Unintentionally, he had shown off again.
Wei Ming deeply reflected on himself.
At this rate, he might actually become known as the "Poet Immortal."
Only after carefully questioning Pei Xi Jun did he learn that he had become an "Immortal Descended to Earth" while drunk, and had been acting wildly at the Drunken Immortal Tower, reciting a poem called "A Toast to Wine."
Upon hearing Xi Jun recount the full poem, he breathed a sigh of relief, thankful that his showing off hadn't turned into complete idiocy.
He had even replaced Cen Shen and Dan Qiu Sheng with Su Wu Ming and Lu Ling Feng.
"Last night, after the banquet dispersed, something strange happened."
Pei Xi Jun poured Wei Ming a cup of sobering tea. Wei Ming took the tea, took a few sips, rubbed his temples, and casually asked, "What strange thing?"
“After midnight, many of the guards and commoners in both the inner and outer city of Chang'an heard the sound of galloping horses, as if a thousand troops were passing through. This matter alarmed the Emperor, the Crown Prince, and the Princess.”
"It is said that the Jingji Garrison, the Jinwu Guard, and the Qianniu Guard stayed up all night, strictly guarding and deploying forces. They investigated for a long time, until the city markets opened this morning. But they never found any trace of cavalry or horses."
"Right now, all the citizens are discussing it, saying that there were ghost soldiers passing through last night, which even overshadowed your poem "A Toast to Wine" in terms of being talked about."
"Ghost soldiers passing through..." Wei Ming, of course, knew that the so-called ghost soldiers passing through were nothing but his own elite Xuanjia Heavy Cavalry.
“Many people claim that the terrifying sound of galloping horses first appeared near the Xuan Du Temple, then went directly out of the city towards the suburbs, and finally disappeared ten miles southwest of Ming De Gate.”
Wei Ming chuckled dismissively, "Maybe it was some cavalry camp training in secret."
"By the way, there's one more thing." Pei Xi Jun added, "Lu Ling Feng saw you were drunk, so he asked me to tell you. He said that Yuan Lai died in the Jinwu Guard's prison the previous night, the cause of death is unknown. But before he died, he was making a lot of noise, saying that a malevolent spirit was demanding his life."
…
A few days later, at the Pei Manor.
Wei Ming, together with Pei Xi Jun and their young servant Xue Huan, bid farewell to Pei Jian.
Pei Xi Jun, independent, gentle, and bold in love, was unwilling to be separated from Wei Ming. So, under the pretext of going out to travel and relax, she would accompany Wei Ming to his post in the Shan Nan Xi Dao.
Pei Jian exclaimed that his daughter had grown up, her wings had hardened, and her elbows were always pointing outwards. He was heartbroken.
It took Pei Xi Jun a long time to coax him into a better mood.
Actually, Pei Jian also understood that the struggle among the three princes was becoming increasingly fierce. Before everything settled down, Chang'an was a whirlpool and quagmire. Leaving Chang'an and staying away from trouble was the wise thing to do, the best choice.
"Father-in-law, please rest assured, I will take good care of Xi Jun."
Pei Jian put on a stern face and pretended to be reserved, "I have received a letter from your father, Wei Yin. When you return to Chang'an to report on your duties, it will be the day you marry Xi Jun."
Wei Ming bowed and smiled, "Good, when we return to Chang'an, we'll get married!"
Pei Xi Jun's rosy cheeks instantly turned red, "What are you two talking about, you're so annoying! I'm going to pack, I won't bother with you two."
On the other side, outside Chang'an City, at the Shibali Shop.
Guo Zhuang believed that Lu Tong was envious of talent and was targeting Lu Ling Feng. He was unwilling to follow Lu Tong, so he decided to leave with Lu Ling Feng.
Lu Ling Feng knew that Guo Zhuang came from a humble background, joining the Jinwu Guard was a glorious achievement for his family, and he was a loyal and brave man who would one day build great achievements.
Lu Ling Feng persuaded Guo Zhuang to return to Chang'an. He thanked him for his farewell and expressed that they would be brothers from now on.
Guo Zhuang gave Lu Ling Feng the money he and his brothers had pooled together to help him with his immediate needs.
"Zhong Lang Jiang, take care!"
"Go back."
After Guo Zhuang left, Fei Ji Shi emerged from the forest.
"Who else are you waiting for? Su Wu Ming? Or Wei Ming?"
Lu Ling Feng rubbed his bloodstained buttocks, "Last night at the banquet, I didn't want to disturb everyone's enjoyment, so I didn't ask about one thing."
Fei Ji Shi exclaimed, "Your wound is split open again! Let Old Fei take a look. I have some excellent wound medicine here."
Lu Ling Feng refused, "No need, I don't want this wound to heal so quickly."
Fei Ji Shi was stunned, that's not something a normal person would say!?
Fei Ji Shi didn't understand those complicated things, but he knew Lu Ling Feng had something on his mind.
Just then, Su Wu Ming arrived carrying his books. As for his old servant, Su Qian, he stayed in Chang'an to enjoy his old age.
After all, Princess Taiping had issued an order prohibiting Su Wu Ming from riding horses or taking carriages. Good heavens, if he had to walk all the way there, his old servant, Su Qian, would surely be exhausted.
"Waiting for me? Perfect, let's go together. I have something to discuss with you."
Lu Ling Feng held his spear horizontally, "Su Wu Ming, I want to know the truth behind the Chang'an Red Tea Case!"
"Why did you and Wei Ming both get promoted, while I was punished with thirty lashes, had my estate confiscated, and was expelled from Chang'an?"
Su Wu Ming pondered for a few seconds, thought carefully, and shook his head, "There are many things in this world that are hard to understand, but as time goes by, the truth will eventually be revealed."
"There may be many truths behind the Chang'an Red Tea case that haven't been uncovered, but..."
"But knowing too much now is not good for you!" The last sentence came from a carriage that had just arrived from Chang'an.
Xue Huan pulled on the reins, stopping the carriage. Wei Ming got off and walked over.
"Junior Brother?"
"Brother Wei?"
Wei Ming nodded with a smile, "In fact, Junior Brother, you already had your suspicions, didn't you?"
"You just didn't want to face them and accept them."
"As for why Senior Brother got promoted and became rich, while you lost your position, were demoted, and expelled from Chang'an, it was for the sake of certain strategies."
"Junior Brother, you're a smart guy, you need to figure out how to choose. Your Senior Brother wants to use this opportunity to temper your temperament, which is a good thing. But I personally think you, Lu Ling Feng, are Lu Ling Feng. You've always been proud and you should just be yourself!"
Lu Ling Feng fell silent. Did he really not know the truth behind the Chang'an Red Tea Case?
No, he just wasn't willing to accept it.
"Junior Brother, you... ah!" Su Wu Ming was troubled. He wanted to use this opportunity to refine this rough gem, Lu Ling Feng. But unexpectedly, his junior brother exposed everything directly.
As for whether Lu Ling Feng could accept it, it was up to him.
Wei Ming glanced at Lu Ling Feng, who was dejected, and suddenly shouted loudly, "Lu Ling Feng of the Fan Yang Lu Clan, where are you?!"
Lu Ling Feng suddenly raised his head, his eyes flashed with a righteous glint.
Wei Ming chuckled inwardly. This line is like a blue buff in a TV series. As soon as you shout "Lu Ling Feng, where are you?!", Lu Ling Feng instantly recovers like he's been given a blood boost, full of life and able to keep fighting even with low health!
"Remember, Lu Ling Feng, you are a Zhong Lang Jiang of the Great Tang Jinwu Guard, the people you love are the countless people of the world, and the country you are loyal to is the mighty Great Tang!"
"If you don't understand the true meaning of these words, come south with us. Be my personal military advisor, don't worry, this Imperial Censor will provide you with a monthly salary!"
Lu Ling Feng was a little shaken.
Wei Ming continued to persuade, "Junior Brother, you come from a noble family, and if you return to your hometown looking like this, you'll be ridiculed by your clan."
"By the way, following this Imperial Censor on a southern inspection tour will give you the right to investigate criminal cases, allowing you to unleash your ambition and academic talents."
After hearing these words, Lu Ling Feng finally agreed, bowing and saluting, "Lu Ling Feng is willing to serve under your command."
Wei Ming patted Lu Ling Feng on the shoulder, "Alright, we're brothers, no need for all this formality."
The Tang Dynasty Ghost Squad was newly formed and ready to embark on their journey south.
Su Wu Ming, seeing that everything was settled, put on his book bag, waved his hand and said, "Let's go!"
"Wait!"
Wei Ming looked at Su Wu Ming with a strange expression, "No way, Senior Brother, you're going to walk to Nan Zhou?!"
"What else?" Su Wu Ming was also helpless, "The Princess ordered that I can't ride a horse or take a carriage, so I can only walk. She also told me to think carefully."
"Senior Brother, don't you think carefully. Maybe she'll give you a high-ranking position."
Su Wu Ming waved his hand, "Come on, I don't have that kind of luck. Alright, let's not talk about this. Let's go, it's okay, you guys go ahead in the carriage, I'll follow behind."
Wei Ming rolled his eyes, "Don't be silly, Senior Brother. If you walk the whole way, you'll be exhausted before you reach Nan Zhou."
Then he beckoned to Xue Huan, who received the order and went to a shop nearby. From the backyard of the shop, he brought out three horses.
He handed them to Lu Ling Feng, Fei Ji Shi, and Su Wu Ming respectively.
Su Wu Ming shook his head and refused, "Absolutely not, Junior Brother, this is like defying the order. If the Princess finds out..."
Wei Ming smiled, "The Princess said you can't ride a horse, and you can't take a carriage, but she didn't say you can't sit on a horse!"
"Just let Xue Huan ride and carry you. That solves the problem."
"Can that work?" Su Wu Ming was dumbfounded.
Wei Ming nodded, "Of course it can. I, in the name of Di Gong's disciple, guarantee it!"
Su Wu Ming rolled his eyes, "..."
It's as if everyone isn't a disciple of Di Gong.
Everyone laughed at this.
"Hahaha..."
"Giddy-up!!"