There is a god in the sky

Chapter 15 Zhongyuan Chapter Sacrifice 5

"Ahem..." A cough interrupted the yamen runners' whispers.

"Fang...Master Fang."

It turned out to be Magistrate Fang.

Magistrate Fang was not yet forty years old, but he had a refined and gentle demeanor.

"You've all worked hard, please go down and have a drink."

The constables thanked them profusely, saying, "Thank you, sir."

After they left, Magistrate Fang looked at Xiao Ji and his group with amazement in his eyes.

He had long heard that the Prefectural Judge of the Criminal Justice Department was a young talent dispatched from the capital, the youngest top scholar in the imperial examinations.

He is so young and handsome, with an imposing presence. He truly deserves to be from a prestigious family.

"Lord Xiao, I have long admired your name. It is truly an honor for me to meet you today!" Lord Fang said, bowing.

Xiao Ji politely took his hand, "Lord Fang, please don't stand on ceremony. I apologize for disturbing you."

Magistrate Fang also had doubts. Why would this person, who was in charge of criminal cases in the prefecture, suddenly come to Qingmu County? Could it be that a major case had occurred in Qingmu County?

"Lord Xiao, you're too kind. Please come in and talk. Have you had dinner yet?"

"No need to trouble you, sir, we have already eaten."

Xiao Ji followed Magistrate Fang all the way to the back office, and what he saw was no different from an ordinary county office.

The back room is the residence. The Fang family doesn't have many servants, but it's become lively now because the aunt has returned.

Xiao Ji was really curious about the case he had just heard about, and couldn't help but ask, "I heard that your sister's return to her parents' home was because her only son was murdered?"

When the topic of his younger sister came up, Magistrate Fang frowned deeply.

"Yes, my little nephew is clever and adorable. I never expected that he would be murdered by the concubine in my family. Now my sister even hates her husband and insists on divorce. There is nothing I can do."

Xiao Jiping said frankly, "Your sister is very perceptive, and it's good that she left that place of heartbreak."

Magistrate Fang was worried that he would look down on divorced women, but after hearing this, he was relieved and became more enthusiastic.

Upon arriving at the study, Magistrate Fang ordered tea to be served and began chatting with Xiao Ji.

The two were meeting for the first time, but being officials, they were adept at using polite conversation.

Once the atmosphere warmed up, Xiao Ji asked, "I just heard the constables say that someone figured out the cause of Young Master Ding's death at a glance?"

Magistrate Fang did not hide anything and told Xiao Ji the whole story.

This case will eventually be reported to the state judicial commissioner's office. Telling Xiao Ji now will also prevent him from being suspected of settling personal scores later.

Xiao Ji was astonished to hear that a woman had told Fang the cause of death.

"Lord Xiao, you may not know this, but Wei Lanxiang's adoptive father is a Taoist priest who usually takes on funeral rites and rituals, and he deals with the dead a lot."

Xiao Ji suddenly remembered the soul guide in the desolate town. She was also a girl. Could it be her?

"That girl is truly extraordinary. If she were a man, she would definitely be a coroner," Xiao Ji exclaimed.

Magistrate Fang hadn't considered that possibility.

Being a coroner was a lowly position, almost a hereditary one. What young girl in her prime would want to be associated with the dead?

"Let's not talk about her anymore. May I ask what instructions Lord Xiao has for coming to Qingmu County?"

Xiao Ji looked embarrassed and lowered his voice, saying, "I have a private matter I would like to ask Brother Fang for help with."

He took out the portrait, mentioned the search for the person, and briefly explained the whole story.

Upon hearing that the son of the Marquis of Pingyang had gone missing, Magistrate Fang dared not delay and immediately asked his advisor to make several copies of the portrait, preparing to send people out to search for him first thing the next morning.

Xiao Ji said tactfully, "There may be another woman with my cousin Fu. If we find them, please do not disturb them and leave it to me to handle."