Miss Truth
Chapter 164 - 105 Xiao Inspector

Chapter 164: Chapter 105 Xiao Inspector

The crowd turned and looked in the direction of the voice, where a tall man dressed in crimson official uniform stood with his hands behind his back inside the door, his wheat-colored skin radiating strong vitality under the sunlight, his eyes sparkling brilliantly, currently smiling at Ran Yan.

"Master Xiao!" Mrs. Xing exclaimed, having seen him at night before, she had sensed his extraordinary presence and good looks, but did not expect that he would look even more flawless in daylight.

Ran Yan also saw Xiao Song. Most people reveal some flaws when under bright light, but he, on the contrary, using the sunlight to his advantage, appeared even more majestic and awe-inspiring.

Xiao Song gave Mrs. Xing a slight nod and then turned to Ran Yan, saying, "How is it that I have not seen Madame Seventeen for just over a month, and she has already forgotten me?"

"Inspector!" The team leader saluted Xiao Song.

The Inspector was an official role assigned by the Court to inspect and assess the administration of various regions, equivalent to the Judicial Commissioner in the Song Dynasty. Xiao Song, as the Assistant Minister of Ministry of Justice, appearing as the Inspector at Suzhou City and at Yingmei Temple, the implication was self-evident.

Ran Yan felt that Liu Pinrang’s position as the Inspector was likely unstable, but replacing a State Inspector seemed simple, though, in reality, it involved intricate relationships and complexities, like pulling one hair and moving the whole body. It wouldn’t necessarily be easy to replace him because of these two cases.

"I’ve seen Master Xiao," Ran Yan slightly bowed to him.

"Madame Seventeen need not be over-courteous." The smile remained on Xiao Song’s face, yet it did nothing to lessen his imposing aura. He looked around and then casually asked, "Madame Ran resides near the crime scene, I wonder if she has noticed anything suspicious?"

The question was tricky; he clearly knew she would have insights, yet he asked in such a way.

Ran Yan thought for a moment; since you are acting officially, then I might as well play the part of an ordinary bystander, "I only heard that jade orchids were found at the crime scene. I know there is a jade orchid garden not far behind this courtyard; I’ve already reported this to Inspector Liu."

"May we go take a look?" Xiao Song asked.

Ran Yan nodded, then turned and instructed Wan Lu, "Take the Inspector to the window where you can see the jade orchid garden."

Wan Lu acknowledged with a sound and bowed to Xiao Song, leading the way.

Xiao Song took a few steps, then turned his head back and casually dropped the sentence, "Madame Ran should come along too, to provide a detailed explanation alongside the official."

It’s not a tour; why the need for an explanation? Ran Yan always felt that Xiao Song liked to pick on things unnecessarily, but since he was currently working, Ran Yan had no choice but to follow.

After entering the inner room, Xiao Song did not rush to the window, but casually looked around the interior. The furnishings were very simple, and once the curtain was hung, it was clear at a glance. Several government soldiers were still searching, piling up suspicious items on a small table filled with various bottles and jars.

Xiao Song seemed not interested in these "suspicious items," merely glancing over them before shifting his gaze. When he saw the bed, his eyes paused for a moment, eventually settling on the closed plain oil-paper umbrella beside it.

Ran Yan’s heart skipped a beat, cursing herself for not having put the umbrella away earlier. While she thought this, Xiao Song had already walked over to the bed and picked up the umbrella.

The slender, powerful hand holding the plain umbrella shaft was especially pleasing to the eye, yet as Ran Yan watched, her heart inexplicably tightened. But then she thought, even if he discovered it was actually a sword, what then? The Tang Code did not stipulate that a house could not have one or two swords, nor that a sword could not be made into an umbrella handle.

"Madame Seventeen indeed has exquisite taste," Xiao Song commented, half-smiling as he touched the cool, purplish shaft of the umbrella, grasping the front end of the handle but not exerting any force, lightly brushing it before placing the umbrella back in its original position, half-jokingly adding, "An umbrella kept beside the bed for sleep, is it not a token of affection?"

Mrs. Xing said anxiously, "Inspector Xiao must not joke like that, my mistress is pure and has not pledged herself to anyone."

When Mrs. Xing blocked his words, Xiao Song did not appear angry; he simply gave a faint smile and walked to the window.

Following the open window, one could indeed see a large swath of lush jade orchids on the slope not far away, looking from afar like an un-melted patch of snow.

"The view is indeed lovely. What does Seventeenth Lady usually do while sitting here?" Xiao Song asked, turning around.

Ran Yan’s voice was even, "Embroidery."

Ran Yan usually loved sitting here looking at the scenery while thinking, but she could not say that. If she answered "thinking", Xiao Song would definitely ask, what was she thinking about? Does what she think have any relation to the case? Does she notice anything unusual while looking at the garden every day? Has she noticed any suspicious people? Who usually takes care of the garden?

She answered "embroidery", although she knew Xiao Song did not believe her, but it was better than being questioned again and again.

"I heard that when ladies embroider, they often need to look away and rest every hour. Have you ever noticed who takes care of the garden?" Xiao Song asked, seemingly oblivious to Ran Yan’s deterrent tone.

Ran Yan sighed inwardly. How could he twist everything back to the topic, she said evenly, "Inspector Xiao, if you have anything to say, please speak freely. I will hold nothing back in my answers. Efficiency is crucial in handling cases, don’t you agree?"

At that moment, everyone in the room was stunned, even the government soldiers rummaging through the room froze, the lids they were lifting were no longer carelessly closed but gently placed down, making as little noise as possible.

Mrs. Xing hurriedly said, "Master Xiao, my lady is straightforward and speaks her mind, I hope Master Xiao will be understanding."

Xiao Song gave an ambiguous smile and picked up the teapot from the table, seemingly nonchalant as he admired it, "No worries, I am somewhat aware of Seventeenth Lady’s temperament and naturally will not... hmm, this tea tastes off."

He shifted the topic halfway through.

The tea had been drugged by Su Fu the previous night, and though the drug was tasteless at the time, tea is easily perishable. Ran Yan cast him a puzzled glance; it was normal for overnight tea to taste bad, right? Did he also know how to mix drugs?

"It’s rare to see people leave tea leaves sitting in the pot." Xiao Song put down the teapot and pulled out a handkerchief to wipe his hands, as though he had just touched something.

Ran Yan realized then, if Xiao Song did not have a mania for cleanliness, he must be extremely knowledgeable about drugs. The sedative, having altered overnight, would have a mild toxicity, especially mixed with tea, the toxicity could be several times normal. Though it wouldn’t cause significant harm through skin contact, it was certainly uncomfortable.

The government soldiers gradually left the room, and the Team Leader came over to salute, "Inspector, we have finished the search. All suspicious items are on the table, could you please take a look?"

Xiao Song walked over, bent down to pick up a small bottle, and slowly said, "Have you not heard that Lady Ran Shiqi is a medical expert? What caused the death of the deceased? Why are these drugs suspicious?"

The body was covered in wounds; it really couldn’t be said to have been poisoned to death.

His three bland questions cornered the Team Leader into silence, he could only say, "The Inspector said not to overlook any suspicious items."

"Oh." Xiao Song put down the medicine bottle and casually glanced at him, saying, "It’s no wonder the case hasn’t been solved in over a month."

The Team Leader sweated profusely. Whether Xiao Song’s implied criticism was directed at Inspector Liu or at them for being too foolish, it was more than he could bear, mainly because this conclusion by Xiao Song stemmed from his single sentence.

Ran Yan watched and felt like laughing, it seemed Xiao Song just enjoyed finding faults, perhaps a "professional hazard" of being the Assistant Minister of the Ministry of Criminal Justice. (To be continued. If you like this work, we welcome you to Qidian (qidian.com) to cast your recommendation tickets and monthly tickets, your support is my greatest motivation.)