There is a god in the sky

Chapter 44 The Murder of a Wealthy Family in Jianzhou (Part 7)

"Xiao Lan'er, whatever you want to do, I hope you can live a good life. You only have one life, and Uncle Shen and the others would also want you to live well."

Shen Lan tentatively said, "I'm not stupid enough to fight my enemy to the death. But the truth of what happened back then must be investigated thoroughly. I don't believe the government would massacre an entire town because of a plague."

The epidemic back then was clearly under control; all the government needed to provide was food and medicine, and Guli Town would have survived safely.

But instead of receiving reinforcements, they were met with government troops sealing off the town.

"These things happened too long ago. The county magistrate back then has been promoted to a third-rank vice minister. To us ordinary people, he is no different from an ant compared to a big tree."

Shen Lan said firmly, "If the roots of a tree are rotten, no matter how lush its branches and leaves are, it will be brought down by ants."

Liao Chen sighed deeply, put his hands together, and said, "Amitabha, there are gods watching over us. People are doing things and Heaven is watching. He will pay the price for this."

"I believe more in the principle that the law will eventually catch up with you, and that even a prince is subject to the same laws as a commoner, let alone someone who is merely taking advantage of the situation."

Shen Lan stood up, exuding an imposing aura. "Back then, the soldiers were just following orders. The chief constable who led the troops committed suicide three years ago, leaving a suicide note saying he couldn't bear the torment of his conscience."

The price you mentioned might be useful to people with a conscience, but some people have black hearts and only know how to climb up by stepping on the bones of ordinary people.

Liao Chen's lips trembled, and his heart was filled with turmoil. He silently recited the Heart Sutra several times, barely suppressing the intense killing intent.

When he opened his eyes again, they were completely calm.

He comforted Shen Lan, saying, "Bad people will be punished by heaven. Only if we live well can we see the end of bad people."

Shen Lan took a step back, sat down in a chair, and changed the subject, "Are you very familiar with Wu Zhongjin?"

Liao Chen's heart skipped a beat, and he showed just the right amount of confusion. "Why are you suddenly asking this?"

“The entire Wu family was wiped out, and I’m worried it might implicate you.”

Liao Chen's frequent visits to the Wu residence would certainly make him a target of the government's investigation. Furthermore, the fact that the murderer used a stick instead of a sword would also raise suspicions about him.

“It’s alright. I’m just going to the Wu residence to spread Buddhism. I’ll only stay for two hours each time. Besides, monks don’t kill. I’ve heard about what happened to the Wu family, and I feel very sorry about it.”

Shen Lan gripped the cup, lowered her head, and said, "I just remembered something."

"What's the matter?"

"Did the Wu family once own a restaurant in town? The one we most wanted to go to, the most expensive one?"

Shen Lan forgot her name.

She only remembered it when Officer Lei talked about the Wu family's industrial chain.

Liao Chen unconsciously touched his wrist, only to find it empty.

"It seems so, their fish is delicious."

"I remember you said that the restaurant closed down before the town was locked down, right?"

Li Ye had recovered from his illness and wanted to have a big meal at a restaurant, but when he got there, he found that the place was deserted.

The next day, the town was sealed off by government troops, and no one was allowed to enter or leave.

"No... I don't remember, but it seems like there was such a thing."

"It's a pity that Wu Zhongjin didn't die. I want to ask him if he received the news in advance. After all, his younger sister was Liu Engui's concubine, and he must have been helping Liu Engui make money all these years."

Liao Chen tightened his grip. "That's possible, but he probably doesn't know much."

"Hmm." Shen Lan went over and touched Chen's forehead. "You still have a slight fever. You should lie down and rest. I'll go back to my room to change my clothes."

I was in such a rush to see him when I got back that I didn't even have time to change my clothes.

She walked out of the bedroom, her brow furrowed, and looked up at the blue sky, wondering: Are there really gods above me?

In the afternoon, Fu Qingyan suggested going out for a walk.

Shen Lan also wanted to see the local customs and culture of Jianzhou City, so she went out with him.

Fu Qingyan recovered most of the money that had been stolen from him and generously offered to buy jewelry for Shen Lan.

“I don’t need these,” Shen Lan refused.

She finds even combing her hair too troublesome; at home, she usually wears two braids, and only when she goes out will she casually tie her hair into a bun.

That pile of gorgeous jewelry needed a beautiful hairstyle to adorn it, and just combing her hair would take a lot of time, so Shen Lan was too lazy to do it.

“A girl always needs a few decent pieces of jewelry. Since you work with your cousin, you'll definitely be visiting wealthy families often, and these things will come in handy.”

Fu Qingyan had a good eye; he picked out a complete set of jewelry and a pair of jade bracelets and asked the shopkeeper to settle the bill.

Shen Lan could tell at a glance that these items were valuable, and refused, saying, "I am a coroner, and I do not need to entertain guests."

No family would host a banquet for a coroner.

When she's needed, it's always in situations where she's not wearing makeup.

Fu Qingyan handed her the wrapped box, saying, "It's just a small token of my appreciation. If you don't like it, you can sell it for money."

Shen Lan was helpless. She found that this guy had a bit of a domineering CEO vibe, and the more she rejected him, the more enthusiastic he became.

"Is this how you used to pursue girls?"

"Chase?" Fu Qingyan didn't quite understand.

As Shen Lan was about to leave with the box, a pair of servants rushed in and stood in front of the counter, asking, "Shopkeeper, please bring out the bracelet I liked yesterday!"

"I'm sorry, those bracelets have just been sold."

"What? Didn't I say you weren't allowed to sell it, and that I had to come and pay for it? Why are you breaking your promise?"

The shopkeeper rolled his eyes. "Miss, Chijin Pavilion is a business. You're asking me to leave the bracelet with just a word. What if you don't want to buy it?"

"Who...who did you sell it to? Make her return it!"

The shopkeeper's gaze fell on Shen Lan.

Shen Lan was too lazy to argue with them. She took out the box containing the bracelet and was about to speak when she heard the girl say rudely, "Where did this country bumpkin come from, daring to steal my bracelet!"

Shen Lan paused, stuffed the box back in, and said to Fu Qingyan, "We've bought everything, let's go."

Fu Qingyan wanted to reason with the girl, but Shen Lan pulled him away.

The girl was dressed in brocade and adorned with jewels, clearly displaying her wealth.

Guan Shu followed behind and, seeing the girl chasing after him aggressively, immediately stopped her.

"Young lady, please have some self-respect!"

"Put the bracelet down and sell it to me. I'm willing to add ten taels."

"Ten taels? Oh my, what a big mouth! I'm not selling!" Guan Shu knew how to irritate people.

Do you know who I am?

"Who is it? Could it be a fairy maiden of the Jade Emperor?"

The girl was furious and ordered her maid, "Xiao He, go and snatch the bracelet back."

"Yes."

Xiao He walked straight past Guan Shu towards Shen Lanyou. She clearly had some martial arts skills, and her attack on Shen Lanyou was accompanied by a gust of wind.

Shen Lan shifted her position with agility, easily dodging her attack.

She emphasized, "We've already bought the bracelet and don't plan to sell it. I advise your master to find someone else he likes."

The shopkeeper stood in the shop and called out, "Miss Rong, we have other beautiful bracelets in our shop. Why don't you take a look?"

"Pah! I had my eye on those bracelets yesterday. Who told you to sell them to someone else?"

"Well... that's how business is, you didn't even put down a deposit!"

"I, Han Rong, keep my word. It seems you don't want to keep this shop open anymore."

The owner of Chijin Pavilion also has connections. The manager wasn't afraid of being threatened by a woman, but he was just having a headache dealing with such an unreasonable customer.