Lu Gu looked at Zhong Li, biting her lip as if reluctant to answer the question.
Zhong Li did not urge her, but casually threw out a sentence, "You're feeling so uncomfortable, don't you want to get what you want sooner and feel better?"
Upon hearing this, Lu Gu gritted her teeth and said, "It was the shopkeeper of the Silver House. He invited me to a meal once, and put this thing in my cup. Ever since then, I've been unable to stop."
"The Wu family's Silver House again?" Zhong Li did not expect this outcome.
Lu Gu nodded, "I've told you everything I know. Where is the Chate grass? Give it to me quickly!"
Zhong Li stood up and gathered all the account books scattered around Lu Gu, saying, "Lu Gu, you should know that Chate grass is a forbidden item in the Southern Yue Kingdom. How could I possibly have it?"
With that, she turned and walked out of the disciplinary room.
"Zhong Li!" Lu Gu's angry roar echoed in the room, "You, a dignified imperial official, have deceived me! May you have a terrible end, a terrible end! You wretched woman!"
Lu Wuxie was waiting for her outside the prison cell. Hearing the shouts from inside, he looked at the woman who gracefully walked to his side and asked, "What did you promise him that he would say such things?"
Zhong Li turned back to look at the prison cell and explained the situation inside to Lu Wuxie.
Lu Wuxie raised an eyebrow, "I found it strange earlier that Lu Gu would be so frail. Now I finally understand that he's an addict."
"Yes, his addiction is quite severe. I didn't intend to deceive him, but to get him to talk, this was the only way," Zhong Li replied.
Lu Wuxie nodded in understanding, acknowledging that for someone like Lu Gu, only Chate grass was his weakness.
"At the time, I only intended to thoroughly investigate the matter of Shen Tu Jue in Lin Zhou to give the people of Ying Zhou an explanation. I never imagined that this case would involve such intricate entanglements," Zhong Li said to Lu Wuxie as they walked out of the yamen.
Lu Wuxie said, "You mean the Wu family's Silver House?"
Zhong Li pondered for a moment, "The Wu family's Silver House is just one part of it. The Emperor has already banned Chate grass. Who would risk a death sentence to dabble in this? And then there's Shen Tu Jue; we still haven't figured out his purpose in coming to Lin Zhou."
Lu Wuxie nodded, "Indeed. When we were investigating the Beichuan Gang case, we suspected that someone within the Southern Yue Kingdom was colluding with people from Ying Zhou. It now seems that the matter is not as simple as it appeared with the confiscation of Marquis Anping's entire family."
"And another thing!" Zhong Li, hearing Lu Wuxie's words, recalled something that defied common sense. She added, "Why is the beef and mutton sold by Beidi to Southern Yue so unusually cheap? What is the purpose behind it?"
Lu Wuxie nodded, agreeing with Zhong Li's thoughts. A hint of unease also stirred within him. He thought that after being reborn, he had the upper hand, but now it seemed that all his plans were merely a dagger to slice open this conspiracy. What lay at its depths frightened even himself.
They continued talking like this, unaware that they had already walked out of the yamen.
Standing outside the gate was a person holding a jar, looking at them.
"Young Master Tuo?" Zhong Li recognized the person and stepped forward to greet him.
Lu Wuxie felt an inexplicable awkwardness rise within him, seeing the person beside him so familiar with a man she had only met a few days ago.
"Official Zhong, Official Tian said you were interrogating a prisoner inside. I waited for a long time and thought I had missed you, but it turns out you're just coming out now." Tuo Bai looked at the woman with a face like a bright moon, and a faint smile couldn't help but curve his lips.
Zhong Li smiled apologetically, "The interrogation took a bit long, thank you for waiting."
"No, I don't blame you, Official." Tuo Bai said, his cheeks suddenly flushing. He handed the jar to the person beside him and added, "I came here to wait for you because I have something I want to tell you."
"What is it?" Zhong Li asked, puzzled.
"This..." Tuo Bai hesitated, his gaze shifting to the person behind Zhong Li.
Zhong Li followed his gaze and said, "Shall we go to the other side?"
"Alright!" Tuo Bai nodded and led Zhong Li across the street.
Lu Wuxie stood in place, watching Zhong Li follow a man. He swore that if he hadn't cultivated his temper, he would have rushed over and punched that fellow named Tuo Bai.
Lin Jin walked to Lu Wuxie's side, followed his gaze, sighed, and ran towards the horse trough to feed the horses as if escaping.
The sun was setting, and the sunset glow illuminated Zhong Li's face. Her fair complexion was flushed, and her usual aloof demeanor was replaced by a touch of softness and charm.
Tuo Bai was somewhat stunned by the beauty before him until a cold reminder from the woman on the opposite side brought him back to reality.
"Young Master Tuo, if you have nothing to say, I'll be leaving."
"Ah!" Tuo Bai reacted, instinctively grabbing Zhong Li's sleeve.
Zhong Li's brows furrowed slightly, her gaze lowered. She looked expressionlessly at the slightly awkward scene before her.
Tuo Bai came to his senses, withdrew his hand, and offered an apologetic expression. His neck shrunk slightly. He glanced around at the passing pedestrians, feeling for a moment as if a pair of fierce eyes were staring at him, intent on taking his life.
Zhong Li was patient, waiting for Tuo Bai to organize his words.
"Official Zhong." Tuo Bai pulled at the corners of his mouth, wanting to leave a good impression on the woman opposite him, "I am very grateful to you for finding my elder brother's remains this time."
"It's nothing. This incident happened within the territory of the Southern Yue Kingdom but was overlooked by the imperial court. It is the Dali Temple that owes the deceased's family an explanation," Zhong Li replied with a smile.
"I have already sent a letter to my clan elder yesterday. He was very pleased to hear this news and instructed me to immediately depart with my elder brother's remains back to Beidi." Tuo Bai said.
"So, you are leaving now?" Zhong Li asked.
Tuo Bai nodded, his gaze on Zhong Li carrying a hint of reluctance and affection. "I came to find you, partly to say goodbye."
"Yes, Young Master Tuo, travel safely and take care," Zhong Li replied.
"And partly..." Tuo Bai choked for a moment. Just as he was about to speak, Zhong Li interrupted him, "Young Master Tuo, I already know what you want to say. Some things, once spoken, can ruin the feelings that should have existed. If you still wish to be friends with me, do not say it."
Tuo Bai was stunned, processing Zhong Li's words.
After a long while, he smiled with resignation, "Yes, you are so smart. How could I not have realized this?"
"Alas!" Tuo Bai exhaled, "The answer you've given is clear enough. If I push any further, it would make me seem petty."
Zhong Li shrugged, "What else?"
"Haha!" Tuo Bai laughed heartily, with the boldness characteristic of the Beidi people. He patted his chest and said, "After the matters in Lin Zhou are settled, the family will send other members of the Tuo family to take over the herbal shop business. It's very likely that I will be appointed as the next clan elder of the Tuo family."
"Then congratulations!" Zhong Li's smile widened, offering a heartfelt blessing.
"So, if there's a chance, you can come to Beidi to visit me."
"Mm!" Zhong Li nodded.
"But, you have to inform me before some people come." Tuo Bai added.
"Who?" Zhong Li asked.
Tuo Bai's gaze swept over a large poplar tree not far from where they stood.
Zhong Li secretly glanced at it and smiled, "Alright."
"Also!" Tuo Bai took something out of his怀 and handed it to Zhong Li. "This is my family's emblem. I'll give you one, as a debt of gratitude from my family. Within our capabilities, our family will do our utmost."
After saying this, Tuo Bai glanced at the attendant waiting for him nearby, called out to him, and quickly got into the carriage, throwing back a parting remark, "Remember to write to me when you have time."
Zhong Li's lips curved in a smile without answering. She simply waved goodbye to Tuo Bai.
The carriage, bathed in the last rays of the setting sun, drove out of Lin Zhou.
Zhong Li tightened her grip on the family emblem bearing the character 'Tuo'. She returned the way she came and, as she passed the large poplar tree, said, "Stop eavesdropping. We should be going too," before quickly walking towards the horse tent where Lin Jin was.