The Interrogation

"Master." Mrs. Zhang pleaded, her face pale: "We're innocent! Please let us go!"

"Humph! Is beating up law enforcement what you call innocent? There's no way you're leaving today!" Snarled the ringleader of the nightstick-wielding thugs.

Wen Yuan spoke up: "I'll figure out the truth of the matter. First, take them to my father."

"U-um... Young master, is it really necessary to bother the governor with such a minor affair?" The ringleader sounded uncertain. He'd brought the prisoners back without asking out of a desire to avenge Gao Yuan, never expecting things to blow up this big. But now, it was too late.

"What kind of little affair can your men cause? My father will decide if they've done anything wrong. Since when did a lowly ringleader get to be the judge?" Wen Yuan frowned.

"Yes, yes, yes! This subordinate wouldn't dare." The ringleader stammered.

"Miss." Wen Yuan said to Qibao: "Please come along. We'll get to the bottom of this."

Qibao nodded softly.

"Eldest Young Master." Wangcai sobbed: "My young master is unconscious. What can we do? You must avenge us..."

Wen Yuan frowned: "Guards! Carry Gao Yuan back and fetch a doctor."

"Yes, sir!"

With that, Wen Yuan led his men to the main hall of the prefectural office. By then, Prefect Gun had arrived and was briefed on the situation.

"Yuan-er, what happened?" Prefect Gun asked, still unaware of the full story.

"Father, I heard noises but didn't know what was going on." Wen Yuan replied honestly.

Qibao looked at Prefect Wen who was sitting at the top. He had short whiskers, an average build, and looked to be in his thirties. He and Wen Yuan shared a striking resemblance.

"Who are these three? And why are they here?" the Prefect Gun asked, studying Qibao and her companions.

The leader of the constables seized the chance to explain: "Sir, I suspect they're spies from another country. Master Gao has been grievously injured and is unconscious. All three of us were beaten and are covered in wounds. Please, we're counting on you to even the score."

The Prefect listened intently. All three were women. The married lady's face was pale, her eyes filled with tears—certainly no spy. But the youngest girl, though her face was calm, showed no signs of fear. Who would send a child as a spy?

"Sir." Mrs. Zhang said as she knelt in the street: "We're not spies. Please look into this. We're ordinary people who haven't done anything wrong—we certainly didn't offend this official! We've been treated unfairly, sir!"

"Can ordinary people have such incredible skills?" The leader demanded: "Who are you trying to fool? That girl looks to be no more than ten or eleven. She must have been trained from a young age. Tell me, what are you doing in my Qingyun City?"

"Do you have any proof of this?" Wen Yuan asked.

"I... I don't have proof right now." The headman admitted: "However, I'm certain there's something suspicious about them." He was at a loss for words, but he still needed to find a charge to pin on the three outsiders.

"Father, I've seen this little girl before on the street." Wen Yuan continued: "The inkstone I mentioned—the one we lost—was won by someone traveling with her."

"Are you talking about the recent cultural competition that Mr. Liu reported on?" Wen Zhifu asked.

"Yes!"

"Sir, I live in Xujia Village, Huamen Town. I came to Qingyun City this time because my son is going to take the imperial examination. We are here to accompany him. All of this is well documented and I am definitely not a spy." Mrs. Zhang spoke.

"Is that Master Xu your son?" Wen Yuan asked.

"Yes! I'm his younger sister." Qibao replied.

"Liar! Your clothes aren't even like ordinary villagers!" The leader's heart raced as he blurted out.

"You're the real one who's blind! My family may live in the village, but we're well-off. You're the one who's acting suspicious." Qibao sneered.

"You!"

Magistrate Wen interrupted forcefully: "Silence! I've said nothing yet. What's with the interruptions? Unless you want my job? You can be the judge then!"

The leader dropped to his knees: "I wouldn't dare, sir! But young Master Gao is still badly injured. Please, sir, you must avenge him!"

Magistrate Wen frowned. He'd gotten a good sense of Gao Yuan's character over the past few days. The young master was constantly pestering Die-er, which made their daughter go out more often to avoid him. If it wasn't for his wife's connection to Gao Yuan, he'd have kicked Gao Yuan out a long time ago. In fact, he was secretly glad that Gao Yuan had been beaten up.

"What's your brother's name? Where are you all staying? Is there anyone else with you?" Magistrate Wen asked.

"Sir, my husband and his father are also here. We're staying at Juxiang Pavilion. My son's name is Xu Wenwu." Mrs. Zhang answered quickly.

"You can check the list of candidates for the imperial exam. See if there's anyone named Xu Wenwu." Magistrate Wen instructed.

"Yes!"

Magistrate Wen continued: "What's your connection to the Juxiang Pavilion?"

"Sir, the Juxiang Pavilion is part of our family's business." Mrs. Zhang replied.

Magistrate Wen nearly jumped to his feet: "Don't trick me!" he exclaimed hastily: "Isn't the Juxiang Pavilion run by Boss Qian?"

Mrs. Zhang said: "I dare not lie to you, sir. Boss Qian has a very close relationship with our family, so he has been managing Juxiang Pavilion."

Magistrate Wen was getting flustered. He vividly recalled a mysterious visitor who came to his study at night with a token. The visitor had urged him to look after the Juxiang Pavilion and its interests. He still remembered the royal seal on that token—as well as the strict warning to keep it all secret.

He hadn't told anyone about this, not even his family. He'd been forced to chase away his own assistant's son after the young man had angered the Juxiang Pavilion, and Magistrate Wen had even gone personally to offer an apology.

Suspicious, Magistrate Wen said: "Yuan-er, go fetch Boss Qian here."

"At once!" Wen Yuan responded swiftly.

The leader felt that something was wrong at this time, and was terrified. Why didn't the adults ask about Mr. Gao or his own injuries?

Qibao furrowed her brow, afraid that her Grandfather would worry if he found out.

"Sir, I've looked into it." Said an official: "There really is someone named Xu Wenwu taking the exam. According to the records, he's the top-ranked xiucai candidate, only fifteen years old."

Knowledge Prefect Wen was secretly amazed. This young man, Xu Wenwu, seemed quite extraordinary. To take the imperial examination at fifteen was impressive, if he passed, he'd likely be the youngest successful candidate in the history of the Dragon Soul Nation.

"Sir, Master Gao has woken up and is now clamoring for someone to bring him here, saying that he wants you to make the decision for him."

Prefect Wen's face darkened and he said: "Then bring him up. I want to listen carefully to what he has to say!"

"Yes, sir."

Moments later, four men entered carrying a stretcher. Although autumn had arrived, Wangcai was still fanning the person lying on it. After setting the stretcher down, Gao Yuan leaned forward from it, his face dripping with sweat as he wailed clamorously: 

"Uncle, you have to take my side! This little fiend beat me so hard. The doctor says my bones might never heal right. You've got to tie her up and make someone smash all her bones! That'll ease my anger!" He sobbed between breaths.

If he hadn't used such vicious words, one would almost feel sorry for him.