Case One: Double Bodies in the Flower Bed
Zhong Li sat in the yamen hall, slowly sipping a cup of red tea. Beside the charcoal brazier opposite her, a young runner squatted, tending the fire with a trembling, cautious air, as if on the verge of tears.
Zhong Li recognized him; he was the same runner who had led her to that dilapidated courtyard yesterday at noon.
She wasn't one to dwell on minor matters. It wouldn't have bothered her if the runner had led her to a mass grave for autopsies. What truly irked her, however, was Governor Ren, who kept offering her tea with a perpetual smile, exuding an aura of deep-seated prejudice against women.
Zhong Li finished her tea. As Ren Zhong prepared to refill it, she raised a hand to cover the cup, signaling him to stop.
"Temple Official Zhong, what is this?" Ren Zhong still wore a forced smile when addressing Zhong Li. If it weren't for Lu Wuxie's presence, an official of his rank would hardly be pouring tea for a sixth-rank Temple Official, especially a woman.
Zhong Li fixed her gaze on Ren Zhong's face. Despite his best efforts to conceal it, she could still discern the disdain in his eyes.
She placed the cup aside and said, "Esteemed Governor Ren, may I ask you a few questions?"
Ren Zhong glanced at her. He had no intention of engaging, but Lu Wuxie's gaze felt like needle pricks from behind. He could only force a laugh and say, "Temple Official Zhong, please do ask."
"Governor Ren, when you wrote to Dali Temple, were you expecting Master Lan?"
Ren Zhong pursed his lips, remaining silent. In his mind, even if Lan Heng didn't come, Master Xu should have. He couldn't fathom why the court would send a woman. This...
Zhong Li understood from the emotions betraying themselves on his face. She smiled faintly and said, "If I recall correctly, Master Lan was here in Jinzhou just two months ago. Is that true?"
Ren Zhong nodded. He didn't understand why Zhong Li was suddenly bringing up events from two months prior.
"At that time, you also had an unsolved case, didn't you, Governor Ren? One that required Master Lan's attention?" Zhong Li continued. She had even consulted the case files when she first joined Dali Temple; she knew her memory was accurate.
Ren Zhong nodded again.
Zhong Li smiled knowingly. "The Southern Yue Kingdom has millions of citizens and over a dozen cities. If we include county offices and villages, there are hundreds. Jinzhou is, by all accounts, the second-largest city in Southern Yue. Not only does it have murder cases frequently, but it also constantly seeks help from Dali Temple in Jincheng. If the entire country were like you, Governor Ren, then all the officials at Dali Temple would likely have no time for rest."
As soon as she spoke, Ren Zhong's complexion turned from green to white. Although Zhong Li hadn't named him directly, the implication was clear: all the other cities in Southern Yue could solve their cases, yet you, Ren Zhong, are always asking for help.
"Temple Official Zhong, are you implying that I am incompetent? Unfit to be the governor of Jinzhou?" Ren Zhong's beard bristled with anger. kuAiδugg
Zhong Li glanced at Ren Zhong and said, "It seems Governor Ren is not entirely without merit. Your comprehension skills are quite good."
"You!" Ren Zhong had expected the icy woman opposite him to show him some respect, as is customary in official circles, where tact and diplomacy are valued. To his surprise, she had just thrown such a remark at him. How could he maintain his standing before his subordinates?
Zhong Li couldn't be bothered to consider Ren Zhong's thoughts.
One earns respect, it is not given. She stood up and walked to Ren Zhong, performing an official bow. "I don't know why Governor Ren looks down on women, but I wish to state that the woman you look down upon today will solve this case within three days."
With that, she turned and walked out, paying no mind to Ren Zhong's increasingly awkward expression.
Lu Wuxie, sitting opposite, had watched the unfolding drama. He always knew Zhong Li wouldn't tolerate being wronged, and it seemed Ren Zhong of Jinzhou had also learned a lesson.
"Your Highness," Ren Zhong said with an embarrassed smile, turning to Lu Wuxie. "This Temple Official Zhong has entered the imperial court. Even if you favor her greatly, you cannot..."
He had only spoken half his sentence when he realized Lu Wuxie had already left the hall, disappearing without a trace.
"Li'er." Lu Wuxie followed Zhong Li, and they walked directly towards the small, dilapidated courtyard.
As Zhong Li walked, her brow furrowed.
Lu Wuxie glanced at her and said, "Don't worry. After this incident, Ren Zhong won't make things difficult for you anymore."
Zhong Li shook her head. "I don't care whether he makes things difficult for me or not. The urgent matters at hand are two things that need to be done."
"What are they? Tell me," Lu Wuxie, seeing that Zhong Li was not bothered by Governor Ren, asked about the subsequent matters with ease.
Zhong Li sighed. Her words to Governor Ren earlier were indeed a bit impulsive. Although she knew this case wasn't impossibly difficult to crack, three days was indeed a tight deadline.
"Don't worry, don't you have me?" Lu Wuxie sensed Zhong Li's emotional shift and gently reassured her.
Hearing this, Zhong Li looked at the man beside her. She saw his smile was still as roguishly carefree as she remembered, yet somehow, he always provided her with a sense of security.
"Your Highness, aren't you supposed to return to the Xie Manor to see Elder Xie?" she hesitated, as this case fell under Dali Temple's jurisdiction, and the Ministry of Justice temporarily had no authority. Moreover, his visit to Jinzhou was ostensibly to see family.
When Lu Wuxie heard her mention Xie Xu, a hint of mockery entered his usually nonchalant eyes. "I returned to the Xie family yesterday but did not see my grandfather."
"Hm?" Zhong Li's eyes widened slightly in surprise. Xie Xu had specifically sent a letter calling for Lu Wuxie, yet he stood him up on the day.
"Do you know where he is?" Lu Wuxie asked Zhong Li.
Zhong Li remained silent.
Lu Wuxie murmured to himself, "Bai Yan Lou."
Xie Xu was in a brothel?
Zhong Li recalled seeing the "Bai Yan Lou" on the street when she arrived in Jinzhou yesterday. It wasn't open for business during the day, and its decorations were similar to those of Man Lou. Without guessing, she knew what kind of establishment it was.
However, with elders above and children below, it seemed Lu Wuxie had inherited Xie Xu's romantic and dashing demeanor.
"Then did you see your grandmother?" Zhong Li asked again. If she remembered correctly, Xie Yunxia's mother, Lady Liang, was still alive.
Lu Wuxie shook his head again. "Ever since my mother died and my grandfather sent Xie Yunxi to Prince Xian's residence, my grandmother has become a recluse, devoted to Buddhism, and has seen no one."
Hearing this, Zhong Li could empathize with Lady Liang. Who would want their daughter to be barely cold in her grave, yet have her husband send the child of a concubine to curry favor? Anyone would be angered.
"Then, I'll trouble Your Highness to find some clay for me," she said after a moment's thought.
"What do you need this for?" Lu Wuxie was very curious. Wasn't this about investigating a case? Why this new development?
Zhong Li didn't say much more, handing Lu Wuxie the autopsy report she hadn't given to Governor Ren.
Lu Wuxie opened it and examined it closely.
When he saw that both male corpses had died from injuries to the head by a blunt instrument, and one even lacked half its head, he asked with some surprise, "Can you restore it?"
"Yes."