Chapter 61: Steeling Her Resolve

The room was utterly quiet. Wu Wei shifted to the edge of the kang and slipped on her shoes. She turned to Gao Ningxue and said, “Lady Xue’er, I need to step out for a bit. Could you send one of your brothers to follow me discreetly?”

“…Very well.” Seeing that Wu Wei was in low spirits, Gao Ningxue didn’t try to stop her.

Wu Wei made her way to the main room. She pulled a stack of white birch bark and a few lumps of charcoal from a bamboo basket, tucked them into her bosom, and turned around—right into Embroider Maiden’s concerned gaze. Wu Wei forced a smile. “I’m just going to sit by the lake for a bit. I’ll be back in an hour or so. No need to worry.”

“Alright. What would you like to eat tonight? I’ll make it for you.”

“Anything’s fine. I love everything you cook.”

Wu Wei stepped out the door. Embroider Maiden followed her to the threshold and watched her retreating figure. “Come home early.”

Wu Wei didn’t look back. She simply waved over her shoulder.

Gao Ningxue stepped into the courtyard and made a quick hand gesture, pointing after Wu Wei. Then she turned to Embroider Maiden. “Don’t worry. Wu Wei will be fine.”

“There’s not much water left in the tank. I’ll go fetch some. Lady Xue’er, why don’t you head back inside and rest?”

“I’ll come with you,” Gao Ningxue said.

“Wu Wei said that before Lord Dongfang arrives, you should try to stay out of sight as much as possible. Besides, someone needs to keep an eye on the house.”

“…Alright, then. Should I send someone with you?”

“No need. The water spot is just up ahead, not far at all.”

…

Wu Wei walked to the lake in silence. The ice had fully melted now, though the water was still too frigid for swimming. A gentle breeze swept across her face, carrying the raw, earthy scent of the soil. It stirred layer upon layer of ripples across the serene lake surface.

When the wind died down, the ripples gradually faded away, as if nothing had ever disturbed the water.

Some things left no visible trace, yet they had undoubtedly occurred.

Only those who had lived through them could truly understand the sensation—like this breeze. If someone arrived right now and Wu Wei told them, “It’s windy,” they probably wouldn’t believe her.

It was the same with that murder case.

Another event that had truly taken place. Wu Wei had even stepped into the role of coroner during the investigation. But once the wind passed, others could make it vanish as if it had never happened.

All that was visible was one lost life. But who knew how many more lay buried in the Desolate Burial Mound?

A living person, bearing an imperial decree, had vanished here without a sound.

Wu Wei picked up a stone and hurled it into the lake with all her might. It skipped across the surface in a fleeting trail before sinking with a solid thunk.

One after another, Wu Wei flung stones into the water, as if determined to vent every ounce of resentment pent up in her heart.

With this case now at an impasse, Wu Wei had lost all her advantages. The steward was dead. Zhang Xing and Li Liu had survived, which meant they had their reasons for doing so…

All that remained in Wu Wei’s hands was a brittle roll of coroner’s notes. Without a scribe, and unfinished at the scene, it was little more than scrap paper.

Reflecting on it now, Wu Wei felt her cheeks burn with shame. Every scheme and confrontation she had imagined was nothing but a farce.

The magistrate of Qinglu County was likely holed up somewhere, grinning from ear to ear.

Wu Wei drew the white birch bark from her bosom. Several sheets bore her own charcoal-pencil notes. One page was covered in tally marks, used to track the times she had crossed over.

But the tallies had stopped after the twentieth or so. Wu Wei’s fingers traced the final, incomplete mark. By her reckoning, it was around the time she had been swamped selling Spring Festival couplets. Once the rush ended, she had never picked the habit back up.

Wu Wei flipped through the bark sheets, reading her early diaries from right after her transmigration. To avoid trouble if anyone saw them, she had abbreviated “transmigration” as “CY.” As she read, a smile tugged at her lips—only for it to slowly fade, leaving her silent once more.

Suddenly, Wu Wei realized that these words in her own hand felt strangely unfamiliar…

That initial urgency and anxiety had vanished at some point. Wu Wei looked up at the lake again. But in her mind flashed Embroider Maiden’s figure—and those words still echoing in her ears: “Come home early.”

Embroider Maiden said something similar every time Wu Wei went out alone. If she ever left without hearing it one day, Wu Wei might even feel off-kilter.

Wu Wei sat motionless for a long while. Then she took a fresh sheet of white birch bark and wrote with the charcoal pencil: The coroner is one of the guardians of the law, seeking justice for the dead and closure for the living. I must guard this gate… well.

Next, she took another sheet and sorted through her thoughts on the entire affair. At the end, she wrote: This is a completely different world. Killing a person is simple. Erasing the evidence is even simpler. Kindness and mercy must be reserved for those who deserve them. Wasted on the wrong people… and you’ll die!

Finally, in pinyin, she added: I must set aside—for now—the legal and moral framework I built on Blue Star. Only by assuming the utmost malice in every criminal can I seize the initiative.

Wu Wei read it over silently several times. Her conscience tugged at her; she wasn’t sure if such resolve was extreme. But this case had taught her that clinging to her old ideals would get her killed one day!

The Bright Mirror Division token was just an inert object. Dongfang Rui and Gao Ningxue couldn’t protect her forever. Only her own strength could safeguard her—and Embroider Maiden!

…

Wu Wei gathered her emotions and set off for home.

Tendrils of cooking smoke curled into the sky. The moment she stepped into the courtyard, the aroma of steaming rice filled her nostrils. Wu Wei inhaled deeply and called out, “Embroider Maiden~ I’m back.”

…

Three days later, Dongfang Rui finally arrived. She looked travel-worn, and even her sleek black steed showed signs of exhaustion.

Dongfang Rui had made incredibly good time—even beating the messenger from Hundred Flavors Building.

She swung down from her horse. “What’s the matter?”

Wu Wei clasped her hands in a fist and bowed deeply to Dongfang Rui. “Thank you for your trust, my lord.”

Dongfang Rui merely gave a slight nod. She knew Wu Wei was sensible enough not to summon her lightly, so she had set out at once upon receiving the message.

En route, Dongfang Rui had received word of anomalies in the auspicious omen escort convoy. Linking it to the timing of Wu Wei’s letter, she had keenly sensed a possible connection.

With stakes so high, Dongfang Rui hadn’t slept a wink. She had pressed on day and night. Her mount, capable of a thousand li a day, had left even her able lieutenants Zhang Wei and Zhang Meng far behind.

“Master!” Gao Ningxue peeked out cautiously, spotted the figure she had longed for day and night, shoved the door open, and flew toward Dongfang Rui.

At the sight of Gao Ningxue, a flicker of complex emotion crossed Dongfang Rui’s eyes. She glanced at Wu Wei, then settled her gaze on Gao Ningxue.

Dongfang Rui stood with hands clasped behind her back, her expression calm as she waited in place. Gao Ningxue rushed up and threw her arms around Dongfang Rui.

“Master~ I’ve missed you so much~ How could you be so heartless, handing me off to Grandfather’s people and then ignoring me? I almost never got to see you again!”

Gao Ningxue clung tightly, but Dongfang Rui remained as still as a statue.

“Master~ If not for Wu Wei and Embroider Maiden taking me in, I’d have had to stay at the Charity Mortuary! You have no idea how terrifying it was. I was clearly sleeping in the carriage, but when I opened my eyes, I found myself in a coffin!”

“What kind of behavior is this? Let go.” Dongfang Rui’s voice was even and calm, devoid of rebuke or inflection.

Wu Wei pursed her lips, watching the master-disciple reunion. She saw Gao Ningxue pout as she released her hold and took half a step back—only to pinch a tiny fold of Dongfang Rui’s robe hem between her fingers. Just enough fabric for two fingertips.

Dongfang Rui regarded Gao Ningxue for a moment before saying softly, “As long as you’re unhurt.”

“Of course! Even Your Majesty and the Empress said I’m blessed to turn disaster into fortune!” Gao Ningxue beamed, her eyes fixed unblinkingly on Dongfang Rui.

Embroider Maiden approached Wu Wei and handed her a clean, damp cloth. Without a word, Wu Wei understood and passed it to Dongfang Rui. “You must be weary from the road, my lord. Please, come inside and rest.”

Dongfang Rui accepted the cloth and wiped her face and hands. “No rush. Where are your protectors?”

Wu Wei thought to herself: This Dongfang Rui really is something else. When will I ever have skills like hers? We’ve barely exchanged words, and she’s already guessed half of it.

“You four—come out!”

From the Charity Mortuary rooftop, behind a tree, behind Embroider Maiden’s house, and from beyond the courtyard wall, four figures emerged. They approached Dongfang Rui and Gao Ningxue, bowing deeply. “Greetings, Lord Dongfang.”

“Return and report for duty. My own people will arrive shortly. You’ve had a hard few days.”

The four glanced in unison at Gao Ningxue, who promptly said, “Go on, go on. You’ve earned your keep these past days. Don’t forget your rewards when you report back.”

“Yes!”

The four turned and headed to the roadside. They whistled sharply, and the horses grazing on the hillside came galloping over. With a dashing leap, the men mounted up and rode off into the distance.

Wu Wei said, “My lord, let’s go inside to talk.”

Dongfang Rui nodded and took the lead, with Gao Ningxue following closely in her footsteps. Wu Wei held Embroider Maiden’s hand as they brought up the rear.

Once inside the room, Gao Ningxue and Dongfang Rui sat facing each other at opposite ends of the kang. Wu Wei kicked off her shoes and settled in on the kang itself. Embroider Maiden poured a cup of water for Dongfang Rui, then glanced toward Wu Wei. Wu Wei patted the empty spot beside her. “Embroider Maiden, have a seat here.”

By now, there was no point in hiding anything from Embroider Maiden. Wu Wei had already worked this out by the lakeside: she and Embroider Maiden were bound together in this. Even if Embroider Maiden truly knew nothing at all, if it came down to that day, those people wouldn’t spare her. It was far better to let Embroider Maiden interact more with Dongfang Rui while she had the chance.

Dongfang Rui set down her bowl. “All right, tell me—what exactly happened?”

Wu Wei pulled the neatly compiled case summary from the cabinet—including Gao Ningxue’s recounted statements—and handed it all over to Dongfang Rui, along with the complete coroner’s notes.

A bit sheepishly, Wu Wei said, “It’s my fault for getting too clever and losing the upper hand. It’s all here—please review it and decide, milady.”