Questions and answers

"That brat is getting bolder and bolder," Jiang Luzhong said, exhaling a breath of stale air, "Indignantly."

"You don't have the guts to kill your superior?" Jin Gong, who wielded a sword, laughed.

"It's a pity Yang Yan got such a good deal. You have no idea what that kid's talent is..."

Wei Yuan glanced at Jiang Luzhong and interrupted, "You're so talkative."

Jiang Luzhong immediately shut up.

The man wielding the sword raised an eyebrow and pressed, "How's his aptitude? What's his rating? A?"

Jiang Luzhong smiled deliberately, but didn't answer, giving him a "you're too naive" look, maliciously trying to bait him.

Not armor? Could it be armor on top? The swordsman suddenly turned his head, staring straight at Wei Yuan: "Duke Wei?"

Wei Yuan drank his tea in silence.

This gesture aroused the golden gong's curiosity even more, leading him to make connections.

If it were a Class A qualification, they wouldn't hide it from me. Could it really be a Class A superior qualification? Impossible, Class A qualifications haven't been seen for decades. But their attitude just confirms that. If that's the case, I have no reason not to try for Tongluo Xu Qi'an.

Judging from Duke Wei's intentions, the concealment is probably to avoid conflict among the Jinluo members over the women. Hmm, I can secretly plan to win them over. Young people only care about money and women, right?

Yang Yan, who had a stoic expression, took the initiative to speak, changing the subject. "Father, what is His Majesty's attitude?"

Wei Yuan rubbed his temples and sighed, "Find Heng Hui's whereabouts as soon as possible. During the capital inspection, even I can't withstand the massive amount of impeachments."

The four gong players wore serious expressions. The fact that Duke Wei had been forced to say these words indicated that the situation was extremely serious.

This seems normal. Putting aside the fact that Wei Yuan, as a eunuch, held the position of night Nightwatchers and had a strained relationship with the court officials, the mere fact that the thugs could run rampant in the inner city, killing people and then calmly retreating was enough to cause panic among the officials.

We will do our utmost.

Wei Yuan nodded. "Don't just talk the talk. There's been a rumor in the court lately that the officials in the yamen are all useless, and that they rely on just a single copper gong to investigate cases."

The godfather valued Xu Qi'an even more. Yang Yan and Nangong Qianrou exchanged a glance, understanding each other's thoughts.

This matter must be handled well, and Heng Hui must be brought to justice as soon as possible. Fortunately, Xu Qi'an is not capable of doing this kind of job, so he is not worried that Xiao Tongluo will jump out and steal the credit again.

Xu Qi'an arrived at the Ministry of War's residence with the Sangbo case team. He showed his gold badge, and after his servants announced his arrival, he entered the residence with Chu Caiwei, Li Yuchun, and Lu Qing, the chief constable of the Six Doors.

The main gate and surrounding walls of the Minister's residence were completely destroyed, as if a demolition was underway; it was a shocking sight.

"The Minister's mansion is truly magnificent," Lü Qing murmured as she entered.

"This house must be worth at least ten thousand taels of silver," Li Yuchun guessed.

The head servant scoffed upon hearing this. "Ten thousand taels of silver? You country bumpkin who's never seen the world, you think you can buy our Minister's mansion with ten thousand taels of silver?"

A crude and vulgar brute.

Xu Qi'an kicked him in the buttocks and cursed, "Lead the way properly, you dog slave."

The servants lowered their heads and quickened their pace.

Speaking of the words "lackey," Xu Qi'an thought of Biao Biao, the nightclub queen. He wondered if she had provoked Princess Huaiqing today and gotten herself beaten up by her.

Xu Qi'an met Zhang Feng, the Minister of War, in the reception room. Zhang Feng was a calm and serious man with gray hair and a goatee.

He sat there silently, exuding the authority of someone who had long held a high position.

"Greetings, Your Excellency." Xu Qi'an clasped his hands in greeting.

Zhang Feng nodded slightly. "I heard from the eunuchs in the palace that Lord Xu is incredibly fast at solving cases and has exceptional abilities. Not only has the Sangbo case progressed rapidly, but he has also uncovered the true culprit in the Pingyuan Earl's massacre."

"You flatter me, Your Excellency." Xu Qi'an sensed a hidden meaning in the other's words.

"You want to ask what connection I have with that villain that he would come to my door seeking revenge in the dead of night?" Minister Zhang said.

"Exactly." Xu Qi'an hadn't expected the other party to cooperate so readily.

Minister Zhang glanced at Xu Qi'an without any emotion, then suddenly spoke sharply, slammed his fist on the table and roared, "I also want to know, and I want to know even more why the night Nightwatchers has not caught the murderer in the case of the Marquis of Pingyuan, which has been going on for some time now."

"I also want to know why the Nightwatchers repeatedly allowed the criminals to commit crimes."

He immediately tried to intimidate me, so Xu Qi'an had no choice but to clasp his hands in a fist and say, "Your Excellency, please calm down."

Minister Zhang composed himself and sighed, "Although I did not attend court today, I am aware of the aftermath of last night's events. I did not expect that even with the combined efforts of five high-ranking martial artists, we still could not defeat the opponent; instead, four of the Golden Gongs were injured."

"I have naturally seen the loyalty of the Nightwatchers to the court, but unfortunately the supervisor is seriously ill and unable to take action, causing us to live in fear and keeping you all busy."

His expression carried the seriousness of someone in a superior position, yet his tone was quite gentle and considerate of his subordinates, inexplicably making him likable.

Xu Qi'an actually developed a slight liking for the Minister of War, but he quickly realized his mistake and started by giving me a warning. The next moment, he reversed his attitude, trying to gain sympathy and empathy, and unconsciously made me feel grateful for being recognized.

Those who can rise to the second rank in politics are indeed extraordinary.

Xu Qi'an coughed, cleared his throat, and tentatively asked, "The real culprit in the massacre of the Pingyuan Earl's family is the same person as the thugs who attacked the Minister's residence last night."

"He is a monk from Qinglong Temple, with the Dharma name Henghui."

"Heng Hui?" The Minister of War frowned. "I do not know this person. Why did you raid my residence at night? Since you are a monk from Qinglong Temple, why didn't you go to Qinglong Temple instead of coming to my residence?"

"Heng Hui is merely a monk, naturally not worthy of the Minister's acquaintance. However, over a year ago, he eloped with a female pilgrim and has been missing ever since. That female pilgrim is Princess Pingyang."

"Princess Pingyang?" Zhang Feng looked shocked, seemingly unable to believe it. "Princess Pingyang actually eloped with someone."

Xu Qi'an had been observing him, trying to decipher his true thoughts through micro-expressions, but he failed.

There were absolutely no flaws.

After asking a few more questions, Xu Qi'an decided to change the subject, "Is Young Master Zhang Yi here?"

Zhang Feng sent his servants to invite him, and soon Zhang Yi, with dark circles under his eyes and looking extremely unwell, arrived at the reception hall.

"Your dark circles are comparable to Song Qing's." Xu Qi'an asked, "Young Master Zhang, do you know a monk named Heng Hui?"

"I don't know him." Zhang Yi shook his head.

Do you know Hengqing?

"I don't know him."

Do you know Hengyuan?

"I don't know him."

Do you know Pingyang?

"I don't know her," Zhang Yi said, then suddenly realized, "Princess Pingyang? Of course I know her."

Xu Qi'an nodded and smiled, completely placating the situation. "I've finished asking my questions. Thank you for your cooperation, Minister Zhang and Young Master Zhang."

Leaving the Minister's residence, Xu Qi'an turned around and asked, "During the questioning just now, which statements were true and which were false?"

Chu Caiwei, with her oval face, rolled her eyes. "Not a single word of the truth."

Xu Qi'an was taken aback. "Who are you talking about?"

Chu Caiwei pursed her lips, "Both father and son are, oh. The last sentence is true, that guy with kidney deficiency said he knew Princess Pingyang."

I can understand Zhang Feng lying through his teeth, but why is Zhang Yi also lying? There's only one possibility: Zhang Yi was involved in Heng Hui and Princess Pingyang's elopement.

Imagine if Zhang Yi was unaware of the situation, then Zhang Feng would have no reason to reveal such a confidential matter to his son. Sometimes, ignorance is the best protection. Moreover, given Zhang Yi's image as a master of time management, he is clearly unreliable. If I were Minister Zhang, I would never mention a case that could lead to the extermination of an entire family to an unreliable person, even if he were my son.

Interestingly, when Heng Hui killed the eldest son of the Marquis of Pingyuan that night, he said, "I have come to take revenge."

"This case is becoming more and more perplexing and interesting. I feel we're getting close to the truth—the truth behind Heng Hui and Princess Pingyang's elopement. Only by figuring out their story can the Sangbo case continue to be investigated." Xu Qi'an suddenly became excited.

After a busy day, when it was time to leave, Xu Qi'an bid farewell to Chu Caiwei and Lü Qing. After the two left, Song Tingfeng and Zhu Guangxiao walked out from the side hall in perfect unison. The three of them mounted their horses in perfect unison and entered the Jiaofangsi (a government-run entertainment district).

After days of intense investigation and travel, Xu Qi'an felt he needed to relax and relieve some mental stress.

Since it's all about sleeping anyway, there's not much difference between sleeping at home and sleeping in Fu Xiang's bed. Besides, Fu Xiang has sent people to deliver messages several times, saying that she misses him very much and wants to invite him to Yingmei Pavilion for tea.

Since that's the case, Xu Qi'an thought, let's make an appointment then.

It wasn't dark yet, and the yamen was in the peak period of closing time, so there weren't many customers at the brothel, and there were hardly any people in the alley.

"I plan to sleep with a courtesan," Song Tingfeng said.

"Sleeping with a prostitute isn't worth it; the price is inflated. It's a bit too high," Xu Qi'an sincerely advised.

The courtesans of the Great Feng Dynasty were not truly selling their art but not their bodies; the term "courtes" was more of a publicity stunt. The Jiaofangsi (Imperial Music Bureau) not only housed adult women but also many young girls. These girls were taught music, chess, calligraphy, and painting from a young age, cultivating their diverse talents.

Those who are gradually trained and raised to adulthood, those with average looks and skills, serve as low-ranking dancers and singers. Those with good looks and talents become courtesans.

Once the courtesans had accumulated enough fame, they held auctions that excited men.

"This isn't worth it," Xu Qi'an advised.

"I've already said it, a man like me isn't suited for marriage and children, so there's no point in saving money for me," Song Tingfeng said frankly.

Xu Qi'an suspected that this guy had a phobia of marriage.

"I'm going to get married," Zhu Guangxiao said succinctly.

However, the tea parties at Fuxiang Courtyard were too expensive, and the courtesan was Xu Qi'an's lover. If he stayed at Meiying Pavilion, he could only sleep with the maids.

Guangxiao is rich now and wants to sleep with even prettier women.

The three parted ways, Xu Qi'an entered the Shadow Plum Pavilion.

P. S.: I still won't have time to update tomorrow morning, and this will likely happen frequently in the future, so I'd like to adjust the update time. The chapter after noon will be updated at 5 PM. If I'm free at noon, I'll update earlier; if I don't update at noon, then it will definitely be at 5 PM.