"It's time to eat!"
Zheng Xiaobu knocked the rice spoon on the edge of the bucket a few times. Seeing that he was already in front of Yang Fan's cell, he hung the rice spoon on the bucket and picked up a food box. Zhang Lilei opened the cell door with a straight face. As soon as Zheng Xiaobu walked in, Zhang Lilei stood in front of the door.
The food sent by the Yang family was very exquisite. The Yang family's chef was worried that Ah Lang wouldn't be able to eat well and had painstakingly prepared several delicious dishes. However, as usual, the tastiest dishes were intercepted by the servants.
As Zhang Lilei stood in front of the door, the two armed servants chatted at the door and had no intention of going in. Ever since the Steward's Yard was broken into by criminals who killed fifteen people and escaped, Wu Zetian was furious and mobilized the Fengchen Guards to strengthen the defense of the Steward's Yard.
This was to deal with a major criminal and protect the court's law enforcement yamen, so it was perfectly justifiable to mobilize armed forces. Now that the Steward's Yard had a sentry every few steps, the security was very tight, so the servants were somewhat relaxed. With such tight security, no one could escape, so they slacked off.
Yang Fan was lying on the ground resting. He stood up when the door opened and pulled the iron chain, making a series of clanking sounds. As the door opened and light shone in, Yang Fan narrowed his eyes slightly.
After being locked up in this dark place all day, he couldn't help but look a little dispirited. An inch-long beard grew on his lips and chin, and his hair was unkempt, like a wild beast in a cage.
Zheng Xiaobu put down the food box. Yang Fan glanced at him and slowly stepped forward, bending down to pick up the food box. Zheng Xiaobu turned his head and quickly glanced outside. Suddenly, he lowered his voice and said, "General Yang, there are three pieces of evidence against you. First, Zhu Bin reported that you and him conspired to open the palace gates on the night of the mutiny and take control of the Emperor's sleeping quarters!"
Yang Fan was startled. He slowly straightened his back and stared at Zheng Xiaobu with a strange glint in his eyes.
Zheng Xiaobu said, "The second piece of evidence against you, Minister of Rites, Pei Xuanli, has confessed that he was the one in charge of arranging for you to accept a heavy gift from the Minister of Works, Li Youdao, as well as a promise: Once the matter is settled, you will be promoted to Great General. The third evidence of Lang Jiang's crime was that he suddenly became rich and had a huge amount of wealth from unknown sources! General Yang, how do you explain this? "
If these words had been asked by Lai Junchen in court, it would have been the most appropriate, but now it was asked by Zheng Xiaobu. This Zheng Xiaobu was just a burly chef. He wore a blue apron that was stained with oil, and his hair was tied with a cloth whose color could no longer be seen. His oily, plump face was extremely serious and solemn, as if he was a court judge. The situation was really a little funny.
Yang Fan seemed to understand something. He replied in a low voice, "After Yang Fan entered the palace, he worked for a period of time under Zhu Bin's command. However, we did not have a selfless relationship. Not only did we not have a personal relationship, we even had a grudge. I was once ostracized by Zhu Bin. Zhu Bin's two bodyguards know about this. "
Zheng Xiaobu frowned and asked, "When did this happen?"
Yang Fan thought for a moment and said, "About the winter of the year before last. I remember that not two days after this incident, I was transferred to Wucheng Hall to be a bodyguard. If you look up my records in the Jin Wu Guards, you will know the exact time!"
Zheng Xiaobu nodded and asked, "How do you explain the matter of Pei Xuanli?"
Yang Fan said, "I have no explanation for this matter. Yang Fan has never heard of this official from the Board of Rites you speak of. Since he is an official from the Board of Rites and often enters the palace, then I have probably seen him before, or at least met him a few times. I just cannot remember who he is from this name. It would be absurd to say that I am in cahoots with this person. Unfortunately, he has only one side of the story, but I have no other evidence! "
Zheng Xiaobu said again, "Good! Then, who gave you those sixteen shops in the prosperous city? "
Hearing this, Yang Fan could not help but hesitate.
In reality, he had only vaguely guessed Zheng Xiaobu's purpose in coming. Even if Zheng Xiaobu was lying to him, he would still answer as such. Even if Lai Junchen went to court for a public trial, his answer would still be the same. There was nothing to hide, so he could answer honestly.
However, it was different for the third question. It was because he and Shen Mu did have a plan. Although he did not participate in the prime ministers' mutiny, in the long run, what he and Shen Mu were planning was exactly the same as what the prime ministers were doing. They were all trying to restore Li Tang's empire. It was just that one was doing it steadily, while the other was doing it in a hurry.
If Zheng Xiaobu was here to lie to him, once he found out that the person who gave the gifts was Zhao Yu, someone would definitely investigate. Yang Fan's followers were from the Hidden Sect. After he got into trouble, Zhao Yu had probably already made preparations. This investigation would probably be in vain. If they really found out something, the imperial court's prison experts were not a bunch of useless trash, and they would probably find out something big.
No matter how secretive Shen Mu's actions were, he had such immense power and such a huge flow of wealth. Unless he wasn't paying attention, once he noticed you and had the intention to investigate, how could he be watertight? When that time came, this crime would be cleared, but another crime would be added to him. The outcome would not be any better than now. He could still insist that it was a false accusation now, but when that time came, there would be no way to refute it.
If Zheng Xiaobu was sent by the person he was thinking of, it would be useless to tell her this secret. If he were to search now, there was a high chance that he would not be able to find Shen Mu. He might not even be able to find their contact point in Luoyang. Even if he were to find them, he still wouldn't be able to give the imperial court a convincing reason.
Why would Shen Mu gift such a huge sum of wealth to him? Yang Fan was just a general, a military general in the army and not a local official in Luoyang. Even if Shen Mu, this' great merchant ', wanted to find a backer and seek the convenience of doing business, it was impossible for him to find Yang Fan. There must be a demon behind this abnormal situation. If he were to investigate seriously … wouldn't he end up overreaching himself?
Zheng Xiaobu saw that Yang Fan was hesitating and smiled. "General Yang, you can trust me. This is a token that that person asked me to show you!"
As Zheng Xiaobu spoke, he turned his head and took a glance. He carefully took out something and held it in his palm.
Grasshopper?
Yang Fan looked at it and was first stunned. Then he remembered the history of this grasshopper. He had almost forgotten about this matter. He did not expect that when he had waited for Wan 'er at the Dragon Gate for a long time, he had casually woven this grasshopper out of wild grass. Wan' er had kept it until today. Yang Fan's heart couldn't help but be agitated.
Zheng Xiaobu flipped his wrist and put away the grasshopper. "General, can you tell me now?"
Yang Fan already believed that he had been bribed by Wan 'er. But how could he tell Wan' er about this? Even if he told her everything, it would still be useless. Shen Mu could not stand out and admit it. Otherwise, if the entire matter was exposed, he would still be finished. He would also drag a large group of people with him.
Zheng Xiaobu said urgently, "Time is of the essence. General Yang, you cannot delay this!"
Yang Fan said, "The reason is hard to explain in a few words. The person who gave me this shop … is a great merchant in the Western Regions. With his identity, I really cannot mention the reason why he gave me this property … Ai! In short, all of this has nothing to do with rebellion. "
Yang Fan hemmed and hawed. He really did not know how to explain. Zheng Xiaobu chuckled and said, "That person told me that no matter who it is, since they gave you such a generous gift, they must have a favor to ask of you. You are a general in the army, not a local official. No matter who has a favor to ask of you, the favor must not be made public. So, that person had already predicted that you would find it difficult to speak! "
Yang Fan looked at Zheng Xiaobu in surprise. It was true that Wan 'er was intelligent and knowledgeable, but her talent was not reflected in these areas. This woman who had grown up in the palace could actually "foresee the enemy's moves" and had even guessed his reaction?
Zheng Xiaobu said, "That person said that if it is inconvenient for you to speak, then don't speak. But, when you are being interrogated, no matter what, you must explain according to what I taught you. "
Yang Fan quickly said, "Please speak!"
Zheng Xiaobu said, "If you are interrogated in court and asked about the origin of this shop, you only need to insist that it is a gift from a noble. If they ask about this person's name and identity, you just need to insist on not telling the truth!"
Yang Fan nodded and said, "I will remember!"
Zheng Xiaobu hurriedly said, "You must bite on this sentence, or else I will not be able to save you!"
Zheng Xiaobu said with quick steps as he walked out. A servant asked lazily, "You rascal, why are you dawdling for so long?"
Zheng Xiaobu pressed his hand on his belt and said, "I just had a need to go to the toilet, so I took care of it in the corner!"
…
"The execution will be in seven days!"
When Xiaoman heard the news, she was completely defeated. She only wanted to see Yang Fan, to see her husband one last time before he was executed. But even this had become an extravagant hope. There was no reason for her to enter the palace, and the Steward's Council did not allow her to visit prisoners. Perhaps … she could only wait until the moment of the execution, to see her husband one last time on the execution field?
The day she heard the news, Xiaoman could not sleep. It was not until the next morning that she suddenly thought of someone. She thought of Lai Junchen's wife, Lady Wang. Of course, Lady Wang could not influence the judgment of the Imperial Censor, but as the wife of the head of the Imperial Censor, she should be able to make things convenient for her and bring her to see her husband, right?
Xiaoman rushed to Bo Gu Zhai on the same day and asked the shopkeeper to inform the Lai residence that a few rare antiques had arrived in the shop, and asked Lady Wang to come to the shop to take a look. Xiaoman waited in the shop for a day, but Lady Wang did not come. The next day, when Tiannan City opened, Xiaoman rushed to the shop to wait. About an hour later, Lady Wang finally arrived.
Lady Wang slowly walked into Bo Gu Zhai with two maids. As soon as she entered, a shopkeeper came out from the side and stuck a sign at the door. On it were two large words: "Closed!"
Lady Wang walked around the "Xiao wall" and said with a smile, "Lady Yang, what rare antiques have arrived in your shop? Eh? Lady Yang, you … what are you doing? "
Xiaoman had already sent someone to wait for her outside. Before Lady Wang reached the door, Xiaoman had already ordered the shopkeeper and the shopkeepers to leave. As soon as Lady Wang walked around the "Xiao wall", Xiaoman bowed down and said sorrowfully, "Lady Wang, Xiaoman has a request, I hope Lady Wang will grant it!"
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