Seeing Su Wu Ming's gaze gradually sharpen, Lu Ling Feng didn't refute:
“You're right, but isn't Chang'an County located within the capital? This year, such murder cases have been happening frequently in the capital. This general has every reason to suspect that the real culprit behind these cases is trying to endanger the court!
Even the current Emperor!
Shouldn't I investigate?”
He even moved closer to Su Wu Ming at the end, with a hint of scrutiny in his eyes.
Su Wu Ming said calmly:
“Such murder cases happening frequently? This official has just arrived today. Why haven't I seen the old case files?”
Lu Ling Feng snorted coldly:
“That's your Chang'an County's business. Why are you asking this general?”
Seeing that Su Wu Ming didn't answer, Lu Ling Feng continued:
“Just properly examine the body and investigate the case. Don't just rely on your name as a direct disciple...”
Seeing that the situation was not right, Zheng Qing stepped forward and said:
“What are you two doing? We're here to investigate together. We should all bring out the information we know. If we're just bickering at each other like this, wouldn't that be a joke to others?”
Lu Ling Feng snorted coldly. Although he was displeased, he could only give in because of Zheng Qing's status. After all, his direct superior was Lu Tong. Lu Tong helped the Emperor with his affairs. Although Lu Ling Feng currently belonged to the Crown Prince's faction, he still had to give the necessary respect.
Su Wu Ming was curious. He looked up and down at Zheng Qing with his small eyes:
“Who is this?”
“Censor, Zheng Qing of the Zheng family of Xingyang! I've heard of Di Gong's disciple Su Wu Ming's extraordinary skills in solving cases and examining bodies. I'm here to assist with the investigation.”
Looking at the man in front of him, who was clearly young but had a beard and spoke in a measured tone, trying to appear mature, Zheng Qing actually felt quite fond of him.
Su Wu Ming bowed:
“So it's the Censor. I didn't expect that this small courtyard would gather both the Lu family of Fanyang and the Zheng family of Xingyang. It seems that we will find the real culprit and bring the case to light soon!”
Zheng Qing said earnestly:
“That depends on you two.”
Lu Ling Feng snorted coldly and quickly left with his subordinates.
【Su Wu Ming's好感+300.】
Zheng Qing was surprised. He could get 名望值 just by playing peacemaker? This business was truly a bargain!
Su Wu Ming felt a little helpless and said in a muffled tone:
“To achieve fame at a young age and become proud and arrogant is a sign of heavy 戾气. I don't blame him!”
Zheng Qing pointed to the red robe on the side:
“Then, County Magistrate, shall we examine the body first?”
Su Wu Ming nodded:
“Very well.”
He squatted down, lifted the red cloth, and instructed the old servant on the side to take notes.
“The deceased is wearing a wedding robe. She must be a bride.
Come, turn her over.”
Zheng Qing stepped forward.
“There's no need for the Censor to do such a thing.” Su Wu Ming wanted to decline.
“It's fine. Since I'm here to help with the investigation, there's no reason for me to stand by and watch.”
Zheng Qing crouched down and turned the body over.
【Su Wu Ming's好感+300.】
But when they saw that the deceased had a hideous mask on her face, they were both shocked.
“This is a Fang Xiang?!”
Zheng Qing was surprised.
Su Wu Ming looked at Zheng Qing curiously:
“Does the Censor perhaps know something about this?”
“The County Magistrate is joking. Since I was young, I've read some miscellaneous books. Therefore, I know a little more.
This Fang Xiang is the deity that clears the way. It's said that it was the vanguard of the great general in front of Emperor Yin Zhou during his campaigns. Later, it was transformed into the deity that clears the way in funerals to ward off evil spirits!
According to our Tang Dynasty's rituals, only officials of rank 4 or above can use Fang Xiang! Ordinary people can't use it at will.”
Su Wu Ming nodded in praise:
“The Censor is indeed knowledgeable.”
Although he said that, a strange thought crossed Su Wu Ming's mind. It seemed like this person in front of him could see through his thoughts and actually said everything he was going to say!
He crouched down and gently touched the deceased's skin with tweezers:
“Record this. The mask is deeply embedded in the deceased's skin, and it has become one with the face. The murderer's method of killing is indeed strange and terrifying!”
…
On the other side, in the Golden Guard, Lu Ling Feng was reviewing all the clues he had gathered recently.
The small cabinet was covered with pieces of paper. Each piece of paper represented a case file.
Moreover, most of them were all cases of missing brides.
“Xiao Wu, go find out tomorrow morning who lost a bride again.
If I'm not mistaken, the first time this happened should have been in early July last year, which is a year ago.”
Xiao Wu nodded:
“Yes.”
After agreeing, he did not leave. Instead, he looked at Lu Ling Feng's expression mysteriously.
“General, you want to be the Minister of Justice, right?”
“No.” Lu Ling Feng continued to study the cases, without turning his head.
“No? Then why do your eyes light up whenever you hear about a murder case?” Xiao Wu looked at Lu Ling Feng with a gossipy expression, as if trying to get to the bottom of things.
Lu Ling Feng glanced at him:
“That's nonsense!”
Xiao Wu exclaimed in surprise. Lu Ling Feng stepped forward and scolded with a laugh:
“Have you been eating too much meat?”
Xiao Wu hurriedly said:
“General, please calm down! I won't talk anymore, okay?”
Lu Ling Feng was about to say something else, but a bell suddenly rang outside.
“It's already Hai time, go on patrol.”
Xiao Wu nodded:
“Yes.”
…
Pei Mansion —
Su Wu Ming was drinking with Pei Shi Lang Yuan Lai and others.
It was said that Pei Shi Lang specially hosted a banquet for Su Wu Ming and Zheng Qing because they had just arrived.
Pei Jian's face was a little unnatural when he saw Zheng Qing. However, thinking about what the Emperor said, he immediately held this newly appointed Censor in high regard.
At the same time, he felt a little uncomfortable deep down.
It was he who introduced this person, and it was he who paved the way for him. But in the blink of an eye, it seemed that this person's status in the Emperor's heart was already much higher than his!
Getting back to the topic, Pei Jian raised his wine cup:
“A toast to County Magistrate Su.”
Su Wu Ming hurriedly said:
“Pei Shi Lang is an official of the Ministry of Personnel, but he's actually treating a small county magistrate like Su Wu Ming to a feast. This cup of wine, I really can't drink it!”
“What do you mean by that?” Pei Jian was puzzled.
Wen Chao, who was standing beside him, stepped in to resolve the situation:
“Last year, the Princess went on a trip and lost a 香囊 in an inn. Do you remember that, County Magistrate Su?”
Su Wu Ming nodded:
“Of course. I apprehended the thief that night!”
Yuan Lai, the magistrate of Chang'an County, laughed:
“So County Magistrate Su is recommended by the Princess to come to the capital. In that case, there's no disrespect on Pei Shi Lang's part in treating you to a feast. I'm honored to be in your presence as well.”
They clinked their cups and exchanged drinks. Yuan Lai looked at Zheng Qing with curiosity.
“You seem to be handsome and a prominent figure. Why haven't I seen you before?”
Wen Chao explained:
“This is the Censor appointed by the Emperor. He's here to assist County Magistrate Su in investigating the case. The Zheng family of Xingyang truly has a wealth of talent.”
Zheng Qing smiled:
“It's just an empty title. When it comes to solving cases, County Magistrate Su, being Di Gong's disciple, has more skills than I do.”
Su Wu Ming hurriedly said:
“I dare not say that.”
They clinked their cups and exchanged drinks again.
…
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