"Don't be nervous, don't be nervous... This matter isn't your fault. Just attend to your usual duties - all I need is to borrow some of your men."
Zheng Youde straightened his expression, "Since the case occurred within my jurisdiction, I cannot shirk my responsibility!"
Jing Yi sighed inwardly. He understood Xiao Jin Yu's intention in pushing this case onto him.
The whereabouts of that storyteller remained unknown, the meaning of that small booklet still unclear, and the Prince of Wu Commandery had worked himself into a nervous state. Now this incident had occurred. Though it seemed completely unrelated, it was better to be safe than sorry.
Especially with someone as muddle-headed as Zheng Youde in charge...
"If you want to participate in this case, that's fine, but you must follow all my instructions."
"I will obey Lord Jing's every command!"
"Good... Gather some men and dig a saliva well in Chu Chu's courtyard before nightfall."
Zheng Youde froze, "Dig a well?"
"It's necessary for the investigation... If you're unwilling, that's fine too. You may attend to your other duties..."
"Willing, willing... I'll immediately gather people to start digging!"
"Thank you for your trouble, Magistrate Zheng."
"It's my duty!"
When Grandma Chu returned from the market, Zheng Youde was already digging in the courtyard with three constables, their tools clanging noisily. Even he himself had rolled up his sleeves and was working with a shovel, sweating profusely from the exertion.
Grandma Chu was startled, "Magistrate Zheng? What... what are you doing? Why are you digging up my courtyard?"
Zheng Youde heaved a shovel of soil, panting heavily, "Digging a well..."
Grandma Chu was puzzled, "What do you need a well for?"
Zheng Youde pointed toward the house with his hand, "Ask your son-in-law... We need to finish before dark, we're busy..."
Grandma Chu hurried into the house and saw Xiao Jin Yu sitting leisurely in the living room reading a book. She quickly asked, "Child, what's going on outside?"
Xiao Jin Yu set down his book and smiled gently at Grandma Chu, "Don't worry, they're just here to dig a well for the household..."
"But everything was fine, why dig a well now?"
"The river water downstream has been contaminated, it's undrinkable these past couple of years... They've already replaced all the water in the jars. You can use the jar water until the well water is ready."
Grandma Chu paused, "Contaminated? How? It was still fine early this morning..."
Although the Chu family came from coroners, Grandma Chu wasn't one herself. Xiao Jin Yu hesitated slightly as he looked at the gentle, kind-faced old woman before him. "Upstream... they discovered a corpse."
Grandma Chu immediately looked shocked, "A dead person?"
Xiao Jin Yu, worried the old woman might have a strong reaction, watched her nervously and nodded gently, "Yes..."
Unexpectedly, before her surprise faded, Grandma Chu sighed, "Ah, right before the New Year, what a sin... It's alright, one or two dead bodies won't matter. Which river hasn't floated a few dead things... Quickly tell Magistrate Zheng and the others to stop digging. Look how exhausted they are, what's the rush..."
After all, she came from a coroner's family...
"Grandma, it's not just one or two dead people... There are over a hundred."
Grandma Chu's eyes widened immediately, "Oh! Over a hundred!"
Xiao Jin Yu quickly added, "Don't worry, the yamen will quickly remove the bodies and investigate the truth... Please don't... don't take it too much to heart..."Grandma Chu nodded thoughtfully, "Alright, alright..." She gave Xiao Jin Yu a warm smile, "Don't take it to heart... When people die, they return to dust and earth, no different from mud or water, not dirty at all... It's good that you understand."
"You're right..."
Grandma Chu glanced toward the door, "Let them dig then. With your delicate health, you need to eat clean food, or you'll fall ill again... Seeing how miserable you were last night broke Chu Chu's heart..."
Xiao Jin Yu's face flushed red, "Thank you, Grandma..."
Turning back, Grandma Chu frowned with concern, "With over a hundred corpses, Chu Chu's father and the others will be busy for who knows how long. Tomorrow's New Year's Eve already – I hope they make it back in time..."
"Don't worry, they will."
Grandma Chu smiled, "That's good then... I'll go tidy up the kitchen. You keep reading!"
Watching Grandma Chu slowly walk toward the back with her basket, Xiao Jin Yu suddenly remembered something, "Grandma... Let me help with some chores."
"Eh?" Grandma Chu paused in surprise and turned to look at him.
"You're the elder – it's not right for you to work while I sit idle... I'm not sure what I can do, but please assign me a task. I'll do my best."
Hearing Xiao Jin Yu's sincere and earnest tone warmed Grandma Chu's heart, making it hard to refuse. After a moment's thought, she said, "There's not much to do... Ah, I haven't fed the pigs since going out this morning. Could you feed the two pigs in the backyard for me? The pig feed is ready, right by the pen... Can you manage that?"
"Of course."
Reassured by his prompt agreement, Grandma Chu went to the kitchen to work with peace of mind.
After soaking vegetables, marinating meat, and steaming cakes, Grandma Chu thought to pick two spring onions from the backyard garden. When she glanced toward the pigpen, her heart leaped in fright.
Xiao Jin Yu was leaning over the pigpen railing, one hand gripping his cane while the other held a wooden ladle extended into the pen. Stretching his arm desperately to reach the large white pig nestled in the center, he stood wobbling unsteadily with half his body suspended in air – as if a gust of wind from behind could send him tumbling headfirst into the pigpen.
Grandma Chu's face turned pale with alarm. She hurried over in a fluster, quickly supporting him and snatching the ladle away, "What are you doing?!"
Startled, Xiao Jin Yu loosened his grip and nearly fell forward. Grandma Chu dropped the ladle to steady him, helping him sit back in the wheelchair. Looking at his thoroughly flushed face, she felt both exasperated and amused, "Silly child, were you trying to feed the pigs or feed yourself to them?!"
"I... I fed one already, but the other... the other one is lying inside and won't move..."
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