My rigid, jealous husband has fallen for me, even though I'm a hopeless romantic.

Chapter 181 False Innocence

"You said the spirit was the one who was consecrated, but you're just a jinx."

"Hey, believe it or not, I'll bite you."

Xiao Wu jumped onto the wardrobe in a flash, looking down at her from above: "You can't catch me, hee hee hee."

"I'm not arguing with you anymore. Who stole Gu Peiyan and the others' money? Is it even possible to get it back?"

Unlike today, where surveillance cameras are everywhere, in this era, if something is stolen, you can simply review the footage and compare the fingerprints to quickly catch the thief.

She felt that the current situation might be a bit difficult.

Finding out who stole it is not difficult for me at all. Whether we can get it back depends on the efficiency of the county government. Do you want to see it?

"Yeah, I guess I'll just skip it." Wei Dongning pouted.

Even though she knew, there was nothing she could do to help Gu Peiyan get the money back; she could only worry anxiously at home.

It's better to just pretend you don't know anything.

Xiao Wu mimicked her by pouting, "Okay, let me know when you want to see it."

Wei Dongning nodded in agreement and quickly finished her breakfast.

I also mentally planned what I needed to do today.

She had already checked most of the accounts, and there were no banquets she needed to attend in the near future.

As a young person deeply influenced by modern ideas, she has no other beliefs besides money.

Clothes, jewelry, and storybooks are plentiful these days.

She didn't have to worry about most of the affairs of the Gu family; the steward would come and report to her.

She felt she needed to find something to do.

Just then, a servant came in to deliver a message: "Young Madam, the Second Miss of the Marquis of Zhongxin's mansion has sent an invitation, saying she would like to meet you."

Wei Dongning and Xiao Fu exchanged a curious glance: "My second sister? What brings her here to see me today?"

"I do not know."

Xiao Fu was also puzzled.

Back when they were both young ladies in the Marquis's mansion, the Second Miss would always come to him on her own initiative in order to provoke him.

However, the relationship between the two later improved, and the second young lady never came to see them again.

It's truly baffling.

Wei Dongning then turned her gaze to Xiao Wu: "Do you know?"

"Yes, I know. She asked you to go shopping."

"You want to go shopping with me? Have we gotten that close?" Wei Dongning asked, puzzled, but she still got up.

Since she didn't have anything important to do at home anyway, she could go out and check on the shops.

Wei Qiuci was waiting for Wei Dongning in the carriage outside the door.

The servant did invite her inside to wait a moment, but she didn't really want to, so she had Xiaohe decline.

Fortunately, Wei Dongning didn't keep her waiting too long.

In less than the time it takes to drink a cup of tea, Wei Dongning got into her carriage.

As soon as Wei Dongning got into the car, she sat down next to Wei Qiuci very naturally: "Second sister, what brings you here to visit me today?"

"Nothing, I'm just bored at home and wanted to ask you to go out for a walk together."

Wei Dongning gave a nonchalant "Oh".

Silence returned to the carriage.

All that could be heard were the sounds of horses' hooves and wheels rolling.

Her composure piqued Wei Qiuci's curiosity: "Aren't you afraid that I invited you out because I want to harm you?"

Can you?

Wei Dongning's question startled Wei Qiuci.

If it were in the past, she might have actually done so.

But now, they seem to have changed without them even realizing it.

Now, she no longer wants to compete or compare herself with her. Naturally, she no longer has any intention of harming her.

Moreover, looking back at what she did to Wei Dongning before, the only word to describe it is "naive".

Today, she really just wanted to go shopping with her.

Not hearing Wei Qiuci's reply, Wei Dongning continued, "If you don't answer, I'll assume you don't know. If you try to harm me, I'll beat you up; after all, your kung fu isn't as good as mine."

This wasn't just her boasting; Wei Qiuci's talent in martial arts wasn't particularly high. If the two of them were to fight, even if she gave up a hand or a foot, Wei Qiuci wouldn't stand a chance.

Wei Qiuci rolled her eyes at her: "Don't worry, you're so stupid, I wouldn't even bother to hurt you."

Xiao Wu didn't leave with Wei Dongning this time; instead, she stayed home to keep an eye on Gu Peiyan's situation.

It was really curious how they solved cases in an era when criminal investigation techniques were not advanced.

After dragging the video progress bar to the point where Gu Peiyan and the others entered the county government office and watched for a while, Xiao Wu couldn't bear to watch anymore.

This county magistrate is incredibly obsequious.

He smiled like a lackey at Gu Peiyan and Qian Duoduo.

Clearly, Gu Peiyan was not comfortable with this kind of flattery: "I hope the magistrate can help us find the money as soon as possible."

"Of course, it is my duty. However, without witnesses, the investigation may be quite difficult."

Qian Duoduo sighed, "I hope the magistrate will act quickly."

"I will do my best. If there is no rush, you may rest here for two days. I will arrange everything for you."

As he spoke, the magistrate raised his hand to beckon someone over.

Gu Peiyan stopped him again, saying, "No need. We have other matters to attend to and must depart immediately. If the magistrate finds the money, please keep it safe for us."

Their mission was to secretly investigate Ningcheng, and Gu Peiyan had no intention of telling the county magistrate the truth.

"This..." The magistrate's eyes darted around, and he nodded repeatedly in agreement: "In that case, I will not try to keep you two any longer."

Then he personally escorted them out of the county government office.

After they had walked away, the magistrate called over a man, whispered a few words to him, and then walked back to the county office with his hands behind his back.

Qian Duoduo thought that Gu Peiyan's words to the county magistrate, "Set off immediately," were meant to put some pressure on him so that he could solve the case as soon as possible.

Unexpectedly, as soon as they returned to the small inn where they had stayed the day before, Gu Peiyan asked Qian Rong and Qian Man to bring over the horse.

"Brother Gu, all our money has been stolen. We're practically penniless now. Are we really going to leave right now?"

Gu Peiyan hummed in agreement and lowered her voice, "I still have money, don't worry."

Qian Duoduo figured that Gu Peiyan wasn't the kind of person who would lie to him, so he listened to his arrangement: "That's good, then let's set off immediately."

The four men mounted their horses and were about to leave when they were stopped by a call.

"You two adults, please stay."

"What is it?" Qian Duoduo looked the newcomer up and down.

This person was dressed in official robes and appeared to be from the county government.

Qian Duoduo naturally didn't expect them to solve the case so quickly and recover their money so soon, but she was also curious about why he had followed them.

The man bowed to them, took out a silver note from his waist, and presented it with both hands: "My master was worried that you two gentlemen had no money, so he sent me to bring you some money. I hope you will accept it."

"No need. Go back and tell your family that we appreciate his kindness, and we hope that the magistrate will solve the case as soon as possible."

After Gu Peiyan refused, she led her group away on horseback.

The visitor, having failed to complete his task, pocketed the silver notes again.

Upon seeing the returned silver notes untouched, the magistrate sneered, "Hypocrite."

"Sir, should I send someone to investigate the case reported by those two officials earlier?"