Chapter 247: Chapter 231: Case Closed, Return to the Capital (Third Update)
This night it rained, Wen Wan prepared the warm water for bathing and emerged from behind the screen, finding Song Wei lost in thought by the window. She approached and gently called him, "Husband, it’s time for your bath."
Seeing Song Wei turn his head, she smiled and asked, "Are you worried the truth won’t come out tomorrow?"
Song Wei didn’t deny it.
In fact, he was afraid the truth would come out, afraid that Lu Yanqing was really involved in this tragedy.
"Don’t worry, I don’t have a bad premonition." Wen Wan hugged him proactively, as a form of comfort.
Song Wei didn’t want his emotions to affect her and shifted the conversation, "Since we’re here, do you want to see your father?"
Wen Wan’s eyes brightened as she looked up at him, "Can we?"
"Once the case is settled, I’ll take some time to bring you there. Your father’s shop is in the county town, not too far from here."
——
On the seventh day, County Magistrate Lu found the records of coal mined in previous years and the transaction logs.
On Wei Baihu’s side, it was discovered that another member of the Su Family besides Su Yaojun was involved, this person being Master Su, who four years ago served as Cao Yun Governor.
With the evidence from County Magistrate Lu and Wei Baihu combined, the whole affair was easily explained.
——Da Huan Mountain was responsible for mining, while Su Wuye utilized his position to facilitate transportation for them.
To make County Magistrate Lu believe in Lu Yanqing’s identity and willingly take risks to recruit workers for illegal coal mining, Master Su must have put in significant effort and promised considerable benefits.
However, perhaps they never anticipated the unforeseen disaster from the heavens, continuous heavy rain collapsed the unapproved mines, resulting in such a major incident.
Song Wei looked at the evidence they had gathered in his hands, having confirmed the involvement of Lu Yanqing, Cheng Fei, and Su Yaojun.
As for Master Su, though he was no longer around, the evidence was overwhelming. The Su Family could not be disentangled from this case.
As far as guilt is concerned, the Su Family holds the major responsibility.
Wei Baihu glanced at Song Wei and reminded him, "The Su Family won’t let you bring the truth back to the Capital easily. In dealing with you, they have two possible ways: either kill you and thus destroy the evidence in your hands, or bribe you to tamper with the evidence.
The Jinyi Guard can protect you, but there is always the unforeseen. Thus, Mr. Song must be extremely cautious on the journey back to the Capital."
Song Wei expressed his gratitude.
The case was considered thoroughly resolved at this point.
Whether County Magistrate Lu was incited or tempted, his crime could not be absolved. He had been stripped of his official’s hat by Wei Baihu personally and was temporarily detained in prison, ready to be escorted back to the Capital.
——
Removing his official robe, Song Wei changed into a pale blue cross-collar long robe and took Wen Wan to see her father.
Father Wen had already heard that the court had sent an Imperial Envoy to Ningzhou to redress the miners’ grievances from four years ago, but he did not expect this Imperial Envoy to be his son-in-law.
Upon seeing Song Wei and Wen Wan, he was surprised on the surface, but more than that, he was delighted and hurriedly invited the two inside to sit.
The shop’s business was getting better and better, and their family had increased the number of long-term workers from one to three, so Mrs. Zhou could at any time put things aside to entertain guests.
Seeing Wen Wan dressed as a man, Mrs. Zhou paused in surprise and asked her what was going on.
Wen Wan explained truthfully that it was inconvenient to follow her husband on official business in women’s clothing and inquired about Wen Shun’s situation.
Mrs. Zhou said, "Your father has been taking him everywhere for errands for a while, and he has learned quite a bit. Your father plans to open another store and put him in charge."
While speaking, a tall and thin boy walked in from outside.
It was Wen Shun, whom they hadn’t seen for a long time.
Though he was only ten years old, he had grown quickly, probably since Mrs. Zhou had ceased her nonsense these past two years. Accompanying Father Wen had exposed him to the world, making him appear much more mature than before.
Seeing Wen Wan, Wen Shun awkwardly scratched his head. After a moment of standing, without waiting for Mrs. Zhou to signal, he opened his mouth and said, "Sister, brother-in-law, when did you come back? Why didn’t you tell us earlier?"
Wen Wan said, "Your brother-in-law came for official business, and we happened to pass through Ningzhou, so we stopped by. At the time, we didn’t think of returning to my parent’s house, so we didn’t write to you."
Feeling somewhat awkward facing Wen Wan, Wen Shun sat down on a stool, appearing quite uneasy. When no one else spoke, he finally forced out a sentence, "Well... Jinbao’s almost a year old, right?"
"Yes."
"It’s too far for us to visit, so when you leave, sister, can you take some of the best candy from home for him to eat?"
Mrs. Zhou laughed, "Silly boy, your brother-in-law is an official, his household probably lacks no sweets. With Ningzhou so far from the Capital, is it really necessary to bring candy from here?"
Seeing Wen Shun embarrassed, Wen Wan quickly interjected, "Look at what Second Mother said, isn’t candy a sweet taste no matter where it’s from? What’s important is who gives it. Shunzi has this thought, isn’t it wonderful? Since our family has good candy, pack a little of everything for me before I leave. I’ll bring it back to the Capital and tell Jinbao it’s from his little uncle; the little guy will surely be happy."
The once embarrassed expression on Wen Shun’s face slowly transformed into a smile.
"Alright, you all made your point. I’ll go to the kitchen to cook for you," said Mrs. Zhou as she left.
Wen Shun also stood up, "Sister, I’ll pack you some candy, picking the best ones."
"Okay." Wen Wan nodded.
Once Wen Shun left, Father Wen closed the door, returned to his original seat, and looked at Wen Wan with satisfaction, "The girl has gained weight and isn’t as thin as before."
Wen Wan glanced discreetly at Song Wei beside her and said, "It’s my husband’s household’s meals that are nurturing."
Knowing how sweet-talking she was, Father Wen laughed along and asked Song Wei, "Third Son, how long do you plan to stay this time?"
Song Wei said, "Time is tight; we must depart for the Capital early tomorrow morning."
"So soon?" The tone of Father Wen carried regret.
Finally able to see his daughter, he hoped to keep her a few more days. Unexpectedly, he couldn’t keep her even for a day.
Wen Wan noticed her father’s reluctance and comforted him, "If my husband has such tasks in the future, I’ll try my best to accompany him back to visit you, Father."
"Such a long journey, running back and forth isn’t easy," Father Wen said, "As long as my daughter is well in her husband’s home, it’s not important whether I can see you."
Wen Wan smiled, telling her father that she had entered the women’s official school, where she was learning literature, as well as various arts and skills, indicating that she would become a talented young woman after her studies.
Father Wen didn’t understand much about those things, but he recognized it as a good place and felt happy for his daughter.
The young couple still needed to return to pack their things, so they didn’t stay long. After eating, they said their goodbyes.
Wen Shun took Wen Wan to the front of the shop to fetch the candy, and Mrs. Zhou went back to their room to give Wen Wan some local products she prepared for her.
Song Wei stayed behind and handed something to Father Wen, whispering a few words.
Father Wen nodded solemnly, assuring him to rest assured.
——
Early the next morning, the group that came to Ningzhou for the investigation set off for the Capital.