Chapter 247: with translation of chapter title

Jiang Li outwardly didn't care, but in his heart he had not truly given up.

Earlier, Yan Pozi had once revealed that Madame Su was a servant in a wealthy household, sold by her master after making a mistake.

Later, by a twist of fate, Madame Su was rescued by Jiang Mo Nian, which led to their lifelong bond.

But Jiang Li did not believe this.

Madame Su's words and deeds showed no trace of a servant; instead she resembled a lady from a refined family—gentle, courteous, well-versed in poetry and books.

Unfortunately, her nature was overly kind and pure, and she was bullied to death by the people of the old residence.

When a person dies, it's like a lamp going out; but if we could find Madame Su's natal family and settle her lifelong regret, it would also be a comfort to her spirit in heaven.

This is what Jiang Li, as a son, ought to do.

Jiang Li first arranged matters at the barracks, then, around noon, went to Zui Meng Ju.

The main hall on the first floor of Zui Meng Ju was fully occupied.

Calls for extra dishes rose and fell one after another.

"Hey waiter, another plate of spicy chicken!"

"Over here, over here, also two plates of stir-fried meat with chili!"

"Hey, why hasn't my boiled fish arrived yet? If you don't come soon, I'm going to flip the table!"

The server boy was so busy his feet barely touched the ground, almost floating away.

Yet he remained orderly despite the busyness.

As soon as Jiang Li entered, he was spotted by Qiu Zhanggui, who had been lurking at the stairwell observing, and he hurried over excitedly, "Ah, Captain Jiang, what an honor to have you! Come, come, let's go upstairs!"

Having said that, he pulled Jiang Li and headed for the second floor.

They entered a small private room shaped like the character "spring".

Inside the room, Du Ruo and Zheng Qinghe were sitting there eating.

"Husband, how did you come?" Du Ruo exclaimed, both surprised and delighted.

Jiang Li sat beside her, smiling, "I guessed you hadn't left yet, so I came over to mooch a meal, and incidentally to tell you something."

Du Ruo was curious, "What matter?"

Jiang Li didn't speak, but looked toward Qiu Zhanggui.

Qiu Zhanggui instantly understood, laughing nervously, "You go on chatting; I still need to attend to the guests downstairs, so I won't disturb you."

Reaching the door, he recalled something and turned back, "Oh right, Madame Du, from what I just saw, a hundred catties of chili peppers probably won't be enough—at most two days' worth. How about you send more the day after tomorrow?"

"No problem."

Du Ruo readily agreed, "But I won't be coming anymore; from now on, these matters will be handled by my cousin from my family. He lacks experience, so I'll have to trouble you, Boss Qiu, to look after him more."

"Not at all, not at all; Younger Brother Zheng looks capable at a glance—we'll look out for each other."

Zheng Qinghe also rose and exchanged a couple of polite remarks.

Qiu Zhanggui quickly went downstairs and, thoughtfully, closed the door.

"Can we speak now?" Du Ruo said.

Jiang Li, however, glanced toward Zheng Qinghe.

Zheng Qinghe muttered, "What's the meaning of this? I can't even listen?"

Jiang Li nodded, solemnly, "Third Brother isn't married yet; it's better not to, lest we dirty your ears."

Zheng Qinghe: "……"

He rolled his eyes, set down his chopsticks, stood up and walked out, "Fine, fine, you guys talk; I happen to be bursting, I'll go relieve myself."

"Tch, what talk? Clearly you just can't bear to part with A Man, so you deliberately sent everyone away to get cozy with her."

"I had actually thought Jiang Li was a respectable gentleman before."

"Turns out he's just a lecherous rascal, humph."

The lecherous Jiang Li took his wife's hand, placed it in his palm, and rubbed it, "Wife, the truth pill you gave Lü Xiu'e last time—could we buy another one from the Immortal Realm?"

"Truth pill? What do you need it for?" Du Ruo wondered.

Jiang Li then recounted Madame Lou's words in full.

After hearing it, Du Ruo suddenly understood.

"You want that woman to spit out the truth herself?"

Jiang Li nodded, "She insists I spare Yang Dian Feng before she'll speak, and since I won't agree, I have no choice but to resort to this."

Du Ruo also thought it was a good idea.

It would let us obtain the truth while not letting Yang Dian Feng off the hook—two birds with one stone, and without much effort.

The only drawback is that the truth pill is too expensive.

One hundred taels of silver per pill!.

Fortunately, we're not short on money now; otherwise we really couldn't afford it.

Du Ruo withdrew her hand, exchanged for it in her mind with the system, and handed it to Jiang Li, "If you get any news, let me know."

I'm still quite curious about the background of my mother-in-law whom I've never met.

Jiang Li carefully put the medicine away.

After a brief pause, he said, "Regarding accompanying you to the exam, I've thought it over carefully, and I agree."

Du Ruo's eyes lit up, "Really?"

"Of course it's true; when have I ever lied to you?" Jiang Li chuckled at her incredulous expression, "You're right—Second Brother has a pure and kind nature, just like Mother; without a clever person beside him to give advice, I really can't rest easy."

Du Ruo hehehed, shamelessly saying, "Yes, I'm the smartest!"

Jiang Li almost couldn't hold back, quickly suppressing his upturned mouth corners and clearing his throat.

"However, since you're ultimately a woman and it's not so convenient, I plan to hire a highly skilled escort guard to accompany you all the way, so that we can ensure absolute safety."

Escort guard? That works too.

So that this man won't be worried at home.

The matter was settled just like that.

Not long after, Zheng Qinghe returned from the outhouse; the three of them cleared the food on the table, then went downstairs to bid farewell to Qiu Zhanggui.

Du Ruo and Zheng Qinghe hurried the mule cart back to the village.

Jiang Li naturally still went to the county office.

He, under the pretense of investigating the case, went to Yang Dian Feng's house, intending to give Lou Shi the truth pill as soon as possible to clarify the matter.

As it turned out, the house was empty; Lou Shi wasn't home.

The neighboring neighbors, fearing implication by the Yang Dian Feng family, hurriedly spoke of Lou Shi's whereabouts.

"About an hour and a half ago, Lou Shi left with a bundle, saying she was going to Fengyang Prefecture to join relatives."