On Magistrate Wang’s birthday, every notable person in Qinghe County turned up.
Shen Xian arrived early.
Lai Fu carried the lacquered gift box, which held the recovered Scarlet Spirit Ginseng together with a hand‑written apology note from Shen Heling.
At the magistrate’s manor gate, the doorman called out loud: “Young Master Shen of the Shen Estate — arrives!”
His announcement drew stares from half the front courtyard.
News of the stolen birthday ginseng had not leaked outside the manor, yet the Shen family had shut their doors to visitors these past few days, and rumours were already swirling among the townsfolk.
Everyone present was sharp‑witted; they suspected this bastard son had come bearing more than just a birthday present — he had come to give an explanation.
Watching all the curious gazes, Shen Xian kept a straight face and walked into the main hall.
Seated in the hall was Magistrate Wang Fulai, a portly man in his fifties.
His official hat sat askew on his head, and he wore a permanent grin that crinkled his eyes into thin slits.
The locals nicknamed him “Muddle‑Headed Lord Wang”, the prefect overseeing Qinghe County.
“Our household failed to discipline our kin, and your birthday tribute was nearly lost, Your Honour.” Shen Xian bowed and held out the gift box.
“Fortunately, it has been returned intact.
I also bring a small token by way of apology.
Please mete out your punishment.”
Wang Fulai smiled and took the box.
He opened it to see the whole ginseng resting on brocade padding, its original binding still intact.
Twirling his beard, he studied it for a long moment before lowering his voice.
“Boy, I heard you are the one who tracked this ginseng down?”
“A fortunate coincidence, Your Honour.”
“Dozens of people from the Shen household searched for three days with no luck, yet you succeed purely by coincidence?”
This old man acts muddle‑headed, but he is far from blind, Shen Xian thought to himself.
He put on an innocent grin.
“Mainly because the thief was terribly unprofessional.”
“Oh?
In what way?”
“What kind of thief hides stolen goods under his own pillow?” Shen Xian cupped his hands.
“He practically invited people to search his place.
Any case that looks far too easy always has something fishy beneath the surface.”
Magistrate Wang’s hand froze mid‑tug on his beard, then he laughed heartily.
“Interesting.
Off you go, join the feast out back.”
Shen Xian bowed and withdrew.
As he turned to leave, he caught Magistrate Wang flicking a glance toward his private secretary, who gave a subtle nod.
He’s made a note of me.
Grabbing some tea and pastries, Shen Xian melted into the crowd and settled comfortably in a corner to eat his fill.
Naturally, he was not the centre of the celebration.
A blue‑robed Taoist priest sat on a high dais preaching “vital‑nourishing secret arts”, spitting as he rambled, while the local gentry listened, nodding in rapture.
Shen Xian wandered over to listen for a moment.
“…Face east at dawn each day, swallow one Vital‑Nourishing Pill refined by this humble priest.
Draw three hundred‑sixty‑five breaths, and you shall cast off all illness and lengthen your years of life…”
This is just chocolate candies plus going to bed early, Shen Xian mentally commented and stepped away.
A fortune‑telling tube sat on the priest’s table, with a long queue of townsfolk hoping to buy his pills.
An elderly woman carrying a vegetable basket pulled out copper coins she had saved her whole life.
Trembling, she exchanged them for one pitch‑black pill, clutching it as though it were her very life.
Shen Xian halted.
He stared at the so‑called immortal pill for three heartbeats, then glanced at the old woman’s cracked, weather‑beaten hands.
I could expose the fraud, yet no‑one would believe me right now.
But if I hold my tongue today, I will only have to untangle this mess later, and it will be far more trouble.
He was about to step forward when Lai Fu squeezed through the crowd and tugged at his sleeve.
“Young Master, the master is urging us.
We are to finish the banquet and head home.”
Shen Xian cast one final look at the old woman and swallowed his words.
Wait a while.
Let the dust settle first.