There is a god in the sky

Chapter 199 Who is the Murderer 6

Shen Lan went out through the back door.

As she walked out of the alley behind the back door, she saw Xiao Ji at the intersection.

The man, bathed in moonlight, observed the Qixiu Workshop from the intersection, seemingly noticing something.

Xiao Ji heard footsteps and looked over. Their eyes met, and he couldn't hide his astonishment.

"Why is Miss Shen here?"

Shen Lan led him back into the alley, which seemed like a completely different world from the bustling city outside.

She told Xiao Ji about her findings, "It's more likely that this case was a homicide."

"Yes, that's what I think too. It seems I should ask the shopkeeper to go and inquire about it properly tomorrow."

He told Shen Lan, "This shop is managed by the Crown Prince's wife. The shopkeeper is her person, and the staff were also selected by her."

Based on his years of experience in handling cases, he was surprised that the people in Qixiu Workshop were lying.

It must be said that they were remarkably calm when questioned by the authorities.

"Let's go, it's late. I'll take Miss Shen home. You should change your habit of being a night owl; you can't always be so lucky."

"You're right, sir." Shen Lan obediently agreed, then asked in return, "It's too dangerous for you to go out alone, sir. Aren't there many people in this city who don't want you to be happy?"

Xiao Ji glanced at her and said with a half-smile, "So this official needs Miss Shen's protection."

"Then I shall escort you back to your residence, sir!"

Jifeng Study and Xiao Mansion are not in the same direction. Shen Lan turned around to walk towards Xiao Mansion, but Xiao Ji grabbed her arm, turned her around half a circle, and then pushed her forward.

"grown ups……"

"Shut up, shall we listen to you or me?"

Shen Lan couldn't help but laugh, "Yes, I'll do whatever you say, sir."

There were many men and women on the street, and quite a few young men and women were secretly dating.

Xiao Ji and Shen Lan walked on the street without attracting attention.

"Young master, why don't you buy some flowers? Giving them to your beloved will surely bring you good fortune!"

A dirty little boy stopped Xiao Ji and Shen Lan.

Xiao Ji noticed the straw sandals on his feet that exposed his toes and asked, "How much?"

The boy held up the flower basket and said, "Which one do you like? One penny each."

It's not easy to see so many kinds of flowers in Bianjing at this time of year. These flowers are in full bloom, and some varieties are clearly not for this season.

Ordinary families can't even grow enough crops, let alone flowers.

Even though Shen Lan didn't know much about flowers, she knew that any flower here would cost more than this.

"Where did these flowers come from?" Xiao Ji asked in a deep voice.

The boy was terrified, clutching the flower basket to his chest and watching them warily.

Shen Lan spoke up, "The flowers are beautiful, but we don't buy flowers of unknown origin. Can you tell us where these flowers came from?"

"Yes...someone threw them out," the boy said excitedly. "I swear, I really picked up these flowers."

Xiao Ji took out a string of coins and gave it to him, saying, "I'll buy them all."

The boy was overjoyed, took the money, stuffed the flower basket into Xiao Ji's hands, and ran away.

He ran incredibly fast, disappearing around the corner in the blink of an eye.

Shen Lan thought Xiao Ji bought the flowers out of pity for him, and was about to praise him when she saw him pull a chrysanthemum out of the flower basket.

"As far as I know, all the gardeners in the city are cultivating chrysanthemums for Madam Tong's birthday celebration. If he's not lying, then someone's house has been robbed."

"If a thief stole flowers, they would definitely sell them for money, so why would they just throw them away?"

Such flowers are quite expensive.

"Let's go, someone might report it to the police soon."

Upon arriving at the bookstore, Xiao Ji gave the flowers to Shen Lan, saying, "The colors are so dull in winter; take them back to add some festive cheer."

Shen Lan did like it, but she still refused.

"Such beautiful flowers should be given to Miss Zhao; they would win her heart more than rare treasures."

Xiao Ji hesitated before saying, "The Zhao family's garden is full of blooming flowers, so they don't lack these."

Shen Lan reluctantly accepted the flower basket, thinking to herself: If she were Miss Zhao, she would definitely call him a blockhead.

As they were parting, Shen Lan said, "My lord, there is something I would like to ask you for help with."

"You said."

"I'd like to meet the dancer who won the championship last time, or perhaps exchange a letter with her, but unfortunately she's gone to the inner palace. Do you have any way to help me send something to her?"

Xiao Ji raised an eyebrow. "You still suspect she was your childhood playmate?"

"We should at least ask about people with the same name." Otherwise, Shen Lan would keep thinking about it.

Xiao Ji thought for a moment, then said in a deep voice, "Come with me to the Tong residence tomorrow to offer birthday greetings."

Shen Lan was completely confused; why was this being brought up all of a sudden?

"As far as I know, Lin Wuguan will perform a dance at the birthday banquet."

Shen Lan was about to nod when Xiao Ji continued, "But this favor can't be done for nothing."

"What reward does the master desire?"

"Do me a favor tomorrow."

Shen Lan readily agreed without even asking what it was about.

The next morning, she changed into men's clothing, put on some more dashing makeup, and waited for someone at the door.

As the wind blew in, seeing Shen Lan dressed as a servant, he teased, "Oh my, whose handsome young master is this?"

Shen Lan's men's clothing was obtained by Xiao Yi; she had specifically requested that it be clothing belonging to a servant of the Xiao family.

Xiao Ji lifted the carriage curtain, looked her up and down, and handed her a bundle. "Go and change into this."

Shen Lan took the bundle with a puzzled look, then turned and went into the courtyard.

Inside the bundle was a woman's outfit, made of good quality, that looked like the attire of a maidservant from a wealthy family.

After changing, she found that the clothes were too big, so she had to wear the men's clothes she had just worn underneath.

After changing back into women's clothing, Shen Lan let her hair down and restyled it into a double bun.

When she stood in front of Xiao Ji again, he nodded in satisfaction.

"Come up here, let me tell you about the Tong family's affairs."

As Shen Lan sat in the carriage, she already had a guess in her mind.

"Does the master intend for me to infiltrate the Tong residence?"

"Wasn't that what you originally planned?"

"Yes, what does Your Excellency require of me?"

"I want you to get close to the wife of the Marquis of Zhenyuan's heir, and preferably find out who her personal maids are."

Xiao Ji handed her a geomantic map, saying, "Take a close look; it might be useful to you."

Shen Lan secretly memorized the layout of the Tong residence and who its masters were.

Today is the old lady's birthday, and the Tong family must be packed with people. It shouldn't be difficult to sneak in.

The difficulty lies in how she can get close to her masters.

As they approached the Tong residence, the road became congested, with sedan chairs and horse-drawn carriages stretching as far as the eye could see.

Xiao Ji lifted a corner of the curtain and pointed to the carriage not far ahead, saying, "That carriage belongs to the Tong family. The person in charge is surnamed Shen. Just say your name is Xiao Lan, and he will take you into the mansion."

Shen Lan nodded, straightened her sleeves, and got out of the carriage.

Xiao Ji called out to her and instructed, "Be careful. If you run into trouble, run to the outer courtyard. I will have Sui Feng and Sui Ying meet you."

There are many people today, so as long as they move quickly, the Tong family won't be able to react in time.

Shen Lan ran over there, thinking: This is a rare opportunity to enter the Tong residence. If only I could enter Minister Tong's study.

When they met up with the carriage from the Tong family, Shen Lan learned that these people were there to pick up someone on behalf of the old lady. Inside the carriage sat the old lady's beloved daughter, who was also the Empress's younger sister.