There is a god in the sky

Chapter 241 Beauty Bones 1

Shen Lan frowned and forcefully pulled her arm out.

She didn't find anything ridiculous about her identity as a coroner; this young master of the Zhao family might be mentally ill.

She turned to leave, but Zhao Huan blocked her way.

Zhao Huan had heard his sister mention Shen Lan before, but he had no liking for her and thought she was just a country girl who took shortcuts.

Even though Xiao Ji treated her differently, he didn't believe that such a woman could threaten the position of the principal wife.

But ever since he saw his sister's paintings, he has developed a strange interest in this female coroner.

Even though the face before him did not resemble the person in the painting, he still felt that she was incredibly beautiful.

"What does Young Master Zhao mean by this?" Shen Lan had already considered countless possible consequences.

If she hit Zhao Huan, would the Xiao family take her to the Zhao family to apologize with a bundle of thorns on her back?

"Your surname is Shen and your given name is Lan? The character Lan suits you very well; it's like a fragrant orchid in a secluded valley."

Zhao Huan felt his blood boiling, and he had an urge to break the orchid in two.

It would be really interesting if I could make her cry!

Shen Lan raised an eyebrow. She had encountered perverted men before in the past ten years, but this was the first time she had met a man who so openly expressed malice towards her.

"Young Master Zhao, please have some self-respect!" Shen Lan took a step back.

"I heard you are an orphan with a pitiful background, otherwise you wouldn't have become a coroner. Why don't you come with me and I'll guarantee you a lifetime of wealth and honor."

A teasing voice came from behind: "Brother Zhao, what a refined taste you have, actually having such thoughts about the coroners in my yamen!"

Zhao Huan had his back to Xiao Ji and did not see the anger on his face.

When he turned around, Xiao Ji had already suppressed his anger and said calmly, "Brother Zhao, Counselor Shen is not someone you can afford to offend."

Zhao Huan changed his expression and said with a grin, "I was just joking, brother-in-law, don't take it to heart."

He thought Shen Lan was the woman Xiao Ji had his eye on, and it was indeed unethical of him to try and steal her away from his brother-in-law in front of him.

But it doesn't matter, his feelings for Shen Lan are not romantic.

He walked towards Xiao Ji, as if what had just happened was just a spur-of-the-moment decision.

Shen Lan found their insincere greetings amusing.

The Xiao family and the Zhao family clearly have two different educational models, and the Zhao family girl may not necessarily be happy after marrying into the family.

Of course, Xiao Ji's life after marrying the Zhao family's daughter will certainly not be peaceful.

However, this is someone else's family matter, and she, as an outsider, has no right to interfere.

I just feel a little uncomfortable.

The thought of Zhao Xuan becoming her boss made her feel somewhat uncomfortable.

She left the Xiao family's residence, intending to go to the bookstore to check the account books.

She was an incompetent manager. Business at Jifeng Study was booming, but she was often away, and Xiao Ding couldn't manage it all on her own.

So Xiao Ji picked two more servants to help.

"Manager Shen is here. The account books for the past few days are all here."

Xiao Ding learned bookkeeping from Shen Lan. He had never heard of this method before, but it was surprisingly useful.

"Shopkeeper, Young Master Lu just sent someone to ask if our bookstore sells the picture book 'Beauty Bones,' and also asked if you would be willing to take on a custom order."

"What picture book? What kind of business?" Shen Lan hadn't left the house for the past few days and didn't know about the picture book.

Xiao Ding took a picture book from under the counter and handed it to her. "This is it. It's been selling very well lately. I was going to ask if you wanted to sell it in our bookstore too, but you've been so busy these past few days..."

Shen Lan's pupils contracted; the figures and scenes in the painting...

Beauty Bones... All the paintings feature only one woman and a skeleton, and the name itself is eye-catching.

Was it a coincidence or a calculated move?

who is it?

She went through the events of that day in her mind.

Besides the people from the Criminal Investigation Department, there were other outsiders present that day. Coincidentally, the girl didn't like him.

Shen Lan closed the picture album with a solemn expression.

Xiao Ding thought she was frightened, so he cautiously asked, "Shopkeeper, shall we sell them? Everyone seems to like these picture albums lately, and we can make about 500 coins per album."

"Not for sale." Shen Lan confiscated the catalog.

She asked Xiao Ding, "Which store started selling them?"

"Qiwen Bookstore, but now many shops should be selling it."

"I understand. What did you say Young Master Lu wanted?"

Lu Changzhi is considered a stable and high-quality client of theirs. She is generous with her money and not difficult to deal with. She is willing to cooperate unless it is a particularly difficult matter.

Xiao Ding glanced around, blushed, and lowered his voice, saying, "He...Young Master Lu wants you to paint a few portraits of the beauty in that painting for him, you know...you know, those kinds of paintings..."

He knew that Manager Shen could draw erotic pictures, and only the two of them knew that.

But hearing it come out of his mouth still felt very shameful.

He was quite certain that Manager Shen was not a frivolous woman, but her paintings were so good that even he blushed when he saw them.

Shen Lan gritted her teeth: "Reject him, just say I'm busy."

She guessed that Zhao Xuan would announce next that she was the person in the painting, and that many people had seen the way she performed the autopsy that day.

Even if no one sees it, a female coroner will still be accused of these things.

People have very little tolerance for things they don't understand. If Zhao Xuan adds fuel to the fire and exaggerates the situation, she might become a man-eating monster.

How will the world view her then? It will be difficult for her to retain her identity as a coroner.

She couldn't even stay in Bianjing anymore.

After checking the account books and correcting a few errors, Shen Lan went straight back to the Xiao residence.

If Zhao Huan were still alive, it's possible that negotiations could only be conducted through him.

But does she possess anything that would make the Zhao family value her?

If this path is blocked, then we have no choice but to...

Shen Lan lowered her eyes, her gaze falling on the ground, where a small insect was crawling up a small stone.

Right now, she's like this poor little insect, in danger of falling at any moment.

"Give it! Give it!"

With guards clearing the way, a luxurious carriage slowly approached.

Shen Lan was pushed to the side of the road by the spear, and the entire street was cleared of pedestrians.

Bells hung on the carriage, making a clear and melodious sound.

A woman sat on the side behind the hazy gauze curtain. She couldn't be seen clearly, but her high bun and head full of pearls and jade could be seen.

"The eldest princess is back. Didn't she go to the hot spring resort for a short stay?"

"I heard she's here to attend a palace banquet. The Emperor's new favorite is a dancer chosen by the Eldest Princess, so she'll definitely come back to congratulate him."

"As expected, what man could resist such beauty? But our Emperor is still vigorous despite his age."

Shh...be careful what you say!

Shen Lan stared at the carriage for a while, watching it pass by.

Before she could look away, a shadow fell, and Young Master Lu, riding a fine horse, was smiling at her.

She curtsied and greeted them.

Young Master Lu winked at her, "Shopkeeper Shen, I'm waiting for your goods."

Shen Lan took a deep breath. "I'm sorry, I can't paint this one, but as compensation, the next one won't disappoint you."

Lu Changzhi was starting to feel disappointed, but it didn't matter, she wasn't the only one who could draw erotic pictures.