Chapter 31: Eating and Sleeping Together
Xie Zhao gave Jiang Yuzhu a difficult problem.
In her previous life, as a female forensic doctor, Jiang Yuzhu always had some occupational diseases, but as a daughter of a wealthy family, it was obviously inappropriate for her to study these.
In addition, Jiang Yuzhu was afraid that Xie Zhao was being self-indulgent and thought that she was changing for him.
It's good enough that the two of them don't interfere with each other now.
This is a balanced relationship that Jiang Yuzhu doesn't want to break.
Thinking of this, she smiled and replied, "Because reading these makes me look very knowledgeable."
Xie Zhao's eyes fluctuated, then became calm, and it was unclear whether he believed it or not.
Jiang Yuzhu added: "I have recently realized that studying the laws of the Great Qi Dynasty will not only not cause any loss, but also help avoid risks."
Facts have proved that Jiang Yuzhu's approach was correct. She sent Jia Xinglin, the prince of Duke Mao who had framed her, to jail.
"Madam, what you have read is relatively superficial. If you are really interested, you can take a look at the real files in the government office."
Xie Zhao opened the small table and took out a thick stack of books.
Jiang Yuzhu took it and opened it casually. She was startled by the bloodstained cloth inside. She looked at Xie Zhao and asked, "Master, what are these?"
Xie Zhao calmly replied, "You got the wrong one. This one contains evidence."
Jiang Yuzhu was speechless and quickly flipped through the pages under the oil lamp.
Most of the cases are human trafficking, and the huge numbers are shocking.
Jiang Yuzhu's eyebrows jumped and she asked, "Are there really so many?"
In one city in the North alone, thousands of people disappeared within a year.
It's a remote place on the northern border of Da Qi, where most people can't see each other easily.
This number of missing persons means that on average one out of every several dozen households has been affected.
Xie Zhao handed over another book and said, "There are obstacles in the investigation in the north. This is only part of it."
Jiang Yuzhu was even more shocked.
Unlike modern times, the buying and selling of human beings was legal in Da Qi, and there were human traffickers everywhere.
Reselling always requires costs. Some families sell their children out of necessity. If the family is better off, they will ask to redeem the child.
It is not cost-effective for human traffickers. They want to do big business and solve the problem of trafficking once and for all. As long as they keep their hands clean, there will be no trouble after all.
"Master, we are leaving Beijing on New Year's Eve. It's not just to catch a bandit, right?"
Jiang Yuzhu rubbed her aching forehead. She had suspected before that catching the bandit was just a cover.
Xie Zhao showed his appreciation: "Madam is smart."
Following the clues from Songzhulou, we found a hideout in Gunma County, which belongs to the capital.
Because the water behind this is too complicated, Xie Zhao is ordered by the emperor to secretly investigate the matter thoroughly.
No matter how secretive we are, we will still be discovered if we leave Beijing.
“So this trip is actually risky?”
Jiang Yuzhu felt so unlucky. She should have been spending the New Year in the capital, but instead she and Xie Zhao were standing in the wilderness in the cold wind.
The emperor issued an imperial decree, and she was just asking for her own death by simply being a companion.
Jiang Yuzhu regretted it very much, pursed her lips and remained silent.
Xie Zhao observed Jiang Yuzhu's expression and sensed her anger. A smile flashed across his eyes: "Why, Madam, do you think I'm troublesome?"
Dislike, of course I dislike!
Jiang Yuzhu thought so in her heart, but she said it very tactfully, revealing a trace of worry: "No, we are husband and wife, and I am worried about the safety of the master."
Jiang Yuzhu complained in her heart, hoping that the person who had committed the crime would choose his target more carefully, have some sense of justice, and not let an innocent woman like her get hurt.
Xie Zhao's narrow black eyes were stunned for a moment, and he said meaningfully: "Same here."
At this moment, Jiang Yuzhu still didn't quite understand the meaning of Xie Zhao's words.
A heavy rain lasted until nightfall, and then the sudden rain stopped.
The carriages were parked on both sides of the official road, and Liang An hung a lantern on a tree for lighting.
In winter the leaves turn yellow and the branches cast shadows on the ground.
The lights under the tree flickered. Jiang Yuzhu had her sleeves rolled up and was picking peppers with her slender hands.
Her face was not very clear. She occasionally chatted with Hongxiu and Hongjin. The corners of her lips were slightly curved, and it was obvious that she was in a good mood.
Xie Zhao stood in the shadows, his dark eyes darkened.
"Master, Madam is making grilled fish. This time she's adding a lot of side dishes. After we eat the fish, we can add a handful of noodles to the red soup."
Liang An is looking forward to it.
When it comes to eating and enjoying, no one can compare to the Jiang family.
It was just a trip out of town, delivering a few cartloads of stuff.
There was too much to take away, so after careful selection, I finally managed to fill up half a carriage.
Jiang Yuzhu specially brought some ham from the south, and the maids sliced it into thin slices and put it in the grilled fish. The aroma wafted from far away.
"Madam is so lucky."
Liang An was very envious, but found that ordinary people could not be jealous at all.
Whether in her family background or appearance, she really looks like God's own daughter.
No matter how you commit suicide, there are always a lot of people standing behind you to protect you.
Xie Zhao agreed: "Maybe this is the advantage of being a woman in the harem?"
Jiang Yuzhu lived a wanton life, spending all her time pleasing herself every day.
She didn't worry about not having money, didn't worry about getting into trouble and no one cleaning up the mess, and naturally she didn't have to worry about the suffering of the people.
Xie Zhao was in the court and shouldered a heavy responsibility.
If we allow evil people to commit crimes, the people will suffer in the end.
Some things have to be done by someone, and Xie Zhao would rather that person be him.
Liang An felt a little uncomfortable and lamented that his master lived like an ascetic monk. It would be better if he could learn to find joy in suffering.
Soon, Hong Xiu opened the lid and a hot breath rose.
Jiang Yuzhu greeted, "Master, it's time to eat!"
Due to heavy rain, we missed dinner, so dinner turned into a midnight snack.
Xie Zhao came over upon hearing the voice and sat opposite Jiang Yuzhu.
He picked up a piece of the grilled fish that Liang An had been talking about for a long time, and then quickened his eating pace.
The fish in the nearby river weigh only three or four pounds, not as good as the big silver carp in the Wei Mansion Villa, but they taste very delicious and have no earthy smell.
After the meal, Xie Zhao felt warm and refreshed.
A grilled fish, noodles were added twice, and in the end the red soup was almost cleaned up.
Jiang Yuzhu suddenly realized that Xie Zhao had a big appetite.
Liang An took the initiative to take over the job of boiling water and said to Jiang Yuzhu attentively: "Madam, the master hasn't eaten so well for a long time."
Jiang Yuzhu was very surprised: "So what does your master usually eat in the government office?"
Liang An sighed and said, "There is a cook in the backyard of the government office who is responsible for cooking. Her cooking skills are very average."
The cook had three children at home and went home after dinner.
Xie Zhao was busy with government affairs, and it was common for him to forget to eat and have frequent meals.
Occasionally, when I was out and about and missed mealtime, I would just eat two dry biscuits and some water to fill my stomach.
Jiang Yuzhu: “…”
These details are not mentioned in the book. Jiang Yuzhu knew that Xie Zhao was wholeheartedly serving the people and only had the common people and all the people in the world in his eyes.
She was filled with awe, thinking what a good official he was who loved his people like his own children and devoted himself to the cause!
"Tell Manager Xie from now on that if there is any food that the master likes in the mansion, leave a portion for him and send it to the government office."
Jiang Yuzhu did not disturb Xie Zhao from doing his work and provided him with meals, which she considered as an indirect good deed.
That night, Jiang Yuzhu realized with embarrassment that she was going to sleep in the same carriage with Xie Zhao!
"Madam, go to bed early."
Xie Zhao said after he put the small table and the stool together to make a bed.
Then, he raised his hand, and his long, bony fingers fell on the jade hairpin on his bun. Then he pulled the hairpin, and his inky black hair slowly fell onto his shoulders and back.
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