The yamen runners of Xiangshui County all greatly admired Gu Yan Chen, and hearing they were helping him find his brother-in-law, not one slacked in their efforts. While they were excitedly discussing, the guard at the gate reported, "Song Ming, the Thousand Household's wife is here, asking for you."
Song Ming quickly dropped his brothers and rushed out, "Sister-in-law, why have you come here? Don't worry, Magistrate Luo has already accepted your younger brother's disappearance case, and all of us in the prefectural yamen are discussing how to find him."
Lu Nian Fu said, "I have a guess, it might be a clue."
Song Ming's spirits immediately lifted, "Please, tell me."
"Xiao Fei's maternal uncle, Li Chuan Hu."
"Ah?"
"The situation is a bit complicated, and I can't explain it clearly in a short time. Please lead the brothers from the prefectural yamen to search first. Don't alert the snake, I will have someone keep a close eye on him."
Song Ming asked, "How confident are you?"
Lu Nian Fu: "Seventy percent."
If the Wu family were still alive, she wouldn't have had this much confidence, but the Wu family had already died by the blades of the Wokou pirates.
Song Ming hummed, "Then we'll proceed on two fronts, keeping an eye on Li Chuan Hu while not letting go of other leads. Sister-in-law, don't worry too much. The boss is an expert at solving cases. Of the many cold cases in our county yamen, he's solved almost all of them in just over a month. Once he's free, rescuing your brother will be no problem."
"Your words are auspicious. Then I'll be going."
"Ah? Where are you going? Aren't you waiting for news at the yamen?"
"I still need to find someone else."
Lu Nian Fu planned to go to the farm to ask Tian Cheng Feng for help in keeping an eye on the person. Tian Cheng Feng was highly skilled in martial arts and was both brave and meticulous. With him watching, if Xiao Fei was indeed taken by Li Chuan Hu, he would surely reveal his tracks.
However, as she just stepped out of the yamen, she saw a troop of soldiers galloping towards them.
The horses' hooves kicked up dust as they landed. The man leading them wore a fur-lined outfit, exuding a heroic aura. The sunlight fell on his handsome face, making him radiant, so bright that Lu Nian Fu couldn't help but squint.
Then, as if seeing her pillar of support, she rushed towards him.
Gu Yan Chen dismounted and pulled the running woman into his arms, "Don't be afraid, I'm here. Xiao Fei will be alright."
Lu Nian Fu's heart inexplicably settled, and she nodded, asking in a low voice, "Why are you here?"
"Qing Ya sent someone to find me. Fearing that riding would be too slow, I took an official boat directly."
The waterway was faster than land, but when Qing Ya went to find him, he was still at sea, which was why it was delayed until now.
Magistrate Luo, upon hearing the news, quickly came out to greet them.
Gu Yan Chen was now several ranks higher than him, but earlier, he had worked under Magistrate Luo. Coupled with the connection of Mrs. Luo helping to arrange the wedding, Gu Yan Chen treated Magistrate Luo with great respect.
However, time was of the essence. After a brief exchange of pleasantries, he took his men to discuss the case.
Lu Nian Fu listened as he methodically arranged for people to track down Lu Fei, and the anxiety that had been hanging over her finally subsided. Just as she breathed a sigh of relief, the Li family caused more trouble.
She beat the grievance drum in front of the yamen, accusing Lu Nian Fu of kidnapping her younger brother in an attempt to murder him for money.
Magistrate Luo had just finished receiving the petition from Song Ming on behalf of Lu Nian Fu for the search of her brother, and in the blink of an eye, Madam Li sued Lu Nian Fu for the same matter. He felt that this woman was truly ungrateful.
What was a dye workshop worth?
Not to mention that Lu Chao had left Lu Nian Fu a large fortune before his death. Just by virtue of her status as the Thousand Household's wife, it was impossible for her to seize her brother's dye workshop. He heavily banged his gavel, "Madam Lu Li, you are accusing your stepdaughter. Do you have any evidence?"
"Your Honor, if my son were to meet with misfortune, she would be the biggest beneficiary. Is that not enough?"
"To slander the wife of a fifth-rank official without proof, do you know what crime that is?"
Madam Li shrank her neck.
Magistrate Luo threw another petition in front of her, "Considering your eagerness to find your son, I will not hold you accountable this time. Your stepdaughter has already filed a petition for this case. Please return now. Rest assured, I will handle this impartially and find your son's whereabouts as soon as possible."
Madam Li was skeptical, but faced with the county magistrate's stern expression, she became somewhat timid.
Moreover, the magistrate was right. Lu Nian Fu's wealth was several times greater than Xiao Fei's, and she was now an official's wife. It was said that an honest prefect earned a hundred thousand taels of silver in three years. If she wanted money, there was no need for her to target such a small dye workshop.
Perhaps this matter was truly a misunderstanding by her elder brother.
She hurried back to the manor, where Li Chuan Hu was still waiting for her, "Sister, how did it go?"
Madam Li waved her hand, "Brother, this matter might truly have nothing to do with her. When I went there, Nian Fu had already reported the case, and the magistrate told me to come back and wait for news."
"You are being foolish. They say officials protect each other. The marriage between Gu Yan Chen and your good stepdaughter was arranged by the magistrate's wife. Of course, he won't stand on your side. Wait, wait, wait. How long will this take? We can wait, but what about Xiao Fei? What if Lu Nian Fu does something drastic and kills Xiao Fei? What will you do?"