Cure the cold-faced general by solving crimes

Chapter 27 Brother
  A few days later.

The case of Meng Fang's murder was closed, and Pei Zhizhao's reputation in Ping'an County skyrocketed.

So today he hosted a banquet for the squires of Ping'an County, and no one was absent.

Jiang Xihe arrived at the county government office at nine o'clock, and after walking back and forth in the main courtyard for a few times, she figured out one thing. Pei Zhizhao hired a cook from Juyiyi to help, and they had already decided on the menu and prepared snacks.

She is here just to make a start.

She was said to be a sniper, but no one needed her at all.

These five taels of silver are so profitable.

Even Aunt Zhao was confused. She rubbed the corner of her clothes and muttered to Jiang Xihe sheepishly, "You said that Mr. Pei paid me the wages and didn't need me to work. How embarrassing is that?"

The same goes for Jiang Xihe.

Thinking that Pei Zhizhao must be busy today, Jiang Xihe held Aunt Zhao's hand and said softly, "Since Mr. Pei has made arrangements, we just have to obey him. When the banquet is over, I will thank him tomorrow."

"Be sure to convey what I mean." Aunt Zhao warned, "I cook on weekdays and don't have the chance to meet Mr. Pei. He is so kind, not picky and polite." Aunt Zhao mysteriously leaned into Jiang Xihe's ear and said, "The wages are also good."

Aunt Zhao patted the back of Jiang Xihe's hand and said, "Thank you for this."

The two of them stood under the persimmon tree, chatting. Except for the busy waiter in Ju Yiyi, neither Pei Zhizhao nor Han Fang could be seen.

Before noon, guests began to arrive one after another. Perhaps they were alerted by the notice at the yamen gate. Apart from expressing their gratitude verbally, all the guests who came to the banquet came empty-handed.

Jiang Xihe helped set the table and greeted many familiar people.

Mr. Xie is here too.

Seeing her from a distance, she seemed to have something to say.

Jiang Xihe greeted him, "Master Xie is here."

"Are you still working in the county government?" Mr. Xie is in his fifties, wearing a long brown brocade vest and a high-top felt hat. He has a swollen belly. He always has a smile on his face when he speaks, but his smile does not reflect his heart. Jiang Xihe's words are all due to the shrewdness of a businessman.

Jiang Xihe smiled and said, "Just helping."

She could tell that Mr. Xie didn't seem very happy, but he was Xie Qiyuan's father, so even if Jiang Xihe didn't want to talk, he had to say hello politely.

"Xie Qiyuan is not sensible. He is so old, but he is still not doing his job properly. He has made some progress after coming back from the south this time. Since he is suitable to be outside, I have to send him away in a few days."

Jiang Xihe laughed, not understanding what Mr. Xie meant when he said these words to her.

"Master Xie is much calmer than when he left last year." Jiang Xihe tried his best to say nice things.

Old man Xie looked at Jiang Xihe's face meaningfully and lowered his voice, "Then he is also ignorant, far worse than your brother."

Jiang Xihe continued to laugh.

"Our Xie family has been in business for generations and is an honest man. We don't like to get too close to the government. I only have one son, Xie Qiyuan. I want him to inherit the family business and find a well-matched family to live a stable life. What do you think? "

Jiang Xihe understood immediately. She understood Xie Qiyuan's thoughts towards her. She regarded him as a friend and never exceeded it, nor did she leave any ambiguous hints to Xie Qiyuan.

Master Xie said this, which made her a little embarrassed.

"Master Xie, Xie Qiyuan and I have known each other for so many years and have always regarded him as a friend. I hope he is happy, very sincerely."

Mr. Xie tried to figure out the authenticity of Jiang Xihe's words, and finally said, "I heard that you are engaged. It has been a year since your father left. Although it is not suitable to get married now, don't delay it for three years."

Mr. Xie thought about it and promised, "Since you and Xie Qiyuan are friends, I am not conservative. When you get married, our Xie family will give you a big gift."

Jiang Xihe felt angrily after being slapped and given a sweet date. When the banquet began, Jiang Xihe hid in the backyard at the right time and helped Ju Yiyi's waiter cut ingredients. The rising fire and the aroma of cooking made her temporarily forget her unpleasantness.

To divert her attention, she also learned a dish, garlic butter shrimp.

The shrimp soaked in oil are wrapped in a thick layer of sauce. Not to mention how delicious it is, Jiang Xihe plans to cook it for his brother in the future.

The banquet lasted until the end, and people were noisy. Pei Zhizhao's deep and mellow voice occasionally drifted over with the wind. An indescribable strange feeling rose in Jiang Xihe's heart. She was grateful to Pei Zhizhao. For example, now, he knew that she was short of money, and she obviously didn't have it today. He still gave her a chance when he needed her, and took care of her little self-esteem and face.

Suddenly, it became quiet in front, and the waiter looked curiously, "What's wrong? Why is there no sound all of a sudden?"

Jiang Xihe wiped his hands and listened. The atmosphere was indeed different from before. There was only the smell of spring grass in the dull air.

A person suddenly ran over in the aisle leading from the front yard to the back kitchen.

Behind him were Pei Zhizhao and Han Fang. Behind them were many Ping'an County squires who were having dinner today. Jiang Xihe didn't know why, but she felt like everyone was looking at her.

Jiang Xihe's heart tightened and he stared blankly at the boy running over.

He looked about twelve or thirteen years old, wearing commoners and with a dark complexion. He ran up to Jiang Xihe and was breathing heavily. His head was covered with sweat and his clothes were soaked. He seemed to have walked a long way in the dust.

"Are you Jiang Xihe, sister Jiang?" the boy asked.

Pei Zhizhao silently walked to Jiang Xihe's side.

"I am." A trace of doubt arose in Jiang Xihe's heart, and he felt very bad.

"I am a book boy from Yuelu Academy," the boy stared into Jiang Xihe's eyes with red circles, "Brother Jiang Xifeng encountered a strong wind on the way to Beijing and the boat capsized. He...didn't escape..." ··problem occurs."

Jiang Xihe staggered back, his head buzzed, and something in his heart was torn open and smashed to the ground bloody.

"What did you say? Brother...what's wrong with him?" Jiang Xihe was trembling with coldness all over. Although it was spring, her teeth were chattering.

The boy cried out, "Five days ago, Brother Xifeng and his brothers from the academy set out to take the exam in the capital by water. When the boat arrived at Lin'an Prefecture, it suddenly rained heavily and a strong wind blew up on the river. The passenger ship was overwhelmed by the wind and rain and rolled over in the river. Brothers Distressed..."

Jiang Xihe's feet felt weak and he felt like the world was spinning.

Brother... something happened...

He was in trouble, something happened to Brother Xifeng, and no one on the ship escaped...

These voices intertwined and swirled in Jiang Xihe's mind.

"My master was very sad when he received the news. He sent me to report the news quickly." The boy choked with sobs. "Brother Xifeng has been treating me well in the academy. Sister, don't be sad. Please hurry up and deal with my brother's funeral."

"Xiaohe, this is Juyiyi's mochi and Longjing cake. Brother knows you like it, so come and try it."

"Xiaohe, the peach blossoms at the entrance of Qiaoxi are blooming. My brother will take you to play in a few days."

"Xiaohe, daddy is gone, and your brother will protect you. When your brother gets fame, you will have what other girls have, too."

"Xiaohe, brother is going to take the exam. You have to take care of yourself at home and wait happily for me to come back."

"Xiaohe..."

Memories came flooding back, and Jiang Xihe's eyes were blurred by tears. She could neither hear nor see, and her heart was broken.

"Brother~" Jiang Xihe called in a low voice, and then his eyes went dark and he knew nothing.

(End of this chapter)