Qin Jiujiu scanned the courtyard and found there were three rooms. Only the leftmost one was lit, and it was also the largest room in the courtyard.
"Daddy, Daddy, Qiuqiu wants candy..."
Indeed, the sound came from the room with the light. Judging by the content of the words, there should be two people in this room, but Qin Jiujiu had never heard another person's voice.
Qin Jiujiu tiptoed closer to the room. The door was locked, and the light was not very bright. The windows and doors were tightly shut and locked from the outside. It seemed the person inside was locked in.
Qin Jiujiu peered through the window and could vaguely make out a figure. Ancient windows were covered with paper, so she couldn't see the person's face clearly, only their silhouette.
Judging by the figure, it should be a woman inside, and her posture was graceful, suggesting she was a beauty.
"Hahahaha..."
Laughter came from the room again, and Qin Jiujiu felt the laughter seemed to be getting louder. It was a pity she couldn't see the scene inside clearly. She could only vaguely see the woman walking towards the bed, then taking off her outer clothes and lying down.
Qin Jiujiu had already felt that the woman's voice was strange. Now, seeing her method of undressing and the way she carelessly threw her clothes on the floor, Qin Jiujiu suspected the woman was not mentally stable.
She couldn't pinpoint what was wrong, but she just felt, based on her intuition, that there was something strange about this woman. However, since she had entered the courtyard without permission, even if she had her suspicions, she had to suppress her doubts and leave the small courtyard.
As soon as Qin Jiujiu left, the woman who had been lying down in the room suddenly opened her eyes. She got up nimbly, walked to the window, and looked outside through the glass.
After seeing Qin Jiujiu's retreating figure, a flicker of surprise appeared in the woman's calm eyes.
This woman, she had never seen before!
Following the system's navigation, Qin Jiujiu successfully returned to the main hall.
As soon as she rejoined the group, all eyes turned to her.
This scene inexplicably reminded her of monkeys in a park. She smiled and explained, "I just went out for some fresh air. I drank a bit too much just now..."
Qin Jiujiu said this while looking at Su Yuqing. She had, in a way, secretly entered someone's courtyard. Seeing the host, she felt a little guilty.
Su Yuqing chuckled softly, the corners of his lips curling up into a handsome arc. Although he was nearing middle age, his face was undeniably handsome. His demeanor was gentle and refined, making him look no older than thirty.
In modern times, he would be considered a very charming handsome man.
"Miss Qin, can you find your way? To prevent eavesdropping, I deliberately sent all the household servants back to their own quarters."
No wonder she hadn't seen anyone when she went out. It turned out Su Yuqing had dismissed the servants. This explained her earlier confusion about not seeing anyone. After all, many people had served dishes earlier, and then they had all disappeared. She had indeed found it strange then.
"I just wandered around nearby. I didn't go far, so I can still find my way back."
Su Yuqing gazed quietly into Qin Jiujiu's eyes, as if deep in thought. Though his expression remained peaceful, Qin Jiujiu felt he was trying to discern the truth of her words through her eyes.
Why?
Qin Jiujiu found it strange because she felt that Su Yuqing was worried she might have seen something, and seemed very concerned about whether she had truly not gone far.
She suddenly felt that she couldn't tell him about seeing the woman in the autumn courtyard. She had originally wanted to seize the opportunity to ask about it, but now Qin Jiujiu decided to remain silent.
Although she couldn't claim to be skilled at lying, Qin Jiujiu felt she could lie with a straight face and a steady heartbeat. Su Yuqing didn't notice anything amiss on her face, so he didn't press further.
The conversation was over. Su Yuqing's words were no different from what Li Cuiya had said. However, perhaps because he was the deputy town head, he knew some things Li Cuiya didn't. From his words, they thought the matter might be related to the town head, who seemed to play a crucial role in it.
Although Su Yuqing had not commented on the town head's character, Xie Yun had already concluded in his heart that the town head was a reckless and glory-seeking person. Therefore, in the next few days, they would start their investigation from the town head. There must be someone in the village who had close ties with the Nine Infants.
Otherwise, how would the shaman know that the Nine Infants desired a new bride every month? This must have been a pre-arranged deal with the Nine Infants. But for what reason? Why would someone in the village make a deal with the Nine Infants, and what was their purpose?
After that night's banquet, Xie Yun reassigned the tasks. Qin Jiujiu and Xie Jing were responsible for tracking the town head, while Bai Qianluo and Xie Yun were responsible for the shaman.
Qin Jiujiu noticed that she was always paired with Xie Jing for missions. However, the main characters' romantic pairing must not be broken. Although she was extremely unwilling, and it was clear the powerful figures were also reluctant, there was no other way. The protagonists' emotional development was the most important, and she was willing to sacrifice herself for them.
For three consecutive days, Qin Jiujiu didn't see any sign of Xie Yun and Bai Qianluo, and even Xie Jing, who was in her group, was rarely seen.
That day, after Xie Jing returned to the inn, he specifically went to her room and threatened her subtly.
Thinking about that day, Qin Jiujiu got angry.
After the banquet that night, she was about to undress and go to sleep when she heard a knock on the door. She looked through the crack in the door and saw the great Buddha, Xie Jing. Qin Jiujiu began to reflect on herself.
Had she done something wrong?
After building up her courage internally, she opened the door. But she had no intention of letting Xie Jing into her boudoir, so she stood at the doorway, not intending to let him in.
However, Xie Jing didn't say a word. Was he not looking for her about something?
The two stared at each other, and the atmosphere gradually became tense.
"Young Master Xie Er, are you looking for me regarding the matter of investigating the town head?"
She had thought about it. The only reason the villain would look for her was because of the mission. But seeing that Xie Jing was unwilling to speak, she had to initiate the conversation.
"Are you planning to talk at the doorway?"
She was slightly stunned. She hadn't expected Xie Jing to be unwilling to open his mouth for this reason. But why did he have to enter her room late at night? Although she couldn't suspect him of having improper intentions towards her, he certainly had improper intentions towards her life!
"It's late at night, and it's not good for a man and a woman to be seen together..."
"What's not good about it? Didn't Miss Qin come to find me late at night before?"
Before she could refuse, Xie Jing's words blocked her.
She quickly continued, "But it's so late, no one will see us. Young Master Xie, please come in!"
Qin Jiujiu quickly moved aside. She hadn't expected Xie Jing to be so particular about ceremony. She hadn't intended to let him into her room at all. Although she was from modern times, she wasn't that close to Xie Jing. Moreover, at such a late hour, letting a notorious killer who often tried to kill her into her room was something Qin Jiujiu wasn't willing to do.
But if the villain wanted to come in, she couldn't refuse!
"Young Master Xie Er, please sit!"
Qin Jiujiu, though internally resistant, appeared very enthusiastic. At this moment, she had the demeanor of a server, but unfortunately, Mr. Xie did not appreciate it.
He directly passed by the chair she had pulled out and sat on the opposite one. Embarrassed, Qin Jiujiu simply plopped down on the chair she had pulled out.
If I'm not embarrassed, then Xie Jing will be!
"Although the mission has been assigned to both of us, I hope you will just protect yourself and not get involved."
Xie Jing's words were concise, and Qin Jiujiu understood their meaning.
He basically disliked her and wanted her not to cause him trouble!
If Xie Jing was a wolf, Qin Jiujiu was a rookie. But to be told this, Qin Jiujiu felt very angry. But who could help it, since he was the wolf? She could only submit to his oppressive power.
So Qin Jiujiu smiled obsequiously and readily agreed, "Of course, I promise I'll take care of myself and definitely won't cause you any trouble."
What Qin Jiujiu didn't know was that Xie Jing was already starting to suspect if she knew his secret.
Her repeated behavior convinced him that she was afraid of him!
Considering her attitude towards others and towards him, Xie Jing's intention to kill her grew stronger.
Qin Jiujiu, of course, didn't know any of this and just smiled foolishly at Xie Jing. Then she saw that the villain's already unpleasant expression was now covered with dark lines.
Before Qin Jiujiu could understand the reason for Xie Jing's darkening face, he had already gotten up and left the room, very decisively.
He was the one who came to find her, so why was he acting so proud?!
One day, if Xie Jing fell into her hands, she would definitely torment him, making him wish he could die but couldn't!
Of course, Qin Jiujiu had no idea how she would accomplish this.
Then, before she could enjoy her thoughts, the system's reminder arrived.