A Willing Mistake, My Lady – Chapter 22

The Flower-Picking Thief, Part Three

Chenyu helps gather testimony

Having heard Shen Hetang describe what happened to the Qian family’s daughter, Jiang Chenyu was shaken with lingering fear. That flower-picking thief¹ had actually been at the Flower Lantern Festival that day. But what weighed on her more was sorrow for Miss Qian. She had met the young woman once—a girl of dignified, striking beauty, with a crisp and capable bearing. It was truly heartbreaking.

            

“You still need to go question her?” Jiang Chenyu could not imagine how Miss Qian was supposed to recount her own humiliation.

“If there were any choice, the Yamen wouldn’t want to disturb her either. But tell me—why do you think this flower-picking thief has committed multiple crimes in the neighboring county over two months and is still at large?”

“Why?”

            

“It means he’s either meticulous and highly skilled in martial arts, or someone is sheltering him.” At this, a weight settled over Shen Hetang’s expression. When it came to investigating cases, she was practically clueless. Before, the most she had done was skim a few books on criminal investigation before reporting to the police station. She never imagined her first real case would be something this major.

“Would you like my help? First, I’m a woman like her. Second, we’ve met before. Surely it would be easier for her to speak with me than with a group of strange men.” She was not someone who craved the spotlight, but until this thief was caught, the young women of Qingyuan Town would have no peace. More than that, she feared Shen Hetang getting hurt or running himself ragged. She wanted to stay close to him—to help, if she could.

“That makes sense. Get ready and come with me.” Shen Hetang decided after a moment’s thought.

            

Jiang Chenyu changed into inconspicuous dark clothing, pinned a simple jade hairpin in her hair, and donned a face veil before following Shen Hetang out.

When Qian Jingwan’s parents heard Jiang Chenyu’s purpose, they agreed to let her in to speak with their daughter. Shen Hetang brought her brush and ink, asking her to write down everything Miss Qian said. She herself carried a stool to sit outside the young woman’s bedroom door, keeping watch.

Jiang Chenyu stepped softly into the room. It was dim inside, with heavy curtains drawn shut, and the air hung thick with burning incense.

            

“Older Sister Qian, it’s Jiang Chenyu. Do you remember me?” She didn’t approach too closely, stopping behind a folding screen.

“How come you’re the one who came?” came a frail voice from behind the screen.

“The Yamen’s Bailiff Shen is my husband. I heard the Yamen needed to come to your home to ask questions, and I thought perhaps you’d find it difficult to speak with the bailiffs. Since Older Sister Qian and I are acquainted, I thought you might prefer to share the details with me for the record. Only by catching the villain and executing him can you have your revenge, isn’t that right?” She kept her voice measured, careful not to agitate Miss Qian.

            

“You’re right. Even if I seek death, I must wait until that beast is executed by lingchi² before I die. I will be there to watch him suffer the ultimate punishment.” Her voice rose, sharp and ragged.

“Then, Older Sister Qian, can you recall what happened the night before last?” Jiang Chenyu spoke slowly, her tone gentle, deliberately steadying the young woman’s emotions.

“I had been with my two maids, looking for Miss Zhang from Zhang’s Tavern, when dozens of sky lanterns³ were released into the sky. I was distracted by them, and when I turned around, both girls had vanished. I panicked and followed the crowd for a long way. I didn’t dare call out loudly, so I just kept walking forward. Then a man wearing a fox mask⁴ appeared in front of me. He shouted something, spread his ten fingers wide, and flicked them—and I lost consciousness.” Miss Qian spoke slowly, her voice frail but laced with hatred.

            

“What did he shout? Was it loud?” This villain certainly didn’t play by the usual rules.

“It sounded like ‘Haha’ or maybe ‘Aha’—I couldn’t tell. The noise around us was overwhelming.”

“And after that?”

            

“When I woke again… I was in a room lit with red candles—dozens of them. The glare made my eyes ache. I was bound to a small bed, wearing nothing but a dudou⁵.” Qian Jingwan struggled to get the words out. Her fingers clutched the quilt, her expression filled with dread and fear.

Jiang Chenyu couldn’t bear to make her keep reliving it, so she spoke of other things to draw her attention away.

“It’s all right. It’s already happened. I’m not afraid of death—what more is there to fear!” Steadied by Jiang Chenyu’s comfort, Qian Jingwan gathered herself. So many girls had been violated by that villain. If they all sought death, wouldn’t he only grow bolder?

            

“Can you remember anything about his appearance? His height? His face? Anything unusual?”

“Tall and thin. I freed one hand and knocked off his mask while struggling, but underneath he had painted his face completely white—I couldn’t make out his features. When he saw I wouldn’t submit, he beat me and used… things from the room.” They spoke for a long while, and Qian Jingwan gradually steadied. Perhaps because she was speaking to another woman, the words came more easily toward the end, as though a great weight was shifting off her chest.

The assailant’s methods were unspeakably vile, especially toward an unmarried young woman. After two shichen⁶ of torment, he had even asked for the Qian residence’s address and personally delivered the barely conscious Qian Jingwan back home. Truly audacious beyond reckoning.

            

Finally, Qian Jingwan showed Jiang Chenyu the wound on her lower abdomen, where the character for “slave”⁷ had been branded.

“Mm… Was there anything else that stood out during the whole ordeal?” The essential questions had been asked. Aside from looking haggard and pale, Miss Qian showed no signs of wanting to end her life.

“There is one thing that seemed unusual, but I’m not certain it’s normal.” Qian Jingwan suddenly thought of something she could barely bring herself to say. She leaned close to Jiang Chenyu’s ear and whispered.

            

“Mm… I understand. That’s all for today. Rest well, Older Sister Qian. If the Yamen makes any progress, I’ll send someone to inform you at once. Let’s wait until the villain is caught before deciding what comes next, all right?” Jiang Chenyu met her eyes with sincere steadiness.

“Yes. I must wait until that beast is on the execution platform before I think of anything else.” Qian Jingwan had always been composed and clear-headed. To contemplate death after such a catastrophe was only natural, but in the end she couldn’t bear to let her parents bury their own child with white hair. So she endured. But until the assailant was caught, she would know neither peace nor rest.

“Don’t worry. Qingyuan Town and the two or three nearby towns have blocked all the roads out. Huaiyang County even sent a head bailiff as reinforcement. That villain will be caught sooner or later. Older Sister Qian, focus on recovering your strength first!” She had picked up these tidbits while chatting with Shen Hetang.

            

“Good. I’ll eat well, sleep well, and wait.” The prospect of catching the villain had become her reason to live. She would watch him executed, and then leave home to become a nun.

On the way home, Jiang Chenyu’s heart was heavy. The more she learned about Qian Jingwan, the more she recognized her as a dignified, graceful young woman. How could someone so fine have been so unlucky—targeted by the flower-picking thief?

She watched Shen Hetang beside her, discussing the case with the other bailiffs. Her fingers, hidden beneath her sleeve, quietly hooked around his palm and gripped tight. Only then did the unease and shock in her heart settle.

            

She had counseled another with such steady composure, but this was the first time she had learned of such horrors herself. Since leaving Qian Manor, a faint dread had followed her. The villain was lurking somewhere in Qingyuan Town—who could say when he would strike next?

She held his warm palm, her thumb carefully tracing the thin calluses in his hand. They walked side by side, the bailiffs clustered on Shen Hetang’s other side—no one noticed the small gesture hidden beneath Jiang Chenyu’s wide sleeves.

Sensing her silence and low spirits, Shen Hetang could tell she was shaken. He squeezed her hand back and resolved to escort her home first before returning to the Yamen with the others.

            

The five bailiffs who had accompanied Shen Hetang had long heard of the famous Miss Jiang. Now, seeing her in person—even with her face veiled—her extraordinary beauty was unmistakable. But today was hardly the time to be admiring a sister-in-law, especially not during an investigation like this. Each man behaved himself; no one dared tease Jiang Chenyu.

“I won’t invite you Officers inside today. Another day, let my husband treat you all to drinks at Zuixian Restaurant—how does that sound?” When they reached Jiang Manor and it was time to part, Jiang Chenyu addressed the bailiffs.

“That would be wonderful! Our sister-in-law is truly generous. We’ll be waiting for that drink from Brother Shen, hahahaha!” replied the plump, good-natured Bailiff Liu, beaming.

            

“Absolutely. At the first chance, I’ll make good on that drink for all of you.” It was already mealtime—letting men pass right by one’s door without offering so much as a cup of tea would have been poor form. But they were in a hurry to get back to the Yamen and deliver the testimony to the Advisor. No time to waste.

In the county Yamen’s main hall, the Advisor studied Qian Jingwan’s testimony, his brow deeply furrowed, creases lining his face. He had reviewed the testimonies from the nearby towns as well—largely similar. The only differences were that some victims had fought back fiercely while others had been too paralyzed with fear to resist, but the outcomes were much the same.

“Bailiff Shen, did you notice anything unusual?” He was getting old, his mind not as sharp as it once was. He couldn’t find the thread.

            

“Dozens of red candles lit—that means he wasn’t afraid of being seen. He bound her hands and feet but didn’t gag her—that means he wasn’t afraid of being heard. That tells us the location was either underground or out in the wilderness.” She was only making deductions based on common sense. Light that many candles, and anyone outside would assume the building was on fire.

“What else have you found? Tell me in detail!” Truly, a young mind was the sharpest tool.

“I didn’t see Miss Qian myself, and even if I had, I couldn’t have asked such detailed questions. All of this was gathered by my wife. I think we can pursue a two-pronged approach from here.” Her gaze fell on the case files transferred from the neighboring county.

            

“A two-pronged approach—explain.” The Advisor was a man who preferred an easy life, but he had one virtue: he listened to good advice. In that respect, he and the magistrate were remarkably alike.

“First, have Head Bailiff Li lead the men in a sweep of the town’s outer perimeter. If necessary, conduct a house-to-house search for any outsiders or recent tenants. Second, instead of just chasing the thief’s shadow, we go on the offensive—study his patterns and motives, identify the kind of young woman he targets, and use her as bait to draw him out.” Shen Hetang offered two straightforward proposals.

“Mm. Thorough thinking. Do it as you’ve suggested.” The Advisor nodded in agreement.

            

“But Advisor, this junior is a novice with no investigative experience. Is there anyone in the Yamen skilled at solving cases? I’d like to learn from them.” This was her first investigation—when it came to details, she’d feel more confident working alongside someone experienced.

“As it happens, there is such a person. Working with him will yield twice the result with half the effort!” The Advisor’s expression brightened.

“Oh? Who is this person?”

            

“Head Bailiff Feng from the neighboring county—Feng Xin. The moment he heard the flower-picking thief had come to Qingyuan, he came chasing after him without delay!”

“My, this Head Bailiff Feng must truly hate evil with a passion!”

“Not quite. He truly has a grudge.” The Advisor shook his head slowly, something unspoken in his eyes.

            

“A grudge?” Well, a bailiff holding a grudge against a criminal wasn’t that unusual.

“Indeed. The flower-picking thief abducted Feng Xin’s own younger sister. Now that is a grudge, wouldn’t you say?”

“Truly?” Shen Hetang’s heart jolted. Was the flower-picking thief deliberately provoking her, or was this coincidence? If it was intentional… could she keep from implicating her…!

            

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The author has something to say:

Don’t get the wrong idea—this is definitely not a detective story, hehehe!

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