Wei Jingnian, not wanting to get involved in the Wang family's affairs, tasted a few bites of the jujube paste pastry and nodded in praise, "Xueru, you understand me better and better. The jujube paste pastry is sweet and sour; eating it in the morning makes my appetite better all day!"
He knew Wang Xueru was upset, and he said these words just to make her a little happier. Although this girl had liked to cling to him since she was a child, to the point that he was annoyed and tired of her, he still felt heartbroken when he saw her sad.
"Then you should eat a few more bites!"
Wang Xueru was so angry at Aunt Qin that she glared at her, as if she wanted to vent her resentment on the food. She also changed her address to Wei Jingnian from "Brother Jingnian" to the stiff "you".
Sun Miao'er finished eating with her head down, put down her chopsticks, and decided it was best not to say anything. She would find an opportunity to give Wei Jingnian a few pointers later, so as not to reveal his master's identity. She felt that her master might have his reasons for doing what he did.
"Sir, the government officials have arrived."
The servant rushed in to report, but before he could finish, Shan Qiu went straight into the inner hall with his knife.
He strode forward with his head held high and a solemn expression, his right thumb pressed firmly against the knife.
Sun Miao'er sized up Shan Qiu's posture; if she were to use it to scare the sleepless children in Fushui Village, it would definitely be a top-notch solution.
Master Wang greeted him obsequiously, gesturing for his servants to serve tea. "Officer Shan, what brings you here today? I am truly ashamed that I have failed to greet you properly. Please take a seat!"
Shan Qiu raised his hand without a smile. "No need, Master Wang. I have official business to attend to, but I have a few questions for Miss Wang."
Master Wang asked, "Is it still about yesterday's lantern-lighting ceremony?"
“Exactly.” Shan Qiu nodded.
Master Wang hurriedly grasped Shan Qiu's hand that was pressing on the blade, and exclaimed excitedly, "Yesterday, thanks to Officer Shan, my daughter was saved from danger. I have no way to repay you. Quickly, bring Officer Shan that box of the finest white tea."
Dan Qiu turned his head slightly, neither accepting the gift nor drinking the tea, his gaze sweeping around, "Is Miss Wang already fully recovered?"
He sounded puzzled, and was quite shocked to see Wang Xueru.
Wang Xueru asked, puzzled, "Why do you ask? Does that mean that everyone else was unwell yesterday except for me?"
Dan Qiu nodded and said in a deep voice, "Someone poisoned the scene yesterday. Many people fell into a coma after returning home. The doctors in the city have examined them but are helpless. Most of them are still unconscious."
Finally seizing the opportunity, Master Wang flattered and chimed in, "Officer Shan, you've come to the right place! Last night, a traveling physician came to my manor. He only prescribed two doses of medicine, and he cured my daughter and Miss Sun. The physician is still at my manor. Quickly, go and invite Physician Fu here!"
I initially thought it was just a lucky accident by this country doctor, but I didn't expect him to have some real skills. He solved the poison that even the entire city of Pingnan couldn't cure with such ease.
Taking advantage of the time while he was calling for a doctor, he changed the subject and said frankly, "By the way, Officer Shan, the tenants say that this year's harvest is not good, even worse than in previous years. If they really can't deliver the grain, could you ask the county magistrate to make an exception?"
“I’m sorry, Master Wang, I’m not responsible for this. Besides, the county magistrate is just following orders.”
Danqiu spoke sharply and sternly, leaving no room for negotiation.
Sun Miao'er recalled what she had seen in the fields that day—half of Granny Li's wheat had been burned. Moreover, that incident wasn't entirely unrelated to her. She whispered, "Sir, I am from Fushui Village. What Master Wang said is true. If we really hand over 1.2 dou of grain, I'm afraid a large number of people in Fushui Village will starve to death this year. This year's harvest from one mu of land won't even be 1 dou. Where are we going to conjure up the other 2 dou?"
Upon hearing her explanation, Shan Qiu couldn't help but glance at her. "In that case, I will naturally tell the magistrate the truth when I return to the county office. We will make a final judgment after the magistrate has investigated the facts."
"Thank you very much, sir."
Sun Miao'er dared to assert that although this constable Shan was not kind-hearted, he was a good person who cared for the people and was loyal to his duties. Judging from what Master Wang said, it could only be said that the imperial court was really pressing hard this year, and even if these merchants wanted to reduce the rent for their tenants, they were powerless to do so.
"Master, Physician Fu has arrived."
The servant led Fu Yuchi into the front hall. In the daylight, he appeared even more handsome.
Wei Jingnian looked in the direction of the voice and almost blurted out a few words. Sun Miao'er quickly gave him a wink. He was quite good at judging situations, and seeing that Sun Miao'er hadn't spoken, he also shut his mouth.
Danqiu bowed his head, first scrutinizing Fu Yuchi before asking warily, "You're not from Pingnan?"
"I am a traveling physician who just happened to be passing through Pingnan City. I am not a local."
Fu Yuchi was replying to him, but his gaze never left Sun Miao'er for a moment.
The moment Sun Miao'er saw him, she was reminded of what happened last night, and her face flushed with embarrassment. She deliberately avoided his gaze.
Shan Qiu removed his thumb from the scabbard and crossed his arms. "I'd like to trouble you to come with me, sir. Last night, things happened suddenly, and many people were mysteriously poisoned. The doctors in the city are at a loss."
"To cooperate with the investigation, Ms. Wang and this Ms. Sun will also be present."
Master Wang was uncertain. Xue Ru was a key witness. What if the criminals were dangerous and targeted his precious daughter?
This was the government's decision, and even though Master Wang was extremely unwilling, he had no choice but to agree, adding, "Officer Shan, Xue Ru is a young lady, don't let her stay at the yamen too late."
No sooner had they left the Wang family than Master Wang was still uneasy. The traveling doctor's origins were unknown, and Shan Qiu was a cold-blooded and ruthless man. Sun Miao'er was a young girl; what if something happened to Xue Ru? The more he thought about it, the more frightened he became, and he quickly told Wei Jingnian to chase after them.
Upon entering the back hall of the yamen, a group of doctors were gathered, some of whom had gray hair. They were flipping through medical books scattered on the floor, all at a loss for what to do.
"Officer Shan, please let us old men go! We really can't solve this!"
One of them saw Shanqiu and rushed up to him, crying and complaining that while they could treat minor illnesses, they were truly helpless when faced with this rare and unusual poison.
Shan Qiu removed his sword and waved his hand, "There's no need for you all anymore, this gentleman already has a solution."
It would have been better if he hadn't said anything. As soon as he did, the old men all looked at Fu Yuchi with suspicion. They couldn't cure the poison, so how could this young man have a solution?
Could it be that they're just parading around trying to scam tips?
After all, a sign was posted at the government office: "Whoever can cure this poison will be rewarded with ten taels of silver."
Sun Miao'er understood the doubt in the old men's eyes and smiled, "Gentlemen, this young lady and I were at the lantern-lighting ceremony yesterday, and we're all better today."
"Then let him tell us, what kind of poison did they get?"
The senior doctor pressed him relentlessly, saying that while they could diagnose poisoning, the problem lay in not knowing exactly what kind of poison it was.
Fu Yuchi raised his hand, his wide sleeves billowing out a medicinal fragrance as he slowly said, "The poison of the Datura flower from the Western Regions."
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