The case of Qingxu Palace is not difficult to investigate. The facts of the case are now clear. It is not an exaggeration to say that the case can be closed. The difficult thing is how to write the oral confession in the file and how to draft the memorial so as not to make Emperor Yong'an angry. Then implicate the innocent.
Han Changmu held the jade tube of purple hair and considered it again and again, but still couldn't write a word for a long time. Instead, ink dripped on the paper, spreading from deep to shallow ink dots.
A good memorial, without a single word, can no longer be used.
There were heavy footsteps outside. Han Changmu thought for a moment and calmly put away the stained memorial. He rinsed the purple hair off the jade tube and hung it on the chicken wing wood penholder. He took a book from the desk and said, Open it at will.
The door creaked open, and the shadow of the sun slanting to the west was bright and dim, with light colors, and the thin wind was mixed with the faint smell of dust.
Han Changmu raised his head and glanced at the person who came, and said calmly: "It's time for the palace examination. It will be announced in three days."
Zhang Yan suddenly felt as if he had been struck by lightning, his whole body stiffened, and his face looked haggard as he cried out: "I, I am wronged!"
Han Changmu said expressionlessly: "You can leave today."
As if Zhang Yan didn't understand, he repeated: "You can leave." His face changed in shock, and his voice suddenly became sharp: "Yes, what kind of leave is it!"
Han Changmu tapped the desk twice with his fingers: "If you don't have the guts to take part in the imperial examination in three days, you can stay in the dungeon of the Department of Internal Security for a few days."
Zhang Yan finally came back to his senses. In the midst of great sorrow and joy, his face showed a look that seemed to be smiling and crying. The corners of his lips twitched. He held his head for a while, then squatted on the ground and started to cry loudly: "Adi , Adi! Brother, I’m sorry for you, Adi!”
Han Changmu rubbed his eyebrows and shouted impatiently: "He Zhenfu!"
He Zhenfu pushed open the door and entered.
Han Changmu said: "Drag it out and throw it outside. It's too noisy!"
"Ah." Zhang Yan's crying stopped abruptly.
He Zhenfu had a sullen face, suppressing laughter, and dragged Zhang Yan out.
The setting sun at dusk was like molten gold, spreading thinly but magnificently across the entire sky.
The clouds filled the sky, and the golden light of the afterglow flowed lonely from the streets to the alleys. The light gradually dimmed, the flowing clouds were blown away by the wind, and the blue sky suddenly became empty.
After Zhang Yan came out of the Internal Wei Department, he had no time to wash up and change clothes, so he went straight to the Han Palace in the Sixteenth Prince's Residence.
It is said that the seventh-rank official in front of the prime minister's door, the concierge of the prince's palace has eyes on the top of his head, he can't even look down on the ordinary fifth- and sixth-rank officials, let alone Zhang Yan, who is white.
Yes, he is still a very poor white body.
The concierge looked out from the crack in the door and glanced at Zhang Yan with disdain. He saw that Zhang Yan had a full head of hair and an unkempt beard. His eye sockets were blue and somewhat sunken. There were no patches on his clothes, but they were all white after washing. His clothes were all messy and he looked like a poor man.
The porter said disdainfully: "Guangguang, get out of here! Where did the flower come from? He doesn't even look at the place when he begs for food. This is the Han Palace, is this the place where you beg for food?" With that, he was about to close the door.
Seeing that something was wrong, Zhang Yan hurriedly blocked the door with his hands and pressed his face against the crack of the door. His face was so anxious that he was sweating: "Brother, little brother, I, I'm here to see my sister. My sister's name is Zhang Di."
The concierge was obviously stunned for a moment, frowned and said: "Zhang Di, I've never heard of it!"
As he spoke, the door slammed shut with a bang, almost hitting the tip of Zhang Yan's nose.
Zhang Yan knew that the door of the Han Dynasty Palace was difficult to enter. Even if he was already a tribute, it was not something that a person like him could come in and out at will. But Zhang Di was still in the Han Dynasty Palace, and he had to see her and ask her no matter what. thoughts.
"Bang bang bang!"
"Bang bang bang!"
"Open the door, open the door quickly, I am a tribute scholar from Jinke, and I want to see His Highness the King of Han!"
"Open the door, and the King of Han robbed the daughter of the people. My sister was snatched into the house by the King of Han!"
The huge slamming of the door and the hoarse shouting immediately attracted many people who were in a hurry. They gathered around and pointed at the blushing Zhang Yan.
He was already a good man if he dared to break down the door of the Han Dynasty's palace, but now he dares to expose the fact that the Han Dynasty raped the daughter of the people. This is to seek death by knocking on the door.
Although the King of Han was lustful and it was common practice to rob women of the people, he even dared to rob female prisoners who were pushed to the execution ground. Who else would he not dare to attack? However, he did what he did and never allowed others to say anything about it.
Someone once said "Bah" when passing by the gate of Prince Han's palace. The Prince of Han heard this and went so far as to slap the man in the mouth and eyes.
Everyone looked at Zhang Yan who banged on the door, and couldn't help but sigh. He is a good-looking man, and he looks very upright, but why is his brain not so good? Doesn't he know that the people do not fight with the officials? I don’t know how this Gongshi passed the exam!
Zhang Yan ignored the comments from the people around him and just focused on slamming the door crazily, making his palms red and swollen, ranging from numbness to pain.
He shouted until his mouth was dry and his voice was hoarse. He didn't have the strength to bang on the door any more, so he simply sat down against the door of Prince Han's Mansion and began to cry pitifully.
"Where is the law of heaven? The king of Han is robbing the daughters of the people!"
"Adi, brother, I'm sorry for you!"
He thought that after his parents died, he and Zhang Di were the only two people living on each other, struggling to survive. He thought that if he entered the capital, passed the imperial examination, and was selected as a Jinshi in the imperial examination, he would be able to see the light of day. But Tianri hasn't been seen yet, and Zhang Di has disappeared.
He couldn't help but feel sad from the bottom of his heart, and cried sincerely, with tears streaming down his face.
Everyone in the audience was sad when they heard it, and wept when they heard it. They felt that the King of Han was really nothing, but no one dared to say it out loud.
Some people couldn't stand it anymore, so they took a step forward, stood at the bottom of the steps, and lowered their voices to point to Zhang Yan: "Xiao Langjun, it's useless for you to cry here. It's better to go to Jingzhao Mansion."
Zhang Yan raised his head in confusion: "Jingzhao Mansion? Are you going to complain? How dare the governor of Jingzhao Mansion control His Highness the King of Han!"
The man shook his head: "Young Master, you don't know this. Mr. Shaoyin of Jingzhao Mansion is the cousin of our Highness the King of Han. He has always been soft-skinned and easy to talk to. Go and beg him, maybe There is still a chance to get your sister out."
Zhang Yan wiped away tears: "Are you serious?"
The man nodded: "Why did you lie to me?"
Zhang Yan stood up and sat cross-legged on the ground for a long time. His legs were numb. He knocked on his legs and was about to go down the steps when he heard someone in the crowd suddenly mutter: "It's useless to ask for help, King Han." We never rob girls overnight, we keep them as soon as we grab them.”
As soon as Zhang Yan heard this, his face suddenly looked haggard, even uglier than when he was arrested by the Internal Security Department. He didn't bother to look for the Shaoyin of Jingzhao Mansion. He turned around and threw himself at the door, almost crying. Take the breath away.
"You pay for my sister, pay for my sister, me, I will kill you, kill you, Adi, Adi!"
Someone poked the man who was muttering just now and complained: "Why are you talking about this? I'll make that young man cry."
The man didn't take it seriously and said, "I'm telling the truth. It's not worth it to try to offend the King of Han and get a wasted flower. It's better to think about how to earn a name for my sister and become a relative of the King of Han in the future. You can’t walk sideways anywhere.”
"You?" The person who spoke widened his eyes, and after a while he shook his head in disapproval.
Behind the closed door, Xie Mengxia crossed his arms and frowned. Listening to the constant banging and crying, he curled his lips and said, "Don't his hands hurt after being patted for so long?"
Zheyun grinned: "Your Highness, are you going to blow him away?"
"Blast him away? Let him ruin my reputation everywhere?" Xie Mengxia's voice suddenly became sharp and he said with wide eyes.
Zheyun lowered his head and muttered indifferently: "It doesn't have a good reputation anyway."
"What did you say? Say it again!" Xie Mengxia laughed angrily and waved his hand with a look of disgust: "Take Adi to the corner gate to see him."
Zheyun opened his mouth but didn't say anything. He sighed in his heart. His Highness was really moved at this moment. He had never been like this before. He could open his eyes and let an unknown girl come out to see him. people.
Zhang Yan got word from Prince Han's Mansion and walked around to the back alley anxiously. After waiting for half an hour, the short and narrow corner door opened a crack with a creaking sound.
Two old and cloudy eyes were exposed from the crack of the door. He looked Zhang Yan up and down, and his voice was a little hoarse: "Is it Zhang Yan?"
Zhang Yan hurriedly walked over and nodded repeatedly: "Yes, yes, I'm down."
The man said impatiently: "Wait!" After saying that, he closed the door with a bang.
Zhang Yan touched the tip of his nose and waited for another moment. The door opened halfway and a woman with a stern face came out. Zhang Di followed her with her head lowered, and behind Zhang Di, she was also following. The two women had evil looks and were tall and round-waisted.
"A Di!" Zhang Yan was overjoyed when he saw Zhang Di and rushed over.
Zhang Di paused and stopped on the inside of the threshold. She raised her head and looked at Zhang Yan, her face full of fear and uneasiness, and said in a thin voice: "Brother."
The woman who was walking at the front stopped Zhang Yan, pointed to the threshold at her feet, and said expressionlessly: "Zhang Langjun is a foreigner, so just stand here and talk."
Zhang Yan was stunned for a moment and looked at Zhang Di who was a door away. Although she still wore her hair in a girl's bun, she was no longer dressed as she was at home.
This kind of silver-red dress was something Zhang Di would never wear in the past. The material was too thin and would tear if she did a little rough work. The color was too bright. Her skin was slightly dark and she couldn't hold it down. The sleeves were too big for her to do any work. It was too much of a hindrance.
Zhang Yan's eyes moved up and landed on Zhang Di's face. Her skin was still slightly dark, but it had become less rough in just a few days. She must have been raised well in the Han Palace, and she had a gold hairpin stuck in her bun. , he could only see the golden light, but he couldn't identify what the red and white ones next to it were.
He opened his mouth, his face full of bitterness. Is such a wealthy person still the same Adi?
Zhang Di's mouth was full of bitterness, and she called out sadly again: "Brother."
Zhang Yan said "Hey", moved half a step forward, stood close to the threshold, twitched the corner of his mouth, and showed a smile that was uglier than crying: "Adi, are you okay?"
Zhang Di hesitated for a moment and nodded: "Brother, are you okay?"
"My brother is fine. It was the Chief Minister of the Internal Security Department who personally released my brother." Zhang Yan nodded heavily and asked without any time to chat, "Adi, in the imperial examination in three days, my brother will definitely be selected as a Jinshi. When the time comes, he will be released. Be an official, Adi, let’s leave the Han Palace, my brother wants to see if you can be a good husband and a decent wife.”
Zhang Di pursed her lips, and subconsciously turned her head to look at the two women behind her. A fleeting look of panic flashed across her face, and she shook her head while crying and laughing: "Brother, you, stop talking. , I, I am already a member of the King of Han, I can’t leave, no, no, I don’t want to leave, I don’t want to leave.”
Zhang Yan's eyes suddenly darkened, and he was filled with regret: "Yes, it's my brother's fault. It's my brother who missed you. I'm sorry for you!"
Zhang Di's tears fell one drop at a time. She bit her lower lip and didn't dare to cry. She held back her tears for a long time and shook her head: "Brother, no, I did it willingly. You, don't complain." Myself, you have a good future, and I, I am happy for you."
Seeing Zhang Di crying, the mother-in-law standing guard at the door suddenly darkened her face and said coldly: "Why are you crying? It's bad luck. Is His Highness treating you badly?"
Zhang Di looked like she was frightened. She quickly wiped away her tears and replied in a low voice: "Yes, I was wrong."
Zhang Yan's breathing was stagnant. Looking at Zhang Di's cautious look, his whole body and heart were filled with cold pain. Although their brother and sister's life was hard in the past, Zhang Di lived happily. When did he do this? !
He couldn't help but pull Zhang Di's hand: "Adi, let's go, we won't bear the grievance of this injustice!"
Zhang Di withdrew her hand as if it was being burned, and shook her head repeatedly in fear: "No, no, brother, A Di is not suffering. Your Highness, Your Highness is good to A Di, and A Di will not leave!"
When the mother-in-law standing at the door heard Zhang Di's words, her expression finally improved, and she said in a stiff tone: "Ms. Zhang Lang, Madam A Di is a serious concubine listed in the royal genealogy. His Highness the King of Han has said whether to leave or stay. Forget it! Okay, that's it for today!" She took a deep breath, turned around and walked into the door without waiting for Zhang Yan to speak. She left the door ajar and snorted coldly through the crack of the door: "The palace of the Prince of Han is extremely rich and powerful. , His Royal Highness the King of Han is the most noble person in the world, but your sister is living in poverty, how wronged is she?"
After saying that, there was a "bang" and the door was closed tightly again. Zhang Di's low and suppressed sobs came from behind the door. However, no matter how hard Zhang Yan banged on the door and shouted, no one came to open the door for him. .
Zhang Yan walked back in despair.
In early summer, it gets dark later and later, and the colors in the sky dissipate very slowly, leaving only faint traces of the sun's shadow, but there is still a light like molten gold in the distant sky, inlaying the clouds with a dazzling golden edge. .
Zhang Yan walked aimlessly, and unknowingly, he passed through the winding alley where Zhang Di once set up a food stall, and someone he knew well said hello to him.
"Zhang Langjun, how are you? Did you pass the exam?" Zhang Yan was wandering in the world, but he just subconsciously said "hmm" and continued to walk forward.
He thought of what the man had said to him just now in front of Prince Han's Mansion, his mind was shaken, and he suddenly came back to his senses.
Yes, go to Jingzhao Mansion and find Lord Shaoyin. He will rescue Zhang Di from this prison of fire no matter what.
After the sound of dusk drums completely subsided, the sky also turned dark. The dim moonlight shone in the courtyard, and the mottled and messy tree shadows were scattered across the blue brick ground.
After Han Changmu finished taking care of the internal affairs department's affairs that had been backlogged for several days, he returned to the mansion to take some twilight food, and ordered Jin Yu to bring Qi Minghui and others who lived in the inner house.
Now that he already knew that Yao Yao's identity was questionable and that there were shocking secrets hidden in the witchcraft case back then, it was impossible to allow these people to stay in the capital.
Although killing them is the best thing to do, Han Changmu is not a murderous person. When other methods are available, he will not choose to get his hands stained with the blood of innocent people.
Qi Minghui and the other two walked into the front hall uneasily. After living in the Han Mansion for a few days, they became more and more unsure. They all knew that Han Changmu would not raise them in vain for no reason.
Han Changmu sat upright with an expressionless face, slowly looking at the four people with a careful look, especially Qing Qian, who looked deeply at them.
Qi Minghui's heart skipped a beat, no matter how good the Han family was, they would never agree to let Qing Qian become a concubine again!
She took a step forward and made a preemptive strike: "The daughter of the people thanked Mr. Han for saving his life. The women of the people have been harassing the manor for many days, and they feel really sorry. The women of the people are planning to leave tomorrow."
Han Changmu raised his eyebrows slightly: "Leave, what do you think my Han Mansion is?"
Upon hearing this, Chen Ayuan jumped up and his eyes widened: "You're being unreasonable. We didn't come willingly. It was you who arrested us! Now we want to leave and you don't let us go. What do you think?" How about it?"
"Ayuan, don't talk nonsense!" Qi Minghui couldn't help but hurriedly stopped Chen Ayuan and gave Han Changmu a smile: "Sir, Ayuan is young and offended you with his unrestrained words. Please forgive me. "
Han Changmu said with a faint smile: "Twenty-seven or eighty-year-old is still young, do you think I am stupid?"
Qi Minghui simply stopped talking and simply said: "How can Mr. Han let the civilian girls leave? To put it bluntly, the civilian girls and others will definitely do it."
"Finally, there is someone who understands." Han Changmu nodded slightly and said calmly: "The last time you left the capital, where did you want to go?"
Qi Minghui thought about it for a while and told him bluntly: "Min Nu and the others are going to Fengshan County, Longsu County, under the jurisdiction of Lianzhou, Min Nu's hometown."
Han Changmu's expression remained unchanged, he thought for a moment, and thought: "Okay, I will switch and guide you, and arrange for someone to escort you all the way to Fengshan County, register your household registration, and purchase property and houses for you."
Upon hearing this, the expressions of Qi Minghui and the others suddenly changed.
Showing courtesy for nothing is either adultery or theft.
Qi Minghui was so anxious that she even raised her voice a little louder: "Master Han, the civilian girls and others are going to take A Yao, oh, Qing Qian with them, and they will never keep her as a concubine!"
Han Changmu glanced at Qing Qian lightly, his eyes as cold as ice, as if he was hiding a knife, without any warmth at all.
Qing Qian's face suddenly turned pale and her body swayed slightly. She knew how much Han Changmu hated her. He would never treat her as a concubine under such circumstances. Even if he wanted to keep her, it would be just To torture her.
Qi Minghui was stunned for a moment, and suddenly realized that she had said the wrong thing. The corners of her lips trembled, and she did not dare to speak casually anymore.
Han Changmu withdrew his gaze and said sarcastically: "A femme fatale, what am I doing here? Do you think you have a long life?"
Qing Qian's body shook even more violently. She felt ashamed and annoyed, and she gritted her teeth to prevent tears from falling.
Han Changmu didn't even glance at Qian Qian, and continued expressionlessly: "I have arranged all the escape routes for you. I have only one request. The four of you are not allowed to leave Fengshan County for even half a step from now on!" He paused slightly and said, Then he said fiercely to Qing Qian: "You are never allowed to call Chen A'ao!"
The expressions of Qi Minghui and the other four people changed, and they looked at each other for a long time.
On the one hand, I didn't expect that Han Changmu would put them under house arrest in the same place, and on the other hand, I didn't expect that he would be so taboo about this name.
"The Romance of Fairy Wood"
But I didn't expect that I still had to come up with an idea.
Qi Minghui was obviously the backbone of the four people. She said calmly: "This matter is of great importance. Please forgive me for discussing it with the women of the people."
Han Changmu nodded.
The four of them, Qi Minghui, stood together, lowering their voices and whispering.
Han Changmu had no intention of eavesdropping. No matter how they discussed it, there was only one choice. If they didn't agree, he would have blood on his hands.
The four of them came to a decision quickly. Qi Minghui's expression became visibly relaxed, and she smiled slightly and said, "Thank you, sir, for your help. The women of the country are willing to obey your instructions."
Han Changmu also breathed a sigh of relief and threatened again: "I will order the local chief to watch you."
Qi Minghui smiled nonchalantly: "If you can live a peaceful life, the women will not break their promise."
After deciding the matter, Han Changmu called Meng Suige in, wrote down the names and place of birth of the four people, Qi Minghui, and Qi Minghui on the paper, and ordered him to go to Leng Linjiang overnight to get the directions and household registration of the four people. Well, he personally ordered a team of guards to escort the four people south with his handwritten letter.
After sorting out the affairs of the four people, Qi Minghui, the potential crisis around Yao Yao was completely eliminated.
Han Changmu's whole body relaxed. He rested his head on his arms and leaned lazily on the bed. He closed his eyes slightly and looked tired.
Jin Yu came in with a bowl of bird's nest. Seeing Han Changmu's appearance, he felt a little heartbroken. He gently put the bowl on the desk and whispered: "Your Majesty, there is no business tonight. I just used the bird's nest." Let’s rest early.”
Han Changmu still had his eyes closed: "Did you send it to the guest room?"
Jin Yu said with a smile: "Give it away, don't worry, Your Majesty, Mrs. Liu only left after watching Miss A Yao use the bird's nest and turn off the light."
Han Changmu heard something wrong with Jin Yu's words. He opened his eyes and saw that his face was excited and sly, and he frowned slightly: "What's that expression on your face?"
Jin Yu quickly suppressed her smile and said seriously: "It's nothing, nothing. I just think Miss A Yao is good. It would be better if she could stay in the house for a long time."
Han Changmu did not doubt that he was there, and said calmly: "She is from Jingzhao Mansion. Sooner or later, she will return to Jingzhao Mansion. What's the point of living in our house all the time? Yun Gui will not agree to her name and her words." ."
