“Lord Wu, I have been demoted to a commoner. You don’t need to bow to me. Lord Wu, you are a busy man. May I ask what brings you here today?” Qi Jiu asked with a smile.
Wu Muzhi had served as the prefect of the Jingzhao government for many years. He was a man who only knew official business and wished he could live in the government office every day. He didn't even want to go back to his own residence.
Therefore, it is absolutely impossible for him to dine at their Peach Blossom Abode.
The old man's coming here today definitely means something, and it's business.
In that instant, Qi Jiu thought of many things.
He hasn't gotten into any trouble lately.
He's no longer royalty, so of course he has to keep a low profile.
The Ye family members are also law-abiding citizens and would never do anything wrong.
Moreover, their fairy buds make calculations for everyone every day.
According to Xianya, she might make mistakes when telling fortunes for her own relatives, but she is highly skilled and almost never makes mistakes when telling fortunes for others, except for Ye Miaoyun, who is her closest blood relative.
"To be honest, Ninth Master, I've come today to ask Miss Ye for a favor," Wu Muzhi stated directly.
Although Qi Jiu is no longer a prince, he is still the emperor's biological son. Even though the emperor no longer acknowledges him as his son, no one else dares to take it seriously. It's always best to be polite to Qi Jiu.
If one day the emperor suddenly pardons Qi Jiu and restores his princely title, those who previously bullied Qi Jiu will definitely not have a good end.
"So, Lord Wu has come to see our Xianya. Xianya is currently telling fortunes for someone, and there are three others waiting. She'll be done soon. Lord Wu, please have a seat for a moment, and I'll make you some tea." Qi Jiu said as he walked behind the cabinet, intending to make tea for Wu Muzhi.
"This humble official dares not trouble Ninth Master, thank you very much!" Wu Muzhi hurriedly stepped forward, bowed, and stopped him.
He dared not drink the tea brewed by the prince himself.
"I run a business and make tea for people every day, so there's no need to panic, Lord Wu. Just give me the money later." Qi Jiu gently pushed him away and went to make tea.
Wu Muzhi is so focused on official business at the yamen that he probably never eats or drinks tea outside.
Qi Jiu suddenly felt like playing a trick on this gentleman and decided to make him a pot of good tea.
I just don't know if people will feel the pinch when I give them money.
"Thank you, Ninth Master." Hearing Qi Jiu say this, Wu Muzhi didn't dare to stop him anymore, considering it as doing Ninth Master's business a favor.
The Miss Ye he's going to ask for is now Ninth Master's daughter.
"Lord Wu, please take a seat," Qi Chengshuo said with a smile, noticing that he was standing somewhat reservedly to the side.
"Thank you, Your Highness!" Wu Muzhi bowed and thanked him, then sat down opposite Qi Chengshuo.
Not long after, Qi Jiu brought the tea.
Wu Muzhi had no interest in drinking tea and kept glancing at Ye Xianya. After Ye Xianya finished telling the fortune of the last person, he quickly went over to her.
"Miss Ye." Just as Wu Muzhi was about to speak, Ye Xianya's voice came from beside him.
"I just did a quick calculation and I already know why Lord Wu has come. There has been a series of murders in a place called Zizhu Village in Weixian County, which is located on the outskirts of the capital. Weixian County is also under the jurisdiction of the Jingzhao Yamen. A few days ago, the magistrate of Weixian County went to the Jingzhao Yamen to ask Lord Wu for help, but the yamen runners sent out by Lord Wu did not find any useful clues."
“Even with the guards from the Jingzhao Prefecture stationed there, people were still being killed in Zizhu Village after nightfall for three consecutive days. And just last night, the expert that Lord Wu invited from Xuantian Temple also moved into Zizhu Village. This morning… you found dead bodies by the river again.”
After hearing this, Wu Muzhi looked at Ye Xianya with a stunned expression.
Because what Ye Xianya said was accurate.
He has been extremely stressed and overwhelmed by this matter these past few days.
Early yesterday morning, Wu Muzhi personally went to Xuantian Temple to ask a master for help.
The abbot of Xuantian Temple sent his sixth direct disciple, Tao Zhixuan, down the mountain to help.
Although this Taoist priest had just come of age, he was very capable. Last time they went to Xuantian Temple for help, it was this Taoist priest Tao who helped them solve their problem smoothly.
But this time, even Master Tao was helpless.
Wu Muzhi recalled that someone had reported to the yamen that a murder had occurred in the east of the city. The people he sent not only found the woman's body in the well, but also dug out the murder weapon from the vegetable garden with the little girl's guidance.
And all of this was calculated by this Miss Ye.
Recently, Miss Ye's name has already spread throughout the capital.
Every divination she performed was incredibly accurate; it seemed that nothing could stump her. After being reminded by his subordinates, Wu Muzhi hurriedly came to ask for help.
"If Miss Ye can help us find the murderer, I am willing to give Miss Ye one hundred taels of silver as a reward."
After Wu Muzhi finished speaking, he said with a look of shame, "I heard that the Imperial Guards gave Miss Ye three hundred taels of silver for their help last time. Our Jingzhao government has many people but little money, so we are not as generous as them. Please forgive us, Miss Ye."
For Wu Muzhi, receiving one hundred taels of silver was already quite an achievement.
Their Jingzhao Yamen (prefecture of the capital) had a large jurisdiction and many things to manage, but the imperial court allocated limited funds, so he had to be very careful with his money.
“I’ll go myself, otherwise you won’t be able to catch it.” Ye Xianya said, standing up. “Besides, this matter is a bit complicated. We’ll discuss it in detail after we catch that golden eagle.”
After Ye Xianya finished speaking, she looked at Shen Furong beside her and said, "Furong, help me take out that small cloth bag. Don't come with me today, so you don't get accidentally hurt."
Wu Muzhi was somewhat taken aback after hearing Ye Xianya's words: "Wasn't it man-made? After the coroner's examination, he said that these people died from different causes. Some drowned, some hanged themselves, some had their heads chopped off, and some were disemboweled..."
Although golden eagles are fierce, they are still wild animals. How could they kill people like humans?
“There were no wounds on the corpses that were related to wild animals, and not a single eagle was found in the village,” Wu Muzhi added.
"What I divined was a golden eagle. As for the reason, Lord Wu will soon find out." Ye Xianya didn't want to say any more.
Because in the eyes of these ordinary people, hearing is believing, and seeing is believing.
Once they see it with their own eyes, everyone will believe it.
"Father, Mother, I'm going out for a bit and won't be back tonight. I'll return early tomorrow morning." Ye Xianya carried the small, moon-white bundle embroidered with orchids that Furong had made for her, and prepared to leave.
"Xianya, how can a young lady like you spend the night alone outside? It's too dangerous!" Ye Miaoyun was very worried, and she subconsciously turned her head to look at Qi Jiu.
Even if my daughter is very capable, she's still a young girl and shouldn't be spending the night alone outside.
"I'll go with Xianya," Qi Jiu said quickly.
“Uncle Jiu doesn’t know martial arts. If we encounter danger, he won’t be able to protect Xianya and will only be a hindrance. If Uncle Jiu and Aunt Jiu are at ease, then let me, Pei Xianya, go. I will take several highly skilled guards with me,” Qi Chengshuo said hurriedly.
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