When Wei Ming arrived at the temple on the outskirts of the city, he happened to see Su Wu Ming and Lu Ling Feng arguing.
Su Wu Ming accused Lu Ling Feng, a Jinwu Guard Captain, of not properly escorting the emperor, patrolling Chang’an, but instead disturbing the original state of the corpse, interfering with his investigation.
Lu Ling Feng retorted that Su Wu Ming was constantly using the title of Di Gong’s disciple, bringing shame to Di Gong.
“What a refined taste you two have. You’re not examining the corpse or investigating, instead you’re bickering and mocking each other.”
A familiar voice came from the temple entrance.
Su and Lu turned back: “Junior brother (Wei Ming)?”
Wei Ming walked over and greeted them: “It’s been many years since we last met. How are you, Senior brother?”
Su Wu Ming nodded, laughing: “Very well, very well. Senior brother is doing very well!”
Lu Ling Feng sneered arrogantly: “If you can’t solve the case, I’m afraid you won’t be doing so well!”
Wei Ming clasped his hands: “You must be Lu Ling Feng, the Jinwu Guard Captain. I’m Wei Ming, it’s a pleasure to meet you.”
Lu Ling Feng was unhappy with Su Wu Ming. Out of envy and jealousy, he couldn’t understand why Di Gong took in Su Wu Ming but not him. In terms of case-solving ability, he thought he was no worse than Su Wu Ming. And in terms of background, he was far superior.
But towards Wei Ming, who was also a disciple of Di Gong, Lu Ling Feng had no animosity at all. He set aside his noble family status and returned a bow.
“Lu Ling Feng of Fanyang greets Brother Wei. I’ve long heard of your unparalleled talent in poetry, calligraphy, painting, and music. Today, your poem about passing the imperial examination was truly impressive. Without mentioning anything else, just in terms of poetry, you can be compared to my great-uncle, Lu Zhao Lin Gong.”
“Brother Lu, you flatter me. I’m not worthy of such praise.”
After the pleasantries, they got down to business.
Su Wu Ming asked, “Junior brother, why have you come?”
“I, the Imperial Censor, have the authority to investigate criminal cases. I was authorized by the Grand Censor to oversee this case.”
Su Wu Ming laughed: “Could it be that you’ve come specifically to solve the case, Junior brother? Are you hoping to show off your Master’s skills?”
Wei Ming smiled but didn’t say anything.
Su Wu Ming continued to examine the corpse, with his old servant, Su Qian, recording.
As Su Wu Ming examined the corpse, he spoke with a hint of instruction for Wei Ming and Lu Ling Feng to hear.
When they turned the female corpse over so that her face was facing up.
Everyone present was startled.
Su Wu Ming exclaimed, “Fang Xiang!”
Wei Ming nodded: “Fang Xiang was originally the general of the front court of King Zhou of Shang. Later, he was said to have been transformed into a guardian spirit that led the way during funerals and exorcisms. According to the Tang Dynasty’s rules, only officials of the fourth rank or above could use Fang Xiang. Ordinary people could not use it.”
Su Wu Ming and Lu Ling Feng looked at Wei Ming: “Junior brother, you are knowledgeable.”
Wei Ming waved his hand: “I read a lot of miscellaneous books in my spare time.”
Su Wu Ming said with a grave expression: “The deceased woman is a newlywed bride. She is wearing a Fang Xiang mask, and the mask is deeply embedded in her skin, merging with her face. The murderer’s killing method is cruel and bizarre.”
Lu Ling Feng smashed his spear angrily: “The murderer is despicable. When I find out the truth, I will bring him to justice!”
Wei Ming stepped forward, waving his hand in the air as if chasing away flies.
Seeing Wei Ming approaching, Su Wu Ming intentionally tested him: “Junior brother, what do you think?”
Wei Ming thought for a moment and replied, “The temple is crowded and full of people. The murderer would not have committed the crime here.”
“So this temple is not the first crime scene, it’s just a dumping ground.”
“And when it comes to killing, one typically throws the body far away and buries it nearby. From this, we can infer that the actual crime scene is not too far away.”
“Since the deceased was wearing wedding clothes, she must have been murdered on her way to the wedding.”
“When I came on horseback, it was only about five miles from the official road to the temple.”
“I believe that we should be able to find the crime scene within five miles, and we can then identify the deceased.”
“Of course, tomorrow morning, we can go to the Office of the Military Registrar and check the list of brides getting married today. This will also help us find out the deceased’s identity.”
“However, the sooner we can figure out the clues, protect the first crime scene, the more useful information we might get, and we can solve the case faster!”
Wei Ming’s simple analysis shocked both Su Wu Ming and Lu Ling Feng.
The first crime scene?
Throwing the body far away and burying it nearby?
These new terms confused them.
But after careful consideration, they realized it made sense.
Lu Ling Feng immediately ordered his Jinwu Guard to search for Wei Ming’s so-called first crime scene between the official road and the temple.
Sure enough, not long after, a soldier came to report that they had found a damaged carriage and a horse covered in bloody sweat.
Inside the carriage, there was a marriage contract and a diploma.
“The deceased, Dou Cong, was getting married today. Her groom is Song Chai, who lives in a village fifteen miles outside of Ming De Gate.”
“The carriage was hijacked by the murderer at this location.”
Lu Ling Feng finished reading the marriage contract and diploma, his surprised gaze turned to Wei Ming. He praised, “Brother Wei, you are truly a disciple of Di Gong. I am impressed.”
Then, he changed his tone: “Unlike some people, who can only talk a good game but are not actually capable.”
Su Wu Ming: “...”
Wei Ming chuckled and pointed at the horse: “The horse is covered in blood and sweat. I think you should check to see if someone has tampered with it.”
“Also, Dou Cong wouldn’t have gone to her wedding without her family or attendants. That’s worth looking into as well.”
“Okay, you guys go ahead and investigate. I’m going back now.”
“I can’t decline Minister Pei Jian’s invitation for tonight.”
Su Wu Ming was stunned: “Minister Pei invited you?”
“Also? It seems Senior brother received an invitation from Minister Pei too.” Wei Ming laughed.
Su Wu Ming glanced at the crime scene, especially the horse covered in blood and sweat. He knew that he couldn’t go to Minister Pei’s residence tonight.
“Please tell Minister Pei that I apologize. I’m afraid I can’t make it tonight.”
“Okay, no problem.”
After bidding farewell to the two, Wei Ming mounted his horse and rode away.
Su Wu Ming smiled: “General Lu, what do you think of my junior brother?”
Lu Ling Feng looked at the departing figure and said, “He is incredibly talented, incredibly intelligent, and incredibly brave!”
“Incredibly talented, incredibly intelligent, I agree. But how is he incredibly brave?” Su Wu Ming asked curiously.
“In the temple, when you turned Dou Cong’s body over, everyone present, including you and me, were shocked. Only he remained calm, as if he knew it was going to happen.”
“If he hadn’t just become a jinshi and spent the whole day dealing with his new position at the Imperial Censorate, I would have suspected him of being the murderer!”
…
Minister Pei’s residence.
“Come, I’ll drink to you first. Firstly, to congratulate you on your success in the imperial examination. Secondly, to wish you well in reviving your ancestor, Wei Gong’s, name.”
“Don’t say that.” Wei Ming waved his hand and modestly replied: “I was able to take up my position at the Imperial Censorate today thanks to your help, Minister Pei. If anyone should be toasting, it’s me toasting you.”
Yuan Lai, the County Magistrate of Chang’an, who sat on the left, asked in surprise: “Minister Pei and Imperial Censor Wei are old friends?”
Wen Chao, the Military Registrar, who sat on the right, was in charge of the household registry. All marriage and funeral records would pass through his hands. So, he knew something about their connection: “The Pei family of Hedong and the Wei family of Julu have been good friends for generations, with intermarriages between them.”
“Back then, the wife of Wei Zheng Xuan Cheng Gong was a daughter of the Pei family of Hedong. Later, the wives of Imperial Censor Wei’s grandfather, Wei Shu Lin, and your father, Wei Yin, were all from the Pei family.”
Pei Jian nodded: “Yes, if we really want to be specific, Wei Ming should call me Uncle. ”
“But my Pei family members have also married many women from the Wei family of Julu, so our two families are considered close friends.”
“Alright, let’s not talk about this anymore. Let’s drink, let’s drink!”
Just as the four of them raised their cups.
A young woman burst through the door.
“Father!”
“I’m going to marry Wei Lang!”
Everyone turned to look. She was a young woman of eighteen.
Wei Ming saw that she had a graceful figure and slender waist.
The young woman wore a thin, cloud-like gauze dress in a deep indigo color. Her hair was styled in a celestial maiden’s bun.
She had willow-leaf eyebrows, large eyes, a waterdrop nose, and a plump mouth that was slightly pursed, revealing a youthful and spirited air.
She also had a hint of playfulness and cuteness.
But at this moment, the young woman had a look of urgency and sadness, but her tone was decisive and firm, making her even more pitiable.
“You can’t keep me locked up all the time…”
The young woman raised her voice in protest. Suddenly, she stopped.
Her eyes widened and she covered her mouth.
With a thud, a roll of painting fell from her hand.
The scroll unrolled.
It was a portrait.
Moreover, it was a sketch done in ink.
In the Tang Dynasty, there were very few who could master this painting technique.
Because this technique came from the future!
As for the person in the painting, who else could it be but Wei Ming?!
The young woman’s eyes reddened, and tears began to fall. She gently bit her lip and said with a look of grievance and longing, “Wei Lang!”
“I finally found you!”