C15 West Firewood Academy

On the way, Tang Wan'er had already instructed the officer to prepare some sobering tea. After the woman drank two bowls, her senses gradually returned, though her tears wouldn't stop. Once she calmed down a bit, Tang Wan'er gently asked, "Ma'am, can you tell us about your daughter, Jasmine?"

"Jasmine, my daughter!" The woman, still somewhat intoxicated, burst into tears again at the mention of her daughter's name, repeatedly murmuring it. After a while, she seemed to regain some clarity and, with swollen eyes, demanded, "Why aren't you catching the killer? Why are you asking about my daughter?"

Tang Wan'er paused thoughtfully before responding, "You must have seen the state Jasmine was in. We suspect it was someone who held a grudge against her. We need to know about her friends, anyone she might have had conflicts with, and the places she frequented. The more details, the better."

"Conflicts? Impossible. Our Jasmine was such a sweet child. She was always so sensible, got along well with her friends, and was top of her class at the academy. She couldn't have had any enemies," the woman protested. Suddenly, she looked up, grabbed Tang Wan'er's shoulders, and screamed, "The academy, it was the academy."

Tang Wan'er winced in pain from the grip, and Tang Zhong quickly stepped forward to pry the woman's hands away. "Let go! Why are you grabbing my daughter?"

The woman seemed possessed, releasing Tang Wan'er as she angrily stood up and staggered toward the door. "How could a perfectly healthy person die in the wilderness after going to the academy? I'm going there to demand an explanation."

Tang Zhong, filled with concern, asked, "Daughter, are you hurt? Should I get you some healing ointment?"

"I'm not injured, so there's no need for any ointment. Dad, the academy she mentioned, is it the West Firewood Academy I'm about to attend?"

"Yes, it's the only academy in our county that accepts girls."

Tang Wan'er whispered to herself, "West Firewood Academy."

With a thud, the woman accidentally bumped into the door and fainted.

Tang Wan'er thoughtfully watched her and said, "Father, let's have someone take her home first."

The night was deep, and everyone began to disperse. Before leaving, Tang Wan'er called out to Zhang Baigui, "Official Zhang, please wait a moment!"

Zhang Baigui turned around with a blank expression, keeping several feet away from Tang Wan'er, wary of any unpredictable behavior that might cause trouble in the night.

"Is there anything else you need, Miss?"

Seeing his cautious demeanor, as if she were a wild bandit, Tang Wan'er became furious and said, "Nothing, you can go!"

"Very well, Miss Tang, rest well!" After saying goodbye, he quickly made his exit.

Tang Wan'er let out a frustrated sigh and stormed back to her room, any slight fondness she had for Zhang Baigui earlier in the day now completely gone.

Leaving the office, Zhang Baigui felt a weight lift off his shoulders. The county magistrate's daughter was truly a handful, and he couldn't find anything to admire about her. Thinking of the family he would soon see, his pace quickened, and in the time it takes to drink a cup of tea, he was at his doorstep. Hearing the hearty laughter from inside, a small smile crept onto his face.

"Aunt Meifen, Cousin Yi!"

"You're back! Come in and have some hot soup," said Zhang Meifen, warmly welcoming Zhang Baigui inside. She was dressed simply but had a radiant smile.

Lee Yi clapped him on the shoulder, approvingly saying, "Wow, you're looking stronger every day."

Zhang Baigui, with a hint of awkwardness and a rare flicker of excitement on his usually stoic face, asked, "Cousin, how did you end up as the deputy governor in Zhongshan County?"