The group departed, and by now the rain grew heavier, soybean-sized drops drumming sharply against the carriage windows.
Su Ziji watched the group leave, pondered briefly, and said, "Let's go down; Xing Ye's matter still needs to be handled."
Wild Daoist's face took on a pale greenish hue as he said, "My lord, perhaps I should handle it. Your status is precious, so it is best to avoid touching such unlucky matters."
Su Ziji smiled and said, "Feng Yun, I know you are thinking of me, but take this East Rainbow Bridge not far away. If a hundred people look at it, there are a hundred descriptions, and that is because men's hearts differ."
"Xing Ye's death is inviting his own doom and is a minor matter to us, but it is different for Yu Lü and Fang Xi. They are likewise Provincial Graduates of the same rank, and a man identical to themselves suddenly hangs himself, with their own involvement leading to it. Will not their hearts feel guilt?"
"Their hearts are heavy; if I look at it lightly, while it might make sense, I would not be a friend who puts himself in another's shoes."
Hearing this, Wild Daoist's gaze turned somewhat complex, and only after a long moment did he say, "Understood, your subject will accompany you there now."
Returning to the inn, there was already some commotion. Looking over, it was a few patrol bailiffs holding iron measuring rulers. Presumably the official authorities had already come and inspected the situation.
"I hear Brother Xing's body was finally taken down."
"Hateful. Even if stripped of his scholarly rank, he was still a Book of Documents scholar. To treat him with such indignity."
"Alas, who told them to commit fraud?"
Several Provincial Graduates standing in the inn lobby