Chapter 38: Your Honor, I Am Innocent

For half a month following the death of Wang Youcheng, Gu Zhengchen had not set foot in the city. During this period, Magistrate Li Yi had not abandoned the investigation, yet he remained at a total loss. The coroner could not determine the cause of death, and the members of the Wang family testified that there had been no altercations. Numerous clues pointed to the conclusion that Wang Youcheng had suffered from an underlying ailment and died suddenly.

Because of the summer heat, Wang Youcheng’s body was kept for only three days before the matriarch of the Wang family consented to his burial.

News finally reached Teng County that the imperial court had confirmed the execution order for Wang Fugui, though the date was set for after the autumn. The Wang family was utterly ruined, with only a few women and a three-year-old girl remaining; this branch of the lineage was effectively extinguished. Wang Youcheng’s death remained an unsolved mystery.

Zhang Shiping had no intention of traveling with Liang Jiajun or Gu Zhengchen. Accompanied by Zhao Ya'er, four servants, and two maids, he left Teng County on the third day of the seventh lunar month. Departing so early was not to reach the capital sooner, but to enjoy the scenery and nurture their budding relationship.

The seventeenth day of the seventh month was a favorable day for travel.

"Brother." Gu Qingqing held onto Gu Zhengchen's sleeve, filled with reluctance.

Gu Zhengchen raised his hand, patted her head, and said with a smile, "After I leave, you must take good care of Mother and Aunt Chen. Do not be mischievous, and listen to Mother in all matters."

With tears in her eyes, Gu Qingqing slowly let go, sobbing softly, "I don't want you to go, Brother."

Gu Zhengchen took out a handkerchief to wipe the tears from his sister's face and looked toward his mother, Madame Gu. "The Sun family has decided to establish a sugar refinery and open a shop in the capital. Once they have settled things, they will send someone to pick you up to help. The capital is quite close to Jurong."

Madame Gu tugged at Gu Zhengchen’s collar, examining him carefully before nodding. "Whether we go to the capital or not, we shall see later. Mother only hopes that you serve as an official with integrity, worthy of the imperial favor, and above all—take care of yourself."

Gu Zhengchen took a step back, adjusted his robes, and knelt, kowtowing three times. He said solemnly, "Since ancient times, loyalty and filial piety have been difficult to balance, but I still hope to find a way to honor both. I only ask that Mother not worry too much and look after your health."

Madame Gu helped him up and urged, "Enough, the hour is late. It is time to depart. Gu Cheng, take good care of your master."

Gu Cheng held the horse's reins and promised, "Do not worry, Mistress."

The carriage belonged to the Liang family and was loaded with two wooden chests. Gu Zhengchen walked out the door, following the carriage and looking back with every few steps as he headed toward the village entrance. Madame Gu, Aunt Chen, and Gu Qingqing followed behind, waving from time to time.

The village entrance was crowded with villagers. Old Man Yan, leaning on his cane, approached shakily. He held a basket, which he handed to Gu Zhengchen as he walked up. "Zhengchen, I have nothing of value to give you. Take these eggs for the road; they are freshly boiled and still warm."

Gu Zhengchen felt a surge of warmth in his eyes and declined, "I cannot accept this."

Old Man Yan insisted, "The villagers are not seeing off the Magistrate; they are seeing off one of their own. A child is going on a long journey—take these eggs so you don't go hungry."

"Take them," the villagers urged in succession.

Uncle Wang Huzi stepped forward and said to Gu Zhengchen, "You gave us work in the sugar refinery, and we can earn a string of cash every month. We remember these kindnesses. Go with peace of mind. We will look after Mother Gu and little Qing; we will never let them suffer any grievances."

Gu Zhengchen looked at the villagers and bowed solemnly. "Then I thank you all."

Straightening his posture, Gu Zhengchen looked at Gu Cheng. "Take the eggs, let us go!"

"Understood!" Gu Cheng took the basket and placed it in the carriage.

Gu Zhengchen turned to look at Madame Gu, Aunt Chen, and Gu Qingqing, then at the familiar villagers. He strode past the street corner. When he had walked a hundred paces, he looked back; Madame Gu and the villagers had not yet dispersed. They stood there watching, watching until their figures blurred, until they were no longer visible, and until they turned away with tears in their eyes.

Gu Zhengchen’s eyes reddened. He sighed, "Nothing brings more sorrow than a parting."

Gu Cheng also felt a pang of sadness. "In previous years when I left home, I didn't feel this way. Now, my attachments have grown much heavier. Yet, when I think that I am venturing out with the master, these feelings of reluctance seem trivial."

"Haha, are you not afraid that your master might stir up trouble the moment I take office and get chased back home?" Gu Zhengchen said, lightening the mood.

*While parents are alive, one should not travel far, or if one does, one must have a set destination.* If one could earn money, gain a reputation, and achieve one's value while staying at home, who would leave their parents to travel far away? In the end, despite all the helplessness, one must bear the burden and move forward.

Gu Cheng laughed, "Master could also live comfortably if we returned home."

Gu Zhengchen shook his head. If he stayed in Teng County, major trouble would arise sooner or later. Not to mention the bloodbath of the Hongwu era, even the Jingnan Campaign launched by Zhu Laosi would be enough to destroy half of Shandong.

He was here to change an era. But old Zhu was a stubborn, self-important man with many schemes and strategies, making him extremely difficult to persuade, influence, or change. Damn it, why did he have to transmigrate into the Jianwen era? It would have been better to just follow Zhu Laosi and pick up the spoils. The Great Hongwu was a pit, and yet he had voluntarily jumped into it.

Liang Jiajun was nearly forty and had a son of fifteen or sixteen. He did not intend to bring his family, only an elderly servant over fifty named Liang Wujin. This simplified matters.

There were two carriages, one for luggage, and Gu Zhengchen shared the other with Liang Jiajun.

Sun Bing came to see them off, bringing along a sturdy, middle-aged man with a steel saber at his waist. He introduced him to Gu Zhengchen: "His name is Sun Shiba. He was in the Red Turban Army during the end of the Yuan Dynasty. Later, he was injured and I took him in. He has been with me for many years, helping the Sun family guard our estate. Now, he is yours."

Gu Zhengchen looked at Sun Shiba. The man seemed to exude a murderous aura; his eyes were bright, and his temples were slightly bulged, suggesting he possessed some skill. Gu Zhengchen did not refuse. "Then, thank you, Brother Sun."

Sun Bing laughed heartily. "No need to be polite with me. Once things here are handled properly, I will personally make a trip to Jinling, and then I will visit you in Jurong."

"It's a deal!"

"It's a deal!"

Gu Zhengchen and Sun Bing looked at each other and smiled.

Liang Heng walked out of his house to give his final instructions to Liang Jiajun: "If you encounter something you cannot decide, write a letter and ask Zhengchen. Do not be deceived by his youth; his methods and strategies are far beyond yours."

Gu Zhengchen smiled and said, "Liang Lao, there is no need to worry about Brother Jiajun. He is going to the Imperial Academy, not the imperial court. As long as he teaches the students with sincerity, there will be no harm."

The Imperial Academy in the capital was a safe harbor; as long as one did not actively seek trouble, the winds would not blow there.

Liang Heng, Liang Fengyang, and the others offered their final well-wishes.

Magistrate Li Yi brought the travel allowance and pulled Gu Zhengchen aside, asking in a low voice, "Tell me, did Wang Youcheng’s death truly have nothing to do with you?"

Gu Zhengchen replied crisply and firmly: "Magistrate, I am innocent..."