Chapter 18: A cold case sends a weak woman like me to catch the murderer? ...
It was a cold, overcast day, with dark clouds covering the sun. The snow had already piled up in a thick layer, and the bottom was icy, wet and slippery.
The leading servant stepped into the snow, leaving obvious traces. In comparison, the butler's footprints were much thinner.
Guizhi held up her oil-paper umbrella and said nothing.
The best masters of light martial arts can walk on snow without leaving any traces. She didn't want to stand out, so she deliberately made a slightly heavier mark than the housekeeper.
Sure enough, before entering the lobby, the butler took a peek at the snow behind him.
The lobby was even more depressing, with the wind howling outside the lattice windows and the hall feeling eerie and scary.
Gui Zhier looked up and saw Liu Shanyuan playing with the jade pendant around his waist, stroking it with his fingers. Putting on the heavy mask again, he was once again a middle-aged prefect with a pale face and wrinkles.
"Give the young lady a seat." His voice remained unchanged, his gentle manner concealing a hint of impatience.
His face was hidden in the light and shadow, revealing a hint of fatigue.
"This is the magistrate of Linghe County, Lord Luo," the housekeeper hurriedly introduced. "This is... Miss Gui, the owner of the famous Guiji Braised Food Shop in Central City!"
It seemed as if he was not the one gossiping behind others' backs just now.
Guizhier suppressed her smile.
However, she was very satisfied with the introduction of the owner of the braised food shop, saying that he was just a chef and it was not his place to bother her.
After exchanging greetings, County Magistrate Luo began to briefly explain the case.
It turned out that a family of six was killed late at night, and only the daughter who married out escaped.
"A murder of passion, or revenge?" Gui Zhi'er couldn't help but feel her curiosity flare up like a flame. "If it was a robbery, there wouldn't be any need to wipe out the entire family."
"This..." County Magistrate Luo twirled his long beard, "The reason for the crime is still in doubt."
"But... oh yes, a police officer found blood-stained clothing that the suspected murderer left behind when he fled in an abandoned well not far from this house."
County Magistrate Luo tried hard to recall what his subordinates had reported, but he felt more and more guilty the more he spoke.
He didn't find any useful clues and couldn't figure out how to close the case. The surviving married-out daughter was crying and shouting at the gate of the county government office.
But he was very worried!
Guizhier finally understood why Liu Shanyuan was impatient.
It must be this county magistrate who refused to send reinforcements a few days ago because he didn't believe that the Danu people could cross Meishan.
Now he is vague and can't explain the case clearly, but he expects his superiors to help him.
She raised her eyes and met Liu Shanyuan's gaze.
The latter casually took out the fire order from the bucket on the table, exerted force with his wrist at the wide cuff of his official robe, and flicked his fingers.
The token cut through the air and flew straight towards Guizhier.
There was a "whoosh" sound and it was very fast. Fortunately, Guizhier reacted quickly and caught it with two fingers.
Looking closely, I saw that this green sign was also called a summons sign.
The government constables can use this sign to arrest or summon ordinary people.
Giving it to her is both a certificate and a right.
Guizhi pursed her lips unhappily and threw it away without considering whether she could catch it.
How can a prefect behave like this?
A smile finally appeared in Liu Shanyuan's eyes.
He sat there for half a day, and was already mentally exhausted just by listening to Luo Songyan's endless report and praise.
And Guizhier's appearance was like the little yellow cat that his mother had raised in the past.
When its fur is ruffled, it neither meows nor bites, but just bares its teeth and breathes out, looking ferocious.
It's quite cute.
"If this kind of murder and robbery case cannot be solved within the deadline, it will surely cause panic among the people." He showed no mercy and directly kicked the trouble back.
"If Miss Gui can help find the real murderer on this trip, he will be arrested first, and then the case file will be reported to the higher authorities for review." Liu Shanyuan made the final decision.
I?
Sending me, a weak woman, to catch the murderer?
Guizhier was stunned.
She likes lively gossip, but meddling in other people's affairs goes against the purpose of life.
What's more, it was obvious that Liu Shanyuan didn't want to deal with this case. All he talked about was the established procedures, which was simply useless nonsense.
She was about to make a few excuses when Liu Shanyuan interrupted her.
"My dear lady, I'm sorry to bother you. Please also deliver some food and fodder to General Luan." Liu Shanyuan blinked.
He softened his tone, half pleading, as if one could glimpse the handsome face beneath the mask, which looked so pitiful.
Guizhi'er's mind was working very fast.
It needs to be brought to Luan Shuangbai, and it is inconvenient for others to deliver it. Could it be... the repeating crossbow for which she offered the production drawings?
Although this thing is small in size and uses few materials, even if all the carpenters in the city were gathered together to make it, they wouldn't be able to make it this quickly and accurately!
How many secrets does this fake Magistrate Liu have?
Guizhier looked up suspiciously and saw the butler making an archery gesture behind County Magistrate Luo.
It’s true!
It seems that assisting in the investigation was fake, but smuggling weapons was real. After all, who would check the county magistrate's carriage?
"I obey your command."
It was already the afternoon, the snow had stopped, but the wind was stronger and stronger, howling violently.
The snow under his feet was more than half a foot thick, burying the road ahead. The black horse lowered its head, slowed down, and pulled the vehicle forward with difficulty.
County Magistrate Luo was feeling uneasy in the carriage.
"Miss Gui, if we leave in such a hurry, can we get there before dark?"
He wrapped his fur coat tightly around him, fastened his belt, hugged the hot water bottle tightly, opened the curtains and sighed.
"Then why don't you tell Magistrate Liu to rest one more night before setting off?"
Guizhier was wearing a felt hat and riding a horse on the side.
She changed into a scarlet cross-collared cotton robe, the horseshoe sleeves tightened at the wrists making it easier to move.
She also brought a symbolic package of luggage.
Even if you have a portable space and can travel anywhere, you still need to hide it from others.
"How dare I do that!" County Magistrate Luo was extremely embarrassed.
After a pause, he tried to talk to Gui Zhi'er again: "Young lady, you are familiar with the prefect. Do you know what he likes? I came in a hurry and only brought a small gift, but the prefect refused to accept it."
Not familiar, don’t know, don’t care.
Guizhier refused the three consecutive times in her heart. In this cold weather, the wind would blow in as soon as she opened her mouth.
County Magistrate Luo was sitting in the carriage, completely unaware of the sufferings of the people.
She cracked her whip and gave a loud admonition.
"With today's snowstorm, if you get lost and freeze all night along the way, your feet and face will probably be frozen, and you might even freeze to death."
Magistrate Luo was so frightened that he shuddered, lowered the curtains, and added charcoal to the charcoal stove.
God bless him, he doesn't want to freeze to death!
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