Chapter Thirty: The Tang Lion Jade Belt

Night had fallen deep and heavy. Zheng Renji sat upright in the main hall of the Zheng residence, his face dark as water.

There was reason for his gloom. In his possession was a family heirloom—a belt known as the Tang Lion Belt, woven from celestial silkworm thread, lined with gold. It was crafted during the Three Kingdoms era, by order of the Wei Emperor, Cao Cao, and only twelve were made. Each was bestowed upon his most trusted ministers. Zheng Renji’s ancestor, Zheng Hun, served as a high-ranking official under Cao Cao and, being of the Zheng clan, received one such belt.

After Zheng Hun's death, the Tang Lion Belt became the Zheng family’s treasured inheritance.

When the Northern Ancestor split his estate among seven branches, the Tang Lion Belt came into the hands of Zheng Lianshan, another forebear, and became the symbol of the An Yuan Hall.

This belt was renowned far and wide.

During his time in Chang’an, Zheng Renji had once been approached by Yang Su, who had hinted at buying the belt for a hefty sum. Zheng Renji had refused.

Today, Zheng Renji attended a poetry gathering and mingled with the local literati. At the gathering, a distinguished gentleman from Luoyang expressed a desire to see the famed belt. Naturally, Zheng Renji did not decline and sent someone home to fetch it. Unexpectedly, after turning the house upside down, the belt was nowhere to be found. Upon hearing this, Zheng Renji abandoned the poetry event and hurried home with Yan Shigu to investigate.

A servant reported that two days prior, Zheng Yanqing had come to the old residence and even entered the inner quarters.

Zheng Renji quickly verified this and learned that, indeed, two days ago, Zheng Yanqing had visited. At that time, Lady Cui had taken Cui Daolin to the home of Yu Zhongwen—a powerful aristocrat in Luoyang and a descendant of a minister from Northern Zhou—to congratulate him on his new appointment as Leader of the Crown Prince’s Guard, so she was not at home. According to the household, Zheng Yanqing had brought offerings from the estate, and the servants allowed him to deliver them to the rear quarters. Soon after, he left in haste.

Lady Cui declared, “That little thief must have stolen your treasure, husband.”

Yan Shigu shook his head. “Zheng Yanqing is still a child. He may not even know the belt’s value. Moreover, a boy who can recite the tale of Kong Rong yielding the pears must have a noble character. How could he commit such a base act?”

He dared not mention he had met Zheng Yanqing, nor that he had made a wager with him, but his intuition told him the boy was not one to forsake righteousness for gain. Instinctively, he spoke in the boy’s defense.

But Lady Cui retorted, “Uncle Yan comes from a noble house and knows only gentlemen. What does he know of the wickedness rooted in those of low birth? Zheng Yanqing’s grandfather, Zheng Shian, was a eunuch, gaining the old master’s trust through flattery. Raised by that eunuch, how could the boy not have learned cunning and deceit, no matter how well he hides it? He probably heard the Kong Rong story somewhere and parroted it to display false virtue. Husband, I am certain the thief is that eunuch’s descendant. Why not search his quarters? If nothing is found, it clears his name—a win either way.”

Though Zheng Renji had not initially suspected Yanqing, Lady Cui’s words planted a seed of doubt.

Thus, he sent Cui Daolin and Zheng Weishan to the estate to search Zheng Yanqing’s quarters, while others continued searching the house—but the Tang Lion Belt remained missing.

Soon, Cui Daolin returned, escorting Zheng Shian’s esteemed grandson, cradling the belt in his arms as he hurried into the hall. “Master, we found your treasure at the estate. The little thief hadn’t found a buyer yet, and I caught him red-handed.”

He placed the belt on the desk.

Lady Cui sneered, “See? I was right. I could tell from the start—neither the old man nor the boy are good people.”

Zheng Renji flew into a rage. “Drag these two wretches outside and beat them to death!”

Zheng Shian cried out, “Master, injustice! Injustice!”

“Brother, this is your family affair, and I should not interfere,” Yan Shigu interjected. “But why not bring the grandfather and grandson here to confront them? With the evidence before us, let them answer directly. It will show your fairness and justice.”

Even with the belt in front of him, Yan Shigu could not believe Zheng Yanqing had stolen it. In his encounters, he had sensed the boy’s stubborn pride. He could not imagine Yanqing committing such a disgraceful act, yet with the stolen item present, he was at a loss for explanation. Since Zheng Shian called out his innocence, Yan Shigu felt compelled to speak, insisting that Zheng Yanqing must admit to it himself if he truly was the thief.

Zheng Renji nodded. “You speak wisely, brother. Bring the servants here and let them confess.”

Lady Cui frowned, displeased, but since Yan Shigu had spoken, she could not object openly.

Zheng Weishan brought in the grandfather and grandson, both tightly bound. Zheng Shian was disheveled and angry, while Zheng Yanqing, calm now, realized he was being framed.

Thus, as he entered the hall, his head was held high and he refused to bow.

His cold gaze swept the assembly, lingering on Lady Cui before he stood tall, fearless.

At first, he suspected Yan Shigu was behind this, but quickly dismissed the notion. Yan Shigu, for all his pride, was not malicious, and apart from their wager, bore no grudge. Moreover, with the wager unsettled, Yan Shigu would not risk losing face by resorting to such tricks. The proud are the most self-assured; Yan Shigu would not stoop to scheming.

Zheng Renji? He was merely a young master, unlikely to plot against his own servants in such a manner.

If not Zheng Renji or Yan Shigu, then only Lady Cui remained. She had the most reason to act. Back in Xingyang, Zheng Shian managed An Yuan Hall, likely stirring Lady Cui’s resentment. Then, after Zheng Renji arrived in Luoyang, the Tianjin Bridge market was shut down—a plan devised by Lady Cui herself. How could she accept such interference? What’s more, the grandfather and grandson posed an ongoing threat to Cui Daolin, Lady Cui’s protege. How could she watch her own man be slighted in Luoyang?

With such thoughts, Yanqing understood the situation. As the saying goes: “The mouth of the green bamboo snake, the sting of the yellow bee—neither as venomous as a woman’s heart.” How true! A woman’s malice could far surpass a man’s. Over such a trivial matter, she would risk the lives of both grandfather and grandson?

Zheng Renji shouted, “Zheng Shian, in light of your ancestors’ service to my family, I have always held you in some regard. Yet you, a eunuch, repay kindness with betrayal and have stolen my family’s Tang Lion Belt. With the evidence before us, what have you to say?”

Zheng Shian, pale with rage, replied, “Master, I am innocent! My family has served yours loyally for generations. Ask anyone—have we ever taken so much as a needle or thread from An Yuan Hall? This is a deliberate frame-up. I swear I never stole the belt. Please, master, see the truth!”

Lady Cui responded gently, “You did nothing at An Yuan Hall because the old master watched you closely and you had no chance. Now in Luoyang, with the old master absent and the young master’s leniency, it’s only natural you should grow greedy.”

“I did not!” Zheng Shian’s hair bristled and his face flushed red.

Zheng Renji was about to speak when Yan Shigu interjected, “Zheng Yanqing, have you anything to say?”

Yanqing lifted his head and replied, “If you wish to condemn, any excuse will do.”

Zheng Renji’s anger flared. “What do you mean by that, Zheng Yanqing? Are you implying I am framing you?”

“You may not wish harm upon us, young master, but can you be sure others do not?” Yanqing replied.

Lady Cui, taken aback, snapped, “Insolent brat! As I said, the spawn of a eunuch is a wolf cub that cannot be raised. You even sent him to the academy? See how sharp-tongued he’s become, daring to mock even you!”

Zheng Renji trembled with fury, pounding the desk.

“Insolent thief! Even on the brink of death, you bite back. Let’s see how stubborn your mouth can be. Drag him out and pry open his mouth—I wish to see just how hard it is!”

Cui Sheng strode forward, grinning wickedly, and delivered a flurry of slaps to Zheng Yanqing’s face, leaving him bloodied and his cheeks swollen.

“Still so stubborn, are you? Think you’re tough?” Cui Sheng had borne a grudge against Zheng Yanqing since their arrival in Luoyang, ever since the boy knocked him over with no recourse for revenge. Now, with his chance, he struck with extra force.

“You animal!” Zheng Shian roared, struggling to intervene.

Cui Daolin stepped forward and kicked Zheng Shian in the stomach, sending him sprawling. That was too much for Zheng Yanqing. Zheng Shian was the closest person to him in the world. He could endure being beaten himself, but seeing Zheng Shian kicked down, his restraint snapped. His blood surged, and the martial arts he had practiced for years—the Fierce Dragon Technique—suddenly broke through its bottleneck, his strength doubling in an instant.

Cui Daolin was caught off guard as Yanqing, head lowered, rammed into his chest. Breathless, he stumbled back and collapsed, spitting blood.

At that moment, Zheng Weishan stepped up, seizing Yanqing’s shoulder. Though Yanqing had broken through the basic level of martial arts, he was still no match for Zheng Weishan.

“Yanqing, are you mad?”

“Let go of me! I’ll kill him!”

“Yanqing, the old steward is fine—don’t be rash!”

Zheng Shian called out, “Yanqing, don’t be unreasonable!”

Yan Shigu’s expression grew grim. From Yanqing’s reaction, it was clear he was no thief. If so, how had the belt appeared in his quarters? Someone must be framing them. He glanced at Lady Cui, suspicion growing.

Zheng Renji, nearly beside himself, roared, “Insolent brat! Even facing death, you dare attack?”

Seized by Zheng Weishan, Yanqing threw caution aside. “If you find us in your way, say so openly! At worst, my grandfather and I will return to Xingyang. But to play such tricks, to frame us—so this is your skill?”

“You little wretch! You—” Zheng Renji was livid. “If I don’t beat you to death today, you’ll never learn your place!”

Lady Cui smirked coldly.

“Zheng Weishan, kill the brat,” Zheng Renji commanded. “Break the eunuch’s limbs and send him back to Xingyang at dawn!”

“Zheng Renji, you’re a fool!” Yanqing spat, “The old master left you in charge and you let a venomous woman rule the house. You recite poetry and feign refinement, but the entire household is already in her palm. Yet you remain oblivious—”

Zheng Weishan hastily covered Yanqing’s mouth, his face changing.

Lady Cui’s face flushed red, whether from fury or because he had struck a nerve was unclear.

“Husband, will you let this wretch slander us?”

Zheng Renji was enraged. “Zheng Weishan, what are you waiting for?”

Yan Shigu could remain silent no longer and stood to intervene. At that moment, a commotion rose outside the hall.

A stern voice called from outside, “Master Zheng, have mercy!”

—

Second update, nearly four thousand words. Please recommend!