DNS - Chapter 9
Chapter 9
He Xingdong was indignant, but in the end, he yielded.
With a creak, the wooden door opened. Several people appeared together, blocking the light from the doorway.
He Ming said, "My son, you go out first."
The door was closed again.
Fang Shifei walked towards the bed, dragged a chair over herself, and sat down. Lin Xingyuan and He Xingdong stood close to the door, glaring at each other with mutual dislike, while carefully listening to the sounds inside.
The two spoke in very low voices.
He Ming: "What are you here for? To see what I've become and then laugh at me?"
Fang Shifei: "I never do such meaningless things. Whatever you become has nothing to do with me."
She took the letter from her bosom and showed the front to He Ming.
He Ming's eyes flickered, and he leaned forward, wanting to see more clearly. Then a complex expression appeared on his face, a mix of shock, confusion, hesitation, and a touch of sadness.
He Ming: "You..."
Fang Shifei put the item away again: "Don't worry, I won't publicize it."
He Ming closed his eyes and asked, "What exactly do you want? He's your classmate; although your relationship wasn't good usually, he's not bad at heart. Please let him go."
"I don't want to do anything to him." Fang Shifei turned the letter over in her hand and said, "He Xingdong doesn't like studying, his experience is too shallow, his personality is too naive, and he's not assertive enough; he's never been material for an official. If you want him to stand on his own, he's still too young. He's seventeen this year; although intelligent, he's been idle all day with nothing to apply himself to, and hasn't learned anything useful. Once something happens to you, his future days won't be easy."
He Ming didn't speak.
Fang Shifei: "Corruption in Jiangnan is severe, not just for a day or two. His Majesty has provided disaster relief for three consecutive years, so he naturally has some inkling. But if he knew you deceived and fooled him like this, he would surely be furious. The court wants to kill one to warn a hundred and investigate strictly; they won't be lenient. This is a major case; you two are father and son after all, how could he be spared? No one pleading for you will be of any use. You two will be escorted to the Ministry of Justice in the capital, or the Grand Court of Revision, to await trial. But this item can at least lessen his punishment, and also earn him some reputation among the common people, so that after serving his sentence, his life won't be so difficult."
He Ming: "So?"
Fang Shifei: "With a bit of luck, his sentence won't be heavy; he might serve a few years in prison, get a few strokes, and then come out. But what about after he comes out? He'll be penniless and still have to take care of Madam He. With a father who was investigated and prosecuted for corruption, he might also carry physical scars. He can't stay in Shuidong County; thanks to you, the people here must hate him to the core. It's also inconvenient to stay elsewhere; transferring household registration is difficult. Even if none of that matters. He can't pursue scholarship, only manual labor. I don't know if he can accept that kind of life, or if Madam He can accept it."
He Ming's fingers began to tremble slightly.
Fang Shifei seemed not to notice and continued, "Of course, most importantly, even if he accepts it and everything develops for the better, other officials implicated with you and thus affected will absolutely not let it go. He Xingdong becomes very dangerous, right?"
He Ming pointed a finger at her nose: "You..."
Fang Shifei: "The authenticity of this kind of thing doesn't matter; no one pays it any mind. But when it comes to seeking revenge, it becomes a good excuse."
He Ming's face changed unpredictably, and finally, he sighed, "My son is no match for you."
Fang Shifei: "I'm not trying to contend with him, nor do I want him to fall to this state."
He Ming scoffed: "Heh."
"I know what you're thinking. Your fate is sealed now, your guilt is undeniable. The difference lies in either bearing all the blame alone, dying miserably, and He Xingdong also getting implicated. Or, revealing your accomplices and earning merit to offset your crimes. The court will consider mitigating He Xingdong's punishment as compensation for you. But your enemies won't let him go," Fang Shifei said. "Grit your teeth and get through it; bear it yourself, and maybe He Xingdong can still have a way out. That's what you're thinking, right?"
Fang Shifei lowered her head and said, "Actually, once you're caught, whether you implicate others or not, others won't believe you. The court doesn't only rely on interrogation to investigate cases; when they get into trouble because of this, they'll come looking for you. By then, He Xingdong will be at a dead end."
"Isn't this all thanks to you!" He Ming gritted his teeth and said, "Do you think I don't know? I don't need you to tell me this! You're clearly here to provoke me?"
Fang Shifei: "I only came today to show you a clear path."
He Ming waved his hand: "No need!"
Fang Shifei said, "When I go to the capital, I can secretly give this letter to the Grand Censor, without letting others know. If you are willing to cooperate with the court's investigation, coupled with this plea, I am confident I can persuade the Grand Censor to handle He Xingdong leniently in private. Exiled to Shangjun, without flogging, and the three years of labor service waived."
He Ming was so angry he laughed instead: "The Grand Censor? What ability do you have to see the Grand Censor and make him do as you wish? Who do you think you are?"
Fang Shifei wasn't angry and continued, "Shangjun, do you know what kind of place it is? Whose territory is that?"
He Ming said angrily, "General Lin kills like cutting hemp, hating evil like a personal enemy. Shangjun is constantly embroiled in chaotic battles; can that place be gone to?"
"You think he's brutal, I think he's a hero." Fang Shifei pointed behind her, "Did you see that young man who came with me? Guess who he is?"
He Ming was puzzled.
Lin Xingyuan's figure was visible through the door. He stood side-by-side with He Xingdong, waving his hand in the air, seemingly swatting at an insect.
Fang Shifei: "He is the eldest son of General Lin."
He Ming gasped in shock.
Fang Shifei continued speaking as if to herself, "General Lin governs very strictly; although harsh towards soldiers, he is very responsible towards the common people. If He Xingdong goes there, he can live well. I will write a letter to inform them and ask General Lin's people to help look after him. He will certainly be free from worry about food and clothing in the future, and perhaps most of the so-called three years of labor service can be waived. Even if it's not as wealthy and easy as before, it won't be much worse."
He Ming's mouth was open, unable to speak for a moment. However, his eyes flickered, already showing hesitation.
Fang Shifei: "If he is willing to join the army, that's up to him. General Lin doesn't care about a soldier's background; as long as he performs well, he might even have a chance to achieve merit and fame. He Xingdong's hands and feet are actually quite agile; he learned some martial arts when he was young. Even if it's unconventional, it's much more promising than pursuing scholarship."
He Ming sighed and said, "He's not suited for fighting. He can't even bear to kill a chicken. This child of mine..."
Fang Shifei: "That's for the future. Future matters will be decided by him himself."
He Ming was silent for a moment, then said, "Let me think about it again."
"Okay, think carefully." Fang Shifei stood up and said, "After I finish handling the matters in Shuidong County, I will still go to the capital. I will do what needs to be done; don't worry about me harming unrelated people."
However, how the sentence is determined and how much it can be lenient depends only on what He Ming does.
Fang Shifei: "I'm leaving."
He Ming never expected to have a day when he could talk calmly with Fang Shifei. After watching her leave, he felt a deep sense of melancholy.
This Fang Shifei is not simple; he could have threatened me, could have tempted me, but he did neither. He presented himself as open and gentlemanly, knowing that I would definitely cooperate with his suggestion.
He rarely dealt with this Fang Shifei because he always felt he was too reckless, too arrogant, someone not to be learned from or befriended deeply. It turns out it was the opposite.
"Dad!" He Xingdong rushed in, pushing the door open, and asked, "What did Fang Shifei say to you?"
He Ming perked up and said, "Nothing."
"Oh." He Xingdong didn't press further, walked over and sat by his bed: "I'll peel an apple for you."
He Ming nodded.
He Xingdong went and got a small knife, held the apple in his hand, and worked carefully but clumsily.
He Ming tilted his head to look at him. Looking like this, he was clearly a very intelligent child.
A profligate who hadn't seen much hardship, yet after such a major upheaval, he was much calmer than himself. He could keep things hidden, could bear responsibility. Always seemingly cynical and carefree, who knew he wasn't just pretending to be foolish while being truly wise?
He Ming said, "From now on, I won't be able to take care of you. Think more about everything, don't be so hot-tempered, endure when you can; enduring is always right. The outside world is not like Shuidong County used to be. Also, take good care of your mother; she doesn't know anything, try to make her cry less."
He Xingdong: "I know."
He Ming's lips moved: "Dad has so many things he wants to tell you..."
"I know it all." He Xingdong pulled the corners of his mouth into a smile, "I'm not stupid. Your son is very smart; he knows what's good and what's not. It's just a matter of wanting to do something or not wanting to do it."
His gaze was as bright as day. He Ming looked at him, unable to tear his eyes away, his throat bitter: "In the past, Dad was mostly wrong. Only now, thinking back carefully, do I realize. I was too prejudiced against you, always making you do things you didn't like, while also not strictly supervising your studies. Your seventeen years, I've ruined most of them."
"He Xingdong in Shuidong County was carefree and unrestrained." He Xingdong continued to smile, "Everyone wanted to be He Xingdong, how could I have been ruined?"
He Ming called him closer, and hugged his head: "Yes, my son, yes."
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