哈哈漫画

Chapter 16

Li Hui watched Li Xia get on the carriage, then turned around and led people to continue patrolling. Zhang Hu walked over quickly and said a few words in a low voice in Li Hui's ear. After listening, Li Hui let Zhang Hu lead the way ahead. When they arrived, they smelled the bloody air.

At this time, Li Ming also rushed over. Under the torch, they saw five bodies of people in black. After checking, the yamen runner reported, "Five people, all killed by one stab."

"These five people are masters, any one of them is not someone we can deal with," Zhang Hu's words made Li Hui and Li Ming's faces even more solemn.

"The closest to here is Meng County to the north. It takes two hours to get there if we set out now." Lin Changzhou, who had rushed over later, did not ask why, carefully recalled the map, stepped forward and said.

"Call people to set off for Meng County after one incense stick burns out," Li Ming made a decision after pondering.

The people who were asleep were woken up and heard that the master ordered them to go to Meng County. They wondered in their hearts, but seeing the serious expression on the face of the steward who notified them, they did not dare to say much.

Auntie Mei also woke up, dizzy and unaware of the situation. The carriage had already set off. Looking at the vigorous Li Xia next to her, she asked, "What's the situation?"

Li Xia shook her head, pretending not to know. She supported Auntie Mei to sit properly.

The group advanced carefully with torches. All the way, Li Ming's heart was worried. Fortunately, they arrived at the gate of Meng County without any danger. At this time, it was almost dawn, and the city gate was not yet open. There were quite a few commoners lined up at the gate, preparing to enter the city. Li's carriage attracted a lot of attention.

The city gate opened, and the gatekeeper came out. At first glance, he saw Li's carriage and horses. Li's steward took out Li Ming's seal. Seeing the prefectural seal at a glance, the gatekeeping lieutenant came forward to salute respectfully, "Sir, please come in," he said, signaling his subordinates to open the other half of the city gate to let Li's carriage and horses enter.

Meng County prefect Song Rushan, who was still asleep, was woken up. He was told that the newly appointed prefect of Liuzhou, Liu Zhou, had come to Meng County. Song Rushan was very confused. Meng County and Liuzhou were in opposite directions. How could anyone come here? Something must have happened!

After hurriedly washing up, he brought his men to the front yard of the county government office and saw a middle-aged man with a serious expression standing in the middle of the yard. There was no need to ask who this person was. Song Rushan came forward to salute, "Lord Li, I'm late. Please forgive me."

"It was an emergency, I bothered Lord Song," Li Ming said, clasping his fists in return.

"No, no. Sir, please feel free to order," Song Rushan said, glancing at the five corpses placed to one side.

"Last night, my family and I camped fifty miles north of the city. At night, my servants on patrol discovered these five corpses when patrolling at night," Li Ming also looked at these five corpses, which were now uncovered from the white cloth. Seeing the attire of these people, Song Rushan's expression sank.

"Did Sir see the murderer?"

"If I had seen the murderer, I'm afraid my family would be like these dead men too," Li Ming's words made Song Rushan reveal a panicked expression as he bowed and apologized, "Sir, forgive me for my recklessness."

"This official is going to Liuzhou to take office. I'll leave this matter to Lord Song to investigate." Li Ming said solemnly.

Song Rushan was nervous, "This subordinate will not fail Sir's trust." After sending off Li Ming and his entourage, a steward-like man behind Song Rushan stepped forward and handed him a letter. After reading the letter, Song Rushan said: "Burn the corpses."

The steward responded and arranged for people to go burn the corpses.

Returning to the inn from the county government office, there were only father and son in the study. Li Hui asked the doubt in his heart, "Father, why didn't you tell Master Song about the matter of the broken saber?"

"If we had told him, I'm afraid we wouldn't have been able to leave." Li Ming's words shocked Li Hui.

The Prefect of Meng County, Song Rushan, was involved in this matter. This was no longer a simple murder case.

"What we have to do now is hurry to Liuzhou," Li Ming didn't say much more, but Li Hui understood. Now was not the time for them to deal with this matter.

"I'll go arrange it now," Li Hui said and left, first explaining to Auntie Lu. Then he arranged for the servants and subordinates. Early the next morning, under Song Rushan's farewell, Li's carriage and horses left Meng County.

For the rest of the journey, unless necessary, they would eat and sleep almost entirely in the carriages and on horseback, rushing along the way. Everyone knew about discovering the corpses that night, and no one talked about it anymore, hoping to reach Liuzhou as soon as possible.

Li Xia had been very quiet these past few days. The battle that night allowed Li Xia to improve again, reaching the threshold of the third level. If there were a few more battles, she should be able to level up.

Rushing all the way, they arrived in Liuzhou half a month ahead of schedule. Seeing Liuzhou city gate, everyone eased up a bit.

The carriage passed through the city gate towards the prefect's mansion. Li Xia and Auntie Mei sat in the carriage, looking outside through the cracks in the carriage window. It was impossible to lift the curtain. Before entering the city, Auntie Lu had instructed the women that they must obediently stay inside the carriage. Anyone who dared to disobey and cause idle gossip would no longer exist in the Li family.

Auntie Lu's words were still heard by Auntie Mei and Li Xia. Neither of them dared to lift the curtain, they just hid behind the curtain and looked out through the gaps. The streets of Liuzhou were much wider than those of Bailang County. Three carriages could easily travel side by side.

All the way, Li Xia saw many shops. Smelling the fragrance, she couldn't help drooling. She really wanted to get off the carriage and eat her fill. Ever since discovering that broken saber, they had rushed all the way, really unable to eat well or sleep well, and she had lost weight.

The former prefect of Liuzhou had received his transfer order and had already packed up and left Liuzhou with his family to take up his new post. At this time, the acting prefect Sun led Liuzhou officials of all sizes to wait at the gate of the prefect's mansion.

Li Ming got out of the carriage and exchanged pleasantries with everyone before going to the front yard of the prefect's mansion to discuss matters.

Auntie Lu led the women into the back yard of the prefect's mansion. The back yard had already been cleaned up. The group first went indoors to rest for a while. The back yard of Liuzhou was much larger than that of Bailang County. Auntie Mei and Li Xia were given a large and a small adjoining courtyard. The large courtyard was still called Plum Courtyard for Auntie Mei to live in. The small courtyard was named Orchid Courtyard by Li Xia, next to Plum Courtyard.

There were two rooms in the main room of Orchid Courtyard, and one side room on each side. One room in the main room was Li Xia's bedroom, and one room served as the reception room and study. One side room was used as a tea room with two stoves inside as the tea room was spacious. Li Xia was very satisfied with this. This way she could make food herself whenever she wanted to eat. Qiu Kui was also very satisfied with the tea room. She could show her skills here. The other side room was used as Li Xia's storeroom to place Li Xia's items. Behind Orchid Courtyard's side rooms were several inverted rooms for the maids and grannies to live in.

Early in the morning, Auntie Mei went to Orchid Courtyard to pull up the soundly sleeping Li Xia. Sensing that it was Auntie Mei, Li Xia retracted the wind blades in her hands. Opening her eyes, she let Qiu Shui dress and groom her.

After breakfast, she went with Auntie Mei to Wild Goose Courtyard. Entering the room, she saw Li Xin already sitting in the room talking with Auntie Lu. Auntie Mei and Li Xia first paid their respects to Auntie Lu.

Li Xia sat next to Li Xin. "Xia Xia, did you sleep well last night?"

"Very well, how about sister?" Li Xia could sleep anywhere in her previous life and had no habit of clinging to a bed.