Ch 12: A Powerful Person, Stay The Night

**

"Take a look at this." Li Shi Zhen hands me a catalog with ancient Chinese words I cannot comprehend.

"I cannot read-" I pause before continue, "I don't favor reading. I usually meticulously observe my evidences." I subconsciously laugh to express my incongruous emotions.

Xu Kai's eyes are shooting daggers in my direction, yikes!

That was close. Almost got caught!

I lift a bucket of water from the well and speculate: "In a German town, a municipal water plant accidentally increased the water's pH to 12. The pH measures the potential of Hydrogen within the water. I find it coincidental that these hydrangeas are turning from purple, which indicates a neutral pH, to pink, a high pH."

"What is a German town? And you mentioned the coincidental pH. Is that concerning?" asks Li Shi Zhen.

"Depends. The villagers must have used the imported water supply to saturate their plants. Hydrangeas can survive in both acidic and basic water. Like the hydrangeas, there were reactions amongst the citizens: skin burns. Alkaline water must be behind this," I confirm.

Co-Commander Xu nods, "Miss Yuan, you're thinking what I am thinking, right?"

Did he just call me by my name?

I shake off the emotional thoughts and nod, "Yes, Sir Xu. If I am not mistaken, the villagers are importing water that has been contaminated."

Co-Commander Xu expresses his disappointment: "The villagers export their crops in expense for water that has come to harm them. The sellers must have figured this, but still continued to exchange this water supply. This must have been a powerful person's work of art."

"In the lab, when rat pups were fed alkaline water, their growth was impaired and their cardiac muscles suffered damage. There weren't direct evidence to suggest dangerous health risks, but this is enough to deem the cause," I try to add more empirical evidence but that's all I can recall.

They all fix their gazes on me. Li ShiZhen's mouth is wide open and a fly almost flies in there.

Xiu Ying whispers to me, "Miss, where did you learn all of this? Xiu Ying doesn't remember you even lifting a book regarding clean or dirty water."

I chuckle with hesitation, "I was studying on the bedside before I sleep, that's why."

Li ShiZhen claps his hand, "Indeed, Miss Yuan. That is impressive. You were spurting out information that even I, do not have knowledge of," he says as he takes notes in his book. "I could not have known you have such capabilities internally had I only seen you externally."

"Excuse you, Scholar Li. You cannot judge someone merely by his or her appearance." After saying that, I look towards the Co-Commander for his assurance. "Right, Sir Xu?"

Wait, his assurance? Why do I need his word of honor?

His brows raise and he utters while staring me in the eye, "Yes. Truly."

I feel the heat rise within me.

Kid me not. I am actually enjoying his affirmation? Get away, feelings. Shoo!

He looks away, resting his gaze to the bucket of well water, "If what you say is correct, then I assume it's a man made cause." He sighs, "Unfortunately, we still have to rest the night here."

I look at the sky; the sun is setting. I hadn't keep count of the time since I was occupied with solving the mystery. We soon arrive back to the horse carriage and the forest-like area.

"Shall we set up a fire outside?" Li Shi Zhen asks with exuberance.

Ah, yes. I remember camping in middle school. Quite fun, if you ask me.

Xiu Ying gasps, "Our Elder Miss cannot spend the night out in this forest. We need a place to rest! Am I corr-"

I am picking up branches from the floor. What should we have for dinner?

Did Xiu Ying say something?

"What did you say, Xiu Ying?" I question, smiling in anticipation.

Xiu Ying sighs, "Never mind Xiu Ying, Elder Miss. We'll spend the night here." She wanders to Li Shi Zhen and mutter, "I guess I'll help you set up the tent, Scholar Li."

Li Shi Zhen laughs at Xiu Ying, "Not even your Miss complains and yet you do? How pitiful!"

Xiu Ying slaps Li Shi Zhen by the arm, "Am not. Why don't you look at your face? It's smothered with dirt."

I smile, seeing their comforting presence.