Xiao Qinglang and Xu Chu glanced at each other, and their expressions gradually became solemn.

At the beginning, the news obtained from Jinzhou City once said that a large amount of silver money they had gathered was sent to northern Xinjiang, southern Fujian and Beijing through merchants. And the caravan of Doriku is also walking in these three places all year round.

Although it is a bit far-fetched to have such suspicions based on this alone, it is related to the stability of Dazhou, and it really has to be guarded against.

Although Tang Qiaozheng, Sikong Han, and Lou An did not solve the case of the murder of the envoy, they still had the sharpness they should have in the case. Xiao Qinglang and Xu Chu can think of it, and they who know the inside story naturally want it.

For a moment, there was silence in the study, and the needle drop could be heard.

"Lord Wang, the lower official will go to investigate the caravan of Doriku in detail." Tang Qiaozheng didn't dare to delay, and directly got up and saluted. After getting Xiao Qinglang's acquiescence, he left with a solemn face.

And Sikong Han and Lou An also tacitly handed their screened roster to Xiao Qinglang's desk.

Xiao Qinglang pressed a stack of files under his hand, got up and looked at Xu Chu and said, "I have already ordered the kitchen to make dinner, go to eat first, and then come to check the suspicious roster in detail." ”

As soon as these words came out, Sikong Han and Lou An looked at each other, because they could hear that the prince's words did not mean to invite them to eat together. Even, it seems that there is a faint meaning of sending off guests.

Sure enough, just when the two of them hesitated and didn't know whether to stay or leave, they heard Xiao Qinglang continue: "It's getting late, I think Lord Sikong and Master Lou should also go home." ”

In this way, the two of them had no reason to stay, and immediately left.

Left and right, the two now have a goal for this case, and when they go to investigate secretly, they will not be clueless.

Dinner was served in the Beiyuan Flower Hall, and in the palace, it naturally could not be compared with the Zhou Mansion where the two of them were before. Although there are no strict rules, you can't just set a table in the kitchen and eat.

Fortunately, Xu Chu has long been accustomed to following the customs, not to mention, in fact, there is nothing wrong with paying attention to it. Just like now, in the scorching summer, sitting in the Beiyuan Flower Hall built by the water, it is both comfortable and elegant, and you can feel the coolness, which is really comfortable.

Dinner is not complicated, and it is used to Xiao Qinglang's light taste, simple lotus seed porridge and vegetarian dishes. However, Xiao Qinglang specially instructed him, so the cook specially made Luohan Zhai.

The so-called Luohan Zhai, although it is a vegetarian dish, is mostly made of vegetarian meat taste. Coupled with the chef's superb cooking skills, the simple dishes are even greedy.

"I've already selected a few places where Utuk's body could be mutilated, and after dinner, you and I need to sift through the butchers who might do it. If it's fast, the case will be clear tomorrow. Xiao Qinglang drank the lotus seed porridge, took a few sips of crisp papaya shreds, and then didn't see him eat again.

However, he was very attentive to Xu Chubucai, as if he was afraid that she would have a bad appetite.

Xu Chu comfortably ate a bite of tender tofu, which was wrapped in a thin spicy sauce, and then paired with dipping sauce, it was fragrant in the mouth and smooth in taste, but it was much more tender than the tofu she had eaten before.

She replied half-heartedly: "The woman with porphyria, can you find the news?" ”

"I have already asked people to go to Jingzhao Mansion to find the case file, and her matter was widely spread at the beginning, which made the people panic, and even made trouble to the emperor for a time. Therefore, Jing Zhaoyin must have a case record in this matter. Xiao Qinglang frowned slightly, and after a while, he raised his eyebrows and said, "Although she disappeared later, it is not difficult to find her household registration and relatives according to the case file." ”

If it can be found that some of the woman's relatives are in the army, and they also follow Xiao Qinglang and King Qi to fight in the north and south of the territory respectively, then the next thing will be simpler.

Xu Chu nodded, secretly calculating in his heart, so much so that he didn't notice that the tofu in the spoon in his hand was about to tilt and fall.

Xiao Qinglang raised his eyebrows for a moment, reached out and took the spoon, and naturally handed the tofu to Xu Chu's mouth.

Xu Chu subconsciously opened his mouth, and immediately reacted that he had actually been fed. Looking at Xiao Qinglang's playful look again, he couldn't help but blush. She coughed lightly and pretended to be calm, "I'm full." ”

Xiao Qinglang's eyes swept over the remaining lotus seed soup in front of her, and said in a gentle but smiling voice: "Are you sure?" That's a pity, you need to know that the lotus seeds used by today's cook are the tribute sent to the palace from the south, and it is extremely difficult to find such a chain in ordinary times. And that stalk rice is also the legendary japonica rice......"

Xu Chu blinked, pursed his lips and glanced at him, and then took out a spoon from his hand and ate the lotus seed soup in front of him.

Before, she only cared about the dishes that were full of dishes, and she really didn't notice the difference in this lotus seed porridge. Now that I tasted it, I found that it was really very fragrant, and it left a fragrance on the lips and teeth after entering the mouth, but there was no sweetness such as sugar.

After eating, Xiao Qinglang took Xu Chu to the study, Xu was worried that Xu Chu would feel uncomfortable in his stomach after eating too much, so he specially led her around the edge of the lotus pond in Beiyuan.

On the lotus pond, the blue waves are rippling, even if it is late, you can vaguely see the soft light emitted by the palace lamps hanging on the corridor of the long pavilion, and the light that falls in the water and ripples in the wind. The stars are bright, like the starry sky, illusory and beautiful.

The palace is very quiet, and along the way, except for a few small maids, there are no maids and maids, let alone any pink beauties and beautiful concubines.

It's just that it is this quietness that sets off the scenery in the palace that is more elegant in the loneliness.

Xu Chu was a little distracted as he walked. She remembered that when she was in Jinzhou City, she didn't see any women around him. As if in memory, even the little guy rarely appeared by his side.

If it weren't for his extravagance and coercion, I'm afraid it would be really difficult for her to associate such a pure-hearted life with a royal prince who should have lived a luxurious life.

When she had never been in contact with him before, she always felt that the royal family was the most innocent, just like the lord of a rich and noble family would always see one and love the other. Even, after befriending him for a long time, she was faintly worried about whether he would have three wives and four concubines in the future, and whether he would be a good family in marrying a family......

At that time, she had warned herself that even if she had palpitations with him, she must not compromise on it. If she does, she will be his wife. Otherwise, it is better to forget each other from now on, and each one is well, rather than be small.

This is probably the only principle she retains when she integrates herself into this era.

But now, she seems to be more and more concerned about these things. It's just that for a while, she couldn't figure out whether it was because the urgency of the case made her not think so much, or because he gave her enough confidence and security......

Thinking of this, she couldn't help but take a deep breath and look up.

It's just that as soon as I looked up, I found a smiling face in front of me.

Xu Chu was stunned and confused, and half opened his mouth, and it took a long time to realize that the two of them stopped on the side of the lotus pond at some point. And when he wandered, he didn't know how long he had been staring at himself.

Xiao Qinglang approached her slightly, and said with a smile: "What is Xiao Chu thinking, thinking so intrigued?" ”

At this time, the palace lamp behind him stretched his figure slender and shrouded Xu Chu directly, as if the green bamboo aura on his body surrounded her.

She held her breath and looked at his face getting closer and closer, wanting to move her body but finding that she was a little weak for no reason.

There was no moonlight in the garden, and the previous thunderstorm made the air a little wet and cool, and it also made Xu Chu feel a little uncomfortable sticky under his feet. In fact, how can it be sticky, the ground has already been paved with fine bluestone slabs and pebbles, there is no mud, and it will not even get your shoes wet.

The palace lantern swayed slightly in the night breeze, obliquely shining on the flowers and plants in the garden. In the lotus pond behind him, there was also a sound of lotus leaves rubbing, and occasionally the sound of raindrops rolling down on the residual lotus, although the sound was not loud, Xu Chu heard it very clearly at this time.

She tilted her head slightly, looking at the tall and straight figure in front of her.

She could clearly see the reflection of herself in his eyes, and the ripples contained in it, as if her state of mind could not be stabilized.

Inexplicably, Xu Chu remembered the uncontrollable kiss on the carriage in Jinzhou City. After that incident, she never mentioned it, and even deliberately didn't think about it in order not to embarrass the two.

But now, as the two breathed and intertwined with each other, she suddenly felt a little uneasy, but there were indeed some surprises and expectations.

A slight cool breath rushed to her face, making her hold her breath nervously, but the ensuing heat on her face burned her like a fire.

"Xiao Chu......" Xiao Qinglang's voice was hoarse, and he chuckled in her ear with a little depression and longing, as if just such a name could make him happy to the bone.

He watched the eyes that had always been quiet and clean gradually close, but his eyelashes were still shaking uneasily, and his heart couldn't help but soften. The lips gradually attached to her lips.

After the thunderstorm, the dark sky seems to gradually bring a hint of warmth. And the two people with intertwined breaths, in this moonless silent night, are also gradually getting closer.

In a daze, Xiao Qinglang whispered in Xu Chu's ear: "Xiao Chu, ...... ventilation"

At this time, Xu Chu slowly opened his eyes and met those gentle and smiling eyes. At this time, she didn't know how bewildering her expression was, under the scorching light, her eyes with two pools of spring water were clear but coquettish, looking at Xiao Qinglang with charm, like a lotus flower blooming after the rain......

It wasn't until he came back to his senses that Xu Chu suddenly stood still, and his face flushed out of Xiao Qinglang's embrace. At the same time, she clutched her chest and gasped.

Just now, she almost stunned herself because of a kiss...... It's a shame.

Probably all women in love have some small emotions, and immediately she glared at Xiao Qinglang very embarrassed.

Xiao Qinglang coughed lightly, and hurriedly comforted: "Daily logistics and practice, it will always be fine......

As soon as these words came out, Xu Chu's face became more and more red. She opened her mouth to argue, but she couldn't figure out how to reply to him for a long time. So, he could only pretend to be indignant and snorted indignantly, and took the lead to walk outside Beiyuan.