Xu Qi 'an followed the Taoist child through the front hall, the square, the pavilions and gardens, and arrived at the deepest part of the Ling Bao Temple.
This was a quiet little garden. The flowers and trees had long withered, and there was a rock garden and a pavilion. There was also a pond with rippling blue waves.
A beautiful Taoist nun was sitting on the pond. She was wearing a Tai Chi robe and a lotus crown. There was a red cinnabar dot between her eyebrows. She was beautiful and charming.
Her face was white as if it was carved out of ice. Her nose was straight and beautiful, and her lips were plump. When her eyes were closed, her eyelashes were as thick as brushes.
Xu Qi 'an stared at her the moment he entered the garden. He could not tell her age as he walked.
She looked like a woman who was just 30 years old, but also a beautiful woman who was so mature that she was dripping honey. If you looked closely, you could even see the charm of innocence and coquettishness.
"I actually have a feeling of 'I have to find a way to marry this woman'. Is it because I have not been with women for too long, or does Renzong have a special cultivation method … charm?"
Xu Qi 'an thought flashed through his mind, but he did not show it on his face.
"Did Jinlian send you to look for me?" Luo Yuheng opened her beautiful eyes. The ratio of her pupils to her sclera was just right. She had a pair of beautiful eyes.
"Yes, the Jinlian Taoist priest's Yin spirit was severely injured, and his body was also injured. He asked me to ask for a Soul Gathering Pill."
Normally, Xu Qi 'an would say, "I want two pills," and then take the commission to keep one for himself.
However, he was not familiar with the Taoist leader of Renzong, Luo Yuheng. In order to repay the Jinlian Taoist priest for saving his life, he just had to tell the truth.
In front of such a big boss, one must not feel good about oneself or show off one's personality. That would only lead to failure.
"You are a member of the Heaven & Earth Society. What number book do you have?" Luo Yuheng's voice was very pleasant to the ears. It was textured and magnetic, and it reminded Xu Qi 'an of the voice actresses from his previous life.
"Number three." Xu Qi 'an answered.
Luo Yuheng nodded. She stared at him and did not speak for a long time. Suddenly, she let out a soft cry of surprise, and confusion flashed across her face.
"Your fate is strange … tell me your birth date." The beautiful Taoist nun asked.
The wind blew, and the hem of her Taoist robe danced on the water. From this angle, Xu Qi 'an could see the curve of her plump buttocks.
"She can see my abnormality too?" Xu Qi 'an immediately reported his birth date.
Luo Yuheng's delicate hand stretched out of her sleeve, and her crystalline fingers moved about. After calculating for a moment, her beautiful brows knit together tightly, and she seemed to have encountered a problem that was difficult to explain.
Xu Qi 'an was a little nervous and asked expectantly, "State Preceptor, how is it?"
"How do you know I like Ennea Monkey … Bah, bah, bah, she said that my birth date and eight characters coincide with each other, just like the horoscopes in my previous life …" Xu Qi 'an found the evil thoughts in his heart stirred.
"This woman always reminds me of my sister in 36D, my mother's friend, my kind aunt … It's definitely not my problem. She has polluted my mind … Is it a unique trait of Renzong?
"How do you know I like Ennea Monkey … Bah, bah, bah, she said that my birth date and eight characters coincide with each other, just like the horoscopes in my previous life …" Xu Qi 'an found his evil thoughts stirring. "Hmm, I should ask the Jinlian Taoist priest later."
Luo Yuheng shook her head and said in a deep voice, "Nothing special."
She did not want to say anything more. She took out a porcelain bottle from her sleeve and flicked it lightly. The porcelain bottle floated in front of Xu Qi 'an.
"Thank you, teacher!" Xu Qi 'an took the bottle and bowed.
"She can't see through me. She can only vaguely feel it like the Jinlian Taoist priest …" Xu Qi 'an did not linger and left.
…
The carriage drove into the imperial city and stopped at the entrance of the palace. Jiang Lvzhong jumped off the carriage and took out a wooden ladder to welcome Wei Yuan down.
Except for members of the royal family, officials were not allowed to drive or ride horses in the palace.
Wei Yuan led Jiang Lvzhong into the palace. When they were near the imperial study, Eunuch Liu came to them.
"Duke Wei, you're finally here." Eunuch Liu complained, "His Majesty sent me here to wait for you. Hurry up and go, His Majesty is in a rage in the royal study."
Wei Yuan nodded calmly. He was calm even if the sky fell down. He was not affected by Eunuch Liu's words.
"A few old things just impeached you in front of His Majesty … Well, do as you see fit. Anyway, be careful."
Eunuch Liu and Wei Yuan were in the same camp. Wei Yuan was the spiritual leader of the entire group of eunuchs. It was extremely difficult for any official to plant an informant in the palace, but Wei Yuan could do it easily.
Wei Yuan came to the entrance of the imperial study and heard the Yuanjing Emperor's scolding, "Useless, all of you are useless. The Sampo Case has not been solved yet. You two have less clues than a small gong. What's the point of the imperial court keeping you two? What do I need you for? "
In the imperial study, the Minister of Justice, the Chancellor of the Dali Monastery, and the prefectural magistrate, Chen Hanguang, stood side by side in the middle, listening to the Yuanjing Emperor's scolding with their heads lowered.
Other than the three of them, the Grand Secretary of the imperial court, various ministers, and several nobles stood on both sides with their noses lowered.
The massacre of the Count of Pingyuan's family had spread throughout the imperial court today. The nobles fell into an inexplicable panic. They wrote letters of impeachment against Wei Yuan and demanded that the murderer be investigated. At the same time, they secretly strengthened the guards in the mansion.
For a moment, everyone was in a state of panic. Some said that the powerful demons had invaded the capital and wantonly killed the important officials of the imperial court, causing chaos in the imperial court.
Some said that the Buddhists were secretly causing trouble. Their goal was to preach in the Central Plains and force the Daibun Dynasty to submit.
"Your Majesty, why did the Supervisor fall sick at this time?"
"Oh, sick? He's obviously just watching from the sidelines. "
"Why did the murderer escape last night? The night watchman is derelict in his duty. Your Majesty, you must punish Wei Yuan severely."
Several officials began to admonish him.
Wei Yuan entered the imperial study amidst the discussions.
"Wei Yuan!" As soon as the Yuanjing Emperor saw him enter, he grabbed a stack of documents and threw them at him. As the papers rattled, he shouted angrily, "Three days.
If you can't find the murderer in three days, I will dismiss you from your post. "
Wei Yuan dodged it easily and slowly picked up the scattered documents on the floor. He sighed and said, "Your Majesty, why are you so angry? Cultivation is to cultivate the mind. Don't let it mess up your state of mind."
The Yuanjing Emperor snorted coldly.
The Minister of Justice said in a deep voice, "Your Majesty, the night watchman let the murderer escape twice. I suspect that Wei Yuan colluded with outsiders and harbored evil intentions. Your Majesty, please investigate this matter."
The Yuanjing Emperor did not answer. He looked at Chen Hanguang, who lowered his head in silence. "What do you think, Governor Chen?"
Although the prefectural governor was of the fourth rank, he was in charge of the twenty-four counties around the capital. He had great power and was no weaker than the six ministers.
Chen Hanguang was a wily old fox. He did not want to offend either side. He said, "The Sampo Case is not over yet. Now there's the case of Count Pingyuan's family being exterminated. Your Majesty, please don't be angry. I think we should listen to what Duke Wei has to say. "
He kicked the ball away.
The Yuanjing Emperor looked coldly at Wei Yuan.
"Your Majesty, Count Pingyuan's case and the Sampo Case are the same case." Wei Yuan said.
In the imperial study, everyone's expression changed, including the Yuanjing Emperor.
Wei Yuan did not look at their expressions. He lowered his head and looked at the ground. He said in a clear voice, "I have found out who the murderer of Count Pingyuan's family is."
"Who is it?" Someone subconsciously interrupted. It was the Minister of War, Zhang Feng.
Wei Yuan glanced at him. He did not answer. Instead, he said to the Yuanjing Emperor, "Your Majesty, please dismiss your attendants."
When he said this, Wei Yuan suddenly thought of Xu Qi 'an.
The Yuanjing Emperor looked deeply at Wei Yuan. His sharp eyes swept across the ministers. "Everyone, please leave."
Everyone bowed with a strange expression and left the imperial study.
Wei Yuan stayed in the study for an hour. No one knew what he said to the Yuanjing Emperor.
…
"Duke Wei, Duke Wei …"
Accompanied by Eunuch Liu, Wei Yuan stepped out of the imperial study. He had only taken a few steps when he heard someone calling him.
He turned his head and saw the thin Minister of War, Zhang Feng, dressed in a crimson official robe. He came up to him with a smile on his face.
"Duke Wei, I wonder what kind of demon is the murderer of the Count Pingyuan's family extermination case?"
Wei Yuan shook his head. "Minister Zhang, this case involves Sampo. It is not convenient to say. Once the truth is revealed, you will know."
He bowed with his hands folded and strode away.
Minister Zhang was rebuffed, but he was not angry. He said with a smile, "Take care, Duke Wei."
After Wei Yuan left, the officials waiting in the imperial study came over. "Eunuch Liu, what did Wei Yuan say to His Majesty?"
"My lords, please don't make things difficult for me." Eunuch Liu waved his hand.
"Eunuch Liu, just pick a few things that you can say." An energetic voice rang out. It was the Grand Chief of the Imperial Court.
Eunuch Liu hesitated for a moment before nodding his head. He looked around at the ministers and said in a low voice, "This case is being handled by Xu Qi 'an, the Gong of the Night Watchman's yamen. Wei Gongzi's words all came from him."
Xu Qi 'an?!
The officials looked at each other in confusion.
…
After leaving the Lingbao Temple, Xu Qi 'an's beautiful face flashed in his mind from time to time. He thought that women who cultivated Dao were indeed different. She was like a beauty carved out of jade. He could not see any flaws on her face.
At least she had a few pimples.
The Earth Sect's Dao Master was a second-grade Dao Master. Renzong's Dao Master should not be too bad … If she was a second-grade Dao Master, it would not be an exaggeration to call her a fairy.
The little mare trotted along and passed by an armory. Xu Qi 'an asked the guard for the location of Prince Yu's Residence.
"I need to change the investigation of the Sampo Case. Let's not investigate the King of Zhenbei for now. I have a feeling that as long as we get to the bottom of the matter between Chu Henghui and Princess Pingyang and the grudge between this bitter couple and Count Pingyuan's Residence, the Sampo Case might be solved.
"I don't need half a month. I think it'll be solved in a few days … or even sooner.
"The Jinlian Taoist priest will come to find me tonight. I need to remember to ask him about Renzong's Dao Master. He's a Kun Dao cultivator, but he has a devilish charm."
Xu Qi 'an squeezed the horse's belly and urged it to run faster.
Prince Yu's Residence.
Xu Qi 'an reined in the horse's reins. Under the watchful eyes of the guards, he flashed his golden token to show his identity. "I am the Head of the Sampo Case appointed by His Majesty. I have something to discuss with Prince Yu. Please help me pass the message."
When the guard saw the token, he put away his arrogance and hurried into the residence.
Not long after, the guard returned and said in a clear voice, "Sir, please follow me. His Highness wants to see you."
Prince Yu's Residence occupied a large area. It took a full five minutes to walk from the gate to the front hall.
In the front hall, Xu Qi 'an met the Yuanjing Emperor's younger brother, the current Prince.
He was a young man with gray hair. His face was pale and he looked ill. The vertical wrinkles between his eyebrows were deep. He was in his early forties, but he looked even older than the Yuanjing Emperor.
He wore a purple brocade robe and had good facial features.
"Gong?" Prince Yu held a cup of tea in his hand and took a sip. His voice sounded weak.
He put down the cup and asked in surprise, "Since when did my brother allow a gong to be the Head of the Case?"
"I'm Xu Qi 'an. Prince Yu, you've never heard of me?" Xu Qi 'an thought. The Sampo Case was the most searched news in the capital. Everyone, from the nobles to the officials and generals, should be paying attention to it.
"As one of the Heads of the Case, the minions don't know me. Even Prince Yu, a member of the royal family, doesn't know me?"
Prince Yu nodded in realization. "I remember. I've heard of you. But I've not been involved in court affairs for a long time, so I can't remember."
"It seems that the disappearance of Princess Pingyang has hit him hard …" Xu Qi 'an sighed.
"Why are you looking for me?" Prince Yu waved his hand and ordered the servants to serve tea.
