Ma Bin said: "Listen to me and tell you slowly. This Lu Feiming, the Minister of Rites, was the Tanhualang of Jinxiu for fifteen years. He was handsome in life, talented and knowledgeable, and people at the time called him Lu Tanhua. On a winter night ten years ago,
Lu Feiming was suddenly killed on his way back from a banquet. His family came back desperately to report the news. The Lu family fled overnight, and the Lu Mansion was burned down that night. The Kaifeng Prefecture investigated the case for three years, but in the end it became an unsolved case. Lu Feiming has always been a peaceful person, and in
In the imperial court, he was just a minister of etiquette. He was obsessed with reading poetry and essays and did not participate in court battles. It is not even heard that he had any enemies outside the court. This matter is really strange. "
Lin Jue was horrified and frowned: "How could this happen? Killing people and burning down houses seems to be an attempt to wipe out the Lu family. How much hatred must there be to do this? Why do you say you have no enemies?"
Ma Bin smacked his lips and said: "This is the strange thing. Of course I hope to find out the whole story, and I did. However... you can't let out a word about the following things, because they are too relevant.
big."
Lin Jue frowned and said, "How could I tell anyone?"
Ma Bin said: "It's not that I don't believe you, but these are not confirmed, they are just rumors. And the people involved cannot be touched, so that's why I gave this advice."
"Don't worry, I understand. What kind of rumors are they?" Lin Jue said.
Ma Bin lowered his voice, stretched his neck, and put a dark face close to Lin Jue and said: "One of the rumors is that Lu Feiming, the Minister of Lu, almost married the daughter of the Wei family. It was only later that someone blocked and opposed the marriage.
It didn’t work.”
"The daughter of the Wei family? Which Wei family?" Lin Jue asked in confusion.
"Brother, you still have to ask? What is the surname of the current Queen Mother? The Wei family is the Queen Mother's natal family, and Miss Wei is the niece of the Queen Mother. Now you should understand, right?" Ma Bin frowned.
Lin Jue was startled, and suddenly felt that something was wrong. An ominous premonition arose in his heart.
"The daughter of the Wei family, the Queen Mother's niece, do you know who she is? That's... the palace's... Concubine Rong..." Ma Bin's voice continued to ring in his ears.
There was a "boom", and Lin Jue's mind exploded. Suddenly he seemed to have grasped some idea, but he couldn't grasp anything.
"You mean... Lu Feiming had a marriage agreement with Concubine Rong before? They almost got married?" Lin Jue asked in shock.
"Keep your voice down, keep your voice down, my good brother, stop shouting. Who dares to mention this now? Don't let anyone hear you." Ma Bin said hurriedly.
Lin Jue nodded, frowned and thought: "Since there was a marriage agreement, Concubine Rong later married the emperor as his concubine. By the way, the emperor was still the prince at that time. Well... marrying the prince as a concubine is naturally better than marrying the prince as a concubine.
It is understandable that a young servant should have a better future..."
Ma Bin interrupted Lin Jue and said: "Brother, you are wrong. It is not Concubine Rong who broke the contract. On the contrary, it is said that Concubine Rong likes this Lu Shilang very much. She will definitely attend the banquet attended by Lu Shilang.
, she just wanted to meet this Lu Shilang. She also proposed the engagement, and the Wei family agreed to it at that time. After all, this Lu Shilang has great literary talent and a high reputation. Just like you, brother, you are also a famous figure in the capital.
This marriage of a great celebrity was not considered a lower marriage. But later, the Queen Mother blocked the engagement and married Concubine Rong to the then crown prince and the current emperor as the crown prince’s concubine. It is said that Concubine Rong was still crying and reluctant at that time, but in the end
I can't resist the Queen Mother, so I can only obey her orders."
Lin Jue was speechless and said for a long time: "I understand, the Queen Mother wants to marry her niece to the future emperor, so that the Wei family will have a higher status in the future. So... Lu Feiming's death... is difficult
Could it be because of this incident? If it was because of this matter... then I'm afraid... the prince at that time did it, because after all, this Lu Shilang had been engaged to Concubine Rong, and this was probably a past affair that he could not accept.
So he secretly ordered people to kill people and silence them. Is this possible?"
Ma Bin frowned and said: "We have thought about this possibility, and it is indeed possible. But the question is, why did the emperor, who was still the prince at the time, wait for several years before taking action? You must know that when Lu Shilang was killed, he
You are already married and have several children, why would you wait for several years before taking action? This is too scheming."
"Is it possible that the two of them were so connected that they did something and were discovered? The prince decided to kill him." Lin Jue continued to use his imagination.
"It's absolutely impossible. Lu Feiming is a gentleman and would never do this. Doesn't he know that this is the death penalty for a whole family? It's impossible for Concubine Rong to do this. Besides, if there is such a thing, what will happen to Concubine Rong now?
Maybe she is an imperial concubine? Can the Holy One today tolerate an unfaithful woman by his side and give her such a high status? Even the niece of the Queen Mother is not afraid. This is not only about a man's dignity, but also about the majesty of the royal family." Ma
Bin Road.
Lin Jue nodded slightly, what he said made sense. In these days, it is taboo for women to be unfaithful. It is not tolerated by ordinary people, and it is even more unforgivable in the royal family. Even if it is kept secret for the sake of the reputation of the royal family, it is absolutely impossible.
Let an unfaithful woman sit on the high throne of an imperial concubine.
A thought flashed through Lin Jue's mind, thinking of Concubine Rong's unusual affection for Lu Wu. If Lu Wu was really Lu Shilang's daughter, could it be that Concubine Rong valued the daughter of her old friend so much because she missed her old relationship?
.However, there are many doubts here. Even if she is the daughter of an old friend, Concubine Rong may not know the birthmark and secrets on Lu Wu's body. How to explain this?
"If it wasn't the emperor's fault, then why was the Minister Lu killed? Who wanted to kill him? This is probably a mystery." Lin Jue frowned and murmured.
Ma Bin glanced at Shen Tan, who nodded slightly and said softly: "Brother, I found another rumor here. This rumor is even more popular than before."
Lin Jue hurriedly said: "What rumors? Brother, please tell me."
Shen Tan nodded and said: "After Brother Ma found out the identity of Shilang Lu and his past affairs, he was very confused about the death of Shilang Lu, so he came to me to discuss the matter. I remembered a friend from the capital who once served as a guard in the prince's palace.
Back then, he offended some friends in the world, but later I settled the grudges for him, so he was very grateful to me. I originally went to him to ask about the Minister Lu, but he told me something that made me sad.
Something that surprised people. He said... He heard a strange thing in the Prince's Mansion. It was said that the Crown Prince's concubine Wei gave birth to a daughter for the Prince, but when she was carried out, it was a son. The woman who delivered the baby
At first it was clear that she was a rich young lady, but later she said that she had misjudged her. Later, the women and maids who participated in the delivery in Wei's room died one by one. The little prince grew up slowly, and this matter never happened again.
No one dares to mention..."
Lin Jue was confused and frowned: "What do you mean by this? Could it be that this rumor is true?"
Shen Tan said softly: "I don't know if it's true. Brother Ma and I went to check it out. There's something I must tell you. On the same day that the Wei family gave birth, the Lu Shilang family was blessed with a daughter. It's just the same. Two hours..."
Lin Jue stood up in shock and stared blankly at the two people in front of him, his eyes widening.
"You mean..." Lin Jue asked hoarsely.
"Brother, we are not sure, but both of us feel that there seems to be a slight connection between these past events and rumors, as if there is a thread threaded through it. But we dare not really think so, After all, they are all rumors and hearsay. And after so many years, who can know the truth? We will only tell you what we know. You are smarter than us, so you should be able to make a judgment." Ma Bin said softly.
Lin Jue shook his head and tried his best to calm down, but his heart couldn't calm down and was beating hard. Although Ma Bin and Shen Tan didn't point it out, everything they said today seemed to indicate something. An extremely secretive matter. They seemed to be alluding to a shocking incident in which a civet cat was exchanged for a prince.
This is ridiculous, and there is insufficient evidence to support it, but in Lin Jue's view, it seems not completely unreasonable. Because Lin Jue knew what Concubine Rong did to Lu Wu. Concubine Rong did to Lu Wu that day in the palace. The familiarity of the birthmark and red mole, the inquiry about the time of birth, the attitude towards Green Dance, and other unusual behaviors are difficult to explain. Unless what Ma Bin and Shen Tan hinted is true, then everything Once it is understood, there will be a reasonable explanation.
If these speculations are true, could it be that Lu Wu, she, turned out to be...
Lin Jue was sweating all over his body, his mouth was extremely dry, and his mind was in chaos. He didn't dare to think about it anymore. This thing was too bizarre and ridiculous. Lin Jue warned himself not to think wildly. Never make a hasty decision.
After a while, Lin Jue calmed down a little. He thought for a while and said in a deep voice: "Brothers, I didn't expect to find out so many secret things. But at present, it seems that there is insufficient evidence to make a conclusion. Moreover, I just want to find Lu Wu’s family background. The first thing that needs to be determined at this moment is whether Lu Shilang is Lu Wu’s father. Other things... don’t need to explore too much, so as not to cause unnecessary trouble."
Ma Bin and Shen Tan naturally knew it well, and they both nodded and said: "Brother, what I said is that those rumors are not true, but there is no need to go into details."
Lin Jue nodded and said: "Lu Wu remembers some things from her childhood, and the situation around her home when she was a child. Brother, since you have found out the identity of Mr. Lu, you must also have found out where his original mansion is."
Ma Bin nodded and said: "Of course we found it. It's just that the original house was burned down and it's completely changed beyond recognition. But I don't know if my siblings can still recognize him."
Lin Jue thought for a while and said: "No matter, let's do this. Brother Ma, if you are free tomorrow morning, I will take Lu Wu and let's take a look together. Maybe we can bring back some memories of Lu Wu. Make sure she is Lu Wu." The identity of the minister's daughter. If Lu Wu is not the daughter of the minister Lu at all, all other speculations will go away. Once the identity is confirmed, we will talk about what happens next."
Ma Bin and Shen Tan nodded. Ma Bin said: "Okay, let's go together tomorrow morning. I'll ask for leave tomorrow morning."
Shen Tan said: "I'm coming too. Brothers, please bring only your younger brothers and sisters. Don't bring anyone else with you. It's not good if there are too many people talking."
Lin Jue nodded, and the three brothers drank a few cups of tea, agreed on a meeting time tomorrow, and then dispersed.
That night, Lin Jue stayed in the Green Dance Room and briefly talked about what Ma Bin and Chen Tan had said tonight about Lu Feiming, the minister of etiquette ten years ago. But Lin Jue did not tell those two messy rumors. Lu Wu. Lin Jue did not want to cause Lu Wu a psychological burden, not to mention that this was a shocking guess. He said these words without any solid evidence, which only increased Lu Wu's worry and panic.
Even though she only shared a little bit of information, Lu Wu couldn't sleep that night. She still didn't know if Lu Feiming was her father. When she learned about what happened to the Lu family, she was already in tears. Lin I feel very regretful. If I had known this, I would not have told her this. Lu Wu can't keep things to herself, is timid and sensitive, and is easily influenced. I should try my best to protect her.
Early the next morning, before dawn, Lu Wu couldn't wait to get up. He urged Lin Jue to get up quickly. Lin Jue was speechless. The two sworn brothers had made an appointment to meet in front of Xiangguo Temple. It was too early to get up at this time. It's a little early. But Lin Jue also understands Lu Wu's mood. For so many years, he has not known where he came from, and that feeling is difficult for others to understand. Suddenly his life experience is about to be revealed. Lu Wu is not excited, hesitant, panicked or looking forward to it. It was impossible. Although she had always said that she no longer cared where her home was, when things came to pass, it became clear that it was impossible to not care.
After washing up, we had breakfast. After everything was arranged, it was only Chen time. Lin Jue sat on the corridor and read. Lu Wu, dressed neatly, walked up and down the corridor with a frown, constantly sighing anxiously. Lin Jue saw this. I couldn't read anymore, so I had to get up, put on my cloak and hat, and set off with her. The two of them rode horses to the square of Daxiangguo Temple and drank in the cold wind for a long time. It was not until three o'clock in the morning that they saw Ma Bin and Ma Bin. Shen Tan appeared at the entrance of the square riding a horse.
After the four people met, they walked south together, then east along Bianhe North Street, exited the water gate, came to the outer city, and headed straight to the southwest corner of the outer city. As they went further, the tall houses became more and more beautiful. Most of them were ordinary streets and alleys. At three o'clock, the four of them stepped onto a spacious but dilapidated street.
Although this street is dilapidated, the surrounding houses and shops are low and dilapidated, and the ground is full of potholes, but judging from the width of the street, it is no less than the width of the luxurious streets in the inner city. And on both sides Although many buildings are dilapidated, the shadows of high-walled compounds can still be seen. The big trees on both sides of the road are thick and lush. Even when the leaves have fallen in winter, their branches are still criss-crossing the top of the head, covering the sky. The feeling of being blocked out by the sun. The overall feeling is that this street was definitely not an ordinary street in the past.
Ma Bin's introduction proved Lin Jue's guess.
"This was originally called Rites Street. The Imperial Court's Rites Department was originally located on this street. A few streets to the east are the Rites Gongyuan, the Imperial College and the Martial Arts School. The Rites Yamen is located here and is adjacent to these places..."
Lin Jue suddenly realized that after calculating the direction, he found that the current location was not to the west of Taixue and Imperial College. The martial arts school of Taixue and Imperial College was in the outer city, so it was understandable that the Rites Yamen should be located in the outer city. It would facilitate nearby management.
"...This street is called Libu Street. Even though the Ministry of Rites later moved to the Zhengshi Hall, the name did not change. Look at the original style. You must know that the Ministry of Rites once had its glory. Back then, the late Emperor Huizong ordered Yan
After Yun Zhimeng, for some reason, he especially liked to offer sacrifices to the gods. The Ministry of Rites was in the limelight at that time. The etiquette system and the ceremonial scenes of offering sacrifices to the sky and offering sacrifices to the gods were all arranged by the Ministry of Rites. Think about it, how much power this has.
Ma Bin said with a smile.
Lin Jue nodded secretly. Huizong was a controversial figure among the first emperors of the Zhou Dynasty. It was in his hands that the Yanyun Alliance was concluded. Since then, the debate over the Yanyun Alliance has continued, with mixed praise and criticism. Some
Some said that Emperor Huizong had great wisdom and exchanged a hundred years of peace between the Zhou Dynasty and the northern Liao people at a small price and worthless face. Some said that Emperor Huizong's move had lost the prestige of the country, and he had made an alliance with the barbarian country and made great contributions.
The old coins were returned to the country of brothers, which was simply an alliance that humiliated the country. The most criticized thing about Huizong was not the formulation of this covenant, but that he seemed to create a famous sacrificial mountain in order to prove his orthodox position as the son of God.
The pioneer of Dachuan. There is no place where the famous mountains and splendid places in the Zhou Dynasty are not visited by his chariot. Every time he patrols to offer sacrifices, a lot of manpower and material resources are consumed, and he also gives generous rewards afterwards. In Huizong's dynasty, the amount of money wasted was dozens of times more than that of the previous dynasty.
times, effectively emptying the Zhou Dynasty's originally full treasury.
Moreover, Huizong's move also caused the subsequent emperors to follow suit, and extravagance became a common practice. The treasury was emptied, and Yin was in dire straits until he fell into trouble. It can be said that this extravagant and wasteful trend began with Huizong.
Lin Jue read a secret history pamphlet written by a folk scholar. This kind of pamphlet is very popular in the market. It is about some so-called secrets about the emperor and important ministers. Many failed scholars rely on writing these secrets to spread the news.
Make a living by secret information. The imperial court also banned it repeatedly. After all, this is a manuscript, something secretly peddled, just like pornographic publications and CDs will be banned repeatedly on earth in later generations.
In that pamphlet, Lin Jue felt that the psychological speculations about some of Huizong's practices were quite accurate. The pamphlet said that it was precisely because Emperor Huizong had established the Yanyun Alliance that he himself felt a little humiliated and fearful.
The people and the civil and military officials did not trust his ability to be the emperor, so they made a large number of conferments on Zen, seeking auspicious omens to show that he was the emperor's orthodoxy and majesty. Qin Shihuang liked to do this trick at the beginning, but Huizong was good at not imitating it, but this one
It’s learned deep down in one’s bones.
"In front is the former site of the Rites Yamen, and opposite is the residence of the Minister of Rites, Lu Shilang, whom I found. The residence of the Minister of Rites is only one street away from the Rites Yamen." Ma Bin pointed forward.
Lin Jue nodded and turned to look at Lu Wu on the horse beside him. Lu Wu looked extremely nervous and licked his lips repeatedly. The color on his face was also a little white.
"Lvwu, are you okay?" Lin Jue asked with concern.
Lu Wu forced a smile and said: "Sir, I'm fine. Let's go and take a look. Maybe it's not the case at all. I don't remember anything about the surrounding scenery."
"Brothers and sisters, don't worry. It's the best. Don't be disappointed. We are just here to take a look today. It doesn't mean we have to find out. If it's not here, I will continue to check for you." Ma Bin said with a smile.
"Thank you...Thank you, Brother Ma. I...don't worry." Lu Wu breathed a sigh of relief.
