Volume One, Chapter 20: No Shortage of Silver

When Shopkeeper Qian arrived outside the Jingzhao Prefecture office, he saw throngs of people gathered in several layers around the entrance, some whispering about a notorious outlaw. Despite his broad experience, Qian couldn't help but wonder what major case could have drawn such a crowd—he recalled the last time so many people gathered was two years ago during the trial of General Luo, who was accused of abducting a village girl.

Could he have stumbled upon a serious case?

The constable Liu Qing at his side urged, "Stop gawking and come inside quickly; the magistrate is waiting to question you."

Qian pulled out a coin and slipped it into Liu Qing’s hand. "Please, officer, could you tell me what case is being heard inside? I only need to give a brief reply."

Liu Qing tucked the coin into his sleeve and beckoned Qian closer. "I'll tell you quietly. Inside, the Princess of Qingcheng and the Marquis of Anle are present. It seems your Binzhi Inn might have harbored a notorious outlaw who abducts people. They’ve called you in for questioning. It’s best you tell everything you know so the magistrate doesn’t suspect any collusion."

Startled, Qian thanked him repeatedly. "Thank you, officer. Binzhi Inn has always been reputable; we never deal with criminals."

Entering the prefecture office, Qian was surprised to see so many people in the courtroom. Alongside the Princess of Qingcheng, the Marquis of Anle, his wife, and their eldest daughter stood a young woman in blue—the same Jiang Yao from Binzhi Inn.

Prefect Cui Huaiyuan pointed at Jiang Yao and addressed Qian, "Shopkeeper Qian, do you know this young lady? Tell me everything you know."

Qian looked at Jiang Yao, blinking in confusion. Could she be the outlaw? He also recalled the Marquis’s daughter, Jiang Rui, who had inquired about this woman, suspecting her of deceiving the Marquis.

Fearing association, Qian spilled all he knew. "Your honor, this young lady’s name is Meng Yao. She checked in two evenings ago, room number Tian 2 at Binzhi Inn. She came from Jiangzhou to the capital to find relatives. After verifying her travel papers, I let the staff assist her with lodging. There shouldn’t be any problem."

Jiangzhou! Jiang Yao was from Jiangzhou!

Jiang Rui, excited, thought that perhaps going to Jiangzhou could lead her to her biological parents.

"Shopkeeper Qian, did Miss Meng Yao pay her room fees?" Jiang Rui asked.

Qian answered honestly, "Yes, she paid upfront for ten days and tipped the staff generously."

Jiang Rui queried further, "So, would you say Miss Meng is from a poor farming family?"

"Impossible," Qian denied immediately. "Her clothes and jewelry couldn’t cost less than a hundred taels of silver. How could a poor farmer afford that?"

"Indeed," added Li Qingxue, who took the opportunity to scrutinize Jiang Yao’s attire. "Her brocade alone isn’t cheap, embroidered with gold thread. What farming girl could wear such finery?"

Li Qingxue then pointed at Jiang Yao, suddenly enlightened. "I understand—you can’t afford these yourself, so you must have stolen them. No, with your cruel methods of abduction and torment, maybe you robbed silver to buy them!"

Jiang Yao frowned deeply. "Princess, be cautious with your words. Even if my family isn’t wealthy, I can earn my own living, can’t I?"

"May I ask, Miss Meng Yao, what is your occupation? How much silver have you earned? Shall we have Prefect Cui investigate?" Jiang Rui asked.

Jiang Yao pursed her lips, then softened her tone. "These clothes and jewelry were gifts from friends. Isn’t that acceptable?"

"It is, but your inconsistent statements are suspicious," Jiang Rui responded.

Turning to Cui Huaiyuan, Jiang Rui knelt. "Your honor, this woman’s behavior is suspicious and her identity unclear. If she roams freely in the capital, she could threaten others. Please order a thorough investigation."

Li Qingxue nodded approvingly. "I concur. If you release her and unrest follows, the fault will be yours."

Cui Huaiyuan felt cornered. He didn’t want to bear such blame lightly, and since Jiang Yao was indeed suspicious, verifying her identity wouldn’t be difficult.

"Then Miss Jiang Yao—no, Miss Meng Yao—will remain here in the prefecture until her identity is confirmed."

"No! Yao cannot stay here," Lady Shen pleaded, shaking the Marquis of Anle’s arm. "Marquis, please find a way!"

The Marquis, irritated, brushed her hand aside. "Enough. Stop embarrassing yourself."

He glanced at Jiang Yao, then bowed to Cui Huaiyuan.

"Prefect Cui, my daughter is inexperienced and not eloquent; please forgive her. But she is far from suspicious. Madam and I long for our daughter’s return, and since she just rejoined our household, it’s inconvenient for her to stay elsewhere..."

Cui Huaiyuan understood immediately. "I see. Marquis Jiang is willing to guarantee her. Then sign a pledge."

Shifting responsibility to the Marquis meant that if anything went wrong, it was the Marquis’s problem, not the prefecture’s.

Having dealt with many unruly nobles’ disputes, Cui knew that as long as a family member guaranteed the accused and signed a document, the matter was settled smoothly.

The Marquis hesitated. He had only just recognized Jiang Yao today. Though her potential benefits were tempting, if she truly was problematic, his household would be implicated.

"Prefect Cui, as she lives in the Marquis’s mansion, is a pledge really necessary?" he asked, glaring at Jiang Yao and pulling her from behind Lady Shen.

"Yao, you must be honest and clear with the Prefect and the Princess. Don’t be vague and arouse suspicion."

Jiang Yao bit her lip, a flicker of cold resolve in her eyes. She did not wish to reveal her identity, but given the circumstances, she had no choice.

Softening her voice, she began, "Actually, I am not short of silver. My clothes and jewelry were bought with my own money because my adoptive mother runs a business. We’ve lived comfortably for years. I have no need to steal or rob."

"So you admit your earlier claims of poverty and hardship were lies?" Jiang Rui challenged.

Shaking her head awkwardly, Jiang Yao replied, "Not lies exactly. When I was young, my family was poor. My adoptive mother, my brother, and I farmed a few years in the village. Later, our situation improved."

"So your birth mother treated you well, feeding and clothing you in silks and jewels?" Jiang Rui stared at her, hatred filling her eyes. "Then you truly have a black heart—lying to slander me and forcing me into servitude. What do you really want?"