The evidence is conclusive.
Even if Liu Yan wanted to defend herself, there was no room for argument.
As for whether someone was behind Liu Yan?
Shen Nanchu's answer was definitely yes.
And who was this person behind the scenes?
Shen Nanchu didn't know and could only wait for Pei Zhengnian to investigate.
Actually, Shen Nanchu was somewhat puzzled.
Why would the person behind Liu Yan target the child in her womb?
Logically speaking, shouldn't the target be Pei Zhengnian, or perhaps herself?
Why try to get rid of her unborn child?
The System: "Host, is it possible Jiang Shuyi did it?"
Shen Nanchu: "Can't rule it out. But, if it were Jiang Shuyi, why go through all this trouble just to kill my child?"
"Shouldn't it be simpler and more brutal, to get rid of both me and the child together?"
After all, only with both Shen Nanchu and the child gone could Jiang Shuyi possibly take the seat of Mrs. Pei.
Therefore, Shen Nanchu felt it was probably not Jiang Shuyi. As for who it was, they would have to wait for Pei Zhengnian to find out.
The remaining investigation had nothing to do with Shen Nanchu.
After Shen Nanchu left, Pei Zhengnian began a thorough investigation of Liu Yan.
This, of course, included the phone call Liu Yan made from the duty office.
Unfortunately, that call was made from a public phone booth, so no specific leads could be traced, only that it originated from the capital.
Not many people in the capital knew about Shen Nanchu's pregnancy.
Pei Zhengnian picked up the phone and dialed a number in the capital.
Soon, the call connected.
...
That evening, Pei Zhengnian hurried back for dinner and then went out again.
He didn't return until the early hours of the morning.
The next day happened to be the market day in the surrounding villages.
Pei Zhengnian took a day off to accompany Shen Nanchu to the market.
Their new home was just set up.
Apart from the bed, cabinets, table, and chairs they had made, there was nothing else. They still needed to furnish it.
Luckily, Pei Zhengnian knew Shen Nanchu's preferences. When having the furniture made, he specifically ordered two rocking chairs—one for the courtyard and one for the bedroom.
Otherwise, Shen Nanchu would have had him make two anyway.
As her pregnancy progressed, Shen Nanchu felt okay overall, but if she could lounge comfortably, she absolutely did not want to sit up straight.
Because the Daliáo Military District was quite far from the town, and so were the surrounding villages, the elders had chosen a village called Zhuang Village with a good geographical location to hold a periodic market day.
On every market day, villagers would bring their agricultural products to Zhuang Village to either sell for money or trade for things they needed.
The authorities tended to turn a blind eye to this kind of market.
Zhuang Village wasn't very far from the Daliáo Military District, about a twenty-minute drive.
By the time Pei Zhengnian brought Shen Nanchu to Zhuang Village, it was already bustling with activity.
Under a large banyan tree at the village entrance, a crowd had gathered, bustling and noisy.
Shen Nanchu started browsing with great interest.
Pei Yunzhou and Pei Zhengnian stood behind her.
It must be said, this kind of small market was quite fun to explore.
There was a good variety of seasonal vegetables and fruits.
Shen Nanchu picked out some tomatoes, cucumbers, string beans, bitter melons... vegetables that kept well.
During this time at the army base, they would have to cook for themselves, right?
Shen Nanchu wanted tomato scrambled eggs, cold-tossed cucumber, string beans with eggplant...
Pei Zhengnian definitely knew how to make these.
Shen Nanchu also spotted wine-pickled fish, which Pei Zhengnian had brought back to Wang Family Village before.
It seemed he probably bought it here.
To be honest, that fish cooked up really well.
Buy.
Seeing someone selling ducks, Shen Nanchu's eyes practically lit up.
Summer was the perfect time for duck—ginger-stir-fried duck, salted duck, absolutely delicious.
Shen Nanchu: "Do you know how to make ginger-stir-fried duck?"
Pei Zhengnian thought for a moment: "Yes."
Shen Nanchu's eyes curved into smiles: "What about salted duck?"
Pei Zhengnian frowned slightly: "Probably not."
Shen Nanchu's face fell with disappointment: "It's so simple. Clean the duck, blanch it to remove impurities, then put it in boiling water with salt, star anise, cinnamon, and other spices. Simmer over low heat until fully cooked, take it out, drain, and let it cool. You really don't know how?"
After listening, Pei Zhengnian said: "Alright, I should be able to learn."
Getting the answer she wanted, Shen Nanchu immediately turned to the old man selling ducks.
"Uncle, I'll take two ducks."
"Sure thing!"
Now, in addition to a large burlap bag of vegetables and wine-pickled fish in his left hand, Pei Zhengnian's right hand also held two ducks.
"Uncle, is this chicken a stewing hen?"
"Yes, young man, you've got a good eye."
Thinking of needing to nourish Shen Nanchu's health, Pei Zhengnian decided to buy the chicken as well.
The old man was very happy that Pei Zhengnian bought both ducks and the stewing hen.
"I also have some eggs from our chickens at home. Would you like them?"
"I'll give you a good price."
Like magic, the old man pulled out a small basket of eggs.
This was a big customer, not to be missed.
Pei Zhengnian thought they had no eggs at home anyway, so he might as well take them.
"Alright."
Shen Nanchu didn't stop him.
As long as he made the ducks for her.
One stir-fried, one salted.
Continuing their stroll,
Shen Nanchu was pleasantly surprised to find someone selling grapes and bayberries.
The grapes looked a bit green.
"Granny, are these grapes sour?"
Pei Yunzhou didn't believe these grapes could be sweet.
"Young man, they're sweet! Here, try one if you don't believe me!"
Shen Nanchu and Pei Yunzhou each took one to taste.
Pei Yunzhou tried one and nearly lost his teeth from the sourness.
Shen Nanchu, however, loved it.
"Delicious, nicely tart."
Shen Nanchu squatted down directly and picked out several bunches.
Pei Yunzhou strongly suspected these grapes were bewitched, playing favorites. The one he ate was sour, while Shen Nanchu's was sweet.
When buying the bayberries,
Pei Yunzhou was so sour he spat his out immediately.
Shen Nanchu ate hers with relish.
Pei Yunzhou refused to believe it. He picked one up and handed it to Pei Zhengnian.
"Brother, you try."
Pei Zhengnian tried it. Good grief, it was even more sour than white vinegar.
Both brothers found them sour; the only one who thought they were sweet was Shen Nanchu.
Pei Zhengnian and Pei Yunzhou exchanged a look.
These fruits were not to be touched.
Reaching the end of the street,
Shen Nanchu was delighted to find an auntie selling her own indigo-dyed homespun cloth.
This fabric would make beautiful curtains for their new home.
Pei Zhengnian had taken care of the new house's hardware; the soft furnishings were where Shen Nanchu wanted to put some thought.
The auntie hadn't woven much herself, only two bolts. Shen Nanchu bought them all.
Seeing some small woven bamboo baskets, crates, and hampers, Shen Nanchu bought them too.
They would make unique decorations for the living room.
These gourds were also nice. Bought.
This sorghum stalk woven screen was excellent. Bought as well.
...
