The cries and wails from the Minister’s Residence pierced the morning mist, striking the ears of those wandering the streets and alleys.
Ordinary citizens, who had been curled up in their beds, felt a strange itch in their hearts from the shrill noise. One by one, they slipped into their shoes, wrapped themselves in coats, and moved toward the Minister’s Residence.
Before long, the area outside the residence’s vermilion gates was packed, a human sea three layers deep. Chattering voices created a scene livelier than a market.
“What’s going on?”
An old farmer carrying a yoke of vegetables set it down and stood on tiptoe to peek inside, curiosity written across his face.
A woman with a basket of freshly bought tofu beside him scoffed at his words, lowering her voice mysteriously. “Killing pigs? I don’t think so!
Listen to that sound—it’s Madam Wang! She’s crying her heart out. Something big must have happened!”
“What could possibly be such a big deal? The Lord Minister is a high-ranking official in the Ministry of Personnel. Who dares pull a feather from a tiger’s head?”
Someone doubted it, shaking their head.
Before the words were even finished, a man in a blue cloth short jacket sneered. “You don’t understand. Nowadays, the higher the official, the more enemies they have! Maybe some hero from the green forests didn’t like him and sneaked into the residence last night!”
Just then, the side door of the Minister’s Residence slammed open with a “clang.” Several servants tumbled out, their faces pale, hair disheveled, and mud still on the pants of the one in front, who shouted hoarsely:
“Report to the authorities! Quick! Go to the Prefect of the Capital and report it! Tell them the Minister’s Residence was robbed! Everything’s gone! Not a single grain of rice left!”
The crowd instantly erupted in shock.
“What? Everything gone? They must have run into some ancestor of thieves!”
“My heavens! The Minister’s Residence holds so much treasure—at least several carts’ worth. How could thieves carry it all off? Could they shrink it down to fit?”
“I doubt it! Maybe there’s a traitor inside the residence helping from within. Otherwise, how could it be emptied so thoroughly?”
The crowd buzzed with speculation. Some simply enjoyed the spectacle, some murmured in amazement, and a few petty merchants who had been cheated by Shen Chong’an in the past secretly laughed behind their hands.
“Serves him right! This is definitely karma!”
An old man selling candied hawthorn stood leaning on his pole, squinting and grinning. “Last year, I came to town to sell candied hawthorn, and the evil servants in his residence stole my basket and slapped me twice! Seeing this today—it’s truly gratifying!”
“Exactly! Minister Shen has always been arrogant and greedy, extracting every ounce of wealth from the common people. No wonder he offended some divine power and is finally being punished!”
A storyteller nearby fanned himself leisurely, adding to the commentary, which prompted the crowd to murmur in agreement.
Within half an hour, the Prefect of the Capital arrived with a group of constables, riding tall horses in grand procession. The sound of hooves clattering caused the citizens to step back and clear a path.
Prefect Zhao, a round-faced, chubby man in dark navy official robes, dismounted, his brow furrowed so tightly it could trap a fly.
As soon as he reached the gates of the Minister’s Residence, Shen Chong’an rushed out and grabbed his wrist.
At that moment, Shen Chong’an bore no trace of the dignity of a Minister of Personnel. His hair was shaved in patches, looking like a scabby head; his beard unevenly cut; his Jinzhou robe wrinkled and dust-stained; his eyes red and his lips swollen into a large blister. His voice trembled.
“Lord Zhao! You’ve finally arrived! Quick! Help me investigate! Who dares to steal from my Minister’s Residence? My treasures, my collection of ancient books and paintings—they’re all gone! Everything!”
Prefect Zhao’s wrist ached from the grip. He finally pulled free, frowned at him, and glanced at Madam Wang and Madam Liu, who were crying uncontrollably.
Madam Wang was scratched all over, hair messy, makeup streaked by tears, looking ghastly, murmuring, “My jade bracelet, my pure-gold necklace, even my five thousand taels in silver notes—they’re all gone! That was my secret savings of half a lifetime!”
Madam Liu covered her face, sobbing painfully, her exposed eyebrows and eyelashes entirely gone, making her look ridiculous. She choked out, “Lord Zhao, look at me! The thieves not only stole things, but ruined my appearance! My eyebrows, my hair—how can I show my face now?”
The worst off was Shen Chuchu, supported by two maids. Her face was as pale as paper, her head completely shaved, with a bluish-gray sheen. The large turtle painting on her face had not yet been washed off, making her red eyes stand out.
Upon seeing Prefect Zhao, her tears fell like broken strings of pearls, sobbing heart-wrenchingly. “Lord Zhao! You must help me! My hair is gone, my eyebrows gone, and my face is ruined like this! How can I still marry into the Crown Prince’s residence? How can I become the Crown Prince’s consort?”
The sight made the onlookers struggle to hold back laughter, many turning away, shoulders shaking.
“Oh my! Look at Eldest Miss Shen’s head! Like a boiled egg!”
“And that turtle painting! So accurate! Those thieves are really vicious!”
“Serves her right! She’s usually arrogant, bullying people because she’s a Minister’s daughter!”
“Exactly! And Madam Wang, just a few days ago, scolded us commoners in the street! Today’s comeuppance is satisfying!”
These comments floated right into Shen Chong’an’s ears. Anger shook him, and he roared at the crowd, pointing, “What are you looking at? All of you, get out! One more glance, and I’ll punish you for spying on my residence!”
But the citizens were not afraid; instead, they laughed even harder.
Prefect Zhao cleared his throat, signaling the constables to enter and inspect the residence while he pulled Shen Chong’an aside.
“Calm down, Lord Shen. I will do my utmost to investigate. But first, tell me—are there any clues? Footprints, weapons, suspicious people?”
Shen Chong’an froze, then smacked his thigh. “Clues? How should I know! Last night, the servants slept like dead pigs. This morning, we woke to this scene! The warehouses, granary, study, and boudoir—everything emptied! Even the kitchen firewood, oil, salt, and vinegar are gone! They even picked up the stones from the ground! These thieves treat my residence as their own granary!”
Prefect Zhao stared, dumbfounded. “Outrageous! Truly outrageous! These thieves must be highly skilled!”
Meanwhile, several constables emerged from the residence, shaking their heads at Zhao with grim expressions. “Sir, the residence has left no trace—no footprints, not even a fingerprint! The only marks are Eldest Miss Shen’s turtle painting and the shaved hair and eyebrows of some of the household!”
“What? No clues at all?”
Shen Chong’an staggered back, nearly falling. “Impossible! Absolutely impossible! How could they steal so much and leave no trace?”
Prefect Zhao frowned, thinking carefully. “It seems the thieves are experienced and extremely efficient. Lord Shen, have you offended anyone recently or made enemies?”
Shen Chong’an’s face turned pale, eyes darting nervously. Over his years in office, he had angered countless people through greed and corruption, but he dared not admit it. Stammering, he said, “Enemies? I’ve always been honest and devoted to the people. How could I have enemies?”
The crowd erupted in laughter again.
“Honest? Even ghosts won’t believe that!”
“Exactly! Just a few days ago, he withheld disaster relief grain, leaving many victims homeless!”
“And over in the west city, Zhang Yuanwai refused to bribe him, and he found an excuse to raid his home!”
These words pierced Shen Chong’an like knives, yet he could not refute them.
Prefect Zhao, understanding the situation clearly, sighed and patted Shen Chong’an on the shoulder.
“Lord Shen, this matter is serious. I will report it to the court and request a thorough investigation. For now, you should settle your household and comfort your family.”
He ordered the constables to patrol the residence for suspicious traces, mounted his horse, and prepared to leave.
The crowd, seeing no more spectacle, gradually dispersed, still discussing eagerly.
“The Minister’s Residence finally got its comeuppance! Truly satisfying!”
“I bet the thieves are righteous outlaws, robbing the rich to aid the poor!”
“Hope the authorities can’t catch them so the thieves remain free!”
Shen Chong’an stood at the gates, watching the empty residence and the weeping family, his vision darkened, blood surged in his chest, and he suddenly coughed up a mouthful of blood, collapsing to the ground.
“Lord! Lord!”
Madam Wang and Madam Liu screamed and rushed to him, their cries echoing through the skies.
Meanwhile, in a quiet room at the inn, Shen Qinghuan slept soundly. In his dream, he saw Shen Chong’an collapse, coughing blood, Eldest Miss Shen crying with her boiled-egg head, and Madam Wang and Madam Liu’s grotesque faces—he could not help but grin widely, laughing with delight.
Sunlight streamed through the window lattice, warming his face.