"Xiao... Mr. Xiaoge, what should we do next?"
After narrating what happened, the official in charge of managing the Gongyuan was very upset. He looked at Yan Shifan with an almost pleading look and asked cautiously.
After all, in a few days, the imperial court will hold an examination specifically for the clan and nobles in the Gongyuan. But now, at this critical moment, something like this happened.
If bad rumors spread by then, then I may not be able to keep the black gauze hat on my head!
The official in charge of managing the Gongyuan thought of this and immediately fell to his knees with a thump and cried.
"Mr. Xiaoge, you can't just ignore death. There are senior officials above and junior officials below. You really can't..."
However, before the official finished speaking, he was impatiently interrupted by Yan Shifan.
"Huh, why are you so anxious? I will go with you to Gongyuan now and check the situation before we talk!"
When the official saw that Yan Shifan was willing to help, he immediately kowtowed with tears of gratitude on his face.
"I would like to thank you, Mr. Xiaoge, for saving my life. Thank you, Mr. Xiaoge..."
Seeing this situation, Yan Shifan waved his hand and immediately gave instructions.
"Okay, no need to say any more. Once I'm ready, we'll officially set off!"
"Yes, Mr. Xiaoge!"
When the official in charge of managing the Gongyuan heard Yan Shifan's words, he immediately looked stern and responded in a deep voice.
When Yan Shifan heard this, he nodded slightly and immediately walked towards the room where Yan Song was. He planned to tell Yan Song the news.
However, Yan Shifan gave up the idea as soon as he took a few steps. He suddenly stopped and muttered to himself silently.
"It's getting late now. I'm afraid my father has already gone to bed. I'd better not disturb him!"
Yan Shifan thought so, and immediately called the housekeeper to prepare the sedan as soon as possible.
Soon after, Yan Shifan rode in a sedan and marched towards Gongyuan together with the official responsible for managing Gongyuan.
…
At this moment, in the Gongyuan, Shuntian Prefecture Yin Ding Shichang looked at the scene in front of him and couldn't help but take a breath.
There are red threads everywhere in the entire Gongyuan, and there are many bells wrapped around the red threads. From mid-air, these red threads form a "draft and earth net", as if they are trying to trap something.
On the ground, there are still a lot of Five Emperors coins scattered randomly on the ground. In addition, on the temporary altar, there are still many unburned talismans and a long-dead black dog. The air is filled with A faint smell of blood.
"Hiss, it's so cold here. Could it be the ghosts of those candidates who died in Gongyuan?"
"In the early years, when I was taking part in the examination, there were rumors that the reason why the weather in Gongyuan was so abnormal was because there were many poor and frustrated candidates who died in Gongyuan because of their grievances. Accumulated..."
Ding Shichang thought so and couldn't help tightening his official uniform. Then, he stopped a subordinate who was in a hurry and asked.
"Did you find any clues at the scene?"
Seeing Ding Shichang, the governor of Shuntian Prefecture, personally asking the question, the subordinate did not dare to show any slightness. He immediately leaned down and responded respectfully.
"Master Fu Yin, before this, we have asked the guards who were guarding outside earlier, but we did not get any useful clues. In addition, the six corpses were also sent to Zuo Zuo. After a while, I’m afraid there won’t be any results!”
After listening to the subordinate's report, Ding Shichang couldn't help but feel a hint of disappointment on his face. He waved his hand quite casually and gave the order.
"Well, I know, you can continue your work!"
"Yes, Lord Fu Yin!"
After the subordinate left, Ding Shichang's eyes accidentally passed by the government officials who were collecting evidence at the scene, and he saw one of the government officials holding a money sword in his hand.
"Well, there is something really weird in this Gongyuan. To be on the safe side, I'd better go out and wait!"
Ding Shichang thought so, and immediately called a few guards and walked out of the Gongyuan.
"Oh, I don't know what kind of evil I did in my previous life, but now I'm here to be the Yin of Shuntian Prefecture!"
Just as Ding Shichang was complaining like this, he saw a subordinate official not far away running in a hurry.
When the subordinate official came to Ding Shichang, he immediately leaned down and reported respectfully.
"Excuse me, Mr. Fu Yin, Xiao Ge is here!"
After listening to the subordinate's report, Ding Shichang's face was full of shock. Immediately, he came back to his senses and gave instructions in a deep voice.
"What, Xiao Ge Lao is here, so why are you still standing there? Why don't you just go with me to greet him?"
"Yes, Lord Fu Yin!"
After that, Ding Shichang took several subordinates and hurried to greet him.
"I have met Mr. Xiao Ge!"
After the sedan Yan Shifan was riding in stopped, Ding Shichang immediately led his subordinates and bowed to Yan Shifan who came out of the sedan.
When Yan Shifan heard this, he just glanced at Ding Shichang, nodded slightly, and immediately asked.
"Have you found any clues?"
When Ding Shichang heard Yan Shifan's words, the smile on his face suddenly froze. After organizing the words in his mind, he spoke carefully.
"Mr. Xiaoge, the relevant people have been controlled by the subordinates and taken to prison for interrogation!"
"In addition, we found six corpses at the scene. There were no injuries on these six corpses. In addition, there were no signs of fighting at the scene!"
"Do you think there is something dirty in the Gongyuan causing trouble?"
"After all, the Gongyuan is closed at this time. Could it be that we disturbed the peace of the innocent souls in the Gongyuan, which led to..."
Before Ding Shichang finished speaking, he was coldly interrupted by Yan Shifan: "Shut up, are you allowed to say this nonsense?"
When Ding Shichang heard Yan Shifan's words, he reacted suddenly, his eyes full of fear.
After all, in a few days, the imperial court will hold an examination specifically for the clan and nobles in the Gongyuan.
If any bad rumors spread at this time, then Ding Shichang, as the spreader of the rumors, will definitely not be able to live with it. Losing his official position and abandoning his position will be regarded as a minor matter. If His Majesty is angered... …
Then, Ding Shichang lowered his head, his face full of gratitude, and said respectfully: "Thank you, Mr. Xiao Ge, for reminding me, otherwise..."
Yan Shifan saw the expression on Ding Shichang's face and waved his hand, indicating that he didn't need to care.
The reason why Yan Shifan issued a warning was because Ding Shichang had assisted him not long ago in posting a large number of notices in the capital to recruit craftsmen to study steam engines.
Then, Yan Shifan suppressed the chaotic thoughts in his heart, turned his eyes to Ding Shichang, and gave instructions in a deep voice.
"In that case, let's take this officer in first to see the situation!"
"Yes, Mr. Xiaoge, please follow me here!"
As soon as Yan Shifan finished speaking, Ding Shichang responded without thinking.
Immediately, under the guidance of several guards, Yan Shifan, Ding Shichang, and the official in charge of managing the Gongyuan entered it together.
After several people entered the Gongyuan, the previous scenes emerged one by one in front of their eyes. When Yan Shifan saw the "draft and earth net" composed of red lines, a look of shock flashed across his face.
Later, when Ding Shichang saw this situation, he immediately stepped forward and introduced the situation here to Yan Shifan in detail.
"Mr. Xiaoge, look, the altar over there is where the body was found!"
After that, Yan Shifan, led by Ding Shichang, came to the altar. At this moment, the scene he saw was no different from what Ding Shichang had seen earlier.
When he saw the incompletely burned talisman on the altar and the body of the long-dead black dog beside it, he couldn't help but frowned and turned to ask Ding Shichang.
"Were those bodies found near here?"
"Yes, my lord!"
As soon as Yan Shifan finished speaking, Ding Shichang on the side followed closely and responded.
Immediately, Ding Shichang summoned a subordinate and gave instructions in a deep voice.
"Tell Mr. Xiao Ge the specific situation!"
Upon hearing this, the subordinate bowed and saluted, then immediately stepped forward and told Yan Shifan what they had discovered.
"Mr. Xiaoge, after receiving the report, we rushed to the scene without delay. At that time, after we entered the Gongyuan, we found six corpses dead near the altar. The death conditions of these six corpses were all To face up to the sky.”
"There were no signs of fighting at the scene. In addition, there were no injuries on the six bodies."
"Except for the money swords, Five Emperors coins, and incompletely burned talismans found at the scene, there are no other discoveries for the time being. And there is only one way into Gongyuan, and that is the way we came in earlier."
After Yan Shifan listened to the subordinate's report, his face suddenly became extremely gloomy, and he said silently to himself.
"Humph, after talking for a long time, doesn't it mean that no evidence was found?"
Afterwards, Yan Shifan suppressed all the chaotic thoughts in his heart and asked in a deep voice.
"In that case, what about the six corpses?"
Ding Shichang, who was on the side, saw this situation and quickly stepped forward to explain.
"Mr. Xiaoge, those six corpses have been sent to Zuo Zuo. The results will surely come out soon!"
When Yan Shifan heard Ding Shichang's words, the expression on his face became better.
After that, Yan Shifan turned his attention to Ding Shichang and gave the order.
"Well, I know. If there is any news then, please inform me immediately!"
"Don't worry, Mr. Xiaoge, I will do my best!"
When Ding Shichang heard this, he immediately patted his chest and assured Yan Shifan.
Yan Shifan did not comment on Ding Shichang's words, but nodded slightly and said slowly.
"In that case, I will leave first!"
"Excuse me, Mr. Xiaoge!"
Seeing this, Ding Shichang quickly leaned down and responded respectfully.
Seeing that there was no breakthrough in the matter, Yan Shifan was ready to leave the Gongyuan and go back to discuss the matter further. However, after taking a few steps, he suddenly turned back, looked at Ding Shichang up and down, and then gave instructions.
"Master Fu Yin, you should know what to do tonight, right?"
After noticing Yan Shifan's gaze on him, Ding Shichang reacted suddenly, with a stern look on his face, and responded in a deep voice.
"Don't worry, Mr. Xiaoge, I will shut them all up!"
"Um."
When Yan Shifan heard the words, he responded in a subtle way and immediately walked away.
After watching Yan Shifan ride in a sedan and leave the Gongyuan, Ding Shichang breathed a sigh of relief: "Huh~ The boss of Xiaoge is finally gone!"
At this moment, a subordinate came to Ding Shichang and asked cautiously.
"Then... Mr. Fu Yin, what should we do next? Is it possible that we will just waste our time here?"
After hearing this, Ding Shichang glanced at the subordinate coldly and ordered impatiently.
"Idiot, do you want to ask me about such a trivial matter? Leave some people behind and look after the scene. No one is allowed to come in or out!"
"Also, let me know immediately. No one is allowed to reveal a word about what happened tonight. Otherwise, don't blame me for being rude!"
When the subordinate heard this, he immediately lowered his head and responded respectfully.
"Yes, sir, I will do it now!"
After the subordinate left, Ding Shichang withdrew his gaze, sighed, and said silently to himself.
"Oh, this is so tragic. Six people died, and they were still within the borders of the capital!"
"No matter what, it's getting late, so let's go back first and wait until there is news from Zuo Zuo!"
Immediately, Ding Shichang suppressed all the chaotic thoughts in his heart, took a sedan, and left the Gongyuan.
…
After Yan Shifan took the sedan chair and returned to Yan's Mansion from Gongyuan, he went straight back to his room.
At this moment, Yan Shifan was in a state of confusion, full of regret, and countless thoughts intertwined in his mind.
"Oh, if I had known that something like this would happen, I shouldn't have thought about asking Taoist priests to exorcise evil spirits in Gongyuan!"
"Six lives have been lost right now, and what a coincidence, they died in the Gongyuan!"
"You know, in a few days, the imperial court will hold an examination specifically for the clan and nobles in the Gongyuan. If at this time, bad rumors spread and interfere with the normal conduct of the examination, then I As an examiner, death is really imminent!"
"When the time comes and your Majesty is angered, maybe I, Yan Shifan, will be dragged to Caishikou and beheaded by Your Majesty!"
Yan Shifan tried to imagine such a picture in his mind, and suddenly felt shuddering.
Then, he shook his head and shook out all the messy thoughts in his mind, so as to comfort himself.
"It's useless to be anxious now. It's better to wait for the news from Zuo Zuo. After the autopsy results come out, the truth of the matter should soon come to light."
After that, Yan Shifan forced himself to close his eyes, but he tossed and turned for a long time and still couldn't sleep.
On the other side, even though the night was already very late, Xu Jie had no intention of sleeping. He could only be seen pacing the room anxiously with his hands behind his back.
At this moment, the housekeeper hurried into the room, and when Xu Jie saw the housekeeper arriving, the anxious look on his face immediately disappeared, and he stepped forward to ask eagerly.
"Have you dealt with it from beginning to end?"
"If you tell me back to the master, everything will be taken care of!"
When the housekeeper heard Xu Jie's words, he immediately leaned down and responded in a deep voice.
After Xu Jie heard the news from the housekeeper, he breathed a sigh of relief. The baggage that had been accumulated in his heart was finally settled safely.
He looked away from the butler and ordered like this.
"Well, you've worked hard on this, go down and rest!"
"Yes, sir!"
After hearing this, the housekeeper was about to leave when he heard Xu Jie's voice again.
"By the way, tell them and spread the news tonight. The bigger the noise, the better. It's best if everyone knows about it!"
"Yes, sir, I will convey your words to them!"
When the housekeeper heard Xu Jie's words, he suddenly stopped, turned around, and responded respectfully.
"Well, go down and rest!"
Seeing this situation, Xu Jie just nodded slightly to the housekeeper and gave the order.
After the housekeeper left, Xu Jie's face was filled with a smile that couldn't be concealed. He came to sit on the chair, holding the chair with one hand, his face was full of gloom, and he said silently to himself.
"Hmph, Yan Shifan, let me see what you should do next, just wait for death!"
…
One night passed in the blink of an eye, early in the morning, in the hall of Yan Mansion.
Yan Song, as usual, held a bowl of thick porridge in his hand and drank it leisurely.
There were still countless delicacies on the table in front of him, but what surprised Yan Song was that he had finished the porridge in the bowl, but Yan Shifan still showed no sign of coming.
At this time usually, Yan Shifan would definitely appear at the dinner table.
Just when Yan Song was about to instruct the maid on the side to go check out the situation, he heard footsteps coming from outside.
Yan Song followed the sound and saw that Yan Shifan's face was tired at this moment, his steps were sloppy, and his eyes were extremely dark.
Seeing this situation, Yan Song couldn't help but frowned and asked coldly.
"Yan Shifan, where did you go last night? Why are you so tired?"
Faced with Yan Song's inquiry, Yan Shifan just shook his head, went to sit on the empty seat beside him, and immediately took a bowl of thick porridge from the maid beside him.
After Yan Shifan took a few mouthfuls of the thick porridge, he put the bowl down, then looked in the direction of Yan Song and said slowly.
"Father, to be honest, the child didn't sleep last night!"
"What happened?"
When Yan Song heard this, his expression suddenly became extremely solemn. After looking Yan Shifan up and down, he asked in a deep voice.
Yan Shifan had no intention of hiding anything and told everything.
"Father, last night, I got news that someone died in Gongyuan!"
"What, someone is dead, who is dead?"
When Yan Song heard Yan Shifan's words, his face was full of surprise and uncertainty, and he immediately asked.
Hearing this, Yan Shifan sighed helplessly, his tone full of exhaustion.
"Father, do you still remember the Taoist priest who was invited by the child earlier to exorcise evil spirits in Gongyuan?"
"What, you mean..."
Yan Song said this with a look of shock on his face after learning the news from Yan Shifan.
"Well, that's right, father, those Taoist priests are all dead, in the Gongyuan!"
"There are no wounds on their bodies. Apart from that, there are no signs of fighting at the scene, and there is only one way into Gongyuan!"
When Yan Shifan said this, he paused for a moment, then summoned up the courage to ask Yan Song.
"Father, do you think there could be ghosts and gods behind this? After all, at this time, the Gongyuan side is always closed. It was precisely because of the sudden opening of the Gongyuan that it disturbed..."
Before Yan Shifan finished speaking, he was decisively interrupted by Yan Song.
"Hmph, it's really ridiculous. It's true. You don't talk about strange powers and gods. Your father and I have lived for more than half of our lives and I have never seen any ghosts and gods!"
When Yan Song said this, he changed the subject, turned his gaze to Yan Shifan, and then reprimanded him.
"Also, if such a big thing happened, why didn't you tell me earlier?"
"Father...Father, it was getting late and you had already gone to bed. My child really couldn't bear it..."
After Yan Shifan heard Yan Song's words, he immediately lowered his head and explained hesitantly.
When Yan Song saw this situation, a trace of unbearable color flashed across his face, and he waved his hand and gave the order.
"Okay, no need to say any more, tell me what happened!"
"Yes, father, this is what happened..."
Under Yan Shifan's narration, Yan Song also had a general understanding of the ins and outs of the whole matter.
Then, he turned his gaze to Yan Shifan, his face full of determination, and said in a deep voice.
"Hmph, the person behind this is clearly planning to take this opportunity to kill you!"
"Ah, father, this, this, this..."
Yan Shifan on the side was filled with horror after hearing the answer given by Yan Song, and he couldn't even speak clearly.
Yan Song saw the expression on Yan Shifan's face clearly, and after organizing the words in his mind, he immediately spoke.
"You might as well think about it. In a while, it will be the day when the imperial court will officially hold an examination specifically for the clan and nobles. But at this time, a life occurred in the Gongyuan!"
"Tell me, what would happen if this news spread?"
When Yan Song said this, he looked at Yan Shifan aside and waited quietly for his response.
After Yan Shifan thought about it for a long time, he boldly gave his response: "Father, you mean that someone in the court wants to take this opportunity to interfere with this examination specifically for the clan and nobles. And by the way, he killed me!"
When Yan Song saw that Yan Shifan understood what he meant, a trace of relief flashed across his face, he nodded and said slowly.
"Well, that's right. You know, when His Majesty forced this matter to be implemented, it caused an uproar in the court!"
"Although those officials did not dare to say anything due to His Majesty's power, secretly, they will definitely try their best to hinder this matter!"
"After all, if the clan and nobles regain the right to speak in the court, then their lives will not be easy in the future!"
After listening to Yan Song's analysis, Yan Shifan's face was filled with a look of sudden realization. He suddenly stood up from his seat, his tone full of respect: "Thank you, father, for clearing up the child's doubts. The child understands!"
But then, a look of joy appeared on Yan Shifan's face, and he said to himself: "Fortunately, the boy has ordered the seal in advance, otherwise, things would be in trouble!"
After Yan Song heard what Yan Shifan said, he immediately looked at Yan Shifan as if he were looking at a fool, and spoke unhurriedly.
"Huh, idiot, do you think you can suppress this news just by yourself?"
"Look, this news must have spread all over the sky!" (End of Chapter)
