The Eastern Capital was different from Yangdu — it still enforced a curfew. After nightfall, the ward gates closed, and the Jinwu Guards took charge of the city-wide night patrol. Without a special pass, no one was permitted to wander between the wards.

As it happened, Ling Zhiyan was precisely the sort of person with a “special pass.” In his capacity as an Adjudicator of the Court of Judicial Review — a post of considerable weight, responsible for investigating and substantiating cases — he carried the unified “Night Travel Warrant” issued by the Court, commonly known as the “Curfew Passage Permit.” Even after the ward gates closed, he was free to move between the wards at will.

Lin Sui’an studied the “Night Travel Warrant” in Ling Zhiyan’s hand — a copper tablet the size of a palm, ringed with carved wave patterns and hung with a black tassel. The front was engraved with “Specially Issued by the Court of Judicial Review,” while the reverse bore eight characters: “Night-Traveling Emissary — Release Upon Sight.” The overall design was rather dramatic, but it was, at least, practical. From the Imperial City all the way out, before they had even crossed the Luo River Bridge, they had already been stopped and questioned by three separate Jinwu Guard patrols. It was entirely thanks to this tablet that the whole carriage-load of them had avoided being hauled off to the Jinwu Guards’ jail.

Jin Ruo had missed the evening meal. Taking advantage of the travel time, he had stuffed his cheeks with pastries until they puffed out like a hamster’s, and delivered his report through bulging cheeks: “Shan Yuanming is staying at Shuangyuan Inn in Yongtai Ward, in the ‘Tian’ suite of the Frost Maple Hall. Shuangyuan Inn is a third-rank inn — rates are low, and the guests are mostly impoverished scholars like Shan Yuanming. Rooms below the ‘Di’ grade are dormitory-style, shared by multiple people. Only the ‘Tian’ and ‘Di’ suites are private courtyards with individual rooms. Apparently, the innkeeper set these aside specially for scholars of notable reputation, on the chance that one of his lodgers might pass the imperial examinations and bring a bit of luck and good fortune.”

“Yongtai Ward is right next to the South Market, isn’t it?” Hua Yitang said.

“Exactly why inns cluster there. Men of letters and ink-brushers from all over the country gather here almost without exception.” Jin Ruo arranged pastries on the plate as landmarks. “Hanyu Inn, Dongfeng Inn, and Wuhu Inn are first-rank. Baiqi Inn, Zunqing Inn, Jiangnan Inn, Siri Inn, and Yuandeng Inn are second-rank. There are forty-six third-rank inns at the same level as Shuangyuan, plus nearly a hundred dingy roadside lodges, all scraping by off the Red Charm Quarter in the South Market.”

Ling Zhiyan was astonished. “Has Jin Liulang been to the Eastern Capital before?”

Jin Ruo: “First time.”

“You’ve only been here a few hours, and already you know Yongtai Ward this thoroughly?”

Jin Ruo preened: “A trifling matter.”

“Is the Red Charm Quarter a place like the Rouge Quarter back in Yangdu?” Lin Sui’an asked.

Jin Ruo held up three fingers. “Three times the size!”

Lin Sui’an let out a low whistle. “Any recommendations?”

“Ahem — hem — hem — hem!” Hua Yitang rapped his fan against the pastry plate until it clattered. “Stay on topic!”

“When I came across Shan Yuanming’s body, I happened to be at Yuandeng Inn, directly across from Shuangyuan. I’m not sure how it happened, but suddenly there was an uproar over there. I stuck my head out to look — scholars came pouring out of Shuangyuan Inn helter-skelter, not even stopping to put on their clothes or shoes. Then I heard someone screaming,” Jin Ruo pulled a horrified face. “‘A dead body! A dead body!’ By the time I got outside, the entire street was in chaos. Some people were saying it was the work of demons, others said a monster had eaten someone — whatever rumor could be invented, someone was spreading it. I had to circle around for quite a while before I managed to get any definite news: someone had found Shan Yuanming’s body. He’d been killed — the room was drenched in blood.”

Ling Zhiyan: “At what hour did this happen?”

Jin Ruo: “At the third quarter of Xu.”

“The ward gates close at the start of Xu,” Hua Yitang paused. “Wait — that’s wrong. If the ward gates were already shut, how did you get back without the Jinwu Guards catching you?”

Jin Ruo: “That is a secret of our Jing Sect — not for outsiders.”

“Hmph!”

“What were you doing at Yuandeng Inn in the first place?” Lin Sui’an asked.

Jin Ruo: “And here’s where it gets interesting — Su Yiyun happens to be staying in the ‘Tian’ suite of Yuandeng Inn, just one street away from Shuangyuan.”

Lin Sui’an perked up immediately. “Did you find out anything?”

Jin Ruo shook his head. “Su Yiyun wasn’t in at the time. I was just about to climb through his window —”

Ling Zhiyan: “Ahem — hem — hem — hem — hem!”

Jin Ruo stuffed another pastry in his mouth. “Before long, word spread through the crowd that Shan Yuanming had been killed by Hua Yitang — and there were very specific descriptions of what he was wearing and what he looked like, all matching the exact outfit Hua Yitang had on when he entered the city. When I heard that, I knew something was wrong, so I rushed back to warn you all.”

Disaster strikes from clear skies! Lin Sui’an thought.

Ling Zhiyan: “Fourth Young Master was at the Hua Family’s villa the whole time — he has an alibi. Ling does not believe it will be difficult to clear Fourth Young Master of suspicion.”

Hua Yitang drummed his foot. “The worry is that someone with an agenda will use this case to stir up trouble and smear the Hua name.”

Fang Ke, who had been sitting quietly in the corner with his eyes shut, suddenly spoke up: “What reputation do you have that’s worth smearing?”

Jin Ruo burst out laughing.

Lin Sui’an was floored: Brother Fang, you really are the quiet sort — but when you do speak, it cuts straight to the bone.

Hua Yitang waved his fan and, remarkably, actually smiled. “Brother Fang has a point — I never had much of a reputation to begin with. What if we just turn back?”

Lin Sui’an: “Don’t say that. We’ve come all this way — let’s at least have a look around.”

Jin Ruo: “Exactly. Adjudicator Ling has already been paid. Good business means keeping one’s word — at the very least go one round to put on a show.”

Ling Zhiyan: “…”

“Adjudicator, we’ve arrived at Yongtai Ward.” Ming Shu lifted the carriage curtain and called out.

The main street of Yongtai Ward blazed with lanterns. Yamen runners and peace officers, all wearing grave expressions, moved swiftly in and out of every alley and lane, torches in hand, searching urgently for something. A squad of peace officers stopped the carriage, and upon learning that the occupant was Adjudicator Ling from the Court of Judicial Review, they were overjoyed and promptly led the carriage toward Shuangyuan Inn.

This eagerness gave Lin Sui’an an uneasy premonition. The runners’ uniforms were unfamiliar — all black robes and black boots, red sashes tied around their heads, and three-foot sabers at their waists. As she stepped down from the carriage, Lin Sui’an caught a glimpse of the runners’ waist tablets, which read: “Jing Zhao Prefecture.”

The Jing Zhao Prefecture — the enormous yamen responsible for the security of the eighteen counties under the Eastern Capital’s jurisdiction, which handled all major public order matters in the city. Its prefect was a senior official of the third rank, only half a step below the Chief Justice of the Court of Judicial Review.

Ling Zhiyan seemed somewhat taken aback as well — after all, he was merely a sixth-rank Adjudicator — and he quickly straightened his cap and adjusted his sash before following the runners at a brisk pace into Shuangyuan Inn. Hua Yitang’s behavior, however, was rather peculiar. In ordinary circumstances, he would ask Lin Sui’an whether even a change in his sachet or the addition of a hairpin might be considered discourteous, yet today, dressed in everyday home clothes, he went to meet officials of the Jing Zhao Prefecture without a word of concern about whether his attire was improper, and followed them inside with perfect composure.

Upon passing through the main gate, the first thing that greeted the eye was the main hall — a vast open pavilion with black eaves and black pillars. Since the weather had been turning cool, heavy bamboo curtains had been hung. On the north and south sides were two separate counters, the wooden racks behind them hung with room plaques and keys. Lin Sui’an swept a quick glance: she could make out placards such as “Yi Ye Ju Upper Room,” “Qi Ye Ju Middle Room,” “Hong Ye Ju Upper Room,” and so on. The faint smell of cooking smoke that lingered to the left suggested a kitchen; to the right was a three-story pleasure tower. The wooden floorboards leading up to it gleamed with oil, and above the entrance hung a two-foot placard listing the dishes available for the evening meal — clearly the pleasure tower was where guests dined.

“Sixth Brother Ling, you’ve come at just the right time — I’ve been at my wit’s end!” A broad-shouldered, stocky middle-aged man bellowed and came forward to meet them. He was dressed in a green official robe, his head wrapped in a black kerchief. Upon seeing Ling Zhiyan, he gave him an enthusiastic embrace, the hilt of the saber at his waist thumping against Ling Zhiyan with a dull smack. He then clapped him heartily on the back several times, bared a grin of gleaming teeth, and said, “How long has it been? Why have you gotten so thin? Has that Chen Fanfan at the Court of Judicial Review been making your life difficult again?”

Ling Zhiyan was delighted. “Elder Brother Wan, you’ve ended up at the Jing Zhao Prefecture! From the look of that official robe, could it be a promotion?”

“A trifling advancement, nothing to speak of. Your elder brother Wan is now the Judicial Adjutant of the Jing Zhao Prefecture — just took up the post a month ago. Hadn’t had the chance to come find you and celebrate.” The man in the green robe slapped Ling Zhiyan on the back two more times, then turned his gaze to Hua Yitang, and couldn’t help sucking in a sharp breath. “Is this pretty young lad made of porcelain?”

“Ahem!” Hua Yitang coughed pointedly and even shot Ling Zhiyan a glare — the meaning clear: Aren’t you going to give me a proper introduction?!

“This is Hua Yitang, of the Hua Family of Yangdu,” Ling Zhiyan said with a smile. “Fourth Young Master, this is Wan Lin — Elder Brother Wan — an old acquaintance of the Ling Family.”

“So he is a descendant of the Wan Family of Qingzhou.” Hua Yitang straightened and cupped his hands in a formal salute.

Lin Sui’an glanced at Hua Yitang with some surprise. He had never been this formal even with Governor Zhou Changping of Yangdu. Could this Wan Lin be someone extraordinary?

Wan Lin paused, then pulled Ling Zhiyan aside and lowered his voice. “You’ve been with this Fourth Young Master of the Hua Family all along? Do you know that word on the street is saying he’s the murderer —”

Ling Zhiyan: “Fourth Young Master was at the Hua Family’s villa the entire time. There are dozens of witnesses. This is clearly slander and fabrication.”

Wan Lin laughed, then slapped Ling Zhiyan heartily on the back again. “I thought as much — a lad this pretty couldn’t possibly have done something so dreadful.” Then he looked toward Lin Sui’an. “Could this young lady be the Lin Niangzi who personally slew Zheng Dong?”

In that instant, his gaze turned razor-sharp. Lin Sui’an jolted, and her hand instinctively clenched around Qian Jing at her waist. The bloodlust buried in her veins seemed to have been awakened, boiling furiously.

This man reeks of blood!

Hua Yitang was the first to notice Lin Sui’an’s unusual state. He quickly tugged at her sleeve. Lin Sui’an’s nerves released, and she exhaled slowly. The surging killing intent gradually subsided. She cupped her hands and said, “I am Lin Sui’an. Greetings, Adjutant Wan.”

Wan Lin’s pupils contracted slightly, and he instantly reined in his entire killing aura. His expression broke into a cheerful grin. “Not bad at all — truly, the young are to be held in awe. No matter — there will be time enough ahead.” He then draped an arm over Ling Zhiyan’s shoulder and said, “Sixth Brother Ling, you must help me with this case — I’m a man of brute force; fighting is one thing, but solving mysteries really isn’t my strength.”

“Elder Brother Wan, tell me the details of the case from the beginning.”

“All right — let’s walk and talk.” Wan Lin steered Ling Zhiyan toward the inner hall at a brisk pace. His words drifted back on the night breeze, broken by the distance: “The deceased is named Shan Yuanming, twenty-five years of age, male, from Suizhou. His body was discovered in his room at the second quarter of Xu this evening. His death was horrific. The manner of death was—”

Ling Zhiyan: “Who discovered the body first?”

“One of the inn’s serving boys,” Wan Lin said. “I conducted a preliminary survey of the scene. My initial assessment is that this was a robbery and murder — a break-in. The perpetrator used brutal methods, clearly a vicious and desperate criminal. So I had the streets and alleys sealed off and sent men to search everywhere, but no suspect has been found yet.”

“Were there any other witnesses?”

“None have been found so far.” Wan Lin paused. “But the scene is so peculiar —” he paused again and lowered his voice further. “I think it’s quite eerie. I suspect it may be connected to the recent rumors of demons at work. It’s giving me a headache!”

Ling Zhiyan shook his head. “The Master said he would not speak of the strange and supernatural. Let me see the scene before drawing any conclusions.”

“Quite right, quite right — Sixth Brother Ling is absolutely right.”

Lin Sui’an and Hua Yitang walked side by side down the corridor. All the guests had been cleared from the inn, leaving the vast premises eerily quiet. The hems of their robes fluttered in the night breeze, making soft, rhythmic sounds.

Lin Sui’an dropped her voice. “Is the Wan Family of Qingzhou also an aristocratic clan?”

Hua Yitang’s fanning slowed. “Like the Ling Family, they built their standing on military merit — one might say the entire clan has given their lives in service. Regrettably, the family is now thin on descendants. Wan Lin has military achievements to his name, and through ancestral patronage, he obtained the post of adjutant.”

“Judicial Adjutant of the Jing Zhao Prefecture is not a low rank, is it?”

“Sixth rank, first class. The trouble is that the Eastern Capital is packed with high-ranking officials and nobles. The Jing Zhao Prefecture handles the security of the entire capital, so if you do your job well, you’re bound to make enemies; if you do it poorly, you make enemies all the same — and the Judicial Adjutant in particular, who oversees serious criminal cases, is in an especially difficult spot. The Court of Judicial Review and the Ministry of Justice are both right there—” Hua Yitang clicked his tongue. “To put it bluntly, any case grand enough to earn merit and reward would have already been snatched away. Whatever is left for him will be the thankless, difficult cases that are guaranteed to offend someone.”

“Shan Yuanming is just a provincial examination candidate with no powerful backers. This case shouldn’t offend any great officials, should it?” Jin Ruo said.

Hua Yitang scratched his temple with his fan handle and said nothing.

“Hopefully,” Lin Sui’an said.

She could only hope that this time, Hua Yitang’s protagonist’s aura would not sweep up too many bystanders.

The group followed the corridor forward. They first passed through a garden courtyard — willows drooping gracefully, their canopies spreading like parasols, with a few stone tables and benches scattered about as a scenic spot for the inn’s guests. The guest rooms surrounding the courtyard were arranged in neat clusters, each marked with tidy signs such as “Yi Ye Ju,” “San Ye Ju,” “Wu Ye Ju,” and so on. They rounded the flowerbed and came upon a standalone courtyard with the sign “Frost Maple Hall” hanging above its gate. Inside were only two guest rooms — the “Di” suite to the west and the “Tian” suite to the east. Shan Yuanming’s room was the “Tian” suite.

Four runners stood guard in front of the “Tian” suite, and all four gave a respectful salute when they saw Wan Lin. Ming Shu and Ming Feng seemed quite familiar with the four men and went forward to exchange greetings.

“Sixth Brother Ling, this is the crime scene.” Wan Lin glanced back at Lin Sui’an and the others. “Things inside are rather grisly — are they all going in too?”

Hua Yitang: “We’ve come all this way, and the fee’s been paid — we should at least have a look.”

Wan Lin shook his head helplessly. “A bunch of reckless young fools — mind you don’t lose your nerve.”

The door panels swung open, and the smell of blood hit them full in the face. The first thing that greeted them was a lotus-patterned folding screen, its surface slashed across with a smear of blood — as though someone had dipped their hand in blood and dragged it sideways. Past the screen, the full panorama of the room came into view — and every one of them drew in a sharp, cold breath.

The floor of the entire room was covered in a chaotic mess of blood trails, a sight that chilled the blood.

Skit — On the Matter of Investigation Fees

Ling Zhiyan: “Why should Ling pay you? The suspect is Fourth Young Master Hua. Ling is here to clear Fourth Young Master’s name — by rights, Fourth Young Master should be paying Ling.”

Hua Yitang: “Is solving cases not the duty of a Court of Judicial Review Adjudicator?”

“Did I not look out for you back in Yangdu?”

“Now that we’ve come to the Eastern Capital — and this is your territory — shouldn’t you, as the gracious host, be looking out for me?”

“I, Hua Yitang, am a perfectly law-abiding citizen going about my business in peace. To be clapped with a murder suspect’s label out of nowhere — is that not the result of your Court of Judicial Review’s failure to crack the case, which allowed these rumors to spread?”

“…The case only happened less than two hours ago — ‘failure to crack’ seems a bit of a stretch…”

“Am I being wrongly accused?”

“Was I still sleeping in when you were being wrongly accused?”

“And you dare say it’s not your failure to crack the case!”

Ling Zhiyan pinched his brow. “Just say it plainly — what exactly do you all want?”

Hua Yitang snapped his fan open with a flourish and shot Lin Sui’an a triumphant look.

Lin Sui’an beamed her most earnest smile: “Adjudicator Ling, the fee needs to go up.”

Taking tomorrow off!