yamen
Xiao Duo had just delivered breakfast to Bai Yun and was carrying the food box when she came out of the prison.
But then Niu Mang walked over, carrying an oil paper package in one hand and having already eaten most of the bun in the other.
Xiao Duo paused, turned around and walked west to avoid running into him head-on.
She couldn't sleep all night and still feels a bit dizzy.
I'd rather be a poor man's wife than a rich man's concubine.
She understood this principle, and besides, Niu Mang was not from a wealthy or powerful family.
I know he's a bit slow-witted, always acting silly.
But last night, when he handed her the ointment, he couldn't help but feel a flutter in his heart.
This feeling is something I don't experience when I'm with other people.
She needs to calm down. Is she really going to become someone else's concubine?
Xiao Duo was upset and her pace quickened.
Niu Mang caught a glimpse of a lake-blue figure, only to see her turn and walk away.
So he took a big step and chased after him.
"Little Duo."
He waved the steamed buns in his hand, "I couldn't buy any last night, so I went to queue up early this morning. They're fresh out of the steamer, and they smell amazing. I bought a few extra to bring you some to try."
"Hey, why are you walking so fast?"
"well……"
Xiao Duo heard his voice getting closer and closer, and started to jog.
She kept looking back as she ran, afraid that he would catch up with her.
He didn't notice the steps under his feet and stumbled forward.
"ah……"
When Niu Mang caught up, he saw a rather horrific scene.
"Little Duo, are you alright?"
"What do you think? Which eye of yours saw me and I was alright?"
Xiao Duo gritted her teeth and said, "Why did you chase after me for no reason? It's all your fault. Help me up!"
"Oh." Niu Mang came to his senses, stuffed the bun into his mouth, and used one hand to help her sit down on the steps.
"I called you because I wanted to bring you some steamed buns to try, but why did you leave as soon as you saw me?"
So he was going to bring her steamed buns. She was too nervous to hear him clearly.
But even if she heard it clearly, she would probably still run away.
Xiao Duo opened her palm and saw that her hand had been cut in several places. Although there wasn't much bleeding, it still hurt a little.
She no longer lifts a finger, and her hands have become soft and smooth.
She had taken care of the young lady for so long and had never hit her or injured her.
She had almost forgotten how much these small wounds actually hurt.
She couldn't hold back her tears any longer and burst into sobs.
Niu Mang moved even closer and stared at her palm for a long time.
"The wound is so small, why does it still hurt?"
Xiao Duo blushed and sniffled; he really knew how to talk.
She was a delicate girl; how could she compare to a rough man like him?
Niu Mang was at his wits' end when he saw that she was about to cry again.
Place the oil paper package on the ground.
He took out a bottle of medicine from his pocket and then took out a folded gauze from his sleeve.
He grabbed her hand to apply the medicine.
The warmth of his hand sent a shiver down Xiaoduo's spine, and she quickly withdrew her hand.
"Don't move, or I'm not going to take care of you anymore."
Her soft hand was taken back, and she just watched quietly as he bandaged the wound.
They even forgot the pain.
Why do you still carry medicine with you at all times?
"Hey, I'm a constable now, I'm bound to get injured sometimes, how can I not be prepared?"
"Don't let my strength fool you, I have quite a few injuries on my body."
"If you feel pain, just bear with it for a few more days, it will get better soon."
After bandaging his wound, Niu Mang was still puzzled. "You still haven't told me why you ran away as soon as you saw me?"
Xiao Duo's fair cheeks flushed instantly, and she lowered her head, unsure how to answer.
"I...I..."
Seeing her hesitant manner, Niu Mang suddenly burst out laughing.
"Look at you, I didn't ask you for the money for the ointment and the pancakes last night, and you were so scared."
Xiao Duo: "..."
"Eat these buns while they're hot. I won't charge you; it's on you."
"I have other matters to attend to at my office, so I'll be leaving now. You should also head back soon."
Niu Mang turned and left, unaware of how long the person behind him had been watching him.
Xiao Duo placed her bandaged hand on her chest, feeling her heart pounding like a drum.
The warmth of his palm still lingered on her fingertips.
After she left, two figures emerged from the other side.
Jin Yu sighed, "This fool doesn't even know he's gotten himself into a mess of romantic entanglements."
"What is meant to be will be, and what is meant to be will be."
Huo Yan spoke coolly, then returned to the cell with his hands behind his back.
In the dark and damp prison, Wang Erma was tied to a rack, his prison clothes stained red with whip marks.
He kept wailing, "I confess, I confess."
Huo Yan walked down the steps and sat on a stool to the side.
"How is it?" Huo Yan, accustomed to bloodshed, remained remarkably calm.
"Brother, he has confessed that he and Butcher Zhou did commit those previous crimes. However, after knocking the victims unconscious, he would blindfold the women to prevent them from being recognized. The women reported the crimes to the authorities but did not know who had harmed them."
"It was just a momentary oversight that made me forget to blindfold Su Ruanruan."
“The previous county magistrate had taken money from Butcher Zhou, so he turned a blind eye to the matter. Later, he also paid money to have people threaten the woman’s family, or if there were any witnesses who came forward to identify them, they would be beaten up. So, without victims or witnesses, these cases were hastily closed.”
"Have those women and their families been found?"
The constable sighed, "Their reputation is damaged, and people around them even say they're not virtuous women. They can't even hold their heads up high anymore. If they're lucky, they can move elsewhere with their families; if they're unlucky, their parents sell them off."
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