Chapter 36 A new storm V

　　This September wind carried a chill. Lu Ying had just finished preparing lunch for a dozen people and retreated to her room to mend a winter coat.

　　Like any girl, she wanted her clothes to be pretty, be it shirt, skirt, or coat. As she pondered over patching the hole with a floral swatch, she realized she was short on thread of the same color.

　　She made her way to Zhou Ge's side chamber and knocked lightly on the door.

　　Moments later, the door opened to reveal a middle-aged man. He stared at Lu Ying for a moment before breaking into a wide smile.

　　"You must be the new kitchen maid? Come in, come in."

　　Lu Ying hadn't met him before and didn't recognize him.

　　"Is the Inquisitor handling official matters?" she asked.

　　"All done. Come inside," Zhou Ge replied.

　　She entered and was introduced to Huang Qin, the martial arts instructor at the Prefect's mansion and was currently at the Trial Office to verify winter provisions like charcoal and clothing.

　　After exchanging courtesies, she stated her intention.

　　Huang Qin was disappointed to learn it wasn't about buying ingredients. Everyone raved about the new kitchen maid's culinary skills, and visiting the Trial Office without sampling her dishes was like coming for nothing.

　　His mind whirled, and a plan formed.

　　"Inquisitor Zhou, I know a place that sells thread. Their thread is strong, durable, doesn't fray, and comes in every color. Since I've finished the task assigned by the Miss, how about I show the kitchen maid the way?"

　　"You're going with her, Huang?"

　　"I'm free today, no problem. Lu, let's go."

　　Lu Ying had never ventured beyond selling her skills and purchasing supplies, so she felt uneasy about going out alone. Having the martial arts instructor from the Prefect's mansion accompany her was the best arrangement.

　　The two left together, but at the gate, Lu Ying waited for a while. Huang had left earlier, but she wondered why he wasn't in sight.

　　About a few minutes passed, Huang Qin arrived with others. Behind him were two men dressed as soldiers from the Prefect's mansion, each pushing a cart.

　　"Huang, what's this?" Lu Ying asked.

　　"Buying vegetables," he replied.

　　"The mansion has enough supplies," she protested.

　　"Not enough, not enough. Today we eat fresh. Don't worry, the three of us will pay for it ourselves. Whatever's left, we'll leave it at the Trial Office. Come on, let's go."

　　The two pushcart men were delighted. They were tired of eating at the Prefect’s mansion or outside, and when Huang Qin mentioned trying the new culinary skills, they jumped at the chance.

　　Seeing this, Lu Ying had no choice but to agree.

　　The four of them, with two in front and two behind, made their way to the fabric shop Huang Qin had mentioned. Huang personally bought several colors of new thread and five pieces of patchwork fabric before leading the way to the market.

　　The market was his main destination. Once there, he kept asking the girl what she was skilled at, what she could cook, what she could stew, what she could stir-fry, and what she could mix. In half an hour, the two carts were full.

　　Lu Ying looked back and saw that they had bought enough. It was time to go back.

　　"Huang, we have enough," she said.

　　Huang Qin called out, "Let's wrap up."

　　They returned the way they came, with two in front and two behind.

　　As they neared the market's edge, they saw a scene that wasn't there before.

　　A man in his early twenties stood in an otherwise empty space. He wore a gray shirt, a blue vest, and black trousers, with a small hat on his head.

　　In front of him were five paintings. He stood behind the paintings and shouted, "Guess riddles for fun! Two coppers for a guess, ten coppers if you're right! Guess riddles for fun!"

　　His shouting drew a crowd.

　　Huang Qin was quite curious about such things and squeezed his way to the front for a closer look.

　　The first painting showed a short man in official clothing leading a search through the streets, with the word "Inquisitor" written on him.

　　The second painting depicted a farmyard scene where the short man entered to ask for water and was received by a man and a woman.

　　The third painting was covered with a black cloth, obviously the riddle to be solved.

　　The fourth painting showed an official ascending to the court to hear a case, with the short man and the farmyard man standing together below.

　　The fifth painting depicted two adjacent mansions, one labeled "Prefect" and the other "New Inquisitor." Beside the "Prefect" stood a woman in a qing-colored dress with a sword, while beside the "New Inquisitor" stood a short man with a knife.

　　The crowd looked, pondered, and discussed.

　　Someone shouted, "Isn't that Miss He, the prefect's daughter, in the fifth painting?"

　　"Yes, and the other one is the new Inquisitor Zhou," someone confirmed.

　　Huang Qin looked and saw that the painting indeed resembled them.

　　The clever ones among the crowd understood. Someone stepped forward and pointed to the second painting, asking, "What did Inquisitor Zhou do at this farmyard?"

　　As the crowd speculated wildly, another man stepped forward and tore off the black cloth.

　　The third painting revealed a night scene where a short man with a knife entered the farmyard alone and assaulted a woman, causing her to commit suicide by drowning.

　　The man who set up the paintings and riddles wept bitterly.

　　"Fellow citizens of Beici County, I am Wang Dazhuang from Huajun County. As you can all see, the new inquisitor was originally a fugitive from our prefecture. He thought he could escape recognition by traveling far away, but little did he know that I, his adversary from the same court, would come to your prefecture."

　　Some people in the crowd asked, "What happened back then?"

　　"Everything is depicted in the paintings. The Inquisitor visited and fancied my younger sister. He secretly assaulted her, causing her to commit suicide by drowning. Originally, he was imprisoned in our prefecture, but somehow he escaped. Not only that, but he also became the new inquisitor here in Beici County. I have a deep grudge against him and cannot let him deceive everyone."

　　Someone shouted, "Report it to the prefect's mansion and have him arrested!"

　　"How can we report it when the prefect's mansion is protecting him?" someone said.

　　This remark made sense to the crowd.

　　Huang Qin couldn't bear to listen anymore. He stepped forward, grabbed the man by the collar, and demanded, "Who sent you here?"

　　The man protested, "Sir, I'm telling the truth!"

　　"Would our Miss use a fugitive?"

　　"It could be a case of deception, sir!"

　　"Nonsense!" Huang Qin raised his fist.

　　The man closed his eyes tightly and shouted, "He's hitting me! He's hitting me! A sir from the prefect's mansion is hitting me! Everyone, come and see!"

　　At this point, the crowd was shouting various things. Some suspected that Miss He had been deceived, others speculated that Zhou Ge had charmed her, and still, others guessed that they were in cahoots to do something unscrupulous, like reopening the Trial Office.

　　Huang Qin lowered his fist, calmed himself, and smiled.

　　"This is interesting. I was too impulsive just now. I should reflect on that. Listen, young man, I know exactly where you're from, and this stunt of yours is quite sneaky."

　　"Sir, sir, I'm telling the truth!"

　　"Stop with that. Miss He's character is clearer to me than anyone else's. Even Shen and Ji recognize her. How could she be wrong? This must be a slanderous attack. How much did they pay you?"

　　"Sir, I'm not lying!"

　　"I'll find out soon enough." Huang Qin whistled, and several policemen quickly approached. "Arrest him!"

　　After issuing the arrest order, he scanned the crowd and noticed several suspicious-looking individuals.

　　"Don't let any of them escape!"

　　After dealing with the situation, he turned to leave.

　　"Kitchen maid, let's go back to the mansion. Lu, Lu..." He called out several times but didn't see her. After searching repeatedly, Lu Ying had disappeared.