Chapter 18: The Darkest Crow of the Censorate

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Su Qing was momentarily stunned after hearing those words. Something felt off, but he couldn’t immediately pinpoint what it was, so he nodded and was about to leave. At that moment, Murong Huan’s pen suddenly paused, and she abruptly asked again, “By the way, which official in the Censorate is my great uncle acquainted with? Could you introduce me to one or two?”

Su Qing twisted his ankle and nearly fell flat on the ground.

What kind of question was that? Did she really think that all the civil and military officials in the court were relatives of the Su family, and that she could meet anyone at will?

An introduction too?

Then again, he thought, this child had grown up in the countryside without anyone teaching her social graces. Speaking so bluntly was a result of the Su family’s negligence.

He mustn’t mock her!

“Ah Huan, you shouldn’t phrase it like that. You should ask if your great uncle knows any officials in the Censorate,” Su Qing said patiently.

Murong Huan nodded.

Su Qing continued, “Speaking of which, although the Censorate is merely a supervisory body and the official ranks aren’t very high, in our Great Zhou Dynasty, it holds significant sway. Even a seventh-rank Palace Censor, responsible for overseeing officials and reporting rumors, is someone the royal family’s kin, even princes, would seek favor with. To offend one could mean being accused of treason and your entire family suffering.”

“The Censorate’s remonstrators have traditionally been known for their integrity and fairness, but now things are different. Many officials of humble origins have secured their positions through informing. They act based on the sovereign’s preferences, caring less about right or wrong. One such recently promoted Palace Censor is Liu Junchen.”

Finally, returning to the point, Su Qing said, “As for whether your great uncle knows any Censorate officials, there is only one seventh-rank Palace Censor named Liu Su, though they aren’t very close.”

This… was practically saying nothing.

Ah Shu blinked with a puzzled expression.

Su Qing then asked curiously, “By the way, Ah Huan, why are you asking this?”

“Nothing much, just looking for someone who can keep the strict Deputy Minister Zhou Xing in check.”

“Oh, if you want someone who can really control Deputy Minister Zhou, there’s probably only one person.”

“Who?”

“The darkest crow in the Censorate — Deputy Chief Inspector Xiao Muchen!”

As soon as Su Qing said this, Murong Huan’s pen froze on the screen.

Su Qing’s voice continued: “He is the sovereign’s most trusted protégé and a youthful prodigy. It’s said he rarely impeaches officials lightly, but when he does, that person is doomed beyond redemption. Since the sovereign took power, he has ruthlessly eliminated many officials.”

“Truly a pity! As the saying goes, a gentleman loves his life and a peacock cherishes its feathers—he shouldn’t have turned out this way…”

At this, Su Qing noticed both Murong Huan and Ah Shu staring at him wide-eyed, especially Ah Shu, who was so shocked her mouth was agape.

Su Qing was startled. “What kind of look is that? Why are you staring like that?”

Ah Shu, full of curiosity and anticipation, asked, “Master, is this Xiao Muchen the young man with white hair but very handsome?”

“Yes. Have you met him?” Su Qing was surprised.

“More than that, we spent a whole night under the same roof with him!”

“So he’s the darkest crow in the Censorate, yet he’s pure white from head to toe? Even his hair is white!”

Su Qing had stopped listening to the white hair part long ago.

Xiao Muchen was hardly white except for his appearance and his snow-white attire.

Su Qing quickly asked, “Where did you meet him?”

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Ah Shu blinked brightly and replied, “At the Hundred Flowers Pavilion!”

Upon hearing those words, Su Qing felt as if lightning struck his head: My heavens! This child suffered greatly but knows nothing.

He sighed deeply, hurriedly took Murong Huan’s hand, and headed out. “Come, great uncle will take you to find him. I’ll explain everything clearly. You are a lady of the Su family, not someone from those places. He cannot treat you so disgracefully and take advantage of you!”

“Master, why do you want to find him?” Ah Shu asked anxiously.

“To hold him accountable! Even a concubine’s status would be acceptable! You little girl, you understand nothing!”

He sighed again: Two children who have never seen the world—what could they understand?

At this, Ah Shu finally realized something was amiss and quickly waved her hand. “No, Master, you misunderstand. He did not take advantage of Ah Huan. Our rooms were separated by a broken door, which was practically nonexistent. I didn’t explain clearly before, and that caused the misunderstanding. Ah Huan is still pure and cannot be a concubine!”

The word “concubine” instantly struck a sensitive nerve, and Ah Shu finally grasped the gravity of the situation.

Now things should be clear, right?

Ah Shu looked at Su Qing’s changing expression eagerly.

Su Qing paused, then looked at Murong Huan. “Ah Huan, is it true you spent the night under the same roof as Deputy Chief Inspector Xiao?”

Wait—why was the topic reverting?

“Master, that’s not what I meant, it’s not—”

Before Ah Shu could finish, Murong Huan’s expression suddenly stiffened, and she looked toward the courtyard. “Great uncle, officers from the Court of Justice have arrived!”

…

At this moment, indeed a group of people appeared outside the Su family mansion. A young man with an imposing and handsome demeanor rode in with a team of officers, raising dust.

The visitor was none other than Lu Ling, Deputy Minister of the Court of Justice.

Lu Ling hailed from the prestigious Lu family of Fanyang, ranked among the top five surnames and seven noble houses. At only twenty-five, he had already become a renowned judge following Dai Xing and Di Renjie, and was reputed to be Di’s direct disciple.

Upon hearing of Lu Ling’s arrival, the venerable Lady Su went out to greet him. Seeing the young man’s lofty aura, she was initially startled but then put on a broad smile. “I wonder what business Deputy Minister Lu has with our Su family today?”

“Apologies, Lady Su. I am here on official business. Last night, Zhou Jiulang was murdered in an abandoned house in the Wenrou District. Some accuse your third son, Su Ze, of involvement. Therefore, I must take Su Sanlang to the Court of Justice for questioning.”

Lady Su’s face instantly darkened. “Deputy Minister Lu, please be discerning. My son is timid, too afraid even to kill a chicken. How could he murder someone? It was always Zhou Jiulang bullying my son. He stayed home all night and was ill. Dr. Mo from Xiushan District can testify!”

“I have already investigated Dr. Mo. He no longer practices in Xiushan District.”

“What?” Lady Su’s face turned ashen.

Just then, Su Qing hurried out and greeted Deputy Minister Lu with a bow. “Apologies for not being here to welcome you.”

As the eldest son of the noble Lu family of Fanyang, Lu Ling carried himself with refined elegance. He returned the bow. “County Marquis Su, I presume you have heard of Zhou Jiulang’s death. I only intend to question Su Sanlang and nothing more. If he is innocent, I will release him immediately. I ask for your cooperation.”

“Yes, yes. I will bring my son out for interrogation.”

As Su Qing went back inside, they suddenly heard Su Sanlang crying out, “I won’t go! If I go to the Court prison, what if they torture me? I didn’t kill anyone, but they’ll force me to confess. I won’t go! Going means no coming back!”

Feeling awkward, Su Qing bowed again to Lu Ling and rushed inside. There, Murong Huan stood beside Su Sanlang, gripping his shoulder. “The Court has come for you. Do you still have a choice? If you refuse, you truly will look like the murderer!”

Su Sanlang looked up at the youth in green robes—fresh, handsome, and elegant.

“Who are you?”

“I am Su Silang,” Murong Huan replied. “Come, I will accompany you.”

Before Su Sanlang could respond, Murong Huan firmly led him out of the Su mansion.

Madam Qin was about to shout but was silenced by Su Qing.

“If you don’t want anything to happen to Su Sanlang, say no more!”

This was Su Qing’s repeated warning to Madam Qin and also Murong Huan’s instruction to Su Qing.

She came to help clear Su Sanlang’s name, and Su Qing had to ensure everyone in the Su family kept silent about her identity.

Madam Qin dared not utter a word.

By the time they reached the mansion gate, Ah Shu had donned male attire and followed Murong Huan.

Just outside the gate, Ah Shu spotted a commanding young man standing with his sword at his side, radiating a stern and killing aura.

Fortunately, his handsome face was striking enough not to terrify.

Murong Huan pulled Su Sanlang forward. “I am here with Su Sanlang, willing to accompany him to the Court of Justice for Deputy Minister Lu’s questioning!”

Su Sanlang struggled but couldn’t break free from Murong Huan’s grasp.

Lu Ling cast a curious glance at Murong Huan.

“Who are you?” he asked.

“I am Su Silang, Su Huan,” Murong Huan bowed.

“Why do you accompany Su Sanlang for interrogation?”

“To assist Deputy Minister Lu in solving this case and to clear Su Sanlang’s name.”

“Help you investigate?” Lu Ling chuckled. “So young, what skills do you have?”

Murong Huan bowed again, smiling calmly. “Deputy Minister, if I correctly predict three things about you, will you accept me as your assistant and release Su Sanlang? He is nothing but a timid and incompetent boy!”

Su Sanlang began to protest, but Murong Huan covered his mouth.

Lu Ling shook his head with a wry smile, unwilling to stoop to arrogance. He looked at Murong Huan once more and prepared to leave with Su Sanlang, when Murong Huan suddenly said loudly:

“Deputy Minister Lu left at the first moment of the Chen hour today, passing through five districts, crossing two rivers, passing a bamboo grove, a peach orchard, a steamed bun shop, a teahouse, and an abandoned house with a corpse. Because the investigation was urgent, you have not eaten since, only drinking a cup of Mengding tea and eating a bun before arriving at the Su residence. Am I correct?”

Before Murong Huan finished, Lu Ling abruptly stopped and signaled his officers to release Su Sanlang.

A young man in red robes standing beside Lu Ling widened his eyes in surprise. “Indeed, Tenlang, everything he said is true! You passed through five districts, two rivers, a bamboo grove, a peach orchard... You only drank one cup of tea and ate one bun.”

Lu Ling’s face darkened. “Are you stalking me?”

“Deputy Minister Lu, you jest. I have been at the Su residence all day, and everyone here can vouch for me. Even if the Su family cannot, you and your men can. With your skills, it’s impossible you were followed all day without noticing.”

Murong Huan finished, and the young man in red burst into laughter.

“How did you know I visited those places?” Lu Ling asked.

“By scent. You and your men carry the fresh smell of bamboo leaves, the sweetness of peach blossoms, and the fishy odor of river water. Also, you smell of Mengding tea and steamed buns.”

Hearing this, the young man laughed uncontrollably.

“That’s right, today you only drank one cup of Mengding tea and ate one meat bun! Young man, your sense of smell is impressive.”

Murong Huan smiled slightly and bowed to the young man. “Thank you.” Then he looked at Lu Ling. “Deputy Minister, do you accept this?”

Lu Ling pondered for a moment, then said, “Very well, I will grant you one correct guess. What about the second?”

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