Chapter 9: The Delicate Seven Orifices Are Connected

Fang Guqi said: "Have you only known each other for two hours? This is quite remarkable. Could this be what they call an instant connection? Which prominent family does Young Master Song come from?"

Jiang Bin laughed and said: "Well said, well said. I will visit your esteemed mother another day to apologize, for I fear I might have startled her.

"Can you really distinguish between biological and non-biological?" Jiang Bin asked, resting his chopsticks.

Fang Gu chuckled and said, "I must admit I misjudged the situation; I shall pour myself a cup as punishment, and there is no need for you to elaborate, my lord." After taking a sip from her cup, she set it down and smiled, saying, "I am quite curious about how the two great men, Lord Jiang and Young Master Song, became so familiar with each other at first sight. Could you share the story with me?"

Na Fanggu's culinary skills are indeed impressive. Ordinary home ingredients, when prepared by her skilled hands, become truly delicious. Especially the plate of spicy rabbit meat, which left Song Nan praising it with his mouth full of oil. After being in this era for over ten days, this is the first time he has tasted such exquisite flavors

Jiang Bin felt a surge of alarm; Song Nan was even more cunning than he had imagined, having laid such a ruthless trap. The Song family, mother and son, were no match for him. If this matter were to escalate to the authorities, Song Nan would undoubtedly resort to this method.

Madam Fang said: "Lord Jiang is bullying us common folk again. Young Master Song is a friend of Lord Jiang. Did Lord Jiang not say that he enjoys the tranquility of my humble shop? As the saying goes, 'Birds of a feather flock together,' so naturally, Lord Jiang's friends also appreciate peace and quiet. Am I wrong in saying this?"

Jiang Bin, somewhat enviously, remarked: "How does Fang Gu know that Young Master Song prefers a quiet life? Fang Gu seems quite interested in my little brother."

"Then why is that?" Fang Gu and Jiang Bin asked almost in unison.

Song Nan smiled and said: "Of course there is; otherwise, if Lord Jiang had not happened to pass by this morning, how could I prove that I am a descendant of the Song family when I go to the yamen to report to the officials? However, this method is not something to be used lightly; or rather, Song Huan can use it, but it would not be appropriate for me to do so."

Fang Gu nodded and said: "Well said, this world needs some chivalrous spirit; otherwise, the common people would have no hope of living. Fang Gu offers you a toast, in honor of your earlier words."

Fang Gu blushed and spat, then raised her cup to drink with Jiang Bin, who was finally satisfied.

Song Nan inexplicably turned his head, only to see Fang Gu quickly enter the house and lock the door, leaving Jiang Bin standing alone in the courtyard, dumbfounded and looking quite awkward

Song Nan blushed slightly and said: "I am not a scholar, and it is unlikely that I will ever have a connection with the imperial examination in this lifetime. I only believe in one saying: good people will be rewarded, and evil people will meet their match. If others are disrespectful to me, I will not be polite to them; if others show me a modicum of respect, I will return it tenfold"

Song Nan thanked him, raised his cup and drank. Jiang Bin, with wide eyes, said: "Why do I feel like I am the extraneous one? You two seem to be like old friends at first sight."

Ah? Jiang Bin and Fang Gu both gasped, could it be that to confirm kinship they would have to exhume Song De's grave? This would be an act of great disrespect and unfilial conduct, not to mention a violation of the law. No wonder Song Nan said that Song Huan could be used, but he could not; fortunately, Song Huan did not have the chance to suggest this method, otherwise, if one were to lose their senses and actually dig up his father's grave for the sake of such a large family business, although it could prove the biological relationship, the stigma of unfilial and disrespectful conduct would be inescapable, and the Song family in Weizhou would be finished.

Fang Gu is a spirited and capable woman. When Jiang Bin invited her to have a few drinks, she did not decline. She took a small wine cup and drank several rounds with Song Nan, until her cheeks flushed a bright red, radiating a beauty that was simply captivating. Jiang Bin was mesmerized, and even Song Nan felt a surge of heat in his heart, unable to meet her gaze.

Song Nan smiled and said, "There are many ways to resolve issues; for instance, regarding paternity testing, it is not limited to the method of blood testing for kinship."

"Song Ci? I haven't heard of him," Jiang Bin said, shaking his head

Fang Gu listened while observing Song Nan. When she heard Song Nan retort against Song Huan, claiming he was not of the Song family bloodline, she covered her mouth and laughed incessantly. After a while, she opened her mouth and took a long breath, saying: "Young Master Song truly has a way about him, to actually use another's own tactics against them. Clever, very clever indeed. However, this action does not seem like something a scholar should do; it resembles the behavior of ruffians on the streets."

Jiang Bin, feeling somewhat tipsy, found it even harder to refuse when Fang Gu inquired further. Thus, he recounted the events of the morning in their entirety. Song Nan kept signaling him with his eyes, but Jiang Bin remained oblivious. Song Nan did not wish for this matter to become widely known, and given that he himself had acted somewhat unreasonably that morning, it was not particularly worth publicizing. However, he could not stop Jiang Bin, whose tongue had already become loose.

I am very eager to know the method that Young Master Song mentioned for proving biological kinship. Mr. Song has passed away for five years, and the words of others are not sufficient to be trusted. Yet you claim that it can be proven; what is the reason for that? Since it can be proven, why do you not use this method to prove it yourself? Miss Fang listened to the story very attentively, a detail that Jiang Bin did not notice at all, as he thought it was merely a jest from Song Nan.

Is there another way? I would like to ask for advice. Jiang Bin became interested.

Song Nan smiled and said: "I am not the son of a wealthy family, merely a commoner, living in poverty with nothing but bare walls."

Song Nan could tell that the main reason Jiang Bin frequented this ordinary tavern was largely due to Fang Gu. The two were quite familiar with each other, yet it seemed there was no deeper relationship. On the contrary, although Jiang Bin occasionally teased her, as soon as Fang Gu furrowed her brows, he would immediately fall silent, not daring to overstep. It was unclear why this was the case; logically speaking, as a thousand-household commander of Weizhou Guard, if Jiang Bin had any intentions towards Fang Gu, a mere tavern owner's wife should have been unable to refuse. Yet, it was unknown what background this woman had.

It is very simple; what is the easiest way to determine whether there is a biological blood relationship between a father and son

"Young Master Song, in the future, if you have nothing to do, you are welcome to come to my humble establishment to help with the business. Although my shop is secluded and simple, the food is clean and the environment is serene, making it the most suitable place for someone like you who enjoys tranquility to visit." After finishing a glass of wine, Fang Gu smiled and dabbed the wine stains on her lips with a white handkerchief.

Fang Gu slowly nodded and said: "I have indeed heard of this person. My grandfather was a coroner in the county office, and our family possesses quite a few books, among which there is one titled 'Records of Washing Away Injustice,' which seems to have been authored by Song Ci."

"The blood test for kinship, how difficult can it be? However, Mr. Song has been deceased for five years, and his flesh has long turned to dust. I fear there are only bones left, so this method is certainly not feasible," Jiang Bin pondered.

Of course there is, and there have been methods for a long time. As early as the Zhao Song period, there was a renowned chief justice named Song Ci, have you heard of him?

Jiang Bin laughed heartily and said: "So that's how it is, what a sharp tongue you have. It's a pity that this time you are likely to guess wrong. I have known this brother Song for less than two hours, and even I do not know what he likes or dislikes, so how could you possibly guess it?"

Song Nan pointed out with admiration: "Miss Fang has a good memory. This book is indeed authored by Song Ci, and it clearly states in the 'Collected Records of Judicial Examinations' how to use skeletal remains to identify parent-child relationships, known as 'dripping bone recognition.' By dripping the blood of the parent and child onto the bones, if the blood seeps into the skeleton, they are related; otherwise, it will roll off and not penetrate. The method I mentioned is precisely this one."

Jiang Bin smiled and said, "Our clever and astute proprietress has misjudged this time, hasn't she? Do you think that I, Jiang Bin, only associate with high-ranking officials and wealthy gentry?"

Song Nan was also under the influence of alcohol, which led him to say these words. Upon noticing the unusual expressions on the faces of the two, he suddenly realized he had misspoken. However, Song Nan did not mind and looked up at the sky, then stood up, clasped his hands, and smiled, saying: "Captain Jiang, Miss Fang, I have delayed my return home for half a day, and my family must be anxiously waiting for me. I was taken away by the captain of Weizhou Guard, and those unaware of the situation might think I am in serious trouble. It is best for me to return quickly to reassure them, so I must take my leave now"

Jiang Bin appeared rough and robust, yet he was meticulous and attentive. He did not seem angered by Song Nan's rejection, maintaining his smile as he engaged in toasting and drinking with Song Nan.

Song Nanxin thought: In the future, do not say that it has turned into white bones; even if only a strand of hair remains, it can still be identified through DNA comparison, but you simply do not know this

Jiang Bin harbored an indescribable feeling towards Song Nan. Jiang Bin's ambitions were not trivial; he merely felt that his own intellect was insufficient. Initially, upon encountering Song Nan's methods for dealing with the Song family, he intended to recruit him as his advisor to work diligently on his behalf. It was only now that he realized Song Nan's capabilities far exceeded his expectations. Even a minor matter of reclaiming family assets could be approached by Song Nan with multiple strategies and possibilities, each met with a corresponding response. This was precisely the kind of intellectual support Jiang Bin had longed for. Determined, Jiang Bin resolved to bring Song Nan under his wing, no matter the cost, to leverage his talents for his own benefit.

Miss Fang gently bowed and said, "Young Master Song, safe travels. Please come often to take care of my business."

Song Nan cupped his hands in salute, stepped out the door, and behind him came Fang Gu's voice: "Lord Jiang, please make yourself at home. I have had some rice wine and feel a bit dizzy, so I must rest for a while. I apologize for the inconvenience."