Chapter 94: A Small Display of Skill

“Young Master Li, how is his physique?”

When the First Madam asked that question, Hongluan’s face became even redder.

The maids nearby all looked over with obvious interest.

Huang Ling looked completely uninterested.

As for Huang Qing, she stared at Hongluan with wide eyes.

After fidgeting for a while, Hongluan quietly said,

“Young Master... is exceedingly magnificent.”

The surrounding maids immediately let out shrieks and then began teasing one another with laughter.

Huang Ling’s expression remained calm.

Huang Qing, however, seemed to have thought of something and suddenly covered her face.

Looking at Hongluan, the First Madam smiled and said,

“Seeing how lovestruck you look, it seems you truly aren’t lying... But exactly how magnificent is Young Master Li?”

Hearing that, Hongluan had no idea how to answer.

As a married woman with children, the First Madam remained completely composed.

She continued,

“This is also so Qing’er can have some peace of mind.”

Hongluan glanced at Huang Qing.

In the end, she lowered her head and dared not look at anyone as she softly said,

“At first... there was some pain. Then it felt as though I had entered the clouds and lost all awareness of the mortal world. By the time I awoke, it was already noon the next day.”

The maids listening nearby erupted into excited squeals.

It took quite a while before they quieted down.

The First Madam chuckled.

“It seems both of you are fortunate. Young Master Li is handsome and possesses real substance. You’ve both struck gold.”

At those words, both Huang Qing and Hongluan became so embarrassed that they hardly knew what to do.

Huang Ling remained silent.

Her expression did not change in the slightest, as though everything around her had nothing to do with her.

“In that case, we’ll need your future husband to choose an auspicious date.”

After some thought, the First Madam asked,

“Hongluan, while staying in Young Master Li’s new residence, did you see any other women there?”

“There were several maids like me, but it was obvious that Young Master had no interest in them. Besides, they aren’t very pretty.”

The First Madam nodded.

“Then there shouldn’t be any problem. Qing’er!”

Huang Qing raised her head and looked at the First Madam.

“From now on, simply prepare for marriage with peace of mind. Leave everything else to your father and your elder brother.”

Huang Qing nodded heavily.

At this moment, Li Lin was in the rear courtyard of the county yamen.

Opposite him sat the Huang father and son.

“In about four months, I will take office in Jin City. As for who the new magistrate of Yulin County will be, that remains unknown.”

Huang Yan looked at Li Lin kindly.

“But you needn’t worry. As long as I remain in Jin City, no one in any county or town under its jurisdiction will dare make things difficult for you.”

Li Lin lightly cupped his hands to show that he understood.

“After I transfer to Jin City, I will take my family with me. The current Huang residence will become vacant, and you may move in.”

“County Magistrate, I already have a house.”

Li Lin replied.

“It doesn’t matter. Live wherever you wish. That estate will also be one of Qing’er’s dowry gifts.”

As expected of a wealthy family.

A five-courtyard estate in a prime location was given away as casually as if it were nothing.

“You entered society alone. I know you will hardly contact your family again. Therefore, matters involving elders from your side, marriage proposals, betrothal arrangements, and the like, I will have people handle all of them for you.”

When it came to gifting a residence, Li Lin did not feel much.

But when it came to ceremonial customs and ancestral rites, he knew absolutely nothing.

His future father-in-law’s willingness to handle everything for him was the real help.

The larger the family, the more complicated such ceremonies became.

“Qi’er, regarding the position of County Lieutenant, take him around and familiarize him with the various offices.”

“Alright.”

Huang Qi stood up smiling.

“Come on, Kunge.”

The two left the rear courtyard and headed directly toward the various departments of the county yamen.

The County Lieutenant simultaneously held responsibility for both patrol duties and criminal investigations.

As a result, he could oversee both the military office and judicial office within the county yamen.

Aside from the magistrate himself, the County Lieutenant was effectively the second most powerful official in the county.

Inside the military office, Commander Shi was sitting and drinking tea.

The moment he saw Huang Qi and Li Lin arrive, he immediately stood up and smiled while cupping his hands.

“County Lieutenant... Patrol Hunter Li.”

Huang Qi smiled.

“I’ve brought Kunge here to familiarize himself with things. Commander Shi, just carry on as usual.”

Hearing that, Commander Shi’s smile became somewhat forced.

The way he looked at Li Lin carried considerable envy.

He knew very well that the position of County Lieutenant would never be his.

Huang Qi sat down in the seat of honor and pointed at the surrounding shelves.

“The military office is my favorite place in the yamen. The judicial office is far too gloomy.”

“Because I often work here, all the old unresolved and cold cases from the judicial office have been moved here.”

“If you’re interested and have the time, you can try solving some of them.”

Li Lin nodded lightly.

At that moment, Huang Qi looked to the side and asked,

“Commander Shi, have any noteworthy cases been filed in the last two days?”

“There is one.”

Shi Gandang glanced at Li Lin before continuing.

“In a household in the southern district of the county, a woman has been missing for three days. It is suspected that a ghost may be involved.”

Huang Qi smiled.

“This just happens to be the sort of thing Kunge excels at.”

Then he called toward the outside.

“Zhao Feng, come in.”

A man with a long saber hanging from his waist entered through the doorway.

“Patrol Hunter Li, you should have met him before.”

Huang Qi said with a smile.

Zhao Feng immediately cupped his hands and bowed.

“Naturally. I’ve wanted to have a proper conversation with Patrol Hunter Li many times, but never had the opportunity.”

“You’ll be following Kunge from now on.”

Zhao Feng froze briefly before nodding.

By this point, Commander Shi had already brought over the case file and handed it to Li Lin.

“Patrol Hunter Li, the case documents are here.”

Li Lin read through them for a while before saying,

“I’ll go take a look.”

Huang Qi smiled.

“Good. Familiarizing yourself in advance is also beneficial. I believe you’ll handle this matter well.”

Afterward, Li Lin left the county yamen.

More than ten yamen runners followed behind him.

Zhao Feng was a deputy commander.

Mobilizing yamen runners was very simple for him.

Before long, they arrived at the residence in the southern district.

It was a small house with three rooms and a courtyard.

Li Lin led the group to knock on the door.

Soon, a haggard-looking man came out.

“May I ask, officers... have you come regarding my wife’s case?”

Li Lin nodded.

“Yes.”

“The officers have finally come.”

The man looked as though he might cry.

“My wife disappeared. Her family comes here almost every day making accusations, saying I killed her. But how could I possibly kill my own wife?”

“Don’t worry. Let us investigate first.”

The man immediately stepped aside.

Li Lin looked at Zhao Feng.

“You investigate the premises and see whether there are any bloodstains, drag marks, or anything else unusual.”

“When it comes to investigative experience, you’re all far more experienced than I am. I’ll have to trouble you.”

Zhao Feng and the other yamen runners all looked at Li Lin somewhat strangely.

This future County Lieutenant seemed remarkably easygoing.

Even easier to get along with than the current County Lieutenant Huang.

The dozen or so yamen runners quickly began searching the house.

They clearly possessed investigative experience.

Many subtle details were examined carefully.

Moreover, because Li Lin was the future County Lieutenant, everyone worked extremely diligently in hopes of earning some favor with their soon-to-be superior.

The man of the house, a three-year-old child, an infant around six months old, and an elderly man were all asked to wait outside the courtyard.

Watching strangers rummage through their belongings made them very nervous.

After searching for approximately half a shichen, they finally discovered something.

Several dried bloodstains were found within the firewood pile in the kitchen.

Li Lin snorted.

“In a place protected by a True Lord, there aren’t that many ghosts committing crimes.”

“Expand the search outward from this house.”

“Killing someone is easy. Disposing of the body is difficult.”

“We’ll uncover clues eventually.”

“If there aren’t enough people, bring more yamen runners.”

Another two shichen passed.

As darkness approached, a yamen runner suddenly shouted excitedly,

“We found it! We found it!”

Everyone followed the voice.

Beside the vegetable plot behind the house, a corpse had been dug up.

It was a female corpse.

She was completely unclothed.

The man threw himself forward and burst into grief-stricken sobs.

“Wife, how could you end up sleeping beneath the earth... I’d rather you had run off with some wild man.”

Li Lin looked at the elderly man nearby, who had been trembling the entire time.

Then he said,

“Incest between father-in-law and daughter-in-law. Take him away.”