In order to divert the direction of the imperial investigation, the Ichichi Daoist Society decided to launch a major operation in the state to disrupt the imperial investigation.

Xiang Lu collected the records of the big falling rocks from all over the country, and learned that there were many near Shouchun, so Xiang Lu wanted to go southeast to Shouchun for an unannounced visit.

Empress Wu summoned Princess Taiping, Xiang Lu, and Wenjun in the harem, and said, "There is news of bandits in Bingzhou today, what do you think?" ”

Princess Taiping said: "Erchen is willing to go and investigate in person." ”

Empress Wu thought for a while and said, "Taiping, are you really willing to go?" ”

"Of course, it is my duty to share the worries of my mother."

"Alright! This palace ordered you to be the commander-in-chief of the operation to exterminate thieves in this state, and Sima Xianglu to be the deputy commander. ”

When Wen Jun heard this, she said, "Queen Mother, Wen Jun also wants to go." ”

Empress Wu said with a smile: "Wenjun, Bingzhou is sinister, not Yangzhou, there is no 300,000 troops with you this time, you have to think clearly." ”

Wen Jun said firmly: "The princess's daughter can be fine, why can't Wen Jun." ”

Empress Wu smiled: "Wenjun really doesn't let her eyebrows, okay, you can go with Taiping!" The two of you must cooperate with all your strength to capture the thief. ”

So, Taiping, Xiang Lu and Wen Jun all received orders and retreated to prepare to leave for Bingzhou tomorrow.

When Li Ji heard that Xiang Lu and his party were going to Bingzhou, she thought: Empress Wu is now in love with the imperial doctor Shen Nanxuan, and she has temporarily lost interest in Xiang Lu. Taiping personally went to engage in directional reeds, and he didn't need himself, so he had a rare leisure canteen, so why not go to Chang'an to visit Ling'er there? Wenjun has always been tight-lipped, there must be something hidden.

The next day, Xiang Lu and his wife set off with Princess Taiping to Taiyuan, and left Ji to go west of Chang'an.

After more than ten days of travel, Xiang Lu and his party finally arrived in Taiyuan City.

"Oh no, the demon fire is up again."

Xiang Lu heard the loud shouts of the people in the distance, so he got out of the carriage and went to check, and Wen Jun followed.

I saw a clear lake in front of me, but a raging fire was burning on the lake.

Wen Jun was immediately stunned and said, "What a demon fire!" ”

Princess Taiping was also shocked by this scene.

After a while, the fire rushed to the shore, and suddenly a man caught fire and fell into the book screaming.

Xiang Lu immediately walked towards the place where the accident occurred, and when the fire was gone, Xiang Lu smelled a pungent smell and saw that the burned body had floated to the surface.

After a while, some officers and soldiers rushed over and said, "Everyone get out of the way, don't hinder the government's handling of the case." ”

The people around had to watch the excitement from a distance, but most of them were reluctant to leave.

When the officers and soldiers saw that Xiang Lu and the others were unwilling to leave, and that they were dressed gorgeously and did not look like ordinary people, they came over and asked, "Who are you?" ”

Princess Taiping asked the maid to take her token, and the officer and soldier immediately knelt on the ground after reading it, and said, "See the princess." ”

Taiping said: "Get up!" Now this father-in-law is going to Taiyuan Mansion, you lead the way, Sima Gongzi must be interested in what happened just now, let him be in charge of investigating! Listen to him. ”

"Yes! Princess, please. ”

So, Princess Taiping marched to the palace, Xiang Lu stayed to inspect the scene, and Wenjun was not to be outdone.

"Yu Gongzi, the body has been fished up, and he is preparing to search for his family and determine his identity."

Xiang Lu walked up to the corpse, looked at it, and said, "This person should be a painter, you see that he has thick calluses on his right thumb and index finger, and there are some traces of paint staining on his clothes." ”

Suddenly, a woman ran over and cried, "Husband, what's wrong with you?" What will you do with our orphans and widows? ”

Xiang Lu saw a middle-aged woman crying and lying on top of the corpse, and knew that she was his wife. After the woman cried for a while, she said to Lu: "Madam, people cannot be resurrected after death, so you should find out the cause of your husband's murder as soon as possible, so that he can die blindly." ”

"Didn't the demon fire kill him?"

Xiang Lu smiled and thought: Demon fire, how can there be such a coincidence!

"Madam, get up quickly, and go to the government with me to record some confessions."

Xiang Lu ordered the people to carry the body to Yizhuang, and he took the deceased's wife to the mansion.