Chapter 182 Almost Discovered
Zhang Qiuhe quickly went inside and closed the door. "Aunt Zhou, a man from the capital came to the shop today. He showed me a portrait and asked me about you."
Aunt Zhou was surprised, "You're from the capital?"
Zhang Qiuhe nodded. "That's right. He also said that our perfume tastes the same as the perfume in the capital."
Upon hearing this, Aunt Zhou's face immediately darkened, and she turned around and called out the Third Prince and Zhou Ruiyuan.
The Third Prince frowned and asked Zhang Qiuhe, "Where is he now?"
Zhang Qiuhe replied, "He took the portrait and left. I don't know if he asked anyone for directions."
After calming down for a moment, the Third Prince said, "Don't rush, don't tell anyone about this. Let's wait and see."
Zhang Qiuhe didn't ask any further questions and nodded in agreement.
Instead of asking around in the shops, Guard Li went directly to Magistrate Li, fearing he might alert the enemy.
Upon seeing that the person was from the capital, Magistrate Li immediately calmed down. "Sir, what brings you to Cheng'an County?"
Guard Li sat down, took a sip of tea, and slowly said, "I am here on the Emperor's orders to search for someone. I hope Magistrate Li can cooperate with us."
Although Magistrate Li was an official in Cheng'an County, he was nothing compared to the people in the capital who served the Emperor.
He lowered his head and said, "Sir, what kind of person do you want me to find for you?"
Guard Li took out the portrait from his hand and handed it to Magistrate Li.
When Magistrate Li saw that it was Granny Zhou and Zhou Ruiyuan, he was also startled. He quickly realized what was going on, took the items in his hand and looked at them carefully. "These two people look somewhat familiar."
Guard Li was immediately overjoyed and quickly asked, "Where are they now?"
Magistrate Li held the portrait in his hands and looked at it again and again. "I don't remember very clearly. You can leave the portrait with me, and I will have a few more painted. Then I will send someone to search for it."
Guard Li hesitated.
Magistrate Li handed him the portrait and said, "Your Excellency, do you not believe me?"
Li, the guard, remained calm for a long time before handing the portrait to him. "Alright, I'll wait for you here. Three days from now, send someone with the portrait to help me find him."
Magistrate Li smiled and nodded, saying, "Yes, sir."
After listening to Magistrate Li's words, Guard Li stayed at his residence.
That night, Magistrate Li actually had someone paint several pictures.
The next morning, Magistrate Li handed the completed portrait to Guard Li.
Upon examining the portrait, Guard Li exclaimed, "Why does it look so different from the one I had before?"
Magistrate Li pointed to the portrait and said, "Sir, take a closer look, this is the painting."
Li, the guard, looked at the portrait for a long time but still felt it didn't look right.
"Bring me the portrait I gave you."
Upon hearing this, Magistrate Li immediately brought over the painting from before.
When Guard Li took the portrait in his hand and compared it, he saw that it was exactly the same. He had some doubts at first, but when he saw the emperor's seal on it, he no longer doubted it and said, "Alright, take this portrait to find someone."
Magistrate Li replied with a smile, "Yes, sir."
Last night, Magistrate Li worked through the night to make a seal exactly like the emperor's and painted a new picture.
At first glance, the painting looks somewhat similar to Zhou Ruiyuan and his wife, but upon closer inspection, they are not similar at all.
Magistrate Li, in the presence of Guard Li, sent men to search for him.
Li, the guard, was quite tired from traveling, so he rested at Magistrate Li's residence and waited for news.
This wait lasted for five or six days.
Five or six days later, a constable rushed in, "Sir, we have news."
Magistrate Li hurried over and asked, "Have you found the person?"
The constable nodded. "Yes, sir."
At this moment, Magistrate Li came out from inside. "Have you found the person? Where is he?"
The constable pointed into the distance and said, "It's in Fenghe Village, more than 20 kilometers away."
“Fenghe Village? More than 20 kilometers away? That’s so far!” Guard Li frowned, somewhat surprised.
Magistrate Li laughed and said, "Yes, the villages here are all far apart. Fenghe Village must be the farthest one. If Guard Li is unwilling to go, I will take some men there."
Guard Li quickly stopped him, "Never mind, I'll go myself. Thank you for your hospitality these past few days."
He said this, then turned to leave.
Magistrate Li breathed a sigh of relief. He had specifically told the yamen runner to say that, mainly to get rid of this guard, Li.
Without any doubt, Guard Li took his luggage, got into the carriage, and left.
After seeing off Guard Li, Magistrate Li stood at the door and sighed deeply.
He rolled down his sleeves and turned to go inside.
At this moment, a woman slowly approached from behind him. "Excuse me, does Madam Liu live here?"
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