Chapter 117 Xiao Jinghong: Too Talkative
After a while, the events that happened at Baicaotang last night had naturally spread throughout Shuzhou City.
For a time, opinions varied widely.
Some say that Baicaotang hides valuable treasures that can enhance a martial artist's cultivation.
Along with the previous theft of the Xiao family's medicinal herbs by the Huanyin Sect, it was all in search of that precious herb.
Some say that the Huan Yin Sect is envious of Bai Cao Tang's tea business and is trying to steal their recipes.
Some say that after Baicaotang's business became successful, it blocked the path to wealth for many other pharmacies in Shuzhou, which led to the trouble.
In the end, it couldn't possibly be the Xiao family's pharmacy.
After all, if it weren't for the Xiao family's help last night, Baicaotang would probably have been slaughtered by the evil sect of Huanyin Sect.
However, amidst the discussions, many people felt a lingering fear about the Baicaotang incident.
This is not some remote, impoverished area, but a major event that occurred in the capital of Shuzhou.
If those evil heretics dare to plunder and slaughter Baicaotang today, wouldn't they be able to plunder gold and silver jewelry stores or other shops tomorrow?
Furthermore, the fact that many people in the West Market had been drugged due to the Baicaotang incident exacerbated the anxieties of the people of Shuzhou.
This greatly increased the pressure on the prefectural government, the judicial commissioner, and the city guards.
Even the Provincial Administration Commission and the Provincial Judicial Commission, upon hearing of this matter, issued orders to the Prefectural Government and the Provincial Criminal Investigation Department to apprehend the gang of thugs as soon as possible.
Therefore, even before noon, the city of Shuzhou was filled with the figures of the Chief Justice, the Prefectural Government's constables, and the city guards.
The city guards set up checkpoints at the city gates to inspect people entering and leaving.
The constables went from street to street, asking each household if there were any suspicious persons.
The officials from the Criminal Investigation Department focused their investigation on the interior and exterior of Baicaotang, the shops in the West Market, and the areas where a fight had taken place the previous night.
Even many of the Xiao family's armored soldiers followed.
However, besides the evil spirits of the Illusionary Sound Sect, another key focus of the Xiao family's investigation was the location of Liu Si'er's injuries.
Therefore, Ge Laosan went to the pharmacy, firstly to inquire about what had happened, and secondly to take him back to the Xiao family to recuperate.
Liu Si'er had already woken up by this time. His body was wrapped in bandages, and his left hand was immobilized with a wooden board. His face was sallow.
It was obvious at a glance that his injury was quite serious.
Ge Laosan didn't rush to ask about what happened last night. He first consulted the doctor and, after confirming that the man was alright, helped him leave the pharmacy.
The two boarded the carriage.
Ge Laosan remained calm, cursing as he asked, "Fourth Brother, was that man really that powerful last night?"
Liu Si'er didn't want to pay attention to him, but when she thought of the black-clad man who was skilled with a gun, she couldn't help but feel annoyed.
"Although his marksmanship is strong, his cultivation level is not high; he should not have reached the middle third rank yet."
"His voice sounded a bit old, but judging from his eyes, he was probably not very old, around twenty years old."
After listening, Ge Laosan recalled the speculation made by the judicial officer from the Provincial Judicial Commissioner earlier and asked doubtfully:
"But after examining the scene, Detective Zhao said that the person who made the attack was a master marksman?"
Liu Si'er was taken aback, her guess came true, and her face immediately turned ugly.
A martial artist who has not yet reached the middle third rank but has managed to cultivate spear techniques to a high level can be called a "martial arts genius".
These kinds of people mostly come from prestigious families.
They are either members of aristocratic families or successors of martial arts sects or renowned figures.
Either way, it shows that the man in black is no ordinary person.
Thinking of this, Liu Si'er asked, "Third brother, have the gentlemen in the manor made any gains?"
Ge Laosan sighed and said, "Those who went to Baicaotang last night are either dead or injured. There's no useful information for the time being."
"However, a few martial arts practitioners have been captured by the Punishment Hall and are being interrogated in the mansion. They should be able to get some information out of them."
"Fourth Brother, do you really not know who injured you last night?"
Liu Si'er replied stiffly, "If I knew his identity, I would have taken my men there right now."
Old Ge cursed, "Damn it, how dare he lay a hand on our Xiao family? I think he's got a death wish."
The carriage arrived at the Xiao family's gate.
Just as Ge Laosan was about to speak, he caught sight of two figures approaching in the rain, and his cursing immediately ceased.
He couldn't help but feel surprised and suspicious.
Why is Xiao Jinghong back at this time?
Because of what happened at Baicaotang last night?
Has the old master decided to take drastic measures against the Liu family?
These thoughts flashed through Ge Laosan's mind, but on the surface, he still bowed respectfully and said:
"Your subordinate greets General Jinghong."
Liu Si'er, who was inside the carriage, was startled. He quickly lifted the curtain and stepped out, enduring the sharp pain in his hand, and bowed, saying:
"Greetings, General."
Xiao Jinghong glanced at the two men, his eyes landing on Liu Si'er's hand, and asked, "Who did this?"
Liu Si'er shook his head, "Last night, I was tracking a villain and was accidentally injured by him."
Xiao Jinghong paused slightly, looked towards the Xiao residence, listened intently for a moment, and asked, "Because of the Hundred Herbs Hall matter? Tell me in detail."
Upon hearing this, Ge Laosan and Liu Si'er were both startled.
Did she know?
She knew it after all.
"Reporting to the General, last night I followed the Second Master to guard outside the Hundred Herbs Hall..."
"That man is a skilled marksman, and he has entered the Dao with the cultivation level of the lower three ranks. I guess he must come from a prestigious family."
After saying this, Liu Si'er said with a look of shame, "General, please forgive me. I was caught off guard and was knocked down by his spear."
Just as Xiao Jinghong was about to speak, he heard a gasp from the side.
She turned her head to look at Pei Guanli, and seeing her eyes wide open, she asked, "Do you know who that person is?"
Pei Guanli covered her mouth, "I don't know."
Xiao Jinghong's eyes remained calm beneath the mask as he pressed, "You really don't know?"
Pei Guanli shook her head repeatedly, "I don't know, I don't know..."
She didn't know the identity of the man in black, but she felt that the shot Liu Si'er had just described was very similar to the shooting technique Chen Yi had used before.
Seeing this, Xiao Jinghong thought for a moment and then ignored her.
After offering a few words of encouragement to Liu Si'er and Ge Laosan, she led Pei Guanli into the Xiao family home.
Liu Si'er watched them walk away before letting out a soft breath.
But to everyone's surprise, Ge Laosan next to him did the same.
The two voices converged, just enough for someone to hear them.
Ge Laosan and Liu Si'er exchanged a glance, both with a strange expression on their faces, and chuckled awkwardly.
"Fourth Brother, the General's return is just in time; those petty scoundrels will surely not dare to show their faces."
“That’s right…”
On the other side.
Although Xiao Jinghong overheard their conversation, he didn't take it to heart.
Only family members know their own affairs.
She was usually serious, and both the Xiao family guards and the soldiers in the Dingyuan Army were afraid of her.
It's only human nature.
At this moment, Pei Guanli calmed herself down, looked at the familiar scenery around her, and chuckled:
"Sister Jinghong, you should have told me sooner that we were going back to Shuzhou."
"It made me very nervous when I was flying in the sky."
Seeing that Xiao Jinghong ignored her, she asked to herself, "Sister Jinghong, you didn't bring me here on purpose, did you?"
"May I stay here for a while?"
Xiao Jinghong nodded slightly: "Indeed, it was to send you here to stay temporarily."
Pei Guanli was overjoyed, and a smile immediately bloomed on her round face. Her fair feet hopped and skipped in the rain, causing the bell on her chest to sway incessantly.
As the bells jingled, she clung to Xiao Jinghong's arm and said sweetly, "I knew my sister was the best to me."
Xiao Jinghong gently moved her fingers away and said, "I was just afraid you would cause trouble if you stayed in the camp."
Pei Guanli was not annoyed but pleased, nodding and saying, "That's right, that's right. I'll only cause trouble over there. It's better to stay here."
"I've been gone for so long, I wonder if my brother-in-law misses me."
Xiao Jinghong glanced at her, her full, red lips moved slightly, but she didn't say anything.
If her husband was thinking of her, then "Thoughts on a Summer Night" and "Second Thoughts on a Summer Night" would have been sent to the wrong person.
Not long after.
The two went to the backyard.
From afar, Xiao Jinghong could hear the joyful laughter from Chunhe Garden, and the slight worry in his heart vanished.
Husband... and eldest sister are so relaxed, so the matter of Baicaotang must not have affected them.
While she was thinking this, Pei Guanli beside her didn't have so many thoughts.
Upon hearing Chen Yi's laughter, she cheered and quickened her pace to run into Chunhe Garden.
Upon seeing the group of people eating hot pot in the pavilion, Pei Guanli's face lit up with a bright smile.
Ignoring the rain hitting her face and soaking her body, she opened her arms and ran towards Chen Yi.
"Brother-in-law, I'm back!"
Chen Yi's smile faltered slightly when he saw her.
Then he saw Xiao Jinghong behind him, and a smile reappeared on his face.
He stood up and waved.
Upon seeing this, Pei Guanli ran even more happily.
Just as she was about to throw herself into Chen Yi's arms, he slapped her on the forehead.
Pei Guanli reached out, but couldn't even touch the hem of his clothes. "Brother-in-law, you..."
Chen Yi glanced at her and said, "Stop fooling around."
As he spoke, Chen Yi pulled Pei Guanli aside, looked at Xiao Jinghong who was walking slowly towards him, and asked with a smile:
"Madam, why have you returned today? Didn't you say before that your return date was uncertain?"
Xiao Wan'er, who was standing next to her, had the same question.
However, upon seeing Xiao Jinghong walking in the rain without an umbrella, she gently told him to come in and take shelter from the rain.
Xiao Jinghong glanced around, only glancing at Xie Tingyun a couple more times, before looking at Chen Yi and Xiao Wan'er and nodding.
"I just happened to be passing by."
But no sooner had she finished speaking than Pei Guanli, who was looking rather sullen, exclaimed in surprise:
"Sister Jinghong, didn't you say you would bring me back specially?"
Everyone was taken aback.
Xiao Jinghong looked at her calmly: "..."
Too talkative.
(End of this chapter)
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
