Chapter 30

Hu Xiaotian said, "If you don’t let me get involved, I’ll just meddle recklessly. If you can go to Tu Street, I can go too. Let’s see who can find that Mo Shaolin first!"

Muyan Feiyi's heart sank. Given Hu Xiaotian's arrogant and unruly nature, he was capable of anything. Although she didn’t want him to get involved in this matter, he was, after all, a victim of this case. This guy clearly hadn’t fully disclosed the details of the case and was definitely hiding something from her. After a moment of hesitation, she finally nodded and said, "You can come with me, but you must not interfere with my work!"

Hu Xiaotian smiled and said, "Don’t worry, I’m always well-behaved in front of pretty girls!"

The place they were heading to was Tu Street in the western part of the city. In Kangdu, there were three major horse markets, and this one in the west was the largest, but also the most chaotic. It was often referred to as Tu Street. Here, a wide variety of livestock was sold, from large animals like cattle, horses, sheep, and camels to smaller ones like chickens, ducks, geese, and dogs. Although the variety was vast, there were few high-quality animals. Most of the buyers and sellers were ordinary people, and there were few large transactions; most sales were made individually, and the prices were generally low.

Muyan Feiyi didn’t change into her official uniform. Her dress wasn’t suitable for riding, so she got into Hu Xiaotian’s carriage. Hu Xiaotian also didn’t like riding horses because his riding skills were poor, and he always worried about falling off.

Muyan Feiyi lifted the curtain and looked outside. Hu Xiaotian’s six servants were following closely behind, which made her frown. "Do you aristocratic young men always make such a big show wherever you go? Afraid that others won’t know you have money and status?"

Hu Xiaotian said, "I find it annoying too. Have you ever tried the feeling of being followed everywhere, whether you’re eating, sleeping, or even using the toilet?"

Muyan Feiyi’s face turned red at his words, and she lowered her long, black eyelashes, not speaking. She inwardly cursed him for being shameless, as he could say anything without a hint of embarrassment.

Hu Xiaotian sighed and leaned back in the carriage, suddenly remembering that Tang Qingxuan’s brothers were powerful figures in the horse market. He wondered if they would run into the Tang family today. He said softly, "I remember Tang Tielan is involved in the horse market, right?"

Although he asked indirectly, Muyan Feiyi could still sense his concern and worry. She smiled and said, "Don’t worry, this is Tu Street. Their business isn’t here." She paused and added, "If you don’t do anything wrong, you won’t fear the knock of the ghost. If you do too many bad things, won’t you feel guilty?"

Hu Xiaotian laughed, "Feel guilty? Ha ha ha..." His laughter was clearly dry. It wasn’t that he was afraid of the Tang siblings, but he didn’t want to cause unnecessary trouble.

As the carriage entered Tu Street, the ground became muddy. Although the street was large, the conditions were very poor. Horse traders from all over gathered here, and the place was a mix of people and animals. Most were individual traders, and the more powerful horse traders didn’t bother to do business here.

The street was wide, but it was crowded with carriages, horses, and traders driving livestock. After just a few steps, their carriage was stuck and couldn’t move forward.

Muyan Feiyi pushed open the carriage door and jumped out, and Hu Xiaotian followed closely behind.

The driver, Hu Fo, said, "Young Master, the street is blocked by livestock. The carriage can’t go through."

Muyan Feiyi had already started walking ahead. Hu Xiaotian said, "Wait here. I’ll go with Muyan...” He was about to say "Muyan the Constable," but seeing the crowd around them, he swallowed the last word. The six servants also wanted to follow, but Hu Xiaotian waved them off, not wanting to make a big scene and alert anyone. He only allowed Li Jinhao and Shao Yijiao to follow, as he had observed that they were the most capable among the six servants. As for Liang Dazhuang, who looked tall and fat, he was actually a coward and would only be a burden in a real situation.

Liang Dazhuang, who always considered himself the top servant, felt disappointed that Hu Xiaotian didn’t choose him this time. He volunteered, "Young Master, I’ll go with you."

Hu Xiaotian waved him off, "You are my most trusted person. I feel more secure with you staying here!"

Liang Dazhuang was greatly moved by these words, his confidence soaring. "Young Master, rest assured, I will not fail you."

Muyan Feiyi’s current attire was indeed not suitable for walking. After a few steps, her feet were covered in mud. Hu Xiaotian saw her lifting her skirt, her boots caked with mud and horse dung, and couldn’t help but comment, "I thought Miss Muyan was a lotus that remains pure despite the mud."

Muyan Feiyi glared at him, ignoring his sarcastic remark. She knew she could never match him in a verbal sparring match.

They found Mo Shaolin at the northern end of Tu Street. Mo Shaolin was 24 years old, from the northwest, a mixed-blood of Qin and Hu. He was tall and muscular, with dark skin and slightly curly hair. He had a square face, thick eyebrows, and large eyes. He wore a brown warrior’s outfit, which had turned white from frequent washing. His pants were rolled up to his knees, revealing muscular calves, and he wore straw shoes, also caked with mud.

When Hu Xiaotian and Muyan Feiyi saw him, he was haggling with a customer. In the horse market, haggling wasn’t done verbally but by hiding their hands in their sleeves and using fingers to indicate prices. Once a deal was made, they would shake hands.

Seeing Mo Shaolin’s well-developed muscles, Hu Xiaotian already guessed that this guy was no pushover. He leaned close to Muyan Feiyi’s ear and whispered, "Should we call for more help?"

Muyan Feiyi glanced at him, her eyes full of disdain. She had always looked at Hu Xiaotian this way, and her tone was mocking, "Are you afraid?"

Hu Xiaotian said, "How do you write 'afraid'?"

Muyan Feiyi had already started walking toward Mo Shaolin.

Mo Shaolin and the customer couldn’t reach an agreement, but they parted amicably with a nod and a smile. The customer left, and Mo Shaolin’s gaze fell on Muyan Feiyi’s beautiful face. A woman as beautiful as Muyan Feiyi appearing in the dirty Tu Street was a stark contrast. Moreover, she was accompanied by a well-dressed young man. These two should have been on a boat on the vast Cuiyun Lake or in a pavilion listening to music and reciting poetry, not in such a place.

Mo Shaolin’s gaze quickly shifted to their feet. From their steps and the rhythm of their walk, he could tell if they were skilled in martial arts. Mo Shaolin’s face was smiling, but he was already on alert.

Hu Xiaotian had been closely observing Mo Shaolin’s facial expressions, skilled at analyzing the subtle psychological changes through a person’s expressions. It seemed that having multiple skills was indeed useful, and his past study of psychology was proving to be quite practical.

From their steps, Mo Shaolin had already determined that Muyan Feiyi and the two servants behind her were skilled in martial arts. As for the smiling young man, he seemed to lack martial arts skills, but his physique was strong, not like a weak scholar.

Mo Shaolin’s face was sunny, but he was cautious. "Young Master, Madam, are you here to buy a horse?"

Muyan Feiyi’s face turned red at being called "Madam." She thought, "What kind of eyes does this guy have? I’m clearly an unmarried woman, and my hairstyle and attire show that I’m not married."

Hu Xiaotian laughed, not intending to take advantage of Muyan Feiyi. It was Mo Shaolin who had made the mistake. Hu Xiaotian nodded, planning to ask indirectly about Zhao Zhenghao’s whereabouts. But Muyan Feiyi had no interest in being subtle and asked directly, "Are you Mo Shaolin?" Su Le immediately knew this was bad.

Mo Shaolin smiled, "Yes! Do you know me, Madam?"

Muyan Feiyi said, "Do you know Zhao Zhenghao?"

Mo Shaolin said, "Yes! We’ve traded horses together."

"Where is he now?"

Mo Shaolin looked at Muyan Feiyan suspiciously, "What do you want with him?"

Before Muyan Feiyi could speak, Hu Xiaotian took out a five-tael silver ingot and waved it in front of Mo Shaolin, then handed it to him. Mo Shaolin’s smile grew wider as he took the silver, carefully looking around and said mysteriously, "I’ll tell you, and I’ll take you there!"

If Muyan Feiyi hadn’t been so impatient, Hu Xiaotian wouldn’t have resorted to this. He wondered how Muyan Feiyi, the top female constable of Jingzhao Prefecture, had earned her reputation. Investigating a case required skill and subtlety, and one must gather information before the other party realizes the true purpose. Muyan Feiyi had come in civilian clothes, and Hu Xiaotian thought she was going to act like an undercover officer, but she had revealed her true identity to Mo Shaolin with her first words, almost telling him outright that she was a constable.

Mo Shaolin turned and walked to the back, entering the horse stable and speaking to a horseman with a gray-blue headscarf.

Hu Xiaotian said to Muyan Feiyi, "Something seems off. Mo Shaolin is acting suspiciously." He signaled to Li Jinhao and Shao Yijiao to circle around to the other side and keep an eye on Mo Shaolin to prevent him from escaping.

Muyan Feiyi coldly said, "I don’t think he can do anything." As she spoke, Mo Shaolin jumped onto a muddy yellow horse and grinned at Muyan Feiyi, "If you want to find him, follow me!" He pulled the reins and kicked the horse, which neighed and galloped away. As it approached the fence, it leaped over the four-foot-high barrier, landing with a splash of mud that covered Li Jinhao and Shao Yijiao. Before they could form a包围, Mo Shaolin had already galloped away, leaving them behind.

***********************************************

Regarding the protagonist's character, the change in the body also changes the person. I won’t elaborate on this point further. I welcome all constructive feedback, but for those who try to attract attention with malicious reviews, I can only say, "Ha ha."

Page flip AD starts

Page flip AD ends