Volume One: The Warden and the Scholar Chapter Eight: Every Step Leaves a Mark (Part One)

"That does make sense!"

"Impossible, absolutely impossible!"

Two voices rang out almost simultaneously.

What surprised everyone was that these two starkly opposing reactions came from the very people who ought to be standing together.

It was Censor Zhou Huang who agreed, while Feng Yanping, the Ministry of Justice’s principal officer, was firmly opposed.

This left those in the hall slightly taken aback. Only Huang Ming and Liu Botao quickly grasped the reason behind it.

It wasn’t that either of them truly had any unique insight into this deduction; their reactions were entirely based on their respective positions.

If it were established that the felon had escaped long before reaching the capital, then the incident at noon today would lose its significance, and Censor Zhou’s responsibility would be greatly diminished.

Conversely, the blame would fall heavily upon those from the Ministry of Justice and other yamen officials responsible for escorting the felon to the capital.

To be unwittingly outmaneuvered and have such a high-profile criminal rescued under their watch was nothing short of incompetence and dereliction of duty.

Realizing this, Liu Botao’s expression stiffened—their Embroidered Guards would not escape blame either. "Huang Ming, do you have any solid evidence or proof for your deduction?"

"Aren’t the clues before us already enough to suggest as much?" Huang Ming countered.

Feng Yanping snorted, "Perhaps this is just an excuse you’ve concocted to confuse the truth and absolve yourself. Your own suspicion has yet to be cleared!"

"I’ve made it quite clear earlier," Huang Ming sighed, "I was merely a scapegoat used by them. Surely, gentlemen, you can see at least that much?"

He continued, "I won’t argue further, but let me ask: if I were truly the mastermind behind this prison break, would I have risked my own safety by going to the scene myself, sitting in the very carriage that crashed into the procession, just to be caught?"

"Or perhaps you banked on that very fact to wash away your suspicion…"

"Hah…" Huang Ming was almost amused by Feng Yanping’s obstinacy. "Isn’t that rather unnecessary? If I hadn’t been there, or merely showed my face nearby, who would suspect this matter had anything to do with me?

"Besides, I am but a sixteen-year-old boy. Would the White Lotus Society truly entrust me with such responsibility?"

Oh, you’re only sixteen.

Everyone was momentarily stunned as they finally processed this fact. Huang Ming’s conduct had made them forget the real age of this youth with downy cheeks.

This realization eased much of Feng Yanping’s suspicion, though his brow furrowed even deeper.

If that were truly the case, the investigation would only become all the more difficult.

Seeing this, Huang Ming quietly relaxed, feeling he had largely cleared himself of suspicion. It seemed this body wasn’t entirely without merit—at the very least, his sixteen years could serve as a shield.

At this point, Liu Botao spoke again, "Naturally, I believe in your innocence, Young Master Huang, but since you are involved and have shared so many insights, perhaps you have more ideas. Might you have any further suggestions?"

Huang Ming’s earlier analysis had been so incisive that the three men were now convinced he was a keen and astute thinker.

The case was shrouded in mystery, and as they found themselves at a loss for direction, they naturally wished to continue drawing on Huang Ming’s intellect.

This sentiment was shared by all, and soon, the three were looking at Huang Ming with eager anticipation.

Huang Ming, having not yet completely extricated himself from suspicion, did not stand idly by. He understood all too well the prevailing judicial custom: should the truth remain elusive, these men, seeking to close the case, would have no qualms about pinning the blame upon him.

For the sake of both justice and self-preservation, he had no choice but to unravel the entire conspiracy.

"Gentlemen, with the clues at hand, I can only deduce so much. However, if I could speak with those who escorted the prisoner to the capital, perhaps I might discover a breakthrough.

"I believe that whenever something is done, traces are always left behind. Especially when a switch was made to replace such a prisoner—there must be some overlooked, unusual detail in the process."

All three nodded in agreement, and Liu Botao quickly spoke, "Someone, go summon Captain Xu at once, and tell him there is an urgent matter to discuss."

After a subordinate hurried off to carry out the order, Liu Botao explained, "The leader from our Embroidered Guards in charge of escorting the prisoner this time is Captain Xu Xingzhi."

Huang Ming nodded in acknowledgment. Now, all that remained was to patiently await the arrival of this key figure.

...

Beijing, East City, Chaoyang Avenue, Sicheng Lane.

In an unremarkable little residence, the main hall was still illuminated late into the night.

A tall young man in his twenties, with a square face and short beard, was pacing restlessly in the modest room, sighing from time to time—clearly anxious and distracted.

After he had circled the room dozens of times, a delicate girl seated at the table spoke softly, "Brother, you’re making me dizzy with your pacing. Please, just sit down."

"How can I possibly sit still? With such a disaster, I’m sure to bear no small share of the blame. We’re talking about a traitor from the White Lotus Society…

"Yunzhi, you don’t understand—our Embroidered Guards are already in a precarious position. Now, with this incident, those people will surely push all the blame onto us. When the higher-ups seek a scapegoat, who else would they choose but a not-so-important, yet perfectly responsible, Captain like me?"

At this, his gaze fell hopefully upon his younger sister. "I’ve thought it over; right now, only you can help me, though…"

Yunzhi immediately understood what her brother was asking, and her brows knit together. "It’s not that I can’t plead on your behalf, but even if Uncle intervenes, will that truly solve anything?"

"I don’t know either…" The young man sighed, slumping despondently into a chair, looking utterly lost and helpless.

"In truth, the best outcome now would be to uncover the whole truth and apprehend the culprit. That way, your liability would be minimized."

"Easier said than done…"

As the siblings fell silent, a series of knocks sounded at the door.

The old steward went to inquire, and a rough voice was heard from outside, "Is Captain Xu at home? We have been sent by Captain Liu on urgent business and request his presence at once!"

Hearing this, the young man’s expression changed yet again—he was none other than Xu Xingzhi, whom Liu Botao sought.

But at such a moment, there was no use hiding. Casting a long look at his sister, he trudged heavily toward the door. "Xu Xingzhi is here; I will go with you to see Master Liu."

Watching her brother’s departing figure, Xu Yunzhi’s face grew even more anxious. For the Embroidered Guards to summon her brother in the dead of night could hardly bode well.

She bit her lip gently—in the end, it seemed there was only one option left to save her brother.