Chapter 22: Red Berry Soup

The person who opened the door was Gu Xixi herself.

She performed a graceful salute, saying, "This commoner girl greets you, officers."

"Hello, Village Chief Uncle."

Lao Qian introduced both sides, smiling, "The officers are just here to ask a few questions; you don't need to be too nervous."

Gu Xixi nodded slightly, stepped back two paces, and invited them in.

"It's already hot early today; you've had a rough journey—why not sit down, catch your breath, and have a bowl of red berry soup?"

The five constables wore official uniforms, their expressions all stern.

One of them, presumably the leader, surnamed Ma and known as Ma Ye, was about to refuse when Zhang Shen came over holding two white porcelain bowls.

She greeted them with a full smile, "This plum drink is a recipe our daughter prepared herself; the ingredients are all picked from the back mountain—last year's dried wild hawthorn, this season's fresh wild berries, plus rock sugar and dried osmanthus, boiled before dawn and hung in this well."

"Sweet and sour, icy and cool—oh dear, just talking about it makes my mouth water!"

The two leading constables, hearing her words, instinctively reached for the porcelain bowls.

The other three couldn't help but swallow their saliva.

By now the sun was high; they had come from the county town and were already somewhat thirsty.

The appearance of two bowls of red berry soup was practically a fatal blow to their reason.

Constable A, holding the bowl, said, "It's very refreshing."

Constable B, struggling to hold back his saliva, said, "The soup is a rich, lustrous red, and it smells of floral and fruit fragrance—I've never seen a drink like this."

Lao Qian nodded in praise, "My grand-niece is truly clever and skillful."

Zhang Shen had already swiftly brought over several bowls, pressing them one by one into each guest's hands.

"Don't stand on ceremony, everyone—drink up!"

Ma Ye, being watched expectantly by his subordinates, pondered a moment, then agreed, "Just borrowing a bowl of water to quench thirst doesn't break the rules—go ahead and drink."

Everyone had been waiting for those words; they immediately lifted their bowls and drank heartily.

"Mmm!!! Delicious!"

"It's indescribably delicious!"

"The iced bean drink sold in the county town is nowhere near as good as this!"

Sweet treats are rare enough; such a fine cooling drink, nobody could bear to gulp it down all at once.

Lao Qian then had Zhang Shen move a few small stools; they sat down, cradling their bowls, and sipped slowly.

Ma Ye didn't forget his duties; while drinking, he said to Gu Xixi, "Lao Qian already told me about the bandits who came to your house yesterday to loot amid the fire."

"When we leave, we'll take the suspects ourselves; since we caught them in the act, with both the perpetrators and evidence present. Later, when we bring them to court for sentencing, you, a young lady, need not appear."

Gu Xixi clasped her hands, "Thank you, Master Ma, for your consideration."

Ma Ye nodded, glanced at Lao Qian, and spoke casually, "The government register shows you once purchased a husband; why isn't he here today?"

Gu Xixi's heart jumped.

No matter how she tried to delay, the issue she didn't want to face still arrived.

Ma Ye took another sip of red berry soup, his gaze subtly fixed on Gu Xixi's face.

Gu Xixi lifted her head, her eyes unabashed as she smiled, "You mean Chen Fang? I'm still in mourning, so we haven't actually married; thus we aren't really husband and wife."

Ma Ye nodded, "Whether or not you're married, he's still yours now—why not call him out to greet the guests? Or… is he just feeling unwell today and unable to get up?"

As he spoke, he lifted his eyes to Gu Xixi, and the other four constables set down their bowls and looked over.

Gu Xixi naturally sensed the danger, immediately stood up and said, "How could that be?"

"Last night he was with me tending a few wild tea trees, and we stayed up late."

Lao Qian also gave a subtle glance, "What time is it already? Don't let him sleep—hurry and wake him."

Seeing Gu Xixi turn and head toward the west room, Lao Qian secretly let out a sigh of relief.

After all, he had some experience; the government dispatching so many constables at once might not be as simple as a "population review."

As Village Chief, he certainly didn't want any trouble in his village.

Therefore, on the way over just now to Gu Xixi's house, he hadn't spared a word in speaking well of her.

For example, "At least five generations back, no one has broken the law," "Her father may be a landlord, but he's honest and straightforward," "When her father passed, he wasn't old, so it's no easy thing for a young girl to be alone," and so on.

When Gu Xixi turned her back to everyone, her face had lost all smile.

The government office had indeed come looking for a person.

No matter what mission they actually carry, are they seeking Mu Nan Zhao?

If it were discovered that Mu Nan Zhao was seriously injured and unconscious, that would be a great disaster.

What to do? What can still be done now?

If Mu Nan Zhao wakes up, perhaps there's still a chance to bluff our way through…

Just as Gu Xixi's mind was in turmoil, the door of the west room suddenly opened.

Hearing the door open, everyone in the courtyard turned to look that way.

The man was neatly dressed, his eyes still heavy with sleep, showing he had just gotten up.

He yawned, "So early—what guests have come?"

Gu Xixi felt as if pardoned, she stepped forward smiling and said, "A few constables from the county office have arrived."

"You slept until this time—really too rude."

Afraid that Mu Nan Zhao, just awakened, might be unsteady on his feet, she deliberately acted affectionate, looping both arms around his.

Mu Nan Zhao gave Gu Xixi a meaningful look, pulled his arm free, and strode purposefully into the center of the courtyard.

"I didn't know you were visiting; I only just got up after sleeping this late—please forgive me."

Lao Qian was very pleased, "Indeed, you overslept."

Ma Ye stared at Mu Nan Zhao, not knowing what he was looking at.

After a moment, he drank the remaining red berry soup in one gulp and directly handed the empty bowl to Mu Nan Zhao.

"I'm still a bit thirsty; could you please pour me another half bowl of clear water?"

Mu Nan Zhao reached out to take it, but Ma Ye held onto the bowl and did not let go.

After a stalemate of two breaths, Ma Ye finally let go, laughing, "Your constitution is not bad, quite strong."

Mu Nan Zhao said without changing expression, "A peasant family without a bit of strength would likely be despised by the master."

Gu Xixi recalled that when Mu Nan Zhao had just been sent over, his physique was obviously not very good.

She also went along with his words, "When Chen Fang first arrived, he had a bit of a cough; I had actually worried I'd lose out by buying a sickly person."

"In the end, after taking herbal medicine for a few days he got better; I guess my luck wasn't bad."

The scrutinizing look in Ma Ye's eyes faded, and he smiled, "You two are quite humorous; it seems you are a good match."

He stood up, waved his hand, "We still need to visit other households; we won't be drinking water."

Zhang Shen warmly saw them off; after closing the gate and turning back, there was no one left in the courtyard.

Inside the west room, Gu Xixi helped Mu Nan Zhao sit on the edge of the bed, and then she saw the cold sweat on the back of his neck.

"Does it hurt? I wonder if the wound has split open again."

Mu Nan Zhao showed no expression, "The wound was treated well; that slight movement wouldn't cause it."

Earlier he had been enduring it; in his gestures, no trace showed.

Gu Xixi sized him up, noticing something off, "When did you wake up?"

Mu Nan Zhao answered without reservation, "Just as dawn broke."

Gu Xixi's expression turned cold, "You woke up this early; why didn't you tell me?"