The weather in the capital city is gloomy, but here the sun is shining brightly, as if it is another world.
The bright sunlight sprinkled gently and softly on Chu Yi's body, giving him a golden halo.
Nobleness and elegance seemed to be engraved in the bones of the young man, like a god descending to the earth, with bright and clear skies. His presence made the air around him seem to have a hint of fresh bamboo fragrance.
Just by looking at him like this, Tang felt that he saw the light.
Tang kowtowed three times to Chu Yi, her forehead turning purple, and said solemnly, "Please make the decision, Your Highness!"
"Please, Your Highness, save my son!"
Tang placed his forehead on the ground, prostrating himself humbly, not moving a muscle.
Chu Yi did not comment, and turned his clear and gentle gaze to the old Taoist on the other side, "Master Xuancheng, have you ever heard of this evil magic that Tang mentioned?"
The old Taoist holding a silver whisk stood there motionlessly with his eyes half closed. Only the wisps of whisk and wide sleeves were flying in the mountain breeze.
Taoist Xuancheng opened his eyes and flicked the whisk lightly, showing an immortal demeanor that was detached from this mundane world.
"Your Highness, if my prediction is correct..."
Before Master Xuan Cheng could finish his words, Hua Lan had already jumped up from the ground excitedly, and pounced towards Master Xuan Cheng like a mad beast, trying to shut his mouth.
However, he had no chance to rush to Master Xuan Cheng. A sapphire figure flashed by, and a royal guard kicked Hua Lan in the abdomen steadily, fiercely and accurately, with the movement as fast as lightning.
Those students didn't even catch his movement. They only saw Hua Lan groan and fall to the ground with his buttocks in the air.
Immediately afterwards, two Imperial Guards clamped Hua Lan's arms, one on the left and one on the right. One of them kicked his knee hard, causing him to kneel on the ground again.
When the students looked at Hua Lan again, they saw that he was covered in cold sweat and his hair was almost wet, as if he had been fished out of the water.
He looked more than just guilty, but terrified and frightened.
Han Zhanghe was still holding the Hua family tree in his hand, and he murmured in a low voice: "What Madam Hua said is indeed true..."
The other students nodded silently and looked at Hua Lan with disdain.
There is no need for Hua Lan to confess his guilt; you can tell by looking at his guilty and frightened expression.
Xuan Cheng Zhenren glanced at Hua Lan who was being held on the ground, flicked his whisk again, and whispered: "Supreme Taiyi Du'e Tianzun."
Then, he bowed to Chu Yi and sighed, "Your Highness, if my guess is correct, what the Hua family is doing should be the 'Soul-nourishing and Fate-changing Technique'."
"Please give me some advice, sir." Chu Yi bowed gracefully.
Taoist Xuancheng stroked his beard slowly, organized his words, and explained slowly: "It is said that this 'Soul-nourishing and Fate-changing Technique' is extremely evil. It requires a young man and woman with compatible horoscopes. The man must not be over 20 years old. At this age, the man's yang energy is the strongest and his luck is also the strongest. The woman's yin energy is used to restrain the man's yang energy, achieving a balance between yin and yang, and their souls are used to nourish the luck of the whole family."
As he spoke, Master Xuancheng shook his head and said, "This is an evil magic. Each time it is performed, it can ensure the prosperity of the family for thirty years, but it requires two living lives as sacrifices.
"Master, is there any way to resolve this technique?" Chu Yi asked again.
Tang, who was originally kneeling on the ground, raised his head again.
If Master Xuancheng knew the solution, he would know the solution! Her red and swollen cheek was deformed, and there was dried blood at the corner of her mouth, but she didn't care at all. She just looked at Master Xuancheng with burning eyes.
Xuan Cheng Zhenren frowned slightly, his expression gradually became solemn, and he said helplessly: "The most critical step of this technique is to use the Yin marriage as a medium to activate the technique. If the two families sign the marriage certificate and the woman accepts the betrothal gift, it is equivalent to a Yin marriage, and the ceremony is mostly completed."
"That girl has since become the ghost of the Hua family. She is doomed to die. There is no way to resolve this."
From the moment the marriage contract was signed, the woman would be a member of the Hua family in life and a ghost of the Hua family in death! Master Xuancheng sighed quietly, his eyes showing compassion.
Tang didn't care whether Lu Qin could be saved or not. She cared about her son and asked quickly, "Master, where is my son?"
"Is there still hope for my son?!"
Tang was indeed a kind mother, but anyone could see her cruelty towards Miss Lu San. The only person she cared about was her son. It really lived up to the saying "There must be something hateful about every pitiful person."
The students looked at her with contempt, thinking that this woman was really selfish.
Xuan Cheng Zhenren glanced at Tang Shi calmly, stroked his beard and said, "Your Highness, the second Miss Gu is gifted and has unique skills in Taoism. Maybe she has a way to break this spell."
Speaking of Gu Yanfei, Master Xuancheng showed admiration on his face.
When Han Zhanghe heard Master Xuancheng praising the Second Miss Gu, he couldn't help but think of what he had heard in Wancao Hall.
When he was at Wancaotang, he heard that Miss Lu San did not want to get married, so Miss Gu Er used talismans to cast a curse on Mr. Hua and ruined the marriage.
At that time, he was filled with righteous indignation and felt that Miss Gu was a bad person.
But now, from the truth he had heard and seen, it was clear that Miss Lu was forced into a secret marriage with the Hua family without her knowledge. It was the Hua family who were insidious and vicious, and they had plotted against Miss Lu, intending to use her life to ensure the prosperity of the Hua family.
Of course this kind of marriage cannot be concluded! In other words, the talisman of the second Miss Gu is not harming people, but saving people! So, Gu Ce's daughter is saving people? !
Save an innocent girl.
Han Zhanghe stood there in a daze. The feeling in his heart was hard to describe. He himself didn't know whether he was more shocked or ashamed.
A father is a father and a daughter is a daughter.
He shouldn't have had a preconceived prejudice against the second Miss Gu because of Gu Ce.
Han Zhanghe's eyes flickered, he closed his eyes, pursed his lips tightly, and took deep and rapid breaths.
He was wrong!
When he opened his eyes again, he turned and looked at Chu Yi.
The sun shone on Chu Yi's snow-white robe, spotless. The young man in white was as gentle as jade. He asked calmly, "May I ask how you can be sure that the Hua family used this 'Soul-nourishing and Fate-changing Technique'?"
Hua Lan's expression changed slightly again, his face covered with cold sweat and full of despair. He felt as if his body had sunk into a bottomless quagmire and was about to face a terrible disaster.
"It's not difficult." Master Xuancheng said calmly without even looking at Hua Lan, "The essence and blood of those who were cast spells are hidden in their tablets."
"Then I'll trouble you to verify it." Chu Yi smiled slightly, his tone leisurely.
"The Hall of Rebirth has been renovated recently, and the tablets are temporarily placed in Yunji Mountain House." Xuancheng Zhenren bowed with a smile, "I will send someone to get the tablets now."
The two Taoists left in a hurry.
When Tang heard this, a spark of hope appeared in his red and swollen eyes.
On the contrary, Hua Lan collapsed to the ground like mud, his face pale.
After a while, several Taoists worked together to push the tablets of all the Hua family members over on a cart. Then everyone checked the family tree and selected the tablets of Hua Xiang, Hua Rong, Hua Yan and others as well as their wives. Several imperial guards directly split those tablets open.
Sure enough, there was essence and blood hidden in the tablet.
The evidence is irrefutable.
Tang looked at the destroyed tablets and laughed crazily, muttering to herself, "The tablets are destroyed, the offerings are destroyed, so my son can be saved, right?"
"Master, my son is saved, right?"
Tang looked at Master Xuancheng expectantly, but Master Xuancheng did not speak.
Hua Lan closed his eyes tiredly, and when he opened them again, even his originally dark black eyeballs had turned slightly gray and lifeless.
"Yes, it was indeed me who made Hua Xi sick." He gritted his teeth, the lines of his chin were tense, and his temperament seemed gloomy and cold.
He raised his head and shouted at Chu Yi in a high voice: "But so what?"
"A father who kills his son is not at fault!"
As he spoke, Hua Lan's eyes lit up again, as if he had obtained a golden medal of immunity from death, and his whole body exuded a sense of coldness and madness.
Since ancient times, if the king wants his subject to die, the subject has to die; if the father wants his son to die, the son has to die.
The male descendants who died young in each generation were all sons of the Hua clan, and Hua Xi was also his biological son.
A father who kills his son is not guilty.
This has been the case with the laws of every dynasty.
This is the Hua family's family affair. Maybe someone will condemn him morally, but he is innocent and even the emperor cannot punish him.
There was dead silence all around, and at this moment, even the sound of the wind seemed to have stopped.
"It's you!" Tang said sternly, "You're the one who killed our son!"
Her eyes turned redder in an instant, emitting rays of hatred. She pounced on Hua Lan like an enraged female beast, hitting, scratching, tickling, and biting him.
"You crazy woman!" Hua Lan also hated Tang.
If it weren't for her, how could this matter have come to this point! The three hundred years of reputation of their Hua family was ruined by this short-sighted woman.
The couple had long forgotten their former love for each other and almost lost their minds, pushing and wrestling with each other.
Hua Lan was a man after all, and was naturally stronger than Tang. After a short while, he roughly pushed Tang to the ground.
At this time, Hua Lan's hair had been messed up by Tang, with half of his hair hanging down in disarray. There were several blood-red nail marks on his face, and his clothes were also in disarray.
Looking at this couple with such bad behavior, Han Zhanghe and other students did not have the slightest sympathy for them and all showed contempt for them.
A noble family like the Hua family, which looks glamorous on the outside, is actually corrupt to the core.
"What a saying, 'A father is not at fault for killing his son'!" Chu Yi clapped his hands gently.
"What about those innocent women who died because of marrying into your Hua family?"
His tone was neither light nor heavy, but it carried the intimidating force of thunder.
The blow hit the vital point.
Hua Lan's pupils shrank slightly, and his original fearlessness disappeared in an instant. Fear quickly spread in his eyes and spread to every part of his body.
The custom of burying people alive with their dead has existed since ancient times. Those women were never considered by Hua Lan, and were caught off guard by Chu Yi.
He was at a loss for words.
Not to mention those women in the past, even before the third Miss Lu married into the Hua family, the Lu family could easily sue the Hua family for murder.
"Capture him and hand him over to the Jingzhao Yin for interrogation." Chu Yi gave an order, and several imperial guards approached Hua Lan.
Hua Lan shouted desperately: "My wife also knows about the secret marriage. If I am guilty, then she is an accomplice!"
"She knew very well that this secret marriage would kill Miss Lu San, but she still went to the Lu family to propose marriage!"
Hua Lan's voice became increasingly shrill, and his once elegant face was no longer as gentle as before, only hideousness and distortion remained.
Since he was going to hell, Tang Shi couldn't have an easy life either! He was a sinner, so she wasn't much better off!
"Don't blame me, I know nothing!" Tang refused to admit it, "Your Highness, he can even kill his own son, which shows his character..."
After beating each other, the Hua couple started to fight each other.
Chu Yi neither said he believed it nor said he didn't believe it. He just waved his hand and didn't want to say another word to them.
The imperial guards dragged Hua Lan and his wife away. There was no need for Chu Yi to judge who was right and who was wrong; the trial could be left to the Jingzhao Yin.
When being dragged away, Tang was still screaming hysterically: "Your Highness, my son is innocent, they know nothing..."
After the couple was dragged away, the surroundings suddenly became much quieter.
The branches and leaves of the Bodhi tree above swayed in the wind, making a rustling sound, making the area within a few feet around even quieter.
Han Zhanghe and other students all had their faces turn blue, white, and red, and were too ashamed to look directly at Chu Yi.
In this strange silence, Han Zhanghe took half a step forward and was about to say something when he heard Chu Yi say again: "Master, the carriage is ready. Please follow me to Wancao Hall."
Master Xuancheng agreed with a warm expression.
They had originally agreed to go to Wancaotang together, but because of Tang's appearance, they were slightly delayed.
The cause and effect of the whole matter was roughly clarified, but he still had to make this trip. Master Xuancheng thought in his mind that this matter involved Xuanmen magic, and it would be more appropriate for him to come forward to clarify it in public on behalf of the Second Miss Gu than for the eldest prince and the government to come forward.
Moreover, these tablets were enshrined in Wuliang Temple by the Hua family, and their Wuliang Temple was also affected by this cause and effect, which must be resolved.
Then, all the students followed and surrounded Chu Yi and Master Xuan Cheng as they went down the mountain.
The group of carriages and horses set out on the return journey to Beijing, but the students' mentality was completely different from the outbound journey. They all spent the journey in silence, each of them reviewing and blaming themselves in their hearts...
When the convoy returned to the capital through the west gate, the sun had already set and the gloomy sky was covered with dark clouds.
Under the escort of the Imperial Guards, everyone arrived at Wancaotang smoothly and had a smooth journey.
At this time, there were not many ordinary people on the street, but the presence of the Imperial Guard was so large that one could tell at a glance that a distinguished person was travelling. The passers-by on the street and the customers in the nearby restaurants and shops were all attracted to their presence.
Hearing that the eldest prince and Master Xuancheng were coming to Wancaotang in person, everyone was shocked. Even the drinkers and tea guests in the restaurants and teahouses could no longer sit still and all gathered around Wancaotang.
Everyone rushed to say goodbye, so more and more people came, and the place was crowded.
These onlookers were stopped outside by the Imperial Guards and could only peek inside.
Doctor Wan received Chu Yi and Xuan Cheng Zhenren with great fear and trepidation, and said helplessly: "Your Highness, Zhenren, Master Hua is lying inside..."
Chu Yi was welcomed to sit on a rosewood chair by the window.
The second son of the Hua family, Hua Zhao, was awake but very weak. He was sitting on the couch, leaning against a large pillow.
Taoist Xuancheng took Hua Zhao's pulse, and Doctor Wan presented two things, one was a teacup containing talisman water for Hua Zhao, and the other was the purple purse containing the talisman.
Everyone's eyes fell on Master Xuan Cheng, including Gu Yunmen who was standing behind the counter not far away.
Taoist Xuancheng casually glanced at the teacup with a few spots of talisman ash on it, then looked away. Then he picked up the talisman in his purse and looked at it again and again.
"Second Miss Gu is indeed extremely gifted." Master Xuancheng smiled on his kind face, with wrinkles forming at the corners of his eyes. He praised, "This talisman is wonderful! Wonderful!"
He stared at the talisman with burning eyes, unable to take his eyes away.
There was a commotion among the crowd that was stopped outside by the Imperial Guards. Everyone pricked up their ears and looked at Master Xuancheng, who had an immortal appearance, white hair and a youthful face, with shining eyes.
Most of them had heard that at noon an unconscious Mr. Hua was sent to Wancaotang. Later, some people spread the word that Mr. Hua was harmed by the talisman of Miss Gu Er.
But now, listening to the tone of praise from Master Xuancheng, it seems that this is not the case! "Master, what is the magic of this talisman?" Chu Yi asked casually.
Xuan Cheng Zhenren looked at the winding runes on the talisman paper again, then put the talisman down and said concisely: "This talisman can break the evil magic of the Hua family."
Even though Han Zhanghe had guessed this when he was at Wuliang Temple, he still felt ashamed when he heard Master Xuancheng confirm it in person.
The people surrounding outside immediately started to make a commotion.
A young woman in the crowd shouted at the top of her voice: "Second Miss Gu didn't hurt anyone, right?"
"No, Second Miss Gu didn't harm anyone!" Master Xuan Cheng smiled slightly. His voice was not loud, but it was clearly heard by everyone outside.
It was already dark at this time, and candles were lit in the front hall. The faint candlelight shone on the old Taoist with silver hair and beard, making his demeanor even more solemn and even more majestic than the statues of the Three Pure Ones enshrined in the Taoist temple.
He flicked his whisk lightly, and a ten-year-old Taoist boy who was accompanying him understood.
The little Taoist boy walked quickly to the gate of Wancao Hall and told the whole truth in vivid detail. He also said that the evil Master Hua and his wife had been taken to Jingzhao Prefecture by people sent by the eldest prince.
Hua Zhao, who was lying on the couch, originally thought that Master Xuan Cheng was invited by the eldest prince to save his life. Only now did he realize that his parents had been sent to the government office.
His face instantly darkened, even his lips turned pale, and he was panicking: What would he do? The passers-by outside Wancao Hall were like a pot of boiling water, talking about it in a flurry.
An old woman said excitedly and indignantly: "It's too vicious. I'm afraid this is not only to use evil magic to bring prosperity to the family, but also to steal money and kill people!"
"If this person dies, the dowry will belong to the Hua family!"
"It's murder for money!" Another young man in gray shorts slapped his thigh, "When his family is short of money, he marries a daughter-in-law and embezzles the dowry! Isn't this a beast?!"
For these ordinary people, murder for money and embezzlement of the daughter-in-law's dowry are obviously much easier to understand. When everyone put themselves in their shoes, they became more and more indignant.
After scolding the Hua family, someone happily sighed: "Sure enough, I knew that Miss Gu was a kind-hearted fairy. How could a fairy hurt others!!"
When the others heard this, they also applauded Miss Gu Er, with many praising her with words.
Amidst the praises for Miss Gu Er, Chu Yi curled his lips and a bright light flowed in his eyes.
"Han Zhanghe," Chu Yi looked at Han Zhanghe gently, his voice steady but with a kind of overwhelming pressure, "Do you have any other questions?"
"Now, do you still want to continue to file a complaint?"
Chu Yi's last words were directed to the other students present.
Han Zhanghe and other students were so ashamed that they wanted to dig a hole in the ground and crawl into it. Not only were they too embarrassed to face Chu Yi, they were even more ashamed to face the people outside.
Han Zhanghe and his classmates could not help but recall that at noon in a nearby teahouse, a girl had angrily rebuked them: "You have read so many books, but you only know how to repeat what others say. I think the more you read, the more confused you become!"
"People like you, even if you pass the imperial examination and become officials in the future, you will only create false cases and harm others and yourself!"
The girl's words are still ringing in their ears. At that time, they thought she was nonsense; but now thinking back, they feel that what she said is very pertinent.
They are really nerds, thinking that they are superior to others in talent and knowledge, but in fact, they only study hard and are so stupid that they are led by the nose by a few words from others. They have let down the academy's teachings over the years.
Han Zhanghe raised his head with difficulty, his face burning with anger, and said shamefully, "Your Highness, I won't sue you anymore."
Chu Yi smiled slightly and said, "Emperor Taizu once said that without investigation, there is no right to speak."
Ordinary people may not know this sentence, but all the students present know it.
Taizu said that without investigation, one has no right to speak; and without conducting a correct investigation, one also has no right to speak.
The students all seemed to be thinking about something, and felt that the eldest prince was intentionally giving them some advice.
Yes, if they had personally gone to the Lu family and the Hua family to investigate the whole matter before filing a complaint, they would not have put themselves in this predicament now.
The students said in unison: "Your Highness is right! Thank you for your guidance!"
They looked at Chu Yi with eyes full of admiration. Although their eldest prince was young, he acted with moderation. He had the courage of Emperor Taizu and the benevolence of the current emperor. It was a blessing for Dajing to have such an heir to the throne!
Chu Yi slowly looked around at everyone and said, "This matter is."
After a pause, he spoke more slowly: "The same is true for Gu Ce's matter!"
These words were like thunder that suddenly exploded in the sky, and the surroundings were instantly silent.
(End of this chapter)
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