Chapter 23 Plea Rejected

Chapter 23: Request for Mercy Denied

"With so many women missing, didn't the authorities investigate thoroughly?" Qin Jiao asked, puzzled.

"Young Master Qin, you may not know this, but Wuyuan County has had seven or eight magistrates in the past decade, each serving only a year or two. Every new magistrate just wanted to rack up achievements for a promotion and a title, so why would they care about the mess their predecessors left behind?

Even for cases of disappearance that occurred during their own terms, if they couldn't solve them after a long time, most got written off as 'unsolved cases, missing persons presumed dead.'" Luo Bei added from the side.

"Exactly, these eighty-seven girls didn't all disappear in one day, so naturally no one connected the dots. Those who came to Nanzhou to identify the body were all clinging to the belief that their daughters were still alive. But in the end… sigh." He Zhao's voice trailed off, and Qin Jiao's heart was equally heavy.

In the end, the girls were still nowhere to be found, leaving only gray-haired parents wasted away with grief and despair.

"We've already had the magistrate of Wuyuan County send people to notify the families who have lost their daughters but haven't come to identify the body yet. Hopefully, we can find out who that unidentified body belongs to."

He Zhao let out a quiet sigh. If it weren't for so many people from Wuyuan County coming to identify the body this time, who'd have guessed that a small county could lose that many girls?

The atmosphere in the private room instantly became heavy. Night settled in thick and heavy, and time seemed to freeze at that moment.

"Knock, knock, knock—"

Just as silence fell, a knock suddenly came from the door of the private room. Xiao Nianzhang said cautiously, "Your Highness, I've come to report the results of the inquiry at Zhaoxiu Building."

"Come in."

When Xiao Nianzhang entered, his face was very tense. He was probably still spooked from when the victim's family made a scene the other day at Liming Academy. After all, he had concealed the case details, and Xie Nai not executing him on the spot was already more mercy than the law allowed.

Xiao Nianzhang stood there, jittery. Xie Nai didn't ask him to sit, so he began his report while standing, "Your Highness, I led people to search the Zhaoxiu Building top to bottom. The building's owner, Xun Xi, as well as Yun Niang and the manager, were all questioned.

The deceased, Zhu Qi and Xue Lin, had indeed visited the building in the seven days before their deaths, but only to buy some items. However, I noticed that the backyard of the Zhaoxiu Building looked like it had been freshly dug up, with new plants and flowers. Also, when I questioned Zhao Yunzhi, Yun Niang hinted there might be something going on between Zhao Yunzhi and Xu Rujin."

"What proof does Yun Niang have?" He Zhao asked.

"She said she saw Xu Rujin heading to Kelaifang Teahouse more than once. I asked around, and the others said they'd seen Xu Rujin visiting Zhao Yunzhi too."

"Maybe Xu Rujin went to ask Zhao Yunzhi to help her hold a memorial for Li Chengwei?" Qin Jiao was just as confused. What exactly was the relationship between Zhao Yunzhi and Xu Rujin?

Qin Jiao had a particularly good habit: whenever he encountered something he didn't understand, he liked to ask questions. Now, he looked around the private room and finally fixed his gaze on Xie Nai.

Xie Nai calmly rubbed the greenish-white jade thumb ring on his finger, and after a moment said, "I've got other plans for this. It's getting late, let's return to the residence first."

"What plans? Let's hear them!"

He Zhao stared at Xie Nai, eyes blazing, but Xie Nai didn't give him a glance. Getting no response, He Zhao got angry and said, "This is like beating around the bush—he's hemming and hawing!"

Luo Bei and Luo Yue wiped their brows on the sidelines, but Xie Nai still didn't bother with He Zhao.

"Alright, I'll trust whatever the prince decides." Since Xie Nai already had a plan, Qin Jiao naturally trusted him. "You all go ahead. I'll go find the owner to pack an extra box of chestnut cake."

Cong Shuang loved the chestnut cake here—she always ordered it. Since they would soon be leaving Nanzhou, and it was uncertain when they would get to eat it again, Qin Jiao figured he'd buy extra for Cong Shuang to take home.

When Qin Jiao came out after packing the chestnut cake, he didn't see Xie Nai or He Zhao. Instead, Xiao Nianzhang was waiting, his eyes darting, his face full of worry—clearly, he had something to say.

"Young Master Qin." As expected, Xiao Nianzhang called out to Qin Jiao.

"Something on your mind, Governor?"

Xiao Nianzhang gave an awkward smile. "Sorry to bother you, Young Master Qin. It's like this: yesterday, the prince moved out of the governor's place and into the army camp outside the city. I figure I messed up before and ticked him off.

Look, it's already this late now. If the prince returns to the army camp, he wouldn't get in till midnight. And he has to come back to the city early tomorrow morning. All that back and forth is exhausting. Could you please talk him into staying at the governor's place tonight?"

"Sorry, Governor, no can do. I've got no say in where the prince stays."

Qin Jiao wasn't surprised that Xie Nai had moved out, but Xiao Nianzhang coming to him to plead was indeed grasping at straws.

"But you are the prince's…"

Xiao Nianzhang wanted to say more, but Qin Jiao scurried off clutching the chestnut cake, shouting, "He Zhao's calling me, Governor! Gotta go!"

"This, sigh…" Qin Jiao bolted like a scared rabbit, leaving Xiao Nianzhang alone, sighing with his head down.

"Young Master Qin is here—" By the carriage, Luo Yue smiled and waved at the running Qin Jiao.

"Yes, let's go our separate ways."

Luo Yue was puzzled, "Why split up? We should drop you off first."

"The governor said the prince has moved to the army camp outside the city, so you don't need to take me. It's a long haul for you."

Qin Jiao thought he could go back to his own residence and spare them the round trip. But then He Zhao's angry voice suddenly came from not far away:

"No! We must send you! I don't care how far it is. If you don't take me back to the Qin house, I'll turn into a mad dog and run wild!"

"I think you're a cornered dog—desperate," Luo Yue muttered under his breath.

"?"

Qin Jiao looked at Luo Bei beside him, "What's going on?"

"He Zhao just asked the prince for the Bone-Crushing Pill antidote and got shot down," Luo Bei replied quietly.

"Oh." Qin Jiao nodded in understanding. No wonder He Zhao was so angry.

The young master first touched his nose, then calmly boarded the carriage.

At that moment, Xie Nai was leaning against the carriage wall, resting with his eyes closed. "Your Highness…" Qin Jiao wanted to plead for He Zhao, but as soon as he opened his mouth, Xie Nai cut him off coldly.

"Qin Jiao."

"Hmm?"

"Be quiet."

"...Oh."

Qin Jiao hugged the chestnut cake tightly and fell silent. Sorry, buddy. He's too scary. Can't help you…

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