Chapter 75
Duan Nanqi, like her, fell into the wrong search direction when searching for Li Hong. They only searched for the person himself and did not think about what this person would do in Wanping.
Duan Nanqi's eyes lit up, and he nodded, saying, "My lady, what you said is very true. We should ask other painters in Wanping City at that time to see if anyone knows such a person. Perhaps there will be unexpected gains."
“I was also inspired by this.”
Jiang Lingyao paused, because Duan Nanqi was so open about everything, she said: "I am investigating an old case from the past. This case involves a lot of things. If I am not careful, I am afraid it will cause trouble. If I am not careful, I may end up making things worse and not get the desired result."
Duan Nanqi said: "I understand, so few people know about it. Only Shen Yacha can accompany you to investigate the case."
As a result, the case that Jiang Lingyao wants to investigate will surely progress slowly. After all, Duan Nanzhi is doing this under the order of His Majesty himself. He has thousands of Jinyiwei under his command. Even the Tiqi who directly obey the orders of his three thousand households have a total of hundreds of people.
With so many people, investigating a case will be much easier, and the Imperial Guard is mysterious by nature. No one except Your Majesty can interfere with what they want to investigate, not even the powerful ministers.
Thinking of this, Duan Nanqi suddenly had an idea.
He asked the Emperor at that time why he wanted to marry him to Jiang Lingyao. The Emperor only said that the Imperial Concubine liked Jiang Lingyao and he also liked Jiang Zhisheng. As the daughter of Jiang Zhisheng, she was naturally a good girl.
He arranged a marriage for the two simply because he thought they were a good match.
But outsiders don't know the truth and just think that His Majesty is joking. But doesn't His Majesty know his identity? Perhaps, it is because he knows his identity that he gave him the marriage.
Because of his status, his grandparents were unable to find a marriage for him, and if it had been delayed any longer it would have aroused suspicion. However, this imperial edict from His Majesty solved this problem.
Maybe, the problem was solved not for just him, but for two people.
When he thought of this, Jiang Lingyao, who was talking to herself, also thought of it.
The two of them raised their heads in surprise and looked at each other in confusion.
When it comes to acting and pretending in daily life, the two of them are definitely equally matched, but at this moment, when it comes to hiding their inner surprise, both of them are equally matched.
Although they were both a little surprised, they did not show it too obviously and just looked at each other with questioning eyes.
Just like that, you looked at me, I looked at you, and Jiang Lingyao said, "Master Duan, do you still want to hear my story?"
Duan Nanqi changed a cup of tea, took a sip, and said politely, "Madam, please speak."
Jiang Lingyao continued, "The case was difficult to investigate back then, and there were few clues. It was not until the Dragon Boat Festival that I learned a new clue. We had to investigate a man named Li Hong, who had also been to Wanping that year."
At this point, the two looked at each other, and both saw confusion in each other's eyes.
Is everything such a coincidence?
Duan Nanqi was coming to Wanping, and Jiang Lingyao was coming too. The two of them got along so well that things were easily arranged.
Duan Nanqi narrowed his eyes and said, "After my lady came to Wanping, she originally wanted to go to the county government with Shen Yacha to check the old files?"
Jiang Lingyao nodded. "It's such a coincidence that we encountered such a big case right after arriving in Wanping. We have to search for files anyway, so I want to investigate both cases at the same time. So Su Ning has been looking for files in the library."
Duan Nanqi said: "So that's why you were so surprised when you heard Li Hongming's words."
Jiang Lingyao sighed: "I thought it would take a month or two to find any clues, but I found some in just three days. Regardless of whether this Li Hong is the same Li Hong, I have to go check it out."
"Congratulations, ma'am. You've achieved two goals at once."
Just looking at Jiang Lingyao's reaction yesterday, you can tell that she must have found some clues.
Jiang Lingyao sighed: "This Li Hong is the missing Li Hong. We have also found the evidence he left behind, but this evidence..."
Jiang Lingyao smiled bitterly and said, "It's not easy to check."
Duan Nanqi did not ask her why she was crying, nor did he ask whether this case had anything to do with her. He only asked: "The matter I want to investigate will not be made public in the future, but it is also a move by Your Majesty to purify the court and the people. The actions of the Jinyiwei are meant to shock the officials. The more mysterious and unpredictable, the more terrified people will be."
Therefore, Duan Nanqi could tell Jiang Lingyao after he confirmed that she was trustworthy. But Jiang Lingyao's case seemed to have more details, and he couldn't even tell him why she was looking for this man named Li Hong.
Duan Nanqi concluded that the clues Jiang Lingyao was looking for must have involved other people, and this person's identity was not easy for her to search directly.
Jiang Lingyao knew that Duan Nanqi was very smart and understood his deep meaning in just a few words. She no longer hid anything and said frankly, "Husband, let's be honest today. You need me, and I need you too."
"So after careful consideration, I still feel that you can be trusted, so I told you what I did, and I hope you can keep it a secret for me."
Duan Nanqi smiled: "Me too."
Somehow, both of them felt a sense of relief on their shoulders and couldn't help but smile at each other.
After laughing, Jiang Lingyao whispered, "Through Li Hong's clues, I found a person."
She thought about it, dipped some tea from the cup, and wrote the word "Xue" on the table.
Duan Nanqi's expression changed slightly.
He thought for a moment, wrote the word "Yang" on the table, and looked up at Jiang Lingyao.
Jiang Lingyao's eyes lit up slightly, and she nodded affirmatively, saying, "Yes."
Duan Nanqi then frowned and whispered, "It's hard to check him."
Jiang Lingyao was fearless: "I know it's hard to investigate, so I'm prepared for a long time, but Shen Suning and I can't do it alone."
So she was honest with him today and she also wanted the help of the Royal Guard.
If Jiang Lingyao had asked this a month ago, Duan Nanqi would have immediately shaken his head, but now, Duan Nanqi did not refuse immediately.
He lowered his eyes, thought for a while, and said, "Does my father-in-law know about this?"
Jiang Lingyao looked at him in surprise.
Duan Nanqi said, "My lady, you are not an official, so you don't know official business. Your father-in-law has been in the government for 20 years, and now he is also a favorite of Your Majesty. When the old man in the inner cabinet retires, your father-in-law will immediately become a high-ranking official."
It's not that he doesn't trust Jiang Lingyao, but this matter involves Zhengyang Earl Xue Dingshan, so he can't just agree to it rashly, nor can he act rashly.
Another thing is that Jiang Lingyao didn't even say what she wanted to investigate, which made Duan Nanqi feel a little restrained.
Jiang Lingyao has always been honest. If this matter is not handled properly and the family is implicated, she will not drag the Duan family into it.
Therefore, after hearing Duan Nanqi's doubts, Jiang Lingyao's anxiety was alleviated. Duan Nanqi had this doubt only after listening carefully and thinking about it seriously.
He did not just answer her perfunctorily, but took her words to heart.
Jiang Lingyao said, "Before I came here, my father reminded me that he knew about Li Hong's incident, but I only found out about the rest yesterday."
Duan Nanqi said: "I understand."
After he said this, the restaurant suddenly became quiet.
The couple were both staring into each other's eyes, absorbed in their own thoughts, and neither noticed the tense atmosphere in the dining room.
Just then, there was a knock on the dining room door.
Wen Zhu's voice came from outside: "Young Master, Master Pei has something important to report."
Duan Nanqi was pulled out of his deep thoughts by him, and immediately stood up and looked at Jiang Lingyao who stood up with him: "I'll go and do my work first, and we'll discuss the rest when I come back."
Although he didn't say a word, Jiang Lingyao saw determination in his eyes.
Jiang Lingyao couldn't help but chuckle and said, "Husband, please get busy."
Duan Nanqi looked at her beautiful smile and the ease in her eyes, and smiled too.
"Wait until I come back."
As he spoke, he quickly walked out of the room and left home to work.
Jiang Lingyao sat in the dining room for a while, asked Xingyun, and then went directly to the west wing.
The entire Jiang residence belongs to her, so she doesn't need to be so restrained.
Shen Suning did not go out today, and Wang's mother was also there, and the two of them were having breakfast together.
Mother Wang likes to eat vegetarian noodles, but Shen Su Ning, who practices martial arts, likes to eat meat more, so she eats meat stew.
Jiang Lingyao couldn't help but tease her: "If you eat this in the morning, you won't be able to eat lunch."
Shen Suning swallowed the last bite of fire and said a little embarrassedly: "I'm hungry."
Mother Wang had only one son, who worked as a manager at Jiang Lingyao's estate in the suburbs. She had no daughter, and she treated Jiang Lingyao and Shen Suning very lovingly.
Hearing this, Wang's mother hurriedly pushed the white pottery basin beside her and said, "Good boy, finish your porridge."
Even someone as cold as Shen Suning couldn't help but blush.
Jiang Lingyao sat down at the table and spoke a few words to Wang Ma. She spoke very subtly. Apart from what Zhengyang Bo said, Wang Ma could understand everything else.
Sure enough, after hearing this, Wang's mother sighed and said, "No wonder we can't find anyone."
The couple died that year, so the clues were cut off and naturally no one could be found.
Jiang Lingyao saw that Wang's mother had been running around for a few days and looked a little thin. She couldn't help but feel distressed: "Mom, you have been very hard these days. Fortunately, the clues have been found out. You don't have to run around anymore. Just have fun here for a few days. When my husband wants to go back to Yanjing, we will go back together."
After that, she looked at Shen Suning: "You too."
Shen Suning was silent for a moment, then said, "Senior Sister, I want to go to the county government office to look at the files."
"I learned a lot while accompanying the old man to check the files. I feel I benefited a lot," Shen Suning said, "Sister, I am not smart enough, and I don't have any talent. I must work hard to make up for my shortcomings, so as not to bring shame to my adoptive father's reputation."
She is only sixteen this year. If she works harder, perhaps when she is twenty, she can catch up with her senior sister and become a judge who upholds justice and clears up injustices.
Jiang Lingyao looked at her bright eyes and handed her his official badge. "Go ahead. If you don't understand, come back and ask me."
"Thank you, Senior Sister." Shen Suning rarely showed a childish smile.
Jiang Lingyao talked to the two of them for a while before returning to the East Courtyard. Solving the case these days was indeed tiring. Jiang Lingyao looked at the flowers and read books in the courtyard and only after a whole day's rest did she feel relaxed.
It was not until dinner time that Duan Nanqi returned in a hurry, exhausted.
He must have been running around outside all day, and his flying fish suit was covered in dust. He was disgusted with himself, and when he came back he just nodded hastily to Jiang Lingyao, then hurried back to the study to wash and change his clothes.
After cleaning himself up, Duan Nanqi came out of the study wearing his casual, light, long gown.
"Still investigating the case today?"
Jiang Lingyao sat under the swaying pink and white crabapple flowers, gently waving a peony butterfly fan in her hand, looking quite lazy.
Duan Nanqi took two steps towards her and sat down on the other side.
Jiang Lingyao pushed the icy watermelon juice on the table to quench his thirst.
Duan Nanqi poured the watermelon juice down his throat in one gulp and then laughed.
"My lady, we are so lucky."
There was a smile on his face.
————
Jiang Lingyao bit her fan lightly and smiled: "What do you mean?"
Duan Nanqi poured himself another glass of watermelon juice and drank it slowly.
He looked at the fallen branches and leaves in front of him, and the bright and beautiful light and shadows: "It's a coincidence that I found some clues today."
His voice was low, like a lover's whisper, and only Jiang Lingyao could hear it clearly.
"When we investigated the painter a few days ago, we didn't find out who he was, but we did find out about several painters in Wanping. Today, we questioned them one by one, and one of them said that he remembered a young painter who appeared in Wanping more than ten years ago."
Duan Nanqi continued, "This painter is not outstanding, nor does he have any extraordinary talent, but he spends money lavishly and has been very successful in Wanping for a long time. He always says that he has won the favor of nobles and is about to become famous."
Jiang Lingyao thought for a moment and guessed, "He got... the painting, and then some dignitary wanted to buy it?"
Duan Nanqi smiled brightly: "That's right."
"They are all decent people. They don't like painters who take crooked paths, so they are impressed by him. They also heard that the painter was drunk and boasted that he had earned 500 taels. The nobleman was very polite and gave him cash directly."
Another five hundred taels.
Jiang Lingyao's expression changed slightly, but she didn't say much.
Duan Nanqi then continued, "After investigation, it was found that at the end of the sixth year of Tianyou, there were three dignitaries in Beijing who had visited Wanping. Among these three people, there was the one you mentioned."
Jiang Lingyao was really surprised this time.
Jiang Lingyao couldn't help but move forward and looked at Duan Nanqi seriously: "Is he the most suspicious?"
Jiang Lingyao was at home at this time. She had no makeup on her face. Her whole face was clean and clear, with a slight blush on her cheeks.
As she spoke, the fragrance of jasmine blew on Duan Nanqi's cheeks with the warm summer breeze. Duan Nanqi himself didn't even realize that his handsome face had turned red.
Duan Nanqi forced his eyes to look the other way and said, "Yes, I won't go into the details, but in the end he is the most suspicious."
Jiang Lingyao frowned slightly.
She just felt that everything was going too smoothly, so smoothly that it was unbelievable.
"Husband," Jiang Lingyao said softly, "We should be investigating two cases."
Duan Nanqi's eyes flashed with coldness, and he said, "Yes, they should be two cases."
But in these two cases, the clues were all in Wanping at the beginning, and through Wanping, they finally fell on that one person.
This is certainly not a coincidence.
Before the two came to Wanping, they were still arguing with each other, and neither of them was willing to tell the truth. Although only half of the truth was told now, it allowed them to analyze more of the case.
If they could tell everything, they might be able to piece together more clues, but the difficulty lies in the fact that they can't say anything.
Jiang Lingyao lowered her eyes and sighed: "There are no coincidences in this world. I thought that the reason why the clues in our two cases are the same is because the two cases have something in common."
In other words, the truth of the case they want to investigate may eventually lead to the same person or the same accomplice.
The two looked at each other, but neither saw any defensiveness in the other's eyes. Instead, they saw high morale.
Duan Nanqi smiled and said, "My dear, if that's the case, how about we investigate the case together?"
Jiang Lingyao paused lightly as she waved the round fan. The strands of hair above her eyebrows moved in the wind, leaving three or four strands of sunlight on her face.
She raised her eyes slightly, smiling: "What do you mean?"
Duan Nanqi lowered his eyes and said, "You also know what the Jinyiwei wants to investigate, and we don't know what you want to investigate, but I think there should be no conflict between us."
Jiang Lingyao thought for a moment and nodded, "Actually, I don't know what to investigate. I have to go home and report to my father."
Duan Nanqi said, "That's great. Madam, you can tell us the truth and my father-in-law will give us some advice."
At this moment, Duan Nanqi suddenly realized that His Majesty was really partial to him. With such an outstanding wife and a vixen father-in-law, he was much luckier than others.
Jiang Lingyao didn't expect that he trusted his father so much. She couldn't help but smile and said, "My father would be very happy if he knew that his son-in-law trusted him so much."
Duan Nanqi coughed lightly, but still said: "My father-in-law is the pillar of the country, and he is the descendant of a noble family. He has more knowledge and experience in the court than the salt we have eaten. Of course, we have to listen to him."
Jiang Lingyao burst out laughing: "Duan Nanqi, if you tell this to my father, he will definitely not give you a job."
Duan Nanqi's ears turned red, but he didn't dwell on the topic any further.
"Since we are all going to investigate him, we can wait and see. There will always be a chance," Duan Nanqi's eyes moved, "Is their eldest son going to be named the Crown Prince?"
Jiang Lingyao's eyes lit up: "Old Times Collection, welcome to join us, read tens of thousands of historical novels for free." "Oh? That's right!"
If there is a happy event at home, a banquet must be held, and if a banquet is to be held, guests must be invited.
At that time, the two of them entered the Zhengyang Marquis's Mansion, but it was a natural thing.
After thinking this through, Jiang Lingyao's face showed joy again. She said, "My husband, I have been thinking about it these past two days. I think I can stop being a judge."
Duan Nanqi was indescribably surprised: "My wife..."
Jiang Lingyao smiled at him and shook her head, saying, "You misunderstood. I feel that being a Qiao Tui Guan is a bit troublesome. Originally, His Majesty did not grant me a marriage, so I could only show myself as Qiao Tui Guan. But now that I have become the third wife of the Jiang family, I can change my appearance again."
Duan Nanqi thought for a moment and immediately understood: "You want to be Magistrate Jiang?"
Jiang Lingyao curved her eyebrows and smiled brightly: "That's right."
This matter is extremely easy to handle. Considering the relationship between Jiang Lingyao and the Imperial Concubine, it can be done with just a little request.
Duan Nanqi sighed, "In the future, will I be able to work with my wife? A criminal couple, how glorious it would be."
Jiang Lingyao couldn't help laughing when she heard these four words: "What? That sounds so ugly."
She laughed crisply, Duan Nanqi turned his head to look, their eyes met, and they could see each other's brilliant smiles.
The next moment, the two of them turned their heads tacitly, not daring to continue watching.
A breeze blew by, the crabapple trees behind me swayed, and the locust tree above my head swayed slowly, casting star-like light on the ground.
There was warmth in the hearts of both of them.
The two came to Wanping under the pretext of spending the summer there. It would be very suspicious if they returned to Yanjing after solving the case.
It would be better to stay in Wanping for a few more days, have some fun, and then return to Yanjing at any time.
Anyway, Duan Nanqi was sure to know when the eldest son of the Earl of Zhengyang would be crowned the Crown Prince, so it wouldn't take any time to go back and forth.
However, just when the two were "happily spending the summer" in Wanping, the Zhengyang Marquis's Mansion in Yanjing began to send out invitations, but not for the important event of the eldest son Xue Yaozu being canonized as the Zhengyang Marquis's Heir, but because of the Zhengyang Marquis's 50th birthday this year.
Although they were caught off guard, it only took two hours for Wanping to leave Beijing by carriage. The couple even stayed in Wanping for another two days before "dilly and dallying" to return to Yanjing.
The two had just returned from Wanping and rested at home for a day before Jiang Lingyao went out in a fancy way.
Today, it happened that Meng Xinyue, the young lady of the Zhengyang Marquis's Mansion, also came out to relax, and the two sworn enemies met on a narrow road in Xingyu Manor.
Jiang Lingyao adjusted the tourmaline hairpin on her temples and smiled brightly, "Ah, Madam Meng, it's been a long time since we last met. You've lost a lot of weight. Why don't you let Xue Dalang accompany you to Wanping to escape the summer heat?"
Jiang Lingyao smiled proudly: "I tell you, Wanping is very cool, it's not hot at all in summer."
Jiang Lingyao was about to say something else, but Meng Xinyue rolled her eyes at her, with an obvious smug look on her face: "Madam Jiang, you may not know yet, but my father-in-law is about to celebrate his 50th birthday. There will be a family banquet at the Bo's Mansion, and it will be very lively."
She was surprised that Jiang Lingyao didn't explode at the first sign of anger, but it was exactly what she wanted. Jiang Lingyao said, "Oh? I didn't expect that Uncle is already this old."
Meng Xinyue didn't know what beautiful thing she was thinking about. She looked Jiang Lingyao up and down. Her gaze lingered on the hairpin on her head for a moment, and she rolled her eyes.
"I'll send an invitation to your family, so you must come."
Meng Xinyue's eyes turned and she said, "It's best to come with your husband."
Jiang Lingyao looked reluctant, but still said, "Oh, I'm busy, and my husband is busy too. You know how much His Majesty values the Jinyi Guards. How about this, we'll go if we have time."
Meng Xinyue was almost pissed to death by Jiang Lingyao.
She was about to open her mouth to retort, but Jiang Lingyao flicked her handkerchief, turned around and walked away, leaving Meng Xinyue standing there, muttering with a pale face: "What's so great about that? How can a Jinyiwei be as good as the prince of the Bofu?"
Jiang Lingyao went up to the second floor with a smile and continued to browse her gold and jade shop. Xingyun followed her and whispered, "That's good. These are the young ladies and aunts personally invited by the young lady of the Xue family. We have to go this time even if we don't want to."
Jiang Lingyao smiled and said, "Why else would I come to Xingyu Manor today? Isn't it just to wait for her?"
Meng Xinyue was a very unpredictable person. How could she miss such an honorable event as hosting a banquet for her father-in-law's birthday? After meeting Jiang Lingyao and hearing her sarcastic remarks, she decided to send out the invitation.
Xue Dingshan, the Marquis of Zhengyang, had only one son, Xue Yaozu. He thought highly of this son and not only had he appointed him as the Crown Prince at an early stage, he also provided him with much support. So at his birthday banquet, he would definitely bring his son and daughter-in-law to introduce him to him.
This is what Meng Xinyue is happy about.
How could she let him go when she finally surpassed Jiang Lingyao? As soon as she saw Jiang Lingyao, she immediately sent out the invitation.
Jiang Lingyao was in a very good mood because she was able to enter the Xue family so smoothly, and because the Xue family invited her themselves. After leaving Xingyu Manor, she took a carriage and went back home in a low-key manner.
It was already dusk when she got home. The sunset was gorgeous, dyeing half the sky red.
"Mom, I miss you so much." As soon as Jiang Lingyao saw Zhou Hui Niang, she immediately went over and held her hand.
Zhou Hui Niang tapped her nose and said with a smile, "You little rascal, you just go out and have fun. You don't even come home for ten days or half a month."
Jiang Lingyao smiled and said, "I'm back now, right? As soon as I got back I came to visit my parents and grandfather. Am I really filial?"
Zhou Huiniang looked her up and down with a smile. Seeing that she looked very healthy and rosy-cheeked, she couldn't help but smile and said, "I heard that you and your son-in-law solved another big case?"
Jiang Lingyao gestured with her hands: "This is a big case. I have been awarded by His Majesty this time, so I am here to honor my parents."
Zhou Huiniang chatted and laughed with her for a long time before she said, "Your father is in the study, go quickly."
Jiang Lingyao went upstairs and turned into the small study.
In the study, Jiang Zhisheng was reading a memorial.
Now he has to take care of all the big and small matters of the entire Ministry of Justice. He is very busy and does not stop even after leaving the office and returning home.
As soon as Jiang Lingyao raised her spear, Jiang Zhisheng heard her laughter: "Dad, your daughter has done a great job!"
Jiang Zhisheng's eyebrows relaxed, and then he also smiled: "My daughter is the best in the world."
Jiang Lingyao was embarrassed this time: "Dad, you are flattering me."
The father and daughter joked with each other, their smiles became even brighter, and they were in a very good mood.
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