Chapter 94: A Small Test of Strength

"Li Xiaolang, how is his physique?"

Hearing the Great Lady ask this, Hong Luan's face turned even redder.

Meanwhile, the maids beside them looked over with great interest.

Huang Ling appeared uninterested, while Huang Qing stared at Hong Luan with wide, unblinking eyes.

After fidgeting for a while, Hong Luan said softly, "My young master is... very imposing."

The maids around them immediately screamed, then laughed and teased each other.

Huang Ling's expression remained flat.

Huang Qing, however, seemed to think of something and suddenly covered her face.

Seeing Hong Luan's state, the Great Lady of the Huang family smiled and said, "Seeing you look so full of spring passion, it seems you truly aren't lying... Just how imposing is Li Xiaolang exactly?"

Hearing this, Hong Luan didn't know how to answer.

"The Great Lady is indeed a woman with children," she continued calmly, "This is also to give Qing'er peace of mind!"

Huang Luan glanced at Huang Qing, then lowered her head, too afraid to look at anyone, and whispered, "Last night... at first there was some pain, then it felt like entering the clouds, and I knew nothing of the world. When I woke, it was already noon the next day."

The maids listening nearby screamed excitedly, continuing for a long while before finally stopping.

The Great Lady chuckled lightly: "It seems you two are both blessed. Li Xiaolang is handsome and possesses inner substance; you have truly gained a great deal."

Upon hearing this, both Huang Qing and Hong Luan were so ashamed they didn't know what to do.

Huang Ling said nothing, her expression still unchanged, as if everything around her had nothing to do with her.

"Since that is the case, we must have my husband choose a date." The Great Lady thought for a moment and asked, "Hong Luan, did you see any other women in Li Xiaolang's new residence?"

"There are a few maids like me, but it is clear the young master has no interest in them, and they are not beautiful."

The Great Lady nodded: "Then there is no major problem. Qing'er!"

Huang Qing looked up at the Great Lady.

"From now on, rest assured and prepare for your marriage. The rest will be left to your father and your eldest brother."

Huang Qing nodded heavily.

Li Lin was currently in the backyard of the county government office. Opposite him sat the Huang father and son.

"In about four months, I will take up my post in Jincheng. The new Yulin County Magistrate is not yet known." Huang Yan looked at Li Lin gently: "But you need not worry. As long as I am still in Jincheng, no one in the counties and towns under Jincheng's jurisdiction will cause you trouble."

Li Lin bowed slightly with clasped hands to show understanding.

"After my transfer to Jincheng, I will leave with my family. The current Huang Manor will be empty; you may move in!"

"County Magistrate, I already have a house," Li Lin said.

"It matters not. You may live wherever you wish. That residence will also be one of Qing'er's dowry items."

Truly a wealthy household; a fine mansion in a prime location with five courtyards, given away so easily.

"You enter the world alone. I know you will hardly contact your family. Therefore, regarding how your elders propose marriage or finalize the betrothal, I will send people to help you resolve it."

Regarding the gift of the mansion, Li Lin felt nothing unusual.

But regarding these rituals and ceremonies, he was completely ignorant.

For his father-in-law to be willing to handle everything was truly a great help to him.

After all, the wealthier the household, the more complicated the major rituals and ceremonies.

"Qi'er, regarding the County Commandant position, take him now to familiarize himself with the various departments."

"Very well."

Huang Qi smiled and stood up: "Let's go, Brother Kunge."

The two left the backyard and headed straight for the various offices of the county government office.

The County Commandant holds both patrol and judicial responsibilities, so he can manage both the Military and Judicial departments within the government office.

Aside from the County Magistrate, in terms of actual power, the County Commandant is the second-in-command of the county.

Inside the Military Department, Shi Duto was sitting and drinking tea. Seeing Huang Qi and Li Lin approach, he immediately stood up, clasped his hands, and smiled: "County Commandant... Li Xunshou."

Huang Qi smiled: "I am bringing Brother Kunge here to familiarize himself. Shi Duto, please make yourself comfortable."

Hearing this, Shi Duto's smile became somewhat strained, and his expression toward Li Lin was full of envy.

He knew very well that the position of County Commandant was not something he could ever attain.

Huang Qi walked to the main seat and sat down. He pointed to the shelves around him and said: "The Military Department is my favorite place to come, since the Judicial Department is too gloomy. Also, because I often work here, I have placed the Judicial Department's old and unsolved cases here. If you are interested and have time, you may try to solve some."

Li Lin nodded slightly.

At that moment, Huang Qi looked to the side and asked: "Shi Duto, have there been any special cases entered into the records in the last two days?"

"There is indeed one." Shi Gandang glanced at Li Lin, then continued answering: "In a civilian house south of the county, a woman has been missing for three days. It is suspected to be the work of an Apparition."

Huang Qi smiled: "This happens to be Brother Kunge's specialty."

He then shouted outside: "Zhao Feng, come in."

A man with a long sword at his waist walked in through the door.

"Li Xunshou, you should have met him already," Huang Qi smiled.

Zhao Feng immediately clasped his fists and bowed: "Naturally. I have wanted to speak with Li Xunshou several times but never had the chance."

"From now on, you will follow Brother Kunge."

Zhao Feng paused, then nodded slightly.

At this point, Shi Duto had already brought the case files over and handed them to Li Lin: "Li Xunshou, the case documents are here."

Li Lin took them, read for a while, and then said: "I will go take a look."

Huang Qi smiled: "Good. Familiarizing yourself in advance is a good thing. I believe you will handle this matter well."

Afterwards, Li Lin left the county government office, followed by more than a dozen government office Runners.

Zhao Feng is the deputy head; mobilizing the government office Runners is very simple.

They soon arrived at a commoner's house in the southern part of the county.

This was a small three-room house with a small courtyard.

Li Lin led the men to knock on the door; soon a haggard-faced man came out.

"May I ask, officers... have you come regarding my wife's case?"

Li Lin nodded: "Yes."

"The officers have finally arrived." The man nearly burst into tears: "My wife is gone; her natal family has been causing a scene almost every day, saying I killed her, but how could I possibly kill my own wife?"

"No need to worry; let us investigate first."

The man immediately stepped aside.

Li Lin looked at Zhao Feng and said: "You search here; look for bloodstains, drag marks, or anything else amiss. In terms of case-solving experience, you are far more seasoned than I; I trouble you."

Zhao Feng and the government office Runners looked at Li Lin, all somewhat puzzled; this future County Magistrate seemed very approachable.

More approachable even than the current County Magistrate Huang.

More than a dozen government office Runners quickly began searching inside the house.

These people clearly had case-solving experience; they conducted careful investigations of many minute details.

Moreover, since Li Lin is the future County Magistrate, to curry favor with the superior officer about to take office, these government office Runners worked very diligently.

The man of this house, a three-year-old child, an infant of about half a year, and an old man were all escorted outside the courtyard.

They watched as household items in the courtyard were rummaged through and felt very nervous.

After about an hour of rummaging, a discovery was finally made.

In the woodpile in the kitchen, several spots of dried blood were found.

Li Lin snorted and said: "In the place guarded by Taowu Zhenjun, there are not so many strange crimes. Using this house as the center, continue searching; killing is easy, disposing of the body is difficult; we will surely uncover some clues. If manpower is insufficient, call for more government office Runners."

Four more hours passed; as dusk approached, a government office Runner shouted excitedly: "Found it, found it!"

The crowd followed the sound and looked; beside the vegetable patch behind the house, a corpse had been dug up.

It was a female corpse, the kind without clothes.

The man threw himself down, wailing: "Wife, how could you be sleeping in the field... I would rather you had run off with some wild man."

Li Lin looked at the old man trembling nearby and said: "Incest with his daughter-in-law... take him away."

(End of this chapter)