Meng Qianqian asked curiously.
Lu Yuan glanced at Chief of Staff Xing, who was enjoying family bliss with Bao Shu in the courtyard. "I’ll tell you once we’re on the carriage."
Chief of Staff Xing had three sons, and both he and Lady Xing had always wished for a daughter.
In the past, they treated Zhou Nanyan like their own beloved daughter, but just a few days ago, Zhou Nanyan had entered the palace.
The couple felt an emptiness in their hearts, and Bao Shu’s presence had somewhat filled this void.
"I want fruit! The ones on the tree—the big fruit!"
Bao Shu pointed at the large tree in the courtyard.
Chief of Staff Xing chuckled, "Alright, Grandpa Xing will pick some for you!"
He put Bao Shu down and personally climbed onto a stool to pick pears.
Steward Hu was so startled that he hurried over, almost in a panic. "My dear sir! Be careful not to hurt yourself! Besides, these fruits aren’t even ripe yet!"
Bao Shu piped up in her sweet, childlike voice, "I want the big fruit! The biggest fruit!"
Chief of Staff Xing laughed heartily, "Alright, alright, the biggest fruit!"
Steward Hu thought helplessly: There’s no stopping him, absolutely no stopping him!
Bao Shu played at the Ministry of Justice for half an hour, and Chief of Staff Xing had accompanied her for the full duration.
The fact that this little bundle of joy could make the unyielding and impartial Chief of Staff Xing put aside his official duties was quite something.
Bao Shu left with her arms full, holding three fruits: "Goodbye, Grandpa Xing! Goodbye, Steward Hu! Goodbye, Uncle Zhang Chang! Goodbye, Brother Xiao Guang..."
Seeing her list so many names at once, Lu Yuan couldn’t help but ask Meng Qianqian, "Has she been to the Ministry of Justice before?"
Meng Qianqian shook her head with a smile, "No, this is her first time."
Once they were on the carriage, Bao Shu instantly switched modes. She wiped her little hand across her forehead, pretending to sweep away nonexistent sweat, and exhaled deeply, "So exhausting, so exhausting."
Lu Yuan chuckled, "What’s exhausting about it? Weren’t you having a great time playing?"
Bao Shu put her hands on her hips and replied sternly, "It’s all for you! Not a bit thoughtful—you clueless, smelly dad!"
Lu Yuan shot back, "You little rascal! How many times do I have to tell you, your dad didn’t get caught!"
Bao Shu picked up the tabby cat on the carriage and cradled it. "Men... so concerned about saving face."
Lu Yuan was left speechless: "...!!"
Ever since the tabby cat gained recognition by ambushing Xun Yu’s coachman last time, Bao Shu had become fond of taking it everywhere, boasting that she was a leader who valued loyalty.
Before long, Bao Shu, still clutching the tabby cat, drifted off to sleep.
Lu Yuan began telling Meng Qianqian about Luo San.
Although Chief of Staff Xing hadn’t disclosed Hai Pig’s confession to Lu Yuan, Lu Yuan could easily deduce that Hai Pig had admitted to his crimes based on Chief of Staff Xing’s reaction.
Hai Pig’s cooperation was surprising.
Lu Yuan had probed Hai Pig earlier, asking if he had seen a certain person, which was initially a way to test Chief of Staff Xing. But Chief of Staff Xing’s instinctive avoidance provided Lu Yuan with the answer he was looking for.
Who was that person? Lu Yuan wanted to know. Meng Qianqian was even more curious.
Lu Yuan contemplated aloud, "Knowing my foster father, Hai Pig couldn’t have been involved in all the murders. He was just one part of it. Regarding Luo San’s information, he probably doesn’t know anything."
Meng Qianqian said, "Do you mean that Luo San told Hai Pig to inform Chief of Staff Xing?"
Lu Yuan nodded. "And from what Xiao Pear knows about Hai Pig, Luo San must have told Xiao Pear as well."
Meng Qianqian suddenly realized, "So the person Xiao Pear was waiting for was Luo San, and the empty box was given to her by him!"
Lu Yuan added, "Based on his behavior, it seems his goals align with ours. He also wants the Chu Family case to come to light. Once we find Luo San, he should surface again."
Meng Qianqian nodded and returned to talking about Luo San, "Luo San is so deeply hidden. His name, background, and friends are all fake. Could it be that even his appearance and build are fake? What if he’s not actually a hunchback?"
Lu Yuan furrowed his brow. "That’s possible. If that’s the case, tracking him down will be much harder."
"Exactly. The hunchback was supposed to be his most striking feature..." Meng Qianqian trailed off as a sudden thought struck her, "I know who Luo San is! Bao Shu has met him!"