Chapter Ninety-Seven: The Madman

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“How does your Court of Justice handle cases?! So many days have passed, and not a single clue about the killer!”

Wen Jing had just stepped into the Court of Justice when an angry woman’s voice rang out from inside, loud enough to fill the entire hall. She spoke in one breath, clearly with a lung capacity exceeding four liters.

“Madam He, investigating a case is not like leading troops into battle. The enemy is visible in war, but the killer hides in the shadows. Our Court has been working day and night on this case. Please give us some more time,” Magistrate Liang said with a forced smile, inwardly cursing He Ruiguang, that old curmudgeon, a thousand times. He himself neglected the matter, yet sent Madam He to vent her anger. Everyone knew General He feared nothing in the world—except the tigress at home.

Madam He lifted her eyes sharply. “We’ve already given you so many days, Magistrate Liang. How much longer do you want? A year? Two? At the very least, tell us if you have caught the suspect!”

Magistrate Liang sighed helplessly. “Madam He, according to regulations… we cannot disclose that information to you.”

“Oh, my poor daughter!”

Suddenly, Madam He broke into a wailing cry and sat heavily on the ground. The onlookers were caught between laughter and sympathy, yet no one dared to help her up. Rumor had it that Madam He was a skilled fighter—slaughtering pigs and sheep with a single stroke, and ruthless in battle. Seeing her so furious, who dared to bring bad luck by approaching?

Wen Jing took in the stout, broad-shouldered woman before her. Truly, the saying “not of the same family, not through the same door” applied here. Compared to General He, Madam He’s physique was even more imposing. How on earth had their genes mutated to produce a delicate, demure daughter like He Yunxiu?

Magistrate Liang watched Madam He’s fit of grief and rage and thought, what nonsense! Treating this place like her own home—truly unrefined!

Though inwardly annoyed, Magistrate Liang was at a loss on how to handle Madam He. After all, she was the real victim here, not to be scolded or beaten. Besides, even if they wanted to, they might not stand a chance.

“Madam He, please rise. Let me say a few words,” Ji Changge stepped forward.

Madam He ceased her tantrum. She could speak reasonably to the wrinkled Magistrate Liang, but faced with a handsome junior like Ji Changge, she found it slightly embarrassing.

“We have already found some leads in the case. Please allow us a few more days to investigate and collect evidence. I believe Madam He’s wisdom and magnanimity will understand the hardships involved in our work,” Ji Changge said with a smile.

Madam He sprang up like a carp flipping in water, patted her clothes, causing the flesh on her belly to quiver slightly. Straightening her expression, she said, “Then it’s settled. I’ll give you three more days. If by then the killer is not caught, don’t blame me. Humph.”

As Madam He strode away, Ji Changge’s smile vanished, his usual icy demeanor returning.

Magistrate Liang curled his lips. The same words from him were useless, but when Ji Changge said them, they seemed effective. Was he just spouting nonsense?

“Sir, after three days…” Ding Wu frowned deeply. If the case remained unsolved then, the “Eastern River Lioness” would surely come wreak havoc again. He decided it would be better to be out on the case that day.

Ji Changge shot Ding Wu a glance. “Did I promise her that?”

Everyone was speechless...

“Sir, you’re brilliant,” Ding Wu flattered, though inwardly he thought: there’s always someone better. Madam He is just a woman; compared to us gentlemen, she’s a mere novice.

“How’s the surveillance?” Ji Changge glared at Ding Wu, whose skills had not improved, though his sycophancy was well honed.

“We have assigned people to watch Lu Yi day and night.”

Ji Changge pondered briefly. “Come with me to the Lu residence.”

Ding Wu replied eagerly. When the lord takes action, there is always progress.

Wen Jing’s mind echoed with what Wang Sinian had said yesterday. She decided to visit the Wang family again. Today also happened to be the day for Wang Jue’s acupuncture treatment. She turned to Magistrate Liang and asked, “Magistrate Liang, could Qi Niang take a half-day off?”

“Why does Investigator Wen want to go?” Magistrate Liang inquired.

“To visit the residence of Grand Tutor Wang.”

At the mention of the Wang family, a hint of intrigue flickered in Magistrate Liang’s eyes. He waved his hand. “Go then, and convey my regards to Grand Tutor Wang.”

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Wen Jing did not explain further, smiling, “Yes, sir.”

As they walked toward the Wang residence, the image of the dead cat from last time suddenly surfaced in Wen Jing’s mind. Her intuition told her that these matters might indeed be connected. If... she dared not think further, feeling a cold sweat break out along her spine.

“Miss Wen Qi Niang has arrived,” said the Wang steward with a broad smile, though he appeared somewhat uneasy.

Wen Jing was momentarily startled, then composed herself and said, “Today is the day for the seventeenth young master’s acupuncture. The temple is quiet, so I came early.”

“Our second young master and the second lord just went to the Carp Garden,” the steward said.

“That’s even better. I’ll go ahead then,” Wen Jing replied.

As Wen Jing walked away, the steward’s face showed a trace of mockery. Clearly, she had married into a prestigious family but still pretended to be modest. Using healing as an excuse, she came to the Wang residence every few days, even before marriage. He wondered how the Wen family had raised such a daughter.

In the Carp Garden, beneath the pine trees,

Wang Jue was playing chess with Wang Sinian, while Wang Erlang stood by watching.

“Uncle, you lost…” Wang Erlang laughed.

Wang Sinian frowned, hesitant to make his next move.

“Well played,” Wang Jue smiled.

Sighing, Wang Sinian gave up the struggle; this game was indeed lost, flawless.

Seeing Wang Sinian concede, Wang Erlang said, “Seventeenth young master’s chess skills are truly superb. Even Uncle is somewhat outmatched. There is no rival in the Wang family.”

Wang Sinian smiled wryly. “It’s not that the Wang family has no rivals—perhaps none in the capital city can match him. Uncle is truly convinced.”

“Uncle is too modest. Everyone has their specialty. Seventeenth young master devotes all his time to this. If Uncle spent half as much time, the seventeenth would surely lose,” Wang Jue said.

Wang Sinian nodded, pleased with Wang Jue’s talent and humility. If he could serve in court one day, the Wang family’s influence would be even more secure.

“Miss Qi Niang, you’re here,” Wang Erlang’s eyes brightened.

Wen Jing smiled, “Here to perform acupuncture on the seventeenth young master.”

Then she bowed to Wang Sinian. “Greetings, Uncle.”

“Erlang, treat Miss Qi Niang well. I have some matters to attend to,” Wang Sinian patted Wang Erlang’s shoulder.

“Alright, Uncle, go ahead.”

Wen Jing took out her acupuncture kit. After several sessions, she was quite skilled, knowing the acupoints with her eyes closed. Wang Jue no longer feared a sudden needle appearing in his mind.

“After so many days of acupuncture, no progress at all?” Wang Erlang looked at Wang Jue’s leg, puzzled.

Wang Jue looked up, his phoenix eyes sparkling. He smiled faintly, “Brother is more anxious than I am.”

Wang Erlang’s expression turned slightly awkward. “Of course I’m anxious. The spring imperial examination is only a few months away. I’m counting on you to bring glory to the Wang family.”

“If Heaven wishes to favor me, that will be enough. If not, all effort is in vain,” Wang Jue said, gazing into the distance. Not hoping too much spared him disappointment.

“Many things in this world are not persisted in because of hope, but because persistence creates hope. Giving up halfway is the worst,” Wen Jing added as she inserted the final needle.

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Wang Jue’s expression softened slightly. Those words struck deep. Over the years, he had faced many disappointments and grown hopeless. Yet he never blamed anyone. If not for his mother’s relentless efforts on his behalf, he might have become a failure long ago...

Wen Jing gently tapped Wang Jue’s knee, eliciting a slight reaction.

“It moved!” Wang Erlang exclaimed joyfully.

Wen Jing also looked happily at Wang Jue, who appeared stunned. “Try moving your leg.”

Wang Jue tried, then shook his head, “Still can’t.”

“Don’t rush, take it slow.”

Suddenly, a commotion erupted nearby.

“Stop! Don’t run!”

Wen Jing saw a dozen servants chasing a ragged old man, but the old man was far quicker, while the servants panted heavily.

The old man ran and made faces at the pursuers, circling the fake mountain several times before suddenly turning to run toward Wen Jing and her companions.

“Don’t be afraid, he won’t hurt anyone,” Wang Erlang reassured Wen Jing, who looked somewhat tense.

Wen Jing was not afraid of the beggar-like man but curious about the object in his hand and the faint scent of blood in the air.

“Come catch me, you fools!” the old man made faces behind him again.

“Seventh Master, don’t scare people!” the servants stuck out their tongues like dogs.

Seventh Master? Wen Jing was surprised to glance at the old man. She had wondered how the Wang family would let a beggar inside, only to find this shabby old man was none other than the dignified Seventh Master—a revelation far beyond her expectations.

“Seventh Uncle, you’re being naughty again,” Wang Erlang said seriously, as if scolding a seven or eight-year-old child, a sight both amusing and strange.

The old man dropped what he was carrying and wiped his mouth. “Seventeenth, I won’t do it again.”

From his behavior and words, Wen Jing guessed he might suffer from some mental illness. Her eyes fell on the object on the ground: a lump of roasted meat. The air was thick with a mixture of blood and barbecue aroma, a nauseating blend. Black stains on the old man’s filthy clothes appeared to be dried blood.

“Seventh Uncle, what did you roast?” Wen Jing asked gently.

“Not telling you! You’re trying to trick me into eating cat meat!” the old man teased Wen Jing with a face.

Wen Jing smiled faintly and thought of the skinned black cat corpse she had seen in the Carp Garden last time. It must have been this Seventh Uncle’s doing. It seemed she had been suspicious and misunderstood Wang Erlang.

“Seventh Uncle, how many times have I told you? There’s plenty of food in the mansion. If you want to eat, just ask the kitchen. Don’t eat these things again,” Wang Erlang sighed.

The old man’s eyes suddenly filled with terror. “I can’t steal food. Big brother will hit me.”

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