Chapter 34: Releasing the Prisoner

Registrar Huang walked out of the side hall, beaming with satisfaction, and entered another room to meet Gu Liancheng, the head of the Gu family. "Master Gu, everything has been settled. I shall charge Jiang Han with attempted murder!"

Gu Liancheng, exuding an air of nobility, cupped his hands and smiled. "I am much obliged for your efforts, Registrar Huang! ...I have recently acquired a tin of fine tea, and knowing you are a man of refined taste, I thought it only fitting to bring it for you to sample."

"Master Gu, you are far too kind," Registrar Huang said, his eyes brightening as he cheerfully accepted the tea.

Gu Liancheng wore a thin smile, but inwardly, he sneered at the thought of that young upstart, Jiang Han. *A mere pup daring to lay a hand on my son, Ting'er? Once you are behind bars, your fate will be mine to decide.* As for the "Dark Fragrance Dew," he would seize the opportunity to obtain it and present it to the Yin family.

...

Magistrate Pang was sitting at his desk sipping tea when Constable Wang rushed in, flustered. "My Lord!"

"What has happened? Why are you in such a state?" Magistrate Pang frowned, his voice dropping to a stern reprimand.

"My Lord, Scholar Zhongli You has arrived at the yamen and demands to see you!" the constable reported.

Magistrate Pang swallowed hard and set his teacup back on the desk. "What business does the great scholar have at the yamen?"

"My Lord... how would I dare to ask him?" the constable replied helplessly.

"Quick, take me to see Master Zhongli." The magistrate furrowed his brow and stood up in a hurry.

"Master Zhongli, to what do I owe the honor of your visit to the county office?" Magistrate Pang was a man of some standing, but the man before him was a scholar of world-renowned fame, demanding the utmost respect. Although Zhongli You had long since retired, he had once been the head of the White Deer Academy and a high official in Yangzhou. His influence was vast, and his students were everywhere; he was not a man to be offended.

Zhongli You spoke calmly: "I have a young friend named Jiang Han. I understand he has been detained by your officers due to some misunderstanding. I would appreciate it if Magistrate Pang would see fit to release him."

Magistrate Pang’s heart skipped a beat. *He really did come for Jiang Han? And he called him a 'young friend' at that!* That damned Registrar Huang! He had insisted that the relationship between Jiang Han and Zhongli You was nothing special and that the scholar would never come to the yamen for him. *Is this what he calls 'nothing special'?* The magistrate could have throttled the Registrar for such treacherous, ill-conceived advice.

"Master Zhongli, please wait a moment. I have only just learned of this matter; I shall send someone to investigate at once," the magistrate said, hastily distancing himself from the affair.

Before he could dispatch anyone to find Registrar Huang, a bailiff ran in, panic-stricken. "My Lord! The famous performer Meng Hongshang has arrived and wishes to see you!"

"What? Who?"

"Meng Hongshang, the world-renowned dancer."

"Hiss!"

Magistrate Pang gasped. Meng Hongshang? She was not merely a dancer; she was a legendary woman known as the Sword Saint! Countless nobles and aristocrats had spent fortunes just to invite her to perform a sword dance. It was even rumored that a high-ranking academician had knelt before her to learn her swordsmanship. What could she possibly want with him?

"Quickly, show her in," the magistrate commanded.

Moments later, Meng Hongshang entered the main hall. She glanced at Zhongli You, looking slightly surprised for a moment, before turning her gaze to Magistrate Pang. "Magistrate Pang, a disciple of mine was detained by your yamen today without cause. If there is no serious matter, I ask that you release him."

Magistrate Pang’s heart sank further. "You mean..."

"Jiang Han," Meng Hongshang stated.

*Jiang Han? Why is it always him?* A great scholar calls him a friend, and he is a disciple of Meng Hongshang? Magistrate Pang was struck with terror. He could not afford to offend either of them. Though they were not in office, they held immense influence among the political elite. It seemed the Jiang family was on the verge of rising.

"Call Registrar Huang to me at once!" the magistrate barked.

Registrar Huang, who had been preparing to interrogate Jiang Han, was startled to be summoned to the main hall. "My Lord, what is the matter?"

"What is the status of the Jiang Han case?" the magistrate demanded.

*Wasn't it already decided that we would charge him with attempted murder? Why ask again?* The Registrar was confused. "Jiang Han and Wu Wenhua attempted to murder Master Gu Ting at the Minghuang Tea House. The constable arrived just in time to stop them... My Lord, is something wrong?"

Magistrate Pang spoke with righteous indignation. "The yamen stands for justice and integrity! How can you judge a case based on personal speculation? How many people were with Jiang Han and Wu Wenhua? How many were with Gu Ting? It is clear that Jiang Han and Wu Wenhua were merely having tea when Gu Ting started a disturbance, provoked them with his words, and ordered his servants to attack. Jiang Han acted in self-defense and accidentally injured Gu Ting!"

The Registrar was stunned, stammering, "But... Jiang Han kicked Gu Ting in the head several times. How could that be an accident?"

Magistrate Pang stood tall and stern. "Gu Ting used his head to collide with Jiang Han’s foot. Is that so difficult to understand? By law, Jiang Han is innocent! How could you throw him in a dungeon? Registrar Huang, you have served for years, yet you are so biased and blind. Do you not see the 'Justice and Integrity' plaque above our doors? To judge a case without a thorough investigation—where is the justice in that? Go and release him at once!"

A cold sweat drenched the Registrar. "Yes, yes, you are right, my Lord. It was my folly. I shall release them immediately."

"Go! And warn Gu Ting not to cause any more trouble."

"Yes, my Lord."

...

In the cell, Jiang Han and Wu Wenhua sat together. Wu Wenhua looked dejected, his voice muffled as he said, "Young Master, I shall take the blame for everything!"

Jiang Han replied, "If you are imprisoned, what will happen to your sister?"

A look of sorrow crossed the giant’s face. "Could you... could you please look after my sister? Once I am out of prison, I will serve you as a beast of burden for the rest of my life."

Jiang Han tried to pat the giant’s shoulder but couldn't reach, so he patted his arm instead. "Don't worry, we will get out of here safely."

The giant sat on the floor, sighing heavily. At that moment, Registrar Huang appeared at the cell door. Wu Wenhua tensed up, expecting the interrogation to begin.

"Young Master Jiang, the yamen has made a mistake. You are free to go," the Registrar said, unlocking the door with a sycophantic smile. He had realized during his walk that if the magistrate had berated him so fiercely to release the prisoner, Jiang Han must have an enormous background. The three hundred taels of silver from the Gu family would have to be forfeited.

Jiang Han smiled; it was faster than he had expected. He had anticipated waiting a day or two.

"Wait, what about him?" Jiang Han pointed to Wu Wenhua.

"...He is to be released as well."

Wu Wenhua stood there, utterly bewildered.