Chapter 3

The Dong Manor was a local gentry family, with ancestors who had served as prime ministers, and each generation had members holding high office in the imperial court.

For reasons unknown, the entire family later relocated to Anyang, where they kept a low profile. On the fifteenth of every month, they would open a porridge kitchen, giving away vegetables, meat, and a string of coins to each person, earning the deep affection of the common folk.

“Young Master, we’ve arrived.” Song Lan lifted the sedan curtain.

I stepped out of the sedan, looked up at the tall gatehouse and the plaque, and narrowed my eyes slightly.

“County Sheriff.”

A young gentleman hurried out from inside, bowing deeply before me. “I did not know the County Sheriff would grace us with your presence. Please forgive us for not welcoming you sooner.”

“Not at all.” I glanced at the jade pendant at his waist and the folding fan in his hand, smiling. “I am new here and do not yet know your esteemed name?”

The young gentleman straightened up and smiled. “Thank you for asking, my lord. I am Dong Jingmo, son of Dong Jiao.”

“So you are the Eldest Young Master. My apologies.” I smiled warmly. “I heard there was a murder at your manor. The County Magistrate and County Deputy Magistrate have already arrived, so I came uninvited. I hope you will forgive me.”

“I wouldn’t dare, I wouldn’t dare.” Dong Jingmo hurriedly replied, “Why would you say that, my lord? You are responsible for the security of the county-it is only right for you to be here. Please, this way!”

“After you, Eldest Young Master.”

Following behind Dong Jingmo, we passed through the central courtyard, along the covered corridor, and finally stopped in front of a courtyard at the rear of the residence.

I did not enter immediately, but stood outside the door, peering in.

Several bailiffs stood at the entrance. When they saw me, they immediately cupped their fists in greeting. One of them turned and ran into the courtyard to report.

Soon, a pale-faced official came out.

“Ah, Lord Zheng.” County Deputy Magistrate Xu Qingzhu came up to me and stopped. “I sent someone to the County Office to notify you early this morning. Why did you arrive so late?”

What a case of the villain complaining first. Song Lan’s face showed indignation upon hearing this, and he was about to step forward to speak.

I took a step forward to block him, my smile undiminished. “Perhaps I missed your messenger when I left. I am new to Anyang and unfamiliar with the area, so I took a wrong turn and arrived late. I hope the County Deputy Magistrate will not blame me.”

“It was my oversight. I will send someone familiar with the area to your residence in the future.” Xu Qingzhu took my arm, and together we walked inside. “Come quickly, the County Magistrate has been waiting for some time.”

Chairs had already been set up in the courtyard. The County Magistrate, Yu Baisu, sat at the head, with bailiffs and attendants lined up on either side. Seated below with his head bowed was an elderly man with graying hair, who appeared to be Dong Jiao.

I said, “Greetings, County Magistrate.”

Yu Baisu, now in his forties, was shrewd and capable, always smiling-a renowned smiling tiger.

Seeing me arrive, he beamed. “County Sheriff Zheng, you have only just arrived in Anyang and are already faced with a major case. I must trouble you greatly.”

“This is my duty, my lord. I dare not call it trouble.” I lowered my hands slightly. “I await your orders.”

Yu Baisu nodded and sighed. “There is a difficulty. Normally, the Coroner would examine the body, but he got drunk yesterday, fell down the stairs, and broke his arm. He cannot perform the autopsy. Even if we summon someone from a neighboring county, the fastest they could arrive is in three days. I fear this will delay the investigation. If anything happens to the body and we cannot find the real culprit, how can we answer to Lord Dong?”

Dong Jiao cupped his hands slightly, his face full of sincerity. “Your devotion to the people, Lord Yu, is deeply moving. You have always been just and upright. I am sure you will clear my name.”

Standing below, I watched the two of them exchange these lines, their performance as polished as a stage play.
Song Lan stood behind me and whispered, “This acting is almost as good as the Madam in our household.”

Suddenly, I understood. No wonder this scene felt so familiar-it was exactly like every time my mother went to ask for her monthly allowance, and my aunt would wail and claim she had no money. Only, my aunt was even more dramatic.

After I had enjoyed their performance enough, I spoke slowly, “As the County Sheriff, I am responsible for maintaining order in the county. Now that a murder has occurred, conducting an autopsy is naturally my duty. Song Lan.”

“Here!”

Song Lan walked over to a table, took off his satchel, and pulled out a small leather pouch, which he unfolded on the table. “What is this?” Xu Qingzhu came over and, seeing the various autopsy tools laid out, couldn’t help but widen his eyes. “The Zheng Clan of Xingyang truly lives up to its reputation. I never expected even a young servant under Lord Zheng to be so skilled in the art of autopsy.”

I took a set of white clothes from the satchel and put them on. Smiling at his words, I replied, “He knows nothing of autopsy; naturally, it is I who will conduct it. May I ask, Lord Xu, where is the body now?”

Xu Qingzhu was taken aback, only reacting after a moment. He turned to look at Yu Baisu, who nodded, and then led me to a side room nearby.

The room was dimly lit and filled with the stench of decay. Two long spring benches supported a plank, on which the corpse lay, covered entirely by a white cloth.

Song Lan brought in a copper basin and set it beside the bed, burning atractylodes and soap pods inside.

I took out a small white porcelain jar, dipped my index finger in and stirred it, then smeared a bit of sesame oil under my nose.

Song Lan handed me a small piece of ginger, which I accepted and placed in my mouth. I put on gloves and lifted the white cloth.

The moment I saw the skeleton, I paused.

“Sir?” Song Lan noticed me stop and knew I must have discovered something.

“It’s nothing.” I bent down, leaned close to the bones, and said, “Write.”

Song Lan took out brush and ink, unfolded the Corpse Examination Record, and prepared to fill it in.

“Examine.” I carefully inspected the skeleton. “All bones are white.

“Eight pieces of skull bone, intact. Twenty-eight teeth, intact.

“Three bones in the chest, fractured; one heart bone, intact.”

I gently turned the skeleton to check the back. “Twelve cervical and spinal vertebrae, intact.

“Twelve ribs on each side, eight long and four short, intact, fractured… Both wrists, both shin bones, and the thigh bones are intact.

“The coccyx at the base of the spine is concave, both side flanges and the nine apertures are intact.”

As I spoke, Song Lan recorded everything, using thin bamboo strips to string the bones together and labeling each with paper tags.

Xu Qingzhu and another officer exchanged glances, both showing astonishment in their eyes.

Once the examination was complete, I straightened up, stepped over the copper basin, and walked to the door to remove my gloves.

Xu Qingzhu hurried after me and asked, “Lord Zheng, have you found anything? Was it murder? Is there any clue to the suspect?”

“Whether it was murder still requires further examination. As for the suspect, there is no clue yet. However…” My eyes shifted to him. “I heard the deceased was a Singing Girl?”

Xu Qingzhu was puzzled, but still nodded. “Yes, she died during last night’s banquet. Many guests witnessed it.”

“That’s strange.” I spat out the ginger slice, looking at him with a half-smile. “The body in the room is a man.”