On the second day, the Emperor Xiao Hui ordered for Lei Tia and Lei Xiangzhi to be bestowed with the ability of "Ding You fight for love" and gave them seven days of leave. "If the parents of an official of the imperial government were to die, regardless of his official position, he would have to return to his ancestral position for twenty-seven months from the day he learned of the funeral, all for the sake of Ding You." "To woo" means not to abide by this rule, nor to be excused from office.
With the National Duke's identity, it would be more convenient for Lei Tia to do his work. After searching for some things, he found two corpses at the cemetery outside the capital, and after examination, confirmed that one of them had been poisoned to death. One of them still had an arrow quiver on his back, and the arrow inside was exactly the same as the one that had shot the Madam Du. The clues ended there.
This matter was indeed rather troublesome, because they didn't even have a suspect. If he couldn't find out who was behind the scenes, there might be more trouble in the future.
Qin Mian thought that the Emperor Xiao Hui must know something.
"Let me explore the palace." Lei Tia made up his mind.
Qin Mian was hesitant. With his and Lei Tia's abilities, there was no problem for them to send their spirit senses into the palace without anyone noticing. But his and Lei Tia's movements were probably controlled by the Emperor Xiao Hui. If they obtained clues from the palace, and investigated further with the new clues, it would be a problem if Emperor Xiao Hui asked them about it.
Lei Tia did not want him to worry, "Get the clues first."
Qin Mian also felt that he was overthinking it. Right now, the most important thing was to find a way out.
"Okay, you be careful. As usual, I'll go to the medicine store to avoid arousing suspicion. "
Because he pretended to fall out with Lei Xiangzhi, other than Qin Mian exposing himself outside Lei Xiangzhi's residence on the day of his death, he spent the next few days going to the pharmacy and the Bright Pearl Pavilion like he always did. Those who were paying attention to the National Duke's Mansion knew that Lei Tia and Lei Xiangzhi had indeed fallen out.
As Qin Mian rode his horse along the road, he was still wondering why Lei Daqiang did not rush over to the National Duke's Mansion to fight against the injustice or to take advantage of the death of the Madam Du to obtain some benefits.
He still overestimated Lei Daqiang's shamelessness. Lei Daqiang wanted money for a name, but it was even worse. Madam Du's death had scared him, and she had already made up her mind that she wouldn't want Lei Tia as her son anymore. But he did not give up on the idea of taking advantage of Madam Du's death. She wanted Lei Xiangzhi to ask for a large amount of silver as compensation. Because of this, Lei Xiangzhi's heart became cold and listless for a few days. Some people saw that he was ski
ier than before, and as a result, they confirmed that he and Lei Tia were brothers.
In the National Duke's Mansion, Lei Tia sat cross legged on the bed, closed his eyes, and easily controlled his spirit consciousness to enter the palace. After entering the Palace, he started to search for traces of the Emperor Xiao Hui in the Supreme Harmony Hall. Fortunately, he found the Emperor Xiao Hui in the Imperial study.
Prince Ming was also there with him.
The Prince Ming was three or four years younger than the Emperor Xiao Hui, and had a rather scholarly look.
Emperor Xiao Hui had also been investigating the death of Madam Du. Her expression was cold and her mood was terrible.
"How is the investigation on National Duke's stepmother going?"
Prince Ming frowned slightly and said coldly, "Reporting to your majesty, there is an eighty percent chance that it is the work of a loyal king. The Loyalty King hid it too deeply, and National Duke is only a newcomer to the capital, so it is not very likely that we can find him for now. "
"Humph!" Emperor Xiao Hui's face turned ashen, he waved his hand, and a cup of hot tea on the table fell to the ground. A crisp sound resounded clearly in the quiet Imperial Study, "Loyal King, what a 'loyal' King! Back when I was still the crown prince, he had tried to harm me over and over again. "After I ascended the throne, not only did I spare his life on account of being related by blood, I even called him a 'loyal king'. This is how he paid me back!"
Eunuch Lee was so scared that he fell flat on the ground, "Please calm your anger, Your Majesty, and take care of your dragon body!"
Prince Ming stood up and lowered his head, not saying a word. Even if he was the blood brother of the Emperor Xiao Hui, he still could not say some things.
Emperor Xiao Hui revealed his true nature in front of his younger brother. He lost his composure and did not pay too much attention to his younger brother, as he calmed his emotions, "Sit. Has my eldest son participated in this? "
The Prince Ming thought for a while before replying, "I haven't found any clues that point down to the main hall." Prince Ming was a little distracted. His royal brother had ascended the throne at the age of sixteen and was now thirty-one years old in the Emperor Xiao Hui. His royal brother was aged forty-seven this year, but because of good maintenance, he looked like he was no more than thirty-five or sixteen. There were almost no secrets in the palace, and although he had hidden his condition well, it was clear from the way he dressed and ate that he was in good shape. It was a conservative guess that his royal brother would be able to sit on the Dragon Throne for at least ten years. But his eldest son, the late Empress's son, was twenty-eight years old, and his youngest son was fourteen. It wasn't surprising that some people couldn't wait any longer.
How could the Emperor Xiao Hui not understand this logic? But once the supreme power was in his hands, he did not want to give it up. This one. Secondly, every emperor had lofty ambitions in their hearts, and he was no exception. He still had many big things that he had not accomplished. He could not give up his power, even if he had to give up some of it. That was why he still had not become the crown prince.
Today, the morning assembly had invited the Crown Prince to be our guest once again. This was one of the reasons why Emperor Xiao Hui was so troubled at the moment.
"But Chendi can't understand, what is Loyal King's motive for killing Madam Du?" The Prince Ming asked, puzzled. Even if he knew more, he wouldn't be able to know more than the Emperor Xiao Hui, so he asked.
Neither Prince Ming nor Emperor Xiao Hui noticed that a pair of ears was paying attention to their conversation.
This question was one that Lei Tia wanted to know too.
Emperor Xiao Hui pondered for a moment, "Back then when National Duke was General Dingxi, Prince Zhong was in the borderlands, so he didn't know much about National Duke. From my point of view, it's most likely to test the strength and power of National Duke. Many of the old tribes in the National Duke are still in the army, they are loyal to him, how can a loyal king not be afraid? "
With that, he changed the subject. The Prince Ming tactfully continued with the conversation.
Lei Tia retracted his consciousness, and already had a plan. He ordered some people to bring their horses here, and then rode their horses out into the Pear Blossom Lane.
When he did not see anyone in the pharmacy, he went back to the Silver House. Before he entered, he saw a noblewoman and a young girl of about sixteen or seventeen standing at the counter. His wife was behind the counter, holding a brocade box in her hand.
Lei Tia's Qi immediately sank, and waves after waves of cold wind blew into the Ming Zhu Pavilion.
The noblewoman and the young girl shuddered. The young girl inadvertently turned her head and saw a pair of black eyes that were as cold as ice. Her heart skipped a beat as her face turned pale and she quickly lowered her head.
"Tia, you're here." Qin Mian also saw Lei Tia and waved.
Lei Tia's face turned cold.
"Tia?" Qin Mian called out again, puzzled.
Lei Tia spurred his horse closer, and without even dismounting his horse, he extended his right hand towards Qin Mian, staring at him with his deep eyes, with an unprecedented domineering air.
"Wife, let's go back."
The customers in the shop curiously turned their heads and looked out. The passersby seemed to be shocked by Lei Tia's actions, and unconsciously slowed down their pace, paying attention.
Qin Mianxin jumped about like a drum drum, although Lei Tia was so powerful, it did not disgust him at all, but instead made his heart feel slightly sweet, causing him to be unable to resist cursing how he was like a little kid who had no future at all. At the same time, his lips and eyes revealed layers of smiles, and his hands did not hesitate at all as he handed the embroidered box over to the shop assistant, allowing him to entertain the customers, then he strode out the door and passed his hand over to Lei Tia.
"Finished?"
"Yes." The corner of Lei Tia's mouth raised imperceptibly, as he responded in a simple tone, he tightly held onto his palm, gently pulled up the weight of his hand, and placed it cherishingly in his embrace. His iron arms wrapped around the horse, and his legs lightly hugged the horse's abdomen as the horse steadily and leisurely walked forward.
Due to their slow pace, more people were gathered on the street.
Was it really good to be so loving? With this thought in mind, Qin Mianxin didn't even have the heart to struggle free from the man's embrace. He leaned lightly against his chest and didn't urge him to leave.
His wife being so docile pleased Lei Tia greatly. The corner of her mouth raised completely as she rested her chin on his wife's shoulder, quietly listening to their rapid heartbeats one after the other.
After leaving Pear Blossom Lane, the horse did not head in the direction of Chong En Street. Instead, it turned around and headed for Ming Gu Street.
Qin Mian was a little doubtful. Ming Gu Street was basically a "food street". On both sides of the street, there were restaurants, teahouses, restaurants, pastry shops, noodle shops and so on. Where to do what?
Vaguely, he didn't ask any questions. Instead, he quietly leaned against the man and followed the horse through the crowd. He smiled as he sized up the street in front of him.
As they entered Minggu Street, the horses stopped in front of a dim sum shop.
The shop owner looked at the two men riding together with a strange expression on his face. However, since there were so many nobles in the capital and the two of them had good clothes, he didn't say anything. He greeted them enthusiastically, "Young Masters, what do you want to buy?"
Lei Tia then untied the money pouch on Qin Mian's waist, took out a piece of silver and handed it over, while saying indifferently: "A basket of husband and wife cakes, take them away."
The owner was stu
ed, but quickly recovered. "Alright, gongzi, please wait a moment."
Qin Mian's eyes were filled with laughter. Because he was restraining his laughter, his upper body was trembling in Lei Tia's arms, as if there was a cat claw scratching on the tip of Lei Tia's heart. He wrapped his arms tightly around the man in his arms to warn him.
Qin Mian felt something hard behind him, and took a deep breath silently. His right hand clenched the reins in Lei Tia's hands, and then held onto the reins as if nothing had happened.
"Hurry up."
Lei Tia picked up the food box that the boss handed to him, "Let's go."
Qin Mian held the horse's belly tightly as he started to gallop.