Ger, So Proud

Chapter 110

Evening, county jail.

“This is how things stand. My brother-in-law suspects that Li Deming is doing everything possible to pin the charge of attempted murder on both our families. His ultimate goal is likely to take control of this county.”

“To replace County Magistrate Zhou?”

“Most likely,” Luo Zhanming frowned deeply. “Currently, if my brother-in-law withdraws from this case, given Li Deming’s status as an official, he can legitimately take over the proceedings. My brother-in-law won’t be able to refuse. But if that happens…”

“Li Deming’s scheming will come to nothing, and his rage will be unleashed on our families. After all, the Luo family is prominent, and County Magistrate Zhou is also from your brother-in-law’s family,” He Ze’s expression was cold, and the unspoken words were understood by both.

“If my brother-in-law insists on handling this case himself, with Li Deming pressuring him or manipulating the situation with the Inspection Division, it’s essentially a dead end!” Luo Zhanming slumped down disheartened, hands holding his face.

At this point, what should they do?

He Ze hadn’t expected things to escalate to this point. During his days in confinement, he hadn’t worried much; at most, he felt angry for causing concern to his family.

County Magistrate Zhou was known for his talent, and Luo Zhanming, experienced in business, wasn’t a pushover. With both of them, it wouldn’t be difficult to resolve this issue peacefully. Therefore, these days he had stayed quietly in his cell, refraining from any action. However, now it seemed that doing nothing might not be an option anymore.

So, what should they do?

“In the end, all this started because of me…”

“Brother Ze, don’t bring this up again. If blame is to be placed, my father will definitely not let me be here.”

“I know. Besides, dwelling on this won’t help. Can you help me bring County Magistrate Zhou here tonight?”

“Do you have a plan? What plan?”

“It still needs to be considered.”

He Ze didn’t reply, and Luo Zhanming didn’t press further. At this moment, all they could do was hope that his plan would work and resolve this seemingly unsolvable situation.

“Brother Lin is still outside. I’ll go and call him in for you.”

“You haven’t told him about this matter yet, have you?” He Ze, who was calm just moments ago, suddenly sounded flustered. He had just managed to soothe Lin Yu not long ago!

“Brother Ze, isn’t it too late to ask that now? Although I haven’t said anything, with rumors flying around and the situation tense, Brother Lin probably has guessed something.”

He Ze had a grasp of the situation. However, what surprised him was that when Lin Yu came in, he didn’t ask anything but simply watched as He Ze finished the cakes in the food box.

“You made these,” He Ze stated confidently.

Lin Yu smiled warmly at him.

“Dad doesn’t like to add green onions when making dough, but a hint of onion fragrance actually makes it more delicious.”

“I learned from Dad,” Lin Yu handed him the water kettle.

After taking a few sips, He Ze gently touched Lin Yu’s belly. He was only a little over two months pregnant, so his belly wasn’t showing much. “Is the baby giving you trouble?”

“No, he’s much better behaved than you,” Lin Yu shook his head, his face filled with maternal joy. “He was restless for a few days, but now he’s eating well. I’ve been having to eat two big bowls per meal these days, but I still get hungry quickly.”

“It’s alright. Eating more means the baby is healthy,” He Ze said with a smile, but quickly added, “Still, let’s ask Uncle Xu about this and Dad too. If you want to eat something, let Dad make it for you.”

Giving birth was a matter of life and death. If anything went wrong with Lin Yu, he couldn’t bear to think about it. Sometimes he even thought, maybe they shouldn’t have the baby. But after thinking about it, he silently apologized to the baby in his heart. He loved this child, and Lin Yu did too. They were his two lives’ extravagance.

“Good boy, grow well in Dad’s belly. After you come out, Father will take you to play.”

He Ze leaned his ear against Lin Yu’s belly, but didn’t hear anything. Still, he was happy.

“Are you silly? I asked Uncle Xu already. We won’t hear any news for at least another two months.”

“It’s alright. I’ll wait patiently,” He Ze sat up straight, “These days have been hard on you…”

“When are you coming home?”

“It’s a matter of these two days—”

“I trust you,” Lin Yu interrupted him, gently stroking her belly. “No matter what happens, I trust you. Just tell me, when can you come home?”

“Maybe in another half… or a full month?” From Qiongchuan to the capital, with horses galloping fast, it would take at least a month round trip. He Ze already had a plan in mind and continued, “Don’t worry. By then, I’ll definitely be able to return and come back in style.”

Lin Yu didn’t understand what He Ze was planning, he could only look at him with confusion.

“You’ll know tonight. Eat well and rest well. Since you trust me, leave everything to me. Don’t forget, your husband is capable.”

After finally soothing his wife during his pregnancy, He Ze quietly awaited the arrival of Zhou Wen.

Around the hour of 9 in the evening, Zhou Wen opened the prison door with his attendant. It was midsummer, and the sky was just turning dark, indicating Zhou Wen’s urgency.

“Could you let Master Liu go out first?” He Ze spoke directly. The next words were meant for Zhou Wen’s ears only.

“Yangji——”

Liu Yangji glanced at Zhou Wen and respectfully retreated.

“Zhanming said you have a plan?”

“I do, and I don’t.”

“What do you mean by that?” Zhou Wen stood with his hands behind his back, his words tinged with anger.

“Don’t worry, sir. Earlier, I heard from Zhanming that Li Deming’s intention this time is aimed at your position.”

“So what if it is? The yamen received news during the day, and Li Deming dispatched his subordinates, heading towards the county town. Most likely, he’s coming for me. Li Deming is insignificant in the court. His chance to become an inspector was rare due to his qualifications, and further advancement is impossible. But if he wants influence, and there’s no one to support him in court, my position here is his best choice.”

Zhou Wen was born lowly, with no friends in the court. Even their generation’s chief examiner, whom he could address as a teacher, had long retired due to illness. He was truly alone. He was just a county magistrate, and Qiongchuan was impoverished and remote, otherwise someone would have coveted his position long ago.

But what Zhou Wen didn’t expect was that Li Deming’s interest lay precisely in Qiongchuan’s remoteness. He had long tired of bowing his head in the capital, living a life where he wasn’t even considered worthy of being a dog. He had his heart set on becoming the little emperor of Qiongchuan.

Zhou Wen sighed, perhaps feeling conflicted. He patiently explained to He Ze.

“Sir, Li Deming is ruthless, and I don’t have a way out. If we continue to deal with him like this, Li Deming won’t hesitate to take Wang Fucheng’s life to achieve his goals. It will only add fuel to the fire.”

“So what should we do? Did Zhanming invite me here just to hear these useless words?”

“Of course not. I just want you to see the reality clearly.” He Ze muttered to himself, no longer beating around the bush. “We can’t break through, so let’s set up another trap, a bigger and more unsolvable one. With Li Deming’s status, he doesn’t even qualify to participate in this trap. It depends on whether you, sir, are willing to gamble with me. If we win, we gain rank and honor, and we’ll be indispensable in the emperor’s heart.”

“What kind of gamble? And what if I lose?” Zhou Wen listened, increasingly confused and losing patience.

“Auspicious signs.”

“Auspicious signs?”

Zhou Wen was not unfamiliar with this term. Throughout dynasties, emperors who aimed to be wise and leave a legacy often liked to manifest ‘auspicious signs’ to signify divine blessings and the eternal stability of their dynasty. Although the current emperor had only been on the throne for a few years and had yet to witness any ‘auspicious signs’, several had occurred during the reign of the previous emperor.

“You’re—simply being ridiculous!” An ordinary country boy, where did he get the audacity to contemplate such a daring move, to deceive the world with a fabricated ‘auspicious sign’!

This ‘auspicious sign’ was merely a trick to fool the ignorant populace. Those who emulated the emperor sought favor by feigning these signs, but it was not just about words—it required the right timing, conditions, and people. Even a slight mistake could lead to the crime of exterminating one’s family!

Zhou Wen was utterly stunned. In all his years in office, he had never thought to stir up trouble, yet the people under his jurisdiction had apparently taken leave of their senses.

“I think you’ve gone mad. I will pretend you never said this, and I never heard it. As for the case, rest assured, as the county magistrate, it is my duty to restore your innocence, and I will do my best. But if… don’t blame me.”

With that, Zhou Wen was about to turn and leave.

“Lord Zhou, wait. If fake auspicious signs won’t work, what about real ones? What if there’s a true auspicious sign that can extend life and rejuvenate? Wouldn’t that be something?”

Before Zhou Wen could stop, a clump of wild grass suddenly blocked his way, swaying as if greeting him, which startled him.

When he turned around, the wild grass also retreated, leaving only its straight roots.

“Where did this tall grass come from? It wasn’t there just now!”

“It’s just a bit of Taoist artistry. You might not know, sir, but around this time last year, I encountered a life-threatening disaster and lay in bed for over a month before recovering. But perhaps it was a blessing in disguise. A divine being came to me in a dream and taught me this technique. So this auspicious sign will only be a true one. If it meets the emperor’s gaze, it’s a small matter for you to gain rank and honor.”

He Ze spoke half-truthfully and half-fraudulently.

He anticipated that if he couldn’t increase his bargaining chips, the consequences of this ‘auspicious sign’ trap would be enough to make Zhou Wen hesitate, daring to make a desperate move.

After all, Zhou Wen was a rootless duckweed. He wasn’t afraid of what he might do, but he couldn’t do anything.

Bending over, He Ze pulled the clump of wild grass out. Its roots were still fresh with soil.

“This…”

He had already been frightened enough tonight! Zhou Wen told himself that ghosts and gods were all nonsense; he was a scholar! But the practices of the Taoists… Although ‘auspicious signs’ were mostly fake, there were Taoists in the Qintian Observatory reading the heavens for the emperor! In previous dynasties, there were Taoists who were national teachers, famous Taoist experts revered across the land, and even imperial relatives had to treat them with respect.

“The late emperor lived long, and although the current emperor has only been on the throne for a few years, he has reached the age of knowing destiny. Add to that his childhood frailty and the constant illness in recent years. If a true ‘auspicious sign’ appears that can extend life and rejuvenate…”

He Ze crouched down again, stroking another clump of weeds by his feet. The weeds suddenly shot up to eye level with Zhou Wen.

Zhou Wen barely suppressed his shock. “His Majesty will surely be delighted…”

“At that time, sir, your future will be limitless. What does gaining rank and honor matter? Even being ennobled and appointed as prime minister, who could say you don’t have a chance?”