Chapter Two: Yi Hen's Self-Defense

"Heh," Di Ying let out a soft laugh, her face full of mockery. "Master Cao, you really are fearless because you are ignorant. Tell me, Master Cao: from the moment I stepped into the pharmacy, to the time I was beaten to the ground, and then to the moment that young woman tried to end her life by smashing her head against a pillar—how much time passed during all that? Who reported the incident to the authorities? When did the constables arrive at the scene? When did I begin to flee? Which route did I take? Who was present at the time? How well do you know the common people?"

She drew closer, her eyes burning with intensity. "And let me ask you again, Master Cao: Do you know what material the constables’ staves are made of? What about the sticks used to beat me in the pharmacy? How do they differ in thickness and length? What kind of marks do they leave on a person’s body? Can you tell the difference? Answer immediately! If you can, I’ll admit I’m at fault. Do you dare?"

Her gaze bore into Judge Cao, a pair of phoenix eyes blazing. Flustered, Judge Cao stammered, powerless before her questions. He could not answer a single one. In the past, he had always handed such troublesome cases for Di Ying to handle, never bothering to get involved himself. This was the first time he had "participated" in her investigation, and he was stunned by the precision of her mind. Was she even human? Who could possibly remember so many details?

But if he failed to answer, the truth would be exposed. He had to find a way to turn the situation around.

Suddenly—the magistrate slammed his gavel, cutting off Cao’s stammering defense.

"Cao Ji! Do you think I don’t exist? You avoid Di Ying’s questions and try to make excuses; do you take me for a fool, hmm?"

The magistrate’s rebuke sent a shiver through Cao Ji, his mind blank. His legs buckling, he turned and knelt before the high bench, searching for something to say, but words failed him.

At that moment, the captain of the guards brought in the pharmacy’s manager, Doctor Liu, several young assistants, and the husband of the young woman, Wang Dashun, bringing them all before the court.

The manager and Doctor Liu showed little concern, while the assistants seemed completely unconcerned. After all, this was Bianzhou, practically their master’s territory. The magistrate was a guest, unfamiliar with local affairs; they believed a few words would suffice, and trusted in their master’s power.

Di Ying saw the expressions on their faces and sneered inwardly. Without waiting for anyone else, she strode directly toward Doctor Liu.

With each step, she questioned him, "Doctor Liu, you claim I recklessly treated the infant, yet you must have examined the child yourself. What was the illness? What caused it? What were the symptoms? The pulse? How many days had the fever lasted? What was your treatment plan?"

Seeing Doctor Liu falter, she turned on the manager. "You oversee the pharmacy; every staff member answers to you. What did I do when I entered the shop? I went straight to check the infant’s pulse, didn’t I? Then I took medicine and silver needles from your cabinet, correct? I moved as if there was no one to stop me, isn’t that so? You accuse me of reckless use of medicine—what herbs did I take? Which ones? In what quantities? How did I prepare the medicine under your very noses? Don’t tell me you watched with compassion and allowed me to do as I pleased. Ask around all of Bianzhou—how many people would believe that?"

Her questioning drove the manager back step by step. Pressing her advantage, Di Ying turned to the four assistants.

"You," she pointed, "the stick you used to beat me was the door bar, as thick as a grown man’s upper arm, wasn’t it? And you," she continued, "not as quick, you grabbed the club you usually use to drive out troublemakers, right? And you, the same. As for you," she said to the last, "with nothing else at hand and wanting to impress your manager, you grabbed a broom and struck my head and face with the handle!"

She pointed each one out, then declared, "I remember clearly the spot and order of every blow delivered to me. Shall I recount them for you?"

"You—you—are you even human? How could you remember all that?" one assistant blurted out, panic-stricken.

"You hit my head and face. How could I possibly forget?" Di Ying replied, eyes narrowing as she advanced on him.

"But you missed, didn’t you? You covered your head—" the assistant retorted instinctively, then realized his slip and clamped his mouth shut, recoiling from Di Ying as if she were some kind of monster.

His slip of the tongue left the manager and Doctor Liu, already intimidated by Di Ying’s relentless questions and aura, unable to stand any longer. They collapsed to the ground, drenched in cold sweat and trembling uncontrollably.

Di Ying lifted her chin slightly, folded her hands behind her back, and, after sweeping them with a look of utter contempt, strode to the center of the court. She saluted the magistrate and stepped aside.

The magistrate understood: Di Ying apologized for interrupting the proceedings but also thanked him for allowing her to take action. What a talent! He had to restrain himself from applauding her. He slammed the gavel again and stood, pointing straight at Cao Ji, who was almost trying to shrink out of the courtroom.

In a stern voice, he thundered, "Cao Ji, you protected wicked merchants and caused the death of an innocent citizen, even went so far as to frame a court official. What do you have to say for yourself?"

Hearing these deadly accusations, Cao Ji panicked. Without thinking, he rushed to the side of the Inspector, Liu Xi, and fell to his knees with a loud thud, clutching Liu Xi’s legs as he wailed, "Sir, it’s not my fault! I was only following your orders! Doctor Liu is one of your people, and the pharmacy—"

He didn’t get to finish before Liu Xi kicked him hard in the chest, sending him sprawling. Afterward, Liu Xi quickly bowed to the magistrate.

"Your honor, you must not believe only Cao Ji’s words! I may have engaged in some petty corruption, but I would never condone my subordinates committing violence or allow Cao Ji to frame a court official. Please investigate thoroughly and clear my name!"

As he spoke, Liu Xi used his sleeve to shield his face and shot a warning glare at Cao Ji on the ground.

Cao Ji saw it, shivered, and dared not make another sound.

Di Ying noticed as well. Suppressing his own anger, he looked to the magistrate, who nodded slightly at him. Di Ying took a deep breath and stepped forward.

In a clear, strong voice, he proclaimed, "Liu Xi has served as Inspector in Bianzhou for three years. In the first year, he found all manner of excuses to hold banquets and accept bribes, each time taking tens of thousands in silver. In the second year, nearly a hundred shops in the city had him as their silent partner. In the third year, his family and servants seized nearly a thousand acres of fertile land outside the city. Whenever a victim reported the crime, he would secretly send men to silence them—"

"Di Ying! How dare you slander me!" Liu Xi cried, unable to let him continue, fearing for his own life.