Sesame and Mung Bean Alley was located at the westernmost end of Lingle County, where a large number of low - class people lived.
Poverty was a silent killer.
The housing prices here were the cheapest. It was a place where good and bad people were mixed, with brothels and gambling houses everywhere. Naturally, the public security was the worst.
Pei Xia had been in charge of patrolling this area recently.
Upon the order of Lord Hui, he took a few of his men and started the investigation from Sesame and Mung Bean Alley.
The alley was narrow but densely populated.
Pei Xia was tall. As he walked into the alley, the various clothes hanging overhead would occasionally hit his head.
He had to be extra careful while moving, always on guard against the dirty water suddenly poured from the second - floor windows.
The shouts of drunkards looking for trouble and the giggles of prostitutes filled the air.
Pei Xia remained unfazed. He simply picked a small diner, asked the innkeeper for a jar of wine, two plates of peanuts and broad beans, and half a catty of roasted meat, then started to eat and chat with his men.
Because of his good looks and imposing manner, he attracted a lot of attention. A prostitute named Hua Niang, who was standing at the opposite door, couldn't help but throw several flirtatious glances at him.
Hua Niang looked no more than twenty - four or twenty - five. Having experienced the ways of the world early, she had a charming figure. Although she was only of average beauty, she exuded a strong sense of coquettishness in every move.
Tang Da, one of his followers, stared at her blankly, even forgetting to blink.
"Hey, this woman is really something. If I could spend a night with her..."
Pei Xia frowned and said coldly, "Don't forget our mission."
Only then did Tang Da reluctantly turn back and dared not say another word.
Here, Pei Xia took the opportunity of inquiring about the food and wine to chat with the innkeeper, asking if there were any new residents recently.
The innkeeper, a middle - aged man, thought for a while. "There are indeed a few new families. They all have the elderly and children. Are you looking for someone, sir?"
Pei Xia then asked if there were any single men.
The innkeeper shook his head. "There are so many people coming and going in the alley every day. If you're looking for single men, you'd better ask at the place opposite."
As he said this, he gave a subtle smile.
The place opposite was a brothel, and most of its customers were single men.
Moreover, aside from other things, such places were the best for spreading information.
Pei Xia thanked the innkeeper, paid the bill, and assigned this task to Tang Da.
Tang Da was immediately excited and rubbed his hands. "Boss, I'll go right away."
Pei Xia nodded. "Go."
Unexpectedly, when Hua Niang saw that the visitor was the clumsy Tang Da, her face changed slightly. Just then, a donkey cart entered the alley. Hua Niang stepped aside and half - fell onto Pei Xia. "Ah, sir, have mercy on me..."
In the past, when Pei Xia encountered situations like someone being knocked down by a carriage or other accidents in the street, as a constable, he would never turn a blind eye.
Pei Xia could have easily reached out to help her up and then casually inquire about Shi Liang's whereabouts.
But at the moment when Hua Niang leaned over, Pei Xia smelled the strong perfume on her.
At that moment, he thought that Jiao Niang would definitely smell this perfume when he got home.
So Pei Xia firmly pushed her away.
This push made Hua Niang take two or three steps back.
She never expected such cold treatment. She covered her mouth with a handkerchief and sobbed softly. "Sir, you're so heartless."
Then, she gave Pei Xia a resentful look and stomped upstairs.
Hua Niang was angry and left. Tang Da looked at Pei Xia with a bitter face. "Boss, should I still go? Boss?"
While Tang Da was beating his chest in frustration, Pei Xia was carefully sniffing his shoulders and chest, afraid of getting any unwanted smell on him.
Tang Da: ...
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People were flexible. If one way didn't work, there was always another.
Pei Xia didn't need to resort to using his looks, nor did he need to send his men to visit brothels openly.
He went to the gambling houses and found some old acquaintances. He asked them to send out informants to look for Shi Liang.
Pei Xia was always respected for his noble character. The people in the gambling houses all admired him. Without much persuasion, they all sent people to search in the large and small gambling houses.
From a human nature perspective, Shi Liang, who had bad habits, would definitely not deposit the stolen silver in the bank immediately after getting it. He would either go gambling or visit brothels.
According to what Hua San Niang said, Shi Liang was addicted to gambling.
If he wasn't a gambler, he wouldn't have lost all his family fortune and forced Hua San Niang and Shuangshuang to flee their hometown.
Following this clue, they finally got a lead early the next morning.
Shi Liang wasn't completely stupid. He knew to avoid the constables and found a teahouse on the outskirts.
This teahouse sold tea during the day and held gambling sessions at night.
It was really a case of searching high and low without success, but then finding what they were looking for by chance. Pei Xia and his men had searched everywhere in the county but found nothing. He was thinking of going back to Yuhua Village to borrow some more men.
The men from Yuhua Village were all locals, so it would be easier for them to conduct a detailed search.
Unexpectedly, they passed by a teahouse called Hutu Xian.
Pei Xia was sensitive and had good hearing. When he passed by, he smelled the alcohol in the air.
How could a teahouse have the smell of alcohol?
He immediately became suspicious.
From afar, Hutu Xian seemed to be closed in the night.
But upon closer inspection, many mosquitoes flew in through the window slits, and there was a faint yellow candlelight shining under the gauze curtain.
Pei Xia didn't bother to borrow more men. He told a dozen of his men to hide outside and wait for his signal. He took off his sword and pretended to be a passer - by, sneaking in alone.
The owner of Hutu Xian was extremely cautious. Seeing Pei Xia's upright demeanor, he was trying to find an excuse to turn him away.
Unexpectedly, Pei Xia made a few gestures and used some jargon commonly used in gambling houses.
Then he took out the bulging money bag from his sleeve.
This made the owner completely lower his guard and warmly invited him in.
Pei Xia played a few rounds and finally saw Shi Liang in the crowd.
He whistled, and the constables outside rushed in, catching Shi Liang red - handed. They also raided the illegal gambling house.
It was dawn when they returned to the city. The sun was rising, and the morning glow was magnificent.
Pei Xia had accomplished two great feats in one night and also seized a large amount of gambling money. Lord Hui and County Lieutenant Zhou were overjoyed.
Shi Liang was thrown into prison and would not be able to get out for at least ten years.
Pei Xia was promoted again and took on multiple responsibilities. He gradually became the most trusted confidant of Lord Hui and County Lieutenant Zhou.
With the big threat removed, even though she was still sick, Hua San Niang felt much better. She soon recovered under the careful care of Jiao Niang and others.
Days passed in an orderly manner. After June, it was soon July, the month when the lotus flowers bloomed.
It seemed that Qi Jiao's belly was swelling up like a balloon. She was about to give birth soon.
Qi Jiao had a difficult pregnancy. As the due date approached, the fetus moved frequently, keeping her awake at night. Her originally slender and delicate feet were so swollen that when a finger was pressed on them, a dent would remain.
As the due date got closer, Pei Xia was constantly worried when he was outside.
He even took a leave of absence and stayed at home, never leaving Jiao Niang's side.
Doctor Zou came twice. After feeling her pulse, he said it would be soon and told them to be prepared in the next few days.
The whole family was on high alert and invited the best midwife in Lingle County.
Madam Zhou and the eldest madam of the Shu family even sent their experienced midwives over.
Just when everyone was eagerly waiting, Qi Jiao showed no signs of labor, and the fetal movement became less and less.
Qi Jiao drooped her eyebrows, worried and anxious. "What's wrong with this baby? Does it not want to leave the womb?"
Pei Xia was also extremely nervous, afraid that something might go wrong.
He gently placed his hand on her belly, breathing carefully. But the little life under her belly was too quiet.
Pei Xia was a bit scared inside, but he comforted Jiao Niang on the surface. "Our Xiaojiao is a steady baby. It will make us parents worry less in the future. Let's wait for one or two more days. It's okay..."
Just as the saying goes, "Speak of the devil and he appears." Just as he praised Xiaojiao for being steady, Qi Jiao suddenly felt a sharp pain in her belly.