Two days later, Jinxia and Yang Yue brought Qi Qiushi and Cao Ge back to the capital. They entered Department Six (Liushemen), they wanted to personally bring the criminals to the Ministry of Justice, but then they bump into Tong Yu, the head of Department Six (Liushemen). Tong Yu has been here in the department for five years, but he is the type of person that uses sweet words and bribes to earn special treatment. In the past five years, he has not made any achievements, but he still got promoted to become the head of Department Six (Liushemen).
“You’re finally back! Did it take you five days just to catch two criminals? How lazy can you be?” Tong Yu shook his head, and was dissatisfied, he continued his word: “This is Qi Qiushi and Cao Ge?”
“Yes.”
Jinxia never liked him but she forced herself to put on a smile in front of him, then she dragged Cao Ge inside.
Unfortunately, Tong Yu is very annoying.
Tong Yu extended his hand, stopping Jinxia from entering: “you came at the right time, give these people to me. Cao Ge is also involved in another case, conspiracy with the enemy, he needs to be sent to North Town Fushi for interrogation. You guys just came back, dirty and dusty, go freshen up, I’ll bring these criminals over for you guys.”
Just by hearing the word ‘North Town Fushi’, Cao Ge became frightened that his face turned yellow, slowly stepping back, trying to hide “No…no, no..no, I don’t want to go.”
North Town Fushi is also known as JinYiWei [Brocade Robe Department] Prison. Everyone in the world knows that North Town Fushi prison compared to the Ministry of Justice prison and if the Ministry of Justice prison is like heaven, then North Town Fusi prison is like eighteen layers of hell. Once entered JinYiWei’s prison, the cruelty of punishments are unbearable, prisoners would experience all five poisonous insects.
*[Five poisounous = snakes, centipede, scorpion, geckos, and frogs, TN]
Seeing Tong Yu extend his hand and was ready to grab Cao Ge from her, she started to become angry.
Based on Jinxia’s temper, at this moment she would’ve kicked him flying, at least three meters away, but in the past two years, spending a lot of time working, trying hard to earn money, she knows to control herself in this situation, plus he is someone with a higher rank compared to her, it is better not to mess with him. Every two months, she only earned up to two silvers, even though it is very little, it is better than having none.
One-hand pushing Tong Yu out of the way, the other hand pulled Cao Ge behind her back, forcefully put on a smile: “Tong Master, this criminal was caught by me and Da Yang after several days of hard work of investigating and tracking him down and we still haven’t brought in to the Ministry of Justice yet. I don’t think it is a great idea for you to take him just because of your words.”
Tong Yu can see his hand being blocked, his face changed: “I’ll let you know that this is the order of the JinYiWei, those who are deliberately delaying the order will be considered as teaming up, can you handle the responsibility?”
“It doesn’t sound right, although we are small constables in the department, we did contribute a lot of efforts to catch these two criminals for the case, how come now you’re saying we’re teaming up?” Jinxia let out a dry laugh, twice. In her opinion, the fact that she is being this polite is already frustrating to her.
Unfortunately, Tong Yu did not care.
“stop talking, quickly give him to me.”
“You…”
Seeing that Jinxia’s temper was rising, Yang Yue quickly run over to make peace between them, “Tong Master, Cao Ge committed murder, he was wanted for the case, we still haven’t tried him yet, how about you wait until he is convicted, then you can send him over.” YangYue have a more tolerant temperament and avoid arguments if possible, knowing TongYu is someone who is very calculative, if they went against him, their days in the department will be numbered.
“How can that be? If JinYiWei wants someone, no one dares to delay. You guys should stop fooling around and if you offend them, I’ll guarantee you, your next few days will not be peaceful.”
As they were talking, department Head Yang ChengWan limped over to them, with the blade dangling at his waist. YangYue hurriedly stepped up and greeted “Father.”
In front of Yang ChengWan, Jinxia controlled her temper, bent herself low to bow respectfully to greet him: “Master.”
“Head TongYu!” Yang ChengWan first greeted TongYu, “Is there a problem?”
Although both TongYu and Yang ChengWan are both heads of the department, TongYu felt that it is a shame for Department Six to have a leader like Yang ChengWan with a defective leg, he grumbled and said: “These two are suspected to be involved in a conspiracy with the enemy, wanted criminals by the JinYiWei [Brocade Robe Department] and I want to take them over there, but your disciples are trying every way to stop me…”
Jinxia cuts off his word, quick to defend herself, “these people were caught by us.”
Yang ChengWan held up his hand to stop Jinxia from talking, coldly said: “I saw people of JinYiWei [Brocade Robe Department] are waiting outside, you should hand them over to Head TongYu.”
“Master!” Jinxia angrily said.
“Quickly.”
As Yang ChengWan instructed, Jinxia did not dare to disobey his order, she let go of her hand and walk to the side angrily.
TongYu grabbed Cao Ge angrily. Unfortunately for Qi Qiushi, because of running away with him, she is now considered to be an accomplice and gets dragged away with him.
JinXia follows from behind, seeing them being dragged across. At the side hall under a tree, there stood a guy in bright red embroidered uniform with FeiYu Fu [Flying Fish Uniform], it seemed like the guys from the JinYiWei [Brocade Robe Department] is really here. She had just reached and they are here right after her, it seems like they have eyes everywhere, especially at the gate to the city, once she crossed over the gate they must have known.
Jinxia angrily gritted her teeth, watching Tongyu hand over the criminals to the people of the JinYiWei [Brocade Robe Department]. The head of JinYiWei [Brocade Robe Department] turns his back at her, she can only a tall, straight figure and not his face, but instead the flattering face of TongYu can be seen clearly.
Jinxia turned her back in despair, sadly glancing at Yang ChengWan: “Master, you’re too easy. Is he even the head of Department Six, he can easily ignore the cases in our department, but was so quick to give people to the JinYiWei [Brocade Robe Department], who doesn’t know that he’s trying to flatter them.”
YangYue sigh: “There was one thing he was right about, offending the people in JinYiWei [Brocade Robe Department] will not have a good outcome.”
Jinxia fiercely said: “In this capital, there is a Judicial Department Prison, and the Three Divisions of Laws, isn’t that enough? Is it necessary to have a JinYiWei [Brocade Robe Department] prison? What’s the point of having the Three Divisions of Laws?”
YangYue wanted to quickly run over to cover Jinxia’s mouth, but she was quick to avoid him.
“My master Xia, can you be quiet? You can’t just say these things out loud.” YangYue knocked her on the head.
“Those criminals still haven’t been convicted yet, and they already took them away, isn’t it a waste of our efforts?” Jinxia said in distress, “I wanted to capture Cao Ge for the bonus reward, if I knew this would happen, I would’ve used less effort.”
Yang ChengWan plainly said: “It is good that you’re back safely, your brother has been coming here asking for you, you should go and see.”
Actually, I really miss my family, when he mentioned my brother had come several times, I wonder if something is wrong, Jinxia glance over to YangYue, feeling uneasy: “If there’s no bonus reward, the money provided for trip I still have to take, leaving this to you, don’t mess it up.”
YangYue nodded helplessly.
Jinxia quickly leaves the department.
During the springtime, many trees began to have flower buds, and the capital city, the crowd was bustling with various activities. There are variety of shops on both side of the road, inside a noodle shop, they have hudie [butterfly] noodles, shui hua [soup] noodles, tuo zhang [hand-shaped] noodles and much more. In the pastry shop, there are baked cakes, steamed buns, oil cakes, etc. There are more expensive pastries like gupai gao [dominoes cake], thin crusted biscuits, peach dumplings and so on. Jinxia can smell all of the various foods mixed together, walking slowly through the crowd.
When she passed by the candy shop, she slowed down her pace, hands started to count the remaining money on her, a little hesitant, but still took out three coins to buy a small packet of amber candy, then tucking it in her clothing.
Pass by the lively market and make a turn into a deep alley, from the start of the alley, it was shaped like the mouth of a pumpkin that is half crooked, the opening was narrow and small. After entering, the path suddenly opens up. Then, continuing down the alley is like going down to the pumpkin’s body.
Jinxia up the door in the front, facing east of the pumpkin alley, she pushed the striped wooden door to open but it did move, so she had to knock.
After a moment, the door cracked open, making a creaking sound. A young man wearing a brown round-necked shirt, with a hair bun said to her: “Sister! You’re back!” He was Jinxia’s brother, Yuan Yi.
Jinxia held up her hand to move the hair on his forehead, and asked him as they walked inside: “has anyone bullied you recently?” The yard is not big, a big grindstone occupying a huge space by the west side, and in the corner, a large jug filled with sauce, the strong smell of soybean blended in the clear air.
“No, since the time you dealt with the kid from the pork shop, they never dared to tear up my book again.” Yuan Yi followed her.
Looking at him, Yuan Yi is weak and lacks courage. Jinxia sighs, feeling sorry, remembering when she was his age, she fought all the kids of Xifeng street, making a record, even when someone across the street came to destroy their stall, Jinxia was the one to fight them, because of all the fights, she was constantly being punished by her parent. She understands really well, to ‘step on someone, you have to understand the hardship in hardship‘.
It is a pity that those glorious days are over, and the days after … She sighed, then asked: “Mother and father are not back yet?”
Yuan Yi quickly made a hush gesture toward her, lowering his voice and said: “Father already left to sell bean curd, mom is sleeping inside. Last night, mom went to Xinfeng Bridge to sell bean curd, and came back really late at night.”
Jinxia glanced over to the window with sadness and sighed, taking out the packet of amber candy and handing it over to Yuan Yi.
Yuan Yi opened the packet, seeing the candy, quickly got angry: “I’m already a grown up, why do you treat me like a child?”
“Fine, don’t eat.” Jinxia reached out her hand to take it back, “I will save it for myself.”
Yuan Yi quickly dogged her hand, quickly put a piece in his mouth, then quickly hid the rest in his clothing.
“Yang Master said you came to the department looking for me several times, what’s going on?” Jinxia asked him.
Yuan Yi murmured his words: “Mother asked me to go ask when you were going to be back.”
“There’s no more money in the house?”
“This month, big belly Dong collected the stall fees for his son’s wedding, then mom said she’ll definitely give a gift.
Jinxia was surprised and said: “I remember they had a wedding last year for his son already, why is there another wedding?”
“He has four sons.”
“…”
Jinxia put her hand up to her forehead and groaned, suddenly she thought of the stack of silvers given by Cao Ge.
The creaking sound made by the bed, sounded as if someone rolled over, and then she heard a voice: “Xia’er, are you back?”
“Yes.” Jinxia walked up to the room, seeing Yuan Chen standing up, “mother, did I wake you up?.”
“It’s okay, I wanted to get up.” Yuan Chen put on a gray-brown long robe, and looked at Jinxia. “Was the travel safe? Did you get hurt?”
“No, of course not.” Jinxia answered
“Did you capture them?”
“Yes, I did…” Jinxia answered hesitantly.
Yuan Chen’s face lifted up, she held up her hand in front of Jinxia’s face, “You said catching these people was important, and you successfully completed the mission, there will be a bonus reward, give me the money so I can quickly go buy some gifts for the Dong family.”
Jinxia hesitated: “No… no, I didn’t receive any silvers, and the people were handed over to North Town Fushi as soon as we got back.”
Yuan Chen was stunned for a moment and said: “The North Town Fushi should also give you the money, you were the one to arrest them.”
“That’s true, but no one dares to discuss money with the JinYiWei.” Jinxia did not dare to look at her, lowering her head, staring at the ground.
After listening, Yuan Chuan frowned for a moment, then said: “You go wash up and change your clothes, these clothes are starting to smell. I said it from the beginning, a girl should not be a constable, it’s hard and tiring, nothing is right. If you listen to me from the beginning, marrying into the Sun family, the pastry shop down at Xinfeng Bridge, you wouldn’t look like this now. You know the wife of Sun Jixing is already pregnant? And you…”
These sentences were old, Jinxia is so used to hearing them, she just nodded, and before leaving for a bath, she made a face at Yuan Yi. She went to the kitchen to boil water for her bath.
“Sister, there’s one more thing…” Yuan Yi followed her to the kitchen, helped her get the water, making a mysterious face, “don’t blame me for not saying it first, the other day, mother already invited the match-making lady home.”
After hearing it, Jinxia raised her eyebrows, feeling defended.
“I sat by the window and heard their conversation a little, this time mother chose the youngest in the Yi’s family.”
Jinxia furiously raised her eyebrows: “Yi young master?! Your teacher?”
Yuan Yi nodded.
Two days later, Jinxia and Yang Yue brought Qi Qiushi and Cao Ge back to the capital. They entered Department Six (Liushemen), they wanted to personally bring the criminals to the Ministry of Justice, but then they bump into Tong Yu, the head of Department Six (Liushemen). Tong Yu has been here in the department for five years, but he is the type of person that uses sweet words and bribes to earn special treatment. In the past five years, he has not made any achievements, but he still got promoted to become the head of Department Six (Liushemen).
“You’re finally back! Did it take you five days just to catch two criminals? How lazy can you be?” Tong Yu shook his head, and was dissatisfied, he continued his word: “This is Qi Qiushi and Cao Ge?”
“Yes.”
Jinxia never liked him but she forced herself to put on a smile in front of him, then she dragged Cao Ge inside.
Unfortunately, Tong Yu is very annoying.
Tong Yu extended his hand, stopping Jinxia from entering: “you came at the right time, give these people to me. Cao Ge is also involved in another case, conspiracy with the enemy, he needs to be sent to North Town Fushi for interrogation. You guys just came back, dirty and dusty, go freshen up, I’ll bring these criminals over for you guys.”
Just by hearing the word ‘North Town Fushi’, Cao Ge became frightened that his face turned yellow, slowly stepping back, trying to hide “No…no, no..no, I don’t want to go.”
North Town Fushi is also known as JinYiWei [Brocade Robe Department] Prison. Everyone in the world knows that North Town Fushi prison compared to the Ministry of Justice prison and if the Ministry of Justice prison is like heaven, then North Town Fusi prison is like eighteen layers of hell. Once entered JinYiWei’s prison, the cruelty of punishments are unbearable, prisoners would experience all five poisonous insects.
*[Five poisounous = snakes, centipede, scorpion, geckos, and frogs, TN]
Seeing Tong Yu extend his hand and was ready to grab Cao Ge from her, she started to become angry.
Based on Jinxia’s temper, at this moment she would’ve kicked him flying, at least three meters away, but in the past two years, spending a lot of time working, trying hard to earn money, she knows to control herself in this situation, plus he is someone with a higher rank compared to her, it is better not to mess with him. Every two months, she only earned up to two silvers, even though it is very little, it is better than having none.
One-hand pushing Tong Yu out of the way, the other hand pulled Cao Ge behind her back, forcefully put on a smile: “Tong Master, this criminal was caught by me and Da Yang after several days of hard work of investigating and tracking him down and we still haven’t brought in to the Ministry of Justice yet. I don’t think it is a great idea for you to take him just because of your words.”
Tong Yu can see his hand being blocked, his face changed: “I’ll let you know that this is the order of the JinYiWei, those who are deliberately delaying the order will be considered as teaming up, can you handle the responsibility?”
“It doesn’t sound right, although we are small constables in the department, we did contribute a lot of efforts to catch these two criminals for the case, how come now you’re saying we’re teaming up?” Jinxia let out a dry laugh, twice. In her opinion, the fact that she is being this polite is already frustrating to her.
Unfortunately, Tong Yu did not care.
“stop talking, quickly give him to me.”
“You…”
Seeing that Jinxia’s temper was rising, Yang Yue quickly run over to make peace between them, “Tong Master, Cao Ge committed murder, he was wanted for the case, we still haven’t tried him yet, how about you wait until he is convicted, then you can send him over.” YangYue have a more tolerant temperament and avoid arguments if possible, knowing TongYu is someone who is very calculative, if they went against him, their days in the department will be numbered.
“How can that be? If JinYiWei wants someone, no one dares to delay. You guys should stop fooling around and if you offend them, I’ll guarantee you, your next few days will not be peaceful.”
As they were talking, department Head Yang ChengWan limped over to them, with the blade dangling at his waist. YangYue hurriedly stepped up and greeted “Father.”
In front of Yang ChengWan, Jinxia controlled her temper, bent herself low to bow respectfully to greet him: “Master.”
“Head TongYu!” Yang ChengWan first greeted TongYu, “Is there a problem?”
Although both TongYu and Yang ChengWan are both heads of the department, TongYu felt that it is a shame for Department Six to have a leader like Yang ChengWan with a defective leg, he grumbled and said: “These two are suspected to be involved in a conspiracy with the enemy, wanted criminals by the JinYiWei [Brocade Robe Department] and I want to take them over there, but your disciples are trying every way to stop me…”
Jinxia cuts off his word, quick to defend herself, “these people were caught by us.”
Yang ChengWan held up his hand to stop Jinxia from talking, coldly said: “I saw people of JinYiWei [Brocade Robe Department] are waiting outside, you should hand them over to Head TongYu.”
“Master!” Jinxia angrily said.
“Quickly.”
As Yang ChengWan instructed, Jinxia did not dare to disobey his order, she let go of her hand and walk to the side angrily.
TongYu grabbed Cao Ge angrily. Unfortunately for Qi Qiushi, because of running away with him, she is now considered to be an accomplice and gets dragged away with him.
JinXia follows from behind, seeing them being dragged across. At the side hall under a tree, there stood a guy in bright red embroidered uniform with FeiYu Fu [Flying Fish Uniform], it seemed like the guys from the JinYiWei [Brocade Robe Department] is really here. She had just reached and they are here right after her, it seems like they have eyes everywhere, especially at the gate to the city, once she crossed over the gate they must have known.
Jinxia angrily gritted her teeth, watching Tongyu hand over the criminals to the people of the JinYiWei [Brocade Robe Department]. The head of JinYiWei [Brocade Robe Department] turns his back at her, she can only a tall, straight figure and not his face, but instead the flattering face of TongYu can be seen clearly.
Jinxia turned her back in despair, sadly glancing at Yang ChengWan: “Master, you’re too easy. Is he even the head of Department Six, he can easily ignore the cases in our department, but was so quick to give people to the JinYiWei [Brocade Robe Department], who doesn’t know that he’s trying to flatter them.”
YangYue sigh: “There was one thing he was right about, offending the people in JinYiWei [Brocade Robe Department] will not have a good outcome.”
Jinxia fiercely said: “In this capital, there is a Judicial Department Prison, and the Three Divisions of Laws, isn’t that enough? Is it necessary to have a JinYiWei [Brocade Robe Department] prison? What’s the point of having the Three Divisions of Laws?”
YangYue wanted to quickly run over to cover Jinxia’s mouth, but she was quick to avoid him.
“My master Xia, can you be quiet? You can’t just say these things out loud.” YangYue knocked her on the head.
“Those criminals still haven’t been convicted yet, and they already took them away, isn’t it a waste of our efforts?” Jinxia said in distress, “I wanted to capture Cao Ge for the bonus reward, if I knew this would happen, I would’ve used less effort.”
Yang ChengWan plainly said: “It is good that you’re back safely, your brother has been coming here asking for you, you should go and see.”
Actually, I really miss my family, when he mentioned my brother had come several times, I wonder if something is wrong, Jinxia glance over to YangYue, feeling uneasy: “If there’s no bonus reward, the money provided for trip I still have to take, leaving this to you, don’t mess it up.”
YangYue nodded helplessly.
Jinxia quickly leaves the department.
During the springtime, many trees began to have flower buds, and the capital city, the crowd was bustling with various activities. There are variety of shops on both side of the road, inside a noodle shop, they have hudie [butterfly] noodles, shui hua [soup] noodles, tuo zhang [hand-shaped] noodles and much more. In the pastry shop, there are baked cakes, steamed buns, oil cakes, etc. There are more expensive pastries like gupai gao [dominoes cake], thin crusted biscuits, peach dumplings and so on. Jinxia can smell all of the various foods mixed together, walking slowly through the crowd.
When she passed by the candy shop, she slowed down her pace, hands started to count the remaining money on her, a little hesitant, but still took out three coins to buy a small packet of amber candy, then tucking it in her clothing.
Pass by the lively market and make a turn into a deep alley, from the start of the alley, it was shaped like the mouth of a pumpkin that is half crooked, the opening was narrow and small. After entering, the path suddenly opens up. Then, continuing down the alley is like going down to the pumpkin’s body.
Jinxia up the door in the front, facing east of the pumpkin alley, she pushed the striped wooden door to open but it did move, so she had to knock.
After a moment, the door cracked open, making a creaking sound. A young man wearing a brown round-necked shirt, with a hair bun said to her: “Sister! You’re back!” He was Jinxia’s brother, Yuan Yi.
Jinxia held up her hand to move the hair on his forehead, and asked him as they walked inside: “has anyone bullied you recently?” The yard is not big, a big grindstone occupying a huge space by the west side, and in the corner, a large jug filled with sauce, the strong smell of soybean blended in the clear air.
“No, since the time you dealt with the kid from the pork shop, they never dared to tear up my book again.” Yuan Yi followed her.
Looking at him, Yuan Yi is weak and lacks courage. Jinxia sighs, feeling sorry, remembering when she was his age, she fought all the kids of Xifeng street, making a record, even when someone across the street came to destroy their stall, Jinxia was the one to fight them, because of all the fights, she was constantly being punished by her parent. She understands really well, to ‘step on someone, you have to understand the hardship in hardship‘.
It is a pity that those glorious days are over, and the days after … She sighed, then asked: “Mother and father are not back yet?”
Yuan Yi quickly made a hush gesture toward her, lowering his voice and said: “Father already left to sell bean curd, mom is sleeping inside. Last night, mom went to Xinfeng Bridge to sell bean curd, and came back really late at night.”
Jinxia glanced over to the window with sadness and sighed, taking out the packet of amber candy and handing it over to Yuan Yi.
Yuan Yi opened the packet, seeing the candy, quickly got angry: “I’m already a grown up, why do you treat me like a child?”
“Fine, don’t eat.” Jinxia reached out her hand to take it back, “I will save it for myself.”
Yuan Yi quickly dogged her hand, quickly put a piece in his mouth, then quickly hid the rest in his clothing.
“Yang Master said you came to the department looking for me several times, what’s going on?” Jinxia asked him.
Yuan Yi murmured his words: “Mother asked me to go ask when you were going to be back.”
“There’s no more money in the house?”
“This month, big belly Dong collected the stall fees for his son’s wedding, then mom said she’ll definitely give a gift.
Jinxia was surprised and said: “I remember they had a wedding last year for his son already, why is there another wedding?”
“He has four sons.”
“…”
Jinxia put her hand up to her forehead and groaned, suddenly she thought of the stack of silvers given by Cao Ge.
The creaking sound made by the bed, sounded as if someone rolled over, and then she heard a voice: “Xia’er, are you back?”
“Yes.” Jinxia walked up to the room, seeing Yuan Chen standing up, “mother, did I wake you up?.”
“It’s okay, I wanted to get up.” Yuan Chen put on a gray-brown long robe, and looked at Jinxia. “Was the travel safe? Did you get hurt?”
“No, of course not.” Jinxia answered
“Did you capture them?”
“Yes, I did…” Jinxia answered hesitantly.
Yuan Chen’s face lifted up, she held up her hand in front of Jinxia’s face, “You said catching these people was important, and you successfully completed the mission, there will be a bonus reward, give me the money so I can quickly go buy some gifts for the Dong family.”
Jinxia hesitated: “No… no, I didn’t receive any silvers, and the people were handed over to North Town Fushi as soon as we got back.”
Yuan Chen was stunned for a moment and said: “The North Town Fushi should also give you the money, you were the one to arrest them.”
“That’s true, but no one dares to discuss money with the JinYiWei.” Jinxia did not dare to look at her, lowering her head, staring at the ground.
After listening, Yuan Chuan frowned for a moment, then said: “You go wash up and change your clothes, these clothes are starting to smell. I said it from the beginning, a girl should not be a constable, it’s hard and tiring, nothing is right. If you listen to me from the beginning, marrying into the Sun family, the pastry shop down at Xinfeng Bridge, you wouldn’t look like this now. You know the wife of Sun Jixing is already pregnant? And you…”
These sentences were old, Jinxia is so used to hearing them, she just nodded, and before leaving for a bath, she made a face at Yuan Yi. She went to the kitchen to boil water for her bath.
“Sister, there’s one more thing…” Yuan Yi followed her to the kitchen, helped her get the water, making a mysterious face, “don’t blame me for not saying it first, the other day, mother already invited the match-making lady home.”
After hearing it, Jinxia raised her eyebrows, feeling defended.
“I sat by the window and heard their conversation a little, this time mother chose the youngest in the Yi’s family.”
Jinxia furiously raised her eyebrows: “Yi young master?! Your teacher?”
Yuan Yi nodded.
