"What?" Zhan Feiyu put down his brush, looking at He Sheng, who was reporting the news, in surprise. "The letter was delivered late?"
Before, Zhan Feiyu had been worried that Jiao Lianping and the others would be blamed by their elders after returning home. After coming back, Zhan Feiyu wrote a letter for He Sheng to deliver, along with a small gift, as thanks for Jiao Lianping and the others' hospitality. After all, the meal at Yipin Tower at noon was indeed paid for by Jiao Lianping.
"The letter was delivered, but it was intercepted by the Jiao family." The Imperial Guards had well-informed sources. Even though less than half an hour had passed since the incident at the Jiao mansion, the cause and effect had already been investigated.
"A Nuan, do we still have scar removal ointment here?" Zhan Feiyu stood up. No matter what, Jiao Lianping had suffered an undeserved disaster. Especially if his face was scarred, it would mean the end of his official career.
"There's still one bottle of the previous Yu Ning Gao."
...
In less than fifteen minutes, the room was filled with people. It was estimated that the doctor was examining Jiao Lianping. Madam Chen was holding the child and wiping her tears, both mother and son suppressing their sobs and whimpering softly.
Madam Jiao sat aside with an unpleasant expression, her hands hidden in her sleeves clenched tightly into fists, finally suppressing the anger in her chest.
But looking at her son, who had been beaten into a bloody mess, and then at Jiao Lianyu, who was standing behind Prefect Jiao, feigning innocence, a fierce glint flashed in Madam Jiao's eyes. She should not have been soft-hearted back then and should not have let this little beast go for the sake of the Jiao family. Otherwise, Ping'er would not have suffered such great misfortune today.
Prefect Jiao stood with his hands behind his back. After calming down, he felt a bit regretful. No matter how angry he was, he should not have lost his composure. If his face was scarred...
"Doctor Luo?" Seeing Doctor Luo stand up, Chen An asked anxiously, looking at her husband, who had fainted from the pain, with worry and heartache.
Prefect Jiao and Madam Jiao looked over with concern. No matter how useless Jiao Lianping was, he was still their son, the eldest son of the Jiao family, and they had once placed great hopes on him.
"Your Honor need not worry. Although the eldest young master has suffered, it is only a flesh wound," Doctor Luo said confidently. Seeing that Prefect Jiao's expression remained heavy, he continued, "As for this wound on his cheek, it is a bit deep. However, as long as a good scar removal medicine is found, there will be no obvious scars left in the future."
Upon hearing this, Prefect Jiao and the others finally relaxed. As long as there were no scars, he could still pursue an official career.
Jiao Lianping's handsome face also showed a look of joy, but he secretly regretted in his heart that his elder brother's luck was truly good to have escaped this calamity. Otherwise, the Jiao family would have been completely estranged from his elder brother from now on. An eldest son who could not pursue an official career would at most manage the family's household affairs in the future.
"Doctor Luo, please write the prescription. Tell me what medicinal herbs are needed. If we don't have them in the storeroom, we will purchase them at great expense." Madam Jiao spoke again, signaling Chen An, her daughter-in-law, to take good care of her son. As for today's matter, Madam Jiao glanced coldly at Prefect Jiao. What was the use of worrying now? If he had considered Ping'er as his son, he would not have been so heavy-handed.
Doctor Luo handed over the prescription he had written. "Madam, please rest assured. However, the eldest young master is seriously injured. We must pay close attention to him at night. If he develops a fever, this medicine must be administered immediately."
"Mother, I will stay in the room tonight and have the medicine brewed in the courtyard." Chen Shi wiped away her tears. She was determined to stay here tonight.
Perhaps still worried about Jiao Lianping's injuries worsening at night, Doctor Luo temporarily stayed at the Jiao mansion. Generally, if he could get through tonight, there would be no danger.
...
A quarter of an hour later, in the front courtyard.
Chen Shi stayed in the backyard to take care of the unconscious Jiao Lianping. Madam Jiao had all the servants retreat outside the courtyard to guard before she coldly questioned, "My lord, I am already at the age of knowing my destiny. Ping'er is my life. I don't know what heaven-defying and unforgivable thing he did for you to beat Ping'er to death?"
Madam Jiao, due to her advanced age, had a wrinkled face that appeared dignified and lacked feminine softness. Her manner of demanding an explanation made it clear that she and Prefect Jiao had little marital affection left.
Before Prefect Jiao could speak, Madam Jiao glanced at Jiao Lianyu, who was standing beside him, and sneered, "Even if Ping'er committed murder, arson, and disregarded human life, there are still the laws of the land. Aren't you using family law, my lord, or are you trying to beat him to death to silence him?"
"Madam, speak with caution!" Prefect Jiao had to speak. From Madam Jiao's refusal to let Lianyu leave, Prefect Jiao knew that she not only blamed him but also harbored resentment towards Lianyu. Such scenes were not uncommon in the Jiao family.
"My son is about to be beaten to death, what can I not say?" Her voice suddenly sharpened. Madam Jiao grabbed the teacup on the table and hurled it fiercely at Jiao Lianyu, hysterically questioning, "Jiao Lianyu, how dare you say that Ping'er did not instigate this disaster?"
Jiao Lianyu lowered his head to beg for forgiveness. He did not dodge when the cup was thrown at him. Now his robe was wet with tea, and the white brocade robe was stained with tea leaves, making him look somewhat disheveled. "Mother, please calm your anger."
"Enough, this matter has nothing to do with Lianyu. It was that unfilial son who acted recklessly!" Prefect Jiao's expression darkened again when he thought of what Jiao Lianping had done. If he hadn't been so enraged, he wouldn't have lost his reason.
Fearing that Madam Jiao would really blame Jiao Lianyu, Prefect Jiao had to tell her about Jiao Lianping going to the tavern with a group of young masters to see Zhan Feiyu, and bringing a courtesan with him.
"Madam, that is a disciple of Scholar Gu. Lord Qiu treats him as an equal. Lianping actually brought a courtesan to see that precious young lady. Scholar Gu is far away in the capital. If Lord Qiu finds out, how will he let Lianping off?" Prefect Jiao sat down on the chair with a look of exhaustion.
There were already many matters in the prefectural office, and Cai Zhiyuan and his twelve personal guards were still imprisoned. The entire Qianzhong Prefecture was in turmoil, and yet Jiao Lianping had caused trouble at this critical juncture. It was no wonder Prefect Jiao was enraged.
As the mistress of the Jiao family, Madam Jiao had dealt with the wives of officials in the inner courtyard for many years. She naturally understood the meaning of Prefect Jiao's words.
This matter, viewed from a small perspective, was Jiao Lianping's lack of manners. Viewed from a larger perspective, it was his insult to Zhan Feiyu, equating her to a prostitute. If this young lady was strong-willed, she might even have committed suicide.
Moreover, whether it was due to doting on their own daughters or to protect the family's reputation, the young lady's elders would definitely pursue the matter to the end. Otherwise, if it got out that your daughter associated with prostitutes, then all the unmarried girls in the family would have to shave their heads and become nuns, and those who were married would be disdained by their husbands' families. Even if they were not divorced, it would be close.
Prefect Jiao looked at Madam Jiao, who had finally calmed down, and sighed, "I was also confused by my anger."
A higher official can crush a lower official! Lord Qiu was a high-ranking official, a second-rank official. To deal with Prefect Jiao, a fourth-rank prefect, was truly a matter of a single word.
What's more, Prefect Jiao had specifically instructed Jiao Lianping to restrain himself during this period and to be careful with the business of Zhenwei Xuan. Yet, he had done such a thing. Prefect Jiao had the urge to kill him.
"My lord's news is indeed very well-informed. Someone specifically went to the yamen to inform my lord about something that happened at noon." Madam Jiao also knew that Jiao Lianping deserved the beating!
Prefect Jiao's severe beating also served as an explanation to Lord Qiu. Otherwise, as long as Lord Qiu suppressed it, Jiao Lianping would not only be unable to pursue an official career but even if he became the top scholar, he probably wouldn't be able to hold office.
Jiao Lianyu still lowered his head, not defending himself against his stepmother's accusation.
Prefect Jiao looked at his wife, whose face was filled with coldness. He also knew that ever since he decided to groom the concubine's son Lianyu as the heir of the Jiao family, his wife had been dissatisfied. They had been in constant conflict, causing unrest in the household.
But this time, Prefect Jiao had to speak up to defend his second son. "Madam, you have wronged Lianyu. If it weren't for Investigator Wei's leave of absence, I wouldn't have known about this matter so quickly."
Lord Wei had also taken leave to go home and beat his wayward son, as the young master Wei had gone to the tavern with Jiao Lianping and the others at noon.
Normally, it was fine for these young masters to eat, drink, and carouse with courtesans, but when Zhan Feiyu was involved, it was different. Lord Wei was a hot-tempered person, and it was estimated that young master Wei was also lying on the bed, unable to get up, after being beaten.
Madam Jiao sneered, her face showing undisguised mockery. Her husband was a good official and handled the yamen's affairs with ease.