“But I’m just a simple student, sir.”
“A student, yes, but simple, clearly not. We’ve done our homework on you. We’ve heard about all the good work you’ve been doing at the academy and about your very ambitious, useful compendium.”
Cí wasn’t as convinced of his worth. He thought about all the mistakes he’d made at the academy, too. Before he could say anything, though, Bo cut him off.
“The best evidence is that you worked out the corpse was a eunuch. You saw it straightaway, unlike our judges.”
Cí couldn’t argue with that. He felt buoyed by it, but then immediately remembered that, no matter what, he was still a fugitive with a dishonorable father. If he became too involved, they’d surely find out who he really was.
“Don’t worry about the other judges,” said Bo. “And don’t think you’re going to be made solely responsible for large decisions. Your opinion will be sought, and that’s all. You obviously have a very keen vision for these matters. We have also heard about your ambition to take the Imperial exams, but do well here, and the emperor might just see fit to give you a place in the judiciary regardless of the exams.”
Though this was obviously more than Cí could ever have dreamed of, he wasn’t wholly pleased.
“Maybe the palace judges aren’t stupid after all,” he said, half to himself.
“What’s that supposed to mean?”
“Just that…everyone knows a judge can be punished for getting a verdict wrong.”
“Yes, and?”
“Well, this clearly isn’t a straightforward case. If you’ll permit me to speak frankly, sir, it seems to me that they might have been reserving judgment so as not to risk that eventuality. Better to say nothing and be thought a fool than speak and confirm it, right?”
Bo squinted and was about to answer when Kan entered the room and ordered Bo to leave. Kan’s knit brow and pursed lips spoke for themselves.
“From now on you’ll be answering to me. If there’s anything you need or want, you have to ask me first. You’re going to be given a pass that gives you access everywhere in court, everywhere except the Palace of the Concubines and my private apartments. You may consult the legal archives, and you may examine the corpses further. You are also permitted to question any person at court. All of this, but you must ask me first. Bo will explain the rest.”
Cí’s heart was racing.
“Councilor,” he said, bowing. “I don’t know if I’m up to this…”
Kan gave him a cold look.
“No one’s asking you.”
Kan led the way to the legal archives. He seemed in a hurry, as if he wanted to rid himself of Cí as soon as he could. Gradually the dank, narrow passages gave way to tiled galleries. The Hall of Secrets took Cí’s breath away; it was an infinite labyrinth in comparison with the academy library. Shelves full of all kinds of volumes stretched into the distance and went all the way to the high ceiling. Sunlight broke in through a high window. Kan took a seat at a black lacquer table on which a single dossier lay. He flicked through its pages for a minute and then invited Cí to sit.
“I happened to overhear some of what you were saying to Bo. I might as well spell it out: that the emperor has given you this opportunity does not mean I personally have any confidence in you. Our judicial system is inflexible with any who try to corrupt or violate it, and our judges have grown old in the study and application of that system. You might be vain enough to speculate as to the worth of these judges. Maybe in your eyes they seem like nothing more than obstacles, unable to see beyond the ends of their own noses. But mark my words: should you dare to doubt the abilities of my men, I promise you’ll regret it.”
Cí made a show of submission. Deep down, though, he knew that if these judges were any good, he wouldn’t have been brought there in the first place.
Kan directed Cí’s attention to the dossier.
“These are the reports on the three dead people. And here’s a brush and ink. Read the reports and then record your opinion.” Kan took out a square seal and handed it to Cí. “Any time you need access to any of the rooms, present this to the sentries for them to mark the registers.”
“May I ask who carried out the examinations?”
“Their signatures are at the bottom of each report.”
Cí had a quick look.
“These are the judges’ names. I mean, who performed the physical examinations?”
“A wu-tso like you.”
Cí frowned. Wu-tso was a derogatory term for someone who did autopsies and cleaned corpses. But he decided it was better not to argue. He nodded and returned to the reports. He soon put them aside.
“There’s nothing here about the evil that Bo told me about. He mentioned that something terrible was happening in the city, but these reports are only about the three corpses. There’s no mention of motives or suspects.”
“I’m sorry, but I can’t give you any additional information.”
“But if you want me to help you, councilor, I need to know—”
“You? Help me?” Kan leaned across the table toward Cí. “It seems you’ve understood absolutely nothing. Personally, I couldn’t care less what you find out, get it? It will be better for you if you do as you’re told. That way, maybe, you’ll help yourself.”
Cí bit his tongue. He looked through the reports again. There was nothing there. Any idiot could have written them.
“Councilor,” he said, getting to his feet. “I will need a place where I can carry out a detailed examination of the corpses. And I need my instruments. As soon as possible. Also, I will need to consult a perfume maker, Lin’an’s best.”
Kan’s face tensed and his one eye opened wide. Cí tried not to let Kan’s evident surprise at his requests get to him. Determined to succeed at this new opportunity, Cí needed to make sure he had his instruments and as much information as possible.
“Should there be more murders, I must be informed immediately, regardless of the hour, or where the body is found. The body mustn’t be tampered with or cleaned until I arrive, not even by a judge. Any witnesses should be detained. I’ll also need the best portraitist in the city, not one of those who make the princes look nice, but someone able to capture reality.
“Also, I need to know any information there is on the eunuch who was killed: his role in the palace; his tastes, vices, and virtues; whether he had any lovers, male or female; if he kept in contact with his family; his possessions; anyone he fraternized with. I need to know what he ate and drank and how much time he spent in the toilet.
“A list of all the sects would be useful,” Cí went on. “The Taoists, the Buddhists, the Nestorians, the Manicheans, anyone who has been investigated for practicing occultism, witchcraft, or any kind of illicit act. Finally, I want a full list of every single death in the city in the last six months that has happened under strange circumstances—any police report, anything about people disappearing, and absolutely any witness who, however distant the link may seem, could possibly be related to these deaths.”
“Bo will take care of it.”
“I would also appreciate a map of the palace including details on all the officials and their functions.”
“I’ll try to have an artist make one up.”
“And one last thing.”
“Yes?”
“I need someone to help me. I’m not going to be able to solve these cases alone. Master Ming could—”