Chapter 215: Fallen into a Trap (Update 1)

That night, a fast horse galloped in from outside the capital. Arriving at the foot of the city wall, he raised his token high and said, "The imperial messenger has entered the palace to see the emperor. Open the gates immediately!"

On the top of the city wall, someone shone a torch, saw the token clearly, and immediately ran down to open the door.

The horse galloped into the city, passed through the streets and alleys, and headed straight for the palace.

Over here, Pei Xingju and Zhuang Wan were enjoying a late-night snack, sitting opposite each other at a low table. On the table were two servings of dumplings: one with cabbage and pork filling, and the other, made especially for Pei Xingju, with a vegetarian radish and pork filling, topped with a touch of vinegar.

Zhuang Wan picked up a dumpling and dipped it in vinegar to feed him. He frowned and chewed it carefully.

"Not tasty?" Zhuang Wan asked.

"It's too sour." Pei Xingju said.

That's right, Zhuang Wan nodded. This person only likes sweet things, and he is addicted to them. How could he like sour things?

"Don't you like being jealous? But you clearly were jealous just two days ago." Zhuang Wan raised her eyebrows, hinting at something.

Pei Xingju stared at her intently, naturally understanding what she meant.

A few days ago, he got off work early and went to the shop to pick her up. He happened to see a young man talking to Zhuang Wan. The young man was shy and blushed before he could say a few words, while Zhuang Wan was also smiling.

On the way back, Pei Xingju remained silent. Zhuang Wan, believing he was in trouble at the office, was considerate enough not to interrupt him. Little did she know that her thoughtfulness only made Pei Xingju even more upset.

After learning about the situation, Zhuang Wan was helpless and amused. She explained that the young man's grandmother liked to eat Zhuang Ji's snacks. She wanted to buy some to take back but didn't know what the old lady should avoid, so she asked her for advice. Only then did Pei Xingju look better.

Thinking back on it now, Pei Xingju smiled, picked up a dumpling, dipped it in vinegar, and then threw it into his mouth without changing his expression.

When he was done, he said, "It's nice to try it once in a while."

Hearing this, Zhuang Wan also laughed.

The two of them were enjoying their midnight snack when after a while, Guard Lu hurried over.

"Sir, someone is coming from the palace."

"Who?"

"I am the chief eunuch of the emperor's household. Please come into the palace, sir."

After thinking for a moment, Guard Lu took two steps forward and whispered, "The Eunuch General came alone, dressed modestly, to deliver the Emperor's instructions."

Upon hearing this, Pei Xingju nodded: "I understand."

I guess it was the emperor who allowed him to enter the palace secretly.

.

Duke Xin's Mansion.

Since the Liang family was granted the title of Duke sixteen years ago, they have rapidly become one of the most powerful and influential families in the capital. Their mansion is as magnificent as a royal residence, with towering and exquisite buildings in a row upon row, and cascading rockeries and flowing water.

At this moment, the entire luxurious mansion was sleeping in the deep night.

Suddenly there was a loud rumble of thunder and lightning briefly illuminated the courtyard.

Duke Xin was startled awake by the bright light and opened his eyes suddenly.

He listened to the thunder outside the window for a moment, then sat up.

The concubine Youshi noticed this and sat up as well: "Master, what's wrong? Did you have a nightmare?"

Duke Xin ignored her, staring at the lightning outside the window. After a long while, he said in a deep voice, "It's going to rain."

Yu Shi laughed and said, "When there's thunder, it rains. What's so strange about that? Spring thunder happens every year, but this year it seems to be especially early."

"Yes," Duke Xin said cryptically, "the spring thunder is exceptionally early this year."

He put on his clothes and stood up. After a moment, he said to Youshi, "Go and open the door."

Yu Shi was puzzled, but still did as she was told.

The door opened and a cool, moist breeze blew in, even blowing the curtains high.

"Master, the wind is too strong. I'd better close it."

"No need!" Duke Xin stared at the door with a serious look: "I want to see this storm come with my own eyes!"

.

A spring thunder disturbed the dreams of countless people and also foreshadowed the coming of greater storms.

The next day, an escort team was about to arrive in the capital.

"Sir Wen," Xue Gang said to Wen Liangye, bowing, "The capital is just ahead. I am no longer suitable to escort you. I bid you farewell now."

Wen Liangye nodded: "Thank you, Master Xue. Thanks to your escort along the way, we were able to arrive safely. If there is a chance in the future..."

"No need!" Xue Gang stopped him: "Master Wen, it's better to forget about this matter. Don't mention our escort when you get to the capital."

"Why? This is a good opportunity to ask for merit from the court."

Xue Gang smiled and said, "Xue said that I was entrusted by someone. We in the martial arts world only follow morality and justice, not fame and fortune."

When Wen Liangye heard this, his face was filled with admiration, and he solemnly clasped his fists towards Xue Gang: "Thank you very much!"

Xue Gang clasped his fists and said, "Goodbye!"

After Xue Gang left, Lord Nie stepped forward and asked in a low voice, "He's not coming to the capital with us?"

"Perhaps his identity should not be revealed," Wen Liangye said, "Although I don't know who entrusted him with this, this person saved all of our lives. If he finds out one day, he will definitely reward us handsomely."

"That's right." Lord Nie nodded and asked, "Should we go straight to the capital or rest for a while?"

Wen Liangye opened his mouth and was about to order them to rest for a while, but he saw a group of soldiers coming from the front.

Gradually, they came closer.

The man in front dismounted and asked, "Excuse me, who is Lord Wen Liangye?"

"It's me." Wen Liangye said.

"Sir Wen, I am Chen Yi, the Minister of Justice. I have come here on the Emperor's orders to take over." He said, "Sir Wen, you have traveled a long way. Now that we have arrived in the capital, we can handle the rest. Sir Wen, please take your men to the inn in the city to rest and have some hot food and soup. You will then return to the palace to see the Emperor tomorrow."

Wen Liangye felt something was wrong when he heard this: "Sir Shen, I have not received any order to hand over the prisoner to the Ministry of Justice."

"Oh, that's right," the visitor said with a smile, "This is the Emperor's recent decree. This prisoner is of great importance and cannot be neglected. The Emperor orders us to immediately escort him to the Ministry of Justice to await trial."

"Is there an imperial decree from the Emperor?"

"This is the emperor's oral order, but I have the written order from the Ministry of Justice."

After saying this, the man took out a written order with the seal of the Ministry of Justice from his pocket.

Wen Liangye took it and examined it carefully. He found nothing wrong, but he was still a little hesitant. "How about I accompany Lord Shen to the capital?"

The visitor's face was unhappy: "Why? Lord Wen doesn't trust me?"

"Not really. We're all going to the capital anyway, so I'm just escorting them along the way."

"Oh! What an escort! Lord Wen is so bold that he even dares to disobey the Emperor's order?"

"this......"

At this time, Lord Nie stepped forward and secretly pulled Wen Liangye: "Forget it, this is at the foot of the capital. No one would dare to be so bold as to pass on a false edict and pretend to be the Minister of Justice, right?"

"We have to deal with officials from the capital every year," Lord Nie advised quietly, "Don't mess with these people, or they'll make things difficult for us."

The escort job is hard enough, and if you meet someone with a mean mind, they will suffer with just a flick of the finger.

Wen Liangye thought for a moment and said to the visitor, "Thank you, Lord Shen. I will hand the criminal over to you right away."

After completing the transfer matters, Wen Liangye left with his men, but he met Xue Gang not long after he left.

Xue Gang was curious: "Master Wen, why don't you rest for a while before entering the capital?"

"No need to rest," Wen Liangye said, "Mr. Shen, the assistant minister of the Ministry of Justice, has come to pick up the prisoner with an imperial decree. The prisoner has now been handed over to the Ministry of Justice."

"Mr. Shen, the Minister of Justice? Which Mr. Shen?"

"It is said that his name is Chen Yi."

Xue Gang's expression changed immediately when he heard this: "Oh no! You've fallen into a trap!"