Elder Zhao gazed calmly at Chu Nanzhi asked her sternly,
"My son was perfectly fine at home. He didn't go out on the night of the incident. My wife and the maids in the residence can testify to that. If it wasn't bandits, who else could have done such a wicked thing?"
"Yesterday, I looked through all the records since the incident, including the information obtained from the bailiffs' search and from questioning the travelers. I didn't find any reason to suspect that bandits have entered the city recently."
"There are hundreds of bailiffs in the county office. It's inevitable that there will be some clumsy ones who neglect their duty. We wouldn't know if they were negligent."
"Since you know that there are hundreds of bailiffs in the county, surely not everyone is negligent?"
Chu Nanzhi was neither anxious nor impatient. She explained to him logically, "Otherwise, how could County Magistrate Hu have managed this county so well all these years?"
Seeing that he had fallen silent, Chu Nanzhi thought for a while and suddenly smiled meaningfully.
"I heard that there are countless guards in your mansion. It would be difficult for bandits to enter your mansion in the middle of the night and abduct someone unless they came in large groups. But if so many people could barge into the inner courtyard and abduct a smart, living person without a sound, then it's time to dismiss your guards."
The moment she said this, the expressions of Elder Zhao and the people around him grew extremely ugly.
Chu Nanzhi became even calmer and continued,
"Not to mention that there was a curfew that night, and the city gates were tightly shut. There were also county guards on patrol. This theory is simply nonsense. If you insist on your way without any evidence to back you up, when the Inspection comes to our county, it would be natural for Lord Hu to sue you for slandering an official of the imperial court."
Magistrate Hu was shocked by the woman's sharp words. He could not help but think that the twenty taels of silver were indeed well spent.
He savored her words. Although he had not thought about what she had said in such a comprehensive manner, he had also considered many aspects of it. He had even thought about what would happen in a lose-lose situation.
However, bureaucrats always had some restrictions. In addition, this case had perturbed him and he had been unable to think clearly.
As he thought about it, he envied this woman's uninhibited nature.
County Magistrate Hu took advantage of her speech and immediately spoke to the old man in a friendly manner.
"Yours is one of the most influential families in the county. As an official, I still have to rely on you in many situations in the future. I don't want a grudge between us that will cause both sides to suffer."
Elder Zhao gradually figured out Hu Maoxi's reason for inviting this woman over.
This woman was neither arrogant nor impatient. She spoke and behaved reasonably, and made no mistakes. She had a strong, repressive aura and others were forced to believe her.
It was no wonder that she could solve the tax case that had stumped everyone. She was no ordinary woman.
It seemed that if he continued to be stubborn, both sides would suffer.
Elder Zhao's stern gaze slowly turned towards Chu Nanzhi and he finally relaxed his stance.
"Brother Hu, please come into the residence with Madam Chu."
Then, he led everyone into the residence.
When Chu Nanzhi led Lin Ruijia into the courtyard, she was shocked by the magnificent scene in front of her.
There were willows everywhere, sheltered walkways on all sides, paths winding through the garden, dotted with decorative rocks. Everything was graceful and luxurious.
There were broad gravel paths, colorful gardens and pools of water. It was magnificent, but elegant and quiet.
After staying in the village for a long time, this was the first time Chu Nanzhi had entered such an environment. She felt like a country bumpkin visiting a grand mansion for the first time.
Lin Ruijia had never been to such a grand place before. As she looked at the various pavilions, she could not help but tug at Chu Nanzhi's hand.
Chu Nanzhi saw her mischievous look and had just bent down when she heard Little Rujia mutter in her ear,
"This place is so beautiful."
Then, she changed the topic. "But I'm so afraid. I keep feeling that someone is watching me."
Chu Nanzhi was so frightened that her heart skipped a beat and her scalp prickled. She looked around, but other than the tall pavilion, there was only a towering tree, so tall that she could not see its top.
It was true that the environment was a little forbidding.
When she recovered from her fright, she saw that Elder Zhao and his wife, the county magistrate, and the deputy, were staring at her in confusion.
The oppressive aura had scared her so much that she almost could not breathe.
Chu Nanzhi awkwardly took a deep breath, then pretended to be calm as she hurriedly explained,
"I'm sorry, my daughter is very naive."
When the rest heard that, they relaxed and continued walking.
When they arrived at the main hall, Elder Zhao showed everyone to their seats, made tea and dismissed the servants. Only then was he willing to question Chu Nanzhi closely.
"What do you think about my son's disappearance?"
"He disappeared for no reason. It is rather strange."
Chu Nanzhi had spent a lot of effort to persuade him, and her throat was very dry. She hurriedly swallowed a mouthful of scalding hot tea. Thinking of Magistrate Hu's previous suspicions, she did not hide anything and directly asked,
"I heard that before you took over this family business, you traveled extensively and experienced many dangers. I wonder if you have any personal grudges with anyone?"
When investigating a case, it was inevitable that she touch on people's taboos.
However, if she was timid and found hard to speak, she would not be able to obtain the information she wanted.
All she could do was try her best, using the gentlest words to touch their hearts.
"A personal grudge?"
Elder Zhao took a deep breath. He thought for awhile as he began to recall his past.
His concubine answered without hesitation, saying firmly:
"My husband has always been kind-hearted. In Luyan harbor, he is known for his benevolence. What kind of personal grudge could he have? Madam Chu, you're thinking too much. Since you're investigating the case, you should ask questions related to my son's disappearance. What's the point of beating around the bush?"
After saying that, she covered her face and cried delicately. As she sobbed, she said,
"My son has been missing for many days and there has been no news of him. We don't even know if he's dead or alive. Yet, you officials still have the leisure to ask about unrelated matters. You don't seem to care about the people at all."
Elder Zhao was already anxious about his son. When he saw that his beloved was so sad, he grew angry and frustrated. He suppressed his anger and comfort the woman.
While Elder Zhao was comforting his wife, Magistrate Hu's eyes lit up and he immediately whispered into Chu Nanzhi's ear,
"I think we should learn from the old man and just insist on our explanation."
Then, he impatiently winked at Deputy Sun.
Deputy Sun understood what he meant and said,
"Your son's disappearance is rather bizarre. A person inexplicably disappeared under our noses. It was certainly the deliberate action of someone with ulterior motives."
Elder Zhao immediately disagreed. "What nonsense. There are more than a hundred guards in my mansion. Even if someone dared to have such evil designs, how could they have escaped unscathed after entering this mansion?"
Chu Nanzhi almost burst out laughing when she saw that Elder Zhao had been provoked by Deputy Sun's words.
Little Ruijia burst out laughing.
This child was very clever. When they were outside the mansion, she had heard everyone arguing endlessly whether bandits were involved. Now, the old grandpa was putting his faith the ability of his guards.
If someone with ulterior motives could not accomplish this, how could a few thieves do it?
As she thought, Lin Ruijia could not help but lean towards Chu Nanzhi and whisper, "Is this Grandpa Zhao being contradictory?"
Chu Nanzhi shushed Little Ruijia and shook her head to signal the child to be quiet.
Elder Zhao also realized that he had said something wrong. He no longer debated whether the deed had been done by bandits or enemies. He deliberately changed the topic and pointed at the woman beside him.
"I was in a hurry just now and forgot to introduce you to Madam Chu. This is my wife, Madam Yu. Just as my wife said, I've been open and honest my entire life and don't have any old enemies."
His tone when he introduced his wife was very intimate.
After thinking for a while, he looked at Chu Nanzhi and deliberately added,
"This concerns my son's life. I wouldn't dare to conceal anything."
Chu Nanzhi nodded thoughtfully.
Judging by his sincere expression, he did not seem to be hiding anything.
Meanwhile, he and the county magistrate each stuck to their own views. One of them directed his suspicion towards the bandits to exert pressure, the other directed the suspicion towards an enemy to shirk his responsibility.
But no matter which side she was leaned towards, Chu Nanzhi gradually realized that everyone was leading this case in the same direction.
Missing, not murdered.