Dust was flying on Zhuque Street. The ministers looked frightened and walked behind the car with their heads lowered. Compared with the civil servants, the heart of the generals was beating harder. The empress was almost assassinated. If the blame was held, many people would lose their heads. The left and right Jinwu guards looked at each other and all smiled bitterly in unison.

Di Renjie felt a huge loss. These two days were destined to be the darkest days in his life. The rebellion of Rufeng and Zhang Zhi plunged him into an abyss. Who the mastermind was is still a mystery.

The ministers filed into the Zhuque Gate with their own thoughts. When the emperor's chariot was about to enter the Chengtian Gate, it suddenly stopped. Shangguan Wan'er, on the order of the empress, came to the ministers to convey the oral instructions. Di Renjie saw Shangguan Wan'er walking towards her. Although her steps were graceful, she still staggered a little, obviously not yet out of fear.

Shangguan Wan'er raised her head and said to everyone:

"Your Majesty ordered Huwei General Guo Ziyi to take charge of the Chang'an Guards and put the entire city on alert to search for rebels; the Ministry of Punishment and Dali Temple The three legal divisions of Yushitai and Yushitai will immediately interrogate Prime Minister Pei Yan and submit the trial results before tomorrow morning; the left and right Jinwu Guards and Jing Zhaoyin maintain the stability of Zhuque Street, and the other departments perform their duties and are ready to order at any time."

Shangguan Wan'er paused for a moment and then said:

"No one is allowed to visit before the court tomorrow morning. If there is a temporary order, the imperial guards will notify you."

One of the ministers My eyes widened when I heard this. I was forbidden to visit him. If there was an emergency, how should I ask for instructions and how should I act? Everyone felt a lot of pressure.

Pei Yan was imprisoned in Tianlao, and the joint trial of the three judicial departments will be held in the Ministry of Punishment. According to the oral instructions, today's review will definitely yield results as to whether Pei Yan rebelled against the party and what his relationship was with it.

Xia Tao, the Minister of Punishment, was very worried. Everyone knew that Pei Yan had a tough temper. He was still the prime minister in name, but he could not be punished. He might not be able to get any information even after a day of interrogation. This hot potato fell into his hands. It’s really difficult!

So Xia Tao placed his hopes on Di Renjie and Lou Shide. One of them was tough and the other was soft. Working together, they might be able to make Pei Yan talk more, and he could just make some concluding remarks. .

Let’s do it! Xia Tao decided happily.

Soon he had someone clean up the interrogation room, and he sat respectfully in the hall waiting for the people from Dali Temple and Yushitai to arrive. The Yushitai came soon. Lou Shide fell off the carriage while rescuing him. Although it was not fatal, he also suffered some skin injuries. He was helped into the hall by his attendants. When Xia Tao saw Lou Shide, he immediately praised Lou Shide for his hard work. Lou Shide waved his hand and said: "Master Xia, Lou is just doing his job, nothing, nothing."

Xia Tao He nodded quickly and looked outside the door again. Dali Temple was also here. He hurried up to meet him, and two young ministers came in first from outside the gate, and bowed their hands to Xia Tao to say hello. Xia Tao stretched his neck and looked around, "Where is Mr. Di?"

"This..." The two young men looked confused.

"Master Xia, Master Di is in an emergency and cannot come to attend the trial, so we have been specially sent here." One of them answered truthfully.

"Ah!" Xia Tao was stunned.

"We have brought the investigation transcript of the Pei Mansion as dictated by Master Di." The young minister took out the transcript from his arms.

Lou Shide smiled and shouted to them: "Master Di, it seems that there is progress in the case, so let us review it."

Xia Tao came to the interrogation bravely In the room, sit on the chair on the left, the two young ministers sit on the right, and Lou Shide sits in the middle.

"Bring Master Pei Yan up." Lou Shide said calmly.

Xia Tao glanced at Lou Shide. This imperial censor had no dignity at all. The interrogation should be preemptive, so that the prisoner would be frightened, and he should not tell lies or big words, but should be truthful in everything. Alas, if this interrogation is done well, he will not be promoted, but if he does not do well, he may lose his official position. Xia Tao can't help but have another headache.

Di Renjie and Li Yuanfang rode across Zhuque Street and headed towards Dongcheng. The entire street has gradually returned to order under the command of the guards. Guo Ziyi ordered all people to return to their respective streets and wait for the search. If anyone is wandering around, they will be arrested immediately.

The East City was bustling with people, enjoying the carnival of the parade and the horror of the assassination at the same time. They were stunned and didn't wake up for a long time as if they were in a dream, allowing the guards to drive them home like ducks.

Di Renjie's heartbeat was racing. He had to be faster. If he was slower, he might be killed. The person he was thinking about was Sun Xin, the patrol deputy captain.

Sun Xin’s whereabouts are great news for Di Renjie. According to the soldier who made the report, they were all Sun Xin's cronies. Sun Xin was kidnapped by Zhang Zhi in Daningfang last night, and they were the ones who secretly rescued Sun Xin. I wanted to come to Dali Temple to find Di Renjie, but I was followed all the time. In the morning, I was shocked to hear that His Majesty was assassinated, and finally dared to run to find Di Renjie.

This is why Di Renjie was absent from the three-division trial. Of course he knew in his heart that if he was not present at the Tribunal Trial, he would be severely reprimanded by the empress, but Sun Xin was more important than the trial of Pei Yan. All the clues are criss-crossed, but they all converge on Sun Xin. Sun Xin can be said to be the most important witness.

Sun Xin was hiding in a dilapidated house in Daningfang at this time, feeling extremely anxious. He could not believe that the empress would be assassinated. What was even more shocking was that Zhang Zhihui rebelled against the party! The traitor he was desperately tracking down, the traitor he was looking for in the Guards, was Zhang Zhi. The trust he had built up in his heart immediately collapsed.

There was a sound of Ma Ming outside the house, and Di Renjie and Li Yuanfang rushed in through the door.

"Master Di!" Sun Xin jumped up from the ground immediately.

"Sun Xin, do you know that the whole city is looking for you!" Di Renjie shouted, "Where did you go yesterday and what do you know? Tell me immediately."

The portraits of Sun Xin and Xu Yi have been plastered all over Chang'an, and they are traitors that the court is arresting. The wanted order was issued by Di Renjie himself.

"Master Di, I am not against the party!" Sun Xin shouted, "Yesterday I went to the prison of the Ministry of Punishments to ask about the people who spread the memorandum. An old man said that the memorandum was flowing out of the black market, and he saw with his own eyes the guards spreading it. I was very surprised. I was about to rush back to Dali Temple to report, but there was a fire in Dali Temple. Then there was news that the secret agent had been assassinated. I was attacked from both sides, so I took action without permission and went deep into the black market to investigate. I never thought that there was something wrong with Pei Mansion. Mao Ni, I will take people to the Pei Mansion to wait for an opportunity."

Everyone knows what happened next. Sun Xin was mistaken by Di Renjie for rebelling against the party, and was almost tied up by Zhang Zhi. He was assassinated by Zhang Zhi's henchmen.

Di Renjie frowned, crossed his hands on his chest, and said, "Pei Yan has been regarded as a traitor to the party."

"Is it possible that Mr. Pei is really rebelling?" Sun Xin was surprised.

"No," Di Renjie held his chin in thought, "he is not."

Di Renjie suddenly realized that he was being used by the real rebel party! The rebel party made a careful arrangement in Changlefang. In order to hook Di Renjie, they deliberately left clues about Xu Yi's grinding of mirrors and assassination of Di Renjie, and led him to the Pei Mansion. Naturally, Di Renjie became a witness to the Pei family's rebellion.

The physical evidence has been prepared long ago, and Xu Yi must have secretly hidden the memorandum and map found in the study. There are two groups of people who rebel against the party. One group is a traitor from the guard army led by Zhang Zhi, who made Di Renjie go astray by outright side attacks. The other group is an assassin headed by Ru Feng, who is responsible for assassinating spies and attacking Dali Temple. There is an invisible hand behind these things, directing all actions.

One general's success will destroy thousands of bones. The assassination failed, both Zhang Zhi and Rufeng were killed, and many people were killed or injured as a result, but the mastermind hid himself, wiped the blood off the sword, and got away with it. Di Renjie was furious. Everyone was treated as pawns by this mastermind to kill people. He vowed to find him out!

After calming down and going through the clues from beginning to end, Di Renjie closed his eyes. Sun Xin wanted to interrupt, but was stopped by Li Yuanfang, who made a gesture to stop talking.

The source of the rebellion began with Ru Feng's intelligence and the "Discussing the Wu Clan". At that time, Dali Temple believed Ru Feng's intelligence and believed that Xu Jingye had sent assassins to sneak into Chang'an, and the sudden appearance of the appeal was official. He posted a challenge to the empress, letting everyone know that the rebels would cause trouble in Chang'an, so people believed that Xu Jingye really wanted to assassinate the empress.

What happened immediately next confirmed the fact of Xu Jingye’s assassination: he was responsible for the action of four Yangzhou merchants, the blacksmith shop that secretly made weapons, and those who conspired with the evil forces, especially those who had dealings with Yangzhou merchants. Xu Yi led the search to Pei Mansion, making people believe that Pei Yan and Xu Jingye were related. Just when the imperial court lowered its guard and went on parade with peace of mind, the rebel party suddenly appeared and ruined everything.

What a brilliant and bold plan! Di Renjie couldn't help but sigh. Sufficient preparation must have gone into such a huge plan, and the scope involved is staggering. But one person almost ruined the plan. Di Renjie opened his eyes and looked at Sun Xin.

Sun Xin was the first to know that there was a spy in the guard. If he could inform Di Renjie in time, or if Di Renjie stood up and confronted him last night, the Pei family would never be wronged. Even if the rebels cannot be captured, the strength of the patrol will be strengthened several times.

Countless regrets surged in Di Renjie's heart. Who can he blame? Even he has become a tool against the party, let alone others? At this moment, Di Renjie had a flash of inspiration and began to correspond the entire case from end to end, and finally discovered the huge question: Why was Pei Yan wronged?

If Xu Jingye committed an assassination, why would he go to such great lengths to find a scapegoat? Rufeng was engaged in serious assassination matters, cleaning up secret agents and other unfavorable factors, while Zhang Zhi tried his best to lure Di Renjie to the path of rebellion in the Pei Mansion. What benefit would this bring to Xu Jingye? Don't forget, a series of events such as stealing the map from Dali Temple and assassinating Di Renjie on the black market all tempted him to go to Pei Mansion.

This idea made Di Renjie boldly assume: Xu Jingye did not send an assassin, and the mastermind was someone else!

Di Renjie closed his eyes and returned to Changlefang where the snow fell last night.

Before entering the black market last night, he asked Wu Hou to block all exits of the black market, and he shuttled through the crowd. Di Renjie replayed the scene last night. When he was running fast with deep thoughts, a girl stopped him. He turned around, saw Gongsun Li, and then talked to Shangguan Wan'er.

Di Renjie jumped out of his memory and asked a question: Why did Shangguan Wan'er know that she was on the black market? Shangguan Wan'er said it was just a coincidence.

The secret order given out was also based on speculation. This detail was ignored by Di Renjie at the time. Now that I think about it, there is something very strange.

First put a question mark on Shangguan Wan'er, and then go down. Di Renjie met Li Longji again in front of the small building, who was listening to the pipa. It was common to meet nobles, but Li Longji's bravery during the parade made Di Renjie puzzled. The Li family's nobles had always been dissatisfied with the empress. How could Li Longji be so desperate? But Li Longji was undoubtedly a smart man. He understood the decline of the Li family, so he followed the trend and married the niece of the empress. Such a person would not do anything unprofitable.

Di Renjie drew another question mark for Li Longji and continued walking down.

In the black market, he saw the assassination of Jing Lei, and asked for clues from the rebels. He learned from the mirror grinder that Xu Yi was colluding with Yangzhou merchants.

Xu Yi was put a question mark by Di Renjie. Obviously, Xu Yi betrayed Pei Yan and did a lot of things for the rebels in the dark. Xu Yi was very close to the mastermind. Unfortunately, he escaped last night. Although Chang'an City was on guard, it was difficult to find him, and he might have been assassinated.

Now that the empress has banned all ministers from meeting, it is impossible for Di Renjie to enter the palace to confront Shangguan Wan'er. He thought of an indirect method. He waved Li Yuanfang to come to him and secretly ordered Yuanfang to escort Sun Xin back to Dali. Temple, I want to go to a place.

The Shangyuan Party was cancelled, and the Jiaofang Division was quiet. Gongsunli was practicing dance steps in the room, and she stood on tiptoes, her graceful figure spinning constantly. It's a balancing exercise she does every day, even when she's dizzy.

Gongsunli focused on spinning, the setting sun stretched her shadow on the floor, and the drums of the curfew came from the distance, as if to accompany her. There was a sudden knock on the door. Gongsun Li straightened her rabbit ears and slowed down her rotation. After her center of gravity stabilized, she walked over and opened the door.

A noble servant stood outside the door and said respectfully to her: "Miss Gongsun, Miss Yang Yuhuan asked me to send you a message. She has moved into Linzi Palace and is safe and sound. Please don't worry, girl.

"

"Sister Yang! Gongsun Li said excitedly: "Do you think she's fine?" "

The servant nodded, "Last night the rebels caused chaos in Changlefang. My master, King Linzi, happened to be listening to music in the small building. Seeing the chaos, he asked Miss Yang to get on the carriage to avoid danger temporarily. When the King of Linzi saw that Miss Yang was outstanding in talent and appearance, he invited Miss Yang to stay in the palace and play the piano. The young man came to Changlefang to help Miss Yang pack her things and pass on a message. Miss Gongsun, the curfew is about to begin, so I will leave first. ”

The servant handed over his hand and retreated.

Gongsunli was still a little lost. The sisters who had been together day and night suddenly went to the palace, and she felt a little lonely. But when she heard that Yang Yuhuan was fine, she He smiled slightly again.

"Ali, a guest invites you to sit on the top floor for a chat. "A half-old musician ran up to Gongsun Li and said.

"Sister Chu, I told you I won't accept guests! "Gongsun Li frowned and his two rabbit ears stood straight up.

"This one is different, hehe. Sister Chu snickered, "You definitely want to see him." ”

“What’s so precious about high-ranking officials, huh. "Gongsun Li pouted.

"He is..." Sister Chu whispered in Gongsun Li's ear, "Master Di Renjie. "

This name touched Gongsun Li's heart like static electricity. Gongsun Li's ears trembled, he pushed Sister Chu away and trotted all the way to the top floor.

"Oh, slow down. "Sister Chu shouted from behind.

Di Renjie sat in front of the coffee table and noticed a slight shaking in the tea cup in his hand. After a while, he regained his composure. After three snaps of his fingers, a pair of delicate hands pushed it away. The door in front of him.

"We meet again, Miss Gongsun. Di Renjie smiled at Gongsun Li and said, "Please sit down." ”

Gongsunli immediately moved to the coffee table and sat down with a slight blush on his face. This was the first time Di Renjie had a serious conversation with him, but she had forgotten what to say.

"You and Shangguan Wan'er found me together last night, remember. "

"Hmm. Gongsun Li nodded quickly, then shook his head and said, "Master Di, what do you mean by Shangguan Wan'er?" "

"Lu Wenqing's true identity is Shangguan Wan'er. "

"Ah! "Gongsun Li was surprised.

"Sister Chu told me just now that you didn't accept the guests, so I had to reveal my identity and express my intention to come," Di Renjie said, "Then you must have known that Lu Wenqing was a woman, so you were willing to have sex with her. Let's play together. "

"Master Di, you are right," Gongsun Li lowered his head and said calmly: "Master Lu, she is very lonely. "

Di Renjie was silent for a moment, and then said: "Do you know Shangguan Wan'er? "

Gongsun Li shook his head.

"Shangguan Wan'er was born in a family of officials and grew up in the palace. His grandfather, Shangguan Yi, was originally the prime minister of the former dynasty. He was arrested and imprisoned on suspicion of treason. The Shangguan family was wronged and died, leaving only Shangguan Wan'er and her mother as slaves in the palace. Di Renjie said quietly: "When His Majesty ascended the throne, Shangguan Wan'er was exceptionally appointed as a chamberlain due to her outstanding literary talent, and was then in charge of document writing. "

Di Renjie took out two letters from his arms and put them on the table.

"Both of these secret edicts came from the Imperial Study Room, and they were written in His Majesty's handwriting and Seal, but look carefully. Di Renjie pointed at the secret edict from Shangguan Wan'er, "This handwriting is similar to His Majesty's, but the end of the pen is not so sharp, but a little hesitant. It is obvious that this is deliberately imitating His Majesty's handwriting." "

"You said Mr. Lu forged the imperial edict! "Gongsun Li's eyes widened.

"Yes, Shangguan Wan'er is hiding the truth. I dare to conclude that she must be related to the rebel party! " Di Renjie lowered his eyebrows.

"Impossible, impossible. Gongsun Li couldn't believe it, "Master Lu is not that kind of person."

"

Gongsunli's eyes were firm, and she found a reason to believe in her heart, "A person who sheds tears for the stars cannot be that bad! "

One night, Shangguan Wan'er took her to a high building and looked at the stars in the sky. Gongsun Li forgot about the conversation that night. He only remembered Shangguan Wan'er sobbing and said: " You know, those dead people stay in the night sky and light up the lights for me. "

Di Renjie had no expression on his face, sighing in his heart that Gongsun Li was really a simple girl.

"The facts have been put in front of you, and I will never wrongly accuse anyone. "

"Master Di, you are wise and powerful, but you must have made a mistake in this matter. "Gongsun Li argued, and she put on a serious look.

"Okay, then tell me, how did you find me last night? Di Renjie asked.

"This..." Gongsun Li was speechless for a moment, "Master Lu just happened to see you in the crowd." ”

“Wrong, the rebels have already set up spies in Changlefang, just waiting for me to walk into the trap!” Di Renjie stood up and said to Gongsun Li in a condescending manner, "Miss Gongsun, I won't allow you to favor her anymore. If you continue like this, you will be regarded as a rebel by me." "

Gongsunli was so frightened by Di Renjie's sudden display of majesty that he dared not speak, but she still stood up gracefully and explained: "Master Di, please believe that the Lu Wenqing I know is by no means a bad person. "

Di Renjie stared at Gongsun Li, and finally breathed a sigh of relief, and softened his tone and said: "I never said that Shangguan Wan'er was a treacherous person. On the contrary, I understand her actions, her The environment in which she grew up forced her to seize every opportunity to protect herself. Sometimes she had to compromise, and sometimes she wanted to please both sides. Especially standing next to His Majesty, I endured even more torture. "

"Torture? " Gongsun Li was confused.

Di Renjie turned his back and said, "There are rumors that the Shangguan family was framed by His Majesty. I think Shangguan Wan'er will be affected by this and will inevitably have some resentment towards His Majesty. "

"As soon as His Majesty turns against her, she will become a prisoner again. Why don't you tell her how to walk on thin ice? " Di Renjie continued.

Gongsun Li paused. She had never thought that Lu Wenqing had so many worries. What Lu Wenqing talked about most with her was poetry and songs. She always looked good when she smiled. Gongsun Li only When she was a young lady who escaped from a wealthy family to relax.

Di Renjie suddenly stretched out his left hand and pointed to the sky with his index finger, "There is only one truth, and I am only one step away from the truth! ”

He looked back at Gongsun Li with blazing eyes.

It was obvious that he already knew that the assassination was a civil strife and not a plan by an external enemy. He just wanted to find out the mastermind.

He snapped his fingers.

Gongsun Li blinked.

"Only one person can enter the palace to meet His Majesty, and only he can get close to Shangguan Wan. Son. Di Renjie said with a serious face, "He is Ming Shiyin." "

Di Renjie paced back and forth in the room, "I have made an appointment with him to come here. "

What Di Renjie didn't say was that he came to Jiaofangsi and asked Marquis Wu if he had seen the whereabouts of Ming Shiyin and others. Marquis Wu told Di Renjie that Ming Shiyin and Gongsun Li were often in Changlefang. There was a party on the first floor. Di Renjie didn't know the reason why this dancer who didn't accept guests had a private meeting with Ming Shiyin, but he knew that it was Gongsun Li who informed Ming Shiyin that he was checking the rebels in Changle Square last night.

There were footsteps outside the door. Ming Shiyin and Yixing walked in and greeted Di Renjie with their hands in hand. Di Renjie returned the greeting and said directly: "Master Ming, I want to ask you something. This is related to the life and death of Pei Mansion and also to it. Can we get close to the real murderer? "

Ming Shiyin narrowed his eyes, and then said: "Master Di, just say it. "

Di Renjie walked up to Ming Shiyin and said a few words in his ear. Ming Shiyin's pupils dilated as he listened. He thought for a while and said: "Ming is worried about His Majesty's worries. , to eliminate those who rebel against the party is to comply with the will of God. ”

“Then it’s all your fault.” "Di Renjie handed the secret letter on the table to Ming Shiyin.

"You're welcome, Mr. Di. Ming will enter the palace right now.

"Ming Shiyin cupped his hands, turned around and hurried away with Yixing.

Seeing them walking away, Di Renjie took a long breath, as if a heavy burden had been lifted. Fatigue and melancholy made him fragile. This Chang'an The patron saint grabbed the cup of Phoenix Dancong on the table, drank the tea in one gulp, and threw the cup on the ground. The cup was broken everywhere.

He slowly walked towards the railing and leaned on it to look into the distance. In the night scene of Chang'an, apart from a few bustling streets in the north city, there were only sparks of fire everywhere else. The stars in the sky had already appeared, shining as brilliantly as lanterns. Di Renjie looked at the sky and moved his lips as if he was saying something. I approached him and wanted to talk to him, but I found that something as dazzling as the stars was shining in his eyes, which were tears, and he was lamenting.

To be continued? The finale of the next chapter.

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