In the outer courtyard where the kitchen was located, there lived one other person, Fan Wuzhe.

Despite being a relative, he couldn't stay in the inner courtyard.

Fan Wuzhe, restless on the bed, had no idea when he drifted into a blurry sleep.

After leaving the kitchen, Shi Chun returned to the front hall briefly, then slipped back into the courtyard. This time, he didn't go to the kitchen but walked to Fan Wuzhe's room, gently pushed the door open, and then quickly shut it.

He then approached the bed and checked Fan Wuzhe's pulse and breathing. After confirming he was deeply asleep, he pressed an acupuncture point and then bent down to pick up a spherical hollow metal pill from under the bed.

It wasn't anything precious, just a delicate piece typically hung in carriages to burn incense and add fragrance. Only he had filled it with some knockout incense.

The item was part of the plan during the city guard's inspection when they suspected him as a mere clerk, unworthy of the task, asking him to call everyone from the library. He first called Fan Wuzhe out, then called Dong Wenshu's family from the inner courtyard, using the gap to make his move.

After retrieving the aroma pill, he quickly approached the bed and conducted a thorough search on Fan Wuzhe.

Fan Wuzhe didn't have anything like a Qiankun Bag on him, and his possessions were limited. Shi Chun wasn't interested in what he had, so he didn't take anything until he found a Mother-child Talisman and placed it aside, continuing to search his entire body, including the bed and the room's furniture and corners.

After confirming there was nothing else of interest, he stopped, picked up the Mother-child Talisman and started examining it.

He was sure of one thing: a Mother-child Talisman wasn't something someone from an ordinary family background like Fan Wuzhe could afford.

He guessed this was used to communicate with Mei You; ordinary tax supervisors didn't have the privilege to use such valuable items unless there was a need, usually only having temporary usage rights. After the task, it had to be returned.

Originally, he hadn't intended to search Fan Wuzhe nor suspected he might have a Mother-child Talisman. He had planned on using other means to proceed.

It was the city guard's inspection team that gave him the opportunity. Seeing an opening, he had the idea of checking if Fan Wuzhe had a Mother-child Talisman for communicating with Mei You. If not, he'd proceed with the original plan; if yes, then another plan was set in motion.

He hadn't put too much hope into it, purely thinking that those people who were willing to pay a high price to buy this house were quite willing to spend extravagantly, and maybe they let Fan Wuzhe use a Mother-child Talisman. So he decided to take advantage of the opportunity to look around.

As it turned out, he really found a Mother-child Talisman on Fan Wuzhe.

Well, then, he wouldn't hold back from using a more convenient method.

After examining the serial number on the side of the Mother-child Talisman, Shi Chun directly took it and then pulled out a pair of Mother-child Talismans, replaced one in the spot where Fan Wuzhe kept his.

It was considered an act of substitution.

The method was quite crude; typically, people wouldn't do it because the serial numbers on two Mother-child Talismans are different and easily detectable.

But he thought differently. In his view, Fan Wuzhe only had one Mother-child Talisman on him. Who would bother constantly checking if it was the genuine one?

Furthermore, since Fan Wuzhe wasn't the kind to afford a Mother-child Talisman, he would be wary of being seen with it, making it even less likely for him to keep checking it.

Also, with him watching in the library, any signs of Fan Wuzhe discovering the substitution of the Mother-child Talisman could be observed.

In any case, whether discovered or not, Fan Wuzhe was destined to be a pawn in this game, with only the methods changing. He didn't give Fan Wuzhe the chance to choose...

Inside the Inner Court Hall, summoned Mei You respectfully gave a salute.

Lou Xiu descended from a higher position, walked to his side, gazed at the gradually brightening sky outside the door, and asked, "During this city seal, what opinions do the major merchants have within the city?"

Mei You paused slightly, thought for a moment, and said, "It seems they have no opinions."

Lou Xiu eyed him sideways, "It impacts their business. How can they have no opinions?"

Mei You hesitated, then said, "They should have opinions, but I haven't heard anyone express them yet."

Lou Xiu said earnestly, "How can you hear anything when you're staying on the mountain? If you can't hear on the mountain, go listen in the city, walk around the major merchants. When they ask when the seal will be lifted, just say the time is uncertain. If it affects business, they're bound to have something to say."

Mei You, sounding a bit confused, bowed and said, "Supervisor, I'm ignorant, can't quite understand the meaning, please clarify."

Lou Xiu leaned closer to his face and whispered, "I want to know what opinions the major merchants have about the city seal. Is that clear enough for you?"

Mei You was still a bit puzzled, hesitatingly said, "I understand the literal meaning..."

Lou Xiu cut him off, "Just the literal meaning, I'll give you two hours!"

"Ah, alright, I'll go down the mountain now to walk around." Slightly embarrassed, Mei You with a heart full of doubts, took his leave.

He followed the instruction strictly, exactly a two-hour period, no more, no less, walked around the city, then returned to the sun-drenched mountain to report.

With the gathered information, Lou Xiu immediately headed to the mountain top, and after notification, he once more met the City Lord.

Li Xianghong waved her hand at Lou Xiu, who saluted, "Speak."

Lou Xiu immediately reported earnestly: "City Lord, merchants at the foot of the mountain are asking how long the city lockdown will last. How should we respond?"

Li Xianghong: "Still investigating the murderer. What's their hurry?"

Lou Xiu laughed, "Their anxiety is understandable. Many have businesses that require moving in and out of the city, some have goods that need to be sold fresh, others can't afford delays. There's cargo stuck inside, and a lot being blocked outside. It's normal for them to want a specific timeline to plan accordingly."

Li Xianghong glanced at Bai Qiru standing beside her, then returned her gaze to Lou Xiu, "When do you think it's appropriate to lift the lockdown?"

Lou Xiu quickly cupped his hands, "It all depends on the wise decision of the City Lord. How dare I speak recklessly?"

Li Xianghong: "I asked you to speak, just do it. Don't be like those humans with their insincerity, I detest it most."

Well then, Lou Xiu had to reply seriously: "Yes, I think, logically, we should capture the killer before lifting the lockdown. But the problem is, if we continue investigating like this, I'm not sure we'll get results. Besides, there's no certainty the killer is within the city; can they return after killing A Xun? I personally believe we need constant investigation, but keeping the city locked for too long isn't ideal. The longer the lockdown lasts, the more Dazhi City's popularity might be affected."

Li Xianghong: "I'm asking you when do you think it's appropriate to lift the lockdown, do you not understand?"

Lou Xiu ducked his head slightly, shadows flickering in his eyes. This was one main reason why he pandered to A Xun and sought the City Lord's position, although he often got treated like a mere subordinate even as a key assistant.

After seemingly pondering for a moment, he raised his head again: "I think that another day of lockdown to conduct thorough checks should be enough, and normal trade in Dazhi City can resume. It won't interfere much with ongoing investigations."

Li Xianghong picked up the jug, gulped from the spout, and then set it down, "Do as you suggested."

Lou Xiu was slightly stunned; he expected to use more persuasion without guaranteed results, but she agreed so quickly.

He regained his composure and cupped his hands: "The City Lord is wise, the merchants inside the city will surely be deeply grateful..."

Li Xianghong didn't want to hear flattery, she waved her hand to interrupt, signaling him to leave if he had no other matters.

Lou Xiu bowed and withdrew.

Once he left, Bai Qiru approached the stone table and expressed concern: "Once the lockdown is lifted, with people going in and out, expanding the area, can his actions still be effectively monitored?"

Li Xianghong looked toward the direction of the golden sunrise, disinterestedly: "Until everything is clear, everyone in the city is a suspect. I trust no one. I've already brought in a large force from Divine Mountain."

Returning to the Inner Court Hall, Lou Xiu disregarded Mei You, who was waiting politely, and went directly to the upper desk, sat down, and pulled out the Mother-child Talisman, sending a message to a mysterious person: The lockdown will be lifted tomorrow. How do you want to transact?

At this time, Chao Yue Hall had already opened for business, Shi Chun was arranging tables and chairs inside, preparing to receive guests.

Upon receiving the message, he walked to a corner and read the content, quickly replying: "Let's discuss it tomorrow."

Sitting at the desk, Lou Xiu smirked slightly; the situation had reached the point where he no longer held the initiative, further arguing was useless. He put away the Mother-child Talisman and beckoned to Mei You, who was waiting eagerly.

Mei You immediately leaned forward, waiting for instructions.

Lou Xiu whispered: "Your comrades from the Wuyang Mountain, you've utilized your power to care for them over the years. Why are you anxious? I'm not blaming you; I'm here to tell you it's time to deploy them now. Gather all the capable and trustworthy people you can mobilize outside, those who can arrive before dawn tomorrow, and bring them here."

Mei You, with a fierce expression, appeared unusually obedient and asked softly, "Officer, what's the plan?"

Lou Xiu's gaze was grim, "Cover your tracks, and catch the people operating behind the scenes when they take the bait. As long as the net is wide and tight enough, they won't escape!"

Mei You knew he was hiding something from her but had to comply, nodding obediently, "I understand."

Once she left, Lou Xiu pulled out another Mother-child Talisman to contact his unofficial forces.

He hesitated to lift the lockdown until tomorrow instead of immediately, seeking one day to gather forces for a decisive action.

Over at the bookshop, Shi Chun wasn't idle either. He took the time to send a message to Lao Changtai: Deliver another letter to Bai's Rice Shop...

Naturally, Lao Changtai complied, but this time instead of a letter envelope, he delivered a small box.

Though disguised, there was no direct delivery at the door. As per Shi Chun's intention, he hired a passer-by to deliver the letter first, while Xiao Sheng arrived early to observe near the rice shop.

Bai's Rice Shop was already open, with only one attendant inside.

The passer-by delivered the letter and left, but hadn't gone far before someone quietly emerged and grabbed him away.

Xiao Sheng, watching discreetly, witnessed this scene and was secretly alarmed.

The shop's attendant didn't see it; with prior training from odd letters, the attendant knew what to do next, immediately closed the shop, and went straight to the mountain with the box.

Soon, the attendant arrived at the mountain and met Bai Qiru again.

After Bai Qiru opened the box and saw the contents, he pushed the box toward Li Xianghong.

Li Xianghong reached out and picked up half of the Mother-child Talisman from the small box, flipping it in her hand to examine it.

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