Chapter 125: Bright Blue Sky
The wind in late spring in Lingnan brings a slight heat.
When Song Ping came out of the Black Mountain Restaurant, his mood changed drastically.
His steps were light, but his shoulders felt heavy.
Before today, he sometimes felt like a headless chicken, running around without a clear destination.
He also often worried that he would achieve nothing in Lingnan and would be unable to govern the place better.
But from today on, Song Ping felt that he had a direction and he had a path in his eyes.
After Song Ping returned home, he found the jade pendant that Pei Lingfeng had given him and sat in the yard looking at the stars.
My mood gradually calmed down.
People are like jade, and jade is like people.
When Song Ping watched the starlight flowing through the jade pendant, Hao Ren's figure suddenly appeared in his mind.
Many ordinary details may seem insignificant, but when these details are strung together one day, the truth will be revealed.
Song Ping thought of Hao Ren's manners and demeanor.
Thinking of Hao Ren's calm attitude as he sat next to King Yue today.
Thinking of Su Zhizhi saying "This is my cousin"...
Song Ping's hands trembled, and there seemed to be lightning and thunder in his head.
He swallowed.
Song Ping was restless again.
…
Eunuch Xiao and Hu Xin came out of the Black Mountain Restaurant and returned to the post station.
Because they had been searching for Murong Di along the way, they just arrived in Xunzhou today.
Also arriving in Xunzhou with them was Yu Duwei, who was leading the imperial guards.
They were separated from Murong Di at the border of Lingnan and Qianzhong. They first searched for him near the place where they were separated, but after searching to no avail, they came to Lingnan with a lucky hope that King Yue and He Sanlang might have already arrived in Lingnan.
If they followed the King of Yue on his inspection tour and something happened to him, they would all be dead.
As they haven't found it yet, they plan to inform local officials in Lingnan and expand the search area.
Captain Yu held an official position, so he was asked to negotiate with local officials on this matter.
Eunuch Xiao and Hu Xin were planning to send a message back to Chang'an.
The two of them were sent by the Queen Mother to monitor the King of Yue. If the King of Yue behaved abnormally during this trip, they would report it to the Queen Mother after returning to the capital.
If they could find the King of Yue, that would be fine. If not, they would naturally have to report back.
However, at this moment, County Magistrate Song of Baiyun County announced the news with great fanfare:
The King of Yue has arrived in Baiyun County and is making a secret visit to the county to understand the people's sentiments.
Upon hearing the news, Eunuch Xiao, Hu Xin, and Captain Yu all rushed to Magistrate Song.
After arriving at the yamen and identifying myself, I followed the yamen runner in and saw Murong Di sitting peacefully in the hall eating tea and snacks, not looking at all embarrassed.
"Your Majesty!"
"Is the prince alright?"
The three of them spoke at the same time.
When Murong Di saw the person coming, his face immediately changed to a look of dissatisfaction:
"How dare you appear before this king!"
"In this critical moment, you actually failed to protect me. Fortunately, I met some people from Baiyun County passing by and followed them to Lingnan."
"Look at me! I've become so skinny from starvation!"
Captain Yu's eyes quickly swept over Murong Di, but he didn't notice that Murong Di had lost weight.
He's quite lively and energetic, but just as stupid as before.
The three people, each with their own thoughts, quickly stepped forward to plead guilty.
"Your Highness, please forgive me. It was my fault for not providing adequate protection."
"Your Highness, please forgive me. I failed to serve you well."
Murong Di looked furious and refused to buy into it:
"Who knows if you have colluded with those bandits to harm the king?"
"Song County Magistrate, take them away for a thorough interrogation. They must not be released until the investigation is complete!"
"Your Highness, this is unfair—" Eunuch Xiao was about to step forward, but was stopped by two yamen runners.
Captain Yu frowned and said, "I am a captain of the Imperial Guards, guarding His Royal Highness the King of Yue under the orders of the Emperor. Who dares to stop me?"
County Magistrate Song was not afraid at all. He simply raised his hand and ordered the yamen runners to take them all to the backyard:
"No matter how high my position is, it's no more important than a word from the prince. If you have anything to say, please wait until the matter is thoroughly investigated."
"You, you..." Captain Yu wanted to break free, but he was surprised to find that the bailiff who was escorting him was very strong.
Even with his martial arts skills, he couldn't break free at all and was dragged away in a miserable state.
After watching the few people being taken away, County Magistrate Song said to Murong Di:
"Don't worry, Your Majesty. I will order someone to keep a strict watch on him."
Murong Di: "Thank you, County Magistrate Song."
While they were still talking, a yamen runner came hurriedly to report:
"Your Majesty, Sir, Governor Gu is here."
After seeing Murong Di nod, County Magistrate Song said, "Quickly invite Governor Gu to come in and see the prince."
When Governor Gu heard that the King of Yue was on a secret visit to Baiyun County, he put down his chopsticks halfway through his meal and hurried over to pay his respects.
"This old minister pays his respects to His Majesty the King of Yue." Governor Gu saluted in a proper manner.
Murong Di took two steps forward and supported him: "Gu Zhishi is old, no need to be polite, please sit down."
After repeatedly thanking him, Governor Gu sat down on a chair at the side.
"I, this old minister, was so slow that I didn't realize that the prince had already arrived in Xunzhou."
Murong Di: "Governor Gu, to be honest, I was on an incognito tour when I was attacked by bandits. Fortunately, Magistrate Song and some villagers who were passing by rescued me, so I am here to recuperate."
Governor Gu's brows knitted into a knot:
"These thieves are truly audacious! Has County Magistrate Song figured out who they are?"
County Magistrate Song nodded solemnly:
"We found them. Not only did we find them, we caught them. They're a gang of fugitives, and after interrogation, they turned out to be the murderers of the Qi family in Yangzhou ten years ago."
"The Qi family in Yangzhou where more than a dozen people were slaughtered?!" Governor Gu's face showed shock.
Ten years ago, the Qi family, a famous shipbuilding family in Yangzhou, was suspected of being targeted by their enemies, and more than a dozen people in the family, young and old, were slaughtered.
This case caused a sensation at the time, and there were many different speculations about the case.
The murderer had been at large for ten years, and Governor Gu never expected that the murderer would be captured in Xunzhou.
Governor Gu said: "The net of heaven is vast and wide. Where are these thieves?"
Magistrate Song said, "There were originally seven people, and now there are six left. They are already in prison. Would Governor Gu like to interrogate them personally?"
Governor Gu stood up and said, "Your Majesty, may I have your permission to interrogate these six men?"
Murong Di: "Of course, that's fine. Furthermore, the Governor must write a memorial to report this to the court."
"Yes, Your Highness." Governor Gu went to the prison immediately.
A few days later.
Two major events were spreading throughout Xunzhou and even throughout Lingnan:
1. The King of Yue came to Xunzhou.
2. The murderer of the Yangzhou Qijia case was arrested.
Some people say that Lingnan is about to change.
The clouds parted and the sun came out, and purple air came from the east.
The King of Yue has arrived, and Lingnan will soon have a bright blue sky.
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