Interrogation
Da Ji opened the door for Madame Liu and whispered softly, "The two individuals are awake." I have followed your instructions and separated and detained them.
Madame Liu nodded, pausing by the window for a moment before turning away and heading towards the room where the only fully conscious person resided.
Bound hand and foot with a technique of particular sophistication, escape was virtually impossible.
Da Ji brought a chair for Madame Liu and waited for her signal before removing the cloth muffling the man's mouth. She delivered a menacing kick and issued a warning, "Cooperate, or face the consequences."
Seated, Madame Liu inquired, "Who sent you?"
No response.
Not waiting long, Madame Liu continued, "Did you come for the Bai family, or someone else?"
No response yet.
Madame Liu regarded him silently, refraining from further inquiry but also from departure, her thoughts inscrutable.
After a moment, Madame Liu sighed, "If anyone comes asking, we'll all maintain that you've left." "What can they do to us?"
Fear flickered in his eyes.
Deliberately, Madame Liu said, "There are many ways to commit murder, just as there are many ways to dispose of a body." Can I find the most effective method?
He trembled but remained silent.
Madame Liu rose and left.
Da Ji swiftly regagged the man before following.
The maid, perplexed, failed to fathom why the mistress would wade into such murky waters.
Madame Liu stood in the courtyard, gazing into the ominous night, where it seemed as if a monster lurked, ready to consume passersby at any moment.
Approaching, Da Ji bowed and said, "Madame, I have instructed a dozen servants to guard this place for twelve hours." "They won't escape."
Madame Liu nodded and inquired, "Has Dong Shu departed?"
"Yes, he left in the afternoon, likely to inform the master."
While Master Bai had instructed them to seek him only in emergencies, the fact that the initial visitors mentioned the Bai family first, as it was the first house they encountered, made them cautious.
Thus, Dong Shu departed.
Madame Liu directed, "Let's get some rest." He should return by dawn.
Mǎnbǎo also retreated to her room to sleep. Qian Shi gestured for her to join her, but Mǎnbǎo staunchly shook her head, "It's not raining; I want to sleep alone."
"Alright, let her be," Lǎo Zhōu's face showed pain, both physical and emotional. Feeling irritable, he said, "If anything, call Lǎo Sì." Mǎnbǎo, don't stay up too late at night, understood?
Mǎnbǎo replied, "Understood."
Mǎnbǎo happily returned to bed, swatting away mosquitoes before settling under the mosquito net, while still being able to see the stars in the sky.
If it didn't rain, leaving the roof unrepaired wouldn't be bad at all. Every day, she could see the stars and the moon from her bed.
Mǎnbǎo admired the starry sky for a moment before drifting into the system. Two books were placed in one of the grids: "Fundamentals of Traditional Chinese Medicine" and "Complete Yellow Emperor's Inner Canon."
Kēkē explained, "The 'Fundamentals of Traditional Chinese Medicine' was compiled by individuals from the future and covers the most fundamental knowledge." Since many Chinese medicinal herbs are extinct or endangered, I purchased the most comprehensive edition of the "Complete Yellow Emperor's Inner Canon" for the host. It includes translations that are easy to understand, making it suitable for beginners.
It continued, "Compared to modern times, for the future of Chinese medicine, I suggest starting with ancient Chinese medicine, especially the formulas passed down from the twenty-first century."
"In the mid-twenty-first century, Chinese medicine flourished, and many formulas were thoroughly validated and improved." By acquiring this knowledge, the host can not only benefit from the work of past generations but also from the contributions of future ones.
That's stable.
Mǎnbǎo always listened attentively to Kēkē's advice. She nodded and began flipping through the basic theories.
When it comes to theories, those who read them understand them. In no time, Mǎnbǎo felt drowsy.
She had always been a child who followed her heart. So, when she felt sleepy, she let out a yawn, then collapsed onto the bed and fell asleep.
Kēkē: ...
Seemed a bit miscalculated. Should I have just bought her the "Complete Yellow Emperor's Inner Canon," so she could tackle the fundamentals later?
During the daytime, the atmosphere was exhilarating and invigorating. With the window open, the weather felt pleasantly cool. Despite the constant buzzing of mosquitoes, they were unable to enter with the mosquito net in place.
Text: ### After Mǎnbǎo fell asleep, these sounds evidently didn't disturb her, so she slept soundly, unaware of when dawn broke. ###
Bai Shanbao also slept well, unlike most of the villagers, Lǎo Zhōu's family, and Madame Liu in the Bai residence.
She had hardly slept all night, either sitting or lying quietly. So, when there was a sound in the courtyard, she opened her eyes, her voice hoarse, "What's going on?"
The night watchmaid immediately went out to inquire and returned a moment later to report, "Madame, it's the gatekeeper reporting that the young master from next door has returned."
Madame Liu got up and said, "Have the steward invite him over."
"Yes."
Bai Li returned overnight. Originally, they were supposed to return from the neighboring county to Luojiang County today, but when he received the news last night, he felt restless.
But with the city gates closed to their left, they had to wait until the gates opened in the early hours of the morning to rush back. Fortunately, the neighboring county was not far from theirs, and they arrived in just over an hour by a fast horse.
Upon washing his face, he was met by the steward who stood waiting at the door. The steward observed as the master washed up and reported the latest situation.
Upon hearing that Madame Liu had personally taken the three captured individuals back to their house, Bai Lao Ye turned his head in surprise to look at the steward and asked, "Did Auntie say she would personally take charge of detaining them?"
"Yes, Madame Liu personally made the decision."
Bai Lao Ye's pace quickened. He understood his aunt; ever since his cousin passed away, she had been avoiding trouble as much as possible. Despite Shanbao's issues, she remained indifferent to everything.
Yesterday, when he heard that Madame Liu personally took those suspected scammers to the village chief's house, he knew something was amiss. Now, to hear that she personally took on the responsibility of detaining them, it was even more unusual.
Bai Lao Ye dropped his towel. Just as the next person came to invite him, he didn't have time to have breakfast. Grabbing a couple of pastries, he followed the person next door.
"Has Madame been frightened?" He asked, relieved to learn that not only the Bai family but even the three "scammers" seemed unharmed.