One day, Young Master Ni, a gentry from the countryside, beat his fellow townsman Li Shancai to death, merely to steal a family heirloom Treasure Sword from him.
Lu Zizhan stood up for his friend, gathering evidence and filing a complaint against Young Master Ni at the Government Office.
The County Magistrate was a slippery official who, having accepted bribes and heard Landlord Ni claim an old acquaintance with Lord Prefect Gong of the Jin Sect, repeatedly advised Lu Zizhan to drop the appeal.
"Mr. Lu, you are a promising young scholar. Why offend the powerful Ni family for a mere dead man? Why not withdraw your complaint, and I will ensure the Ni family compensates you generously with silver coins?"
Seeing Lu Zizhan unmoved, the County Magistrate slammed the table and threatened: "The Ni family is mighty, and Lord Prefect is an old friend of theirs! If you do not grasp the situation, beware of ruining your future, inviting calamity upon yourself!"
Lu Zizhan, hearing this, erupted in anger: "A human life is of utmost importance; how can silver coins resolve it? Even if the Ni family has immense wealth and colludes with officials, can they really cover the sky with one hand, turning black into white?"
"A student seeking justice for a friend has a clear mind, recorded by the sun and moon. Not to mention the future, even sacrificing a student's life is scarcely worth regretting!"
The County Magistrate exhausted both plea and threat to get Lu Zizhan to desist, yet never imagined this stubborn fellow would remain unmoved.
With no other choice, the County Magistrate had to approach the Prefect, detailing the case and Landlord Ni's self-proclaimed old ties with the Prefect.
The Prefect sneered upon hearing, saying: "What old ties do I have with the Ni family? Back when I was destitute on my way to the capital for exams, Landlord Ni offered half a tael of loose silver as travel expenses on the roadside."
"A wealthy jerk merely giving half a tael of loose silver, and still having the nerve to call it old ties?"
The Prefect snorted, immediately requesting his assistant to take out three taels of silver, sending it to the Ni family, considering past ties thereby erased.
Regarding the case, as long as Young Master Ni did not commit murder, there was no need to involve the Prefect for further assistance.
The matter ought to have ended here, possibly earning justice for Lu Zizhan.
But, by coincidence, Prefect Gong casually brought up the case during a meal at home.
The Prefect's son suddenly remarked: "Lu Zizhan's name isn't well known in Jinmen Prefecture, yet I've witnessed his literary talent. His writings are rich and insights outstanding, truly a rare gem among men."
"Throughout Jiangnan, only Lu Zizhan could overshadow me. If he attends next year's autumn exams with me, he's likely renowned above me."
Hearing this, the Prefect's heart sank. His son's talent leads in Jin Sect, destined to compete for the top rank; if overshadowed by Lu Zizhan...
That night, as the Prefect lay sleepless, Landlord Ni personally sent a message with thirty thousand taels of silver as a gesture of goodwill.
Prefect Gong, seeing the silver, recollected his son's prior remarks.
Landlord Ni, noticing Prefect Gong's silence, tentatively asked, "What does the Lord think of this case?"
The Prefect, whose expression wavered, suddenly laughed: "Back when I was traveling for exams, Brother Ni lent me half a tael of silver for travel expenses, a sentiment I've always cherished. As for your nephew's matter, Brother Ni need not worry!"
Still somewhat anxious, Landlord Ni queried: "Lu Zizhan has a great reputation and is notoriously stubborn. What method does the Lord propose?"
Prefect Gong coldly laughed: "The world never lacks talented individuals, only those wise enough to grasp the times and understand advancement and retreat."
"What can Lu Zizhan do with some reputation in Jin Sect? I have ways to ruin him and his reputation!"
Corrupt officials abound. Prefect Gong did not face Lu Zizhan directly in court but sent his trusted constable to handle it.
The constable sought out a streetwalker and burst into Lu Zizhan's house the next morning!
Lu Zizhan had no time to react, promptly pinned to the bed, forcibly stripped naked.
Scholar Lu had never seen such a spectacle, initially fearing he'd be tarnished by beasts, only to have the streetwalker, signaled by the constable, suddenly bite into his chest, almost tearing off a piece of flesh!
Oh, he thought it was a devil of lust spoiling his innocence, not realizing it was an evil Yaksha wanting to feast on him!
Before Lu Zizhan could comprehend, the streetwalker finished her deceit, tearing her attire into disarray, disheveling her hair, then staggering out of Lu's house, crying loudly in the street.
The streetwalker firmly accused, claiming it was Lu Zizhan who, worse than a beast, dragged her into his home and relentlessly violated her, ruining her purity!
The townsfolk were still confused when suddenly four or five men claiming to be passing constables arrived.
The constables, after hearing the streetwalker's words, barged into Lu's house, dragging the disheveled Lu Zizhan out.
In the midst, some sensible villagers advocated for Lu Zizhan, arguing that Lu's child was always modest and polite, never capable of such an act.
Yet, before the villagers finished, a hooligan shouted: "Why couldn't he? That Lu has no wife, perhaps feeling pent-up, sees a pretty girl and drags her inside to assault!"
At this moment, Lu Zizhan, having comprehended the events, angrily stated: "My father died early, his sole wish was for me to achieve success. I am unmarried solely to focus on studies; books are my favored wives, other women are nothing more than common cosmetics and powders; moreover, how can there be talk of feeling pent-up?"
"Is it not you conspiring with the Ni family, deliberately framing me..."