The whole family was brutally murdered? The ruthless heiress's eldest daughter went berserk aft

Murong Xueyao nodded: "I wanted to save Brother Yuxuan, but I was discovered before I could get close. Then they started chasing me..."

"That's why you met me on the street." Zhang Jing said thoughtfully.

"Young Master Zhang, you must be very careful," Murong Xueyao said urgently, "Qi Zheng is a man..."

“I know,” Zhang Jing interrupted her, “and that’s perfect, I also want to know what he’s up to.”

"But..."

"Find a place to hide first," Zhang Jing whispered, "and wait for my news."

Before Murong Xueyao could say anything more, Qi Zheng's voice came from outside: "Young Master Zhang, the carriage is ready."

"They're here." Zhang Jing picked up his medicine box and whispered as he passed Murong Xueyao, "Remember, no matter what happens, don't act rashly."

Qi Zheng personally helped Zhang Jing into the carriage, smiling warmly: "Young Master Zhang, please."

The carriage slowly made its way to the county government office. Zhang Jing gazed at the bustling streets outside the window, pondering to himself. Why was Qi Zheng in such a hurry to bring him to the county government office? Was it to monitor him, or did he have some other motive?

Why was Murong Yuxuan imprisoned? As Gu Ye's strategist, did he foresee all of this before coming to the border city?

"Young Master Zhang?" Qi Zheng's voice came from inside. "What are you thinking about?"

Zhang Jing pulled himself out of his thoughts and smiled faintly: "I was thinking about this plague. I wonder when it will be brought under control."

“Young Master Zhang is right,” Qi Zheng sighed. “This plague came about strangely, and we still can’t find its source.”

"Is it that they can't find out, or that they dare not find out?" Zhang Jing gave Qi Zheng a meaningful look.

Qi Zheng's expression stiffened for a moment, then he regained his composure: "Young Master Zhang is too kind. By the way, I've heard that Young Master Zhang's medical skills are superb. Do you have any effective remedies?"

“Tomorrow I plan to walk around the city,” Zhang Jingdao said, “to see the distribution of water sources; perhaps that will help me find the cause of the illness.”

"This..." Qi Zheng looked troubled. "The situation in the city is chaotic, Young Master Zhang, it would be better if you didn't..."

"What is Lord Qi worried about?"

Qi Zheng chuckled twice: "This humble official is only worried about Young Master Zhang's safety."

"Thank you for your trouble, Lord Qi." Zhang Jing smiled without saying a word.

As the carriage entered the county government office, a man dressed in gray was looking around at the gate. When he saw the carriage, he hurriedly ran inside.

Zhang Jing took it all in, a cold smile playing on his lips. It seemed he'd walked right into a trap. But if one wanted to uncover the truth, sometimes the most dangerous place was the safest.

“Young Master Zhang, please,” Qi Zheng gestured, “I have already had a banquet prepared to welcome you.”

Zhang Jing nodded slightly and followed Qi Zheng into the county government office. He knew that from the moment he stepped into this courtyard, a dangerous game had already begun.

Meanwhile, Murong Xueyao was hiding on a rooftop in the distance, watching Zhang Jing enter the county government office. Following behind, she clutched her purse tightly, muttering to herself, "Young Master Zhang, you must be careful..."

Inside the main hall of the county government office, wine cups were clinking and people were toasting.

"Young Master Zhang, this is a Daughter's Red wine that I specially brought from the capital," Qi Zheng said with a smile, raising his cup. "Come, have a taste."

Zhang Jing took a small sip: "Good wine."

"And this lady beside Young Master Zhang..." Qi Zheng's gaze fell on Murong Xueyao, who was veiled beside Zhang Jing. "May I ask who she is?"

“My assistant,” Zhang Jing said calmly, “usually helps me prepare and mix medicines.”

Qi Zheng smiled meaningfully: "I see. But..." He looked at Murong Xueyao, "Why is the young lady veiled?"

Murong Xueyao subconsciously moved closer to Zhang Jing.

“Because she has a scar on her face,” Zhang Jing interrupted before Murong Xueyao could speak, “so she doesn’t want to show her true face.”

"Really?" Qi Zheng asked thoughtfully. "May I ask where this young lady is from?"

Zhang Jing put down his wine glass, his voice slightly cold: "Lord Qi seems quite interested in my assistant?"

"Not at all," Qi Zheng chuckled dryly, "I just felt that this young lady's figure and demeanor bore a resemblance to a noblewoman who recently went missing in the city..."

Murong Xueyao's body stiffened.

“Lord Qi is too kind,” Zhang Jing chuckled. “She’s been with me since she was little. But Lord Qi…” He looked at Qi Zheng meaningfully, “so concerned about the missing noblewoman, do you perhaps know something?”

Qi Zheng's expression changed slightly: "This..."

“I’ve heard,” Zhang Jing continued, “that recently, not only is the city ravaged by plague, but many people have also mysteriously disappeared?”

"These are all rumors," Qi Zhengqiang said with a smile. "Young Master Zhang, don't believe them easily."

"Is that so?" Zhang Jing raised an eyebrow. "I think there must be a reason for this. If Lord Qi doesn't mind, perhaps I could go to the prison to take a look, maybe..."

"No need!" Qi Zheng hurriedly interrupted, then softened his tone upon seeing Zhang Jing's ambiguous smile. "This humble official is afraid that the plague in the prison is severe and might offend Young Master Zhang's eyes."

Just then, a servant rushed in and whispered a few words in Qi Zheng's ear. Qi Zheng's expression changed slightly, and he stood up, saying, "Excuse me, I have official business to attend to, so I must take my leave."

Only after Qi Zheng left did Murong Xueyao breathe a sigh of relief: "Young Master Zhang..."

"Shh," Zhang Jing gestured for silence and whispered, "Watch your voice, walls have ears."

After the banquet ended, Zhang Jing led Murong Xueyao back to the courtyard.

“Young Master Zhang, look at him,” Murong Xueyao said in a low voice, “there’s definitely something wrong with him.”

“I know,” Zhang Jing said calmly, “that’s why I had you come with me.”

"what?"

Why do you think Qi Zheng is so interested in you?

Murong Xueyao was taken aback: "Because...because he recognized me?"

“No,” Zhang Jing shook his head, “he’s just suspicious. If he really recognized you, he wouldn’t be testing me like this.”

"That..."

“So,” Zhang Jing’s lips curled slightly, “it’s safer to let him think you’re one of my people.”

Murong Xueyao blushed: "Young Master Zhang means..."

“Right now, he'll only think of you as my lover,” Zhang Jing said calmly. “He won't think anything else.”

Just then, a commotion arose in the distance. Zhang Jing squinted and saw several constables escorting a person past hurriedly.

The man's head was covered with a black cloth, but judging from his physique, he bore a striking resemblance to Murong Yuxuan.

"Brother Yu Xuan!" Murong Xueyao exclaimed and rushed over.

Zhang Jing grabbed her arm: "Don't give it away."

"But..."

“Believe me,” Zhang Jing said in a deep voice, “we will soon know the truth.”

Night had fallen. Zhang Jing stood by the window, watching the lights in the courtyard. He knew Qi Zheng must have someone secretly monitoring him. But that was perfect; it made him think he was in control.

"Young Master Zhang..." The door was gently pushed open, and Murong Xueyao walked in.

Is someone following you?

Murong Xueyao shook her head: "I'm very careful."

“Speak,” Zhang Jing turned around, “Did you discover something?”

“I heard Qi Zheng talking to someone,” Murong Xueyao said nervously, “They mentioned ‘water source’ and ‘Nanzhao’…”

Zhang Jing's eyes flashed: "As expected."

"What do you mean, 'as expected'?"

“Qi Zheng deliberately mentioned the water source in front of me today,” Zhang Jing sneered, “just to test my reaction.”

"Then we..."

“No rush,” Zhang Jing looked out the window. “Gu Ye sent me here to investigate everything that’s happening here. Now, what we need to do is…”

Before he could finish speaking, a series of hurried footsteps suddenly came from outside. Zhang Jing quickly pushed Murong Xueyao aside: "Let's go!"

Murong Xueyao had just slipped into the inner room when the door was pushed open. Qi Zheng walked in with several constables.

"Young Master Zhang," Qi Zheng said with a playful smile, "it's so late, I wonder who you're waiting for?"

Zhang Jing remained expressionless: "What does Lord Qi mean by this?"

“It’s nothing,” Qi Zheng’s smile grew even more meaningful, “I just heard that Young Master Zhang’s ‘assistant’ was here just now…”

"So?" Zhang Jing countered, "Did my assistant come to see me because of a problem?"

Qi Zheng smiled meaningfully: "Of course, no problem. But since Young Master Zhang cares so much about her, why not... protect her well?"

Zhang Jing's eyes darkened: "Is Lord Qi threatening me?"

"I wouldn't dare," Qi Zheng cupped his hands in greeting. "This humble official merely reminded Young Master Zhang that the border region... is not very peaceful."