Chapter 119: Catch Them All
Three days passed in the blink of an eye.
During these three days, Li Nuo and Li Anning acted just like a normal couple, except that they did not sleep in the same bed.
Go shopping together, cook together, go shopping together, do housework together, make dumplings together... and rock in bed together at night.
The fake wife experienced everything that the real wife had never experienced.
When he woke up in the morning and was still not fully awake, he couldn't even tell who was real and who was fake.
After all, if we judge from daily behavior, it is hard to say who is real and who is fake.
Today is the third day that the two have officially pretended to be a couple. Just after dinner, Li An Ning took Li Nuo's arm, leaned her head lightly on his shoulder, and walked slowly on the streets of Chang'an.
After three days of running in, the two had long gotten rid of the awkwardness of the first day.
Everything was so natural, just like a real newlywed couple, still in the stage of great affection and love.
When passing by a middle-aged couple, the woman looked at her husband who was walking in front of her, and then looked at the very close young couple. She couldn't help but walked forward, pinched her husband hard, and said angrily: "Look at them!"
His husband rubbed his arm, looking confused.
Li Anning looked back and saw the woman kicking and beating the poor man. A smile appeared on his face and he turned around and asked, "Will we become like that in another ten or twenty years?"
Li Nuo glanced at her. Haven’t you rehearsed this sentence?
Could it be that she was too immersed in the role and acted out of character?
I have to say, this sentence is very well played.
Women really learn these things on their own.
Li Nuo smiled and said, "Of course, in another ten or twenty years, we will be an old couple, hugging each other in public without being afraid of being laughed at..."
As soon as he finished speaking, his arms loosened and the full feeling of oppression disappeared.
Li Anning put his hands on his hips and stamped his feet in dissatisfaction. His chest shook and trembled. He snorted and said, "You men are all like this. It's still fresh now, but after a while, you will get tired of it and ignore you!"
After saying that, she walked angrily in the direction she came from.
After being stunned for a moment, Li Nuo quickly chased after him.
"Madam, wait for me!"
"I was wrong. Not to mention ten or twenty years, even if it's a hundred or a thousand years later, you will still be my favorite!"
"Huh, is it okay to just say you're wrong?"
"Whatever my lady says is what I will do. I am willing to go through fire and water for her!"
"Humph, I won't let you go through fire and water, so I'll punish you to carry me back..."
…
Not far away, watching the couple walking away in the sunset, a middle-aged man leaning against the wall on the street smiled.
The yellow-faced woman at home was so lively and lovable more than ten years ago.
No matter how you look at it, they are a loving newlywed couple.
Seeing this couple, he couldn't help but recall some of the good times that had passed by him.
If there was any problem between them, he would never believe in true love in the world again.
He got on a carriage on the street and soon arrived at a mansion.
In a room in the mansion, a middle-aged man looked at him and asked, "What's going on?"
The man said, "After observing for the past few days, I have not found any problems with Mr. Song and his wife. Just as the neighbors said, they have a very good relationship. They have sex every night and stay together during the day. He spent all the money he stole a few days ago on his wife.
According to his neighbors, several years ago in the winter, Song Shouzuo did take in an old man, and his stealing skills should have been taught by that old man, which is consistent with what he and Zhao Wu said..."
Chief Wu nodded slightly.
In fact, the investigation into Master Song was just a routine matter.
The abbot is neither a manager nor an ordinary disciple.
If one of the disciples is captured, at most a small stronghold will be lost.
If a manager is arrested, the worst that can happen is the loss of a few strongholds and a dozen or so followers.
But if something happens to the abbot, at least four managers and dozens of disciples will be lost.
This is still the lightest consequence. The chief is already a high-ranking member of the Thieves' Sect and they often discuss matters together.
If there is a problem with one abbot, it is likely to affect several abbots.
All the leaders, protectors, and even messengers will be present at this thieves' conference, so they cannot afford to be careless.
He looked at the sky outside, slowly stood up, and said, "It's almost time..."
…
Li Nuo carried Li An Ning back home and felt relieved when he put her down.
Fortunately, he has been exercising regularly during this period and his physical fitness has improved a lot, otherwise he really wouldn't be able to carry her.
She is about the same height as my wife, but much heavier than her.
Li Anning stood in the yard and adjusted her clothes on her chest.
In order to solve this major case, Her Royal Highness the Princess also made great sacrifices.
In comparison, Li Nuo just slept on the ground for a few days, which was nothing.
One is a married man, and the other is an unmarried innocent woman. It is actually inappropriate for them to eat and live together in the same room for three days and three nights.
But being an undercover agent is not easy, and some sacrifices are inevitable in the process.
Both of them are practitioners of law, and both Li Nuo and Li Anning have this awareness.
It's getting dark.
At a certain moment, there was a knock on the door outside the yard.
Li Nuo walked to the door, opened it, and saw the middle-aged man standing outside the courtyard. He asked in surprise, "Master Wu, how did you find this place?"
The middle-aged man smiled and said, "Although Master Song is an excellent thief, his vigilance is too weak. He didn't even know he was being followed. But don't worry, I will arrange for someone to teach you these things in the future..."
After making a joke, he spoke again: "Tonight is the semi-annual Thieves' Conference, which involves the redivision of the chief's jurisdiction. All chiefs must participate. I am here to pick up Chief Song..."
Li Nuo said: "Then let's go over there now!"
Wu Shouzu asked with a smile: "Would you like to invite me in for a cup of tea?"
Li Nuo quickly extended his hand and said, "Master Wu, please..."
Master Wu stepped into the courtyard and glanced around the courtyard seemingly unintentionally.
Li Nuo invited Wu Shouzu into the main hall and said, "Madam, quickly pour tea for Wu Shouzu."
After that, he smiled at Wu Shouzuo again and said, "I don't have any good tea at home. I'm sorry to make you laugh."
Wu Shouzuo said nothing. He looked around the room. When he took the teacup, he glanced at Li Anning's hands and said, "Song Shouzuo must be very fond of Madam Song. Madam Song's hands are so smooth and delicate. She must seldom work..."
Li Nuo held Li An Ning's hand and said with a smile: "My wife has suffered a lot by marrying me. How can I bear to let her continue to suffer? I usually do all the housework..."
Compared to Li Anning's white, tender and smooth hands, Li Nuo has some calluses on his hands due to frequent practice of riding and archery.
Wu Shouzu didn't doubt anything. He glanced at the couple and said with a smile, "The relationship between Song Shouzu and his wife is really enviable."
He scanned the room again and found nothing unusual. He stood up slowly and said, "It's getting late, Master Song, let's go..."
After the final verification, he truly trusted the new abbot.
The two walked out of the courtyard and saw a carriage parked there.
Li Nuo stood in front of the carriage, looked back at Li An Ning, and said, "My dear, please wait for me at home. If it's too late, you can go to bed first. You don't have to leave the door open for me. I can climb over the wall by myself..."
Li Anning leaned against the door and said, "No matter how late it is, I will wait for you."
The carriage started slowly.
Li Anning walked out the door and watched the carriage go away and disappear around the next corner.
After a long moment, she clapped her hands gently.
squeak!
After one sound after another, the doors of the houses on both sides of the street opened one after another.
Countless figures walked out from behind the door.
Li Anning took the wooden compass from someone. A needle on the compass was slowly rotating...
…
"There are 108 wards in Chang'an. The 12 wards close to the imperial city are inhabited by high-ranking officials and dignitaries. They are forbidden areas for us thieves. Every household is heavily guarded. If you are caught stealing there, you may lose your life."
"The remaining ninety-six districts are divided into upper, middle, and lower districts according to their wealth. Each of the sixteen chiefs of the Dao Men is responsible for two upper districts, two middle districts, and two lower districts."
"The jurisdiction of the chief is not fixed. It will be rotated every six months and decided by drawing lots. If you are lucky enough to draw the top Shangfang, you will make a lot of money. In half a year, Chief Song can get a big house."
"Each chief has four managers under his command, who are responsible for managing the lower-level disciples..."
On a carriage, Chief Wu was telling Li Nuo some basic information that a chief should know.
These things should actually have been told to him when he became the abbot.
But at that time, he had not yet gained full trust.
After several days of close investigation and surveillance, he finally trusted the new leader completely.
To become the leader of the Thieves' Sect, one must go through a rigorous screening process. Leader Song took the position of leader by relying on his own strength.
If he had a problem, it would have been because he had started planning it years ago.
The person behind the scenes needs to find a genius in thieves, train him for at least four hours a day, and use several years to make him a master of thieves, just for the sake of being discovered by the thieves and infiltrating the inner circle...
But what is the reason for doing this?
Wait until the Thieves' Conference and then capture all the top leaders of the Thieves' Sect?
Only the government has reason to do so.
But those officials wouldn't be so bored.
As for dignitaries, thieves have always kept their distance from them.
If there really is an official who is so boring, he will admit it.
After an unknown amount of time, the carriage stopped at a street corner.
The two got off the carriage and found another carriage parked here.
The driver waved his whip and quickly disappeared from Li Nuo's sight.
A figure stood beside the carriage and said, "Token."
After the two men handed him the chief's identity tokens for inspection, they were blindfolded and boarded the new carriage.
After the carriage started, Wu Shouzuo explained to Li Nuo in the carriage: "The thief's door cannot be exposed to light, so it is normal to be cautious. It will be fine once Song Shouzuo gets used to it."
Li Nuo nodded and said, "I understand."
Although they are both abbots, Abbot Wu has been here for many years and obviously knows more.
After thinking for a while, he asked again: "I wonder which other senior executives will attend today's meeting?"
These are not secrets. Wu Shouzu said: "Regarding the distribution of the chiefs' jurisdictions, in addition to the sixteen chiefs, the four Dharma protectors will definitely appear, and at least one of the two left and right envoys should appear."
Li Nuo asked again: "Where is the Sect Master?"
Wu Shouzu shook his head and said, "The Sect Master is a mysterious figure that is hard to find. I have been in the Thieves Sect for so many years, but I have never seen the Sect Master once. I once heard from Protector Zhang that he had never seen the Sect Master..."
The two chatted along the way and changed carriages several times. Each carriage only took them a certain distance.
In this situation, let alone remembering the route, Li Nuo didn't even know whether he was in Chang'an City.
After an unknown amount of time, the carriage stopped again.
The two blindfolded men got off the carriage and were helped to walk a distance, over several thresholds, and through two corridors.
There was the sound of a door closing behind him, and the black cloth covering his head was removed, and Li Nuo finally regained his sight.
This is a spacious room, and there are already more than a dozen figures waiting inside.
Seeing someone coming in, a few voices of low conversation were heard in the quiet room.
"It's Chief Wu."
"The one next to him must be the newly promoted Chief Master Song. He looks really young."
"At such a young age, you have such abilities. Your future is limitless..."
…
Li Nuo counted and found that there were fourteen people in the room, sitting around four tables.
Three of the tables were full, and at the other table, there were only two people sitting.
At the front, there is an empty table and two chairs.
Chief Wu brought Li Nuo to a table where only two people were sitting.
"I just went to pick up Master Song and came a little late." Master Wu explained to the two of them and then introduced Li Nuo.
"This is Chief Han."
"This is Master Feng."
One Dharma Protector manages four chief seats. The four of them all take orders directly from Dharma Protector Zhang and can be considered colleagues in the same department.
The two chiefs were middle-aged men, one looked gentle and refined, and the other was dressed like a farmer. After Li Nuo sat down, the two smiled at him and bowed at the same time.
"Meet Master Song."
"Please take care of me in the future."
Li Nuo clasped his fists in return and continued to wait with a few others.
After a while, the door opened again, and a figure dressed in black and with his face covered walked into the room and sat at an empty table at the front.
Wu Shouzuo whispered, "This is a Dharma protector."
Soon, three more guardians arrived here, among them was the old man in black robe that Li Nuo had seen.
At this point, the four guardians and sixteen chiefs of the Thieves' Sect have all arrived.
Li Nuo felt a little excited.
After so many days of hard work, the results finally came to fruition.
Crunch!
At some point, the door opened again.
Two figures, one black and one white, walked in from outside.
Everyone in the room immediately stood up and bowed to the two men.
Li Nuo took a look at the two Thieves' Sect messengers, one male and one female, both of them were old.
Neither of them was wearing a mask. They slowly walked into the room and sat in the two chairs at the front.
After the old woman sat down, she asked, "Has the new chief been chosen?"
The old man in black robe stood up and said, "Reply to the envoy, the selection has been made. Master Song, come out and meet the envoy."
Li Nuo stood up and walked to the front, bowed slightly, and said, "Greetings, messenger."
The old woman glanced at him, raised her eyebrows, and suddenly asked, "Are you married?"
Li Nuo nodded and said, "Reply to the envoy, I am already married."
The old woman asked, "How long have you been married?"
Li Nuo said: "More than a year."
The old woman's eyes flickered, and she suddenly asked, "You have been married for more than a year, why haven't you lost your essence yet and are still a virgin?"
Li Nuo was stunned when he heard this.
No, can you see that?
When the old woman said this, the Dharma protectors present were all a little confused.
Okay, why is the messenger saying this?
However, this matter is really strange.
Since this Chief Monarch Song already has a wife and has been married for such a long time, how could he still be a virgin? Does he have some hidden illness?
The expression on Chief Wu's face was even more surprised. Chief Song and his wife had a very good relationship. He sent people to eavesdrop on them, and found that their bed shook violently every night. How could he be a virgin?
The old man sitting next to the old woman turned up his sleeves and aimed a crossbow arrow at Li Nuo's forehead. He asked in a cold voice: "Who are you and what is your purpose in sneaking into the robbers' sect?"
Li Nuo never thought that he and Li An Ning pretended to be so similar and had deceived countless people who were monitoring them, but their identities would be seen through because of this.
Now that things have come to this, there is no need to pretend anymore.
He smiled and said, "What do you think, Messenger?"
It was obvious that this person had bad intentions. A stern look appeared on the old man's face and he pulled the trigger.
call out!
A tiny arrow shot straight into Li Nuo's forehead.
But the arrow stopped one foot away from Li Nuo's eyebrows and slowly floated in the void.
He stretched out his hand and grasped the small arrow, saying: "We were talking about it, why are you shooting arrows? Now exile has become death penalty..."
The old man's pupils trembled, and he said in a trembling voice: "Fajia, you are from the Fajia!"
Everyone present finally realized that something was wrong. Wu Shouzu's face changed and he immediately said, "We can't stay here for long. Let's go!"
As soon as he finished speaking, all the guardians and the chief monk present ran quickly towards the door.
At this time, it is useless to worry about the identity of Master Song.
All the high-level people above the level of the Thief Sect are here. If anything goes wrong, the entire Thief Sect will be overthrown.
However, they just ran to the door and slowly retreated back to the room.
The yard outside was already full of people.
Chief Wu looked at the woman standing in the front who had just poured tea for him with an expression of disbelief on his face.
The next moment, he was trapped in the spot, unable to move at all.
Not only him, but all the thieves present were imprisoned in place by an invisible force.
Although the Thieves' Sect was mysterious and cautious, both the Chief Protector and the messenger were ordinary people with no cultivation. At most, they had learned some basic martial arts. Facing Li An Ning and the Li Mansion's guard masters led by Steward Wu, they had nowhere to escape.
Li Anning walked in from outside, saw the crossbow in Li Nuo's hand, and asked with concern: "Husband, are you okay?"
Li Nuo threw the arrow on the ground, clapped his hands, and said, "It's okay."
The guards of Li's mansion filed in and captured all the high-ranking members of the thieves' sect.
Although only twenty-one people have been arrested so far, except for the sect leader, all the high-level members of the Thieves' Sect have been caught in one fell swoop. As long as they are followed up, the sixty-four managers and the official members of the sect will also be found.
However, these are the affairs of the Chang'an County Government, the Ministry of Justice and the Dali Temple.
Li Anning asked Li Nuo curiously, "How did your identity get exposed?"
When they arrived, they saw these people trying to escape.
Fortunately, they arrived in time. If these people had escaped earlier, all their efforts in the past few days would have been in vain.
Li Nuo waved his hand and said, "It's not important. Let's interrogate these people quickly. If we delay, something bad will happen. Once the manager below notices something is wrong, all our work will be in vain..."
Each of the sixteen chiefs has four managers under him.
The identities, addresses and chief seats of these stewards are very clear.
And every manager is also clear about the details of the thieves under his command.
From top to bottom, following the clues, the entire thief family can be uprooted.
Chang'an was under curfew and the city gates had long been closed, so these people could not escape even if they had wings.
Li Nuo doesn't have to do these things himself.
He just had to wait for the results.
Now he just wants to sleep.
These days, he was tense every moment, even when he was sleeping.
Now that the string has finally loosened, I suddenly feel extremely tired.
The top leaders of the Thieves' Sect were escorted out one after another. Li Anning turned around and found Li Nuo sleeping on the table.
She walked over slowly. He had really worked hard these past few days.
She stretched out her hand and wanted to help Li Nuo tidy up his messy hair, when Butler Wu walked in from outside.
Li Anning's outstretched hand stopped in mid-air, and then he retracted it.
She suddenly realized that she was no longer fit to do this.
Now he is someone else's husband.
Steward Wu carefully carried Li Nuo on his back and said to Li An Ning, "Your Highness, I am taking the young master home. You should also go back and rest early."
Li Anning watched Butler Wu carrying Li Nuo away, and a sense of loss arose in his heart.
It's not about if you lose it, it's already lost.
They were a close couple just now, but suddenly, an endless distance between them appeared.
Those beautiful memories seem to be just a dream.
When the dream is over, everything will return to reality.
But soon, she calmed down and put this strange feeling behind her.
These high-ranking members of the thieves' sect need to be interrogated as soon as possible. Tonight will probably be another sleepless night.
After returning to the princess's residence, washing and changing her clothes, she went straight to the Ministry of Justice.
At this time, Song Mansion.
Song Jiaren was already asleep. When she heard the knock on the door, she got dressed, got out of bed, and opened the door.
Li Nuo stood at the door and smelled the familiar fragrance of his wife again. He breathed a sigh of relief and felt relaxed instantly. He said, "My wife, I'm back..."
Song Jiaren was stunned for a moment when she saw this face that was strange yet familiar.
Seeing that his wife was staring at his face, Li Nuo realized that he was still wearing makeup.
He ran to the fountain in the yard and was about to wash off the makeup on his face when a voice suddenly came from behind him.
"etc……"
Li Nuo turned around and saw his wife staring at his face.
(End of this chapter)
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