Chapter 410: Closing the Case

Qin Xueyin set down Duan Rong's poem draft and picked up Zhu Peng's, her voice as delicate as an orchid's scent. Looking at Zhu Peng, she said, "Young Master Zhu, reading this 'Early Departure from Shang Mountain' of yours, I find the tone elegant and graceful, and it seems to possess a hazy beauty. I am very curious: in what state of mind was this poem written by Young Master Zhu?"

Zhu Peng was stumped by the question at once.

He hadn't even fully grasped what the poem meant, so how could he know what state of mind it was written in? However, he was already very satisfied to have seen Qin Xueyin on this trip. Since he couldn't answer, he didn't intend to force it.

Zhu Peng said, "To tell you the truth, Miss Xueyin, this 'Early Departure from Shang Mountain' was also written by him."

As Zhu Peng spoke, he raised his finger to point at Duan Rong.

"Oh?" Qin Xueyin's expression showed a trace of astonishment.

Only then did she notice that although one poem was in regular script and the other in cursive, the detailed brushwork had striking similarities; it indeed seemed to be the work of one person.

As Qin Xueyin looked up at Duan Rong again, her gaze was now filled with deep meaning.

"So this 'Early Departure from Shang Mountain' was written by Young Master Duan. I have recited this poem repeatedly, yet I always feel it holds a lingering, subtle, and profound meaning. I beg Young Master Duan to interpret it a little, to relieve the confusion in my heart."

Duan Rong ate a piece of braised pork and popped two grapes into his mouth to cleanse his palate before replying, "Oh, this 'Early Departure from Shang Mountain'? I like it very much too."

"'Morning departure, the horse bells ring; traveling, I grieve for my hometown. Cock-crows at the thatched inn under the moon; footprints on the frost-covered wooden bridge. Leaves fall on the mountain path; citrus flowers brighten the post-house wall. Thinking of the dream at Duling, the pond is full of wild geese.' Duan Rong recited the poem again, shaking his head as he did so."

That somewhat foolish appearance made the veiled Qin Xueyin's lips curl up slightly.

After finishing the recitation, Duan Rong's gaze suddenly became very profound. He looked at Qin Xueyin and said, "The first four lines of this poem describe the exhaustion and frustration of a journey. But in truth, it is also writing about the frustrations of life; between the lines, a sense of confusion and wandering permeates."

A sense of confusion and wandering—Duan Rong used these two terms, which carried a rather postmodern air, with extreme aptness, precisely capturing the essence of the hazy beauty in Wen Tingyun's poem; it could be said he hit the nail on the head.

Hearing this, Qin Xueyin's eyes suddenly lit up. "A sense of confusion? A sense of wandering?"

It was as if a layer of window paper had been pierced by Duan Rong's words. Qin Xueyin was almost instantly melted by the profound meaning of the verses.

Duan Rong continued, "Right in the midst of this exhausting and frustrating journey, he suddenly sees a pale citrus flower by the post-house wall. The beauty of the citrus flower is like illuminating the post-house wall, which is why the word 'brighten' is used here."

"The white, bright citrus flower does not actually illuminate the post-house wall, but rather illuminates the frustrated and exhausted heart within his chest. He immediately thinks of a joyful dream from last night."

"'Thinking of the dream at Duling, the pond is full of wild geese.' Duan Rong recited the last two lines of the poem again. The moment he spoke them, Qin Xueyin felt a chill run through her entire body."

Duan Rong said, "Everyone living in this flawed world is actually in some state of frustration and exhaustion, filled with confusion and wandering; it is only by relying on that hazy, beautiful dream hidden in the depths of the heart that one supports this shell to keep moving forward. I am like this, Miss Qin is like this, and all people under heaven are the same!"

"Deep pain lies dormant in the depths of the soul, like silent fog, spreading across the abyss of existence."

After Duan Rong finished speaking, he poured himself another cup of wine and downed it. Perhaps because of this poem, Duan Rong actually tasted a hint of bitterness in this cup of wine.

Qin Xueyin and Zhu Peng both sat there, stunned, silent for a long time.

Although Zhu Peng hadn't heard it, he was also greatly shocked.

After listening to Duan Rong's explanation and looking at the 'Early Departure from Shang Mountain' in her hand again, Qin Xueyin felt that these verses pierced through the vicissitudes of time, writing out all the sorrows of the human world, as well as the indescribable helplessness of being born human in this vast world.

Duan Rong's interpretation had long since elevated this poem beyond the suffering of a traveler into a deep, mournful lament for the profound distress of all people.

"Deep pain lies dormant in the depths of the soul, like silent fog, spreading across the abyss of existence." Qin Xueyin muttered, ruminating on Duan Rong's words, feeling her body and mind become increasingly clear.

Looking at it now, the hazy feeling originally on the verses had vanished, replaced by a bottomless abyss.

That was the depth of the human heart!

Moreover, this was not Duan Rong forcing an interpretation; the poem itself possessed this profound meaning. It was just that this deep meaning was hidden in the depths between the lines, requiring a profound brain to dig it out.

Qin Xueyin's heart surged, her chest rising and falling. After a long while, she slowly calmed down and looked up at Duan Rong.

Duan Rong was plain in appearance, dressed in green robes, but his profound thoughts had pierced through to Qin Xueyin's heart.

The reason she had set up the poetry competition at the Qin Pavilion was because she was a lover of poetry, but before meeting Duan Rong, she had never imagined that the lament of a poem could reach such a profound realm.

That was the deepest part of the abyss of the human heart, a place where language could hardly reach.

Qin Xueyin said, "I set up this Qin Pavilion poetry competition waiting for a person like you, sir!"

"Please accept a bow from me!"

As Qin Xueyin spoke, she rose from the zither platform and, before the desk, performed a curtsy to Duan Rong.

As Qin Xueyin rose from her bow, she suddenly raised her hand and removed the light veil from her face.

A peerlessly beautiful and clear face immediately emerged!

Duan Rong's heart stirred; she was indeed a famous courtesan of Shenyun Prefecture, a beauty of a prosperous age!

Zhu Peng's eyes went wide; it wasn't just because he was stunned by Qin Xueyin's beauty, but because he knew that if Qin Xueyin was willing to remove her veil, it meant she intended to keep Duan Rong for the night.

Staying overnight at the Qin Pavilion was the pinnacle of dreams for the playboys of Shenyun Prefecture!

Yet, Duan Rong had plucked the pinnacle of their dreams away so easily!

Although Qin Xueyin had held poetry competitions at the Qin Pavilion for years, this was the first time she had ever kept someone overnight; she was actually still a virgin!

Duan Rong, however, seemed completely unaware, only glancing at Qin Xueyin a few times before continuing to drink his wine with a calm and indifferent air.

Zhu Peng looked at Duan Rong with some jealousy. He felt a bit sour, but still leaned in close and whispered a reminder: "Brother Duan, Miss Xueyin removing her veil means she wants you to stay the night."

Duan Rong had a mouthful of wine in his throat and nearly choked when he heard this.

He coughed a few times, looked at Zhu Peng, and whispered, "We still have to return to the Dali Temple! How can we stay the night here?"

Zhu Peng raised his voice and said, "What is so important about the Dali Temple?! Brother Duan, do not be rude to the lady!"

Seeing Zhu Peng speak this way, Duan Rong felt a bit embarrassed. He stood up, cupped his hands to Qin Xueyin, and said, "Please forgive me, Miss Xueyin, we still have matters to attend to, so we must take our leave! I will discuss poetry with you again next time."

Qin Xueyin was slightly startled and asked, "Does sir find me ugly?"

Duan Rong pulled at Zhu Peng, wanting to leave, but Zhu Peng stood there indignantly, blocking his path. He was somewhat angry that Duan Rong would be so rude to Qin Xueyin.

Duan Rong had no choice but to smile and say, "Miss Xueyin is a peerless beauty; the word 'ugly' has absolutely nothing to do with you."

Qin Xueyin said, "If that is so, why is sir in such a hurry to leave? You are avoiding me as if I were a plague god."

As Qin Xueyin spoke, a look of sorrow appeared on her face.

Duan Rong immediately bowed and said, "Do not blame me, Miss Xueyin. I already have a virtuous wife at home, and her longing for her husband's return from a thousand miles away is so heavy! Although I am alone here, I dare not betray her! I hope you can understand!"

Having been baptized by the ruined Temple and having started a family with Xiao Yu, Duan Rong was no longer a novice regarding matters between men and women. Furthermore, his heart, tempered by the baptism of slaughter, already possessed a firm Dao Heart that would not be easily shaken.

Besides, he was a man with a family!

If Xiao Yu ever found out he was visiting a brothel and staying the night in Shenyun Prefecture, wouldn't she turn his life upside down?

Hearing this, the sorrow on Qin Xueyin's face dissipated, and the gaze she cast upon Duan Rong was suddenly filled with admiration. A rare, devoted man indeed!

"To be able to marry you as a wife, sir, is truly a great blessing," Qin Xueyin said, a faint, clear tear flashing in her eyes.

Duan Rong made another bow, then pulled Zhu Peng away and slipped out.

Just as he reached the doorway, Zhu Peng immediately chased after him and said, "Brother Duan, to meet Miss Qin, one must give a thousand taels of silver as powder money."

Duan Rong clicked his tongue slightly. A thousand taels of silver just for one meeting! What a business.

"Where would I have that kind of money?!"

As Duan Rong spoke, he actually headed down the stairs. In his view, he had gone to great lengths to explain the "Early Departure from Shangshan" for Qin Xueyin; it was already generous enough that he hadn't charged her a tuition fee.

Zhu Peng had no choice but to turn back and hand two one-thousand-tael silver notes to Qin Xueyin's personal maid. As he left, Zhu Peng took one last deep look at Qin Xueyin before departing with great reluctance.

After Duan Rong and Zhu Peng left, Qin Xueyin sighed softly and walked back to the zither table, looking at the two poems placed upon it.

This was the first time she had discussed poetry with someone so deeply. That feeling of souls intertwining was truly wonderful.

Just then, her personal maid walked over slowly with the two silver notes, stood by Qin Xueyin's side, looked at one of the poem manuscripts, and murmured, "Miss, that man named Duan Rong seems to be the one who brought down the heavenly thunder. Everyone outside is calling him the Thunder God Duan!?"

When the maid first heard the name Duan Rong, she felt it sounded familiar, but she couldn't recall it at the time; only after hearing them mention the Dali Temple just now did she suddenly remember.

"Is that so? Is it really him?"

Qin Xueyin had also heard of this matter; after all, the incident of bringing down the heavenly thunder had caused quite a stir throughout Shenyun Prefecture, and it was also related to the death of Li Muping. Li Muping had come from Yanyue Pavilion, and the two of them had some friendship.

"It must be him. Miss, didn't you hear them just mention the Dali Temple? That Duan Rong who brought down the thunder came from the Southeast Four Prefectures; he's a master detective here to assist the Dali Temple with their case."

Qin Xueyin smiled slightly. "Now that you mention it, it all fits. He even said earlier that he had a virtuous wife thousands of miles away; so he really is from the Southeast Four Prefectures!"

Duan Rong's face surfaced in Qin Xueyin's mind once more. With clear eyes, she murmured to herself, "A man of wonders, it is a pity that we are fated to meet but not to be together. It is my own lack of fortune!"

Duan Rong and Zhu Peng walked slowly along Changle Street toward the Dali Temple. It was already dusk, and the twilight was gradually rising.

At this moment, Zhu Peng's admiration for Duan Rong was like a flooding river.

Not only had Duan Rong composed two poems in an instant, allowing both of them to ascend the pavilion.

But his discussion of poetry had actually caused Qin Xueyin to remove her veil and invite him to stay the night at the Qin Pavilion!

Duan Rong had seemingly, with the greatest of ease, become the Star-Picker of this Shenyun Prefecture!

And, he had actually refused Qin Xueyin!

Faced with such beauty, he remained unmoved!

At first, Zhu Peng had blamed Duan Rong for being abrupt with the beauty, but now he understood Duan Rong's heart: he had a virtuous wife at home and would not betray her!

Truly, his talent was immense and his character noble!

Zhu Peng said, "Big Brother, you are not only brilliant at investigating cases and drinking, but your poetic talent is also so high. Please accept your little brother's knees!"

Duan Rong laughed, "What would I do with your knees? Should I braise them or steam them?"

Zhu Peng laughed, "I'd better keep them for walking." Zhu Peng added, "Big Brother Duan, who did you learn your poetry from? Although I only half-understood your discussion of poetry in the Qin Pavilion, I felt it was novel and profound, far from those vulgar words."

Duan Rong said, "Those poems were all written by my fellow villagers. I was just spouting nonsense."

"Really?"

"Of course! Why would I lie to you?"

Duan Rong felt that since he had transmigrated to this world, weren't those people on Blue Star, whether dead or alive, all his fellow villagers?

As the two chatted, they had already returned to the Dali Temple.

They saw that the room was empty; Zhu Cheng had not yet returned.

Duan Rong's eyes flickered. He didn't believe Zhu Cheng would rest for so long; that guy was a worrier!

Sure enough, they had just sat down, their seats not yet warm, when Zhu Cheng walked in.

Zhu Cheng entered, placed the black iron Suozhibiao he was holding onto the desk, and sighed, "I've already checked; this thing was not forged within Shenyun Prefecture!"

Duan Rong glanced at the black iron Suozhibiao. He had already guessed this result; he estimated that this thing was likely forged in the hometown of that pockmarked-faced man, but if he didn't expose himself, who would take this black iron Suozhibiao to his hometown to inquire?

Zhu Cheng drank some water and began to discuss the case with Duan Rong.

He was hoping Duan Rong could give him some new ideas.

But Duan Rong said he didn't see any signs of new clues, and he told Zhu Cheng directly that the case was very difficult to investigate further at this point.

Because Zhou Wei was a mole who had been lurking for many years, the other side must have had a mature plan for his exposure and disposal; how could they have left clues for them to follow?

After some thought, Zhu Cheng basically agreed with Duan Rong's deduction, but he still wanted to dig deeper. Both the exposure of Zhou Wei and the murder of the Secretariat Director Zhu Shizhong had been quite a shock to him.

Duan Rong naturally saw that Zhu Cheng did not want to give up yet, and he could understand that.

In the following days, Zhu Cheng worked bitterly on the case every day. Duan Rong and Zhu Peng, however, spent every day wandering around Shenyun Prefecture, how carefree!

Because Zhu Peng admired Duan Rong quite a bit, he took Duan Rong to visit many hidden places, some of which were inaccessible even to the children of wealthy officials.

After several days passed, seeing Zhu Cheng's eyes sunken and his frame thin, he finally understood that there would likely be no results if the case continued to be investigated.

Early that morning, Duan Rong and Zhu Peng came to the Dali Temple to report for duty; the two had already planned where to go for fun that day. But as soon as they entered the Dali Temple, Zhu Cheng told them he was preparing to close the case.

Duan Rong's heart stirred, and he said, "Are you closing the case?"

"Yes, there is no need to investigate further." Zhu Cheng said, looking somewhat haggard, "However, before closing the case, you must go with me to see someone."

Duan Rong asked in surprise, "See someone? See who?"

Zhu Cheng said, "The Grand Master of Palace Revenues, Zhu Zhengfu."

Duan Rong's heart jumped; another one surnamed Zhu.

But this Grand Master of Palace Revenues was one of the Four Ministers!

In the secular world of Qingzhou, the One Command Four Ministers, Zhu He's bloodline actually occupied two seats: the Secretariat Director Zhu Shizhong and the Grand Master of Palace Revenues Zhu Zhengfu.

No wonder one of them was killed! In the One Command Four Ministers, one family occupying two seats, this power was already a bit unbalanced!

It seemed that after the Secretariat Director died, the Grand Master of Palace Revenues Zhu Zhengfu had become the head of the Zhu family bloodline in the secular world. It was no wonder Zhu Cheng said he had to see this person before closing the case; perhaps whether the case could be closed depended on what this person said!

(End of chapter)