Chapter 30: The Prefectural Office

Lin Chuyi’s eyes widened instantly, his mind struggling to keep up.

A chicken?

A bowl?

So that means the thief must be her and Xiao Qi!

Lin Qiyue was stunned as well. “Big Simpleton, are you really telling the truth?”

“Mm.”

“Ah, I have to hurry over.”

Leaving those words behind, Lin Chuyi dashed off in a rush.

“Yi Yi, wait for me!” Seeing Lin Chuyi leave, Big Simpleton limped hastily after him.

From the recent conversation, Mo Yu had come to understand the situation somewhat. When Lin Chuyi was settling accounts with him last night, he distinctly remembered mention of a chicken and a bowl.

The corner of his mouth twitched involuntarily. Just as he was about to say something, Lin Qiyue’s anxious voice cut in first.

“Brother Mo, don’t misunderstand. We didn’t steal the chicken. We were worried about your injury and feared you wouldn’t hold up. We got a bit anxious and forgot to leave a message for Aunt Qi.”

Mo Yu smiled. “I’m not misunderstanding. Let’s go see for ourselves.” Though what he really wanted to say was, does it really take reporting to the authorities over a chicken and a bowl?

“Okay.” Lin Qiyue nodded quickly.

In truth, she was dying of anxiety too. If she weren’t worried about Brother Mo, she probably would have rushed off with Yi Yi already.

She knew their father all too well. Once he started investigating a case, he was ruthless and impartial, caring for no one but justice. She just hoped Aunt Qi hadn’t yet arrived at the magistrate’s office.

After silently comforting herself, she felt a little better.

The magistrate’s office.

Aunt Qi and many villagers had already gathered outside early. The grievance drum sounded, and soon after, the door opened.

The duty constable smiled politely upon seeing the villagers, exuding warmth.

“Court session!”

At the sharp call, the villagers entered in an orderly fashion.

Inside the courtroom, the villagers’ expressions grew serious. Two rows of eight constables stood in neat formation, while at the head sat a middle-aged man in official robes.

This was Lin Chuyi’s father, Lin Zhixiang. To those outside the court, he was a benevolent and kind-hearted man; but inside, he was an iron-faced, incorruptible magistrate who brooked no ambiguity or evasion.

“Who stands below the court?”

“Commoner Wu Shi,” Aunt Qi knelt respectfully.

“What is the matter?”

“Your Honor, a chicken and a bowl have gone missing from my home.”

Lin Zhixiang frowned. “Explain what happened.”

After listening, Aunt Qi thought for a moment before beginning from when Lin Chuyi returned home.

“At the time, I was about to head out to the fields when Yi Yi suddenly burst in covered in blood, saying she needed a medicine pot to brew some concoction. I was terrified; the sight of her soaked in blood was truly frightening.”

As she spoke, Aunt Qi shivered involuntarily, as if the image of Lin Chuyi drenched in blood was still before her eyes.

Hearing this, Lin Zhixiang’s brow furrowed deeply. The image of the leopard that boy had dragged home came to mind, and now, with Aunt Qi’s account, his worry grew.

But for now, he forced down his unease. “Continue.”

“I asked her what had happened, but she wouldn’t say much. So I left. Then, right at the door, I met Qiyue rushing over in a hurry. I asked her what was wrong, but she too was tight-lipped. After I left, I went to feed the chickens and found one missing, along with a bowl. Your Honor, do you think Yi Yi and Qiyue might have been taken by some evildoers? Normally, at this time, that girl would have been running all over town,” Aunt Qi voiced her fears, worried the two children might have been abducted by villains.