Love Affairs in Chang'an - Chapter 123

Chapter 123 Marquis Shengnan
That night, Qin Mubai asked Liao Lirong to draw a bet on his confession and rushed back to Jishan County overnight. The judicial system of the Great Tang could be considered perfect. Other than the prefecture and county yamen, the Dali Temple, and the imperial palace, other organizations and individuals were not allowed to set up private courts to inquire about cases. However, Qin Mubai was a special case. He was someone sent by the Emperor, so he had the same meaning as Yushi Qincha. When the imperial envoy arrived, the officials at all levels felt as if they had seen the emperor in person, and it was impossible for them not to admit their guilt.

Qin Mubai still had some doubts after putting in his statement and reading the witness. If even Liao Lirong did not know where the ledger was, then where would it go? The more mysterious it was, the more valuable it was. Now, it seemed that this case had already been settled. All that was needed was an Imperial Order from the Emperor to arrest Marquis of Shengnan, Zhang Tianci, and the Jiangzhou Governor, Cheng Songnian.

However, Qin Mubai had a vague feeling that this case was not as simple as it seemed. A mysterious missing ledger, what kind of mystery was hidden in it? Could it be that this ledger had already been obtained by Cheng Songnian, or did it not exist at all?

On the way back, Qin Mubai and Chen Yan were still sitting in the carriage, while the others followed on horseback. Qin Mubai pondered over the case, while Chen Yan closed her eyes and remained silent. The two of them didn’t say a word along the way.

He was almost in Jishan County, and it was almost dawn.

“Chen Yan, we’re here.” Qin Mubai said, “Do you really want to follow me? The barracks are full of men, so it’s inconvenient.”

“Do you think anyone would dare to provoke me?” Chen Yan sneered carelessly, “Besides, I’m your Great General Qin’s adopted sister. Who would dare to provoke me?”

“You’re quite smart. Forget it, it’s up to you. Actually, I can rest assured that I’ll bring you with me so that you won’t run off to seek revenge on Marquis Shengnan and the others.” Qin Mubai said as she got out of the car.

“I’m willing to follow you. If you want to bring it along, then it’s inconvenient. Why are you talking nonsense like this?” Chen Yan also got out of the car.

There were more than five thousand troops stationed in the mansion of Jiangzhou Prefecture, and the scale was not small. Although it was a temporary army camp, it was also raised to the height of a ten-mile radius flag. There was an orderly formation, and carriages carrying military resources flowed endlessly.

This was the first time Chen Yan had been to such a place, so she couldn’t help but glance around for a few more times. The big-headed soldiers stayed in the barracks all day and saw that the chickens and ducks were almost all females. Suddenly, they saw a stunning beauty, her eyes almost shining with green light. If it weren’t for her following Qin Mubai closely, she would have been devoured by a group of hungry and thirsty men.

“A man is really not a good thing!” Chen Yan spat in a low voice. Obviously, she was a little angry.

“Isn’t it because of women?” Qin Mubai smiled and said, “Stop talking. The King of Wu’s tent has arrived.”

In a camp that was far taller and more gorgeous than ordinary military tents, Li Ke was sitting upright. He was listening to the soldiers and officials under his command report on the recent disaster relief. At this moment, the guard reported that Qin Mubai had returned and asked to see King Wu.

“Oh, Mubai is back. Let him in.” Li Ke said casually.

Qin Mubai walked in with Chen Yan. Everyone was shocked when they saw Chen Yan. One was stunning, the other was confused-why did Qin Mubai suddenly bring a woman into the barracks after disappearing for two days?

“Greetings, Your Highness.” Qin Mubai bowed and shouted to Chen Yan in a low voice, “Still stunned, hurry up and greet His Highness!”

Chen Yan glared at Qin Mubai with low anger. She took a step forward, raised her sword and cupped her fists in salute, “Greetings, Your Highness King Wu.”

“Oh, who is this?” Li Ke deliberately smiled and asked.

“Your Majesty asked for leave yesterday to pick her up.” Qin Mubai said, “This is my adopted sister, Chen Yan. Greetings, everyone!”

“I don’t dare, I don’t dare!” Upon hearing that it was Qin Mubai’s “adopted sister”, the officials and generals present immediately changed their expressions of respect towards Chen Yan and hurriedly cupped their hands in salute.

“Foster sister! What a heroic foster sister! Not bad, not bad.” Li Ke smiled even more warmly and waved his hand, “Wait a moment and leave!”

The generals tactfully retreated, leaving only three people in the tent.

“Mubai, you’re not bad!” Li Ke stood up and walked to Chen Yan’s side. He walked around her for two rounds and sized her up carefully. He smiled and said, “It’s only been a day or two since I went out. I’ve already taken a foster sister back. It’s developing so fast!”

“Your Highness, you misunderstood!” Qin Mubai smiled bitterly and shook her head. Just as she was about to argue, Chen Yan opened her mouth.

“Your Highness King Wu is a noble royal family. Could it be that he doesn’t have any national affairs in his mind and only has some romantic thoughts in his mind?” Chen Yan sneered and said, “May I know what’righteousness’ means by’righteousness’? I am his adopted sister, but I am worthy of the word’righteousness’!”

Li Ke’s embarrassed expression froze, and he coughed dryly, “Mubai, you little girl … her sharp lips are very spicy!”

“Her sword is probably more powerful than her tongue.” Qin Mubai smiled and said, “So, Your Highness can provoke anyone, but don’t provoke her. To tell you the truth-this is the widow of the former county magistrate of Jishan County, Zhu Chengwen.”

“What?” Li Ke was stunned and hastily bowed to Chen Yan with a change of expression. “So it’s Madam Sister-in-law. Little Wang doesn’t know what to do. His words are frivolous and offensive. Please forgive me!”

In fact, with Li Ke’s dignity, there was probably no need to be polite to the wife of a county magistrate. However, the dead were the most important, and the survivors were respected. Great emphasis on etiquette, Li Ke a prince teased the widow, the legacy is not so pleasant to hear.

“Your Highness, you don’t have to be so polite.” Chen Yan said coldly, “I’m just a crude woman who walks in Jianghu. I don’t know how to behave, nor should I be treated as His Highness’s great gift.”

Qin Mubai curled his lips at Li Ke and said, “Jianghu’s children are not restrained by trivial matters. Your Highness, it’s good that you get used to it slowly.”

“Cough!” Li Ke coughed dryly and changed the topic, “What did Mubai gain from this trip?”

“Not bad.” Qin Mubai showed Liao Lirong’s confession to Li Ke and said, “It’s just that I don’t know where that ledger is. Even Liao Lirong doesn’t know about it. Your Highness, do you think there isn’t such a ledger at all? Or perhaps, Cheng Songnian and the others have already looted, smuggled, or destroyed this important piece of evidence?”

“It’s hard to say” Li Ke frowned and said, “I just want to be safe. Actually, without this ledger, their crimes were equally undeniable. However, it was necessary to find out the origin and whereabouts of every penny of the money that the Imperial Court had set aside. If such a book existed, it was likely to involve a lot of people. If it falls into the wrong hands, it will bring endless harm. “Rather than doing this, why don’t we take it down and take the initiative?”

“Your Highness is very thoughtful. What you said makes sense.” Qin Mubai nodded deeply. If someone with bad intentions held the important material evidence of such a large brown case in their hands and found out the secret, they could use it to threaten many people. Who knew how many officials and officials were involved in this case? Who could have imagined that this mere ledger would stir up another storm in the future?

Li Ke thought for a moment and said to Chen Yan, “Madam, did I give you anything important before your husband died?”

“Are you asking me if I have hidden this ledger?” Chen Yan slightly tilted her chin towards Qin Mubai. “He has already asked, so I don’t need to trouble His Highness.”

Li Ke looked at Qin Mubai, who shook his head.

“Then now, I hope that there is no such book in the world, or that we can find him as soon as possible.” Li Ke slowly sighed and said leisurely.

It seemed that he had the same premonition as Qin Mubai about this ledger.

A moment later, when the three of them were sitting in the tent drinking tea and resting, the pawn came to report that the Marquis of Jiangzhou Shengnan had come to visit.

“He actually came to the door on his own initiative?” Qin Mubai was a little surprised, “You’re quite courageous.”

Chen Yan snorted coldly and tightened her grip on the sword in her hand.

“Why don’t you leave?” Qin Mubai said, “I’ll send someone to give you a tent. You can rest there.”

“I will send two more eunuchs to serve you.” Li Ke said.

“No need. I’m used to being alone.” Chen Yan stood up and left.

“What a woman with personality.” Qin Mubai and Li Ke shook their heads and laughed.

Marquis Shengnan entered the king’s tent and bowed respectfully to Li Ke. Judging from his appearance, which was only around thirty years old, he was of medium build, and his appearance was neither ugly nor annoying. His expression was also very low-key and humble. After being given a seat by Li Ke, he looked extremely flattered. Although he knelt down and sat down, his body was straight.

“Marquis Shengnan is truly considerate.” Li Ke smiled and said, “This king has been in Jiangzhou for two months. Although this is the first time I’ve seen you, I’ve heard of your name of kindness for a long time.” You have personally donated countless grain, rice, and cold clothes to Jiangzhou, and even called on the squire of this county to assist the Imperial Court in disaster relief. The most important contribution in Guizhou lies in the country! After this king returns to the dynasty, I will definitely ask for merit and reward for you in front of my father! ”

“Your Highness praises me absurdly!” The Marquis of Shengnan, Zhang Tianci, hastily cupped his hands towards Li Ke and carefully whispered, “The Little Marquis was rewarded by the Emperor. Now that Jiangzhou has suffered a calamity, it is the Emperor’s people who have encountered a calamity. The chicks still know how to repay their kindness. It is only natural for the Little Marquis to do such a small thing.”

“Alright. Marquis Shengnan is indeed a good minister indeed.” Li Ke smiled admiringly and said, “Come and see!”

A eunuch carrying a plate of yellow and white things walked out and placed it in front of Zhang Tianci’s table.

“This … Little Marquis doesn’t dare to receive a reward.” Zhang Tianci chuckled, as if he was a little honest and embarrassed. He waved his hand repeatedly and said, “Little Marquis doesn’t lack money. Your Highness should give this money to those who have worked hard and contributed greatly to the disaster relief!”

Qin Mubai stood beside Li Ke with his sword in hand. At this moment, he couldn’t help but sneer in his heart, “This person is quite good at acting.” The tricks of deceiving the superior and concealing the inferior must have been practiced to the max long ago. It seemed to be loyal, but in fact, it was a traitor. If he didn’t know his roots, he would have been easily deceived by his appearance!