The chaotic sound of footsteps faded into the distance, and the Prefectural Yamen, which had been a stage for one dramatic scene after another since morning, finally fell into a brief silence.
After everything that had transpired, Fan Tong began to realize that this case would not be settled today.
He felt a sense of unspeakable regret, for today’s proceedings were far more than a simple matter of judging a case. Although Kang Renshou was a manager of a pharmacy, he was merely an adopted son of the Kang family and lacked significant standing. Now that he was only missing, he wasn't worth the personal attention of a high official like Fan Tong.
The Prefect had another matter on his mind. Earlier, seeing how much attention the young master of the Qiu family paid to the second Miss Su, he had taken note. Upon returning, he had sent a reliable person to investigate thoroughly, and as expected, he discovered something extraordinary. It turned out the Su family had somehow connected themselves with a Prince’s Mansion in the capital and was now essentially conducting business for the Imperial family. He suspected that the Jade-Severing Gentleman, having come from the capital, must have sensed this long ago, which explained his proactive behavior. Fan Tong felt he could not afford to fall behind, nor could he be the fool who built the temple only for others to take the credit.
Regardless of whether Kang Renshou’s fate was auspicious or grim, Fan Tong had to put on a show. He intended to pin the blame on one or two petty thieves to settle the matter—firstly, to grant a favor to the Hall of Returning Spring, and secondly, to take the opportunity to win over Su Lin. It seemed a friendship with the Qiu family was out of the reach, so securing the Su family was not a bad alternative.
Thinking of this, he refused to give up. He looked the youth in plain clothes up and down, judging in the blink of an eye that this rustic fellow, like Qin Jiuye, was a minor character with neither money nor power. He immediately declared:
"The words of the second Miss Su just now were merely circumstantial evidence, and your testimony proves nothing. Besides, you are family; naturally, you would lie to testify for one another."
Li Qiao finally turned around, seemingly looking directly at Lord Fan for the first time since entering the hall.
"Lord Fan has likely forgotten one thing. The gates of Jiugao close after the hour of You. If Mr. Kang encountered trouble after leaving the Su residence, my elder sister would not only have had to commit the crime in the street within a mere half-hour while defying the curfew, but she would also have had to return to our residence before the hour of Hai when the Protector thoroughly searched the village. To achieve this, she would not only need to be one of the top martial experts in the Longshu region but would also need to have mastered divine arts of earth-tunneling and sky-soaring."
Finally, someone had said it for her. Qin Jiuye nodded vigorously as she listened, nearly jumping up to cheer.
Fan Tong never expected that even a country bumpkin from who-knows-where would dare to argue so persistently today. He was about to lose his temper, but the moment he met those light brown eyes, his heart trembled inexplicably. His rebuttal came out sounding weak.
"Then it is also possible she abducted him to the outskirts of the city to commit the deed..."
This time, the youth did not even look at him, saying each word with deliberate clarity.
"If that is the case, I wonder if Lord Fan has discovered exactly what happened to Master Kang and where he is now?"
Fan Tong finally fell silent.
His grand performance today was meant to be a "headless case." If the "head" was actually found, what would be left to perform?
Standing to the side, Qin Jiuye knew this was the best time to retreat. she quickly said with a submissive air, "My younger brother is blunt and outspoken; I hope your honors will not take offense. I wonder if Lord Fan and the Protector have any other questions? There is no one to look after the pharmacy at home, and I am indeed anxious to return to attend to business..."
Having failed in his attempt at a "swift and decisive" conviction, Fan Tong had to let her go for the time being, planning to settle the score later. He was about to wave her off when Qiu Ling’s voice rang out again.
"I haven't seen this young brother before. Does he also stay at Guoran Ju?"
What she feared most had come to pass; he had finally turned his attention to Li Qiao.
Ever since Qiu Ling had knocked on her gate last night, she would break into a cold sweat instinctively whenever she heard his voice.
Earlier, her mind had been entirely on the second Miss Su. Now that she had regained her senses, she remembered the youth who had "come uninvited." Recalling her experiences from the previous night and looking at Kang Renshou’s mysterious disappearance, a dark suspicion suddenly formed in her mind.
Could Kang Renshou have been...
The cold sweat that had just receded broke out again. But she had to escape quickly. Since she could no longer distance herself from Li Qiao, she had to do everything possible to weather this storm.
Steeling her nerves, she subtly pulled the person beside her a bit closer.
"This distant cousin of mine is in poor health. I am helping him regulate his constitution, and in the meantime, he helps out in the pharmacy."
The youth stood quietly beside her, like an obedient and sensible hound, occasionally looking up at her expression. He played the part of a naive, inexperienced youth perfectly. Combined with the brashness he showed by barging into the court and talking back to Fan Tong, he did not seem like a man of deep calculation.
If such acting were used against ordinary people, they would have been convinced long ago. But before them stood one of the "Four Gentlemen of Kunxu," the Jade-Severing Gentleman. A Kun blade severs jade—ruthless and decisive. Rumor had it that this Jade-Severing Gentleman cared only for justice and not for personal sentiment. Even an old bookkeeper in his service, over seventy years of age, had been handed over to the authorities for hiding a bit of lamp oil money. That was why he was given such a cold and fearsome title.
But from Qin Jiuye’s observation, this man did not have a fanatical pursuit of justice; he was simply naturally insensitive to human sentiment, and thus could not be blinded by it.
The young Protector’s scrutinizing gaze fell upon the youth as he took a step closer.
"When I visited Guoran Ju last night, were you also in the courtyard?"
Li Qiao remained silent. Seeing this, Qin Jiuye took over the answer.
"Indeed. The countryside is not like the city; there is never much entertainment. Everyone returns home to rest once night falls."
Qiu Ling glanced at her before shifting his gaze back to Li Qiao.
"Why did I not see you come out when I visited yesterday?"
Before Qin Jiuye could interject again, Li Qiao spoke with his head lowered.
"My sister wanted me to prepare the medicine for the customers the next day in advance. The rain came suddenly, and there was too much work to finish, so I did not go out to greet the guest. I hope the Commander does not take it to heart."
*Good, good. That’s a fine excuse.*
Qin Jiuye was very satisfied, almost unable to resist reaching out to pat his fluffy head.
In the next moment, Qiu Ling’s voice pressed closer.
"Last night, I saw the courtyard was pitch black. I didn't know that sorting, picking, and dispensing herbs could be done without lighting a lamp?"
This time, the youth finally raised his head.
It was the first time Qiu Ling had clearly seen the other's eyes—eyes like misty rain, making it difficult to discern his emotions, yet on that face, they appeared simple and innocent, not like those of someone hiding secrets.
"The Protector comes from a wealthy family and has likely never lacked for daily necessities. You surely do not know that the price of candles in Jiugao has risen by another eight or nine wen this year. Many families in the village cannot afford to light them. As for sorting, picking, and dispensing herbs, once one is skilled, it can be done without looking closely at every piece."
This response not only deflected Qiu Ling’s questioning but added a subtle touch of mockery. The underlying message, declared before everyone, was that while the new Protector was strict in his governance, he did not know the cost of living—he was a "paper general" who only knew how to lead on paper.
Qiu Ling paused.
He was not good at perceiving human sentiment, but years of military life chasing bandits had given him a sharp intuition for those carrying filthy secrets or fleeing for their lives.
It was the intuition of a wolf for a cunning rabbit, a heron for a swimming fish, a hound for a wild fox.
He was certain that the complexity he had sensed in those eyes just now was no illusion. He simply could not yet be sure what secret lay behind that complexity.
"Candles are expensive, but they are nothing compared to the difficulty of a long night." He suddenly stepped forward, reaching out to slowly place his hand on the youth’s right shoulder. "You are still young and do not yet know the dangers of this world. Lately, bandits have been appearing outside Jiugao. If you do not light a lamp at night, thieves will think no one is home or the master is asleep. They will climb over the walls to commit evil deeds, and if you encounter them then, blood is usually spilled."
Qiu Ling finished speaking, but he did not withdraw his hand.
When he had arrived at the Red Finch Quarter last night, the wounded brothel thug had told him that while the assailant was skilled, he was clearly injured. From the various signs he found while tracking the blood out of the city, he knew the person was seriously hurt and should have difficulty moving now. It should be visible in his posture, though he did not rule out that some were skilled at disguise.
Compared to those martial artists of the Jianghu, the youth before him was far too delicate. When he lowered his head and avoided eye contact, he even seemed somewhat shy. But Qiu Ling had dealt with all sorts of villains; not all evil men had ugly, ferocious faces. On the contrary, they were often humble, polite, and even pitiable.
His palm exerted hidden strength, five finger bones firmly gripping the youth’s shoulder blade. The youth did not struggle much; he only looked up at him with some surprise, his body slightly bent under the force.
To an outsider, this gesture looked like an elder brother patiently advising his younger brother. Only those within the situation knew the dark undercurrents surging beneath this facade.
"Protector, this humble citizen... this humble citizen has something to say!" The woman who had been standing silently nearby suddenly spoke, her tone carrying an undetectable urgency. "The Protector shoulders the safety of Jiugao and is occupied with a myriad of affairs, from murder cases to city defenses and public security. Your love for the people is known to all! My younger brother is young and ignorant; please do not hold it against him. My entire family once received the grace of the Black Moon Army. This time, we will certainly cooperate fully with the investigation, wishing to help the Protector catch the thief soon so that we citizens of Jiugao can sleep peacefully."
The young Protector’s expression froze for a moment, his gaze toward Qin Jiuye turning as heavy as cold iron.
The three words "Black Moon Army" were something he had not heard for several years.
And those three words, twenty-odd years ago, were the most frequently mentioned names on this land.
The invincible Black Moon Army that brought victory wherever it went; the Black Moon Army that repelled three hundred thousand fierce cavalry of the Red Di from the western borders and guarded the Xiang-Liang border for ten whole years; the Black Moon Army that built the dozens of feet high walls of Jiugao and never let the beacon fires be lit...
Over the years, various military titles had rotated through him like flowing water, but no matter what military merits he achieved, how many cities he reclaimed, or how many wicked rebels he slew, those three words could never again be bestowed upon him.
The black armor he wore suddenly felt heavy, making his breathing labored. He stared at the woman’s face, seemingly weighing her intent and reason for mentioning those three words.
But this surging emotion, like a rising storm, only stayed in his eyes for a brief moment—so brief that no one present, except the woman before him, noticed it.
"Protector?"
She called out to him again, seemingly realizing the impropriety of her words and about to make amends, when Fan Tong, who had been observing the situation, could not help but step forward.
"Offering unasked-for service is a sign of a hidden agenda! This wicked woman must have a guilty conscience to act this way. Protector, you must not be deceived by her; you should interrogate her thoroughly..."
Qin Jiuye’s words were indeed somewhat fawning. At first listen, they didn't seem too out of place, but combined with her previous eagerness to escape, they were highly suspicious. Fan Tong had intended to let it go, but he worried that Qiu Ling would use the opportunity to take over the case entirely and ruin his plans, so he went out of his way to undermine her.
But Qiu Ling’s mind was no longer on the woman. He looked at his left hand, which was pressed against the youth’s shoulder.
The youth wore light-colored coarse cloth. The fabric was thin; if there were a wound, it would surely burst open under heavy pressure and bleed uncontrollably.
But the fabric beneath his hand remained dry, showing no signs of anything unusual.
Qiu Ling finally withdrew his hand slowly.
"Manager Qin is not yet cleared of involvement in this matter. By right, aside from necessary questioning, you should avoid other involvements to prevent suspicion."
Qin Jiuye’s heart was still pounding. She licked her dry lips and nodded repeatedly in response.
"The Protector is right. I was presumptuous."
Just as she thought she was about to escape the ordeal, his tone shifted and circled back.
"However, it is rare for you to have such a heart."
If the Hall of Returning Spring’s best-selling medicine next month were "Regret Pills," Qin Jiuye felt she could find the missing Kang Renshou immediately and beg him for one.
Seeing her silence, the other man leaned in slightly, his tone half-serious.
"It is summer now; rains are frequent and roads are dangerous. General Pingnan has now moved into Jiao Province, and there are commanders under his banner stationed within a hundred miles of Longshu. Manager Qin, if you and your brother have no urgent business, do not travel far. It is better to stay safely at home until the weather improves. If I truly think of something I need your assistance with, I hope Manager Qin will cooperate at any time and not use the pharmacy business as an excuse to decline."
First he said she should avoid involvement, and now he was pulling her back in, even mentioning General Pingnan to intimidate her. This Jade-Severing Gentleman was truly a master of torment. She wondered if Mount Qingzhong was filled with cruel officials and executioners as teachers to have produced such a disciple.
She subtly distanced herself from Qiu Ling, continuing to bow and scrape as she accepted.
"The Protector is right. If the Protector has important matters, you may summon me at any time."
On the bench, Fan Tong watched this scene with cold eyes, silently stroking his thick chin, his thoughts unknown.
After a brief and hurried farewell, only the master of the yamen and his subordinate remained in the hall.
Fan Tong watched the young Protector’s figure disappear completely. His feet, numb from sitting too long, immediately kicked up onto the small side table.
Cao Jin, the Secretary, observed his mood and hurried forward to massage his legs.
"My Lord, should we..."
"What’s the rush?" Fan Tong hummed and closed his eyes, his voice leisurely. "The Protector wants to investigate the case to establish his authority; we shall simply cooperate. How can we overstep and steal his credit? Don't you agree?"
Cao Jin nodded repeatedly.
"My Lord is right. I was just thinking that if we could show some initiative, we might leave a good impression when General Pingnan enters the city later. They say this Jade-Severing Gentleman is the youngest Protector in the Jiujiang area, granted a military tally before the age of twenty-seven..."
"What do you know?!" Fan Tong opened his eyes impatiently, the fat on his cheeks bunching up with agitation. "The lower reaches of the Feng River are in total chaos. Military tallies have been issued by the dozens, if not hundreds. In my eyes, they aren't worth as much as a paper sword in the hand of a ten-year-old child. I am still sitting in this Prefect’s seat; do not think of stepping over me to curry favor with him. If I catch you again, I’ll send you to Juchao for hard labor!"
At the mention of "Juchao," Cao Jin’s face instantly turned as pale as gold. He trembled as he hugged Fan Tong’s leg, begging for mercy.
"It was my own muddled head that spoke such nonsense. The Prefect is wise and divine; how could he let that green boy ride over his head? It’s all just a temporary measure. I can still distinguish right from wrong."
Having vented his frustration, Fan Tong’s breathing smoothed out, and he returned to his lazy demeanor.
"You are right; it is indeed a temporary measure. Previously, I was unsure about the Qiu family and underestimated the Su family. If I hadn't sent someone to investigate privately, offending that brat Su Lin would be one thing, but what if I had alarmed the one behind him?"
Cao Jin followed Fan Tong’s lead and nodded quickly.
"The Prefect is wise. In my humble opinion, this matter is easy to handle. If we have any progress on this side, we just need to keep the Su family informed in a timely manner."
"Naturally. However, I originally wanted to use this case to grant a favor to the Hall of Returning Spring and the Su family, but now it’s been spoiled." Fan Tong paused, then narrowed his eyes as a new plan formed. "But in broad daylight, we cannot allow a miscarriage of justice. No matter how urgent the case, we cannot do a bad deed out of good intentions and become the villains, right?"
"What does my Lord mean?"
"Tomorrow morning, release that old man who delivers vegetables and those boatmen we caught earlier. Even for a Protector, the interrogation process must follow the rules of our yamen. In the end, he cannot bypass me, the Prefect. So what if he puts on grand airs? If he’s so capable, let him go catch people in the streets himself."
After Fan Tong finished speaking, he and Cao Jin exchanged a look, and both burst into laughter. Their laughter echoed among the stones of the county office, sounding like the wailing of ghosts and howls of wolves.
***
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