Futile Devices Scans

In truth, Adviser Jin’s heart was equally shaken at this moment.

At last, he understood why Tao Mo had shown such unusual tolerance toward that man. Only when the man rose to his feet did he realize his true intention had been to provoke Tao Mo into anger. Clearly, he had used himself as bait, laying a trap and waiting for Tao Mo to jump into it. One had to know that in Tanyang County, where litigation masters gathered in droves, the slightest misstep by a magistrate would immediately invite endless verbal condemnation and attacks. Many magistrates had been transferred away, dismissed, or even driven to an early death because they could not endure such pressure.

Yet Tao Mo had prepared for it from the very beginning. With a move of “using four ounces to deflect a thousand pounds,” he had casually turned the attack aside, rendering the man’s elaborate scheming completely futile.

At this thought, Adviser Jin’s gaze toward Tao Mo became exceedingly complicated.

To think that at such a young age, his scheming mind and discernment had already reached such a level. Given enough time, he would surely rise through officialdom unhindered and soar straight to the clouds.

Naturally, Tao Mo had no idea that Adviser Jin’s thoughts had already wandered so far in such a short span of time. At present, he had only one thought:

Could Miss Tong truly have died with injustice unresolved?

If she truly had died unjustly, why had there been no sign of trouble from the Tong family? The hearts of parents were universal under Heaven—how could Father Tong and Mother Tong possibly force their own daughter to death?

Even after leaving the courtroom, this question continued circling through his mind. He was so distracted that he did not even hear Hao Guozi calling him.

“Young Master!” Hao Guozi finally caught him just before he walked into a pillar. Half amused and half exasperated, he said, “What are you thinking about so intently?”

Tao Mo came back to himself. “I was thinking about Miss Tong.”

Hao Guozi first brightened with delight. “Young Master likes women now?” Then his expression immediately fell again. “But that woman is already dead.”

Tao Mo said, “I do not harbor improper thoughts toward her.”

“Even if you did, it’d be too late now,” Hao Guozi said. “Still, it’s a good thing if Young Master likes women. Tanyang County is so large, and there are countless unmarried girls. If Young Master looks around more, perhaps one of them will catch your fancy.”

“Nonsense! How can unmarried young ladies simply be looked at whenever one pleases?” It was Old Tao who rebuked him. Having just heard from Adviser Jin what had happened in court, he worried Tao Mo might feel distressed after being wrongfully accused, so he hurried over. “Go prepare breakfast at once.”

Hao Guozi stuck out his tongue and ran off.

Old Tao turned to Tao Mo. “That man’s origins are unknown. Young Master need not take his words to heart.”

Tao Mo said, “Since he dared to appear in court, what he said must surely be true. Perhaps Miss Tong truly did die with grievances unresolved.”

Old Tao replied, “Parents and children share the closest bond under Heaven. If Miss Tong truly died unjustly, her parents would certainly seek justice for her. Why would they allow a strange man to storm into court shouting on her behalf?” In truth, he was also somewhat dissatisfied that Tao Mo had allowed the man to swagger away unchecked, but now that matters had reached this point, there was no use bringing it up again.

Tao Mo shook his head. “But what if, just as that man said, they joined hands to force her to death? Then it would make sense why they would not seek justice for her.”

Old Tao said, “But Cui Jiong and the coroner examined the body together. There truly was nothing suspicious.”

After thinking for a moment, Tao Mo said, “Then I should personally go to the Tong residence.”

Old Tao’s heart skipped a beat. “What would Young Master go there for?”

“Naturally to investigate the case,” Tao Mo said as if it were obvious. “As the magistrate of Tanyang County, I ought personally to oversee every case, leaving no possibility for even the slightest oversight.”

Old Tao frowned. “You must not.”

Tao Mo asked in confusion, “Why not?”

Old Tao said, “We already had Clerk Cui investigate this case earlier, and the conclusion was that Miss Tong hanged herself. If we rashly reopen the case now without evidence or cause, I fear it will provoke dissatisfaction from the Tong family.”

“Even so, there is no helping it,” Tao Mo replied. “We cannot simply let Miss Tong remain wronged without justice.”

“But the Tong family is, after all, related to Master One-Hammer by marriage.”

“So what?”

Old Tao could only speak plainly. “First, both the Tong family and Madam One-Hammer have already concluded that Miss Tong took her own life. Second, Miss Tong had not yet married when she died, yet the person who came to beat the grievance drum was a man. If word of this spreads, it will damage Miss Tong’s reputation.”

Tao Mo suddenly jolted awake. “That’s bad! I forgot to ask what relation that man had with Miss Tong.”

Old Tao said, “If Young Master wishes to know, it would not be difficult. Miss Tong’s case has already stirred the entire city, yet that man only came to beat the drum today, meaning he is likely not local. Perhaps he rushed here from elsewhere after hearing the news. If Young Master sends people to investigate the inns around the city, they will likely find him.”

“Good, I’ll go at once.” Tao Mo hurried several steps before turning back. “How exactly do I send people?”

Old Tao sighed. “If Young Master has matters to handle, simply hand them to Adviser Jin.”

“Right.” Tao Mo dashed off in a blur.

After thinking it over, Old Tao still did not feel at ease and followed behind Tao Mo toward Adviser Jin’s study.

At that moment, Adviser Jin was helping Tao Mo handle the county office affairs. To say he was “handling” them really meant organizing everything before reporting it one by one to Tao Mo.

“Adviser Jin!” Tao Mo burst through the door like a gust of wind.

“Employer,” Adviser Jin greeted. He had long expected Tao Mo’s appearance, so he calmly set down his brush and rose leisurely to his feet.

“I want to send you to investigate that man’s identity for me.”

“Send me?” Adviser Jin froze for a moment, inwardly thinking: Shouldn’t this sort of thing be assigned to constables? Why send me?

Old Tao entered behind Tao Mo and explained, “Young Master means for Adviser Jin to relay the order on his behalf.”

“I see. Very well, I shall go at once.” Though he agreed verbally, he still felt somewhat displeased. Errand-running tasks like this were never meant for someone in his position. What exactly was this employer thinking? Could it be because he had glared at him in court earlier, and now wished to give him a warning blow?

Tao Mo suddenly asked, “Oh right, Adviser Jin, do you think Miss Tong was forced to death or truly committed suicide?”

Adviser Jin had just stepped over the threshold. Hearing himself addressed again, he could only step back inside. “I do not know either.”

Tao Mo said, “But aren’t you a criminal-law adviser?”

Adviser Jin smiled without warmth. “I may be a criminal-law adviser, but I am not a criminal-law god.” If he could know at a glance whether someone had been murdered or committed suicide, then he would not still be serving here as an adviser—he would already be the Minister of Justice or Chief Justice of the Court of Judicial Review.

Tao Mo sighed. “Then who would know?”

Adviser Jin replied, “There is one person who certainly knows.”

Tao Mo’s eyes lit up. “Who?”

“Miss Tong.” Adviser Jin thought smugly: Since you toyed with me, naturally I’ll toy with you in return.

Tao Mo clapped his hands in realization. “That makes perfect sense.” Before Adviser Jin could react, he spun around and ran off again.

Adviser Jin stared blankly at Old Tao. “What exactly did I say that made sense?”

Old Tao smiled faintly. “Adviser Jin hides ravines and valleys within his breast. How could a man like me possibly fathom your thoughts?”

Watching Old Tao leave, Adviser Jin muttered to himself, “What ravines and valleys am I supposedly hiding?”

After leaving the county office, Tao Mo asked directions as he hurried toward Gu She’s residence.

Before noon had even arrived, his official robes made him extraordinarily conspicuous walking through the streets, attracting constant stares from passersby.

Before he even reached the Gu residence, word had already spread throughout the streets and alleys that the newly appointed county magistrate was going to seek out Gu She.

Gu She himself soon heard the news as well.

He was currently drinking porridge while being attended by Gu Xiaojia when a servant came to report that Tao Mo was wandering all over town looking for their residence.

“So he’s finally come.” Gu She’s lips curved faintly upward.

Gu Xiaojia asked suspiciously, “Young Master already knew he would come?”

Gu She said, “The Tong family matter is troublesome, yet not entirely troublesome. Not troublesome, yet troublesome all the same. He has only just arrived here, so naturally he has no leads whatsoever.”

Gu Xiaojia suddenly understood. “So that magistrate came seeking Young Master’s guidance?”

Gu She merely smiled without speaking.

“Heh, then I’ll go tell the gatekeeper. We absolutely can’t let him enter so easily.” Gu Xiaojia studied Gu She’s expression, and seeing no objection, happily ran toward the front gate.

Unfortunately, he had underestimated Tao Mo’s speed. The moment he arrived at the gate, Tao Mo arrived as well, rushing forward with a bright smile. “I recognize you! Bring me to see Gu She.”

Gu Xiaojia curled his lips. “You may recognize me, but I don’t recognize you. My Young Master is not someone just anyone can see.”

Tao Mo froze briefly before saying, “We met before, outside the Lu residence.”

“The Lu residence? Which Lu residence?” Gu Xiaojia feigned ignorance. “People like you, trying to claim connections and familiarity, come to me more than ten times a day. Who knows whether you’re telling the truth?”

Thinking he truly had not remembered him, Tao Mo simply said, “Then bring me to see Gu She.”

“Where’s your calling card?” Gu Xiaojia extended his hand. After all, Tao Mo was still the county magistrate, so he did not wish to push matters too far.

Tao Mo said awkwardly, “I came in too much of a hurry and forgot to prepare one.”

Gu Xiaojia rejoiced inwardly and deliberately widened his eyes. “Forgot to prepare one? But the rules of the Gu residence are that no one sees my Young Master without first presenting a calling card.” Seeing Tao Mo’s troubled expression, he smirked mischievously. “Would you like me to prepare the Four Treasures of the Study for you?”

“No need, no need.” Tao Mo jumped backward. “I’ll come another day instead.” Without waiting for Gu Xiaojia’s reaction, he turned and ran away.

The moment he ran, Gu Xiaojia was dumbfounded.

The person inside the residence was still waiting for him. Although Gu She had said nothing just now, even a blind man could see that he had been looking forward to Tao Mo’s arrival.

By the time Tao Mo’s figure disappeared around the bend in the alley, Gu Xiaojia finally reacted. He hurriedly chased after him.

“Hey! Wait!”

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