Chapter 19: Tongues Entwined

  In the Tang Code, slaves and servants were considered inferior people. If they beat or killed their masters, they would receive heavier punishments. Even if they only planned to kill but had not yet taken action, without causing any harm, they would still be beheaded. If they caused injury or death, they would also be beheaded. However, if it was a case of slaves plotting against each other, they would be treated the same as ordinary people plotting against each other, and if no harm was done, they would only receive three years of penal servitude. Therefore, the key to this case lies in whether the identity of the concubine is that of a master or a slave. If she is considered a master, these servants will be put to death; otherwise, it will only be a matter of three years of penal servitude.

  This situation was later stipulated in the "Tang Law Notes" formulated by Xiao Jing a few years later, but at that time, the "Yonghui Code" did not have it yet, so no legal basis could be found.

  Xiao Jia Ding looked at Tang Da Lang with curiosity and said: "You are also a government official?"

  "Can't we discuss the case anymore?"

  "Of course." Xiao Jiading knew that in the Tang Dynasty's imperial examination, there was a subject called Ming Fa, which tested criminal law. So it wasn't unusual for scholars to study cases, just like students at law school today.

  Xiao Jiading said: "This case is crucial in identifying the identity of this concubine. Let's see if she has the status of a mistress."

  Tang Dalang nodded: "This is natural, whether a concubine is considered a master or a slave, the criminal law does not have regulations."

  "Why isn't it stipulated? It's in the Yonghui Code. - As long as they are 'not suitable for dividing property', they are not considered masters. Neither concubines nor wives can divide family property, so they are not masters."

  "Is that so? Is there such a rule?"

  Xiao Jia Ding was looking at something that had been organized by later generations, and in fact he didn't know if this regulation had already come out at that time. However, there were too many Tang laws and orders, numbering in the thousands, so it's not easy for ordinary people to find them. So he forced himself to say: "Of course there is. You can go look for it. However, although this concubine is not the master, whether she can be treated as the master depends on the status of her son. - Can the child born by this concubine and the master in the family be considered the master? Can they inherit property?"

  The masters in the Tang Code include all members of a household; if they divide their property, those who can get a share.

  Tang Dalang said: "Yes, master. The rich man has already publicly stated that this is his son and after he dies, he will let this son share his inheritance with his other children."

  "In that case, this concubine should belong to the master. Those servants should be put to death for plotting to murder their master."

  "Oh? Why?"

  "It's simple, her sons are all masters now, can the mother's status be lower than that of her son? As the saying goes, 'a mother is honored through her son', and 'the law does not descend to the son'."

  Tang Dalang slapped his forehead, suddenly enlightened, and said: "Right! You said it too well, it should be like this. Without his son being the master, his mother is not the master's logic. Very good, this reason is very convincing. - I didn't expect you to have a good understanding of criminal law! Haha, come on, let me toast you a bowl!

  "It's too much praise." Xiao Jiading said, and then drank another bowl with that Tang Dalang.

  Ya Niang summoned the musicians to play music, and she herself danced to add to the excitement. Ya Niang's dance was extremely good, and it was also full of temptation, making Xiao Jia Ding and Zhu Hai Yin stare with wide eyes.

  Like this, drinking and appreciating Ya Niang's piano singing, long sleeves dancing, Tang Da Lang occasionally asked Xiao Jia Ding some criminal law questions, they also drank big bowls of wine, so it didn't take long for Xiao Jia Ding, Tang Da Lang, and Zhu Hai Yin to get drunk.

  That Tang Dalang was the most drunk, he seemed to have deliberately gotten himself drunk. Finally, his servant came in and supported him onto the carriage and left. Ya Niang had been supporting him all along, sending him onto the carriage, watching as it went far away before returning.

  After he left, Xiao Jiading became more sober because he still had things to do. Seeing Zhu Haisheng also drunk, he said: "Brother Zhu, I still have something to say to Ya Niang, you go back first."

  Zhu Haixin was also drunk, and had previously heard that Xiao Jiading wanted to talk to Ya Niang, so he didn't disturb them. He pulled Xiao Jiading over and whispered in his ear: "Big brother, after you're done here, come out and find me, I'll arrange for two beauties to keep you company tonight! Ya Niang never keeps guests overnight. Hehehe."

  "Never mind, I'm drunk today and just want to sleep after talking about things. You're almost the same, go back and rest!"

  Zhu Haixin was also drunk, so he waved his hand and stumbled out.

  Xiao Jia Ding's drunken eyes gazed at Ya Niang, who although hadn't drunk as much as them, already had 70-80% of the intoxication. Her pretty face was flushed red, her eyes were charming and silky, she giggled and said: "Young Master Xiao, you wrote a poem for my husband, why don't you write one for me too?"

  Xiao Jiading's face lit up as he leaned in and said: "If I were to write it for you, would I be able to stay overnight at your place tonight?"

  Yan Niang lightly slapped her and scolded, "Dreaming of marrying a daughter-in-law, always thinking of good things! If you can fill in the lyrics to my satisfaction, I'll agree to one of your requests, except for staying overnight! Is that okay?"

  "Is this really true?"

  "That's natural!"

  "Good!" Xiao Jia Ding, with a drunken gaze, said: "It's clear that you have a deep relationship with this Tang Da Lang. I'll use this as the theme and compose a poem for you, how about it?"

  "The young master's seven-step poem is admirable, and I have always looked up to him. If he could write a poem for me, it would be a truly fortunate event!"

  Xiao Jia Ding gazed at her curved eyebrows, rosy cheeks, especially those tender and luscious red lips, slowly reciting Qin Guan's "Nan Ge Zi" poem about a beautiful woman:

  Fragrant ink curves and bends in painting

  Pale pink is evenly distributed.

  Blue shirt and apricot yellow skirt

  Alone leaning on the jade railing, silently pointing at the vermilion lips.

  People gone, empty river flows

  Petals fall, half-concealing the door.

  Among the mountains, where can I find wandering clouds?

  Another hook-shaped new moon shines at dusk.

  After finishing the poem, Ya Niang actually liked it in her heart, but she deliberately put on a disappointed look and said: "No, no! Who is this unfeeling person who makes me miss him like floating clouds? You made it up, no good! Rewrite one!"

  Xiao Jia Ding looked at her sideways: "Isn't Tang Da Lang your lover?"

  "Nature is not, it's just an old acquaintance of mine. How could it be a lover."

  "Then I'll be your lover, how about that?"

  "Who are you?" Yan Niang giggled, "We'll have to see about that!"

  "What's the big deal?" Xiao Jiading exaggeratedly lowered his head and took a glance, then lewdly smiled and said: "Once I become your lover, you'll naturally know what my skills are like."

  The beauty blushed, and with a slight pout, said: "I'm talking about your poetry skills!" The men who came to her place were all serious and listened to her sing, watched her dance, and recited poems with her. Who would have dared to be as flirtatious as Xiao Jiading? However, Xiao Jiading was originally the one she had a crush on, and now that she had seven or eight parts of drunkenness, hearing these words did not make her reject him, but instead made her feel a bit bewildered and infatuated. With infinite charm, she gazed at him and said: "Recite another poem for me, it must be one that I'll like."

  "You like me, then let me be your lover?"

  "Pfft!" Yanni lightly slapped him and said, "I've told you, apart from this, I'll agree to one other thing. How's that?"

  Xiao Jia Ding's face fell in disappointment, and he said, "What word do you want me to fill in for you?"

  "Suit yourself, just write it for our family then."

  "You just said you don't have a boyfriend?"

  "It's really nothing."

  "Alright then, let's take 'lonely guardian of an empty house' as the title." Xiang Jia Ding thought of Li Qingzhao's poem " Washing Creek Sand", and slowly recited:

  The cup is deep and the amber is thick

  The intoxicating intention has already dissolved before it's formed.

  The sparse bell has responded to the late-coming wind.

  The fragrance of the lotus fills the air, and the soul is lost in a dream that has been cut off.

  A golden hairpin holds up her loose coiffure.

  When the sky is empty, the candle flower is red.

  After listening to this song, Ya Niang was stunned. How many times had she herself been drunk and awakened, only to find that the red candle was accompanying her? The joyful songs and laughter of everyday life only served to highlight the desolation of being alone. This song had touched her heart.

  She was lost in thought, after all, it's not a long-term plan, she should also consider her future carefully and see if there is someone who suits her. The one in front of her, with outstanding talent and appearance, was originally the best candidate, but was his affection for her true or false? A lifetime event cannot be taken lightly.

  Xiao Jiading saw that she was speechless and staring blankly ahead, looking very satisfied, so he smiled and said: "How is it? Are you satisfied now?"

  Yaniang woke up from her dream, with a stern face and scolded: "Not good! You teased me! You must write another poem to make it up to me!"

  Isn't this little girl done yet? She obviously likes him to death, but deliberately says she doesn't like him, just because she doesn't want to agree with his request. Xiao Jiading looked at her sideways, thinking that this woman obviously had a good impression of him, but was pretending to be noble and aloof. The more aloof the woman is, the more promiscuous she is! Men are not bad, women don't love them!

  Xiao Jiading smiled and said, "I can give you another poem to fill in, but..."

  "But what?" Yan Niang gazed at him with deep affection.

  "Let me kiss you first!" He said, stretched out his hand, wrapped around her waist, pulled her into his arms, and kissed her red lips.

  Yan Niang couldn't believe that such a refined man would do something so coarse and overbearing, and she let out a startled cry, turning her face away. The kiss landed on her fragrant cheek instead. Yan Niang quickly pushed him away. She stood up to leave, but he grabbed her from behind again, his hands covering her soft breasts this time.

  This girl is really one who sells her art but not her body, this body has never been touched by a man before, let alone the soft breasts in front of her chest. At that moment, her whole body went limp, where was there still strength to take off her clothes? She just turned her face sideways, weakly raised her eyes to look at him, and said: "Young master, don't..."

  Xiao Jia Ding did not let go, and with a lustful smile, said: "You want me to recite another poem, don't you? Listen carefully!" Then, he slowly began to recite the famous erotic poem by Song Huizong:

  A small cup of wine in front of us, shared together.

  Soft jade beside the lamp is clustered.

  A loving glance is worth a thousand words.

  Ouch ouch ouch.

  Gently push your husband away.

  Gradually heard the sound tremble

  Slightly startled, face flushed.

  Try with more threads

  All sewn up with no gaps

  This time the flavor is overturned and crazy

  Move, move, move!

  Arms around each other's shoulders

  Lips meet together

  Tongues entwined.

  After finishing the recitation, Xiao Jia Ding burst out laughing and said: "Let's try that 'lips touching, tongues entwining' too, shall we?" He then turned her around, tightly wrapped his arms around her waist, and kissed her red lips.