Chapter 228 Release
"What?" Emperor Tai'an's first reaction was not happiness, but to pick up the white jade paperweight.
Cheng Maoming, who was eagerly anticipating the emperor's reaction after hearing the good news, widened his eyes: The emperor didn't even take the paperweight just now!
Fortunately, Emperor Tai'an quickly digested the good news and calmly placed the paperweight back on the table, as if nothing had happened. "Where is the person?"
Cheng Maoming heard excitement in the emperor's calm voice, and his heart was completely at ease: "The person has been detained in Jinlin Guard and is being interrogated."
"How did you catch it?"
"The villain was very cunning and hid in a private residence. The Jinlin Guards searched house to house and finally found him..." Cheng Maoming said, feeling a little guilty.
"Good, good, well done." Emperor Tai'an said two good words in a row, and his expression looked much better.
Cheng Maoming said hurriedly, "It's all my duty, but that villain is very stubborn and I haven't gotten anything out of him yet."
The greatest value of capturing Chen Mu is to find his accomplices hiding in the capital.
Emperor Tai'an took this matter as seriously as the disappearance of Yu Liu, and warned, "Don't rush the interrogation, or the prisoner will be overwhelmed."
"I understand."
"Yes. We also need to tighten the reins at the guesthouse, especially for those leaving the city. We must verify their origins before letting them pass."
Cheng Maoming felt relieved, knowing that the crisis was over for the time being.
Emperor Taian glanced at Cheng Maoming calmly and reminded him, "Since the wanted criminal was found by the Jinlin Guards, the reward should be collected by the Jinlin Guards."
Cheng Maoming said hurriedly, "Your Majesty is showing mercy by not blaming me for my poor performance. How can I accept the reward?"
"Just take it if I tell you to. Don't let the people working hard down there feel discouraged." Emperor Tai'an said impatiently.
Cheng Maoming thanked him profusely and left the palace.
Without the obstruction of the high palace walls, the gentle breeze swept away the summer heat. Cheng Maoming felt relaxed and returned to the yamen humming a little tune. The first thing he did when he returned to the yamen was to order his subordinates to collect the reward silver.
The emperor is right. We cannot let those who work hard feel discouraged. This reward money must be sent to Prince Jing.
In a short time, the news that Jinlin Guards had captured the wanted criminal spread. Faced with the Jinlin Guards who came to collect the reward, the officials in charge of the matter were very contemptuous.
I have seen anxious people, but I have never seen anyone as anxious as this one. He is worthy of being the Jinlin Guard.
Of course, no matter how much they complained in their hearts, they dared not neglect it outwardly, and the officials quickly handed the reward money to Jinlinwei.
Cheng Maoming decided to deliver it to Prince Jing personally.
Because they were still busy with matters at the inn, the two met at dinner time. Cheng Maoming toasted and handed over the box containing the reward silver.
Qi Shuo laughed: "What is the Grand Commander doing?"
Cheng Maoming forced the money box into Qi Shuo's hand and said, "I am ashamed to have received the credit. What kind of person would I be if I were to take the reward? Your Highness must accept it no matter what."
"Thank you very much." Qi Shuo did not refuse.
Ah Hao actually took most of the credit for capturing Chen Mu. I think Ah Hao would be very happy to receive this money.
When Cheng Maoming saw Qi Shuo accept it, he felt that the young man in front of him was full of advantages and was simply shining.
He has the composure of a royal family member but not their arrogance, and he does not regard money as a thing of the past. Most importantly, he is extremely generous and regards merit as dirt.
If he had a daughter—ah, he had a bunch of daughters, but Prince Jing was engaged.
Thinking of the reality, Cheng Maoming suddenly felt a little uncomfortable.
Qi Shuo found that General Cheng's mood became strange again.
"There is something else I need to tell the Grand Admiral."
"Sir, please speak."
"The people who were previously sent to your government office no longer need to be detained."
"Ahem, the prince wants to take someone away?"
Qi Shuo thought this was a bit strange, but didn't think much about it: "Just let him go."
This was something he had discussed with Ah Hao.
It is impossible for Du Qing to be imprisoned in Jinlinwei for the rest of his life, and Ah Hao is unwilling to harm his life, so now is the best time to release him.
Du Qing was released as soon as Chen Mu was captured by Jinlin Guard. Both Du Qing's side and Chen Mu's side would become suspicious of Du Qing.
They are the Jinlin Guards who are ruthless and cruel. Why did they let Du Qing go?
This speculation alone was enough to make Du Qing so busy that he had no time to bother causing trouble for Ah Hao, and Ah Hao did not break his promise, so it was the best of both worlds.
"Just release it? Okay, no problem."
After the drink, Cheng Maoming apologized, "There's something going on at the government office, so I couldn't treat the prince properly today. I'll definitely treat him to a good meal some other day."
"At this time, the Grand Commander still has things to do?" Qi Shuo asked casually.
Cheng Maoming didn't want to say much, but when he looked at the handsome young man, he suddenly had an idea: Prince Jing is a lucky star. What if Prince Jing was asked to get involved in the matter of Yu Liu's disappearance - what if it could solve the problem?
Cheng Maoming despised himself for being superstitious, but he couldn't control his mouth: "Well, to be honest with you, my Lord, something happened at the Honglu Guesthouse..."
After listening to this, Qi Shuo did become interested in participating.
He was not an overly curious person, but he did not want to see the smoke of war rising and ruin the new life that he and Ah Hao had worked so hard to gain.
"If it's convenient for the Grand Commander, I'll go with him tomorrow to take a look."
Cheng Maoming was delighted, but he didn't want to show it too obviously on his face: "It would be great if the prince could help, but I'm afraid that if he gets involved, he will be suspected."
Qi Shuo smiled: "Uncle Emperor knew that I was the one who painted the portrait of the murderer who killed Princess Lingque, so the Grand Commandant asked me to paint as an excuse to participate, so others would not think too much about it."
"The prince is wise."
Cheng Maoming praised him generously and returned to the yamen with light steps. The first thing he did after returning was to order his subordinates to release the man.
It was already dark, and the place where Du Qing was imprisoned was even dimmer. There was only an oil lamp with a tiny flame illuminating his obscure face.
Du Qing went from being angry and depressed at the beginning to being numb to the life in the cell day after day.
The recent visit of Prince Jing made him completely sober up and no longer hold on to unrealistic fantasies.
Everything that had happened recently showed that he was related to Chen Mu, and being related to Chen Mu meant being related to Emperor Pingle. How could they possibly let him go? They weren't fools.
As he was thinking this, he suddenly heard footsteps. Du Qing's heart trembled and he looked towards the door alertly.
The door was quickly opened and a Jinlin Guard walked in.
Du Qing couldn't help but frown.
He has been locked up here for so long, and this is the first time someone has come here at this time.
The Jinlin Guard came over and said, "Congratulations, you can leave now."
"What did you say?" Du Qing thought he had misheard.
The young Jinlin Guard raised the key in his hand and said, "Have you become stupid after being locked up? You can go out now."
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