ARTTEDSBGT Chapter 89
After listening to the rather sorrowful story, Xiao Rulei felt extremely upset. Li Zhizhi comforted her for a long time and even bought a plate of peanut brittle for her. Only then did Xiao Rulei gradually regain her composure. While eating the candy and wiping away tears, she said with a teary voice, “The little fox is so pitiful. If only I had known, I wouldn’t have turned into a human.”
During this time, Su Qingshang had been watching from the side, with a hint of amusement in his eyes. Li Zhizhi noticed that although he appeared elegant and refined on the surface, his temperament was somewhat mischievous.
For instance, just now, Xiao Rulei liked the little fox so much, and Su Qingshang could have told a small lie to change the ending, comforting her with a few words. However, Su Qingshang didn’t do that; he even emphasized that he had listened to the story three times.
Li Zhizhi suspected that the ending where the fox was eaten was fabricated by Su Qingshang. Otherwise, why would the storyteller bother telling such a story? Wouldn’t the audience throw peanut shells at them?
At that moment, voices from nearby interrupted their conversation. Several scholars, dressed in various colored robes, were gathered, discussing something passionately. As the discussion escalated, they began arguing vehemently, faces turning red and necks thickening.
“They are talking about a case,” Su Qingshang’s voice brought Li Zhizhi back to reality. Curious, she asked, “What case?”
“It’s a manslaughter case,” Su Qingshang poured tea from the small pot on the table. His movements were unhurried as he continued, “Not far from here, in the Huai Tree Alley, there’s an old man who killed his son-in-law and was arrested by the yamen.”
Li Zhizhi questioned, “Is it possibly a wrongful case?”
“No,” Su Qingshang smiled faintly, his handsome face eliciting a favorable impression. He said, “It can’t be considered a wrongful case. The old man himself admitted to killing someone. The son-in-law is a gambler, over thirty but idle, not engaged in any productive work. Not only that, he always goes to the gambling den to gamble, and every time he loses, he goes home to beat his wife and children.”
Li Zhizhi frowned, expressing disgust, “This man deserves to die.”
Su Qingshang continued, “Over time, his wife couldn’t endure it, so she took her children back to her parents’ home. The gambler went to seek his wife, but the father-in-law blocked him at the door. He couldn’t accept this, so he pondered and climbed over the wall of the father-in-law’s house in the middle of the night. Unfortunately, the father-in-law discovered him when he went out, mistaking him for a thief, and beat him to death with a hoe. Later, it was reported to the authorities, and the official verdict was murder, resulting in a death penalty by beheading, scheduled for autumn.”
Li Zhizhi was momentarily speechless and said, “This is too…”
The few scholars were still arguing. One of them said, “He killed someone; he should pay with his life. Our dynasty’s laws are clear on this, and the official judgment is not wrong.”
Another person argued, “But there’s a reason for the incident. The old man is well into old age, with only one daughter under his knees, and she was being abused daily by her husband. Who can endure that? In my opinion, that man deserves to die!”
The person who spoke first retorted, “Brother Cao, are you accusing the authorities of making a wrong judgment? Let alone whether the man deserves to die or not, killing is wrong. For cases involving matters of life and death, the Ministry of Punishments and the authorities need to investigate thoroughly and carefully consider. Brother Cao, do you think the laws are meaningless?”
“Don’t talk nonsense!”
They argued fervently, and Su Qingshang, standing aside, listened with a hint of interest in his eyes. Seeing Li Zhizhi looking at him, he said, “Miss Li has something to say?”
Li Zhizhi said, “I see that the Second Young Master seems quite interested in this case?”
Upon hearing this, Su Qingshang smiled slightly and said, “It’s not that I’m interested, just enjoying the spectacle.”
After a moment’s pause, he continued, “As I mentioned to the young lady before, I come here when I’m bored, just to sit and listen to the tea customers chatting about daily life. Take, for example, the matter of the old man killing his son-in-law. I’ve been hearing people discuss it for days, and everyone has a different opinion, each with their own reasoning. Some say he deserved to die, while others argue that he deserved to be killed. Watching them stick to their words, arguing and debating, is quite interesting.”
Li Zhizhi thought he might genuinely be idle. She recalled that Su Tangyu had mentioned before that her second brother had poor health and had been raised in the mansion since childhood. He never ventured far, treating medicine as his daily food. When she used to see him, he seemed unapproachable, like a towering pine tree with misty clouds at its peak. Now, however, he appeared to have a touch of worldly charm.
Curious, Li Zhizhi asked, “So, what does the young master think? Who is right in their arguments?”
Su Qingshang replied calmly, “This matter isn’t about right or wrong. The old man did kill someone, and the authorities should handle it according to the law. It’s as simple as that.”
His expression remained calm, and Li Zhizhi suddenly realized that Su Qingshang wasn’t very eager to disclose his own thoughts. He seemed like a pure spectator, unwilling to easily express his stance or preferences.
Su Qingshang appeared genteel and easygoing on the surface, but there seemed to be a certain coldness within him. Compared to him, Xiao Yan seemed much more approachable.
At that moment, the sound of drums and gongs interrupted their conversation. The joyful and lively atmosphere outside caught their attention. Xiao Rulei eagerly jumped up, ran to the window, and waved to Li Zhizhi, saying, “Sister, come and take a look!”
Li Zhizhi walked over and saw a wedding procession. The groom was riding a tall horse, full of joy. The people on both sides of the street congratulated him loudly, and some even joined the procession to enjoy the festivities.
Munching on a peanut pastry, Xiao Rulei asked vaguely, “Sister, what are they doing?”
“It’s a wedding,” Li Zhizhi replied, “The one at the very front is the groom.”
Xiao Rulei lifted her tiptoes to see and sighed, “He’s riding a horse and wearing a big red flower, so majestic!”
Then, with a hint of envy, she said, “A’yang also wishes to be a groom.”
Su Qingshang walked over, took a look, and chuckled, saying, “It’s not impossible. If someone is willing to marry you, you can also be a groom.”
Xiao Rulei believed it to be true and got excited, “Really?”
Li Zhizhi: …
Before, you were reluctant, and now you are willing to make up stories to comfort her.
Li Zhizhi found that Second Young Master Su was really good at coaxing.
The storyteller in the teahouse left, Xiao Rulei was also satisfied with food and drink. Li Zhizhi then led her downstairs, and the three of them walked out. After leaving the door, they walked in silence. People were bustling on the street, lively and prosperous.
Su Qingshang suddenly said, “Miss Li, did I say something wrong just now, making you angry?”
Li Zhizhi didn’t expect him to be so sensitive, hesitated for a moment, and then said, “Second Young Master, you’re overthinking. I haven’t—”
Su Qingshang smiled slightly, pointed to his eyes, and said, “I can see.”
Li Zhizhi: …
She didn’t know how to respond for a moment, and Su Qingshang continued, “After thinking about it, perhaps it was my cautiousness in discussing the case earlier, withholding some information, that led to the misunderstanding. It’s my fault, and I apologize to the young lady.”
He spoke with sincerity, paused for a moment, and then continued in a calm tone, “In fact, I also feel that the official judgment is in accordance with the law but not in accordance with reason. The old man, though at fault, is not an evil person.”
His candor surprised Li Zhizhi, who asked, “Why didn’t Second Young Master say this earlier?”
Su Qingshang smiled and said, “Because few people have listened to me say such things. Over time, I got into the habit of not expressing my thoughts to others. I didn’t expect it to lead to a misunderstanding with the young lady.”
Since his childhood, his parents had been concerned about his frail health, not having high expectations for him. Their only hope was for him to live a peaceful life. Unlike his elder brother who had to study hard for the imperial examinations or his younger sister attending school, Su Qingshang only needed to manage his daily routines with his ailing body—waking up, eating, drinking, and sleeping.
Very few people cared about Su Qingshang’s opinions and thoughts. They even worried that simple contemplation would tire him. So, when Li Zhizhi became upset due to his avoidance, it surprised Su Qingshang.
The knot in Li Zhizhi’s heart had dissipated, and she explained to Su Qingshang, “I wasn’t angry. I just thought Second Young Master is Tang Yu’s brother. Although we don’t meet often, we can be considered friends.”
She laughed a bit, adding, “I thought I might have misunderstood and offended Second Young Master earlier. I was feeling awkward about it.”
Su Qingshang was slightly surprised, but then he smiled faintly. Although the smile was subtle, it added a touch of warmth to his clear and delicate face, reducing the paleness and adding a hint of liveliness. He said, “To be able to be friends with Miss Li, I am truly honored.”
…
In the evening, Li Zhizhi returned to the Grand Princess’s residence with Xiao Rulei, playing for most of the day. She felt exhausted both physically and mentally. Looking at Xiao Rulei, however, she was still full of energy and vitality.
As the two entered the flower hall, they saw Xiao Yan sitting there, reading letters, and holding something in his hand. Xiao Rulei happily ran over and called out, “Brother! We’re back!”
Xiao Yan calmly tucked the item into his sleeve and responded lightly, “Hmm.”
Xiao Rulei shared her day with him, counting on her fingers, joyfully recounting, “Sister Zhizhi and I went to the teahouse to listen to stories, watched the groom, drank tea with friends, and chatted…”
“Hmm?” Xiao Yan’s tone rose slightly, and he couldn’t help raising an eyebrow, looking at Li Zhizhi, expressing his question with his eyes: What friends?
Li Zhizhi, of course, didn’t understand his meaning, and returned a puzzled look with her eyes: ?
“Cough, cough,” Xiao Yan covered his mouth with his sleeve, coughed a few times, and was about to ask when Xiao Rulei suddenly noticed something wrong. Pointing at him, she exclaimed, “Brother, what are you eating? A’yang wants some too!”
Xiao Yan: …
His movements slightly paused, and he froze in place. After a moment, he lowered his voice to scold, “What do you want? There’s nothing.”
Xiao Rulei naturally didn’t comply. She had just clearly seen that her brother had something in his mouth, probably being stingy and unwilling to share with her. So, she simply reached out to pry open his mouth, muttering, “Let me see what good thing you’re secretly eating.”
Xiao Yan was almost driven crazy by her. This was still in front of Li Zhizhi. There was no way he could open his mouth, but Xiao Rulei’s persistent attitude was unstoppable for anyone.
Xiao Yan was almost forced to stand up from the carriage by her. Li Zhizhi stood aside, enjoying the show with a curved smile, her eyes crescent-shaped. She even joined Xiao Rulei in teasing and shouted, “Brother, what good thing are you eating? Zhizhi wants some too.”
Xiao Yan: …
His movements involuntarily froze, and due to a momentary lapse, he failed to block Xiao Rulei. With a click, a piece of pine nut candy flew out from his sleeve and landed right at Li Zhizhi’s feet.