Chapter 5: Entering the Game

He Tan walked to the brazier to warm his hands, the image of that thin, small child from the Yang family appearing in his mind.

“He’s just a child of seven or eight years old; his elder brother died in battle at Jinming Fortress.”

The man at the desk stood up and walked over. He was not wearing official robes, but a simple green *lanshan* (scholar’s robe) with a fox-fur cloak draped over it, his figure tall and slender. Sunlight streamed through the window, falling just right upon him, illuminating his smooth, fair skin. His nose was high and straight, and his eyes were exceptionally clear and penetrating.

“Which family?” the man asked.

He Tan replied, “The Yang family of Yong’an Ward.” He had just sent someone to retrieve the documents, intending to look into the person.

The man, however, did not hesitate, blurting out, “Yang Yi, a native of Yong’an Ward in Daming Prefecture, served as a *yazheng* (sergeant) in the Jingwei Army. He was ordered to hold Jinming Fortress; his commanding officer reported his military merits. Had he not died in that battle, he would be a deputy squad leader by now.”

Thinking of the defeat at Jinming Fortress, He Tan couldn't help but frown, sighing after a long moment. “How did you know that?”

The man said, “On the way here, I read the documents your brother brought.”

He Tan couldn't help but reveal a warm smile. Even he couldn't remember the documents sent to him with such detail; when it came to vast knowledge and a retentive memory, no one could compare to Wang Hechun.

He Tan and Wang Hechun were maternal cousins. When Wang Hechun’s father was transferred to the southwest in his youth, his mother, being of frail health and unable to endure the climate, remained in Yuhang to recuperate. For those years, He Tan’s mother took care of both children. The character *He* in his courtesy name, *Hechun*, was a homophone for *He* (as in He Tan), signifying their closeness to the He family.

He Tan and Hechun—it sounded like the names of two brothers. Furthermore, few people knew this courtesy name; He Tan calling him this in public was also a way to conceal his identity.

He Tan told Wang Hechun about the situation he had seen at the Yang family’s home. “I also thought it was a bit of a coincidence that this fire happened to lead the military patrol to discover the crime.”

He had just arrived in Daming Prefecture and formed this military patrol unit; he didn't know how many people wanted to probe his background or guess the purpose of his appointment.

“But thinking about it carefully, those orphans and widows might have been at their wit's end, just wanting to cause a stir. If someone had truly done this deliberately, it would have been too well-thought-out. From what I saw just now, there doesn't seem to be anyone of that caliber there.”

As the two were talking, a clerk came in to report that the people from the Yang and Xie families had all been brought to the office, and Commander Chen had invited a physician and a midwife to first examine the woman’s injuries.

The clerk said, “I fear the woman’s identity will be difficult to verify.”

He Tan sat up straight, his expression solemn, waiting for the rest.

The clerk bowed. “The woman cannot remember anything.”

He Tan frowned.

The clerk also felt this matter was quite thorny and subconsciously looked at Wang Hechun. This Mr. Wang had come to Daming Prefecture with Inspector He and was presumably his aide. He had only been here a day or two, yet he had already dealt with all the backlogged documents in the office; perhaps he might have a good solution.

To the clerk’s surprise, Wang Hechun acted as if he hadn't heard, busy tossing chestnuts into the charcoal brazier, looking quite relaxed.

“Do not let word of this leak out,” He Tan said. “First take the woman to see the Xie family, then take the Xie family to the jail for interrogation. The woman may not remember, but the Xie family who bought her should know a thing or two.”

The clerk acknowledged the order and hurried off to make arrangements.

The aroma of chestnuts soon rose from the charcoal fire, smelling quite sweet.

“The Yang and Xie families are both merchants in Daming Prefecture,” Wang Hechun said, pausing. “It’s a pity; that child is too young, otherwise he might have been able to help at the Yang family.”

When He Tan came to Daming Prefecture, besides the soldiers at his side, he also needed to plant people in the shadows. The imperial court would soon be issuing many new laws, which would surely draw opposition from the old party; whether they could be implemented smoothly was very important.

However, a child of only seven or eight, no matter how intelligent, was of no use.

While the two discussed official business, the clerk had already led the physician and midwife to the inner courtyard.

The clerk instructed Zhang Shi, “When the midwife is examining her, you must not speak too much.”

Zhang Shi nodded.

The physician first checked Xie Yuyan’s injuries, then let the midwife step forward.

“Oh my, what a cruel person to lay such a hand on her,” the midwife said. “You are lucky to be alive; with injuries this severe, it’s a miracle you can still draw breath.”

Earlier, the bailiffs had fetched water for Xie Yuyan to wash up, making it easier for the physician to identify the injuries. Washing away the thick makeup and dust from her face revealed a bright and beautiful countenance.

Set against such a face, the bruises on her neck appeared even more hideous.

It wasn't just the midwife who was amazed; when Xie Yuyan suddenly saw the appearance of this body, she was truly startled.

This face actually resembled her own to some extent. If one were to say it was all a coincidence, it felt as if it were destined in the dark, or perhaps this body really did have some connection to her in her previous life?

“Come with me to the inner room,” the midwife said softly. “I’ll help you check if there are any other injuries on your body.”

Xie Yuyan did not dislike having the midwife examine her. She didn't understand this body either, and it was a good opportunity to discover some truths through the midwife.

She didn't care about the results; she only needed to grasp the situation as clearly as possible to avoid complications later.

Given Xie Yuyan’s temperament, she would not be manipulated, but that didn't stop her from wanting to understand “herself.”

“The young lady is still a maiden.”

“There are marks of binding on her wrists and ankles, and bruises from bumps on her body. I fear she has suffered no small amount of hardship.”

“After a great disaster, there will be blessings,” the midwife comforted Xie Yuyan. “You will surely be wealthy and safe in the future.”

As the physician and midwife were about to leave to report back, Xie Yuyan stepped forward urgently. “I wonder if I will ever be able to remember the past?”

The physician stroked his beard and shook his head. “It’s hard to say. I once encountered a patient who fell from a mountain and hit his head; it took three days for him to wake up, and he became foolish and dull afterward... Your situation can be considered a stroke of luck amidst misfortune.”

Xie Yuyan showed a disappointed expression, her eyes filled with a hint of confusion.

Zhang Shi was about to step forward to comfort her, but as soon as the physician and midwife left, Xie Yuyan’s gaze immediately became clear, and the dejection vanished instantly.

Zhang Shi watched this, stunned and speechless for a moment.

Xie Yuyan looked at Zhang Shi. “There is a matter I wonder if you could agree to?”

Zhang Shi nodded subconsciously.

Xie Yuyan said, “If the office cannot immediately find out my background, I would like to stay with the Yang family.”

Zhang Shi didn't understand. “What do you mean?”

Xie Yuyan said, “Stay at the Yang family, as your daughter-in-law, the wife of the Sixth Brother.”

Zhang Shi was astonished. In her view, this young lady’s background must be extraordinary, and she was so intelligent; wouldn't it be a grievance for her to stay with a family like hers?

“Why?” Zhang Shi asked. “My son was only a *yazheng* and died on the frontier. It was one thing that you were harmed by others, but knowing the truth, you still want this marriage... It might be difficult to marry into a good family in the future.”

Xie Yuyan couldn't help but smile. In her previous life, she had married an emperor, been an empress dowager, and remarried a pretender; she had never cared about her reputation.

Zhang Shi continued, “I’m afraid you’ll regret it and miss out on a good marriage.”

After all she had been through in her past life, Xie Yuyan had no desire to marry again. Even if she truly met someone she liked, she naturally had ways to be with him.

Things that were exceptionally important in the eyes of others were, to her, merely a matter of being “useful” or “useless.”

In the current situation, if she couldn't figure out her background, she would inevitably become a vagrant or a displaced person. As the wife of Yang Liulang, it would be easier to enter the fray; why should she add to her own troubles?

Xie Yuyan said, “Since I have taken the identity of Liulang’s wife, I will naturally look after you and Qin-ge’er.”

As she spoke, Xie Yuyan looked toward the door. “There is still time; you can think about it slowly.”

“I agree,” Zhang Shi pursed her lips and made her decision. “If you are willing to stay, I am naturally willing. The Sixth Brother is gone; if you want to leave in the future, I will go to the clan and ask for a letter of divorce for you.” Having witnessed this young lady’s methods, she would agree to anything for the sake of Qin-ge’er.

As soon as Zhang Shi finished speaking, a commotion was heard outside.

“Officials, why are you arresting an old woman like me? I’ve been in the agency for so many years, and every deal has been clean and honest. Is there some misunderstanding here?”

No sooner had the procuress finished speaking than she saw the door of the adjacent room open. Her eyes widened as a familiar face came into view.

The procuress’s legs went weak, and she collapsed to the ground, her face turning deathly pale.

“A ghost... it’s haunting! This... this...” In her panic, the procuress reached out and grabbed the leg of a bailiff. She recognized her—this was the corpse the Xie family had bought, the one she had personally helped dress in the wedding clothes.