A day with his apprentice

The day after attending the palace banquet, Shen Shixu returned to the Court of Judicial Review to continue his diligent work. It was also Jiang Bin's first day at his side.

Jiang Bin had deliberately chosen an understated gray robe and leather wrist guards. He tied his hair with a matching gray ribbon embroidered with silver cloud patterns. With a Diexie Belt around his waist, he looked thoroughly capable—not like a spoiled young nobleman, but a young wandering swordsman just setting out into the world.

Shen Shixu was pleased to see Jiang Bin looking so neat and brisk. "Not bad. You look full of energy now."

Jiang Bin rarely received praise, especially from his own master. He was delighted, if a little embarrassed.

"Master, what should I do now?"

Shen Shixu selected a few case files and patted the three on his desk. "I've found some files for you to read, but before you start, there are a few things I need to tell you. Make sure you remember them."

Hearing this, Jiang Bin quickly pulled a small notebook from inside his robe, along with a charcoal pencil he had prepared beforehand.

A glimmer of approval passed through Shen Shixu's bright eyes at how well prepared he was. "These are lessons I've drawn from my own experience. You don't have to treat my words as an imperial decree; just keep them in mind.

"First, whether you're investigating a case or going about your daily life, always observe carefully. Sometimes, the key to solving a case lies in the details.

"Second, make bold deductions. When you observe carefully, you'll discover clues, and those clues can help you spot all sorts of things that don't add up.

"Don't dismiss a theory as impossible just because it seems unbelievable.

"Today, I'll teach you something: people have many sides, and you've only seen one of them.

"The side you happen to see might be good, but that one side doesn't define the whole person. Take your father, for example.

"Before his attempt to frame you was exposed, who in the Capital had anything bad to say about him? Yet what was the truth?

"So never judge people through the lens of your preconceptions.

"The final point is to overturn your earlier theories. Once you've made all those bold deductions, you need to verify them one by one. In the process, you'll discover more clues.

"Put the earlier clues together with the ones you uncover later, and you'll have most of the case figured out. The rest will be easy."

Jiang Bin wrote down every word Shen Shixu said. He particularly liked his advice not to judge others through the lens of preconceptions.

He made that sentence a guiding principle he would follow for the rest of his life.

"All right, that's everything I wanted to tell you. You'll have to put the rest into practice yourself. I can't let you handle a case directly yet, so start by reading some files.

"I selected these cases because they're the most suitable for beginners. Read them for now. After a while, I'll give you a test. If you pass, I'll find a case and take you along to work on it properly."

Once Shen Shixu had settled Jiang Bin in, he got busy with his own work. Excited, Jiang Bin read the files Shen Shixu had selected for him, putting his earlier instructions into practice little by little.

The Court of Judicial Review's files documented every case in meticulous detail. From the places an investigator passed through to each person's interrogation testimony, everything was reproduced exactly, without a single error or omission.

That was precisely why Shen Shixu had asked Jiang Bin to read them. The records were clear and thorough, and he wanted Jiang Bin to think as he read. By the time he had identified the culprit and reached the later sections, he would be able to tell at a glance whether his own judgment was correct.

Only after reading the first file did Jiang Bin understand Shen Shixu's thoughtful intention. On his first attempt, he had missed many details and failed to identify the real culprit.

When he read the second file, Jiang Bin noted down too much information instead, and in the end he still identified the wrong killer.

Getting it wrong twice in a row left Jiang Bin deeply discouraged.

Although Shen Shixu had been reviewing other case files, he had also been keeping an eye on Jiang Bin and noticed how dejected he looked.

He set down the file in his hands and called to him. "Bin'er, bring your master a cup of tea."

Jiang Bin hurried to carry out the instruction. Before long, he returned from outside with a cup of tea.

"Master, I brewed you some Tieguanyin. Try it. If you don't like it, I'll bring you something else from home tomorrow."

Shen Shixu was not particularly fussy about tea, but ever since tasting the Big Red Robe at Xiao Jinyi's place, he had found himself longing for it.

"No need. I'm not particular about tea. You looked quite frustrated just now. Were you getting impatient, or did you make so many mistakes that you no longer wanted to continue?"

Hearing this, Jiang Bin was terrified that Shen Shixu would think he lacked ambition and send him away. He hastily explained, "No, that's not it. I wasn't getting impatient, and I do want to continue.

"It's just that I got it wrong twice in a row, and I felt so stupid. Right now, I'm only reading files, but if I handle a real case one day and reach the wrong verdict, the consequences could be terrible.

"I'd be letting down both the victim's family and the person I wrongly accused."

Shen Shixu was rather surprised that he had thought so far ahead. His voice softened. "So that's what you were worrying about. It's perfectly normal to make mistakes on your first attempt. No one can do everything perfectly the first time.

"We're human, not gods. Even gods can make mistakes.

"As for your concern about a wrongful verdict harming others, why do you think the Court of Judicial Review reviews cases every day? And why do you think there are suspended death sentences and executions deferred until after autumn?

"It's because an execution can only proceed once the Court of Judicial Review has finished its review and confirmed that there's nothing wrong with the verdict.

"Otherwise, why do you think the Court of Judicial Review was established when the Ministry of Justice already existed? This is exactly why. Whether a case was judged by the Ministry of Justice or by a county, commandery, or city, it's sent here for review, no matter how large or small, to prevent wrongful convictions.

"So don't be afraid. Besides, you still have me as your master. How could I let you reach the wrong verdict?"

After Shen Shixu's reassurance, Jiang Bin stopped hanging his head. With his fighting spirit restored, he read the remaining file as well.

This time, he did pick up on some leads. The case was a little complicated, and although he ultimately identified the wrong killer, he was already getting the hang of it.

Jiang Bin had never been stupid. In the past, he simply hadn't wanted to study seriously, always feeling that he could rely on his parents as long as they were there.

Now that he was putting in the effort, he naturally began to see results.

Seeing that he had finished the files, Shen Shixu found him a few more. They covered different types of cases, all of which he had reviewed and found sound.

Jiang Bin spent the entire day reading case files, running a few errands for Shen Shixu along the way, such as buying lunch, brewing tea, and washing fruit. He happily performed even these servants' tasks.