The drum at the Hall of Justice was not something to be struck lightly.

For ordinary citizens, no matter how grave their grievance, striking that drum meant first receiving thirty lashes. If the executioner struck hard or the complainant came from a poor family, they might not even live long enough to see justice served. So that drum rarely sounded more than once a year.

But You Fu was an official, so he wasn’t bound by such rules. The yamen runners respectfully invited him inside.

Li Sheng smiled as he looked at the man striding in confidently. “Lord You…”

Before he could finish his customary pleasantries, You Fu bowed deeply and said in a loud, clear voice, “At this moment, I am not Dali Court Chief Justice You Fu—I stand here as the grandfather of a victim. I beseech Your Excellency to bring justice for my grandson!”

Grandson? Wasn’t it supposed to be a grandnephew? How did it become his grandson now?

Li Sheng silently cursed but quickly stepped forward to help him up personally. “Lord You, what is this? This is a major case. Of course I will take it seriously—how else could I answer to the many who died unjustly?”

In the capital, all officials knew each other’s true nature. Of course You Fu knew what kind of person Li Sheng was. But this happened in the suburbs of the capital, under the jurisdiction of the Capital Magistrate’s Office. Unless the Emperor personally intervened, the case would never reach the Dali Court. So he had no choice but to come in person, using his senior status and official position to exert pressure and prevent Li Sheng from brushing the matter aside.

Following Li Sheng’s lead, You Fu sat down and openly revealed his family affairs to explain how important the child was to him.

“I have no sons, only a single daughter. My elder brother, worried that my line would end with me, passed his young son to me as my heir. Many colleagues know about this—I believe Your Excellency has heard of it as well.”

Li Sheng nodded. He had indeed heard about it. But still, he asked, “That child…”

“That child is the eldest son of my adopted son. His mother died three years ago. He returned home to observe the mourning period, and only recently came back to the capital—only to meet such a tragic end…”

You Fu’s nose tingled as he remembered the boy’s miserable death. Despite his age, sorrow and rage made his voice tremble. “He grew up by my side. I was the one who began his education—he was so clever, quick to understand. Such a good boy, to die in such disgrace! Lord Li, please!”

You Fu stood and bowed deeply again. “I beg Your Excellency to seek justice for my grandson! The entire You clan would be eternally grateful!”

His words made Li Sheng’s heart skip a beat. The You family had been a noble household since the previous dynasty. Their status was not to be underestimated. Besides You Fu, who wielded real power, there were other family members in office, including prefects and honorary officials. During the founding of the dynasty, they were even granted the title of Founding Duke of a Commandery. Though the title wasn’t hereditary, the prestige remained.

Li Sheng quickly helped him up, expression solemn. “Lord You, there’s no need for this. I will do everything in my power to find the killer and avenge your grandson.”

Grateful, You Fu bowed repeatedly. Seeing someone waiting outside to report something, he didn’t want to delay the investigation and took his leave.

“What a stroke of fortune from the heavens!” the legal advisor stepped out from behind the screen, beaming. “If this helps you build a connection with the You clan, and you get promoted in the future, won’t they repay the favor?”

Li Sheng clapped his fist into his palm, unable to hide his delight. But he muttered, “It’s not so easy to find the killer. If we come up empty, all the potential benefits will be lost—and I might even get blamed for not being diligent.”

The advisor chuckled. “If the real killer is found, all the better. But if not… who would know if someone you arrest is or isn’t the real one?”

Li Sheng’s eyes flickered, though he said aloud, “We must find the real killer. So many people died—how could we take this lightly?”

“Wise words, my lord.”

“Since Yan Shian was found near the hot spring estate, that’s the most suspicious location. Although the people staying there are all high-ranking, surely they’ll understand—it was a major crime scene. Diao Rong, take my visiting card and make a round of those estates. If they’re offended, I’ll have to take that risk.”

The advisor bowed slightly. “You are acting purely in the public interest. I believe they will understand.”

The two exchanged a knowing smile, pleased to be on the same page.

While this master and servant were happily scheming, the Yan household was also bustling—but this time, not with panic. Now that their young master had returned, everyone was visibly cheerful.

Dou Yuancheng and Zhuang Nan arrived one after the other. Neither said much, but they both knew that after this incident, their bond had grown stronger.

Mr. Qixin, who had rushed over earlier, sent only his steward this time upon hearing that his disciple was safe. He was busy rallying support to pressure the Capital Magistrate.

Twenty-two people had died under the Emperor’s very nose, and his disciple had almost been one of them. Outrageous! That boy’s face attracted all sorts of demons—who knew if there’d be a next time? They couldn’t just ruin his face to keep him safe! The culprit must be found!

When the guests had left and no one else was around, Yan Ze quickly reported, “While I was at the pawnshop, I saw the lady-in-waiting Lu, who serves the princess, bringing two chests of items. She saw me and said she’d go to another shop instead.”

Shi Buyu smiled. “To help you raise money, Qinghuan probably brought out all her most valuable treasures.”

Yan Shian touched the jade pendant at his waist—one of the protective charms Miss Shi had given him, made of fine jade.

“She’s done far too much for an outsider.”

“I don’t think she’d do this much for just any outsider. If she really has hidden intentions, I wouldn’t mind playing along.”

Yan Shian suddenly smiled. “So many people have come and gone—but the one closest to me is missing.”

Shi Buyu knew at once who he meant. She considered whether to say something on the woman’s behalf, but recalling how she hadn’t even shown a sliver of concern for Yan Shian, she changed her mind. She nodded and said, “She’s really heartless. You should be just as heartless to her from now on.”

Yan Shian looked at her. “Won’t people think I’m unfilial?”

“She was unmotherly first, wasn’t she?” Shi Buyu replied matter-of-factly, following her own logic. “If she doesn’t love the young, why should the young respect the old? If she’s not kind to you, you don’t have to be filial to her. That’s why we say respect the old and love the young—they go together. Mothers are described as kind for a reason. The term foolish filial piety exists for a reason too.”

“…That makes so much sense.”

“My words always make sense.”

Yan Shian laughed. To Miss Shi, the rules of the world weren’t always right—but her rules always were.

Inside, the atmosphere was warm and gentle. Outside, a storm was brewing.

It was still only October. Many examination candidates had not yet left the capital. These were the most hot-blooded and opinionated of men.

Teahouses, taverns, restaurants, brothels—you could find them everywhere, slamming tables and spitting with passion.

Word spread that Lord Li Sheng had sent people to investigate the hot spring estate, Ghost Gate, the mass grave, and several other locations. It was said that the entire Capital Magistrate’s Office was stretched too thin. Then someone made a suggestion:

“Lord Li can’t be everywhere—shouldn’t we help lighten his burden?”

“How? We don’t have the authority to investigate.”

“True, we can’t solve the case, but surely some of us can paint? There were twenty-two bodies, and only one was identified. The other twenty-one—who knows whose families are missing them? Why don’t we draw portraits and post them around the city? Maybe someone will recognize them and give us more clues.”

“I heard the faces were slashed. Can we even draw them?”

“Well, we can try, can’t we? Better than doing nothing!”

“That’s true.”

“Indeed.”

“Absolutely!”

“Come on, let’s paint portraits!”

“Let’s call more people in!”

…