CHAPTER 2026: CHAPTER 2025: THE REASON FOR GOING OUT

Bai Zepei nodded, "Rest assured, I will make proper arrangements."

Bai Ruozhu was wholly focused on the talisman, and seeing that her second brother was taking care of matters, she said, "Second brother, Magistrate Ma neglects his duties, not attending the government office during his shift, indulging in pleasures at the brothel. He doesn’t need to wear the gauze cap anymore. I’ll leave the rest to you; I’m heading back."

"Alright, let Jianqi escort you home so you can rest well." Bai Zepei thought Bai Ruozhu was feeling unwell after staying in the secret chamber and quickly agreed.

As Bai Ruozhu was about to leave, she unexpectedly ran into the Magistrate Ma, who had just woken up and tidied his official uniform.

"Why didn’t the two of you inform me about this case, sirs? This case seems to be ruled by one voice." Magistrate Ma didn’t straighten his collar, trying to assert himself without acknowledging his standing.

Bai Ruozhu scoffed, "Not being at the county government office, where could we find you, Ma? Moreover, you were frolicking around with the madam uncovered; do you have the time to handle cases?"

Ma Quanli widened his eyes, suffering from nearsightedness initially, so he didn’t recognize Bai Ruozhu as the person who knocked him out.

His heart thumped heavily; he was finished, caught red-handed.

Because his fierce wife managed things tightly, he thought it harmless to look for Zheng Chunrong during his shift, believing his wife wouldn’t notice. Yet, he was mistakenly caught by the patrol officer.

Even though Bai Zepei hadn’t officially received the title of Imperial Envoy, he held the emperor’s token for "substitute holy inspection," along with a holy edict. Ma Quanli hadn’t seen it personally, but the secretary below had already explained the situation to him.

With sweat in his heart, he hurriedly said, "It’s a misunderstanding, sirs. I received word about human trafficking here, so I brought confidants to investigate secretly, only to be discovered by them and drugged. I am truly ashamed."

Wow, Ma Quanli is quite clever.

Bai Ruozhu glanced at him, seeing him grinning foolishly as if trying to look innocent. If Bai Ruozhu hadn’t witnessed him with the madam, she would have been deceived by his seemingly honest smile.

If he was here investigating, it wouldn’t be negligence. Even if it resulted in entanglement with the madam, it would label him a victim; at most, he’d face a penalty for misconduct.

That’s different from visiting the brothel during working hours.

"Investigating without bringing constables, Magistrate Ma, is too careless. Furthermore, your town witnessing brothels abducting innocent girls implicates you, and your unclear relationship with the madam now leads you to suspension for review," Bai Zepei stated bluntly.

"Inspector Bai, I’ve been wronged!" Ma Quanli hurriedly knelt, "I’m focused on solving cases and achieving merit but was plotted against by traitors. You have to trust me, sirs, otherwise, won’t the schemers succeed?"

Bai Zepei snorted coldly, "Name these schemers; let’s hear it."

Ma Quanli’s mind raced before he pointed at Zheng Chunrong and Yang Laosan, "It’s them. Fearing exposure, they devised a plan to trap me, intending to control me through blackmail. But no matter what they attempt, I will unveil their hideout!"

Ma Quanli spoke righteously, as if it was he who uncovered Zheng Chunrong’s crimes.

"Ma Quanli, you filthy beast, you’ve taken a cut from us every month, demanding twenty percent of the profits, yet now you smear us!" Yang Laosan, still capable, cursed strugglingly.

Zheng Chunrong sighed; avoiding naming Ma Quanli was her initial plan for possible redemption if someone stayed clean. But seeing Ma Quanli’s selfishness, doubting his willingness to help became apparent.

Ma Quanli, gritting his teeth, glared at the two. His words held partial truth; initially, Zheng Chunrong and Yang Laosan tricked him, one offering drinks, the other taking him to bed, exploiting the situation for collaboration. Without it, how could he be so ensnared?

"Utter nonsense, you’ve been plotting against me for ages. Yet, without evidence before, now it’s in our hands," Ma Quanli exclaimed.

Zheng Chunrong’s eyes were shedding tears but remained calm.

"If I can drag them down along, I’m not afraid to pull you in, Ma Quanli. Little need for chatter; we have the account book as evidence."

This left Ma Quanli visibly pale, though he quickly composed himself, saying, "Fake evidence would exacerbate your charges!"

Bai Ruozhu signaled the matter to her second brother, indicating her leave; Bai Zepei nodded, urging her to rest swiftly.

Then Bai Ruozhu called Jianqi to leave some men guarding her second brother before escorting others back to the inn.

Passing by Jiao Ling’s room, she faintly heard Lanlan crying. Deciding to knock, she entered.

Inside, Jiao Ling and Lanlan were embracing each other, crying bitterly, remarkably heartbroken.

Bai Ruozhu glanced at Fen Jiu and asked, "What happened here?"

Fen Jiu’s eyes appeared slightly reddened, saying softly, "Lanlan snuck out to buy a gift for Jiao Ling’s upcoming birthday, wanting to surprise her mom. She calculated it well, planning to return within half an hour, staying clandestine, but got caught on her way back."

Fen Jiu sighed, "Returning, she took out the broken Jade Pendant, crying terribly for its damage. In her sadness, Jiao Ling blamed herself for failing to grasp her daughter’s sentiment."

Heartbroken, Bai Ruozhu felt sour inside, silently blaming herself. Recently, she spent days seeking food with Si Yihuan, barely sparing time for Lanlan. Had she done so, perhaps Lanlan would have sought her help.

Feeling Lanlan needed more peer company, Bai Ruozhu overlooked her thoughts, focusing instead on a mother-daughter reunion.

"Aunt, please stop crying; you’re scaring Lanlan." Bai Ruozhu gently held Jiao Ling, hinting Fen Jiu to take her to wash up, "Uncle, please comfort Aunt; I’ll stay with Lanlan."

Fen Jiu tried pulling Jiao Ling away, who refused to leave. Fen Jiu had to convince her, "You’ll distress Lanlan further like this; get cleaned up now."

Only then did Jiao Ling leave, sobbing.

"Lanlan, your cousin spent too little time with you." Bai Ruozhu sat beside Lanlan, apologizing.

"Sister Ruozhu, don’t say that. I was simple-minded, thinking things too easy," Lanlan replied, lowering her head, evidently shaken.

Unable to resist, Bai Ruozhu gently patted her head, saying, "Such small matters shake you? Broken gifts aren’t a big deal; we’ll prepare something even more special!"