The gaze of this beard turned to gentleness again, and the words were even more hypnotic. He gently wiped away the tears on the girl's delicate face with his fingers, took out the hosta she had dropped, carefully inserted it back into her green temples, and then slowly leaned towards her.

Lu Wenjun's whole body didn't know if it was because of fear or something else, and his body began to tremble slightly.

She closed her eyes tightly.

"I've had enough of wandering. I need someone who can restrain me. Lifetime. ”

"Please, help me."

His gaze brushed over the bruised neck of the girl, his lips came to her ear, and he whispered.

The night passed.

The day that came was not the day of the pilgrimage, but the entire palace was messed up by a thunderbolt of news.

Li Ze, the king of Kang, went to the forbidden garden yesterday, and hunted there with the princess and the concubine, but he did not come back. Last night, the Beifu Forbidden Army stationed in the Forbidden Garden, together with Jin Wuwei, countless people held fire rods and searched for them all night, and finally at dawn, they followed a portable jade pendant that he dropped and found someone.

King Kang died and was buried under a pit deep in the forest. After King Ning rushed to the scene with the officials of Dali Temple and Fa Cao and others, he judged that the jade pendant should have been torn off when King Kang resisted and struggled, and the murderer did not pay attention to it, so he stayed nearby. The body had been returned at this moment and suspended in the Seven Stars Hall in the palace.

And things have just begun.

The forbidden army and all the hundreds of generals above the sixteen guards were all urgently assembled outside the palace gate and waited for the call.

In Nanyali, the hundred officials didn't even do anything, and rushed to the Seven Star Hall together, and gathered outside in the name of persuading Feng Zhenping.

The saint was inside at the moment, and the princess was by his side. Feng Zhenping took the Feng family's sons and nephews and the subordinate officials of King Kang's mansion, and dozens of people knelt outside the hall in black pressure, waiting to enter. His face was as gray as ashes, his forehead was bleeding, his official hat had already rolled down the steps, and even a boot was missing from his feet. On a pillar in front of the temple gate, there were still some traces of blood that he had just hit his head against the pillar when he was in extreme grief. If it weren't for the people around him trying to stop him, he was afraid that he would have crashed to death on this pillar.

After Feng Zhenping entered the court, he pinned all his efforts and hopes on King Kang. As King Kang grew up, what he thought about the most every day was how to overthrow the crown prince and send King Kang to the throne. However, Liu Ceye is not a person who can be easily shaken. After years of open and secret fighting, the process has not been smooth, and there is always a feeling that you can faintly see hope ahead, but it will never be easy to chase. At the beginning of the year, due to the Qujiangchi incident, Wang Zhang, who originally planned to marry, seemed to smell something and began to deliberately distance himself from him. That period of time can be called Feng Zhenping's lowest moment.

Finally, there is no endless road, first Pei Xiaoyuan entered Beijing, and then the princess returned to the court, Liu Ceye and him were obviously unable to reconcile, and they bore the brunt of the battle, and finally began to lose their breath. Feng Zhenping saw the opportunity, and while putting down his body to show weakness in front of Pei Xiaoyuan, he tried to use his strength to deal with his biggest opponent at this stage first, and on the other hand, he increased his actions, and the battle was no longer as secretive as before, and turned directly to the bright side. He even took advantage of the God-given opportunity of the news of Pei Xiaoyuan's accidental assassination before marriage that came out of nowhere, and added fuel to the fire, desperately building momentum, and pointed the spearhead directly at the prince's party.

This is no small matter. The change he dreamed of finally began to become clear because of this incident. The emperor, who was originally high above and would never show his holy will, actually publicly challenged the prince's party at the court meeting.

As long as the crown prince is gone, who else can be the successor except King Kang?

In addition to ecstasy, in order to consolidate his advantages and completely make the princess and the concubine relax their guard, he specially arranged for King Kang to go to the Forbidden Garden with him.

He never dreamed that the person who was alive when he went would be sent back this morning was a lifeless corpse.

Overnight, he went from being full of ambition to being discouraged. At this moment, the only thought left in my heart is that no matter what, the prince's party cannot be allowed to get their wish. Otherwise, what awaits you and your clan is that there is no place to die.

He lay on the ground, using his hands and feet together, and crawled towards the door of the temple, with a mournful voice full of resentment: "Your Majesty! Your Majesty! The king died so miserably! Ask Your Majesty to learn from it! Be sure to give the king an explanation! He can't just be gone! ”

"The crown prince is of course His Majesty's crown prince, but King Kang, he is also His Majesty's own flesh and blood——"

After the news of King Kang's death reached the Southern Courtyard, there were immediately some different suspicions among the officials about who the murderer was.

The most direct association is that the murderer should be the concubine Pei Xiaoyuan. The former fatherly enmity with Feng Zhenping is an internal cause that cannot be ignored. King Kang died again near the place where he and the princess hunted, and it was unreasonable to say that he was not suspicious in the slightest.

Naturally, there is another speculation that the princelings are responsible.

After all, the emperor's attitude at the last court meeting spoke for itself. That was an extremely dangerous signal, and it was only a few days before the ancestor worship. The prince and his party were poor in skills and desperate, so they took this opportunity to send people into the forbidden garden to harm King Kang and transfer the blame to the head of the horse, which is more likely.

When Feng Zhenping was crying blood, some of the officials behind him shook their heads and sighed, and some were talking in low voices. When he was heard to hiss and shout out that last sentence with all his might, in an instant, there was a dead silence that could be heard of a pin.

Dali Temple has just begun to investigate the case. And here, in Feng Zhenping's mouth, he has already determined the murderer.

The light in the dark hall was dim, the tent hung low, and no human figure could be seen, and even less a single movement was heard.

At this time, Wei Juren and several henchmen also arrived in a hurry, he rushed up, knelt on the threshold of the hall, and cried loudly inward: "Your Majesty's mourning! It's just that this matter has nothing to do with the prince! For the matter of His Majesty's application for the last court meeting, the prince blamed himself for failing to restrain the people around him, and committed the mistake of negligence, which was extremely guilty, and he took the initiative to think about it behind closed doors in the East Palace these days. Besides, without evidence and no evidence, Feng Xiang made a judgment that this crime is too big for the prince to bear! The tree is a big wind, the prince is sincere to His Majesty, and the sky can learn from it! I hope Your Majesty will be aware of it, and don't believe the ill-intentioned words of outsiders! ”

The second son of the Feng family, who was in charge of the martial arts, had already gotten up from the ground, went up and grabbed Wei Juren's official robe from behind and scolded angrily: "Prince Dan is sincere, what about Liu Ceye?" Didn't he jump over the wall in a hurry, and in order to save the prince, he killed the king? If it weren't for the eyes of the sky, he would have found the whereabouts of the king so quickly, I am afraid that this time he would really succeed in his conspiracy! ”

"General Feng Er's words are too arbitrary." A Donggong Zhan Shi named Li Cheng, who came with Wei Juren, hurriedly retorted.

"People are not in the Forbidden Garden. Pei Yuma hasn't even spoken yet, how can he conclude that it was the prince's doing? ”

This sentence is short, but it is meaningful.

As soon as these words came out, Cui Daosi couldn't bear it anymore, stepped forward abruptly, and shouted the other party's name angrily: "Li Cheng!" King Kang entered the Forbidden Garden yesterday to look for the princess and the concubine, this matter is not a secret, everyone knows! The horse really wants to be unfavorable to King Kang, how can he do it at this time? What is your intention, I don't need to say more, right? The sinister intentions are even more outrageous! ”

King Kang died, who is the murderer, if it is inferred from the entanglement of interests, the biggest suspect is either the prince or the concubine. In comparison, the prince seems to be more suspicious. At this moment, Li Cheng's words were to lead the water of disaster to the head of the horse.

Cui Daosi's reprimand fell, and Li Cheng bowed his head. Soon, the people around followed Cui Daosi to echo him.

Cui Shangshu is reasonable. How could such a thing be done with the heart of a horse! ”

"The concubine is favored by the emperor, Princess Rongshang, and it is too late to repay His Majesty's kindness. It's really unbearable to talk to this point! Ridiculous! ”

"Dali Temple has been investigated, and I believe that the real culprit will be caught soon."

Just when everyone was talking in a low voice, a Donggong Brigade Ben Zhonglang hurriedly walked from the direction of the palace gate and whispered a few words to Wei Juren and the others.

Wei Juren seemed to be a little hesitant and didn't dare to speak immediately, but Li Cheng, the Zhan Shi of the East Palace who was suppressed by Cui Daosi's words, was shocked, and immediately shouted loudly: "The news I just received!" This morning, all the Zhonglang generals of the sixteen guards were temporarily summoned to standby, and the rest of the people were all here, except for one Ashina! Not only that, but since yesterday, he has not been seen! It's just one thing, how can it be one after another, such a coincidence? Where the hell did he go? Could it be that he did something big for others, absconded for fear of crime, or didn't have time to return, and only missed the edict this morning? ”

"And! There are Ashina's clansmen in the guards of the Forbidden Garden! He wants to enter and exit the forbidden garden to commit crimes, and it is as easy as a finger! ”

The outside of the hall turned silent again.

Ashina has no grudge against King Kang, but his relationship with Pei Xiaoyuan is well known. If this alien prince who disappeared inexplicably overnight is really related to the death of King Kang, not only will the prince be able to clear his grievances, but correspondingly, Pei Xiaoyuan will become impossible if he wants to get rid of suspicion. No wonder Li Cheng was so excited, and he insisted that Ashina would not let go.

Cui Daosi's heart hangs. Feng Zhenping slowly raised his blood-stained face, straightened up from the ground, his eyes flickered, and his expression was full of hatred and suspicion, as if he hadn't figured out how to deal with it for a while.

His son gritted his teeth, stared at Wei Juren with hatred, turned his head and looked in the direction of the palace gate, and when he turned around to go, one arm was suddenly grabbed by Feng Zhenping.

He bowed again in the direction of the temple and shouted, "Your Majesty! I beg Your Majesty to investigate! Give King Kang a justice! ”

A white-haired old palace eunuch slowly walked out of the hall.

Zhao Zhongfang preached in a somewhat hoarse voice: "Spread Your Majesty's will and find Ashina quickly!" ”

From early morning to dusk, for a whole day, from the beginning only Ashina's boss Zuo Wuwei General Yang Xuan led the team, to later, Yuan Zhi, Han Kerang, Fan Ximing, and the guards had to temporarily put down Lu Wenjun and first search for all the places where Ashina might have set foot or hidden, from the humble alley tavern he usually went to, to the mansion in Pingkangfang, from the wild temples outside the city to the Xishi restaurants where his people regularly gathered. Yuan Zhi had even arrested the forbidden army, the Jinjuan and the people of Ashina in the guards, and asked about their whereabouts......

However, he was nowhere to be found, and no one knew where he had gone.

What kind of controversy had happened around him in the morning, Pei Xiaoyuan knew it.

In fact, from the moment King Kang's corpse was picked up, he knew that this matter would be inseparable from him. Not only that, but in his heart, there was a certain strange feeling. It's a keen intuition that can't be known.

He pressed his doubts deep into his heart and never showed half of them. Naturally, in order to avoid suspicion, he never joined the search for Chengping. What's more, Lu Wenjun is still nowhere to be seen. Chengping is important, but the unknown whereabouts of the county lord also make him feel anxious. And, as time passed, the more this sense of anxiety grew.

In the evening, he had led the team out of the Forbidden Garden, and was continuing to search for people along the bank of the Weishui River, when a fast horse came from the direction of Chang'an.

It was Liu Bo who came, passed on Han Kerang's words, and told him to hurry to Qingyue Tower, and Ashina might be inside.

Qingyue Tower is one of the most luxurious hotels in Chang'an, located near the bustling East Market, and it is as famous as the Chunfeng Building where Pei Xiaoyuan was invited to a banquet at the beginning of his entry into Beijing. It's just that Chunfeng Tower is famous for its lavish banquets, and this place is famous for its gorgeous residence. It is said that the furnishings in the building are comparable to those of the Imperial Palace. Naturally, in addition to the high price, people with low status will not be allowed to move in even if they can afford it. The residents who usually go in and out are either Chang'an nobles who spend a lot of money, or officials or high-rollers from other places who want to come and enjoy it.

Pei Xiaoyuan rode a horse, and in the sound of the drums that resounded all over the city, he rushed to Qingyue Tower at the time of the lamp. Guided by a grim-looking shopkeeper, he passed through a splendid hall and turned to an elegantly furnished garden courtyard at the back. Han Kerang and Yuan Zhi both had solemn faces, standing under a staircase painted with gold carvings, as if they were waiting for him deliberately.

The rest of the occupants of the courtyard to-night must have been driven away, and now the whole building was brightly lit, and there were countless bright lanterns on every floor, but apart from the guards who surrounded the darkness and the entrance of the passage, there was not a single figure in sight.

As soon as he saw him, Han Kerang called him to a corner of the room, stood still, and pointed to the highest floor above his head: "Ashina should be up there." said that after dark last night, he moved in with a woman with a fence on her face who I don't know. After entering, he didn't come out at all, it was almost a day and a night, and the food was sent to the door to be put down. ”

Han Kerang didn't have much interest in what kind of woman Chengping would bring here to entertain him, he briefly mentioned it, hesitated, and said in a low voice: "Of course, Prince Ashina is not a Qin criminal, but the matter has come to this point, if he can't tell where the others were when the crime happened yesterday during the day, don't talk about himself, I'm afraid even you ......."

With a worried gaze, he glanced deeply at Pei Xiaoyuan, then turned his head, glanced at Yuan Zhi's figure not far away, and said in a lower voice: "After I found out Ashina's whereabouts, I didn't want others to know, I didn't want him to come soon, and I almost stepped forward and backward with me, so I had to give up, but I insisted on calling you first." Fortunately, he should also be afraid of the princess, but he didn't say no. At that time, if you and Ashina need to talk alone, I will try to hold him back, you guys hurry! ”

Pei Xiaoyuan thanked him in a low voice, and Han Kerang bowed slightly.

Although the possibility is not very high, Ashina is very skilled and fierce. In the event of a conflict or even a case of resistance to arrest, it will be a nuisance.

He summoned a team of skilled guards, led them, and led them upstairs.

On the other side, Yuan Zhi also led a team of forbidden troops and followed up.

Pei Xiaoyuan looked up at the window that faintly reflected the light shadow in the corridor above his head, lowered his head, and followed up to the Hua Tower.

Dozens of people controlled the sound of boot steps, silently stepped on the thick staircase, and quickly reached the door of the dormitory on the top floor. The guards were on the left and right sides of the door.

At Han Kerang's signal, a maidservant brought up from the building knocked on the door and said that she had come to deliver food and drink.

"Same as before! Put it down! I'll take it myself! ”

A moment later, a lazy voice that Pei Xiaoyuan was familiar with came from behind the door.

Pei Xiaoyuan couldn't help but squeeze his palm, feeling the hard callus in his palm that had been sharpened by holding the sword piercing his fingers.

The maidservant did as she was told, placed the food plate on a low table outside the door, and then withdrew. However, after waiting for a long time, I don't know why, I never saw him come to open the door and pick up the things.

Han Kerang and Yuan Zhi both set their eyes on Pei Xiaoyuan.

He shouted, "Open the door!" It's me! ”

The people in the door seemed to be busy doing something, and when they heard his voice, they should have paused for a moment, and then responded again: "Pei Er? ”

"Yes! You open the door and look for you something. Pei Xiaoyuan said in a deep voice.

"How are you? I have something to do here tonight, so it's inconvenient to meet. You go back first. Tomorrow when I go back, I will look for you again. ”

Seungping's voice was obviously careless, and it sounded like he really wouldn't come out to open the door.

Han Kerang finally lost his patience at this point, walked to the door, and under Pei Xiaoyuan's gaze, silently pulled out the waist knife he carried with him, held it tightly, and then, unexpectedly, raised his boots suddenly, and with a bang, kicked open the bolted door in front of him.

With a girl's exclamation, Han Kerang held the knife and led the people to stride in.

In front of it is a screen coated with gold clay. He said loudly: "Ashina, offended! It's really the emperor's order, and I have to be so ......"

"Ahh

Behind the screen, the screams of the girl continued.

Cheng Ping's cloak was scattered, revealing a copper-colored majestic upper body, and the person was sitting on a large bed covered with brocade. The frightened girl lying beside him was also disheveled, with green silk and snow skin, pink arms and horizontal arms, and above the jade neck, there were faint scars from biting and kissing.

"Bold! Get out! Get out of here! When the frightening had subsided, a continuous screech came out of her mouth.

With the chaotic sound of heavy boots falling to the ground, Han Kerang and the others were about to turn the screen.

Cheng Ping pulled the quilt, wrapped the girl, and quickly hid the person under the quilt.

After protecting her, he turned angry, Huo Ran turned his face, and shouted at Han Kerang and the others, who were already stunned: "What are you doing? Don't go out yet! ”

Not only Han Kerang, but also Pei Xiaoyuan, and even Yuan Zhi, who was still behind the screen at the moment, everyone was stunned.

Although Cheng Ping moved extremely fast, and no one could see the girl's appearance clearly, her voice and tone of voice were ......

It's easy to think of a person.

That is the county lord Lu Wenjun, who has caused many people to find Lu Wenjun, the county lord who is about to be two days and one night.

Han Kerang finally reacted from the shock, a little confused, and a little embarrassed. After hesitating, he put away his sword, glanced at Pei Xiaoyuan, signaled that he would deal with the matter later, and immediately retreated with his people.

As for that Yuan value, he stood outside early.

"I really didn't expect ......," Han Kerang muttered, which was kind of self-deprecation.

Yuan Zhi still looked at him expressionlessly.