Chapter 11: Lord Xu is Acting Oddly

Chapter 11: Lord Xu is Acting Oddly

When Wei Xun first arrived at the official compound, Lord Xu, the Prefect of Jingzhao, came out carrying a birdcage.

He felt the cold easily, and with his thinning hair, he wore a black felt hat. The thrush in the cage chirped loudly, and amused, he teased the bird for a bit.

"My Lord."

Wei Xun bowed in greeting. Lord Xu waved his hand, about to show him his newly acquired bird, when he noticed Wei Xun wearing just a thin robe despite the cold.

"Young folks sure have strong constitutions, unlike me who would rather bundle up in three layers."

As he spoke, he shoved his hands into his sleeves, seemingly feeling the cold on Wei Xun's behalf.

Wei Xun chuckled lightly, his face unreadable. "I happened to get two jars of fine tea. I’ll bring them over later, My Lord, to warm you up."

"If Wei Hengzhi recommends it, it must be exceptional. I’m in for a treat."

Lord Xu patted Wei Xun on the shoulder and laughed warmly.

Though he outranked Wei Xun, Wei Xun’s family background and outstanding abilities meant that Lord Xu never acted superior.

In fact, he often went out of his way to befriend him.

"I heard your mother is setting up a match for you. Have you taken a shine to any young lady?"

Once the news of Wei Xun’s impending marriage spread, families with daughters were all abuzz.

When it came to the most eligible bachelor in the capital, Wei Xun was undoubtedly the top choice. If it weren’t for the fact that his family only had three sons, many would have boldly sought this advantageous match for their daughters.

Lord Xu felt a twinge of regret and briefly wondered if his wife knew any suitable young ladies, but after thinking it over, he concluded that none were a good match for Wei Xun.

Marriage required a match of social status, character, and appearance; otherwise, it would not be a union but a feud.

Wei Xun lowered his head and clasped his hands. "My marriage is entirely up to my mother, as per parental arrangements and matchmakers' advice."

"Your mother has a discerning eye and loves you dearly. She will surely find you a fitting wife."

Lord Xu stroked his sparse beard and nodded.

"Once you’re married, someone will care for your daily needs and well-being."

Lord Xu was still bothered by Wei Xun wearing thin clothes in such cold weather. If it were anyone else, he would have suspected they were out of their mind.

"Yes," Wei Xun replied.

"Alright, hurry inside. It’s cold out here."

Lord Xu, worried that his capable subordinate might freeze, didn’t keep him for small talk any longer.

Wei Xun entered the official compound, where several colleagues stared at him for a while.

However, he always maintained a cold demeanor, and none of them had the courage to tease him as Lord Xu did.

"Lord Wei, another woman has gone missing," Deputy Prefect Qi approached with a serious expression, holding a case file.

"Have the victim’s identity and the location of the disappearance been clarified?"

Including this one, it was already the fourth disappearance case this month.

Deputy Prefect Qi nodded, "We found out. Liu Niangzi's in-laws run a tofu business. Her husband is a gambler, and he loses all the money she earns from selling tofu. None of the neighbors have anything good to say about him, but Liu Niangzi is known for her gentle and generous nature, and her tofu is delicious. She has a good reputation among the neighbors."

Deputy Prefect Qi felt sorry for Liu Niangzi.

"The day she disappeared, she went to the countryside to trade beans. Normally, she would return in one or two hours, but that day, she didn't come back even after dark."

"Did her family not go looking for her?" Wei Xun flipped through the case file and asked.

Deputy Prefect Qi's face turned angry, "How could they go looking for her! Her mother-in-law wished she would die out there, and her husband is even worse. He accused her of running off with someone and stealing money to the authorities. He didn't even consider whose money they were spending!"

Despite handling hundreds of cases, Deputy Prefect Qi had never encountered such a shameless family.

If it weren't for the ban on private punishment, he would have arrested both the mother and son.

Wei Xun finished flipping through the case file, unconsciously tapping his knuckles on the table, quickly organizing the known clues in his mind.

Currently, there are four victims, each with different identities.

The first was a widow who worked as a prostitute. Her disappearance was reported by a long-time client. The second and third were a pair of twin sisters who married into different villages. They disappeared the day they went to town to buy embroidery thread. The fourth, Liu Niangzi, was a poor woman mistreated by her in-laws.

At first glance, these four seem unrelated, but a closer look shows none had anyone to support them.

The killer must have already selected his victims, but it's unclear what method he used.

Wei Xun frowned, feeling somewhat anxious.

The enemy is hidden, and they are exposed. If they don't catch the murderer soon, more people will be harmed.

"Gather a team and list all women from humble backgrounds in the capital and nearby villages. Warn them not to travel alone these days," Wei Xun instructed.

"Yes."

Deputy Prefect Qi accepted the order, then suddenly remembered something and took out a pouch from his pocket, "Sir, this was brought out by Wang Cheng. He claims it's proof of Liu Niangzi's affair with another man."

Wang Cheng is Liu Niangzi's husband, and Deputy Prefect Qi spoke of him with disgust.

The pouch, though finely made, was not particularly valuable. Wang Cheng would say anything to slander Liu Niangzi.

Wei Xun glanced up and accepted it. He didn't understand embroidery and didn't notice anything unusual, so he continued to instruct Deputy Prefect Qi.

"Arrest Wang Cheng and his mother. Find out who Liu Niangzi usually interacted with and where she often went. If they refuse to talk, give them a beating."

"Yes!"

Deputy Prefect Qi responded even more firmly this time, his palms itching to act.

Wei Xun finished reviewing the case file and didn't stay long at the office. Changyuan was waiting outside for Wei Xun. When Wei Xun emerged, he hurried over, his buttocks still aching from the three military canings he got last night.

"Sir, are we going back to the residence now?"

Changyuan had received three military canings last night, and his buttocks were still burning with pain.

Wei Xun glanced at his walking posture, pursed his thin lips, and pulled out a bottle of golden wound ointment from his pocket, tossing it over, "Stay in until your injury heals before coming out again."

"Hehe, I knew you'd look out for me, sir. But don't worry, this little injury doesn't need rest." Changyuan scratched his head, reached out to take it, his face full of naivety.

Wei Xun looked away, not wanting to see more. Back then, there were over ten candidates for his personal attendant, and Changyuan had stood out.

He thought Changyuan was skilled, efficient, and useful, but it turned out he wasn't the sharpest tool in the shed.

Wei Xun shook his head and stepped into the carriage, "To Jin Gui Fang."

Yesterday, he had scolded his young concubine, causing her to cry so pitifully, so he had to make amends.

Wei Xun, naturally intelligent and deeply academic, was now learning to please a woman for the first time.

Jin Gui Fang, the capital's premier jewelry emporium, spanned two lavish floors, brimming with an exquisite array of gold, silver, jade, pearls, and agates—a haven for the city's elite women.

As soon as Wei Xun entered, he instantly became the center of attention among all the women in the shop.

At the railing on the second floor, a woman adorned with hairpins tugged at her friend, "A Jin, is that your brother?"