Chapter 10 Chapter 10 Chun Juan had already laid out the rice...
Chunjuan had already prepared the rice. When Xie Xunzhi passed by the kitchen, he took two bowls. As he expected, there were only two bowls of rice on the table.
He pulled the rice bucket on the mahogany stool, rolled up his sleeves, scooped two bowls of rice and handed them to Chunjuan.
"Let's sit down and eat together. We have plans later. Save time. Don't worry, you will have your month next month."
Chun Juan held the rice in his hands and shook his head in fear, "No, no! It's a great blessing that the master is willing to save me and Lotus."
"Yes, if it weren't for you, Chunjuan and I would have died in the human market!"
Hezhou poured the cold water in the cup out the door, poured another cup and placed it in front of Xie Xunzhi, saying with a smile, "Just listen to Master Xie. Now is not the time to talk about this. Sit down and eat first."
"Hey." Chunjuan and Lotus responded softly and sat down.
"Xunzhi, what are your plans?"
Xie Xunzhi sat down and took out the map from his arms, unfolding it on the table. On the map, the pharmacy was crossed out, and two other places were circled with "Wang" and "Zhang" written on them.
"What I'm thinking is that Hehua goes to guard the alley in front of Wang Shuo's house, and Chunjuan and I go to guard Zhang Wen's house. No matter what happens before the yamen runners come, don't worry about it. If someone leaves, just watch that direction and come back." After Xie Xunzhi finished speaking, he looked at Hezhou.
Hezhou frowned and his eyes flickered. He glanced at the people at the dinner table and leaned over to Xie Xunzhi's ear, "Xunzhi... I don't know how to deal with the yamen runners next door! You wrote the post, I'm afraid it'll be exposed..."
Xie Xunzhi paused, blinked, and turned his head. The two of them were too close, and he couldn't help but move back. "Then... Lotus, can you be alone? Stay away..."
He pointed at the map and moved his finger upwards. "If you're discovered, run east. There's a teahouse here that's crowded."
"Sure!" Chunjuan nodded and a smile appeared on his thin cheeks.
"I have a short knife with a sharp blade. I'll give it to you for self-defense!" Hezhou took a mouthful of rice and used chopsticks in his hand to measure the broken knife, which was about the size of his forearm.
He smiled at Xie Xunzhi and said, "I'll bring you one later. I have a longer one!"
"You, take it for yourself." Xie Xunzhi picked a piece of meat for him and put it in the bowl.
Hezhou laughed even more happily, and took a few mouthfuls of rice before eating the meat.
——————
After dinner, it was time to take action. Hezhou really took out the dagger. It was a new knife with a thin and deep front blade, suitable for self-defense.
Chunjuan hid it in his sleeve and held it with the base of his palm. When he lifted his sleeve, the half of his wrist that was exposed was covered with wounds. They were not bruises, but scabs from whip marks and burns.
Hezhou lowered his eyes and said nothing. Chunjuan tried to make sure it was stuck, then he took the map prepared by Xie Xunzhi and went out.
Lotus stood in front of the door, also holding a map in her hand. She looked at Chun Juan worriedly and said in a low voice, "Remember the route. If anything goes wrong, run!"
"I know everything."
Hezhou folded his arms and watched them leave, his heart beating fast. He had his own selfish motives. For some reason, he subconsciously didn't want Xie Xunzhi to leave at the dinner table.
"Brother He?"
Xie Xunzhi stood in front of the table in the lobby with a pen and ink, a handkerchief, a shoe repair awl and a few sheets of record paper in front of him.
He trotted over and took out the medicine list he had written down.
"Look, the situations at the several places I visited are the same as what you said. Zhang Wen and Wang Shuo have been going there every day for the past three days, using the excuse of needing to calm their nerves and sleep to buy drugs. I also heard from Li Erniu that they are the drivers of the Chen Mansion."
Xie Xunzhi took the list and flipped through it. "This case is divided into two parts: the crime was committed outside the county and the crime was committed in this county. The footprints in the ruined temple show that the foot was large. The victim's fatal wound was from the chest downwards, smooth and easy. The murderer is taller than the victim, so he couldn't have been wearing the victim's shoes. If he was passing through this county with the victim, there would be no need to carry clothes that didn't belong to both of them. The most important thing is the handkerchief. I asked them about the workmanship. It is produced in this county because it is cheap and durable and popular."
"The handkerchief is the key! What I think..." Hezhou squatted down and looked carefully at the pink handkerchief on the table.
The fans are like blood stains on a handkerchief, which have long since solidified.
"If we investigate according to this county, the only two people who can prove the existence of the carriage and the drugs are Wang Shuo and Zhang Wen?"
Xie Xunzhi nodded, holding his breath tightly. "I've asked around. Wang Shuo is married. His parents died early. He's honest and simple, and he's always cared about his reputation. I don't know anything else."
"In fact, if we knew who the lying corpse belonged to, things would be simple. It's strange that no one cared about the disappearance of such a big living person? And there was such an obvious mark on the ankle?" Hezhou moved the armchair over and sat down.
He was really puzzled. If Wang Shuo or Zhang Wen had killed his wife, it would be reasonable for him not to come and report the case. But the matter had become so big, wouldn't his neighbors come either?
"Wait a little longer, the market only gets a few people in the afternoon."
Hezhou leaned against the chair with his hands supporting his head, and Xie Xunzhi's appearance was reflected in his eyes. His peach blossom eyes shone even brighter on his pale face. Xie Xunzhi's back was straight, and even the gray clothes he wore could not hide the elegance in his bones.
Every time this happened, he would clearly realize that Xunzhi was not a lonely ghost who had traveled through time like him, and the memories of his previous life had become a little vague to him.
But Xie Xunzhi’s memory of the first time he woke up was still clear. Hezhou himself couldn’t remember what his mood was at that time. Time travel was like kidnapping!
If God saw that he had done a great job in saving people and wanted him to live, why didn't he just let him be reborn and make things so complicated?
Hezhou lowered his eyes and said frivolously, "Looking for it...you said soul..."
Before he could finish, Xie Xunzhi interrupted him and gestured for him to look outside the door.
An old woman carrying a basket stood at the door, pacing back and forth hesitantly.
Hezhou snapped his fingers, stood up and walked over, scaring everyone.
He smiled and said softly, "Auntie, if you have anything to say, why don't you come in and sit down and talk slowly?"
The old woman smiled and said, "It's not a big deal. I guess I was just being overly suspicious."
"No, auntie, please tell me. Isn't this government supposed to serve you? If you have any questions, just ask."
"Oh! What a coincidence! When I was helping Madam Wang with her work, I vaguely remember seeing a red mark on her ankle when she was changing clothes. But it's hard to say, it was just a fleeting thing..." She lifted the small basket up and her voice became smaller and smaller, full of insecurity.
Hezhou asked tentatively, "Is the Madam Wang you are talking about the wife of Wang Shuo, the coachman of the Chen Mansion?"
"Yes!" The old woman's spirits instantly brightened. "Yes, yes, that's them, but... they've always treated each other with respect. Mrs. Wang is capable. Even though the dyeing factory hasn't been doing well recently, she still earns as much as men. She's kindhearted and always helps those around her... I don't think anyone would kill her, right?"
Hezhou felt his clothes being tugged at from behind.
Xie Xunzhi came over at some point and asked, "Would it be convenient for you to identify the body?"
The old woman waved her hands in panic, "No, no! I can't bear to look at that thing, sir! I'm very timid. If I faint again, you won't be able to handle it!"
Xie Xunzhi sighed and said, "Okay, then why don't you come in and sit down. We'll take you home later."
"That's not necessary! I'm not that old and I know the way home. It's just that I saw a notice saying... something about providing information having... benefits?" She squinted her eyes and stammered to hide the embarrassment in her tone.
When it came to money, Hezhou naturally took a step back and gestured for Xie Xunzhi to come forward.
He had spent all the money left from breakfast over his morning tea.
Even if we strip him clean and shake him upside down three times, not a single particle will pop out.
Xie Xunzhi coughed lightly and took out a handful of copper coins. "Auntie, keep them. We just got here and didn't..."
"No, no, no!" The old woman hastily pushed Xie Xunzhi's hand away and said quickly, "I want to find a job for my son! I heard that Li Erniu is working in the government, so I thought..."
"Auntie, why don't you come in and talk about your son's situation first? The wages here are not that high..." Hezhou invited people in and moved the chair he had just sat on to her.
She smiled bitterly. "It's okay. What's easy these days? Isn't this stable? He... the stall not long ago..."
"grown ups!"
The sound of Ading and neat footsteps came from outside, and first Ading fell to the ground gasping for breath.
Hezhou strode out and was met by two rows of eight yamen runners, with a middle-aged man with a dark face in the front.
The man quickly dismounted and saluted. "I am Zhao An, an official of Manfeng County. My master received your letter and sent me here to lend a hand."
"Thank you! Can I tell Lord Zhao about the current situation?" Hezhou couldn't help but click his tongue as he looked at the person behind him.
We are both county magistrates, so why did you end up in such a bad situation?
Zhao An placed his hand on the hilt of his sword. "Sir, please tell me. If it's quick, I can still get back tomorrow."
"Yes, now we can basically determine that the murderers are the two coachmen. My two servants are guarding in front of their door. Could you please go with us to capture them, Lord Zhao?" Hezhou looked at him and nodded, then walked in front to lead the way.
Zhao An handed the reins to the man beside him and instructed, "Take it to the stable, tie it up, and feed it some food and hay."
Ading stopped fanning himself and quickly stepped forward with a smile, "Brother, follow me."
Hezhou looked back at Xie Xunzhi. He wanted to split up with Zhao An, but Xie Xunzhi said nothing. He himself was not sure whether to bring it up.
Whatever ideas he can think of, Xunzhi can definitely think of as well.
Hezhou remembered the route on the map this afternoon and led the way with a smile.
He followed the main road, Xie Xunzhi followed beside him, and Zhao An and his men walked behind him.
He looked straight ahead, lowered his hand and carefully grabbed Xie Xunzhi's sleeve, pulling him towards himself little by little.
Hezhou tilted his head and was about to say something when he noticed that there was someone next to him.
Xie Xunzhi patted him with his other hand, pulled out his sleeve and whispered, "Stop messing around!"
Zhao An laughed heartily, looked at Xie Xunzhi and asked, "Sir, who is this?"
Xie Xunzhi turned sideways and saluted, "Sir, I am the legal advisor of Qilan County."
"Oh~" Zhao An nodded. "Brother Xie is very handsome and looks like a high-ranking official!"
"Wonderful praise, my lord."
Zhao An patted Hezhou and smiled, tilting his head and whispering, "Sir, we are just catching two petty thieves. There is no need to borrow troops from outside, right?"
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