"The county office is short-handed, which is why the County Magistrate came to seek your help."
On the chessboard, black and white pieces were locked in a fierce battle. Shen Qingping and Song Shihuan sat across from each other, with Song Shihuan holding a white piece, a sly glint flashing in her eyes:
"Master, why are you avoiding the matter and refusing to lend a hand?"
Click—
A black piece landed on the board.
"I want them to know that I don’t want them to surrender within five days. I’m waiting to deal with them myself."
Shen Qingping’s words sent a shiver down Baoxia’s spine, who was standing nearby in attendance. Young Master Shen always had a way with... startling remarks.
"If word of this gets out, even those still hesitating about turning themselves in will rush to confess," Song Shihuan said, her lips curling into a smile. "This psychological warfare—Master has won."
"That’s exactly the effect I wanted."
Shen Qingping took a sip of tea. Delicious!
Meanwhile, the County Magistrate returned to the office in despair. A crowd of people waiting to surrender still surrounded the gates. Seeing him, they immediately knelt:
"County Magistrate, when can we turn ourselves in? The five-day deadline is almost up."
They were growing anxious!
The County Magistrate looked up at the scorching sun and wiped the sweat from his brow.
"You know how few hands we have at the office. The clerks are already taking statements from those inside. Once they’re done, it’ll be your turn."
"Then... could Young Master Shen send some men to help?" one person boldly asked. "Since the five days aren’t up yet, he surely won’t hold it against us."
"Do you think I didn’t beg for that?"
For a moment, the County Magistrate almost pitied them.
"Young Master Shen refused to send any guards to assist."
"Why?"
"Because he doesn’t want you to surrender within five days. He wants to handle you personally."
Boom—
It felt like thunder had struck over their heads.
News of Shen Qingping’s refusal spread like wildfire. By the next morning, when the County Magistrate arrived at the office, he saw...
A neat, orderly line of people waiting to step inside and confess.
Times had truly changed!
Now even surrendering required queuing up!
......
"Brother, what’d you do?"
The heat was unbearable, and the "criminals" in line, tired and sweaty, couldn’t help but whisper among themselves.
"Sold a child from a family in our village."
"You’re despicable." The questioner’s expression darkened at the mention of child trafficking. "The law calls for the extermination of your clan. And you dare turn yourself in?"
"Better than being hunted down by him, tortured first, then exterminated?" The trafficker replied flatly.
"...Fair point."
"What about you? What’d you do?" The trafficker asked, eyelids drooping in annoyance.
"Stole gold bars buried by my neighbor. The old man dropped dead from rage."
"You’re pretty vile too."
Similar exchanges erupted sporadically outside the office, drawing the attention of passersby. What a bunch of scoundrels!
"These are the ones! Anyone with rotten eggs or spoiled vegetables—throw them!"
With that instigation, the line was soon pelted with rotten eggs and wilted greens.
On the final day of the deadline, the queue outside the office remained. The "criminals" grew increasingly restless, fearing they’d miss the cutoff and fall into Shen Qingping’s hands.
"Some of us can write. Could the County Magistrate let them confess first, then help record the others’ statements? It’d speed things up."
When the suggestion reached the County Magistrate, he was momentarily stunned.
"Criminals interrogating criminals?"
No dynasty had ever set such a precedent.
"Sir, but we’re truly understaffed..."
"Fine, proceed. But the interrogators must sign the confessions to prevent collusion."
"Sir, you worry too much. They’re practically falling over themselves to confess everything." The clerk scratched his head with a grin. "That Young Master Shen from the capital—he’s something else."
"Get back to work!"
The County Magistrate’s glare sent the clerk scurrying out of the room.
A heavy sigh followed.
With so many turning themselves in, didn’t it reflect poorly on the local officials’ competence?
His official hat might not survive this.
......
Once the five-day deadline passed, Shen Qingping swaggered into the county office with his guards in tow.
"This many confessions?"
He stared at the towering stack of papers, his lips twitching.
"Reporting to you, sir—every unresolved case from the past decade has been confessed to," the County Magistrate said, thoroughly impressed. "Not a single one missed."
"All of them came?"
"Indeed. I wouldn’t dare deceive you."
"Cross-check the cases and confessions. If everything’s in order, have the County Magistrate handle the sentencing," Shen Qingping instructed his guards. "If there are discrepancies, bring the person to me. I’ll interrogate them myself."
"Yes, sir!"
The guards’ unified response made the County Magistrate jump. Rumor had it some of them were Imperial Guards!
Two full days of verification later, the guards confirmed—nothing was overlooked.
"Well, Qingshui County is truly cleansed now."
Shen Qingping reclined in his chair, finally relaxing.
He’d always said a fearsome reputation worked better than a virtuous one.
Just as he was about to savor the peace, the blare of a suona nearly blew his scalp off.
"What’s that noise?" Shen Qingping blinked, dazed.
“Third Master, the princess has invited an opera troupe. They must be rehearsing.”
"Opera troupe?"
A flicker of suspicion crossed Shen Qingping’s eyes. Was something else afoot?
"Let’s go see."
Half an hour later, Shen Qingping stood at the courtyard gate.
"Emphasize that the official is righteous—he only punishes evildoers."
"The children stolen were returned to their parents, the stolen treasures recovered. The people have truly benefited."
"This is the outcome the official wanted."
Song Shihuan personally oversaw the script, even dictating how Shen Qingping’s character should look and act.
If he was to play her master, he had to be dashing and heroic.
"Oh, Young Master Shen! What brings you here?" Baoxia greeted him with a smile.
"This is..." A flicker of emotion passed through Shen Qingping’s eyes, vanishing just as quickly.
The princess specially hired the troupe to restore your reputation.
“Princess, there’s no need for such trouble...”
He was content being the villain.
"Clearing Master’s name is no trouble at all."
Song Shihuan tilted her head, grinning. Shen Qingping paused, then smiled back.
Then, eyeing the actor playing him, he cleared his throat:
"Make sure you look handsome."
