At the Wen residence, the patriarch read the letter with a furrowed brow and trembling hands. With each line, anger rose in his chest like an uncontrollable fire. The contents were filled with pain, humiliation, and a desperate plea. His daughter—his beloved Meixin—was begging to be rescued from the hell that was the Zhang mansion.
—Prepare the horses!— he thundered across the courtyard, his voice jolting the servants, who scrambled to obey.
Accompanied by a dozen armed men, Wen Jin rode without rest to the Zhang residence. The tension in the air was palpable even before they crossed the gate. He didn't ask for permission to enter—he stormed in like a tempest, pushing the doors open with fury carved into his face.
Zhang Yun appeared immediately, alerted by the commotion. His face was tense, fists clenched at the sight of his father-in-law in such a state.
—I've come for my daughter,— Wen Jin snapped. —And I won't leave without her.
Zhang Yun kept his composure, though his gaze turned icy.
—Meixin is my wife. You have no right to take her.
—No right?— Wen Jin roared with such force that the vases in the room seemed to tremble. —After what she's endured in this house? After being beaten, humiliated, betrayed?
Without warning, Wen Jin raised his hand and slapped Zhang Yun. The blow cracked through the silence like a whip.
—You're not worthy of being called a husband!— he shouted. —If you don't bring my daughter here this instant, our families will go to war. And I guarantee you—you won't be the one to walk away unscathed.
Alerted by the shouting, Zhang Tao arrived in a hurry. His eyes scanned the scene, assessing the danger. He knew a scandal with the Wen family could destroy his reputation and plunge him into social and political ruin.
After a few seconds of tense silence, he spoke with an air of forced calm:
—Let him take her.
Zhang Yun turned to his father, incredulous.
—Father, you can't—!
—Silence!—Zhang Tao snapped. —This has gone too far. Let Meixin leave, if that's what she wishes.
Yun stepped forward, but his father held him back by the arm.
Wen Jin's footsteps echoed down the corridor. He stopped when he heard a wooden creak and held his breath. There she was.
Meixin walked slowly. Her once vibrant and radiant figure was now fragile and dim. Her cheeks were sunken, her lips dry, and the dark circles beneath her eyes revealed accumulated suffering. When their eyes met, a spark of hope lit up her face.
Wen Jin rushed to her and embraced her tightly.
—What have they done to you, my child?— he whispered, voice cracking.
Meixin looked up. Though her eyes were clouded with tears, a faint smile appeared on her lips.
—Father… you finally came,— she murmured, her voice barely audible, filled with emotion and relief.
Wen Jin closed his eyes and held her close to his chest.
—We're going home,— he said firmly.
As he helped her walk, he turned once more to Zhang Tao.
—And one more thing,— he said coldly. —I demand the return of the dowry my daughter brought. I want that money by the end of the month, or I'll take this to court. The authorities would love to hear how a prominent family abused and stripped a noble young woman of her honor and inheritance.
Zhang Tao went pale. Those words cut through him like a blade. He knew he couldn't return that money—it no longer existed. It had vanished in failed investments and ruinous business ventures. If this scandal came to light, the Zhangs would fall from grace.
For the first time in years, he felt fear.
The carriage stopped in front of the Wen residence. As soon as the doors opened, a figure ran out from inside—it was Madam Wen, her eyes filled with tears.
—Meixin!— she cried, her voice choked.
The young woman descended with the help of a servant, and as soon as her feet touched the ground, she was enveloped in her mother's arms.
—You're so thin…— Madam Wen murmured, caressing her face. —My child, my poor child…
Meixin closed her eyes and clung to her mother as if afraid to wake from a dream.
Wen Jin approached and embraced them both.
—No one will hurt you again, daughter,— he said. —You're home now.
In the days that followed, her parents showered her with affection. They took turns sitting by her side, prepared her favorite dishes. Though her heart remained broken, Meixin knew she was finally safe.
Meanwhile, at the Zhang mansion, the atmosphere was tense. Zhang Tao paced in his private room, frowning, hands clasped behind his back. Wen Jin's threat echoed like a gong in his mind.
—If he goes to court… if this case becomes public…— he muttered bitterly, —we're finished.
Three men listened in silence: Han Zhenyu, Chen Yaozu, and Li Wenhao—long-time allies in shady dealings, remnants of the Zhou reign. Mr. Han leaned toward him and whispered:
—There's no need to return anything if we discredit him. If Wen Jin's name is stained, his word won't hold weight in court.
Zhang Tao lifted his gaze and smiled coldly.
—Exactly what I was thinking.
He walked to a table and unrolled a scroll filled with names and ranks. A corrupt scribe took notes on rumors and forged documents to be circulated.
—We'll spread that Wen Jin collaborates with the Xiongnu,— said Tao. —That his loyalty is in question. We'll use well-paid witnesses and fake evidence. We'll turn him into a traitor.
—What if he tries to defend himself?— one asked.
—He won't get the chance,— Tao replied. —And if he needs to disappear… that can be arranged too.
All nodded. In that room, a web of lies was being spun—to destroy Wen Jin.
It was a quiet day at the Wen household.
The family was gathered in the dining hall, enjoying a rare moment of peace. But suddenly, the sound of galloping hooves and heavy footsteps echoed outside. The front door burst open, and imperial soldiers entered without warning.
The captain, his face stern, stepped forward toward Wen Jin and read aloud:
—Wen Jin! By order of the Emperor, you are under arrest. You are accused of treason against the State. Do not make any sudden moves.
Wen Jin was frozen in place.
—Treason? I have nothing to do with that! Who dares accuse me of such a crime?
—The decree comes from the highest authority. Come with us, or there will be greater consequences, the captain said coldly.
A scroll bearing the imperial seal was unfurled before his eyes. Wen Jin couldn't believe what he was seeing.
—This is a mistake! A grave mistake! What evidence do you have? Who is behind this?
—Father, no! Why are they taking you? Meixin cried, running toward him.
—It can't be! his wife sobbed. This is injustice!
A soldier grabbed hold of Wen Jin. He did not resist, though the pain was tearing through his soul.
—Meixin... take care of your mother, he said with a trembling voice. I will fight to prove my innocence. Never forget, daughter: I have always loved you.
Meixin clutched his hand in desperation, unable to stop them. He was dragged toward the door. She collapsed to her knees, sobbing, as her mother embraced her.
Wen Jin was taken to prison—
Accused of treason, locked in a cold, dark cell.
Only the creaking of chains and his own voice broke the silence:
—I am innocent! The evidence is false!