In Yuanjiang County, Moon Province, the center of the incident, the imperial court had already begun its investigation around the time the news first started spreading.
Inside the Yuanjiang County offices, everyone except a few officials-all the runners and clerks-had gathered outside the courtroom.
Orders from the court were to proceed gently and avoid provoking the Innate Realm master who might be there. But the county staff were all government men, so checking them could be simpler and more direct. There was little hope of finding anyone among them anyway.
Everyone was now gathered around the courtroom, and the gates of the county offices had been shut. After the martial men took turns being examined by the court's military officers, it was the clerks' turn.
"Next!"
Waiting outside the courtroom, Yi Shuyuan took a deep breath and stepped inside. Three military officers in plain clothes, wearing only wrist guards, stood in a triangle before the magistrate's desk.
As the three officers sized Yi Shuyuan up, the county magistrate's adviser, sitting at a small table to one side, hurriedly spoke.
"This is Mr. Yi Shuyuan. He is responsible for compiling the county gazetteer."
The lead officer nodded slightly. Naturally, they knew Yi Shuyuan's name. He was also a key figure in Yuanjiang Magistrate Lin Xiu's scheme, the clerk who had helped stage that "trial of a ghost."
Even if clever people could guess the truth, this matter could not be investigated, much less exposed. They were to prosecute corrupt officials, not investigate an upright magistrate. The emperor greatly admired Lin Xiu, who was certain to be promoted, and even intended to make him a model of incorruptible justice for the dynasty. Thus, Lin Xiu could not be allowed any blemishes.
The inspector and accompanying officials sent to Yuanjiang County were no