C1 The Appearance of the Corpse

"Please, let me go! I don't want to die..." The woman's voice, filled with tears, was quickly drowned out by the approaching footsteps. The rustling leaves filtered the light, almost there... almost free... With all her strength, she pushed through the fog, and golden light streamed in. Just as she felt the thrill of a new beginning, a sudden crashing sound plunged her back into darkness. Her frail body was dragged away, her pleas fading into silence. Should she be grateful that her last sight was the brilliant sunset?

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As autumn turned to winter, Zhongshan County was unexpectedly blanketed in snow, turning the usually crisp and clear weather into a chilling scene. The streets, empty and silent, suddenly echoed with a thunderous shout. A yamen runner sprinted to the back of the office, urgently calling out, "Miss, something terrible has happened!"

"Don't jinx it! You're the one with bad luck," retorted a girl of about fifteen or sixteen, bursting out of the house with a bundle on her back. She frowned, her youthful face full of indignation. "Chen Laosi, if you keep talking nonsense, you'll regret it."

With that, she raised her fist at the yamen runner named Chen Laosi.

"Xiaocui!" A sharp voice called from inside the house. A young woman with bright eyes and flawless skin emerged, her soft, dark hair cascading casually down her back. Her brows, delicate as a wisp of smoke, were slightly furrowed as she looked at the maid, Xiaocui, with displeasure. "Mind your manners."

"Miss."

"Miss..."

Both of them bowed to the young woman, who was none other than Tang Wan'er, the daughter of the magistrate of the county.

"Chen Laosi, what's going on?"

"Miss, there's... there's a body found on the east hill..." Chen Laosi's mouth twitched as he spoke, as if he had encountered something terrifying.

Xiaocui sneered, "Chen Laosi, you've solved countless cases with the master. It's just a body! What's there to be scared of?"

"No... no, this... this time it's different..." In just a few words, Chen Laosi's forehead was covered in cold sweat, and he stammered, unable to form a complete sentence.

Tang Wan'er frowned deeply, "Has the body been taken to the morgue?"

"No, it hasn't."

Tang Wan'er, affected by his unease, hurried back inside to grab a small, intricate wooden box. She approached him and said, "I'll go with you to the east hill."

Chen Laosi shook his head, then reconsidered and nodded, leading the way. His legs seemed weak and unsteady, whether from fear or exhaustion, leaving one to wonder what had truly happened.

Seeing Wan'er hurrying off with Chen Laosi, Xiaocui refused to be left behind and quickly followed. "Miss, I'm coming too."

Wan'er declined, "No need, you're visiting family today. Don't let this delay you."

"But..." Xiaocui hesitated, worried. However, under Wan'er's disapproving gaze, she relented, "Miss, please be careful."

Wan'er nodded at her, then climbed onto a simple cart with Chen Laosi. The cart clattered down the street.

Zhongshan County - East Mountain

Zhongshan County is located in a rugged mountainous area. East Mountain, prone to landslides, was abandoned long ago, becoming a desolate, uninhabited land.

The cart stopped halfway, unable to navigate the rough terrain. Chen Laosi clung tightly to the cart's frame, refusing to go any further.

With no other choice, Wan'er asked for the location of the incident and set off on foot.

The biting north wind howled, sweeping through the mountains, and a thin mist reduced visibility. After walking about 300 yards, Wan'er spotted a scattered group of people. As she approached, a slightly overweight middle-aged man hurried toward her.

"Daughter, you're finally here." It was her father, Tang Zhong. He grasped Wan'er's arm, his trembling hands revealing his fear. Despite his tearful demeanor, he was indeed the magistrate of Zhongshan County.