Chapter Ninety-Five: The Beauty and the Jade Pendant

  The young master walked to the center of the hall, bowed to Meng Bangjie and said: "General Meng, I am Bai Guangren, the son of White Eunuch from Cai State. I want to accuse Huang Xiuli, a Qing Nu from the Yi Qing Yuan. Last night at the first watch, I went to the Yi Qing Yuan and paid a large sum of money to ask Huang Xiuli to play a tune. Unexpectedly, this woman took advantage of my intoxication and stole our family heirloom, the Panlong Jade Pendant. This Panlong Jade Pendant has been passed down for four generations in my White family and was purchased from the Pagan Kingdom in Nanyang, worth at least 2,000 guan. I immediately asked Huang Xiuli to return the jade pendant, but she not only denied it but also slapped me on the ear. Therefore, I ask General Meng to help me retrieve the jade pendant and bring Huang Xiuli to justice!"

  "Oh, it's the young master Bai after all!" Meng Bangjie's expression eased up, and he instructed the nearby bailiff: "Give Young Master Bai a seat!" Immediately, one of the bailiffs moved a chair behind Bai Guangren and had him sit down.

  Yue Yun knew that the Qing Dynasty's brothels were almost all selling art, not selling bodies, mostly talented and beautiful women, with a higher status than those who sold their flesh, somewhat like later generations' female stars, more popular. He was surprised to see that she was actually a Qing Dynasty brothel's clear person.

  Moreover, Meng Bangjie was so polite to the plaintiff Bai Guangren that he couldn't help but ask in a low voice: "General Meng, does this Bai Guangren have any achievements or honors?"

  It seems that in ancient times, only those who had passed the imperial examination and become a scholar could see an official without kneeling during a trial, and were also given a seat.

  "Oh, that's not it! The White family where Bai Guangren is from is the largest local family in Cai Prefecture. Since our army recovered Cai Prefecture, they have been actively assisting our stationed troops. I won't hide it from you, young master, but the 3,000 soldiers and horses stationed in Cai Prefecture had already run out of food, and it was only because White Gentleman opened up his own granary to supply us that we were able to hold on until now!" Meng Bangjie hastily explained.

  "Is Cai Prefecture also short of food?" Yue Yun asked with a slip of the tongue. Unconsciously, his heart's knot grew heavier.

  "Yes! General Meng also sent someone to Xiangyang to urge, but the governor Tian Shizhong said that the grain was to be left for transportation to Zhuxiantown, and I had to think of a way myself. General Meng had no choice but to think of ways to raise funds everywhere. Fortunately, Bai Yuanwai and several other wealthy households were sympathetic to us, and we could barely hold on until the autumn harvest next month." Meng Bangjie sighed helplessly.

  Yue Yun understood after hearing that Meng Bangjie's troops had no food, and they were restricted by the Yue family army rules, unable to plunder the common people, and could only rely on the support of these wealthy households. Therefore, it was also inevitable to be affectionate towards the Bai family. However, Xiangyang is so close to Cai Prefecture, but Tian Shizhong refused to issue grain, saying that he wanted to withhold the grain for Zhu Xianting to transport. It must have been the result of Niu Gao and Tang Huai going to urge him.

  At this time, Meng Bangjie had already grabbed the wooden ruler on the table and slammed it down, shouting: "Bring the defendant Huang Xiuli up!"

  Just as they were sipping their tea, a loud voice was heard from outside the hall: "The defendant Huang Xiuli has been brought in!"

  A woman in a green dress walked into the hall with an angry face and quick steps.

  Yue Yun couldn't help but be taken aback by the woman's beauty. He had previously heard that Huang Xiuli was the top courtesan of Yi Qing Yuan, and he had expected her to be quite attractive, but he never could have imagined that she would be so stunningly beautiful. Her eyebrows were like crescent moons, her eyes like autumn water, her lips and nose like jade, and her skin as white and delicate as a lotus flower. The beauty of her features was like the first blossoms of a yellow flower, exuding a subtle fragrance. Although she had a hint of a frown on her face, looking angry, it only added to her allure, making it impossible for anyone to tear their eyes away from her face.

  Yue Yun secretly admired in her heart, this girl was too beautiful, Yang Yue and Li Yu Rong may be more beautiful than her, but they absolutely didn't have the kind of charm that exuded from every move she made. This kind of woman was truly a beauty who could bring disaster.

  She walked slowly to the center of the hall, bowed her head and saluted Meng Bangjie, saying in a clear and pleasant voice like a oriole singing out of the valley: "Huang Xiuli is innocent! I hope the old master will do justice for me!"

  Meng Bangjie coldly said: "Huang Xiuli, Bai Gongzi accused you of stealing his family heirloom Panlong Jade Pendant. Is this true?"

  "This beautiful Huang Xiuli was anxious as soon as she heard it, and she hurriedly argued: "Master, although I was born in a brothel, I have always been selling art but not my body. I only use songs, dances, poems, and words to please the guests. But this white young master is arrogant because of his wealth, yesterday he came to my room after drinking some wine, claiming that he wanted to take me as his concubine, I didn't agree, so he scolded me and threatened me with violence. I was angry and slapped him in the face, then he cursed loudly, fortunately someone else persuaded him to leave. Originally, I thought this matter would end here, but unexpectedly today he came to Master's place to falsely accuse me of stealing his jade pendant, hoping that Master will investigate clearly!"

  Meng Bangjie listened and felt that both sides had their own words, and it seemed that they were both reasonable. He slightly turned his body to the side and asked in a low voice: "Xu Shifu, how should we judge this case now?"

  Mr. Xu hesitated for a moment and then whispered something in Meng Bangjie's ear.

  Meng Bangjie's face suddenly showed a joyful expression, after listening to it, he raised the wooden hammer and slammed it down, saying to Sun Hao, who was leading the soldiers: "Sun Hao, send someone to search Huang Xiuli's room and see if there is any jade pendant!"

  Sun Haowen was a captain who fought bravely in the battle to capture Cai Prefecture, and he made great contributions. He was promoted out of turn to be the Commander-in-Chief, and Meng Bangjie also liked him very much. He chose Sun to lead this temporary yamen team, with the intention of cultivating him as well.

  However, after a brief moment of silence, Sun Hao walked onto the stage with a small box in his arms. He bowed to Meng Bangjie and said: "Reporting to General Meng, this box contains all the jewels we found in Huang Xiuli's room, including seven or eight jade pendants. I don't know if any of them are the missing jade pendants that the plaintiff is looking for."

  Meng Bangjie nodded after hearing this, glanced at Bai Guangren and said: "Young Master Bai, you can go ahead now to take a look, see if your lost jade pendant is there."

  Bai Guangren's face revealed a faint, imperceptible sly smile, and he immediately went forward to rummage through the box...

  But in an instant, Bai Guangren burst out laughing: "Found it! The White family's heirloom Dragon and Phoenix jade pendant was indeed stolen by this little thief!"

  Everyone looked on and saw that he was holding a crystal jade plaque, its entire body snow-white, with two coiled dragons carved on it. It certainly didn't look like an ordinary object.

  Huang Xiuli's face turned pale and her beauty was lost as she saw the jade pendant in Bai Guangren's hand. She exclaimed, "Ah! How is this possible? This isn't my jade pendant at all!"

  Bai Guangren's face revealed a triumphant and gloating smile, his words laced with sarcasm: "Of course this isn't your jade pendant, it's the White family's heirloom coiled dragon jade pendant, which just so happened to be found in your room! You still dare say you didn't steal it?"

  "I get it! You must be framing me on purpose! Trying to harm me intentionally!" Huang Xiuli suddenly understood, her face immediately turned furious as she stared at Bai Guangren and shouted loudly.

  She was a famous Qing girl in the city of Cai, and had been in contact with countless men. She was a clever and astute person, and immediately understood the cause and effect of things.

  Bai Guangren's face changed, and he said sternly: "Miss Huang, you are talking nonsense! After you slapped me last night, I left the brothel and never came back. How can you frame me for this? Moreover, even if you have a grudge against me, you cannot tarnish the heroic reputation of General Yue's army! These things were all found in your room by Commander Sun after he led the troops to victory in the battle to retake Cai State - are you saying that Commander Sun is framing you?"

  Bai Guangren's words had the effect of binding Sun Hao and himself together, so that if Huang Xiuli continued to argue, she would be slandering Sun Hao. The onlookers were mostly unaware of the circumstances, but they all admired the generals of the Yue Family Army. And this Sun Hao was the first to climb up the wall guarded by the Golden Soldiers when they conquered Cai State, earning great merit. In the eyes of the people of Cai State, he was indeed a hero.

  The White family had deep roots in Cai Prefecture, with great wealth and power. White Langzhong was also skilled at adapting to circumstances, making friends with the rulers of the city whether it was during the Jin or Song dynasties. As a result, he could be considered the de facto master of Cai Prefecture. Many ordinary people had some connection to the White family's businesses, and seeing this situation, they naturally responded with a chorus of approval. Although there were many astute and cautious individuals who saw that something was amiss, they did not dare speak out in opposition, and could only remain silent.

  Huang Xiuli was clever and resourceful, but when faced with such a situation where she was framed and gained nothing, she couldn't think of a way to defend herself. She couldn't possibly say that she suspected Sun Zhiyuan and Bai Guangren were colluding and intentionally framing her. Not only would she not be able to clear herself of the crime, but she would also greatly offend this Commander Sun. And Sun Zhiyuan was not only a heroic figure in the eyes of the people, but he also had a good relationship with General Meng, who was in charge of Cai Prefecture. Now Huang Xiuli was truly at a loss for what to do.