Tang Dynasty Puppet Doctor

Chapter 100 Marriage Grant
Besides teaching her how to make perfume, play the flute and draw portraits, the master's greatest pleasure was practicing calligraphy. He would even practice writing in the deserted mountains or in front of a cascading waterfall.

Every stroke of the brush is like a forest of swords, or like a myriad of blooming flowers. Whether writing on a stele or in water, the calligraphy is full of spirit, just like a startled swan and a flying dragon.

"The true men of the ancient times did not know how to talk about life, nor did they fear death."

When he was young, Murong Huan always followed his master with a bamboo flute and a paintbrush. Sometimes he felt that the master was very close to him, and sometimes he felt that the master was very far away, like an immortal in the sky.

But she never saw her master's face.

"Master's handwriting is really beautiful. I wonder what Master's handwriting looks like. Can I let Ah Huan take a look?"

The master turned around and leaned over to look at her. He was still wearing a white mask as usual, revealing his two eyes. He looked at her with a smile and said, "Once you learn how to draw a portrait by touching bones, you will naturally be able to draw my face."

"Okay, I will try my best!"

What does the master's face look like?
In the dream, Murong Huan also picked up the pen and tried to draw the master's appearance through those beautiful eyes, but she drew one after another and still could not draw the master's appearance. Until finally, she saw the master walking towards her again and taking off the white mask on his face.

He unmasked!
He finally revealed it!
But the next moment, Murong Huan's gaze suddenly froze and his heartbeat quickened.

She actually saw that her master's face became very similar to Xiao Muchen's, but there was a hint of smirk and evil in his eyes.

"Xiao Muchen——"

She suddenly woke up from her sleep, and Ah Shu seemed startled as well. She helped her caress her violently heaving chest and asked, "What's wrong? Ah Huan, are you having a nightmare again?"

"Nothing, what time is it now? Where is Xiao Muchen?"

"It's three quarters past noon now, Ah Huan, and you can't stop talking about Xiao Zhongcheng. Are you in love with him too?"

"It's just that the dream just now was very strange."

"Oh, what did you dream about?"

Murong Huan stopped answering. Ever since she returned to Luoyang, she always foresaw the life and death of some people, such as Wang Wuniang, Qiao Zhizhi and Biyu. This time, she seemed to have a bad premonition in her heart, and always felt that something was going to happen.

With these questions, Murong Huan went to see Hong Xian.

After leaving the White Horse Temple, Hong Xian was taken to the Dali Temple prison. This woman seemed to have become indifferent to life and death, and lived an exceptionally quiet and comfortable life in prison.

Seeing Murong Huan coming, she seemed a little surprised, but there was a rare glint of curiosity in her eyes.

"That pill of yours wasn't also given to you by your master, was it? It's really a waste to use it to save my life."

"Hong Xian, I have a question for you. I hope you can answer me truthfully."

"Excuse me?"

"Besides you, Hong Xian, who else is there in this assassin organization you belong to? And your master, Helan Minzhi, is he the leader of this assassin organization? How did he get his face destroyed?"

Hong Xian's eyes changed slightly, as if she was looking back at some past events. After pondering for a while, she smiled and replied, "So you can actually guess that we are from the same assassin organization. Yes, it is true. For me, Helan Minzhi is my leader and my master. As for the others, except for the Nanke prefect, Liu Sizhi, whom you have already found, I don't know.

The assassin's identity is kept secret, and the most we have is the name of another assassin, a partner we can collaborate with when necessary. The name Helan Minzhi gave me is that of Nan Ke Taishou."

Murong Huan nodded.

Hong Xian continued, "As for how Helan Minzhi's appearance was ruined? I once tried to explore his dreams. I only know that after he faked his death and escaped during exile, he sought help from someone. However, this person broke the promise, and he was chased by another group. I can't see where they were, but it seems that he escaped during a barrage of artillery fire, and his appearance was ruined because of it."

Murong Huan nodded again. She could tell Hong Xian wasn't lying this time. So, what had happened to Helan Minzhi that made him resent the Xiao family so much? Could it be that the person he had once sought help from was Xiao Muchen's father?
Because Xiao Muchen's father broke his promise and his appearance was ruined, he vented his resentment on the Xiao family?

"Are you assassins just trying to infiltrate aristocratic families to spy on their secrets and then threaten them for some benefits? What is your ultimate goal?"

"Aren't assassins motivated by money? They're also motivated by survival! Just like the underground banks in the White Horse Temple."

"There should be more than that!" Murong Huan replied firmly, and then said, "Hong Xian, I need your help!" Hong Xian smiled: "So it sounds like you want to save my life? I have killed many people before, can I really save them? Maybe there are others who want my life..."

"It would be best if I could stay alive. I will try my best."

After leaving the Dali Temple prison, Murong Huan reminded Lu Shiyilang to protect Hong Xian's life. Lu Shiyilang happily agreed and talked to Murong Huan for a long time, mostly praising the brilliant plan set up in the White Horse Temple.

It was Murong Huan's idea to have him and Xie Zi'e disguise themselves as a couple from the Western Regions and infiltrate the underground bank. In particular, Hong Xian's betrayal was all within her expectations, including the subsequent arrival of the saint, and Helan Minzhi and King Wei's panicked choice to rebel.

"It wasn't just my idea; it was everyone's joint effort."

"Yes, yes. No matter what, I have to thank you this time. Otherwise, Shilang might have been unjustly killed in the imperial prison of the Magistrate's Court." Having said this, Lu Shiyilang quietly changed the subject, "Are you really going to marry Xiao Zhongcheng? I always feel that guy is very dangerous and will not live long. Why don't you consider me? My Lu family is also a high-ranking family among the Five Surnames and Seven Prestigious Families. I, Lu Xun, am handsome and have been ranked in the top three in the Imperial College every year. I..."

Before he could finish his words, Lu Ling twisted his ears and dragged him out.

"I still have many advantages to talk about. Why are you pulling my ears, Juro?"

Lu Ling said, "Mr. Xiao has already asked the Saint for permission to marry. Why are you joining in the fun?"

"Ah? Requesting an imperial decree for marriage? When did it happen?"

"just now……"

……

Originally, Xiao Muchen went to the palace to meet the empress today, intending to resign and retire, but the empress did not allow it.

"I know what you mean. Zicheng, I don't blame you for testifying against the Prince of Wei in the White Horse Temple case. I demoted Prime Minister Di and others to local officials for the benefit of the people everywhere. Since you have already discovered that the relief grain in the first year of Yongchun was embezzled and the military pay in the second year of Yongchun was robbed, this case involves more than just Wang Chengyi, Zhang Jiafu, the Prince of Wei, and Helan Minzhi. There may be others involved as well.

I need to recruit people, and I can't kill all these officials, so I can only let these prime ministers conduct another investigation on my behalf."

Xiao Muchen nodded: "Yes, I understand."

"As for your wish to marry Murong Huan, the girl from the Su family, I also grant you permission!" The empress continued, "But to make Murong Huan a match for you, I wish to confer upon her the title of Princess Jiahe and grant her the surname Wu. Then, I will grant you an imperial decree granting your marriage. What do you think?"

Xiao Muchen was suddenly startled and gave her the surname Wu, which meant that from then on Ah Huan would have to submit to the Wu family as the daughter of the prince of the Wu family.

Your Majesty's move was also to hint to him that the crime of King Wei could be exposed, but he must also be loyal to the Wu family.

Immediately, Xiao Muchen said with joy, "Well, I would like to thank the Saint on behalf of Ah Huan!"

"Alright, let's go back! You and Lu Ling, give me a result on the White Horse Temple case as soon as possible."

"Here!"

……

"So, the saint not only granted them a marriage, but also made that young lady a county lady? That's great!" Lu Shiyilang said excitedly, but then he wilted like a frost-bitten eggplant. "It's a pity that it wasn't me who granted the marriage. Shilang, don't you think we're blind? I met that girl before Xiao Muchen, and she even helped us investigate several cases. How come we didn't realize she was a girl first? If I had known she was a girl earlier, I would..."

"Well, they're in love, why are you butting in? Go get down to business!"

"What business? Isn't this business?"

Lu Ling looked at him with contempt.

"Catch the traitor!"

"Oh!" Lu Shiyilang suddenly realized, "Prefect Nanke!"

(End of this chapter)