As soon as they entered the prefectural office, the uproar outside gradually faded away.
The high walls blocked out most of the sunlight. Bluish-gray bricks paved the courtyard, and several yamen runners hurried back and forth. When they saw Ji Zhaoxi and the others, they merely glanced at them before continuing with their work.
The clerk led them across the courtyard.
“The prefect will be here shortly. Please wait a moment.”
A servant poured them tea, and the main hall filled with its fragrant aroma.
Ji Zhaoxi glanced at the black-clad man sitting nearby with his hands bound. His expression was calm, without the slightest trace of panic.
Curious, Ji Zhaoxi asked, “Aren’t you afraid?”
The black-clad man was silent for a moment. “Afraid of what?”
Qin Qiwu and Xu Ancheng looked at him as well.
He had been far too calm throughout the journey—except when they had called him smelly.
Ji Zhaoxi lazily leaned back in her chair. “This is the prefectural office.”
The black-clad man looked at the doors before him and replied indifferently, “It’s all the same wherever you are.”
Fu Xianyan took a sip of tea, sitting in his chair with a relaxed air.
“Now that you’re at the prefectural office, our Chief can grant you whatever kind of death you want.”
Ji Zhaoxi and Fu Xianyan sat in complete contrast to Qin Qiwu and Xu Ancheng.
Upon hearing Fu Xianyan’s words, Ji Zhaoxi gave him an approving look. Fu Xianyan’s eyes curved, and his mood improved even further.
Xu Ancheng added softly, “That’s right, Black Young Master. When the time comes, I can put in a good word with the prefect and make sure you die with a little dignity.”
Qin Qiwu glanced at Xu Ancheng. Young Master Xu was always so kindhearted.
Zhou Cheng sat to the side pretending to be a piece of furniture, not saying a word.
After all, he knew he wouldn’t die. At worst, he would spend a few years in prison.
He hadn’t even received the silver.
The prefect arrived soon afterward, accompanied by a junior clerk.
“Greetings, Your Excellency,” Xu Ancheng said, inclining his head.
The prefect raised a hand. “No need for formalities.”
His expression was exceedingly solemn, his brows drawn tightly together, and his official robes sat squarely on his frame.
He exchanged no pleasantries with them and went straight to the point.
“Who is this?”
The prefect’s gaze fell on the black-clad man.
“He is involved in the case of the stolen government silver,” Qin Qiwu replied.
The prefect lowered his head to look through the documents. “Continue.”
Qin Qiwu nodded and began explaining what they had discovered over the past few days.
“Your Excellency, the stolen government silver never entered circulation among the common people. Instead, it was sent to Yongchang Firm in Pingyuan County. On the surface, Yongchang Firm is a trading house, but in truth, it has secretly set up a furnace to melt down and recast the government silver.”
The prefect glanced at her, frowning. “How can you be certain that it was government silver?”
With a solemn expression, Ji Zhaoxi opened a small cloth bundle and took out a tiny piece of silver.
“Your Excellency, we found this near the furnace. It still bears the government seal.”
The prefect stared at the small, solemn-faced black figure before him and fell silent for a moment.
Who was this?
Could this be the one from the General’s residence?
He took the piece of silver from Ji Zhaoxi and examined it carefully. When he saw the seal, his expression darkened further.
“Continue.”
“Later, we discovered that on the night of the seventh, several teams of wagons and horses transported silver ingots to Yongchang Firm. The station master can testify to this, though you’ll have to send someone to question him.”
There was a trace of hesitation in Qin Qiwu’s voice. The station master had refused to come no matter what, insisting on remaining at his post.
“And Zhou Cheng, the grain and provisions officer responsible for escorting the government silver, left the convoy at one point.”
The prefect said sternly, “Where is Zhou Cheng?”
“Zhou Cheng is right here!”
With a solemn expression, Ji Zhaoxi shoved Zhou Cheng in front of the prefect.
The moment she finished, she returned to her seat.
“Our Chief is amazing.” Fu Xianyan’s eyes curved with delight.
Ji Zhaoxi’s ears turned red. She gave a light cough. “Be serious!”
This was an important occasion. They couldn’t fool around—even though she was very happy to receive his praise.
Qin Qiwu held back a laugh and continued, “Later, the county magistrate’s deputy sent people to assassinate us and attempted to destroy the evidence.”
The prefect’s voice turned heavy. “The county magistrate’s deputy?”
The black-clad man kept his head lowered.
“Raise your head.” The prefect watched him quietly.
The black-clad man remained motionless. Xu Ancheng kindly helped lift his head for him.
What a stubborn Black Young Master.
The prefect stared at his face. “Did the county magistrate’s deputy send you?”
The black-clad man remained silent.
The prefect said evenly, “This official will not convict you based solely on their statements. However, you committed violence in Pingyuan County and pursued those investigating the case all the way here. I will naturally investigate the matter thoroughly.”
He turned to the clerk beside him.
“Send people to investigate Yongchang Firm immediately.”
“Have the county magistrate’s deputy suspended and questioned. Seal all the account books related to Pingyuan County. No one is to touch them.”
The clerk bowed. “Yes, Your Excellency.”
At this, Qin Qiwu and Xu Ancheng finally breathed a sigh of relief.
Ji Zhaoxi also relaxed, though she wasn’t sure what she was relieved about. Seeing Qin Qiwu and Xu Ancheng do it, she simply followed their example.
Ji Zhaoxi took a bite of one of the pastries on the table, and her expression changed.
“These are delicious.” Ji Zhaoxi pointed seriously at the pastries on the table.
Fu Xianyan raised a brow and refused to eat one.
“They really are delicious!” Seeing that Fu Xianyan remained unmoved, Ji Zhaoxi began to grow anxious.
Fu Xianyan chuckled. “If Chief thinks they’re delicious, then eat some more. I wouldn’t dream of taking any from you.”
Whatever could make Ji Zhaoxi think something tasted bad must be truly awful.
Ji Zhaoxi suspected that the prefect’s sense of taste had deteriorated. Otherwise, why would he eat pastries this sweet?
“Then, Your Excellency, we’ll be leaving now,” Xu Ancheng said politely.
The prefect nodded calmly.
As they left, Ji Zhaoxi still wore a pained expression.
The prefect looked at the pastries on the table and frowned. He picked up a piece and took a bite.
How could anyone dislike such delicious steamed cakes? What was wrong with children these days...?
He chewed the steamed cake solemnly and gave a harrumph.
No taste.
The group had spent the entire morning at the prefectural office. By the time they emerged, the sky had already begun to darken.
With the case temporarily settled, Ji Zhaoxi and the others decided to stroll around the prefectural city.
They had taken only two steps when a man suddenly sprang out in front of them.
An alarm went off in Ji Zhaoxi’s mind. She hurriedly shielded Xu Ancheng and Qin Qiwu behind her.
Who was this now?!
The man in the blue robe froze for a moment before shouting dramatically, “I’ve finally found you!”
Qin Qiwu clutched Ji Zhaoxi’s sleeve, panic flickering in her eyes.
Which cousin of hers was this? Why did she have no memory of him at all?
Xu Ancheng lowered his head bitterly once more. He had so many rivals—and every one of them was so outstanding...
Fu Xianyan looked at the three people huddled tightly together. His chest felt inexplicably heavy, and he squeezed his way in as well, grabbing hold of Ji Zhaoxi’s sleeve.
“Who are you?” Ji Zhaoxi asked warily.
In truth, she already had an answer in mind. Who else could it be? Surely another one of Miss Qin’s cousins.
But it didn’t matter. This wasn’t the first time she had beaten up one of Qin Qiwu’s cousins.
Anyone who came, she would beat up!
The man looked at Ji Zhaoxi with tear-filled eyes. “I’m your cousin! You don’t remember me?”
Xu Ancheng sensed that something was wrong. He suppressed his delight and said, “Miss Ji, he seems to be your cousin.”
Not Miss Qin’s cousin!
Qin Qiwu was startled as well. He was actually Miss Ji’s cousin?
Fu Xianyan had just been wearing an indifferent expression, but at those words, his face suddenly stiffened.
Cousin?
Fu Xianyan’s gaze instantly turned cold.
During the time he’d spent with Ji Zhaoxi, he had automatically come to associate the word “cousin” with “vixen.”
