Chapter 27 Chapter 27 Of course it's my marriage to Ji Ran! ...

Bie Zhi hadn't expected that Ji Ran's kiss was completely different from his.

It was brutally fierce.

But—

she quite liked it.

Bie Zhi pursed her lips, blinked, looked up at the man, and lightly touched her lips with her fingertips: "I want to kiss you again."

Fu Huaiqing unconsciously clenched his fist under the cover of his sleeve. The girl in front of him had a pair of small and lovely dimples, and her eyes, as clear as a clear mountain spring, raised their heads privately and looked at him crisply.

He calmed himself down, his eyes looking away.

After all, he was not Ji Ran, but just an empty shell. After realizing his feelings for her, he didn't want to deepen Ji Ran's impression in her heart too much.

Tonight, he really lost control.

Fu Huaiqing concentrated for a moment, walked past the girl's figure on the path.

Biezhi's eyes followed his figure, keenly sensing his sudden chill, as if everything just now had been a beautiful dream, if she ignored the slightly reddened earlobe.

Her lips curled up as she trotted over to Jiran's side, leaning over to pat his shoulder. "Are you shy?"

Fu Huaiqing looked straight ahead, seemingly oblivious.

A glimpse of the girl's delighted, lively face flashed in his eyes, and he slowed down his pace, waiting for her to catch up.

Biezhi was in a good mood, a good mood so good it felt like walking on clouds. She was filled with novelty and delight. She tilted her head to glance at Jiran, the curve of her lips growing wider.

Nearing the bright street, she stepped in front of Jiran, raised her hand to stop him in his tracks, and shook her head, saying, "Just take me here."

Fu Huaiqing stared at her palm for a moment before nodding.

Biezhi didn't leave immediately. Instead, she stared at him for a moment, her gaze slowly moving down half an inch to rest on the man's slightly parted lips. After a moment's thought, she quickly stepped forward, stood on tiptoe, cupped the man's face with both hands, and kissed him.

Fu Huaiqing's pupils shrank.

He raised his palm mid-air, and the girl stepped back a few steps, her eyes blazing. She turned and waved without a backward glance, leaving without a trace of regret.

The secret guards lurking in the woods west of the bluestone road exchanged bewilderment.

Cheng Jin looked at Biezhi with light steps, then looked at the prince who was stroking the corner of his mouth with his fingertips, and finally looked at Jiang Yue who was walking with him with a normal expression in surprise: "What's going on?" "

What you saw." Jiang Yue said meaningfully, "Remember to call her princess in the future."

Cheng Jin was stunned for a moment, and asked frankly in confusion: "In Biezhi's eyes, she is in love with Jiran, and the prince and I are not related at all, let alone in the same place, right?"

Jiang Yue: "..."

He looked at Cheng Jin in silence for a long time, and said, "It just so happens that I have something for you to do."

Cheng Jin asked, "What?"

"Find a suitable place and arrange for Jiran to go there. Don't stay in Wuweipu anymore." Jiang Yue said.

"Huh?" Cheng Jin was puzzled by the suddenness of it, especially given the rapid development of Biezhi and Ji Ran's relationship. Could it be that—he frowned, "Master doesn't like Biezhi? Should we end our relationship with her immediately?"

Jiang Yue's mouth moved for a moment, then he patted his shoulder, feeling a headache, and kindly warned, "Remember, don't say this in front of Biezhi."

Cheng Jin: "Hmm?"

Jiang Yue caught a glimpse of the prince returning home and hurried to catch up, adding, "If you tell her, I can find a time to visit her in Jingzhao Prison."

He didn't care whether Cheng Jin understood or not, as he hurried to catch up with the prince.

It was already late at night when Fu Huaiqing returned to the palace.

Qin Xiao and Su Ci, who had been waiting in the palace's front courtyard for a long time, caught a glimpse of the displeasure in his eyes, withdrew their gazes for a moment, then stood up and followed.

A cool late-night breeze blew in through the window. The light beneath swayed in the breeze, casting dappled shadows. The study was silent, save for the rustling of the remaining brushstrokes across the paper.

With the final stroke, Fu Huaiqing raised his eyes slightly, glancing at the two figures standing at his desk. He leisurely folded the rice paper and handed it to Jiang Yue, who waited nearby. He spoke calmly, "Today it's Xu Wenche, tomorrow there will be someone else."

"Since Xu Wenche agreed to meet him, he must have something to ask of him," Su Ci said. He had heard about Zhang Yan's meeting with Xu Wenche before arriving, and it was within their expectations, so it wasn't surprising. "With you in the capital, he won't dare act rashly."

Fu Huaiqing's face darkened, and he remained noncommittal.

Whether he could or couldn't, whether he dared or not, all depended on a single thought.

He glanced sideways. "What do you think about the Hezhou case?"

"So far, all the evidence points to the bandits," Qin Xiao said, flicking his sleeves. He pulled out the file that the Dali Temple had recently sent to the Qin family, and handed it to Fu Huaiqing, who couldn't read his thoughts. "It's the same as what I've found, but—" He paused, his fingertips touching the diagram at the bottom of the file's first page, and he looked up at the man.

Fu Huaiqing's eyes swept over the spot where his fingertips pointed, and he instantly understood what he meant. The methods and knife techniques used in the Hezhou case bore a striking resemblance to those used in the Suzhou family massacre eighteen years ago.

Late at night, a wealthy businessman, the extermination of his family, the use of swords and axes, the dismemberment of heads.

And in every case, the evidence pointed to the bandits, and the Suzhou family massacre had been ultimately decided on by the bandits.

The Suzhou massacre caused a sensation in the Li Dynasty. The Bian family, tragically slain, and the current Xu family were considered the two wealthiest merchants in the Li Dynasty. The Bian family had already established businesses in the capital, but unexpectedly, just two weeks before their family was due to relocate to the capital, their lives were wiped out overnight.

Thirty members of the Bian family, men, women, and children, were beheaded, including infants. Even their two wolfhounds and four raccoons were brutally murdered in the mansion.

Fu Huaiqing stood at his desk, frowning slightly, and agreed with his plan: "Link the two cases and investigate. Tomorrow, you will report the Hezhou case to the court, and someone will naturally bring up the Suzhou case." "

It's also possible that the person in charge of the Hezhou case learned the Suzhou method," Su Ci said thoughtfully. Qin Xiao had mentioned this to him before they arrived. He didn't believe the two cases were committed by the same group, nor could he see any key connection.

Su Ci pointed at a memorial with neat and powerful handwriting and said, "At the time of the Suzhou Massacre, Zhang Yan had not yet entered the officialdom. He did not have that much power to make connections." "

If he had learned the methods used in the Suzhou Massacre, there would definitely be loopholes." Qin Xiao had been working in the Dali Temple since he entered the officialdom. He had witnessed countless tragic cases and solved many cases, including cases where people used the methods used in other cases. "Eighteen years have passed since the Suzhou Incident. The files left in the Dali Temple have gaps, not to mention the methods that have been heard of."

Fu Huaiqing tapped his knuckles lightly.

Su Ci and Qin Xiao were silent for a moment and looked at him.

Fu Huaiqing closed the file expressionlessly and handed it back to Qin Xiao: "Whether he had power at that time is not something you and I can say."

Su Ci frowned, not understanding what he meant.

Fu Huaiqing looked at him for a moment, then shifted his gaze to Qin Xiao. His voice was as cold as winter: "Overturn the verdict of the Suzhou Massacre and handle it together with the Hezhou Massacre."

Qin Xiao was startled when he heard that, and bowed his hands: "Yes."

It was not early, and the morning court would start in two hours. Su Ci and Qin Xiao did not stay for long, one returned to the Su Mansion and the other went to the Dali Temple alone.

After they left, the study in the palace became even quieter and silenter.

Jiang Yue, who was working at the desk, caught a glimpse of a figure holding a new oil lamp. He turned around and took the oil lamp from Cheng Jin's hand and replaced the wicks of the lanterns on both sides of the desk.

Half a quarter of an hour later, it was the hour of the Rat

. Cheng Jin glanced at the prince who was still reviewing the memorials, frowned and signaled to Jiang Yue.

Jiang Yue shook his head slightly, as he had just reminded him.

At this moment, Fu Huaiqing, who had been sitting quietly in the armchair for a long time, paused his writing and asked calmly, "Have you arranged Ji Ran's whereabouts?"

Cheng Jin was stunned. He had never seen the prince inquiring about such trivial matters. He replied, "It has been arranged. Inform Wang Chuan that Ji Ran will leave Beijing for Jingzhou tomorrow. The secret guards at Wuwei Shop will also spread the word to the regular customers that he has left Wuwei Shop."

Fu Huaiqing put down his pen and said "hmm."

Only when Ji Ran left would Biezhi focus on others, and only then could he approach her as Fu Huaiqing.

The night was getting darker and the dew was heavier. Fu Huaiqing did not fall asleep, and neither did Biezhi.

The moment she closed her eyes, she saw Ji Ran suddenly lying on top of her. His warm, thin lips brushed against hers, caressing and drawing, his hot breath entering through the gap between their lips, carrying an irresistible invasion.

The thought of this made Biezhi unable to sleep.

When she woke up the next day, it was already noon. She left Hua Chao to go to the storeroom with Nanny Zhang to sort out the gifts that had been sent by various families at the announcement banquet yesterday, and then she left the Qin family through the small door of the main courtyard.

When Biezhi entered Baiding Tower, the brothers disguised as servants inside couldn't help but stare at her a few times. She yawned, took out a piece of silver with the Xianyun Tower mark on it, and handed it to the shopkeeper, saying, "Small Dragon and Phoenix Balls, Baihua Pavilion, on the second floor of the other courtyard."

The shopkeeper took the silver and paused slightly, then pushed it back calmly, saying, "I'm so sorry, it's been raining heavily outside the capital recently, and we're out of stock of Small Dragon and Phoenix Balls in Baiding Tower."

Biezhi wasn't surprised. Her master always came and went without a trace. If he hadn't summoned someone, no one in Xianyun Tower would have been able to find him. She pondered for a moment and asked, "West Lake Longjing should be available, right?"

"Of course I do." The shopkeeper gathered the small change from the counter and called a servant to take her to the annex, saying, "Qingyin Pavilion."

Entering the Baiding Tower annex, Biezhi climbed the stairs with familiarity. Reaching the door of Qingyin Pavilion, she knocked, pushed it open, and walked in. "Master."

Ling Feng said nothing, picking up the teapot, pouring a cup of West Lake Longjing tea, and handed it to her. "Master, I've been waiting here for you for two hours."

"Huh?" Biezhi was surprised, looking at him suspiciously. "How did Master know I'd come today?"

"My master told me yesterday that Prince Su was looking for you." Ling Feng glanced at his disciple, whose expression was slightly tense. He placed his fingertips on the paper and pushed it towards her. "You are the only one who can stay with Xu Wenche. You will also take on Prince Su's affairs. From now on, you will report to Prince Su about the officials who have had contact with Xu Wenche."

Biezhi was silent, the unpleasant buffalo voice echoing in her ears.

If she had to report, wouldn't she be constantly attacked by Prince Su's demonic voice?

Why?! She didn't want it!

Biezhi simply couldn't accept the buffalo voice tarnishing Prince Su's face. They shouldn't belong on the same person. She refused with a clear conscience, "Can't we change someone else?"

Ling Feng looked at her questioningly.

He might not understand others, but Biezhi wasn't entirely convinced.

She valued money above all else, but she hadn't asked about the bounty. She must have met Prince Su when she was at the Qin family. How could she, who was so fond of handsome men, refuse?

Ling Feng couldn't understand why she could refuse: "Why?"

"His voice is unpleasant," Biezhi said without hesitation.

Ling Feng: "......?"

He looked at his young disciple in astonishment.

Bie Zhi curled her lips. "Master, can you understand that feeling? Demonic sounds linger in my ears, ghosts weep in the underworld. I wish he were mute, so I wouldn't be assaulted by his voice."

As the head of Qingyin Pavilion, Ling Feng naturally knew that Prince Su was the ruler of Xianyun Tower. He had never disguised his voice, and Bie Zhi had never mentioned his voice in all those years. Why, after meeting him, was she so dissatisfied with his voice?

Suddenly, Ling Feng remembered Qingshan's trip to the mountain retreat the day before.

He fell silent, coughed, and said, "You can't refuse this. The master has given the order, and you must obey."

For a moment, Bie Zhi wanted to cry out to the heavens.

Why didn't she get any good things, but only bad things happened to her every day!

Seeing her resentful expression, Ling Feng, with a mixture of laughter and tears, consoled her, "I heard that His Highness Prince Su is handsome, and

he should be just what you like. Just bear with it for now." "Master, you don't understand," Biezhi sighed. Such a handsome face paired with an unpleasant buffalo voice was simply the most tragic thing in the world, bar none. But she knew from the beginning that she had no right to refuse, and she was just complaining to her master.

Besides, she came here today for serious business.

Biezhi lowered her hand, picked up the wooden stool, and with small steps, she moved closer to Ling Feng, her bright almond eyes fixed on him. "Master, do you still mean what you said last time?"

Ling Feng observed this, sizing up this quirky little disciple, picking up his teacup and blowing away the tea leaves. "What did I say?"

"It's about my marriage to Ji Ran!" Biezhi said excitedly.

A mouthful of boiling hot tea suddenly rushed into Ling Feng's mouth. He swallowed the tea in a hurry. The tea was so hot that it blistered his palate, but he didn't care about it at the moment. He said, "Didn't you reject me last time? It's not even half a month. How come you changed your mind?"

"Master also said it's been nearly half a month. Things always change." Biezhi pinched the hem of his sleeve with his fingertips. The light in his pupils dimmed a little. He frowned in dissatisfaction and asked, "Could it be that Master changed his mind in less than half a month?"

"Of course not," said Ling Feng.

"That's perfect!" Biezhi's lips curled up, and her small dimples rippled again. She said, "Now I agree, Master, please help me prepare for the rest of the things!"

Ling Feng was curious: "Does Ji Ran agree too?"

Biezhi: "..."

She hasn't asked Ji Ran about this yet, but -

"Didn't Master say that you would help me whether he agrees or not?"

Ling Feng looked at her righteous expression and couldn't help laughing. "Okay, okay, Master will help you solve it."

But he was also a lonely man, and there was no precedent in Xianyun Tower before. He was not sure about the wedding, and since it had to be done, it had to be done in a grand and dignified manner.

He pondered for a while and said, "I will discuss it with the master and see what is the most appropriate way to do it."