Chapter 91: A Humble Effort

Wu Wei returned to her small courtyard. Even before reaching the gate, she heard the cheerful voices and laughter echoing from within. Embroider Maiden had assumed Wu Wei would not return that night and dreaded eating alone in the quiet. When Eldest Sister Li’s family arrived to report the end of their workday, she invited them to stay for dinner.

The day had been mild and pleasant, with the setting sun painting the sky in vivid shades of red—a truly beautiful sight. Embroider Maiden and Eldest Sister Li’s family of four had set the dinner table right there in the courtyard, lost in lively conversation.

Wu Wei rested her hand lightly on the gate but did not push it open immediately. As she listened, a smile gradually spread across her face. In a humble farming household like this, few observed strict rules such as no speaking during meals or bed. Eldest Sister Li’s youngest daughter was at that lively age full of energy, warming the atmosphere. In particular, Eldest Sister Li’s eldest daughter was about the same age as Embroider Maiden, and the two had hit it off immediately.

Hearing Embroider Maiden’s silvery, bell-like laughter, Wu Wei felt more convinced than ever that hiring Eldest Sister Li’s family had been the right decision.

Having weathered life’s hardships herself, Eldest Sister Li deeply empathized with Embroider Maiden’s past and saw nothing wrong with Wu Wei’s work as a coroner.

To Eldest Sister Li, anyone who could build such a thriving little life through their own skills—as long as it did not go against their conscience—was worthy of admiration!

“I’m back!” Wu Wei called out as she pushed open the courtyard gate.

Embroider Maiden looked surprised. She set down her chopsticks, rose to her feet, and hurried over. “You’re back early. Have you eaten?”

“I have. Second Brother Zhang and I rode back together.”

“Where’s Second Brother Zhang?”

“He dropped me off at the village entrance and headed back—he had other business to handle.”

Embroider Maiden nodded. Noticing the fatigue etched on Wu Wei’s face, she knew the day’s long journey had worn her out. In a soft voice, she said, “The water in the pot is still warm. Go inside and rest for a bit.”

“Mm, alright.”

Wu Wei turned to Eldest Sister Li. “Eldest Sister Li, please eat at your leisure. I went to the county yamen today and am feeling worn out, so I’ll head inside to rest without sleeping. Keep chatting as usual—don’t worry about disturbing me.”

Eldest Sister Li beamed with a wide smile, heaping praise on Wu Wei’s talents. Wu Wei returned a gentle smile and nod of thanks, waved a greeting to the three young women, and slipped inside alone.

Once in her room, Wu Wei ladled warm water for washing up. She then rummaged in the cabinet for a loose, comfortable outfit and changed into it. With a clean cloth, she meticulously brushed the dust from her fine outer robe before stowing it away. Her everyday coarse hemp clothes went into the wooden tub in the main hall.

Wu Wei collapsed onto the kang, where a sharp ache flared in her lower back, drawing a soft hum from her lips. The insides of her thighs burned with a stinging pain as well. She let out a couple more whines, thinking to herself that horseback riding truly was not for her. There was a world of difference between a quick spin on a carousel horse at an amusement park and pounding along a real road!

She rolled around on the kang several times until she found a perfectly temperate spot. Settling into a comfortable position, she lay still.

After some rest, Wu Wei’s mind cleared. She began reviewing the events of the public trial that day.

A string of questions had plagued her nonstop: According to Zhang Meng, Magistrate Chang had been summoned by Dongfang Rui. Wasn’t there a provincial governor above the prefect? For Dongfang Rui to pull someone from that level must mean she had a specific purpose. Yet during the trial, it almost felt as if Magistrate Chang was steering the interrogation.

It seemed he wanted to implicate Dongfang Rui—or even the Bright Mirror Division itself—through his line of questioning.

And… since Dongfang Rui had anticipated enough to instruct Zhang Meng to step in and help her at the critical moment, did that mean Dongfang Rui was setting some kind of trap?

During the trial, when it came to the root of all the cases—the theft of the auspicious omen—the prisoners had clammed up like frightened cicadas. Dongfang Rui herself had appeared to be carefully weighing and observing something.

Wu Wei drew a deep breath. In her mind: The auspicious omen had set out from Taizhou Prefecture, adjacent to Qinglu County, passed through Qinglu County, and vanished in Clear River County. If the Imperial Court pursued the matter, none of these three places would escape scrutiny. The Bright Mirror Division, as a direct organ under the Emperor, served in essence as His Majesty’s eyes, His arms—a sharp blade wielded in His hand!

Wu Wei was nearly certain that Dongfang Rui’s prolonged stay in Qinglu County meant she was chasing leads on the auspicious omen’s theft. As a member of the Bright Mirror Division, Wu Wei had a duty to contribute, both for the sake of duty and personal ties.

But…

Wu Wei thought of Embroider Maiden. Would getting involved drag her into danger?

With a soft creak, the door opened. So absorbed in her thoughts, Wu Wei had not noticed the courtyard fall silent. After sending off Eldest Sister Li’s family, Embroider Maiden returned to the room. She saw Wu Wei sprawled on the kang, chin resting on folded arms, her expression grave, and knew at once that Wu Wei’s day had been far from easy.

Embroider Maiden slipped off her shoes and knelt beside Wu Wei. Her nimble hands pressed gently onto Wu Wei’s waist and began to knead.

Wu Wei hummed in immediate relief. “Has Eldest Sister Li’s family gone home?”

“Yes. How are you feeling? Completely worn out, I imagine?”

“Mm~ Exhausted.” Wu Wei mumbled in reply. She shifted slightly, freeing one hand to toy with the hem of Embroider Maiden’s robe—wrapping it around her finger in loops, then letting go.

Embroider Maiden glanced down at the childish gesture, a tender softness filling her eyes. She could not help but smile.

Without another word, Embroider Maiden continued massaging Wu Wei’s waist in silence. Wu Wei’s waist was always her Achilles’ heel—too light a touch tickled, too firm and it hurt. But Embroider Maiden had gotten the knack of it with practice, and Wu Wei had grown used to these familiar caresses.

The room was perfectly still. Dusk deepened outside as Wu Wei lay with her eyes half-closed in bliss, drifting between sleep and wakefulness.

A little later, most of Wu Wei’s aches and weariness had faded. She sat up on her own. “You’ve had a long day too. Want me to give you a massage?”

Embroider Maiden shook her head with a smile and lit the oil lamp on the kang table before sitting cross-legged.

Wu Wei scooted close and settled beside her. She recounted everything that had happened at the yamen that day, sharing her speculations without holding anything back.

Since building this little courtyard, Wu Wei’s outlook had shifted dramatically. In the past, she never would have burdened Embroider Maiden with such perilous matters. For one thing, she hated seeing her worry needlessly. For another, she believed the less one knew, the lighter the load.

Now, her heartfelt wish for Embroider Maiden’s safety remained unchanged, but she concealed nothing from her anymore—save for the fact that she was a transmigrator.

Embroider Maiden’s brows knitted tightly. The room fell quiet once more. Wu Wei had no words either. Exhausted from the bumpy ride, she simply leaned half against Embroider Maiden, resting her head on her shoulder.

After a long silence, Embroider Maiden’s gentle, melodic voice broke through. “Are you thinking of helping Lord Dongfang somehow?”

Wu Wei sat up straight and turned to face her squarely, her eyes brimming with sincerity. “I’ve mulled this over the entire ride back. I think I should do something.”

Embroider Maiden nodded in agreement with a sigh. “You’re right. Magistrate Fang only got a slap on the wrist—ordered to reflect behind closed doors. He knows your identity. If your suspicions are correct, he might not be able to touch Lord Dongfang directly, but the fallout will surely land on you.”

Appreciation shone in Wu Wei’s eyes. Embroider Maiden’s growth had been nothing short of phenomenal!

Picking up the thread, Wu Wei continued. “From ancient times to now, nothing tied to an ‘auspicious omen’ has ever been trivial. If the court launched a massive dragnet and rounded up suspects wholesale, we’d have little to fear—the big shots would handle the fallout. But so much time has passed with no fanfare at all. That’s what’s truly unnerving. The Bright Mirror Division will surely take full charge of a case like this. With these mountains and distant roads from the Capital, who knows how many of their agents are lying low around here? Does Lord Dongfang have any reliable aides? Watching today’s trial, I’m worried for her. There’s a saying: ‘One must repay a drop of water’s grace with a spring’s gush.’ Without Lord Dongfang, our lives might not be nearly this comfortable.” Wu Wei fell abruptly silent, pondering deeply before speaking again. “Having accepted the Bright Mirror Division token, I can’t just look after myself. However…” She lifted her gaze to meet Embroider Maiden’s.

Embroider Maiden’s heart clenched. That look was all too familiar—the same one Wu Wei had given her that day when suggesting a name for her sister’s child. A pang of bitterness rose in her chest. Forcing a lighthearted smile, she reassured her. “You don’t need to worry about me. I believe justice will prevail over evil. The auspicious omen will be recovered, and we… Lord Dongfang… we’ll all be alright.”

…

Several more days passed this way. Wu Wei waited in idle anticipation, certain that Dongfang Rui would come seeking her out.

Five days later, one fresh morning, the sun had just burned off the thin mountain mist. The air hummed with the warm, moist fragrance unique to woodlands.

As the weather grew milder with each passing day, the quiet mountains came alive. Birds flocked to the treetops in chattering clusters, singing and calling. Now and then, small creatures would dart from the underbrush, craning their necks to peer curiously into Wu Wei and Embroider Maiden’s courtyard.

Whenever that happened, the four puppies—with Doggy at the lead—would awaken their ancestral instinct to guard hearth and home. They issued milky barks of warning or lumbered over on their pudgy legs to chase off the intruders.

It was amid such birdsong and puppy yelps that Dongfang Rui arrived.

She had changed into everyday attire that day, a thin cloak draped over her shoulders. Leading her horse, she appeared at Wu Wei’s courtyard gate. At the sound of the puppies’ alert barks, Dongfang Rui paused to tether her mount to a tree and continued on foot alone.

Wu Wei set down the axe she had been using to chop firewood. The sound of approaching hoofbeats told her Dongfang Rui had arrived. She snatched the clean cloth draped across her neck and wiped the sweat from her face. With a glance toward Embroider Maiden, who was feeding the chickens nearby, she sent her into the house to brew some tea.

Embroider Maiden had known Dongfang Rui was coming and needed no reminder from Wu Wei. The previous day, she had arranged with Eldest Sister Li to keep San Ya from coming over to help for the time being. As a result, the courtyard held only the two women.

A knock came at the gate. Wu Wei pulled open the courtyard door and saw that it was indeed Dongfang Rui. With a smile, she offered a polite bow. “Lord Dongfang.”

Dongfang Rui stepped inside at the invitation, hands clasped behind her back as she paced about, taking in the small courtyard. “You’ve arranged the new home nicely. It has a much more lived-in feel than the old one.”

Wu Wei couldn’t suppress a chuckle, though she kept it to herself. Who would have thought Dongfang Rui had a sense of humor? Living right next to the Charity Mortuary, with corpses being carried in and out all the time—lived-in? More like the reek of funeral incense!

Embroider Maiden emerged from the house, lifting the beaded curtain aside. She had finished brewing the tea. Approaching Dongfang Rui, she curtsied and said, “The tea is ready, Lord Dongfang. Please, have some.”