apologize. You can go yourself.”

“Apologize?” The Governor’s Wife, furious, cut in herself. “What is she that we should apologize? Why don’t you throw her in prison!”

“Throw her in prison?” Governor Wen could tolerate no more. He raised his hand and delivered a heavy slap. “You stupid woman! Do you know who she is?!”

The officials’ wives were all terrified. They didn’t know if they should withdraw or try to soothe the Governor. For the moment, they remained silent as quails.

It was the first time in her life the Governor’s Wife had been struck in public. Clutching her face, she collapsed into a chair. Coming from an official’s family, how could she bear this? Tears streaming, she began to wail and make a scene, words spilling out unfiltered. “Who is she? Who is she worth you hitting me for! She’s just some medicine peddler! Plenty like her in Peaceful Ease Prefecture!”

“If you seek your own death, don’t drag me down with you!” Governor Wen, before everyone present, grabbed Lady Bao by the collar, grinding his teeth in fury. “I’ll tell you plainly! She is the wife of Heir Wei! The heir of the Jingyuan Marquis Mansion, the Grand General Wei’s family! He is right now inside the Imperial Medicine Hall! And if you don’t know who Heir Wei is—he is His Majesty’s only nephew. The ‘medicine-peddling female doctor’ you keep blathering about is the Heir Consort, granted in marriage by His Majesty himself! Of all the people to offend, you offended her! You can clean up this mess yourself!!”