Chapter 2600 - 2573: Suspicion

"However, my father did indeed find out some things. At least Young Master Zheng’s visits to inspect the manor were informed to him intentionally by someone who knew his temperament well. Whether the manor head instigated the brawl under someone’s orders is uncertain, as he has yet to confess."

Meanwhile, County Magistrate Guo in the front hall spoke with Yin Li, "My lord, it seems Zheng Erlang is not pursuing the mastermind. Shall we continue investigating?"

Yin Li handed him the small note he had just received, "Sun Zhi is missing."

County Magistrate Guo took the note, slightly surprised, "Missing in our capital region?"

Yin Li glanced at him, "No, he disappeared shortly after leaving Xingyang on his way to the capital. The Sun Family has already reported to the authorities, claiming they encountered bandits on the road."

County Magistrate Guo clicked his tongue and asked, "Do you suspect Patriarch Zheng?"

Yin Li said, "Lord Tang once said that solving cases can’t rely solely on suspicion. Without evidence, who knows whether the perpetrator is man or ghost? We have no evidence now, and Sun Zhi is his wife’s nephew, which ordinarily wouldn’t lead to such actions. But in this world, nothing is certain."

County Magistrate Guo was unsure of Yin Li’s intentions.

Yin Li said, "Tomorrow, visit the Zheng Family again and inform Zheng Fei. Whether it’s true or not, let him decide for himself."

County Magistrate Guo looked up at Yin Li—what was the truth of the matter?

Yin Li gave him a faint glance, indifferent to the truth; he intended to stir the calm waters even more.

No matter if it was true or not, the incident didn’t occur within his capital region.

County Magistrate Guo hesitated, fearing being attacked for acting as the vanguard.

He then suggested, "My lord, I need to check the sowing situation in the countryside tomorrow. Lord Zhou visits daily to treat Zheng Erlang; why not have him convey the message instead?"

Yin Li gave him another glance and said, "You go personally."

He said, "A dispute over water led to a brawl in your jurisdiction. Even if you handled it impartially, it counts as your negligence. Currently, only the position of Yanzhou’s Senior Officer is decent. I will report to His Majesty to reserve it for you."

Actually, a brawl over water isn’t a major issue; the significant part is that it resulted in casualties. Even in the capital, deaths aren’t extraordinary; people inevitably die each month in Chang’an County and Wan’an County.

The major issue is that deaths occurred due to the water dispute and brawl.

This has a seriously negative impact. Initially, the case was judged within his Wan’an County, with Yin Li as his superior. At most, his annual assessment would suffer, but he could improve the following year.

But it escalated to such a degree that the case got handed over to the Three Departments, making it more than an annual assessment issue.

County Magistrate Guo long knew he was destined for a transfer; he just didn’t know where or what position it would be.

If it were a county magistrate position in a lower locality, he’d consider surrendering. The path would be far too winding.

But if it were for a Senior Officer position...

County Magistrate Guo breathed a sigh of relief. Although a lateral transfer is also a demotion, it’s better than becoming a county magistrate. So, he nodded and said, "Alright, I’ll go."

Yin Li nodded satisfactorily.

Only after exiting the Yin Residence did County Magistrate Guo realize that having Zhou Man convey the message would have been better? It wouldn’t hinder anything, so why must he go personally?

This doesn’t relate to his transfer, does it?

Though puzzled, County Magistrate Guo didn’t return to question Yin Li, knowing there should be some distance from a superior–being too close isn’t favorable.

Besides, asking such questions would make him seem foolish, so County Magistrate Guo decided to ponder on his own.

He still hadn’t figured it out by the next day.

Lord Guo timed his visit to the Zheng Family. Upon entering, Zhou Man was indeed giving Zheng Fei acupuncture, his head completely covered with needles, resting with eyes closed.

After changing into clean clothes and getting perfumed, with the servants’ help, he entered and sat beside the empty table in the room to drink tea.

Glancing outside, he smiled and asked a Xiaos, "Why does this courtyard only have you few? Not even a maid?"

Xiaos replied, "Our Young Master likes peace and is accustomed to instructing us, so only a few of us are needed."

County Magistrate Guo smiled and nodded, pondering. Though not as expert at investigation as Tang Zhihe, he had served many years as a magistrate and wasn’t foolish, discerning something amiss.

It appeared Zheng Fei wasn’t keen to pursue, nor did he quite trust his family.

When Zhou Man finished removing the needles, and a servant brought a clearly bitter medicine for Zheng Fei, County Magistrate Guo suddenly said before Zhou Man could leave, "Erlang, you might not know, but Sun Zhi is missing. I heard he was robbed by bandits on his way to the capital."

Zheng Fei sharply looked at County Magistrate Guo.

County Magistrate Guo put down the teacup and met his gaze.

Manbao glanced between them, noting Zheng Fei’s disturbed demeanor, and concerned about the issue with the tumor in his brain, asked, "Who is Sun Zhi?"

The tension between them eased slightly.

Zheng Fei wouldn’t speak, so County Magistrate Guo replied, "He’s Erlang’s eldest cousin."

Zheng Fei clenched his fist tightly.

Manbao furrowed her brows. Though unaware of Sun Zhi’s connection to this matter, being relatives, concern is natural when a relative is captured by bandits, so she asked, "Did you report it to the authorities?"

County Magistrate Guo: "...We did."

Manbao comforted Zheng Fei, "Don’t worry, Young Master Zheng, you’re injured now and, even if you were healthy, couldn’t assist him since he’s been abducted by bandits. With the report filed, relations can be leveraged; funds or personnel, whatever is needed, can help retrieve him."

Zheng Fei laughed in anger but ultimately smiled, nodding slightly at Zhou Man to indicate acknowledgment.

After Manbao and County Magistrate Guo left, she couldn’t help but complain, "You knew about his injuries; why tell him such things?"

County Magistrate Guo replied, "You didn’t say I shouldn’t tell him."

"You didn’t inform me beforehand," Manbao retorted. "I clearly stated his emotions shouldn’t fluctuate. If something happens, I’ll submit a memorial to impeach you."

County Magistrate Guo: ...No way he considered that.

"Lord Zhou, your threat is quite unique."

Manbao snorted and then curiously asked, "On which road was he robbed? How could bandits appear during peace times?"

"When were there no bandits? Even in peaceful times, there are idle and lazy folk," County Magistrate Guo dismissed, "He was robbed shortly after leaving Xingyang, and now his fate is unknown."

"Isn’t Xingyang the Zheng Family’s domain? Seems their control over Xingyang isn’t that great; why is the emperor so lenient with them?" Manbao asked, "Are the cousins well-affiliated?"

County Magistrate Guo slightly smiled at her, "No, their relationship isn’t good."

Manbao’s expression froze.

County Magistrate Guo elaborated, "Zheng Erlang and Zheng Dalang differ in political views, and the Sun family’s brothers side with Zheng Dalang, leading to disputes with Zheng Erlang. Their relations aren’t good, even impacting Zheng Erlang’s bond with his mother."

He added, "This time he was injured in the capital, and before his injury, Sun Zhi visited the capital, leaving two days prior to return to Xingyang. This journey from Xingyang to the capital was meant to visit Zheng Erlang. Who knew an incident would occur right upon leaving Xingyang."

Manbao took a while to process his words, staring at County Magistrate Guo, "You can’t suspect Zheng Erlang, can you? Would he even have the mind for this now?"

"No," County Magistrate Guo smiled at her, "We suspect Patriarch Zheng."