Just when Zheng Xiu and Yin Qingqing were happily walking together, matching men and women, galloping horses, and running to Wutong Temple for an outing in a carefree manner.
In fact, deep down in her heart, Xi'er is very happy to be alone with Xiaoma Zheng Xiu. Who doesn't like him because he is so handsome? But their destination was the Wutong Temple, the one where Mo Jie got pregnant. This made Xi'er feel a little squeamish and secretly afraid.
Let's go investigate the case honestly.
The handover with the government was particularly smooth. When Xi'er revealed her identity to the Luzhen County Magistrate, the magistrate burst into tears of gratitude on the spot. After confirming Xi'er's identity, he handed over the case to the Disaster Prevention Center without saying a word.
The speed was so fast that Xi'er couldn't help but sigh at the local county magistrate's resolute and decisive actions.
After taking the list, Xi'er contacted Situ Yong, thinking of visiting the widows with him. After Chang Shihui got through, Xi'er was surprised to find that Situ Yong was checking the body of a male who died not long ago.
When Xi'er asked, she found out that Situ Yong took advantage of the half-hour gap to go to the mortuary to conduct an autopsy and investigate the case.
"Do you still know how to work?"
Xi'er was stunned. What puzzled her was that Situ Yong knew a little bit here and a little bit there. Wouldn't he ruin his ability as a [healer] by messing around like this?
"I know a little bit, but alas, doctors are kind-hearted."
Situ Yong is done.
The two met in front of the inn.
"Huh? It's very lively on the other side of the street. What happened?"
Situ Yong and Xi'er took the list and prepared to visit the widows.
The streets were bustling with people, and there was a place surrounded by three floors inside and three floors outside.
After arresting a local citizen and questioning him, he found out that a "strange man" had come from outside the town and was performing a trick.
"Damn it, can the 'odd people' say it with such arrogance now?"
Xi'er and Situ Yong looked at each other, and they knew who it was without even thinking about it.
Sure enough, before they squeezed into the crowd, they heard the familiar laughter.
Jun Buxiao had set up a stage on the street. He was wearing a mask and performing tricks.
Sometimes he blew fire into flowers, then rubbed the flowers in his palms and blew them out, turning them into snowflakes falling from the sky. Such a strange magic performance attracted people's applause, and more and more people from Lu Town came here to see it.
Xi'er finally understood that this guy was using thaumaturgy under the guise of "magic".
"It turns out that being an 'actor' is still possible."
Situ Yong sighed.
The task Zheng Xiu gave Jun Buxiao before leaving was to inquire about news in the city.
Jun Buxiao has his own way.
I have to say that Jun Buxiao's magic performance was indeed beautiful. Xi'er and Situ Yong watched it for a long time and couldn't help but applaud. Soon came the finale of the "Shadow Play", which was not new to Xi'er and Situ Yong, so they squeezed out of the crowd and left the stage.
However, the temporary combination of Xi'er and Situ Yong encountered an unexpected obstacle when they came to bring warmth to the widow. When Xi'er said that the Disaster Prevention Bureau came to investigate the case, the widow who opened the door turned pale and slammed the door tightly. This gave Xi'er and Situ Yong a big rejection.
After several times in a row, Xi'er realized something was wrong and was puzzled.
It stands to reason that she is as beautiful as a flower and everyone loves her, and with the special affinity she has developed over the years as an undercover agent, it shouldn't be a problem.
Situ Yong did not show off his name as "the best doctor in the world". He came to Luzhen to do a cesarean section... No, he came to handle the case. Showing his name was too high-profile.
"I think the way we visit is a little inappropriate."
Situ Yong twirled his beard and thought for a while, then touched his arms - there was a thick stack of banknotes, which could be exchanged at all branches of Zheng's Bank.
"What's wrong?" Xi'er glared.
Situ Yong took out a stack of silver notes and said with a smile: "Do you still remember the money that the young master casually gave each of us before going out?"
Xi'er touched her pocket after hearing this. She also had money. She was really not short of money when she went out with the Zheng family to do errands. But what does this have to do with anything?
Situ Yong stroked his beard and laughed: "What do you think the young master is using for giving us the money?"
Xi'er was quite sure at first. After all, Zheng Xiu had always played like this, but Situ Yong's attitude made her less sure, so Xi'er cautiously asked, "Let us... spend it?"
"Yes! No!"
Situ Yong straightened his black shirt and used the hem to hide the five ferocious swords on his waist. Then he walked to the nearest place on the "widow's list" and knocked on the door politely.
The person who opened the door was a slightly fat woman about thirty-six years old. She had not put on makeup and had a simple and elegant appearance. She exuded the beauty of an unadorned young woman. Her simple long skirt could not hide her slightly bulging belly. She carefully opened the door a crack and took a look outside. When she saw an old man and a woman, she lowered her guard, frowned and asked, "Who are you two..."
"I, Situ Yong, serve under the Red King, and the Xiao Department of the Disaster Prevention Bureau is here to investigate Zhong's murder case. I hope that Zhong Li will be able to make it convenient for the two of us to ask a few questions and then leave."
When Mrs. Zhong Li heard this, her face instantly turned pale. She was so shocked that she shook her head repeatedly, her voice a little more hysterical: "His death has nothing to do with the slave family! The officials have asked many times! Wuwuwu!"
When the woman heard the two men's intention, she burst into tears and tried hard to close the door tightly.
"Don't worry!" Situ Yong took out something from his arms and stuffed it into the crack of the door.
It's a thick stack of banknotes.
Xi'er was stunned.
After a while, the little widow invited the two people into the room.
"Old miracle doctor, when did you learn the prince's trick?"
Xi'er asked in confusion.
Situ Yong smiled leisurely: "Those who are close to Zhu are red. They have been influenced by their ears and eyes, and they are self-taught. I have always wondered why King Chi is doing things. He can obviously use his power to bully others, but he has to use his wealth to win people's hearts and keep adding more money. Now let's give it a try..."
The old miracle doctor sighed with emotion: "It's really refreshing."
Old miracle doctor, you have changed.
Xi'er complained silently in her heart and looked around. The furnishings in the house are simple, incense is burning, and the mourning hall is set up. The little widow's deceased husband's tomb is ready, and he is enjoying the incense offerings. There are five incense sticks, three long and two short. The incense is light and slightly lonely.
In a corner of the room were several bundles of silkworm silkworms that had not yet been tied into raw cloth, stacked there randomly. It seemed that after the death of her husband, this elderly weaver girl had no choice but to return to her old business to make a living.
Xi'er observed for a while and nodded secretly. No wonder the little widow opened the door so boldly. After her husband died, a woman's life was difficult, and she even left a posthumous son. Situ Yong's pension undoubtedly relieved the little widow's temporary worries.
Xi'er was thinking about something, and Situ Yong sat down carelessly in the house not far away. The little widow made a pot of coarse tea and poured it for the two of them. During these few moments, when Xi'er wasn't paying attention, Situ Yong and the little widow began to flirt with each other, chatting in low voices.
Xi'er coughed twice: "We are the Disaster Prevention Bureau."
Situ Yong: "Yes, Disaster Prevention Bureau."
Zhong's Widow Fox asked: "But that rich king's..."
Xi'er corrected: "Red King."
The widow suddenly said: "Ah, yes, yes, it is the Red King!" After saying that, her eyes showed desire and envy. How happy she must be to work under that generous prince.
Xi'er asked some questions about Zhong's situation in a few words, and everything she learned was the same. At this time, Situ Yong stared at the widow's slightly bulging belly, frowned slightly, and asked: "I know a little bit about medical skills, can you let me take your pulse?"
The widow was startled when she heard this, but then she readily agreed. Just when Situ Yong said that he wanted to feel the pulse through the textile, the widow smiled miserably: "How can there be so much care in a body like a fallen flower and a willow? Doctor, you have to feel the pulse of the slave family, just feel free to do it!"
After saying that, he stretched out his wrist in front of Situ Yong without hesitation. Situ Yong smacked his lips, without being pretentious, and took a few handfuls.
Situ Yong's brows trembled several times. Xi'er, who noticed the change in Situ Yong's expression, asked in a low voice: "Is there anything strange?"
The old miracle doctor cast a meaningful look at Xi'er and shook his head slowly. Xi'er understood and didn't ask any more questions. She changed the subject and asked what happened before and after Zhong's sudden death that day. Upon hearing this, the widow's face changed drastically. She stood up suddenly and said with great excitement: "Do you suspect that the death of that damn ghost is really related to the slave family?"
Xi'er quickly comforted her: "It's just to investigate the case."
The widow's mood calmed down a little, perhaps for the sake of the money. Moreover, the behavior of Situ Yong and Xi'er was not like those officials who arrested people indiscriminately and sent them back to be sentenced. After several struggles, , and finally recounted the causes and consequences of her husband’s death.
The little widow sobbed softly. It turned out that after she married Mr. Zhong, the couple treated each other with respect at first. Mr. Zhong worked hard to support his family and lived a well-off and happy life. But later, for some reason, her husband became obsessed with looking for flowers and asking for willows, and became increasingly estranged from Mr. Zhong and Li. Although Mrs. Zhong and Li were unhappy, they did not dare to make it public. After all, if she said it, the neighbors would make irresponsible remarks. . It was precisely because of the long drought in the fertile fields that the little widow believed in the evil spirits of her neighbors and went up the mountain to pray to the God of Five Powers. Maybe getting pregnant will change the man's mind.
The little widow became more and more emotional as she talked, crying. Situ Yong handed the little widow a silk scarf, and the little widow looked at the old miracle doctor gratefully. Well, long lost concern.
The old miracle doctor smiled and said you're welcome, with the thoughtfulness and tolerance unique to middle-aged and elderly people in his tone.
You really understand.
Xi'er lowered his head and cursed secretly.
The little widow wiped away her tears, glanced at the old miracle doctor gratefully, and whispered: "Over the past year, the slave family and that dead ghost have been trying to be called husband and wife, but they have long ceased to be husband and wife. Who would have known, who would have known, who knows! Who knows, who knows, who knows!" Who would have thought that that night, he...him!"
The little widow began to cry again.
Xi'er wondered: "You said you were not married, but that night..."
The little widow wiped her tears. I felt pity for her, and she said sadly, "It's a long story, and I don't want to talk about it." But she soon spoke, and told an incident that happened a few months ago: " The slave family didn't know what was good about those flower girls before, they were all coquettish and charming, until one night, that damn ghost pounced on him and insisted on letting the slave family..."
Situ Yong thought for a moment and understood. He nodded and motioned for the woman to continue.
"The slave refused to die, so he said he would divorce me! I told you to divorce me, and the slave was so angry that he kicked him out of bed! The damn guy played with him every night and never came home again! Later, later... ugh Oh, as you two officials know, he is dead! He is dead! You two must believe in the slave family, the death of that damn ghost really has nothing to do with the slave family!"
Xi'er frowned and asked, "He wanted to have sex, and you just agreed?" As she asked, Xi'er secretly cursed the little widow for not living up to her expectations.
The little widow cried and nodded: "He insists!"
"He insisted, so you gave it to him?"
"He didn't say a word, but he insisted!"
The ins and outs of Widow Zhong's case were finally figured out. On the surface, it seemed like it was really an ordinary "immediate incident" case. Xi'er and Situ Yong walked out with hesitation, always feeling that things were not that simple, but it seemed to be that simple. Before going out, Widow Zhong suddenly called out to the old miracle doctor and whispered a few words next to the old miracle doctor.
Xi'er was stunned for a moment, but she pricked up her ears and listened, her pretty face turned red.
As soon as she went out, Xi'er looked at the old miracle doctor with strange eyes: "Why did she even tell you such a thing?"
Situ Yong shook his head with a solemn expression, as holy as a sage, and said with a smile: "She must have seen the benevolence of my doctor."
"Bah! No matter how benevolent a doctor is, he can't tell you about the little iron pestle that night in Mianmian. Is this something that an ordinary woman can say? Besides, why didn't she tell me?" Xi'er said with disdain. She always felt that something was wrong with the old miracle doctor, but she quickly changed the subject: "Old miracle doctor, I saw that you looked inappropriate when you took your pulse just now, but what did you see?"
The old miracle doctor nodded and said: "That's true, but I'm not sure. I'll have to go to the next hospital to have my pulse checked, and then I can come up with a proof."
Situ Yong deliberately betrayed him, but Xi'er couldn't help him. The two of them went to the next widow's house without stopping to ask. Situ Yong also knocked on the door of the widow's house with money. After some questioning, he found that the little widow's experience was surprisingly similar to the previous one.
First, the family is harmonious, and the husband and wife respect each other as guests. Later, my husband fell in love with drinking flower wine. The woman listened to what "others" said and went to the Wutong God to ask for a son, hoping to win back her husband's affection.
The third house, the fourth house, the fifth house...
The more she investigated, the more frightened Xi'er became. Such striking similarities could no longer be described simply as "coincidence". Someone was deliberately creating each of these cases!
"Quick! We need to tell...ahem, young master!"
On the side, Situ Yong was flipping through the list of widows, page by page. Suddenly, the old miracle doctor's eyes widened and he started counting from the first page. After counting it twice, Xi'er had already used Chang Shihui to reveal the clues to their case, and curiously asked the young master if she was pregnant. The person on the other end didn't know whether he was angry or didn't hear clearly, so he turned off the call.
"Young Master, let's meet back at the inn!"
After checking for a day, the sunset was red and the sun and moon were in the sky. It was dusk without even realizing it.
"No rush." Situ Yong looked strange and threw the list of widows to Xi'er: "I'm not sure. Count it. Is the list of widows... no more, no less, exactly ninety-nine?"
Xi'er counted and found that it was indeed true, but soon she wondered: "Ninety-nine, why is it not more or less? It's not..." She was about to say that it was not an integer, but suddenly Xi'er remembered "The first "Hundreds" of victims, their breathing shortened, and the words that followed were swallowed back into their stomachs.
"Brother Crab... is the hundredth pregnant woman!"
(End of chapter)
