When Hu Tingzhi stepped down from the sedan chair, he glanced up and saw Fu Yuchi standing with his hands behind his back. He hurriedly swallowed, adjusted his turban, tucked his hands into his sleeves, and stepped forward with his head bowed.
The servants were greatly shocked. Even the shopkeeper was not this frightened when he saw an official. Although merchants were inferior to officials, Shan Qiu was just a constable. Where did he get such official power?
Hu Tingzhi approached, steadied himself, and without paying any attention to Shan Qiu, bent down and said, "Fu..."
Fu Yuchi's expression was gentle, but his eyes were distant, as if he didn't exist in front of him.
Shan Qiu interrupted, "Shopkeeper Hu, do you recognize him?"
Hu Tingzhi stammered, "No, I don't know him. Officer Shan, did you call me here because you have some clue?"
He immediately understood Fu Yuchi's meaning, and when facing Shan Qiu, he resumed his previous demeanor.
Sun Miao'er's inner thoughts: I don't know him, yet you know his surname is Fu?
However, Shan Qiu didn't want to dwell on these matters and asked directly, "Who is usually in charge of the smoke bombs at your Duhuanlou?"
Hu Tingzhi replied, "They were all purchased from spice shops in the south of the city."
"Do you know that your tobacco cakes have been tampered with?" Shan Qiu asked coldly. He never wanted to deal with these businessmen, after all, they were all glib and cunning, and probably not two out of ten of their sentences were true!
Hu Tingzhi's face changed color in horror, and he said angrily, "Does Officer Shan mean that there is a traitor in our building? I, Hu, have been betrayed by my own people?"
Dan Qiu did not respond, his eyes conveying the thought, "What else could I do?"
After listening carefully, Sun Miao'er grasped the key point and asked, "Manager Hu, why don't we call the person in charge of the lantern-lighting ceremony over for a thorough interrogation? By the way, who was the patron of the Dongli girl that day, and has he shown up since?"
Throughout the entire process, they overlooked a crucial detail: who exactly paid a thousand taels of silver to have Dongli Xiaoxiao become the lantern fairy this time, and why Dongli Xiaoxiao disappeared while the wealthy patron never showed up.
Snatching someone from Duhuan Tower is incredibly difficult, so what if you lure them out first and then strike?
Hu Tingzhi said solemnly, "Officer Shan, our patron is a nobleman from the capital. I made an agreement with him beforehand that he would not reveal his identity. You shouldn't interfere in business matters. Besides, that person's identity is probably not something a mere officer like you can investigate!"
The nobles in the capital were nothing more than scions of imperial relatives and aristocratic families, so it was not surprising that they spent lavishly.
"I, Hu, have only one request: find Xiaoxiao safe and sound. If you don't have the ability, give me the clues, and my own people can handle it!"
Hu Tingzhi spoke with great emotion, as if the patron Shan Qiu had mentioned had touched a raw nerve.
Indeed, if the nobles of the capital are willing to spend a fortune for a publicity stunt, they wouldn't resort to such despicable methods as kidnapping. What tricks wouldn't they use?
Moreover, the distance between Shangjing and Pingnan City is a thousand miles, and it is impossible to plan everything in such a short time.
Dan Qiu, his emotions hidden, said in a deep voice, "Please cooperate with the investigation, Manager Hu, and bring over all the people in charge of the tobacco cakes that day."
Despite his reluctance, Hu Tingzhi had no choice but to comply.
Before long, someone brought over an old woman and a maid.
Dan Qiu looked up. "You two are in charge of placing the smoke bombs?"
"Yes." The old woman never imagined that such a thing would involve her, and she trembled with fear.
Danqiu threw the burnt tobacco cake in front of her. "Why did the tobacco cake smell strange when it burned that day? Did you put something in it?"
The old woman denied it repeatedly, "Reporting to Your Excellency, no, it's not like that. Miss Xiaoxiao said that smoke cakes only produce smoke and are too boring, so she added cinnamon powder to enhance the fragrance..."
Yes! It smells like cinnamon!
Sun Miao'er suddenly realized why the fragrance smelled familiar; it was the cinnamon she usually used in cooking.
Datura pollen is colorless and odorless, so could Dongli Xiaoxiao have planted it herself? But what was her purpose in doing so...?
Danqiu's thoughts seemed to have hit a dead end, and he couldn't make sense of it. If Dongli Xiaoxiao did it intentionally, then finding her would be like looking for a needle in a haystack, which was no ordinary kidnapping.
"Bullshit!" Hu Tingzhi kicked the old woman and said angrily, "I know Xiaoxiao's character better than anyone. Duhuanlou has treated her well all these years. You're saying she ran away? How could that be!"
Fu Yuchi stood behind Sun Miao'er, observing coldly. "If there's nothing else for us, we'll be leaving now."
"Sir, we have a lead!"
Suddenly a group of constables came running from the direction of the city gate, shouting as they ran.
Shan Qiu pressed, "What clue!"
The constable pulled a strip of cloth from his sleeve and said, "We found this strip of cloth in the woods on the outskirts of the city. It has silver threads twisted on it, which doesn't seem like something an ordinary woman would use, so we brought it back for you to see, sir."
The old woman exclaimed excitedly, pointing to the strip of cloth, "Sir, this is the dress that Miss Xiaoxiao wore that day. I prepared it myself. The satin is woven with silver thread, so it shines when the moonlight shines on it!"
Sun Miao'er felt that the clues were placed too obviously, as if it were done on purpose.
“Mr. Fu, why don’t you speak with me? I’m afraid that bringing too many people might alert them.”
Shan Qiu didn't want to bring the group of constables with him; his intuition told him that Fu Yuchi was more useful than them.
What if I don't want to?
Fu Yuchi raised an eyebrow. His original intention was not to get involved in these matters. Showing his face in public was already very dangerous for him, especially getting involved with the government and officialdom.
Since witnessing how crazy the people of Ping'an City were about Dongli Xiaoxiao that day, Sun Miao'er had an idea in her mind, and now was the perfect opportunity.
"Officer Shan, to be honest, Mr. Fu is my master. Since he is unwilling to go, why don't I go with you? Don't worry, I know everything he can do, and I won't cause you any trouble."
Dongli Xiaoxiao is a network in Pingnan City. This network is extensive and can connect the high-ranking officials and nobles of Pingnan City. It is also the trendsetter for men and women in Pingnan City.
If she could befriend Dongli Xiaoxiao, it would be like having a key to open up trade routes.
Sun Miao'er dared not look directly at Fu Yuchi, knowing that if she saw his face, she would know how unpleasant his expression was.
She knew he didn't want her to put herself in danger, but there are many things she would never succeed at if she didn't try.
There are many things she won't have if she doesn't work hard.
Shan Qiu remained calm. "No wonder Miss Sun has such courage. It turns out that a great teacher produces a great student. Since Mr. Fu is unwilling to come along, I, Shan, will not force him. Miss Sun, I do not want to alert the enemy. If necessary, please take good care of yourself."
Fu Yuchi finally couldn't hold back any longer. He dug his thumb into the flesh of his palm, making a small crescent shape, walked to Sun Miao'er's side, and asked, "What exactly do you want to do?"
Sun Miao'er raised her head, her eyes clear and bright, her tone resolute: "Master, Pingnan City is so prosperous and thriving, why can't I get a share?"
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