The homeowner, seeing Lin Yue, paused slightly before saying, “I came to see whether you were awake.”
Lin Yue replied, “If I am awake, I will go to the yamen. The county magistrate has already extracted from the perpetrators the reason they tried to kill my wife and me.”
The homeowner gave a thumbs-up. “Truly perceptive!”
Lin Yue said, “I understand. Thank you for your trouble.”
“It’s nothing. It is my honour to serve Young Master Lin,” the homeowner said with a fawning smile.
Gu Yun had already paid compensation to the homeowner and tenants. The magistrate had also sent people to patrol the area to ensure their safety. Lin Yue finished preparing himself, ensured all doors and windows were locked, and prepared to head to the yamen.
Before leaving, he tucked Gu Yun in properly. During this time, Gu Yun turned over, curling slightly and loosening part of the blanket.
The courtyard was not particularly far from the yamen. After the time it takes to burn an incense stick, Lin Yue met Magistrate Gu. This was the first time he had seen Magistrate Gu in court.
The magistrate was handling a case involving a master who had killed a servant accused of theft. He looked impatient, drinking tea one cup after another. On both sides, constables holding heavy batons shouted “wei wu*” to intimidate the kneeling master and the servant’s father who was suing him.
(*TN: powerful, mighty)
Lin Yue glanced over and stood to the side waiting. However, Magistrate Gu was unwilling to delay important matters for commoners. He ordered both parties to be detained and taken into custody, then walked over.
“Nephew Lin, how are you feeling now? Shall I call a doctor to examine you carefully?”
Lin Yue lowered his eyes slightly upon hearing the cries of injustice from the commoners, cupped his hands, and said, “Thank you for your concern, Magistrate. My injury does not seem to be worsening. However, if a good doctor is available, I would be willing to be examined, since it is a head injury.”
Magistrate Gu immediately sent someone to fetch the most experienced doctor in the county. After the time it takes to burn an incense stick, the doctor arrived.
He first asked about Lin Yue’s condition, then removed the bandages and examined the wound. Finally, he pressed around the injury and several acupoints, reaching a conclusion similar to the previous doctor:
“It is a superficial injury, not affecting the skull. However, since you were unconscious for a whole night, there may have been some intracranial bleeding at the time of injury. But this is not a problem. You woke up quickly and show no abnormal symptoms, which suggests the bleeding has not caused harm.”
Hearing this, Lin Yue recalled the bump he had felt after being rescued by Gu Yun.
The bump was on the back of his head, hidden beneath his hair. It only hurt when touched and showed no other abnormalities, so he had not paid attention to it. Now thinking about it…
Lin Yue asked, “What effects can intracranial bleeding cause?”
The doctor replied, “Hard to say. It may make one foolish, cause frequent headaches, or lead to personality changes, and so on.”
“Be more specific,” Lin Yue said.
The doctor considered for a moment and said, “It may also prevent you from doing certain things, or from exerting yourself, or even cause memory loss.”
Memory loss?
Lin Yue lightly tapped the armrest of the chair with a finger. He stood up and thanked the doctor.
The doctor bowed, packed his medicine case, and left.
Magistrate Gu said, “Now that I know you are fine, I am reassured. Nephew Lin, do you know who ordered the men who tried to kill you and your wife last night?”
Lin Yue looked troubled. “My wife and I have not offended anyone. We truly cannot imagine who would want to take our lives.”
Magistrate Gu sat down in a commanding posture, swept his sleeve across the table, picked up his tea, took a sip, and said,
“Speaking of this makes me angry. It was the magistrate of Yanlin County, Wang Gong. The assailants confessed that Wang Gong’s adviser approached them two nights ago, saying the magistrate had a serious concern and needed them to eliminate someone. They promised heavy rewards afterwards.”
“Magistrate Wang?” Lin Yue frowned. “He once took care of me before.”
Magistrate Gu replied, “You may know a face but not a heart. Last time, when you helped the Feng family after their fire and asked me to look after Feng the jailer, you did not know he had already aligned himself with Wang Gong and was plotting against you and your wife. You were kind to a wolf.”
Lin Yue became indignant.
Magistrate Gu looked satisfied and said, “I have already dealt with Jailer Feng.”
Lin Yue stood and thanked him, then said worriedly, “My wife and I did not offend Magistrate Wang. I truly do not understand why he insists on killing us.”
Magistrate Gu took a slow sip of tea and said nothing.
In his mind, this was not truly aimed at Lin Yue and Gu Yun at all, but at him. As for why it was aimed at him, it was likely because of the Chancellor’s request. He had completed the matter first, and the other party, jealous of his smooth career advancement, wanted to disrupt him.
The two counties bordered each other, and matters such as merchant movement and document processing often caused friction.
He and Magistrate Wang had long disliked each other, though they maintained courtesy as officials.
He also suspected Clerk Huang might be involved. According to his investigation, Clerk Huang had visited his residence before Magistrate Wang acted against Lin Yue.
It had been late at night, and the movements were discreet. If he had not recently regained authority, he might never have known.
Magistrate Gu chose not to share these suspicions with Lin Yue, not because he distrusted him, but because it would only cause dissatisfaction and would not solve anything.
So he said, “You do not know the reason, and I know even less. Perhaps there is no reason at all. They simply dislike you. Do not worry, I will handle this properly.”
Lin Yue said, “If I do not know how it will be handled, I will not be able to eat or sleep in peace.”
Magistrate Gu replied, “That is simple. An official harming a noble descendant, an orphan connected to the Chancellor, with full evidence and witnesses, is enough for me to submit a memorial and impeach him directly. He will pay the price. I will also increase guards to protect you day and night.”
“The news of your whereabouts has likely already reached Chancellor Meng. It should not be long before people arrive from the capital to take you there.”
Magistrate Gu originally intended to meet Magistrate Wang that morning.
Feng the jailer’s testimony was only one-sided, and without corroboration it was difficult to convict Wang. But now, with evidence delivered directly to his door, there was no need for further probing. It was a gift from heaven.
Gu Yun woke up to a dull, grey-yellow sky, suddenly feeling abandoned by the entire world.
He sat on the bed for a long time before slowly recovering from that feeling. He got up. His clothes had not been changed, likely because Lin Yue had carried him to bed. As for Lin Yue…
Where had Lin Yue gone? His injuries had not healed; why was he wandering about?
Gu Yun went out to look for him.
Immediately, patrolling constables stopped him. “Sir Lin will return shortly. Please wait patiently, Madam.”
“Where did he go?” Gu Yun asked.
“The young master went to the workshop to collect wages from the old craftsman for the past two days.”
Gu Yun returned to the room and prepared dinner. The vegetables from yesterday were still unused.
When dinner was ready, Lin Yue returned carrying a stack of books and Bi Laosan’s book chest. Two constables followed behind him, also carrying books.
Gu Yun asked in surprise, “What is this…?”
Lin Yue had the constables set the books down, politely saw them off, then turned back. Just as he was about to explain, one constable struck his palm and said, “I know, you are going to take the imperial examinations!”
Lin Yue did not deny it.
They ate together. The food was still simple, eaten with pickled vegetables.
“Those attackers last night, were they also ordered by someone?” Gu Yun asked.
Lin Yue replied, “The magistrate said they were ordered by County Magistrate Wang, as was Jailer Feng. But Feng has already been executed.”
Gu Yun’s heart sank, then rose again. “Why would County Magistrate Wang want to kill us?”
Lin Yue looked directly at him. “Do you not know better than I do?”
Gu Yun muttered, “What do I know…”
Lin Yue watched his lips move slightly, then looked away and tapped the table. “Eat properly. I know you are innocent. It is only that Magistrate Wang has poor judgement and mistook you for someone he bears a grudge against.”
Gu Yun immediately brightened and nodded. “Yes, it is all because of his poor judgement!”
Lin Yue said, “The magistrate believes Wang is targeting us because of him. He intends to deal with Wang, but I think it is not that simple.”
Lin Yue’s words would soon prove true.
Magistrate Gu spent considerable effort drafting the memorial impeaching Magistrate Wang.
Sitting in his front-office study, after confirming that the wording of the memorial was flawless, he summoned his attendant and instructed him to deliver the letter to the courier post, ensuring that it would be sent to the capital and, crucially, that the Chancellors responsible for reviewing such memorials on behalf of the emperor would all see it, especially Chancellor Meng.
At that very moment, Magistrate Wang arrived.
“What perfect timing!” Magistrate Gu handed the memorial to his attendant, ordered him to set off, and then let out a cold laugh.
The bailiff asked, “My lord, shall you receive him?”
Magistrate Gu said, “No. Tell him to leave.”
The bailiff acknowledged the order.
At the same time, a hearty laugh came from outside the door. Magistrate Gu looked up and saw Magistrate Wang entering with a man whose back was deeply bent.
Several bailiffs surrounded Magistrate Wang, their expressions anxious. Seeing their own magistrate, they hurriedly begged for forgiveness.
“My lord, we couldn’t stop Magistrate Wang…”
Magistrate Gu, his face dark, waved them away. As if granted amnesty, the group immediately withdrew, including the attendant who had just been there.
Magistrate Gu studied Magistrate Wang with an extremely unpleasant expression.
“Magistrate Wang, what brings you barging in like this? What, did the food sit so well with you today that you’ve come to show off your fullness?”
Magistrate Wang replied, “Magistrate Gu, do not be angry. I am here to give you an explanation.”
“What explanation?” Magistrate Gu asked warily.
Magistrate Wang kicked the man behind him. “You wretch, kneel!”
“What exactly are you trying to do?” Magistrate Gu demanded.
Magistrate Wang pointed at the kneeling man. “Does Magistrate Gu recognise this person?”
Magistrate Gu lifted the man’s lowered head and examined him carefully.
“This is your chief clerk.”
