Unglaublich

Kapitel 11

Xiao Wu helped Cheng Ke up and said, "Madam, how are you doing in this world? We servants are still serving you."

Cheng was slightly bolder and walked to Cheng Mei's side, saying, "Second sister-in-law, you saw it clearly just now, didn't you? Doesn't that person look like my deceased husband?"

Little Wu looked towards the mountain and saw that the man on the large blue stone had disappeared. He then said, "Grandma, I think it looks just like him. Not only does it look like him, but the clothes he's wearing are the same burial clothes he wore when he was lowered into the coffin."

Cheng Mei, slightly out of breath, said, "Although there are many people in the world who look alike, there are probably none who are exactly the same. Look at that ghostly grin he gave us just now, like he was an old friend. Isn't that strange? Did we encounter a ghost in broad daylight?"

Cheng Ke waved her hand at them and said, "Don't mention it, don't mention it. The more you talk about it, the scarier it gets. Luckily it's broad daylight and there are so many people here, otherwise I would have been scared to death."

Seeing that Cheng Keshi and the others were still too frightened to calm down, Xiao Wuzi quickly changed his tune and comforted them, saying, "Gentlemen, you have Buddha worshipped above and Bodhisattvas below, with people all over the mountain in between, and it's broad daylight with the sun shining brightly. How could there be a ghost? If it were a ghost, would it choose this day to come out? Wouldn't it be deliberately making trouble for the Bodhisattvas? I think it must be a passerby, just someone who looks somewhat like one."

Although Xiao Wuzi said that, Cheng Keshi and Cheng Meishi were still worried. Cheng Meishi said, "When we go into the temple, let's not pray for any blessings. Let's just ask Buddha to protect us and be content. Let's double the incense money, no, triple it."

Cheng Ke also said, "Don't bother burning the incense at midnight. I'm already scared in broad daylight, imagine how terrifying it would be to keep watch at night. Let's pray to Buddha and go home as soon as possible. Let's go down the mountain and return to the city today."

After the group finished their pilgrimage to Guangde Temple and donated money for incense, they hurried down the mountain, ignoring their aching legs and backs. They arrived home in Suining County around 3 PM. Cheng Xiande, who had been tending the shop that morning and practicing calligraphy in his study that afternoon, found it strange to hear that the group had returned so travel-worn. He went to the bedroom and asked Cheng Keshi, "What happened? Why are you back so early? Weren't you supposed to be burning incense at midnight?"

Cheng Ke plopped down in a chair and said, "Qiuyue, give me a leg massage. I've never traveled this fast in my life."

Cheng Xiande said anxiously, "Look at you, covered in mud and dust, were you chased by a ghost?"

Cheng Ke sneered, "You're absolutely right, you really did encounter a ghost." She then recounted how she had seen her brother-in-law, Cheng Hanxiao, dead on Wolong Mountain.

Cheng Xiande was also surprised to hear this, and then laughed and said, "The world is so big, what's so strange about having a few people who look alike? Besides, a lot of people from all over the country have come here these days, so it's only natural to run into someone who looks like Cheng Hanxiao."

"Not only does he look like him, but the clothes he's wearing are exactly the same as the burial clothes Cheng Hanxiao wore when he was put into the coffin, even the black belt around his waist is the same. Even if that's just a coincidence, then why is he standing alone on the big blue stone smiling at us?"

Cheng Xiande, annoyed by what he heard, said impatiently, "A fool troubles himself! A fool troubles himself!"

Just then, someone outside the door called out, "Big Brother!"

Upon hearing his younger brother Cheng Xianju's voice, Cheng Xiande said, "It's my second brother. Come in."

As soon as Cheng Xianju walked in, he said, "Brother, just now Xiaolian (Cheng Meishi's nickname) said she saw Cheng Hanxiao on Wolong Mountain. I said she was seeing things, but she said she could see my sister-in-law, my younger sister, and more than a dozen servants and maids clearly. Isn't that strange?"

Cheng Xiande looked at him and said, "You're just worrying about nothing. Is it really worth coming all the way here to tell me about something so trivial? All you did was see someone who looked like Cheng Xiaohan. That person smiled at those women, who knows what he was up to, and you're all so scared?"

Cheng Xianju said in a low voice, "Brother, I don't believe in ghosts or gods. What I do doubt is whether the person who was put into the coffin three years ago was Cheng Hanxiao. Back then, Cheng Hanxiao was struck by lightning and was unrecognizable. Who could recognize him?"

Cheng Xiande patted his shoulder and whispered, "Don't worry. Even if Cheng Hanxiao is burned to ashes, I'll still recognize him!"

The Great Qing Divine Judgment Forty-Six

March 3rd arrived in the blink of an eye, and it was almost time for Cheng Xianju's third daughter's twelfth birthday on the fifth day of the third lunar month. The Cheng family had also completed a hundred days of mourning for their father. Cheng Xianju had three daughters, and this was his most beloved, so naturally, he wanted to celebrate her birthday properly. He also felt that everyone had been quiet for over a hundred days and it was time to liven things up a bit. So he consulted with his eldest son, Cheng Xiande, about hiring actors to perform at a two-day festival. Cheng Xiande noticed that Cheng Keshi and the others had been listless for over ten days since returning from Wolong Mountain. He said, "Since it's my little niece's twelfth birthday, we should definitely have a performance to celebrate. I also noticed that your sister-in-law and brother's wife were quite frightened the other day, so hiring actors to liven things up and help calm their nerves would be good."

The two men agreed immediately and placed an order to hire the famous Wang family opera troupe from Tongchuan Prefecture to perform Kunqu opera. On the evening of the fifth day of the third lunar month, a stage was set up facing south in the second courtyard of the mansion, with a viewing platform opposite. Rows of tea tables and low chairs were neatly arranged, along with various snacks and fruits. Around 9:00 AM, people gradually began to arrive. Because the father had just passed away, no outsiders were invited. Besides Cheng Xianju's generation, there were also the two widows of the old master Cheng: one was Cheng Qianshi, who had been made the principal wife after the death of the first wife, and was 62 years old; the other was a great-aunt from the opera troupe, named Cheng Yueshi, who was only 42 years old, but looked even younger. Also present were the only son of the first wife, Cheng Yin'ai; the three daughters of the second wife, Cheng Baolian, Cheng Baohe, and Cheng Baolan; and Cheng Bao's son, Cheng Baochou. Because of his special relationship with the Cheng family, the steward Jia Cheng was also invited to the banquet, bringing his wife Jia Shi and daughter Jia Zhenlian with him.

The old head of the troupe presented the playbill. Neither Great-Grandma nor Great-Auntie wanted to choose a play, so Cheng Xiande first selected "Promotion to Official Rank." Cheng Keshi, who loved martial arts plays, chose "The Execution of Zidu." Cheng Xianju, having no son, customarily chose "Zhang Xian Sends a Son." Cheng Meishi also refused to choose a play, letting Cheng Shi choose instead, who selected "Three Generations of Glory." Cheng Xiande then asked the steward, Jia Cheng, to choose a play. Jia Cheng repeatedly declined, finally selecting "Imperial Conferment," saying, "This is auspicious; may everyone in the Cheng family receive imperial conferment sooner or later."

Cheng Xianju smiled and said, "This is a good choice; it's an auspicious omen." Since there were still two plays to choose from, he had a younger member of the family bring the playbill. Cheng Yin'ai was unwilling to choose, but Cheng Baolan, the third daughter of the second wife, was unceremonious, saying, "Today is my birthday celebration, so naturally I must choose a play." She then chose *The Peony Pavilion*. Cheng Meishi looked at it with a slight reproach and said, "What are you saying? Why would a young girl choose this play?"

Cheng Xianju, deeply concerned for his daughter, said protectively, "Let her have her way today. Besides, this play isn't exactly a romantic one; even the governor enjoys watching it."

No one requested the last play, so Cheng Baochou took the playbill and said, "Since no one requested it, I'll take it. I'll request 'Blood Splattered in the Mandarin Duck Tower'."

Upon hearing this, Madam Cheng smacked Cheng Baochou on the back of the head and cursed, "What day is it today? Why are you splattering blood like that?"

Cheng Baochou straightened his neck and said, "It's not like we're really bleeding people out, so what's there to be afraid of? This little show is good for killing off the evil spirits here."

Cheng Xiande saw that his nephew's words were sarcastic and knew that he always had this kind of temper, so he ignored him and asked him to change the play to "The Pearl Shirt".

After the performance, the actors came up, bowed, and left. Soon after, a gong sounded, followed by several drumbeats, and the sounds of zithers, horns, suonas, and erhu filled the air. A young male lead walked onto the stage and sang: "Talented men of Eastern Zhejiang, learned scholars of Western Ling, vie to boast of their unparalleled fame. A path to high office is clear, no need to worry about reaching the Isle of Heaven. But the red silk binding their feet is not yet secured, their precious youth is wasted. The red quilt is cold, the boudoir lonely, midnight brings sorrow."

Cheng Xiande listened to the young man's enchanting singing and vivid acting, and couldn't help but exclaim "Bravo!"

The singing continued until almost 9 PM, when the final play began. Wang Sanqiao, the female lead in "The Pearl Shirt," walked out gracefully, like a lotus flower swaying in the wind. This young and beautiful actress, dressed in vibrant colors, immediately captivated Cheng Xiande. Seeing Cheng Xiande so engrossed, Cheng Keshi nudged him with her foot and whispered, "Even when watching a play, you should maintain a proper demeanor. You're supposed to be the head of the household; don't you even restrain yourself in front of the younger generation?"

Just then, the actor playing the male lead, Chen Dalang, came out. Behind him, a young actor who served as a pageboy, walked to the front of the stage and looked down at the audience. Cheng Xiande exchanged a glance with the man, then shuddered and said, "It really is him."

Cheng Ke-shi angrily retorted, "What do you mean, 'she'?" She glanced at the stage as she cursed, but couldn't help shuddering as she said, "Why is it Cheng Han-xiao again?"

Cheng Xianju also saw it and hurriedly had someone call the troupe leader over to ask, "Who was that page who followed Chen Dalang onto the stage just now? When did he join the troupe?"

The head servant looked bewildered and said, "There are only Wang Sanqiao and Chen Dalang. There's no such thing as a pageboy."

Upon hearing this, Cheng Xianju felt a chill run down his spine, and an inexplicable fear enveloped him.

Great Qing Shen Juan Forty-seven

March 16th, morning. Zhang Wentao had been back in his hometown for several days.

That day, outside Suining County, at Wuliting, Zhang Wentao and Qian Botang held a farewell party for Chen Wenwei.

Outside the pavilion, the clouds were light and the breeze gentle, the sky a clear blue and the water green. Inside, a table was set up for a banquet, and three people held their cups.

Zhang Wentao offered Chen Wenwei a cup of wine, then had someone bring him pen and ink. He spread out the paper on the proposal and, in one stroke, wrote four lines of poetry: "The wind blows gently on the fifth day of the fifth month, the moon shines bright on the third; two oars glide smoothly across the azure water. A hundred percent peach blossoms, a thousand percent willows, their vibrant reds and greens painted across the river."

After Zhang Wentao finished writing, he blew on the ink and said, "Brother Chen, it has been five years since we met in the fourth year of Jiaqing's reign. In these five years, our friendship has deepened, surpassing even the finest wine. Now that we part, I don't know when we will meet again. Here, I've composed a poem describing the scenery of Sichuan for you to carry with you. If you ever think of your elder brother, take a look at it."

Qian Botang took Chen Wenwei's hand and said, "It's not easy for us to get together, and it would be a pity to part like this. Why not stay in Sichuan for a few more days, travel around the famous mountains and rivers, and enjoy a carefree life like a hermit?"

Chen Wenwei smiled and said, "Lord Zhang once told me that an official should bring benefits to the people in his jurisdiction. Being an official is indeed a tough job, but to do something for the country and the people, to do something truly loyal and benevolent, one has no choice but to wear this robe and this official hat. However, the three-year term will be over in the blink of an eye. When Lord Zhang returns to office, I would like to request to be transferred to Lord Zhang's side, to be his right-hand man, and together we can accomplish something great."

The three men lingered, reluctant to part, and chatted for a while longer. After the banquet, Chen Wenwei stepped down from the pavilion, leaped onto his horse, and bowed, saying, "Take care, everyone. Lord Zhang, Brother Qian, we'll meet again!" His voice choked with emotion as he said this.

Zhang Wentao wiped away the tears from the corners of his eyes and said, "The journey to Shandong is long. You are traveling alone, so please be careful. Go."

Chen Wenwei nodded, said nothing more, spurred his horse, and galloped off like lightning, heading east, raising a cloud of dust.

Zhang Wentao climbed the pavilion and gazed out until Chen Wenwei's figure disappeared from sight before stepping out. He saw a scene of vibrant spring, with green grass and red flowers, mulberry and willow trees like clouds, overlapping peaks, and reeds blooming along the riverbanks, yet a layer of melancholy lingered in its wake.

Qian Botang sighed softly, "There are always tears of parting. Success comes late, separation comes early, which makes people melancholy."

Just as Fang finished speaking, a procession of ceremonial guards appeared from the direction of Suining County in the west. At the front carried warning signs, canes, and spears, while behind them held blue umbrellas. Several yamen runners escorted a blue sedan chair carried by two men as they approached.

Zhang Wentao recognized it as the entourage of the magistrate of Suining County. Sure enough, as the procession drew near, the sedan chair alighted, and a young official emerged, dressed in a robe with eight pythons and five claws, over which was a cormorant-patterned undergarment. Upon seeing Zhang Wentao, he hurriedly bowed and said, "Lord Zhang, I've finally found you!" Zhang Wentao had visited this magistrate a few days earlier when he had just arrived in Suining. The magistrate of Suining County was named Wei Shenyin, and he had been serving as magistrate for less than two years.

Wei Shenyin had long heard of Zhang Wentao's reputation and greatly admired him. He spoke with great respect, and after bowing, he said, "Lord Zhang, a murder case just occurred in the county town this morning. I have come to ask you to come and give me your guidance."

Zhang Wentao returned the greeting and asked, "Magistrate Wei, have you examined the scene? What kind of case is it?"

"I have already gone to see the murder of Cheng Xianju, the second son of the wealthy Cheng family in the county town. Strangely, Cheng Xianju died of fright. I find this very strange, so I would like to ask for your guidance, sir."

"What? Was he scared to death?" Zhang Wentao was also encountering such a case for the first time, and he couldn't help but be very interested.

"The deceased had ligature marks on his neck, but they were not deep and not fatal. However, his pupils were dilated, his eyes were filled with terror, his face was pale, and he was foaming at the mouth, indicating that he died of fright. Since Lord Zhang has not arrived, I dare not make any rash moves and have already ordered the scene to be guarded. However, I am afraid that this person is already terrified."

"When was the report filed? Who was the first to see it?"

"At four quarters past the hour this morning (6:40 AM), the Cheng family sent someone to the county government to report the case. It was Hongyu, a concubine of Cheng Xianju from the second branch of the Cheng family, who saw it first, but she did not go into the haunted house to take a closer look. The first person to enter the house was Cheng Xiande from the first branch."

"Did you lose anything?"

"Nothing was lost."

Zhang Wentao nodded and said, "It is indeed a strange case. Let's go take a look now."

This was a very secluded and quiet Buddhist shrine. In the center of the main hall, on the altar, sat a statue of Guanyin Bodhisattva. Several lamps in front of the statue were still lit, but the incense sticks in the incense burner had burned out, leaving grayish-white ash inside. A strong scent of sandalwood still lingered in the room.

On the east side of the Buddhist hall was an altar table with a candlestick holding two half-burnt white candles. Cheng Xianju's body lay supine before the table. Zhang Wentao approached and saw that the corpse's face bore an expression of extreme pain; its eyes were wide open, pupils dilated, and its complexion was pale with salt stains left from profuse sweating. One hand clutched its chest, while the other was clenched into a fist. There were scratch marks on its feet from repeated rubbing against the ground. There was a distinct purple ligature mark on its neck, but it was not very deep and did not form a groove. Its clothes were disheveled. It seemed that the deceased had engaged in a brief struggle with the assailant, but during the fight, he saw something terrifying and suddenly died of fright. The assailant, upon seeing Cheng Xianju's shock, simultaneously stopped strangling him and fled.

What terrifying thing did Cheng Xianju see before his death? It caused him to die of fright during a life-or-death struggle with his killer. And how was the killer able to escape so easily? Was this terrifying thing an accomplice of the killer? Or did the killer possess the ability to transform, suddenly changing during the fight with Cheng Xianju and scaring him to death?

Zhang Wentao pondered for a while, but couldn't come up with any clues. He stood up and walked around the Buddhist hall, observing slowly.

Wei Shenyin cautiously followed behind and said, "Lord Zhang, I heard that the Cheng family hired a Taoist priest to exorcise a ghost a few days ago."

“Things about gods and ghosts are too absurd. If we start the investigation from the perspective of gods and ghosts, we will only fall into the killer's trap and take a roundabout way. I noticed that the ligature marks on the victim's neck have a double swastika pattern, which is quite rare.” As Zhang Wentao was speaking, he suddenly bent down and picked up something.

This is a red ribbon, exquisitely crafted, embroidered with a double swastika pattern.

Standing beside him, Qian Botang couldn't help but whisper, "This is what the murderer used to strangle Cheng Xianju."

“Not this one,” Zhang Wentao said, turning his head.

Qian Botang asked in confusion, "Don't these have the same pattern?"

“Although this kind of strap is elastic, it cannot return to its original shape after being stretched strongly. The strap in my hand is still in its original shape, so the murderer did not use this one.” Zhang Wentao had just finished speaking when he heard Magistrate Wei Shenyin say from a few steps away, “So it was this kind of strap.”

Zhang Wentao and Qian Botang walked over and saw a similar ribbon tied around the curtain. Zhang Wentao untied the ribbon and saw that it had been stretched thin and long. "This ribbon must be the murder weapon. It seems that the murderer was familiar with the layout of the Buddhist hall, even knowing details like the ribbon on the curtain. It must have been someone from inside the mansion who committed the crime."

Wei Shenyin asked, "Wasn't it just something the murderer took at will?"

“Impossible. Look.” Zhang Wentao led the two men back to Cheng Xianju’s body, pointing to the items beside him. “There’s a black rope here, used for binding things. There’s also an inkstone, cloisonné, and a small bronze tripod over here—all things that could be used to kill someone, and they’re right there in the open. But the murderer used something that’s not easily noticed by an ordinary person. He originally wanted to cover his tracks, but it became a handle that exposed him.”

Qian Botang laughed and said, "If the curtain tie on this side hadn't come loose and fallen down, the murderer might have succeeded."

Wei Shenyin pondered for a moment and said, "However, the Cheng family has a large population, with nearly a hundred people, including masters and servants. How can we investigate them?"

“Let’s go and walk around the various courtyards of the Cheng residence first. Maybe this clumsy method can help us find out something useful.”

Great Qing Dynasty Divine Judgment Forty-Eight

An hour later, Zhang Wentao, Wei Shenyin, and Qian Botang returned to the Buddhist hall after inspecting all the courtyards of the Cheng residence. Wei Shenyin looked around but couldn't see anything, and kept asking Zhang Wentao questions. Zhang Wentao smiled and said, "Brother, I have indeed seen some things, but they are still uncertain. We need to interrogate them further before we can reach a conclusion. Don't worry, brother, we'll probably find out soon." After saying that, he ordered someone to summon Hongyu, Cheng Xianju's concubine, who was the first to see the corpse, to the side room for questioning.

Hongyu, about twenty years old, looked quite frightened and hadn't recovered; her face still showed signs of fear. Upon seeing Zhang Wentao and Wei Shenyin, she burst into tears. A nearby constable shouted, "Lord Zhang and the master have questions to ask; no sobbing!"

Hongyu then stopped crying and said, "This humble girl, Hongyu, greets you, sir and master."

Zhang asked Tao, "How did you discover Cheng Xianju's body? Tell me in detail what happened last night."

"Ever since a month ago, when the grandmothers saw the ghost of my late aunt in broad daylight on Wolong Mountain, and again at the beginning of this month when they sang opera for the birthday of the third daughter of the second wife, my husband has been restless and very frightened. These days, he can only fall asleep with the lights on."

"What? Has your master encountered a ghost?" Wei Shenyin interjected.

"That's right. Oh, it's not that my husband encountered a ghost, it's that my great-uncle's ghost has returned to the Cheng family. Several grandmothers, the eldest son's husband, my husband, and a few younger relatives all saw it when they were performing. So a few days ago, we even invited a Taoist priest from Jinhua Mountain to exorcise the ghost, and he's been sleeping better these past few days. But last night, my husband had a dream and woke up in the middle of the night saying that his deceased great-uncle, Cheng Hanxiao, had appeared to him in a dream and told him to immediately go to the Buddhist hall to offer incense to Guanyin. After offering incense, Cheng Hanxiao would never come to the Cheng family again. I said it's so late, why bother going out? It's not too late to offer incense tomorrow. He got angry, scolded me a few times, took a candlestick, lit two candles, and went out. Last night, for some reason, I was very sleepy, so I turned over and fell asleep."

Zhang asked Tao, "Do you remember when he left?"

"I happened to hear the watchman's drum, it must have been around 3:30 in the morning. Later, I woke up and looked at the clock on the wall, it was already 5:00 in the morning. But my master hadn't returned, so I got dressed and went to the Buddhist hall to look for him. When I got there and opened the door, I saw my master lying on the ground. I was so scared that my legs went weak, and I stood there stunned for a long time before running out. I didn't know where to run, I just kept looking for him. Usually at this time, the servants would have already gone out, but that day was really strange, I ran for a while and couldn't find a single person. Later, I bumped into the master of the first house under the veranda of the West Flower Hall and told him what had happened. The master of the first house hurriedly called for people to go and see. I went back to my room with the help of the maid. I was so scared that I cried for a long time, and I still can't recover."