Among Hua's villas in Dongdu, the most luxurious and comfortable one is Hua's No. 66 House located in Jingxingfang. It faces Bei City to the south and has smooth traffic. It is quiet in the bustle and goes all the way north along Daozhongqu Avenue. After crossing Luoshui Bridge, entering Luonan City, passing Yujifang, and entering Jingxingfangfang Gate, you can see this splendid mansion. The architectural style inherits Hua's usual bold style, with a spacious six-entry garden, black eaves and red columns, and the walls are painted with vermilion spices mixed with gold powder. When the sun shines, it is fragrant and sparkling, and you can walk all the way to the main entrance. When you get to the back garden, you can see the clear lake water, lush gardens, willow trees, and graceful pavilions and waterside pavilions. Especially the "Yingying Waterside Pavilion" on the island in the center of the lake has the best scenery. Looking around, you can see rippling blue waves and fish jumping out of the water, which makes you feel relaxed and happy. .
Hua Yitang was out in the limelight, and the indescribable suffocation and sourness in his heart finally dissipated a little. As soon as he entered the other courtyard, a servant came to report that Yita had taken Mrs. Lin and others. The man went to visit Yingshui Pavilion, and a tea banquet was held to celebrate his success. He immediately became happy, waving his fan and humming a tune as he crossed the Yanwu Bridge. Entering the waterside pavilion with great joy, he put his left hand on his hip and raised his fan with his right hand, making a handsome gesture to invite credit. Posture, "Hua will become famous in Dongdu today, and from now on he will definitely - Ling Liulang, why are you here?!"
Ling Zhiyan was immediately overjoyed when she saw Hua Yitang. She stood up quickly, took Hua Yitang's elbow, and almost helped him into the seat. She personally held the tea bowl in front of her and handed it to Hua Yitang with a very affectionate look, " Shiro has worked hard today, hurry up, drink some tea and moisten your throat."
Hua Yitang looked wary, "Did you take the wrong medicine?"
Ling Zhiyan smiled so hard that she gritted her teeth and said, "Drink."
Hua Yitang lowered his eyelids and took a glance, understanding. The tea soup in the bowl is as thick as mud, exuding a spicy and bitter taste, and there is a layer of unknown impurities floating on the surface. It is obviously Eta's latest work.
Looking at the opposite side, Jin Ruo covered his mouth to suppress his laughter, Lin Sui'an's shoulders were shaking, and Eta was sitting behind the steaming black tea cauldron, looking at the two of them innocently with her big blue eyes.
"Ah, now that I think about it, Liulang is willing to serve as a guarantor for Hua. Hua has not formally thanked her yet. It is better to catch the sun than to pick up the sun. Today, Hua will have tea instead of wine to express her gratitude," Hua Yitang Holding the tea bowl in hand, he greeted Ling Zhiyan in return, "Please Liu Lang drink a full cup of this cup, don't let me down my enthusiasm!"
Ling Zhiyan put her hands against the tea bowl and pushed it back secretly, "Today, Shiro quarreled with the scholars, set things right, dispelled the rumors, and made me feel bad. Ling should repay Shiro with this tea!"
Hua Yitang's strength was no match for Ling Zhiyan's. Seeing the tea soup getting closer and closer to him, he gritted his teeth and lowered his voice, "Ling Liulang, please stop being so sentimental. I don't have time to help you vent your anger."
The character of Ling Zhiyan, who belongs to a century-old family, could no longer hold on any longer, "Silang has a soft tongue and a soft heart, I understand."
"You are repaying kindness with hatred."
"I am borrowing flowers to offer to Buddha."
Lin Sui'an was deeply moved when he saw it: "It's true that we are brothers, Eta, you can't favor one over the other!"
"Min Bai (understand)." Since Fang Ke praised Yita's tea art, Yita's confidence in making tea has greatly increased. She studies the tea classics every day and strives to continue to innovate. At this time, seeing the performance of Hua and Ling, she became even more confident. He was so happy that he quickly scooped up a large bowl of tea soup, pushed it onto the table, and said, "One bowl per person, drink."
Jin Ruo: "Pfft——"
The corners of Hua Yitang's eyes twitched: "You are killing eight hundred enemies and losing one thousand."
Ling Zhiyan's eyelids twitched: "The Ling family's family motto is that you should have someone to support you before you die!"
The two of them glared at each other, and at the same time took the tea bowl, brought it to their lips and took a careful sip. One's face turned green, and the other's face turned blue.
Eta looked forward to it: "Do you want more?"
The two said in unison: "No need!"
Lin Sui'an and Jin Ruo laughed together.
It has to be said that although the taste of Eta's tea is hard to describe, its effect is outstanding. The estrangement between Ling Zhiyan and everyone who had not seen each other for half a month disappeared after only half a cup of tea, and her originally reserved expression and movements relaxed.
Hua Yitang changed into Muxia tea soup and took a few sips, and soon became lively again. He looked at Ling Zhiyan and said, "What's the origin of Shan Yuanming?"
Ling Zhiyan: "The Gongsheng students from Suizhou are quite famous for their talents."
"Suizhou?" Hua Yitang narrowed his eyes, "No wonder, that poor place has bad feng shui."
In fact, Lin Sui'an also noticed when Shan Yuanming introduced himself.
Suizhou is the Su family's base camp where Su Chengxian is located.
"This examination of saints is very important. Especially after the major families heard that Shiro Hua was also interested in participating, they all heard the news. All the five surnames and seven sects sent their scholars to participate in the examination. It can be said that this day's examination The scale and lineup of the event were the largest in fifty years." Ling Zhiyan glanced at Lin Sui'an, "The Su family also sent someone, named Su Yiyun, who is the cousin of the head of the Su family. In terms of seniority, he can be regarded as Su's Cheng Xian’s uncle.”
Lin Sui'an expressed his admiration: "The old man is really old and strong."
"Ahem, he is only twenty-three years old, but his seniority is too high." Ling Zhiyan paused, "To be honest, this man came to Dongdu a few months ago and has visited me many times to send messages and invite me to meet. I was hindered by Ling Zhiyan. Because of the relationship between the family and the Su family, I reluctantly met him once. This person - this person has been asking me about Mrs. Lin's affairs in Nanpu County. During the conversation, he seemed to be quite regretful about the fact that Su Cheng had broken off his engagement with Mrs. Lin... It's a pity... ——”
Ling Zhiyan couldn't say any more, because Hua Yitang was staring at him with murderous eyes, and the fan in his hand made a rattling sound, as if he had mistook the fan for someone's bones, intending to crush the bones and scatter the ashes.
"Oh?" Lin Sui'an smiled instead, but that smile was more horrifying than Hua Yitang's murderous look, "What's wrong? Does this uncle still want to renew the engagement? Ask me to be Su's uncle?"
Ling Zhiyan buried her head in drinking water, "I never said that."
"I don't think this is right," Jin Ruo raised suspicion, "Shan Yuanming and Su Yiyun are both from Suizhou, and they both come to trouble us together. Maybe they colluded in private."
Ling Zhiyan frowned: "There seems to be no intersection between these two people. After all, one is from a humble family and the other is from a noble family."
"Tch, do they have some shady transactions and can they go to Dali Temple to file it?" Jin Ruo glanced at Lin Sui'an, "I'll go check on this Su Yiyun!"
Lin Sui'an was startled: "But you are in Dongdu——"
Jin Ruo: "Lin Sui'an, you are looking down on me too much. I am the real young master of the Jing Sect. Who in the Jing Sect can beat me in terms of detecting information? Even if I don't have anyone under me, I We can also get to the bottom of that person named Su!"
"Well said, this is the spirit of the young master of the Jingmen!" Hua Yitang slapped on his fan, took out a bag of gold leaves and threw it to Jin Ruo, "Go ahead."
Jin Ruoxi smiled broadly and said, "Okay."
Lin Sui'an: "Be careful in everything."
"You can just sit back and wait to pull Su's pigtails." Jin Ruo burst out of the water pavilion and greeted Fang Ke, who entered the door in three steps, "Doctor Fang, are you awake? Eta has been brewing tea and waiting for you for a long time. ”
Fang Ke, dressed in a flowery moth, walked in and sat down at Jin Ruo's seat. He was probably awake, his brows were furrowed and his face was white with blue, and he asked, "Who are you going to harm again?"
"A bad guy named Su." Ita scooped a bowl of tea for Fang Ke. Fang Ke drank it in one gulp, his brows relaxed a bit.
Ling Zhiyan came in from Fang Ke and stared at his clothes intently. When she saw Fang Ke drank the tea without changing her expression, she was shocked, "This - the glamorous... hero is - —”
"Ling Si is very polite." Fang Ke clasped his fists, "I am Fang Ke, the workman hired by Huashiro."
"Wu Zuo?!" Ling Zhiyan's voice rose an octave, and she immediately realized that she had lost her composure, and hurriedly put on her noble demeanor, "It turns out to be Brother Fang, whom I have admired for a long time."
"I'm not famous, so I don't need to look up to you for a long time." Fang Ke's expression was like a wood carving, "We're not familiar with each other, so Ling Si doesn't have to talk to me. You're tired of talking, and I'm tired of listening."
Ling Zhiyan: "..."
Hua Yitang smashed his leg crazily, and Lin Sui'an suppressed laughter crazily.
It turns out that it’s so cool to hear Fang Ke quarrel with others.
"In the Heyue City case, Doctor Fang was the hero behind the scenes. Without him, it would have been difficult to find any clues about the murderer." Mu Xia was kind enough to explain Fang Ke's background.
Ling Zhiyan suddenly realized it and said hurriedly, "I've been listening to you for a long time - cough, I heard something."
"Ling Liulang, has your Dali Temple conducted any examinations on the work qualifications recently? Please sign up for Dr. Fang." Hua Yitang asked.
Ling Zhiyan thought for a while and said, "The registration for this season's work qualification assessment has ended. You can wait for the next season, which will be around April."
Hua Yitang clicked his tongue: "It's too late. Can I go through the back door and jump in line?"
Ling Zhiyan: "Why are you in such a hurry?"
Lin Sui'an sighed meaningfully, "It's not that we are in a hurry, but we are afraid that if there is any case, it will be too late."
Ling Zhiyan smiled and said, "Ms. Lin, don't worry. Dongdu is the capital of the Tang Dynasty. It is home to three provinces and six ministries. Jinwu Guards are stationed there and the people live and work in peace and contentment. In terms of tight defense and public security, it ranks first in the Tang Dynasty."
Lin Sui'an: "..."
What you say sounds like fg!
Hua Yitang shook his small fan: "Ling Liulang, don't brag. You will be struck by lightning if you brag."
Ling Zhiyan: "Silang, just relax and prepare for the exam. Even if a case occurs, there are Jingzhao Mansion, Dali Temple and the Ministry of Punishment -
"Ling Gong! Something bad has happened!" Mingfeng ran into the waterside pavilion sweating profusely. "Dali Temple sent an order. All officials should report back to Dali Temple immediately. I heard-" He quickly glanced at the people in the waterside pavilion and lowered his voice. , "A strange case happened!"
Ling Zhiyan stood in the main hall of Dali Temple, looking at the furious Chen Yanfan, the minister of Dali Temple, and remembered Hua Yitang's gloating smile before leaving.
"Ling Liulang, if you can't cope with it, you can come and beg me. I have a lot of it, so I can consider helping you!"
Unfortunately, the next moment, the villain's triumphant face was photographed aside by Madam Lin.
Lin Sui'an's smile became more sincere, "No matter what the case, as long as Ling Si is in trouble, I will definitely help. The fee will be calculated according to Yangdu's standards."
"Alas -" Ling Zhiyan sighed heavily.
"Ling Zhiyan!" Chen Yanfan shouted angrily, "Get out of the queue!"
Ling Zhiyan, as the director of Dali Temple, was the lowest rank in the main hall from the sixth rank. He could only stand at the end of the queue. He took one step back and was outside the door. He took a step to the side, stepped out of the queue and clasped his fists, "Here are my subordinates. "
Chen Yanfan slapped the case and shouted angrily: "Why are you sighing?! Do you think we at Dali Temple can't solve this case?!"
This minister of Dali Temple is thirty years old. He has been in charge of Dali Temple for five years. His crime detection rate is getting higher and higher. His hair is getting less and less. After taking off his official hat, he only has a bun the size of a bullet. His hairline reaches the top of his head. Come on. This "extremely smart" wild man, completely opposite to his declining hair, also has an increasingly violent temper:
Ling Zhiyan was neither humble nor overbearing: "Mr. Chen is serious. My subordinates have been studying the files in the Document Hall these past few days and do not know much about the new cases."
"Listen! Listen!" Chen Yanfan said angrily, "This kid is blaming me!"
"My subordinates dare not."
"What else are you afraid of? When you are on duty, you go out privately and--"
"My subordinates reported it according to the regulations, and Zhang Shaoqing approved it."
"ah?"
Zhang Huai, the young minister of Dali Temple, took a step forward and said, "Go back to Mr. Chen, yes."
Chen Yanfan choked, "In short, this matter is your fault! Go back to the case and stay there! Those old cases will not come out until they are solved! Humph!"
"I obey my orders."
When exiting the main hall, Ling Zhiyan could still hear Chen Yanfan's loud voice that almost shook the roof, "Who told you to call that kid over?! Do you want to make me mad?! Don't let him touch this case! Remember them all!"
Ming Shu and Ming Feng were filled with indignation, "Mr. Chen has gone too far. In terms of ability to solve crimes, looking at the entire Dali Temple, who can be better than Ling Gong? Why don't you let you go?"
"Of course Mr. Chen has his own agenda. You and I can't talk nonsense." Ling Zhiyan walked quickly to the case hall, "What kind of case is it?"
Mingfeng lowered his voice and said, "A female corpse was found in Yi Shui Canal. The corpse is quite strange. According to folklore, it is caused by evil spirits."
Ling Zhiyan frowned, "Why is the corpse so weird?"
"I heard it's very beautiful."
"What?"
"Yes, people are beautiful, and corpses are also beautiful. No, it should be said that corpses are more beautiful."
Ling Zhiyan quickened her pace, walked through the back office in three steps and then walked into the office hall, where she sat down and thought carefully.
Just a female corpse would definitely not make Mr. Chen so furious. It is probably because of the rumors of evil spirits. The New Year is approaching, and people's hearts are already in a state of confusion. In addition, with the upcoming imperial examination, children and students from aristocratic families from various states gathered in the Eastern Capital... ...At this time, rumors appeared - Ling Zhiyan couldn't help but think of the rumors about Feng again - he shook his head and said with a bitter smile, "Huashiro is really a crow's mouth."
Mingfeng: "Mr. Ling, do you want me to investigate this case?"
Ling Zhiyan nodded, paused, and then said, "Prepare a small gift and send it to Hua's No. 66 Mansion."
Ming Shu: "Huh? Does Hua still need our gifts?"
Ling Zhiyan pinched her forehead and said, "Be prepared for a rainy day. I hope I won't need it."
Ming Shu and Ming Feng looked at each other. They really didn't know the reason and could only act according to the order.
After the two left, the entire document hall fell silent. Occasionally, the wind blew the signatures on the documents, making a rattling sound. Ling Zhiyan unfolded a yellowed file and scanned a few columns on it, unable to read a single word. , an indescribable feeling of fatigue came over me, I held my chin with my left hand, closed my eyes to rest, and fell asleep unconsciously.
This sleep was very deep. Ling Zhiyan had not slept so deeply for a long time. His consciousness seemed to have fallen into a bottomless quagmire and it was difficult to wake up. Faintly, he seemed to smell a fragrance, a very sweet fruity wood fragrance, mixed with... The cold water vapor gradually woke him up from his drowning consciousness.
"Tsk, tsk, tsk, my mouth is watering."
"How about letting Ling Sizhi sleep a little longer?"
"If he continues to sleep, I will become a murder suspect again!"
kill? ! Suspect? !
Ling Zhiyan was startled and suddenly opened her eyes.
Two pairs of eyes suddenly appeared in his sight, a pair of sharp phoenix eyes and a pair of fan-like eyelashes. He was so frightened that he ran back with a "hoo" and his head almost knocked over the bookshelf behind him.
Hua Yitang rolled his eyes, "Ling Liulang, are you really a descendant of the Ling family? As alert as you are, you don't even know the enemy's knife is on your neck."
Ling Zhiyan shook her head, in complete disbelief. The two people in front of her were clearly Hua Yitang and Lin Sui'an - was he still dreaming?
"You-" Ling Zhiyan looked around and saw that it was indeed the Office of Documents of Dali Temple, but it was pitch black outside the window and it was already dark, "Why are you here?"
"Ming Shu brought us in," Lin Sui'an said with a smile, "Ling Sizhi, let's go and solve the case together."
Ling Zhiyan's eyes widened: "The case of the female corpse?!"
"What female corpse?" Hua Yitang shook his fan angrily, "It was Shan Yuanming who was killed."
small theater
Half an hour ago.
Lin Sui'an picked up a piece of chopped minced pork and was about to stuff it into his mouth when Jin Ruofeng ran in, grabbed Lin Sui'an's boiled water and filled half the pot with it, saying, "One good news, one bad news, which one do you want to hear?" ?”
Hua Yitang chewed the steamed cake casually, "We have already heard about the case of the female corpse in Yi Shuiqu."
"It's not this, it was Shan Mingyuan who was killed!"
Isn't it? Come again? !
Lin Sui'an suddenly lost his appetite and put down his chopsticks, "This is indeed bad news."
Jin Ruo shook his head: "That's not it! The bad news I'm telling you is - the rumor is that Shiro Huajia killed him."
Hua Yitang threw the half-eaten steamed cake back into the bowl and hummed twice.
Fang Ke put down his job and asked, "When did it happen?"
"The body found half an hour ago."
Fang Ke nodded, "The body should still be fresh."
Lin Sui'an raised his eyebrows and asked, "What's the good news?"
"Doctor Fang said, the body is still fresh."
"..."
Fang Ke slowly took off his outer robe, folded it carefully and put it aside. He stood up wearing only his red undershirt, picked up his homemade oversized toolbox, and stared at Lin and Hua with eyes like an ancient well.
Lin Sui'an was helpless, "Let's go and find Ling Sizhi."
Jin Ruo: "What are you looking for him for?"
"He is the director of Dali Temple. If he takes the lead, we can investigate the case legitimately." Hua Yitang said, "Dongdu is better than Yangdu, so we should keep a low profile."
Jin Ruo: "Hey, have you remembered to keep a low profile now?"
Mu Xia: "I'm going to prepare supper."
Etta: "Pig, do you want to prepare some tea?"
Lin Sui'an: "Get ready."
As soon as these words came out, Hua Yitang and Jin Ruo's faces turned green, and Fang Ke glanced at Lin Sui'an in surprise.
Lin Sui'an stared at the night sky, frowning, and his heart sank slightly.
It seems that I will probably stay up all night today, so I must make it clear to Ling Zhiyan that I will pay more for this job! :,,
