Judge Bao The Righteous Judge

The Story

Of

Judge Bao

And

Qin Xianglian


---- Part II ----

Translator :  Angela Hanum  and  Alicia Tan

Adapted From : Kumpulan Kisah Klasik Dari China 

Bahasa Indonesia Version  

1993 TV Series

Tampines Ave 9,Singapore

 Previous Story :

Chen Shimei have become an emperor son-in-law with married the daughter of the emperor upon approval of The Empress Mother. He left his former family. His wife, Qin Xianglian, demand for justice towards their children and herself. Qin Xianglian unacceptable upon her husband, Chen Shimei, who was denied about her and their children existences.


Her meeting with Wan Yangling brought a big chances for her life.  Wan Yangling known as The Righteous Officials who loved justice and hated the evil.  He really  got wrath if he knows there is an crotchety officials

Wan Yanling was startled when he saw Qin Xianglian bowed in front of his palanquin and begged for justice because her husband lied to everyone that he was single when he married the daughter of the emperor.  Wan Yanling gave her the demands paper to signed,  but he was only found the blank paper without any written of her demands.

Will Qin Xianglian gives Qin Xianglian a justice for her children and herself ????

" What is this, Ma'am ???!! "  Wan Yanling shrieked to Qin Xianglian when he saw a blank paper without any written of demands.  " Are you playing with me ?!?!?! " his voice thunderous.

" Master, please do not angry..........let me explain first.  I'm just a village woman who blind about law.  No one willing to help me when they knew who I demanded.  I want demand the son-in-law of the emperor, Master ! Chen Shimei !! " Qin Xianglian shrieked with rain of tears.  Her voice heard very deeply heavy and described a hopeless woman. 

People who witnessed that event was startled and whispered to one other so the situation into noisy.

" Silence !!!! "  Wan Yanling shouted to calmed down.  " Let me hear this woman first.  You all can be the witness of this woman in the future !!! "

" Lady,  tell me the complete story. I really wanna know ! "  said Wan Yanling sharply.

Qin Xianglian told to him the whole story about her and Chen Shimei.  Wan Yanling never thought the lady in front of him is the former wife of Chen Shimei where Chen Shimei admitted single to all people.  Wan Yanling cut her words and ordered his guards to brought Qin Xianglian and her children to his house,

" Guardian !!! Take her to my house....! "

" I need a better situation to thinking very clearly about this. I don't need emotion and tears with this story. Take her to my house now. "  whispered Wan Yanling to his confidant before his confidant took Qin Xianglian and her children away.

In Wan Yanling's house,  Qin Xianglian continued her whole story about Chen Shimei.  Wan Yanling allowed Qin Xianglian to stayed in his house as long as he held this case.  Qin Xianglian treated with respect during in Wan Yanling's house.  Especially from Wan Yanling's wife. Qin Xianglian very closer with his wife. And admitted her as Qin Xianglian's sister.

As long as that,  Wan Yanling kept thinking very hard how to demand the son-in-law of the emperor with better way. However, Chen Shimei was his student when he had followed The Royal Exams. This case is really full of risks.  But, if he didn't helped Qin Xianglian, it would be tarnished his title being The Righteous Officials in the kingdom.

Dated 16 months 8 is Chen Shimei's birthday.  He invited a lot of officials to attended his birthday party.  Wan Yanling is one of invited guests that day.  Wan Yanling tried to say hello to Chen Shimei.  But, Chen Shimei seen worrying about something.  Raises the suspicion in Wan Yanling's heart.

" My Majesty,  today is happy day for you. You have got everything what men's want in their life. Beautiful wife, the best career and the best family.  Why do you seen worrying about something? May I know why, My Majesty, maybe I can help you? "

Hearing about wife and family sentences, Chen Shimei  abruptly anger,

" Do not meddle things of my life, Master !! "

Wan Yanling startled for Chen Shimei's statement. But, he tried to still respect of him.  He bowed respectfully then left Chen Shimei alone.  Chen Shimei very worried if Qin Xianglian and their children came to his party. He scared everyone would know about his lies.  He did not want to lost everything.  The entire city and kingdom knows about a party held by him.  Chen Shimei believed Qin Xianglian still in the town.

Actually, Qin Xianglian knew about the birthday party which held by Chen Shimei when she saw the invitation arrived at Wan Yanling's house. She received the invitation and gave it to Wan Yanling.  But, Wan Yanling forbids her to came in.  Wan Yanling promised to solved her problem with her husband.  So, Qin Xianglian stayed at Wan Yanling's house while playing with her children.

The guard of Wan Yanling came closer to Chen Shimei and gave him the present from his Master.  Wan Yanling received the present with proud feeling. Chen Shimei immediately came to see Wan Yanling,

" Master Wan Yanling, I'm so proud to welcomed you at my birthday party. You are the righteous officials as well as my mentor a whole this time.  Let me give you one cheers of this wine as my respect to you. "  said Chen Shimei handed a single shot of wine to Wan Yanling. 

After all, Chen Shimei invited Wan Yanling toward to the East Hall. But, Wan Yanling  refused smoothly,

" I'm sorry, My Majesty, all officials whom drinking wine at The East Hall is my seniors. If I should to join with them, I would be awkward and not feel comfy in front of them. " 

" So, where we can drinking this wine together, Master? We can drinking all night while remembering the days I became your student... "  asked Chen Shimei.

Wan Yanling picking Zhi Chi Gong Hall, finally. With deeply bound, Chen Shimei forced to drinking with Wan Yanling without anyone around them. Boredom ambushed his feeling. Wan Yanling caught this feeling from Chen Shimei. He just quite. Then, Wan Yanling showed his anger to Chen Shimei with his way drinking wine. Wan Yanling put back his cup of wine to the table with sighed.  Chen Shimei wondering,

" Master, is there something bothering your mind? Tell me, I would love to help. "  asked Chen Shimei.

Wan Yanling took a deep breath. His eyes wandered, stripped the night scenery which graced Zhi Chi Gong Hall.

" Look to The East Hall. The East Hall very lively. Where we? Stuck here and drinking this wine together in the quite place like this. Very boring. You don't feel the same with me? " said Wan Yanling looked into Chen Shimei's eyes very sharply tried to lured Chen Shimei.

Chen Shimei showed a bit happiness and suggested to call the palace dancer for entertained them. Wan Yanling refused smoothly again,

" You don't have to do that, My Majesty. I'm just an old man who wants something new in my life. I might no longer in this world, right? But, if you don't mind, I saw a singers village lady singing very nice today when I've had lunch in a nice restaurant, why we don't listening her singing for us to spending tonight? "

Again, Chen Shimei forced to agree his master's suggestion even he didn't like it much.  If this old man is not Wan Yanling, I'm gonna leaving him alone and join with colleagues in The East Hall, thought Chen Shimei.  Chen Shimei immediately called his guard to invite the singers village lady. But, Wan Yanling forbids him,

" My Majesty, tonight is your birthday party. I'm sure you're getting tired arrange this party. Let my man doing that for you. Just claim this thing is one of my presents to you. "  answered Wan Yanling.

Soon, Wan Yanling called his guard and ordered to pick up the singers. Wan Yanling said to the man he needs immediately because he and Chen Shimei very bored in Zhichigong Hall.

No longer, Wan Yanling's guards brought a lady who carried the lute. How so shocked Chen Shimei when he saw the lady is Qin Xianglian, his former wife. His face turned ashy. His cold sweat wetting his face. He soon told to his ladies maid threw Qin Xianglian. Wan Yanling wondering with Chen Shimei's stance,

" Why do you do that, Chen? What has this lady done to you so you asked your maid threw her? "  asked Wan Yanling.

" Umm....uuugghh.....well....then....I thought this lady is not deserve to coming here. Look her shabby dress !!  What does people would saying about her when they see her singing for us, Master. " answered Chen Shimei blindly and trembled.

Wan Yanling tried to intercede,

" What? Why? She's not your siblings, she's not your family or your wife. So, why we should meddle her dress is shabby or worn? We want listening her song, not assess her dress. So, back to sit down, My Majesty. "

Chen Shimei speechless. Nothing he could do more. He forced to agree his Master desires. He back to sit down again. He just can bowed his head. He didn't braved to see his own wife. Wan Yanling knew this. He just smiled to Qin Xianglian then allowing Qin Xianglian started to singing for them. 

Qin Xianglian was the player of lute before she married Chen Shimei. When Qin Xianglian married with Chen Shimei, he asked to his wife stopped singing because Chen Shimei dislike many men came closer to his wife and given money as gratitude. Qin Xianglian obeyed her own husband's request as a good wife. 

She has tuneful voice, actually. Qin Xianglian began to sing. The song her singing is about unfaithful husband. About betrayal husband who was forgotten about his past and his own family to get everything what he was dream of. The song that Qin Xianglian singing makes Chen Shimei's ears turned red.

His heart seemed burned of flame. He wanted closed his ears but couldn't because Wan Yanling sat beside of him. To seeing his master so enjoy the song, Chen Shimei could bowed his head only. When Qin Xianglian singing the reffrain of her song,

" Who is the husband heartless left his family with nothing? Who is the husband did not knowing how to reciprocate the favor? Chen Shimei...Chen Shimei is the man ! "

Chen Shimei began to mad. People in The East Hall who listened the song, came to see the village lady who singing like that. People came to see her, wondering what does it means of her song. What related Chen Shimei with her song? They spoke to their heart.

Chen Shimei saw people started coming to them, he started panic.  The Ladies Maids of his almost hit Qin Xianglian when she singing her reffrain song repeatedly. But, Wan Yanling forbids them to do that,

" Stop ! What did you do to my guest?! I invited her to singing for us. Go ! Go !! "  Wan Yanling expelled them. Wan Yanling ordered his guard to pacify Qin Xianglian. Qin Xianglian went out of Chen Shimei's mansion. Some officials whom witnessed this incident more curious. They just can be quite and kept watched on them,

" Chen Shimei, you was my student. I was your mentor. I know you very well. I think that lady was not street singers that I found in a nice restaurant. How can she knew about you? Would you like to tell us who is she? "  Wan Yanling said smoothly so Chen Shimei didn't felt offended.

Another officials also waiting  for Chen Shimei's answer.  Suddenly, with heavy breath, Chen Shimei stood up and laughed,

" Ha ha ha ha....Master..Master...if you know her, why do you asking me? How am I, The Emperor's son-in-law, knowing the stupid poor lady like her? "

Wan Yanling felt offended, Wan Yanling very angry for Chen Shimei's answered.  He didn't thought that Chen Shimei did not wanted admitted his former wife in the past. Wan Yanling growled,

" Oh ya?? I would love to remind you, Chen Shimei !! She is your wife in the village !!! You lie to The Emperor. You lie to us as Government Officials. You lie to The Empress Mother !!! "  Wan Yanling shouted.

Chen Shimei became panic when he heard his master statement,

" No...no...no....I have no more family in my hometown. They all died. My parents died because of hunger. They died when I followed The Royal Exams. I don't know her. I have no idea about her ! How can I have a wife in my hometown?! "  Chen Shimei shrieked.

Wan Yanling getting closer to him. His hands hold on Chen Shimei's shoulder. Wan Yanling tried to pacifying him,

" Chen Shimei, I know you are afraid if The Emperor will going angry to you when he knowing this thing. But don't worry, Chen, I'm your master and these people are your co-worker. We will helping you explaining to The Emperor about this. "  Wan Yanling tried to persuaded him to confessed his past. People nodded his head showed their support to Chen Shimei.

Chen Shimei denied Wan Yanling's hands,

" No...no....!!! I never lied to the kingdom or The Emperor. I was single before I married his daughter. That's the truth !!! I have a lovely family now.I have all what I dreamt of. No one can take these things from me. No one can take destroy what I strive for this !! "

Wan Yanling tried to keep calm down,

" Chen Shimei, that village lady is the evidence ! The evidence that you deceived The Emperor and hurt feeling your own wife. You can't living in lies forever. "

Chen Shimei got wrath and smacked his own master after listened explanation from his master,

" I am The Emperors' son-in-law !!! No one could meddle my business except him !!!! And you, old man, better stay away from me NOW !!!! " Chen Shimei shouted to Wan Yanling and to all officials who witnessed this.

Wan Yanling became wrath wildly. He was unacceptable with Chen Shimei's statement,

" You are blind to the power !! You are using your power to betrayed your own family !!! I have regret to know you, Chen Shimei !! If there's a hole, there would be someone to covering that hole, if there's uneven road, there would be someone to flattening, if there's a problem, there would be someone to solving it !! Mark my word !! " said Wan Yanling pointed Chen Shimei's face with thunderous voice.

" Ha ha ha ha....who will handle this thing? Remember, old man, I am The Emperor's son-in-law ! There's no one could solve this problem. I'm sure this stupid debate and that stupid lady be buried like ice cube !! Ha ha ha..."  asked Chen Shimei with haughty laugher.

Now, it turns for Wan Yanling replied Chen Shimei laughed. Wan Yanling laughed at Chen Shimei so offensive,

" Ha ha ha....how so foolish you are, Chen Shimei ! You still young and so young. Above the sky there's other skies. A righteous judge lives in Kaifeng.  Three blades dagger displayed on his office. His face very stiffly like an iron. Even The Emperor, as long as he proven guilty, The Emperor could beheaded !!! Judge Bao Zheng !!! Who doesn't fear of his name's?!?! "  Wan Yanling said out loud.

Chen Shimei's face turned be ashy after Wan Yanling mentioned about Judge Bao. Chen Shimei knows about Judge Bao. Especially his track records which been beheading many Government Officials. He trembled asked to his master,

" Master,you talk at length to defend her only? To defend that filthy lady? "

Wan Yanling nodded his head with steady, " Yes ! And for your own good, My Majesty....."

Unpredictable, Chen Shimei turned against him with harsh words,

" If that so, why don't you marry her and made her a wife so her children can call you father?! "

Wan Yanling was shocked listened Chen Shimei's words. He became wrath wildly to his former student. He left Chen Shimei's mansion while cussing all over.

Next morning, with his wife helped, Wan Yanling told to Qin Xianglian about what was happened last night after she left Chen Shimei's mansion. Qin Xianglian felt so shamed to Wan Yanling and asked to Wan Yanling to forgiveness her husband's behavior to him. Wan Yanling shooked his head, flurry,

" I don't know what kind of Chen Shimei's heart made from. He has a kind lovely wife but he left something worthwhile for being The Emperor's son-in-law only. I wish you get a better person to replace your dummy husband as your husband and good father for you kids one day, Qin Xianglian. "  said Wan Yanling.

After all, Wan Yanling stood up from his seat and walked towards his jade bookcase.  He took a traditional hand fan and gave it to Qin Xianglian,

" Qin Xianglian, this is traditional fan for Government Officials. Take this and do trip to Kaifeng. You have to meet with the righteous judge from Kaifeng. His name is Judge Bao Zheng. Only him who could help you or beheading The Emperor. I'm sure he could demand Chen Shimei. I have no more power to demand of your husband. But, I really sure Judge Bao could help and solve your problem, Qin Xianglian....."

Meanwhile, Chen Shimei very afraid of Wan Yanling's words about Judge Bao Zheng. He knew that Wan Yanling shall be asking Judge Bao Zheng to demand him and find evidences to prove that he is guilty.  Appeared malicious intent on Chen Shimei's heart. He sent one of his guard to snooping Qin Xianglian and his children,

" You have to kill them. They are my archenemies from my hometown. They are jealous to me and my princess. They want to breaking my household and planning to overthrow The Emperor. " ordered Chen Shimei to his guard, Han Qi. 

Chen Shimei gave Han Qi The Royal Dagger to fulfill its mission. Before Han Qi left, Chen Shimei intimidated him, " If you return to here but unsuccessful, I'm gonna kill you !! "

Qin Xianglian and her children did a trip to Kaifeng for came across Judge Bao Zheng. She just out of the city, when she arrived at Liu Lin Lake, she saw a man chased her and her kids with Royal Dagger on his hands.  Fortunately, Qin Xianglian was rapidly responsive and took her children hiding in an abandoned temple.

Han Qi still kept chased them. They seen hiding in an abandoned temple, Han Qi came into the temple too. Han Qi arrived at temple hall,


" Who is hiding in here?? Get out of here soon before I kill you all !!! " Han Qi shouted with eyes seeing around. Han Qi saw a shadow man. He walked slowly approached the shadow. Then, he was swing his dagger to the shadow and there was a loudly scream from the shadow.  Apparently, the shadow belongs to Qin Xianglian and her kids.

Qin Xianglian asked for mercy.  She knelt and begged not to murdered. She hugged her kids and crying with dagger around her neck,


" Good Master, we don't know each other in the present or in the past. We have no enmity in former live. Do not kill me and my kids. Please, Good Master, I'm begging you in the name of my kids and my parents...."

Han Qi felt so pity when he had to seeing these miserably persons.  He failed to killed. He wrapped his dagger back. He knelt in front of Qin Xianglian,


" I'm sorry, Madam. I have no meaning to kill you. As what you said, we didn't knew each other even in former live. We have no enmity at all. But, I have a duty to kill you and your kids. This commandment from my superiors. I saw you and your kids reminds me to my family in my hometown. Once again, Madam, I really am so sorry....."  said Han Qi while prostrating.


" No...no...no...do not prostrating to me. I'm not deserve for that. Prostrating for Gods,Good Master. Nevertheless, may I know who is your superiors who gave you commanded you to kill us? "  asked Qin Xianglian to Han Qi while to halt his prostrating.


Han Qi showed his dagger and there was a symbol of The Emperor,


" My superiors is Chen Shimei, The Emperor son-in-law, Madam. "  Han Qi answered with shade of regret tears.


Xin Qianglian couldn't bear up her feeling. Her tears fell down profusely. She didn't aware that her own husband could have intent to taking her life and his own children. Qin Xianglian hugged her kids very tight. She told to Han Qi about her life and Chen Shimei before he married The Emperor's daughter and being Prince now.


Han Qi fell compassionate to Qin Xianglian after he heard that his superiors displaced his own family for married the daughter of The Emperor. Han Qi decided to let them go. He also given some money for their trip to Kaifeng,


" I'm sorry I can't escort you to Kaifeng, Madam. But, believe me. Judge Bao Zheng in Kaifeng will help you. Better I die then broken Gods rules. I won't kill you or anyone, Madam. "

After said that to Qin Xianglian, Han Qi pulled out his dagger then did suicide. Qin Xianglian shocked and shouted. She closed her children eyes. Her face splashed by his blood. She was getting sad deeply after Han Qi death. Her hatred to her own husband, Chen Shimei, being worsen. She torn her skirt and wetting her skirt to cleaned up her face and her kids from Liu Lin water lake. She swore to revenged her husband.


Qin Xianglian back to abandoned temple and repealed the dagger which embedded Han Qi neck. She carried the dagger which covered with Han Qi blood and brought her children to meeting Judge Bao Zheng in Kaifeng soon !

 ---------------- To Be Continued ----------------