Chapter 265: Handling

Strange.

Why am I uneasy? What sort of ill omen?

Xu Wencai irritably shoved aside the snowy-white arm of the beautiful courtesan beside him and sat up from the warm, fragrant, soft bedding.

The room was warm, with several high-quality Silver Thread Charcoal Fire Pots lit; the half-open window occasionally let in a chill, a time that should have been perfect for sleeping soundly until dawn, yet he inexplicably felt a surge of anxiety.

He stroked his carefully trimmed beard, brows furrowed, trying to find the source of this unease.

Could it be that Wang Yuan's side caused trouble? No, a mere village girl and farmer—what waves could they raise? Is it the prefectural examination? Or…

He glanced around the luxurious bedchamber, his gaze sweeping over the exquisite furnishings, yet it brought him no peace at all.

He simply threw on his robes, got out of bed, and paced back and forth on the soft carpet, his footsteps sounding especially clear in the silent night.

No matter how he pondered back and forth, he truly could not think of anything at present that could threaten him.

"Perhaps I've been overtaxing my spirit lately..." he muttered, ultimately blaming this inexplicable palpitation on that.

He lay back down, closed his eyes for a long while, and only then drifted into a dazed sleep amidst weariness and confusion.

Only when the next day's light grew bright did he, under the careful service of the maid, don his official robes, adjust his hat, and, as usual, board the waiting sedan outside the gate, heading for the county office.

Yet, as the sedan made its way, the streets were unusually quiet.

The usual morning bustle and vendors' cries were gone; only the sedan bearers' heavy steps and the sedan's slight sway could be heard.

This deathly silence revived last night's ominous premonition, which coiled around his heart like icy vines, tightening ever more.

He involuntarily furrowed his brows, secretly annoyed:

What on earth is going on? I'd like to see who's playing tricks!

The sedan came to a steady stop in front of the county office gate.

He composed himself, took a deep breath, lifted the curtain, flicked his official robe's sleeve, strove to maintain his usual dignity, and marched boldly into the office.

But the moment his foot stepped into the main hall, his stride froze!

What met his eyes were neither the usual orderly ranks of clerks nor his familiar courtroom.

Only saw that on the dais above, his own chair symbolizing authority—the county magistrate's seat—was occupied by a composed young man.

And beside him stood a middle-aged official in a crimson official robe, his visage solemn and awe-inspiring even without anger; his icy gaze, like a tangible thing, instantly locked onto Xu Wencai.

Xu Wencai, you have gall!

Xu Wencai felt his legs go limp, as if all his strength had been drained in an instant; with a thud he collapsed onto the cold stone floor.

Beads of cold sweat instantly appeared on his forehead, his lips trembled uncontrollably, and his voice, betraying undisguised fear, blurted out:

Wei… Wei Sir! Why… why have you come?!

The Wei Sir he referred to was none other than Qingzhou Inspector Wei Ang.

Wei Ang stepped forward, looking down from above at the prostrate Xu Wencai, his tone as frigid as the depths of winter:

This, I must ask you, County Magistrate Xu, what 'good deeds' have you been up to lately!

Upon hearing this, Xu Wencai's heart sank to the depths; he knew that Wang Yuan's side must have suffered a major lapse, possibly even implicating him!

Yet he clung to a sliver of hope, forced himself to calm, lifted his head, and showed a bewildered, aggrieved expression:

Huh? What do you mean, Wei Sir? I… I have been diligent in my duties lately, daring not to slack in the slightest; I don't know what I've done to provoke your anger, Wei Sir.

He glanced at the young man seated calmly and probed:

Who might this sir be…

He adopted a resigned posture and kowtowed, saying:

Even if… even if you are to punish my crime, you ought to let me die with understanding!

Seeing him still feigning ignorance at this point, trying to bluff his way through, Wei Ang's face grew colder, his eyes full of contempt and frustration at his incompetence. He let out a cold snort, his voice like striking iron on stone:

Hmph! At this point, you dare to feign ignorance before me? Do you take me for a fool?

He wasted no more words, waved his hand, and shouted sternly:

Men! Apply torture! Let's see whose is tougher—his mouth or your instruments!

At his command, the several officials already waiting nearby—evidently versed in interrogation—swiftly stepped forward. They nimbly produced various instruments from their waists or the wooden boxes they carried: a clamp for pulling nails, causing excruciating pain; a spiked club studded with sharp iron nails, which, though not lethal, would rend flesh and split skin with a single blow; and a gleaming iron hook, plus an iron ruler for striking the knees…

These implements gleamed with a cold sheen, seemingly still bearing the faint scent of blood from past offenders; merely looking at them made one's scalp tingle and heart turn cold!

When had Xu Wencai ever seen such a lineup used directly on himself?

Usually he sat above, watching others suffer!

Now, seeing these fearsome implements set before him, he instantly turned ashen, cold sweat pouring down, his body shaking even more violently.

He gritted his teeth, still hoping to tough it out awhile, perhaps finding a turning point…

Yet his 'backbone' was far more fragile than he imagined.

When that clamp pulled out his first fingernail, it utterly shattered his psychological defenses!

Ah——! Stop! No more torture! Xu Wencai wailed like a slaughtered pig, tears and snot streaming, no longer caring for dignity, he shouted hoarsely:

I confess! I confess! Wei Sir, spare my life! I've confessed everything——!

But the punishment did not end; at Wei Ang's signal, they continued until all ten of his fingernails were pulled out, then they stopped.

Wei Ang stepped forward, looking down at Xu Wencai, who lay there like a dead dog, and said:

In this matter, besides you, who else is involved?

Xu Wencai lowered his head, his voice muffled from below: 'No, none.'

Wei Sir, please see clearly! It's only that I, for a moment, let profit cloud my mind, became bewildered, and committed this foolish act! I beg you, sir, to consider…

…to consider my past lack of merit but also my hardship, and spare my life! I will never dare again!

He babbled his pleas, clutching at the last straw.

Wei Ang's face showed not the slightest flicker; he even couldn't be bothered to glance at him again, merely waving his hand indifferently, as if brushing away a speck of dust:

Take him away, throw him into the death cell, and schedule his execution.

At the order, bailiffs fierce as wolves and tigers immediately stepped forward, dragging the utterly limp Xu Wencai, who had no strength left even to beg, away, leaving only a sorry trail of water on the ground.

After dealing with Xu Wencai, the icy expression on Wei Ang's face instantly melted into respect.

He straightened his robe, then quickly walked over to the young man who had been sitting calmly in the county magistrate's chair, bowed, and spoke with a request:

"Sir, do you… find this handling satisfactory?"

Yu Lin slowly rose to his feet, his calm gaze sweeping over Wei Ang, then seemingly unintentionally gliding over the hall that symbolized local authority, finally coming to rest on Wei Ang:

"This matter ends here."

"As for the rest, write up a memorial and send it to Huangdu."

His words fell, and his figure vanished.

Only Wei Ang remained, wiping the cold sweat from his forehead, secretly thinking that even if he were careful everywhere, he didn't know which day he would be dragged down by those below..........

Fortunately.

He shook his head, turned, and walked outward.