King of Song

Chapter 13
Everyone has a curiosity-seeking heart, and the tradition of gossip has a long history!
In less than half a day, rumors have spread in Jiangning City, and the theme is naturally the various plots at the Meng Mansion's birthday banquet.And on this basis, countless versions have been derived, all kinds of embellishments, extravagant hype!
A Buddha jumping over the wall is depicted as a dragon liver and a phoenix marrow that exist in the sky, and countless people are envious of it.The waiter of the restaurant, Wang Er, said with a smile: My third uncle, son-in-law and fourth aunt’s cousin went to the banquet. According to him, the Buddha jumping over the wall is simply the best in the world. I am lucky to taste the blessings of several lifetimes of cultivation. After entering, it seems to fly into the clouds Same, that feeling... just to add: Our restaurant has got the recipe, everyone come and try it!
In addition, a song "Dian Jiang Lips" also spread throughout Jiangning.As the saying goes, where there is a well, you can sing willow lyrics. Good lyrics are very popular in the south, especially for literati and young girls.That night, after hearing about it, the famous prostitutes of the Qinhuai River compose and sing it, which is elegant and beautiful, and they are full of praise.

There is also a school boy in the Meng Mansion talking eloquently, and the scolding professor Zhu is speechless, and his eloquent eloquence is amazing.There are also many scholars who are studying when they hear that their respected professor has been scolded, and they are filled with righteous indignation and want to settle accounts with the book boy.But after listening to people emphasizing the content of the debate, they immediately withered down.

If one word is careless and someone charges him with contempt for Taizong, then it will be over.What's more, there were rumors later that the son of Wang Zhifu admired the book boy.

However, these are not the main points. The most concerned thing is the murder case.The eldest son of the Meng family, Meng Ruogu, was murdered at home, and Miss Meng was taken into prison by the government as a suspect.

Family dispute?The grievances of the rich and powerful?The fire of gossip is blazing. Could it be that Ms. Meng really murdered her brother?

I don't know why, the rumors have been rampant within half a day, and it seems that the evidence is convincing, and they all believe that Miss Meng is the murderer.A woman who murdered her own brother is so heinous, everyone shouted and beat her...

Someone must have been maliciously slandered!Lin Zhao was very annoyed after hearing this!He realized that someone was deliberately fanning the flames and spreading rumors, otherwise the speed would never be so fast, and the words would not be so one-sided!People's words are terrifying, but public opinion can kill. It seems that someone is impatient and wants to put Meng Ruoying to death!
From the moment he found out that Meng Ruogu had been killed, Lin Zhao felt a deep sense of self-blame.At the beginning, he also had doubts, but seeing Meng Ruoying's performance, he was sure that the murderer was not her.From intuition and emotion, Lin Zhao also believed that Meng Ruoying would not be so cruel and ruthless.

Then the biggest suspicion undoubtedly points to Chen Xuan and Li Shi, those shameless couple...

Thinking of this, Lin Zhao was filled with regret. If he had told the truth earlier, could Meng Ruogu's life have been saved?Why not let Meng Ruogu go to jail unjustly?Even if there was no evidence at the time, why not take the risk of exposing it?An irreparable big mistake was made in one thought!

Meng Ruogu is already dead, people who die cannot be brought back to life!As for Meng Ruoying, the lonely and helpless look in her eyes when she was about to leave, as well as her cry for help, have always lingered in Lin Zhao's mind.

She trusts me and she needs my help!
Actually, even if Meng Ruoying didn't ask for help, Lin Zhao would do everything possible to save her!

To a certain extent, Lin Zhao himself was responsible for this matter, and he felt deeply ashamed of the brothers and sisters of the Meng family.Now I can only do my best to make amends, find out the truth, avenge Meng Ruogu, and return Meng Ruoying's innocence...

The key at this moment is evidence, how to prove Meng Ruoying's innocence?Although the testimony of Li and Chen Xuan is a family statement, outsiders don't know their relationship, so naturally they don't think they are suspected of cheating, so the credibility is greatly improved.

The most terrible thing is Li's pregnancy, which is the only hope for the inheritance of the incense of the Meng family. From Mrs. Meng to servants, they all attach great importance to it.Li's status is special, everyone pays attention to and maintains it psychologically, and the credibility of her testimony also increases accordingly.This is also the reason why Lin Zhao restrained himself and didn't stop him on the spot...

Under the circumstances at the time, there was not enough evidence, and people spoke lightly, lacked convincingness, and acted rashly would not help, and they might even trap themselves.Mrs. Meng no longer trusted her granddaughter. Lin Zhao was Meng Ruoying's only hope. He had to be cautious, and had no choice but to watch Meng Ruoying be taken away.Fortunately, they are only in prison first, and the case has not yet been finalized, so there is still time for rescue!
Lin Zhao thought about it for a while, and felt that he had to see Meng Ruoying first, at least to find out what happened at that time, so as to make a comprehensive analysis.There is also the scene of the murder, which has been sealed off by the Jiangning county government officials. Are there any clues inside?The more clues, the easier it is to solve the problem...

But it's not easy to do this, how could Jiangning county magistrate take care of a little bookboy?There is not no way, but fortunately, I had a very happy conversation with Wang Yu today, and it shouldn't be difficult to do it with his identity!

Thinking of this, Lin Zhao got up and prepared to go out...

Gu Qi appeared at the door at this moment, and asked, "Zhaoer, where are you going?"

"Uncle, I..."

"Are you going to avenge the eldest lady?"

Lin Zhao nodded: "Yes, the eldest lady was wronged, I can't just watch her being wronged, let alone let the young master die in vain!"

Gu Qi sighed: "Today's event is indeed miserable. The Meng family has greatly favored us, and it is right to repay the favor. Go and tell the government everything you know, and let them verify...Your performance today is very eye-catching, It will be bad if the limelight is out!"

Uh... Uncle's petty bourgeois thinking started to make trouble again... Lin Zhao nodded and said, "Well, don't worry uncle, I know it well..." After finishing speaking, he went out quietly.

Gu Dongping looked at his nephew's back with complicated eyes, and murmured: "Being famous is harmful to you, but not beneficial. I just hope you can be safe and sound. The Meng family almost lost their incense. Your family can't..."

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In the Jiangning government office, Wang Anshi, the magistrate and Hanlin scholar, sat on a chair and listened intently to his son Wang Yu's report.

As he listened, Wang Anshi's face became more solemn and gloomy. In the last few days of his tenure, a major murder occurred in Jiangning Mansion—Meng Ruogu, son of the Meng family, was killed!Leaving aside the special background of the Meng family, what is even more regrettable is a great talent!
After a long time, Wang Anshi sighed: "It's a pity, a young man with great ideas and ambitions, what a pity!" The articles Meng Ruogu sent were really good, especially bluntly speaking about the many problems of the poor and weak Song Dynasty. , revealing the ambition of innovation everywhere...

It is rare to have such a student who is good at spleen and stomach. Wang Anshi admired him very much, so he asked his son to celebrate his birthday on his behalf.If it's suitable, it's not a bad thing to accept as a student, but it's a pity that it will be a forever secret before they meet!

Wang Yu also sighed: "It's a pity. It's a pity to talk to him. Meng Ruogu is indeed talented. Moreover, he has won the Juren. If he wins the Jinshi in the next year's palace examination, his father will have more helpers. It's a pity... Sigh!"

Wang Anshi sighed, "It's even more unexpected that the suspect reported by Jiangning County is Meng Ruogu's sister?"

"My son was at the scene at the time. According to the circumstances at the time, and several witnesses pointed out that Ms. Meng was indeed suspected. Shao Wenquan temporarily took Ms. Meng into custody because of an explanation. But Er always felt that things were not that simple..." Wang Yu said own ideas.

"Oh?" Wang Anshi knew very well that his son would not be aimless, and asked, "Could it be that there is something else hidden in it?"

"I can't say it. It's just a feeling. The young lady of the wealthy family murdered her brother for money. The motive seems to be questionable!"

Wang Anshi sighed: "Jiangning County also thinks this case is complicated, so it submitted to the father and asked the government to take over the investigation!"

"This Shao Wenquan must think that the Meng family's status is special and the case is quite difficult, so he pushed the trouble to his father!" Wang Yu was quite dissatisfied with this.

"This is a matter of father's duty, and it is reasonable!" Wang Anshi remained calm.

Wang Yu hurriedly said: "Father intends to take over? But on the Bianjing side, the officials are waiting for my father to enter the capital? Before leaving, Uncle Han Jiang gave an opportunity. , Yi'er came back in a hurry... If my father takes over the case, it will be delayed for a long time..."

"So what?" Wang Anshi shook his head and said, "This is where the responsibility lies. Besides, Meng Ruogu is a real talent, how can he let him die without knowing it? If he shirks the case in order to enter Beijing as soon as possible, wouldn't it be a disservice to the emperor? If Taiwan advises against impeachment, it will be criticized by people in the future."

Wang Yu suddenly said: "My son is confused, and my father's worries are extremely serious, so I can't lose the big because of a small one! But if the truth can be found out as soon as possible, and the truth comes out, then it will be the best of both worlds!"

Wang Anshi said: "For my father, I will supervise it myself, but how long it will take depends on the ability of the government officials!"

"It would be great if there is an expert in criminal and prison detectives!" Wang Yu's words fell, and a family member came to report: "My son, there is a young man named Lin Zhao who says he is a friend of the son. He has something urgent to see!"

Lin Zhao?Wang Yu thought for a while, and said pleasantly: "It's just in time, maybe there are some clues!"

(End of this chapter)