```
Meanwhile, another story unfolded. The Minister of Punishment led Xiao Hen out of the city overnight to investigate a case. Xiao Hen's official position at the Ministry was that of Magistrate of the Imperial Library; logically, he should not be involved in case investigations. Nevertheless, the Minister had specifically requested him for his case-solving abilities.
The title of Magistrate was merely a front.
The Minister of Punishment was named Xing Shuwen.
Such a name hardly seemed befitting of a high-ranking minister, yet Xing Shuwen indeed held the position.
Xing Shuwen was one of the few ministers who came from a humble background. He had suffered many hardships before finally entering the Ministry of Punishment.
Lacking the backing of a powerful family made his ascent through the ranks much harder than it was for those born of nobility. He faced two external appointments: one for offending someone, and the other for meddling with forces he shouldn't have touched.
