Capture the Jade:

Song Jian lost a lot of weight in just a few days, and his voice was extremely hoarse when he spoke.

"Why is the prince here? Please come in."

Lin Chengyou arched his hands: "It's presumptuous to come, but I hope Brother Song will mourn."

Yan Sizhi bowed apologetically: "I'm bothering Prince Song."

Song Jian served in the imperial army. In the past, he often ran into Lin Chengyou inside and outside the palace when he was on duty. Although they were not close friends, they were still familiar. He personally led the two of them to the outer study and ordered his servants to serve tea.

Lin Chengyou begged for another pen and ink for Yan Sizhi, and when the guests and hosts were seated, Song Jianping retreated: "Is there any progress in the case of Yue Niang?"

Lin Chengyou said sternly: "It is for the case of Mrs. Zun. I want to ask Brother Song, what happened to Mrs. Zun before the accident?"

Song Jian thought for a while with a pale face, then shook his head and said: "It's not much different from the past, I talk and laugh every day, and my spleen and stomach are better than when I was just pregnant."

"Then—" Yan Sizhi glanced at Lin Chengyou, "Where has your wife been in the past month?"

Song Jian looked thoughtful: "Yue Niang needs to host the middle school every day... Before noon, I usually work in the mansion, and occasionally go out after lunch, but when I return to the mansion, it will be almost Haishi. I don't really know where she went, but I think it's nothing more than playing with the ladies you've been friends with, or going to a familiar shop to buy things."

Yan Sizhi wrote these words in the record book with a pen, and then asked: "Has Mrs. Zun mentioned a certain acquaintance to you recently?"

Song Jian was slightly surprised: "Acquaintance?"

"For example, her past friends, neighbors, relatives—"

Song Jian shook his head.

Lin Chengyou changed the way of asking: "Brother Song, do you know who Madam Zun had grudges with in the past?

Song Jian was stunned, pondered for a moment and said: "Yue Niang is much hotter than her sister. In the past, when Zhen Niang was still alive——"

A look of mourning suddenly appeared in his eyes, and the conversation stopped immediately.

Lin Chengyou lowered his eyes, remembering that when Mrs. Jiang passed away, Auntie went to Rong'anbo Mansion to express her condolences in person. After she came back, she talked about this matter with the emperor's aunt. She felt very sorry for Mrs. Jiang's sudden death. Niang is quite capable of knowing people, and being praised by A Niang in this way shows that Da Jiang is a woman with outstanding conduct.

Song Jian was stupefied for a long time, and then opened his mouth again: "Zhen Niang said that her younger sister is good in everything, but she is too competitive. Every year, Niang would go back to her natal family for a while, saying that she was the eldest sister, and she should teach her younger sister. But Yue Niang is a woman who has not left the court after all, even if she quarrels with others, she will not get into a grudge. As for her after marrying me ——"

He shook his head slowly: "Yue Niang has restrained her temper a lot. She has served A Weng respectfully and filially, and treated her servants very kindly. She has never heard of any unpleasantness when dealing with the female relatives of various prefectures."

Lin Chengyou didn't say a word. Teng Yuyi took the initiative to tell him what she had seen and heard in the spice shop in Xishi that day in order to help solve the case. Mother-in-law, because she was worried about being bumped by Teng Yuyi, even if she was far away, the servants would scold Teng Yuyi.

This kind of frivolity really has nothing to do with "lenient and respectful".

It is impossible for Song Jian to be completely ignorant of Xiao Jiang's various activities outside.

Thinking of this, Lin Chengyou nodded, and said again: "Where are the servants who serve Mrs. Zun, can Brother Song invite them to come over and ask a few words?"

After a while, a lot of maidservants came, all of them quietly waiting in the corridor, Song Jian looked around from behind the table, and pointed to the leading lady: "Chen Sangu, come in and answer."

Chen Sangu retracted her skirt and went inside, trembling and knelt down.

Song Jian said: "Don't be afraid of this. Tell me carefully where your wife has been and who you have met in the last month."

Sangu Chen was stunned, kowtowed and said: "The old slave has forgotten a lot, let me check with Xiuyun and the big maidservants before reporting."

Song Jian waved her back, but Lin Chengyou said: "It's okay, just tell me what you know, and we will ask other maids later."

Later on, Song Jian ordered people to close the door, and Chen Sangu racked her brains to think back: "In the past month, my wife has often gone out, and the two shops I went to most often. One is the silk and satin shop called 'Jinyun Waterfall' in Dongshi. , Most of my wife’s clothes are made here. One is Nianzilou in Fu’an Lane, and my wife likes to eat the grilled fish here. As for the Fendielou where the accident happened in West Market... I haven’t been there much.”

Speaking of this, Chen Sangu wiped off her sweat with lingering fear: "Madam used to like to buy things in this spice shop. I don't know how many expensive spices I bought before and after. The owner and the staff therefore regard Madam as a guest of honor. Every time When I see my wife going, I will empty the quiet room downstairs in advance. Although my wife is not as frequent as before after she is pregnant, she will still linger in the store for an hour or two every time she goes. "

One or two hours...enough for the murderer to kill and blame Zhuang Mu.

Lin Chengyou asked: "How many people know about this?"

Chen Sangu was stunned: "Madam often meets acquaintances in West Market, there must be quite a few people who know about this."

"Which acquaintances have you met in West Market recently?"

"Madam hasn't been to West Market for about a month."

Lin Chengyou: "That being the case, why did your wife suddenly think of going to the spice shop that day?"

Chen Sangu looked a little confused, and she was stunned for a moment and said: "The servants don't know either, Madam said after lunch that she would go to Fendielou to do some shopping, so the steward began to prepare the chariot, and the servants didn't ask much at that time."

"Besides these shops, where else has your wife been and who has she met this month?"

"On the fifth day of the fifth lunar month, the old lady of Zhen Guogong's mansion celebrated her birthday, and the lady went out to celebrate her birthday; on the seventh day, Zheng Pushe's wife held a banquet at home; I went to an appointment to go to Yuzhen Nuguan to watch the flowers; a few days ago, the father-in-law celebrated his birthday, and the wife took the young master and the young lady to Ledao Mountain Villa to live for a few days, and the rest... I really can’t remember the slaves.”

"When your wife is walking outside recently, has there ever been any unusual behavior? For example, seeing someone suddenly showing a frightened expression, or being afraid of seeing something?"

Sangu Chen paused, as if remembering something, with a strange look on her face, she immediately shook her head and said, "I don't see anything wrong with Madam, Madam is always happy whether she is in charge of the house or going out for a banquet." At most, I have troubled about which jewelry to wear."

Lin Chengyou knew that there was something wrong, and after Chen Sangu withdrew, Song Jian called two of Xiao Jiang's personal maidservants to come in to answer, and the second maidservant's speech was similar to Chen Sangu's.

Lin Chengyou saw that it was getting late, so he said goodbye to Yan Sizhi. When passing by the servants in the corridor, Lin Chengyou suddenly said to Song Jian: "I originally hoped that the servants of your mansion could provide important clues, so that we could also arrest the murderer as soon as possible." They were caught and brought to justice, but they didn't even know about it... They are the personal servants of Mrs. Zun, and they were at the scene on the day of the accident. The murderer was afraid that he would reveal his truth, and he might kill again. Be more careful yourself."

Chen Sangu huddled in the crowd, trembling when she heard this.

Song Jian personally sent Lin Chengyou and Yan Sizhi out of the mansion. When they arrived in front of a rockery, there was a noise of servants in front of them. Accompanied by childish laughter, two small figures ran towards them.

One of them accidentally bumped into Lin Chengyou's knee because he was running too fast. Song Jian frowned and stretched out his arms to pick up the child, but Lin Chengyou clasped the child's shoulders and squatted down to look in front of him He turned his head and looked at the one next to him. One was a boy and the other was a girl. They were about five or six years old, wrapped in high-quality silk, and they looked beautiful. I knew they were the pair born by Song Jian and Da Jiang. Long Feng'er laughed and said, "You are Brother Song's eldest brother."

Song Dalang wanted to throw himself into Grandpa's arms, but he was held hostage by Lin Chengyou. He was eager to break free, and complained while twisting: "Let go of me, I want to find Grandpa."

Song Jian sternly reprimanded: "Presumptuous——"

"It's okay." Lin Chengyou smiled and took a small bag of plum blossom candy from his arms. A Zhi loves this candy. He saw it in Xishi when he was handling the case, so he bought a bag. Give it to Ah Zhi, and take this opportunity to pass the candy to the two children, "I came here in a hurry tonight, and I didn't bring anything for the two nephews. This candy is not bad, take it and eat it with my sister."

Speaking, he patted Song Dalang's little head.

The brothers and sisters tilted their heads to look at Lin Chengyou for a while, remembering that they had seen this handsome young man with a smile on their faces, they suddenly felt kind, and then turned their round eyes to their father, seeing that his father did not object, and then Sisiwenwen thanked him and took the candy happily.

Immediately ran to Song Jian, hugged Grandpa's leg and said, "Grandpa, are you done with your work? Take me and my sister to bed."

The little girl also opened her arms to Song Jian: "Grandfather, give me a hug."

Song Jian was accidentally hugged by a pair of sons and daughters. In desperation, he had no choice but to bend down and hug his daughter into his arms. At the same time, he took Da Lang's hand, and said to Lin Chengyou with a wry smile, "I'll make you laugh."

Lin Chengyou and Yan Sizhi left the mansion, and Yan Sizhi said puzzledly: "Children always look for their aunt before going to bed. Xiao Jiang can be regarded as the biological aunt of the two children. The aunt is dead. Why don't you see the two?" A child talking about his aunt?"

Lin Chengyou got on the horse, thought for a while and said: "Children will not put on airs like adults. If they don't look for Xiao Jiang, either they can't think of her for a while, or they don't like Xiao Jiang on weekdays. They don't get close , naturally you won’t talk and search.”

Yan Sizhi said again: "During the questioning just now, that Third Aunt Chen clearly remembered something, but she just said that she didn't know, and she didn't know what worries this old woman had."

Lin Chengyou said: "She is Xiao Jiang's close wife. She spends more time with Xiao Jiang every day than Song Jian. She can hide things about Xiao Jiang from others but not from her. What I said just now It's enough for her to be worried all night, don't worry, let her think about it, I guess she will try to come to Dali Temple to find me by tomorrow morning at most."

Yan Sizhi frowned, and sighed with a smile: "It's better for Lin to judge things. It's getting late, and we have to find—"

Before he finished speaking, Lin Chengyou flicked his whip, and the horse turned into a gust of wind and galloped into the night.

"Of course I'm going, the time waits for no one."

***

Zheng Mansion.

The chief steward heard that it was Lin Chengyou who came, so he rushed out to welcome Lin Chengyou, served tea to Lin Chengyou himself, and said with a pleasant face: "It's not a coincidence for the little prince to come, the master has to be busy with court affairs recently, and he is also busy with the eldest son and his wife." Mrs. Wu accidentally caught the wind and cold about her engagement, so it is inconvenient to see guests tonight."

Lin Chengyou smiled and put down the teacup: "It so happens that I also know the art of diverting yellows, why don't I take the pulse for Zheng Gong, if it doesn't work, I will go to the Shang Yao Bureau to find Yu Fengyu for Zheng Gong. "

While talking, he walked straight through the nave.

The chief manager panicked all of a sudden, as long as this young prince is willing, he can tear down the roof of Zheng's mansion at any time.

He hurriedly chased after him, and at the same time signaled his servants to send a message to Zheng Pushe. Lin Chengyou didn't care about the noise of the chief executive, he walked through the corridor with his hands behind his back,

Yan Sizhi just took a sip of tea, seeing this, he had no choice but to pull up his robe and catch up.

When I reached the door of the outer study, I saw Zheng Pushe coming out of the yard.

Zheng Pushe raised his hand to straighten his clothes while walking, looking a bit embarrassed, seeing Lin Chengyou, he coughed twice, and said sullenly, "Why is your son coming so late?"

Lin Chengyou saluted solemnly: "This junior came here abruptly, I hope that Mr. Zheng will not blame you. Firstly, to greet Mr. Zheng, and secondly, to inquire about a few things by the way. If Mr. Zheng does not allow us to go in, we have no choice but to I inquired here."

Zheng Pu shot looked at Lin Chengyou, didn't utter a word or move, confronted for a while, finally lost, sighed heavily, turned around and walked in first: "Come in and talk."

After entering the palace, Lin Chengyou has always been casual, but Yan Sizhi couldn't help being a little more cautious. Zheng Pushe is not only the current minister, but also a descendant of the famous Zheng family in Xingyang. Famous at that time, his disciples spread all over the world.

Even though he is over fifty, Zheng Pushe still has a straight figure, elegant speech, and dignified manners. Sitting in front of the table, it is inevitable that people will feel cramped.

After the steward resigned, Lin Chengyou went straight to the point and said, "Shu Liniang's death may have hidden secrets. I came here late at night to bother Du Gong. I wanted to find out what unusual behavior Shu Liniang has done recently."

Zheng Pushe blushed, and looked down the corridor subconsciously. Seeing that the steward had already cleared away all the people, he expected that these words would not reach his wife's ears, so he immediately pretended to be calm and said: "She..."

Can't help clearing her throat, thinking for a while, a sad look slowly appeared on her face: "I haven't seen anything unusual about her recently. Have you found any new clues, why are you asking?"

Lin Chengyou glanced at Zheng Pushe, and said straightforwardly: "We now suspect that the murderer may have known Shu Liniang in the past, and would like to ask Du Gong whether Shu Liniang had any grievances with others in Huazhou in the past, and where has she been in the past month?" , have you met anyone?"

Zheng Pushe's face became serious: "Liniang has a very good temper. I haven't heard that she has had any grudges with others. She rarely goes out after she is pregnant. I have been busy with government affairs in the past month... I rarely go Visiting her, I only know that she went to Qujiang Lake to pray for blessings on the Shangsi Festival, and when she came back, she only said it was fun, and she didn’t seem to go out after that.”

Lin Chengyou was obviously very dissatisfied with the answer, he smiled and said, "Please think about it again, old man."

Zheng Pushe stroked his beard uncomfortably, pondered for a moment, and suddenly said: "By the way, one day when I went to Chun'an Lane, I heard Liniang and the servants complaining that her waist and abdomen were getting thicker, and her skirts and shirts were getting thinner." I can’t fit anymore, I think the fabric brought by the tailor is not good enough, so I’m going to the West Market to pick some good fabric to make clothes.”

Yan Sizhi was taken aback, Xishi.

Lin Chengyou asked: "Which shop? Has Shu Liniang been there that day?"

Zheng Pushe: "I didn't ask afterward."

"What day is this?"

"At the beginning of the month, remember that it is around the Shangsi Festival."

It seems that we can only ask the servants around Shu Liniang to ask again.

"Besides these few places, where else has Shu Liniang been, or did she say that she saw an old friend?"

"Recently this month..." Zheng Pushe pondered for a long time, "I really can't think of anything else, but last month I remembered that she said that the flowers bloomed very well in a certain place, and it seemed that she wanted to go out to enjoy the flowers. I didn't go, because I didn't hear her mention it after the incident. As for acquaintances, Liniang has no old acquaintances in Chang'an, only one cousin, who is Shu Changshi of Jingzhao Mansion—"

He paused, then said sadly: "Liniang is weak and honest, she came to Shu Changshi because her husband's family couldn't tolerate her."

Lin Chengyou said abruptly: "Mr Zheng asked Shu Liniang's past in-law's family about this matter, why did she have a quarrel with her in-law's family?"

Zheng Pushe was stunned: "This——"

It seems that it has not been verified.

Lin Chengyou waited for a while but did not wait for the next sentence, so he had to ask again: "How did Zheng Gong and Shu Liniang meet?"

Zheng Pushe's face was a little uncomfortable, and it took a long time before he spoke: "Last year's Mid-Autumn Festival, I accompanied the saint and the queen to enjoy the moon and drink in the palace. After the banquet, I went out of the palace to see the beautiful lanterns on the street. Feeling bored, I got out of the car and walked in the street market. At that time, Liniang was pretending to be a servant girl, leading a maidservant to watch the lanterns on the street. When she bumped into me, she accidentally dropped a book of poetry from her arms. I flipped through it, and saw that it was full of beautiful words and sentences, and after asking, I realized that this little lady made it herself in the past..."

Lin Chengyou listened solemnly, Zheng Pushe was already old, and his charming mind was not inferior to young people in the slightest.

According to this, it originated from the encounter at the Mid-Autumn Lantern Festival.

He thought for a while and asked, "Besides that maidservant, did Shu Liniang have any other friends with her at that time?"

Zheng Pushe shook his head.

"The Shu family's daughter isn't there either?"

"There are only two masters and servants, Liniang."

Lin Chengyou and Yan Sizhi said goodbye, and Yan Sizhi wondered: "It's weird, isn't there any children in Shu Changshi's family? Since Shu Liniang is a relative of the Shu family, and the Mid-Autumn Festival night lantern festival comes out to play, there should always be a few cousins ​​of the Shu family by her side." Sisters accompany."

Lin Chengyou was also thinking about this matter, either Shu Changshi did not have an unmarried daughter, or the Shu family didn't like Shu Liniang very much, although they took Shu Liniang in out of kinship, they didn't want their children to associate with her. Or there are other possibilities, only to know in person.

Suddenly a man came up to him, almost bumped into him, when he caught sight of Lin Chengyou, the man hurriedly stopped and said, "Your Majesty."

Lin Chengyou was surprised: "Master Zheng?"

Zheng Yanrang and Zheng Pushe were carved out of the same mold. They are also tall, thin and fair, with elegant and elegant temperament.

Zheng Yanrang was obviously a little uneasy: "Just now I went to a friend's place for a banquet, when did the prince come?"

Yan Sizhi sniffed quietly, there was a faint fragrance in the air, presumably it came from Mr. Zheng's clothes. Yan Sizhi himself doesn't use incense, although Lin Chengyou has a dark fragrance on his body, but the smell is cold and upright, unlike the gentle and lingering aura of Mr. Zheng, this smell is the fragrance for women.

Yan Sizhi was secretly surprised. Zheng Pushe himself had never taken a concubine, and he disciplined his children very strictly. I heard that Mr. Zheng never sleeps in flowers and sleeps in willows. He is about to be engaged. I don't know where the fragrance comes from. Contaminated. Alas, it can be seen that there are countless rumors, Zheng Pu shoots a housewife for private use, and the eldest son also-

Lin Chengyou also heard it, and said: "I heard that Mr. Zheng's good news is about to come. Congratulations to Mr. Zheng first."

Zheng Yanrang was stunned for a moment, and smiled reluctantly: "Thank you."

As he spoke, he personally sent Lin Chengyou and Yan Si directly outside the mansion.

Lin Chengyou was about to get on his horse, when Zheng Yanrang suddenly said: "Just now at the banquet, I heard about Mrs. Rong Anbo's son. It is said that the murderer only picks pregnant women. I wonder if this murderer has been caught?"

His expression was very casual, as if he was just asking casually.

Lin Chengyou looked at Zheng Yanrang, and answered after a while: "Oh, I haven't caught it yet."

Zheng Yanrang nodded and stood beside the horse to see him off.

Lin Chengyou originally wanted to go to the Shu Mansion, but it was already late, thinking about the things he inquired about tonight, it was enough for him to sort out the case now, so he sent Yan Si straight home on the way, and he let himself go The horse returned to Chengwang's mansion.

***

Teng Yuyi had a good night's sleep last night, because Du Tinglan was leaving the temple today, the two sisters were busy packing their bags early in the morning.

In a blink of an eye, Teng Yuyi was thinking about giving some delicious food to Juesheng and Qizhi. At this time, the great monk Mingxin came over with a few young novice monks, and said that the vegetarian meal is in the Xixintang. Please Teng Yuyi and Du Tinglan went to eat.

Teng Yuyi had to give up the idea of ​​secretly eating meat in the temple. The two sisters left Libaixuan and met Juesheng and Qizhi on the way. "

Teng Yuyi smiled and said: "I know, you copied the scriptures last night."

Anyway, those food and drink preparations were not in vain, at least she entertained Lin Chengyou well.

Juesheng and Qizhi nodded desperately, they wanted to come wholeheartedly, but they didn't know that their senior brother insisted not to let them come.

"Did you live in the east wing last night?" Teng Yuyi asked.

Juesheng and Qizhi shook their heads: "We lived in the Sutra Pavilion last night. After copying the scriptures, we found out that a few ladies have moved in temporarily in the east wing, so we had to move our bags to the quiet room inside the Sutra Pavilion. Already."

While speaking, they saw a few young ladies coming out from the distance, Juesheng and Qizhi looked up, their expressions became strange.

Du Tinglan and Teng Yuyi looked at each other: "What's wrong?"

Juesheng lowered his voice: "Last night, Qizhi and I went back to the East Wing to get our luggage, and saw a lady going to the peach forest behind by herself. Who, Qizhi and I were worried that something might happen, so we stayed where we were and waited, but it didn't take long before we saw that lady came back safe and sound."

Teng Yuyi coughed and said in a low voice, "Who?"

Juesheng and Qizhi scratched their heads: "It was already midnight, and the lady was wrapped in a big cloak, and we didn't see who it was."

Just as we were talking, two more young novice monks came over to pass on the message: "A lot of guests came up ahead. There are two Tanyue surnamed Du who want to see Teng Tanyue. In addition, Master Jingchen from Yuzhen Nuguan Temple is also here. He also said he was looking for Teng Tanyue."

Du Tinglan and Teng Yuyi looked at each other, and said with a smile: "Maybe it's not Aniang and Shaotang who came to visit Ayu."

Teng Yuyi was very happy, pondered for a while, and showed surprise: "Did the teacher find my pearl walker?"

She was anxious to see her aunt and cousin, and also anxious to ask Mrs. Jingchen about Bu Yao's whereabouts.

Meet the Peng family sisters, Li Huaigu, and Duan Qingying on the way.

It's strange that they didn't go to have breakfast, and it seems that they are also going to the front yard.

Aunt Peng and Erniang Peng took the initiative to say hello: "Ms. Teng, Mrs. Du."

Teng Yuyi and Du Tinglan returned the greeting with a smile. Li Huaigu didn't seem to sleep well last night, his face was not as good as usual, but his expression was always gentle. He took a closer look at Teng Yuyi and greeted with a smile: "Ayu, Sister Lan."

Seeing Monk Mingxin, Juesheng and Qizhi respectfully asked, "Where is the abbot now? We want to pay his respects to the old man."

Ming Xin said: "The Prince of Chun'an personally sent several volumes of scriptures to the temple, and the abbot is receiving the King in the Zen room."

Juesheng and Qizhi said happily: "There are really enough people in the temple this morning."