Guard Liu San polished his blade beside the martial training ground.
Calling it a blade was generous; it amounted to a rusted iron slab.
When Shen Xian approached, Liu San stood, folded his arms across his chest, wearing the arrogant air of an important witness.
“Third Young Master, speak quickly.
I have duty to attend.”
“No rush, just two questions.” Shen Xian smiled genially.
“You claim you saw me carrying a box back to my quarters a few days ago.
Which day?
What hour?”
“Just… three days ago, around dusk.”
“What color was the box?”
“Black.”
“How big?”
Liu San spread both hands wide, tracing a circle the size of a washbasin.
Shen Xian nodded and pulled the evidence box from his robe —‑‑ after the master’s order, the exhibit had been temporarily entrusted to him.
Sandalwood carved with golden cloud patterns, one‑and‑a‑half‑feet square.
“Brother Liu San, this box is reddish‑purple.
Is this what you saw?”
Liu San’s expression shifted.
“The lantern light… it was dim.
I misjudged the color.”
“And its size?”
“Maybe… it was not quite that big.”
“Do you know where I was at dusk three days ago?”
Liu San fell speechless.
“At that hour, our tutor held examinations.
Four people in that study can testify I spent an hour reciting texts.” Shen Xian closed the box, tone still easygoing.
“Brother Liu San, you never actually saw me carrying a box.
Someone fed you that story, did they not?”
Sweat broke out on Liu San’s forehead.
His folded arms dropped to his sides.
“One more question.” Shen Xian stepped forward.
“On the night the birthday ginseng went missing, you were on watch.
Per rules, you must patrol the West Courtyard at the third watch.
Did you make that patrol?”
“I‑I did.”
“Beside my doorway in West Courtyard grows a pomegranate tree.
There is a dog hole beneath it.
Which direction does its opening face?”
“West…?”
“South.” Shen Xian patted his shoulder.
“Brother Liu San, you never patrolled.
You were most likely sleeping in the gatehouse that night.
If the master learns no one patrolled the night the ginseng vanished —‑‑ do you dare face that?”
Liu San dropped heavily to his knees with a thud.
“Spare me, Third Young Master!
I was only trying to make a living…” Tears and snot ran down his face.
“I never thought to lie on my own!
It was Steward Zhong!
He sought me out two days ago.
He told me they had found stolen goods in your room.
All I needed to do was testify I saw you carrying that box home, and he would reward me two taels of silver.
I was foolish and greedy!”
Wangcai and Laifu exchanged glances, both staring at Shen Xian with undisguised admiration.
“Steward Zhong told you to give false testimony.
What about the midnight raid on my room?” Shen Xian pressed on.
“Who proposed searching my quarters that night?”
“Him too!” Liu San insisted.
“At noon the previous day, Steward Zhong spoke to the master on the veranda.
He said he noticed you spending money freely lately, buying pastries and ink, and that your funds must be ill‑gotten.
The master hesitated at first.
Then Steward Zhong suggested a surprise midnight search to uncover the truth —‑‑ and that was how it all happened.”
The so‑called suspicious spending?
That was the two taels given to me to “safekeep” the box.
I only used it to buy osmanthus cakes.
Shen Xian mentally mourned the original host’s abysmal common sense.
“Enough.
Stand.” He turned toward the exit, pausing at the doorway.
“Brother Liu San, this counts as meritorious service for your crimes.
When the master questions you, you know what to say.”
“Yes yes!
I will obey everything you say, Third Young Master!”
“Wrong.” Shen Xian glanced back and smiled.
“Obey the truth.
Speak truth, and you preserve your life.”
Outside the training ground, Laifu leaned close.
“Third Young Master, shall we arrest Steward Zhong now?”
“Not yet.” Shen Xian glanced up at the sun, already dipping westward.
“To catch a thief you need stolen goods in hand.
Even with proof of perjury, he could claim he simply misremembered events.
We need to draw out the person pulling his strings.”
Steward Zhong, a mere steward, bears no personal grudge against this illegitimate son.
Why destroy me utterly?
As corporate workers know: supervisors do not go out of their way to fire an irrelevant intern unless someone higher‑up gives the order.
“Back to West Courtyard.” Shen Xian said.
“I want to look at that bed again.
I have a feeling something unseen still hides in that room.”