Liberi Reader

Oh, wow... Now that's a pretty stone.

Ooh, it's got such a beautiful pattern, and it's really smooth. If I carve it a bit, I might be able to sell it at the market for a good price...

Say, my young friend, could you give that stone back to me?

Back to you? I found this stone in the river, what do you mean, back to you?

It's a stone I wanted to add to my garden that took me quite a lot of effort to find. I accidentally left it here as I was returning back.

If you give it back to me, then when my garden is restored, you can play there. How does that sound?

No, no, no. It's yours just because you said it's yours? I saw the stone here, and I picked it up first. That means it's mine.

*sigh* Such an unreasonable little rascal...

Alright, then how about this? I'll trade you some other treasure for that stone.

Name your price. Anything for the stone.

Really...? Then I want a hundred, no, a thousand...?

Forget hundreds or thousands. Millions, billions, enough fame and fortune to sustain you until you're old and gray will be yours, just like that.

You...

Do we have a deal?

No, no, no, the answer's still no.

People are always trying to take advantage. If you're okay with paying that much for this stone, it means it must be worth way more than that.

So I'll take real good care of it. I want to see what makes this stone so special.

What a clever little one...

Very well, I'm in no hurry.

When you change your mind, I'll come find you to buy that stone.

Ridiculous... Absolutely ridiculous!

The old man's making trouble even on his deathbed!

Don't say that, brother. Dad's condition is getting worse by the day, and soon...

We haven't had the time to be the most filial children. He only has the one final wish, and we should do our best to make him happy.

Our sister's words are much kinder than yours, little brother.

Filial piety is the greatest of virtues. You might be rich now, but do not forget your roots.

Yes, yes, yes, the two of you speak so highly of filial piety, but who was it who actually took care of him when he became ill?

Calling in everyone because of a lost stone. If I went to Baizao to report it, the Judicial Review Office would have me locked up for obstructing official business. What am I supposed to do, huh?

Besides... Have we ever had such a stone in our house before?

Who knows? As the second young master of this family, surely you are the most aware of how many properties we own?

Me? Pah! Stop trying to act all high and mighty.

You've never come home once these past few years, then the moment Dad got ill, you came running back like a dutiful son. Who do you think you're trying to fool?

Alright, enough arguing. If you can't help, then don't cause trouble, okay?

That Tianshi has only just arrived. Let's wait for her to find that stone for us.

......

Master, this is a Tianshi from the Tianshi Bureaus, and a former deputy minister at the Judicial Review Office.

She is here to help you find that stone. Are you willing to tell her about what happened to that treasure of yours?

...Hmph...

There's barely any devotion in those children of mine...

Tell them that, if my stone is not found, they will not be seeing a single fen of my money.

Whomsoever finds that stone for me, I shall bestow upon them half my estates.

So you are the venerable Mr. Wan.

What sort of stone is it that you lost?

It is a stone I plucked from the river when I was young, one unique across all of Terra.

What I meant was, what sort of treasure was this stone? Was it jade, or some other precious mineral?

Neither... It was merely an ordinary stone.

Then do you know who would desire this stone?

I do... but the one who desires it would never steal it...

Who is it? And how do you know—

Where was this stone normally kept? When was the last time the residents saw it, and at what hour?

It is normally within a small box the master had specially made, which was hidden in the deepest storeroom in the house.

The evening before last, I was cleaning that storeroom, and everything was as it should. The next morning, I found the box smashed against the ground, and the stone inside gone...

Can I trouble you to show me where the stone was lost?

Come, come, please, come in! Today, I have prepared some meager wine, so as to offer you my deepest gratitude. If you are unsatisfied, please, I beg your forgiveness!

Congratulations on your new home, good sir! May your fortunes and profits be grand! Here, a fowlbeast from the family coop, along with two baskets of eggs—

We're from the same clan and generation, cousin. We might not have been close in the past, but why be strangers now? Please, call me Brother Wan.

Alright then... Brother Wan! Then take these as well. Shoes my mother worked on through the night. Please, don't mind how they look.

She says she knows how much you've rushed about doing business these past few years, crossing hill and stream. The boots you buy in town might be sturdy, but they can't beat the comfort of homemade shoes.

Once I've settled down, I will definitely go to visit Auntie. When my home was washed away by a deluge when I was young, she trekked several hundred li to give me two sacks of millet, despite her bad back... I never forgot.

*sigh* All you had left was a single stone. The adults thought you didn't have long to live, but nobody could've expected you were tougher than rock! You're really something, making it through all that!

You made a living with your own two hands, enduring a life of hardship without complaint. You crawled your way out of the backwater, started up a business, gotten married... You've got my respect!

It's all just luck, really...

But since I was forced into such a situation, not charging headlong into the future wasn't an option. I couldn't just lay down and die, could I? I'm truly lucky to have grasped my life back. I can hardly give up now.

Now please, sit! If we keep chatting, the braised hock will all be gone!

No rush, everyone, there are plenty of seats for all—Heaven above, is it really you?!

Yes, it's me. I've come again.

It's been quite a while. What're you here for today? Surely not to try and buy this stone again?

You're on the mark, I'm afraid.

Since you've already settled down, started both a family and a business... Are you willing to give me that stone now?

Naturally, the answer is... still no!

Putting aside the fact that this stone has saved my life, just wearing it to bed lets me sleep easy.

It's my lucky charm, so how could I give it to you? It simply will not do. Just give up already.

Very well then.

Huh? You're actually giving up?

No, of course not.

I still dearly adore that stone, but I cannot seize that which another loves.

I shall wait once more, wait until you wish to put it down, at which time I shall take it away.

This is the storeroom where valuable assets are kept?

Yes, the master kept his important account books and deeds here. Not just anyone is allowed in.

Did anyone enter on the night the stone was lost?

Unfortunately, there was a torrential downpour that night. If I remember correctly, I never saw a light turn on in this storeroom, nor did I hear any sound coming from it.

Who normally has access to this room?

There are altogether four copies of the key to the room and the cabinets. The master's three children each have a copy, while I keep the master's copy in his stead.

But the stone's box has its own key. The master keeps the only copy on his person at all times.

And the box was kept on top of that standing cabinet?

The master normally does not allow others to touch the stone. After becoming bedridden a few years ago, he has not had the time to fiddle with it either, so it has been placed somewhere out of the way.

Account books, deeds... Someone who knows what these are worth...

If a thief came in from outside, would they have sneaked over here? This residence has many more valuables that would have caught their eye.

Pardon, did you say something?

Nothing, just thinking about a case I was recently looking into, but I doubt it has any relevance to this.

Right, there's something I'd like to ask. Master Wan's three children, what sort of people are they?

Well...

No matter what may have happened, I am merely a butler. It would be inappropriate for me to discuss the young masters' and young mistress's affairs...

Please, be at ease. I am not asking you to judge them as people, but rather simply asking what their day-to-day work is, and under what circumstances they come to visit Master Wan. That is all.

This is for the sake of your master's final wish. You may speak freely.

*sigh*...

When it comes to the master's three children, if you were to only look at their achievements, they would all show great promise.

The elder young master, oldest of them all, is a scholar. He has always boasted impressive grades, and currently holds a post at the Academy.

The second child, the younger young master, took after his father, and has recently brought much custom to the family businesses.

The youngest, the young mistress, is uninterested in such mundanity, dedicating herself to music. She is a musician renowned far and wide.

Based on your tone, it sounds like they have their hidden flaws?

I dare not say, I dare not... Who would care for the opinion of a lowly servant such as I?

But... from my bystander's point of view, these three children are not particularly close to the master.

The three of them moved out when they came of age, rarely returning even during festivities...

Does Master Wan have a bad relationship with his children?

*sigh* Another long story, I'm afraid.

When the master was but a shepherd boy, he had nothing. It was only after much bitter toil that he was able to start the family businesses.

But when it came to the care of his children, he found himself willing but unable.

It isn't hard to imagine.

Tianshi Lin, surely you do not suspect...?

I simply understand the situation a little better.

By the way, why does your master value this stone so? Did he plan to sell it?

That has never been the case, as far as I know.

That stone is the master's most precious treasure. We staff normally never have the opportunity to see it.

I once suggested taking it to the jade store to be appraised, but he scolded me with a great fury in return. I have never dared mention it again ever since.

I do remember one thing, though. The master once mentioned a strange individual thinking of buying the stone, one who has been thinking for several decades now.

Several decades...?

Your master mentioned finding this stone in the river several decades ago...

Does this place still exist?

I'll be off now, master...

Right. Do I still owe you any wages? If so, I'll think of a way to—

It's all settled. The beams and pillars that survived the fire were made of top-rate cedarwood. The coffinmaker's already gathered them up. The money that's left over... I put it on the stove.

Then... Then you can go now. And there's no need to call me 'master' anymore.

Brother Wan... You've done lots of good deeds, enough that nobody would think you any less virtuous than anyone else. How did it all go so wrong...?

I didn't do all that just to cultivate virtue and show off.

Who would've thought your good name would make you a target for vicious robbers! Damn it all, how can Heaven be so blind?! Letting such evil men go free just makes it harder for us honest folk!

Alright, alright... That's enough of that.

I'm halfway to being old and gray, my family and funds scattered to the four winds. Being able to hold on to my life and... this stone... means I'm still rather lucky.

Have I come at a bad time?

I'm afraid I can't offer you hospitality this time around.

Fate is a cruel, cruel mistress...

Here for the stone again?

At first, yes, but...

How do you feel now? Do you believe it to be an ordinary stone?

I believe...

It's a totally ordinary stone, and I'm a totally ordinary person. A gust of wind and some drizzle is all it takes to bury us in mud.

I've met many people before, but very few of them were like you, dragging yourself out of abject poverty through sheer stubbornness and grit to achieve greatness.

Even fewer can... No, nearly nobody your age can crawl back up after losing everything in a flash.

Are you saying I should just resign myself to fate and abandon it all? Including the stone?

No... I simply wished to ask you one thing: Have you given up?

Of course not!

I've crawled out of the gutter once, and I can do it again... I must crawl out!

You always wanted this stone, didn't you? I'll give it to you, but I'm not abandoning it. I'll come to redeem it one day.

You mean this is to be collateral?

That's right. With it, I'll borrow some money from you.

I'll plant saplings where the trees were burnt down and lay new bricks where the walls collapsed. Right, I might be getting old, but I'm not dead yet!

It's just a fresh start. I've done it all once, and I can do it all again...

But this time, I'll do it even better!

Hmm, I understand. But... Ah, never mind.

Hah, don't tell me you'll only accept it if I give it to you for nothing?

I wouldn't accept it if you did.

What I want is a totally ordinary stone. You haven't let go of your obsession with it, so this stone would be too heavy for me.

Here.

Why are you helping me?

I am accustomed to the road here. On whichever day I feel like seeing if the stone is still there or not, I need only walk two paces to come over.

But if you were to fall into ruin and wander off with that stone, I would not know where to look for it. And that would be rather troublesome for me, don't you think?

......

According to the elderly gentleman yesterday, this should be the area where he found the stone.

The river has become a graveyard... Even the trees that only sprouted after the deluge seem decades old.

There's someone here...?

Hey, I told you you should've come with us.

Look at me, I became a mandarin a long time ago. It doesn't matter if it's flowers and trees or vases and pots; in Garden of Grotesqueries, when they see me, they have to bow with respect and call me—

Wh-What do they call you?

'The Young Minister of Rains!' Heh, I told you, where it rains and where it doesn't rain in Garden of Grotesqueries is all up to me.

I simply need to jump in a pond and—Pow! There shall be rain!

Sounds really impressive.

What about you? What ministry are you with? What do others call you?

Nothi... W-Wait! They call me... 'Great Hero'!

Great Hero? What ministry is that under? How come I've never heard of you?

The Great Hero is... is a big wooden box. When I'm inside it, nobody can open it!

Th-That does sound rather impressive... But I'm a Young Minister, so why are you a 'Great' Hero? That's not right! When you come with me to the Garden of Grotesqueries, you shall be called 'Young Hero'!

Oh, okay...

Look at you, did you just wake up? I'll tell you something. Once, we were both in a basket carried on someone's back. The basket's master was carrying us through the river, when you suddenly fell out of the basket—

Tell me, what were you thinking then?

I... I don't really remember.

Then do you at least remember how you 'woke up'? All of our siblings who were brought back to the Garden of Grotesqueries were awakened by the master. Who knew there'd be someone outside the Garden powerful enough to make even willful stones bow their heads!

What do you mean, powerful... He's just a stinky rock! And he's stupid and mean too!

On rainy days when you're supposed to rest, he runs out to the fields. When other workers have gone home already, he goes to the river to dig up rocks while his tummy's rumbling.

He said he wants to build a new house! He's got no money to get people to lay the foundations, so he's doing it himself with a shovel. He can't afford bricks, so he makes his own out of yellow clay.

It took him seven or eight years to build that home by himself, but he still wasn't done. As soon as it was finished, he was out the door to go do business.

What an idiot! Stupid rock!

He worked so hard on that business to get results, but once he got robbed, he had nothing left!

*sigh* So he did all that hard work for nothing?

He could have settled down and lived out the rest of his years earning an honest living. But he just wouldn't give up, and put himself through all that torture again—

But he's finished now that he's sick... His children are unfilial, and the family and friends who visit just want his stuff.

What really makes me mad is that right now, he's still blaming himself for not looking after the box! He still thinks he lost the stone!

It sounds like... you're a bit angry at him, but you also pity him a little? If that's the case, why did you run out here instead of staying with him?

Because I... I don't really know... Why does he never know when to give up?

I heard from some friends from outside the Garden of Grotesqueries that things like people fall into holes really easily and are unable to climb out their entire lives.

If that's the case, then come with me to the Garden of Grotesqueries. I'll introduce you to my brothers and sisters. They all know loads of stuff, so they can definitely help you figure things out!

Garden of Grotesqueries... What kind of place is it? Is it fun there...?

Of course it's fun! You definitely won't regret coming with me! I'm telling you, that place has—

This is bad, someone's here.

Wait a moment—!

Transformed by obsession, as if become an object possessed...

What sort of obsession has ingrained itself into this stone, I wonder...

Have you called us here because you have found the stone, Tianshi?

Indeed.

Not only have I found the stone, but I have also identified the robber who stole into your manse.

Please don't keep us in suspense, then. Tell us what happened, quick.

There is no need to rush. I require a cooperative partner in deduction to explain how this stone was lost, and what connection the robber has to it.

If I may trouble you to stand here.

Me...?

Now, use your key to open this cabinet's lock.

What sort of trickery are you up to...?

Cooperate with the Tianshi, brother.

Don't dawdle. Just do as she says so we can all be at ease.

...Hmph.

Now what?

Yes, such an act would not be difficult under normal circumstances...

But I fear it would be hard to be so nimble in working the lock if it were a dark and stormy night. A few knocks and smacks are to be expected.

In truth, the robber was not after the stone, but rather Master Wan's legacy, locked within this cabinet.

And in knowing where this house's true treasures were stored, they could no longer hide their avarice—

You... Get to the point already!

(Whispers) I am no mandarin of the Judicial Review Office, young master. I have no intention of getting involved in your family affairs. There is simply one thing I must remind you of.

(Whispers) Under the Laws of Yan, the crime of theft applies equally between parents and children. Where unauthorized alteration of wills involves assets exceeding statutory thresholds, it shall constitute a felony.

(Whispers) I ask that you act with dignity.

You... You...!

Young masters... Young mistress...

Master Wan, he—

—!

Return this stone to him, posthaste.

......

......

(Melancholy smile)