When it was time to leave work, Su Wu Ming was still working overtime, performing an autopsy.
Wei Ming turned around and went back to Pei's Mansion.
In his past life, he worked 996, and toiled himself to death.
In this life, even if the heavens spoke, he would not work overtime. Not even for a single extra moment!
The Wei family had a manor in Chang'an, the Zheng Guo Gong Mansion, which was several times larger than Pei's Mansion. It was an old residence from the time of his ancestor, Wei Zheng, and its specifications were quite high, exceeding even that of ordinary princes.
This shows how much Emperor Taizong favored his ancestor back then.
Although the Zheng Guo Gong Mansion was grand, it was empty, lonely, and cold without his beloved Xi Jun.
Speaking of which, Lu Ling Feng must be being questioned by Crown Prince Li Long Ji right now.
The Crown Prince summoned Lu Ling Feng, mentioning the inexplicable suicides of the Minister of Horses, He Lan Mie Ming, three months ago, the Fruit and Valor Lieutenant, Li Bu Qi, three months ago, and the Yongzhou Sima, Sun Xiu, a month ago.
Lu Ling Feng said that all three of them had drunk Chang'an Red Tea, which was actually a demon tea.
The Crown Prince believed that demons were using tea to confuse the populace, causing the entire court to become muddled. The Crown Prince instructed Lu Ling Feng to work with the Chang'an Tea Alliance to thoroughly investigate Chang'an Red Tea.
Lu Ling Feng had unwavering faith in the Crown Prince. Without any written orders, only a verbal decree, he dared to lead troops to search for Chang'an Red Tea and those who consumed it.
His actions were too rash! It was known as being stubborn and headstrong.
Let's not even talk about the fact that the Chang'an Red Tea case was the first strike launched by the Emperor against Princess Taiping. Just think about how half of the court officials were consuming this tea.
Suddenly confiscating it would be like slapping the faces of all the officials, wouldn't it?
As a result, the officials impeached the Crown Prince, and the Emperor seized the opportunity to try to severely punish him.
Unexpectedly, the Crown Prince was a cunning fox. He simply refused to admit it. After all, he hadn't issued any orders from the Eastern Palace with the seal of the East Palace or written decrees. All actions were taken on Lu Ling Feng's own initiative.
In the end, Lu Ling Feng took the blame and lost his military authority.
But none of that mattered to him.
He could drink wine, listen to Xi Jun play the guqin, and then paint together. What could be better?
"Father, Xi Jun, I'm back!"
…
The next morning.
Wei Ming went to the Censorate early to clock in and then went to the Chang'an Public Office.
Passing by a roast chicken stall and a tavern, he paused, thinking about something.
On the other side.
Su Wu Ming, who had been up all night, interrogated Fei Ji Shi.
"Tell me, why do you call me a ghost?"
"Do you recognize this scent?"
"And, what did you say was in Chang'an Red Tea?"
Fei Ji Shi stammered, looking left and right.
With a clap, Su Wu Ming slammed his hand on the table: "Knowing but not reporting, it's the same as being an accomplice. Deliberately breaking the law, your crime is doubled. Come, bring out the torture instruments!"
Fei Ji Shi wasn't frightened. He kept waving his hands: "Stop, stop, stop. I'll tell you, I'll tell you alright?"
"Hurry up and tell me! Tell me the truth!"
Fei Ji Shi rubbed his stomach: "If you want me to tell you, it's not impossible, but I've been on an empty stomach since last night."
"You, you dare! Someone, come…"
Before Su Wu Ming could finish, Fei Ji Shi puffed out his chest: "I'm hungry, I can't remember anything. Even if you beat me to death, I don't know anything!"
Seeing Fei Ji Shi being a scoundrel, Su Wu Ming was exasperated. He was only trying to scare Fei Ji Shi, he never intended to actually torture him.
But this fellow was being a scoundrel, so he had no choice.
At that moment, Wei Ming walked over: "How about I treat the old gentleman to some chicken and wine?"
"Chicken? Wine?" Fei Ji Shi's eyes gleamed mischievously, and his garlic-red nose twitched: "Roast chicken, and Chang'an Drunkenness!"
Wei Ming handed a jar of wine and a roast chicken to Fei Ji Shi: "After the old gentleman has eaten and drunk your fill, then we can slowly talk, alright?"
"Okay, okay!" Fei Ji Shi nodded repeatedly, like a chick pecking at rice, and praised: "You are indeed a renowned Censor Wei of Chang'an, not only are you brilliant, but you are also kind-hearted."
Then, he changed his tone, glaring at Su Wu Ming: "Unlike someone else, who only knows how to bully an old man like me!"
Su Wu Ming was speechless.
After Fei Ji Shi ate and drank his fill, he burped and then leisurely said: "That scent is called the Revenant Incense. It's a type of incense used by Yin Shi Lang to treat corpses and prevent decomposition."
"You can ask that West Market Magistrate, Kang Yuan Li, about the source of the incense. He has many flowers and plants from the Western Regions planted in his backyard, including the ingredients for making Revenant Incense."
Su Wu Ming obtained the lead and immediately dragged Fei Ji Shi to the West Market Office.
Fei Ji Shi had been caught stealing flowers and was about to be beaten when Lu Ling Feng happened to pass by and rescued him. Everyone returned together.
Fei Ji Shi exclaimed: "It was so dangerous, so dangerous!"
"Old Fei, I took a few beatings. Su Wu Ming, two chickens can't make up for the injuries I suffered."
Su Wu Ming was helpless. Since he needed Fei Ji Shi's help, he could only agree: "Alright, alright, I'll get you two chickens later. Now, I still need you to help me recreate the Revenant Incense."
Seeing Su Wu Ming's sincerity and the promise of two chickens, Fei Ji Shi snorted: "That's more like it."
While Fei Ji Shi went to make the Revenant Incense, Lu Ling Feng said goodbye: "I have been ordered by the Crown Prince to seal Chang'an Red Tea. I'll be on my way."
But before Lu Ling Feng could leave, Dou Yu Lin ran over.
"Su County Lieutenant, I want to atone for my sins!"
As he spoke, he took out two ounces of Chang'an Red Tea from his bosom.
Seeing this, Lu Ling Feng was about to draw his sword, but Wei Ming quickly stopped him: "Let's hear him out first."
"I was influenced by Yin Shi Lang, and I harmed my sister. I have to do something."
"This tea! That's right, this Chang'an Red Tea, it definitely has a problem!"
Dou Yu Lin asserted his claim, then recalled: "Since I drank Chang'an Red Tea, I've been having hallucinations now and then."
"Once, I saw a divine maiden and even had relations with her. When I woke up, I realized it was Ling'er, the maid in my mansion."
"It was after that, I often went to the Ghost Market to buy tea. I accidentally revealed that I didn't want my sister to marry Song Chai."
"Yin Shi Lang took the initiative to find me and said that if I paid him, he would help me kidnap my sister."
"You all know what happened after that."
With a thud, Dou Yu Lin knelt on the ground: "It must be Yin Shi Lang who killed my sister. Please, County Lieutenant Su, avenge my sister!"
Su Wu Ming's brows furrowed. He took the Chang'an Red Tea, his eyes flickered, and he took out the treasured red tea that Wu Da Qi had kept. He fell into contemplation.
Lu Ling Feng was furious and drew his Tang sword: "Why didn't you say this earlier? Now, that demonic Yin Shi Lang has escaped. What's the point of saying this now?"
Dou Yu Lin wailed and cried, kowtowing and admitting his fault.
Wei Ming smiled: "Dou Gongzi, your words are actually quite useful. At least, we can confirm that this Chang'an Red Tea indeed has a problem."
"Shixiong, do you still remember the miscellaneous books our Master gave us? There was a record of a colorless and odorless hallucinogenic herb?"
Su Wu Ming thought for a moment and nodded: "It seems to be called the Western Region Illusion Herb."
"Western Region Illusion Herb? It was listed as a prohibited item as early as the Sui Dynasty!" Lu Ling Feng was startled when he heard this.
"It's impossible to transport it into Chang'an from outside!"
Lu Ling Feng served as the Gold Guard Lieutenant Colonel. He was responsible for guarding Chang'an, guarding the four gates, patrolling the capital, and had confidence in this aspect.
But Wei Ming asked back: "Then why can't it be grown in Chang'an like the Revenant Incense ingredients?"
Lu Ling Feng shook his head: "In broad daylight, where would they have the space to grow poisonous herbs that harm people?"
"Besides, the Gold Guard isn't a decoration. We inspect every merchant traveling through the four gates."
Wei Ming said calmly: "There are a few places that the Gold Guard wouldn't dare to investigate and have been empty for a long time, where the Western Region Illusion Herb can be grown."
"There are two places in Chang'an County and one place in Wannian County. They were all sealed up during the rebellion of Empress Wei several years ago. Now, those three mansions belong to the royal family."
Lu Ling Feng didn't believe it: "Who would be so bold as to plant the Western Region Illusion Herb there?"
Wei Ming sighed softly and stopped talking. His hint was already obvious. Royal property, who the hell would dare to plant the Western Region Illusion Herb on royal property?
Did this Lu Ling Feng not believe it?
Or didn't want to believe it?
Fei Ji Shi, who had finished making the Revenant Incense, came out of the room: "Censor Wei is right, there is indeed Western Region Illusion Herb in that Chang'an Red Tea."
Then he said: "Follow me everyone, I've finished making the Revenant Incense."
Everyone smelled it, and it was indeed the same scent as the incense on the corpses.
Su Wu Ming's eyes narrowed: "This Kang Yuan Li dares to collude with demons, planting strange herbs, and poisoning the people."
"Someone, go to the West Market Office, arrest him!"
At that moment, Guo Zhuang rushed in to report: "Lieutenant Colonel, the Grand General has arrived."
Lu Ling Feng quickly walked out to see Lu Tong.
Wei Ming helped Dou Yu Lin up: "You provided important clues for this case, so your sin has been redeemed. You don't need to feel guilty or blame yourself anymore."
"Believe me, the culprit will be brought to justice soon. Your sister's death will be avenged."
Dou Yu Lin kowtowed, filled with gratitude: "Thank you, Censor Wei."