Chapter 550: Fragrance
Translator: Henyee Translations Editor: Henyee Translations
Qin Zhenzhen found herself at a loss for an immediate response to the question posed. However, she couldn’t help but contemplate, “If it were a woman, the prospect of being consigned to a military camp as a military prostitute would likely elicit strong repulsion, wouldn’t it?”
Su Bin calmly interjected, “Excitement is a natural reaction. It’s normal to resist such a proposition. But, did she anticipate that, in the event of a successful case reversal and her survival, she would end up in a military camp?”
Qin Zhenzhen wondered whether Chen Lin’er had received this information from someone else or if it was a conclusion she had drawn independently.
“A young girl who escaped from the countryside,” Su Bin continued, “Upon arriving at her husband’s home, she primarily engaged in domestic chores and had limited exposure to the outside world. Yet, she expressed these thoughts.”
The notion of serving the country and being treated as expendable didn’t align with the expectations for an uneducated woman. Su Bin began harboring suspicions about Chen Lin’er’s background.
Considering the unique challenges faced by women, Qin Zhenzhen asserted, “If you genuinely wish to assist Chen Lin’er in overturning her case, I am willing to meet with her.”
Recognizing the distinctive approach needed for counseling, Qin Zhenzhen believed she could connect with Chen Lin’er in a way that Mr. Chen and Su Bin might not. She trusted Su Bin’s determination, knowing he wouldn’t pursue this unless confident of success.
Su Bin’s commitment to overturning Chen Lin’er’s case was not solely about personal achievement. It was an opportunity to distinguish himself from the previous governor, demonstrating a genuine commitment to the well-being of the people.
In a strategic alliance with the Third Prince and Lin Yue, they aimed to use this case as a warning to the mountain bandits, urging them to refrain from descending into the valleys to wreak havoc. The message was clear: burning, killing, and looting would not go unpunished, and innocent civilians must be spared. Lin Yue and the others were prepared to handle any bandits who disregarded this stern warning.
Su Bin’s focus extended beyond the mountain’s boundaries, directing his attention to those individuals colluding with the bandits, wreaking havoc in the region. His commitment was clear: apprehend each wrongdoer and administer punishment commensurate with their crimes to restore a semblance of normalcy in Shanglin Prefecture.
Qin Zhenzhen sensed Su Bin’s intention to create distance between himself and
Chen Lin’er. Despite this, Su Bin hesitated to permit Qin Zhenzhen’s visit to Chen Lin’er, expressing concern for her well-being, especially considering her pregnancy.
Asserting her own resilience, Qin Zhenzhen insisted, “You underestimate my strength. I won’t let a few scoldings trouble me, especially at this crucial time.”
Undeterred, she proposed, “I’ll go myself.”
Explaining her motivation, Qin Zhenzhen shared insights gleaned from public discussions on Chen Lin’er’s case. Many believed Chen Lin’er was not colluding with Wang Nian but rather being targeted by him. Rumors suggested that Wang Nian and the mountain bandits had inflicted harm on her family, potentially leading to the fatal confrontation.
“Some claim Wang Nian assaulted her,” Qin Zhenzhen continued, “and that she retaliated due to suspicions of her family’s harm.”
Expressing her own curiosity about the case’s intricacies, she declared, “I want to understand the cause and effect of this situation.’
Defying Su Bin’s reservations, Qin Zhenzhen visited Chen Lin’er the next day, bringing a basket of food. As the enticing aroma filled the cell upon unveiling the basket, Chen Lin’er, touched by the gesture, couldn’t help but feel a surge of emotion, almost on the verge of tears.
The aroma stirred memories long forgotten, a fragrance she hadn’t experienced in ages.
In the cell, each person was allocated three meals, consisting mainly of porridge and pickled vegetables, with an occasional morsel of meat. Rumor had it that Uncle Zhao, the cook, had sacrificed his own portion for her. Uncle Zhao, acquainted with Chen Lin’er’s father-in-law, couldn’t bear to witness her endure hunger.
In the world of the cell, rules dictated that prisoners were not entitled to a full meal or the luxury of meat. The intent was to keep them perpetually hungry, with growling stomachs and blurred vision, rendering them too weak to contemplate escape. This strategy also made it more manageable for the vigilant bailiffs tasked with their watch.
These were the unspoken regulations within the confines of the government office..