Lu Zheng ignored the silly girl's gaze and only looked at Zhang Liushi.
Although Gu Xin was curious as to why Lu Zheng suddenly asked such a question, the two had known each other for so many years and still had a good understanding. She did not interrupt Lu Zheng and waited for Zhang Liu's answer.
"If I'm not mistaken, you're a very good cook, aren't you?" Lu Zheng asked.
A hint of surprise flashed in Zhang Liu's eyes, but it was quickly caught by Lu Zheng.
"General Lu is too kind. I dare not show off my cooking skills. I only help out when the village has a feast or a happy occasion. Wealthier families will give me a few copper coins, while those who are not so wealthy will give me some meat and vegetables from their own land." Zhang Liu quickly calmed down and replied with a touch of shyness.
“Wealthy families probably wouldn’t give you cloth, right? Your son is frail and must be on medication all the time. The crops from your fields should barely be enough for the three of you. So, if I’m not mistaken, you must have other skills, such as incense making,” Lu Zheng said.
“General Lu, what are you saying? I don’t understand.” This time, Zhang Liushi answered quickly.
Because he answered too quickly, it seemed a bit abnormal.
“Handsome brother, Mom smells so good.” The silly girl who had been staring at Lu Zheng suddenly said.
Gu Xin and everyone else present were shocked.
They couldn't believe that Lu Zheng, who arrived at dawn and probably only just learned the general details of the case, had managed to pinpoint Zhang Liu's identity so quickly.
This is unbelievable!
Could it be a guess?
And they can guess it right every time.
"General Lu, that silly girl is saying that the food I cook is delicious." Zhang Liu's heart was pounding, but she still tried to remain calm and explained.
“General Lu didn’t say that the silly girl was talking about the incense you made, did he?” Gu Xin said, looking at Zhang Liushi.
"Xiangxiang, Pingping likes it, the pretty lady likes it, and the pretty old lady likes it too." The silly girl looked at Lu Zheng and said with great certainty.
"Does that silly girl remember what your mother gave Pingping after Pingping gave her the sweet pastries the day before yesterday?" Gu Xin asked.
"It smells so good. Pingping likes it, the pretty lady likes it, and the pretty old lady likes it too." The silly girl didn't even look at Gu Xin; her eyes were still fixed on Lu Zheng.
Gu Xin pursed her lips. This silly girl is obsessed with looks. She must like looking at handsome men and has no interest in beautiful women. No, to be precise, she is only interested in beautiful women who give her delicious food.
Zhang Liu wanted to cover the silly girl's mouth, but in front of everyone, she knew that by doing so, she would be admitting something.
At this moment, her mind was in complete turmoil. She appeared calm on the surface, but there was a fine sheen of sweat on her forehead.
“Zhang Liu Shi, you were originally from Langzhou, weren’t you? Twenty-seven years ago you married into Tongzhou, no, to be precise, you fled to Tongzhou with a peddler, became the peddler’s wife, and then gave birth to a son. When your son was ten years old, your husband died, and you raised your son alone. Am I right?” Lu Zheng asked again.
Langzhou?
Fatty Wang felt this place was very familiar, as if his father's first post after passing the imperial examination was in Langzhou.
His father did not rank high in the imperial examinations and failed to enter the Hanlin Academy. Instead, he was sent to a very poor county town under Langzhou to serve as a county magistrate. These were things his father would always mention when he scolded him.
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com