My Taoist buddy has practiced surrogacy

Chapter 1329 Investigation

She incorporated her passion for architecture and her longing for Zhou Xing into every detail of her supervision.

At an important project acceptance meeting, Zhou Xing, as the project leader, gave a detailed report and explanation. His professionalism, confidence, and precise control of the project won high praise from the experts and leaders present. After the meeting, a senior industry veteran patted Zhou Xing on the shoulder and said, "Young man, not bad! You have performed very well on this project and have a bright future." Zhou Xing smiled and thanked him, but he was filled with longing for Ling Xue. He thought, if Ling Xue were here, she would definitely be proud of him.

Legend has it that a mysterious organization is secretly operating, attempting to overthrow the rule of the entire court. They first created chaos in various places, killing officials and wealthy businessmen. Now, their target is this town.

One day, Zhou Xing spotted some suspicious figures while on patrol. They were wearing black cloaks and acting stealthily. Zhou Xing followed them quietly, only to find that they had entered an abandoned temple.

He hurried back to report to Ling Xue. Ling Xue knew the seriousness of the matter, so she immediately led the detectives to the temple to investigate.

When they approached the temple, they were suddenly attacked by a group of men in black. These men in black were all very skilled and well-armed. They fought a life-and-death battle with Ling Xue, Zhou Xing and others.

During the battle, Zhou Xing discovered that the moves of these men in black were very strange, and they seemed to have some special training. Their attacks were very targeted and clearly carefully planned.

Ling Xue also noticed this. She directed the detectives to resist while looking for the enemy leader. However, these men in black were well-trained and their attacks were very fierce, and the detectives gradually fell into trouble.

Zhou Xing's arm was injured again, but he still fought tenaciously. He saw Ling Xue in danger and was anxious: "Ling Xue, be careful!"

Ling Xue was also trying hard to deal with the enemy's attack: "Zhou Xing, you must hold on!"

At this moment, the enemy leader appeared. He was a tall man with a stern face. He held a long sword and had sharp eyes.

"You guys are a bunch of fools, how dare you ruin my plan!" the leader sneered.

"Who are you? Why are you creating chaos here?" Ling Xue asked.

"Humph! We are members of a mysterious organization, and our goal is to overthrow this corrupt court!" said the leader.

"What you are doing will only make the people suffer. I won't let you succeed!" Ling Xue said firmly.

"Then it depends on whether you have the ability to do it!" After the leader said this, he swung his sword towards Ling Xue.

Zhou Xing hurriedly stood in front of her and started a thrilling duel with the leader. The swords of the two crossed in the air, sparks flew. This battle was more intense and difficult than the previous battle with the thieves. Zhou Xing and Ling Xue both tried their best, but it was still difficult to defeat the enemy. Just when they felt desperate, they suddenly heard a melodious horn sound. It turned out that the nearby garrison got the news and came to support them.

Seeing that the situation was not good, the leader of the mysterious organization ordered a retreat, and they quickly disappeared into the darkness.

After this incident, Ling Xue and Zhou Xing realized the seriousness of the matter. They decided to investigate this mysterious organization in depth to protect the safety of the town and the people. They began to collect intelligence everywhere and visited officials and wealthy businessmen in various places. In the process, they encountered many difficulties and dangers. But they always stayed together and never left each other.

In the prosperous but turbulent Qingping Town, Zhou Xing's name is well-known. He has a sturdy figure and sharp eyes. His years of experience as a detective have enabled him to develop excellent martial arts and keen insight. One day, Zhou Xing was patrolling in the town when he suddenly heard a commotion. It turned out that a group of thugs were bullying an old man. The old man's stall was overturned and the goods were scattered all over the floor. He was begging for mercy, but the people around him dared not speak out.

Zhou Xing frowned and strode towards the crowd. He pushed everyone aside, his eyes like lightning, swept towards the ruffians, and said in a cold voice: "In broad daylight, you are doing evil here, do you still have the law in your eyes?" Seeing that it was Zhou Xing, the ruffians were a little afraid, but relying on their numbers, they still said stubbornly: "Constable Zhou, this old man set up a stall and blocked our brothers' way. We are just teaching him a lesson." Zhou Xing sneered and shouted: "Nonsense! If it is really as you said, why did you fight with the old man? Today, I will not let him off easily!" After that, he used his grappling skills to subdue the ruffians in no time and took them away in shackles. The news spread in the town, and the people praised Zhou Xing even more. At this time, in the Ministry of Justice, Ling Xue was flipping through the case files. She had a stern face and an upright posture. Her plain official uniform made her temperament extraordinary. Ling Xue has been extremely intelligent since childhood. He has acquired superb martial arts and advanced criminal investigation skills, and was appointed as the Chief Justice at a young age.

The case in Qingping Town caught her attention, and she decided to go and investigate in person. When she stepped into Qingping Town, Zhou Xing happened to escort the ruffian back to the yamen. Their eyes met, and in an instant, it seemed as if an electric current passed through. Zhou Xing's heart moved, and he felt that the woman in front of him had an extraordinary temperament and must be not an ordinary person; Ling Xue secretly admired Zhou Xing's bravery and courage.

Soon after, a series of bizarre thefts occurred in Qingping Town. Precious jewelry, antiques, calligraphy and paintings from wealthy merchants were repeatedly stolen, and there were no clues at the scene of the crime, as if it was the work of ghosts. For a time, the people in the town were in a panic.

In the heart of the prosperous capital, stands a magnificent prime minister's mansion. This prime minister's mansion is like an independent little world, with pavilions and towers scattered in an orderly manner, rockery and ponds complementing each other, and carved beams and painted buildings showing dignity and majesty. In this mansion, people with different personalities live, and their destinies are intertwined, weaving one touching story after another. Among them, Zhou Xing, the third son of the prime minister's mansion, and Ling Xue, an unknown gardener, the wonderful and affectionate fate between them is like a melodious ancient song, gently playing in the long river of time.

Zhou Xing, the third son of the Prime Minister's Mansion, has been weak and sickly since childhood. He has a handsome face, but an unhealthy paleness, as if a breeze could blow him down. His eyes are deep and bright, like the twinkling stars in the night sky, revealing a unique perception and thinking of the world. However, his weak body prevents him from running and playing in the courtyard like other children. More often, he can only be trapped in a small room, looking at the outside world through the window, with a desire and yearning for freedom in his heart.

Ling Xue was originally an ordinary woman from the countryside. Due to her poor family background, she was sold to the Prime Minister's Mansion as a slave. She was assigned to the garden and became a small gardener. She was kind and simple by nature. She treated flowers, plants and trees like her family members, caring for them carefully and taking good care of them. In her eyes, every leaf and petal was full of vitality and hope. She got up early every morning and shuttled between the flowers, watering, fertilizing, and pruning branches and leaves. Her busy figure became a unique landscape in the Prime Minister's Mansion.

The gears of fate began to turn quietly on a spring afternoon. The sun shone through the mottled leaves onto the ground, creating patches of golden light and shadow. Zhou Xing, as usual, came to the garden to relax with the help of his maid. He strolled along the winding path, breathing the fresh air and feeling the breath of nature. Unconsciously, his eyes were attracted by a blooming flower. The flower was gorgeous and colorful, swaying gently in the breeze, as if telling the story of spring.

Just as Zhou Xing stopped to admire, he suddenly heard a slight sound nearby. He turned his head curiously, and saw a woman in coarse cloth squatting in the flowers, holding a pair of scissors in her hand, concentrating on trimming the branches. Her movements were gentle and skillful, and her eyes were full of love and pity for flowers and plants. Zhou Xing was slightly startled, and an inexplicable affection surged in his heart. He asked softly: "Who are you? Why are you here?" Ling Xue was startled by the sudden voice, and hurriedly stood up, bowed her head and saluted: "I am the gardener in the mansion, my name is Ling Xue, and I am here to take care of these flowers and plants."

Zhou Xing looked at the slightly embarrassed woman in front of him, and the corners of his mouth unconsciously raised. He said: "Your craftsmanship is very good. These flowers seem to have life in your hands." Ling Xue's face slightly blushed, and she whispered: "Sir, you are too kind. This is just my fault." Since then, Zhou Xing often came to the garden. Sometimes he just stood quietly by the side, watching Ling Xue's busy figure; sometimes he would chat with her for a few words and ask her some knowledge about flowers and plants. Ling Xue also gradually got used to Zhou Xing's presence and was no longer as nervous and restrained as she was at the beginning.

As time went by, Zhou Xing and Ling Xue became closer. They discussed poetry and songs together and shared their joys and sorrows. Zhou Xing would tell Ling Xue the interesting stories he read in the study, and Ling Xue would take Zhou Xing into the depths of the garden to introduce the varieties and characteristics of various flowers and plants. In the process of getting along, a subtle emotion quietly sprouted in their hearts.

However, this beautiful relationship is not all smooth sailing. The Prime Minister's Mansion has strict rules and clear hierarchy. How can a third son of the Prime Minister's Mansion and a humble gardener be together when there is a huge difference in status? People around them talk about their relationship, and there are many cynics. Some say that Ling Xue is just greedy for wealth and wants to cling to the rich and powerful; others say that Zhou Xing is stupid and foolish to get involved with a servant. These rumors pierce them like sharp arrows, bringing great pressure to the two.

Zhou Xing's identity forced him to face the expectations and responsibilities of his family. As the third son of the Prime Minister's Mansion, he shoulders the responsibility of inheriting the family's glory and bringing honor to his ancestors. His parents have planned a future path for him, hoping that he can pass the imperial examinations, enter the officialdom, and serve the country. However, Zhou Xing has his own pursuits and dreams in his heart. He longs for freedom, longs to be with Ling Xue, and live an ordinary and happy life. But facing the pressure of his family and the prejudice of the world, he feels extremely helpless and painful.

As a servant, Ling Xue knew the gap between herself and Zhou Xing. Although she had deep love for Zhou Xing, she also knew that this love was not tolerated by the world. She was afraid that her existence would bring trouble to Zhou Xing, and even more afraid that it would ruin his future. So, she began to distance herself from Zhou Xing intentionally or unintentionally, trying to bury her feelings deep in her heart.

By chance, Zhou Xing learned about Ling Xue's thoughts. He was extremely anxious and immediately found Ling Xue and said to her: "Ling Xue, why do you always hide from me? Don't you know my heart? I don't care about the opinions of others, I only care about you." Tears flashed in Ling Xue's eyes, and she choked and said: "Sir, you are the third son of the Prime Minister's Mansion, with a noble status, and I am just a lowly gardener. How can we be together? I don't want to ruin your future because of me." Zhou Xing held Ling Xue's hand tightly, looked into her eyes affectionately, and said: "Ling Xue, do you know? From the moment I first saw you, I knew you were the one who could walk into my heart. I don't care about status, I don't care about worldly eyes, I just hope you can be by my side and accompany me for the rest of my life."

Ling Xue looked at Zhou Xing's sincere eyes, and the defenses in her heart completely collapsed. She threw herself into Zhou Xing's arms and burst into tears. At that moment, they seemed to have forgotten all the troubles and sorrows in the world, and were only immersed in each other's love.

However, their love affair was not blessed by everyone. When the prime minister's wife learned about this, she was furious. She called Ling Xue to her side, scolded her severely, and threatened to drive her out of the prime minister's house. Ling Xue knelt on the ground, tearfully begging the lady to help her, but the lady was unmoved. When Zhou Xing learned about it, he rushed to his mother and pleaded for Ling Xue. He said to his mother: "Mother, I know you are doing this for my own good and hope that I can have a bright future. But I really love Ling Xue. Without her, my son's life will be meaningless. Please help us!"

The prime minister's wife looked at her son's determined eyes, feeling angry and helpless. She sighed and said, "You foolish child, don't you understand the difference in status between you two? She is just a small gardener, how can she be worthy of the third son of our prime minister's mansion?" Zhou Xing held his mother's hand tightly and said, "Mother, love has no distinction between high and low. Ling Xue is kind, hardworking, and gentle. She is better than any woman I have ever seen. I believe that as long as we truly love each other, we will be able to overcome all difficulties."

After Zhou Xing's pleading, the prime minister's wife finally gave in. She said to Zhou Xing: "I can allow you to be together, but you must agree to one condition. You must work hard to pass the imperial examinations, enter the official career, and bring honor to the family. Only in this way can I reluctantly accept her." Zhou Xing was overjoyed to hear his mother's words. He nodded and said: "Mother, don't worry! I will definitely work hard."

From then on, Zhou Xing began his arduous journey of learning. He studied hard day and night, delving into poetry and books, hoping to realize his dream as soon as possible. Ling Xue accompanied him silently, serving him tea and water, and adding fragrance to his life.