Is the Ultimate Move Foolish?

Chapter Title: 064 Is the Ultimate Move a Fool?

Within the solemn and imposing hall, Magistrate Sun Chi spoke in a wounded yet unwavering tone.
“Yao’er, my most cherished eldest son, has suffered this tragedy. My grief is deeper than anyone’s. But justice demands impartiality. Here, upon this bench, he is but a citizen of Pingcheng who met an untimely end. As the city’s guardian, I vow to investigate thoroughly, neither wronging the innocent nor letting the guilty escape!”

His words radiated righteous authority, and Fang Rulai, who had prepared herself for a fierce debate, found her resolve deflated like a tire abruptly losing pressure.
The court secretary led the constables in a unified cry, “Your Excellency is mighty!”

Sun Chi struck the gavel. “Where is Zhang Sheng?”

“Present, Your Excellency.”

“Relate the events from the beginning.”

“Yes, Your Excellency. This morning, during patrol, Miss Lin suddenly rushed out…” Zhang Sheng recalled the recent events with presumed fairness, unaware that his subconscious bias had already colored his account.

“Miss Lin, unaccompanied, claimed she passed by and noticed something amiss. But it was just after dawn.” Just after dawn meant the streets were scarcely populated, and a noble lady happened to pass by alone?

“Upon entering the courtyard, Miss Lin led us directly to the scene.” Directly—no hesitation or confusion about the route.

“She pointed to the unopened door, declaring the murderer was inside.” The door hadn’t even been opened; yet this chance passerby knew a murderer lurked within.

“Then, Lady Zhu Xishi burst out, disheveled and terrified, unable to finish a sentence before fainting.” That was the proper reaction for a gentlewoman confronted with a murder.

“Master Rulai opened the door. When I realized the victim was the eldest young master, Miss Lin loudly accused Master and Lady Zhu of murder.” That was her nominal foster brother; she neither appeared shocked nor cried, instead spoke as if privy to the truth.

“No other traces were found at the scene.” Meaning, the murderer—who killed two people inside—was among these five, no others.

“My initial examination shows Wang Suzhi died from internal injuries, likely caused by two blows to her abdomen. The young master died from a wound to the chest and abdomen, stabbed from the back. Wang Suzhi’s hand held a dagger. Also, a jade ruyi was found within the coffin.”

With the account complete, Zhang Sheng stood tall and proud, certain the case was resolved. His theory: the debauched Sun Yao sought both wealth and beauty, but was fiercely resisted by Wang Suzhi—her swollen face and lips were evidence. Sun Yao, the only martial artist among them, killed Wang Suzhi in rage, but as he took the jade ruyi, Wang Suzhi stabbed him from behind with her dying strength. Thus, Lady Zhu’s claim of “mutual destruction” seemed correct.

Zhang Sheng discreetly signaled to Lady Zhu: “I told you I’d protect you, don’t worry.”

Lady Zhu returned a grateful smile. Well, letting this silly boy call her “big sister” wasn’t in vain.

Fang Rulai lowered her head, subtly curling her lips. The narrative was clearly biased; would Sun Chi accept it?

“Hmm, Zhang Sheng’s analysis is reasonable.”

To her surprise, Magistrate Sun Chi, after a moment’s thought, quickly expressed agreement.

Fang Rulai’s mind jolted. Sun Chi’s next words soon followed: “We have witnesses. What about evidence? The dagger and jade ruyi?”

A procedural question, but Fang Rulai could sense the tension in his words. Ah, almost forgot—the jade ruyi belonged to him. Losing it seemed to weigh heavier than losing a son…

Zhang Sheng presented the evidence.

Sun Chi received them openly, and struck the gavel. “Sun Yao, debauched and reckless, attempted to violate a woman and was killed in the act. The evidence is clear. This court declares: all others are innocent and released!”

Bang! The gavel struck again, and the constables cried out, “Your Excellency is mighty!”

So simple? Lady Zhu glanced at Fang Rulai. Even she felt the fabricated story was riddled with holes. It was one thing for the inexperienced Zhang Sheng to be fooled, but how could this seasoned official behave as brainless as Wang Suzhi?

Fang Rulai raised an eyebrow, her gaze deepening. Simple? Brainless? More likely, the real plot was yet to unfold.

Could a verdict be reached just by listening to subordinates? Without questioning the so-called witnesses, or formally summoning the coroner for autopsy, relying solely on a patrolman’s subjective account? If he wasn’t scheming, then he was certainly scheming.

Lady Zhu didn’t bother with such complexities. After a brief moment of doubt, she stopped thinking about it. Whatever the magistrate was planning, since they were cleared, why wait around?

Lady Zhu signaled urgently to Fang Rulai: let’s go.

But it couldn’t be done. As she turned, she collided headlong with Lin Wan’er.

Lin Wan’er seized Lady Zhu’s arm and opened her mouth to shout, “God—!”

Lady Zhu twisted her arm to block Lin Wan’er’s mouth. “Sister, the magistrate is busy. Let’s not disturb him.”

Lin Wan’er’s eyes blazed. She opened her mouth to bite—if you won’t let me speak, I’ll force it!

Lady Zhu swiftly withdrew her hand, and Lin Wan’er didn’t pursue, turning to continue her shout, “God—!”

Fang Rulai kicked Lin Wan’er’s calf; Lin Wan’er yelped in pain, swallowing the word “father” before she could utter it.

She raised her head, ready to scold, but before she could speak, Lady Zhu shoved a silk scarf into her mouth.

“Mm!” She tried to pull it out, but Lady Zhu was quicker, pinning her arms and, with a twist, appeared as if the two sisters were walking arm-in-arm toward the door.

Lady Zhu’s voice brimmed with sisterly affection. “Sister, you must be frightened today. Let’s go home and I’ll make some braised pork for you. Not to boast, but my braised pork is—”

Fang Rulai swallowed her unspoken saliva and followed, her not-so-tall figure just enough to shield the petite Lin Wan’er. She couldn’t yet guess what the magistrate was plotting, but since they could leave now, she wouldn’t let Lin Wan’er ruin the chance.

The three were nearly at the door when suddenly, a group burst forth.

Yes, a group! Dressed properly, but acting aggressively!

Lady Zhu was the first to be grabbed, lifted bodily before she could see who they were.

“You killed my son and still want to flee? Impossible! Tie her up and take her to the back yard! However my son died, she must die the same way!”

The speaker, emerging behind the group, was a woman whose bloodshot eyes radiated murderous hatred.

“Yes, madam!” The group, without hesitation, carried Lady Zhu toward the rear exit.

Fang Rulai now saw clearly—they were all maids and old servants. Given the address, the commanding woman was surely Sun Yao’s mother, Magistrate’s wife Lady Xu.

“Your Excellency!” Fang Rulai turned to appeal to Sun Chi. Surely he wouldn’t let his own wife undermine his verdict moments later.

But as she turned, Fang Rulai fell silent.

At the judge’s bench, Sun Chi was gone. Not only Sun Chi, but the whole assembly of secretaries, constables, and even Zhang Sheng—vanished without a trace.

Fang Rulai’s heart tightened. When had they disappeared so suddenly?

Lin Wan’er’s triumphant laugh rang out. “Monk brother, my godfather has unleashed his ultimate move!”

Fang Rulai looked for Lady Zhu, but only caught a glimpse of the last servant’s back as they carried her away. They vanished through the rear door, and Lady Zhu, who had just been shouting, was now utterly silent.

It was bad—she had been careless!

Fang Rulai rushed after them, knowing it was a trap, but powerless to resist.

As she stepped through the rear door, something dropped from above.

Without hesitation, she drew from her robe the butcher’s knife Lady Zhu had used to kill Sun Yao, raised it high, and struck down fiercely.

The blade was swift—a tearing sound—and the object split in two at her feet.

A net.

Fang Rulai stepped over it and pressed forward.

Snap! A trip rope shot out, level with her ankles.

The rope was thin and fast, its motion threatening.

From a shadowy corner, a low laugh sounded, as if proud that such a simple trick could catch someone.

Fang Rulai had no time for him. As the rope neared her feet, she leapt, avoiding it.

The laughter abruptly ceased, as if surprised that Fang Rulai, lacking martial skills, could move so nimbly.

“Curious how a poor monk dodged your trap?” Fang Rulai, still running, called out, “Show yourself and I’ll tell you!”

“Very well, you have my word. I’ll show myself, and you’ll explain.” The man actually stepped out. Backlit, his face was obscured, but his fine clothes were striking. Fang Rulai, mid-run, paused briefly in disbelief. He looked like a master, but his words were idiotic. Was he mentally ill? How could anyone believe such obvious stalling?

Yet, in the next instant, Fang Rulai unhesitatingly hurled the butcher’s knife like a javelin toward the figure.

Even if he was a fool, nothing would stop her from rescuing Lady Zhu!

End of chapter.