There is a god in the sky

Chapter 51 The Murder of a Wealthy Family in Jianzhou (Part 14)

After the case was concluded, Shen Lan waited for Xiao Ji at the government office.

He changed out of his official robes and the first thing he said to Shen Lan was, "The people we sent to Quanzhou have returned, but they couldn't find the merchant who was supposed to be in contact with the escort agency."

Shen Lan thought for a moment and said, "Perhaps the merchant missed the rendezvous time, so he left early."

"Ah."

Of course, it's also possible that the other party heard something and ran away.

Since Wu Zhongjin obtained this bead, and the escort agency delivered it to the merchant, it was most likely intended for someone else.

If we could find out the identity of that merchant, we might be able to follow the clues and get to the bottom of things.

"Can't we see the recipient's name on the deposit slip from the security escort agency?"

"Yes, but it only says the surname Hu. They used tokens and codes to communicate, but unfortunately the bodyguards' belongings have all been returned to their families, so we don't know what the tokens are now."

As for the code word, the head镖师 (bodyguard/escort) did say it was just a very ordinary line of poetry.

"Let's go back first."

Xiao Ji led Shen Lan back to the inner courtyard, and the aroma of meat filled the air as soon as they entered.

On a sweltering day, Fu Qingyan set up a grill by the pool and was actually roasting a whole lamb.

He was clearly not a very good cook, as he made the place very smoky and fiery, and Guan Shu had to help him put out the fire.

"You're back. Wait a little longer, the lamb will be cooked soon."

Shen Lan could already smell the burning when she walked over. She quickly lifted the grill and sighed, "The fire is too big. Remove all the firewood and use charcoal instead."

The aroma of mutton was very enticing. Shen Lan went inside, changed her clothes, washed her face, and then took over Fu Qingyan's place.

A short while later, Xiao Ji also arrived carrying a wine jar.

He laughed and scolded, "You really know how to pick a spot. This place is too close to the waterside pavilion. Miss Shen will have to sleep smelling smoke at night."

Shen Lan didn't mind. Her family used to make smoked meat for the New Year, and the smell was much stronger than this.

Fu Qingyan quickly sat down opposite him, fanning himself and blowing the smoke in another direction.

"I saw that you've all been so busy lately, so I bought a sheep for you to nourish your bodies."

His intentions were good, of course, and Shen Lan and Xiao Ji were both grateful people, so they did not blame him for meddling.

The two worked together seamlessly, one turning the grill and the other sprinkling seasonings.

Soon, the enticing aroma filled the air.

Xiao Ji poured a bowl of wine for Fu Qingyan, but Shen Lan snatched it away.

"His injuries haven't fully healed, so he shouldn't drink alcohol."

She brought the bowl to her lips, took a small sip, and found it a little spicy, but still tolerable.

Xiao Ji wanted to stop him, but it was too late.

He smiled and said, "Miss Shen is very generous, but this wine is strong, so you shouldn't drink too much."

Shen Lan didn't plan to drink much; barbecue with fine wine could temporarily relieve her worries.

Li Ye's sudden departure left her with an unresolved sorrow.

"Where are Sui Feng and Sui Ying?" These two door gods have always been inseparable from Xiao Ji.

"I've sent the two of them to handle this."

Xiao Ji didn't say what he was doing, so Shen Lan didn't ask any further questions.

As night fell, wisps of white smoke rose from the edge of the pool, as the servants lit incense to repel mosquitoes around the area.

Looking at the white smoke, Shen Lan thought of a question: "Lu Yaxuan and Wu Shi only had a vague feeling when they were young. So many years have passed, would he really kill someone for Wu Shi?"

"I don't know. Once the person brings him back, I'll send someone to invite Madam Wu. They'll know after they meet him."

Xiao Ji talked about some things related to the case.

For example, Lu Yaxuan was living a pretty good life. When he went out, he dressed quite well. The cotton and linen thread that Wu Zhongjin found between his teeth didn't look like the clothes he usually wore.

Furthermore, Lu Yaxuan is unlikely to receive any hospitality from Wu Zhongjin.

The person Wu Zhongjin might welcome into his study in the middle of the night isn't necessarily him.

Shen Lan nodded. "Perhaps it's just taking money to make incense for people."

Shen Lan unconsciously drank a whole bowl of wine. The wine was very potent, and by the time she felt the effects, she could see Xiao Ji double.

The handsome young official, with his own sharp and spirited demeanor, was the most charming man Shen Lan had ever met.

Of course, if you're just a sucker for good looks, you'd still think Fu Qingyan, the refined and elegant young master, is more handsome.

Someone asked in her ear, "Is Miss Shen still looking for her biological parents? Do you have any clues that I can help you with?"

That voice was so seductive.

Shen Lan looked up, her gaze unfocused.

She gave a bitter laugh. "My parents are gone, so there's no need to look anymore."

Xiao Ji assumed she was just saying it out of anger, so he dropped the subject.

She used the alcohol as an excuse to find out Shen Lan's preferences.

"Miss Shen, what are your requirements for your future husband? You can tell me about his height, weight, family background, character, and temperament."

Fu Qingyan leaned against Xiao Ji and asked in a low voice, "Cousin, why are you asking about these things?"

Xiao Ji couldn't reveal Master Wei's request, so he only told him, "Miss Shen is of marriageable age. If there is a suitable candidate, we can act as a matchmaker for her."

Shen Lan pointed to herself and asked, "Me? I'd probably prefer someone like Lord Xiao."

Because she was thinking about Xiao Ji and Fu Qingyan just now, she naturally expressed her preference, not because she really liked Xiao Ji.

But to others, it has a different meaning.

Guan Shu said angrily, "You little lady, your standards are too high. Where else can you find someone like Young Master Biao?"

He muttered to himself, "Could it be that you want to be a concubine?"

Frankly speaking, with Shen Lan's status, she wouldn't even be qualified to be Xiao Ji's concubine.

The Xiao family had produced prime ministers in their ancestors, and even in the father's generation, they still had considerable influence in the court.

Needless to say, Xiao Ji himself was a young top scholar who, once transferred back, would be a fourth-rank official with a promising future.

Shen Lan, however, was just a coroner with no one to rely on.

Xiao Ji stared at Shen Lan for a while, then shook his head and said self-deprecatingly, "Miss Shen, please don't tease me."

He can tell whether a girl likes him or not.

The girl's eyes would only light up a little when she saw a corpse.

Shen Lan lay down and mumbled something to herself, which only Xiao Ji heard.

She said, "I'm not getting married, I want to be a solo artist for the rest of my life!"

Xiao Ji understood the first half of the sentence and thought to himself: This girl hasn't figured things out yet, that's fine.

He had seen many girls who had lost their minds because of love, and who tormented themselves and others like trapped beasts for the rest of their lives because they could not have the love they desired.

Love is the most hurtful thing to do to both oneself and others.

He thought that he would find her someone who could tolerate her, accommodate her, and share her joys and sorrows.

Shen Lan collapsed completely, which put the three grown men present in a difficult position.

Getting her back to her room is the problem.

Fu Qingyan sighed and instructed Guanshu, "Go out and buy a reliable maid tomorrow. It's better for her, a young lady, to have a maid to serve her."

Guan Shu retorted, "She's quite independent; why would she need a maid to serve her?"

Fu Qingyan tapped him on the head. "What's wrong with your master's savior having a maidservant?"

Guan Shu nodded repeatedly, "Yes, yes, this servant will go and buy people tomorrow."

Xiao Ji thought for a moment and then said, "Let's wait until she wakes up tomorrow and ask for her opinion before making a decision."

He always felt that this girl had too many secrets and might not like strangers getting close to her.

In the end, it was Xiao Ji who woke her up, led her unsteadily into the room, and covered her with a blanket after she lay down.

He chuckled and muttered under his breath, "You really have a low alcohol tolerance."

Unexpectedly, Shen Lan overheard this. She grabbed Xiao Ji's wrist, opened her eyes wide, and said, "Don't say I have a low alcohol tolerance. I just didn't drink the right wine."

She's good at drinking red wine; at a previous company dinner, she could outdrink an entire platoon of colleagues with just a glass of red wine.

After saying that, she let go of his hand and closed her eyes again.