Chapter 40 Military Camp
Chang'an City is bustling with people and is still a prosperous scene.
Qiandeng's carriage left the East Palace and passed by Shengfa Casino on the way home.
Today, the crowds in front of the gambling house are even more crowded than ever before.
A group of idle people gathered around to watch, and saw that the manager of the Jin family had a sad face, wiping away tears while personally taking off the "Jintang" nameplate.
"It seems the rumors are true, the young master of the Jin family was really murdered!"
"This is really strange! Before Yan Penglai committed suicide, didn't he also circulate a confession, saying that the matter about the county lady's appearance was a slander, and that most of the troubles in the mansion were caused by Princess Gao? Now that the dust has settled, why is there trouble again?"
"Yes, I also heard that after the incident at Jintang, Ji Linyou was also detained by the Dali Temple. Could it be that he was the murderer out of jealousy and hatred?"
"That can't be right. If that's the case, why is Ji Linyou's nameplate still hanging there and hasn't been taken down?"
The curious person immediately pointed at the nameplate and loudly asked the gambling house manager, "Manager Jin, why is Ji Linyou still here? Wasn't he said to be involved in your young master's murder?"
Butler Jin wiped his tears and shook his head, "I dare not say that! The Recorder comes from a family of loyal and brave men. He is also a senior figure in the Imperial Guards, a soldier who defends our country. Although he and our young master have had some minor disagreements, I believe he would not do such a thing."
"No? Then why did the court detain him?"
Someone else whispered, "Besides, is this a trivial matter between the two gentlemen? The one before you is a county lady, and a beautiful woman. Isn't this a good thing worth risking your life for, with both power and beauty?"
"That's right. That's why so many young men have been killed in the past, but these few who remain are still unwilling to leave. Don't even mention them. Even I, if I were in this situation, would fight for my life. What if I succeed, right?"
"Tsk, with your appearance, are you qualified to enter the mansion and die for the county lord?"
Amid the laughter of the crowd, Qiandeng watched silently through the car window as the Jin family members took off Jin Tang's nameplate.
There are still six people left: Cui Fufeng, Xue Xiyang, Ji Linyou, Meng Lanxi, Ming Jiu and Ling Tianshui.
Everyone pointed at the six famous brands and started arguing about which of the remaining people would be the final winner.
"Manager Jin, Mr. Jin is no longer involved. So, will this gambling game you're running still count?"
"Yes, yes, we are all heartbroken by Jin Langjun's death, but these bets were made with our hard-earned money..."
Amidst the worried discussions, the Jin family's steward said tearfully, "Although this is a great misfortune for our family, the master has told us that since we've taken over this gambling house, all previous accounts will be honored. As long as the Jin family exists, we will absolutely honor this account. Please rest assured!"
Amidst the cheers, Jin Tang's death seemed to be left behind by everyone as the brand name disappeared.
People on the street were either staring at the remaining six names, thinking about the chance to make a fortune by choosing one out of six, or lamenting that their previous bets had gone to waste.
"It seems that Cui Shaoqing is still indestructible and always far ahead. With his status and family background, he should be safe, right?"
"It's hard to say. Cui Shaoqing has a terrible reputation among the ladies in the capital. No girl who gets involved with him will have a bad ending. If I were the Princess of Lingling County, I wouldn't dare choose him!"
"Tsk tsk, Cui Shaoqing sent one girl after another to prison, and the county lady brought one man after another to heaven. I think they are a perfect match!"
"Ji Linyou can't be chosen anyway. The risk is too great."
"Ling Tianshui, who's at the bottom, is still at the bottom. I heard he's very skilled. It's going to be hard for others to plot against him, right?"
"Another skilled one is Ji Linyou, and the one before that is Su Yunzhong. What do you think?"
"Yes, no, no, this kind of rough guy, I think he's more likely to cause trouble than Ji Linyou and Su Yunzhong, he's dangerous!"
"It's a miracle that Meng Lanxi, a weak scholar, has managed to survive until now. Is it worth putting pressure on him?"
"Compared to that, I'd still bet on Xue Xiyang, the Grand Chancellor of Music. He seems pretty steady along the way."
"That Huihe prince is still refusing to leave. What is the court's attitude now?"
"It's hard to say. Even though there are only six of us left, the situation still seems complicated and incomprehensible!"
Qiandeng's gaze finally rested on the six names for a moment before he lowered the curtain and told the driver not to return home, but to drive out of the city and head towards the Northern Yamen Forbidden Army.
The Northern Ya Imperial Guards were stationed on the outskirts of the city, not far from the Changhua King's Mausoleum.
At the turn of spring and summer, the pine and cypress trees rustled, and the mountain air was filled with pollen, bringing bursts of fragrance. Some soldiers, unable to tolerate the pollen, sneezed and burst into tears.
Unfortunately, their immediate superior Ling Tianshui was heartless and merciless. He urged them to resume training immediately after drinking the medicine without any delay.
Unexpectedly, just as they lined up, the soldiers suddenly stared at the back of him, and ran through the formation perfunctorily, just sticking their heads out to look at him.
Ling Tianshui looked back and saw Qiandeng, wearing a white gauze veil, getting off a carriage outside the camp gate under the flowing clouds. Her slender figure was like a newly blooming flower in the early summer breeze. Even though the veil covered her face, her elegant and graceful demeanor could not be concealed.
Seeing that the soldiers were trying hard to see through the white gauze with their thieving eyes and had no intention of practicing, Ling Tianshui had no choice but to hit the most outrageous ones with his whip and ordered them to continue practicing. He turned around and took Qiandeng to sit in the barracks, and asked someone to call Meng Lanxi to make tea together.
Qian Deng smelled the refreshing tea fragrance and was a little surprised: "Why is Mr. Meng here too?"
Meng Lanxi smiled, dimples etched across her cheeks. "It's the season of pine and cypress blossoms, and pollen is plentiful. Many soldiers in the camp are feeling unwell, with runny noses, blocked noses, and rashes. The military doctors aren't familiar with this condition, and I happened to have learned these prescriptions, so I came here to help."
Ling Tianshui also said: "Besides, he is now also interested in joining the army. It would be a good thing for him to become more familiar with the affairs of the military camp."
Qian Deng was surprised when he heard this. "When did Mr. Meng come up with this idea? What did the Imperial College say?"
Meng Lanxi hesitated for a moment, then looked up at Ling Tianshui. The moment their eyes met, he lowered his thick eyelashes, covering his delicate eyes. "Yes, even if I study at the Imperial College my whole life, I'm still just a scholar, powerless. What future can I have? Besides, I'm not busy with school these days. Why not see if there's any opportunity in the army? Perhaps I'll be able to help the county lady in the future."
"That's not necessary. However, it's a good thing to be able to gain experience in the military. I believe that with your talent and aptitude, whether studying at the Imperial College or practicing medicine in the army, you will have a bright future."
Hearing Qiandeng say this, Meng Lanxi smiled with relief and sat with them for a while. Then he was called by the soldiers who were blowing their noses to see a doctor.
They were the only two people left in the room. Ling Tianshui poured her some tea and asked, "Why did you come here today? Is there something you want to talk to me about?"
Qian Deng didn't answer but asked, "I want to ask about Ji Linyou. He is your cousin after all. Have you visited him since he was imprisoned?"
"Fortunately, he's not in prison. The Dali Temple has arranged for him to be temporarily detained in the Pure Room so he can be summoned at any time." Ling Tianshui's expression was indifferent, and it was indeed clear that he had no special feelings for this cousin. "Don't worry. If there are any new developments, Cui Fufeng and I will follow up and communicate with you at any time."
"I just met with His Royal Highness the Crown Prince and asked him to allow us to take our time investigating Jin Tang's death and not to rush the case. There are indeed doubts about him, but these doubts are also doubtful. I feel uneasy and always feel that the case should not be closed so hastily."
Ling Tianshui raised his eyebrows slightly when he heard her say this: "Is this why you went to see the prince?"
"It's not just for Jin Tang and Ji Linyou. The main benefit is that we've received the Crown Prince's help. The Ministry of War has allowed us to access the archives of the Battle of Huangsha Valley. Since Mr. Ling is interested in the Battle of Huangsha Valley, now you have the opportunity to thoroughly investigate. Let's get a good look at the Jin family's background."
Ling Tianshui's expression stiffened unconsciously: "Where did you know this?"
"Have you been following the events of the Yellow Sand Valley?" Qian Deng smiled at him, resting her chin on her hand. "I've heard about it occasionally. During that great battle, my grandfather united almost all the forces in the northwest to resist the enemy. I heard that although the old Prince Linhuai didn't go there in person, he did send several elite troops from the Shuofang Army to assist. Ling Langjun is from the northwest. I wonder if any of your relatives or elders participated in the war?"
There was a hint of mystery in her smile, with a sly pleasure of having seen through a secret.
However, after discovering the secret he was hiding, she did not doubt or speculate, but instead created opportunities for him without hesitation, even though she had no idea what the Yellow Sand Valley meant to him.
An indescribable palpitation welled up in his heart. Looking at her smile, Ling Tianshui felt a burning sensation in his throat for the first time in his life.
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