The security in the capital was either exceptionally good, or there were too many powerful figures in the capital, making the previous Prefect too afraid to offend anyone carelessly.
In short, the Shuntian Prefecture yamen had very few cases in the past six months.
With no cases to solve, Lin Qingge could only focus her energy on Fan Liu's old case.
"Master Hua, about how long will it take to check the household registrations?"
"If it's fast, three to five days; if it's slow, six to seven days~"
"And what if Master Hua also joined in?"
Hua Jinrong paused his fan-waving hand upon hearing this and looked incredulous, "My Lord, are you joking with this student?"
"Master Hua, where do you see this official joking with you?"
Meeting those eyes where the smile didn't reach, Hua Jinrong couldn't help but lift the corner of his lips into a bitter smile, "My Lord, this student always thought he was a very special existence in your heart~"
"Indeed quite special, especially deserving of a beating and especially prone to failing."
...
Hua Jinrong's usually curved lips stiffened for a moment, then he complained mournfully:
"My Lord, saying such things about this student will make me sad~"
"You can be sad, but don't let it interfere with your work."
With that, Lin Qingge directly pushed them into action.
Driven by Lin Qingge's personal involvement, everyone's work enthusiasm and efficiency reached unprecedented heights.
During this period, Hua Jinrong, in an effort to slack off, also called Lin Moyuan, who was visiting his friend, to come over.
Yan Tinghao looked at the newcomer and in a startled voice called out, "Cousin," then cast a suspicious gaze at Hua Jinrong.
"Master Hua, this subordinate has always wanted to ask, you and my cousin have such a good relationship, yet this subordinate has never heard your name from my father's mouth?"
"Constable Yan, this student is merely a commoner, how could I possibly trouble Master Yan to remember my name?"
"Is that so?"
Yan Tinghao, having a rare moment of intelligence, scratched his head and said:
"But it doesn't seem like my father doesn't recognize you, Master Hua, does it?
When my father left last time, he specifically instructed this subordinate to stay far away from you.
However, Master Hua, you are generous and assist my Lord with all your heart, so how could you be a bad person?"
"He's not exactly a bad person, but he's definitely not a good one either, so cousin, you should listen to your father and stay away from him in the future."
"Oh."
After hearing Lin Moyuan's words, Yan Tinghao nodded as if he understood, then continued to pore over the household registration documents in his hands.
Lin Qingge's gaze swept over Lin Moyuan and Hua Jinrong. Before she could say anything, Ye Shenxiao, who was already dizzy from looking, spoke first:
"My Lord, don't just torment us; don't the yamen also have constables and guards?"
"No, this official cannot trust those whose backgrounds are unknown.
What if one of them is a spy for some faction and sets a trap for me or causes trouble?"
...
Feeling that what his Lord said seemed to make sense, Ye Shenxiao had no choice but to fall silent and return to the eye-straining work.
As for Lin Qingge herself, when it was time for a meal, she meandered back to her residence to eat.
Seeing Lin Qingge leave, Lin Moyuan stood up and, under the surprised or envious gazes of everyone, openly strode out of the room.
Following him, Hua Jinrong also slipped away under the pretense of buying food for everyone from Jubaozhai.
Although this fellow did not appear again in the afternoon, the food from Jubaozhai was indeed delivered to the yamen.
And so, everyone worked diligently for several days.
During this period, Leng Ningyue's face also began treatment after repeated examinations by Murong Bai.
Since the scar had long since scabbed over, Lin Qingge was somewhat worried whether it could be completely cured.
After all, this was not modern times with advanced medical equipment.
What if it couldn't be restored to its original state...
Although Sister Ningyue wouldn't care too much, she still felt a little uneasy.
Perhaps because Lin Qingge's worry was too obvious, Murong Bai spoke coldly:
"Could it be that my Lord doesn't trust my medical skills?"
"Of, of course not!"
"Hmph, my Lord, rest assured. If I cannot cure Madam Lin, I will disfigure my own face to apologize to Madam Lin. Is that acceptable?"
"That would be wonderful, no, no, how could that be?"
Blurted out her inner thoughts, Lin Qingge looked up at the slightly narrowed fox-like eyes and slapped her thigh, "Oh no, I suddenly remembered.
There are important matters waiting for this official at the yamen. I will leave my wife to Assistant Coroner Murong."
With that, she grabbed the hem of her clothes and ran off without looking back.
Watching the figure flee faster than a rabbit, Murong Bai sighed faintly, "Tsk, what's so good about this heartless creature?"
Qin Han, standing beside him, kept his eyes on his nose and his nose on his mouth, remaining silent.
Back at the Shuntian Prefecture yamen.
After five days of busy work, everyone finally had results.
"My Lord, this list records the names of all infants born in the capital on the day the midwife couple was murdered."
Lin Yan said, presenting the compiled booklet to Lin Qingge.
"My Lord, a total of 123 infants were born in the capital on that day. Only 18 families were considered prominent, of which 5 had already passed away."
"As expected of my Lord, the scope has narrowed down considerably~"
Glancing at the fellow who would rather pay money than exert effort, Lin Qingge frowned and analyzed:
"Even so, this number is still more than this official estimated.
Master Hua, you, Lu Mingxuan, and Ye Shengsong will visit these eighteen households one by one.
First, to see if the children born that year lived smoothly.
Second, to inquire if any strange occurrences happened in their households when their children were born.
Third, to pay attention to whether there are any housekeepers or guards in their households who are missing the tip of their right little finger."
"Yes, my Lord~"
Ye Shenxiao, assigned a task, raised his hand and said, "My Lord, can this one not go?"
"Little Ye Zi, you've been acting strange lately.
It seems ever since you came to the capital, you've been like a rooster whose throat is being choked, too quiet.
What, are you afraid that the women you've tricked before will recognize you and hold you responsible?"
Hearing Lin Qingge's words, Ye Shenxiao's expression became strange as he nodded, "Y-yes, my Lord. This student is afraid of being recognized, so my Lord should find someone else more capable."
"There's no one more capable, so we can only trouble Elder Qin Ming."
???
Qin Ming, who was utterly bewildered about who he was, where he was, and what was happening, followed Lu Mingxuan out of the yamen.
Another several days passed with the investigation.
Before Hua Jinrong and the other two could uncover anything, Lin Qingge received an imperial decree summoning her to receive envoys from the State of Chile?