The inner room fell silent. Chu Nanzhi then instructed the two men to continue recounting the details of the case.
This time, the two of them explained everything in detail without missing out anything.
This time, she learned a lot of details. Other than finding out who else had come into contact with money, she could be completely certain that the taxes had not left their sight when it was being transported. She no longer had any doubts.
After they left, Chu Nanzhi sat on the stool in a daze, wearing a melancholic expression.
"The gold was real, but it turned into stone right before their eyes. Is there really magic in this world?"
Chu Nanzhi furrowed her eyebrows in disbelief. She stretched out her hand and tried her best to center the qi in her dantian before forcing her qi to circulate.
However, after trying a few times, her face turned red, and still, nothing had happened.
She had heard that many transmigrators had interspaces or systems that could help the protagonist. In theory, she should have one too.
System?
Interspace?
"Prajna Paramita."
She silently used the summoning call a few times.
The air was still, except for the faint sound of breathing from the back room.
Damn it, the system and interspace was ignoring her.
She had solved so many major cases for the country and the people in her previous life, but she had not acquired even a few karma points?
Chu Nanzhi had no choice but to give up on the idea. She continued to think hard about the case.
The 20,000 taels of gold was specially obtained by the county office from various members of the gentry and wealthy families. Lin Jinxiao and his colleagues had checked the gold carefully and there was definitely no problem there.
One tael of gold was worth ten taels of silver. That showed that that gold was still a rare item in this dynasty.
The port of Luyan was located in the eastern part of the Dahe Empire. It had a well-developed trade route and had many rich families. The taxes from the various regions had been paid in silver and the county magistrate had exchanged them for gold bars. The bars were easier to escort and looked better. There was nothing suspicious about that.
However, based on what the two men had said, why had the pirates suddenly retreated in the middle of the fight?
"The pirates came from the sea and crossed mountains and rivers in search for wealth. They definitely would not have given up halfway."
"Besides, if the pirates are really looking for money, they should have made careful preparations in advance. They would have a rough estimate of the enemy's strength. They wouldn't be so rash."
Chu Nanzhi muttered to herself and said, "Perhaps they did come prepared, because…"
Because they could perform sorcery.
At this point in her deductions, Chu Nanzhi could not help but pinch her palm.
It seemed that she had subconsciously been misled by these people.
If she ignored the possibility of sorcery, this should be a carefully planned human event.
"If it has human causes, there will definitely be clues."
"There must be another reason why the pirates didn't take it."
But what were their motives?
Chu Nanzhi pursed her lips tightly and blinked in bewilderment.
"Could it be to make Lin Jinxiao think that they were no longer transporting gold, but stones?"
Then how had the gold suddenly turned into stone?
Could they really perform sorcery?
"Bah! You're really hopeless!"
Chu Nanzhi slapped herself lightly and began the deduction process again.
"If the pirates only wanted to let Lin Jinxiao know that he was transporting stones, what would their motive be?"
Chu Nanzhi racked her brains. "So much gold had suddenly turned into stone. That guy must had panicked. He could either run away immediately and flee to the ends of the earth, order the stone to be transported back to the county office and confess."
However, these people had dependents. They definitely would not abandon their families.
Moreover, Lin Jinxiao had a good reputation in the county. He could not afford to lose face.
"Then he had to bring the stones back to the county office and confess."
Chu Nanzhi remembered that the stones were already at the county office.
"The pirates waylaid them but took nothing. If the stones could not reach the prefecture office, it could only be transported back to the county office. The mastermind must be in the county office."
It seemed that someone in the county office was eying the taxes.
"The magistrate? The lieutenant? Or one of his colleagues?"
Chu Nanzhi was speculating.
But where did these people get the ability to turn gold into stone in front of others?
Moreover, the county magistrate would not risk his position.
Wait!
Chu Nanzhi suddenly remembered what the two men said just now. When they were checking the sealed box, there was a Taoist priest beside them.
The priest was the one rumored to be with the Host.
It was said that the county magistrate's mother had invited this priest to their residence a few years ago. He had a good relationship with the county's minor officials.
"Taoist priest, hehe."
She had obtained a clue to her first case in this world after just a few hours. She could not suppress the excitement and joy on her face. She could not help but slap the table.
"I've got it, I've got it. Haha, I know what happened."
As soon as she finished speaking, she saw the table crack. Two legs broke at midpoint, and the bundle on the table slid to the ground with a pleasant clink.
"Chu Nanzhi, are you crazy?"
The noise in the hall had startled the people in the inner room. Lin Jinxiao's angry voice could be heard.
Chu Nanzhi stared at the broken wooden table in a daze, inwardly complaining: This is adding insult to injury.
Before she could react, a series of cries sounded in the room.
"Father, is she crazy?"
"We're scared."
"Father, we won't be able to survive anyway. Why don't we get rid of her first so that she won't harm us again?"
"Yes, we're not afraid of her now."
"Don't talk nonsense. I will definitely ensure you survive. Da Bao, you have to promise me that no matter what happens in the future, you will take good care of your younger siblings."
Lin Jinxiao's comforting words mixed with the cries of the four children. The noise made her feel terrible.
Chu Nanzhi closed her eyes quietly. She thought about the Host's usual actions and realized that she could not remain in this family.
Since everyone was uneasy, there was no point in making things difficult.
She began planning to sign the divorce papers after the case was solved. Then they would go their separate ways and not trouble each other any longer.
After making up her mind, she tidied the hall and returned to the small hut. She lay on the simple wooden bed and closed her eyes to rest.
Through a haze of sleep, she heard footsteps in the courtyard.
She slowly opened her eyes and realized that it was morning.
"Lord Lin, we are here on the orders of the county magistrate to interrogate you. Please forgive this offense."
Upon hearing the voices, Chu Nanzhi immediately got up, pushed open the door, and rushed out. She saw that Lin Jinxiao had already led the four children into the hall.
He held his walking stick tightly with both hands and the children supported him. Although he was handicapped, he still seemed to be in high spirits. She could tell from his heroic expression that he was prepared to die.
When the four children saw the bailiffs coming over, they immediately started crying hysterically and refused to let go.
The bailiffs were in a difficult position. The leader glanced at Chu Nanzhi and said hesitantly, "Lord Lin, it's better not to make things difficult for us. Let the children wait with Madam Chu for the judgment."
Lin Jinxiao remained silent.
Chu Nanzhi knew very well that he would rather let the four children die than leave them with her.
At this moment, Li Ce brought a few people in, carrying a stretcher.
Li Ce was so tired that he was sweating profusely. As he wiped away his sweat, he said to the leader of the bailiffs, "Old Zhang, Brother Jinxiao's leg is still injured. The gentry have instructed me to take good care of him. He's a scholar, I can't insult his honor."
As he spoke, he deliberately glanced at the torture instruments that the bailiffs were holding and continued, "Let the brothers carry him to the county office."
The leader of the bailiffs frowned.
"Since we are colleagues."
The leader nodded hesitantly. Li Ce rushed to Lin Jinxiao's side to help him onto the stretcher.
Lin Jinxiao looked at the group of little ones. He could not bear to see them like this. However, after hesitating for a moment, he steeled his heart and pushed them away. He reminded Li Ce, "I'll leave the children to you."
Li Ce held the four children tightly as they watched their father being taken away. They were so anxious that they cried and hopped around.
Chu Nanzhi sighed dejectedly. "In the end, it all falls on me."
She shouted at the bailiffs, "Wait a minute."