To fake his death, Song Qinghe swallowed a small amount of belladonna poison. When the consignee came looking for Song Qinghe, he couldn’t believe such a coincidence. But when he opened the coffin, he was resigned to his misfortune.
Song Qingyang planned to secretly kill Song Qinghe that night, but he never expected Song Qinghe to return after the medicinal properties wore off. Upon catching his brother and his wife together, Song Qinghe flew into a rage. In desperation, Song Qingyang grabbed an axe and hacked at Song Qinghe.
As they stared at the dead man, the two were terrified, brain desperately scrambling for a way to get rid of the body. The crime would be easily discovered if they buried the body in the village, and it just so happened there was a hidden hole in the banyan tree which faced upwards. It was only noticeable if you climbed up the tree. When the brothers were young, they often played inside the hole.
While transporting his brother to the tree, Song Qingyang realized Song Qinghe was still alive. Thus, Song Qingyang hacked at him once more, stuffed the body inside and sealed the hole with mud.
Sooner or later, the body in the banyan tree would be exposed. Furthermore, the villagers practiced the custom of cleansing the bones and placing them in the final burial ground. Three years later, when they opened Song Qinghe's coffin, they would find it empty.
At the time, Song Qingyang had a huge sum of money, which was obtained from the sale of the poppy ointment. With the determination to put all their eggs in a basket, the two sought out Granny Yan and confessed the truth of the matter. They planned to buy her off with a hefty bribe and if worse comes to worst, they would elope together!
To their surprise, Granny Yan was tempted by the money and agreed to conceal the truth. Thus, she declared the banyan tree sacred, secretly produced a fake skeleton, and exchanged this skeleton for the other.
When things finally died down, Song Qingyang married Cui Huan. At first, they were constantly frightened that the truth would be revealed but they gradually realized no one in the village even mentioned Song Qinghe. It seemed like they succeeded in covering up the crime.
Perhaps it was retribution from the gods, but a few years ago, Song Qingyang unexpectedly died while logging and Cui Huan became a widow. In order to prevent Granny Yan from spilling the beans, she volunteered to serve her as a form of monitoring the old lady.
She never expected that I would uncover the truth eight years later. When I visited Granny Yan in the morning, Cui Huan stood outside eavesdropping. Afraid her sins would be revealed, she decided to dispose of the old lady.
"Mistake after mistake," I sighed.
"Even if God gives me another chance to do this all again, I will make the same choices because Qingyang was sincere to me and I love him," sobbed Cui Huan.
Suddenly, a stone came flying towards Cui Huan’s forehead. Blood spilled from the wound, staining her face red.
A villager angrily cursed, "You shameless whore!"
Filled with rage, the villagers picked up stones, ready to attack Cui Huan. Song Heting slammed her pike against the ground and shouted, "How dare you! I’m still here so all of you better behave!"
Afraid of the consequences, the villagers slowly put down their stones.
Song Heting walked up to Cui Huan, "Even if you really loved Song Qingyang, you shouldn’t have covered up your crime. Go home. I’ll speak to the elders and decide what to do with you!"
Cui Huan fell to her knees and kowtowed, banging her head against the ground several times before she went down the hill.
Meanwhile, the village chief was covered in cold sweat. A faint smile rose to Song Heting’s lips as she swept her gaze through the crowd. "Regarding the shameful matter Cui Huan mentioned, those of you who have taken a slice of the pie should confess now."
The village chief trembled, knees heavily slamming against the ground. "I’m willing to receive my punishment!"
Behind him, a large number of people suddenly knelt down as well. It turned out that almost half of the villagers were involved in the illegal sale of poppy ointment. It was no surprise there were all sorts of people in a clan as big as the martial Songs. Even the Song family had dirty laundry we couldn’t air.
"Since this matter involves so many of you, I will not pursue it. But from now on, if any of you dare use this to make a fortune, then don't blame me for being merciless!"
Ecstatic with the show of leniency, the villagers kowtowed repeatedly. "Thank you, madam!"
"But you must hand over the money you obtained from selling the ointment,” added Song Heting. “The money will be used to repair the ancestral hall and support the orphans and widows in the village. If any of you tries to hide it, you will be punished according to the family laws."
"Thank you, madam,” the village chief prostrated himself. “I will definitely make up for my mistakes!"
Laughing coldly, Song Heting leisurely made her way down the hill. I chased after her and asked, "Aunt Song, you have other motives, don’t you?"
"Why do you say so?" she smiled.
"You’ve long known about the little tricks they play in the village. But for certain reasons, you couldn’t bring them to light. The case is just the tip of the iceberg. What you really wanted was to eliminate misbehaviors in the village."
Song Heting nodded, "There are too many people in the clan, so it's hard to avoid such matters. However, money is often a sensitive subject, especially if you try to remove a person’s source of livelihood. Many villagers make a little extra in private using this method. Although I’m well aware, it’s difficult for me to bring it up. In the long run, the ways of the Song family would inevitably disappear. When that happens, how am I supposed to face our ancestors? As the saying goes, when the waters are too clear, there are no fish–we shouldn’t demand perfection. Alas, it’s not easy being the head of the family!"
Song Jie interjected, "Mom, you should retire then. Let me shoulder the burden!"
"You wish!” chuckled Song Heting. “You should marry into a good family and stay away from these muddy waters."
"I don’t want to get married!" pouted Song Jie.
"You’re already a grown woman, you’ll get married sooner or later. What do you think of Song Yang?" asked Song Heting.
Bewildered, Song Jie shifted her gaze from me to Song Xingchen. "Which Song Yang do you mean?"
However, Song Heting ignored the question and threw her head back in laughter. I couldn’t help thinking to myself, Could Song Xingchen marry Song Jie with their familial relationship? Upon further contemplation, it seemed possible.
Right then, a young man suddenly ran towards us and reported, "Madam, Cui Huan hung herself in her home."
"Alright," acknowledged Song Heting.
It turned out she deliberately showed leniency so that Cui Huan could choose a dignified way to die since the martial Song’s family laws were cruel. Song Heting’s wisdom was something I admired.
When we got home, I was about to head to my room when Song Heting stopped me. "Song Yang, I need to speak to you!" she said, taking a seat in the living room.
"Mom, I’m going back to my room first," said Song Jie.
"Song Jie, you stay as well!" ordered Song Heting.
Song Heting poured herself a cup of jasmine tea and slowly sipped, "Song Yang, that’s the end of your test. You’re capable enough to accept responsibility. You are worthy of being Song Zhaolin's grandson!"
"Don’t I have to see the elders?"
She shook her head, "In fact, the elders are just a smokescreen. They have long stopped asking questions about the family. I’m the one who sent Song Xingchen to protect you and also the person who set the test."
"So, can I join the special team?"
"Yes, but..." She raised three fingers, "I have three conditions!"
"Go on," I beamed.
"First of all, you’re not allowed to leave for the time being. You must marry Song Jie as soon as possible. Secondly, you must have a child within a year. When the child grows up, you will pass on your Traditional Coroner skills. And lastly, the martial and civil Songs will no longer remain separate from each other. Meet these three conditions and I will allow you to take the risk."
My eyes widened in disbelief. Her words came as a bombshell.
Song Jie colored with embarrassment, "Mom, what are you talking about? H-how can I marry Song Yang-gege?"
"Why not? You’re distant relatives at best and you seem very suitable for each other," answered Song Heting.
"We’re in the 21st century. Arranged marriages are a thing of the past!" cried Song Jie.
Song Heting slammed the cup of tea on the table and shouted, "This matter is of great importance so I can’t be bothered with what you think!"
Song Jie's eyes widened with fear. Although Song Heting was usually a loving mother before her, she was now the cold, imposing head of the martial Song clan.
"Aunt Song, I can only agree to your last condition," I admitted.
"That’s not up to you,” sneered Song Heting. “I’ve poisoned you so you’ll have to do as I say!"