Jin Shanyao didn't take it, and looked at him indifferently, " Su Wenqian works in the Ministry of Revenue, I don't think he handles cases, right?"
Zhu Huaizhang smiled bitterly, "I had no choice. In terms of rank, I, a prefect, could not shake the Provincial Surveillance Commission. In terms of connections, I had no one to rely on."
I'd like you to be sent to the Censorate, but a merchant like you can't even get an audience with an imperial censor. Meng Anci is a student of Lord Su.
With this connection, your letter might be able to reach him. As for whether Lord Su is willing to get involved or whether he can intervene, that's up to fate.
Jin Shanyao silent. "What did I tell you? You're the kind of person who only uses people when you need them... Why did you reject me in the first place?"
"No... how do you still remember this?"
Jin Shanyao softly, turning to look at the two children, "See? This is a classic case of forcing someone to help you, not buying it. I asked him repeatedly during the day if he needed help."
They're rummaging through my hair, making me feel like that pesky potato, getting all messed up and scratched.
Zhu Huaizhang laughed in exasperation, took two steps back, and bowed apologetically to Jin Shanyao, " Shopkeeper Jin, I have offended you greatly during the day and should not have bothered you, but this matter is of great importance, and I hope Shopkeeper Jin will not take offense."
Jin Shanyao suppressed a laugh and stretched out her hand in front of Zhu Huaizhang, "One coin... and I'll help you solve the case."
Zhu Huaizhang was shocked. The price had dropped from three hundred taels to one coin... Wasn't this a huge overpayment? He took out a coin with some skepticism and placed it in Jin Shanyao.
"Tell me... what I want you to do."
Jin Shanyao put away the coins and placed the letter on the table. "You don't need anything, just be yourself..."
She patted Zhu Huaizhang on the shoulder and said earnestly, " Xiao Zhu... you came with me to Jing'an Prefecture, putting yourself in danger. How could I abandon you?"
Even if you don't come to me, I will help you unconditionally...
Zhu Huaizhang felt extremely uncomfortable being patted. He looked at Jin Shanyao his other hand, "Can you return that one-copper coin to me? My wife only gives me two hundred copper coins a month for allowance."
"That won't do... This one coin is your payment for hiring me, you can't return it..." Saying this, she pushed Zhu Huaizhang out the door, saying dismissively, "Go on... Lord Zhou wants to drink with you."
After saying that, he slammed the door shut.
Zhu Huaizhang stared at the tightly closed door, and before he could react, a yamen runner came to report, " Lord Zhu... Lord Zhou has prepared some wine and dishes in the front hall and invites you to come over."
Zhu Huaizhang was surprised that someone had actually come looking for him. His eyes showed astonishment, but he calmly turned around and said, "Lead the way."
Jin Shanyao the door, unable to suppress a chuckle. She peeked through the crack in the door and only turned away satisfied when she saw Zhu Huaizhang leave in a disheveled state.
She picked up the letter and was about to open it when Meng Anci her, saying, "Auntie, it's not good to peek at other people's letters."
Jin Shanyao one hand on her hip, pinched Meng Anci's cheek, and stared at his pouting lips as she asked, "Who is this letter for?"
Meng Anci obediently and vaguely replied, "It's for the teacher."
Jin Shanyao asked again, "In whose name was it sent?"
"Send it in my name..." Oh no, I'm about to drool! Meng Anci quickly swallowed, staring longingly at the Jin Shanyao, so soft and cute that it melts anyone's heart.
Jin Shanyao cupped his face in her hands and said earnestly, "So, should we read this letter?"
Meng Anci caught in a dilemma. On one hand, he thought that Zhu Huaizhang had asked him to deliver the letter. On the other hand, he thought that Zhu Huaizhang had sent it in his name.
After struggling internally for a long time, she finally raised her head and said firmly, "Look... my teacher trusts me, that's why he accepted my letter. I can't send him an unknown letter. If it contains treasonous or disloyal content, wouldn't that harm both myself and others?"
Jin Shanyao slightly taken aback... Uh... Well, it wasn't actually that serious.
The letter was unfolded, the light of the oil lamp reflecting on it. Jin Shanyao's gaze swept over it quickly. Zhu Huaizhang was merely stating the facts, and specifically noted that it was only a guess.
Jin Shanyao's expression twisted with disgust as she tossed the letter aside. This... Su Wenqian couldn't possibly summon an imperial censor even if he racked his brains.
Meng Anzhi carefully put the letter back together and asked worriedly, "Auntie, will Lord Zhou let us leave?"
"Won't..."
"Ah... where should we send this distress message?"
Jin Shanyao's gaze was deep and unfathomable as she said calmly, " Zhu Huaizhang didn't intend to ask for help; he was sending us to Su Wenqian's side to make Zhou Yan and the others wary."
Meng Anci seemed to realize something and exclaimed in surprise, "He wants to deal with all these people alone? Has he gone mad?"
" The Sheng Dynasty Laws... anyone who harms an official of the court, regardless of whether they are the ringleader or an accomplice, shall be executed... the entire family shall be implicated. Zhu Huaizhang is betting that Zhou Yan will not dare to touch him."
Meng Anzhi raised the lamp wick, and the flickering light cast the shadows of the three people on the wall, which greatly shocked Meng Anci.
He never expected that an official would risk his life for the common people. Although Zhu Huaizhang was not as smooth and adaptable as Su Wenqian, he had a stubborn and ruthless streak.
These two fourth-rank officials had a profound influence on Meng Anci's life.
...(Time Reversal)...
The front hall was filled with singing and dancing, while the back courtyard of the post station was guarded by yamen runners...
While the child was fast asleep, Jin Shanyao her hand, and her Spiritual Power formed a huge net of light that enveloped the entire Cloud Brocade Workshop.
Awakening all the vegetation in Cloud Brocade Workshop, the Jin Shanyao like turning the pages of a book, starting from the day Zhu Huaizhang and others entered the courtyard.
The scene in Cloud Brocade Workshop unfolded before my eyes like a shadow play: Bai Yunjin's funeral procession, the mourning ceremony, the wailing, Zhou Yan cleaning up the crime scene.
On the night of the incident...
Jin Shanyao was stunned by the scene before her. She saw more than a dozen embroiderers pressing Bai Yunjin down on the kang (a heated brick bed), wrapping embroidery thread around his neck, and two or three of them strangling him to death.
After confirming that Bai Yunjin was completely dead, they used embroidery thread to bind Bai Yunjin's limbs, with the other end of the thread hanging on the kang (heated brick bed) flower board.
"Sister Qiuju, will this work?" The youngest embroiderer stuffed the embroidery thread into the Bai Yunjin.
Qiuju said coldly, "Fine, now the whole city knows he was possessed by an evil spirit. As long as we testify to each other, his death will remain a mystery."
They had been plotting to kill Bai Yunjin for a year, intending to use supernatural means to drive him to a mental breakdown and create the illusion of a ghost seeking revenge.
To his surprise, he went to Qingzhou Prefecture and obtained two talismans.
From then on, no matter how they tried to scare her, Bai Yunjin could fall asleep instantly. Once a person is sound asleep, they have the energy to do mischief.
In order for the plan to continue, Xiaju risked her life to steal talisman paper, but was brutally murdered after being exposed.
The day after Xiaju died, Bai Yunjin approached Zhou Yan, wanting to secure the exclusive supply rights for this year's embroidery. Hearing that he had a fondness for young women, Bai Yunjin sent an inexperienced embroiderer to his bed.
Another embroiderer stuffed embroidery thread into Bai Yunjin's ear and said viciously, " Qiuju is right... This beast deserves to die. If it's exposed one day, you can pin all the blame on me. Anyway, I don't want to live anymore."
Jin Shanyao gazed at the Bai Yunjin, which was covered with dense embroidery threads, and it really did look like a vengeful demon.