Yang Fan watched Feng Xihui's figure disappear behind the yellow walls of the temple. He slowly turned his head and looked up at the Qiyun Tower.
It was as tall as a mountain, also known as Qiyun. The thirteen-storey tower was completely made of wood. It stood tall and straight, elegant and beautiful. There was only a single arched door on the south side of the tower, allowing one to look into the distance.
At this moment, master San Shan and monk Yizhuo stood with Xiao Man at the top of the tower that seemed to reach the clouds. They gazed into the distance and pointed around.
Yang Fan did not go up. He stood with his hands behind his back and slowly paced around the bottom of the tower, going through the matters of the Ministry of Justice in detail again. As soon as he sorted through his thoughts, Xiao Man emerged from the tower under the accompaniment of master San Shan and the Yizhuo monk. She smiled at him. "Langjun, you can see all of Luoyang from here. It's really interesting. Why don't you go up and take a look? "
Yang Fan smiled. "This isn't the first time Master Xue and I have ascended Qiyun Tower. Oh, after wandering around for so long, my wife should be rather tired. I'll ask senior brother Yizhuo to accompany you back to the guest room first. Master San Shan and I will take a stroll over there. "
"Oh!"
Xiao Man could probably tell that something was up to Yang Fan. Her clever eyes flashed, and she pursed her lips into a smile before leaving with monk Yizhuo. The master San Shan counted his prayer beads and stood there with a smile the entire time. Only when Xiao Man had left did he bow towards Yang Fan and ask with a smile, "Doctor, is there something you want to ask me?"
Yang Fan said, "Yes! I'd like to ask you, master. If someone has become a monk in Luoyang, and I don't know which temple she's in, is there any way to find her easily? "
The master San Shan was taken aback. He saw how strange his question was, so he guessed there must be something off about it. However, it was inconvenient for him to ask about it, so he answered, "May I ask if the person you're talking about is a man or a woman, and if they've become a monk or a daoist?"
Yang Fan smiled bitterly. "About that … she's a woman. As for whether she's a monk or a daoist, I really don't know. I only know that she became a monk in Luoyang."
"Oh …"
When master San Shan heard it was a woman, he seemed to understand something, even though he did not actually understand it. He stroked his snow-like white beard and said, "It is naturally as difficult as ascending to the heavens for an ordinary person to find such a monk. However, with your status, Yang Langzhong, as long as you know her name, it is not difficult to find her."
Yang Fan's spirits rose, and he hurriedly said, "Please advise me, Master!"
Master San Shan said, "In the past, the affairs of monks and daoists have always been managed by the Chamberlain of Dependencies' Lofty Mystery Bureau. Ever since the empress ascended to the throne, the management of the monks and nuns was under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Rites. The authority to manage the Daoists belonged to the Imperial Clan Temple. As long as Yang Langzhong checks with these two yamens, do you think he won't be able to find her whereabouts? "
Yang Fan was overjoyed. He asked, "There must be records of their identities in these two yamens?"
Master San Shan said, "Of course. Anyone who becomes a monk must first study diligently under a master before being recommended by the master and approved by the court. When monks and daoists are ordained in the two capitals of Chang 'an and Luoyang, an imperial censor is required to be present. Only then can they receive their credentials and become legal monks and daoists. The court has a household register for monks and daoists. They are like commoners, and they are registered once every three years for inspection. There can't be a mistake. "
Yang Fan felt like a huge burden had been lifted off his chest. He said happily, "That's good. I've asked around in private for a long time, but I still haven't received any information. Sure enough, I have to ask someone as understanding as you, master. That makes things easier. All I need to do is … "
When Yang Fan reached there, he suddenly blanked out. He slowly turned towards San Shan and asked in doubt, "Master, that can't be right. When I first became a monk, there were no imperial censors present. There was no one to verify my name or register me. "
Master San Shan's brows twitched a few times. He pressed his palms together and said, "Amitabha. Master Huaiyi was the one who shaved Lang Zhong back then. Master Huaiyi's shaving needs no approval, and which imperial censor would be bold enough to testify?"
Yang Fan came to a realisation. He said, "That's good. No matter what, it's impossible for her to have been shaved by Master Xue. If that's the case, there'll definitely be records of it in the ancestral temple or the ancestral temple."
"Uh … that's not necessarily the case …"
Yang Fan's words reminded master San Shan of something. He hurriedly added, "Is Lang Zhong sure that she's already a monk? If she's just a good faith who studies with her master and hasn't officially become a monk, then the authorities obviously won't have any records. Also, there's a class of people in the capital who call themselves monks the moment they put on Daoist robes. Actually … you know, although these women wear Daoist robes, their daily necessities are the same as when they're at home. They even have many servant girls around them. Those people are also dressed like monks. Actually … "
Yang Fan could not help but frown when he heard that. "She definitely won't go to the 'secluded cultivation' places that you speak of. However, if she hasn't officially become a monk yet … "
Yang Fan slapped his forehead. "No matter what, I'll go to the ancestral temple and the ancestral temple to check first. Thank you, master!"
… …
"Yang Fachi, I'll be taking my leave!"
"Take care, take care!"
Luo Fazhi clasped his hands at Yang Zhi in a perfunctory manner. The person who had come was only a regular bailiff from the Ministry of Justice. If it were not for the fact that he served Minister Chen Dong of the Ministry of Justice, Yang Zhi could not be bothered with him at all.
Feng Xihui was in another recording room, currently chatting with someone he was familiar with. The window was open, so he happened to be able to see what was going on in the courtyard. As soon as he saw Luo Ling leave, he immediately bid farewell to his good friend and left the recording room, tailing Yang Zhi.
As soon as Yang Fachi returned to his recording room, Feng Xihui tailed him in.
Feng Xihui might not be proud of his position in the Ministry of Justice now, but he had enjoyed some glory in the past. He knew Yang Zhi as well. Although they were not extremely close friends, their relationship was not exactly cold.
Feng Xihui smiled and clasped his hands at Yang Fachi, saying, "Yang Fachi, long time no see!"
Feng Xihui stayed in Yang Fachi's recording room for about an hour before leaving with a smile on his face.
Yang Zhi sent him to the courtyard. Looking at Feng Xihui's receding figure, he shook his head in bewilderment. He muttered to himself, "What's going on? Even if Minister Pan of the Ministry of Appointments asked for help, he should have asked the Prison Breaking Officer of this temple. Why did he go to the Ministry of Justice instead of what's close at hand? So many people from the Ministry of Justice came one after another, but none of them had any weight. "
Yang Zhi could not understand no matter how much he thought about it. He shook his head and returned to his room.
Feng Xihui left the Supreme Court. Without even returning to the Ministry of Justice, he rode straight to the White Horse Temple.
Yang Fan lived in the White Horse Temple in the name of recuperating his body and observing whether or not he was infected with any diseases. These days, he was really very idle. Every day, if he wasn't chatting with his fellow disciples, undressing and playing chess, he would accompany his wife to stroll around. He was really free and unfettered.
Ever since the two of them got married, there had been many disturbances. This was the first time the two of them had put aside all the mundane affairs of the world. They were together day and night, and they were intimate. It was like mixing oil with honey.
At this time, the husband and wife were fishing by the Luo River beside the White Horse Temple.
This area belonged to the White Horse Temple. Since the White Horse Temple had the evil monk Xue Huaiyi, no one dared to come here to check if anyone was fishing. Other than the people of the White Horse Temple, no one dared to fish here. Therefore, this area was very quiet, with only the husband and wife.
A real monk would not kill. As for those fake monks, if they wanted to eat fish, they could go to the store to eat. Who would understand the joy of fishing? Therefore, the Luo River became a small world for the husband and wife.
The sunlight had lost its power of summer. It was very warm and comfortable when it shone on their bodies. The surface of the water was sparkling, and the two bobbers were gently blown by the wind, drifting close to each other yet far from each other.
The fishing rod was stuck in the ground, and the beautiful woman was in his arms.
Yang Fan leaned against a warm big rock. He held his wife's soft and delicate body in his arms. He smelled the fragrance of her hair. His head rested on the big rock, and his eyes were slightly closed. The two of them did not speak. They just quietly enjoyed this warm time.
Suddenly, a voice came from afar: "Lang Zhong, Yang Langzhong …"
Yang Fan listened attentively and suddenly sat up straight.
Xiao Man, who was drowsy in his arms, sat up. She opened her eyes and said: "It seems to be calling for Langjun."
Yang Fan said: "Yes, I'll go take a look."
There was a fish basket submerged in the water next to him. There were a few fat fish inside. The rope of the fish basket was tied to the stool under Yang Fan's buttocks. When he got up, the stool was relatively light, and the fish basket almost fell into the water, allowing the fish to escape. Xiao Man quickly grabbed it and sat on the stool. She snorted and said, "You want to run? It's not that easy! This one is steamed, and this one is fried … "
Yang Fan listened to Xiao Man's childish words and smiled as he walked over to Feng Xihui.
"Lang Zhong really has a divine plan!"
As soon as Feng Xihui walked to Yang Fan's side, he did not forget his specialty and immediately sent a flattering message.
Yang Fan said: "What, did you gain something?"
Feng Xihui said: "I already know what Chen Dong is relying on!"
Yang Fan led him into the green forest. Looking at the half-exposed spire of Qiyun Tower in the forest, he said in a deep voice, "Let's hear it. Let's see what other trump cards our doctor Chen has not used!"
"Pan Junyi is dead!"
"Pan Junyi?"
For a moment Yang Fan did not know who this person Feng Xihui suddenly mentioned was; he was startled for a moment before he remembered that this person was the main culprit behind Madame Cheng's innocent death, the son of Pan Ziwen, the Ministry of Appointments' Vice-Chairman.
Yang Fan was shocked: "Pan Junyi? How did he die? "
Feng Xihui said: "Didn't Changlin owe him a large gambling debt? He wanted to use this gambling debt to force Changlin to give up his wife, but who knew that Changlin's wife, Madame Cheng, was beaten to death by her mother-in-law. Since the person was already gone, he wanted to ask for money, so he personally went to your house to ask for the debt. "
Yang Fan said angrily: "Madame Cheng was killed by him, and he still dares to come to ask for it?"
Feng Xihui sighed: "This is what a so-called evil person is like. Although this person's behavior is abominable, he does things in a watertight manner. What can we do to him? "
Yang Fan snorted and said: "Continue!"
Feng Xihui said, "That Changlin was schemed against by him and ended up owing a huge debt. I beat a beautiful woman to death, and I'm now locked up in jail awaiting my sentence. Yet, this Pan Junyi actually came knocking on my door to demand payment! Even a rabbit will bite when it's anxious. Although this Changlin is useless, he has gone crazy and started fighting with Pan Junyi. Changlin's son, Chang Zhiguo, was observing mourning for his mother in front of the memorial tablet. When he saw his father fighting with Pan Junyi, his face turned red and he could not struggle, so he picked up his mother's memorial tablet and smashed it on the back of Pan Junyi's head. In the end … "
"Pan Junyi died?"
"Yes!"
…
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