Chapter 2: The Corpse (1)

“Corpse oil?!” Wen Yao was utterly horrified, stammering: “H-how could there be corpse oil in broad daylight?”

“I don’t know either,” Di Jiang shook her head. “It seems Shu Xiang and Zhu Chai have run into trouble.”

“Do you think they were eaten by spirits?” Whether from disgust or worry, Wen Yao became a bundle of nerves, pacing back and forth on the grass. But after pacing for a long while, she still hadn’t come up with a solution.

“Stop pacing—it’s giving me a headache.” Di Jiang rubbed her temples, her brows furrowing into a small mountain.

Wen Yao finally stopped, anxiously asking: “Then what should we do now?”

“Let me think.” With that, Di Jiang fell into deep thought.

By this time, night had fully fallen. Shadows of the peach trees swayed ominously, and Wen Yao felt as though thousands of eyes were staring straight at her back, lying in wait to devour her whole.

A cold breeze swept through the forest, bringing with it an eerie silence—no sound, no movement. Just as Wen Yao was battling her inner fears, her teeth chattering, Di Jiang suddenly exclaimed with a laugh: “I’ve got it! Let’s go find Zhong Xu!”

“What?” Wen Yao asked skeptically: “Return to Yangchun Residence?”

Di Jiang shook her head: “We’ll wait for him at his place—he’s bound to return eventually.”

“Why look for him?” Wen Yao frowned: “We should be rescuing Shu Xiang and Zhu Chai. If we delay, they might get eaten by someone else!”

“Do you think everyone is like you, only concerned about eating?” Di Jiang snapped irritably: “When people encounter trouble, ordinary folk either report it to the authorities or seek out a Taoist priest. What’s wrong with us going to Zhong Xu?”

“But we’re not ordinary people.”

“Do you know where Shu Xiang and Zhu Chai are?”

Wen Yao shook her head vigorously like a child’s drum toy: “No idea.”

“There you go then. Let’s go wait for him at the coffin shop!” Di Jiang waved her hand decisively, and Wen Yao had no choice but to obediently follow. Inwardly, however, she sneered: “Using the excuse of finding someone just to see your crush—how misguided and nonsensical…”

“What did you say?”

“Huh?” Wen Yao blinked innocently: “I didn’t say anything…”

Di Jiang snorted coldly, smirking: “Don’t judge me based on the thoughts in your head. I’m upright, honest, and nothing like you.”

“Yes, yes, Boss is noble and virtuous, while I, Wen Yao, am shamelessly corrupt!” Wen Yao replied sarcastically. After this exchange, the tense atmosphere between them seemed to ease somewhat. Teasing each other temporarily alleviated their worries.

The two arrived at the coffin shop just as Changsheng was closing up. He carefully retrieved the wreaths displayed outside, taking great care not to damage the paper effigies.

Di Jiang praised repeatedly: “If you were half as meticulous as Changsheng, I wouldn’t have to worry so much.”

“Our shop has Shu Xiang watching over things—he’s even more careful than Changsheng, isn’t he?” Wen Yao rolled her eyes and muttered under her breath.

Ignoring her, Di Jiang approached Changsheng and asked: “Has your boss returned yet?”

“No,” Changsheng shook his head.

“Do you know where he went?”

“At noon today, he was summoned by someone from Yangchun Shanren’s residence.”

“Oh? Who summoned him?”

Changsheng shook his head again: “Boss didn’t say. He only mentioned that someone appeared to him in a dream.”

“Mmm… I see,” Di Jiang nodded. “In that case, young man, you carry on with your work. I’ll have Wen Yao help you close up the shop. I have urgent business to discuss with your boss, so I’ll stay here for a while.”

“Please make yourself at home, Boss Di,” Changsheng said politely before resuming his tasks. Wen Yao pouted but obediently helped him tidy up. In no time, all the items outside were moved inside.

At this point, the room was filled with paper effigies of various sizes. Behind them, three thin wooden coffins were placed against the walls—the most common type on the market. Di Jiang noticed that there was no dust on the coffins, indicating brisk sales. Low price, high volume—this was a classic example of selling at low profit margins but in large quantities.

Changsheng brewed a pot of tea and poured cups for both of them. Then he said: “Boss Di, please visit more often. Our boss only has you as a friend.”

“Oh?” Di Jiang perked up immediately, smiling coyly: “Did your boss say that to you?”

Changsheng shook his head: “Although our boss says you’re lustful, lazy, and greedy, I know he doesn’t dislike you.”

“Is that so… I don’t dislike him either,” Di Jiang chuckled awkwardly and focused on drinking her tea.

Meanwhile, Wen Yao, upon hearing this, spat out her tea entirely, barely suppressing laughter. After being glared at by Di Jiang, she tried to hold back her amusement, but the laughter refused to subside. Eventually, she collapsed onto the floor, clutching her stomach in uncontrollable mirth.

“What’s wrong with her? Does her stomach hurt?” Changsheng was alarmed and reached out to help her.

Di Jiang quickly stopped him, calmly saying: “Don’t mind her, young man. Wen Yao suffers from occasional fits of madness—an old ailment. Just let her convulse; it’s no big deal.”

“Are you sure…” Changsheng still looked uneasy.

Di Jiang slammed the table and laughed: “I’m a doctor, trust me—it’s fine.” As she spoke, she kicked Wen Yao under the table.

Having laughed her fill, Wen Yao forced herself to sit up, trying to suppress her giggles. But one glance at Di Jiang’s serious expression sent her into another fit of laughter. Giving up, she simply lay on the floor and continued laughing.

Seeing she wasn’t ill, Changsheng relaxed. They then engaged in sporadic conversation.

After the earlier incident, Di Jiang avoided discussing Zhong Xu with Changsheng, fearing he might say something embarrassing. Instead, she proactively asked: “How’s business lately?”

“Not bad.”

“A lot of people buying incense and candles?”

Changsheng shook his head: “We’ve sold many coffins.”

“Oh, that’s truly unfortunate.” Di Jiang rested her chin on her hand, but her eyes showed no deep sorrow. The reason was simple—she hadn’t had a single customer in half a month, and adding the month spent in Zhuangyuan Village, it had been a long time since she’d encountered anyone in need.

This was a good thing—she should be happy about it.

The three of them sat facing each other until midnight. It wasn’t until the rooster crowed and the sky began to lighten that Zhong Xu finally returned.

The sound of cart wheels echoed outside, followed by Zhong Xu’s voice calling: “Changsheng, come quickly and help!”

Di Jiang, who had been dozing at the table, immediately sprang up like a carp flipping in the air. Together with Changsheng, she opened the shop door wide. Outside, Zhong Xu stood in the dimness of the night, a massive coffin trailing behind him.

“Boss Di, what are you doing here?” Zhong Xu was taken aback.

Di Jiang hastily waved her hands and smiled: “I’ve been waiting for you all night. Let’s talk inside.” Taking charge, Di Jiang ushered him into the shop as if she were the owner. Zhong Xu felt something was off but couldn’t quite put his finger on it.

After the four of them hauled the coffin inside, Wen Yao wiped the sweat from her forehead and exclaimed: “Why is it so heavy?”

“It’s made of gold—how could it not be heavy?” Di Jiang ran her fingers over the coffin’s surface. Every inch was intricately carved, every flower and blade of grass lifelike. She marveled: “This coffin is exquisitely crafted. I wonder what’s inside?”

“Just take a look,” Wen Yao said, pushing the coffin lid open. Suddenly, a gust of cold wind swept out. Upon closer inspection, Wen Yao realized this wasn’t an empty coffin—there was clearly a corpse lying inside!

“How can there be a person inside?!” Wen Yao slammed the lid shut, still shaken. “Y-you… How could you bring a dead body back to the shop?! Are you still running a business or not?”

Di Jiang was equally startled. Though she was accustomed to seeing corpses, encountering one like this in the eerie, pitch-black coffin shop was unsettling for anyone.

Clearing her throat, Di Jiang said: “Forgive Wen Yao’s rudeness, Daoist Zhong.”

“It’s fine,” Zhong Xu waved it off and asked: “What brings you here, Boss Di?”

At this reminder, Di Jiang remembered she hadn’t come here for leisure. Hurriedly, she explained: “My apprentice Shu Xiang and assistant Zhu Chai have gone missing. I need your help to find them!”

“Oh? Missing persons should be reported to the authorities. What use am I? It’s late now; Boss Di should rest early. I won’t see you out.” With that, Zhong Xu began ushering Di Jiang and Wen Yao toward the door. They were pushed out so swiftly they didn’t even have time to resist.

A loud bang echoed as Zhong Xu firmly shut the coffin shop’s door, refusing to open it no matter how much they knocked.

“Boss, what do we do now?”

Di Jiang remained calm, thinking for a moment before replying: “We report it to the authorities.”

“You’re really going to report it?” Wen Yao’s eyes widened in alarm. “Whoever took Shu Xiang isn’t someone ordinary. What good will the authorities do?”

“Who said I’m reporting the disappearance? I’m accusing Zhong Xu of hiding a corpse!” With that, Di Jiang lifted her skirts and ran through the morning dew, stopping only when she reached the gates of the capital’s administrative office.

“Boss, calm down!” Wen Yao blocked her path, assuming Di Jiang had lost her mind to make such an irrational move.

But Di Jiang’s face darkened, radiating an aura of determination—ready to kill anyone who stood in her way. “Move aside.”

“Boss...”

“If you don’t move, I’ll make you regret it.” Di Jiang’s icy tone left Wen Yao no choice but to step aside. Inwardly, she reasoned: “Prince Rui’an knows Boss well, and we saved his life. Even if we offend the magistrate today, nothing bad should happen, right? Worst case, we leave Taiping Prefecture. The world is vast—we can open another clinic elsewhere!” Reassured, Wen Yao let Di Jiang proceed as she pleased.

Di Jiang walked up to the drum used for lodging complaints, picked up the mallet, and began beating it. One strike after another rang out, and soon, guards emerged from the office, shouting: “Who dares disturb the peace?”

Di Jiang clasped her hands and announced: “This humble citizen, Di Jiang, is a doctor at Jian Su Clinic.”

The guard squinted at her for a while, noting her plain attire and lack of status, then barked angrily: “Do you even know about curfew? Disturbing my sleep in the middle of the night—I’ll skin you alive!” With that, he seized Di Jiang’s arms and dragged her inside.

Wen Yao couldn’t tolerate this blatant mistreatment of her boss. “How dare you!” she shouted, slapping the guard squarely on the forehead. He stumbled backward, dazed and disoriented.

“W-what kind of strength is this?!” The guard struggled to his feet and lunged at Wen Yao, only for her to sidestep. He crashed headfirst into a bush beside the gate, unable to extricate himself.

“You two troublemakers! You’ll pay for this!” the guard yelled, waking others inside. Sounds of rustling clothes came from within, and someone grumbled: “Who is it? Can’t a man get any sleep around here?”

“Old Zhou—come out and help me!” the guard shouted. Three or four burly men rushed out, pulling their comrade free from the bushes. Covered in dirt, he trembled with rage, pointing at Wen Yao and accusing: “These two wretched girls—they disturbed the peace, beat the drum in the dead of night, and resisted arrest!”

Hearing this, the group moved to seize Wen Yao. Just as she prepared to fight back, a familiar male voice called lazily from the alleyway: “What’s going on here?”

The voice was groggy, clearly belonging to someone who had just woken up. As the figure emerged from the shadows, everyone recognized him—it was none other than Prince Wu Rui’an, the sixth son of Emperor Chen.

Leaning languidly against two beautiful concubines, he appeared somewhat unfocused. One held a wine jug, the other a cup, both giggling coyly as they gazed at him with flirtatious eyes, making those around them blush and feel weak-kneed.

“Prince Rui’an? What are you doing here?” Di Jiang gasped softly.

Hearing her voice, Rui’an rubbed his eyes blearily, confirming he wasn’t mistaken. Straightening up awkwardly, he stammered: “Doctor Di?” Clearly, he hadn’t expected to meet her here at this hour. Pushing the concubines aside, he grinned sheepishly at her.

Di Jiang covered her mouth and chuckled: “It’s me, humble citizen.”

Some of the more perceptive guards immediately recognized Prince Rui’an and hastily pulled the lead guard to his knees: “Greetings, Prince Wu.”

“Rise, all of you. This commotion is unacceptable!” Rui’an scolded, letting out a drunken belch. After airing out some of the alcohol fumes, he approached Di Jiang and remarked: “Doctor Di, it’s been days—I’ve missed you!”

“Prince Rui’an, you’re drunk,” Di Jiang replied calmly, smiling sweetly.

“Not drunk at all—I’m perfectly sober!”

Di Jiang shrugged, saying nothing further, while Wen Yao stood beside her, tugging incessantly at her sleeve. The gleam in Wen Yao’s eyes was so intense it seemed she wanted to devour Wu Rui’an whole—skin, bones, and all. In her mind, ten Zhong Xus combined wouldn’t match even half of Rui’an’s handsomeness.

But in Wu Rui’an’s eyes, there was only one Di Jiang.

He retracted his gaze and pointed at the gathered bailiffs, scolding: “What are you all doing? Your disheveled appearance is disgraceful!”

At this point, even the most dimwitted among them could see that something unusual was going on between the two. The bailiff immediately dropped his haughty demeanor and smiled apologetically: “Your Highness, this young lady just beat the drum to file a complaint. We were preparing to address her grievance!”

“Oh?” Rui’an raised an eyebrow and turned to Di Jiang: “Doctor Di, what is the matter? If you have something, why didn’t you come to me? Asking them for help is nowhere near as effective as asking me.”

“This humble citizen wishes to report someone.”

“Who?”

“Zhong Xu.”

“What?!” Rui’an was startled and hesitated: “Isn’t Daoist Zhong your friend? Why…”

“Who said he’s my friend? He’s dull, foolish, and arrogant—we’re not cut from the same cloth.” Di Jiang coughed lightly and added: “I didn’t want to trouble you, so I came here instead.”

“I see…” Rui’an nodded thoughtfully, then asked: “What exactly has Daoist Zhong done to offend you?” Realizing his poor choice of words, he quickly corrected himself: “What crime has Daoist Zhong committed?”

“He’s hiding a corpse in his home. I suspect he’s killed someone.”

“What?!”

The moment Di Jiang finished speaking, everyone present was shocked. Under the very nose of the emperor, within the imperial city, someone dared commit murder in broad daylight?

“Hurry and take me there!”

“Your Excellency, please follow us.”

Led by Di Jiang, the group of bailiffs immediately rushed to Zhong Xu’s coffin shop. After knocking repeatedly with no response, they broke open the copper lock on the door. As the door swung open, a wave of putrid stench hit them, causing everyone to cover their noses and mouths.

Those who had doubted the truth of Di Jiang’s claims no longer did so. Without hesitation, they charged inside, determined to catch both the perpetrator and the corpse.