In Love With My Fierce Farming Wife!
Chapter 387 - 386: The rape and murder case (1)_1

Chapter 387: Chapter 386: The rape and murder case (1)_1

To get from Yongze County to Changze County, one must cross over a large mountain and make the journey through the rugged mountain path in the middle.

Since Su Pan’er and her group were also transporting relief supplies donated to Changze County, their progress was naturally slower.

The group, climbing mountains and crossing ridges, took four to five days to finally reach their destination.

After such a bumpy journey, Su Pan’er longed even more for the transport of her past life, lamenting that a few hours would have been enough for such a journey in her previous life.

"Madam, please disembark."

Uncle Xiao swiftly set up a step stool, inviting Su Pan’er to leave the carriage.

This was their first visit to Changze, and Uncle Xiao had offered to help drive the carriage, with Zhou Ning also coming along to join in the fun.

Meanwhile, Xiaoqi, Xiaoba, Xiao Min, and Mrs. Xiao-Liu remained at home.

Su Pan’er had originally wanted to bring the entire Xiao family back to Changze, but Uncle Xiao had rejected the idea!

"Doctor Su saved my family, and our lives are now yours! Besides, we were only hired hands before, and our original employer perished in the plague. We have no relatives in Changze now. It is already a blessing to have food to eat provided by you," said Uncle Xiao, his voice choked with emotion.

Su Pan’er opened and closed her mouth a few times, wanting to convince him otherwise, but in the end, she swallowed her words, agreeing to let Uncle Xiao and his family stay behind.

During the journey, it was clear that Uncle Xiao was an excellent driver. With him in charge, the horses were particularly obedient and the carriage ran very smoothly.

Qin Yi lifted the carriage curtain to help her disembark.

"Uncle Xiao, you don’t have to be so polite all the time."

"Madam, you are too humble. I am at your service, feel free to ask anything."

Uncle Xiao’s dark, old face was full of smiles, his bearing very respectful.

It’s futile!

Unable to convince him otherwise, Su Pan’er decided to just let things be, and disembarked from the carriage with Qin Yi.

The County Magistrate of Changze was an elderly man with laugh lines etching his face. After sizing up the group with his dimmed eyes, he walked straight up to Jun Ruoxue and paid his respects.

"I, Zhang Xin, the County Magistrate of Changze, welcome you all. Regrettably, I wasn’t able to meet you upon your arrival, and I hope you won’t hold it against me."

Despite Inspector Liu leading this journey, Zhang Xin kept his focus entirely on Jun Ruoxue, given her presence in the group.

Everyone present, being very astute, followed Zhang Xin’s gaze to Jun Ruoxue.

Jun Ruoxue seemed rather accustomed to this level of attention. She nodded nonchalantly, "Don’t just stand there. Those carts are full of relief supplies donated by Yongze County to Changze County. You should immediately assign people to count and distribute them. The saying goes ’to rescue a person is like dousing a fire’; we cannot afford to delay any further as it could allow the epidemic to worsen."

"Yes, yes, we will arrange manpower right away."

Zhang Xin hurriedly agreed, turning to issue instructions to his subordinates. He then invited everyone, "Please, make yourselves comfortable inside."

Under the scorching July sunshine, everyone felt as if their heads were smoking.

Without any hesitation, they followed Zhang Xin into the parlor inside the second entrance of the county government office. After formal introductions, all were seated and clear tea was served.

"Please, everyone must be thirsty and hungry. Right now, due to the chaos in Changze, there isn’t much I can offer. These watermelons were specially sought for you yesterday. They have been chilled in the well and were just cut. Have a taste to cool off the summer heat," Zhang Xin warmly greeted everyone.

Everyone was indeed tired and thirsty, so they picked up slices of watermelon to taste without waiting for an invitation.

Su Pan’er was no exception.

After eating nearly half a watermelon, she finally stopped.

On the other side, the clerks were efficiently checking the ledger. By the time everyone had hastily eaten their lunch, the ledgers were all checked and in order.

Zhang Xin, with a smile on his face, nodded after receiving a whispered report from Registrar Bai.

He turned back with a grin and notified the group, "You must all be tired from your long journey. I have already arranged rooms for you in the postal relay building. If it suits you, please stay and rest for a while. Tonight, as the host, I would like to invite you all for a few drinks."

Jun Ruoxue, fighting off sleep, yawned a few times, waving dismissively.

"It’s good if you have arranged accommodations. As for drinks, there’s no need. In such a time of crisis, who would indulge in food and drink? It’s better to skip the feast, Lord Zhang. The best thing to do right now is to distribute these relief supplies as soon as possible."

"Yes, yes, I’ll see to it right away, immediately!" Zhang Xin quickly responded in agreement.

With the task almost taken care of, everyone began to take their leave.

Seizing the opportunity, Su Pan’er quickly stepped forward to make an inquiry, "Lord Zhang, I have two friends who have come to your county, but I have lost contact with them. May I ask you about their whereabouts?"

"Doctor Su, you are too kind. As the Parent Official of Changze County, although I don’t dare to claim I know every single thing about my county, helping you to find two people should not be a difficult task."

With a grave expression, Lord Zhang continued, "Unfortunately, the plague is currently rampant in Changze County and people are dying every day. Ordinary tasks have become somewhat more difficult. But since they are friends of Doctor Su, I will certainly do my best to help. May I ask which two friends Doctor Su is looking for?"

A fox who was adept at dodging and giving himself room. He spoke with consideration for every aspect.

Can’t he stop showing off?

"You probably know both of them."

Su Pan’er’s eyes flicked for a brief moment, and then she smiled, "One of them is the benevolent medical maestro, Old Xue, who has been in your county for quite some time. Do you have any news about him?"

Zhang Xin’s expression flickered for a moment but he quickly covered it up.

He quickly paid homage to Su Pan’er, "Old Xue is currently in the countryside dealing with the plague. I have already sent people to bring him back. He should be on his way. Please wait for a while, Doctor Su."

"I see."

Although Su Pan’er felt that he wasn’t telling the truth, she didn’t press him. After a short pondering, she asked again, "The other person is a man named Lui Muyi from Yongze who committed a crime in your county and is currently in jail. Are you aware of this case?"

This statement changed the expression on everyone’s faces!

"It really is peculiar for Doctor Su to ask about a murderer upon arrival. Could it be that you have any connection with that criminal who raped before killing his victim and discarded the body?"

Registrar Bai, who was standing next to them, quickly stepped forward and spoke before Zhang Xin could.

Su Pan’er was taken aback. What was he implying?

"This gentleman is quite interesting!"

Su Pan’er smiled faintly, "I was merely asking Lord Zhang about someone, why are you rushing to answer? Are you speaking on behalf of Lord Zhang?"

"I have no such intention, do not twist my words!" Registar Bai glared at Su Pan’er, his face turning sullen.

"What do you mean you have no such intention?"

Su Pan’er turned to Lord Zhang once more, bowing again, "May I ask Lord Zhang, has this case been reported to the Imperial Court? Have they issued any official documents? Even if they have, surely a criminal can have friends and relatives? Or are you implying that criminals come from stones, that they are born naturally, not raised by their parents?"