Chapter 4: A Calamity from Out of the Blue

  When he heard that Su Qi had been captured, Lu Zhixian almost laughed so hard that he fell over. "Su Qi, Su Qi, you've finally gotten your due! Let's see how Master teaches you to be a person, hahahaha!"

  And without mentioning that Su Qi was locked in the county prison, County Magistrate Lu sent people to collect evidence from all sides. The Su family was turned upside down, and the old master was arrested for murder! At this time, rumors of Mrs. Zhao's long-standing affair with Wang Song had already spread far and wide, and it was also arranged by Liu Xi in advance. Some believed it, some didn't believe it, and some were half-believing and half-doubting. At this time, Zhao's family was in disarray and didn't know what to do, so they could only find Liu Xi and ask him to think of a way to rescue the old master no matter what. After discussing, they decided to first find someone to establish a relationship with the county prison and ask them to take care of the old master. Liu Xi pretended to be worried and hurriedly went out to make arrangements, but instead of asking someone to take care of the old master, he colluded with County Magistrate Lu to frame Su Qi for a capital crime. Later, Zhao's family proposed several times to go to the county prison to visit her husband, but were all rejected by Liu Xi, who said that it was not suitable to go to the prison at this time, fearing that they would be misunderstood as colluding with each other and would increase the old master's sentence. He claimed that he had already established a good relationship and someone would take care of the old master. Zhao's family thus gave up. Su Qi, who was in prison, had no one to bring him food, and thought that this time he was doomed, the more he thought about it, the more sorrowful he became, and tears fell down his face. Fortunately, Su Qi was a kind person who liked to help others, and the son of the jailer, Lei, had once received his help, so the jailer was very grateful and took good care of him in prison.

  That night, Liu Xi came to the prison to deliver food, and Su Qi was deeply moved. When asked about Zhao Shi, Liu Xi said that his wife was overly sad, holding the poem given by her husband every day, sighing and crying, with tears streaming down her face. Sometimes she would stare at the hairpin box in a daze, her sorrow beyond words! Su Qi's heart chilled when he heard this, and he asked if it was the poem written on the white handkerchief. Liu Xi replied that it was indeed the same one. Su Qi fell silent. Zhao Shi had clearly said that Wang Song only went to their home to repair a zither once, and his words didn't seem false. Wang Song had never personally admitted to having an affair with Zhao Shi, and he had been suspecting them based on just a hairpin and a poem. He regretted it now - if only he could have trusted his wife, how would he have ended up meeting Wang Song alone, and how would today's tragedy have occurred? Thinking about it filled him with sorrow.

  The next day, Lu Zhixian held a trial in the court. The owner of Zui Xian Lou, Xiao Er, and other witnesses all arrived at the court. Wang Song's wife, Ju Shi, was also summoned to come. Lu Laoye asked questions one by one, and the owner, Xiao Er, Qi Jia's servants, and others answered one by one. Ju Shi cried and wailed in the court, scolding Su Qi for stealing people first and killing people later, saying that the Qi family should be executed. Lu Laoye asked about the origin of the golden hairpin, which was a token of love given by Zhao Shi to Wang Song, but was discovered by Ju Shi. Zhao Shi and Su Qi were both shocked in their hearts, but Zhao Shi denied the adultery. Since the golden hairpin had disappeared, Lu Daren had to temporarily adjourn the court and sent bailiffs to search Su's mansion.

  The officials searched the entire Su residence and found a white handkerchief with love poems written on it, but they couldn't find the golden hairpin. It turned out that Ling'er had picked it up and knew how important it was, so she hid it away early on. She was taking care of Young Master at home, waiting for the trial results, when she saw a group of officials come to search. Knowing things were not going well, she didn't dare reveal anything and just kept comforting the crying and fussing Man'er.

  Mr. Lu took the white handkerchief, but how can a poem prove that Zhao and Wang Song were having an affair, and Su Qi refused to admit to murder? The case is difficult to solve, and it's really troublesome for Mr. Lu.

  At this time, Liu Xi came to pay his respects. Lu Zhixian, having benefited greatly from Liu Xi and knowing they were on the same side, hastily invited him into the hall for a meeting. With a worried expression, Lu Zhixian informed Liu Xi of the situation. Liu Xi said, "Sir, although there is no golden hairpin, there is a poem of love. Tomorrow, it will be like this and that, what's to fear about not solving the case?" After listening, Lu Zhixian burst into loud laughter, greatly praising Liu Xi.

  The next day, Magistrate Lu again ascended the bench, and this time there were three more witnesses. One was Liu Xi, one was Zhao's personal maid Lan'er, and one was Su Qi's attendant Xiao Liuzi. Liu Xi said that Wang Song had asked for a repair fee of 1,000 taels, which he had reported to Master Qi. This matter was acknowledged by Su Qi, as it was indeed true. Someone was sent to retrieve the account book, and the poem on the white handkerchief and the handwriting on the account book asking for 1,000 taels were both in Wang Song's hand. Zhao shouted that she was being wronged, saying that she had clearly paid the repair fee of two taels through Lan'er on that day, so how could there be a claim of 1,000 taels? It was clear that there was deception involved. The magistrate ignored Zhao and continued to question Xiao Liuzi. Xiao Liuzi said that Master Qi had asked about Wang Song many times, and the appointment at the Drunken Immortal Pavilion was also arranged by Master Qi's orders. This was also acknowledged by Su Qi. However, when Lan'er was questioned, unexpectedly, she firmly stated that Madame and Wang Song were having an affair and threatened her not to speak further. Master Qi had discovered the illicit relationship a long time ago and had been seething with hatred for Wang Song. He had set up the trap at the Drunken Immortal Pavilion and really killed Wang Song. When Zhao heard this, she was furious, originally calm on the surface but fiercely chaste in her heart, how could she bear such slander? She immediately scolded Lan'er, saying: "You little servant girl, my husband and I have treated you well all along, how can you say such things today?" Magistrate Lu struck the wooden block, saying: "Silence! Silence! Zhao, now that both Lan'er and Ju Shi have said that you and Wang Song were having an affair, and they also saw the golden hairpin. Although the hairpin has been hidden by you, this poem is also evidence. Now that there are witnesses and material evidence, what do you have to say?" "Your Honor, I am being wronged! Wang Song was a famous luthier in our local area, he only came to my home once because our family's ancient zither needed repair. How could it be said that we were having an affair? Please, Your Honor, make a clear judgment and do not listen to the slanderous words of these petty people!" "How dare you! You say that I am biased and unfair in my judgments? Give me the palm board!" The attendants on either side took turns slapping Zhao's mouth ten times with the palm board, immediately causing blood to spurt out. Zhao still vaguely shouted: "I am being wronged..."

  "Now the truth is out, Zhao and Wang Song had an affair before, and Wang Song often went in and out of Su's house under the pretext of repairing the zither, doing indecent things with Zhao. Later, they were discovered by Su Qi. Wang Song took advantage of this to ask Su Qi for 1,000 taels of silver, which made Su Qi, who already hated him, furious. He arranged a banquet at the Drunken Immortal Pavilion and had Wang Song killed. Now that there is evidence and witnesses, Su Qi, you still don't admit your guilt?"

  "Your Honor, I'm innocent! I did suspect something because of the poem and the handwriting on the bill, so I invited Wang Song to meet me, but we only talked about music. After getting drunk, I woke up to find Wang Song dead, but I didn't know who did it!"

  "You dare to lie, Su Qi! The evidence is clear, yet you still try to deny it! You're a sly one! Bring the instruments of torture and prepare for punishment!"

  Su Qi was a scholar and had been raised in luxury since childhood, so he couldn't withstand this kind of torture. He was beaten until his skin was torn and flesh exposed. When asked again, he still didn't confess, so Magistrate Lu ordered him to be beaten again, clearly intending to take his life.

  Zhao shouted that it was unfair and scolded Magistrate Lu for being biased in his judgment. This case had many loopholes, yet he wanted to rush to a conclusion. Magistrate Lu became furious and wanted to have Zhao punished as well.

  Zhao saw that Su Qi had been beaten half to death and realized that Magistrate Lu intended to conclude the case this way today. So she laughed loudly and said: "I never expected that I, Zhao Xintao, would be ruined by a few evil people."

  She glared at Lan'er and then at Magistrate Lu with hatred in her eyes. Lan'er didn't dare look directly at her, and even Magistrate Lu felt a chill from her gaze.

  "Husband, we've been married for 15 years, always loving each other like before, and now we have children. How could you not know what kind of person I am? Yet you suspected me because of one poem? Today, it seems that our fate as husband and wife has come to an end. I hope that someday my innocence will be proven, and my reputation will be restored! Husband, I'll go first."

  With that, she crashed into the pillar and died. Su Qi saw his beloved wife die and was overcome with grief, shouting "Heaven is destroying me!" before fainting.

  Magistrate Lu hastily said: "Zhao had an affair, and her crime should have been punished. But since she knew her guilt was deep, she took her own life! Su Qi was jealous and resentful, so he intentionally committed murder and caused death. His crime deserves to be punished!"

  Magistrate Lu ordered the guards to take Su Qi's handprint while he was unconscious and sentenced him to be executed in three days.

  Su Zhi turned around in prison, knowing that his time was up, and thought of the scene where his wife died by hitting a pillar, his heart aching like being strangled. Now the only thing he couldn't let go of was his son Manxiu, who was not yet one year old. His parents were gone, how would he be okay? For now, he still wanted to see Liu Xi and ask him to take good care of Manxiu. But unexpectedly, Liu Xi never came to the prison again.

  Su Qi repeatedly asked Lei Lao to help him pass on a message. On the second day, Lei Lao returned and said to Su Qi: "I didn't want to deceive you, but your days are numbered, so let me tell you clearly. Now Liu Xi has taken over your family business, and the Su Mansion has been changed to the Liu Mansion. How can he help you?" Su Qi was shocked by this news, thinking about past events, knowing that Liu Xi's plan was to kill him and seize his property. Heaven is unfair! Why did I, Su Qi, do wrong? "Where is Man Xiu? Where is Man Xiu? I want to see him, I want to see him! What about Ling Er?" "Ah, it's also what I heard... they said that a maid took the young master to play by the lotus pond and he accidentally fell into the water and drowned. The maid's whereabouts are unknown." Su Qi let out a cry, spat out blood, and fainted.

  In the blink of an eye, the three-day deadline had arrived, and people from all over the countryside came to watch the beheading. Su Qi was now like a discarded person, with a head full of white hair, all because of his own momentary mistake, he had lost his wife and child, and now even his own life was about to be lost. And what use would this life have now? He had a virtuous wife but didn't trust her, he had a loving son but couldn't protect him, what's the point of living? Su Qi now somewhat appreciated Magistrate Lu for allowing him to reunite with his wife and child quickly. On the execution ground, Su Qi looked up at the sky, his eyes filled with tears, all this was ultimately his own fault, otherwise no matter how Liu Xi designed it, there wouldn't have been such a result. Unfortunately, regret came too late. Tears fell to the ground along with his head, fresh blood and tears splashing out together, Wife, child, I'm coming!