“Open the coffin.”
The others were still mumbling and reluctant to comply. Although the county office housed several dozen people, there were only four official court-appointed magistrates: the County Magistrate, the Vice Magistrate, the Registrar, and the County Constable. Aside from these officials, there were many clerks, but officials and clerks were distinctly different. Officials were appointed by the imperial court, while clerks were merely auxiliary staff, often recruited locally. Clerks were not part of the formal nine-rank, thirty-grade official system and were not recognized as peers by the officials. Officials wielded significant power and had opportunities for promotion, whereas clerks performed menial tasks. With luck and decades of diligent service, a clerk might eventually be promoted to a minor official position, such as a County Constable in a lower-tier county, but that was the extent of their advancement.
Xiao Jingduo, a scholar-official who had passed the imperial examination, was a formal official ranked at the eighth lower grade. His status was far superior to that of the local clerks. However, as the saying goes, “Even a powerful dragon cannot suppress a local snake.” These clerks, being locals, often had complex ties to influential gentry families, some even hereditary. For a young and newly appointed Vice Magistrate like Xiao Jingduo, it was difficult to gain their respect.
Now, Xiao Jingduo could clearly feel their indifference. He remained calm and casually asked, “You refuse to open the coffin. Could it be that there’s something suspicious about Magistrate Chen’s remains?”
“Of course not,” someone replied.
“Then why won’t you open the coffin?” Xiao Jingduo pressed further.
Seeing Xiao Jingduo’s relentless questioning, many of them showed displeasure. Even the Registrar, who was also an official, said, “Vice Magistrate Xiao, what you’re doing might be seen as disrespectful to Magistrate Chen.”
“Turning a blind eye to the murderer who killed the Magistrate is the greatest disrespect to the deceased,” Xiao Jingduo retorted. “I’ll take full responsibility for all the consequences of opening the coffin. If you keep stalling, don’t blame me for suspecting you of colluding with the killer.”
The group exchanged uneasy glances but didn’t move forward. Xiao Jingduo chuckled lightly. “What’s wrong? Are you planning to openly defy your superior?”
Hearing him invoke his official authority, the group quickly bowed and said, “We wouldn’t dare.” After exchanging more glances, they finally approached the coffin hesitantly and pushed it open together.
Xiao Jingduo stepped to the right side of the coffin and leaned forward to peer inside.
The people nearby wore expressions of discomfort, unable to bear the sight, but Xiao Jingduo showed no hesitation as he carefully examined the scene.
Magistrate Chen appeared to be in his forties or fifties, with streaks of gray hair at his temples, looking far older than his actual age. His neck bore a deep wound from a sharp weapon, leaving the flesh mangled and horrifying. Xiao Jingduo silently muttered an apology for his actions and then reached out to examine Magistrate Chen’s face and limbs.
The surrounding crowd broke into chaotic murmurs and scattered in shock, but Xiao Jingduo calmly withdrew his hands. Internally, he resolved once again to train the clerks and guards in the county office. With their tendency to panic like this, how could they ever handle official duties in the future?
“I’ve seen enough. Seal the coffin.”
After the coffin was once again closed, the Registrar, struggling to suppress his discomfort, stepped forward and said to Xiao Jingduo, “Vice Magistrate Xiao, you’ve had a long day of travel. Your servants are still waiting outside. Perhaps you should see to them?”
Ah, Xiao Jingduo suddenly remembered that Qiu Ju and the others had yet to be settled. If the Registrar hadn’t reminded him, he might have completely forgotten. He nodded and said, “Thank you for the reminder, Registrar. May I know where my quarters are?”
In the county office, everyone from the magistrate to the clerks was required to reside on the premises. Xiao Jingduo would also be living in the residential area behind the front hall. Typically, the western section housed the County Magistrate, complete with a flower hall, connecting courtyards, and a rear residence. However, hierarchy dictated that others received less favorable accommodations. Officials ranked below the County Magistrate lived in the eastern section. Minor officials like the Vice Magistrate, Registrar, and County Constable each had their own courtyard, while clerks and lower staff had to share rooms, with three to five people living together.
The Registrar said, “Now that Magistrate Chen has passed, much of the western section is vacant. Since your rank is the highest here, why don’t you stay in the western residence?”
“That wouldn’t be appropriate. The court’s regulations must not be disregarded. I’ll stay in the eastern section as per protocol.”
Since Xiao Jingduo insisted on following the rules, the Registrar had nothing more to say. He led Xiao Jingduo to the eastern section. Upon entering a small, square courtyard, the Registrar said, “Here it is.”
“Thank you for your trouble.”
After the Registrar left, Qiu Ju approached Xiao Jingduo and muttered in a low voice, “So this is supposed to be a county government office? How can it be so shabby? It’s not even a tenth as grand as our marquis’ estate.”
“Enough, just get the luggage inside,” Xiao Jingduo said calmly, putting an end to the discussion. Qiu Ju, as expected, said no more. After all, her complaints were mostly just venting. Although she despised the shabby state of this remote county, her bigger concern was Xiao Jingduo’s well-being. In her heart, the young master was an extraordinary figure, capable of anything and deserving of every privilege.
Qiu Ju and Xi Qi, the two female attendants, finally found an opportunity to be useful. During their journey into Shu, most of the care had been provided by their companions, leaving the two women feeling like burdens with little to contribute. Now that they were settled, Qiu Ju could finally breathe a sigh of relief and focus on what she did best: managing the household and tidying up the residence.
The courtyard bustled with activity. Xi Qi, mindful of her position, worked silently without drawing attention, while Qiu Ju had no such reservations. She boldly and confidently ordered Xiao Lin around, instructing him on where to move and place items. Xiao Jingduo stood in the courtyard watching for a while before turning to leave.
“Hey, young master, where are you going?” Qiu Ju called out.
“You should address him by his official title,” Xiao Lin interjected, unable to resist correcting her.
Qiu Ju shot Xiao Lin a glare. “Mind your own business!”
Xiao Jingduo felt a headache coming on. “Alright, alright. Qiu Ju can call me whatever she wants. Stop arguing. I’m going to the front hall to conduct an interrogation. There are still a few unresolved questions I need to clarify.”
“Oh,” Qiu Ju replied blankly. She didn’t understand much about external affairs anyway, so she left it at that. To her, whatever the young master said was correct. Only Xiao Lin seemed surprised, looking up and asking, “Young master, have you already figured out the truth?”
“I just have some suspicions that need to be verified,” Xiao Jingduo replied as he strode out of the courtyard. “Just focus on organizing the place. Don’t wait for me for dinner.”
The clerks at Jinjiang County were shifty and secretive, wielding disproportionate power. It was unclear what exactly they were trying to hide. Even from just a brief encounter, Xiao Jingduo had already noticed several suspicious points.
However, as someone new to the area, he was still unfamiliar with many aspects of the situation. His current priority was to conduct private interrogations, breaking the suspects down one by one.
Feng the Butcher, the Registrar, the County Constable, and Sun Sizuo—the one who claimed to have first discovered the crime scene—all had their peculiarities. After pondering for a moment, Xiao Jingduo decided to question the Registrar first.
The Registrar was, after all, a court-appointed official. With the County Magistrate dead, even if he didn’t feel sorrow or sympathy, he wouldn’t go so far as to deliberately withhold information or mislead the investigation. Moreover, the Registrar had been stationed in Jinjiang County for many years and was well-versed in local affairs, making him the most suitable person to question first.
Xiao Jingduo waited in the office in the east courtyard, and before long, the Registrar arrived.
“Vice Magistrate Xiao, you’re still not resting? You’ve traveled through mountains and rivers to get here, and now that you’ve finally settled down, you should take the opportunity to rest. Why are you calling me over so late?”
Xiao Jingduo could barely listen to this. The County Magistrate—once the ruler of the county—had died just yesterday, yet instead of focusing on finding the killer, these subordinates were advising him to rest. Xiao Jingduo truly didn’t know what to say.
“With such a significant incident as the death of the County Magistrate, how could I possibly rest?” Xiao Jingduo was unwilling to waste words with the Registrar and went straight to the point. “Registrar, what’s your view on the Magistrate’s death?”
“Didn’t Sun Sizuo already say it? It was Feng the Butcher who did it.”
Good. Xiao Jingduo continued, “And what do you think we should do next?”
“Arrest Feng the Butcher, report it to the court, and have him executed. Isn’t that it?”
“Then let me ask you this: why would Feng the Butcher kill the Magistrate? What was his motive?”
“That’s simple. He relies on his strength and doesn’t respect the government. The County Magistrate disciplined him, and he held a grudge. So, in the dead of night, he killed the Magistrate.”
“You mentioned ‘in the dead of night.’ If Feng the Butcher killed the Magistrate at night, why did the county office only hear one shout? The Magistrate’s neck had multiple deep slash wounds, which clearly means it wasn’t a single fatal blow. If the Magistrate was being attacked in the middle of the county office, there’s no reason he wouldn’t cry for help. So why is it that all of you only heard a single scream and not the Magistrate’s cries for help?”
The Registrar scratched his head, clearly unable to make sense of it. “This…”
“This case is full of obvious inconsistencies, yet you’ve chosen to ignore them and rush to close the case. You’re only harming yourself and others in doing so.” Xiao Jingduo was furious at such incompetence, but now was not the time to pursue the matter. Suppressing his anger, he spoke sternly, “From now on, answer every question I ask truthfully and leave nothing out.”
Being reprimanded by a seventeen-year-old boy, the Registrar didn’t dare to talk back and could only reply dejectedly, “Yes.”
“What did the County Magistrate do on the day of the incident, which was yesterday?”
Although Xiao Jingduo had encountered several murder cases before—years ago, he had narrowly escaped being poisoned by Wu Junru in the Buddhist hall, and later, he was involved in the doppelgänger case at the Imperial Academy—those incidents had either made him the target or a mere bystander. Never had he faced a murder case as a decision-maker, responsible for discerning truth from lies and identifying the real culprit among many suspects. Xiao Jingduo knew this situation was different. His judgment would determine whether the murderer could be caught and whether justice could be served for Magistrate Chen. Realizing the gravity of the matter, Xiao Jingduo focused intently, carefully sifting through the useful information in the other party’s words.
The Registrar began to recall and speak: “Yesterday, as usual, we processed the official matters and submitted them to the Magistrate for review. The Magistrate glanced over them and approved them, telling us to proceed. We noticed the Magistrate didn’t seem well, so we didn’t linger and quickly took our leave. The Magistrate stayed in his room all afternoon and didn’t come out. I didn’t see him again. When it was time for dinner, the Magistrate had his meal sent to his room. After I finished my dinner in the public dining area, I returned to my quarters, read a scroll, and then reflected on my conduct for the day, meditating on my virtues and shortcomings, until my mind was clear—”
Xiao Jingduo couldn’t help interrupting his rambling nonsense: “Get to the point.”
“Oh, right.” The Registrar awkwardly responded and continued, “After reflecting on my moral conduct, I went to bed early. Deep into the night, as I was enjoying a sweet dream, I was suddenly awakened by a scream. I was dreaming of returning to Chang’an to meet the Emperor and answering His Majesty’s questions in the grand hall. Who would’ve thought I’d be startled awake like that? Truly despicable! I got up, put on my clothes, and asked around, only to learn that the Magistrate had been killed. The shocking news left me drenched in cold sweat. Unable to go back to sleep, I hurriedly dressed and went to the Magistrate’s room to investigate. By the time I arrived, a crowd had already gathered at the door. Feng the Butcher was trying to leave, but Sun Sizuo held onto him, refusing to let him go, and kept telling everyone that Feng the Butcher had killed the Magistrate. Feng denied it, relying on his brute strength, while Sun Sizuo stubbornly insisted it was him. The commotion continued until dawn. Later, I felt it was improper to leave the Magistrate lying on the ground, so after the curfew was lifted, I took it upon myself to purchase a coffin. I had just finished arranging the mourning hall and hadn’t even caught my breath when those troublemakers started arguing again. The rest, Deputy Magistrate Xiao, you already know. Speaking of which, I haven’t rested since I was woken up last night—truly a life destined for toil!”
Xiao Jingduo interrupted the Registrar’s endless complaints and asked, “I heard you say earlier that you and the others handled the county’s official matters, submitting them to the Magistrate for review. The Magistrate even had his meals in his room?”
“That’s correct. Speaking of the Magistrate, he truly had a hard life. He’d been stuck in Jinjiang County for many years, receiving mediocre evaluations every year—never poor enough to be demoted, but never good enough to be promoted. He was trapped in this remote, desolate place, with no hope for advancement. To make matters worse, his wife passed away last year due to poor health, unable to withstand the damp climate here. This year, Miss Chen also… Alas. With his wife and daughter gone and no prospects for his career, the Magistrate was deeply devastated. He lost all motivation, resorting to drinking every day and sleeping it off. In a single day, we’d hardly see him at all.”
Xiao Jingduo didn’t know what to make of it. Although Magistrate Chen’s misfortunes were truly pitiable, they were not a justification for neglecting his duties. However, since the man had already passed away, Xiao Jingduo didn’t dwell on this matter but instead asked about a detail that had piqued his curiosity earlier: “What happened to Magistrate Chen’s daughter, Miss Chen?”
At the mention of this topic, the previously timid Registrar’s expression drastically changed. He glanced around cautiously before leaning in and whispering to Xiao Jingduo, “Vice Magistrate, I know you’ve come from Chang’an, and you’re young and ambitious. But let me tell you, Jinjiang County is not a good place. It’s not an exaggeration to call it a dragon’s den or a tiger’s lair. I’ve heard that you’re a jinshi graduate, so you must have connections in the capital and won’t likely stay here for long. Since that’s the case, there’s no need for you to get involved in these murky waters. Just catch a few culprits to wrap up Magistrate Chen’s case quickly, and leave the other matters alone.”
Hearing this, Xiao Jingduo wasn’t angry but instead laughed. “Do you know what would happen if the words you just said were reported to the Rong Prefecture officials?”
“Ah, Vice Magistrate Xiao, I meant well! You absolutely can’t repay kindness with betrayal,” the Registrar protested, feeling aggrieved. “I was only looking out for you, but now you’re accusing me! Fine, do whatever you want, but don’t drag me into it.”
These mediocre officials—Xiao Jingduo was utterly exasperated. He pressed on with his questioning: “What about Feng the Butcher? What’s his situation?”
“Him? He’s notorious for being a troublemaker. His family has been butchers for generations, and they’re fiercely aggressive. He’s never been particularly obedient to Magistrate Chen, and they even had a dispute before. If he held a grudge and killed Magistrate Chen out of spite, I’d believe it. And look at the wound on the Magistrate’s neck—just thinking about it gives me chills. That strength, that brutality—who else in Jinjiang County could have such ruthlessness?”
Xiao Jingduo keenly caught a crucial point. “Had a dispute?”
“Yes, and wasn’t it over his sister? The Feng family is full of rough, unruly types, but they happen to have a sister as beautiful as a flower. Previously, someone harassed her, but Magistrate Chen refused to intervene. Feng the Butcher was furious and even went so far as to call Magistrate Chen an incompetent official. Just look at them—truly uncivilized, beyond reform.”
Xiao Jingduo was surprised. He hadn’t expected this case to involve so many people, with such a complex web of relationships. He had already gleaned a wealth of useful information from the Registrar’s words. Now, he had only one final question: “Sun Sizuo, the scribe who argued with Feng the Butcher—what’s his background?”
“Vice Magistrate Xiao, you might not know this, but Jinjiang County has several powerful local gentry. Our imperial officials’ words don’t carry as much weight as theirs. Sun Sizuo belongs to the most prominent Sun family in the area.”
“The Sun family. I see.” Xiao Jingduo straightened up and suddenly smiled as he asked, “Registrar, there’s one more thing I can’t figure out. Regardless of whether Feng the Butcher is the culprit, I just want to ask—why would an outsider like Feng be inside the county office in the middle of the night?”
“Uh…” The Registrar wiped his sweat nervously. “Our county office has been weak for a long time, with very limited public funds. As a result, our security measures are somewhat… lacking.”
Xiao Jingduo waved his hand, signaling that the Registrar could leave. He truly didn’t want to hear another word.
The Registrar heaved a sigh of relief, hurriedly got up, and made his way to the door. Just as he was about to leave, Xiao Jingduo called out again: “Registrar, please organize the case files from the past three years in Jinjiang County and deliver them to my residence.”
“Huh? Vice Magistrate Xiao, you’ve had a long and tiring journey and have been busy all day. Aren’t you going to rest tonight?”
“Just do as I said.” Xiao Jingduo didn’t want to waste another word on the muddle-headed Registrar.
The Registrar had no choice but to comply. “Alright, young people really do have more energy…”
Shortly after the Registrar left, Sun Sizuo arrived.
Sun Sizuo was a fair and handsome man who often exuded an air of charm and frivolity. Upon seeing Xiao Jingduo, he snapped his folding fan shut with a flourish, bowed, and said, “Greetings, Vice Magistrate Xiao.”
Sun Sizuo came from the prominent Sun family, a local gentry household with considerable influence. With his privileged background and good looks, he carried himself with a certain arrogance and was known for his amorous exploits. Having heard that a new official would be arriving in Jinjiang County, Sun Sizuo hadn’t paid much attention. Confident in his appearance, he didn’t think he would pale in comparison to the noble young men of the capital. However, upon seeing Xiao Jingduo in person today, he suddenly felt a sense of insecurity. Determined to make an impression, he had carefully dressed up before coming to meet the new Vice Magistrate.
Xiao Jingduo watched Sun Sizuo’s performance with cold detachment, utterly unimpressed. Having spent years in Chang’an, Xiao Jingduo had encountered countless noble scions and high-ranking elites. From the famously beautiful members of the imperial family to his own father, Xiao Ying—whose character left much to be desired but whose looks were impeccable—Xiao Jingduo had seen them all. Compared to such figures, Sun Sizuo’s affectations were hardly noteworthy. To be blunt, even if Xiao Jingduo looked at his own reflection every day, he had long since become immune to beauty.
Sun Sizuo, still trying to play the part of a refined scholar, hoped to give this new Vice Magistrate a good show of dominance. Yet after waiting for a long while without eliciting any reaction from Xiao Jingduo, he finally had to stand up, feeling somewhat awkward. “Vice Magistrate Xiao, what can I do for you?”
Seeing that Sun Sizuo was finally ready to talk seriously, Xiao Jingduo began his questioning: “You claimed to be the first person to discover the scene of the murder. Now, recount everything you saw yesterday in detail. Leave nothing out.”
“At your command.” Sun Sizuo bowed theatrically again before beginning his account: “Yesterday, the Magistrate was unwell and, as usual, took his dinner in his quarters. After that, it was the end of office hours. I went out to meet friends and returned to the county office before the curfew, after which I washed up and prepared to rest. However, the moonlight was exceptionally beautiful last night, and I found myself unable to sleep. Overcome with emotion as I gazed at the moon, I donned a robe and stepped outside to admire it in the courtyard. Enchanted by my poetic musings, I wandered absentmindedly and found myself outside Magistrate Chen’s quarters. Realizing my impropriety, I was about to leave when I noticed the light in the Magistrate’s room turn on. I saw two silhouettes on the window—Magistrate Chen and another person.
“Though curious why the Magistrate was hosting someone so late at night, I deemed it a private matter and decided not to meddle. Just as I turned to leave, I heard a muffled thud. I turned back to see the other figure push the Magistrate and raise his arm to strike down hard. I was so terrified that I nearly fainted! Only then did I realize the person was holding a knife and was attacking the Magistrate. Horrified, I shouted for help to alert others and stood guard at the door to prevent the murderer’s escape. My shouting must have startled the assailant because he dropped the knife and fled. When I opened the door, I collided directly with him. Deputy Magistrate Xiao, you’ll never guess—the killer was none other than Feng the Butcher! He’s been a scourge to the community, and now he’s murdered the Magistrate. Truly heinous! Truly heinous!”
Sun Sizuo delivered his account with dramatic flair, clearly pleased with what he considered a masterful performance. He looked expectantly at Xiao Jingduo, hoping to see astonishment on his face. However, Xiao Jingduo remained as composed as ever and asked, “You said you saw two silhouettes on the window and that one figure pushed the Magistrate. How could you identify which one was the Magistrate through the window?”
Sun Sizuo stammered, “W-well, the Magistrate ended up in a pool of blood, and Feng the Butcher was covered in it. In that situation, who else could have pushed the Magistrate?”
“Hmm, that makes sense,” Xiao Jingduo replied calmly. “Since you said you screamed, why didn’t the Magistrate cry for help?”
“Uh… I think Feng the Butcher’s push must have knocked the Magistrate unconscious, so he couldn’t call for help.”
Xiao Jingduo had Sun Sizuo map out his route and mark the scene of the crime. Then he dismissed him.
By this point, Xiao Jingduo had a general understanding of the case, but some details still puzzled him. He needed to continue his investigation.
“Vice Magistrate, who shall I summon next?”
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