February has arrived in the blink of an eye, the spring is bright and the ice and snow have melted.
Even the Yuzhou government office, which has always been solemn and solemn, feels a little more peaceful and friendly because of the warm spring sunshine.
Such good weather is the perfect time to pour a cup of tea, burn a burner of incense, and slowly read a good book that will leave a lasting fragrance on your teeth and cheeks amid the fragrance of tea and sandalwood.
This is also Wei Chen's favorite pastime to spend his free time after handling official duties.
In the flower hall of the back office, Wei Chen slowly turned over the book and sipped tea, enjoying the quiet time under the warm spring sun.
However, this rare tranquility was soon broken, and hurried footsteps suddenly came from outside the hall.
There was no look of surprise on Wei Chen's face, he gently closed the book and looked at the people outside the hall.
Looking at the entire Yuzhou, Gu Tingye was the only one who got such treatment without being notified.
As soon as Gu Tingye entered the flower hall, he raised the teapot on the table and poured a large sip of tea down his throat. Then he breathed a sigh of relief and looked at Wei Chen and said, "Xingyun, why are you calling me in such a hurry? return?"
"Sit down and talk."
Wei Chen smiled and motioned for Gu Tingye to sit down first, then waved to Yuan An who was standing beside him, opened the small wooden box that Yuan An had been holding in his hand, took out something from it, placed it on the table between the two of them, and pushed it to In front of Gu Tingye.
Gu Tingye glanced at the table inadvertently, then smiled nonchalantly and said, "I don't know what it is. It turns out to be a golden lock. It's a shame that Xingyun is so solemn and serious about it."
"Zhong Huai, can you take a closer look?"
Gu Tingye wanted to say, what's there to see in a worthless gold lock? But when he raised his head and met Wei Chen's thoughtful eyes, his heart suddenly moved. He immediately put away his playful smile and reached out to pick up the lock in front of him. Jinsuo looked at it carefully.
Suddenly, Gu Tingye found a line of small words engraved under the golden lock. He immediately frowned, holding the golden lock and looking at Wei Chen, and asked in a deep voice: "This is the long letter I gave to my sister Rong when she was born." How did the life lock come into your hands?"
Wei Chen picked up the tea cup, brushed away the foam, took a sip of tea, and then said slowly: "I asked Yuan An to redeem this from the pawn shop on Xuanhua Street. In addition to the gold lock, there are also jewelry, antiques, and fields. The deeds and property deeds have all wandered out of your yard in the past month or so."
Following Wei Chen's gaze, Gu Tingye noticed the small wooden box held in Yuan An's hand.
He immediately stood up and snatched the box from Yuan An's hand, and took out the contents one by one to check. As Wei Chen said, they were all from his yard.
And although these things were not in Gu Tingye's eyes, they were already considered the most valuable property in his small courtyard. The person who stole the property obviously knew the situation in the courtyard very well, so he was able to let such things go.
This must be a thief!
Gu Tingye's face was very ugly.
He is the dignified captain of the Yuzhou Public Security Brigade. In the past six months or so, he has been clearing out the gangs of thieves in Yuzhou. Even several neighboring prefectures and counties became alarmed when they heard his name.
As a result, there was a thief around me, and all the valuable things in the house were touched. It was a complete embarrassment!
Guard against day and night, it is difficult to guard against house thieves!
In an instant, several faces flashed through Gu Tingye's mind. They were all the servants and maids working in his courtyard. They were the only ones who had the possibility of committing the crime.
Except, of course, Shitou and Zhu Manniang.
Shitou was Gu Tingye's companion who grew up with him. He and Gu Tingye were called master and servant, but in fact their relationship was the same as that of brothers. Gu Tingye doubted that anyone would doubt him.
And Zhu Manniang is the mistress of the family. She has never left Gu Tingye for so many years, so it is impossible for her to guard him and steal from him.
Thinking of this, Gu Tingye couldn't help but sigh and said: "It's my fault too. I'm always on the go and don't care enough about my family. Mannia is still too weak to control these lazy, greedy and slippery servants!"
Hearing Gu Tingye's words, Wei Chen was really speechless and could only silently put his hand on his forehead.
At this time, Gu Tingye was already busy asking Wei Chen: "Xingyun, have you ever found out who this thief is?"
"Zhong Huai, do you really want to know?"
"Of course I want to know! Xingyun, please stop being so secretive and tell me quickly!"
"In that case, then come with me. There happens to be one last thing that you need to pick up in person."
Wei Chen immediately stood up, put on the robe given by Yuan An, and walked out of the flower hall. Upon seeing this, Gu Tingye quickly followed.
The two of them had just stepped out of the hall door, one behind the other. Wei Chen stopped suddenly and turned around to ask Gu Tingye: "Where is your outer room? Do you want to take it with you?"
Gu Tingye was a little confused when asked: "Why are you taking her with you? She should still be buying vegetables at the market at the moment, not in the government office. Besides, she has always been weak and unable to take care of herself. She doesn't want to see these scenes of fighting and killing. This kind of Just leave it to me to handle it."
"Oh, that's how it is……"
After hearing Gu Tingye's words, Wei Chen nodded noncommittally, and then continued to walk out.
Wei Chen led Gu Tingye through numerous courtyards and halls, exited the government office through the side door, turned a corner, and stepped onto a wide street.
Gu Tingye identified the path Wei Chen took and couldn't help but feel a little surprised. Isn't this the way Mannia usually goes to the market to buy vegetables? What's its name?
Oh, yes, I remembered it.
Xuanhua Street!
When this name appeared in Gu Tingye's mind, his heart skipped a beat.
Wei Chen just said that the place where the golden lock was pawned seems to be on Xuanhua Street, right?
Zhu Manniang, Xuanhua Street...
Gu Tingye's face darkened, and a bad feeling gradually came over him.
Wei Chen and Gu Tingye were both walking vigorously. In a short while, they passed through the most prosperous and busy section of Xuanhua Street and arrived at the end of the street where it connects with the residential area.
There are not so many restaurants and shops here, and there are far fewer pedestrians coming and going.
Gu Tingye followed Wei Chen and turned into a narrow alley. Not far away, he saw an acquaintance of his.
"Old Chen, why are you here?"
"Zhong Huai..."
When Shen Congxing saw Gu Tingye, his expression was hesitant to speak. Finally, he just sighed and patted his shoulder silently.
Gu Tingye frowned. Whether it was Wei Chen or Shen Congxing, their performance today was too abnormal.
Wei Chen looked at Shen Congxing and asked softly: "Where is he? Didn't he scare her?"
"Don't worry, we have someone keeping an eye on it!" Shen Congxing nodded.
Wei Chen turned to look at Gu Tingye behind him, and pointed toward the depths of the alley: "Zhong Huai, don't you want to know who the thief is? She is in front now. Go and see for yourself!"
