The Command to Pamper the Husband - Chapter 110

Consort Jiang’s maid raised her chin proudly, giving a smug glance at the maid she had been arguing with. The other maid muttered, “What are you so proud of? Maybe he’s here to deliver a divorce letter.”

The magistrate was on the verge of exploding from the noise. A dignified capital official, beaten in the street, and no one cared about his feelings? All they did was argue!

A bunch of fools.

“Get out, all of you!” he barked, wincing in pain. “From now on, no one leaves their courtyard without my permission. If you do, don’t blame me for being heartless!”

The women immediately waved their handkerchiefs. “My lord, who will take care of you? Look at your injuries, we—”

“Out!”

No one attending me is better than you lot! You’re only good for warming the bed, nothing more!

Amid the magistrate’s furious roars, the women scattered like frightened chickens.

His wife, however, remained seated. After everyone left, she said, “In that case, let the physician stay here with you. He and the steward can take care of your needs.”

The magistrate, squinting through his swollen eyes, snapped, “You leave too.”

He didn’t look at his wife again, instead addressing the steward. “What did the Fourth Prince say?”

“The Fourth Prince said it’s the Emperor’s decree that he investigates your golden belt and socks.”

The magistrate’s wife paused in the doorway, her hand tightening around her handkerchief. Then, she quickly walked away.

Hurry, hurry.

If she was any later, it would be too late.

Once out of the magistrate’s courtyard, she instructed her maid, “Quickly, tell the eldest young master to take the third young miss to Baizhifang Bridge. They should take as much as they can without being obvious.”

After a brief pause, she added, “Inform the other courtyards that by the master’s order, everyone is to stay in their quarters. Lock the gates.”

The maid nodded and rushed to carry out the orders.

The wife hurried back to her room, pulling out pen and paper to write a note.

Meanwhile, Song Jin was being led into the magistrate’s room by the steward.

Seeing the bruised and swollen figure on the bed, Song Jin wrinkled her nose and sat down.

“The Emperor knows about your golden belt and has ordered me to investigate. With your salary, you couldn’t afford such a belt,” Song Jin said bluntly.

The magistrate winced in pain. “Consort Jiang has served you faithfully for years. Must you ruin me?”

Song Jin sneered. “Faithfully? If she were truly faithful, why hasn’t she borne a single child?”

Lu Zhan, standing by, grimaced.

They haven’t even slept together. How could she bear a child?

“Even if she bore ten children a year, it wouldn’t absolve you of the crime of corruption. They’re two separate matters,” Song Jin continued.

Lu Zhan…

Ten children a year? Is she a pig?

The magistrate, lying on the bed, his eyes filled with malice, asked, “What do you want?”

“To investigate.”

The magistrate laughed. “Go ahead. I’m clean. I have nothing to hide.”

“Where did you get the golden belt?”

“I found it,” the magistrate said confidently.

Lu Zhan…

Found it? Why not say you stole it?

Shameless.

He insisted he found it. Without solid proof, they couldn’t do anything to him.

“Found it? You must be quite lucky. This belt, as I understand, is made with top-quality blood jade, crafted into a lifelike pixiu. The cost must be at least thirteen thousand silver taels. As far as I know, only the Phoenix Hairpin Pavilion in the capital can produce such craftsmanship,” Song Jin said, tapping the table rhythmically.

“And Phoenix Hairpin Pavilion keeps records of their orders. Although they don’t disclose these records, they do so for legal investigations. Furthermore, they engrave the owner’s surname on their items.”

Song Jin produced the golden belt. The pixiu on the back bore a finely engraved “Jiang” character.

“What do you have to say now?” she asked.

The magistrate replied, “Your Highness is knowledgeable, but I found it.”

His defiant attitude suggested, “What can you do about it?”

Song Jin remained calm. “Whether you found it or received it from the Duke, I will find out.”

The magistrate…

How did this involve the Duke?

This belt was custom-made at Phoenix Hairpin Pavilion for his own use. This year being his zodiac year, he had it made to bring good fortune. It had nothing to do with the Duke.

Was the Fourth Prince trying to drag him into the Duke’s case?

Alarmed, the magistrate said, “Your Highness, investigate the Duke if you must. I have nothing to do with his gold mine.”

Song Jin replied, “It’s not up to you. If you can’t explain the origin of this belt, I’ll dig up your courtyard.”

The magistrate knew the Fourth Prince had found gold in the Duke’s study courtyard, but he was confident there was no gold in his own courtyard.

“Your Highness, do as you please. I have nothing to hide. I am loyal and honest. Since the Emperor has commanded, I will cooperate.”

Song Jin turned to Lu Zhan. “Start digging.”

Confused but obedient, Lu Zhan borrowed a spade from the steward and began digging in the courtyard.

Song Jin sat across from the magistrate, staring at him without a word.

The magistrate…

“Your Highness, do you think staring at me will reveal the origin of the belt?” he mocked.

Song Jin said nothing.

Meanwhile, the Minister of Justice arrived at the Duke’s study courtyard with several officials and constables, escorted by the Duke.

The courtyard was guarded by Imperial Guards. The Duke, smiling, pointed to the gold. “This is all of it.”

The Minister of Justice glanced at the gold and ordered, “Weigh it and record it.”

His subordinates complied.

The Minister of Justice stared at the gold, feeling a pang of unease.

At the magistrate’s residence, Lu Zhan continued digging until his spade hit something metallic with a loud clang, numbing his hands.

His heart skipped a beat. He had unearthed gold.

The magistrate’s reaction suggested there should have been no gold.

Did Song Jin use her dagger to attract the Duke’s gold here?

How did she do that?