Chapter 94: A Small Test of Skill

“Li Xiaolang, how is your physique?”

Hearing the eldest lady ask this, Hong Luan’s face turned even redder.

The maids beside her looked over with clear interest.

Huang Ling showed no interest at all, while Huang Qing stared at Hong Luan with wide, uncomprehending eyes.

After fidgeting for a while, Hong Luan whispered: “My lord… he is exceedingly imposing.”

The surrounding maids immediately shrieked, then laughed and teased each other.

Huang Ling’s expression remained flat.

Huang Qing, however, seemed to realize something, suddenly covering her face.

The Huang family’s eldest lady looked at Hong Luan and smiled: “You look utterly smitten—clearly not lying. Just how imposing is this Li Xiaolang?”

Hong Luan didn’t know how to answer.

The eldest lady, being a mother who had borne children, spoke calmly: “This is to give Qing’er some sense of what to expect!”

Hong Luan glanced at Huang Qing, then lowered her head, avoiding everyone’s gaze, and whispered: “Last night… it hurt at first, then I felt as if I’d floated into the clouds, lost all sense of the world, and when I woke, it was already noon the next day.”

The maids listening nearby shrieked with excitement, only calming down after a long while.

The eldest lady chuckled: “Looks like both of you are blessed. Li Xiaolang is handsome and has inner depth—you’ve struck gold.”

At these words, both Huang Qing and Hong Luan were too embarrassed to speak.

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

“Then we must have your husband pick a date.” The eldest lady paused, then asked: “Hong Luan, have you seen any other women in Li Xiaolang’s new residence?”

“There are a few maids like me, but I can tell my lord has no interest in them, and they’re not pretty either.”

The eldest lady nodded: “Then no problem. Qing’er!”

Huang Qing looked up at her mother.

“Now rest easy and prepare for your wedding. The rest will be handled by your father and your elder brother.”

Huang Qing nodded firmly.

…

Li Lin was now in the back courtyard of the county government office, facing the Huang father and son.

“In about four months, I’ll be transferred to Jincheng. The new County Magistrate of Yulin hasn’t been appointed yet.” Huang Yan regarded Li Lin gently: “But don’t worry—as long as I’m in Jincheng, no one in any town or county under my jurisdiction will give you trouble.”

Li Lin bowed slightly to show he understood.

“After my transfer, my family and I will leave. The Huang residence will be empty—you may move in.”

“My lord, I already have a house,” Li Lin said.

“No matter. You may live wherever you wish. That residence will be one of Qing’er’s dowry items.”

No wonder they were a wealthy family—such a prime, five-hall residence, given away as if it were nothing.

“You’re alone in the world, and I know you’ll hardly contact your family again. So if your elders wish to propose or arrange a betrothal, I’ll send someone to handle it for you.”

Li Lin felt nothing unusual about the house being given.

But when it came to rituals and ceremonies, he knew nothing at all.

For him, having his future father-in-law take care of all this was a true lifesaver.

After all, the larger the family, the more complex the ancestral rites.

“Qi’er, take him around now to familiarize him with each department.”

“Yes.”

Huang Qi stood up smiling: “Come on, Kun’ge.”

The two left the back courtyard and headed straight for the government office’s various offices.

The County Constable holds dual responsibilities of patrol and criminal investigation, so he oversees both the Military and Judicial departments.

Aside from the County Magistrate, in terms of real power, the County Constable is the second most powerful man in the county.

In the Military Department, Chief Shi sat sipping tea. Seeing Huang Qi and Li Lin arrive, he immediately rose and bowed with a smile: “County Constable… Li Xunshou.”

Huang Qi laughed: “I’ve brought Kun’ge to get him acquainted. Chief Shi, carry on as you please.”

Hearing this, Chief Shi’s smile grew strained; his gaze toward Li Lin held unmistakable envy.

He knew well—he would never get the County Constable position.

Huang Qi sat in the main seat and pointed to the shelves around him: “The Military Department is my favorite place to work—Judicial is too gloomy. Since I often work here, I’ve moved all the old and unsolved cases from Judicial here. If you’re interested and have time, try solving a few.”

Li Lin nodded slightly.

At that moment, Huang Qi turned to the side and asked: “Chief Shi, have there been any notable cases logged in the last two days?”

“There is one.” Shi Gandang glanced at Li Lin, then continued: “In a household south of the county, a woman has been missing for three days. Suspected to be the work of a wraith.”

Huang Qi smiled: “This is precisely the kind of case Kun’ge excels at.”

He then called out: “Zhao Feng, come in.”

A man with a long sword at his waist entered.

“Li Xunshou, you’ve met him before,” Huang Qi said with a smile.

Zhao Feng immediately bowed deeply: “Of course. I’ve wanted to speak with you many times, but never had the chance.”

“From now on, you’ll serve under Kun’ge.”

Zhao Feng paused, then gave a slight nod.

At that moment, Chief Shi had brought over the case file and handed it to Li Lin: “Li Xunshou, the case documents are here.”

Li Lin took it, studied it briefly, then said: “I’ll go take a look.”

Huang Qi smiled: “Good. Getting familiar early is wise. I’m confident you’ll handle this well.”

Li Lin then left the government office, followed by over a dozen government office runners.

Zhao Feng, as deputy chief, could summon government office runners with ease.

Soon they arrived at the household in the southern county.

It was a small three-room house with a tiny courtyard.

Li Lin and his men knocked. Soon, a gaunt man emerged.

“May I ask, sir… are you here about my wife’s case?”

Li Lin nodded: “Yes.”

“Finally, you’ve come!” The man nearly wept: “My wife vanished. Her family comes daily, accusing me of killing her—but how could I kill my own wife?”

“Don’t panic. Let us investigate first.”

The man stepped aside immediately.

Li Lin turned to Zhao Feng: “Search the house. Look for bloodstains, drag marks, or anything unusual. In terms of investigative experience, you’re far more skilled than I am. I appreciate your help.”

Zhao Feng and the government office runners stared at Li Lin, surprised—this future County Constable seemed unusually approachable.

More so than the current County Constable Huang.

The dozen or so government office runners quickly began searching the house.

These men clearly had experience—they examined even the tiniest details meticulously.

And since Li Lin was the future County Constable, they worked extra hard to earn his favor.

The man, his three-year-old child, a half-year-old infant, and an elderly man were all moved outside the courtyard.

They watched helplessly as their belongings were rummaged through, tense and anxious.

After about half an hour of searching, they finally found something.

In the firewood pile of the kitchen, several dried bloodstains were discovered.

Li Lin grunted: “In the territory guarded by the True Lord, wraiths don’t commit crimes so freely. Expand the search from this house. Killing is easy; disposing of a body is hard. There must be traces. If you need more hands, send for additional government office runners.”

Two more hours passed; as dusk fell, one government office runner cried out excitedly: “Found it! Found it!”

Everyone rushed over. Beside the vegetable patch behind the house, they had dug up a corpse.

A woman’s corpse—naked.

The man rushed forward, wailing: “My wife! How could you be buried in the dirt… I’d rather you’d run off with some vagrant!”

Li Lin glanced at the elderly man trembling beside him: “Incest. Take him away.”

(End of Chapter)