There is a god in the sky

Chapter 39 The Murder of a Wealthy Family in Jianzhou (Part 2)

All the corpses were carried to the front yard, and the scene was quite spectacular. Many of the yamen runners ran out to vomit.

Some of the corpses had their brains smashed to pieces, with brain matter spilling out; the sight was unbearable for most people.

Lei Dajiang couldn't help but give Shen Lan a thumbs up.

He admitted that he had underestimated her before; this girl's courage alone was awe-inspiring.

By the time we left the Wu residence, it was already completely dark.

The crowd of onlookers dispersed, and the yamen runners affixed seals to the various gates of the Wu residence.

The bodies were carried out one by one.

The youngest child was less than a year old and was placed in his mother's arms.

As the bailiffs passed by Shen Lan, a bead rolled off the stretcher and landed at her feet.

She bent down to pick it up, but before she could examine it closely, she heard Xiao Ji call her name.

Shen Lan held the beads in her palm and heard Xiao Ji ask, "Miss Shen, how about staying at my residence for the time being?"

Xiao Ji hesitated. His mansion was full of men, and he didn't even have a maid or servant.

Shen Lan is, after all, an unmarried young woman, and living with a group of grown men would damage her reputation.

But he was worried about letting her live alone outside.

Shen Lan readily agreed.

There was no other reason than that she had no money in her pocket, and the job had promised to include food and accommodation from the beginning.

Seeing how readily she agreed, Xiao Ji felt that he was the one being pretentious.

He instructed his attendant, "Take Miss Shen back to the manor to settle in first, I'm going to see the prefect."

Such a big case must be keeping the prefect up at night.

Xiao Ji had another guess in his mind.

The Wu family had just been promoted and left when trouble broke out, which could be the work of Liu Engui's enemies.

In any case, he will most likely not be able to leave until this case is resolved.

Shen Lan thought Xiao Ji's mansion would be very large and luxurious, but it turned out to be just the backyard of the Ministry of Justice.

Although the place was not small, it was really deserted, more like the dormitory she lived in when she first started working in her previous life.

"Miss Shen is, after all, a woman. There is a difference between men and women. Would it be alright for her to stay at the waterside pavilion on the east side?"

It's hot now, and the waterside pavilion is usually a quiet and cool place, separated from the houses by a small pond.

"Okay, either way is fine with me."

Suiying led her there, but there wasn't much scenery along the way. It was clear that the people living here didn't care about the environment.

Seeing her staring at the empty pond, Suiying explained, "The master is busy with official duties, and there is no one idle in the mansion, so this courtyard has been somewhat neglected."

Shen Lan asked curiously, "Didn't Madam Xiao go to her post with you, sir?"

Are such a young couple living apart?

My parents are not married yet.

Shen Lan turned her head to look over, her eyes deep and unfathomable. When she invited Xiao Ji to her door, Sui Feng hadn't said that at all.

Moreover, Xiao Ji was not young for this era.

Fearing that she might misunderstand, Suiying quickly explained, "The master was engaged, but the girl's mother passed away the year they were discussing the marriage, and she had to observe three years of mourning, which is why it was delayed."

So what Sui Feng said isn't entirely wrong.

There was no Madam Xiao, but there was a fiancée who was not yet betrothed.

Fearing Shen Lan wouldn't believe him, Sui Ying added, "Once the lord is transferred back to the capital, the family will arrange for him to marry into the family."

Shen Lan nodded, thinking to herself: For a scion of a high-ranking family like Xiao Ji, his marriage is probably not something he can decide for himself.

"arrive."

The pavilion is not large, with three rooms in a row facing the pond. The middle room is a rest room, and the two rooms on either side are a study and a tea room.

It's definitely cooler here than other places.

Shen Lan had traveled for two days and encountered so many corpses; she urgently needed to bathe and change her clothes.

"Where is the kitchen? I'd like to boil some water."

Suiying noticed that she showed no unease or dissatisfaction, and even had a slight smile on her face.

Last year, when Madam Zhao sent her maid to Jianzhou City to deliver some things, she was also arranged to stay here.

As a result, the little maid complained a lot, saying it was too damp and there were too many mosquitoes, which made the adults send her to the inn.

"There are two servants doing rough work in the backyard. I'll have someone bring them hot water and food in a bit."

After saying that, Suiying left.

Shen Lan put down her toolbox and carefully looked around the room.

This place is so much better than her previous dilapidated house.

She put all of Xiao Ji's belongings aside, then picked up a book that Xiao Ji had read and casually flipped through a few pages.

Soon, two servants carried over hot water, along with several sets of new clothes and new bedding.

"Miss Shen, these items are all newly purchased. Please try them on. If they don't fit, we'll have the store send over new ones."

Shen Lan's clothes are still in the carriage; she really needs new clothes now.

"Thank you."

"The kitchen is short of ingredients today, so the food will be delivered from the restaurant shortly. If you are hungry, please have some snacks first."

The service was so thoughtful that Shen Lan felt a little embarrassed.

She accepted the gifts and pointed to Xiao Ji's belongings beside her, saying, "Please keep Lord Xiao's things safe so they don't get lost."

The two quickly moved the things away, leaving behind the book that Shen Lan had just been reading.

These two servants were clearly well-trained by a wealthy family; they were quiet, efficient, and didn't steal a glance at Shen Lan the entire time.

Shen Lan closed the door, took a nice and relaxing shower, and then heard someone calling her from outside.

It's Fu Qingyan and the others who have returned.

Shen Lan casually tied her hair up and secured it with a wooden hairpin before walking out of the waterside pavilion.

"Miss Shen, we're back." Fu Qingyan waved warmly.

As Shen Lan approached, he began to chatter on about what had happened on the way.

There were five corpses in the carriage. He and Guanshu were both cowards. If it weren't for Suifeng, they might have abandoned the carriage and fled.

"By the way, we found a monk outside the city. Miss Shen knows medicine, could you please take a look at him?"

Shen Lan looked at him with a puzzled expression.

"Monk?"

"Yes, a young monk collapsed by the river, completely soaked, running a high fever, and with an injury on his arm."

Fu Qingyan's beautiful phoenix eyes sparkled with gossip.

The boy had seemed lifeless before, but he recovered so quickly.

That's a really good attitude.

Shen Lan followed him and saw Guan Shu struggling with a bald monk.

"You can't leave, my young master has gone to fetch a doctor."

“Please let go, benefactor. This humble monk is unharmed.”

"You still have a fever."

"It's just a slight cold; I'll take care of it myself."

Shen Lan glanced at Fu Qingyan. This young man not only had a good attitude, but he might also have some of the problems of a saint.

She walked over and said, "Colds can range from mild to severe, let's take a look."

The monk, who was shirtless, was startled by the sudden sound of a woman's voice and jumped three feet high. He then pulled his wet robe over himself.

Shen Lan raised an eyebrow. What a shy little monk.

"Lie down on the bed," she ordered coldly.

Seeing that he didn't move, Guan Shu pulled him to the bedside and tore off his monk's robe.

The young monk immediately lay down in bed, only sticking his head out, and warily watched the people in the room.