Chapter Seventy-Five: A Brilliant Debate in the Hall

Wu Desen had always believed that Song Wen was shorter than himself, but this sudden transformation made Wu Desen realize clearly: Song Wen was half a head taller than him!

Song Wen straightened his waist, squared his shoulders, and stretched his neck, and the whole person changed from timid and honest to upright and sharp-edged.

It was as if a kitten had suddenly become a fierce tiger.

Even his voice became sonorous and resonant, powerful and commanding.

"Lord Prefect, the reason you've never witnessed this is simply because you have never given me the chance to personally examine the corpses!

Your Majesty! In the fire at the Broker’s Guild: twenty-nine bodies were recovered, all male.

Of these, twenty-four were found in the rear courtyard of the guild. The marks on their bodies indicate they were killed by sharp blades.

The killer acted decisively, each victim struck dead in one blow. All wounds were inflicted while alive; only after death were their bodies burned by the fire. Clearly, they were killed by someone skilled in martial arts.

The remaining five bodies were found in the main hall, their injuries much more chaotic.

Two died from being pushed and trampled;

Three were killed in the melee as they fought to escape. All had wounds in their backs, the blade marks consistent with the swords commonly carried by the guards.

Based on information from neighbors, household registration, and a comprehensive analysis of clothing remnants and personal effects found on the deceased: twenty-eight of the twenty-nine victims were internal staff of the Broker’s Guild.

There were managers, stewards, and various clerks.

Only one of the dead was a guest who participated in last night’s auction.

He was approximately 178 centimeters tall, weighed about 68 kilograms, and around 22 years of age.

He died from a blade piercing his back.

From the remnants of clothing under his armpit, it can be discerned that he wore a pale purple silk robe before his death.

For easier identification, I examined his skeletal structure.

I found an old injury on his right hip bone—presumably from a fall at around the age of eleven."

At this point, Song Wen turned to the gathered officials and asked, "Does anyone know whose son matches these features? Please step forward to claim him. Identifying the deceased will help us swiftly track down the murderer."

As soon as he finished speaking, several officials instinctively glanced at Wu Chengsi, who had been watching the proceedings with amusement.

Wu Chengsi's face instantly lost all color.

Under so many gazes, Wu Chengsi shook his head in disbelief, then shouted at Song Wen, "It’s not my second son, Wu Yanyi. It can’t be!"

Song Wen ignored his outburst, cupped his fists and bowed slightly, replying, "Thank you, Lord Chamberlain, for your timely notice."

Wu Chengsi: "..."

He choked, unable to utter a word, and nearly collapsed.

Wu Chengsi had long envied the Emperor's favor toward Xue Huaiyi. Serving Xue Huaiyi well had brought his family into the Emperor’s good graces, leading to their rise in power.

But Wu Chengsi’s ambition was far greater; he had no intention of stopping at his current rank. He wanted to find another person who could please the Emperor, to curry favor and climb even higher.

Last night, the invitation to the "Pleasant Broker’s Guild" was originally meant for him.

But one of his scouts, sent out to find handsome young men, reported discovering someone even more exceptional than Xue Huaiyi.

Wu Chengsi then sent his second son, Wu Yanyi, in his place to the guild.

When he heard about the fire and the fatalities, Wu Chengsi did not connect it to Wu Yanyi’s absence overnight.

He knew his own children well, all born of rough backgrounds, none of them particularly upright.

It was not unusual for his son to visit such a place and fail to return that night.

But shocked by Song Wen’s revelation and overwhelmed by emotion, Wu Chengsi fainted on the spot.

Song Wen glanced at Wu Chengsi lying on the ground and, noticing a slight twitch of his eyelids, pursed his lips.

The lofty old Emperor did not notice such details; seeing Wu Chengsi collapse, she immediately ordered a young eunuch to summon the imperial physician.

Eunuch Su stepped forward.

Standing just behind the Emperor’s ear, he quietly advised, "Your Majesty, this is not a suitable place for treatment. It would be best to have Lord Chamberlain carried straight to the Imperial Medical Institute; that would be faster. Sudden shock and pain are critical emergencies."

The Emperor found this reasonable, nodded repeatedly, and ordered Wu Chengsi to be taken away.

Wu Chengsi’s interruption not only aroused the Emperor’s sympathy and desire to compensate him, but also diluted much of her previous admiration for Song Wen.

She spoke to Song Wen: "Now that you know the identity of the deceased… surely you also know who the murderer is?"

At these words, the officials below exchanged subtle glances.

All thought: Is the Emperor deliberately making things difficult? Is she venting her anger for the Wu family?

Some quietly shifted their feet, moving discreetly away from Song Wen.

Wu Desen lifted his chin.

Zhang Maoqing was visibly nervous.

Song Wen himself, however, showed no emotion, as if he had anticipated all of this.

He calmly cupped his hands and replied, "Your Majesty, may I request the Four Treasures of the Study."

The Emperor moved her fingers.

Eunuch Su immediately called for attendants, and a young eunuch brought out a long desk from the side hall, upon which the Four Treasures of the Study were neatly arranged.

During court sessions, officials often needed to write, so such items were always prepared in advance.

The desk was placed in the hall, right at the foot of the Emperor’s throne.

Song Wen stepped forward, stood beside the desk, picked up a brush, and began to draw a structural diagram.

Without any rulers or tools, Song Wen’s brush strokes were straight and precise, arcs and circles perfectly formed, appearing on paper as if printed.

The Emperor raised her eyebrows in surprise; the officials could not help but marvel.

Song Wen, however, seemed oblivious.

As he drew, he said, "Your Majesty, I request that the guards who aided the officials in escaping the fire at 'Pleasant Broker’s Guild' yesterday be called forth. One guard per official will suffice."

The Emperor immediately slapped the table in approval.

Some officials shifted their feet, trying to hide behind others.

The Emperor noticed and, with a sardonic smile, mocked, "What? Afraid I’ll find out who attended? I have no interest in your sordid affairs; hurry up and bring them in.

I only want to know who killed Wu Yanyi! Anyone who delays or stalls is the prime suspect!"

At these words, seventeen or eighteen officials hurriedly stepped forward, made a quick bow, and left the hall to summon the guards.

Wu Desen was among them.

Zhang Maoqing, however, did not move.

The Emperor looked at him suspiciously.