When Su Wu Ming regained consciousness, he found himself in a small courtyard, the surroundings elegant.
In front of him was a pond, where lotus flowers were about to bloom, a truly beautiful sight.
“Su Qian, this is such a quiet courtyard, where are we?”
The old servant, Su Qian, replied:
“This is the residence prepared for you in Chang’an County! It’s where the previous county lieutenant, the one who died, used to live!”
The two strolled to the lotus pond, surveying their surroundings.
Su Qian continued:
“I heard that this Wu Da Qi was incredibly strong, a veteran who served on the border! He died in his prime… drowned here!
This residence, it's unlucky!”
Su Wu Ming, however, was looking at the lotus pond, ignoring his old servant’s words, and said indifferently:
“Those who fear bad luck are merely trapped in the fog. Once the water recedes, they will be astonished to find that the truth is actually very close to us!”
Just as his gaze returned to the pond, County Magistrate Yuan Lai happened to arrive at the pavilion.
“Su County Lieutenant.”
Su Wu Ming went forward, curiously asking:
“County Magistrate Yuan, why are you here?”
“Oh, I was worried about you! You gave me a fright yesterday!” Yuan Lai said with concern.
Su Wu Ming explained, a little embarrassed:
“When I saw the color of the tea, my head started spinning. To be honest, Wu Ming has been anemic since he was a child.”
Yuan Lai looked puzzled: “Anemic? No wonder. Speaking of which, Wen the military officer was very anxious then, but the newly appointed Imperial Censor Zheng just glanced at you and concluded that you were anemic!
Otherwise, if something had happened to Su County Lieutenant, we would have been in deep trouble!”
“Imperial Censor Zheng?”
Su Wu Ming’s heart skipped a beat.
“He told you I was anemic?”
Yuan Lai was curious: “Yes! Does Su County Lieutenant have any other explanation?”
Su Wu Ming quickly denied it, but in his heart, he was already very wary of Zheng Qing.
“Su Xiong, you’re a disciple of Di Gong. I heard…”
“Oh, rumors are not always true. But Wu Ming is truly anemic! Please forgive my weakness, County Magistrate.”
Yuan Lai was even more surprised:
“So, you still managed to solve many strange cases in Wu Gong County, you really are a prodigy.”
Su Wu Ming smiled and declined the compliment:
“Just empty fame!
By the way, General Lu of the Imperial Guard said that there have been many cases of brides disappearing in the capital in the past year. I want to look at the old case files.”
Hearing this, Yuan Lai sighed long and deeply:
“Oh, don’t mention it. The former county lieutenant, Wu Da Qi, died unexpectedly. The Yongzhou Prefecture Grand Secretariat, the Imperial Guard, they’ve all been here, turning his residence and office upside down!
All the case files were confiscated, and no one has returned them yet!”
Su Wu Ming was surprised, then mumbled:
“I see.”
After bidding farewell to Yuan Lai, Su Wu Ming went to the city gate to find Lu Ling Feng.
The latter was gazing out at Chang’an City.
Su Wu Ming circled around to him:
“Cavalry Commander, I saw you last night!”
“Where?” Lu Ling Feng said flatly.
“In a painting!”
But Lu Ling Feng lost interest upon hearing this.
Su Wu Ming continued: “Do you know Miss Xi Jun, the daughter of Minister Pei of the Ministry of Personnel?”
Lu Ling Feng coldly replied: “I don’t know her.”
“Oh, you’re deliberately concealing it!” Su Wu Ming said discontentedly.
But these words angered Lu Ling Feng greatly:
“Do you have nothing better to do? Have you figured out anything about the female corpse from last night?”
Su Wu Ming was taken aback: “I’m… investigating!”
“Brides disappearing on their wedding day, then being murdered and dumped, it’s happened many times over the years. You’re the Chang’an County Lieutenant, you should be focusing on this case, not on trying to curry favor with the powerful!
What are you looking at in that painting anyway?”
Su Wu Ming stared at Lu Ling Feng:
“You’re flustered? That means you definitely know Miss Xi Jun!
Come on, come on, tell me, tell me, what’s going on between you and Miss Xi Jun…”
“Boring!”
Lu Ling Feng’s sharp shout cut off Su Wu Ming’s gossip.
Then he glanced at Su Wu Ming up and down:
“Di Gong was a man of great renown, how could he have taken on a disciple like you?”
He turned to leave.
But he stopped after a few steps and turned back:
“That bride’s surname is Dou. The Imperial Guard has sent her family to identify the body.”
Su Wu Ming stared, eyes wide: “Hey, you, you…”
…
After leaving Su Wu Ming’s residence, Yuan Lai quickly went to Zheng Qing’s residence.
There were no guards around, but the courtyard was clean and tidy.
“Imperial Censor Zheng?”
There was no response.
Yuan Lai, emboldened, walked into the courtyard and looked around, but found nothing.
“Strange, is he not here?”
He turned to leave.
But a voice came from behind: “County Magistrate Yuan, you’re in charge of the county office, what are you doing here at my place?”
This sudden voice gave Yuan Lai a fright. When he saw Zheng Qing appearing beside him out of nowhere, he was even more astonished.
When did this happen?
Yuan Lai prided himself on his martial arts skills. Otherwise, he wouldn’t have called himself an immortal and commanded the entire Ghost Market!
But just now, he saw clearly that there was no one around, yet now this person suddenly appeared. It could only mean one thing.
The other’s martial arts skills surpassed his!
Dispatched by the Sage, from the Zheng clan of Xingyang, with incredible martial arts…
All these factors combined, and Yuan Lai’s back started to sweat!
He hurriedly bowed:
“Yuan Lai greets the Sacred Envoy.”
Zheng Qing helped him up: “No need for formalities, speak.”
Yuan Lai looked around, clearly a little hesitant.
The two went to the main hall.
Yuan Lai then asked in a low voice:
“This subordinate only has one question, I beg the Sacred Envoy to enlighten this subordinate.”
“The identity of Su Wu Ming?” Zheng Qing knew why this man had come.
Now, they were all working for the Emperor, so whether it was Lu Ling Feng from the Prince’s faction or Su Wu Ming from the Princess’s faction, they were all opponents!
But last night, he had intervened on Su Wu Ming’s behalf, which left Yuan Lai puzzled.
“The former county lieutenant, Wu Da Qi, just died mysteriously. While the court isn’t paying much attention to this matter, many eyes are watching!
As an Imperial Censor, it’s prudent for me to be on good terms with Su Wu Ming, both publicly and privately. After all, he cannot be harmed in the short term!”
Yuan Lai suddenly understood.
“By the way, did you do the Dou family’s bride?”
Yuan Lai nodded.
“Next time, remember to be more thorough. Eliminate all loose ends, otherwise, Su Wu Ming will eventually focus on Chang’an Red Tea. If he interferes, the Sage’s plan will surely be ruined, and then, you will face the consequences!”
Yuan Lai quickly nodded.
“Alright, if you need anything, I will go to the Ghost Market to find you. Don’t come here anymore, it will attract attention.
But I will report your accomplishments to the Sage one by one.”
Zheng Qing dismissed him with a wave of his hand.
Yuan Lai was overjoyed and respectfully said:
“Thank you, Imperial Censor Zheng.”
【Yuan Lai’s favor gained, Renown +300.】
【Yuan Lai’s favor gained, Renown +300.】
Watching this man blend into the crowd, Zheng Qing sneered.
Mere cannon fodder, for now, let them live a while longer.
Stretching, he calculated the time. It was time to go to that place!
…
Flowers! Reviews!