Yu Hanjiang and Xiao Lou returned to the carriage, and Shao Qingge also asked his servants to continue on their way. They stayed at a post station on the way that night and arrived in Jiangzhou the next morning.
Jiangzhou is located on the border between Da Qi and Zhao. Since Qi and Zhao have been in harmonious relations in recent years, there is an endless stream of businessmen coming and going. The streets are bustling with people. Although it is not as prosperous as Kyoto, it is still very lively and peaceful. The people
Their faces were all filled with smiles.
On the surface, this is a treasure land rich in products, but Yu Hanjiang knows that the situation in Jiangzhou is complicated. It is like a calm sea with undercurrents surging underneath. If he is not careful, he, the governor of Jiangzhou, may leave his head behind.
here.
Shao Qingge decided to settle down in the inn first. When they parted, Yu Hanjiang whispered: "Be more careful in the inn. In addition, it is best to change out of these gorgeous clothes. Your wealth should not be exposed. There is no harm in being low-key."
"I know." Shao Qingge came to the carriage and joked: "I'm going to take the first step, madam, take care."
The word "ma'am" was specially emphasized.
"..." Xiao Lou didn't want to pay attention to him.
Shao Qingge stayed at the Fu'an Inn, the largest in Jiangzhou City, while Yu Hanjiang took Xiao Lou to the prefect of Jiangzhou.
The government has already received the notice from the court and is waiting for the new prefect to take office.
Yu Hanjiang walked into the government office, took out the appointment documents from the imperial court and went through the handover procedures with the official in charge. The official smiled and said: "Sir Yu, you are new here. If you have anything you are not familiar with, you can ask Master. He has been in Jiangzhou for decades.
, assisted the previous prefect, and is very familiar with the situation in Jiangzhou. If your Excellency wants to see him, I can invite him over."
Yu Hanjiang nodded and said, "Okay, then please ask Master to come over. I'll wait for him in the study."
The residence of the magistrate is just behind the government office, which is a large courtyard. There are guest rooms and study rooms on the east side of the courtyard, bedrooms for adults and their families on the north side, residences for the servants on the west side, and the kitchen on the south side. The whole yard is arranged very well.
Exquisite, with rockery, water, and shady trees, it is almost comparable to a small park.
Xiao Lou liked it very much and put his luggage in the bedroom when he got home.
Yu Hanjiang was waiting for his master in the study. This "master" should be the person who provided the key clues. Yu Hanjiang specially invited his master to his home to meet him so that he could talk privately.
After Xiao Lou packed his luggage, he asked Ping'er, Yun Cang and Yao Bo to buy some daily necessities, and then turned around and came to the yard. He saw a gentle scholar walking towards the study, he must be the master. Xiao Lou curiously
Followed behind the other party.
Yu Hanjiang opened the door to the study. When the master entered the room and saw him, he immediately saluted: "Sir!"
Their eyes met, Yu Hanjiang said clearly: "So it's you...Master Mo?" He looked around and lowered his voice: "Don't worry, the servants have been sent away, there is no one else in this yard."
Mo Xuemin smiled and said: "I heard that the new prefect's surname was Yu, and I guessed that he was Captain Yu at that time." He found Yu Hanjiang alone and couldn't help but wonder: "Where is Professor Xiao? Isn't he with you?"
Yu Hanjiang handed him a cup of tea and said, "Old Mo, sit down and talk first."
Mo Xuemin sat down, picked up the tea cup and took a sip of tea.
At this moment, a gentle voice suddenly came from behind: "Husband, is this Master here?"
Yu Hanjiang: "..."
Mo Xuemin turned around and saw Xiao Lou, dressed in women's clothing, calling Yu Hanjiang "husband", and a sip of tea spurted onto the ground with a "pop" sound.
His eyes were about to fall off as he stared at Xiao Lou in disbelief: "This is..."
Yu Hanjiang calmly introduced: "This is my wife, Xiao Lou."
Xiao Lou met Lao Mo's wide eyes and said with a smile: "Hello, Master."
Mo Xuemin: “………………”
Xiao Lou saw General Manager Shao laughing yesterday and had already figured it out - instead of letting his teammates speculate randomly, he should take the initiative to admit that he and Yu Hanjiang were acting as "husband and wife". As long as the two behaved as if nothing had happened, his teammates would not
think.
It was role-playing anyway, arranged by the ace of hearts, and there was nothing he could do about it!
Seeing Xiao Lou smiling and looking calm, Lao Mo quickly wiped his mouth and said with a dry smile: "Well...ahem, Professor Xiao is wearing women's clothes...ahem, cough, cough, it's quite good-looking." He was really at a loss for words.
Don't know what to say.
Xiao Loudao: "The gatekeeper made this arrangement so that I can move with Captain Yu. We both came from Kyoto, and I also have the identity of being a descendant of Zu Zuo, so I can do an autopsy."
Mo Xuemin said clearly: "It's...an ancient forensic medicine, right? That's quite in line with Professor Xiao's major! By the way, I was assigned the status of a master and got a bunch of files."
Xiao Lou walked over and sat down next to Yu Hanjiang, and asked Lao Mo: "Have you noticed where the others are?"
Mo Xuemin was still not used to seeing him in women's clothing. He quickly looked away and looked at Yu Hanjiang and said: "I searched for two days in Jiangzhou and only saw Long Sen working as a nurse in the palace. Xiaoqu, Xiaoye, Liu Qiao and
I haven’t found Mr. Shao yet.”
Yu Hanjiang said: "Shao Qingge is the eldest son of a wealthy businessman in Qingcheng. We met him halfway yesterday. He also came to Jiangzhou with us and is currently staying at Fu'an Inn."
Lao Mo said with emotion: "It seems that Mr. Shao is still a rich man in ancient times!"
Xiao Lou asked curiously: "What are those files about?"
Mo Xuemin said: "I carefully scanned the records of cases that have occurred in Jiangzhou in recent years yesterday. Most of them are cases involving family feuding. However, starting three years ago, three young women disappeared. The whereabouts of those missing women
It’s unclear and has become an unsolved case. I don’t know if it has anything to do with this case.”
Yu Hanjiang nodded and said, "Where is the palace? How much do you know?"
Mo Xuemin cleared his throat and said: "The eighth prince who lives in Zhenjiang Palace is the younger brother of the late emperor and the eighth uncle of your current majesty. This idle prince does not care about political affairs, but he is quite fond of beauty and has married four people in total.
Madam, each one is as beautiful as a flower. He has one son and four daughters. Currently, the four daughters are living in the palace and none of them are married."
He paused and then said: "Your Majesty will hold a 40-year-old birthday party in a few days. All the people in Jiangzhou know about this, and Long Sen works as a nurse in the palace. I guess the case is very
It might happen at the palace."
Yu Hanjiang said: "You guessed it right. His Majesty asked me to pay a visit to the Eighth Prince. Mr. Shao also received a mission to attend the Eighth Prince's birthday banquet. Something will definitely happen on the day of the birthday banquet. We have to find out the situation in the palace in advance."
Four wives, one son, and four daughters, such a complicated family relationship, is likely to produce a tragedy in family ethics.
Yu Hanjiang said: "Four madams, please tell me in detail what you know about the young lady's situation."
Obviously, Lao Mo was assigned the identity of a master to serve as an "information guide" for the team. He could provide a large number of clues about Jiangzhou.
Mo Xuemin was also experienced. After changing into ancient costumes, he quickly adapted to his new identity. After walking around Jiangzhou for two days, he found out the general situation of the palace. He said: "The eldest young master Qi Fenghua and the eldest young lady Qi Yiyao are both born to Mrs. Yun."
Qi Fenghua is currently in the army, fighting with the Yan State on the western front with General Zhengxi, and has not been home for three years."
"The eldest lady is betrothed to the richest young master of the Lin family in the local area. However, there are rumors that the young master Lin spends a lot of time, frequents brothels, and has a close relationship with famous prostitutes. The wedding of the two is scheduled for next month. The Lin family attaches great importance to this marriage.
The betrothal gift was given just yesterday, and the people were talking about how many boxes of gold alone were given."
Yu Hanjiang took a pen and paper and quickly drew a diagram of the interpersonal relationships in the palace.
Mo Xuemin continued: "The second young lady is called Qi Yi'an, she is the legitimate daughter of the real princess, and was named 'Princess Shu'an' by the emperor. The princess has passed away, and the princess is engaged to the second prince of Zhao. Qi and Zhao
The country has been adopting a marriage policy for many years, and the emperor personally arranged for Princess Shu'an to marry to a neighboring country. Everyone in Jiangzhou knows about this, and it is said that the wedding will be held at the end of the year."
Xiao Lou touched his chin and said, "Have you seen this princess?"
Mo Xuemin said: "No. But I heard from the people that Princess Shu'an is beautiful and dignified. She has read poetry and books since she was a child, and is also proficient in music, chess, calligraphy and painting. She is a talented woman. She grew up with His Majesty when she was a child, and has the best relationship with His Majesty.
, and is also the most favored in the palace."
Yu Hanjiang frowned and said, "Are there any rumors about the death of her mother, the real princess?"
Mo Xuemin shook his head: "It is said that the princess is in poor health. Three years after marrying the prince, she has not given birth to any children, so the prince married Mrs. Yun. After Mrs. Yun gave birth to her eldest son and daughter in succession, the princess finally became pregnant.
Unfortunately, she was too weak and died of illness not long after giving birth to her legitimate daughter Qi Yian."
Xiao Lou and Yu Hanjiang looked at each other. On the surface, it sounded like the princess was indeed in poor health and died of illness. However, Mrs. Yun gave birth to two children in succession, but she was still a "concubine". If she was unwilling, she would kill the real princess.
It's possible.
Yu Hanjiang asked: "What is the situation with the other two ladies?"
Mo Xuemin continued: "The prince loves beauty. After the death of the real princess, no one took care of him. He married two concubines one after another, namely Mrs. Qing and Mrs. Han. Mrs. Qing gave birth to three girls, Qi Yiru, and this girl was unruly
She is willful, likes to wear men's clothes, has learned martial arts, often rides horses on the street, and has injured many people. Mrs. Han is currently the most favored, and she gave birth to the fourth lady Qi Yiwei. This fourth lady is the most low-key,
She usually covers her face with a veil when she goes out. No one has ever seen her. It is said that she is studying medicine in a medicine house outside the city."
There were so many names and complicated relationships that Xiao Lou had a headache just listening to them.
But Yu Hanjiang is a professional criminal policeman, and he has seen no matter how complicated the relationship between people is. In order to organize his memory, he quickly drew a relationship diagram of the palace on paper——
Qi Fenghua is on the front line; Qi Yiyao is promised to the eldest son of the Lin family; the mother of these siblings is the eldest Mrs. Yun.
Qi Yi'an, the legitimate daughter of Princess Shu'an, was engaged to the second prince of a neighboring country. Her mother was the real princess and has passed away.
Qi Yiru, the unruly and willful third lady who loves martial arts, her mother is Mrs. Qing.
Qi Yiwei is a low-key, masked fourth lady with medical skills. Her mother is the prince's favorite Mrs. Han.
Xiao Lou looked at the relationship list compiled by Captain Yu and touched his chin thoughtfully: "So it seems that the three ladies are now on equal terms, and the position of the prince and concubine is still vacant?"
Mo Xuemin said: "Yes, and the prince is still very young. People in ancient times got married early, and the prince is only in his forties now. The three ladies will definitely be jealous."
Yu Hanjiang frowned and looked at Xiao Lou: "Could this case be a house fight?"
Xiao Lou nodded: "It's possible. The four girls are about the same age. If we follow the routine of house fighting, the four sisters were born to different mothers, and the real princess has passed away, there must be intrigue between the three ladies, and the relationship between the four sisters
It won’t be too harmonious.”
"When is the prince's birthday party?" Yu Hanjiang raised his head and asked Lao Mo.
"It's the fifteenth day of this month, which is three days from now." Mo Xuemin said.
"Tomorrow, we will go to the palace in person. First, we will pay a visit to the prince according to His Majesty's instructions. Second, we will also meet with Long Sen from the palace. He works as a nurse in the palace and should get other clues." Yu Hanjiang simply said.
said.
"What about today?" Xiao Lou looked at him, "Do you want to change into casual clothes and check out the environment in Jiangzhou?"
"Yes, let's look for other teammates by the way." Yu Hanjiang said.
Yu Hanjiang changed out of his official uniform and put on casual clothes, and took his wife and master with him to go shopping in Jiangzhou.
Everyone's identity in the secret room world is related to reality. Lao Mo is also the team guide in reality. Yu Hanjiang speculated that Liu Qiao was probably a medicine boy or pharmacist, so he went to nearby medicine shops and medical clinics.
But no trace of her was found.
Xiao Lou said: "Xiao Liu may also be like Mr. Shao, who came to Jiangzhou from other places."
Yu Hanjiang agreed and said: "For example, she is the apprentice of a famous doctor who travels all over the world. Maybe she is still on her way to Jiangzhou, otherwise she would not have been silent in the past two days."
When Mo Xuemin heard this, he was suddenly startled and said: "If everyone's identities are related to reality, then Teacher Qu is a dance teacher, shouldn't she be a dancer in Tianxiang Tower?"
Xiao Lou looked at Lao Mo doubtfully: "Is Tianxiang Tower... a brothel?"
Mo Xuemin coughed and said: "It's not even a brothel. This is the largest singing and dancing house in Jiangzhou, where many talented girls gather. It is said that the dancers and singers here are all prostitutes, not prostitutes. Young men from rich families often come here.
Have fun here."
Yu Hanjiang frowned: "Let's go take a look, maybe we can find Qu Wanyue."
Before Mo Xuemin saw them, he didn't know how everyone's identities corresponded to reality. He only saw Long Sen, who was working as a guard in the palace, and didn't even think of going to a place like Tianxiang Tower to drink flowers and wine to find someone.
Now when he heard what Yu Hanjiang said, he suddenly realized and said: "Tianxiang Tower is only open after dark. Let's go there after dinner."
***
At night, most of Jiangzhou's urban areas are plunged into darkness, but a street in the east of the city is brightly lit.
This street is filled with lanterns of various shapes, and there is an endless stream of guests. The lively nightlife of the ancients has just begun.
At the end of the street, there is a three-story building with a plaque with the words "Tianxiang Building" hanging on it. This is the busiest building in the whole street. The door is open, and countless guests are rushing to Tianxiang Building.
Yu Hanjiang and the other three also followed the crowd and walked over.
After the three of them entered the house, they found a table and sat down. Xiao Lou noticed with sharp eyes that a familiar figure was sitting next to him. He narrowed his peach blossom eyes and held a folding fan in his hand, looking like a "playboy".
Yu Hanjiang also saw him and said in a low voice: "Master Shao is really in a good mood. He actually came here?"
Shao Qingge shamelessly sat over and said with a smile: "My servant told me that tonight there will be a performance by Tianxianglou's most famous dancer. My character is a playboy and I often go to brothels. Of course I have to come and join in such fun.
One piece."
Xiao Lou also admires him for being able to describe "lustful" in such a high-sounding way.
Shao Qingge and Lao Mo nodded to each other and said hello, and then joked: "Master Yu, I have a good wife at home, but you actually take your wife to visit a brothel and drink flower wine. Isn't this inappropriate?"
Lao Mo almost spit out his tea again.
Xiao Lou glanced at Shao Qingge and didn't want to pay attention to him.
At this moment, a middle-aged woman dressed in "colorful colors" came forward and said with a smile: "Welcome to Tianxiang Tower to support you. Next, our number one, Miss Ye, will play and sing for everyone!
"
Amid warm applause, a thin woman, wearing a goose-yellow gauze skirt and holding a pipa, slowly walked onto the stage in the middle. Her eyes were clear and agile, and her long hair like ink spread behind her.
, a beaded hairpin was inserted into her head, which shone brightly under the light, making her face delicate and beautiful.
Shao Qingge was drinking tea leisurely, but the moment he met those eyes, he sprayed the tea all over the table.
Xiao Lou: "..."
Yu Hanjiang: "………………"
Mo Xuemin looked embarrassed: "Here, this top lady Ye looks like Ye Qi!"
Shao Qingge choked on his tea. He coughed desperately and covered his face with a fan while laughing non-stop: "Haha, cough cough cough... Miss Ye, the number one in Tianxiang Tower, hahaha..."
Xiao Lou helplessly held his forehead, while Yu Hanjiang looked serious.
Ye Qi on the stage glanced at them with a look of despair.