A Banquet at Hongmen
Someone died?
Everyone in the dilapidated temple was shocked when they heard this. They all turned to look at the old man.
Some looked excited, while others looked confused.
Ji Yunshu felt as if her brain had been electrocuted. She perked up a little.
She asked, "Old man, did something happen in Yuzhou City? Why did someone die?"
The old man sighed and waved his hand. His voice trembled as he replied, "Nothing happened."
"Oh? Then what's going on? "
The old man turned to face Ji Yunshu and raised three fingers. "In the past month, three people have died in Yuzhou City. The entire city is in a state of panic. That Magistrate Liu can't find the cause, and the murderer is still at large. I don't know if there will be more deaths. So now, those who can go far away have already left. Who would dare to stay in the city?"
Speaking of which, even the old man felt frightened.
Ji Yunshu thought for a moment and continued, "Can you be more specific?"
"I heard that the three of them saw a ghost before they died. They said that it was an evil ghost with a rotten face. That night, they went crazy and died the next day. Their faces were ferocious and their limbs were stiff. They died very miserably. What was even stranger was that the three of them were hung on a tree. They said that they were vengeful spirits seeking their lives and looking for a scapegoat. No one knew what it was. In any case, no one dared to go out at night."
After saying that, he let out a sigh.
Jing Rong glanced at Ji Yunshu and reminded her in a low voice, "We've already wasted time in Shanhuai County. If you stick your nose into this, when will we reach Yufu?"
"I …"
"Think about Aunty Xie. Didn't she come all the way to the capital to seek justice for her daughter? If you want to stick your nose into everything, you should set a first come, first served rule. Yuzhou City is so big, can't you find someone capable to solve the case? Let the Yuzhou Magistrate worry about this case himself. Don't get involved. "
He said so much because he didn't want Ji Yunshu to 'stick her nose into other people's business'.
Ji Yunshu glanced at Aunty Xie, who was leaning against the wall. She was still hugging that tattered, yellowed cloth bag, her eyes glazed over.
For the past few days, Aunty Xie had not spoken much.
Even when they were in Shanhuai County, he didn't step out of his room. He didn't even urge Ji Yunshu and the others to leave.
Ji Yunshu pondered for a moment before replying, "Got it."
Jing Rong was very pleased to see how obedient she was.
Unexpectedly, on the other side, Zhao Huai's men suddenly spoke up, "How can it be so supernatural? Ghosts and whatnot, it's all superstition."
The old man immediately retorted, "Young man, don't doubt me. You can't disregard the supernatural. Be careful that the scapegoat finds you. That would be terrible."
Ugh!
It caused that person's hairs to stand on end, and he didn't dare to speak anymore!
The old man reminded again, "If you want to enter the city, don't go in. If you want to pass by, it's best to take a detour."
Everyone fell silent!
The old man didn't say anything else. He grabbed the steamed bun and ate it.
How could such a thing happen in Yuzhou City out of nowhere?
Lang Po tilted his head and asked Jing Rong, "Your Highness, are we still entering Yuzhou City tomorrow? If we take a detour, I'm afraid we'll have to walk for another two days. "
"There's no need. Once we reach Yuzhou City, we'll need to buy some things and food."
"But …"
Jing Rong glared at him, "Why? Are you worried about the vengeful spirits? "
Lang Po hurriedly said, "No, Your Highness knows that this subordinate isn't afraid of them."
"Then why did you say it? Alright, hurry up and rest. Tomorrow, we'll go into the city and buy our things. We'll leave immediately. "
"Yes."
Everyone hugged their swords and went back to sleep.
Ji Yunshu felt as though a stone had been lifted from her heart. She stared at the blazing fire in front of her, lost in thought.
She didn't notice Zhao Huai's gaze on her from afar.
… …
The next day!
Everyone packed their belongings and boarded the carriages, heading towards Yuzhou City.
Jing Rong's men walked in front, while Zhao Huai's men followed behind, maintaining a distance.
As soon as they arrived at the city gates, the county magistrate and his men welcomed them at the gates.
The county magistrate didn't look like the servile Liu Qingping, nor did he look like the fawning capital magistrate. He looked honest and upright, like a poor scholar with deep furrows between his brows. He looked delicate and pitiful.
Beside him stood a formidable and stern constable with a face full of stubble.
Isn't this Constable Zhang?
The impulsive and impetuous Constable Zhang whom Ji Yunshu had met in the inn on her way to the capital.
Yuzhou's county magistrate, Lord Fang, cupped his hands in greeting. "This lowly official, Fang Mingsan, respectfully greets Prince Rong."
Jing Rong lifted the curtains and peeked his head out to take a look.
Outside the huge gates of Yuzhou City, the yamen was filled with people from the yamen. The people going in and out of the city were blocked on both sides.
This was clearly a trap.
Jing Rong's lips curved. He got off the carriage and walked towards Fang Mingsan.
"Lord Fang, are you planning a Feast at Hongmen for this Prince?"
"This lowly official wouldn't dare."
"Wouldn't dare? In my opinion, not only do you have the guts to do so, you even openly organized this Hongmen Banquet. Lord Fang, when you were able to hold a post in Yuzhou back then, it was this prince who helped you submit your official document. Others may not understand what you're thinking, but this prince can clearly see what you're thinking. You're so cunning, you should hurry up and sort it out. "
Fang Mingsan smiled warmly. He brushed his wide sleeves, revealing his thoughts on his face. He glanced at the carriage behind him and spoke to Jing Rong in a serious tone.
"This lowly official can't hide anything in front of Prince Rong. This lowly official heard that Teacher Ji was among the people accompanying Your Highness to Yufu County."
Jing Rong's eyes darkened. "No need to beat around the bush. Just say it."
"Your Highness, why don't we enter the city first?"
It was obvious that he wanted to talk about the recent murder case in Yuzhou City.
Jing Rong looked around, and his gaze deepened. "Lord Fang has made such a big scene at the city gates. If this Prince doesn't go in and take a look, it would seem like this Prince is in the wrong. Lord Fang's methods are really getting better and better."
"Thank you for your praise, Your Highness."
"Forget it. We've been on the road for a day. My subordinates need to replenish their supplies. Let's go in and have a cup of tea."
Fang Mingsan bowed.
Jing Rong didn't enter the carriage again. He followed Fang Mingsan onto the horse.
As soon as he got on, he noticed Constable Zhang. He smiled. "After a few months, Constable Zhang looks much more spirited than before."
Constable Zhang lowered his head. "Your Highness must be joking. I didn't expect to see you again."
Jing Rong smiled. "Constable Zhang, don't be as impulsive as before."
"Yes, Your Highness."
Thus, they entered Yuzhou City and sat down in the county yamen's mansion.
When Ji Yunshu and the others alighted from the carriage, Fang Mingsan greeted them politely. "I presume this must be the famous Teacher Ji?"
His name was well-known!
When did her reputation reach such a level?
Ji Yunshu immediately cupped her hands. "Milord is too polite. This humble one is just an ordinary person."
"Teacher Ji doesn't need to be humble. A talented person will naturally be famous throughout the world."
Ji Yunshu was speechless.
Constable Zhang was suddenly puzzled. He had been staring at Ji Yunshu since she alighted from the carriage.
He felt that this person was extremely familiar. Whether it was the figure or the way he walked, he was puzzled.
The person he met at the inn was a girl wearing a veil.
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