Chapter 24

  The next day, Lu Xiaofeng changed into men's clothing and went with Zhan Zhao to the county government office.

  Zhan Zhao and his two companions went straight to the county government office.

  On the way, they met Bai Yutang who was strolling on the street with nothing to do. He heard that Lu Xiaofeng was going to examine the body and immediately expressed his desire to go and broaden his horizons.

  So, three people traveling together became four people traveling together.

  When Lu Xiaofeng arrived, the county official had already prepared everything needed and was waiting for her to re-examine the body.

  "Xiaohe, help me change clothes."

  "Yes."

  Xiaohe took out a set of inspection clothes from the package he brought, including a large coat and shoe covers.

  Bai Yutang stood on the side, holding his sword and watching, unable to help but click his tongue in amazement. "I must say, Zhan Zhao, just looking at how they're proceeding with such an orderly and systematic program makes them seem very reliable."

  The county government's autopsy was carried out in accordance with Lu Xiaofeng's instructions.

  After the body was processed, Lu Xiaofeng had someone bring out a new red oil-paper umbrella and open it up over the corpse. The sunlight shone through the red oil paper onto the fully exposed male corpse, and on the originally uninjured body, many wounds suddenly appeared clearly.

  This is what later generations called "red umbrella autopsy".

  "The adult is indeed extraordinary." The county official admired him infinitely.

  "It's all right, just a bit more experience, that's all."

  "Yes, yes." The county official echoed in agreement.

  "The corpse's wounds have been identified, now it's up to your county to handle it. I'll take my leave first."

  "Please go ahead, sir."

  Lu Xiaofeng took off his work clothes on one side and had Xiao He collect them before going to meet with Zhan Huo and Bai Yutang.

  Bai Yutang sincerely said to her, "Today Bai Mou is convinced by the young lady's words and actions." When she was guiding that county yamen runner to examine the wound, he didn't even remember her gender, only knowing that she was serious, strict, solemn, respectful, and focused without any distractions.

  Lu Xiaofeng was applying ointment while saying nonchalantly: "Even if you don't submit to me, I won't suffer any loss."

  Bai Yutang was choked for a moment.

  Zhan Zhao silently took over the package that Xiao He was holding in his hand.

  Lu Xiaofeng couldn't help but smile when he saw Zhan Xiao, who in some ways was indeed a gentleman.

  "I want to leave Songjiang Prefecture tomorrow, what about you?"

  "Zhan and Gongzi left together."

  Lu Xiaofeng couldn't hide his surprise, "Aren't you going back to the capital?"

  Zhan Zhao explained, "Just leave Songjiang Prefecture with Gongzi."

  Bai Yutang smiled meaningfully on one side, this silly cat was obviously avoiding suspicion, and now he was still afraid that this unrefined girl would think he would go to hit the marriage drum.

  Unfortunately, all her flirtatious glances were wasted on a blind man, and this girl seemed to be extremely dull in emotional matters, so dull that as an onlooker he wanted to wake her up with a hammer.

  Lu Xiaofeng nodded, indicating that he understood.

  "Does Master Lu have anything he wants to tell Taishi?"

  Lu Xiaofeng immediately cast him an incredulous glance.

  Bai Yutang was overjoyed.

  Zhan Zhao was somewhat perplexed, "Lu Gongzi?"

  This cat must have eaten the wrong medicine again, and it actually asked her if she had any messages to bring to Master Pong.

  Xiao Mao, isn't Master Pong the arch-nemesis of your family's Lord Bao? As a die-hard fan of Old Bao, do you really want to help me deliver this message to Master Pong's residence? I have a very uneasy feeling about this.

  "You want me to pass a message to Tai Shi?" Little Phoenix Maiden couldn't help but confirm once more.

  "What's wrong with that?"

  Lu Xiaofeng couldn't help but cough and pulled on his sleeve, pulling him to the side for a private conversation. "Zhan Zhao, do you think it's really suitable for you to be the one to bring the message to Taishi Fu?" What if you end up disagreeing with Peng Taishi and things don't go well? That would be a loss.

  Zhan Zhao suppressed the smile in his heart and asked, "Why is it not suitable?"

  "Don't pretend to be ignorant," said Little Phoenix solemnly, "everyone knows that Lord Bao and Grand Master Pong are not on good terms. The Grand Master doesn't think highly of you either, are you not afraid of being thrown out of the Grand Master's mansion if you go to deliver my message?"

  "Zhan Mou thought that if he were to pass on a message for his sister, Master Tai would not drive him out of the house, at least he could get a cup of clear tea."

  "I think you're being overly optimistic." Little Phoenix Maiden said disapprovingly.

  Zhan Zhao hugged his sword and raised an eyebrow, saying: "According to Miss Yi's opinion, Zhan will end up being swept out the door."

  Xiao Feng didn't answer directly and thought for a moment before saying, "Anyway, I just feel that the outcome isn't so optimistic. Letting you pass on the message basically amounts to being irresponsible."

  They were talking in low voices on one side.

  Bai Yutang stood on one side, holding his sword in one hand and stroking his chin with the other, laughing with extreme playfulness.

  Xiaohe's heart was filled with a sense of powerlessness, her family's young lady was indeed a living treasure, usually idle and urging others to fight for other people's marriage proposals, and in daily interactions, she was careless and had no boundaries between men and women, was this stupidity or what?

  "Are you really not going to let me help you deliver the message?" Zhan Zhao asked in confirmation.

  "No need, I'll just go to the relay station and deliver the message myself." Lu Xiaofeng thought that even if Bao and Pang had conflicts, and these conflicts couldn't be resolved, he shouldn't add fuel to the fire and make their conflict deeper.

  Zhan Zhao took out a jade pendant from his bosom and handed it over.

  "What's going on?"

  "When the girl arrived at the Zhang's house and gave this thing to old steward Zhang Zhong, he would naturally treat her well."

  Lu Xiaofeng tilted his head and sized him up.

  Zhan Zhao let her look him up and down.

  "I have a question."

  "Please go ahead and speak, young lady."

  "Isn't this jade pendant something passed down from generation to generation in your husband's family?"

  Zhan Zhao looked at her with a mixture of laughter and tears.

  "Don't be afraid, I don't have any ulterior motives," Lu Xiao Feng hastily clarified. "I just think that we can't let others have any misunderstandings about you. You're already considered an older young man, and if you delay further because of some unfounded rumors, I'm afraid your ancestors will come looking for me in the middle of the night. Although I'm not easily intimidated, I still respect ghosts and gods from a distance."

  Bai Yutang couldn't help but laugh as he listened to their conversation clearly, this girl was simply too lively.

  Xiao He didn't have any martial arts skills and couldn't hear the content of her own young lady's hushed conversation with Zhan, but she saw Bai Daxia laughing so happily beside her, and thought to herself that her own young lady must have said something improper again.

  "Really isn't it a family heirloom?" Lu Xiaofeng asked for confirmation one last time.

  Zhan Zhao shook his head, "Of course not." It was at most a token of engagement.

  "Alright, I'll take it." Little Phoenix Maiden reached out and took the jade pendant, looked at it briefly, and then hung it from her waist.

  Bai Yutang couldn't help but turn his head to look at Xiao He.

  Xiaohe glared at him fiercely.

  Bai Yutang lowered his head and chuckled silently.

  Xiaohe sighed inwardly, Miss, do you know that some things can't be taken lightly? You're so meticulous when investigating cases and examining the scene, but why are you so careless in your daily life?

  That's right, she also learned the word "thirteen points" from her mistress.

  "Are you going to settle in Yangzhou after visiting Changzhou?"

  "Time has passed and things have changed. Initially, I said I wanted to go to Yangzhou. Now, do I still need to stay in Yangzhou?" Lu Xiaofeng asked back without answering.

  "What does she plan to do from now on?"

  Lu Xiaofeng pondered for a moment and said: "I might return to the capital once more, after that I plan to roam the five lakes and four seas."

  Zhan Zhao couldn't help but gaze into the distance and sincerely said: "I really envy Miss's life."

  "You don't have to envy me, we both just did what we wanted to do, as long as it's what you want, then it's a choice without regret."

  "That's right."

  Bai Yutang's expression also changed upon hearing her words. This girl would sometimes unintentionally bring about a profound feeling in people.

  Her sharp tongue and agile behavior seemed to be her daily state, but once she entered a focused state, she was completely different. Bai Yutang couldn't quite put his finger on the feeling, but he also gradually felt that her attitude towards life wasn't so bad after all.

  Apart from official business, being independent and doing what makes oneself happy is a kind of unbridled and heroic spirit.

  She really looks like she's from the pugilistic world!

  "Zhan Zhao, would you accompany me to the blacksmith's shop?" Little Phoenix finally ended her private conversation with Zhan Xiao Mao, and her voice returned to normal.

  "What is Young Master Lu going to do?" Zhan Zhao also followed and restored his courtesy title for her.

  Lu Xiaofeng said: "When going out, safety is first, I want to buy a small and handy weapon for self-defense."

  "This is actually good." Zhan Zhao expressed his agreement, she knew how to protect herself, which made him feel much more at ease.

  "Grandpa will go with you."

  Lu Xiaofeng said: Why are you everywhere?

  "But I'll have to trouble Fifth Master and Zhang Huwei to accompany me on this trip."

  The knives and swords in the blacksmith's shop are dazzling, with cold light shining brightly.

  Xiaohe followed Miss timidly, really couldn't understand how Miss's courage grew.

  "How's this?" Along with his voice, Zhan Zhao handed a fan in front of Lu Xiaofeng.

  Lu Xiaofeng took it over, opened it, carefully sensed it for a moment, and then found the mechanism on the fan. A row of cold lights about an inch long slid out from the edge of the fan.

  She couldn't help but smile, "Not bad, it can be used to show elegance, as a weapon for self-defense, and even as a hidden weapon to harm others." As she spoke, the fan in her hand performed a fancy trick, looking very cool!

  Is there a stylish and elegant gentleman?

  Is he handsome and elegant?

  Zhan Zhao: "......"

  Bai Yutang looked at Zhan Zhao and thought: except for the emotional aspect, she seems to have a natural talent in all other aspects, this is really a tragedy for you.

  Zhan Zhao picked out an unremarkable dagger from a pile of weapons.

  Lu Xiaofeng walked over and took a look, "This sword doesn't seem like much."

  "This dagger is pretty good."

  "Let me see." She took it from his hand, drew it out of its scabbard with a light touch, and a cold gleam flashed in her face.

  Lu Xiaofeng carefully examined it, the corners of his mouth rose, and he said very naturally: "Zhan Xiao Mao, is your eyesight good or my luck? This dagger is indeed not bad, the steel quality is very good." He smiled and lightly tapped his finger on the dagger, the sound was very pleasant.

  "This dagger is expensive." The owner of the iron shop walked over, "This dagger was custom-made by a Jianghu person, unfortunately he didn't wait for the dagger to be finished and died at the hands of his enemy."

  Lu Xiaofeng sheathed his dagger, smiled slightly and said to him: "Weapons are cruel instruments. A saint would not use them unless he had no other choice. Unlucky events are not related to the weapons themselves but arise from human beings."

  "What the young master said is absolutely right."

  Lu Xiaofeng continued, "Moreover, which of these divine weapons is not stained with the blood and souls of countless people? If the wielder's vital energy is insufficient, then evil energy will flourish and turn against them. But if one's own energy is upright, even a fierce weapon will be harmless."

  Zhan Zhao's eyes shone brightly as he looked at her.

  Bai Yutang almost glared at Zhan Zhao with jealousy.

  How did this smelly cat get involved in all the good things?

  It seems that there are many unknown secrets on Feng's body. Suddenly, Bai Yutang is very suspicious whether what he sees now is her true face?

  Lu Xiaofeng put down his dagger on the counter and said, "Boss, name your price."

  "Eight hundred taels of silver."

  Luk Siu-fung smiled and said: "I'm looking for a good omen, I'll offer 660 taels. It's a play on the phrase 'six six big luck'. If you're sincere about selling, I'll take it."

  The boss looked at her.

  Lu Xiaofeng's face remained unchanged, smiling as usual.

  "Deal."

  "Xiaohe, take the silver and go."

  "Yes."