Cure the cold-faced general by solving crimes

Chapter 42 She feeds him
  Jiang Xihe watched Pei Zhizhao leave with his heart in a state of confusion. How come things happened one after another since Mr. Qi resigned?
  How can this still be called Ping'an County?

Jiang Xihe stepped into the west courtyard. The doors and windows of the main room were open. She walked in and saw a long cyan skirt on the table in the middle of the room. The hem of the skirt was made of small petals that depended on each other. The layers were very beautiful. There were also Double embroidered shoes with fine lines of gold flowers.

Putting these two things here, Jiang Xihe's heart skipped a beat. Was this what Pei Zhizhao gave her?

Looking out the window, the weeping willows in the courtyard swayed gently in the wind. The sky was dark and only their outlines could be seen vaguely.

Jiang Xihe liked this long dress very much. Her slender fingers brushed over the material, but she did not open it in the end.

After holding the lamp, Jiang Xihe sat at the table and his thoughts swirled. What did the person who reported the message just now say?
  The man who was repairing the ditch discovered the body? This means that another murder occurred in Ping'an County!

But there has never been any bad incident in Ping'an County for so many years. First, it was Meng Fang, and now I don't know who it is, such troublesome things happened to Pei Zhizhao.

Can he handle it?

Jiang Xihe asked and answered himself. Pei Zhizhao should be fine. During this time of knowing him, Pei Zhizhao was indeed as Mr. Qi said. He was prepared for anything, made plans, and thought of a way out.

Take her visit to Qingfeng Village today as an example. Jiang Xihe believed more and more in Pei Zhizhao's ability.

But one thing happened after another, and Jiang Xihe's heart sank.

Pei Zhizhao went to the capital a few days ago, and then to Qingfeng Village. He probably didn't have a good rest for four or five days in a row, otherwise Han Fang wouldn't be able to go to Deji Hall.

If Pei Zhizhao doesn't sleep, his body will definitely not be able to withstand these nerve-wracking things one after another.

Jiang Xihe stood up. She promised Pei Zhizhao to take care of his food during this period. In return, Jiang Xihe also wanted to do something for Pei Zhizhao.

Trying to recall the recipe for the tranquilizing medicine his father used before his death, Jiang Xihe walked towards the small kitchen.

······
  Half an hour later, the moon was rising above the willow branches, and the Ping'an County government office was quiet.

Windproof lanterns were lit on both sides of the corridor and under the corridor. Jiang Xihe walked to the study carrying a medicine bowl and a pot of hot water.

There was light in the distance.

Jiang Xihe walked quietly to the door. Just as he was about to speak, the door creaked open.

Pei Zhizhao stood in front of the door with a cold voice, "You haven't slept yet?" He didn't blame him, but there was surprise in his tone.

"I couldn't sleep. I was afraid that you would be too hard, so I made a bowl of soothing soup. I wanted you to try it."

There is no one in the study, there are many documents scattered on the table, and there are dishes and chopsticks in the corner that have not been cleared away.

"Have you eaten, sir?"

Pei Zhizhao nodded, "I'll pick you up at Aunt Zhao's house after dinner."

Jiang Xihe stepped into the door, "I don't know if Mr. Pei is discussing something. I also brewed a pot of jujube kernel tea, which also has a soothing effect."

Pei Zhizhao was startled, "Thank you for your hard work. You don't have to do these things in the future."

"I can't live here in vain, feeling panicked just sitting in the room."

"Then let me tell you about my next arrangements." Pei Zhizhao took the things from Jiang Xihe and put them on the desk, then picked up the top map of Ping'an County.

Jiang Xihe was very happy. Being involved in Pei Zhizhao's official affairs to this extent gave her a proud sense of belonging.

"This time I arranged for Yang Guangkun to take charge of this matter. There are eight county government officials following them. Half of those who trained at Xiangzhu Academy before live in the west of the city, and they are also the main force this time."

Jiang Xihe listened quietly. Under the soft candlelight, his fair face glowed with a faint halo. Pei Zhizhao was dazed for a moment.

"Sir?" Jiang Xihe called softly when he noticed that Pei Zhizhao suddenly became silent.

Pei Zhizhao gathered his mind and said hurriedly, "The first batch of materials for repairing the house will be delivered tomorrow, and the follow-up materials will be sent one after another, so that the construction period will not be delayed. As for the things used to repair the ditch, they are all ready-made."

Jiang Xihe nodded, "Knowing that there is money to be made, everyone will be more motivated to work, and they can all do their best to repair their own homes. This arrangement is excellent."

Under the lamp, the two people looked at each other and spoke calmly what they were thinking. For the first time, Jiang Xihe felt that Pei Zhizhao was actually very talkative. His usually cold attitude was probably because he didn't want to talk. Pei Zhizhao is half a head taller than Jiang Xihe. She looks even more slender next to his strong body. Sometimes she has to raise her head to see into his eyes.

Jiang Xihe noticed that there were faint green stubble on Pei Zhizhao's jaw, and his heart tightened, and he said, "Master Pei, I met Brother Han by chance today. Don't blame me for being troublesome. My father used this prescription to calm the nerves, and I have survived it. Mr. Pei, give it a try."

Pei Zhizhao was startled for a moment and showed a wry smile, his resistance was obvious.

"Master Pei, you have worked hard these past few days, and now there is a murder case. You must have a good rest."

"It doesn't work." Pei Zhizhao knew that he had a heart problem, but Han Fang insisted on buying him medicinal materials. There was a murder just now, and he sent Han Fang to Tongshan Mansion. Before Han Fang could boil the medicine, Jiang Xihe sent it.

Jiang Xihe picked up the medicine bowl and said stubbornly, "Sir Pei, the medicine doesn't taste good when it's cold. Why don't you try it? I'll be at the Yamen for a while. I'll make a few more for you when I have time."

Pei Zhizhao knew that if he didn't drink, the little girl would keep talking. Not wanting to make too much noise in his ears, Pei Zhizhao picked up the medicine bowl and drank it all in one gulp.

Jiang Xihe smiled.

It was painful, but Pei Zhizhao was so miserable that his eyebrows twitched.

It was the first time Jiang Xihe saw Pei Zhizhao's lively expression. He held back a smile and took out a piece of candied fruit from his sleeve pocket. He opened the package and put it to Pei Zhizhao's mouth. "It's not bitter, sir. Eat some peach candied fruit."

Jiang Xihe's hands were delicate and white, with a gentle luster under the flickering candlelight. The peach preserves in his hands exuded a sweet fragrance. Pei Zhizhao lowered his head and bit the edge of the peach.

Jiang Xihe held her hands in the air and her face turned red. She thought Pei Zhizhao would reach out to take it, but she didn't expect that he would just lower his head and eat.

What has become of this?
  This became her feeding him!
  Jiang Xihe retracted his hand in panic, lowered his head, nervously grabbed the medicine bowl from Pei Zhizhao's hand, and planned to escape.

"Do you want to know what happened to the corpse found in Qingshui River?" Pei Zhizhao's voice sounded.

Jiang Xihe stopped, she wanted to know.

"Come." After Pei Zhizhao returned to the table calmly, as if nothing had happened, Jiang Xihe put down the plate, calmed down and followed.

"The funeral in Ping'an County is in vain, and the body has been sent to Tongshan Mansion." Pei Zhizhao said slowly.

Jiang Xihe was puzzled, "Why not let the widower from Tongshan Mansion come over?"

"The body was identified by everyone, but no one knew it. There have been no missing persons reports in Ping'an County in recent months. The weather is getting hot soon, and the county government has no suitable place to place the body, so we have to send it away."

This goes back to the question that Jiang Xihe had thought about before, "It is difficult for Ping'an County not to have widows."

The idea that he wanted to learn autopsy grew up in Jiang Xihe's heart like bamboo shoots after a rain, and gradually grew into a towering tree.

"One more thing, I plan to go to Qingfeng Village to suppress the bandits. Don't tell anyone yet. I will make plans after the renovation of the west part of the city is completed." Pei Zhizhao warned softly.

Jiang Xihe nodded. Now she and Pei Zhizhao had a secret in common. The little secret made her feel happy.

"In addition, I compensated you for the clothes and shoes in your room. It will not be easy for you to pick me up in Qingfeng Village, so you must accept them."

Jiang Xihe's calm heart just now was in chaos again.

What does Mr. Pei mean by this? Doesn't he know that men and women cannot give these things casually?

"This...I can't accept it."

Pei Zhizhao seemed to smile, and the corners of his mouth curved, "Will it be deducted from wages?"

That works.

Jiang Xihe didn't have many clothes and she was reluctant to spend money to buy them before. She liked the skirt and shoes that Pei Zhizhao sent her, regardless of the color or style.

Pei Zhizhao suddenly covered his heart, "You don't want these things to waste money, I feel bad for you."

Jiang Xihe had never seen Pei Zhizhao like this, so he smiled and agreed.

(End of this chapter)