Chapter 102

Chapter 102: Revealed on the Street

At midday the following day, Vermilion Sparrow Street, the busiest thoroughfare in Capital City, bustled with people coming and going, even more lively than usual.

Today, especially, a dense crowd gathered before a medical clinic.

This renowned place of wealth and elegance was now the setting for a bizarre and frightening sight—a man who looked like a Cuju ball!

He had no legs; instead, a large Cuju ball covered where his thighs should have been. He had only one arm and dragged himself pitifully along the ground.

Terrifying, yet pitiable.

But Zhang Da Hu no longer cared about the stares of passersby. This was already the fifth clinic he’d “walked” into today.

Emerging from the clinic, he finally accepted the truth:

[Sheng Zhi Wan spoke the truth.]

Qian Ji Powder truly had no cure many years ago. The Six Ministries of Yanjue had relied heavily on this poison, causing endless suffering to the soldiers of Sheng Kingdom.

Yet, over twenty years ago, Elder Imperial Physician Song created a cure for Qian Ji Powder, reviving morale and bringing many victories to the frontline.

The Late Crown Prince, now passed, had bravely stood against opposition and ordered the Imperial Physician Bureau to spread knowledge of this antidote widely. Almost every healer in Sheng Kingdom now knew of this remedy.

Realizing this, Zhang Da Hu nearly lost his mind on the spot.

His eyes turned scarlet, webbed with blood, his teeth ground so tightly they threatened to shatter.

The common folk pointed and whispered about him.

Suddenly, ignoring everyone, he roared out loud, “Meng Yang! Haha… Meng Yang, you’ll die miserably!”

As he screamed, he crawled painfully forward, both laughing and weeping like a madman.

In Capital City now, few hadn’t heard of Meng Yang.

Lady Meng, creator of Maiden’s Delight Wine, famous everywhere!

This simple farmer girl had captured countless hearts in the capital through her courage and wisdom.

She had healed generals and soldiers alike, earning praise for miraculous healing and unmatched compassion.

Her Maiden’s Delight Wine was now beloved by commoners everywhere.

Hearing this hideous Cuju-like beggar dare insult her, someone immediately rebuked him angrily.

“Silence!”

“A noble lady like Miss Meng is not for a raving beggar like you to slander! Defaming her publicly, do you want me to report you to the Yamen?”

The speaker was Su Qi Nian, a scholar in azure robes, a favorite to win this year’s imperial examination.

His words held considerable weight.

As soon as he spoke, other students joined in:

“Exactly! How dare a madman spread lies!”

“Miss Meng’s deeds toward our soldiers are known by all. Even Heir Apparent Qi braved controversy to take her as his concubine. Were it not for Princess Ning’s lofty status, she could have easily become his equal wife!”

“I say, imprison this troublemaker, see if he dares speak nonsense again!”

Emotions surged through the crowd, some even throwing rotten vegetables and stones at him.

Su Qi Nian felt righteous pride, certain he’d defended Meng Yang’s honor, a great and noble act.

He approached the Cuju-like man.

“Miss Meng has saved countless soldiers. Without her, who knows how many more would have died, never returning home?”

Covered in dirt, Zhang Da Hu lifted his head blankly.

“Never returning home…”

Seeing him quiet, Su Qi Nian smiled smugly, believing his words had silenced the madman. But the next moment, he felt a sharp pain in his leg.

The Cuju man’s lone hand had seized him with immense strength. Dirty nails dug into his flesh through his clothes, blood quickly seeping out.

“Agh!”

Su Qi Nian yelled, kicking him fiercely, but Zhang Da Hu didn’t feel the pain, still gripping him tightly.

“Ha! Haha! Never returning home?”

“If not for Meng Yang, would my dear brother and my fellow soldiers have died and never come home?”

The Cuju man’s voice, ragged with grief, silenced everyone around.

What…what did he mean?

What was this madman saying?

As people hesitated, two groups of constables hurried forward.

Seeing their official uniforms, the Cuju man suddenly became animated, shouting:

“I want to report a crime!”

“I, Zhang Da Hu, former Centurion of the Tiger Guards, accuse Meng Yang, that vicious farmer-girl, of cruelty, deceit, and murder of loyal soldiers! She deserves death!”

Former Centurion of the Tiger Guards?

Although the constables didn’t recognize the rank, they had heard of the Tiger Guards—heroes of the great Cangnan War.

But this wretched, half-man-half-ball claimed to be their former leader?

The crowd grew deathly quiet, Zhang Da Hu’s voice ringing clearly in everyone’s ears:

“Meng Yang, that ignorant witch! She swore Qian Ji Powder had no cure, cutting off my arm herself, claiming it would save me.”

“My own brother, tormented by the poison, took his own life in the enemy’s camp after hearing her words.”

“Countless other soldiers poisoned by Qian Ji Powder also chose death, believing there was no cure!”

“They could have lived!”

“They could have been spared agony! The antidote existed!”

“They had a chance to return home!”

Zhang Da Hu’s voice trembled with fury, blood and tears spilling from his eyes.

Earlier today, Sheng Zhi Wan had arranged his release from the Shang family’s dungeon, whispering these truths into his ears.

Without her guidance, Zhang Da Hu, a simple soldier, would never have been able to speak these accusations.

Truly tragic, pitiful, and laughable!

“Meng Yang! Haha! Meng Yang! You’ll suffer in death! Suffer in death!” Zhang Da Hu screamed desperately.

He had lost everything.

Now, revenge against Meng Yang was his only wish.

The constables exchanged quick glances, then said, “If you wish to make a formal accusation, follow us to Dali Temple. The Court Minister will judge your case.”

The crowd was shocked silent.

If true, Meng Yang deserved punishment worse than death, responsible for hundreds of lives!

“Wait!” Zhang Da Hu remembered another crime. “Meng Yang’s evil runs deeper!”

“Though married into the Duke’s mansion and pregnant, she couldn’t win the heir’s favor, so she plotted something worse.”

“She ordered me to ambush Princess Ning’s carriage!”

“What! Attacking the Princess?”

“Yes! She wanted me to throw Princess Ning to bandits, to ruin her reputation, ensuring the heir’s heart belonged solely to her.”

Gasps filled the street.

Each revelation more shocking than the last, involving the army and even a Royal Princess!

Could the virtuous Lady Meng truly be such a cruel, ruthless witch?

“Plotting against a Royal Princess,” Zhang Da Hu laughed bitterly, more madly now. “That’s a crime punishable by death for her entire family! Meng Yang, you wretched witch! I’ll make you pay, blood for blood, your family buried with you!”

The constables felt chills run down their spines.

Such a massive case had fallen to them…

Quickly, they gagged Zhang Da Hu and took him to Dali Temple.

Hearing the details, the Court Minister anxiously pulled at his beard, losing several strands in distress.

Yet justice demanded action.

With resolve, he commanded, “Send for Heir Apparent Qi, Princess Ning, and that Miss Meng immediately!”