When Ling Yun returned to the mansion, it was already past midnight. The mansion was completely silent except for the sound of drums and drums.
But Ling Yun had almost forgotten all this. He just wanted to report the matter to Mr. Lu immediately, because only in this way could he sleep peacefully.
When he walked to Lu Wenzheng's dormitory, he was stopped by Dong Wu, who was on duty that night: "Let's wait until tomorrow to talk about any big deal. Your Excellency has already gone to bed."
Ling Yun said excitedly: "Of course, let me tell you, the suspect's mind has been captured!"
He originally thought that Dong Wu would be overjoyed when he heard the news, but unexpectedly, his expression was still calm, and he said lukewarmly: "Really? Congratulations to Commander Ling for another great achievement! - It's getting late, Ling Commander, please go back and rest, leave the prisoner to me, and report to your Excellency tomorrow."
Seeing his cold expression, Ling Yun knew that he was jealous, but he couldn't say anything else, so he could only say: "Okay! It's just that the prisoner is very cunning. Brother Dong must be more careful to avoid any accidents."
Dong Wu said coldly: "If you don't trust me, hire someone else. If you want to hand over the suspect to me, don't talk nonsense."
Ling Yun was startled and said: "What do you mean by this?"
Dong Wu teased: "Commander Ling has made the first contribution now. No one knows it, and there is no need to confess it deliberately. How can I dare and what's the point. It's getting late. Commander Ling can go back and rest if there is nothing else. Please forgive me. I can’t stay with you anymore.” After saying that, he walked away.
Ling Yun felt very annoyed. He wanted to catch up with him and tell him the truth, but he was afraid of making the neighbors uneasy and unbecoming of decency, so he had to suppress his anger and turned around and walked towards his residence.
But when Ling Yun returned to Baiyunxuan, he was so exhausted that he fell asleep as soon as he touched the bed and didn't get up until very late the next day.
He finished washing up in a hurry and was eating when he saw the curtain raised and his mother Ruan walked in. Ling Yun hurriedly got up to greet his mother and invited her to have breakfast with her.
Mrs. Ruan said: "I have already eaten. I just heard from Yu Zhu that last night you caught that little Taoist priest called What Mind?"
Ling Yun hummed, not knowing what his mother meant by asking.
Mrs. Ruan said: "Who is that soul? Is the crime he committed serious?"
Ling Yun said in confusion: "Mother, why do you ask this?"
Mrs. Ruan said displeasedly: "Why, my mother only asked you such a few things, but you are not willing to tell me... Oh! You really can't help your mother when you are old!" She felt sad and almost shed tears.
Ling Yun hurriedly said: "Mom, you are too worried. Children are taught everything by their parents. How could a child dare to hide anything from his mother? In fact, the case has not yet been tried, and I don't know where that mind comes from. I only know that the case has not yet been tried. His original surname was Du, and his name was Hai'er. His mother's surname was probably Ge, and she lived in the capital a few years ago. As for the rest, I don't know much about it."
"The surname is Du? Hai'er, Ge family,..." Mrs. Ruan murmured, her face turning pale. From this, she thought of the poor beggar Mrs. Gerrich who had been deceived and abandoned by herself, and the tragic past that she told herself that she could not bear to look back on.
She clearly remembered that Ge family once told her that his son's name was Du Zhenghai. At this time, she was thinking that this Du Zhenghai must be the spiritual Taoist priest Du Haier who committed serious crimes, because she could not believe that there were still people in the world. There will be another Gurdjieff and Du Haier!
Mrs. Ruan originally thought that as long as she escaped from that nightmare place, she could escape the tricks of reality, but God's will allowed her to meet Ge's son here again. It's really fate that makes people happy.
Mrs. Ruan was confused and lost in painful thoughts. She didn't listen to a word of Ling Yun's "As for the rest".
Ling Yun saw his mother's expression was abnormal and couldn't help but wonder: "Mom, what's wrong with you? Are you feeling uncomfortable?"
Mrs. Ruan said "Oh" and said: "Nothing... Zhichao, do you think Du Hai'er will be sentenced to a heavy sentence?"
Ling Yun said: "It is difficult to draw conclusions before the case is ascertained."
Mrs. Ruan sighed softly and said: "Zhichao, can you tell me in front of Mr. Lu that Du Haier should be dealt with lightly?"
Ling Yun asked curiously: "Hey, mother, you and Du Haier have never met each other before. You don't know much about who he is. Why are you suddenly falling in love with him?"
Mrs. Ruan's heart tightened and she forced a smile: "Ah, I just feel that Taoist Priest Yuan Zhen was kind to my mother and son by giving us snow lotus. Now that I heard that they suffered this disaster, I can't bear it."
Ling Yun smiled and said: "Mom, you are so kind-hearted."
The mother and son were talking when they suddenly heard footsteps outside the door, and Yuan Ping burst in furiously.
As soon as he saw Ling Yun, he said: "Oh, my brother Ling, why are you still lingering here? You don't even look at what time it is. The whole family is waiting for you. Let's go!"
With that said, he said hello to Mrs. Ruan, dragged Ling Yun away in a hurry.
In the lobby of the Shangshu Mansion of the Ministry of Justice.
Amidst the powerful sound of drums, the officers on both sides stood neatly and solemnly on both sides, with bright armor, dazzling swords and guns, all of them majestic and intimidating.
Yuan Ping, Dong Wu, and Yang Zhen stood with their swords in hand, holding down the formation. Xu Zhi lives on the left of Lu Wenzheng, and Ling Yun lives on the right of Lu Wenzheng.
When everything was ready, Lu Wenzheng ordered the prisoners to be brought to court.
His mental injuries had not healed, his body was weak and he could not walk, so he had to be carried to the hall on a stretcher.
He seemed to be relying on his "advantageous conditions" and did not bow to Lu Wenzheng when he saw him. He just cupped his hands in a symbolic gesture and said: "Master Lu, please forgive me for my limited mobility and my inability to salute."
Lu Wenzheng asked: "Who is below?"
The soul said: "The poor Taoist name is the soul."
"What is your common name? What is your origin?"
The mind said: "Is this related to the adult's inquiry?"
Lu Wenzheng struck a blow and said: "Just answer what I say truthfully, and don't talk too much!"
The soul said: "Okay, let me tell you! The poor Taoist's common name is Du Zhenghai. He used to live in the capital. Due to persecution by powerful officials, his parents died when he was young. He was taken in by Taoist Priest Yuan Zhen and became a Taoist monk at Qingyun Temple. That's all, sir. What do you want to ask?"
Lu Wenzheng said: "Please tell the truth about the kidnapping of Miss Ding and the murder!"
My heart shouted: "I have never kidnapped any young lady from the Ding family, let alone committed any murder. I am so unjust!"
Lu Wenzheng said angrily: "Du Zhenghai, do you still want to deny it? Commander Ling was by your side when you committed the crime."
The soul sneered: "Commander Ling said: He saw that I kidnapped Miss Ding. Who can provide evidence? If there is no evidence, how can one-sided words be accepted? Furthermore, Commander Ling is from your own Ministry of Justice Shangshu Mansion—— Humph, I’m afraid this is even less convincing, right?”
Lu Wenzheng said: "Then let me ask you, where did your injuries come from?"
Mind said: "The injuries on my body were caused by the robbers I encountered on the road, but I don't know what they have to do with Commander Ling?"
Lu Wenzheng said: "Even if Commander Ling's words are not enough to prove your crime, the ladies and maids of the Ding family were present at the scene, and these people can also be used as witnesses."
The soul said: "Okay, then let's ask them to testify!"
Lu Wenzheng said: "Do you think there is really no way for me to invite them? Yuan Ping——" Lu Wenzheng picked up the dragon and phoenix jade talisman offered in the hall.
Speaking of this dragon and phoenix jade talisman, it has a great background. This dragon and phoenix jade talisman was given to Lu Wenzheng by the current Queen Mother.
When the late emperor was in power, he was once bewitched by his sycophants and wanted to abolish the virtuous and chaste Queen Wei and establish a new love. Thanks to Lu Wenzheng's righteous speech and risking his life to remonstrate, the late emperor finally changed his mind. Saved Webster's life at a critical moment.
Later, the former emperor died, the new emperor ascended the throne, and Webster became the queen mother. In order to repay Lu Wenzheng for saving her life, she tried her best to recommend Lu Wenzheng to the current emperor and gave the dragon, phoenix and jade talisman as a symbol of power to Lu Wenzheng.
With the dragon and phoenix jade talisman, there is supreme power protection. When the Shangshufu of the Ministry of Punishment is handling a case, everyone from Fengzi Longsun to civil and military ministers to the common people of Li can kill first and report later, without any hindrance.
Of course, Lu Wenzheng never dared to be arrogant because of this, and he would not use it easily unless it was absolutely necessary.
He knew that now he had to use the dragon, phoenix and jade talisman. Because he knew very well how difficult the people in the Ding family were.
And everything was just as Lu Wenzheng expected. When Yuan Ping came to Ding's house with the dragon and phoenix jade talisman, there was indeed some trouble.
Ding Jinzhi is angry. Luo Zhenyi, Xiao Yongnian and others are not doing things beautifully.
They finally asked for an imperial edict to search Qingyun Temple, but found nothing; they were asked to ambush near Qingyun Temple and wait, but they returned without success; and later they were asked to take advantage of Ling Yun and kidnap the people.
As the saying goes: Family ugliness should not be publicized, let alone the ugliness of the He family and the Ding family that are being publicized now.
The dignified daughter of the Minister of Rites was kidnapped, and the illustrious Marquis Xinping had an affair many years ago...
If such immoral things were spread, how ridiculous it would be! And how could the people of He and Ding have the dignity to establish themselves in the capital?
His confidant butler Ding Yurong said: "The intention of the Marquis and the eldest son is to find ways to take over the case and handle their own affairs themselves."
Ding Jinzhi nodded, but then shook his head.
Take? What kind of trick? Lu Wenzheng is the Minister of the Ministry of Punishment, and he is of the highest rank in the dynasty. It is natural for him to hear this case. What legitimate reason do you have to solicit this matter? What's more, Lu Wenzheng still holds the dragon and phoenix jade talisman.
While he was meditating, Yuan Ping arrived; he exchanged a few words and then got back to the topic.
Yuan Ping took out the dragon and phoenix jade talisman and said: "I am here to ask Miss Ding and Miss Xiangluo to come over to help investigate the case, and please cooperate with Master Ding."
Ding Jinzhi was very annoyed and thought to himself: Why is my daughter also a lady of the world? How can she show her face in public and go to such a place to embarrass herself? You, Lu Wenzheng, are going too far!
But seeing that the other party was holding a dragon, phoenix and jade talisman, he couldn't refute, so he had to say: "My little girl was frightened last time, and she has been feeling cold and unwell these days. I'm afraid she won't be able to go today; let Xiangluo go first. !”
Yuan Ping knew that Ding Jinzhi was deliberately making things difficult, but he had no choice but to say: "Okay, wait until the lady is better, then go and testify!"
So Ding Jinzhi ordered people to spread the fragrance.
After a long while, Xiang Luo walked in timidly, her face was pale, her face was pale, and she looked weak and pitiful.
Yuan Ping was confused when he saw this, but he couldn't ask more questions, so he said: "Girl, please."
But when Yuan Ping and his guards took Xiang Luo through the Moon Gate and walked out of the back garden of Ding Mansion, a beautiful and graceful woman was walking towards them and met Yuan Ping.
As soon as the woman raised her head, Yuan Ping immediately recognized her. Isn't this none other than Yu Qingcheng, the most beautiful and magnificent woman in Beijing?
Thinking of the poor scholar who died innocently and tragically for her, Yuan Ping couldn't help but frown in disgust.
Yu Qingcheng didn't expect to meet them here. He was startled for a moment, then smiled: "Hey, it turns out they are officials! Women of the people are polite here!"
She was slightly blessed and passed away.
Yuan Ping watched her intoxicating grace disappear from his sight and couldn't help but said to himself: "Beauty is a disaster."
He suddenly felt curious and asked Xiang Luo: "By the way, Miss Xiang Luo, what is that woman doing in your house?"
Xiang Luo's eyes were dim, as if he hadn't heard anything, and he was stunned and speechless.
When Yuan Ping asked her again, she calmed down and said in a panic: "Ah? You...what did you say?"
Yuan Ping saw that she was in a daze and her face was very ugly, so he couldn't help but asked curiously: "Girl, what's wrong with you? Are you feeling uncomfortable?"
Xiang Luo forced a smile and said incoherently: "It's nothing, I have to see Mr. Lu, I... I'm probably too nervous!..."
Yuan Ping comforted her and said, "Don't be nervous. In fact, Mr. Lu is a very nice person. Just tell the truth when you get to the lobby. Don't have any worries. Do you understand?"
Shan Luo responded vaguely.
In the lobby of the Shangshu Mansion of the Ministry of Justice, Lu Wenzheng asked Xiang Luo, who was kneeling under the hall: "Xiang Luo, do you know the Taoist priest next to you?"
Surprisingly, Xiangluo replied: "I don't know him."
One sentence made everyone in the hall stunned. Lu Wenzheng asked again: "You mean you have never met him?"
Xiangluo lowered his head and said, "Sir, I have never seen him, let alone known him."
Lu Wenzheng paused and asked, "Then who kidnapped you and your young lady when you were in trouble?"
"He is a Taoist priest."
"Then take a closer look at the person in front of you."
Shan Luo's twinkling and misty eyes were touching the eyes of the soul.
His heart couldn't help but tremble violently, and he simply turned away.
Xiangluo was stunned for a long time, then slowly lowered his head and whispered: "Sir, I really don't know him."
Lu Wenzheng was speechless for a long time.
Ling Yun couldn't help but walked to Xiang Luo and said, "Miss Xiang Luo, you said you don't know him, then you should know me, right?"
Xiangluo didn't even raise his head, and said in panic: "I...I don't know, I don't know anything..."
Ling Yun said: "What do you mean by not knowing? Have you forgotten about the time when you were kidnapped?"
"I……"
"You clearly told me the suspect's life story yourself at that time, why are you denying it now?"
"I……"
"It's not just you and me. If you have anything to say, just say it. What are you worried about? Is it possible that someone is threatening you behind your back?"
Xiangluo suddenly cried "Wow". At this point, her fragile will had completely collapsed.
At this time, someone in the hall was heard saying dissatisfiedly: "Enough! Mr. Lu, are you going too far by coercing a weak and helpless woman like this?"
To know who the visitor is, let’s look at the breakdown in the next chapter.
