The Jingzhao Prefecture guards searched but found nothing: "Sir, we haven't seen anyone. What do we do now?"
Liu Yifu's expression turned somber as he carefully analyzed, "The city gates have been much more heavily guarded lately, and there's also a curfew. He probably hasn't had a chance to leave the city yet. Check the places he frequents, such as brothels, gambling dens, and restaurants."
He wasn't afraid of the person escaping; if they did, at least they could be caught. But what if they were silenced...
Then his trail will go cold again.
Finally, after tireless efforts, Liu Yifu found the suspect in a brothel.
Fang Wenxu was enjoying his time with Hua Niang when he suddenly heard the commotion of the officials in the corridor. He sensed something was wrong and, before he could even put on his clothes, he abruptly got up, intending to run away.
Hua Niang was startled and reached out to pull him: "Why are you so easily startled? What's wrong? Has your wife come to cause trouble?"
Fang Wenxu impatiently pushed her aside: "Get out of the way! Don't block my way!"
Hua Niang was shoved, rolled her eyes, straightened her clothes, and watched him fuss with amusement.
Going through the main entrance would definitely be too late, and they might even get caught red-handed. Fang Wenxu quickly went to the window and opened it, and what he saw made his heart sink.
Hua Niang fiddled with a strand of hair and said in a low voice, "Stop messing around. This is the third floor. If you fall, you'll either die or be crippled."
Undeterred, Fang Wenxu quickly went to another window, which faced the street, and people from the Jingzhao Prefecture were guarding the entrance.
Fang Wenxu's vision went black. Just then, the door was kicked open. He turned around in a panic and saw a man in a scarlet official robe and a turban stepping in. His tone was cold and stern: "Fang Wenxu, I am Liu Yifu, the Vice Minister of the Court of Judicial Review. I suspect you are involved in an antique forgery case. Come with us!"
Fang Wenxu's face was ashen.
Several guards pulled Fang Wenxu away, and Hua Niang immediately realized what was happening. She stepped forward barefoot and blocked Liu Yifu's path, saying, "You haven't paid yet, sir!"
Liu Yifu's forehead twitched slightly, and he didn't know where to look for a moment. He just lowered his eyelids and thought to himself, "Does he have to pay for the prostitutes for the prisoners?"
He frowned and reprimanded Hua Niang: "When the Dali Temple is handling a case, no irrelevant people are allowed to interfere!"
Seeing his serious demeanor, Hua Niang seemed amused and asked with a smile, "Do people from the Dali Temple not have to pay when they come to places like this? But if it's a handsome young man like you, sir, I might seriously consider it..."
"Don't talk nonsense!" Liu Yifu's face was a little cold, but his red ears betrayed his embarrassment. He took out a few pieces of silver from his purse and counted them. "Is this enough?"
Yanran had only been joking, but she was surprised that he actually gave it to her. Her eyes widened in astonishment, and seeing Liu Yifu's furrowed brows, she quickly nodded, "That's enough, thank you for the reward, sir!"
Liu Yi glanced at the few pieces of silver again with reluctance, then turned and left. Yanran stood behind him, leaning against the door, and said earnestly, "My lord, please come again when you have time!"
Liu Yifu stumbled, but walked even faster!
A high-ranking official openly frequenting prostitutes—is he tired of living?
Seeing him leave without looking back, Yanran's smile faded, and a playful look appeared in her eyes.
They thought Fang Wenxu was just a nobody, but they never expected him to catch such a big fish.
That's really interesting.
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