How Deep the Crimson Leaves Fall Chapter Eight: Awakening

Gu Yu and Wu Haichao happily exchanged a slap on the back, while Ding Sibao stood there, stunned as if turned to wood.

Cheng Jie held the confession in his hands, reading it over and over, then suddenly leapt up excitedly and grabbed Dong Xinwu’s arm. “An old man in the house is like a treasure—Old Dong, you are the steady anchor of the Shuntian Prefecture. I must make a big note of this case in your honor!”

Dong Xinwu quickly bowed modestly. “All thanks to your wise guidance, sir. However,” he shifted aside slightly, revealing Fang Wei, “this case was not the effort of one alone. The method used during the interrogation was Fang Wei’s idea, and these young men worked diligently together to help you solve the problem.”

Fang Wei was taken aback, not expecting Dong Xinwu to bring him up. He looked up just in time to meet Cheng Jie’s gaze. The excitement on Cheng Jie’s face slowly faded into a measured smile. “Naturally, naturally…”

Just then, someone burst in hurriedly from outside, startling the group. The man, panting heavily, bowed to Cheng Jie and Dong Xinwu. “Sir, Master, the Langzhong of the Ministry of Personnel’s Examination and Merit Department, Wang Chengjian, has sent men late at night to report a burglary at his residence!”

The Langzhong was the chief official in charge of the Department of Merit Examination and Clean Administration within the Ministry of Personnel, responsible for overseeing imperial inspections and evaluating officials’ performances.

Such a position wielded life-and-death power over officials, so Cheng Jie naturally treated the matter with utmost caution. He immediately called for Dong Xinwu and the other constables to hasten to Wang’s mansion.

The streets were deep in the night, silent except for the occasional patrol soldier from the Wucheng Military Division. Torches lit the way as a squad of dozens followed. Gu Yu and Wu Haichao eagerly followed after Lord Cheng. Both had been constables for less than half a year; such an event was thrilling and novel. Their hurried footsteps made the usually composed Cheng Jie uneasy. Despite his high status as a prefectural judge, Cheng Jie was after all a scholar of ten years’ study. Though determined to catch the thief, his stamina was limited.

Seeing Cheng Jie slow down, panting like an old ox, Wu Haichao stuck out his tongue and made a funny face at Gu Yu, who chuckled softly. Cheng Jie abruptly turned around. “Laugh all you want. What if you scare someone in the middle of the night?”

Gu Yu lowered his head and hurried on, pretending not to hear. Cheng Jie fixed him with a stern look. “You two, carry me.”

“Huh?” Wu Haichao was stunned, not expecting such a scholarly mind. Lord Cheng had already thought of the perfect plan. He quickly smiled obsequiously. “Sir, be careful.” Grasping Cheng Jie’s elbows, Wu and Gu lifted him with a combined effort, the thin man floating forward effortlessly.

Dong Xinwu watched their backs and shook his head. “Those little devils…”

Behind them, Fang Wei approached Dong Xinwu. “Master, the interrogation method was truly your special skill. Why do you say it was my idea? Has the prefecture decided it’s mine?”

“Don’t overthink it…” Dong Xinwu cut him off. “Just focus on your work, the rest I’ll handle.” He turned to Fang Wei, whose head was bowed low, and gave a firm pat on the shoulder. “With me to support you, you’ll never go hungry. Understand?”

Having followed Dong Xinwu for fifty-two years, Fang Wei regarded him as a father figure and nodded without hesitation.

Within Wang’s mansion, chaos reigned. Servants hurried in and out of the third courtyard. The main room, once the bedroom of Wang Chengjian and his wife, now held their youngest daughter, Wang Shihan. At sixteen, she was a vision of beauty, like a flower under the moonlight, a national treasure. But after Tang Haiqiu kicked her down the stairs, she had been unconscious, her pale face drained of blood, her head heavily bandaged.

By her bedside, Wang Chengjian and his wife watched tensely as a white-haired elder doctor administered acupuncture. This famous physician from the capital was summoned overnight with gold bars by Wang’s men. The old doctor gently inserted silver needles into the girl’s frail wrist, twisting them softly. After a moment, Wang Shihan moaned and slowly awakened from her coma.

“My child!” Mrs. Wang could no longer hold back tears and collapsed beside the bed, clutching Wang Shihan. The girl stared blankly, her eyes sweeping over the unfamiliar old man, the maidservants, and her anxious parents. Memories gradually returned, and after a moment, she burst into tears, holding her mother tightly.

Wang Chengjian’s two elder daughters were already married; this youngest was still unmarried, cherished like a delicate treasure. Wang Chengjian wiped his tears and bowed to the doctor. “Thank you, sir.”

The old physician declined humbly. Wang Chengjian personally escorted him to the gate. From afar, torches approached—constables from the Shuntian Prefecture had arrived.

Having long navigated officialdom and dealt with such matters, Wang Chengjian was polished and tactful. Though anxious and resentful, he greeted Cheng Jie courteously and ushered them inside. He dismissed the servants, and once only Mrs. Wang, Wang Shihan, the maidservants, Cheng Jie, and Dong Xinwu remained, he said gravely, “What happened tonight must remain within these walls. Do not speak of it outside.”

This was directed firmly at the Shuntian Prefecture officials. Cheng Jie replied promptly, “Of course, I understand my place. Miss, could you please recount the events for us?”

The servants had already drawn the curtains around the bed, so Cheng Jie could only see a vague silhouette through the fabric. Even so, it was clear she had a graceful and elegant figure, exuding exceptional poise.

“While I was asleep, I suddenly heard a noise. When I got up to check, a man was already standing beside my bed…” The young lady’s voice trembled with fright, coming out haltingly but clearly.

Dong Xinwu stood behind Cheng Jie, listening thoughtfully, his mind racing.

In the courtyard, the host had not given any orders, so the constables dared not move. They waited quietly, while four or five guards stood tensely in a corner, eyes flickering among the officers.

Gu Yu and Wu Haichao looked around enviously. The Wang mansion’s pavilions, terraces, artificial hills, and ponds blended grandeur with refined elegance.

Fang Wei sat alone by the rockery, lost in thought. Gu Yu approached. “Senior apprentice brother, are you tired?”

Fang Wei shook his head. “I’m fine.”

At that moment, the door opened and Dong Xinwu emerged, followed by a maid. Standing on the stone steps, Dong Xinwu said, “Fang Wei, take Gu Yu and Wu Haichao to inspect Miss Wang’s chamber. Report anything suspicious immediately.”

The maid stepped down. “The three of you, follow me.” Leading them through the mansion, they passed through a moon gate and entered a small courtyard filled with the scent of flowers.