Pawn Crossing the River

Qi Xuansu returned to Haosheng Southeast Fang leisurely, and brought a small gift to Zhang Yuelu - candied haws from the Imperial Capital, a bunch of wishful coins.

Zhang Yuelu couldn't help but laugh when she received this gift. Did she regard her as a child?

However, she did not refuse, but still accepted the offer, and then asked: "Has everything been dealt with properly?"

Qi Xuansu said: "It's foolproof."

Zhang Yuelu didn't say anything more. The two of them had fought in this area before. It had to be said that Qi Xuansu was an expert in this area. If he hadn't taken the initiative to confess later, Zhang Yuelu might not have known the whole truth.

As for whether this was right or not, Zhang Yuelu didn't want to comment.

From a rules perspective, it's definitely not right. But from the simplest view of good and evil, there seems to be nothing wrong. The saints have said that repay kindness with kindness and repay evil with kindness.

She really wants to be strict about right and wrong in everything without considering the interests. Now she is just a bare deputy hall leader. Not to mention competing for the position of great leader in the future, even the position of deputy hall leader may not be secure. She will most likely become that kind of person. A person in name only.

There is a huge difference between a position and whether it has real power or not. Qi Xuansu understands this very well.

The next morning was uneventful.

Zhang Yuelu went out again. She was always busy. Li Changge went to the palace and seemed to be summoned by the emperor. This honor was something that no one else would envy.

Yao Pei was left behind.

After all, Yao Pei's main responsibility is to investigate Qi Xuansu's case. Now that the case has been investigated, she has nothing to do.

Qi Xuansu went to Yao Pei to have tea and chat, just like he did in Wanxiang Taoist Palace.

The biggest difference between Yao Pei and Zhang Yuelu is that she does not have too much moral burden. After all, there is no good or evil. She conspires with Qi Xuansu to do bad things without any hesitation. In many cases, she is the mastermind, and Qi Xuansu is just an accomplice at best.

Qi Xuansu asked: "When I went out yesterday, you also left the inn. I heard from Qingxiao that you came back only half an hour earlier than me. What did you do?"

Yao Pei asked back: "What did you do last night?"

Qi Xuansu said calmly: "I'm going to take revenge."

Yao Pei understood immediately and narrowed his eyes: "Since you are so frank, I might as well say it clearly that I went to meet someone last night."

"Who?" Qi Xuansu asked.

"Qiniang." Yao Pei said calmly.

Qi Xuansu said in surprise: "Qiniang came to the Imperial Capital?"

"What's weird about this? She's a fake fairy. She can fly faster than a flying boat. Naturally, she can come whenever she wants. She can come and go back the same day without any problem." Yao Pei said unconcernedly.

Qi Xuansu keenly grasped the information revealed in Yao Pei's words: "Where are we going back? Since we are going back on the same day, it means it is not far from the Imperial Capital. Is it Zhongzhou? Or Luzhou? Is it Qizhou?"

Yao Pei refused to answer.

Qi Xuansu asked again: "Since Qiniang has come to the Imperial Capital, why don't you see me?"

Yao Pei said: "Qiniang is very disappointed with you. She said that her son cannot be controlled by her when she is older. She also said that you have been separated from her recently and you are suspicious of her. She is really blind and has raised a white-eyed wolf. The ancients said, It’s true that he forgot his mother after having a daughter-in-law, and it’s all Zhang Yuelu’s fault.”

The expression on Qi Xuansu's face froze. This was undoubtedly Qiniang's tone. Yao Pei could not say such words.

Qi Xuansu never expected that Qiniang could see through all his thoughts at a glance.

Yao Pei said again: "Tian Yuan, you have to understand one thing, who are you from? To put it more lightly, you are from our Yao family, not from the Zhang family, so you cannot forget your roots. To put it more broadly, you are from our Yao family, not from the Zhang family. A disciple of Quanzhen Dao, not a disciple of Zhengdao. Don’t forget who promoted you. Without Quanzhen Dao, would you be where you are today? Without Qiniang, would Zhang Qingxiao know who you are?”

Heart-breaking words.

Qi Xuansu was unhappy, but couldn't refute it, so he couldn't help but sigh.

Yao Pei said: "You took the initiative to come to me. I think you have something to do, so you might as well just tell me."

Qi Xuansu collected his emotions and then said: "Since it is revenge, it is natural to kill someone. Since it is a murder, it is necessary to deal with the aftermath. I need a witness to prove that I was not present."

There was no need to speak too clearly. Yao Pei naturally understood and said, "You want to say that we were together last night."

"That's what I mean." Qi Xuansu nodded.

Yao Pei asked: "Aren't you afraid that Zhang Qingxiao will be angry?"

"Qing Xiao knows this is false." Qi Xuansu answered truthfully.

Yao Pei said noncommittally: "This will harm my reputation."

"You don't agree?" Qi Xuansu asked tentatively.

Yao Pei shook his head: "You have to pay more."

Qi Xuansu coughed dryly: "I only have eight hundred Taiping left."

"I don't lack peace money or worry-free money. I just want you to owe me a favor." Yao Pei looked at Qi Xuansu, "I may need your help in the future, but I may not need that day."

Qi Xuansu sighed with emotion: "The free ones are the most expensive. Today, Qi Xuansu's favor may only be worth 800 Taiping, but in the future, Qi Xuansu's favor may be worth more than 80,000 Taiping."

"Then do you agree?" Yao Pei was not eager, the initiative was in her hands.

Qi Xuansu said helplessly: "I agree."

"Okay." Yao Pei said, stroking his hands, "No one can stand without faith. I believe in your credibility. If that day comes, you will not let me down. And before that day comes, I will first show my sincerity. Leave the rest to me.”

Qi Xuansu was relieved.

Yao Pei and Zhang Yuelu are both very reliable women, and they have enough weight to completely clear his suspicion.

In the afternoon, someone came to the door.

They were from the Qingluan Guard's Seventh Thousand Household Office and the Daolu Department. One night and one morning were enough for them to discover Yanxiu's death and make a thorough investigation. In fact, not long after Qi Xuansu left Wutong Garden, Wutong Garden discovered Yanxiu who had turned into mud, and immediately notified Wen Weng, the owner of the yard.

After much deliberation, Wen Weng decided to let the Qingluan Guard handle the matter. In the name of the King of Liao, he directly asked a fellow commander to come forward in person.

Qingluan Guard No. 7000 is an expert in handling cases. After investigating the scene, they began to identify suspects through the interpersonal relationships of the deceased.

There is no doubt that Qi Xuansu is listed as the number one suspect. Because Qi Xuansu had a feud with Yanxiu, there was a deep grudge from Yishan City to Imperial City.

However, Qi Xuansu's status was special, so Qingluan Guard invited Dao Lu Si to come forward.

After listening to the narration of the officials of the Daolu Department, Qi Xuansu said: "Monk Yanxiu is dead, and it is reasonable for you to doubt me. If I insist on confrontation, it will deepen your suspicion of me. It's just that I can't trust you, the imperial court. There are no rules for people from the imperial court to investigate people from the Taoist sect. So, I will propose a compromise and let a team of five people investigate the case."

The person coming from Qingluan Guard is Yun Luo, the commander and fellow commander.

She is the only woman among the three officials of Qingluan Guard. Judging from her appearance, she looks about thirty years old, but few people know her actual age.

Over the years, she has been in charge of Nanzhen Fusi, living in seclusion and rarely showing up. In the eyes of outsiders, it is the Master Tongzhi who controls the North Town Fusi who is more prestigious, but within Qingluan Guard, it is Yun Tongzhi who is more famous. Knowing is even more frightening. Logically speaking, Nanzhen Fusi is only responsible for internal cases, but this case is not an imperial case, and there is no need to forcefully separate the north and the south. It is reasonable for Yun Luo to intervene in this case as a commander and a knowledgeable person.

Yun Luo said: "Zhang Gaogong wants to have an overview of the overall situation, so it is not appropriate to bother. This case does not involve Quanzhen Taoism, and it is not appropriate to let Master Yao handle it."

Qi Xuansu said: "I mean to let Deputy Hall Master Li handle it. He is from Beichen Hall, which is reasonable. He has nothing to do with me and will not protect me, which is reasonable. I wonder what Lord Yun thinks?"

Yun Luo couldn't help but be startled, wondering if he had guessed wrong. The case really had nothing to do with Qi Xuansu?

It's just that Yun Luo has a close relationship with Qingwei Zhenren. She originally wanted Li Changge to handle the case. Even if she was suspicious, she would not deny Qi Xuansu's proposal, so she nodded and agreed.

Qi Xuansu said nothing more: "Then please ask Deputy Hall Master Li to come back."

Not long after, Li Changge came back. He already roughly knew what happened. Without any nonsense, he motioned to Yun Luo to hand over the file.

Yun Luo's attitude towards Li Changge was not respectful, but very polite, and he immediately asked someone to hand over the dossier.

Li Changge invited everyone to speak in the temporary meeting hall of the five-person group. After everyone took their seats, Zhang Yuelu also came back and was invited to attend.

Li Changge sat alone in the main seat. On his left were Zhang Yuelu, Yao Pei, and Han Yongshuang. On his right were Dr. Zhong, Yun Luo, and Chief Lu of the Daolu Division. Qi Xuansu and Li Changge sat across from each other.

In addition, there are some attachés sitting on the periphery, responsible for recording, or simply listening.

Li Changge didn't care much about this case. He didn't regard Qi Xuansu as a thorn in his flesh, so he just dealt with business matters. After reading the files, he asked: "Chief Qi, you were not there when monk Yanxiu was killed last night." Instead of going to the inn, I went to Nancheng. What did you do in Nancheng? "

Qi Xuansu coughed lightly: "Wandering around."

"Just hanging out?" Li Changge continued to ask, "Are there any witnesses?"

Qi Xuansu's eyes wandered and he seemed to feel guilty.

Yun Luo said: "That means there are no witnesses? Things in the world can't be such a coincidence, right? Master Qi and Zen Master Yanxiu had an old grudge. Zen Master Yanxiu died, and Master Qi just happened to leave for a while."

Qi Xuansu lowered his head and pretended to be struggling, but he was using too much force, which was a bit exaggerated.

After a moment, Yao Pei spoke: "There are witnesses."

Everyone looked at Yao Pei.

Yao Pei said expressionlessly: "After Chief Qi's case came to an end, I had nothing to do and wanted to take a tour of the Imperial City, so I asked Chief Qi to be my guide. After all, we are classmates in the palace, and we are not just here today. We know each other, so I was with Chief Qi last night and I can testify for him. "

After the words fell, everyone looked at the two of them, and then peeked at Zhang Yuelu in tacit agreement.

Zhang Yuelu's face was expressionless, showing no emotion or anger.

Is this a drama about two women competing for a husband?

How virtuous and capable is Qi Xuansu? He is not a great master, and he wants to be the wife of a great master.

It would have been about the same if it had been Li Changge.