She smiled slightly, her sarcasm evident in her words: "Now that the sun is shining brightly, Commander Peng should open his eyes wide and see clearly. You have stepped into my house time and time again. Is it because I am a serious suspect, or is it because of your inefficiency? I wonder if the Governor is aware that this is how you conduct official business?"
Upon hearing this, Peng Ting broke out in a cold sweat.
This wasn't because he feared Jiang Huaiyu. Although this woman had a complex and awe-inspiring background, she didn't pose a threat to him. However, her words hit the nail on the head. The governor had already issued a strict order: if he couldn't capture Gong Tao soon, he would likely lose his newly appointed position as the squad leader.
He clasped his hands in a fist and said sincerely, "Madam is kind and benevolent; I am deeply grateful!"
Then, with a wave of his hand, he led his men into the courtyard in an orderly fashion and instructed, "Everyone, please search thoroughly!"
The entire city couldn't find Gong Tao anywhere. He simply couldn't believe it; how could a living person just vanish like that?
After much deliberation, Jiang's residence remained the most suspicious.
However, after searching every room, they still found nothing. Jiang Huaiyu asked, "Now, is Chief Peng satisfied?"
Peng Ting looked embarrassed and bowed apologetically, saying, "We have thoroughly investigated the area and there is nothing suspicious here. If this has caused any disturbance, I hope you will forgive us, Madam."
"Since that's the case, why don't we get going?" Jiang Huaiyu's tone was cold and firm, brooking no argument.
Jiang Huaiyu averted her gaze from him, her tone icy and her words firm and resolute: "Do not make any rash moves."
Just as Peng Ting was about to order the troops to retreat, Ling Mo, who had been silent all along, suddenly spoke up, his voice low and resolute: "Wait, restore the garden to its former state first."
Li Kui, standing beside him, immediately responded, his voice filled with anger and defiance: "That's right, it was you who turned the garden upside down. Do you expect me to personally put all this soil back in its place?"
This garden is the culmination of his painstaking efforts in managing and renovating it all by himself. How could he tolerate these people trampling on it so wantonly?
Peng Ting looked at Jiang Huaiyu hesitantly, his eyes revealing contradictions and confusion.
Jiang Huaiyu remained expressionless and said calmly, "Commander Peng, did your solemn promise just now vanish so quickly?"
Peng Ting cursed inwardly, his face darkening.
He had indeed promised to restore the garden, but hadn't Jiang Huaiyu already flatly refused? Yet now, faced with Ling Mo's suggestion, she seemed to have changed her mind.
Although he was angry, Peng Ting understood that he was indeed at a disadvantage today and could only lead his men to work hard in the garden.
They stormed in with great fanfare, but ended up covered in mud, looking dejected, and quietly left, covered in dust.
As the group walked away into the distance, Li Kui angrily spat behind them before slamming the door shut with a loud bang.
"What terrible luck! I don't want to see you guys again!" he muttered.
Ling Mo's gaze was sharp as he looked at Jiang Huaiyu with deep affection, his eyes filled with undisguised admiration. "They were indeed cleverly deceived by you."
Jiang Huaiyu smiled slightly and, supported by Yingxiang, walked into the kitchen.
Li Kui crouched down and carefully searched through the embers in the stove, finally pulling out an iron plate that revealed a deep, dark hole. Then, he tapped the bricks three times with the fire tongs, and soon a figure slowly crawled out of the hole—it was Gong Tao.
Jiang Huaiyu said softly, "They won't be visiting again anytime soon, Master Gong, you should go back to your room and rest."
The secret passage, so cleverly hidden, was located right beneath the stove in the kitchen.
She renovated the garden for two reasons: firstly, to mislead the officials and make them believe that the garden held a hidden secret; and secondly, to facilitate the disposal of the soil generated during the digging of the tunnel.
Therefore, Peng Ting's trip to the garden today yielded nothing.
How could they have known that the real passage was hidden beneath the hearth? After all, who would bother stirring up those dark, hot ashes for no reason?
...
Time flies like water, and half a month has passed in the blink of an eye.
It was already late September, but the authorities still hadn't been able to find any trace of Gong Tao.
Jiang Huaiyu silently calculated the date in her mind. Young Master Ling's friend would arrive in a few days. Once he entered the city, everything would be settled.
She gently stroked her slightly protruding belly, when suddenly the baby inside her kicked her. Recently, as the months have progressed, the baby's movements have become more and more frequent.
As Jiang Huaiyu gently felt the soft movements of the fetus in her womb, a warm smile involuntarily crept onto her lips, her eyes brimming with love and tenderness. With this little life about to enter the world, the heavy burden in her heart would soon be lifted, and she could wholeheartedly anticipate the baby's birth.
She wondered to herself whether the little one inside her was a mischievous little prince or a gentle little princess.
However, it made no difference to her whether it was a boy or a girl.
This child is her only blood relative in this world, her flesh and blood, and the family she longed for but could not have in her previous life. No matter how the world changes, she will do everything in her power to love and protect this child.
...
Inside the state government office, the case remained unresolved, and the suspect had vanished without a trace. Peng Ting had been having a very difficult time lately.
Just as he was deep in thought about the case, a yamen runner suddenly rushed in and said hurriedly, "Boss, the governor urgently summons you."
Peng Ting's expression suddenly tensed up. "Did the governor say anything?"
The constable simply shook his head. "The magistrate didn't specify, but... the governor's expression looked extremely unwell."
Peng Ting's heart sank to the bottom.
Oh no! He hasn't completed the tasks assigned by the governor for so long; it seems his position as head constable is in jeopardy. He can only hope that the governor will consider his unwavering loyalty and spare him further punishment…
With a heavy heart, he walked unsteadily to the governor's door, knocked gently, and then bowed respectfully.
"Your Excellency, what are your orders for summoning me?"
Governor Chang glanced at him sideways and said sternly, "Peng Ting, I promoted you to be the head of the squad, and this is how you serve me? Several months have passed, where is that Gong Tao?"
"You are lowly and incompetent!"
Peng Ting quickly admitted his mistake to his superior.
"Hmph, do you think you can shirk responsibility with just a word like 'incompetence'? The power you hold was given to you by me, and I can take it away at any time. Moreover, I heard that in order to apprehend a wanted criminal, you disregarded the law and acted recklessly in the city. Do you know what kind of crime you committed?"
When Peng Ting heard the first half of the governor's words, he was already filled with despair. But when he heard the second half of the accusation, his face suddenly turned red and he became agitated.
(End of this chapter)
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