“Firstly, Pei Shi Lang is extremely well-respected in the court, and he even held a banquet for me when I first arrived in Chang’an. This shows his sincerity towards me. If I see a misunderstanding but don’t point it out in time, wouldn’t that be disrespectful to Pei Shi Lang’s genuine affection?”
“Secondly, the art of painting has a magical effect on sketching portraits and depicting scenery. If Zheng needs Miss Xi Jun’s help in the future, please assist us in solving the case.”
These two reasons, both publicly and privately, don't reveal any abnormalities.
At this moment, Xi Jun also wiped away her tears.
“You are surnamed Zheng, from the Zheng clan of Xingyang, and you are also a Supervising Censor. It seems you have a lot of experience in solving cases. Protecting the safety of the people is our duty. If you need help in the future, Xi Jun will definitely not refuse.”
Zheng Qing nodded and bowed before leaving.
Xi Jun watched the figure disappear into the darkness, a surge of curiosity rising in her heart.
What kind of person is he?
He is a Supervising Censor, but his martial arts seem to be no slouch.
She gently ground the ink and in just a few strokes, sketched a vivid human figure.
After a moment of thought, Xi Jun walked to the side and removed Lu Ling Feng’s portrait. She didn’t throw it away, but placed it aside.
…
Inside the County Office —
Su Wu Ming was paying a visit to the County Magistrate Yuan Lai.
After listening to Su Wu Ming's current progress, Yuan Lai couldn’t help but sigh.
“For gambling, he actually put his own wife up as collateral. The human heart is truly unpredictable!”
Su Wu Ming set down his cup and sighed.
“Unfortunately, Song Chai violated curfew and was shot dead by the Gold Guard!”
Yuan Lai heavily set down his cup and agreed.
“Good riddance! Su County Lieutenant has just taken office and has already solved this case. I will personally submit a petition for your commendation!”
Su Wu Ming smiled and shook his head.
“Well, this case is not as simple as we see it! While Song Chai is despicable, he’s not the murderer!
I’ve just received news that the bride’s carriage has been found. I believe we can uncover crucial clues based on this information!”
Several people came to a village about ten miles outside Mingde Gate. The carriage carrying Dou Cong was found there, covered in dust, but the horses had disappeared.
The headman stepped forward to plead guilty, bowing deeply to Lu Ling Feng.
“General, if you are going to punish someone, punish me alone!”
Lu Ling Feng was puzzled.
“What crime have you committed?”
The headman replied, “We ate the horse. It was all my idea!”
Lu Ling Feng looked around at the villagers. Worried about being punished, they all lowered their heads.
Lu Ling Feng said softly, “The horse pulling the bride’s carriage must have been carefully selected. Even if you didn’t use it, you could have sold it for a good price. Why kill it and eat its meat?”
The headman quickly explained, “General, the horse… it wasn’t killed by us!
When we found the carriage, the horse was already dead!”
Xiao Wu, who was standing next to him, frowned and stepped forward to ask, “How did it die?”
The headman seemed to be recalling, then said, “It seemed to have died from exhaustion! It was covered in sweat!”
“It wasn’t sweat, it was blood!” A villager next to him reminded.
Lu Ling Feng took two steps forward.
“Was it sweat or blood?”
The headman was intimidated by the imposing aura and hastily replied, “Blood…”
…
Inside the County Lieutenant’s Residence —
Zheng Qing was drinking tea with Su Wu Ming at the location of the pavilion.
But their gazes gradually converged on the pond inside.
“It’s strange. Wu Da Qi, they say, was a local hero and a skilled martial artist. But this pond is only up to his knees. How could he drown?”
Su Wu Ming was surprised.
“It seems the Supervising Censor is also investigating this matter?”
Zheng Qing nodded.
“This case is bizarre. I even suspect that Wu Da Qi was not conscious when he drowned. Otherwise, at this depth, even a child could play freely. How could a martial artist drown?”
Su Wu Ming nodded. “That must be the case.”
“Did Su County Lieutenant find any clues while searching for the spices recently?” Zheng Qing asked again.
“There were no leads in the East and West Markets. Kang Yuan Li also said that if we can’t find them in the East and West Markets, we might only be able to find them in the Ghost Market.”
Su Wu Ming shook his head.
At this time, an attendant came running up to them.
“Supervising Censor Zheng, His Highness the Princess has requested your presence.”
What?!
Upon hearing the words “His Highness the Princess,” both of them were taken aback.
Zheng Qing was even more puzzled.
“His Highness the Princess? Did she mention why she is looking for me?”
The attendant simply shook his head.
“I haven’t heard anything. This is a message from Wei Dian Jun. He’s currently waiting at the County Office. I’m afraid the Supervising Censor cannot delay any further.”
Zheng Qing nodded.
“Understood. You go ahead, I’ll be there soon.”
After the attendant left, Zheng Qing asked curiously, “Su County Lieutenant, you must have some connection with the Princess. Can you speculate on why she summoned me?”
Su Wu Ming quickly replied, “Supervising Censor, you’re mistaken. Although I was able to come to Chang’an with the Princess’s grace, I haven’t seen her many times. I truly have no idea.”
Zheng Qing naturally understood Su Wu Ming’s intention to evade.
After all, he is a disciple of Di Ren Jie, who was the Prime Minister during Empress Wu Zetian’s reign! Nowadays, the Princess and the Crown Prince are at odds, and many people claim that the Princess wants to create a second Wu Dynasty!
And bringing Su Wu Ming here from Wu Gong County was actually to use him as a substitute for Di Ren Jie.
However, this person seems to be disinterested in this. Even when facing the Princess later, he always shied away from the topic.
“I see. I was being presumptuous earlier. Please don’t take offense, County Lieutenant.”
Su Wu Ming smiled. “Supervising Censor, please don’t mind.”
After sending Zheng Qing off.
Su Wu Ming became even more suspicious of the young Supervising Censor’s identity. He felt as if this person was a vortex and a shadow, and the closer he got, the more the latter felt like a binding net, enveloping him, suffocating him!
This feeling was eerily similar to when he followed Di Gong.
“Strange. This Zheng Qing doesn’t seem to be as old as me.”
He lay down in the pond, letting the water cover him.
“Su Wu Ming!”
Lu Ling Feng rushed in from outside.
Seeing Su Wu Ming scrambling out of the pond, he immediately said, “What are you doing?!”
Su Wu Ming smiled, “I was just feeling strange. The water source of this pond is not deep, and there’s not much silt in it. So, why would the former County Lieutenant, Wu Da Qi, drown in it?
I just lay down here to experience Wu Da Qi’s final moments.”
Lu Ling Feng was furious. “You’re a complete lunatic!”
Su Wu Ming got up and said helplessly, “What are you talking about, Middle Commander…? Wait, lunatic? The Supervising Censor had a similar speculation earlier. If he wasn’t in a state of madness, with Wu Da Qi’s skills, he shouldn’t have drowned!”
Lu Ling Feng sighed. “Get up quickly, I have something to tell you!”
A while later, after Su Wu Ming changed into a clean set of clothes, Lu Ling Feng reported all the information he had gathered.
“Blood sweat? Sweat blood?”
…
Fifth chapter delivered!
Please give me some flowers!