Chapter 58: After reading this letter, your moral integrity will be gone...
The long Xuanwu Street in Kyoto was in chaos.
A large group of imperial detectives were chasing after a nimble masked swordsman, causing the surrounding people to panic and hide away.
The swordsman was running around the corner of the eaves, his feet moving like the wind. Looking at his appearance and figure, he was wearing a dark black robe, a black gauze hat covering his face, and a long cold sword slung at his waist. This outfit made people think of only one person, the swordsman in cold clothes.
The "Cold-Clothed Swordsman" ran very fast, holding the pearl-inlaid seal stolen from the imperial tomb in his arms.
The people were even more shocked when they saw this scene, and the discussions were overwhelming.
The fishmonger put down her knife, hid in a corner, and said to the others, "A few days ago, there were rumors that the swordsman in cold clothes had robbed the imperial tomb. I didn't believe it, but now I've seen it for real!"
"Look at the scene of arrests all over the city. The things he stole must be very valuable!"
The old man breaking sugarcane squinted his eyes and said, "I'm too old to see clearly, but I heard that the swordsman in cold clothes is indeed dressed like this. Oh, this matter has caused..."
"If I really go to the Ministry of Justice, I'm afraid my entire clan will be exterminated, right?"
"I can't accept this. Han Yi Swordsman is such a good man. He saved so many refugees and civilians. Is there no one who can save him?"
"He has committed a heinous crime punishable by the death of his entire clan. Who would dare to save him?"
"I can't understand...it shouldn't be like this."
The "Winter-Clothed Swordsman" was still climbing walls and running across rooftops, breaking many roof tiles.
Xie Yuting and Jiang Yueying rushed over and just happened to see a black-clad swordsman flying past in front of them.
At just one glance, Jiang Yueying noticed something strange.
She had more direct contact with the Cold-Clothed Swordsman, so she could see his flaws. He was indeed very similar to the Cold-Clothed Swordsman in figure and dress, but he had two fatal flaws.
First, his temperament was too rough, unlike the cold and icy swordsman in cold clothes; second, this person did not care about the people at all and actually trampled on other people's shops.
A true swordsman in cold clothes would never do such a thing.
Jiang Yueying was just about to tell Xie Yuting that the person in front of her was not the Hanyi Swordsman, but she saw Xie Yuting take out some silver and give it to a roadside vendor, and then brought back a basket of eggs.
"?" You're sick. Why are you buying eggs at this time?
Xie Yuting shouted to the East Palace guards behind him, "How can I be absent from such a show of strength? Throw eggs at him! Whoever hits him will be rewarded handsomely!"
A group of guards raised their arms and shouted, raising eggs to throw at the "cold-clothed swordsman" who was running around in the air. Even Yu Lang, who was always calm and composed, picked up eggs and threw them more happily than anyone else.
What the hell is going on? Jiang Yueying was completely confused.
She knew that Xie Yuting would not do such a stupid thing for no reason, and that there must be some hidden meaning behind it, but...how could an egg possibly hurt this thief?
Wouldn't it be more reliable to shoot arrows? No, there are civilians all around, so I must not shoot arrows. Jiang Yueying shook her head and suddenly realized that smashing eggs was the safest way. Although it couldn't hurt him, it could disgust him.
Jiang Yueying couldn't figure it out after trying so hard, so she came to Xie Yuting and silently helped him pass the eggs.
Never mind, let’s listen to Xie Yuting first.
Xie Yuting picked up an egg, rubbed the powder in his hand on it, and did not throw it directly at the "Cold-Clothed Swordsman". Instead, he aimed at his movement trajectory and hit a tile that he was about to step on, exploding the yellow and white egg white.
Jiang Yueying handed him a few more in a row. Xie Yuting accepted them all with a smile, smeared medicine powder on them all and threw them out.
The attentive Jiang Yueying finally noticed his little tricks and silently guessed the effect of the powder.
Soon, she understood.
The "Winter-Clothed Swordsman" ignored it and continued running fast. Suddenly, his feet slipped and he fell from the eaves.
His pupils constricted instantly. It was impossible. He had been climbing walls and climbing rooftops for years and had never slipped. It was just a few broken eggs. How could they affect his lightness skill?
Just as he was feeling frustrated and shocked, the Kyoto detectives rushed up and surrounded him.
After someone is caught, he must be sent to the Ministry of Justice.
Xie Yuting walked forward, fanning himself, with a curious look on his face. "Are you the Hanyi Swordsman?"
The counterfeit dared not reveal his identity and insisted, "So what if it is true!"
"I've heard that you're an exceptional swordsman, but I don't believe it. This prince is clearly the best swordsman in Kyoto. Who do you think you are?" Xie Yuting said in a dangerous tone, "Bring up your sword and compete with me. Otherwise, I'll torture you to death once you're brought to the Ministry of Justice!"
The counterfeit was shocked and panicked: "You, you, you!"
"What do you mean by 'you'?" Xie Yuting stepped forward, his voice fierce, "Today I will defend my title as the best swordsman in Kyoto!"
The detectives around were almost crying, thinking that His Royal Highness the Crown Prince was really making trouble. This was a wanted criminal of the imperial court. How could you compete with him in swordsmanship? The most important thing was, who would admit that you were the best swordsman in Kyoto? What the hell were you trying to defend?
The people who loved to watch the fun also gathered around, and when they heard Xie Yuting's shameless words, they all tried to hold back their laughter.
Xie Yuting picked up the sword that had fallen to the ground and drew it out of its sheath.
Then he let out a mocking laugh.
"What a lousy swordsman! His sword isn't even sharpened. He's far inferior to this prince!"
When these words were spoken, everyone in the audience dropped their jaws in shock.
That's not right. The sword of the Hanyi swordsman can cut through iron like mud. There is no way it can be unsharpened.
Could it be that this person...
Jiang Yueying was particularly understanding and immediately smiled contemptuously: "Oh, then I'd like to see what the legendary swordsman in cold clothes looks like." The tone of her voice was somewhat similar to Xie Yuting's.
After he finished speaking, he took a big step forward and raised his hand to knock off the counterfeit's hat. The black hat rolled to the ground, and the person with his true face was revealed. He immediately covered his face, as if he was afraid of the sunlight.
But he had been captured, and the detectives held down his arms and forced him to reveal his face clearly.
This person has a saw-like scar on his face, which is like a centipede and is printed on the right side of his cheek.
Someone exclaimed: "Isn't this the notorious bandit Si Tianhu?"
"What the hell?!"
"Yes, his portrait is on the wanted poster!"
"That's not right. Si Tianhu has been causing chaos in the Jiangnan area for some time, and during that time, Hanyi Swordsman was distributing porridge to help refugees in Kyoto. These two can't be the same person."
"So this guy deliberately pretended to be the Hanyi Swordsman to steal the burial objects."
“It’s so vicious!”
Xie Yuting yawned, his interest was dull. "So it's not the Hanyi Swordsman. What a bummer! Hurry up and get out of here with your men."
The counterfeit was immediately taken away by officers and soldiers and sent to the Ministry of Justice prison.
The people who came to watch the excitement dispersed.
His Royal Highness the Crown Prince was in a good mood after successfully stirring up the muddy water. He took the hand of his Crown Princess and happily prepared to go home.
On the way back, Jiang Yueying asked, "Why do you think this notorious bandit pretended to be a swordsman in cold clothes?"
Xie Yuting smiled playfully: "Kiss me and I'll tell you."
"Be serious."
"Okay then," Xie Yuting turned his head and kissed her on the cheek, "I'll kiss you."
Jiang Yueying found that Xie Yuting was becoming more and more skilled in kissing her.
Of course, the kiss was not in vain, Xie Yuting answered her doubts.
It is naturally impossible for a bandit to enter the imperial mausoleum and steal the burial objects so easily. There must be a spy among the people guarding the imperial mausoleum who deliberately let him in.
Moreover, instead of running away after stealing the things, the bandit wandered around the long streets of Kyoto, obviously wanting all the people to see his identity as the "winter-clothed swordsman" so that they could frame the swordsman.
This thief acted so brazenly, there must be someone behind the scenes directing him. If I'm not mistaken, it was the real culprit who resold the burial objects, the third prince Xie Yusui.
"Your Highness, the people have been arranged." Lord Feng bowed.
Xie Yusui sat on the throne in the study, glanced at him, and casually praised him for his efficient work.
Ever since he learned that the swordsman in cold clothes intended to defect to King Xuan, Xie Yusui was furious. He thought it was better to destroy it than to get it. He deliberately pinned the crime of the theft of the imperial tomb on the swordsman in cold clothes, and then spread the rumor that the swordsman was King Xuan's subordinate, so as to severely slander King Xuan.
Killing two birds with one stone, simply brilliant.
He has sent people to impersonate the Hanyi Swordsman to steal, and he believes that it won't take long before his goal is achieved.
Haha, second brother.
I won't let you go.
"Your Highness, something happened!" Someone suddenly came to report from outside the door.
Xie Yusui said angrily, "Come in, why are you so scared?"
The confidant who came to report was trembling with fear: "Your Highness... Si Tianhu has been arrested and imprisoned in the Ministry of Justice!"
"What?!" Xie Yusui's eyes were bloodshot. "Weren't we supposed to let him show up and run away? How did he get arrested?"
The confidant was filled with aggrievedness and had no choice but to tell Donggong all the good things he had done.
Xie Yusui was so angry that his head was buzzing: "Those two losers from the East Palace cause trouble as soon as they come back. They are idiots! Ignorant!" He had never seen such a mean person like Xie Yuting in his life.
Everything was going according to his plan, but someone unexpectedly showed up and disrupted the whole process.
The best solution now is not to let Si Tianhu confess the truth.
Xie Yusui made a gesture to his confidant, who immediately understood that in order to eradicate the problem completely, Si Tianhu must be killed in prison.
The next morning, the jailer discovered that the notorious bandit Si Tianhu had committed suicide in prison out of fear of punishment.
…
Kyoto, Gulanzhai.
Gulanzhai is the largest place in Kyoto to buy antiques, calligraphy and paintings. There are both rare and fake items here. Regardless of their price, whether you can buy good things depends entirely on whether you can discern the gems.
Jiang Yueying didn't understand why she had to come here. The Eastern Palace had no shortage of rare treasures, so why did she need to come to the people to pick them out?
Thinking of this, I asked.
Xie Yuting tapped her head and said that he had met Minister Meng here by chance.
Meng Ruhui has always been fascinated by poetry, calligraphy and ancient paintings. He would come to Gulanzhai from time to time. After his shift, it is most likely to catch him here.
Of course, in order to prevent others from seeing their true purpose of coming here, they need to put on a simple show.
The two of them have already become proficient in their practice and can speak lyrics smoothly and fluently.
"I want the biggest shell in the South China Sea, so stop bothering me!" Jiang Yueying raised her chin high with a look of contempt.
Xie Yuting scratched his head and lazily called to the shopkeeper: "Take out all the South China Sea shells you have here. I don't believe it can be any bigger."
The shopkeeper never expected that two big Buddhas would come. He could only smile bitterly and find all the shells in his studio. He felt helpless as he searched through them. There were so many treasures in the East Palace, and yet they had to bring them to ruin his small antique studio.
"Your Highness, Crown Princess, are these still acceptable to your eyes?"
Countless seashells of various sizes, shapes and colors are arranged in rows and columns on the jade plate and red silk, making them shine brightly.
Xie Yuting waved his hand: "I and the Crown Princess will choose personally, you can leave first."
The shopkeeper was eager to leave, so he ran as fast as he could, returned to the counter to continue keeping accounts, and no longer looked at the two ancestors, for fear that they would call on his name again to do business.
Jiang Yueying and Xie Yuting pretended to pick.
Half an hour later, Minister Meng walked in.
He was dressed in simple clothes, with his hair tied up with a wooden hairpin, and his temperament was calm and indifferent.
As soon as Meng Ruhui entered the room, she saw His Royal Highness the Crown Prince and the Crown Princess gathered around a pile of shells, with a sleepy little black wolf lying beside them. The two big and one small huddled together looked quite cozy.
Strange, I must be dazzled.
"Your humble servant greets His Royal Highness the Crown Prince and the Crown Princess." He saluted respectfully.
Xie Yuting smiled and said, "Minister Meng, you've come at the perfect time. You have good taste. Please help us pick the best one."
Meng Ruhui couldn't refuse, so she walked forward slowly, stroking and tapping the shells one by one, with a focused and serious look.
Just as he was carefully selecting, Xie Yuting suddenly whispered something to him. Meng Ruhui's eyes widened instantly, and he was so scared that the shells in his hand almost fell to the ground.
He raised his eyes and met Xie Yuting's brilliant peach blossom eyes. As the two looked at each other, Meng Ruhui's breathing stopped, as if he had learned a huge secret.
Jiang Yueying was picking at the shells at the side, her voice neither too loud nor too soft, just enough to provide cover for them.
Meng Ruhui was terrified and broke out in a cold sweat.
His Royal Highness the Crown Prince actually wants to win him over and make him work for him?
But...hasn't His Royal Highness always been heartless and innocent? Why would he suddenly have such thoughts? Or...
Xie Yuting didn't beat around the bush: "Are you willing?"
Meng Ruhui put aside all doubts for the time being and stood firm, saying, "Thank you for your kindness, Your Highness. I have promised myself that I will never get involved in the struggle for the throne."
"I can give you countless gold, silver and treasures." Xie Yuting smiled.
Meng Ruhui remained unmoved: "My salary is more than enough to make ends meet. I will not be greedy for money. Even if I starve to death one day, I will never bow down for a few pieces of rice."
"No matter what, you are unwilling to serve me?" Xie Yuting was calm.
"I have my own ethics." Meng Ruhui is upright.
Xie Yuting smiled even more happily, took out a letter from his arms and stuffed it into his sleeve.
Meng Ruhui was shocked: "Your Highness, no matter how much money you give me, I will never compromise..."
Xie Yuting glanced at him and said, "What are you dreaming about? It's not a banknote."
Meng Ruhui looked serious.
"Go home and read it yourself. It's just a letter."
Meng Ruhui also wanted to escape as soon as possible, so she had to hide the letter and return home immediately.
Before leaving, Xie Yuting patted his shoulder and smiled confidently: "After reading this letter, your integrity will be gone. Cherish the journey back home."
Meng Ruhui: “…”
What's wrong?
After Minister Meng left, Jiang Yueying and Xie Yuting also prepared to return home. Today's affairs had gone very smoothly, and they should go back and have a good meal to celebrate.
The two of them pretended to walk around Gulanzhai for a while, and suddenly found that there was a second floor, so they went up together.
Coincidentally, there was someone I knew on the second floor.
Between the bookshelves, Qu Qianyi was wearing a Tianshui green silk dress, her black hair reaching her waist, and she was holding a few books in her hands, exuding a gentle and elegant air.
She smiled and said, "Qianyi greets His Royal Highness the Crown Prince and the Crown Princess."
Jiang Yueying chuckled: "Long time no see, Miss Qu." Seeing her made people feel a little familiar.
"Yes, I came to the studio to pick out some ancient books, and I didn't expect to have such a good connection with you two," Qu Qianyi spoke gently and quietly.
After the greetings, Qu Qianyi looked at Xie Yuting and said, "I heard from my father that Si Tianhu, who pretended to be the Hanyi swordsman, committed suicide in prison."
Qu Qianyi's father was the Minister of Justice, so he knew something about this matter.
Xie Yuting said lazily, "He's just a petty thief. I don't believe he could really steal anything from the imperial mausoleum."
"Your Highness, what you said makes sense. I also find this matter quite strange. When the imperial mausoleum was rebuilt, the Ministry of Works specially strengthened the defenses. A small-time thief certainly wouldn't be that capable." Qu Qianyi said slowly, "If it's not an external thief, how likely is it to be an internal thief?"
This rhetorical question made the air suddenly silent.
Jiang Yueying was unusually perceptive and noticed that Qu Qianyi didn't seem to be chatting casually.
Xie Yuting smiled and said, "Who knows? Maybe someone secretly dug a tunnel like a rat."
Hearing this, Qu Qianyi covered her lips and smiled.
"I have something else to do, so I won't bother Your Highness and the Crown Princess any longer," she said with a smile. "I have two books I'd like to give you: one on the customs and practices of Northern Liang, and one on zither music. I hope you will accept them."
Qu Qianyi handed the Beiliang Notes to Jiang Yueying, gave the piano score to Xie Yuting, and left with the two maids behind her.
Like a gentle breeze, it drifts away slowly.
Jiang Yueying looked down at the book in her hand, a look of joy on her face. She also wanted to know more about Liang State, and this book came at the right time.
He turned around and glanced at the music score in Xie Yuting's hand. He was wondering why Miss Qu gave Xie Yuting a dandy music score when he looked like an elegant man.
Xie Yuting casually opened the homepage.
As a result, Jiang Yueying discovered that the signature of this piano score was actually Qu Qianyi herself.
This is the music sheet written by Miss Qu. Why would she give it to Xie Yuting specifically? Giving away a piece of music she personally wrote is hard not to wonder...
Could it be that Miss Qu is interested in Xie Yuting? I vaguely remember that when I first came to Liang State, I was very dissatisfied with Xie Yuting. At that time, Qu Qianyi said a lot of good things about Xie Yuting.
Now that I think about it carefully, something is wrong.
How could Qu Qianyi, a noble lady from Kyoto, praise a well-known dandy prince in a roundabout way?
Jiang Yueying was suddenly distracted.
Miss Qu is famous in Kyoto, talented, and a model of a noble lady from an aristocratic family. In fact, her dignity and grace make her more suitable to be the Crown Princess than anyone else.
Suddenly, she felt a strange pain in her heart. Jiang Yueying touched her chest and wondered what was wrong with her...
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