Iron Proof
If they hadn't seen it with their own eyes, Chen Buyu and the others could never have imagined that King Liang could be so perverse.
The entire secret room was lined with rings, restraints, candles, smoking braziers, copper flower pestles, and other instruments. Evidence of debauchery was everywhere.
Old Li limped forward, carefully pressing soft paper and a brush over the imprinted patterns on the post.
After making several impressions, he compared them one by one and said gravely, "They almost match the remaining pattern marks on the backbones of the deceased."
"Sir, human blood has been found in the grooves and the gaps between the floor tiles!"
"Sir, I found four complete boxes of spiritual incense in the drawer!"
"Don't overlook anything. Verify all the registration records carefully and move all the evidence back to the yamen!" Chen Buyu commanded in a deep voice.
"Yes, sir!"
By the time Ye Wuchen was hurriedly pushed into the room, the yamen runners had already begun collecting the evidence.
The shackles and ropes, the bloodstains in the cracks of the floor tiles, and the dark red spots on the hanging pillars painted a horrifying picture. The sheer amount of damning evidence made Ye Wuchen gasp in shock.
"Young Prince! Young Prince!" A servant cried out in alarm, rushing to support Ye Wuchen as he collapsed. Panic filled his voice as he shouted, "Someone, call for the physician! The Young Prince has fainted from anger!"
—
Afternoon
In front of the warehouse on the southern outskirts of the city, wooden sheds had been set up. At this moment, twenty or thirty women were busy preparing hot pots and washing rice to cook porridge.
"Miss Jiujin, Huichuntang has sent a batch of freshly pounded medicinal herbs."
"Good, place them in the usual spot first. Once this batch of porridge is finished, we'll be short on ingredients for the next one."
"Doctor Xiao He, please oversee everything carefully. Ensure the correct quantities and steps are followed exactly as listed."
The young man, Doctor Xiao He, turned and bowed. "Rest assured, Miss Jiujin. Everything will be prepared according to Miss Yu's medicinal porridge recipe."
Jiujin smiled approvingly. "I'll go meet my lady at the intersection."
Upon hearing that Miss Yu was personally coming to inspect, Doctor He became even more energized. He reminded his assistants to remain diligent.
Half a quarter of an hour later, Yu Linlang's carriage arrived at the warehouse entrance.
Following Jiujin, she inspected the warehouse and then the porridge-making process.
When the workers saw their young mistress, they quickly greeted her with gratitude in their eyes.
These were all women from poor families. Now, the master had hired them for twenty days, offering them a tael of silver and a tael of rice each.
Such generosity was like a godsend.
At first, they had doubted whether it was real. But after receiving their first fifty copper coins in daily wages, they realized this was indeed an opportunity unlike any other.
The work was simple—washing, rinsing, cooking. Yet, the pay was worth two or three days of hard labor for their husbands.
With each passing day, they grew more comfortable and worked harder. They were diligent, and the work site remained spotless.
As Yu Linlang observed, she nodded in approval. "The first batch of medicinal porridge is ready. I will personally distribute some at the city gates tomorrow morning."
"Are the registration numbers prepared?"
"Yes, we have printed five thousand so far."
Yu Linlang frowned slightly. "That may not be enough. Make more. Each hungry person must receive a unique number. No extra numbers should be given. We won't allow others to collect porridge on their behalf for now."
"Prepare a directory and check each entry daily."
"For now, we'll distribute porridge for three days. After that, we'll assess the situation and make adjustments."
After giving her instructions, Yu Linlang reminded the women cooking to bring cloth towels, wash their hands frequently, and use soap balls for extra cleanliness.
Soap balls, commonly used by nobles, were made from natural soap acacia and infused with fragrant spices. While they couldn't compare to modern detergents, they were sufficient for basic hygiene.
"If we run out of soap balls, let Jiujin replenish them immediately. Don't be frugal—frequent washing benefits everyone."
The women nodded obediently.
Yu Linlang then turned to Doctor He. "Doctor He, I may need your assistance with some matters at Huichuntang in the future."
"It's no trouble at all," Doctor He replied with a shy smile. "Miss Yu has a heart of gold. This is a noble endeavor, and I am honored to be of service."
As she bid farewell to the workers and boarded her carriage, Yu Linlang smiled self-deprecatingly.
Doctor He saw her as a saint, but she knew she was far from it.
If she were truly compassionate, she would open her shopping space and provide endless food and supplies.
But she could only do what was within her means.
For example, when she inspected the warehouse earlier, she had discreetly asked Jiujin to stand watch while she slipped behind the empty barrels—silently filling them with grains from her space.
Food was scarce in this era. She couldn't openly produce endless rice and grain without arousing suspicion.
Everything she brought in had clearance documents. If she secretly added a few dozen bushels of beans, it wouldn't be too noticeable.
However, exceeding the era's agricultural capabilities would cause unnecessary trouble. She had no desire to be worshipped as a deity or hunted as a demon.
The shopping space belonged to her inner demon.
If the situation weren't urgent, she wouldn't use it at all.
Yes, the hungry were suffering. But the most vulnerable were women and children. Desperate times turned people cruel—some would even sell their own daughters.
There was only so much she could do.
As the carriage passed through Fuchangmen in the south and reached the bustling Xinshui Street, it slowed.
Jiujin added a piece of silver charcoal to the brazier and rubbed her hands. "Are you cold, Miss?"
"I'm fine."
Suddenly, the carriage stopped. From outside, the driver's voice came in a low murmur.
"Miss, there's a commotion ahead. We should wait."
Jiujin lifted the curtain and frowned. "Miss, it looks like some street thugs are overturning a merchant's stall."
"Oh, a fight's broken out!" Jiujin exclaimed excitedly. "There's a carriage across the street. Haha, someone's stepped in to help—"
She suddenly let go of the curtain and sat back down, her expression deflating.
Yu Linlang, who had been about to step out, hesitated. "What's wrong?"
"It's him." Jiujin pouted, sulking.
"Who?"
Just then, the curtain was rudely yanked open.
Jiujin glared furiously.
Yu Linlang heard Mu Zhao's irritated voice.
"Xiaofeng! How could you be so reckless?"