Traditional regalia and rituals are both crucial to the text, as both speak to Chinese customs and culture. The judge’s official robes and his cap are mentioned throughout. Special attention is paid to the instances when he does not wear his official uniform, as when he pretends to be an itinerant merchant or when he goes to the Hua manor in an unofficial capacity. The red pelerine he wears on the day of the executions is also emphasized. Other paraphernalia of the magistrate’s work includes the bench in the tribunal.

Interactions between people in the book are governed by ritual and custom. When facing the judge, villagers abase themselves by referring to themselves as “this insignificant person,” for example. When meeting strangers, people give their last names first and first names second, emphasizing the importance of the family over the individual.

The text consistently presents women as inferior to men. They are the ones who make scenes and display emotions in public, which is thought unseemly, like when the carter’s widow wails loudly in front of the hostel where Judge Dee is staying. Mrs. Bee is described as stupid several times and bursts into tears at the smallest provocation. Additionally, the most depraved criminal is Mrs.