Capture the Jade

The people in the room bowed down and bowed.

The prince attended to greet his grandfather.

Lu Zhaoan was lying on his face on the ground, his face was like golden paper.

The sage said "flat body", strode to help Qing Xuzi to the top, and after sitting down, he asked Lin Chengyou warmly: "I heard that there was a thief, what happened?"

Qing Xuzi looked at Lu Zhaoan meaningfully, Lin Chengyou smiled and said, "This matter is a long story, and nephew Rong will report it carefully."

The sage and the queen looked at each other with a smile: "It's rare that tonight is so lively, I never imagined that there will be stories to listen to. Very good, after listening to this story, it's not too late to listen to you young people fighting poems."

Lin Chengyou opened his mouth: "This story has to start from the Dragon Boat Festival. On the Dragon Boat Festival, Duke Du of Guozijian went to Dali Temple to report the case, claiming that his daughter Du Niangzi lost something in the academy the night before, and asked Dali Temple to investigate. This matter. It is my boss, Yan Wanchun, Yan Sizhi, who is in charge of the case."

As he spoke, he said to an inconspicuous corner of the banquet: "Yan Sizhi, please tell me about the situation at that time."

Someone stood up in response, it was Yan Sizhi.

On this trip today, there were many young officials accompanying him, Yan Sizhi was just one of them, and he was among the crowd without giving any attention.

"That's right." Yan Sizhi said, "Yesterday Du Gong reported that his daughter had lost two poems in the academy, and it was Yan who was in charge of writing the case."

Lin Chengyou answered: "Which two poems did Mrs. Du lose when she reported the case?"

Yan Sizhi answered meticulously: "One is "Bei Feng. Xiongzhi" in The Book of Songs, and the other is "Yong Chan"."

There was a vague commotion at the table, because everyone could see clearly that among the pile of poems that fell out of Lu Zhaoan's arms, the top one was "Yong Chan" signed with Lady Du's name.

In order to make everyone see it more clearly, Lin Chengyou deliberately asked the palace servants to hold the poems high, and when everyone saw it almost, it was presented to the emperor.

He smiled and said: "The thief who steals things is very cautious. He doesn't steal gold and silver jewelry, nor does he steal small things, because she also knows that this kind of thing is used every day by Mrs. Du, and if she loses it, she will notice it immediately. Shi The manuscripts are different. According to Du Gong, Mrs. Du will transcribe Buddhist scriptures and poems every day, and put them on the desk after they are finished. She may not remember how many articles she has written in total. Check the numbers. When Mrs. Du realizes that the poems are missing, the bureau here has been arranged, and by that time, Mrs. Du knows that she has been plotted against her, and she will be speechless."

"Tonight, the thief felt that the time was ripe, so he deliberately picked a place with many people and bright lights, and pretended to accidentally throw out the poems in public. As long as the people present saw the two poems, they would think that It was sent by Mrs. Du, so it would be logical to slander Mrs. Du for having an affair with him." Lin Chengyou smiled, "Master Lu, am I right?"

The students of Xiangxiang Academy figured out the twists and turns and glared angrily at Lu Zhaoan, who was so vicious that he dared to plot against their classmates with such a dirty method.

Lu Zhaoan was surprised at first, and then lost his voice: "I am afraid that the prince has misunderstood, Lu has never seen these two poems. By the way, when he came here just now, Lu was bumped, could it be that moment? It's been tricked."

The air was silent, and everyone turned their attention to Erniang Peng and the maid next to her. Coincidentally, if the maid next to Erniang Peng hadn't bumped into Lu Zhaoan, the pile of manuscripts would not have been exposed to others.

Lu Zhaoan seemed very indignant, and knelt in front of the imperial court with a white face: "Ms. Ming is above, and Lu dared to argue for himself."

"Dong dong dong" kowtowed a few times, and said with both hands down: "Although Lu came from a humble background, he was fortunate to catch up with Renjun and the prosperous world. When selecting talents for sages, there has always been 'both visiting Yingxian, do not use humbleness instead of use', and it should be done once. Lu was lucky enough to become a disciple of the emperor. Ever since he fell into Kuiyuan, Lu was deeply afraid of losing God's favor, and he was diligent, and did not dare to make mistakes, but for some reason, people often slandered Lu's character from behind. Tonight this evening As soon as it came out, it even trapped Lu in a despicable situation, and Lu dared to say that he had never seen these two poems before, and there was something strange about this matter.

He was loud and loud, and those who were glaring at him couldn't help but hesitate after hearing this. Lu Zhaoan is the best in Chang'an for his literary talent, and he is the first in this year's Jinshi Division. If nothing else, this person is likely to be in the The next imperial court system stood out.

If someone is jealous of Lu Zhaoan, or if someone doesn't want the court to choose such a talented person, then it is possible to deliberately frame him, and the Peng family maid who bumped into Lu Zhaoan looks suspicious.

Erniang Peng felt the gazes from all directions, her face was flushed with anger, she raised her hand and pointed at Lu Zhaoan angrily: "You are talking nonsense! This pile of poems obviously fell out of your sleeve, don't think of falsely accusing others."

Lu Zhaoan spoke in a clear voice: "Lu didn't dare to speak rashly, but before he came here just now, Lu didn't have these two more poems on his body."

Peng Erniang's whole body was bleeding straight into her brain, but she was too young to say a word in front of the emperor and the ministers.

Aunt Peng was sitting on the table, she was already shocked and angry. Seeing that her sister was caught by Lu Zhaoan in a blink of an eye, she was about to stand up to defend her when someone on the table stood up before her and said, "Your Highness the Queen, Mingjian, just now Peng Erniang. Ben was at the table, but I didn't know why he suddenly left the table, I think there are some reasons for it."

It was the white female official who was one of the four female officials of the academy.

Aunt Peng was busy kneeling and salute to the empress: "Qi, madam. The little sister of the minister's daughter had to leave the table because the corner of her skirt was suddenly splashed by someone. I didn't know who I would meet before the incident, and it was even more so when someone bumped into it. Unexpectedly, it was clear that someone was in the east, if the courtier remembered correctly, it was someone who touched her sister's elbow and caused her to spill the drink."

The maid had long since collapsed on the ground like mud, and shivered when she heard the words: "The maid didn't mean to—"

I suddenly remembered something, and looked at the room suddenly: "The servant remembered, yes... it was a lady who accidentally bumped, and the servant couldn't stand still, so she accidentally bumped into Er Niang's elbow."

As the maid said these words, she swept her eyes around aimlessly. When she swept over a person, her eyes suddenly narrowed.

"It's her." The maid swallowed her saliva in astonishment, "The maid remembered, it was Erniang Wu who met the maid."

Wu Qi was even more shocked than the maid's expression, and opened her mouth in shock: "Me?"

The maid nodded nervously: "The maid remembers correctly, it's you Erniang Wu."

The eyes of the classmates glanced at the past.

The maid said tremblingly, "At that time, you were playing with people throwing paper balls, and suddenly hit the maid hard."

The classmates began to communicate with each other tacitly with their eyes.

Everyone remembers this incident. After everyone entered the table, because the empress did not show up for a long time, the dean only cared to talk to a few noble ladies above. stand up. Wu Qi played the most fierce, and happened to be sitting next to Peng Erniang.

Wu Qi was stunned for a while, and she said with tears in her eyes, "This, this is really wrong. Just now, I and Mrs. Deng used paper **** to tease each other, but I really don't remember bumping into you."

Deng Weili was stunned and wanted to defend herself, but this was the truth, but the more she thought about it, the more she felt that something was wrong, and her eyes became a lot more complicated when she looked at Wu Qi.

The maid was so anxious that her eyes were red, she looked up at Peng Erniang and said, "Miss, others don't believe in maidservants. You have to believe in maidservants. The maid was really caught by Wu Erniang before she was overwhelmed and bumped into you."

Wu Qi's eyes widened all of a sudden: "Is this really the case? I-I don't have any impression at all. Besides, Peng Erniang and I are separated by your maid, even if we touch it, how can Peng Erniang be let go? Wine glass? Why don't you think about it again?"

The implication is that what the Peng family does will depend on her.

The more people listened, the more confused they became.

Aunt Peng and Erniang Peng glared at Wu Qi angrily, and the more they climbed down, the more people involved would only get involved. In the end, this matter would inevitably become a mess. The worst thing was the testimony of their maidservant. , there is no way to prove that the wine glass was knocked down by someone sincerely.

It was at the time of the chaos that someone applauded: "Okay, okay, no wonder you can set up so many seamless situations. Just relying on this ability to open your eyes and talk nonsense is enough to deceive many people."

It was Lin Chengyou who spoke.

Guys are confused.

Lin Chengyou smiled: "Let's not say when these two poems appeared in Lu Zhaoan's hands, let's just say that the scene just now, yes, the seat was quite noisy, and it was because of this that the man dared to confuse black and white. No. Coincidentally, because Dali Temple has been suspected of being a target early on, some people's every move is being watched. Yan Sizhi, please tell me what happened at that time."

Yan Sizhi got up again: "After Yan entered the table, he kept staring at the suspect. When the incident happened, the lady of the Peng family was holding a wine cup, and the maid was standing by, just when Mrs. Peng was drinking with the wine cup. , Someone's back hit the maid, and the maid hit Madam Peng, so the wine was spilled, but because His Royal Highness was coming, the people on the table were busy getting up and salute. The maid can't bother to ask about this matter. After that, Madam Peng was busy leaving the table and finishing her makeup, and the maid supported Madam Peng and hurried away. Because the timing was just right, even if you ask questions afterwards, it would be a mess, okay. Zai Yan could see clearly, the person who bumped into Peng's maid at that time—"

Yan Sizhi looked at Wu Qi with awe: "It's the wife of the Wu family."

Wu Qi's face was dazed.

Yan Sizhi: "Because of your collision, Erniang Peng and the maid had to leave the table. When the maid was leaving, she bumped into Lu Zhaoan who came to the table. It just so happened that Lu Zhaoan just dropped the poem in front of everyone..."

Aunt Peng and Erniang Peng never expected that someone would testify when the incident happened, and this person was also an official of Dali Temple, so they were stunned for a while.

Lin Chengyou looked at Wu Qi and said with a smile: "Can't you think of it? It was you who bumped into it, not someone else. This matter can't be blamed on others."

Wu Qi was stunned for a while, but then smiled bitterly: "I'm sorry, it's all my fault for my bad memory, maybe I was playing too much and didn't even realize that I bumped into someone. Erniang, I was also confused just now, and I didn't know if I was in a hurry. Pay attention, I will apologize to you."

Erniang Peng did not answer, but most of the others believed Wu Qi's words. After all, Yan Sizhi's testimony could only prove that Wu Qi had bumped into Peng's maid, but it was impossible to determine whether Wu Qi was intentional or not.

Besides, who would notice that he bumped into someone when he was having fun, so he turned his angry eyes on Lu Zhaoan again. If this person hadn't deliberately denied it, how could Peng Jinxiu and Wu Qi be involved in this matter.

Lin Chengyou nodded sympathetically: "Ms. Wu's memory is not very good, which is understandable. However, with Yan Sizhi's testimony, at least it can be shown that Erniang Peng did not intend to leave the meeting. How could a person who was unprepared beforehand stuffed the poem into Lu Great talent. Great talent Lu, do you still insist that the handmaiden of the Peng family stuffed the poem into your arms?"

Lu Zhaoan straightened his spine and said calmly: "Lu Mou never said that it was the maid who did it from beginning to end, but Lu Mou has never seen these two poems, it is true, maybe someone took advantage of the chaos and stuffed them into Lu Mou. In my arms, I also ask the sage to observe clearly."

Lin Chengyou seems to have expected Lu Zhaoan to say this: "Okay, you haven't seen these two poems, you should have seen her."

Saying that, he beckoned: "Bring it here."

The Jinwu guards came over pressing an old woman in a coarse cloth dress. The old woman was **** with five flowers and a cloth was stuck in her mouth.

Behind the old woman, followed by many commoners.

Next, there was the yamen of Dali Temple. The yamen was carrying many boxes and cages in his hands, and he didn't know what was inside.

Lin Chengyou pointed at the old woman and said to Lu Zhaoan, "Do you recognize her?"

Lu Zhaoan shook his head indifferently: "I don't know."

Lin Chengyou looked at the few people on the left: "He said he didn't know this woman. You are Mr. Lu's neighbors. Would you like to remind Mr. Lu?"

Several people lay on the ground and dared not raise their heads, but they said, "Young Master Lu, how come you don't know her? This is Wang Yu who sells porridge, and often comes to our alley to sell porridge. You have to come out and buy a bowl of porridge, remember you bought it the day before yesterday."

Lu Zhaoan suddenly realized: "Oh, it turned out to be Wang Li, I'm sorry, seeing that she was **** by five flowers, I didn't recognize her for a while, Shizi, what's wrong with her—"

Lin Chengyou said, "Okay, Mr. Lu has finished his recognition. It's time to recognize the other one."

As he spoke, he looked at the few ordinary people on the right, and when they saw that they were trembling with fear, they squatted down and said in a warm voice, "Don't be afraid. I need you to recognize someone later, so raise your head and speak well."

Several people wiped their cold sweat and slowly raised their heads.

"You live near Yong'an Street in Liquanfang?"

Several people nodded.

"Have you seen this woman?"

"I've seen it. She comes to our alley every three to five to sell porridge."

"Look up and take a closer look, is there someone you are familiar with?"

Several people followed Lin Chengyou's guidance and looked forward, and after a while they recognized someone: "Yes, her name is Jiao'er."

"Why do you recognize her?"

"She often comes out to buy things, and the most she buys is porridge."

"Whose maid is she?"

"Wu, Wu Erniang."

"On the Dragon Boat Festival, Jiao'er came out to buy porridge."

Several people nodded again: "I bought it."

Lin Chengyou snorted: "Remember so clearly?"

"Because this porridge is not so delicious. Besides, this is the maid next to the Prime Minister's daughter. Some of the food in the Dragon Boat Festival mansion is delicious, and logically, it is not a bowl of porridge."

After asking this, Lin Chengyou said to the crowd: "Lu Zhaoan seldom goes out for the past few days to prepare for the exam, and the Dragon Boat Festival is no exception. During the whole day, he only went out to buy two bowls of porridge when this Wang concubine came over, and waited for Lu Zhaoan to go out. Not long after buying the porridge, Wang Mi drove the cart away. The old woman did not stop all the way, and went straight to Wu Erniang's house before stopping to continue selling porridge. After a while, the maid Jiao'er next to Wu Erniang came out to buy porridge, the old woman The same cart left immediately. Neighbors on both sides can testify to this.

"Interestingly, according to the report of the yamen who monitored Lu Zhaoan, this seemingly poor Wang Li only sold thirty-seven bowls of porridge all day, and from Yiningfang where Lu Zhaoan lived to Yongan Street where Wu Erniang lived. In the middle, there are at least five lively street intersections. Wang Yu shouted, but she never stopped. The starting point is Lu Zhaoan's residence, and the end point is Wu Erniang's residence."

"Ms. Du lost the poem script on the front foot, and the poem on the back foot appeared in Lu Zhao'an's hands, plus this Wang who carted through two squares, but in fact only sold '37 bowls of porridge'. Madam, I have reason to believe that this matter has something to do with Wu Erniang, she is responsible for stealing the poem, and Wang Mi is responsible for passing it on to Lu Zhaoan."

Lu Zhaoan said angrily: "It's ridiculous, it's really ridiculous, although Lu has bought porridge a few times, he has never spoken to this Wang Hao, so he insists that Lu is related to this matter, and Lu dare not dare recognize."

Wu Qi was also inexplicable: "I've never heard of this, Jiao'er, have you ever bought porridge outside?"

The maid hurriedly said: "The maid has bought it a few times, but the maid has not even seen the old woman's appearance. This is really out of nothing - no, the maid means, did someone deliberately frame us."

"Bringing the blame?" Lin Chengyou sneered, "In Yining Square, Lu Zhaoan himself buys porridge every time, and on Yong'an Street, the maidservant next to Wu Erniang buys porridge every time. No one is escorting you there. Buying porridge, everything is voluntary, and not once or twice, not a day or two. After I figured out that this kind of thing can never be blamed, people stared at Wang Li that night, while the other side sent people He was waiting near Wu's house. This morning, before it was dawn, Jiao'er, who was beside Wu Erniang, secretly went out, went to the sycamore tree outside the east wall of the nearby temple, and stuffed a bag into the wormhole in the trunk. Not long after the child left, Wang Li also came in the dark. When there was no one around, she took out the bag and left.

"Today, Lu Zhaoan and Wu Erniang are going to accompany them out of the city. In order not to frighten the snakes, I didn't let Jiao'er be caught, but ordered Wang Li to be caught on the spot. Wang Li didn't have time to hide the package. Gold ingots." Lin Chengyou, "You said you didn't know Wang Yu, but you asked your maid Jiao'er to give Wang Yu gold early in the morning. Now that the loot has been recovered, I would like to hear how you can argue."

Wu Qi was dumbfounded: "I don't know anything."

She turned her head to look at Jiao'er: "You maid, what the **** is going on?"

Jiao'er's face was ashen, and she knelt down without saying a word.

Lin Chengyou ordered the yamen to bring Jiao'er over, and said cheerfully: "See what your master is? In the next step, she will claim that you stole the ingot without knowing it at all. Instructing you to do this What a dirty thing, turn your head and push you out, don't you feel cold, are you sure you have to work for her?"

Jiao Er bit her lip tightly.

"According to my court law, if the accomplice can take the initiative to confess the details of the crime, he can be punished lightly. You also know how vicious she is, and when she puts everything on you alone, you can't escape death. You think about the sorcery she learned, how treacherous, it can make people soulless at every turn, you are not afraid that you will end up like Aunt Wu-"

Jiao'er was agitated: "I said, I said. That ingot, that ingot was given to Wang Mi by Erniang from her servants."

There was an uproar at the table.