When Wei Xun first arrived at the government office, Lord Xu, the Metropolitan Prefecture Governor, came out from inside carrying a birdcage.
Afraid of the cold, and with thinning hair in his middle age, he wore a black felt hat on his head. The thrush in the cage chirped noisily, and he rubbed his hands together, amusing himself with it for a while with great interest.
“My lord.”
Wei Xun saluted and greeted him. Lord Xu waved his hand, about to show him his newly acquired bird, when he noticed that Wei Xun was wearing only a thin robe on such a cold day.
“Young people really are different, full of vigor. Not like me, who would wrap myself in three layers inside and out if I could.”
As he spoke, he tucked his hands further into his sleeves, as if feeling the cold on Wei Xun’s behalf.
Wei Xun smiled lightly without changing his expression. “It so happens that this humble official recently acquired two jars of fine tea. I will send them to you later, my lord, to warm you up.”
“If even you, Wei Hengzhi, say it’s good tea, it must be extraordinary. I am in for a treat.”
Lord Xu patted Wei Xun on the shoulder and laughed heartily.
Although he outranked Wei Xun by one level, Wei Xun’s family background was evident, and his abilities were outstanding. Lord Xu usually did not put on airs as a superior.
In fact, he even took the initiative to befriend him.
“I heard your mother is arranging a marriage for you. Have you taken a liking to any young lady?”
Once the news of Wei Xun’s impending marriage spread, families with daughters became restless.
If one were to ask which young man in the capital was the best, Wei Xun would undoubtedly be the top choice. If it weren’t for the fact that he only had three sons in his family, Lord Xu would have shamelessly sought this advantageous marriage for his own daughter.
Lord Xu felt a pang of regret and briefly considered whether his wife had any suitable young ladies among her relatives. But after thinking it over, he couldn’t find anyone worthy of Wei Xun.
Marriage alliances required matching social status and compatible character and appearance; otherwise, it would not be a union but a feud.
Wei Xun lowered his head and cupped his hands. “Marriage is determined by parental orders and matchmaker’s words. This humble official’s marriage is entirely up to my mother.”
“Your mother has keen judgment and loves you dearly. Naturally, she will find you a suitable wife.”
Lord Xu stroked his sparse beard and nodded.
“Once you marry, there will be someone to care for your daily needs and well-being.”
Lord Xu was still preoccupied with Wei Xun wearing thin clothes in such cold weather. If it were anyone else, he would have suspected that person had lost their mind.
“Yes,” Wei Xun replied.
“Alright, hurry inside. It’s cold out here.”
Afraid that his capable subordinate might freeze and become foolish, Lord Xu did not keep him for small talk any longer.
Wei Xun entered the government office, where several colleagues stared at him for a long time.
However, he always wore a cold expression, and these colleagues did not have Lord Xu’s courage to tease him.
“Lord Wei, another woman has gone missing,” Qi Shaoyin walked over with a case file, his expression grave.
“Have the victim’s identity and the location of the disappearance been investigated?”
Including the previous cases, this was already the fourth disappearance this month.
Qi Shaoyin nodded. “We have. This Liu Niangzi’s in-laws run a tofu business. Her husband is a gambler, and all the money she earns from selling tofu is lost by him. Not a single neighbor has a good word for him. However, this Liu Niangzi is gentle and generous, and her tofu is delicious. She has a good reputation among the neighbors.”
Speaking of Liu Niangzi, Qi Shaoyin felt it was a pity.
“The day she disappeared, she went to the countryside to exchange for beans. Usually, she would return in one or two hours, but that day, she was nowhere to be seen even after dark.”
“Did her family not go looking for her?” Wei Xun flipped through the case file and asked.
Qi Shaoyin’s face grew angry. “How could they go looking for her! Her mother-in-law would be glad if she died outside, and her husband is even worse—he insists on going to the authorities to accuse her of adultery and stealing money to run off. He doesn’t even consider whose money they’ve been spending!”
Even after investigating hundreds of cases, Qi Shaoyin had never encountered such a shameless family.
If it weren’t forbidden to use private punishment, he would have arrested the mother and son right away.
After reviewing the case files, Wei Xun unconsciously tapped his fingers on the table, quickly sorting through the known clues in his mind.
Currently, there were four victims, each with different backgrounds.
The first was a widow who worked in the flesh trade. Her disappearance was reported by a long-term patron. The second and third were twin sisters married into different villages; they disappeared on the day they went to town together to buy embroidery thread. The fourth, Liu Niangzi, was a pitiful woman mistreated by her husband’s family.
These four seemed unrelated, but a closer look at their backgrounds revealed that none had anyone to support them. Even if they disappeared, no one cared.
The murderer must have already selected his targets, but it was unclear what method he used.
Wei Xun frowned tightly, feeling somewhat anxious.
The enemy was hidden while they were exposed. If the murderer wasn’t caught, more people would fall victim.
“Take some men and compile a list of women from humble backgrounds in the capital and surrounding villages and towns. Tell them not to travel alone these days,” Wei Xun instructed.
“Yes.”
Qi Shaoyin accepted the order but suddenly remembered something. He pulled a pouch from his pocket. “Sir, Wang Cheng brought this out, claiming it was evidence of Liu Niangzi’s illicit affair with another man.”
Wang Cheng was Liu Niangzi’s husband. Qi Shaoyin’s face showed disgust when mentioning him.
The pouch was delicate but not particularly rare. Wang Cheng would say anything to smear Liu Niangzi’s name.
Wei Xun glanced up and took it. He didn’t understand embroidery work and saw nothing unusual, continuing to instruct Qi Shaoyin.
“Arrest Wang Cheng and Wang’s mother. Question them thoroughly about who Liu Niangzi usually interacted with and where she often went. If they refuse to speak, use the paddle.”
“Yes!”
Qi Shaoyin replied even more decisively this time, his palms itching to act.
After finishing the case files, Wei Xun didn’t linger at the office. Chang Yuan was waiting outside. Seeing Wei Xun emerge, he hurried over, walking gingerly.
“Sir, shall we return to the residence now?”
Chang Yuan had received three military canings last night, and his buttocks still burned with pain.
Wei Xun glanced at his walking posture, pursed his thin lips, and tossed a bottle of wound-healing ointment from his pocket. “Don’t come out until your injury is healed.”
“Hehe, knew you’d care for me, sir. But don’t worry, this minor injury doesn’t require rest.” Chang Yuan scratched his head, took the bottle with a foolish grin.
Wei Xun shifted his gaze, unwilling to look further. Originally, over ten attendants were candidates to serve him, but Chang Yuan stood out.
He thought Chang Yuan was skilled, efficient, and useful—only to realize his mind wasn’t sharp.
Wei Xun shook his head and boarded the carriage. “Go to Jin Gui Lane.”
Yesterday, he had scolded his young concubine, causing her to cry so pitifully. He needed to coax her more.
Wei Xun was naturally brilliant and deeply studied in academics, but this was his first time learning to please a woman.
Jin Gui Fang was the largest jewelry shop in the capital, with two floors offering everything from gold and silver to jade, pearls, and agate. It was also the favorite place for noble ladies in the city to browse.
As soon as Wei Xun entered, he caught the attention of every woman in the shop.
At the railing on the second floor, a woman adorned with hairpins tugged her friend beside her. “A’Jin, is that your brother?”