Chapter 063
Author: Feast of Masks
Raws: https://www.jjwxc.net/onebook.php?novelid=3185016
Translated by Gumihou
There was a commotion at the door as several youths squeezed through the crowd.
They were obviously students, all of them still dressed in their scholars’ robes. The group stopped at the edge of the hall, and one of them, after having barely caught his breath, straightened his clothes and stepped into the court.
“Who are you to dare disrupt the court in session?” Magistrate Hu struck the wooden board with a sharp crack, his voice ringing with authority.
“This humble one is Xue Tingxiang of Qingyuan Academy,” the youth said with a deep bow. “I beg your Excellency’s pardon for my reckless behaviour. I have come to stand on behalf of my headmaster. I have travelled several dozen li to get here and never meant to disrespect or disrupt your proceedings.”
“What are you doing here?” Lin Miao asked, his voice tight with unease. “This is no place for a greenhorn like you. Leave at once.”
Xue Tingxiang gave a faint smile and said, “That day, when Teacher said that he wished to take me as his disciple, though we have yet to complete the formal rites, I have already regarded Teacher as my master. Now that my teacher and schoolmates are in peril, how can a disciple stand idle? My hasty departure from the academy was not out of cowardice or self-preservation, but out of necessity.”
Magistrate Hu frowned. “This is the court. If you and your teacher wish to reminisce, do so after the trial. Lin Miao, this court has tolerated much on account of your rank as one of His Majesty’s scholars; however, I cannot tolerate such continuous obstructions.”
Just as Lin Miao was about to speak, Xue Tingxiang took a step forward. “Please, Your Excellency, it is not my teacher who hinders justice, but I who intruded uninvited. If there is blame to be had, lay it upon me, not him.”
The statement was bold to the point of impropriety. Basically, accusing Magistrate Hu of being so petty as to stoop to quarrel with a mere youth in public. Magistrate Hu could not argue back without proving the accusation true. This meant the youth managed a jab without taking a hit.
Still, it was a risky move. Few dared to provoke a magistrate for fear of future reprisal.
Shen Fu picked up the cup of tea that a yamen runner had prepared for him and took a slow sip, thinking: Well, well, since I have accepted Boss Chen’s plea, I cannot just sit back and not say a word. If the case continued and they managed to get away with their little trick, at least it won’t be because I failed to do anything.
“This young man’s loyalty to his teacher is admirable,” he remarked mildly. “Perhaps Your Excellency might show leniency for such devotion?”
Magistrate Hu’s expression shifted at once. He smiled. “Third Young Master is right. As the father-official of this county, how could I hold a grudge against a child? We have all been young once, and youth often acts rashly. Very well, boy—mind yourself in future. There are rules to this court.”
He assumed the matter was settled and expected the boy to back down.
Instead, after bowing and thanking him for his leniency, Xue Tingxiang said, “This humble scholar had not intruded the court without cause. I have come to represent my teacher in this case. As one of His Majesty’s scholars, my teacher cannot appear in court to be tried. I am but young and insignificant, yet may still humbly stand in my teacher’s stead.”[1]
“You?”
“Yes.” Xue Tingxiang’s tone remained courteous as he said, “If I am not mistaken, under the laws of Dachang, a registered scholar may appoint a close associate to stand in his stead for civil proceedings. And those over the age of fourteen are legally permitted to do so. I have just turned fourteen this spring.”
Whatever words that Magistrate Hu was about to speak were swallowed at this audacious remark. He gave a low, grudging hum before replying, “I did not expect you to know such things.”
Xue Tingxiang gave a modest smile and bowed once more.
Shen Fu’s interest was piqued. What an intriguing boy; he appeared reverent yet daring, always bowing before speaking and pushing his limits yet never overstepping his bounds. As though afraid of letting the magistrate catch his tail.
When Magistrate Hu reluctantly nodded and ordered the proceedings to continue, the court officer instructed Xue Tingxiang to kneel. But the youth stood still, unmoving. Only then did Shen Fu realise the true reason behind his earlier performance. That little song and dance he had put on before Magistrate Hu to ‘represent his teacher’ was so that he could [1a] ‘stand in place’ for his master.
[1] In short, that little rascal did all that so that he did not have to kneel before the magistrate.Clever, Shen Fu thought with amusement. Very clever indeed.
He hid a smile behind his sleeve while Magistrate Hu’s face turned a shade darker. Yet, before the watching crowd and with Shen Fu seated in witness, he could only swallow his irritation and signal for the trial to proceed.
The clerk stepped forward to read the Sun family’s petition, as submitted by old lady Sun.
It was immediately clear that their representative, this surname Zhu, was quite skilled. His words were all fire and brimstone, each phrase lined with grief painted in blood and tears. When he was done, even the spectators watching from outside were seething with righteous fury.
Generally, a representative’s skills were judged by their written petitions. Most cases never saw an advocate present in person; as such, representation was costly and reserved for serious cases or the rich and famous.
A well-written petition accounted for about 70% of the power to move a magistrate’s heart. In short, the quality of the written complaint could, to some extent, win the favour or displeasure of the presiding official.
Of course, this was also related to the fact that not everyone could speak the official tongue. As the saying goes, ‘dialects vary every ten miles’, making it so that local officials who had been placed in charge of an unfamiliar province may never understand what the locals were saying. With these well-written petitions done by a good representative, a magistrate may end up doing nothing but trying to understand petty quarrels over chickens and pigs.
In other words, where elegant rhetoric could shape justice, emotions became the weapons of a clever wordsmith.
“Tragic! Simply tragic! County Lord, you must seek justice for that poor child!”
“Who would have thought? These scholars look so refined and polite, yet their hearts are as vicious as wolves.”
“Too cruel!”
Mao Badou bristled, ready to quarrel with the townsfolk behind them, but Li Datian hurriedly grabbed and held him in place.
“All right, enough—quiet down. We haven’t even started yet.”
In the crowd, Zhao’er clenched her hands nervously. Her gaze fixed on the slender figure standing alone in the middle of the court.
The plaque above the court was so large that the magistrate looked so imposing behind his huge desk. Could Gou’er really be alright? Could he be alright?
No, he would be! She had to believe in him.
However, Xue Tingxiang was not allowed to speak. The moment the petition was read out, Magistrate Hu called for witnesses.
These witnesses were, of course, the students who had been with Sun He (crane) that day. Their injuries were still visible on their faces. A few days had passed, but the marks remained for all to see.
One by one, they testified that Sun He had indeed been injured that day. He suffered injuries to the abdomen, most likely kicked by someone in the chaos, though none could say who had kicked him.
After returning to the dorms, Sun He had complained of stomach pain. Later, when asked again, he claimed the pain was gone. Fearing their teachers would discover their unsanctioned literary duel with Qingyuan and the scuffle that followed, none dared call a doctor. When Sun He insisted it no longer hurt, they let the matter drop. Who would have thought he would vomit blood and die in the middle of the night?
There were five witnesses altogether. Their statements were consistent, confident, and full of certainty.
In an instant, the tide of opinion swung fully toward Qinghe Academy’s version. Even Shen Fu could not help but sigh inwardly at the Qingyuan Academy students’ misfortune.
The case was nearly decided. Perhaps these students never meant to kill anyone, and the death had merely been an accident. Yet, in this world there were countless who had died from someone’s carelessness. In short, it was just their bad luck.
Unfortunately, this single stroke of bad luck was enough to destroy a lifetime of opportunity.
Once a scholar was touched by a murder case, no matter the final verdict, his path to office was severed. After all, why did these youths bury themselves in books for years, if not to win honour and fortune for their families?
The implicated Qingyuan students stood pale as ghosts. Even Wang Qi, usually so composed, could not hide his rising panic.
“County Lord, this student has something to say.”
Magistrate Hu turned his gaze. “Speak.”
“Though a quarrel indeed occurred that day, this humble student never raised a hand. It was they who argued with the others first, and only then did matters escalate into a fight.”
No sooner had Wang Qi finished than the others jumped in.
“County Lord, this humble student did not strike anyone either. I only tore someone’s robe.”
“We weren’t the ones who threw the first punch—that was Yu Ziyou!”
Yu Ziyou’s bloodshot eyes snapped toward the turncoats. “You—!”
Chaos broke out.
To the side, Gao Youzhi lifted his sleeve to cover his mouth, but kept his eyes fixed on Lin Miao’s ashen face.
You call yourself a gentleman, but what of it? You’ve raised nothing but petty thieves and criminals in that den you call an academy. Now look, the verdict had not been reached yet, but your students are already biting at each other like rats in a sack.
Lin Miao, ah, Lin Miao… Do you still think that I am the petty one?!
“Silence!”
The wooden block cracked sharply as Magistrate Hu roared at the students, “How dare you quarrel in court! Were it not for your youth, I would have ordered you all flogged as a warning to others!”
The hall fell silent at once. No matter what they wished to say, none dared utter another word.
At that moment, another voice rang out:
“County Lord, they speak the truth. They did not strike anyone.”
All heads, inside and outside the hall alike, turned toward the speaker—
Xue Tingxiang stood tall and unhurried, calm as ever.
“And on what grounds do you claim this?”
Instead of answering, Xue Tingxiang countered, “County Lord, may this humble student inquire: has your Excellency ordered for the body to be examined?”
Magistrate Hu was taken aback, but only for a moment. He quickly retorted, “What absurdity is this? How could this official pass judgment without a coroner’s report?” Just as suddenly, his harsh tone softened, and he said more gently, “Enough—you are young. I shall overlook your ignorance. Someone come! Summon the coroner and bring the report from that day.”
Before long, an elderly coroner, well past sixty, was brought forth.
It was not the coroner’s first time in court. Calmly, he recited his findings before the crowd and presented the written report.
Sun He’s death had been caused by a severe blow to the belly, to the point that it caused severe internal damage resulting in a ruptured liver.
The coroner went on to explain the examination process in excruciating detail. How it was difficult to diagnose death by internal injuries, and how loss of blood alone was not enough to determine death. Given the gravity of the case, he even had to cut open the body in order to confirm the precise cause of death.
According to him, Sun He’s liver had been torn open by the blows, and even the intestines had ruptured. His descriptions were so vivid and graphic that spectators instinctively covered their mouths and noses. Some even gagged.
“That’s enough. You may leave now,” Magistrate Hu ordered, waving the old coroner away.
Then, turning to Xue Tingxiang, he said, “Do you have any objection now?”
Xue Tingxiang blinked innocently. “This humble student never raised any objection.”
Magistrate Hu nearly choked. He had brought the coroner out—listened to all that nauseating detail… All for nothing?!
Was the brat toying with him?!
A flicker of amusement passed through Shen Fu’s eyes. It looked like the boy was toying with the magistrate.
But to what end?
Shen Fu frowned slightly.
Xue Tingxiang turned a pleasant, unhurried smile at Magistrate Hu. Then, he bowed respectfully and said, “Your Excellency handles all cases with utmost care and precision. How is it possible for Your Excellency to not have the injuries of the deceased examined?”
Before Magistrate Hu could speak, Xue Tingxiang added, “Therefore, the fault must lie in Your Excellency’s subordinates. In fact, this matter has little to do with Your Excellency. It was all due to the dereliction of duty on the part of your subordinates.”
The smile on Magistrate Hu vanished as unease filled his eyes. Before he could decide how to respond, Xue Tingxiang dropped another thunderbolt on them:
“And yet, because of this dereliction of duty, a murder case was pinned on our Qingyuan Academy. Students were left terrified and unable to study, our teachers were forced to run about in desperation, our headmaster, one of His Majesty’s dignified registered scholars, was forced to remove his robes and accompany innocent students into prison.”
Xue Tingxiang lifted his chin slightly, voice ringing through the hall.
“This humble student may be unworthy, yet this humble one has received enough education to understand the meaning of ‘A clear mirror hangs high’. Therefore, this humble student understands the weight of this hall and the profound respect the people have for the magistrate and for this yamen. This humble student dares to presume to appear in court today for justice! I seek justice for each and every member of Qingyuan Academy. This humble one beseeches Your Excellency to uncover the official who had neglected his duty, and restore justice to Qingyuan!”
His words struck the floor like stones. His voice forceful and impassioned, his words commanding respect from all who heard them. Yet, there were many who could not help but wonder if this little scholar had lost his mind.
Why was he appealing to Magistrate Hu for justice?
Only Shen Fu’s eyes glimmered with a hint of comprehension.
As for Gao Youzhi, his heart pounded violently as Magistrate Hu asked that dreaded question, “What do you mean by this?”
Xue Tingxiang’s reply was calm and measured. “There is no deep meaning in this humble student’s words. Only that the dead student involved in the literary duel with Qingyuan that day was not the Sun He who had died. Since that is the case, why had he died? And how did the death of a student, who never had any contact with our Qingyuan Academy student, forced upon us?”
Before anyone could fully react, Xue Tingxiang turned toward Gao Youzhi and let out a cold laugh.
“Headmaster Gao, your peach-replacing-plum scheme is quite ingenious. Brilliant, even. You left our Qingyuan students unable to speak, unable to cry injustice—forced to swallow blood along with our broken teeth. Even we did not know whether we had accidentally killed someone. And because our Headmaster is an upright man who refused to collude with students to change their statements, he bore the weight of this false charge alone.”
The hall burst into uproar. Not only were the commoners outside beside themselves with shock, but even the clerks and scribes standing beside the magistrate were exchanging bewildered glances.
Only Gao Youzhi’s complexion changed dramatically, as did Magistrate Hu’s. It was only through decades as a yamen official that the Magistrate was able to maintain his mask of calm, letting only a slight air of confusion leak out as he loudly demanded an explanation.
Xue Tingxiang did not waste time playing mind games. He straightforwardly explained how he had recognised Sun He (river)’s grandmother and realised that he knew the boy, Sun He (river).
Naturally, he could not say that he recalled this encounter in a dream, but went on to say that he had met both grandmother and grandson once. Of how he knew upon meeting, he had some suspicion that the one who had died was not Sun He (crane), but Sun He (river). Thus, he suspected something was amiss, but lacked evidence; and therefore had sought out the boy’s village to confirm the facts.
When he was done speaking, the entire hall erupted again.
Sun He (river)’s parents were stunned by this revelation. It took a while for them to recover enough to stammer out a relevant question. How had their son really died?
Facing their honest, bewildered expressions, a pang tightened Xue Tingxiang’s throat. After a long moment, he finally said, “This I do not know. You must ask Headmaster Gao.”
By now, Gao Youzhi’s face had gone through a riot of colours. It was truly a fascinating sight.
Xue Tingxiang’s words snapped him out of his fugue, and he shot to his feet. He sneered and said, “Just because you say that you’re wronged, does that make it true? Just who do you think you are? On what grounds can your lone claim prove anything in a court of law?!”
He was as stubborn as a beaten duck, still flapping his beak as he was pressed to the metaphorical ground. Xue Tingxiang only sneered, not bothering to answer him as he withdrew a folded sheet of paper from his sleeve.
On the paper was a lifelike portrait of Sun He (river). Anyone who had ever seen him would recognise that face; the artist had brilliantly captured that faint shadow of melancholy upon the poor youth’s brows.
He brought the portrait before Sun He’s parents. “Is this your son, Sun He?”
They nodded again and again, tears flowing anew. Sun He’s mother collapsed to the floor, sobbing, “He’er… my He’er…”
Xue Tingxiang then showed the portrait to the Qingyuan students involved. “Did you see this person that day?”
All of them shook their heads.
No—they had never seen him.
Only then did Xue Tingxiang turn to Magistrate Hu and the assembled crowd.
“The Sun He present that day was Sun He of the wealthy Sun family—not this Sun He from the village. If the County Lord does not believe me, you may summon that Sun He immediately. The County Lord surely knows which Sun family that is?”
The hall was stunned. The case had twisted and turned so many times that the spectators felt breathless with excitement.
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Later, when Magistrate Hu escorted Third Young Master Shen to the Hall of Reflection for a short rest, the crowd did not disperse. All of them were determined to stay and witness the conclusion of this astonishing case.
Soon, a yamen runner came back with a report. A youth named Sun He (crane) had been captured, but it was unclear whether this Sun He was the same Sun He that everyone had been speculating about.
Xue Tingxiang knew it was the correct person even without seeing the youth with his own eyes. There was no way Magistrate Hu would ever risk his official career to protect the son of a merchant, wealthy or not.
As someone who had climbed the slippery pole of bureaucracy (in his dreams), he understood the tactics employed by these officials. It made perfect sense to sacrifice the pawns to save the important pieces after all.
Sure enough, when the court resumed and Sun He was brought forward, the Qingyuan students immediately pointed him out as one of the students who was at the literary battle that day.
At this point, the truth was unavoidable. Someone had pulled strings in the shadows and caused the whole mess. As for who this ‘someone’ was, it was none other than Gao Youzhi.
As for how Sun He died and why Gao Youzhi devised such an elaborate scheme to mislead the people, mix up the two boys with nearly identical names and frame Qingyuan Academy for the boy’s death… Well, that was why Shen Fu decided to stay behind and find out. Naturally, the rest of the crowd also waited breathlessly for the revelation.
Schemer Gao Youzhi’s face was the colour of bad milk, but in the end, he revealed the motives behind his actions.
The reason turned out to be a long-standing grudge against Qingyuan’s Headmaster, Lin Miao. To ruin Lin Miao, he had deliberately bribed the county yamen and the coroner to falsify reports.
As for Sun He’s death, the cause had been a true accident. The poor youth had died due to the relapse of an old illness. At that moment, it looked like everything had been orchestrated by Gao Youzhi alone. Not only were the Qingyuan people furious, but even the commoners gathered outside were also spitting curses at him.
To the common folk, scholars and teachers especially, were gentlemen in possession of the highest moral integrity. How could a teacher with poor character educate the future generation? There were families who had to pinch and save just to send their sons to study at Qinghe Academy due to its reputation as the finest school in Huyang Town.
Suddenly, Shen Fu spoke up, “This explanation is unsatisfactory. If it was only for personal revenge, why have Sun He (river) bear the name Sun He (crane)? Was it truly just because the names sounded similar?”
The hall fell into silence at once.
Gao Youzhi’s pupils contracted in panic.
Xue Tingxiang sighed inwardly. He thought: Looks like the matter cannot be hidden after all.
Although he had done much to misdirect the crowd’s interest and obscure certain facts, the one who poked at the truth was Shen Fu. The man whose words carried the most weight had spoken, and voiced the most fatal question.
Well, that’s fine too. Some people deserve to be punished!
[Gumihou: Oooohhh, courtroom drama!!!]
[1] In the legal customs of the Dachang Dynasty (modelled after historical Tang–Qing codes), scholars who held an official educational title — such as shengyuan (生员) or xiucai (秀才) — were considered part of the imperial bureaucracy’s talent pool. Such scholars were not permitted to kneel or be publicly interrogated in court, as this would be viewed as an affront to the dignity of the state’s own educated class. Therefore, when a legal dispute involved a scholar, the law allowed a proxy (usually a student or close kin) to plead on their behalf.
By contrast, a literate youth over the age of fourteen was legally eligible to serve as such a proxy. Xue Tingxiang exploits this rule with precision:
- He “represents” his teacher,
- invokes the teacher’s privilege of not kneeling,
- yet places himself in the courtroom as the actual speaker.
It is a subtle but pointed manoeuvre: formally humble, technically lawful, yet quietly defiant. Even Magistrate Hu is forced to accept it, despite realising that the boy’s true motive is to avoid kneeling before him.
[1a] It turned out that this was done so that he did not have to kneel in court. Adjust the language to emphasise his wish to ‘stand’ in court
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