Xin Ziqi had been too busy to get away all morning, but he managed to stop by just before Ji Huan closed up shop.
Ji Huan had something she wanted to discuss with Xin Ziqi, but thinking of what Zhou had said, she held her tongue and decided not to bring it up.
'Forget it. When the opportunity arises, I'll have to look into this County Magistrate Pan myself. I can't risk trying to help Zhou only to get him into trouble. That would be a classic case of good intentions gone wrong.'
Xin Ziqi, however, did have something to tell her.
"I received a letter from the south the day before yesterday. They've found what you were looking for. It's expected to be delivered before the year is out."
Ji Huan glanced at Guan Shan, who was waiting by the horse-drawn carriage, and said in a low voice, "I appreciate it."
On the way back to the village, Ji Huan lifted the carriage curtain and, resting her chin in her hand, struck up a casual conversation with Guan Shan.
