Liu San recalled what he had seen over and over again. When he thought of how evil and terrifying Liu Shun was, he broke out in cold sweat. “Get me a glass of water.”

Madam Bai saw that Liu San seemed to be frightened. “What do you want a glass of water for? Just tell me.”

She was impatient and could not wait at all. Now, she wanted to know what had happened. Why did her man look like he had lost his soul after being grabbed by Liu Sanniang?

Thinking of this, Madam Bai felt something was not right. “Liu Sanniang has become a master. Did she cast some evil spell on you? I think that is the problem. She just can’t bear to see Yinniang have a good marriage. Just now at her house, I felt that something was wrong, as if something was suppressing me.”

Liu San looked at Madam Bai. “Stop talking nonsense. Sanniang is not that kind of person.”

Madam Bai said angrily, “Then, what kind of person is she?”

Liu San paused for a moment before replying. “In short, she’s not a bad person. I don’t know what she did, but I actually saw what happened a few months ago. Last time, the mortuary burned down. Do you remember? I saw Liu Shun instigating Liu Cheng to burn it down.”

Madam Bai was stunned. “Impossible!”

Liu San’s mind was in a mess. He said, “I know it’s impossible, but I saw it with my own eyes. If this is true, then it makes sense for Liu Sanniang to reject Liu Shun. Madam Wei loves her daughter dearly. How could she allow her daughter to marry that kind of man?”

Madam Bai didn’t say anything. “Then, what about that peddler? Maybe Liu Sanniang is too arrogant.”

Liu San answered angrily. “That guy likes to gamble. Can such a person be a good husband?”

Madam Bai was speechless, and her thoughts were in a mess.

The marriage was already set, and the date was already chosen. If she went back on her word now, what would others think? Liu Shun was a scholar. If they rejected such a good marriage, wouldn’t people think her daughter was arrogant just like Liu Sanniang?

Liu San said with worry, “For Yinniang’s sake, you should ask around. No matter what, we can’t harm Yinniang.”

Madam Bai thought for a moment and nodded. “I’ll ask around.”

Liu San said nothing, but he had a feeling that what he saw was true.

——

After the engagement party, Liu Sanniang began to make clothes for Chu Yan. The fabric was black, and it was suitable to embroider white gardenias on it.

Since there were no special cases, Wei Shilai asked Liu Sanniang to rest at home and not go to the government office. He could solve such ordinary cases alone.

After his horizons were broadened, Wei Shilai solved cases much faster. After all, he had seen many strange things. There was nothing impossible in this world.

In late August, after three consecutive days of heavy rain, the government office became deserted.

In the heavy rain, a carriage stopped at the government office. The guard got out first. After holding an umbrella, a woman dressed in men’s clothes got out of the carriage. The guard flashed his sign and the constables immediately made way for the visitors.

Sun Yarou looked around before entering the government office.

Just as Wei Shilai was informed, Sun Yarou arrived. Wei Shilai immediately greeted her. “Greetings, Madam Zhao.”

Sun Yarou nodded slightly. “Magistrate Wei, I’m here to ask for your help.”

Wei Shilai immediately said, “Madam Zhao, if there’s anything I can do, just tell me. As long as I can help, I will.”

Sun Yarou’s husband was Zhao Fengyun, the magistrate of Yuezhou. He was a fourth-grade junior official and was several ranks higher than Wei Shilai.

Wei Shilai did not know why Sun Yarou came to look for him. Before this, he didn’t receive any letters from Zhao Fengyun.

Sun Yarou looked at Wei Shilai and said, “Magistrate Wei, please don’t tell anyone about this and keep it a secret for me. I’m here to ask Magistrate Wei to introduce me to someone.”

Wei Shilai said, “Please speak, Madam Zhao.”

Only then did Sun Yarou ask him. “Who is the master that Magistrate Wei has hired?”

Wei Shilai frowned. “Madam Zhao, I need to ask the person before I can reveal the person’s identity to you.”

Sun Yarou asked again. “Didn’t you hire this master?”

Wei Shilai shook his head. “This person agreed to work for me on the basis that I won’t reveal this person’s identity.”

Sun Yarou looked at Wei Shilai. “Alright, I’ll stay in Yong County for two days. Please help me.”

Wei Shilai smiled. “Okay.”

Sun Yarou looked at Wei Shilai and said, “Master Wei, do you know that you’ve offended someone?”

Wei Shilai frowned.

Sun Yarou said slowly, “Third Prince thought that you gave him a useless person deliberately. However, the Third Prince praised you in the royal court and said that you have recruited a capable person. Recently, he has been recommending you to take charge of those special cases.”

Wei Shilai did not catch the main point. “Jiang Bing is a dangerous person. What does Third Prince mean by useless?”

Sun Yarou smiled. “Whether he’s useful or not is never up to you and me.”

Wei Shilai believed what Sun Yarou said. The reason why he could only be a magistrate in Yong County was because of his stubbornness. Sun Yarou’s reminder could not change anything, but at least it made him mentally prepared.

Wei Shilai cupped his hands at Sun Yarou. “Thank you for your reminder, Madam Zhao.”

Sun Yarou nodded slightly. “Sir, it’s been so many years. Are you still not going to change?”

Wei Shilai smiled. “I have a clear conscience. I won’t change, no matter what.”

If he was promoted, he would be more powerful. At that time, it would be easier to investigate the case.

Sun Yarou admired Wei Shilai’s integrity. After achieving her goal, she left the government office. The servants had already arranged a place for her to stay.

Wei Shilai immediately got someone to inform Liu Sanniang to ask her what she thought about the request.

Liu Sanniang did not object.

The next day, Liu Sanniang went to the inn to meet Sun Yarou. It was still raining heavily. Liu Sanniang went inside and found a seat to sit down.

When the waiter saw her, he walked towards her as if he wanted to chase her away. However, when he reached Liu Sanniang’s side, he couldn’t bring himself to say it. He asked. “Miss, what do you want?”

Liu Sanniang smiled. “I don’t want anything. I’m waiting for someone.”

The waiter looked at Liu Sanniang and couldn’t say anything to chase her away. He said, “Miss, we have a very important person living here these past two days. Leave as soon as the person you are waiting for comes. Don’t disturb our guests.”

Liu Sanniang nodded. “Thank you, I will.”

The waiter scratched his head and thought for a moment before pouring a pot of hot tea for Liu Sanniang.

Liu Sanniang did not move. Wei Shilai came over quickly.