The Black Awning Boat Corpse Case, Part Two

First update. I wasn't in as good a state today as yesterday; the third update would probably not be finished until midnight.

Qingxu Temple, Welcoming Guests.

Hoo~

Zhang Cheng had just reined in the horses when Chen Jingde hurriedly rolled out of the saddle from behind and to one side. He darted forward, lifted the carriage curtain with his riding crop, and said ingratiatingly, "My lord, we've arrived."

Expecting men like these to shoulder responsibility on their own was sheer wishful thinking. But when it came to being attentive, flattering, and sucking up, even most capable officials could not compare.

Sun Shaozong nodded impassively, stepped down from the carriage, and headed toward the tavern by the roadside.

"My lord! Lord Sun!"

The shopkeeper, who was being repeatedly questioned by the constables, immediately brightened at the sight of Sun Shaozong and hurried toward the entrance. Before he could cross the threshold, however, two constables standing guard barred him with their sabers.

The shopkeeper stumbled back half a step in fright and no longer dared press forward. With a pained expression, he clasped his hands and pleaded, "My lord, please judge fairly! I merely opened my doors to do business. How could I possibly know what my customers did? Besides, those two monks were unfamiliar faces, not regular patrons of my establishment..."

While he was still complaining, Sun Shaozong had already approached. He waved away the constables at the door and said with a warm smile, "Don't worry, shopkeeper. We're only asking a few routine questions. At this hour, it won't ruin your business."

With that, he stepped toward the threshold.

The shopkeeper hurriedly moved aside, his face breaking into a broad smile as he agreed, "With those words from you, I can finally set my mind at ease. In the Imperial