Xuanqing Guard-Chapter 71: Enchanting Eyes

"It gives off a fresh scent, and the fragrance can cover half the street?" Wen Xiuyun was so surprised by the question, her enchanting big eyes blinked rapidly.

"Um, is there such a sachet?"

"Hehe, Commander Shen, that’s not the right question!"

"How is it not right?"

"Fresh scent means ’light fragrance’—usually from ’single fragrance’ type sachets. There are many plant-based sachets in that category, but light fragrances don’t spread far. Indoors is fine, but on the street, if you want people within ten feet to catch the scent, that’s already a top-grade sachet. To cover half a street... you’d need a big incense burner instead."

By the end, Wen Xiuyun couldn’t help but cover her mouth and laugh. She realized this Shen Zongqi, with his heroic yet slightly ominous air, actually had a playful side. He really didn’t know much about sachets at all.

Shen Hao rubbed his nose, not finding his question funny at all, and paused before continuing, "Then what about the ’sweet fragrance’ type sachets you mentioned before? Could those work?"

From Shen Hao’s perspective, not everyone could distinguish scent types.

"Still won’t work. Whether it’s ’single fragrance’ or ’sweet fragrance’, the sachet body is small. For the scent to spread farther, it has to be much stronger, and according to your description, there’s no sachet that can cover half a street. If there were, it would be so intense that it’d be pungent, maybe even stinky."

Hearing this, Shen Hao understood right away, silently admitting he’d assumed too much before.

Still, Shen Hao wanted to try again, so he said, "Thank you, Miss Xiuyun, for solving Shen’s doubts. But I still have an unreasonable request and hope Miss Xiuyun can help."

"Commander Shen, you’re too polite. Go ahead, is there anything else I can assist you with?"

"Could you please write me a list of ’fresh fragrance’ sachets? I’d like to buy some and let someone test them personally."

"Why bother buying? I have all sorts of sachets right here, a full selection. I’ll have my maid pack up some for you, more than enough for your needs."

Before Shen Hao could decline, Wen Xiuyun already summoned her maid and gave instructions. Shen Hao’s polite words never made it out of his mouth.

After finishing the meal, their conversation was done, and Wen Xiuyun even volunteered to sing two songs for Shen Hao. This simple entertainment was rare in this world—especially before a top-grade beauty.

But the expense in silver was no small matter.

Leaving the Brocade Pavilion, a maid handed Shen Hao a foot-square box, half a foot thick, saying it was from Wen Xiuyun. Inside should be sachets.

In the carriage, Shen Hao opened the box. It was layered, each with many well-sealed little compartments—thirty per layer, four layers total.

Shen Hao opened one compartment and instantly smelled a soothing fresh scent. There was a little note inside stating which sachet was sealed in that compartment.

"This is actually pretty nice."

...

The next afternoon, Shen Hao brought the box and visited the breakfast stall owner again—Liu Yan’s father, just as he was closing up.

"Here, take a whiff. Are any of these scents like the one you smelled when your child went missing?"

Shen Hao ordered soybean milk and meat pie as usual, telling Liu Yan’s father to sit nearby and open each compartment, smelling them one by one.

"This...isn’t it."

"This...also not it."

"Hmm? This one’s kind of—no, not it."

...

Liu Yan’s father sniffed carefully. He figured this man named Shen must hold some official position, helping him, so he cooperated fully.

Shen Hao said nothing, watching his reaction intently. Unfortunately, after trying every sachet in the big box, none matched the scent from the time of the incident.

The only one Liu Yan’s father lingered on came down to a triple check—and still, he shook his head.

According to Wen Xiuyun’s earlier explanation, these 120 fresh fragrance sachets were the most complete collection in the market. Some were even rare items she’d collected herself. If none matched, it meant the scent at the scene couldn’t have come from a sachet.

"Um, Shen, you work for the Government Office, right?" Liu Yan’s father probed.

"No. Why?"

"Are you investigating my child’s disappearance?"

"Yes. Don’t worry, this time we won’t let you down. We’ll get to the bottom of it. All right, I’m off." Shen Hao smiled, picked up the box, and stood to leave.

As soon as Shen Hao left, the lady boss came out, walking behind her husband.

"Honey, that man’s from the Government Office, isn’t he?"

"He said he’s not." Liu Yan’s father didn’t turn around, his expression dazed.

"If he’s not with the Government Office, why do our family’s troubles concern him? Hey, what’s wrong, honey?"

"He’s not with the Government Office, but he can investigate our child’s case—and he only showed up after I threw a letter into the Copper Cabinet. You think he might be...a Xuanqing Guard officer?!"

"Ah! No, can’t be!"

But before she finished, Liu Yan’s father suddenly jumped up, stammering in shock, "I just remembered where I’ve seen him!"

"Who? Don’t scare me like that!"

"East Market, the recent execution—I went to watch, he was the executioner! He’s—he’s the Black Banner Camp Commander!"

...

Back at the Public Office, the guard outside said Flying Dragon had arrived.

Still the Black Banner Battalion’s base, still that gloomy Interrogation Chamber with a brazier burning.

It was Flying Dragon’s second time here; he couldn’t help but shiver, keeping his head down, not daring to meet the eyes of the two shirtless burly men nearby.

He kept mentally encouraging himself: Flying Dragon, don’t be scared. What haven’t you seen before? Man up!

The inner giant talked big, but the body was honest—anyone normal would fear a Xuanqing Guard interrogation chamber.

The door opened, Shen Hao walked in, sat facing Flying Dragon, and smiled, "Flying Dragon, how’s the investigation going?"

"Commander Shen, you can rest assured with me. But I really worked myself ragged this time—ran across nine cities in three days, just inviting people to Flower House cost over five hundred taels..."

"Want a raise? Easy." Shen Hao signaled, and the guard behind him put down two silver notes, each worth one thousand taels, in front of Flying Dragon.

Two thousand taels was no small sum. Flying Dragon subconsciously licked his lips, veins popping on his hand as he fought the urge to grab the notes.

"Hehe, Commander Shen, you’re generous as always! I found some friends who trade on the Jingxi Black Market, didn’t mention you. I used a cover story—a client wanting to buy a big batch of Illusion Array and Blinding Magical Artifact items, and tried to identify sellers..."