Chapter 26

This Zhang Benwu, it turns out, was wearing makeup.

His face was powdered and rouged.

However, the technique was so skillful and the makeup so natural that it was hard to detect. Most people who saw him would not think he was wearing makeup, but rather that it was his normal skin tone.

It was only because Qin Shaoyou had the [Keen Eyes] talent, which allowed him to spot subtle clues, that he could tell Zhang Benwu's face was made up.

No, it wasn't just his face.

Qin Shaoyou's gaze shifted downward to Zhang Benwu's hands.

His hands were also powdered and rouged.

While some dandies enjoyed applying powder and rouge, even dressing in women's clothing and boasting of their elegance,

this Zhang Benwu was only six or seven years old, surely too young to be playing at such elegance and sophistication.

Moreover, the light makeup he wore seemed to be covering something.

Although Qin Shaoyou had made this discovery, he did not rush to point it out.

He did not want to alert the suspect, as he still lacked concrete evidence.

However, this discovery made Qin Shaoyou certain that Zhang Benwu was peculiar.

He just didn't know if this peculiarity was related to Zhang Benwu's disappearance overnight...

Qin Shaoyou maintained his composure, continuing to observe Zhang Benwu secretly, hoping to find more clues. He then smiled and said, "Young Master, we are bailiffs from Luocheng, and we have a few questions for you."

"Please ask, sir."

Zhang Benwu's voice was indeed very hoarse.

So hoarse that it lacked the clarity and sharpness of a child's voice.

Unfortunately, the [Keen Eyes] talent could not determine the authenticity of a voice, so Qin Shaoyou couldn't tell if Zhang Benwu was genuinely hoarse or just pretending.

Zhu Xiuzai, standing nearby, gave a subtle glance, perhaps having made some discovery as well.

Qin Shaoyou continued to smile like a creepy uncle: "We are just bailiffs, not worthy of being called 'sir.' Young Master, how were you kidnapped last night? Could you tell us the details?"

Zhang Benwu cooperated, recounting the process of his kidnapping and escape. The content was similar to what the gatekeeper had described, but more detailed.

Qin Shaoyou and Zhu Xiuzai asked several key questions repeatedly, and Zhang Benwu answered without any issues.

Seeing that the questioning was almost complete and the observation thorough, Qin Shaoyou bowed and said, "We have finished our questions. Thank you, Young Master, and Lord Zhang, for your cooperation. We have disturbed you for quite some time, and we apologize."

Zhang Shilang grunted and called a servant to see them out, while he himself picked up his obedient grandson and inquired about his recovery.

As Qin Shaoyou walked out of the hall, he glanced back at Zhang Shilang.

He wasn't sure if it was a mistake, but he felt that Zhang Shilang's vitality had diminished even more at that moment.

It was as if he had been 'eaten' a large bite...

Exiting the hall, Zhu Xiuzai moved closer to Qin Shaoyou, not speaking but giving a meaningful look.

Qin Shaoyou understood that Zhu Xiuzai must have made some discoveries as well.

He nodded slightly, not asking any questions, planning to discuss with Zhu Xiuzai once they were outside the Zhang residence.

After walking for a while, Qin Shaoyou began to chat with the servant leading the way.

After a few casual words, he asked, "Is Lord Zhang's health usually good?"

"Very good. My lord studies Confucian classics and cultivates a noble spirit. Although he doesn't have the appearance of a young man, he is still vigorous," the servant replied, flattering first before continuing, "However, he has a slight cold today, with qi deficiency and coughing."

"That should be treated by a doctor; it shouldn't be taken lightly."

"He has already seen a doctor and been prescribed medicine."

"That's good, that's good."

Qin Shaoyou nodded repeatedly, seemingly concerned about Zhang Shilang's condition, but actually pondering in his mind:

Zhang Shilang's qi deficiency and coughing are probably not due to a cold.

Zhang Benwu returned today, and Zhang Shilang's qi deficiency also started today. Isn't that a bit too coincidental?

He also recalled the moment when Zhang Shilang's vitality seemed to be 'eaten' and couldn't help but speculate: Could it be that Zhang Benwu 'ate' it?

Turning a corner, Qin Shaoyou saw two servants from the Zhang residence carrying a dog toward him.

Due to the strange wild dogs in Miyuan County, Qin Shaoyou was now very sensitive to dogs.

As they passed, he took a closer look and noticed that the dog's eyes contained both hope and excitement, as well as despair and fear.

This made him even more curious.

He stopped the two servants and asked, "Why are you carrying a dog? Where did you get it?"

The servants, though unfamiliar with him, saw him walking out of the residence with a guide and guessed he must be a guest of the lord.

They did not dare to be rude and bowed, answering, "We bought this dog outside the gate. The doctor said that the young master was too frightened and needed a dog's heart as a medicine to calm his nerves. We bought the medicine from his pharmacy and on the way back, we met a butcher selling dogs, so we bought one..."

Qin Shaoyou followed up, "Do you know the doctor and the butcher?"

The servants replied, "We know the doctor; he is Doctor Xu from Baoan Hall. We don't know the butcher, though we have seen him before, but we are not familiar with him and don't know his name."

"Where did you meet the butcher? This dog looks quite fat; I might want to buy a few as well."

"Just turn left when you leave the gate; it's not far. You should be able to catch up with him if you go now."

"Good." Qin Shaoyou nodded and glanced at Zhu Xiuzai.

Zhu Xiuzai immediately understood his meaning, quickly picked a few strong men, and gave them some instructions in a low voice, sending one group to investigate Doctor Xu at Baoan Hall and another to chase the butcher.

Qin Shaoyou took the dog from the servants, pretending to weigh it and check its fatness.

Zhu Xiuzai cooperated, saying, "We have already sent the Heavenly King Heart Nourishing Pill to your young master. It is a spiritual pill made by the monks of Luohan Temple and is the best for calming the nerves. There's no need to give him a dog's heart. Dog meat is hot in nature, and a dog's heart is even hotter. The young master is young and has been frightened, making him weak and qi deficient. How can he use such a hot and dry substance as a medicine? Isn't it risky? This Doctor Xu seems to have limited medical skills."

Qin Shaoyou chimed in, "That's right. Don't give the young master a dog's heart; otherwise, his condition might worsen, and you will all be held responsible. This dog looks quite fat; let us have it. We can have a good meal tonight."

"This..."

The servants were hesitant, unsure whether to follow Qin Shaoyou's advice.

Qin Shaoyou, seeing this, took out a piece of silver from his pocket and threw it to the two servants.

"I won't take the dog for free. Here's the silver, consider it payment for the dog."

The two servants caught the silver, weighed it, and immediately beamed with joy.

It was more than double what they had paid for the dog, so even if they were scolded when they returned, it would be worth it.

Besides, they could always buy another dog or catch one.

There were plenty of wild dogs in the city and its surroundings.

But if they missed this opportunity to earn the silver, they wouldn't get another chance.

The two servants thanked him and happily left with the silver.

The guide servant didn't ask any more questions, just envied his companions for making a small profit.

Just as they were about to leave the Zhang residence with the dog, Qin Shaoyou saw one of the strong men he had sent to the eastern abandoned temple return.

"Did you get any results from the eastern abandoned temple?"

After bidding farewell to the Zhang residence's servant, Qin Shaoyou went up to him and asked.

"Yes."

The strong man nodded and replied, "The bailiffs and night watchmen of Miyuan County have already taken over the eastern abandoned temple. Not only did they capture the criminals, but they also found the scroll that Lord Zhang's grandson mentioned. They are now interrogating the criminals in the eastern abandoned temple to find out how to release the children in the painting. The news has spread, and the people from the city and its surroundings have gathered, surrounding the eastern abandoned temple."

"They really caught the criminals and found the scroll?"

This result was somewhat unexpected for Qin Shaoyou.

He thought for a moment and said, "Lead the way; let's go to the eastern abandoned temple and see."

On the way, Qin Shaoyou asked Zhu Xiuzai, "Did you notice anything?"

Zhu Xiuzai nodded and whispered, "The hoarseness in the young master's voice is fake."

It's really fake?

Qin Shaoyou was curious, "How did you figure that out?"

"It's all about practice." Zhu Xiuzai puffed out his chest proudly, "Not only can I tell if someone is faking a hoarse voice, but I can also tell if a prostitute is genuinely enjoying it or just pretending."

Ma Heshang, however, revealed his past, "He used to break into houses and open locks; if he didn't train his ears, he would have been caught and had his legs broken long ago."

"That was in the past." Zhu Xiuzai chuckled awkwardly and then asked, "Sir, did you notice anything?"

Qin Shaoyou nodded and shared his observations.

"Makeup and a fake hoarse voice..."

Zhu Xiuzai stroked his chin and made a bold guess.

"Do you think this grandson might not be the real grandson?"

Qin Shaoyou said, "I have the same suspicion, but without concrete evidence, we can't arrest him."

Zhu Xiuzai thought for a moment and suggested, "Why don't I sneak into the Zhang residence tonight and keep an eye on him to see if he makes any more mistakes?"

Qin Shaoyou considered it and thought it was worth a try.

Soon, they arrived near the eastern abandoned temple.

Before they could see the temple, they were greeted by a sea of people.

Not only were the inner and outer layers of the temple surrounded, but the rooftops and treetops were also crowded with people.

While some were the parents and relatives of the missing children, most were there for the spectacle.

Qin Shaoyou and his group, relying on their strength, pushed through the crowd to the temple gate, leaving a trail of curses behind them.

Inside the temple, the bailiffs and night watchmen of Miyuan County were interrogating several criminals bound with ropes.

A large scroll was unfurled and stood in the temple courtyard.

The scroll was filled with people.

All children.

Children with different expressions and appearances.

So vivid that it was chilling!

Unlike the others, Qin Shaoyou, with his [Keen Eyes] talent, saw something even more terrifying and hair-raising on the scroll.