Yesterday was the day that Manager Huang died, and it was also the day after he went to the Huaishan County Prince’s Mansion to sing.

Could this be a coincidence?

“Anyway, I don’t believe it.” Liu Yuan muttered, “Then Manager Huang must have discovered Fuzi’s secret.”

Speaking of “Fuzi,” Liu Yuan added, “Oh, by the way, even though Fuzi doesn’t know how to read, he can write a single character.”

Liu Yuan said, swiping his fingers in the void a few times.

Because he drew too fast, Bai Zhu on the side didn’t see clearly and asked quickly: “What are you writing?”

Liu Yuan glanced at him, and when he was about to speak, he heard Lin Fei say: “Cow!”

Upon hearing this, Liu Yuan nodded immediately and said, “Lin Shaoying, did you figure it out? It’s the character ‘niú’!”(cow) He continued, “I heard from the post station clerks that it seems to be the character on the swaddling clothes of Fuzi, so that’s why it has this ‘niú’ character.” As Liu Yuan spoke, he took out an oil-paper-wrapped package and then opened it in front of the two.

A sour smell immediately filled the air.

Bai Zhu couldn’t help but muttered “Oh my god” and subconsciously took two steps back.

Liu Yuan was not much better and said to the two of them: “I found it in the acid water. I was afraid that there would be any clues above, so I didn’t dare to let anyone wash it, so I came to ask Lin Shaoqing first.”

Lin Fei looked at the changed color of the swaddling clothes and was silent for a moment, and he said: “You can take it and wash it first.”

After being soaked like this, no clues would be of much use.

Liu Yuan said “Oh”, and then he hurriedly wrapped the swaddling clothes in an oil paper bag.

“Fuzi’s life experience has not even been known to the station officials who have been in daily contact with him for so many years. How did Manager Huang know about it?” Bai Zhu said on the side, “And he suddenly set up a stage for Fuzi, I always think it is a coincidence. He knew something.”

“So, I specifically checked what Manager Huang did before setting up the stage for Fuzi,” Bai Zhu said. “In addition to singing, gambling, etc., he had no other hobbies. I asked people in the theater troupe, and they all said that Manager Huang had never been anywhere else in those days.”

“Those theater enthusiasts who came to watch the play, it’s been quite a few days, and the people from those theater troupes may not remember anymore. But there are a few names from which Huang Ban was called out to sing.” Bai Zhu handed the list he had found to Lin Fei.

Liu Yuan glanced at it, raised his eyebrows, and muttered: “There is no mention of Huaishan County Prince’s Mansion.”

The day before, he had just returned from a performance at the Prince of Huai Mountain’s residence, and the very next day, he was dead. If you ask me, it’s suspicious, and it’s the Prince of Huai Mountain’s residence that’s the real oddity.

But there was no mention of Huaishan County Prince’s Mansion on this list.

Lin Fei glanced at the names on the list, pressed the paper under the inkstone, then looked up at the two of them, and said, “Help me check something.”

…………

………….

After the morning meal was over, Wen Mingtang took Ah Bing and Tangyuan and went to the market.

Ji Caimai was generous and easygoing, and he would buy anything he found delicious, as long as the ingredients weren’t too expensive.

Apart from sour plum drinks and bing fen, there were many other items suitable for cooling off in the summer. However, Ji Caimai would first have to taste these items before officially adding them to his shopping list.

So, after finishing breakfast, Wen Mingtang took the two of them out of the Dali Temple.

The sun was scorching, so they first found a pastry shop and each had a bowl of crispy pastries with poured milk. They planned to eat these pastries before buying the ingredients.

As they were casually discussing matters in the kitchen, a few people walked in.

The three of them instinctively stopped their conversation as they looked at the newcomers. They saw several gorgeously dressed maids surrounding a lady in a water-red robe with green peony patterns. She held a golden fan decorated with flowers and had slender, well-manicured fingers with colorful nail art. She exuded an undeniable grace just by standing there.

Tangyuan couldn’t help but exclaim with her mouth wide open, “Such a beautiful lady!”

One of the maids heard the comment, glanced over at the three of them, and let out a disdainful chuckle before turning back to the lady with a conical hat, which covered her face, and calling her “Miss.”

The lady responded with a soft “Hmm.” One of the maids approached the owner of the crispy pastry shop, offering a gold coin, and said, “One serving of crispy pastries with milk.”

The owner was also captivated by the beauty in front of him and, once he regained his senses, hurriedly prepared a serving of the pastries and milk.

Watching the milk nearly spilling over from the crispy pastries, Tangyuan couldn’t help but notice that her own bowl had only a small portion of pastries. She pouted, thinking how Master Wen always made sure her dishes were rich and abundant.

The maid took the crispy pastries with milk, and the lady finally turned around. They left, with the lady’s entourage walking her out of the shop. Just as they were about to leave, the alluring lady suddenly turned her head to the side.

Even though her face was hidden beneath the conical hat, for some reason, Wen Mingtang felt as though the lady was looking at her.

As they were leaving the shop, Tangyuan took another spoonful of crispy pastries and glanced at the dazed owner before casting her gaze around the pastry shop. Then, she continued to eat from her bowl.

When they had finished their lunch at an outdoor eatery and returned to the Dali Temple, they found Ji Caimai standing amidst a mess, with an inexplicable smile on his face.

Wen Mingtang looked at Ji Caimai, who was waving at her with a joyful expression and walked over.

Ji Caimai gestured broadly and said, “You’re going to prepare our evening meals for the next few days!”

Wen Mingtang was taken aback.

After hearing Ji Caimai’s explanation, she finally understood what was going on.

It turned out that Ji Caimai had visited another government office in recent days and learned that the food supplies they received there were normal, but the ones they received here were not, which alerted him to the problem.

The Household Department suddenly stared at a girl and started to make trouble. Apart from Wen Mingtang’s background, Ji Caimai could not think of any other reason. However, these people, though they may dislike Wen Mingtang due to her family’s situation, wouldn’t go as far as trying to have her expelled from the palace.

Although he was a purchaser, he came from Dali Temple after all. Once he thought about the connections here, he guessed that someone had gone out of his way to inform them. In this way, Master Sun and Master Wang became the primary suspects.

“I’ve been keeping an eye on those two scoundrels in these past few days! I provided them with so many ingredients, and then suddenly, they cooked two dishes, tomato and egg stir-fry, and cucumber and pork stir-fry, for two consecutive days. So, I personally warned them and said if they continued like this, they should be prepared to leave!” Ji Caimai said, with a wry smile. “Guess what happened? In less than two hours, the Household Department, who had nothing better to do after eating their fill, suddenly sent a message saying that the previous rules were null and void, and the kitchen’s affairs were back under our control. Can you believe such a coincidence?”

“Just now, I was pointing at the noses of those two people and scolding them for playing tricks on you. Their thoughts were not right. “Yes, a Cuju suddenly flew over with a little more force and injured Master Wang’s hand,” Ji Caimai said, “So he can’t do the evening food anymore, you can do the evening food!”

Someone who can hurt someone’s hand with a “Cuju” was not “slightly” powerful! Wen Mingtang looked at Ji Caimai and couldn’t help but ask: “Who kicked Cuju?”

Ji Caimai said: “You should know him, the little prince Li Yuan of Pingxi County Prince’s Mansion. He came late today and didn’t get to eat what you cooked.”

Wen Mingtang heard this and said silently: “… So, I’m afraid that kick was…”

“It was probably unintentional,” Ji Caimai interrupted her and cursed, “These bullies who only pick on the weak!” Then he continued, “Wang Junshan himself claimed that it was unintentional.”

(End of Chapter)

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