Yanfu: Starting with the Six-Eared Macaque

"Let's go to Li Sanlang's house first," Chen Xing said decisively, his tone calm.

After walking a few steps, the group arrived at Li Sanlang's house. Chen Xing gave Lin Ce a wink, and Lin Ce immediately understood, leading two constables to quietly circle around to the back of the house and lie in ambush.

After confirming that Lin Ce and the others were in place, Chen Xing stepped forward, raised his hand, knocked on the door, and shouted loudly, "The Linjiang County government is investigating a case. People inside, open the door quickly!"

"Coming! Coming!" came an urgent shout from inside the house, the voice sounding somewhat childish.

A moment later, the door creaked open, and a boy of about eighteen or nineteen years old poked his head out, his face full of urgency and anticipation: "Sir, have you found my sister?"

"You're Li Sanlang?" Chen Xing didn't answer directly, but looked at him sharply and asked in return.

"Yes, I am Li Sanlang." Li Sanlang nodded, showing some manners. He quickly opened the door, cupped his hands in greeting to Chen Xing and the others, and asked, "May I ask what brings you gentlemen here so late at night?"

"Chen Xing, the head constable of Linjiang County, has been ordered to investigate the case." Chen Xing took out the arrest warrant from his pocket, flashed it, and said in a calm tone.

After saying that, he led Su Wenyuan and the others into the courtyard.

Upon entering the courtyard, Su Wenyuan immediately understood and gave a wink to the two constables behind him. The three of them split up, one searching the main house, one searching the side rooms, and one checking the corners of the courtyard, carefully searching for any suspicious items or traces.

Chen Xing remained in the courtyard, his gaze falling on Li Sanlang, who looked somewhat frightened, and slowly asked, "Tell me, do you know Zhang Wanlin of Jubaoge?"

"Yes, I know him. He's my brother-in-law," Li Sanlang answered honestly, his eyes full of confusion. "What happened to my brother-in-law? Did he do something wrong?"

"When was the last time you saw him?" Chen Xing didn't answer his question and continued to press him.

"I've seen her. She dropped my sister off a few days ago and then left, saying she had to go out of town on business," Li Sanlang recalled, his tone quite certain.

"When he brought your sister here, did he say anything special? Or did he mention where he was going or who he was going to see?" Chen Xing pressed on relentlessly, unwilling to let any detail slip by.

"He didn't say much, just repeatedly told me to take good care of my sister, and said that when he comes back, he will take us to live a good life." Li Sanlang thought carefully and replied.

"A good day? He didn't say where?" Chen Xing keenly grasped the key point in Li Sanlang's words, his eyes narrowing as he pressed for an answer.

"No, he's always like this. He often goes on long trips, and every time he just drops my sister off and leaves, never saying where he's going or what he's doing." Li Sanlang shook his head, his tone tinged with helplessness. "My sister has asked him, but he always says not to ask too much about the master's affairs, so we don't want to pry any further."

"And what about your sister?" Chen Xing changed the subject.

"I don't know!" Li Sanlang's confusion instantly turned into anxiety, and his voice rose a few decibels. "She hasn't come back for a whole day and night! I came back from work yesterday evening and found that she wasn't home. I thought she had gone to visit a neighbor, but she didn't come back until midnight. I searched all over the village and surrounding areas, but I couldn't find her, so I had to go to the village head to report her missing."

Finally, he pleaded, "Sir, since you're here to investigate a case, could you also help me find my sister? It's too dangerous for a woman to be out alone at night."

"Does your sister have a pair of red embroidered shoes?" Chen Xing suddenly remembered the embroidered shoes at the crime scene in the reed marshes and stared at Li Sanlang as he asked.

"Yes, yes, yes!" Li Sanlang's eyes lit up, and he nodded quickly, his tone tinged with excitement. "That was a gift from my brother-in-law to my sister a while ago. The workmanship is exquisite, and my sister treasures it dearly, rarely wearing it. Sir, have you seen my sister before? Where is she now?"

"Boss, we've searched inside and out, but there's nothing there."

Just as Chen Xing was about to press for more information, Su Wenyuan came out of the house with two constables, shook his head, and said...

Chen Xingchong nodded slightly to Su Wenyuan, indicating that he understood. He then turned to look at Li Sanlang, who was looking anxious, and said in a deep voice, "Come back to the yamen with us. There are some details about your sister and brother-in-law that we need to ask you."

Before Li Sanlang could react, Chen Xing waved his hand, and two constables immediately stepped forward, standing on either side of Li Sanlang. They said in a calm tone, "Li Sanlang, we'd appreciate it if you could come with us and cooperate with the investigation. It will help us find your sister."

Although Li Sanlang hesitated for a moment, he nodded and followed the constable out, thinking of his sister's whereabouts.

Chen Xing turned to the village headman waiting beside him, cupped his hands and said, "Thank you for leading the way tonight, village headman. We still need to take Li Sanlang back to the county office to inquire about the situation, so we'll take our leave now. If we need anything later, we may have to trouble the village headman for assistance."

"Officer Chen, you're too kind. Assisting in the investigation is my duty," the village head quickly returned the greeting. "I wish you a speedy resolution to the case and that you will find Miss Li Yue'e."

Chen Xing nodded his thanks, and then led the group, escorting Li Sanlang, quickly toward the county government office. In the darkness, the group's figures soon disappeared at the end of the path at the village entrance.

On the way back, Chen Xing walked in the middle of the group, seemingly slowing his pace casually. He approached Li Sanlang and asked, as if it were an insignificant question, "You seem to have a good relationship with your brother-in-law. Have your sister and brother-in-law always had a good relationship?"

"Of course! They were so loving!" Li Sanlang said with a hint of envy as he mentioned his sister and brother-in-law, reminiscing and sighing.

"Every time my brother-in-law goes out on business and comes back, he brings my sister some rare items from the city, such as beautiful fabrics or exquisite little jewelry. He spoils my sister like a child. And every time my brother-in-law leaves, my sister can't eat or drink, and she worries about his safety all day long until he comes back safely."

He paused, then added, "Many people in the village say my sister married the wrong person. Zhang Wanlin is just an ordinary worker with no great abilities. But I think if my sister had married into one of those big, scheming families with many rules, she might not be as happy as she is now. Although my brother-in-law doesn't earn much, he is genuinely good to my sister, and that's better than anything else."

As Chen Xing listened, his fingertips unconsciously rubbed the hilt of the knife at his waist. He then changed the subject and slowly asked, "Have you ever considered that perhaps your brother-in-law has already secretly taken your sister away without telling you?"

"That's impossible!" Li Sanlang immediately shook his head, his tone tinged with complaint. "Even if you were going to take her away, you should at least leave me a letter or have someone deliver a message! How could you just take her away without a word, making me worry for nothing all day!"

He sighed, his eyes full of sincerity: "To be honest, I don't necessarily want to live a good life with them. I'm young and strong, and I can earn a living by working. I can slowly save money and live a stable life. I just hope my sister can be safe and happy. As long as she's doing well, I'll be at ease."

Looking at Li Sanlang, who was so concerned about his sister, Chen Xing fell silent, recalling his own suspicions.

He didn't press further, but quickened his pace and strode towards the county government office, his figure conveying a sense of solemnity.