Chapter 87 Stop, don’t look at me like that!
Inside the Dali Temple, the door and windows were open.
The wind and snow poured in, but Jiang Keyu, who was alone inside, didn't care.
He sat at his desk, his bandaged right hand resting on the files spread out on the table, his left arm resting on the armrest of the chair, his palm covering his forehead, and his eyes closed for a nap.
"call!"
Tang Yuan ran over with a stack of confessions. He dusted off the snow on his body before entering the room. While dusting, he peeked into the house, glanced at the condition of the people inside, and couldn't help but sigh.
He cleared his throat before knocking.
“Bang, bang.”
Jiang Keyu heard the noise and slowly raised her eyes, her brows revealing the fatigue from staying up late.
"Boss, we have enough evidence. When are we going to arrest the perpetrators?"
Jiang Keyu looked out the window, her eyes seemed to be stung by the vast expanse of white outside, and she narrowed her eyes slightly.
After a long silence, he said, "Let's do it today."
*
Since the snow began, there have been fewer customers in the teahouse, only a few of them, quietly listening to the music and sipping tea, in a peaceful and harmonious atmosphere.
In the room on the second floor, Song Baoyuan was wearing a fur coat, looking down at the account book, with an abacus and pen and ink at hand.
Opposite her, Xie Yuchao sat upright, holding a scroll in his hands, but his gaze passed over the pages and quietly rested on her.
Snowflakes were carried by the wind through the window and landed in her hair.
Xie Yuchao turned his head to look out the window, then suddenly stood up and tiptoed over. He closed the half of the window facing Song Baoyuan, leaving his side open for ventilation. Then he returned to the table, carefully sat down, and picked up his book again.
Song Baoyuan didn't notice it until she started to move the abacus. When she heard the "thump thump" sound, she raised her head.
Without any warning, Xie Yuchao didn't have time to look away and happened to bump into her.
"Did I disturb you?" Song Baoyuan asked softly.
"No." Xie Yuchao quickly shook his head, "Just right."
Song Baoyuan's hand moving the abacus could not hide her hesitation, and her face was confused.
"It won't disturb me." Xie Yuchao smoothed out the pages of the book and said softly, "It also lets me know you're here, so it's just right."
Song Baoyuan was stunned for a moment, then lowered her eyes to look at the account book, a slight smile appearing at the corner of her mouth.
Time passes quietly.
It was closing time in the evening, and the customers gradually left. Xu Pingsheng was counting the bills at the counter, while Cen Zhou and Zhang Lao wiped the tables. Once they were done, the day would be over.
There was a knock on the door, but Xu Pingsheng didn't even look up. "Sorry, we're closed. Come back tomorrow."
The next moment, soldiers rushed into the teahouse and headed straight for Zhang Lao. Zhang Lao tried to escape, but there was nowhere to hide, and he was soon pinned to the ground.
Xu Pingsheng was startled and hurriedly bowed to the leader, "What do you mean, sir?"
Tang Yuan showed his token, "The Dali Temple is investigating the case. Arrest the real culprit in the murder of the Minister of Revenue."
"Kill...the real murderer?" Xu Pingsheng's pupils trembled and he looked around at a loss.
Song Baoyuan should have gone home by now, but because the children were with their father and Xie Yuchao was by her side, she hadn't left yet.
Hearing the noise, Song Baoyuan quickly walked out of the room on the second floor and stood at the railing looking down.
Tang Yuan was stunned when he saw the figure and subconsciously glanced back.
"What's going on?" Song Baoyuan frowned slightly. She naturally recognized that these were people from the Dali Temple. "Tang Sizhi?"
"Madam Song." Tang Yuan bowed to the person walking towards him and said seriously, "The Dali Temple is investigating this case. I hope Madam Song will cooperate."
The heavy footsteps were particularly abrupt in this atmosphere. It was Xie Yuchao who put on a mask and trotted to Song Baoyuan.
Song Baoyuan was puzzled. Zhang Lao had always been warm, easygoing, and diligent, so how could he be the one who had committed the crime? Furthermore, the Dali Temple officials personally arrested him, so it was obviously a serious matter.
"What happened to him?"
Tang Yuan patiently explained, "Mrs. Song must have heard of the Ministry of Revenue Minister case. Now we've found the culprit, and it's this man. Old Zhang's son actually died a few years ago for some reason, and this man is an imposter. Over the years, he's done countless odd jobs, all near the Ministry of Revenue Minister's residence, just looking for an opportunity to strike. He knows martial arts, although he's always kept it hidden, but who made him so bold to hang around under the boss's nose every day."
Song Baoyuan turned her head to look at Zhang Lao, "Is what he said true?"
Zhang Lao avoided his gaze.
"Do you really think that the most dangerous place is the safest?" Tang Yuan shook his head. "We already have solid evidence. It's better for you to admit it sooner rather than later."
Although the Dali Temple people came when there were fewer people, the appearance of the soldiers could easily cause a commotion. Before long, the neighbors all gathered around boldly.
Everyone was even more surprised when they saw that the person being escorted was Zhang Lao.
"Isn't this from the Zhang family? He always helps everyone out, what a good kid!"
"Yes, sir, did you arrest the wrong person? We all know this kid, and he's never had a quarrel with anyone!"
"Old Zhang is still lying at home. What will Old Zhang do if the child can't go back?"
“…”
Everyone was talking at once, and the people in the Dali Temple felt a little pressured by the discussions.
But Zhang Lao did not make any excuses, and the Dali Temple would not arrest anyone rashly. Song Baoyuan knew that it was probably true.
She asked, "I know about the case of the Minister of Revenue, and I know he deserved death, so...what will the Dali Temple decide?"
Tang Yuan hesitated. He didn't need to tell anyone, but the person in front of him had a special identity.
"According to the law, he should be executed immediately."
Song Baoyuan was stunned, and the people outside were in an uproar.
"He's going to be beheaded? Your Excellency, please investigate! This child from the Zhang family is warm-hearted and filial, he would definitely not do anything bad! Why is he going to be beheaded?"
"Mr. Zhang only has this one son, and now he's lying in bed unable to move. What will he do without his child?"
"You officials can't just arrest people arbitrarily! You don't arrest so many murderers and arsonists, but you bully an honest child?"
“…”
The people's voices grew louder and louder, some cursing and some begging.
"Sir, please be kind and investigate further. This child is definitely innocent!"
Song Baoyuan glanced outside and saw that they were all bowing in the same direction. Realizing something, she ran out.
Sure enough, there is someone with more say who has not shown up.
Jiang Keyu rode on his horse, ignoring the people's pleas and curses.
"Madam Song! Please help us speak up. You know what Zhang Lao is like!"
Song Baoyuan suddenly felt pressured. Thinking of the scene of their last meeting, the closer she got to Jiang Keyu, the more uncomfortable she felt.
But everyone was right, Zhang Lao was indeed not a wicked person. After all, he was her buddy, and she could not just stand by and watch.
She bravely stepped forward, looked up, and asked, "Jiang Shaoqing, can you please excuse me for a moment and talk?"
Jiang Keyu was in a depressed mood. Before coming, he was not sure whether she was still there. If she was, it would be nice to meet her, but he could already foresee that there would be a quarrel or something else, and it would not be possible to end with a decent result.
"inconvenient."
He said coldly, pulling the reins and turning around.
Song Baoyuan was stunned for a moment. She had expected to be rejected, but she didn't expect it to be so straightforward.
Seeing that he was really about to leave, she became anxious and said, "Stop!"
But after walking a few steps, Jiang Keyu tightened the reins and stopped.
He actually stopped, and he found it ridiculous.
Song Baoyuan realized later that she had been rude, and she was much calmer when she spoke again, "I won't take up too much of your time."
Jiang Keyu had his back to her and was slow to respond, leading to a stalemate in the situation.
Forget it, Jiang Keyu thought.
He dismounted swiftly and strode towards the teahouse, "Everyone, get out first."
Tang Yuan waved his hand, and the Dali Temple officials escorted Zhang Lao away. Xu Pingsheng followed, brushing past the returning Song Baoyuan. Cen Zhou silently turned aside, using the screen to hide his presence.
Only Xie Yuchao was hesitant and worried. After all, the last time they were alone together, Song Baoyuan came out crying. Who knew what that guy was going to do?
He didn't move for a long time, and Jiang Keyu looked over with a frown.
It's not hard to guess who this masked man is.
He emphasized, "Get out."
Who is being ordered? Xie Yuchao was not convinced.
But Song Baoyuan shook her head at him, and he swallowed the words that were about to come out of his mouth and left reluctantly.
Song Baoyuan walked around to Jiang Keyu and asked, "You've already figured out that Zhang Lao knows martial arts and is the murderer?"
Jiang Keyu turned away, staring at the ground, and said indifferently, "Hmm."
"Then why didn't you arrest him earlier or later, but at this time? Are you..." Song Baoyuan paused, "Are you, are you taking revenge on me?"
Jiang Keyu was stunned and raised her eyes slightly.
His eyes were deep and no emotion could be seen in them. Song Baoyuan felt more and more uneasy as he stared at her.
It's really impossible to guess what he's thinking right now.
"If you're not happy with me for hurting you, you can stab me back!" Song Baoyuan said seriously, "In short, come at me, don't involve anyone else."
How ridiculous, Jiang Keyu thought.
"I'm just doing my job impartially."
He was arrested now because the evidence is now complete.
The words of explanation were on the tip of his tongue, but he didn't want to say a word.
Jiang Keyu turned her back and said, "If there's nothing else, I'll leave first."
"You..." Song Baoyuan stood in front of him, "You can see that he's in such a condition, so he should be given a lighter sentence."
"It is the law that judges him, not I."
"But you can interfere!" Song Baoyuan said anxiously, "Back then, when you first entered the Dali Temple, you risked letting the Chu family's youngest son go because you felt the Chu family's crimes weren't worthy of execution. You're clearly in a better position to make decisions now, so why..."
"You said you loved me before!"
Jiang Keyu suddenly interrupted, and then both of them were stunned.
Cen Zhou, who was hiding behind the screen, felt as if he was frozen in place, his whole body stiff.
Jiang Keyu sneered, "You are still using the greatest malice to speculate about me."
"They can't be compared!" Song Baoyuan argued.
She clenched her palms, "I don't want to think of you this way, but you've changed!"
Although her voice was not loud, Jiang Keyu felt very uncomfortable listening to it.
Their eyes met, and he suddenly felt aggrieved, "Don't look at me like that!"
Such a disappointed look fell on him, as if torturing him.
He even felt that the criminal law was still tolerable, but at this moment he just wanted to escape.
Song Baoyuan didn't understand, but looked away.
The next moment, I heard him ask, "Can I go now?"
He didn't need a response, he just turned and left, his back hurried.
Song Baoyuan subconsciously chased after him for two steps, but she couldn't say the words to keep him, and she felt anxious and uneasy.
As soon as they saw Jiang Keyu coming out, the people rushed forward.
"Sir, what on earth has this child done wrong?"
"Sir, please be kind!"
“…”
The people from Dali Temple were almost unable to stop him.
"Walk."
Jiang Keyu frowned, ignored everyone, and got on the horse directly.
His right hand pulled the reins too hard, and blood flowed out, staining the bandage red.
Xie Yuchao ran into the teahouse, "Are you okay?"
Song Baoyuan came back to her senses and sighed, "I'm fine."
"That's good." Xie Yuchao looked at the chaos outside. "Good people who commit crimes must be punished. It's none of your business. You've done your utmost to plead for him. Don't blame yourself."
"I know."
Song Baoyuan was absent-minded.
Didn't she ask for mercy? But what was she talking about just now?
*
After returning to Dali Temple, Liu'an took out a new bandage and applied medicine to Jiang Keyu again.
He muttered, "My dear, I don't mean to criticize you, but what's the point of you being angry with the young lady unilaterally? You're the one who's hurt and unhappy, and the result is that your relationship with the young lady has become even more strained."
Soon I felt chilly.
When he looked up, he met Jiang Keyu's cold and dissatisfied eyes.
Liu'an pursed his lips and shut up tactfully.
"Hiss." Jiang Keyu's brows furrowed even deeper. "Be gentle."
Liu'an couldn't help but said, "So you still feel pain, my dear."
"Why are you talking so much nonsense!"
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