There is a god in the sky

Chapter 110 The Strange Case of Fuchunju 8

"It's getting late, let's head back." Xiao Ji led Shen Lan out.

The officials had already conducted a quick search but found nothing.

That's to be expected.

The group left the Prince's residence and returned to the government office.

Sui Feng caught up with them halfway and brought the information he had found.

"Coroner Wu left early yesterday morning, wearing a blue cotton jacket, black cotton trousers and cotton shoes, without carrying any luggage."

"He went hiking without any luggage? Was he planning to make a day trip?"

"The Wu family said that Wu Wu's departure was unpredictable; sometimes he would return on the same day, and sometimes he would not return for several days."

"He's a coroner at the yamen (government office). Can he really leave home for several days at a time without reporting it to the authorities?"

Shen Lan knew that this job was quite free, and sometimes she could only work a few days a year, but she still had to report to her superiors when asking for leave.

After returning to the yamen, Xiao Ji went to question the magistrate of the Criminal Investigation Department.

The other party pulled out a slip of paper, which was Wu the coroner's leave request. It stated that he was going to travel outside the city for three days.

"There are still major cases pending in the yamen, yet he wants to leave the city for three days and even got permission?" Shen Lan had never done anything like this in her previous life.

The governor chuckled and said, "The case may be tricky, but what can a coroner do?"

Clearly, when a murder occurs, whether or not a coroner performs an autopsy is not important, at least not in this case.

Shen Lan had to admit that the profession of coroner had indeed been neglected.

There are probably not many officials who value autopsies as much as Xiao Ji.

"Do you know what grudge Wu the coroner has against Xiao Linzi, the gardener at the Prince's mansion?"

"This humble official does not know."

Officer Ma came in from outside and said, "I just found out that Coroner Wu often brings back orchids from outside the city and sells them to Xiao Linzi at a high price. The two have business dealings."

This is truly unexpected.

Two people who seem to have no connection actually have this kind of business relationship.

It was already completely dark, so Xiao Ji gave up the idea of ​​going to the Wu family to ask questions and decided to go back and sort out what he had gained that day.

As Shen Lan was leaving, she suddenly asked loudly, "Sir, where should we put the evidence we obtained at the Hundred Beasts Garden today?"

A hint of surprise flashed in Xiao Ji's eyes, then he cooperated and said, "Put it here with me for now. Such important evidence cannot be lost."

Officer Ma, unaware of the matter concerning the cloth, suggested, "If Lord Xiao obtains important evidence, it can be stored in the storeroom, where it will be guarded by designated personnel."

"No need, I'll carry it with me at all times."

They returned to the backyard, and tonight Shen Lan's room was moved to Xiao Ji's courtyard, so she wouldn't have to listen to people arguing anymore.

After Xiao Ji closed the door, he lowered his voice and asked Shen Lan, "Are you trying to lure the murderer out?"

"Try it."

"This is indeed a good plan, but I'm afraid the other side hasn't heard about it yet."

"Didn't you just send Sui Feng to spread the news?"

Shen Lan saw it. Although Xiao Ji only gave a look, he had been with Sui Feng for many years and the other party could definitely understand his meaning.

Suiying didn't come back either; it's unknown what Xiao Ji sent her to investigate.

It must be said that there are some things that they still have to investigate themselves; it's hard to tell whether the people in the government are good or bad.

A servant brought in hot water, and the two of them stopped talking and went back to their rooms to bathe.

Shen Lan prefers showering and always feels that soaking in a bath is not clean enough.

Besides, the bathtubs couldn't all be new; she felt uncomfortable with bathtubs that other people had used.

Taking a shower is relatively convenient, but washing your hair is a major undertaking; it takes a long time for your hair to dry after washing.

So when she was propping herself up to read late at night, she heard footsteps approaching outside.

The sound was very soft, but it was so quiet around her that she could hear even the slightest noise.

The visitor stopped when he saw that the lights were still on inside.

He knew that Xiao Ji didn't live in this room; this was Shen Lan's room.

Perhaps thinking that there was no need to be wary of a woman, he continued to approach Xiao Ji's door.

With a gentle push, the door opened.

The room was quiet, the only light coming from a dim oil lamp on the desk.

Someone was lying on the bed, with their back to the door, breathing steadily.

The man walked toward the desk, figuring that the evidence wouldn't be kept close to his body even while sleeping; it would most likely be on the desk.

As he approached the desk, he indeed saw something pressed under the inkstone.

He reached out and gently moved the inkstone aside. Just as he was about to take the item, he heard someone behind him ask, "Is it appropriate to take it without asking?"

The newcomer turned around in surprise and saw Xiao Ji standing behind him, fully clothed. Looking at the bed, there was no one there; it was just a disguise.

He pulled out a dagger and stabbed at Xiao Ji, while simultaneously tearing away something from under the inkstone.

Xiao Ji hurriedly retreated, realizing he was no match for his opponent after just one exchange.

A man rushed in from outside, and Sui Feng drew his sword and engaged him in combat.

Xiao Ji lit the oil lamp and stood quietly to the side.

He asked, "Officer Ma, what brings you here so late at night?"

The newcomer paused, revealing a slight opening, and was slashed in the arm by Sui Feng.

He hurriedly ran out of the room, and just as he was about to escape over the wall, a flying sword blocked his way.

It's a shadow coming.

He quickly changed direction and rushed into the room with the lights on.

He had thought things through carefully; now the only way to escape was to take hostages.

In this courtyard, only Shen Lan was a frail woman, and also someone Xiao Ji cared about.

Shen Lan was still holding a book when she saw the man in black who had barged in. Confused, she said, "You seem to have come to the wrong place."

A dagger was held to her neck, and the man in black commanded, "Get up and get out of here, or your life is in danger."

"So it's Officer Ma. You're the murderer?"

Shen Lan was genuinely surprised; she hadn't expected to catch Captain Ma.

This person spent the whole day running around with them, looking like he was doing his job diligently, but unexpectedly he had ulterior motives.

Shen Lan felt the coldness on her neck and got up to walk outside.

Xiao Ji stood outside the door with Sui Feng and Sui Ying. As the enemy took a step forward, they took a step back.

"Officer Ma, if you have any difficulties, we can sit down and discuss them."

Ma Long sneered, "Lord Xiao is indeed a master at solving cases. He found evidence in just one day. He is much better than that absurd little prince."

"If Officer Ma has a grievance to redress, I can help you overturn the case."

Ma Long shook his head. "I appreciate Lord Xiao's kindness, but things are not as you think."

He forced Xiao Ji and the other two to make way, saying, "I will release Miss Shen once we leave the government office. Please go back inside."

Shen Lan said calmly, "Officer Ma, you are injured."

"It's just a minor injury, nothing serious, thank you for your concern, Miss Shen."

If he could, Mataki wouldn't want to do such a thing.

Just as he was about to lead the person out of the courtyard, he suddenly felt a burning pain in his wound. Looking down, he saw that a silver needle had been inserted into his injured arm.

After the pain subsided, he felt dizzy and his vision became double.

"you……"

"I'm sorry, you shouldn't have threatened me with a knife. I value my life."

"Thump..." Officer Ma's tall body fell to the ground.

Shen Lan stepped over his body, touched her neck, and said to Xiao Ji, "Sir, this should be considered a work injury."

Xiao Ji gently lifted her chin and saw a slightly red mark on her neck, without even breaking the skin.

"It seems that Officer Ma is quite kind-hearted." He was clearly holding the back of his knife against Shen Lan's neck, with no intention of harming her.