Detective Di Renjie: The Mysterious Dynasty

Chapter 341 Two Flowers Bloom
In the sacred city of Luoyang, at the palace of Prince Yan.

Zhao Ji was talking to a haggard-looking official, who was the former chief clerk of the Prince of Xiang's palace, Pei Yaoqing, whose courtesy name was Huanzhi.

As he spoke, Pei Yaoqing became emotional and suddenly burst into tears, kneeling down in front of Zhao Ji: "Thank you, Your Highness, the Prince of Yan, for giving me a new life! If it weren't for your help, Yaoqing and his family would have died in the wilderness of Lingnan!"

Zhao Ji hurried forward to support him and comforted him gently: "Huanzhi, please don't do this. Get up quickly. This is all thanks to your majesty's wisdom and the great help of Zhang Gelao. I am just doing my best."

"In the final analysis, Lord Zhang and I both value your talent and character, and we don't want the golden bell to be destroyed or the wise man to suffer misfortune!"

Pei Yaoqing was moved when he heard this: "Your Highness is too modest. If Your Highness had not stepped forward, who knows how many more loyal people would have been harmed by the treacherous! I and others have seen it with our own eyes and remember it in our hearts..."

Zhao Ji smiled with relief when he heard this and held Pei Yaoqing's hand: "Haha, Huanzhi, wait a few more days. Right now, the grain transport is having problems. I have presented your strategy for rectifying the grain transport to His Majesty. In a few days, maybe you can make further progress!"

Pei Yaoqing was extremely excited when he heard this, and he bowed to the ground again: "Thank you, Your Highness. I am willing to sacrifice my life and my life to repay your kindness!"

Zhao Ji smiled slightly and helped the man up again. Everything was said without words.

Just at this moment, Wu Xiang, the palace steward and former owner of Qingyang Inn, hurried in and whispered a few words in Zhao Ji's ear.

Pei Yaoqing saw this and tactfully said goodbye: "Your Highness, please forgive me. I have something else to do at home. I will come to thank you another day!"

Zhao Ji nodded and said, "Then I will not keep you here today. Wu Xiang, you can see me off for me."

So, Pei Yaoqing bowed and said goodbye. Zhao Ji personally saw him off to the door for a few steps, then turned around and walked quickly into the back hall.

Deep in the back hall, as soon as Zhao Ji entered, a man in coarse cloth immediately stood up from his chair and saluted respectfully: "Your Highness."

Zhao Ji walked quickly to the main seat and signaled Wang Tiehan not to be reserved: "Brother Xiaojie, do you have any news?"

Upon hearing this, Wang Tiehan quickly took out a letter from his bosom and presented it with both hands: "I am delivering a memorial on behalf of the general this time, and I brought this letter along with me."

Zhao took the letter and opened it in front of Wang Tiehan without any hesitation.

After quickly reading through it, Zhao Ji's eyes sparkled with excitement, and he said happily, "Okay! Tiehan, you take a rest in the mansion first. I will immediately draft two letters of reply, and you can take them with you on your way back."

Wang Tiehan agreed without saying much, and then went to the guest room to rest under the guidance of his servants.

At this time, Xiaomei slowly walked out from behind the screen. She was supported by Xiaofeng, and her face was filled with a maternal glow.

Seeing this, Zhao Ji hurried forward, his eyes full of concern and nervousness: "Oh, you are pregnant now, don't worry about these trivial matters in the mansion anymore."

Xiaomei smiled slightly, stroking her belly, with a bit of helplessness and coquettishness: "It's only been less than two months, and I'm a martial artist, how can I be as delicate as you say!"

Zhao Ji was unmoved. His eyes were filled with infinite longing for the future. He stared at Xiaomei's belly in fascination: "This is our first child. It's not too much to pay attention to it."

"I really want to bring Di Gong back from Jiangzhou! He can live in my house every day to take care of you. His medical skills are impeccable."

When Xiaomei heard what Zhao Ji said, she couldn't help laughing, and Xiaofeng laughed so hard that she was shaking with laughter.

"It's not that serious. The imperial physicians in the palace may not be bad. Your plan is almost complete now. With Xiaofeng here, you don't have to worry about me. Just do it boldly." Xiaomei looked at Zhao Ji with gentle eyes.

Zhao Ji heard this and couldn't help but hold Xiaomei's hand tightly. He sighed affectionately, "With a wife like this, what else could a husband ask for? Speaking of which, I haven't seen Di Gong for a year. I really miss them. I must get Di Gong back and ask him to prescribe some pregnancy-protecting medicine for you!"

These words made Xiaomei and her sister laugh again.
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On the other hand, Di Renjie, Ruyan and Li Yuanfang rescued Jinniang from the boat and went down the river to Wuping County. Jinniang looked panicked and said her home was near the county. She left in a hurry as soon as she got ashore, and even declined Zhang Huan and Li Lang's farewell arranged by Di Renjie.

Although Di Renjie, Ruyan and others found it strange, they could do nothing but let Jinniang go.

Everyone packed and moved their luggage, and contacted Yang Fang and Ren Kuo who had arrived earlier to prepare their accommodation.

It was not until the sun was at noon that Ruyan looked up at the sky, wiped the sweat from her forehead and said, "We came in a hurry. It's almost noon now. It's too late to prepare food. If we had known earlier, we should have had lunch on the boat first!"

Upon hearing this, Di Renjie waved his hand and said, "It doesn't matter. I'll treat you today. Let's go to a restaurant and have a good meal together!"

Li Yuanfang's eyes lit up: "Oh, His Majesty has personally approved that our supplies will be provided by the Jiangzhou Governor's Mansion. Even His Majesty has been generous. I'm going to have a good meal today!"

Upon hearing this, Di Renjie, Ruyan, Zhang Huan and others couldn't help but burst into laughter: "Okay, okay, I'll make sure you, General Li, have enough to eat!"

As they were talking, they came to a restaurant. The shop was not big, but there were many customers, and bursts of delicious aromas came from the street.

Di Renjie sniffed the aroma and made a quick decision: "Well! This is the one!"

The clever waiter came over immediately and pulled out tables and chairs for Di Renjie and the other two, while Zhang Huan and the others sat at another table.

The waiter greeted him warmly, "Sir, what would you like to eat?"

Di Renjie sat down and asked, "What kind of dish did you just make in your restaurant? I could smell such a delicious aroma on the street."

The waiter quickly replied, "Oh, you asked the right question. As the saying goes, live by the mountain, eat by the mountain; live by the water, eat by the water. Although my shop is not big, the fresh fish is excellent."

"Today, more than a dozen top-quality fresh fish were delivered from the Xunyang River. Only the two largest ones are left, weighing more than ten kilograms. I really want to be like a fish spirit and arrange for them for you guys."

Upon hearing this, Di Renjie, Ruyan, and Li Yuanfang all laughed out loud: "Fish, fish spirits? Hahahaha, fine, fine, I'll give you two fish spirits, two pots of good wine, and some side dishes!"

The waiter was delighted when he heard this: "Okay! Please sit for a moment, it will be ready soon!"

Ruyan poured a cup of tea for Di Renjie and Li Yuanfang respectively.

Di Renjie took a sip and thought of Jinniang again. He sighed, "I just arrived in Wuping and encountered Jinniang's incident. It seems that this trip will not be peaceful!"

Ruyan immediately agreed, "Yes, and that Jinniang was very strange. After getting off the boat, she didn't even say thank you, but turned around and ran away, as if she was afraid of seeing a ghost."

Di Renjie frowned and said, "Don't blame her. Maybe this girl has something to hide. Remember, she mentioned the Pingnan Marquis Mansion on the boat?"

Li Yuanfang nodded and said, "Yes, your Excellency mentioned the origin of Pingnan Hou Xue Qinglin before."

Di Renjie pondered for a moment and said, "Xue Qinglin is the grandson of Xue Wanche, a brave general during the reign of Emperor Taizong. His ancestor was extremely strong and brave, and he first followed Prince Yin. After the Xuanwu Gate Incident, he was subdued by Emperor Taizong. Later, he followed the Duke of Weiguo to the frontier, and again made military achievements. He was granted the title of Duke of County and married Princess Danyang."

"However, he later conspired with Princess Gaoyang's consort Fang Yiai to rebel and was executed. The Xue family has fallen from grace since then."

"Twenty years ago, Xue Qinglin was just a light cavalry captain in name only. However, a major case that implicated many people at the time made him rise to prominence."

(End of this chapter)