Chapter 87

After entering the room, Jiang Li turned back and bolted the door.

Du Ruo looked around at this small dormitory.

The place wasn't big, maybe about twenty square meters; against the wall was a simple Arhat bed, and on the bed was a layer of old, thin cotton batting, without even a quilt to cover with.

"You sleep like this? Won't you be cold at night?" Du Ruo walked over and touched the bed board, her brows furrowing.

"It is a bit." Jiang Li pulled her to sit on the edge of the bed and said with a straight face, "If my wife were here to sleep with me, it certainly wouldn't be cold."

Du Ruo gave him a glare.

"I know I have a lot of flesh; don't keep reminding me, okay? Honestly."

Jiang Li laughed; his wife was playing dumb again.

He helplessly pulled her into his arms, rubbing his firm chin against the top of her head, and asked gently: "Tell me, wife, besides seeing your husband, you must have other business for coming this time, right?"

He hadn't been a Chief Constable for nothing these past few days.

Although Du Ruo hadn't said anything, she had shown a hesitant expression several times on her face; clearly, she had something on her mind.

Du Ruo didn't hide it either, telling Jiang Li everything that had happened at home these past few days.

Including Jiang Zongbao having an affair, her taking the opportunity to buy land from the First Branch, Jiang Dabo having a stroke during sex for no reason, and Mei Niang living in the Second Branch—all these messy things.

At the end, she said: "I came today originally to ask you to help investigate the background of that Mei Niang; I always feel that this person is a bit off, very strange. But I see you're very busy, so forget it. Anyway, after the cousin-in-law gives birth, I'll send Mei Niang away immediately, and the rest won't be our business."

Mei Niang? Another one with the surname Mei?

It seems their family has been a bit 'unlucky' (Mei) lately, constantly being troubled by people surnamed Mei.

Jiang Li thought for a moment and said: "How about this: I'm a bit tied up these days, needing to catch a very important criminal. But there are already leads, and the case will be closed soon. Once this is over, I should have time, and then I'll properly investigate that so-called Mei Niang to see whether she's human or a ghost."

That was all they could do.

Du Ruo agreed and urged Jiang Li: "Then you busy yourself with your work, and don't come home for these few days."

Not come home? Jiang Li raised an eyebrow. "But it's almost Mid-Autumn Festival..."

Mid-Autumn Festival, people and the moon are both full.

If things went smoothly, perhaps they could catch Mei Ruxi before the Mid-Autumn Festival, and by then, there should still be time to rush back for a family reunion.

"Mid-Autumn Festival, it comes every year, no need to rush. But as for the criminal, if he dodges the first day, he might not dodge the fifteenth; we can't let him remain at large, lest he harm more innocent people."

Du Ruo argued persuasively. "You don't need to worry about the house; I'll send the festival gifts, and I've already bought the filial offerings for the old house. You just focus on your career with peace of mind."

Jiang Li looked down into her eyes. "Is that so? Is this the reason you don't want me to come home?"

Du Ruo's eyes flickered, and she turned her face away guiltily.

"Otherwise what..."

Jiang Li's lips curled upward. "Wife, aren't you afraid that if I go back, I'll be snatched away by another woman?"

How could he not see through this little bit of thought?

That his wife could be this nervous about him naturally made him happy, showing that his wife had him in her heart, but that didn't stop him from teasing his little wife.

Seeing her lively, claw-waving appearance, he felt life was particularly interesting.

Sure enough, hearing this, a look of shame and annoyance immediately surged onto that fleshy face.

"So what if I am?" Du Ruo tilted her chin and glared at him. "Men are all lustful; do you dare say you aren't? If you aren't lustful, it only proves you aren't a real man."

Jiang Li: "..."

How was he supposed to respond to that?

"I am, of course... also lustful." No matter what, a man's essence couldn't be lost.

Du Ruo let out a 'ha' and turned her head away. "I knew it!"

This was why she had to stop Jiang Li from coming home. It wasn't that she didn't trust Jiang Li; Jiang Li was a good man, with a sense of responsibility and shame, and of course, he couldn't do anything out of line. But no matter what, he was a man after all, and at the age of being full of vigor.

Seeing a top-tier beauty like Mei Niang, he might not take action, but who could guarantee he wouldn't be tempted?

Therefore, she couldn't be blamed for being narrow-minded; prevention was always better than cure.

Seeing Du Ruo's puffed-up appearance, a smile flashed in Jiang Li's eyes. He cleared his throat and continued: "Although I am lustful, I am also extremely picky; I don't look at those mediocre beauties. Someone like my wife is just right; I like you the most."

Du Ruo's face instantly began to burn.

Damn it, this man seemed to be confessing to her.

Although it was somewhat subtle and contained some water, it couldn't be denied that she felt full of joy hearing it...

On the surface, however, she gave a haughty snort. "That's because you haven't seen Mei Niang and don't know how beautiful she is. If you saw her, who knows what would happen."

Jiang Li was between laughter and tears. "Alright, alright, I won't go back, is that okay?"

Now his wife should be at ease, right?

It just so happened that the County Magistrate was holding a Mid-Autumn family banquet that day, inviting many celebrities and distinguished guests of the county to his mansion, and he had also called him and Wang Bujiu.

He had been hesitating before, but now that he had to stay at the government office, perhaps he could go over and have a free meal.

The only unpleasant thing was that Du Ren Mei's family would also be going.

And that Prince Ji, who was obsessed with female beauty and kept lingering in Wutou County refusing to leave—needless to say, he would definitely attend at that time...

The couple cuddled for a while longer.

It wasn't until Yang Dian Feng's shouting was heard outside that this intimate atmosphere was broken.

Jiang Li's face turned cold; he got up to open the door, glanced outside, and then walked back to Du Ruo. "Let's go, wife. It's past noon; you must be hungry, right? I'll take you out to eat."

As soon as he finished speaking, Du Ruo's stomach let out a rumble uncooperatively.

She was indeed a bit hungry.

Jiang Li held back his laughter, took her hand, and walked out.

Not far away, at the entrance of the kitchen, Yang Dian Feng was throwing a tantrum at a Ya Men runner. "Do you have eyes? Can't you see I'm standing in front of you? Damn it, do you understand what 'first come, first served' means? Are you a starving ghost reincarnated?"

The Ya Men runner bowed his head and apologized.

"I'm sorry, Constable Yang, I really didn't see you..."

Yang Dian Feng pushed him away. "Keep your eyes open next time; offend fewer people you shouldn't offend. Get to the back!"

The Ya Men runner had no choice but to go to the very back and line up again.

He kept his head down, not daring to show the slightest bit of dissatisfaction.

The person in front of him turned back, patted him on the shoulder, and mouthed something.

"Endure it."

Over there, the kitchen cook had already handed the prepared food to Yang Dian Feng, smiling all over his face. "Constable Yang, today we have your favorite braised pork; I specially gave you two extra pieces. You need to be full to have the strength to catch criminals, right?"

Yang Dian Feng took it. "Many thanks."

He turned back, his gaze looking straight at Jiang Li at the door of the living quarters, his lips curling.

His gaze was full of provocation.

Jiang Li withdrew his gaze, took Du Ruo, and walked straight out.

Du Ruo curled her lip. "That Yang Dian Feng is truly childish, scolding the locust tree to abuse the mulberry tree like a shrew."

Jiang Li laughed. "Why bother reasoning with a mad dog?"

A mad dog wouldn't reason with people.

But if it really dared to bite people, then it would have to be slaughtered.

The two arrived on the main street, and for a moment, they didn't know what to eat. Du Ruo suggested just buying a few meat buns to fill their stomachs, but Jiang Li refused.

His wife had finally come for a visit, so of course, he had to take her to eat something good; anyway, there was no major business in the afternoon, so it didn't matter if they ate slowly.

By the way, he could take her for a stroll around the county town.

As a result, they hadn't walked for long before they ran into an acquaintance.

Shopkeeper Qiu was personally soliciting customers at the entrance of Zui Meng Ju; catching a glimpse of the couple walking over from the other end of the street, his eyes lit up instantly.

"Oh my, isn't this Constable Jiang and Lady Du?"

He shook his big belly and ran over, pulling Jiang Li inside without a word. "You must not have eaten yet, right? Come, come, come, please inside; I'll save a private room for you!"

Jiang Li was dragged inside, and Du Ruo naturally had to follow.

Eating at Zui Meng Ju was fine, it was just a bit expensive.

"Shopkeeper Qiu, we can't afford a private room; just sitting at a table in the lobby is fine," she said with a smile.

"How can that be?" Shopkeeper Qiu refused flatly. "You are my distinguished guests; of course, you must enjoy the best treatment. Lady Du, don't worry, my treat today; eat whatever you want, no money needed."

This—the couple looked at each other.

One had to know that a meal at Zui Meng Ju wasn't cheap; Shopkeeper Qiu was enthusiastic, but they couldn't eat for free with such peace of mind.

Jiang Li stopped his steps. "Then we won't eat."

Du Ruo also nodded.

Seeing their firm attitude, Shopkeeper Qiu sighed and explained: "I'm telling you, Lady Du, don't feel like you're taking advantage or feel embarrassed. Actually, if you calculate it, it's me who's basking in your glory. You don't know yet, right? That 'Fish and Lamb Fresh' dish you helped make last time caught the eye of the County Magistrate, and the County Magistrate specially invited our Zui Meng Ju to host his family's Mid-Autumn banquet. This is all your credit!"

Saying this, he dragged them toward the second floor again. "Alright, don't be polite with me; just treat it as a thank-you meal, so I don't have to keep it on my mind."

Since it had come to this, the two couldn't refuse anymore and obediently followed Shopkeeper Qiu to the second floor.

They were arranged in the 'Autumn' private room.

Shopkeeper Qiu went downstairs happily to arrange for people to serve the dishes, serving eight dishes in one go, with chicken, duck, fish, and meat all included, not afraid of making people overeat.

After arranging everything, estimating that the young couple was already cuddling in the private room, Shopkeeper Qiu went back to soliciting customers with peace of mind.

At a corner not far from Zui Meng Ju, Du Mingzhu stood there with a dark face.

The maid beside her, Xia He, said indignantly: "In broad daylight, she actually brought her adulterer to the restaurant to eat so brazenly, not even afraid of being seen; she's truly shameless!"

Du Mingzhu was silent for a long while.

Then she turned her head and asked the young man behind her who was carrying a few snacks: "Liu Ya, the note I asked you to deliver to Jiang Li last time, saying Du Ruo was having an affair with a man—did you manage to do it?"

Liu Ya lowered his head. "I couldn't see Jiang Li in person, but I gave it to the Ya Men runner at the gate and asked him to pass it on; Jiang Li should have received it."

Since he received it, why was there no reaction?

With Jiang Li's reckless temperament, even if he didn't beat Du Ruo up for the sake of his father, he should have at least given a verbal warning, so how could Du Ruo dare to commit the offense again?

Was male beauty so fascinating?

"Before, it was just a note; it's understandable that Jiang Li didn't believe it."

Xia He instructed Liu Ya: "As the saying goes, 'catch a thief with the stolen goods, catch an adulterer in the act.' While Du Ruo and her adulterer haven't come out yet, you go to the government office right now and call Jiang Li over. Once he catches them in person, he'll naturally believe it."

A look of difficulty appeared on Liu Ya's dark, thin face. "I'm afraid that won't work; he might not necessarily believe me."

"How do you know if you don't try?" Xia He said crossly. "Just tell the people there that Constable Jiang's wife is committing adultery with someone and tell Constable Jiang to hurry over. If he doesn't come, he'll be wearing a green hat for sure; can he still sit still?"

Liu Ya didn't say anything more, but looked up at Du Mingzhu.

After all, Du Mingzhu was his master.

Du Mingzhu spat out two words from her thin lips: "Go."

Liu Ya agreed and turned to run toward the government office.

Watching his retreating figure, Xia He immediately started to sow discord. "This Liu Ya, he's not reliable at all; he's far worse than his father."

Du Mingzhu thought the same.

It was a pity that Liu Jinu had been exiled to the border by that little bitch Du Ruo and couldn't return for ten years; he might not have survived the bitter cold of the border and died there.

For now, she could only use his son to fill in; Liu Ya was still young, and in time, he would definitely be able to stand on his own.

Before long, Liu Ya came running back.

"Miss, the Ya Men runner at the gate said Jiang Li isn't there; it seems he went out on official business."

Jiang Li isn't there?

Forget it, since Jiang Li didn't have that luck, she would help him.

Du Mingzhu made up her mind and walked toward Zui Meng Ju.

The waiter greeted them with a smile all over his face. "Are you guests here for a meal? Lobby or private room?"

Du Mingzhu ignored him, scanned the lobby, and then walked straight to Shopkeeper Qiu.

Shopkeeper Qiu had just sat down to rest for a while, and seeing this, he had to stand up again.

He was a shrewd person and could tell at a glance that Du Mingzhu was unusual.

"Is there something you need, Miss?" he asked with a smile.

Du Mingzhu gave Xia He a look, and Xia He immediately stepped forward, acting haughtily: "I'm asking you, did you just host two guests, a man and a woman? The man was very handsome, wearing a constable's uniform; the woman was very ugly, with a face full of bumps and pits. You have an impression, right?"

Shopkeeper Qiu's mind raced.

Why were these people asking about Constable Jiang and Lady Du? And it seemed they were coming with ill intent; don't tell me they're here to cause trouble.

"Who are you..."

Xia He was impatient. "Just answer if I ask; why so much nonsense?"

This—Shopkeeper Qiu was a bit unhappy.

What kind of people were so arrogant? Even the County Magistrate was polite when he saw him, and a mere maid dared to throw her weight around everywhere, pfft.

Shopkeeper Qiu's smiling face faded. "Sorry, I don't know who you're asking about."

Xia He wanted to say more, but Du Mingzhu stopped her.

"We are from the Du Fu." She stated her identity, her attitude very arrogant. "I know you saw them; they should be eating upstairs right now, right? I also know that your Zui Meng Ju will be hosting the Li Mansion's family banquet in a few days. At that time, I will ask you today's question in public again. You had better answer truthfully and tell everyone you saw Du Ruo enter a private room in your Zui Meng Ju with a man, and that their behavior was improper."

She threatened: "If you dare to say a single lie, there will be no need for your restaurant to stay open. Do you hear me clearly?"

Shopkeeper Qiu still didn't dare to offend the people from the Du County Assistant's house.

"Yes, I will definitely tell the truth at that time."

Really couldn't understand, what was wrong with Lady Du coming over to eat a meal with her husband? Looking at this girl's posture, those who didn't know would think she was Constable Jiang's legitimate wife coming to catch an adulterer.

Du Mingzhu was satisfied with his compliance and soon left with her two servants.

Not long after, Du Ruo and Jiang Li had finished eating and came downstairs to pay the bill.

Shopkeeper Qiu wouldn't take it, insisting on pushing it back, and by the way, mentioned what had just happened, reminding them: "Lady Du, someone from the Du Fu wants to harm you; you must be careful."

As soon as Du Ruo heard it, she knew it was Du Mingzhu.

That vicious woman, truly like a ghost that wouldn't go away.

It seemed she would have to give her some real suffering next time, otherwise, she would never learn her lesson!