Chapter 387 - 385: Enough to Make People Envious (First Update)

Chapter 387: Chapter 385: Enough to Make People Envious (First Update)

Xu Jing never expected that the matter she thought would take some time to resolve would make such significant progress on her first day in Anping County.

It could only be said that Lin Chengzhao, in a fit of desperation, delivered the leverage directly into her hands.

However, even though Xu Jing wished she could immediately take Zhu Shunxi back to the Western Capital to have him identify Lin Chengzhao for the heinous crimes committed twenty-four years ago, she still had to abide by the official procedures of the government.

As one of the involved parties in the murder case of Yang Shao and his wife, Zhu Shunxi needed to stay and assist the county government’s case closure records. Aware that his trip to the capital boded ill, he specifically requested Xu Jing to let him remain in Anping County for an additional two days to properly arrange his family affairs.

The epidemic twenty-four years ago, while Lin Chengzhao’s conspiracy, had Zhu Shunxi and Yang Shao as accomplices.

Now, although he could redeem himself by meritorious deeds, Xu Jing promised that as long as he was willing to stand up and identify Lin Chengzhao, she would do her utmost to protect him. However, at most, it would only keep him from losing his life, and imprisonment was unavoidable.

As such a valuable witness, Xu Jing naturally couldn’t let him wander outside for long. But to have him better cooperate in identifying Lin Chengzhao, she hesitated only for a moment before agreeing to let him stay two more days, with the condition that during these days, he must have her and county government personnel by his side at all times.

For Zhu Shunxi, this was supervision, but also protection, so he certainly wouldn’t refuse.

After making the decision, Xu Jing sent Cheng Xiao to keep an eye on Zhu Shunxi, while on the day the case was solved, she wrote a letter and had someone swiftly deliver it to Xiao Yi in the Western Capital.

Since Lin Chengzhao had hired someone to commit murder, he must have people in Anping County watching the progress. Once they knew his conspiracy was exposed, they would surely rush to the Western Capital to inform him.

Someone like Lin Chengzhao wouldn’t sit and wait for death; he would surely have immediate counteractions. By then, his most likely move would be to stop at nothing to target Zhu Shunxi, and even Xu Jing herself might be in danger.

This time, coming to Anping County, although she had brought many people with her, facing a cornered mad dog, Xu Jing feared the manpower wouldn’t be enough, especially with Zhu Shunxi now needing protection too.

This matter was beyond her capability alone, requiring Xiao Yi to send more personnel.

Fortunately, Xu Jing hadn’t noticed the Jiang Family’s involvement in this matter yet, as even they might be unaware of Lin Chengzhao’s deeds twenty-four years ago. Lin Chengzhao, guilty as he was, would likely refrain from informing the Jiang Family unless absolutely necessary.

If the Jiang Family were involved, the plan to kill Yang Shao and Zhu Shunxi wouldn’t have failed this miserably.

While Xu Jing was confident that Jiang’s people weren’t aware of this matter beforehand, she couldn’t be sure if Lin Chengzhao, with his conspiracy now exposed, would seek their assistance.

In any case, it was best to make full preparations.

Once everything was ready, Xu Jing’s only task left in Anping County was to wait. Because she had worked late into the night, she woke up almost at noon the next day, and after a simple wash, she intended to visit the long-missed Xinglin Hall.

Chunyang, having some understanding of the current situation, anxiously said, "Madam, at times like this, should we not just stay indoors and wait for the Lord’s men to arrive before making any moves?"

Since last night, Cheng Xiao had been sent to keep Zhu Shunxi company by Xu Jing, which reduced their combat strength, making Chunyang more uneasy.

Especially since early this morning, Chen Hu came specifically to tell them that County Magistrate Deng had taken the murderer to the Lin Family last night to identify who instructed him to commit the crime, and he pointed to an ordinary manager of the Lin Family. That manager took all the blame upon himself and never mentioned Lin Chengzhao!

All of this matched Madam’s previous speculations precisely!

Xu Jing lightly chuckled, saying, "No need to worry too much, although Lin Chengzhao surely won’t just wait to die, he needs to be informed about what happened here before making any moves. We solved the case last night, and even if his people move quickly, they would need at least half a day to rush to the Western Capital and back, so it definitely takes a day and a night, which means we’re still safe for the moment.

What’s more, my actions haven’t been much slower than theirs; by the time Lin Chengzhao makes a move, our reinforcements will surely have arrived."

Listening to this, Chunyang felt some relief, though still a bit anxious.

Alas, the tasks Madam was undertaking were becoming more dangerous, and she needed to adjust her mindset accordingly.

Although Xu Jing hadn’t personally managed Xinglin Hall for over half a year, it was evident that the Cheng Brothers and Sisters had been managing it well. When she arrived, there was a decently long line of patients waiting outside.

While fewer than in Xu Jing’s days at the helm, it was enough to make other medical halls envious.

Additionally, the neighboring grocery store had gone out of business, and after discussing it with Cheng Xianbai, they rented out its space, knocked down the wall dividing it from Xinglin Hall, and after some simple renovations, the previously cramped space that could accommodate only two or three patients comfortably became much brighter and more spacious, with a designated pharmacy managed by two little medicine boys whom Cheng Xianbai was recently training.

From the looks of it, everything seemed quite orderly.

Xu Jing didn’t rush inside; she lingered outside, taking it all in for a moment before slowly making her way over.

Just then, a young woman in a simple goose-yellow dress emerged and called to the waiting patients, "The next patient can come in now..."

Before she finished speaking, she noticed Xu Jing standing by the door with a beaming smile and froze momentarily, exclaiming in surprise, "Jing Sister! You’re finally here!"

Although she knew about Xu Jing’s visit to Anping County, she also understood that Xu Jing had important matters to attend to, and thus didn’t bother her.

Knowing that Xu Jing would surely visit Xinglin Hall once she had the time, she hurriedly ran to Xu Jing, excitedly asking, "Jing Sister, how come you had the time to visit today? Are the affairs you came to Anping County for all settled?"

"Hmm, almost."

Xu Jing replied with a cheerful smile, "You and Mr. Cheng have been managing Xinglin Hall very well. I was quite surprised when I saw it just now. Is it alright for you to come out like this? If you’re busy, don’t mind me. I’ll just look around on my own."

Cheng Qingqing shook her head with a smile, "Even though today is quite busy, it’s fine for me to take a little break. These days, three doctors lent to us by Tianyi Hall are handling the consultations, and two little medicine boys my brother has been training recently started helping out in the hall, so I’ve had a lot of free time. Since you’re visiting, I must show you around our Xinglin Hall!"

Xu Jing couldn’t help but laugh, "Alright, it seems that when I return to the capital, it’s time to let Yanhua and the others come over to help and learn."