Chapter Fifty-Seven: The Tragedy at the Tian Residence

Update time: 2013-06-25

Early the next morning, just as everyone in the Yue household was busy packing their belongings, news arrived from the Qin residence, abruptly disrupting their preparations.

The second branch of the Tian family in Heluo Prefecture had been massacred the previous night. Thirty-five lives, none spared. The thick stench of blood had drawn countless black crows, which descended upon the courtyard. At the break of dawn, the raucous cawing startled those in the main house across the alley awake. Black crows were always considered ill omens, often gathering where death hung heavy in the air.

Thus, the drowsy servants, annoyed by the noise, got up to knock on the second branch’s door. Before they could even knock hard, the door creaked open on its own, revealing a scene awash in blood. Several corpses lay sprawled across the courtyard, black crows pecking relentlessly at them. The servant was so terrified that his legs gave way beneath him. His hands landed on a severed arm, and with a burst of desperate energy he didn’t know he possessed, he scrambled up and fled back to the main house, stumbling to the steward and breathlessly recounting what he’d seen before fainting dead away.

The steward of the main house was equally shaken when he heard the news. He sat stunned for a long while, gulping down several cups of cold water to calm himself before hurrying to Master Tian Chong’s room to report everything as it had happened.

Although the two branches of the Tian family had long been at odds, and Tian Chong had always despised his younger brother Tian Huan’s ways, blood was still thicker than water. The Tian family’s wealth was only recently established in this generation, and Tian Huan was the only brother he had, fifteen years his junior. Amid his sorrow, Tian Chong did not forget to send someone to inform the authorities. He himself, without even stopping for breakfast, gathered men and waited by the second branch’s door, intending to enter only when the officials arrived.

It was fortunate he had not eaten. Even so, following behind Magistrate Qin Shilei into the courtyard, the sight inside nearly made him retch. The sudden intrusion of people startled the mass of black crows, which flew up and settled restlessly in the trees and on the rooftops, waiting to descend again once the humans departed.

Qin Shilei, frowning at the persistent crows, ordered several men to stay behind and drive the birds away, preserving the crime scene. He then led the way, with Tian Chong at his side, toward Tian Huan’s living quarters, discovering more bodies along the way, all bearing signs of violent struggle.

When the steward pushed open Tian Huan’s bedroom door, the reek of blood drove everyone back several steps. Only after the air had cleared a little did they venture inside. The stench didn’t quite make these sturdy men vomit, but the scene within left them dry-heaving for some time. Even the usually stern-faced Qin Shilei was livid with anger; the depravity on display was beyond belief.

Qin Shilei had long heard rumors of Tian Huan’s debauchery, but the family always managed to cover up his misdeeds, leaving him with nothing to act on. Today, seeing it with his own eyes, he realized it was far worse than he’d imagined. Without even stepping over the threshold, he turned to Tian Chong, who was sweating profusely, and barked, “Well done, Tian family, truly remarkable! Investigate! I want a thorough investigation! Not just of the murderer, but of this family as well!”

He then stepped aside to allow the coroner and constables to enter.

At this point, Tian Chong cared nothing for his wretched brother’s fate. The Tian family had made their fortune in the grain and oil business, and what merchant didn’t have secrets they’d rather keep hidden? If this investigation went deep, the Tian family would be finished.

Tian Chong, anxious and fearful, hovered by Qin Shilei’s side, watching as body after body was carried out of the house. He cursed his now utterly dead younger brother in his heart, even wishing the murderer had simply set fire to the whole place and burned it to ashes.

It took nearly half an hour to remove all the bodies—a total of thirty-six. Of these, thirty-four were confirmed as servants of the second branch; one was Tian Huan himself. All thirty-five had been murdered. Only one was a girl of thirteen or fourteen, whom the coroner confirmed had died from abuse and violation.

Qin Shilei was fuming as he inspected the scene, then left the matter to his deputy and returned to draft his report. A case involving thirty-six deaths was not something a single magistrate could decide alone. He hadn’t expected such a bloody “gift” before the Emperor Emeritus’s birthday celebrations.

Though the killer had likely left Heluo Prefecture long ago, Qin Shilei ordered the city sealed all the same. No one was to leave, only enter. This meant they would not be able to leave the city today. Knowing of their travel plans, Qin Shilei had the messenger convey that, at best, the city would reopen in a day, at worst, two or three.

Lian Yue, upon hearing of the “atrocity,” first cursed the murderer for such ruthless brutality—over thirty lives lost was unspeakable. But when she heard Qu tell, in bits and pieces, of Tian Huan’s usual debaucheries, her tone changed. She declared the man deserved to die, and that his death was not enough.

Lian Yue had just met Lan Shui that morning, intending to ask her about the previous night, but seeing Lan Shui’s poor state, she didn’t press. Yue Lingjun, too, was preoccupied, refusing to say a word no matter how she prodded.

Lian Yue became ever more certain that something must have happened between Yue Lingjun and Lan Shui after they went out together last night. There was a strange tension between them.

Sidling up to Yao Yao, who was doggedly gnawing on an apple, Lian Yue whispered, “Yao Yao, do you think something’s off with Big Brother and Sister Lan?”

“Uh…” Yao Yao took a big crunch, chewing as she replied unclearly, “Nothing’s off, is there? Still the same. Big Brother Lingjun is so pitiful!”

Lian Yue, hearing this, realized she might be overthinking it. From what she’d seen of her brother yesterday, even if he’d learned of Lan Shui’s past, he had only been angry—his feelings for her remained unchanged. Since that was the case, it would be best to let things develop slowly, giving a little push at the right moment.

With nothing to do, she suggested going out to explore. It was her first time away from home and, having traveled all the way on horseback, she was bored. The city had seemed lively enough yesterday.

“Yao Yao, let’s go out for a stroll!”

“Alright, alright…” Yao Yao plopped her half-eaten apple on the table, clapping her hands eagerly.

The two linked hands and set out, giggling and chattering.

“Candied hawthorn! Sweet and sour candied hawthorn, only five coins a skewer…”

“Steamed buns… Hot, fresh steamed buns…”

“Please come in, honored guests…”

The street was lined with closely packed buildings—teahouses, taverns, butcher shops, grain stores, silk merchants, jewelry pavilions—every trade imaginable. There were also peddlers with their wares, weaving through the crowds. Men and women, young and old, gentry and commoners, scholars, farmers, artisans, merchants, even the riffraff; the street was a bustling tide of humanity. Lian Yue began to doubt whether the morning’s bloodbath had really happened.

Both Lian Yue and Yao Yao loved a lively scene. If the streets had been deserted, they would have left disappointed. But now, all three girls were swept up in the city’s energy, darting from shop to shop with not a care for appearances, so much so that even the market women and matrons were left shaking their heads in amazement.

“Phew…” Lian Yue helped Zizhu arrange their spoils on the table, then let out a long sigh as she settled onto a bench. She waved at the little waiter, “Bring us a serving of every local specialty, and be quick about it!” With that, she tossed a piece of silver worth about one tael onto the table.

The waiter’s grin widened to his ears as he pocketed the silver into his belt. “Rest assured, miss, you’ll be more than satisfied!”

“Waiter~~”

“Coming~~” He turned and hurried off to serve other customers.

Money really does make the world go round. The dishes arrived swiftly—Heluo-style bird’s nest, steamed bream, golden roast chicken, and a bamboo steamer filled with dumplings. But weren’t steamers for buns? How interesting.

The waiter explained that this was a local specialty called “scalded dough dumplings,” to be eaten with the accompanying sauce for best flavor. Lian Yue and Yao Yao tried it and found it delicious, ordering two more baskets. Only then did the three eat their fill.

Satiated, the three could do nothing but sit by the window, gazing out at the scenery in a daze. Fortunately, the waiter was quick-witted, clearing the table and bringing a fresh pot of Maojian tea.

There was no denying that restaurants were hubs of gossip and news. At a table barely a few yards from Lian Yue, a burly man was munching peanuts as he spoke: “Did you hear about the Tian family massacre last night?”

His companion, a man with sword-like brows, drained his cup and replied, “Who hasn’t heard? If you ask me, there’s no need to find the killer. Tian Huan got what he deserved—his death is a blessing for the people. And those servants of his were no better. I hear the magistrate has ordered an investigation into the Tian family’s business dealings.”

At the next table, a sharp-faced, monkey-cheeked man slid over to join them, continuing the conversation, “But do you know why?”

Both men shook their heads. “You do?”

“Of course. My brother’s the constable in charge of the case,” the sharp-faced man boasted.

The sword-browed man quickly poured him a cup of wine. “Tell us, then!”

Several patrons at nearby tables had set down their chopsticks and were listening in with interest. Lian Yue and her friends were no exception.

“Actually, Magistrate Qin was furious at what he saw,” the sharp-faced man said, draining his cup and sliding it forward again.

Seeing the sword-browed man refill it, he continued smugly, “You don’t know what the magistrate saw when he opened the door. There were a dozen or so disheveled corpses in the room. Tian Huan really was a monster. He’d had a thirteen or fourteen-year-old girl delivered from Cuiwei House that very day, and by nightfall, he and his lackeys were already… well, you know Tian Huan swung both ways, and so did his followers, heh…”

A vulgar grin spread across the man’s face as he downed his cup and poured another. “When the killer arrived, they must have been right in the middle of their debauchery!”

“Ugh—”

“Ugh—”

Clearly, many were sickened by the tale. Yao Yao turned pale at the mention of Cuiwei House and, terrified, dragged Lian Yue away, leaving Zizhu to carry all their purchases by herself.