Chapter Fifty-Five: The Sword Draws (2)

"Zhou Chang would not dare!" Zhou Chang bowed respectfully. "Lord Magistrate, Kong Sheng is infatuated with the beauty of the Rose Pavilion's songstress, Liu Xinru, and has proclaimed his intention to marry her. The entire city is abuzz with rumors. Now, Liu Xinru is lodging with him at the same inn, and their secret liaison is well known. Such a depraved and shameless man—how could he possibly serve the court?"

Yang Qi frowned and waved his hand. "Such rumors from the streets are unworthy of belief, let alone evidence."

Zhou Chang bowed again. "Lord Magistrate, of course one cannot believe every rumor. But where there's smoke, there's fire. Kong Sheng has been pestering the songstress Liu at the Rose Pavilion every day—this is a fact. Now that Liu Xinru has become his mistress and he has redeemed her, that too is a fact. The evidence is clear. No matter how Kong Sheng tries to deny it, he can't escape public condemnation."

Yang Qi had yet to speak when Yang Xueya, incensed, rose to her feet, her flowing sleeves waving. "Zhou Chang, to think you're called a scholar of Jiangnan, well-read in the classics, yet you trust such baseless gossip. How pathetic and hateful!"

To everyone's surprise, Yang Xueya herself spoke in defense of Kong Sheng. Yang Qi's brows furrowed even more deeply, but he did not stop his daughter.

Zhou Chang, burning with jealousy, forced a genteel smile. "Miss Yang, what makes you so certain these are mere baseless rumors?"

Yang Xueya rebuked him angrily. "Everyone in Jiangning used to say Kong Sheng was an idle wastrel, unlearned and dissolute. But what is the truth? Kong Sheng is a man of vast talent, famed throughout Jiangnan, and every poem he writes becomes a classic! Let me ask you this: Liu Xinru is a renowned courtesan in Jiangning, her redemption costly, and Kong Sheng is penniless and homeless—where would he get the money to redeem her? As for Liu Xinru lodging at the Shunsheng Inn, what does it have to do with Kong Sheng?"

Zhou Chang laughed loudly, "I do not wish to quarrel with Miss Yang, but facts are facts—Lord Magistrate, Kong Sheng has had an illicit affair with the songstress Liu, and she is now pregnant. Yet Kong Sheng intends to abandon her, deceiving both you and the Yang family to secure a marriage—Liu Xinru is waiting downstairs. Summon her here, and let her confront Kong Sheng face to face."

"You're lying!" Yang Xueya’s beautiful face reddened with anger. She pointed at Zhou Chang, trembling with rage.

Even the onlookers were astounded by Zhou Chang’s shocking accusation, dumping such filth upon Kong Sheng. This was not merely to tarnish his reputation—it was to destroy him!

Kong Sheng's expression changed slightly, a cold glint flashing in his gaze. That the Zhou family had stooped so low was beyond his expectations. To fabricate a story of him having a child with Liu Xinru—this was the height of shamelessness!

Bang!

"Daughter, calm yourself and stand down!" Yang Qi slammed the table, his face thunderous. "Zhou Chang, are you speaking the truth?"

---

Zhou Chang did not hesitate. "I would not dare deceive the Lord Magistrate!"

Yang Qi’s sharp, penetrating gaze fell upon Kong Sheng, who remained calm and composed. With a wave of the hand, Yang Qi said, "Summon the songstress Liu here!"

Liu Xinru slowly entered the hall on the second floor of Misty Rain Pavilion. Today she wore a blue skirt and short jacket, her makeup light, her hair arranged in a striking high bun reserved for married women. She moved gracefully forward.

Her face was pale, and she felt the cold gaze of Kong Sheng and the furious eyes of Yang Xueya upon her. Her lips trembled as she bowed before Yang Qi, covering her face, refusing to rise.

At this point, if Kong Sheng did not realize this was a trap orchestrated by the Zhou family—a public scheme—he might as well dash his head against a block of tofu. Anyone could see that Liu Xinru had been coerced by the Zhou family to testify against him. Whether the alleged affair was true or not, the accusation would be difficult to refute, and his reputation would be ruined.

"You are the songstress Liu Xinru of the Rose Pavilion?" Yang Qi asked calmly.

"I am Liu Xinru," her voice barely audible, trembling.

"Then let me ask you: have you had an affair with Kong Sheng, and are you pregnant by him?" Yang Qi’s voice thundered, "Answer truthfully. If you lie, do not blame me for being merciless!"

Liu Xinru’s lips quivered, about to speak, when Kong Sheng suddenly rose. "Wait!"

Kong Sheng knew well that once Liu Xinru opened her mouth, regardless of the truth, the stain would be cast upon him.

Yang Qi looked at Kong Sheng with a complicated expression. "Kong Sheng, do you not dare confront this songstress? Or have you truly done what Zhou Chang claims?"

"It is not a matter of daring, but of principle," Kong Sheng replied with a gentle smile. "Zhou Chang makes bold assertions based on hearsay. This is easily verified. Whether she is with child can be checked by a midwife appointed by the magistrate. Moreover, she is a courtesan—if she is pregnant, one should not assume it is my doing based solely on her word."

"And as for who spent a fortune redeeming her, their motives warrant investigation. This too can be examined by the authorities."

---

"I believe that now, in this place, the gathering set by Lord Magistrate should not be spoiled by such matters. Let the magistrate handle it. If, after investigation, I am found guilty, I will submit myself to the law. If no evidence is found, I shall report it, so the authorities may uncover who is manipulating events behind the scenes, and restore justice to me according to the laws of the Tang Dynasty!"

As he spoke, Kong Sheng glanced at Liu Xinru, still prostrate, a fleeting look of pity in his eyes. He did not blame her, for it was obvious she was a tragic pawn, forced and manipulated.

He feared not her public "accusation," for he had ways to extricate himself. Yet no matter how events unfolded, the Zhou family would find a way to clear themselves, and the most unfortunate would be the pitiable songstress herself—if imprisoned, she would have no hope of survival.

By stopping Liu Xinru from speaking, Kong Sheng was, in truth, saving this poor girl.

Yang Qi exhaled deeply, pondered for a moment, and nodded slowly. "Indeed, we should not let this spoil our gathering. Someone, take Liu Xinru to the magistrate’s office for proper handling. Let me investigate after the banquet."

Yang Qi knew well that this was the Zhou family’s scheme, brazen and shameless, aiming only to frame Kong Sheng. It was a muddled affair, and Zhou An was taking a gamble, relying on the Zhou family's value to Yang Qi.

Thus, Zhou Chang dared to speak so boldly, step by step directing the blame toward Kong Sheng. If Liu Xinru denounced him publicly, regardless of the truth, Kong Sheng would bear the disgrace. Out of concern for his own reputation, Yang Qi would have to cancel the two-year agreement, withdraw his recommendation of Kong Sheng, and might even imprison him in anger.

Zhou An’s motives could not be more sinister, his methods more ruthless.

Yet Kong Sheng, with his cunning and skill, responded with composure, cleverly turning the situation to his advantage. He passed the responsibility to Yang Qi, offering him a dignified way out, and in doing so ensnared Zhou An and his son.

Such wisdom and adaptability are rare indeed.