Since the founding of Great Liang, never before had the front of the Jingzhao Prefecture yamen witnessed such a tumultuous scene.
Over a hundred young women, all dressed in plain white garments, their black hair pinned high, stood hand in hand before the yamen gates. They held aloft a long white cloth covered with bloody handprints and cried in unison:
“We, once daughters of good families, were abducted and torn from our kin! Our names ruined, our reputations destroyed—countless sisters perished far from home, dying with their eyes unclosed!”
“This grievance and hatred are higher than the heavens, deeper than the earth! Our hearts are torn, our bodies burn with anguish! Today we come to seek justice, to plead for truth! We beg righteous officials to judge fairly, we beg Heaven and Earth to witness, we beg the wise Emperor to restore justice to us!”
At the front stood several of the young women who had once shared the same carriage with Shen Yujiao.
Back then, they had trembled in terror—but now, holding aloft a blood-written petition before the towering yamen gates, they stood tall and unyielding, eyes blazing:
“Heaven and Earth bear witness, the sun and moon shine bright—may the great officials of the realm punish evil and uphold justice for us!”
After all, there was no longer any need to fear.
As Sister Shen had told them: “When there is justice in the world, give your life for it. When there is none—give your life to it.”
Whether it was the “Young Master Xie,” who claimed to be Sister Shen’s husband, or later the “Lord Pei,” who also said he was her husband—both had told the women that as long as they did as instructed, justice would surely be served.
Thus, they followed the plan and entered Chang’an.
Even though exposing themselves publicly might ruin their reputations for life—make them the subject of gossip, render all their efforts useless, or even bring disaster and death—they thought of what might have become of them if Sister Shen had not risked everything to save them. Some of them would already have been forced to hang a nameplate and receive clients; some would still be trapped like livestock in dark ship cabins on their way to foreign lands; and others would still be lost in brothels, sinking in despair without hope of escape.
Sister Shen had stood up for them—so they too should stand united, to speak up for more women in the world. They would expose the heartless villains who had harmed them, drag down the powerful patrons shielding them, and reveal their every vile deed for all to see—make them pay the price, be reviled by future generations, and never again have the chance to harm innocent women.
Under the warm winter sun, the voices of more than a hundred young women rang out in unison. None of them had ever felt their blood surge so fiercely or their hearts burn with such strength. It was as if a boundless power now filled their bodies—a power they had never dared even to imagine before.
Such a commotion, of course, drew countless onlookers from Chang’an. In no time, the entire street was jam-packed—shoulder to shoulder, a sea of people, noisier than any temple fair.
“This is unbelievable—these women are turning the heavens upside down!”
“Isn’t it so? I’ve lived all these years, and never once have I seen so many women gather to cry out for justice.”
“The last time I saw such a stir was when His Majesty planned to open the late emperor’s tomb to bury the former empress dowager there—eight hundred students gathered before the Vermilion Bird Gate to beg him to rescind the decree. Tsk, those students were all made of iron—knelt for seven days and nights straight, and several even died!”
“But those were scholars—men of learning! How can they compare to this lot of women? I don’t even know how they have the face to show themselves like this. After being sold to those kinds of places, even if they were rescued, they should’ve quietly hidden away, if not ended their lives to preserve their virtue. And yet they dare to march right up to the yamen—shameful!”
“I don’t like hearing that. What do you mean, shameful? Don’t you have sisters—or a mother, at least? If your own mother were sold into a brothel, would you tell her to hang herself with a white silk cord too?”
“Hey! Watch your mouth!!”
The man who was rebuked grew furious, rolling up his sleeves and stepping forward.
But the one who had spoken back wasn’t intimidated in the least. He puffed out his chest, lifted his chin, and glared. “What, you can spew filth but I can’t speak justice? These girls are already pitiful enough. Instead of cursing the real villains, you sneer at those who dare seek justice? Your poor mother must’ve done some wicked deeds in her past life to give birth to such a pig-faced b*stard like you!”
“You son of a—! I’ll beat you to death!”
The two men lunged at each other, grappling and throwing punches. Some bystanders dodged out of the way, others tried to pull them apart, and still others egged them on gleefully: “Fight! Beat that motherless cur to death!”
In an instant, the area before the Jingzhao Prefecture yamen was utter chaos—hundreds of women crying out their grievances, men shouting and brawling, the noise like that of a bustling marketplace. The yamen runners were in a frenzy, rushing back and forth to seek instructions from their superiors.
Before the prefecture could even issue a response, a contingent arrived from the east.
A carriage with vermilion wheels and ornate canopy rolled up, flanked by armed guards, and came to a steady halt before the yamen gates.
When the curtain was lifted, two refined young gentlemen descended gracefully.
Although the Second Prince stood in the lead, flanked by eunuchs, it was the man beside him—Pei Xia, dressed in a mist-blue robe with a subtle bamboo-leaf pattern—whose appearance dazzled the crowd. Handsome as a jade sculpture, he stood out like a crane among chickens, drawing countless stares.
The Second Prince was long accustomed to it—after all, Pei Xia truly was that good-looking.
The women at the front recognized him immediately and brightened, stepping forward at once. “Lord Pei, you’re here!”
Pei Xia inclined his head slightly, then gestured toward the prince beside him. “This is His Highness the Second Prince. Upon hearing of your grievances, he has come in person to lend his aid.”
The young women were stunned.
The Second Prince! The Emperor’s own son!
“Your humble subjects bow before Your Highness. May Your Highness enjoy peace and prosperity,” they said, dropping to their knees one after another.
The common folk on both sides, seeing a royal prince before them, also knelt and bowed.
The Second Prince raised his hand repeatedly. “There’s no need for such ceremony—please, rise, all of you!”
Once they stood, his expression turned grave. “Scholar Pei has already told me of your grievances. That such appalling wickedness should occur under Heaven’s Son’s very gaze—it is lawless, outrageous! You have my word—now that I know of this, I will see that justice is done for you!”
His voice rang out firm and clear. The young women were moved to tears, falling to their knees once again. “Many thanks to Your Highness for standing up for us!”
The surrounding townsfolk began to murmur in praise. “I’ve long heard that the Second Prince is wise and benevolent—seeing him today, it’s truly as they say.”
“Indeed! Why else would he be called the ‘Xian Wang*’?”
*Virtuous King
“His Highness is wise and just!”
Someone shouted it first, and the crowd echoed like a wave: “His Highness is wise and just!”
Seeing the people’s admiration growing louder and louder, the Second Prince’s brows relaxed, and his expression grew even more sincere. He turned to the crowd and said earnestly, “I was born into the royal house and am sustained by the people of this realm. Naturally, I must think for the people as well. This—this is simply my duty. I do not deserve your excessive praise.”
The people, hearing this, were moved all the more deeply. To have such a prince who truly cared for the common folk—what a blessing for the empire!
Standing beside him, Pei Xia judged that the moment was right and quietly reminded, “Your Highness, perhaps we should enter the yamen now.”
The Second Prince nodded. “Very well.”
Just as he was about to move forward, a sudden clamor of gongs and drums came from the west: “Chang Wang arrives—commoners, clear the way!”
The crowd was startled, then hurriedly scattered aside.
The Second Prince’s brow twitched slightly, and he exchanged a glance with Pei Xia.
Pei Xia lowered his eyes calmly. “Let’s wait and see.”
The Second Prince agreed and looked ahead—only to see the Third Prince riding up on a chestnut-red horse, imposing and proud, followed by a carriage.
The Second Prince frowned. “Who has he brought with him?”
Pei Xia’s gaze flickered, and as a thought crossed his mind, his thick brows furrowed.
Sure enough, as the Third Prince’s party approached and the carriage stopped, two eunuchs stepped forward and helped Xie Wuling down.
“Well, what a coincidence—Second Brother is here too.”
“Yes, quite the coincidence. I wonder what wind has blown my dear younger brother this way?”
“I heard someone from Jingzhao Prefecture was crying injustice,” said the Third Prince casually. “And as it happens, this matter involves one of my subordinates, so I came to take a look.”
The two princes exchanged polite words, their smiles hollow and cold.
Meanwhile, Pei Xia’s gaze met Xie Wuling’s.
In that instant—blades clashed, sparks flew.
Each saw in the other’s eyes nothing but deep disgust and hostility.
Xie Wuling had never bothered to hide his dislike of Pei Xia. What surprised him, though, was that this time, meeting Pei Shouzhen again, the delicate-faced man seemed somehow… different.
Hmm. More like a resentful husband, perhaps?
After that day at the Weinan riverbank, when Jiaojiao had been taken away by Pei Xia, Li Dalang had brought Xie Wuling back to the prefectural city and arranged doctors and medicine for him.
Upon learning that Li Dalang was Jiaojiao’s maternal cousin, Xie Wuling had been especially courteous—after all, this was his future brother-in-law! It wouldn’t do not to win him over.
However, though Li Dalang was grateful for his rescue and treated him generously, he refused to mention Jiaojiao at all.
Whenever Xie Wuling tried to probe for news, Li Dalang would simply reply, “It is improper to discuss another man’s wife behind his back.” Leaving Xie Wuling speechless every time.
He had thought Pei Xia was already insufferably pretentious, but this Li Dalang was even more rigid and solemn. Xie Wuling could hardly imagine how Jiaojiao had grown up in such a strict household—wouldn’t that drive anyone mad?
In any case, after resting for three days in Weinan, Xie Wuling returned to Chang’an with Li Dalang.
Though he had heard Pei Xia had arranged safe homes for the rescued girls, he couldn’t shake the worry that if he left just like that, some hidden accomplice in Weinan might turn against them—murdering the victims to silence them—and all of Jiaojiao’s efforts would be wasted.
So before leaving, he spread word of the trafficking case, turning it into catchy rhymes that street children would sing throughout the city. He also hired storytellers to retell the case as dramatic tales in busy places like docks, teahouses, and temples.
The more uproar the better—rumors would keep the traitors too afraid to act.
What he hadn’t expected was that Pei Xia had secretly transferred some of the girls to Chang’an—and had chosen none other than the day of Emperor Zhaoning’s return to stage this grand spectacle.
As soon as the Third Prince returned to his residence, he had questioned Xie Wuling about it—
After all, when Xie Wuling had rushed to get reinforcements from the Weinan yamen that day, he had used the Third Prince’s command token. It was done under the prince’s name, no less.
Xie Wuling had told him the truth, and the Third Prince’s expression had turned unreadable.
It was neither joy nor anger—just shadowed silence for a long while before he said, “You’ll come with me to see for yourself.”
And so, they came.
When the girls, led by Ah Nian, saw Xie Wuling, their faces lit up.
“Young Master Xie, you came too!”
They still didn’t quite understand whether it was Young Master Xie or Lord Pei who was truly Sister Shen’s husband—but in their time of despair, it had been Young Master Xie who appeared first, and Young Master Xie who later protected them while they hid in the brothel. Naturally, their hearts leaned toward him.
Now that both benefactors had arrived—each with a prince beside him—their uneasy hearts finally settled.
With two princes presiding, surely the villain behind it all would be brought down.
Xie Wuling smiled and greeted them briefly, then turned to Pei Xia, his smile thinning. “Brother Shouzhen, it’s been a while.”
Pei Xia gave him a faint glance. “Grateful for your concern, Sir Xie.”
It wasn’t the time or place to dwell on personal grievances. After that curt exchange, Pei Xia turned to the two princes.
“The hour grows late. Since both Your Highnesses take interest in this case, why not enter and hear the trial together?”
The Second Prince nodded. “Agreed.”
The Third Prince lifted an eyebrow. “As you wish.”
The two princes entered side by side, while Pei Xia and Xie Wuling guided the girls into the yamen.
Fortunately, the Jingzhao Prefecture courtyard was spacious enough to hold so many people.
Watching the line of women in plain mourning dress, Xie Wuling brushed aside the eunuch’s supporting hand and walked up beside Pei Xia, lowering his voice.
“This entire setup—what’s your purpose? Have you already found something?”
At that, Pei Xia’s eyes flickered with a hint of shadow.
If this Xie Wuling weren’t constantly coveting his wife, he might have truly wished to make friends with him.
For though born of humble origin, the man’s courage, decisiveness, and resolve far surpassed that of most noble sons.
No wonder Commander Huo had promoted him from among the ranks to escort the young shizi—and no wonder he had later earned the Third Prince’s favor.
Indeed, as the saying went— A storm reveals the strength of the grass; a blazing fire tests the purity of gold.
What a pity.
Talent without virtue.
After a moment’s reflection, Pei Xia looked at him evenly. “Why ask so much? You’ll know soon enough.”
Xie Wuling choked on a retort. Again with this cryptic act—would it kill him to speak a few more words with that precious mouth of his?
He grumbled inwardly, but still couldn’t hold back. “Does Jiaojiao know about your plan this time? You won’t tell me what you’ve found—fine—but surely you told her, right? She’s been worried sick about this. If you don’t explain things clearly, she might not even be able to sleep at night…”
“Xie Wuling.”
Pei Xia’s tone turned cold, his dark eyes fixed sharply on him. “I’ve told you more than once—my wife’s personal name is not something an outsider like you may call.”
That again?
Seeing Pei Xia’s attitude so much firmer than before, Xie Wuling suddenly understood—could it be that Jiaojiao had already spoken of divorce with him?
A flicker of joy rose in his chest, but looking at Pei Xia’s expression, worry followed close behind. “Pei Shouzhen, whatever grudges lie between us, we’ll settle them ourselves. But if you vent your anger on Jiao—on your wife—then I won’t forgive you!”
“You won’t forgive me?”
As if hearing some absurd joke, Pei Xia gave a short, cold laugh. “Xie Wuling, don’t take yourself too seriously. How I treat my wife is none of your concern.”
That reaction only confirmed Xie Wuling’s suspicions.
He was about to press for more when the Jingzhao Prefect hurried over, holding his official hat and bowing deeply to the princes. “I did not know the two Your Highnesses would grace us with your presence—please forgive the lack of proper welcome.”
Xie Wuling glanced that way briefly, and when he turned back, the elegant figure in blue beside him had already started walking along the side corridor toward the main hall.
Tch. Not even a word of parting—what kind of “proper gentleman” is that?
Pressing his lips together, Xie Wuling suppressed the ache in his chest for Shen Yujiao and followed behind the Third Prince.
Inside the Jingzhao yamen, beneath the hanging mirror of justice, a grand trial was already underway.
Meanwhile, two wards away, in the back courtyard of the Pei residence—
Hearing what Pei Yi reported, Shen Yujiao nearly dropped the Ru kiln porcelain cup in her hand.
“You’re certain they came from Weinan Prefecture?”
“Certain.” Pei Yi nodded.
Shen Yujiao fell silent, thoughts racing.
Yesterday, Pei Xia had come to the courtyard and merely mentioned that when Emperor Zhaoning returned to the capital, everything would be revealed. She had been too preoccupied with discussing the separation to ask more.
Weren’t those rescued young women supposed to have been sent back to their hometowns? How had they ended up in Chang’an—and all together, heading toward the Jingzhao yamen?
The prefecture office was no place for ordinary girls to enter easily…
Could they be in trouble?
The more she thought, the more anxious she felt.
Pei Yi noticed her face grow pale and asked worriedly, “Sister-in-law, what’s wrong?”
Shen Yujiao pressed her lips together, then lifted her dark eyes. “I’m going to the Jingzhao yamen. Will you come with me?”
Pei Yi blinked, then her eyes brightened. “You’re going to see those girls? Of course—I’ll go with you!”
But before they even stepped out of the courtyard, two tall, strong female guards blocked their way. “May we ask where Madam is heading?”
Shen Yujiao paused. She almost said, Do I need to report to you where I go? But thinking better of it, she replied, “I’m going out with Fifth Miss for a walk.”
The two guards exchanged a glance. “The Master instructed that Madam’s health has not yet recovered. It would be best to rest quietly in the courtyard for now.”
Shen Yujiao’s brows knitted more tightly, her fingers tightening inside her sleeves. “He forbids me from going out?”
The guards lowered their heads. “The Master said no such thing. He only told us to remind Madam to put her health first.”
A reminder—but it sounded more like a warning.
Shen Yujiao’s gaze dimmed. She couldn’t tell whether Pei Xia did this out of genuine worry that she might be attacked again—or to prevent her from meeting Xie Wuling.
“Sister-in-law, maybe… we should let it go.”
Pei Yi, unaware of the truth, assumed it was the former. She still remembered how her sister-in-law had been ambushed the last time she went out. If something happened again, she’d never dare visit her anymore.
“How about I go to the yamen for you?” Pei Yi suggested. “I can find out what’s happening and send someone back to tell you?”
Looking into Pei Yi’s clear, earnest eyes, Shen Yujiao felt a sour ache in her chest.
So this was to be her life now—locked behind courtyard walls for her own safety, never stepping beyond the gates?
Yes, it would be safe—but how was that any different from imprisonment?
She stood by the doorway in silence for a long while.
The afternoon sun had dipped low, its crimson glow spilling through the bare branches of the parasol tree. Gazing at that vivid red, Shen Yujiao suddenly thought of the ship that day—the door shattered open, and beyond it the sea blazed with a rising red sun, brilliant and boundless.
“If I insist on going out today,” she asked quietly, “will you stop me?”
She lifted her eyes to the two guards, both towering a full head above her.
Meeting her solemn gaze, the guards quickly bowed their heads. “Madam, please don’t put us in such a difficult position.”
“Good.”
Shen Yujiao said calmly, “If the Master blames anyone later, tell him to come find me.”
With that, she took Pei Yi’s hand and walked out—without a backward glance.
—
The Jingzhao yamen of Chang’an stood in the southeastern corner of Guangde Ward.
By the time Shen Yujiao and Pei Yi arrived, the streets were already packed with townsfolk crowding to watch the commotion.
The main street was packed so tightly not even water could pass through. People were squeezed together, faces flushed and ears red. As for carriages—there was no way they could even get close.
The two women had no choice but to don veiled hats. Escorted by their maids and guards, they slowly made their way through the crowd toward the Jingzhao Prefecture Office.
All along the way, countless voices of gossip reached their ears—
“Unbelievable! Hundreds of women! When have you ever seen so many women out together? Truly a spectacle!”
“More than that—word is, the Second and Third Princes are both present, sitting inside to oversee the trial.”
“Two princes involved? Then this Qiu Po must be someone of great importance. Who exactly is she?”
“A filthy hag making her fortune from such base dealings—what’s so ‘great’ about her? The real power lies behind her!”
“With the princes presiding this time, perhaps the truth will finally come out, and those poor girls will see justice done?”
“Who can say? We’ll have to wait and see.”
By the time they finally squeezed their way to the gates of the prefecture office, Pei Yi was out of breath, holding her hat and exhaling deeply. “Heavens, there are so many people!”
Shen Yujiao hadn’t expected it to be this crowded either. Remembering what she’d overheard along the way, her expression turned grim beneath the gauzy veil of her hat.
It was understandable that the Second Prince was involved—but what did this have to do with the Third Prince? Surely… not because of Xie Wuling?
Whatever the case, what had begun as a simple human trafficking case now carried a much weightier implication with the involvement of two princes.
Even at the gates, they were still separated from the scene by several dense layers of people. Shen Yujiao couldn’t squeeze in to see for herself, so she stood patiently beside the stone lions with Pei Yi, listening to the crowd’s chatter.
Pei Yi sighed. “If I’d known we’d stand here forever and still see nothing, I wouldn’t have bothered to push through.”
“At least this way,” Shen Yujiao comforted, “we’ll be among the first to hear the verdict.”
“That’s true,” Pei Yi mused, then whispered, “Sister-in-law, they say this Qiu Po has a powerful backer in court—that’s why she acts so fearlessly. Who could it be? Doesn’t she care for her life? To deal in such vile things, has she no fear of retribution?”
“People who do evil seldom worry about such things.”
Shen Yujiao’s lips curved slightly, though her mind drifted to the people behind her own abduction and attempted murder—Eldest Princess Jinhua herself.
Could it be that this trafficking operation was also part of the princess’s private dealings?
Princess Jinhua was known to be ruthless and unrestrained; it wasn’t impossible. Yet for a princess of the realm to profit from selling off innocent women—just the thought made Shen Yujiao uneasy. Something about it didn’t quite fit.
While her mind was tangled in these thoughts, a sudden cry came from ahead: “They’re coming out! They’re coming out!”
The crowd quickly parted, opening a path. The two princes emerged, accompanied by the Prefect of Jingzhao.
Looking around at the assembled citizens, the prefect cleared his throat and announced,
“This case involves serious matters and remains full of doubt. Tomorrow morning, at court, I shall report it in full to His Majesty alongside Their Highnesses. Please be at ease, good people—we will see justice done for the victims. It’s late; all of you, return home.”
The people were disappointed at hearing no final verdict, but seeing the officials begin to disperse, they too started to leave one by one.
Shen Yujiao had planned to hide behind the stone lions and wait to question some of the rescued girls, but then she saw two tall figures walking slowly out of the yamen gates—
One in blue, one in red.
It was Pei Xia and Xie Wuling.
Her eyelid twitched violently. Instinctively, she grabbed Pei Yi’s arm to retreat.
But before they could move, the tall maid before them said, “Madam, I think the young master has seen us.”
