There was no point alarming Yang with these new scenarios flashing through his mind. And Judge Dee was still wondering what could prove to be the ‘right and proper’ thing for him to do when a light knock came at the door.

It was the young monk Nameless standing in the doorway, scratching his shaved head, and holding an envelope in his hand with a mysterious air.

‘A flower girl in the neighborhood has just delivered the letter here, saying it’s something Your Honor may be interested in reading.’

‘Oh, the flower girl Zhang,’ Judge Dee said, taking the envelope from Nameless. ‘I bought some flowers from her earlier in the day. Let her come in.’

‘No, she has left. Conventionally, a female visitor like the flower girl would be barred from entering here unless for some religious service arranged beforehand. So she gave the letter to me without coming in.’

‘I see. Coincidentally, I had intended to have a special service arranged here for my late parents. Your temple is well known, but I may not have the time for it right now, I’m afraid. I’m going to leave for the new post in a day or two,’ Judge Dee said, taking a piece of paper from the envelope.

‘Yes, Master has discussed with me his plan for a religious service in the temple,’ Yang said, chipping in, ‘but Her Majesty insists on his leaving for the important new position without delay.’

‘Oh, this is one of Xuanji’s recent poems I have not read before,’ Judge Dee said, glancing through the lines on the paper. ‘She left it at the flower girl’s. So intriguing. It may be very important for the compilation of her poetry collection.’

Alternatively, important for something more than the compilation of the poetry collection?

The question, however elusive, seemed to remain as he began to read the poem more closely.

‘No wonder people choose to describe you as “infallible Judge Dee as clear as the cloudless sky,”’ Nameless said with an ingratiating chuckle, ‘even though your official rank is much higher, as Han Shan has told me. Just in one single day, you’ve interviewed so many people connected with Xuanji through your investigation.’

‘Not so many, Nameless. And “judge” is but a convenient title for others, as I’ve served in so many different positions that I myself can hardly remember all the titles. What’s more important, I’m not here for the investigation of the murder case.’

‘But it’s such an intriguing case as you have discussed with Han Shan.’