Chapter 26: Not Enough People

"You fool!"

The middle-aged man shot a cold, disdainful glance at Wei Xin, who was cowering on the ground, and let out a sharp scoff. He then turned his gaze toward the Rong woman. In truth, he had never suspected her; how could a mere woman—an old, ignorant one at that—possibly have the capability to murder the young master?

"I shall order my men to bring Xu Qi in for questioning. Court is adjourned for today!"

Once the others had departed, the magistrate descended from the high bench. His legs seemed to give way, and he collapsed onto his knees with a thud. "Your Highness, Your Ladyship, Your Grace..."

"Magistrate Yang, please rise. You are the official in charge of this county; your authority is supreme here! I cannot accept such a gesture from you," Fu Cen said, looking down at him.

"I have failed in my duties and allowed mismanagement to occur. I beg for Your Highness's forgiveness!"

The bailiffs behind him were equally terrified and fell to their knees in unison. "Your Highness, please forgive us! We beg for mercy!"

"In which year did you earn your jinshi degree? Have you met me before?" Fu Cen asked.

"I had the honor of seeing the Imperial countenance in the second year of Kangyuan. You bear a striking resemblance to His Majesty," the magistrate replied cautiously.

"That is my Imperial Father; the resemblance is only natural."

"Yes, yes, of course."

"Let me ask you this: who is this Xu Qi?"

"Xu Qi was originally a student in the third-grade class of the prefectural academy, but in the middle of last year, due to his outstanding academic performance, he was promoted to the first-grade class."

"His father is a local gentleman here in Chenggu County. He is known for his charity, and the family has a very good reputation," the magistrate added.

"Investigate this case thoroughly!" With that, Fu Cen cast a meaningful look at the bailiff before leading his entourage away.

"Respectfully sending off Your Highness!" The magistrate bowed his head, his mind racing with turbulent thoughts.

As the group exited the yamen gates, they saw the Chief Clerk waiting anxiously with a group of men. Seeing them emerge, he breathed a sigh of relief. "Your Highness, that magistrate is truly bold! Thank goodness you are unharmed!"

"It is of no consequence. I witnessed quite a grand performance today!" Fu Cen smiled, glancing at Pei Zhenzhen and Lin Menghua beside him.

When the group returned to the inn, they found the Provincial Governor waiting expectantly with his subordinates.

"Greetings, Your Highness, Your Ladyship..."

"Governor Sun, there is no need for such formalities."

Lin Menghua and Pei Zhenzhen retreated to their quarters first. They unwrapped the osmanthus and chestnut cakes they had purchased earlier.

"They are still warm," Pei Zhenzhen remarked.

Lin Menghua took a bite, and the delicate fragrance spread across her palate.

"Soft and glutinous," Pei Zhenzhen commented.

"Let’s buy some more to take with us when we leave."

"Mm," Lin Menghua agreed.

***

As they were talking, Fu Cen pushed the door open and entered.

"Where is the Governor?" Pei Zhenzhen asked.

"I sent him away," Fu Cen said, taking a seat. "I suspect the matter at the prefectural academy is not simple. After all, this is not my own fief, and my Imperial Father would not be pleased to see me interfering in the affairs of Liang Province. We shall rest for two days and then depart."

As he spoke, he looked toward Lin Menghua. She smiled and nodded in acknowledgment.

"Your Highness, I would like to take some people out later to purchase a few things," Lin Menghua said.

"Please do as you wish, my Lady," Fu Cen replied with a wave of his hand.

In the evening, Lin Menghua prepared to head out as the sky darkened.

"Your Ladyship..." The Chief Clerk looked at her, hesitating.

"Lin Quan and Qingzhu both possess some martial skills. You should stay and attend to His Highness and the Princess Consort."

"As you command," the Chief Clerk replied.

"Your Ladyship..." Qingzhu helped Lin Menghua into the carriage, while Lin Quan sat outside to drive.

"Head to the east of the city..."

The weather was dismal, the sky remaining a dull, grey haze all day without a single ray of sunlight. Lin Quan’s eyelids had been twitching since they left, and as he drove, he struggled with whether or not to advise the Lady against this trip. By the time they reached the east side and sat on the stools at a tea stall, he realized his regret came too late.

Because of the gloomy weather, the surrounding vendors had packed up early. Only the Rong woman remained, guarding her stall and chanting her verses.

"Osmanthus fragrance fills the courtyard, the wind blows, the gates swing wide..."

She repeated the lines over and over, pacing near her stall as if oblivious to the changes in the world around her. The sky grew darker, devoid of moon or stars, plunging everything into pitch-black shadow.

The night wind moaned with a chilling, biting intensity, brushing against exposed skin like unseen tentacles, evoking an inexplicable sense of dread.

"My... My Lady," Lin Quan said, glancing at Qingzhu and then at Lin Menghua.

"Why hasn't the old woman gone home yet?" Qingzhu couldn't help but ask.

The surroundings became increasingly silent, save for the whistling wind and the elderly woman's rhythmic chanting. Lin Menghua finally rose and walked toward her.

"Old woman, sell me the rest of your cakes."

The singing stopped abruptly. Perhaps from chanting all day, her voice was hoarse. "What remains is not for sale..."

"Oh? We saw earlier that there was plenty left—at least a large portion. Surely you cannot eat all of this yourself?" Lin Quan couldn't help but interject.

"Not for sale! Not for sale! I never sell the cakes that are left at this hour!" the woman insisted.

"The person who harmed your son has been punished. What more could you possibly need?" Lin Menghua asked suddenly.

The old woman paused, tilting her head with a raspy laugh; in the dim light, one could see her deathly pale profile. Suddenly, she turned and bared her teeth in a grin at the three of them.

That smile nearly frightened the soul out of Lin Quan.

"Not enough. It is still not enough!"

Lin Menghua was momentarily stunned, murmuring, "Is that so?"

The three of them returned to the carriage. Seeing Lin Quan still shaken, Lin Menghua couldn't help but say, "Why are you such a coward?"

*It is you who are too bold!* Lin Quan thought to himself, offering only an awkward smile.

"I just felt that the old woman didn't seem... alive," Lin Quan said, then, observing the darkness of the sky, he wisely clamped his mouth shut.

Lin Menghua couldn't help but laugh.

"But... My Lady, how did you know that Ji Sheng's death was not an accident?" Lin Quan asked.

"I guessed."

"Oh..."

"And what did she mean by 'not enough'?"

Lin Menghua's eyes flickered. "That more people must die. Lin Quan, you must do something for me."

Early the next morning, as the three were finishing breakfast, the Chief Clerk returned to report: "Another student from the academy died last night. His name was Qi Rui, the son of the Liang Province Sima."

Seeing the three of them stop and look at him, the Chief Clerk felt his hunch was correct—the Prince was indeed concerned about this matter. He began to describe the student's gruesome state and the Sima's reaction in vivid detail.

"Has that Xu Qi been found?" Fu Cen raised an eyebrow.

"He has, but it likely wasn't him. The bailiffs brought Xu Qi back overnight, and he simply had no opportunity to commit the crime," the Chief Clerk replied.

"The academy is now in a state of panic. There are even... even rumors that it is the ghost of Ji Sheng seeking vengeance!"

"Absurd!" Fu Cen slammed his hand on the table. "The prefectural academy is the center of learning for the entire province. To spread such tales of ghosts and spirits—do they not fear corrupting the academic atmosphere of the whole state?"

"Go tell Governor Sun to investigate this thoroughly, starting with the death of Ji Sheng!"

Seeing the Chief Clerk hesitate, he added, "I will write a letter to the capital myself."

"Yes, Your Highness."

Fu Cen turned back to find Lin Menghua and Pei Zhenzhen both smiling at him. "Why do you keep staring at me?"