Chapter 398 - 396: Where Else Is There a Couple Like Them? (Second Update)

Chapter 398: Chapter 396: Where Else Is There a Couple Like Them? (Second Update)

Xu Jing nodded and said, "Yes, so relying solely on the current clues, it’s impossible to find out who the real poisoner is."

Mr. Yao glanced at her and called Cheng Xianbai over, saying, "I heard just now from Mr. Cheng that four out of those six people are his men, so he should be more familiar with their situation."

Although he didn’t allow Xu Jing to get involved in this case, he didn’t put on any airs in front of Cheng Xianbai and referred to himself as "I," which was already showing Xu Jing respect.

Cheng Xianbai immediately nodded and said, "Indeed, they are all brought over from Anping County by me. An He and Su Youwang were once orphans in Anping County, they’re quite clever and not of bad character. A long time ago, they helped me with gathering information. Later, when Xinglin Hall needed manpower, I had them come over to help.

Chen Ruosheng and Zhang Ye were introduced to me by a friend. Chen Ruosheng’s grandfather was a bell doctor, able to recognize some herbs and understand prescriptions. Zhang Ye is literate, and his mother had always hoped he could gain fame through exams, so she invested a lot in his education, but he wasn’t cut out for studying. He met my friend and asked for an introduction to me when he heard I was looking for help. I found both of them suitable and took them in."

Mr. Yao said, "So, do you think these four people could do such a thing?"

Cheng Xianbai hesitated.

To be honest, he didn’t think there were any grievances with them. Them suddenly poisoning the medicinal soup was more likely not out of personal enmity but because they were bribed.

Cheng Xianbai trusted them enough to call them to the Western Capital to help, but having only been acquainted for a few months, he couldn’t be entirely sure if they would betray him for significant interests.

He pressed his lips together bitterly and shook his head, "I... I don’t know."

He couldn’t help but think of Mr. Zhou from Tianyi Hall. It was because his father’s long-term follower betrayed them that his father was harmed.

If someone who has been around for years is not trustworthy, how about An He and the others who have only been with him for a few months?

Betrayal by those around you is the most unforeseen and hardest thing to guard against.

Mr. Yao nodded in understanding, "I will send someone to check these people’s recent activities to see if there’s anything unusual. In the next few days, I’ll also have someone follow them. Mr. Cheng, Nurse Wei, I apologize, but since you are also suspects at the moment, I’ll need to have someone follow you as well."

He wasn’t like Wang Qilang, who would casually take people back to the government office, but he still needed people to monitor them.

Normally, they wouldn’t inform those being monitored about this, but Mr. Yao was willing to let Cheng Xianbai and Wei Muqing know in advance, also out of respect for Xu Jing.

Of course, it also came from his intuition honed by years of criminal investigation; he felt that Cheng Xianbai and Wei Muqing were not the poisoners since they had no motive for the crime.

The government officials sent to search the six did not find anything.

Afterwards, they performed some concluding tasks, led by Mr. Yao. They transferred seriously ill patients to other clinics for treatment, with costs covered by Xinglin Hall, and asked everyone else to go home and await further news.

Because of this affair, Xinglin Hall also had to temporarily close for reorganization. Fortunately, the first three days of free clinics had passed, so there were fewer patients, and the closure wasn’t as impactful.

Nevertheless, it was a significant blow to Xinglin Hall.

Before leaving, Xu Jing called Cheng Xiao and said coldly, "Send someone to investigate those six people—who have they met recently, and whether there’s any unexplained income."

Even if Mr. Yao gave her face, saying she shouldn’t intervene, he wouldn’t let her meddle in the case.

She could only investigate this information personally.

After spending the whole afternoon busy at the city gate, it was completely dark when Xu Jing returned home.

Weary, she got off the carriage and hesitated before heading towards her yard. She stopped by the guard’s post and asked, "Has the lord returned?"

The guard immediately straightened up and said, "Madam, the lord entered the palace early in the morning and hasn’t returned yet."

Xu Jing frowned slightly.

She knew Xiao Yi had been busy lately.

But it was rare for him to spend an entire day at the palace when usually, he was at the Ministry of Justice.

But since he wasn’t here, she couldn’t ask him, so she returned to her quarters to rest.

Having traveled for a day and night and worked hard in the afternoon, she felt an indescribable fatigue. Even Xiao Huai’an, who was excited about her return, quietly refrained from clinging to her, and obediently went back to his own courtyard after dining together.

In the middle of the night, while Xu Jing was sleeping soundly, she vaguely felt someone cautiously climb into bed beside her. A familiar and pleasant fresh scent enveloped her, calming her heart. Her hand instinctively reached out, grasping the person’s sleeve, and she mumbled, "You’re back..."

The person seemed to give a low chuckle, gently removing her hand to avoid lying on it, and after lying beside her, he took her hand again, their fingers intertwined, palm softly caressing, and drew her into his embrace, whispering, "Yes, I’m back. You must be very tired today, rest now."

In reality, Xu Jing had many things to ask him, but she was indeed exhausted. Comforted by the familiar scent and warmth, she soon drifted back to sleep.

The next morning, when she woke up, his side of the bed was empty.

She couldn’t help but feel a little regretful.

Since the New Year, she and Xiao Yi had been like this, both continuously busy outside. Often, Xiao Yi returned after she fell asleep, and when she awoke, he was already gone. The opportunity for them to sit down for a meal and chat was rare.

Who knew how many other couples in the world were like them?

If it continued like this, let alone planning for Chang Xiao’s sister, they wouldn’t even have time to nurture their relationship.

Realizing her thoughts were wandering, Xu Jing quickly pulled them back, got out of bed, and dressed.

Despite everything, she appeared fairly composed today, but Chunyang and the others couldn’t hide their anxiety and unease.

Their madam had invested a lot into Xinglin Hall’s Western Capital branch, and now it was forced to close for reorganization. It was evident this incident would severely impact Xinglin Hall’s reputation, unsettling them greatly.

But she remained focused on what needed to be done.

It wasn’t that Xu Jing wasn’t concerned, but that anxiety wouldn’t solve anything. All she could do now was wait for Cheng Xiao to bring her information on the six individuals.

Finally, in the afternoon, Cheng Xiao stepped in briskly and bowed to Xu Jing, "Madam, the people I sent to investigate the six have reported back.

Our investigation didn’t uncover any unexplained income or significant expenditures recently.

The four people Mr. Cheng brought along arrived in the Western Capital at the beginning of the month. Mr. Cheng rented a courtyard for them on the outskirts of the city. They spent their days busy with Xinglin Hall matters with little chance for outside contact, which other Xinglin Hall staff can vouch for.

At night, being unfamiliar with the Western Capital, they rarely ventured out, except Mr. Zhang, who liked to drink and often visited nearby taverns for a few drinks. Our men inquired with tavern workers, who all said Mr. Zhang often came alone, only occasionally chatting with other patrons.

As for Li Shiheng and Shi Wenfeng, since they are from Tianyi Hall and were only transferred to help at Xinglin Hall half a month ago. It was difficult to check their recent interactions, as they rented their residences in the Western Capital with some rental subsidies from Mr. Zhou. Hence, after returning home, no one knew what they did or who they interacted with."

Xu Jing slowly furrowed her brows.

Renting their own place?