Chapter 21 - Has My Boss Become a Fangirl?
Another morning arrived.
Having pondered the case late into the night, Li Nan Ke woke up much later than usual.
The sky had transitioned from a fish-belly white to a clear and bright blue, and the morning sun, slanting through the treetops, cast a warm and pleasant glow.
Breakfast was already prepared.
It was, once again, a kidney-nourishing meal.
In the courtyard, Luo Qian Qiu, dressed in a simple white dress, was squatting by the pond, washing her husband's clothes.
Perhaps to avoid getting her shoes and socks wet, she was barefoot, her skirt slightly gathered up. From Li Nan Ke's perspective, he could see her delicate calves and her small, round toes, as white as jade, a sight that stirred his imagination.
"Washing clothes so early?"
Li Nan Ke stretched lazily in the warm sun, yawning.
The woman was using a special kind of soap to wash the clothes.
Unlike modern laundry detergent, it was made from cleaned pig pancreas, ground into powder, and then mixed with bean powder and spices.
It was also called "bathing beans."
Luo Qian Qiu turned her head, a smile gracing her lips.
"Why don't you sleep a little longer, husband? You rested so late yesterday. It's not good for your health."
"Don't you also sleep late and wake up early?"
Li Nan Ke retorted.
"It's different," Luo Qian Qiu tucked a few strands of hair behind her ear and said softly, "I've been used to this since I was young."
"Let me help you."
Li Nan Ke squatted down, wanting to help her wash the clothes, but the woman quickly refused.
"Husband."
Luo Qian Qiu said with a helpless and amused look, her tone carrying a hint of reproach.
"Men from other families rarely do housework. But you, you're always in the kitchen or doing laundry. Aren't you afraid of being laughed at?"
Li Nan Ke was unhappy.
"What's there to laugh about? Husbands and wives should help each other. As the saying goes, 'Men and women working together are not tired.' It applies to the house and also to the bed... bed..."
Seeing the woman's eyes narrow slightly, a playful smile on her lips, Li Nan Ke's voice gradually trailed off.
Especially when he saw her pick up the washing bat.
"And to the bed, what?"
The woman asked with a smile.
"Well... oh right, I suddenly remembered, I still have to assist Lord Leng with the case today, so I'll—"
"Go eat breakfast first."
"Yes, wife."
Li Nan Ke quickly went inside.
Watching her husband's retreating figure, Luo Qian Qiu couldn't help but laugh. She bit her lower lip lightly with her pearly white teeth and murmured.
"My husband is quite cute."
…
The Night Patrol's official residence was heavily guarded.
As soon as Li Nan Ke arrived at the outer gate, he was stopped by the guards. Although he mentioned Leng Xinnan, they insisted on reporting his arrival before letting him in.
Li Nan Ke understood and waited patiently outside the gate.
Just then, Iron Ox came out of the neighboring yamen, cursing and grumbling, completely unlike his usual refined image. It was unclear why he was angry.
"Old Li?"
Seeing Li Nan Ke, Iron Ox's eyes lit up.
Having witnessed his superior's appreciation for Li Nan Ke, Iron Ox didn't dare put on airs anymore and approached him amicably.
"Lord Tie, you're too kind. Please, just call me 'Little Li'," Li Nan Ke said, bowing.
Iron Ox swiftly opened his folding fan and said with displeasure.
"What are you saying? Sister Leng considers you one of her own, how could I, Young Master Tie, treat you as an outsider? From now on, we're family. If you have any difficulties, just come to me."
"Really?"
Li Nan Ke was somewhat touched.
Iron Ox patted his chest.
“Truer than gold. I, Young Master Tie, may not have much, but I value loyalty!"
"Then can you lend me some money?"
Li Nan Ke rubbed his hands, looking embarrassed.
"......"
Iron Ox sighed and patted his shoulder.
“Money isn't important. It's just that in this world, talking about money hurts feelings. You wouldn't want to lose a brother who would go through fire and water for you, right?"
"But precisely because we're brothers, I—"
"Right, Sister Leng has been waiting for you for a long time. Let's go quickly. She'll get angry if we're late. Our superior has always had a bit of a temper,"
Iron Ox said, pulling Li Nan Ke's arm and leading him through the gate.
This time, the guards didn't stop them.
Iron Ox was right. Leng Xinnan was indeed angry.
But not at Li Nan Ke, but at Guo Gang and the others.
"How many times have I said, don't let her act alone! Don't let her act alone! Why don't you listen!"
Leng Xinnan's face was stern, her fair hand gripping the back of the chair so tightly that her knuckles were white. It seemed like she would throw the chair in the next second.
“Do you have hammers for brains? Should we take them to a pawnshop for appraisal and see how much they're worth?"
Guo Gang felt wronged.
"When I went to look for her, Little Rabbit was already gone. What could I do?"
Another subordinate explained cautiously.
"Miss Meng said she was going to relieve herself, but then she disappeared. I guessed that she wanted to act alone, so I kept searching..."
"Alright, alright, send more people to find her!"
Leng Xinnan waved her hand impatiently.
She was helpless. This girl always liked to show off. Next time, she would have to be strict and discipline her properly.
If necessary, she would pull down her pants and give her a good spanking.
"What's happening with Magistrate Shen?" Leng Xinnan asked Iron Ox.
Iron Ox said angrily.
"It's the Wan family, urging him to find the murderer who killed Wan Ying Ying as soon as possible. Magistrate Shen has been under a lot of pressure these past two days. He almost knelt down and begged us to solve the case quickly.”
“That Wan family, relying on their relatives in the government, wanted to confront you and even threatened to complain to the higher-ups. I scolded them before they finally calmed down."
"Their anxiety is understandable, after all, their daughter is dead."
Leng Xinnan rubbed her forehead and sighed, her gaze towards Li Nan Ke softening.
"We've found the medicine shop selling 'Red Rain.' It's Zhang Ji Medicine Shop. We confiscated a lot of medicinal herbs containing 'Red Rain.' This matter has been reported to Yun City, and they will conduct a thorough investigation. Also..."
Leng Xinnan picked up a record from the table and handed it over.
"I interrogated the shop owner, and he admitted to selling 'Red Conch' to Old Qin.”
“And I specifically asked if Scholar Wen had bought any, and he confessed truthfully that Scholar Wen did privately buy some from him on the evening of the fifth of eighth."
Li Nan Ke took the record and read it carefully.
Although the Night Patrol's interrogation methods weren't as ruthless and terrifying as the Shadow Guard's, it was still difficult for anyone to lie to them.
The medicine shop owner's confession was credible.
However, when he saw a particular statement in the confession, Li Nan Ke looked up and asked with confusion,
"He only sold one package to Old Qin?"
Iron Ox sneered.
“These merchants are always stubborn. Those we've caught in the past all claimed to have only sold one package. But they know in their hearts how much they actually sold."
Li Nan Ke pondered for a moment and, without asking further, returned the record.
"Let's go to the Wen family."
…
Once again, it was Leng Xinnan and Li Nan Ke who went together.
On the way, Leng Xinnan recounted the investigation of Scholar Wen from the previous night.
"Scholar Wen's name is Wen Xiaofan. He's the second son of his family, twenty-four years old this year. He became a scholar the year before last and is quite renowned.”
“He also trained at the Six Tigers Sect before, so he's not a weak scholar. Although his cultivation is average, it's still easy for him to secretly administer 'Red Rain'..."
Hearing the words 'average cultivation,' Li Nan Ke was relieved.
Otherwise, they would have to bring more experts.
After about half an incense stick's worth of time, they arrived at the gate of the Wen residence.
Looking at the slightly worn, antique vermillion gate and the imposing stone lions on both sides, Li Nan Ke's expression was grave.
"This Scholar Wen will be the most difficult part of this case. We have to be extra careful."
"With you here, he won't escape."
Leng Xinnan said, blinking her eyes. Her long, curled eyelashes made her skin look even fairer and more delicate. She had absolute confidence in the man.
At this moment, she seemed to have become a little fangirl.
Li Nan Ke shook his head.
"Based on my rich experience and my accurate intuition, this Scholar Wen is definitely formidable. He will be a strong opponent. If we can't break through this link, it will be difficult to continue investigating this case.”
“In short, what comes next will be an extremely difficult interrogation. Even with evidence in hand, it will be challenging. I trust my intuition."
"Is he that formidable?"
Infected by the seriousness in the man's tone, Leng Xinnan also put away her dismissive attitude and became worried.
It seemed that this Scholar Wen was indeed not simple.
The real challenge had just begun.
Li Nan Ke closed his eyes and took a deep breath, straightened his chest, and stepped forward.
"Let's go. I'll show you what a duel between experts looks like!"
The man declared with unrestrained enthusiasm, his voice full of vigor.
Looking at his tall and imposing figure, Leng Xinnan's eyes lit up with admiration.
“I believe in you."
Clank! Clank!
Li Nan Ke knocked on the door.
The door was quite old, and its peeling paint felt slightly rough to the touch.
After a while, the door slowly opened.
A young man in a moon-white robe stood in the doorway. He was handsome and had a distinguished air.
"We're from the Night Patrol, here to see Wen Xiaofan," Leng Xinnan said, showing her identification token.
The young man looked at them for a while before slowly saying,
"I am Wen Xiaofan. I've been waiting for you."
‘Waiting for us?’
Was this a provocation?
Having been 'brainwashed' by Li Nan Ke earlier, Leng Xinnan immediately realized that this man was not simple.
"That's right, I killed Wan Ying Ying."
The young man admitted with a weary expression.
"I was the one who gave Wan Ying Ying and Lin Jiao Yue the 'Red Rain.' Arrest me."
"......"
Silence fell over the scene.
An awkward silence.
Leng Xinnan parted her red lips slightly and slowly turned to look at the man beside her.
"It seems... it wasn't that difficult?"
Li Nan Ke, as if he hadn't heard her, touched the door and muttered to himself.
“This door is nice. Yes, this door is nice. I'll install one like this at my house someday."