After sending off Zhang Wei and Zhang Meng, Wu Wei noticed the uneasy expression on Embroider Maiden’s face. Her brows were furrowed into little ridges. Wu Wei comforted her softly, “Don’t worry about me. Actually… I don’t mind being a coroner at all.” Wu Wei’s lips twitched as she swallowed the words that followed.
Wu Wei had wanted to say that she actually quite liked the coroner’s work. Coroners might always show up alongside death, but as she gained more experience, Wu Wei had gradually worked through her old hang-ups. She cast aside her stubbornness and returned to reason. She even “remembered” her father’s teachings: forensic experts were the gatekeepers of criminal justice. They had to hold that final line.
To Wu Wei, coroners were even more crucial in this ancient era, where technology and detective work lagged far behind. If even they let standards slip, what hope was there for the wrongfully slain or their grieving families?
Embroider Maiden nodded, her brows slowly smoothing out. Life was short. As long as Weiwei liked it, that was enough.
The next day, Wu Wei rose before dawn—a rare occurrence for her. The trip from Zhang Family Village to the Qinglu County Yamen was no short jaunt. She needed to leave early. Embroider Maiden thoughtfully packed her some boiled eggs, pickled vegetables, steamed buns, and a pot of water.
Wu Wei laughed. “After dragging myself all the way here, Lord Dongfang had better at least spring for a meal.” Even as she said it, she found a clean cloth, wrapped up the food in its oiled paper, and slung the bundle over her back.
Embroider Maiden instructed her gently, “If it’s getting late after you finish, don’t rush home. Find an inn near the yamen, stay the night, rest up properly, and head back first thing in the morning.” With that, she tucked a one-tael silver ingot and a string of coppers—prepared the night before—carefully into Wu Wei’s belt. She pressed down on them with her fingers, making sure they wouldn’t slip out easily.
Wu Wei was dressed in a brand-new outfit that day. Underneath was a set of coarse cloth robe and trousers, embroidered on both front panels with rows of forsythia buds waiting to bloom. The cuffs were edged with wide bands of matching fabric—practical yet handsome.
Over it all she wore a sky-blue satin robe, its hem adorned with clusters of clouds that set off the color beautifully. She had made this outer robe from fabric gifted by Gao Ningxue.
On her feet were a pair of thick-soled mid-calf black lacquer boots, just right for a long trek without wearing her out.
It was the finest outfit their household could muster. Embroider Maiden had secretly stitched the outer robe for her.
Embroider Maiden studied Wu Wei, straightening the shoulder seam on her robe and smoothing the cuffs. Everything sat perfectly, but anxiety suddenly crept into her voice. “Lord Dongfang specifically told you to wear something nice… I shouldn’t have listened to you and used Lady Xue’er’s fine material to rush this up overnight.” She worried that the gap in quality between the inner and outer layers would draw mockery from the yamen staff.
Seeing Embroider Maiden standing there, fretting and blaming herself, a quiet surge of affection welled up from the depths of Wu Wei’s heart.
Unable to help herself, Wu Wei took Embroider Maiden’s hand and coaxed her warmly. “For people like us, it doesn’t matter how we dress up—we’re still everyday folk in the eyes of real nobles and the wealthy. This is our family’s best outfit. Isn’t that good enough? Besides, even plain cloth looks refined with your needlework. I figure Lord Dongfang just meant for me not to show up looking ragged. After all, it’s official business in open court.” Wu Wei gave her hand a squeeze and suggested, “Why don’t you come with me? We’ll take some silver and poke around the county market.”
Embroider Maiden shook her head. “That won’t do. Doggy and the pups are at that age where they’re growing fast—one skipped feeding would leave them starving. The chicks are filling out nicely, and there’s the vegetable patch in back… Plus, I’ve got to fix lunch for Eldest Sister Li’s family. The house won’t run itself.” She wanted to go along all the same.
Wu Wei quirked her lips. “Fair enough. We’ll each stick to our tasks, then.”
“Mm. Time’s getting on. Better head out, or you’ll miss your slot.”
Wu Wei stepped into the main hall and fetched her cowhide gloves and a bar of soap from the wooden rack. She wrapped them in a clean cloth and tucked the bundle into her bosom. Embroider Maiden walked her to the door and quite a ways beyond, until Wu Wei urged her to turn back for the third time. Wu Wei waved with a smile and headed down the mountain.
Embroider Maiden watched Wu Wei’s figure shrink into the distance, then cupped her hands to her mouth and yelled, “If you can’t make it back tomorrow either, send word with someone!”
“Got it!”
…
Wu Wei and Embroider Maiden had fretted for nothing. Wu Wei had just reached the entrance to Little Locust Village when she spotted Zhang Meng astride a tall steed, leading an empty black horse behind him. She waved, and he reined in before her, cupping his hands. “Miss Wu, please mount up.”
Wu Wei grumbled to herself: Should’ve milked a few more minutes chatting with Embroider Maiden.
She couldn’t gallop wildly, but ambling along on horseback was steady enough. With plenty of time, she stroked the horse’s sleek black mane, let the breeze wash over her face, and felt her spirits lift.
Halfway there, Wu Wei asked Zhang Meng, “Second Brother Zhang, what’s Lord Dongfang want with me?”
Zhang Meng paused to consider, then said, “If I tell you, don’t let on that you know.”
“Naturally.”
“Lord Dongfang brought in Magistrate Chang to try a case in person. You got wrongly tangled up in it too. She told us not to tip you off early.”
Wu Wei’s heart clenched. She knew exactly the case he meant—the one where she’d nearly been framed and beaten to death right there on the spot.
It had started with Pingjia County Princess Gao Ningxue turning up out of nowhere in an empty coffin at the Charity Mortuary. Then the auspicious tribute vanished, and the Imperial Guards escorting the princess and the gifts to the capital had likely met with foul play… During an autopsy, Wu Wei uncovered the secret hidden in the corpse and penned two coroner’s reports. The Qinglu County Magistrate caught wind of it and tried to do her in—even sacrificing his own clerk to make it happen!
Wu Wei gripped the reins hard, clenched her teeth, and forced out, “Heaven sees all. The wicked get what’s coming!”
Zhang Meng cautioned her, “Best keep a cool head, Miss Wu. Lord Dongfang’s taking charge herself, and the evidence is airtight—they won’t wriggle free. But it ropes in the magistrates of Qinglu and Clear River Counties, serious charges too. To keep the locals from panicking without governance, Lord Dongfang called in the Prefect. Once it’s wrapped, he can appoint stand-ins till the capital sends proper replacements with the seals. As a key witness, you weren’t supposed to know the details ahead of time.”
Wu Wei assured him at once, “Rest easy, Second Brother Zhang. I won’t give anything away.”
…
By the time Wu Wei and Zhang Meng reached the yamen, the trial hadn’t begun. But word had spread through the county town somehow, and the townsfolk packed the place tight as a drum.
Zhang Meng handed the horses off to the runners and led Wu Wei through the throng, across the courtyard, and into the main hall.
The yamen was the same as ever, but the man seated on the bench lent it an air of grave authority. Behind what had been the county magistrate’s spot sat a middle-aged fellow in scarlet official robes. His face was a rich tan, his expression resolute, his five-strand beard neatly groomed as he pored over some documents.
Off to the right of the main bench stood another long table, where Dongfang Rui sat. She was dressed formally today, in a black official’s hat topped with a thumb-sized red agate set dead center. Gold threads edged the sides discreetly, her lustrous black hair tucked entirely away, save for a few wisps at the temples. Twin black silk sashes hung straight down, past her ears to her shoulders—nobility incarnate.
Dongfang Rui’s robes were black as well, but cut from extraordinary cloth that caught the light with subtle gleams as she moved. An exquisitely embroidered pixiu glared from her chest, riding clouds and exuding vigilance, while beast heads snarled from either shoulder. She cut an utterly imposing figure!
Zhang Wei stood at attention behind Dongfang Rui, one arm crooked to hold her discarded cloak, his other hand resting on the hilt of his saber at his waist. He brimmed with vigor.
Perhaps it was the presence of these two dignitaries, but the hall below hung in perfect stillness. The runners on either side stood tall and proud, their intimidation sticks planted at identical angles against the floor.
Wu Wei hastily withdrew her gaze and lowered her eyes. Inwardly, she couldn’t help marveling: The Jade-Faced Divine Strategist—her reputation was well earned!
A short while later, one runner glanced at the hourglass and stepped forward. “My Lord, the time has arrived.”
The Prefect set aside his dossier and turned to Dongfang Rui. A faint smile softened his stern features. “Lord Dongfang?”
Dongfang Rui inclined her head slightly. At that, the Prefect gave a nod to the runner.
The runner dashed from the hall, through the courtyard, and out to the gate. He snatched up the mallet and swung his arm wide, pounding the Drum of Injustice.
Each resounding beat thrummed in harmony with her heartbeat, setting Wu Wei’s blood surging.
“Wei…”
“Wu…!”
The intimidation sticks thudded against the ground as the yamen runners’ low, rhythmic chant rose into the air.
“Crack!” With the sharp slam of the gavel, the drums, the clacking of sticks, and the chanting slogans all fell silent in an instant.
The Prefect declared with grave authority, “Bring in the prisoners!”
A man dressed like a court clerk called out in a clear voice, “Bring forth the former Clear River County Magistrate Fang Shaotang, Qian Jiang, former Qinglu County Magistrate Zhang Kuan, yamen runner Zhang Xing, yamen runner Li Liu…” The clerk rattled off a long list of names. A stir rippled through the crowd gathered at the yamen gates—the names he read today all belonged to major figures!
The prisoners were quickly escorted in, each locked in heavy wooden stocks with shackles weighing down their ankles; from the sound of them, the irons were no light burden.
They all wore drab gray-yellow prison garb, their hair unkempt and disheveled. Wu Wei stood at the very end of the line and found herself momentarily unable to tell one from another.
Once they reached the front of the hall, the yamen runners removed the stocks from the prisoners. Amid the scraping drag of chains across the floor, the accused dropped to their knees one by one, paying obeisance to Dongfang Rui and the Prefect.
“Crack!” Another sharp bang of the gavel, and even the murmurs from outside the doors faded away. The entire yamen, inside and out, plunged into utter silence.
Wu Wei felt a twinge of tension herself. This was her first time taking part in an ancient courtroom trial—and one of such high standing at that. She watched without blinking, her heart pounding faster, determined to etch every moment deep into her memory.
