"Young Master, soone from Fushui County has co to report a missing girl from their family," reported Ye Wu, who had been stationed in Fushui County on Ye Zi’an’s orders. During his absence, Ye Wu handled all kinds of affairs every day, and reports were sent over every two days.
But this ti, Ye Wu had co to deliver the ssage himself, indicating the situation was rather serious.
"Did you send soone to look for her?"
"We did, and we also investigated, but there’s no news at all," Ye Wu replied, his head lowered and his complexion sowhat grave.
Upon hearing this, Ye Zi’an furrowed his brows and asked, "Where is the missing person from?"
"She’s from Fushan Village, the Land Officer’s daughter." Ye Wu paused for a mont before continuing, "It was said that during the Lantern Festival, the villagers went to the town to watch the lantern displays. The girl wanted to buy lanterns while the others waited. After purchasing them, there was a monkey show, and the crowd stopped to watch for a while. However, when the show ended, they realized the girl was gone."
"The Lantern Festival was five days ago, why is the report only being filed now?"
"Young Master, the family reported the case yesterday. I had already led a search with my n, but we found nothing, so I sent a ssage to you overnight," explained Ye Wu.
Ye Zi’an hadn’t expected that just after the new year, a peaceful situation in the two counties would give rise to such an incident. What he had not anticipated was that the situation would escalate to such an extent that it would nearly cost him his post, and almost nullify all his accomplishnts.
"In Fushui County, search through every brothel, regardless of which town it’s in. Don’t ntion searching for the person, only say that official silver has been stolen, and we’re hunting for the thief. Also, search every deserted temple, abandoned residence, and the like throughout the county."
"As you command, Young Master!"
Ye Zi’an massaged his brow, then added, "Privately interview each villager who went together, see if there’s anything suspicious. And find that monkey show perforr as well. As for Mianyang County, I’ll have Ye Er take care of the investigation."
"Why did this family wait so long to report the case? If soone went missing, they should’ve reported imdiately." Wasn’t this delaying the investigation?
"Oh, Young Master, don’t bother asking about these people. They have their stubborn pride; to them, reporting a missing girl is a matter of disgrace. You might not know this, but it was the girl’s suitor who hadn’t seen her for several days. After asking around, he eventually reported the disappearance," explained Ye Wu as he rubbed his face, thinking about the absurdity of a girl going missing and her family being too ashad to report it.
"Foolishness!" Ye Zi’an huffed. "The bailiffs in the yan should not stay idle in the office; let them patrol outside. And send a couple of constables to each town as well – make sure they are not just loafing around."
"Yes, Young Master!"
After sending Ye Wu away, Ye Zi’an hastily called Ye Er and others, instructing them to take the sa actions in Mianyang County as were taken in Fushui County.
The people of Mianyang County soon noticed that the streets seed more strictly patrolled than usual, with yan officials inspecting various places from ti to ti.
However, the first girl who disappeared from Fushan Village remained unfound.
The situation took on a ridiculous turn when it seed that the girl’s family knew they were searching for her in secret. Yet they ca forward to say there was no need to look for her anymore, as if she had never been born. The girl’s suitor, on the other hand, insisted on continuing the search.
Their opinions clashed, and they nearly ca to blows.
Furious, Ye Zi’an had two bailiffs summon the girl’s brothers and gave them a beating before driving them out of the county office.
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