Chapter Nine: Cleaning Up the Mess

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Inside a jail cell near the skylight of the county prison.

Su Xigui sat leisurely on a rattan chair, humming a tune, nodding his head as he sipped tea.

“Master, you should know when to stop. If you make a big fuss, aren’t you afraid of ruining our son-in-law’s reputation?” The accountant and a few attendants nearby urged the master to stop while he could.

Su Xigui smiled and said, “You’re afraid? There are others even more afraid than you… Do you think the local magistrates and prefects here don’t want to advance their careers? I insist on staying put, not because I’m worried about losing face and needing to make up for it, but to calculate clearly how much this face—or rather, my brother-in-law’s reputation—is worth. If you don’t know how to adapt to circumstances in business, how can you prosper?”

Having drunk several cups of tea, just as he was about to have someone bring a chamber pot for relief, he suddenly heard footsteps approaching. Thinking it was Magistrate Shen returning, he immediately straightened himself.

But it was an elderly lady, strolling in as if wandering her own garden, who entered the cell.

Su Xigui, a man of some stature, rose and went to the cell door, eyeing the gracefully poised old lady before him with confusion. “Madam, you are…?”

Zhu Jiashi nodded, “I am the wife of the hereditary commander Zhu Mingshan of the Embroidered Uniform Guard. Earlier, it was my son who reported those smuggling private salt to the authorities.”

Su Xigui’s expression immediately turned sour. He sneered, “Oh, the son made a mistake, and the old lady comes out to clean up the mess?”

With that, he returned to the desk and poured himself another cup of tea, but was soon overcome by a strong urge to relieve himself and paused.

Zhu Jiashi said nothing but glanced back at Deputy Magistrate Song, asking, “May I speak privately with Master Su?”

“This…”

Before Su Xigui could respond, Deputy Song hurried to comply, sending the jailers away and escorting the accountant and others who were imprisoned with Su out.

Soon, only Zhu Jiashi and Su Xigui remained in the cell.

“Madam, let’s be frank. If it’s apologies and reparations you want, better to avoid them if you can. Without a proper explanation, I won’t be leaving here,” Su Xigui said coldly, showing no interest in a cordial talk.

Zhu Jiashi calmly sat on a bench nearby and said lightly, “Master Su, you won’t even grant the Zhu family its due face?”

Su Xigui thought she had come to soften and admit fault, but the old lady immediately assumed a domineering posture, which only puzzled him more and stoked his competitive spirit.

“Hmph.”

If even the magistrate comes to request me, I don’t go out.

And you dare threaten me?

The Embroidered Uniform Guard so impressive?

Here in Huguang, can you be mightier than the provincial command?

Zhu Jiashi said, “Our Zhu family has been settled in Anlu since the seventh year of the Hongzhi era, now twenty years. My eldest son currently serves as deputy commander at the Northern Metropolitan Supervision Office in the capital.”

Su Xigui frowned, “Madam, that’s rather irrelevant.”

“Master Su, what nonsense is that? I merely wish to reminisce.”

“Our family has long enjoyed imperial favor, granted the royal surname. Do you know why my husband and I did not stay in the northern or southern capitals, but came to this godforsaken place, Anlu?” Zhu Jiashi’s tone remained calm. She did not want to talk about apologies but only about her family’s history.

Su Xigui furrowed his brow. “Anlu… Prince Xing?”

“Exactly, Prince Xing’s mansion… In the late Chenghua years, a treacherous consort tried to depose the crown prince in favor of Prince Xing but failed. Shortly after the former emperor took the throne, Prince Xing was sent away to his fief. The court assigned our family to Huguang to oversee the region, a sign of the former emperor’s trust in us.”

Zhu Jiashi recounted smoothly, “The new emperor pays little mind to these past events as time passes, but the Empress Dowager never forgets, frequently inquiring by letter about any disturbances in Anlu, which our family faithfully reports. Master Su, do you expect me to ‘embellish’ the recent events for Her Majesty, making the entire court aware?”

Su Xigui flew into a rage, slamming the table and standing up. “Madam, are you threatening me?”

Zhu Jiashi said, “Master Su, there’s a saying: better offend a gentleman than a villain.”

“Pah!”

Su Xigui spat out the tea froth from his lips. “Are you saying your entire Zhu family is villainous?”

The tension in the cell was palpable.

Zhu Jiashi stood, turned as if to leave, but still spoke calmly, “The noble walk the main road, the wicked the side paths. Sometimes when the main road is blocked, people are forced down the side paths, even dead ends. What choice is there?”

Her meaning was clear.

Whether the Zhu family is villainous or not does not matter. You have forced us into a corner. Then it’s a fight to the death!

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Su Xigui gritted his teeth, saying nothing.

Zhu Jiashi walked away elegantly, her voice carrying from outside the cell, “The Zhu family never meddles in local affairs. The future of Commander Huang looks bright; surely a few rumors won’t trouble him.”

With that, she left without looking back.

...

The sun was high.

Zhu Jiashi emerged from the cell.

Deputy Song anxiously watched the cell door, eager to know what transpired. Seeing Zhu Jiashi, he hurried over, clearly seeking answers.

Zhu Jiashi waved her hand, “I take my leave. My son, let’s go.”

Zhu Wanjian was momentarily stunned but quickly followed, wary that the authorities might come back with false charges.

Deputy Song wanted to intervene but saw Su Xigui ambling slowly out of the cell.

“Mr. Su, you… you’ve finally figured it out! Our magistrate has prepared a feast to calm nerves, awaiting your attendance,” Deputy Song eagerly flattered.

Su Xigui’s face darkened as he watched Zhu Jiashi’s retreating figure and sneered, “Little Anlu, a land of hidden dragons and crouching tigers. From now on, I’ll avoid doing business here as much as possible! Hmph!”

He was not afraid of the local officials.

But if he made enemies of the Embroidered Uniform Guard, especially one who had connections above, that would be serious.

Zhu Jiashi had already made it clear—when reporting, they wouldn’t be truthful but would ‘embellish’ the story. No matter how skilled Su was in business, he wouldn’t gamble with his brother-in-law Huang Zan’s political prospects.

“Mr. Su, may I ask what Madam Zhu just said to you?” Deputy Song’s curiosity got the better of him as he accompanied Su to the rear courtyard of the county office.

Su Xigui replied irritably, “Just a friendly discussion about business. That Madam Zhu is a master strategist; I feel outmatched!”

“By the way, where’s the restroom?”

...

Zhu Jiashi left the county office accompanied by her son and Steward Liu.

She did not board the carriage, instead walking south with a stern expression, the carriage following behind.

“Mother, what did you say to that Su fellow? Are we just leaving like this? Aren’t you afraid the officials will come back to cause trouble?” Zhu Wanjian worried about possible retaliation from the government.

Zhu Jiashi glanced at him. “If the Zhu family can’t even command this much respect, how can we stand firm in Anlu? No need for more words; come with me to Third Aunt’s shop.”

Hearing this, Zhu Wanjian instantly flared up. “That woman’s trickery—providing false information—this is going to stir up a storm… This time, I swear I’ll tear her apart alive... Mother, you must avenge me!”

Zhu Jiashi ignored him, her face clouded with uncertainty.

Zhu Wanjian was still upset. “Who sent me to report to the officials yesterday? The trouble was clearly caused by your old lady, yet I have to take the blame and you show this sour face?”

They strode with murderous intent toward Zhu Niang’s rice shop.

The shop had just opened; Zhu Niang was managing accounts behind the counter. Seeing Zhu Jiashi arrive in person, she hurried to the door. “Mother, what a surprise! Daughter-in-law hasn't had time to greet you…”

Zhu Niang stepped inside first, glanced around, but instead of going to the counter, she walked to a nearby chair and sat down calmly, showing no intention to usurp authority.

“Nothing much, just came by after a visit to the county office,” Zhu Jiashi said gently.

First courtesy, then firmness.

Zhu Haoben, who had been working out salt pools suitable for drying salt in the Huguang hills, heard the commotion and came out.

It was his first time meeting the Zhu family matriarch.

At first glance, the old woman had neatly tied gray hair adorned with a plum blossom hairpin, kind eyes, a smiling mouth, and a humble yet imposing demeanor.

“Xiao Hao, come quickly and kowtow to your grandmother,” Zhu Niang called.

Zhu Hao, unwilling to kneel before a woman who had repeatedly framed his mother, hesitated. But Zhu Jiashi waved him off.

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