Chapter 32: Gazing Out

  The county magistrate looked at Lin, and said in surprise: "What? Is his six-panel waist card fake? Impersonating an imperial officer is a capital offense!" After thinking for a moment, he scolded Lin again: "You said he didn't look like a rogue, nor was he an ordinary citizen."

  "Sir, that waist token is absolutely genuine, but as for him being recommended by the Young Master of Yong'an Marquis to enter the Six Panels Gate..."

  "You don't know about this." County Magistrate Lyu picked up his teacup and took a few sips, saying with envy: "Those who are lucky enough to be door guests or followers in the mansions of royal relatives, as long as they enter the eyes of the nobles, it's not difficult to mix in the government office. Haven't you heard him say? His parents were both close servants of the crown prince. Not to mention that most of the door guests and followers are good people, even those lowly maids, maybe they'll become officials' wives overnight, like our county magistrate's wife, they wouldn't even look at her!"

  Lin Bou Tou had never left Ji Zhou his whole life, and he didn't know what the "honorable and glorious Xie family" that Lü County Magistrate mentioned was like. However, Lin's intuition told him that some of Xie San's words seemed a bit forced. At this moment, he knew he couldn't persuade his superior, so he turned to ask: "Sir, after dawn, if Miss He is at the Shen residence, should I go and arrest her?"

  The county magistrate stroked his small mustache, looking embarrassed. After a moment, he slapped his thigh and said excitedly: "Didn't he instruct us earlier that when he arrived in Ji Zhou, we shouldn't disturb Shen Jinglun? You can use this as an excuse to ask him if you want to go to the Shen's house to catch someone." He patted Lin's shoulder and said solemnly: "In doing things, one must know how to be flexible, understand?"

  Lin Zou Tou could only nod in agreement. He walked out of the room, glanced at Xie San's living quarters, and was thinking about how to get him to talk after dawn when he saw a little maid hurrying over.

  "What's wrong?" He stopped the little maid and nodded towards the door, hinting that Lord Lü was in a bad mood.

  The little maid's face turned red with anxiety. Since she was familiar with Lin, the captain of the guard, she lowered her voice and said: "Someone is shouting at the gate, saying that there is an urgent matter to report to Captain Xie..."

  "I'll go take a look." Before the little maid could finish speaking, Lin had already strode away. As he walked out of the second gate, he saw from afar a young man standing under the corridor who looked to be around twenty years old. At a glance, he recognized him. It was this person who had reported to the authorities a few days ago, claiming that someone had committed robbery in broad daylight on the street, and Lin had just managed to rescue He Huan's family in time.

  "It's you!" Lin caught a glimpse of the young man from head to toe, seeing that he had clear eyebrows and eyes, red lips and white teeth, his whole body almost drenched by the rainwater, adding a few more weak points.

  "Lin the captain." The young man bowed respectfully and said hastily: "My name is Chang'an, I'm under Captain Xie's command. I have an urgent matter to report to Third Master, would you please help me get an audience with him, Lin the captain?"

  Lin Zuo's eyes showed even more suspicion, and he said slowly: "So you're also from the Sixth Gate, no wonder you were so enthusiastic last time, and didn't take credit afterwards."

  Chang'an hesitated for a moment, then replied in a low voice: "At that time, saving you was just a matter of lifting my hand. I had something important to attend to and didn't have time to bid farewell before leaving, which was indeed my fault. However, Lin, as officials, we should both be aware that some matters, if delayed, not only harm ourselves but also implicate our superiors. Am I right?" His face wore a smile, but his tone carried an implicit threat.

  Lin Zhen was choked by him and said helplessly: "It's not that I don't want to show you the way..."

  "Lin the captain, Long An?" Xie San walked towards the two from afar. Originally he only wanted to figure out who was talking to Lord Lü in the middle of the night, but seeing Lin the captain blocking Long An, he had no choice but to reveal himself.

  "Third Master!" Chang'an hastily bypassed Lin Daotou and spoke to Xie San, "I have an urgent matter to report to you." Before he finished speaking, he deliberately glanced at Lin Daotou. Lin Daotou rubbed his nose, bowed and excused himself. After he walked away, Chang'an whispered, "Third Master, something has happened in the young master's household..."

  "Isn't he always at Qing Song Guan?"

  "It's his son, who is said to be on the verge of death. At this moment, all the doctors in the city have rushed to the Shen family." He lowered his voice again, "Third Master, this is a rare opportunity..."

  "Has anyone inquired clearly what disease he has contracted?"

  "It is said that he convulsed all over his body, foamed at the mouth and might not make it through tonight."

  Xie San did not respond to Chang An's words, but instead stared thoughtfully at the dark night sky, listening to the patter of the rain. "Boom", a flash of lightning illuminated the entire courtyard. Under the intense light of the lightning, he caught a glimpse of Lin Captor hiding behind a pillar in the corridor nearby. He withdrew his gaze and said in a low voice: "Let's go take a look at Shen's house first."

  Chang'an's expression changed upon hearing this, and he whispered: "Third Master, you previously said that Young Master is a cautious person..."

  "It's just you and me here, so let's call him Old Man Shen."

  "Yes, my third uncle!" Chang'an hastily and helplessly changed his words, "Mr. Shen is a cautious person, he manages his household very strictly, if we can't seize this opportunity, it's likely to be difficult to investigate again in the future..."

  "Are you sure Shen Nianxi is really sick?"

  Xie San's counter-question left Chang'an stunned on the spot. "Shen Nianxue suddenly fell ill and is on his last breath," this news all came from the Shen family members' mouths. "Third Master, what to do now?" He was at a loss for what to do.

  "Let's go take a look first." Xie San led the way out. The two of them walked out of the county government office, put on their rain gear, mounted their horses, and galloped in the heavy rain. When they arrived at the small alley outside the Shen family's main gate, they saw He Huan had just arrived at the entrance of the Shen family's house.

  Xie San saw her, gritting his teeth in anger. More than ten days ago, in the Shen family garden, if it wasn't for her setting him up, would he have failed at the last moment? Yesterday, she even dared to frame him. Since she was unkind, from now on don't blame him for being unrighteous!

  Chang'an wiped the rain from his face and asked in a low voice: "Third Master, are we just going to wait like this?"

  Xie San didn't respond, narrowing his eyes to size up He Huan. He "zeroed in" on her solely because he discovered she was very familiar with the Shen family, yet the scene before him showed that the people of the Shen family saw her so disheveled and had no intention of showing mercy. A few days ago, he pretended to let slip a secret in front of her, hinting that he had an informant within the Shen family. He was pleased to see Bai Zhi notify Zi Lan that night, but Shen Jinglu seemed completely unaware, or perhaps he had long since detected that He Huan was being used by him and wanted to turn the tables?

  Thinking of this possibility, Xie San's eyes became even more vigilant, his gaze shifting from He Huan to the Shen family gate.

  Half a time later, the rain finally stopped, and the east showed the first light of dawn. The wet air was mixed with the fragrance emitted by the grass and trees, which was refreshing. However, neither He Huan in front of the Shen family gate nor Xie San in the small alley had the mood to feel the quiet and tranquility of the early morning.

  From a distance, she saw Mr. Qian slowly walking towards the gate, and He Huan took three steps forward in two steps, without noticing the servants blocking her at the gate, and asked loudly: "Mr. Qian, has Nian Xi recovered, is he okay? Is he?"

  Qian Daifu looked at her and let out a soft sigh.

  In an instant, He Huan was as if she had been placed in an ice cellar. She hysterically shouted: "Impossible! You're deceiving me! Impossible!" She pushed and struggled against the servants who were blocking her way. If possible, she would have exchanged her own life for her son to grow up healthy and strong.

  Doctor Qian shook his head and said: "Young Master Shen's illness originated from his mother's womb..."

  "Was it me who harmed Nian Xi?" He Huan's eyes were bloodshot, "Impossible, absolutely impossible!" She shook her head violently, her throat hoarse, but no more tears could flow out.

  The people below were kicked and trampled by her, and someone among them coldly snorted: "He Da Xiaojie, Master is not here, who are you putting on a show for?"

  He Huan didn't care, she just kept shouting that she wanted to see Shen Nianxue. Unfortunately, she was a woman after all, and having been rained on and blown by the wind last night, she was soon subdued by the servants of the Shen family. As she struggled, she cried out in a sorrowful voice: "Shen Jinglu, come out and tell me clearly, why did Nianxue become like this..."

  Xie San watched from afar, his brow furrowing tighter and tighter.

  "What a big sister He is really good at acting." Chang'an's eyes were full of disdain, "A woman like her, how could she commit suicide? Third Master, you are too kind-hearted, that's why you believe her..."

  "This time Shen Jinglin is not here." Xie San heard the faint sound of horseshoes, his voice stuck in his throat. At the end of the long street, two sorrel horses galloped in the morning light, and the man on horseback was surprisingly Shen Jinglin.