The County Magistrate viewed Xuan-ci’s composure as mere pretense. He smiled faintly and said, “Master Xuan-ci, don’t be hasty. This official will first summon the witness.”
With a slight nod to his subordinate, an elderly woman was quickly brought forward.
Exclamations of surprise rippled through the crowd: “Isn’t that Madam Wang!”
“Sister-in-law, please tell us about your relationship with the Liu family and what you know,” the County Magistrate prompted.
Feeling uneasy under the gaze of so many people, the old woman glanced towards the County Magistrate.
He offered an encouraging smile.
Reassured by the presence of an official, the old woman began, “This old woman has been neighbors with the Liu family for decades. I watched Liu Sheng’s mother enter their household as a bride. His parents were married for over ten years without children, and I witnessed many of their quarrels…”
Lost in her memories, she continued, “Unexpectedly, Liu Sheng’s mother gave birth to him in her thirties. At the time, this old woman was quite happy for them, but later, things seemed amiss—”
“How so?” the County Magistrate asked timely.
The old woman sighed, “For the first half-year after Liu Sheng’s birth, the couple was as sweet as honey. But one day, Liu Sheng’s father beat his mother severely. After that, the beatings became frequent. Then, one time, this old woman accidentally witnessed Liu Sheng’s mother with his Second Uncle…”
She shook her head, “You tell me, how could she not get beaten? Later, when Liu Sheng’s father passed away, his mother no longer suffered beatings, and smiles returned to her face. Seeing how good Liu Sheng’s Second Uncle was to the boy, this old woman understood. But thinking that if it came out, Liu Sheng’s mother would have no way to live, I never mentioned it to anyone.”
At this point, the old woman sighed, “Now that they’re all gone, and without a peaceful end, this old woman felt she couldn’t keep it secret anymore. We can’t let them become confused ghosts, can we?”
“So Liu Sheng was his Second Uncle’s child!” The onlookers exclaimed.
The County Magistrate looked at Xuan-ci with a grim expression.
Xuan-ci maintained his calm demeanor, “Even if Liu Sheng was his Second Uncle’s son, and this poor monk had a past association with his Second Uncle, having once promised to revitalize Ling-wu Temple, Your Honor cannot prove that this poor monk killed Liu Sheng.”
“Heh, Master Xuan-ci, you really won’t believe it until you see the coffin, will you?” The County Magistrate suddenly stepped forward, approaching Xuan-ci.
Xuan-ci’s expression finally showed a hint of wariness.
With lightning speed, the County Magistrate reached out and grabbed Xuan-ci’s right sleeve, pulling it up.
“What are you doing!” Si-hai roared, his gaze inadvertently falling on Xuan-ci’s arm, causing him to freeze.
In the brightly lit courtyard, several deep gashes on Xuan-ci’s arm were starkly visible.
“What’s there?” The onlookers craned their necks curiously, unable to see clearly from a distance.
“This official noticed that Master Xuan-ci has been using his left hand to turn his prayer beads,” the County Magistrate’s voice was cold in the night air. “Si-jie is left-handed, and so is Master Xuan-ci. While such a coincidence exists, it’s rare. Compared to that, this official is more inclined to believe his deduction – Liu Sheng scratched your right hand while struggling desperately!”
“Amitabha, Your Honor misunderstands. This poor monk’s hand was scratched by a wild cat.”
“Master Xuan-ci, you’re quite composed!” The County Magistrate extended his hand, asking with a cold smile, “Then what about this?”
In his hand was a prayer bead. Though small, it caused Xuan-ci’s expression to change instantly.
The County Magistrate smiled slightly, “These purple sandalwood prayer beads are not used by ordinary monks. This official has observed for a long time, and among the monks present, only Master Xuan-ci’s prayer beads are made of purple sandalwood.”
Hearing the County Magistrate’s words, the crowd couldn’t help but look at the prayer beads hanging on Xuan-ci. Indeed, they were fine purple sandalwood beads.
The County Magistrate held up the bead in his hand, announcing loudly, “This prayer bead was found near the well by the constables. It certainly doesn’t belong to the ordinary monks who would fetch water from the well. Master Xuan-ci, I’ve heard that the number of prayer beads has significance. By my estimate, the string of beads you’re wearing should have one hundred and eight beads!”
Xuan-ci remained silent with a gloomy face, his left hand turning the prayer beads even faster.
“Come, take Master Xuan-ci’s prayer beads and count them!”
“Amitabha, this poor monk is the acting abbot. Your Honor, is it your intention to insult this poor monk based on a single prayer bead? Perhaps you harbor prejudice against our Ling-wu Temple? Otherwise, how would Your Honor happen to be here?”
“Do not insult Master Uncle Xuan-ci!” Several monks shouted, with Si-hai’s voice being the loudest. However, some monks remained silent.
“This official bears no grudge against your temple and has even come to offer incense before. How could there be an intentional insult? Now, all evidence points to Master Xuan-ci. If Master Xuan-ci has a clear conscience, this is a good opportunity to prove your innocence. Why are you obstructing at every turn?” The County Magistrate waved his hand, “What are you waiting for? Take Xuan-ci’s prayer beads!”
Soon, a subordinate with bulging temples restrained Xuan-ci and took his prayer beads, handing them to the County Magistrate. This time, the monks remained silent.
The County Magistrate examined and felt the prayer beads for a moment, then handed them to the Village Head, “Village Head, please count how many beads there are.”
The Village Head’s face turned red, “This old man can’t count…”
“Ahem…” The usually calm and composed County Magistrate was suddenly at a loss for words.
“Your Honor, let Er-dan do it. This lad is quite clever,” the Village Head pointed to a young man beside him.
What else could the County Magistrate say? He nodded in agreement.
Excited by the important task, the young man carefully took the prayer beads and counted each one aloud: “One, two… one hundred and seven.”
When he finished counting and announced “One hundred and seven,” the courtyard fell so silent you could hear a pin drop.
“Is there anyone else who can count? Let’s have someone else count again.”
Immediately, someone volunteered, and the final count was still one hundred and seven.
“Master Xuan-ci, what do you have to say now?”
“The prayer beads were lost earlier. This poor monk has no idea why they appeared near the well,” Xuan-ci said, glancing at the sweeping monk, implying, “Perhaps it’s a frame-up by a fellow monk? This poor monk rose from being the most insignificant disciple years ago to the current acting abbot. It’s not impossible that some fellow disciples are jealous.”
Xuan-an, tempered by over a decade of sweeping, remained calm and only uttered a Buddhist chant in response.
The County Magistrate laughed heartily, “This official is truly enlightened. Even at this point, you still refuse to confess! Then how do you explain the bloodstains on the string of your prayer beads?”
The County Magistrate parted the beads to reveal the string: “These bloodstains are still dark red, indicating they were stained with fresh blood not long ago. We have a prayer bead left at the scene, past indiscretions that couldn’t see the light of day, and a trusted disciple appearing at Liu Sheng’s home to brutally murder his mother… Xuan-ci, confess! Don’t take the world for fools!”
Xuan-ci staggered backward, finally admitting his crime.
What impressed everyone was that the County Magistrate’s deductions matched Xuan-ci’s confession almost word for word.
The night was more than half over. Xuan-ci was taken to the woodshed under guard, and the spectators dispersed amid sighs and anger. No doubt, when the news spread tomorrow, it would cause a storm.
The monks, knowing that difficult days lay ahead, dispersed listlessly.
Before retiring to rest, the County Magistrate sought out Jiang-si and, to everyone’s surprise, bowed to her, “Many thanks for your assistance, young lady.”
Jiang Zhan was astonished.
What had Fourth Sister done that he didn’t know about?