A Family Crisis Averted
Upon returning home, Xu Pingzhi and his family were met with a terrifying scene: Xu Xinnian, Xu Qi’an’s cousin, was about to hang himself. The family acted swiftly, saving Xinnian just in time. Despite his scholarly background and a prestigious position at the academy, Xinnian’s demotion to a dishonorable status had driven him to despair. Fortunately, the family’s timely arrival prevented a tragedy.
That evening, the family gathered for a celebratory feast, enjoying Xu Qi’an’s recounting of how he solved the tax silver case. Surprisingly, Xu Pingzhi wasn’t amazed by Qi’an’s ingenuity, claiming he had almost thought of the solution himself.
Adjusting to a New Reality
After several comfortable days at home, Xu Qi’an realized he might never return to his original world. Determined to move forward, he began understanding his new family dynamics: Xu Pingzhi, a straightforward and honest warrior; his calculating aunt, who often pilfered her husband’s savings; and two innocent younger sisters—one a lively teenager with a penchant for forbidden books, the other a gluttonous six-year-old with an insatiable appetite.
With no resources to start a business and his sister-in-law refusing to support him, Xu Qi’an reluctantly joined the local police force as a junior constable. While not passionate about the job, he saw it as a temporary solution to make money.
A New Case Unfolds
On his first day at work, Xu Qi’an encountered a baffling murder case that had frustrated his superiors. Local landlord Zhang Yourui had been killed under mysterious circumstances. He was struck by a blunt object while in his young wife’s courtyard, but no footprints or signs of struggle were found. The wife claimed she saw someone escape over the wall, yet the wall showed no evidence of climbing.
Xu Qi’an suspected Zhang’s son, Zhang Xian, who he theorized had an illicit relationship with the young wife. Fearing exposure, Zhang Xian killed his father in a fit of panic. After subtle questioning, Xu Qi’an’s psychological insights led the wife to confess everything.
Mixed Results
The resolution saw the wife imprisoned, while Zhang Xian was released shortly afterward. Although Chu Caiwei found the outcome unsatisfying, the case was officially closed once the legal documents were delivered to Haoqi Tower. Xu Qi’an, now entangled in this complex world, had no choice but to accept the system’s imperfections.
