An inauspicious bird cry rang out in the dark night. The clouds parted and the moon rose. Occasionally, a black shadow swept out from the treetops.
"Up the mountain." Fan Xian and Gao Da returned to the carriage. Fan Xian said to Deng Zi Yue, "Be quiet."
Deng Zi Yue nodded and gently waved the reins. The horse with its teeth pulled the carriage. It went around the deathly silent courtyard and headed toward the back of the city. Behind the courtyard was a hill hidden in the darkness. There were also spring trees. Looking down from there, no one should be able to discover their group.
In the carriage, Fan Xian silently took off the gloves on his hands. The gloves were as thin as a layer of skin. He carefully wiped the blood on the soft sword with his glove and confirmed that there was no longer a trace of blood on the sword. Only then did he put the soft sword back to his waist. Then, he steadily flicked his index finger. Some powder fell on the glove, and with a boom, it burst into flames.
Gao Da glanced at him and took out a metal bucket from under the chair and placed it in front of him. Fan Xian threw the burning gloves into the metal bucket and narrowed his eyes at the gradually dwindling flame. The flames in his eyes also gradually extinguished.
Before long, the carriage had already reached the top of the hill.
The courtyard below was still silent. The people inside were either dead or unconscious, so they could not make any noise. No one knew that a murder had occurred inside, so no one would come to see.
No one knew what Fan Xian was preparing to see by staying on the mountain behind.
Deng Zi Yue gently patted the back of the horse's neck. He entered the carriage and sat down silently.
Fan Xian lifted a corner of the curtain and looked down. He didn't know how long he had looked, but there was still no change.
"It will probably be a long time before they discover what happened here." Deng Zi Yue looked at the time. It should be the middle of the night. He urged Fan Xian, "They won't come so early."
Fan Xian smiled. He knew he was indeed a bit impatient. He quietly said something to Gao Da and then leaned against the back of the chair and closed his eyes to rest.
Gao Da lifted up a blanket and covered his body. Gradually, his slightly cold body warmed. Fan Xian felt drowsiness in the warmth. Just like this, he fell into a deep sleep.
…
…
After sleeping for an indeterminable amount of time, Fan Xian opened his eyes and made a sound of acknowledgment.
Deng Zi Yue lifted the curtain and glanced down. Lowering his voice, he said, "They're here."
Fan Xian lifted the blanket and put his head by the window. He narrowed his eyes and looked down. Outside the house that Yuan Meng had been living in seclusion all this time, a person suddenly appeared. That person knocked on the door with familiarity. The rhythm of the knocking clearly hid some kind of secret signal. It seemed that he was the contact person of the Jiangnan forces responsible for contacting Yuan Meng.
The man was wearing a thin cotton coat and had an ordinary appearance. He knocked on the door of the house for a long time and found that no one answered him. He seemed a little surprised and nervous and immediately retreated into the darkness.
Fan Xian, who was watching from the top of the mountain, was not anxious. He knew that this person would definitely return.
Sure enough, that person didn't go far. After a short while, a person's head sneakily poked out from the northwest wall. It was that person who was spying on what was happening in the courtyard.
The man gathered his courage and jumped into the courtyard. The three people on the mountain could no longer see what that person saw in the courtyard. They could only hear an extremely suppressed soft cry. That person must have finally discovered the large number of corpses in the courtyard and the tragic scene of a pool of blood.
The courtyard door was immediately pushed open. That person lowered his head and rushed into the darkness, presumably to report to his master.
…
…
Fan Xian stretched lazily in the carriage and yawned. Only now did he notice that the sky was gradually turning white. He couldn't resist smiling and saying, "It's almost daybreak. If the other party wants to hide this matter, they have to hurry."
Deng Zi Yue nodded. "Each manor has sent people to keep watch. Whoever receives this news tonight will have intelligence reports tomorrow."
Fan Xian smiled and said, "Guess, who exactly are the people who are coming to take care of Yuan Meng's funeral today?"
Deng Zi Yue forced a smile and said, "The Suzhou government … will certainly send people. Sir, I'll keep watch here. You should go back to the manor and rest first. "
Fan Xian smiled and didn't say anything more. Yuan Meng's death shocked the Jiangnan officials who were secretly protecting her. Killing in the night and spying in the morning, anyone who could learn of Yuan Meng's death in such a short time and rush to take care of the funeral … was, of course, the official who played a dishonorable role in this matter.
More accurately, who exactly were the Eldest Princess' trusted aides in Jiangnan Road? They should be able to find out a bit this morning.
Fan Xian had no other choice. The Overwatch Council did not have enough people in Jiangnan. It was impossible to place a fatal spy in every manor. They could only use the method of separating and monitoring and the method of killing Yuan Jingmeng to investigate.
— — —
Recently, the Suzhou Zhizhou had been busy listening to Song Shiren and Chen Bochang's debate in court every day. Not only had he neglected government affairs, but his state of mind had also been greatly exhausted. Every night, he fell into a deep sleep. Even his most beloved third concubine rarely went to be intimate with her. Thus, when he was called out of his bed early this morning, he was very angry.
After he heard the news, it was like a basin of cold water had been poured over him from head to toe. All of his anger disappeared without a trace in an instant. Incomparable shock and deep worry surged into his mind.
Yuan Meng was dead? This matter had happened too suddenly. How could he explain it to the Second Prince, the heir, and the Eldest Princess?
As he hurriedly put on his clothes, he ordered someone to summon the advisor of the manor. By the time the advisor arrived, the Zhizhou had already put on his clothes. With a glimmer of complaint, he said, "Why did you come so slowly? Yuan Meng is dead! "
The advisors were all trusted aides of these old officials. There was nothing they would hide from each other. Of course, this advisor also knew about Yuan Meng's matter. He smiled bitterly and said, "If she's dead, then she's dead. Since the imperial envoy has come to Suzhou, and that Yuan Meng is still not willing to leave, in the end, only death awaits her."
The Zhizhou furrowed his brows and said, "She hid it so well … you mean, it was the Overwatch Council who did it?"
"Other than the Overwatch Council, what other power in Jiangnan could silently kill Yuan Meng?" The advisor analyzed. "Sir, you must not panic at this time. In any case, Yuan Meng is already dead, so it is impossible for the Overwatch Council to discover our connection to her … if you react inappropriately now, it will instead allow the Overwatch Council to discover your connection to this matter."
The advisor's considerations were indeed sufficiently cautious.
The Zhizhou thought for a bit and furrowed his brows. "But … I still feel it is strange. If it was the imperial envoy who did it, why didn't he capture Yuan Meng and instead directly kill her? If the imperial envoy wanted to use the matter of the Ministry of Justice's wanted notice to move against me, then he shouldn't have handled it this way. "
The advisor also didn't understand this point and guessed, "Yuan Meng was someone close to the Second Prince and the heir. Although the Ministry of Justice had issued a wanted notice, no official under heaven would dare to risk offending the nobles in the capital to capture her. Sir, you don't have to worry too much. Everyone is like this … as for why the Overwatch Council didn't capture her alive … I think perhaps Yuan Meng knew she wouldn't be able to survive the Overwatch Council's punishment, so she committed suicide."
"We still have to go and see." The Zhizhou made up his mind. "At least we have to know some details."
The advisor resolutely and decisively dissuaded, "Sir, you cannot go."
"Hmm?" The Zhizhou furrowed his brows. "Why? Naturally, I won't go in full glory. It's almost daybreak. If I don't quickly tidy up and word gets out … the Ministry of Justice in Jingdou will certainly have something to say. The Overwatch Council will also use this as a pretext to make a fuss. How will the Suzhou government answer the Emperor's questions? "
"If the Overwatch Council wanted to use this as a pretext to make a fuss, they wouldn't have made this a dead question today," the advisor reminded. "Who knows how many pairs of eyes are watching over there right now? Sir, you definitely cannot go. As for dealing with the aftermath, I'll disguise myself in a bit and bring some trusted aides over. "
The Zhizhou thought that this would indeed be much safer, so he agreed to this suggestion. This official and advisor thought their reaction could be considered cautious. They had not expected that when the advisor dressed as a morning attendant and slipped out from the back of the manor, a secret agent hidden in the alley outside the Zhizhou yamen had long seen this scene clearly.
By the time the Suzhou government advisor sat in the little green curtain sedan chair and came to the outskirts of the courtyard Yuan Meng was hiding in, he found that there were already strange people on the streets. His heart tightened. He lifted the curtain of the sedan chair and relaxed. He furrowed his brows at the cloth-clad man who had hurried to the side of the sedan chair and said, "What exactly happened? How did she just die like this? "
The cloth-clad man was the Suzhou thousand-man. He was also one of the officials who had been woken from his bed by the news of Yuan Meng's death. He should have been stationed outside the city, but his manor was inside the city, so he was the first person to arrive. Hearing the advisor's question, the thousand-man said without good humor, "You're asking me, but who am I supposed to ask?"
The advisor paused and got off the sedan chair. The two of them looked at each other's clothing and couldn't help but sigh and smile bitterly. They were official advisors, yet they were forced to wear the clothes of commoners.
"Is the street clean?" the advisor turned his face slightly to the side, covering his face as he asked carefully.
The thousand-man replied, "Don't worry, my subordinates have already cleaned it up. There shouldn't be anyone watching from the side."
The advisor nodded and walked shoulder to shoulder with the thousand-man into the courtyard.
Entering the courtyard and looking at the corpses all over the ground and the tragic sight, the advisor couldn't help but feel nauseous. He covered his mouth and nose and said, "Where is Yuan Meng's body?"
"In the room?"
The advisor forcefully suppressed his nausea and fear and walked into the room to take a look. He saw Yuan Meng's death with her eyes wide open. Going forward to confirm that she was completely dead, the advisor relaxed a little and sighed. "I really don't know how to explain this to the capital."
"Let's clean it up first," the thousand-man said hatefully. "It's almost daybreak. If someone sees this, it will probably immediately spread throughout Suzhou. What will we do then?"
"No one from the Ming family came?"
"That group of unscrupulous merchants … they're afraid the imperial envoy is watching in the dark, so they won't show themselves."
…
…
The two of them walked out of the courtyard door and were greeted by a few people who had come later. A number of people gathered together and spoke with heavy expressions. They felt that this matter should have been done by the Overwatch Council, but it also shouldn't have been done by the Overwatch Council. After discussing this and that, they came to a conclusion. They didn't know how to handle it.
"The wounds on the body have all been torn apart. Although it can be seen that it was a sword, it is difficult to see the style of the sword. We only know that there was only one person who did it. Of course, it was an ace. " A person who looked like he was skilled in torture said in a low voice, "If it was the Overwatch Council who killed, why would they need to hide it?"
In the end, it was the advisor representing the Suzhou Zhizhou who made the decision and coldly said, "It's better if this case is not solved. All of us need to retreat and have our subordinates clean this place up. If the Overwatch Council doesn't care, then we'll bury this matter. If the Overwatch Council really has spies following … in any case, don't drag us down. When the time comes and they ask, just say we received a report and came to look at the case. "
The Qian Director made a "pei" sound and scolded, "I am a general, how can I come to look at the case?"
The advisor rolled his eyes at him and said, "Who told you to rush over in such a hurry?"
There was nothing to argue about. A number of people began to split up. Those responsible for cleaning up cleaned up, those responsible for burying people buried people, and those responsible for going back to the manor to do paperwork. As for whether or not this matter would be reported, it would depend on what the news from the imperial envoy's side was like.
As these people were busy, they did not notice that on a distant hill, there was a completely black carriage slowly driving away like a ghost.
— — —
The people had been killed by Fan Xian, yet these Jiangnan Road officials had to bury them. However, he certainly did not have any thoughts of taking advantage of them. As for the sword wounds on the bodies in the courtyard, they had all been treated a second time because he didn't want Sigu Jian's wounds to get out. Since it was impossible to frame Dongyi, then there was no need to take this risk. Thus, he didn't even let Gao Da see his actions.
Most importantly, he couldn't let the Emperor in the Palace know that he knew Sigu Jian.
Otherwise, the Emperor would certainly think of the assassin in the Hanging Temple, Sigu Jian's brother, and the Overwatch Council. That would bring a terrifying result.
The carriage moved slowly. Fan Xian smiled coldly in the carriage and said, "Yuan Meng died, and the Jiangnan Road officials are already so shocked … are these officials all dogs raised by the Eldest Princess?"
Deng Zi Yue glanced at Gao Da and guessed that the commissioner wanted to borrow Gao Da's ears to complain to the Emperor in the Palace. He smiled and replied, "The Eldest Princess has been in Jiangnan for a long time. She will always have some trusted aides."
"Did you see all the people who came today clearly?"
"Some of their faces are unfamiliar, but since these people all came from the manor, presumably, the spies below have seen them clearly. In a bit, there will be definite news." Deng Zi Yue sighed. "However, the Ming family is quite straightforward. They know they can't touch this matter, so they won't come."
Fan Xian also felt it was a bit of a pity. He had thought that even if he couldn't use Yuan Meng's matter to dig out a large piece of the Ming family, he could at least make them feel a bit more uncomfortable.
The carriage quietly traveled to Hua Garden. Fan Xian felt a bit sleepy and waved his hand for the two of them to go rest while he returned to the back residence.
Sisi had been lying on the table waiting for his return. Seeing him enter the room, she quickly poured hot water for him to warm his feet.
She knew that the young master didn't want too many people to know about what happened tonight, so it wasn't convenient for her to order the servants and serving girls to make hot food. She personally brought over the bird's nest that had been warmed in the water and helped him eat it.
Fan Xian drank all the paste in the bowl in one gulp with satisfaction. After warming his feet, he fell onto the bed and fell into a deep sleep.
He didn't wake up until the afternoon. He didn't know what kind of changes would occur in Suzhou because of Yuan Meng's death, but he didn't care too much.
Knowing that he had woken up, Deng Zi Yue walked in somewhat haggard after Sisi's announcement and handed him the case file in his hands.
Fan Xian took it and glanced through it. Written on it were all the yamens that had acted strangely in Suzhou this morning. He couldn't resist narrowing his eyes and sighing. "F * ck, this city full of officials … they are all enemies. Are they going to let people live their days? Once Yuan Meng died, they were able to keep their composure. "
Deng Zi Yue forced a smile and said, "The officials are caught in the middle. Their days are not going to be easy."
Fan Xian shook his head and smiled coldly. "Since we already have the name list, their days in the future will be even harder. Send the name list back to Jingdou and have the Second Bureau begin to investigate the old records. If we want to move against someone, we have to dig out his past. Even if he took a dozen liang of silver a dozen years ago, we still have to dig it out. "
Deng Zi Yue knew that as Fan Xian made up his mind to move against the Ming family, he would also move against these officials along the way. He didn't dare to breathe too loudly and agreed in a low voice.
When Fan Xian read to the end, the anger in his eyes gradually rose. Hatefully, he threw the file onto the table and cursed in a low voice, "As expected … as expected, Xue Qing also knows of this matter. This sir sure is jubilant on the wall!"
For Fan Xian, killing Yuan Jingmeng today would not shock him with any information that the Jiangnan officialdom would reveal because of this. The Eldest Princess and the Ming family had operated in Jiangnan for a long time. This area of officialdom was filled with their people.
Given the power and position in Fan Xian's hands, he was not worried in the face of this kind of resistance. What he wanted to see clearly was how the Jiangnan governor, Xue Qing, was prepared to stand in this matter.
Xue Qing was a border official. Even if Fan Xian had the identity of an imperial envoy, he couldn't do anything to him. Furthermore, the governor was also in charge of civil and military affairs. The power he could control was too great. If even he stood against Fan Xian, the resistance to Fan Xian taking in the Ming family would become abnormally strong.
Deng Zi Yue saw his slightly angry expression and carefully comforted, "The governor's manor has received the news, but it has not made a sound, nor has there been any reaction … sir, after all, he is a governor. If the officials below him have connections in the capital and Yuan Jingmeng is hiding in Jiangnan, this matter cannot be hidden from him. However, he doesn't want to offend you, and he certainly doesn't want to offend the princes in the capital. This matter doesn't mean anything. Governor Xue should still be neutral. "
Fan Xian thought for a moment and also found that his reaction seemed to have been a bit excessive. Perhaps it was the hidden nervousness under these few days of laxness that made him overly sensitive. He couldn't help smiling self-mockingly and said, "Thank you for your auspicious words, but … you should still go make arrangements. The day after tomorrow, I … will visit Xue Qing again."
Deng Zi Yue was startled and seemed to have something he wanted to say.
Fan Xian glanced at him and smiled. "If you have any ideas, just say them. Why are you still acting like a woman in front of me?"
Deng Zi Yue smiled and said, "I don't think you should be in a rush to visit Sir Xue in the near future."
"Oh? Why is that? "Fan Xian asked curiously.
Deng Zi Yue analyzed, "After all, the governor is still neutral. If you visit the manor, given your personality, you will probably immediately force the governor to immediately take a stand … what if the governor doesn't do as you wish, then what should we do? In my opinion, it is best to let Governor Xue maintain the attitude of watching the show. We will continue to do what we need to do, and the Ming family will continue to press. As long as the governor does not make up his mind, there will be no one who can oppose you. Then, we will have more time to do things. "
He continued, "You want the governor to make up his mind. In reality, the slower the governor makes up his mind, the better it is for us."
Fan Xian furrowed his brows and said, "Right now, we are only making small moves against the Ming family. Xue Qing can still watch the show. If after the New Year I actually make a killing move, Xue Qing can't continue to watch the show. At that time, he will have to pick a side … my heart is a bit unsteady."
Deng Zi Yue thought for a bit and smiled. "I think, at least wait until you go to Wuzhou before we talk."
Fan Xian immediately understood his meaning. Governor Xue Qing of Jiangnan Road was the former Prime Minister Lin Ruofu's favorite student, and Lin Ruofu was Da Bao and Wan 'er's father, his father-in-law! Even if Xue Qing didn't have to give his father-in-law face right now, his father-in-law would certainly know Xue Qing's bottom line.
"That makes sense." Fan Xian immediately felt his heart relax a great deal. Laughing loudly, he said, "Stand in line and add weight. Although my father-in-law is almost rusty, his weight is not light."
Deng Zi Yue chuckled.
Fan Xian looked at Deng Zi Yue's tired expression and asked curiously, "You didn't sleep in the morning?"
Deng Zi Yue respectfully replied, "I had to confirm this information, so I spent some time."
Fan Xian had wanted to urge him to relax, but thinking of his earlier behavior, it seemed that he was in no position to convince the other party. He couldn't resist smiling. Suddenly, he thought of another matter and asked seriously, "Zi Yue, before you entered the Qinian Unit, you were in the Second Bureau, right?"
Deng Zi Yue glanced at him in astonishment and nodded. He didn't know why the commissioner would suddenly ask this question.
"Wang Qinian will return to the country at the end of summer," Fan Xian looked at him and smiled. Fan Xian looked at him and smiled. "The Council is preparing to let him take over the First Bureau. Thus, Shangjing in Northern Qi needs someone who can hold the fort. You've been with me for almost two years and have seen some things … do you have the courage to travel north?"
…
…
(For now, I won't ask for monthly votes in the title. I just don't think it's pretty enough. Allow me to say a few words inside. In reality, I've already put in a lot of effort in asking for monthly votes, only … I don't know how to ask for them. I really want monthly votes. This is the truth. I really don't know how to ask for votes. This is also the truth. I had diarrhea today and was very miserable. Can this be considered a reason to ask for votes? If I want to add more updates, I really don't have that ability. Comfort myself and everyone. My updates excel in stability and endurance …)
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