Proofread by Peter Gong
The news that Guo Qi moved out of Ma Family after making a terrible scene with Ma Tian’en spread fast. Most of people were dissatisfied with Madam Ma and Ma Tian’en. They believed that Guo Qi was the only son of Ma Chaosheng. How could he move out of Ma Family? Especially the clansmen of Ma Family befriended him one by one. Although Madam Ma was the legal wife, she admitted that she replaced Guo Qi. If Ma Chaosheng had been alive, he could have divorced her because of this excuse. Now, although Ma Chaosheng had been gone, there was no reason to let her torture the descendants of Ma Family.
Guo Qi bought a temporary house. The stewards from the wharf and warehouses came to visit him. Whatever they said, Guo Qi kept calm. He didn’t have any complaints as others did. It was something like Ma Chaosheng. A few days later, it spread that Guo Qi was a true gentleman.
According to customs, Ma family should open ancestral hall and show worship on bent knees to ancestors. Guo Qi should change his name into Ma Qi and become the son of Ma Chaosheng and Madam Ma. However, Madam Ma didn’t mention it and Guo Qi was not worried. Whatever the clansmen did, they didn’t take any action. Ma Chaorong, Ma Tian’en’s uncle, became the new head of the clan. After he became the head, he was also not worried. It appeared that Guo Qi managed the wharf and warehouses but lived out of Ma Family while Ma Tian’en lived in the family but managed other business of Ma Family.
Ma Tian’en and Guo Qi didn’t see each other after they were apart. For one reason, they didn’t have many topics to talk about since they didn’t live together for many years. For another reason, Guo Qi worried that if he suffered something bad, Ma Tian’en would not be involved in. As long as Ma Tian’en was protected, Concubine Zhao could be taken care of.
Because of the death of Ma Chaosheng and the unclear situation of the court, Official Liu stopped searching for the illegal salt, but to keep Ma Liande in prison for interrogation.
“Sir, why are you here?” Looking at Wu Zhong with a joyful expression, Ma Tian’en asked. Because Wu Zhong was concerned about her reputation, he rarely came to Ma Family to find her. Even if he did, he would notify servants and see her in the hall. It was the first time for him to come directly to the study.
Although Madam Ma wanted her daughter to marry Wu Zhong, Wu Zhong’s parents lived in the south of the Yangtze River, unable to propose marriage. Moreover, as the bride’s side, she should restrain her manners. At first, she intended to find a proper chance to probe Wu Zhong. If he also had the affection, she would ask him to notify his parents and then propose marriage formally. However, Ma Tian’en’s father was just buried. It was improper to talk about proposal at this time. It was put aside. Servants regarded Wu Zhong as Ma Tian’en’s teacher. They would not stop him to find Ma Tian’en.
“Good news! I came back from my teacher. There was new development for the case about Liu Jin. The forged imperial seal and jade belt were found in his house. The emperor was so furious that he gave an order to strictly investigate the accomplice. Involved in the crime of conspiracy, Liu Jin was doomed to die. Besides, Hu Family was the party of Liu Jin, and many incriminating proofs have been found. One is the transport of illegal salt. I handed over the evidence that we had collected through my teacher. It was estimated that Ma Family would be checked soon. Ma Family can be exonerated.”
“Great! However, my dad……” At first, Ma Tian’en was happy. Next time when she reflected that her father was gone forever, no matter how the result was, she became upset.
“Don’t do that. Master Ma was open and aboveboard all his life. Now, everything is clear. I am sure he will be satisfied in the netherworld. The reputation of the living is as important as that of the dead. Or there are no such poems as my loyalty may leave a page in the annals. We take death to our life. We are doomed to die and not scared to die. The most important thing is we have a clear conscience and don’t humiliate our descendants after death.” Wu Zhong comforted Ma Tian’en.
Ma Tian’en felt Wu Zhong wanted to say something related to Guo Qi. She asked: “sir, is there anything you want to talk? Just say it. I have experienced so many things, so there is nothing I can’t bear.”
“It is the boats of Tian Family that transport the illegal salt. Guo Qi is the head of the case who contacted the gang of salt in the south of the Yangtze River. Although Guo Family made profits, we didn’t have the direct evidence to prove it. It is likely that Guo Qi will become the scapegoat.” What Wu Zhong didn’t say was that transporting illegal salt was the capital felony and Guo Qi would lose his life.
Because she had talked about this topic with Guo Qi before, Ma Tian’en had been psychologically prepared. She nodded and said: “Indeed. But I heard that it can atone for his crime with fine. If I do, please help me, sir. No matter how I fight with him, he is my father’s son. I don’t want him to die.”
Wu Zhong nodded and said: “Don’t worry. It might not happen. Besides, there is another possibility: Guo Family shows up and Tian Family shoulders all the consequences.”
“Umm……if so, Tian Ronghua would die. Sir, I think I am as worthless as a piece of chess. If Liu Jin didn’t fall from power, the feudal official would ignore us even we had evidence. Now Liu Jin lost his power, they were willing to accept our evidence and Hu Family and Tian Family fell down, too. Is it useful for us to struggle?” Suddenly, Ma Tian’en plunged into depression. Because she felt intangible hands controlling the whole thing. Compared with the intangible hands, she was too small to revolt against.
“For many things, we certainly can’t control. In the world, there are many things against our wills. But the only thing we can do is to be open and straightforward and have a clear conscience.” Wu Zhong comforted her and comforted himself, too.
Guo Qi had already known the consequence. At this moment, he was not sure whether he should celebrate the identity of Ma Chaosheng’s son. As he had expected, if Tian family fell down, Ma Family would be the next aim of Guo Family. He had some value by being a piece of chess. Consequently, Guo Family didn’t want him to die, but he didn’t want to be the chess piece of Guo Family.
“If I confessed the guilt, can Guo Family promise that all the consequences would fall to me and my families are not be involved?” Tian Ronghua asked calmly. Actually, he had known this day would come. So, he took things as they came.
“Yes. But, it’s the idea from Guo Family. I have another suggestion. Do you like to listen?” Guo Qi and Tian Ronghua sat face to face, drinking.
“I’d be glad to hear it”
“One of us would be certain to die. I would like to die and shoulder all the crimes. Even though, Tian Family should pay the fine, but you can save your life. As long as you live, it’s not difficult to bob up like a cork.” Guo Qi said seductively.
“But, why do you do it?” Tian Ronghua asked doubtfully.
“It’s none of your business. Tomorrow, I will turn myself in. All the consequences are brought by me. Ma Family was framed up by me. If I died, the things would come to an end.” Guo Qi took the cup and drank it up.