I am the old, fiery-faced man from the senior department.

Lu Boyun sighed and said again:

"For some reason, my father actually put Qiu Hu in charge of managing another part of Boyun Prefecture."

"...Lord Lu... doesn't seem like such a muddle-headed person?"

Bai Zhou was puzzled.

Shouldn't the other side of a city be firmly in our own hands? Why delegate this power?

"Yes. My father was wise all his life, but he was extremely foolish when it came to making friends."

“I once advised my father to take back the power, but he said, ‘Qiu Hu is my dearest friend and relative, and I trust him.’”

"My dearest family and friends, haha, that's exactly how I show my love!"

Lu Boyun was so angry he laughed.

“Brother Lu, now that things have come to this, Qiu Hu must have already realized something.”

"Why don't we try to find out what his current state is like?"

Bai Zhou continued:

"If Qiu Hu is really the murderer, then the fact that he has waited until now to make a move means that he must be very cunning and unpredictable. He must be mindful of your status, Brother Lu, and will not act directly."

"Shall we test his strength?"

Lu Boyun suddenly remembered something very important and immediately spoke it out.

"Do you all still remember what Father looked like?"

“My father died peacefully, without any obvious wounds on his body. Qiu Hu may not be the murderer. If it were Qiu Hu, with his strength, it would be impossible for him to kill my father without leaving a trace. Perhaps my father not only encountered him, but also the real murderer. Someone my father knew, but was powerless to fight against.”

"Old Lu, are you saying that Qiu Hu is also someone who was pushed out and used?"

Meng Li scratched her head in distress.

Goodness, it's like a nesting doll!

"There is another person, or an organization, behind Qiu Hu..."

Lu Boyun's expression was solemn, his thoughts racing.

"The emergence of an organization that dares to assassinate a prefecture governor is no longer just a matter for our Boyun Prefecture. It is an act of disregarding the prestige of the Great Yan Kingdom and openly provoking it! I must report this to the military commissioner."

"Brother Bai, thank you for reminding me. I will need Brothers Du and Meng to escort you back. I have important matters to attend to, so please excuse my rudeness."

After saying that, he beckoned Huang Wen'an to leave in a hurry.

"Brother Bai, let's go."

After Lu Boyun left, Du Heng planned to send Bai Zhou back first and then go to Lu Boyun to discuss the next steps.

###

"That's how it is, sir. I never imagined this matter would be so complicated."

Bai Zhou recounted the events of the morning in detail, but he glossed over how the assassin was fabricated, citing "ideological education" as the reason.

He didn't want Xi to hear such filthy things.

"Ah."

While enjoying her dried apricots, Xi listened to Bai Zhou tell stories.

"So, your involvement in this matter is over?"

Although it was a question, Xi's tone was a firm statement.

The little devil has done enough. If even these things require a child to get involved to solve, then it's time to get a more capable person to manage Boyun Prefecture.

"That's true. I imagine that once Brother Lu brings reinforcements, we can resolve this matter quickly."

Bai Zhou also intends to stop here.

This is all the help he can offer; anything more would be beneath his status.

And instead of racking his brains with a bunch of people to catch the murderer, why doesn't he just stay comfortably in the house with Xi?

Returning to the 27th, there was nothing that could be done.

"..."

The brushstrokes transitioned from dark to light, leaving a large area of ​​blank space.

I've already finished a painting, but I haven't heard the little devil make a sound. How strange!

He usually comes over at this time to say a few words of praise and start a conversation with her, but today he is so quiet, which is not like him.

Or...did you get injured outside?

Xi turned her head to look at the chair where Bai Zhou was, only to see him curled up in the chair with a book in his hand, his little tail wagging happily, as if the contents of the book were very interesting.

Do you read books?

What book is so interesting?

Xi got up and quietly walked to Bai Zhou's side, leaning down to look at him.

"The making of dried fruit..."

"gentlemen?"

Bai Zhou was so engrossed in reading that he didn't realize Xi was beside him until the scent of ink wafted into his nostrils.

"I'm going to learn how to make dried fruit so that I can make it for you anytime I want."

The little devil's face was right in front of her, and Xi could feel the caress of his breath brushing against her cheek.

It was warm, like a gentle breeze, and surprisingly quite comfortable.

"Oh."

Xi nodded slightly, then walked back as if nothing had happened, picked up her paintbrush again, and continued practicing.

Bai Zhou glanced at Xi, who suddenly seemed uneasy for some reason, then lowered his head to continue studying the methods for making various kinds of dried fruit.

However, the first ones you need to learn are apricots.

■

Bai was studying diligently when there was a sudden knock on the door.

Three long and one short is the agreed-upon code.

Therefore, Bai Zhou felt relieved enough to put down his book and open the door.

"Brother Du. Brother Meng."

The door opened, and Du and Meng...

"Brother Bai, Brother Lu is back. We're going to see Qiu Hu, would you like to come along?"

"I see, Qiu Hu, that's fine too..."

Meng Li grabbed him anxiously, wanting to take him out, but was then slapped by Du Heng.

"Stop being rude."

Du Heng remembered that there was a gentleman in the room. His friend was so rude to Bai Zhou. If that gentleman took notice of him, he would be in big trouble.

"Oh! My apologies, Brother Bai, please come with me to see Old Lu."

Reminded by her friend, Meng Li also remembered this matter. Suddenly, she stopped smiling and said this in what she thought was the most serious tone.

"Please don't be impatient, gentlemen. Wait a moment while I go and inform the master."

Bai Zhou chuckled, then closed the door and went to Xi to ask for permission to leave.

"..."

Xi held her pen and glanced at Bai Zhou, who was standing beside her with a fawning smile.

"Sir, I will be back as soon as possible."

"..."

Xi ate some of the empty jar of dried apricots.

"Hey, I'll bring it back for you."

Having received permission, Bai Zhou ran off excitedly.

"..."

Xi withdrew her gaze from the departing daylight and continued to focus her attention on her drawing paper.

but……

You can't create good art if you're impatient and restless.

The painter sighed heavily, threw his brush aside, got up and walked to the window, looking down at the pedestrians, travelers, peddlers and laborers on the street, hoping to soothe the restlessness in his heart with the sight of all living beings.

"..."

That brat...

Even though we were nearly a hundred meters apart, I still managed to see her?

Gazing at the daylight waving goodbye to him, the painter gave a soft hum and closed the window.

Sure enough, when you're feeling restless, you need to look at the scenery.

"Brother Bai?"

Du Heng looked at Bai Zhou with a puzzled expression.

"It's nothing, my husband was just worried about me, so I'm letting him know I'm safe."

He withdrew his hand during the day and explained to the two men.

"It's so good to have such a loving husband."

A look of nostalgia appeared on Meng Li's face.

“Our husband used to be very good to us. Although he was very strict on weekdays, if someone bullied us, he would beat up the other parent and call it ‘education’.”