Chapter 543: Not Drunk! [Thank you! Thank you again!]

Great Zhou Imperial Palace

Rows of candles were lit inside the hall,

Under the bright yellow candlelight,

The Emperor walked back and forth on the carpet with his hands behind his back.

Stopping his steps, the Emperor looked at the few people in the hall and said:

"Zilong, this Buddhist nun says she doesn't know about the Northern Liao Buddha-Adorning Terrace, but she already knows about the matter of enshrining the rebels' ashes... Is this Northern Liao spy just talking nonsense to save her life?"

"Besides, these corpses were burned to ashes, how could one distinguish them?"

Zhao Zilong bowed and cupped his hands: "Your Majesty, it is indeed very difficult to distinguish ashes! But the most important thing is not distinguishing the ashes, but the fact that there are ashes."

The Emperor pondered for a moment, continued pacing, and said: "Continue."

Zhao Zilong cupped his hands and said:

"Yes! How the corpses of the rebel dead soldiers were disposed of after the Imperial City Division rooted them out was originally an extremely secret matter, whether it was performing a ritual to absolve them of their crimes, exposing the corpses elsewhere, or chopping them up to feed pigs and dogs!"

"This Northern Liao spy mentioned ashes without any reason, which means she knows how this matter was handled."

The Emperor nodded slightly, frowned, and said with a cold smile at the corner of his mouth: "Heh, for such heinous criminals, there are actually people helping them collect their corpses and enshrining them in a temple. Good, very good!"

Hearing this,

Zhao Zilong lowered his head in shame and cupped his hands: "Your Majesty, this old subject has failed in his duty!"

The Emperor waved his hand, looked at Zhao Zilong, and said: "Has the person in the Imperial City Division responsible for this matter back then been found?"

Zhao Zilong, who had been bowing his head, looked up, met the Emperor's gaze in shame, and said: "Many years have passed since the incident. The old soldier responsible for this has already died of old age, and his family has returned to their ancestral home in Yanzhou."

"Hmph."

The Emperor snorted coldly: "Such long-serving old soldiers, their descendants would inherit their mantle and continue to serve in the Imperial City Division, right?"

"Returning to Your Majesty, yes!"

"Then, what about the descendants? Have people been sent to capture them for interrogation?"

As he spoke, the Emperor looked at Zhao Zilong.

Zhao Zilong shook his head and was about to speak when the Emperor asked angrily: "If you haven't sent people to capture them for interrogation, what are you waiting for?"

Zhao Meifeng, on the side, bowed and cupped his hands in a salute.

The Emperor raised his chin and said: "You speak."

Zhao Meifeng hurriedly bowed and said:

"Yes, Your Majesty!"

"Your Majesty, last time when the Xu family's Fifth Young Master caused a scene in the former Yanzhou Prince's fief, this little subject discovered that someone in the Yanzhou Imperial City Division was involved with the rebel Prince's retainers. Those who were rooted out were executed by this little subject using the Imperial City Division's family law."

"So... the old soldier's descendants are dead?" The Emperor asked in surprise.

"Yes, Your Majesty! This little subject did it personally."

After Zhao Meifeng finished speaking,

The Emperor breathed a sigh of relief and said: "In other words, this matter was handled by that rebel Prince of Yanzhou?"

This was said to Zhao Zilong.

Zhao Zilong cupped his hands: "Yes, Your Majesty! But... that Northern Liao spy said it was one of them. I imagine there are other portions of the rebels' ashes."

Looking at Zhao Zilong, who was speaking, the Emperor smiled slightly and said in a light tone: "Good! It seems Zilong, you haven't been afraid of trouble and have attributed everything to the rebel Prince."

"This subject wouldn't dare!"

"Is there a way to find these other portions of the rebels' ashes?"

"Returning to Your Majesty, the spy said that the porcelain urns containing the ashes were secretly made by the Northern Liao Buddha-Adorning Terrace, and she has a way to identify them if she sees them."

Hearing this, the Emperor looked at Zhao Zilong in confusion: "Does that mean she can't distinguish them if she can't see them? Don't tell me she wants to leave the Imperial City Division's prison to find them?"

Zhao Zilong nodded: "This Buddhist nun does have that intention."

Zhao Taifeng, on the side, bowed and cupped his hands:

"Your Majesty, this subject captured quite a few spies from the Northern Liao Buddha-Adorning Terrace when I was in Bai Gao, and there is indeed such a thing as secretly made porcelain urns!"

"These secretly made porcelain urns are mostly used to collect the ashes of Northern Liao spies after they die, and they are mostly for those with higher status. Ordinary spies don't have such honor."

"If it weren't for a Buddhist nun raised by the Buddha-Adorning Terrace since childhood, it would indeed be a bit laborious for others to distinguish them, and it would easily alert the enemy."

The Emperor said: "Taifeng, when you were in Bai Gao, did you ever capture such a Buddhist nun?"

Zhao Taifeng shook his head: "Returning to Your Majesty, I never captured one! These Buddhist nuns from the Northern Liao Buddha-Adorning Terrace know quite a lot of secrets, so they should have committed suicide if they were in a desperate situation!"

"The one locked in the prison also lost her courage when facing the great fear of life and death, which is why she survived."

The Emperor walked a few steps toward the imperial desk, sat down in the chair, and said: "How do you think this matter should be handled?"

Zhao Zilong cupped his hands: "Your Majesty, since this Buddhist nun has entered the Imperial City Division prison, it's impossible for things to go exactly as she says. We cannot be led by the nose like a yellow ox."

Zhao Taifeng nodded, looked at his junior brother Meifeng, and said: "Your Majesty, this Buddhist nun from the Buddha-Adorning Terrace was brought back to Bianjing alive. I imagine this matter has already been spread back to Northern Liao."

Xu Zaijing didn't let He Guan shoot and kill this Buddhist nun at the time, and many commoners south of Changyuan County saw it, so it was basically impossible to hide.

"Most of the intelligence this Buddhist nun knows has lost its value!"

"It would be better to order her to teach a girl from the Imperial City Division. If she can find a place where the rebels' ashes are enshrined, let her live. If she cannot find it..."

The Emperor nodded in appreciation and said: "My patience is limited. If there is no result within two years... no, one year, then this Buddhist nun will have no need to live."

"Yes, Your Majesty!"

Zhao Zilong and his two disciples bowed and cupped their hands in a salute.

"By the way, first send the maps of the temples near the Jing Prince's fief to this Buddhist nun, and see which place might enshrine the rebels' ashes! After teaching the girl in the Imperial City Division, send her to the Jing Prince's fief as soon as possible."

The three bowed and agreed.

After leaving the main hall,

The master and his two disciples walked out of the palace.

Taifeng followed behind Zhao Zilong and said:

"Master, if the Xu family young master could have left one more alive, we could have verified the confession of the Northern Liao Buddhist nun."

"The Xu family young master is still young, killing several Northern Liao spies who could have dug up quite a bit of intelligence just like that."

Zhao Zilong exhaled white mist in front and said:

"Taifeng, I didn't tell you in detail in the letter! The Xu family's Fifth Young Master went on a killing spree because he saw the corpses of several Great Zhou children."

"If it weren't for an old soldier who had served under General Yao persuading him, you wouldn't even have seen the one in the prison!"

Zhao Meifeng revealed a slight smile upon hearing this.

Taifeng nodded: "So that's how it is! The Xu family young master is young and vigorous, and he is most unable to bear such tragic events as innocent children being brutally killed. It's rare that he could listen to persuasion."

Zhao Zilong, walking in front, said 'mm' and said: "Taifeng, the trap set in Dengzhou was very good, actually being able to capture such a big fish from the Northern Liao Garrison Office!"

"Thank you for the praise, Master."

When the two were speaking, Zhao Meifeng gave his senior brother a thumbs up on the side.

Afterward,

Zhao Zilong, who was on duty tonight, stayed in the palace,

And after Zhao Meifeng and his senior brother left the palace, they led their respective subordinates and walked toward the Imperial City Investigation Division office.

When entering the Investigation Division's main gate, the official guarding the gate bowed and cupped his hands to Zhao Meifeng and said:

"Chief, about an hour ago, the Fifth Young Master of Marquis Yongyi's Xu family left a post for you! He said he knew you had returned to the capital, and if you were free, you could bring a friend to visit him."

Zhao Meifeng took the post, nodded, and entered the office.

At the beginning of the Xu hour (around eight o'clock in the evening)

Yang Lou,

In the private room on the third floor,

Gu Tingye raised his wine cup and said to Qi Heng:

"Yuanruo, what are you worried about? We came to Yang Lou on the spur of the moment! No one knew that the Scholar would dismiss us from school so early today!"

"If we tell Sixth Brother and Ninth Brother in the evening, they might have other arrangements. Calling them here instead wouldn't be as good."

Xu Zaijing, sitting beside Qi Heng, nodded and said: "Yuanruo, Second Brother is right!"

Zaihang smiled and said: "Yuanruo, you've had some wine, you're thinking too much."

Qi Heng, whose face was slightly flushed after drinking, nodded: "That's true, that's true! Still, Second Uncle is thoughtful! Come, I'll toast Second Uncle another cup."

"Good!"

As he spoke, Gu Tingye smiled wickedly and clinked his wine cup with Qi Heng's.

Xu Zaijing patted Qi Heng on the shoulder and said: "Yuanruo, you've had a bit too much to drink tonight."

Hearing this, Qi Heng widened his eyes, shook his head, and said: "Zaijing! You, why do you say that?! I... I haven't had too much. If I had, I would have been like Changfeng long ago!"

As he spoke, Qi Heng pointed to Changfeng, who was sitting not far away with blurred eyes and a silly smile.

Xu Zaijing shook his head with a smile and continued: "Stop drinking!"

Qi Heng also shook his head, imitating Xu Zaijing, and said: "Not drunk! I can still drink!"

At this time,

A sound of a door moving,

Qingyun walked over from behind the screen covering the entrance of the private room, bowed and cupped his hands to everyone, then leaned into Xu Zaijing's ear and said: "Young Master, Gao Yunqing, Brother Gao, came to pass a message, saying that Brother Zhao has arrived."

Xu Zaijing nodded and stood up, saying: "I'll go out for a moment! Second Brother, don't force Yuanruo to drink, he's had too much!"

"Haven't had too much!" Qi Heng waved his hand and said affirmatively.

Gu Tingye gave Xu Zaijing a 'see' expression.

Xu Zaijing said: "If you make Yuanruo vomit, be careful that the Princess doesn't come to your house tomorrow. Anyway, your two houses are close."

Changbo, whose face was also slightly red from drinking, smiled and picked up a piece of food at the table, nodding while eating.

Gu Tingye looked at Xu Zaijing, who was walking out: "I..."

Quyuanjie and Jiying Lane were far from Xingguo Lane.

After leaving the private room,

The noise in Yang Lou suddenly grew louder.

In the lobby on the first floor,

The 'Bo Xia Gong' on the table was bubbling and rolling,

And the steaming white heat and the smell of charcoal fire drifted through the building.

In the front of the first floor, there were dancers dancing gracefully,

Around the stage, the guests eating in the lobby were shouting and playing finger-guessing games, occasionally interspersed with the shouts of tea and wine doctors serving dishes.

A lively scene.

In the private rooms on the second and third floors, there were also sounds of musical instruments.

Following Gao Yunqing for a distance, Xu Zaijing entered a private room on the second floor.

The door of the private room closed,

Shutting the noise outside.

"Brother Zhao."

Xu Zaijing smiled and bowed.

Looking at Zhao Taifeng opposite Zhao Meifeng, Xu Zaijing said again: "Old Brother Zhao."

"Hahaha, Fifth Young Master, your way of calling people is quite unique! Come, sit!"

Zhao Meifeng said with a smile.

Xu Zaijing sat at the table as instructed, picked up the teapot on the table to fill the tea for the two, and said:

"Two brothers, did you just return to Bianjing this afternoon?"

"Yes! When I saw my junior brother, we had just entered the inner city..."

The senior brother looked at Xu Zaijing with a smile, nodded repeatedly, and continued:

"Truly a hero among youths! When I heard about the Beizhou incident in Qizhou, I thought it would delay major matters!"

"I didn't expect you few to solve the trouble in just two or three days!"

Xu Zaijing poured himself a bowl of tea, put down the teapot, and smiled: "It was also good luck. Those thieves didn't burn the military supplies immediately, otherwise, even if I had entered Beizhou City, it would have been in vain."

"Fifth Young Master is too modest." The senior brother smiled: "I heard from my junior brother that if you had arrived half a day later, the military supplies in Beizhou City would have been reduced by more than half!"

Zhao Meifeng nodded with lingering fear and said: "Fifth Young Master, what is the matter you seek me for tonight?"

Xu Zaijing held his tea bowl and said: "Seeing Brother Zhao return to the capital, I wanted to ask when Old Brother Taifeng would return, and as a result..."

Hearing this, the three laughed together.

The senior brother held his tea bowl, leaned forward, and the three clinked their cups with tea instead of wine.

After each took a sip, the senior brother said: "Then, why did Fifth Young Master ask when I would return? Could it be... the rare treasures and gold bricks that Meifeng helped me pass to you have depreciated?"

Xu Zaijing put the tea bowl on the table and smiled helplessly: "That's not the case. Those things were long ago exchanged for new gold bars and stored in my storeroom, and they have appreciated by more than ten percent."

"Oh my! It's only been a short while, and they've actually appreciated!" Zhao Taifeng sighed with a smile.

"It's also because the quality of Old Brother's rare treasures is outstanding." Xu Zaijing replied.

"Hahaha~ Then it seems Meifeng found the right person!"

Watching the two laughing and talking, Zhao Meifeng could only smile helplessly on the side.

After taking another sip of tea, Xu Zaijing looked at Zhao Taifeng and said:

"Asking when you would return, Old Brother, is also because I heard from my own maid that in a few days, the servants and maids of my classmates in the Sheng family schoolroom will be having a gathering in a restaurant."

"Xiaotao will also go, if by then Old Brother you have returned to the capital..."

After he finished speaking, Zhao Meifeng's smile faded, and the senior brother looked at Xu Zaijing with relief and said: "Fifth Young Master, you have a heart."

"I'm just moving my lips, that's all."

The senior brother smiled, picked up his tea bowl, and said: "Come, I'll toast you another bowl."

The three clinked their tea bowls, each took a sip, and after chatting for a few more words, Xu Zaijing stood up and said: "Two brothers, my classmates are still drinking in the private room, so I'll take my leave first."

Zhao Meifeng and the senior brother also stood up.

The senior brother said: "Mm, then we won't keep you, Fifth Young Master. I heard from Meifeng that your house has a dish that is especially delicious, I'll find an opportunity to taste it."

Xu Zaijing smiled and bowed: "I await the two brothers."

Walking two steps toward the door, standing in front of the screen, Xu Zaijing said: "Two brothers, please stay."

A moment later, watching Xu Zaijing's figure disappear at the door, Zhao Meifeng nodded slightly and said: "Senior brother, how do you think Fifth Young Master managed to refrain from asking how our errand went?"

The senior brother looked at Zhao Meifeng and said: "The legitimate son of a Marquis, who has also passed the imperial examination, and doesn't want to enter the Imperial City Division, why would he ask about so much?"

"That's true!"

"And tasting the good food on Quyuanjie is not a joke with Fifth Young Master. If you go to the Xu house before the year ends, remember to call me."

(End of chapter) ===== CHAPTER 544 =====