Chapter 195

Although Zhubu thought it like that, he did not intend to let Xu Ran go so easily. After all, this person was smart enough and he would definitely be helpful. Besides, he would do his best to clear his name of suspicion.

However, it was just Zhubu’s idea.

After this thought crossed his mind, he heard Xu Ran said, “Lord Zhubu, I think you should have your own judgment now!”

In front of so many people, Zhubu naturally couldn’t say that he had no judgment. Besides that, Xu Ran was obviously supported by many people. After all, compared to Mr. Hu’s son, who had a bad reputation in the village, Xu Ran was much more respected. What mattered most was that the villagers took Xu Ran as a rich man.

“Lord Zhubu, I believe what this husband said. Besides, he has the title, so he would never do this.”

The sudden voice made everyone turn around at the same time. The speaker stood out from the crowd boldly. This person answered Zhubu outside a moment ago and he obviously sided with Xu Ran now.

Xu Ran was confused why this person knew that he had the title.

The man seemed to have seen through Xu Ran’s confusion and explained, “I’m honored that I took the exam at the same time as Mr. Xu. I also went there when the exam result was announced. I knew that Mr. Xu came third in the test at that time, and I’m sure he’s a Xiucai now!”

His tone was very certain, as if he had seen it himself.

Xu Ran nodded, “I am indeed a Xiucai now. What’s your name, please?”

“I am Hu Jin, also a Xiucai.”

Xu Ran bowed, “Nice to meet you.”

After Xu Ran said this, he felt it was strange. How come Hu Jin met him suddenly?

It was odd that they met like this!

“Humm…” As Xu Ran was pondering what was going on, the Zhubu beside him coughed.

Xu Ran hurriedly took two steps back, and Hu Jin took his hands back and stood upright gracefully.

Seeing that both of them had stood upright, Zhubu said to Xu Ran, “It turns out you’re a Lord Xiucai. As a Xiucai, you naturally won’t do such a thing. In that case, I believe you.”

Xu Ran bowed, “Thank you, Lord Zhubu.”

Zhubu looked at Xu Ran with some embarrassment, “Although you didn’t kill this person, his death has more or less something to do with you. Maybe he wouldn’t die if you hadn’t sent him back during Spring Festival. You should help me catch the murderer before going back, OK?”

Zhubu said that casually, as if the killer would appear as long as Xu Ran did something.

Xu Ran was astonished, “Lord Zhubu, I can not do this. First, I’m not from this village. I don’t know Mr. Hu’s son and I don’t even know his name. Of course, we don’t know if he is the murderer. It’s just speculation.”

“Second, Mr. Hu demanded to come back himself. It’s true that I sent him back. If I knew that something like this could happen, I would never send him back. For the past year, I’ve treated Mr. Hu as my own father. I would not bear to watch him killed.”

“Third, Zhubu, you’re being unreasonable. I’m just a Xiucai with no right to catch the murderer. Please be mercy and take my advice, Lord Zhubu.”

Xu Ran finished speaking and looked at Zhubu quietly and waited for his answer.

Zhubu did not expect that Xu Ran would refute him so well. He originally wanted him to catch the murderer, but it seemed it wouldn’t go now. This person was not under his jurisdiction after all. If anything happened here to a Xiucai from somewhere else, he would be in trouble!

The Zhubu sighed, “In that case, you won’t be involved in catching the murderer, but you have to live in the village until we find the murderer. I will send the Yamen runners to stay in the village.”

Xu Ran said, “Lord Zhubu, this is unreasonable. You should at least give me a time limit. Please forgive my rudeness. If you can’t find the murderer forever, do I have to stay in the village forever?”

Zhubu was struck dumb.

On the other hand, Xu Ran did have a point. Even if they couldn’t catch the murderer, he would be allowed to leave the village.

Zhubu thought for a while and stretched out several fingers and signed. Xu Ran saw it and shook his head, “No, Zhubu, it’s too long. You know that it’s the busy farming season and my family is busy. It will take a few days for me to get back home. I’ll leave three days later, no matter if you can find the murderer. Is that alright?”

Xu Ran talked tough and he was a little afraid after he said this, but he had no choice. He couldn’t stay here for so long because of this. He had three children at home, so he must rush back as soon as possible.

Zhubu got Xu Ran’s idea and nodded when he thought that he was not suspicious, “Okay, three days, but you have to help me catch the murderer in the three days.”

Zhubu respected him, so Xu Ran nodded, “Zhubu, don’t worry, I will help you search the clue.”

Zhubu agreed with Xu Ran and then he turned to the village head.

The village head was basically silent since he came in, and he was nearly ignored.

Zhubu didn’t know the name of the village head, so he called the title, “Village head, get someone to draw a portrait of the son of the deceased. I’ll have the Yamen runners take it to the town and neighboring villages to search for him. You have to organize the villagers to search for him. We must find the son of the deceased as soon as possible. By the way, what’s his name?”

“His name is Hu Ming, Mr. Hu’s only son.” The village head said.

Zhubu nodded, and then he asked, “I think you all know Hu Ming! Send some villagers to go to the town with the Yamen runners at once. Make the portrait done as soon as possible.”

“Yes, my lord.” The village head replied.

The village head finished speaking and left first. Zhubu asked the court doctor to check the corpse again and the Yamen runners searched the room again. They still found nothing and left.

Zhubu looked at Xu Ran and Liu Tong again before he left. Xu Ran was puzzled, ‘Would Mr. Hu’s corpse just be left like this?’

As Xu Ran was pondering, another person opened his mouth beside them.

“Xu Ran, I didn’t expect to meet you here.”

Xu Ran knew it was Hu Jin, so he turned his head to look at him, “I didn’t expect to meet someone who attended the Spring Test with me. Did you go to the County to attend the Autumn Test later?”

Hu Jin nodded, “Yes! It was a pity that I was in a hurry and didn’t pay you a visit. Xu Ran, I think this is your spouse! Your taste is really extraordinary.”

Hu Jin was just joking and he didn’t mean to be sarcastic. But Xu Ran was still a little upset. He didn’t like it when people said that his spouse was bad, even if it was just a joke.

Xu Ran looked at Liu Tong and found that he was calm, so he was relieved and said to Hu Jin, “I used to be a fool and my spouse has been with me for seven years. He is quite nice, isn’t he?”

Hu Jin was stunned and he obviously did not expect this. He was a scholar after all and he realized that he had just said something wrong, so he apologized to Liu Tong immediately, “Please forgive me. I didn’t mean to be rude.”

Liu Tong was astonished and looked at Xu Ran at a loss.

Xu Ran smiled, “Never mind. My spouse doesn’t like it if you speak like a book. I know you didn’t mean to be rude. I don’t mind.”

“Hehe!” Hu Jin scratched his head, “Actually, I don’t like to speak like a book either, but if I don’t do this, others can’t tell that I am a scholar. It is just your case.”

Xu Ran glanced at himself. He did not look like a scholar, nor a farmer, nor a businessman. He didn’t know what he looked like.

Xu Ran said, “On the other hand, I feel that the people in your village are weird and they seem to never care about each other. One can easily smell the stench at the door, but no one came.”

Hu Jin approached and whispered into Xu Ran, “You are right. There are many other strange aspects about this village. I work so hard to take the imperial examination just because I want to take my family out of this place.”

Xu Ran was confused, “Do you know what’s going on? Tell me the strange aspects about this village.”

Hu Jin looked around and saw that all people had left, so he said to Xu Ran and Liu Tong, “This is not a place for talking. I will bring you to a secret place and tell you.”

Xu Ran looked at him and smiled, “I just realize you’re as weird as other people in your village.”

Hu Jin shook his head, “I’m not. They would never spare anyone from other villages. You are just their target now.”

Hu Jin’s words were a little frightening and Xu Ran felt he was in trouble now.

They left with Hu Jin anyway finally.