Chapter 24: Case Closed

Qiu Heng was surrounded by a group of young ladies, the air thick with their fragrant scents.

"Sixth Miss Qiu, did that Lord Xue make things difficult for you?"

"Sixth Miss Qiu, I tried making a scented jade pendant following the formula you wrote that day, but the fragrance is never quite right..."

"Sixth Miss Qiu, would you like to join the Cuju Club?"

...

Not far away, Qiu Song looked on in shock. "Big brother, second brother, did you see that? Sixth Sister is amazing at Cuju!"

The goal was so high, and the ball was so small, yet she kicked it in with just one casual strike! No wonder she had handled him so decisively.

Qiu Feng remained silent, watching the young girl whose figure was partially obscured. He wondered: *Is Sixth Sister really this popular outside?*

"Second brother, third brother, do you still want to play Cuju?" Qiu Yang’s heart was also unsettled; his sister, whom he hadn't known well, had suddenly become a vivid presence.

"No thanks. We can't play as well as Sixth Sister."

As the three brothers returned to their tent, Qiu Song couldn't wait to speak up: "Grandfather, we saw Sixth Sister over there. She was incredible at Cuju; she won everyone's admiration!"

"Really?" Earl Yongqing looked toward his eldest grandson, Qiu Yang, with a smile.

"Sixth Sister is very popular," Qiu Yang replied with a smile.

Earl Yongqing let out a long sigh of relief.

He knew he hadn't misjudged that girl.

The subsequent dragon boat races were extraordinarily lively, and no further disturbances occurred.

Upon returning to the Earl's manor, Qiu Heng called out to the Third Master Qiu.

"Father, I heard from a friend today that the incense at Dafu Temple outside the city is very efficacious. I would like to go offer incense."

The Third Master Qiu agreed without hesitation. "Father will go with you."

"Thank you, Father."

The next day, while the Third Master Qiu rode his horse, Qiu Heng traveled by carriage accompanied by Fang Zhou, Qing Luo, and her wet nurse, Mother Wang, toward Dafu Temple.

Qing Luo was one of the maids assigned to the Cold Fragrance Residence, and they had grown familiar with each other over these past days.

Throughout the journey, the carriage curtains were rarely drawn, as Qiu Heng watched the scenery with great interest.

Mother Wang had put on some weight recently, and her heart had grown even softer. Watching Qiu Heng, she felt a pang of heartache: *The young lady has truly suffered all these years in the countryside in the south; she hasn't even visited many places in the capital.*

Dafu Temple was bustling with worshippers, and the attendant monks were very attentive. The group stayed at the temple to have a vegetarian meal and continued their sightseeing.

The temple was built on a mountain, offering breathtaking scenery. Seeing his daughter so captivated, the Third Master Qiu accompanied her happily. As it grew late and they could not return to the city, they decided to stay the night at the temple.

The group did not return to the manor until near noon the following day.

Upon hearing this, the Old Madam was so angry she gulped down a pot of cold tea.

In the past, it was only her youngest son running off to drink alone; now, it was a father and daughter running off to play wildly together. What was the point of her exempting the sixth girl from morning greetings?

But thinking of the girl's eccentric nature, the Old Madam couldn't help but feel a sense of unease, so she could only try to ignore it for her own peace of mind.

*Anyway, the Earl said he would handle the sixth girl's affairs. If she causes trouble, let the Earl worry about it—* the old lady thought petulantly.

A few days later, Han Ziheng's case was brought back to court.

In the courtroom, Qiu Heng saw a piece of testimony bearing a handprint; it was the testimony of a presiding physician from Suiyun County.

From the capital to Suiyun County, though the journey by carriage was slow, urgent letters did not take long to arrive.

Qiu Heng held the testimony, remaining silent for a long time.

"Has Sixth Miss Qiu seen enough?" the Prefect of Jingtian asked.

"I have seen enough."

"This testimony was investigated by the local government, and the physician signed and thumbprinted it in person. If Sixth Miss Qiu still has objections, we can summon that physician to the capital," the Prefect said in a relatively mild tone.

However, Qiu Heng's heart was cold. She lowered her eyes, masking her emotions. "This daughter has no objections."

Hearing this, the Prefect breathed a sigh of relief and glanced at Han Wu, the Commander of the Palace Guards.

Han Wu also breathed a sigh of relief.

Although the outcome would not change, if the Qiu girl insisted on seeing the testifying physician, her son would have to spend even more time in prison.

The girl was quite sensible.

Qiu Heng indeed did not want to waste any more effort, so she silently listened to the sentencing of Han Ziheng.

"Han Ziheng rode his horse and struck Qiu Heng's foster father, causing death. Because he was in physical discomfort and in haste to seek medical attention, he was acting with urgent private or public business. According to the law, he shall be judged for negligent injury with mitigating circumstances. Since Han Ziheng did not ride his horse in a crowded market, he is permitted to redeem his sentence through payment..."

Redemption meant paying a fine to the victim to waive other punishments.

"I am willing to pay one thousand taels of silver to redeem my son's crime," Han Wu declared loudly.

One thousand taels of silver in exchange for the life of an ordinary citizen—this fine was incredibly high. But for the Han family, compared to sparing Han Ziheng from physical suffering, a thousand taels was insignificant.

The Prefect of Jingtian looked down at the young girl. "What does Sixth Miss Qiu think?"

"This daughter has no opinion."

*A thousand taels of silver to buy my father's life... these people probably think I've made a profit.*

Qiu Heng wanted to laugh.

But she did not. She merely watched expressionlessly as Han Wu produced the pre-prepared banknotes, handed them to her, and led his precious son away with great arrogance.

Even as Han Ziheng left, he flashed her a smile.

Such arrogance and smugness made the Third Master Qiu want to rush forward and swing his fists.

"Is there anywhere Heng'er wants to go? Father will take you," the Third Master Qiu asked cautiously.

*He was already so angry; how much must Heng'er be hurting inside?*

Qiu Heng forced a smile. "Father, please take me to Dafu Temple once more. I wish to light eternal lamps for Mother and my foster parents."

"Alright, we shall go today."

To the Third Master Qiu, as long as his daughter was willing to make requests, he would agree instantly.

After returning home to bathe and change, Han Ziheng appeared in the pleasure quarters that very evening.

Several friends were celebrating his release and had specifically brought fine wine.

After a few cups, one of them asked, "Ziheng, are you just going to let this go?"

Han Ziheng sneered. "Let it go? How is that possible!"

"Then what do you plan to do? If you need your brothers, just say the word."

"Let's get through this period first. On the Dragon Boat Festival, when Cui Er was looking for trouble with that little wench Cui Er Xun, didn't he attract Xue Han? That dog may be of lowly birth, but he's a man with nothing to lose. There's no need to be bitten by a mad dog."

As Han Ziheng spoke, he raised his cup toward the youth in blue. "Cui Er, thanks."

The youth in blue—the dandy who had kicked the ball toward Qiu Heng—clinked glasses with Han Ziheng. As he drank, he somehow thought of the girl's words from that day.

She hadn't even been angry when he had targeted her intentionally; she had simply said earnestly, *'Then please don't do that again in the future.'*

She was a very well-behaved girl. To have gone so far as to sue Han Ziheng, she must have been truly heartbroken.

"Cui Er, what are you thinking about?" Han Ziheng patted him on the shoulder.

Cui Er snapped out of it and continued drinking and laughing with his friends, but his spirits failed to lift.

When the banquet ended, Han Ziheng was still in high spirits. He ordered his servants not to return to the manor and headed straight for the Xiangsha River.

Along the banks of the Xiangsha River, rows of small buildings rose up, brightly lit.

Han Ziheng entered a small building he frequented with practiced ease, and the madam greeted him with a face full of smiles.

"It has been a long time, Young Master Han. Have you come to see Han Fang?"

Han Ziheng let out a drunken hiccup. "Not Han Fang. Tell Zhilan to accompany me."

Zhilan had only been at the establishment for a few months, but her popularity was already rivaling that of the top courtesan, Han Fang.