Unconquered Heir

The office of the Clear Officials Bureau was located within the imperial city. As Lin Xiu approached the entrance, he was halted by a guard.

"Who are you, and what business do you have at the Clear Officials Bureau?"

Sun Dalì, hands on his hips, haughtily retorted, "Are you blind? Don't you recognize your own superior?"

Another guard quickly intervened with a smile, saying, "He is new here and has not yet met Lord Lin. Please forgive him, Lord Lin. Please, this way..."

Although the position of scribe in the Clear Officials Bureau was a lowly ninth-rank official, it was still a position of authority, not to be trifled with by mere clerks. Lin Xiu did not dwell on the matter and, after arranging a time for Sun Dalì to pick him up, proceeded into the bureau.

Once inside, the new guard curiously asked, "Who is that? I've been here for a month and have never seen him before."

The other guard shook his head and whispered, "He's someone who bought his way in. It's strange, though; he hardly ever comes to the office. Why today...?"

Entering the courtyard, Lin Xiu faced the main hall, where cases were tried. To either side were the various departments of the bureau. Spotting the sign for the Records Repository, he walked through a long corridor and entered its doors.

The Records Repository was usually quiet, and the three other scribes were engaged in idle chatter. Upon seeing Lin Xiu, they looked surprised. They recognized him; the chief had specifically instructed them to look after him. However, after a few visits, he had not returned. What wind had brought him back today?

They smiled politely and resumed their conversation. Lin Xiu nodded in return and surveyed the room. Among the rows of bookshelves, there were four desks. Three were immaculate, with neatly arranged writing materials, while the fourth, cluttered with miscellaneous items, was clearly his.

Lin Xiu tidied his desk, fetched a basin of water, and wiped it clean. He then sat down and casually picked up a book. Though his eyes were on the pages, his mind wandered.

For one with modest abilities, the Academy of Extraordinary Arts would not give him much attention. Besides a monthly stipend, access to the library, and the occasional consultation with instructors, he had no other resources. The academy cared little about his daily activities.

For Lin Xiu, the greatest benefit of joining the academy was the opportunity to meet and befriend other ability users. Familiarity would allow for prolonged physical contact, essential for his plans. For now, he needed to rely on Zhao Lingyin for his training.

At the Clear Officials Bureau, there was little to do. Lin Xiu only needed to make occasional appearances to keep his position, which would also satisfy the Marquis of Peace and his wife.

As Lin Xiu pondered his future, the three scribes ignored him, though they noticed the sudden coolness in the once-stifling repository.

After half an hour, Lin Xiu decided to visit the academy. He left the repository and, upon entering the courtyard, saw a crowd gathered at the main hall. Curious, he approached.

Inside the hall, guards stood in two rows. In the center lay a straw mat covered with a white cloth, under which only a pair of feet were visible. A young man, dressed in fine attire, sat with one leg crossed, looking at the mat and said, "She hanged herself. Why am I here?"

The magistrate, seated above, felt a headache coming on. Rubbing his temples, he asked, "Someone saw Lady Wang enter your residence yesterday, and she was found hanged today. Do you have any explanation for this?"

The young man shook his head. "She came to my house, but it was because I paid her. Afterward, she left. Her death is none of my concern."

The magistrate pressed, "If it was consensual, why would she hang herself?"

The young man replied impatiently, "How should I know? Perhaps she had other reasons. Who can say?"

Silence fell over the hall. An elderly man, kneeling beside the mat, sobbed, "Your Honor, it is not as he says. My daughter was virtuous. She could not have done such a thing. Please, clear her name and bring justice!"

The magistrate, after a moment, said, "We cannot prove a direct connection between Lady Wang's death and Qin Cong. We will investigate further..."

The old man, pale and weak, murmured, "Injustice, my daughter was wronged..."

The young man rose, bowed to the magistrate, and said, "If there is nothing else, I will take my leave."

"Hold."

A voice from the door stopped him. The crowd parted, and a figure entered, bowing to the magistrate. "Your Honor, Lady Wang did not hang herself; she was murdered."

Before the magistrate could respond, he pointed to the body. "If she hanged herself, her feet would be limp. This body's feet are rigid and pointing upward, indicating she was likely dead before being hanged. Additionally, a hanged person's tongue would protrude, and their face would be blue and distorted. If she died first, her tongue would be retracted, and her face pale. Lifting the cloth will reveal the truth."

The young man's pupils contracted imperceptibly. The magistrate, deeply impressed, asked the coroner, "Is this true?"

The coroner nodded. "It is, Your Honor."

The magistrate ordered, "Lift the cloth."

The guard complied, revealing a woman with a beautiful, pale face, lying motionless. Her tongue was not protruding.

"Indeed," the magistrate said. "Lady Wang was murdered and then hanged. Young Master Qin, you remain a suspect. You will be detained for further investigation."

The young man smiled. "Very well, I trust you will find the truth."

The magistrate declared, "This case requires deeper investigation. Detain Qin Cong. Court is adjourned."

As the young man, escorted by guards, left the hall, he cast a meaningful glance at Lin Xiu.

Outside, Lin Xiu was pulled aside by a middle-aged man in official garb. "What are you doing, showing off? Do you think the coroner couldn't tell the difference? Do you think the magistrate didn't know? Are you the only clever one here?"

Lin Xiu recognized the man as his father's friend, the chief of the Records Repository, who had secured his position. He feigned ignorance. "Uncle Chen, if the magistrate knew, why didn't he say so?"

Chen shook his head. "It's not that simple. Qin Cong is the son of Duke Qin Wu. Even the magistrate cannot afford to offend the Qin family. Now, because of you, Qin Cong is in jail. The Qin family may hold a grudge against you."

Lin Xiu, pretending to be alarmed, asked, "What should I do, Uncle Chen?"

Chen thought for a moment. "Don't worry too much. The Qin family will likely resolve this. Your family, though fallen, is still influential. They won't dare harm you. But remember, don't get involved in such matters again."

Lin Xiu nodded. "I understand. Thank you, Uncle Chen."

Chen waved him off. "Just be careful. I can't explain to your father if something happens to you."

After Chen left, Lin Xiu returned to his seat, sighing softly. The Clear Officials Bureau was a place of keen observation. The magistrate was wary of the young man, and Lin Xiu knew better than to meddle. Yet, seeing the old man's despair and the woman's lifeless body, he could not stand idly by.

Despite his own troubles, he could not ignore the suffering of others. In his past life, he had always been generous, donating to disaster relief, providing books to poor children, and helping the needy. His ex-girlfriends often introduced their friends to him, praising his kindness despite his flaws.