“Brother Zhang, how could I dare speak nonsense about such a grave matter?” Third Master Duan sighed lightly. “To be frank, if not for that Madam Xu’s illegitimate daughter targeting my niece, I wouldn’t have meddled in your family’s affairs.”
Zhang He’s emotions were in turmoil. Over the years, he had noticed that his sister seemed unhappy whenever she visited their family, but she had never spoken of it, and as her older brother, he had hesitated to pry.
Who would have thought that her life in the Marquis’s household had turned out this way? It was a reflection of his own inadequacy—if he had been as capable as their father and climbed higher, his sister wouldn’t have had to endure such grievances in silence.
His eyes reddened, and he clasped his fists in gratitude. “Thank you, Third Master Duan, for bringing this to my attention. I’m just a straightforward military man and don’t know how to repay you.”
“You’re too kind, Lord Zhang. We each have our needs. Now, how do you plan to handle this matter?” Third Master Duan smiled faintly. “That Madam Xu is just a concubine, yet she dares to hope her illegitimate son will become the shizi. In Great Chu, the rule is clear: only the legitimate son can inherit, and in the absence of a legitimate son, the eldest son takes precedence. If her son becomes the shizi, your nephew will be in grave danger.”
If not killed outright, he would at least be severely injured.
If he survived with injuries, he would lose any chance of inheriting the title.
Zhang He gritted his teeth. “As long as I live, that wretched concubine will never succeed!”
“It’s impossible to guard against a thief every day. You might be able to watch over her for a while, but can you do so forever? As long as Deqing Marquisg has this intention, it’s only a matter of time.”
Zhang He frowned deeply and asked sincerely, “Third Master Duan, do you have any advice? Please, enlighten me.”
“I wouldn’t call it advice, but I do have a plan. However, it’s highly risky. The question is whether Lord Zhang dares to follow through.”
As he spoke, Third Master Duan handed over the evidence provided by Mingxi’s shopkeeper.
Zhang He took it and saw clear proof that the properties had already been transferred.
The shops the family had given his little sister as part of her dowry were in prime locations, each generating no less than ten thousand taels of silver annually.
The Zhang family had been struggling financially but had never considered touching his sister’s dowry.
How dare Deqing Marquis?
And that wretched Madam Xu! Truly audacious!
“Please speak, Third Master!” Zhang He resolved immediately.
Deqing Marquis was clearly bewitched by his concubine and illegitimate son. There was no hope of him coming to his senses now.
Zhang He recalled his little sister’s recent request for his help in finding a good match for his niece. He now felt ashamed for not seeing the deeper implications.
Observing Zhang He’s resolute expression, Third Master Duan knew his plan would work. Without hesitation, he said, “Gather the evidence and formally accuse the Marquis of favoring his concubine over his wife.”
Zhang He froze in shock. “How can we? If we proceed this way, what will happen to my sister and her children?”
“That’s where the risk lies. With a skilled advocate and discreet support, there’s a chance to have the Marquis’s title transferred to your nephew.”
Zhang He’s eyes lit up. Of course—there was the Marquis’s household and Duan Wang behind them. Fu Hongxiao’s false accusations against Duan Wang meant the Wangye would seize this opportunity to strike back.
The Zhang family could ride this wave. Wealth and status came to those who dared. Zhang He gritted his teeth and agreed.
“I’ll recommend an advocate to you. Though not widely known in the capital, he’s highly capable. His name is Wang Buming, and cases he takes on rarely fail.”
Wang Buming?
Zhang He truly hadn’t heard of him, but since Third Master Duan recommended him, he dared not underestimate the man. “Alright, I’ll go find him right away.”
Third Master Duan gave Zhang He Wang Buming’s address, along with the evidence he had gathered. Finally, he said, “If Wang Buming needs additional evidence that you cannot find, come to me.”
A litigator’s perspective on lawsuits is often different from theirs, and the evidence they require can be quite unusual.
Zhang He agreed without hesitation. “Third Master Duan, whether this matter succeeds or not, I owe your household a great debt.”
“You’re too kind, Lord Zhang. After this conversation, I find we are like-minded. Currently, I work at the Imperial Horse Bureau; let’s look out for each other in the future,” Third Master Duan said with a smile.
The Imperial Stables not only supplied horses to the royal family but also allocated any surplus each year to the military.
However, the quota was limited, and whether one could secure a share depended on their abilities.
Zhang He, currently just a commander of the central army, knew that obtaining a share from the Imperial Stables would surely earn him favor from his superiors, making a promotion and rise in rank almost inevitable.
His eyes lit up with excitement.
As he thought about it, he couldn’t help but admire the situation. Just a few months ago, who in the capital would pay attention to Dingyuan Marquis’s household? Once a declining noble family with no value left.
Yet, unexpectedly, the family produced Duan Mingxi. In just a few months, the Marquis’s household had risen like a rocket, leaving many envious.
Now, even his Zhang family had the chance to climb this towering tree!
The next day, Wang Buming, living in a cold and rundown alley, was summoned by Zhang He. Upon hearing that Zhang He wanted to hire him as a litigation master, he nearly fell off his chair. Fortunately, he steadied himself.
A true litigation master must remain calm even if Mount Tai collapses before them. But to sue Deqing Marquis?
Such a lawsuit was truly thrilling!
He had never taken on such a big case or sued such a high-ranking official before!
But fortune favors the bold. A horse grows fat on night grass, and a person grows rich through windfall gains. This was a golden opportunity—how could he pass it up if he wanted to make a name for himself in the capital?
Take it!
Why not take it?
If he succeeded, he might soar to great heights in the future.
If he didn’t, he’d remain stuck in this miserable place, living a wretched life!
When Mingxi heard from her third uncle that Wang Buming had accepted the case, she wasn’t surprised. In her previous life, Wang Buming had gained widespread fame a few years later. He was deeply knowledgeable about Great Chu’s laws and often defeated opponents with unconventional strategies.
Back then, she had also considered spending a fortune to hire him to help her younger brother reclaim their assets. But what would be the point?
Reclaiming the property would only make her brother, who was intellectually challenged, more vulnerable.
Besides, Wang Buming was known for being exceedingly greedy. He accepted cases not based on right or wrong but purely on how much money was offered, which brought him considerable criticism.
However, he was eccentric and never cared about public opinion. His aloofness made him difficult to approach, and external criticism didn’t affect him.
Mingxi initially thought she’d have to spend a hefty sum to persuade him. Who knew Zhang He managed to secure his help with just 100 taels?
Mingxi smiled faintly. Well, Wang Buming hadn’t yet gained widespread fame.
Many criticized him for valuing profit over justice, but Mingxi understood he hadn’t always been this way.
After all, who is born wicked?
This lawsuit presented a timely opportunity. Mingxi was willing to give Wang Buming a push, hoping he could follow his heart and avoid the misguided path he had taken in her previous life.
People should always strive toward the light to find warmth and happiness.
When Wang Buming learned it was Third Master Duan who recommended him to Zhang He, he made a special visit to thank him.
However, Third Master Duan didn’t claim credit and pointed to Mingxi instead.
Wang Buming was stunned. So it was the famous eldest daughter of the Duan family?
Tsk. During the dragon boat race, he had followed her lead and made a small fortune. He deeply regretted not betting all his money back then; he could have earned even more.
Who would have thought, after all this time, he’d cross paths with the eldest Duan daughter again?
She was truly his patron deity. Good things always happened when he encountered her.
Wang Buming made up his mind. Just for the chance to hold on to this “Goddess of Wealth,” he would fight Deqing Marquis to the bitter end if it meant winning this case!
