When he got back to the governnt back office, he insisted that Su Pan’er check his howork, and he dawdled around, unwilling to leave.
Ke’er had always been by Su Pan’er’s side since she was a child, more so than with her own mother. Seeing her now, how could she bear to leave like this?
Su Pan’er was also reluctant to let her go, so she let Su Ke stay in the courtyard for dinner.
When Qin Yi returned, he caught sight of the two of them in their harmonious state, and couldn’t help but smile.
He turned to see the rascal pig eating happily next to him, which surprised him.
"Eh, how did it get here?"
"Don’t mind it!"
Su Pan’er scolded, sneaking a stern glance at the rascal pig.
"Fourth Brother-in-law, you’re back! Co and eat. My fourth sister had the kitchen prepare Dongpo Pork and Empress Chicken today, they’re delicious!"
Upon seeing him, Su Ke imdiately greeted him with a full-faced smile.
"If you like it, eat more."
Qin Yi then put the matter of the rascal pig aside, moved closer, and exchanged smiles with Su Pan’er as their eyes t.
After sitting down next to Su Pan’er, Qin Yi showed his concern.
"How was it? Did you get tired from going out today?" He knew Su Pan’er had gone out shopping today.
Soone quickly set up her bowl and chopsticks.
"Not tired, just randomly walked around for a while."
While answering with a smile, Su Pan’er put so green vegetables into Ke’er’s bowl: "Eat up quickly and don’t be picky."
Su Ke murmured sothing, but still swallowed the vegetables.
Qin Yi shook his head and started eating with his bowl and chopsticks.
After Ke’er had eaten and drunk to his fill, and had chatted and laughed with them for a while, he finally left with a reluctant look on his face.
When he walked away, Su Pan’er laughed at Qin Yi: "Guess where I went on my walk today?"
"Where?"
"Past that Bai Hubu’s house."
Su Pan’er looked mysteriously.
"Hmm, how did you get there? What, did you notice sothing wrong?"
Knowing her well, Qin Yi naturally asked.
Her eyes sparkled: "Last ti at Bai Hubu’s garden, didn’t we find a secret tunnel? I want to go and have another look."
"Go in again? Absolutely not!"
Qin Yi’s eyebrows narrowed a little, clearly still sowhat scared: "Last ti we went into the tunnel to catch soone, if it weren’t for the rascal pig leading the way, let alone catching soone, we probably wouldn’t even know how to get out. Now that you’re pregnant, what if sothing unexpected happens? Stop joking!"
"Last ti is not the sa as this ti."
Su Pan’er was still not willing to give up: "Last ti we were unfamiliar. These past few days, I’ve been studying the Ancient Divination thodology passed down by my sect. Even though I can’t say I’ve mastered it, I have confidence in breaking that formation. Besides, aren’t you curious about that formation?"
There was a montary relaxation on Qin Yi’s face, but when his gaze fell on her belly, he imdiately denied it again.
"Curiosity killed the cat. I said no!"
"Oh, really can’t?"
Su Pan’er narrowed her eyes.
Qin Yi hesitated with a frown.
"No!"
"Alright then."
Touching her belly, she stood up: "I suppose you can’t guard all the ti."
He had to tend to his public affairs, right? Since he didn’t agree, she would go by herself when he was busy!
Qin Yi was taken aback and hurriedly stopped her, gritting his teeth, "Wait! If you must go, I’ll accompany you. Just give two days to clear up my current case."
"You better keep your word!"
A cunning light flashed in Su Pan’er’s eyes. She knew he would compromise!
"What’s wrong? Is the case hard to solve?"
"It’s not that it’s hard to solve, it’s just hard to bring the murderer to justice."
Despite his hesitation, Qin Yi expressed his thoughts.
The death of Registrar Bai in the county prison was largely connected to him.
He had initially revealed the detailed records of bribery involving relief funds in order to strike against Liu Zikang. Unexpectedly, Liu Zikang was insanely reckless. All signs indicated that he pretended to return to the Capital City, but actually detoured to Changze County halfway and killed Registrar Bai in the prison.
He also received news that even the other two officials involved, were accidentally killed by mountain robbers while on their way back to their own jurisdictions.
Simultaneously, three Imperial Court officials, all connected to Liu Zikang’s case, died just as their morials arrived on His Majesty’s dragon desk!
This was really too much of a coincidence. Anyone could see the scam, but there was no evidence against Liu Zikang!
Although he didn’t expect to topple the Liu Family with this case, the thought of them extending their demon claws towards Pan’er once they evaded suspicion made Qin Yi anxious.
He had intended to keep this from Su Pan’er, but he feared they might make a move on Pan’er again, so he thought it would be better to tell her in advance so she could stay on high alert.
Su Pan’er thought quietly for a good while, then asked solemnly,
"Qin Yi, have you ever thought about it? The Liu Family is one of the Eight Great Aristocratic Families in the Capital City. Why would they lack money and specially embezzle disaster relief funds?"
"I have investigated what you were thinking about. It turns out this matter is also related to several princes."
Qin Yi sighed, "After His Majesty was attacked last ti and barely returned to the capital, he carried out a purge in Shengjing. Afterwards, King Kang was sent to provide disaster relief. Unexpectedly, there was a scandal of misappropriation of relief funds..."
The twists and turns of the situation were too nurous to ntion, so Qin Yi picked out the main points, "Therefore, it’s not about how much relief money there was, but where it ended up..."
He quietly tapped his fingers on the table, not elaborating his thoughts.
Su Pan’er suddenly saw the light!
She guessed that this involved power struggles among influential figures of the Capital City.
Typical case of mortals suffering in the fights between immortals!
When those above struggle for power and benefits, it’s the officials below who suffer. They are essentially used as chess pieces, fighting in the chessboard of power.
"Will you be punished because Registrar Bai died in prison?"
"The death of Registrar Bai, who was supposed to be executed after autumn, won’t really cause any major issues."
Qin Yi hesitated to elaborate more.
"Oh, right... your imdiate superior is Prefect Jiang, right?"
Su Pan’er suddenly understood the crux of the matter.
Su Ping’er had visited her several tis before, but she had firmly refused her each ti. The last ti she saw Prefect Jiang, she felt that he and his wife didn’t seem to hold a grudge against her, even showing so hostility unintentionally.
Given the current situation...
"Don’t worry. At most, I’ll receive a minor derit, forfeiting one promotion opportunity. At worst, I might have to stay here for three more years, and there’s nothing wrong with being a local official!"
Qin Yi comforted her.
However, this sank Su Pan’er’s heart.
If Qin Yi’s official career got ruined by such a petty person, it would be so frustrating!
"Moreover, Great General Ye is still in the upper echelons, and Jiang is just a re prefect. There are so things he can’t decide!"
That’s right, Fei’er is still present!
Su Pan’er’s mind finally cleared!
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