The little heroine investigates a mysterious case

Zhao Xuan and Xiao Yixian followed the route that Guo'er had led them, safely walked through the swamp area, and arrived at the gate of the lonely courtyard.

The courtyard gate was still closed, and two big red lanterns in front of the gate emitted a dim light.

Xiao Yixian's mood was completely different from last time. She stopped before reaching the gate of the courtyard.

"Looking at this yard and the lanterns now, I feel very sad. It's not easy for Ayiduo to raise her children alone for so many years."

Zhao Xuan turned around and looked at Xiao Yixiang.

"You don't want to back out, do you?"

"I think it's a bit cruel for us to ask her about what happened back then. She's been hiding here for over a decade, avoiding the pain of her past."

Zhao Xuan took Xiao Yixiang's arm.

"Sister, let me ask you a question. Live your life with clarity, or die in confusion. What would you choose?"

"I understand what you mean, but if the truth is cruel, I'm worried that Ayiduo won't be able to accept it."

Zhao Xuan walked forward and patted the door.

"Let her decide for herself! Does she really want to know the whereabouts of Shen Xiaobao?"

They waited for a while before the door opened from the inside. Ayido looked at Zhao Xuan in confusion, then looked at Xiao Yixiang.

"Why are you here again? What's the matter?"

Zhao Xuan asked directly from the side.

"Excuse me, is your name Ayiduo?"

"I'm Ayiduo. Why are you asking my name? Did something happen to Guo'er?"

Ayiduo's expression became obviously flustered.

Zhao Xuan quickly replied, "Guo'er is fine. We have something to ask you."

Ayiduo didn't even reply, and immediately closed the gate, her voice cold and clear, refusing to allow for any further discussion.

"If you want to inquire about something, go to the town. I only receive people who are infected with miasma."

Zhao Xuan and Xiao Yixiang looked at each other. Ayiduo had a really weird temper and didn't even give them a chance to speak.

Xiao Yixian discussed this with Zhao Xuan.

"How about we go back first? Come back tomorrow?"

"If she's still like this tomorrow, what should I do? I'm already here, I won't give up until I give it a try!"

Zhao Xuan's temper flared up. She slammed the door and shouted.

"Don't you want to know where Shen Xiaobao is?"

The door opened with a whoosh, and Ayido looked at the two of them in surprise and confusion.

"Do you know Xiaobao? Where is he?"

"Sister Ayiduo, can you please let us in to talk?"

Aido made way for the door, and Zhao Xuan walked to the water tank in the kitchen with ease, picked up the ladle next to it and scooped up some water to drink.

Ayido saw the sword at Zhao Xuan's waist.

"It seems you know Kung Fu. How come Shen Xiaobao knows you?"

Zhao Xuan pulled Xiao Yixian to sit on a stool next to the dining table and pointed at the stool opposite.

"Sister Ayiduo, please sit down first. This story is a bit long. I need to explain it to you clearly. Otherwise, if you don't trust us, we won't have anything to talk about!"

Aiduo sat on the chair nervously and asked again.

"Where is Shen Xiaobao?"

Zhao Xuan sorted out her thoughts.

"More than ten years ago, the Xia Kingdom's friendly envoys were on their way to the Yue Kingdom. They were assassinated while passing through the Tiankeng Gorge. My master and my friend's father both died as a result.

The five of us who once stayed at your house were more or less related to the tragedy that year, and we want to find out who is the mastermind behind it.

Now we have an important clue. The garrison team that Shen Xiaobao was in back then was involved in the assassination!"

Ayiduo stood up in horror and backed away repeatedly.

"You must be mistaken! Xiaobao is just the son of a farmer in Rongcheng! He can farm with a hoe, no problem, but assassinating the Xia Kingdom envoy? Absolutely impossible!"

The Little Medical Fairy quickly stood up and supported Ayiduo.

“We didn’t say he did it. The killers who died at the scene had identification tags belonging to their garrison squad hanging around their necks.

We suspect someone is taking their place and assassinating the Xia Kingdom envoys!"

Ayido looked at Zhao Xuan and Xiao Yixiang in disbelief.

"Who would do that? Everyone said they were evacuating on an emergency basis. I waited for him for a long time but he didn't come back."

Zhao Xuan asked tentatively.

"You just said he was the child of a farmer in Rongcheng. Did you go to his house to look for him later?"

Aido lowered her head and remained silent.

Zhao Xuan was a little anxious and was about to ask, but the Little Medical Fairy waved at her and spoke softly to Ayiduo.

"We want to find the real murderer and avenge our dead relatives. Sister Ayiduo, I don't think you would want Shen Xiaobao to be wrongly accused of murder, right?

He is Guo'er's biological father! We are now seeking justice for our loved ones, for the garrisoned detachment back then, and for Shen Xiaobao!

Sister Ayiduo, have you ever thought over the years that Shen Xiaobao might no longer be in this world?

Ayiduo suddenly raised her head and looked at Xiao Yixian, tears welling up in her eyes, and she grabbed Xiao Yixian's arm.

"You mean to say that Xiaobao has already...didn't he abandon me back then?"

"We are just guessing now, so we came to you to ask you about what happened back then."

Ayiduo covered her face and burst into tears.

Zhao Xuan and Xiao Yixian did not try to persuade Ayiduo. Instead, they lit a fire and boiled a pot of hot water.

The little doctor brought a bowl of hot water and placed it in front of Ayido.

Aiduo slowly calmed down, wiped her tears and answered Zhao Xuan's question.

"I went to Rongcheng to look for Xiaobao..."

The garrison team had been gone for a whole month, and Ayiduo could no longer sit still. She calculated that even if Shen Xiaobao was transferred to another place, he should write to her.

If Shen Xiaobao retires, he should come to find her.

Her belly was already showing, but she did not marry Shen Xiaobao, and in the eyes of outsiders she was still a virgin.

Ayiduo didn't dare tell her parents about her pregnancy, for fear that they would worry if they knew.

She told her parents that Shen Xiaobao had made an appointment with her before he withdrew from the defense, and she would go to Rongcheng to meet Shen Xiaobao's parents to discuss the marriage.

Ayiduo came to Rongcheng and looked for Shen Xiaobao from house to house. Later, a kind-hearted person reminded her that she could go to the county government to find the person in charge of household registration and ask for the specific address of Shen Xiaobao's home.

Ayiduo asked for the address at the county government office and immediately rushed to Shen Xiaobao's home. She saw Shen Xiaobao's father, who had been bedridden for many days.

Aida sat on the edge of the bed, took out the five taels of silver she had on her and put it in the old man's hand.

"Shen Xiaobao's military service is very close to our town. We are friends. He knew I was visiting relatives in Rongcheng, so he asked me to bring you some silver. Please keep it."

The old man held the silver and couldn't help wiping away tears.

"Five years ago, Xiaobao enlisted in the army and hasn't been home since, but he always sends money and writes letters home.

What happened six months ago? He never sent money or wrote letters home again.

My legs and feet are not in good condition, so I can’t go to Guze Town to find him! Is Xiaobao okay? "

Ayiduo's heart sank to the bottom. The time the old man mentioned half a year ago coincided with the time when the garrison team withdrew. It seemed that Shen Xiaobao did not return home, nor did he have any contact with his family.

Aido was filled with bitterness and tried hard to force a smile.

"He must be busy with military duties. Don't worry, he's doing fine. I think he'll contact you when he's done, and maybe even come back to see you!"

Ayiduo stood up and said goodbye to the old man.

"Old man, please find a doctor to see you right away. I'll be back in Guze Town tomorrow. I'll tell him you're thinking of him."

The old man looked at Ayiduo with gratitude.

"Thank you for taking the trouble to come here even though you're pregnant. Don't tell Xiaobao I'm sick when you get home. Tell him to serve in the army well and come home early!"

Ayiduo left Shen Xiaobao's house. She thought that Shen Xiaobao's failure to return home meant that he had not retired and should still be in the army.

How could a commoner like her find out what was going on in the army?

At that time, she was seven months pregnant and had difficulty moving. She gave five taels of silver to Shen Xiaobao's father, and she had very little left, only enough money for her journey home.

Aiduo returned home exhausted and had to explain the reason to her parents. She gave birth to a child prematurely that night without waiting for the next day.