Uncle Lai in the Red Chamber

Chapter 432
Although Lai Shangrong left Rongguo Mansion.

In the Ke Rongguo Mansion, there was no peace for a long time.

Needless to say, there is no need to say more about the golden hairpins who were disturbed from their clear dreams.

Tanchun couldn't sleep all night because he didn't get a definite promise.

And Aunt Xue, who sent Youshi away and returned to the house, could not calm down the depression in her chest for a long time.

There was something strange about Youshi's sudden visit.

Even if she suspected that he was having a banquet at her home, she shouldn't come straight to her. But as Lai Shangrong's concubine, Youshi couldn't be wrong.

But Aunt Xue asked herself that she had nothing to do with Lai Shangrong, so how could You Shi be sure?

As the saying goes, you have thoughts every day and dreams at night. As Lai Shangrong's pillow, could it be that You heard something from the murmurs in his dreams?
Aunt Xue suddenly felt ashamed and angry, and her breathing became rapid.

But then he felt puzzled, even if Lai Shangrong had a dream at night, it was his unrequited love, and You Shi shouldn't come to him to find someone.

Thinking of this, Aunt Xue's face was full of horror. She suddenly sat up from the bed and turned to look at the window.

Perhaps Youshi was not innocent, but Lai Shangrong informed Youshi in advance that he was going to pretend to be a flower-picking thief.

I don’t know if it’s a psychological effect or something real, but I always feel like there is a pair of cannibal eyes outside the window, staring hungrily into the house.

He quickly wrapped himself up layer after layer and got out of bed quietly.

When I came to the courtyard, I walked around the house and found nothing.

Then I remembered that even if it was true, I might have rushed to the palace after hearing the commotion just now.

Back in the house, Aunt Xue sat on the edge of the bed, still upset.

Only a thousand days to be a thief, how can a thousand days to guard against thieves? Since he dared to sneak once, wouldn't there be another time?

What's more, I don't know if this is the first time today. In the long nights in the past, I don't know if Lai Shangrong has seen the routine of quenching thirst and relieving fatigue.

Thinking of this, I felt a sense of dryness in my heart. I got up from the bed and rummaged under the bed.

After a while, an object was found and held in his hand. He just wanted to destroy it but was a little reluctant to leave it.

Suddenly thinking of Lai Shangrong entering the palace under the imperial edict, he could no longer hold back and deceived himself: "Yes! This is the last time, I will destroy it tomorrow."

…………

From the carriage speeding towards the palace, there were constant sounds of 'squeaking'.

Lai Shangrong in the car was silent.

He was not worried that the emperor would doubt him, but that no matter what emotions he showed or what attitude he expressed at this time, there was a possibility that he would be slandered.

Fortunately, the emperor urgently summoned him to the palace at this time, which invisibly showed his trust in him.

However, he did not know what happened in Fengzao Palace, so he first placed his suspicion on the queen.

His family's business dealings with the Tian family were all on the surface. He didn't understand why the emperor turned a blind eye to this and summoned him instead.

They were speechless all the way to the Linjing Hall in the Imperial City.

I thought that besides myself, there would be at least a few cabinet ministers, but I didn't expect that only Qi Ning was kneeling in the main hall.

Lai Shangrong didn't dare to look further and hurriedly stepped forward to salute.

"Get up!"

Emperor Zhenglong's voice was hoarse, as if he had aged ten years.

Then he smashed an inkstone on the imperial desk at Qi Ning, and angrily shouted: "Trash! I entrusted the Jin Yiwei to you. There is no precaution for such a big thing. What's the use of you?"

"My crime deserves death!" Qi Ning kowtowed.

"Your Majesty, my condolences! The top priority is to be on tight alert. If the thief dares to murder His Highness Prince Jing, he may resort to more than this!"

It is impossible to cover up his relationship with the Tian family. Once it is as expected, the reminder at this moment will undoubtedly clear up the relationship a little bit.

His words coincided with Emperor Zhenglong's concerns.

"It's really more than that. Two days ago, there was a plot to kill King Jing, and today there is a plot to kill King Qi. The capital and Tiewang Mountain are separated by two places, but the actions are so consistent. This is because they want me to be the last to succeed!"

"What!" Lai Shangrong exclaimed: "Then His Highness King Qi..."

Emperor Zhenglong waved his hand: "Fortunately, the Queen responded in time, and only one palace maid who loyally protected the Lord died!"

Then he said to Xia Shouzhong beside him: "Lai Aiqing has just arrived, please speak for me!" Due to the delay from Rongguo Mansion, Lai Shangrong came much later than Qining, and the emperor had already listened to the report twice. The soldiers who summoned him had been sent away, and Xia Shouzhong had to tell the story.

Lai Shangrong complained secretly while listening carefully to Xia Shouzhong's story.

The emperor only called Qi Ning and himself at night, obviously not just to tell the story. As the commander of the Jinyi Guards, Qi Ning had no shirking responsibility.

But I am not Jinyiwei, nor an official of the Sanfa Division, so it can be said that I have nothing to do with it.

I'm afraid I have to ask myself to assist in the investigation.

Since you can plan such a big thing, why don't you think carefully? It would be better to find out. If you can't find out, I'm afraid you will be accused of being unfavorable in doing things.

Sure enough, what to be afraid of.

Just as Xia Shouzhong finished speaking, Emperor Zhenglong said: "Lai Aiqing is always witty, please give more advice to this waste!"

It was impossible to push. Lai Shangrong immediately entered the role and said: "I wonder what kind of weapon the assassin used?"

With the emperor by his side, Xia Shouzhong couldn't detail everything and just tell the whole story. Since the perpetrator had committed suicide by taking poison in advance, he could only start from other places.

"Yes! Military crossbow!" Emperor Zhenglong slapped the imperial case and suddenly shouted: "Hurry up and give Lai Aiqing the report from Tienwang Mountain!"

Lai Shangrong couldn't help but let out a sigh of relief. What he was most worried about was the assassin's use of new firearms.

If that's the case, it's really hard to blame.

After reading the report, Lai Shangrong couldn't help but frowned.

The person who committed the assassination was not a gang, but Zuo Xiaowei Qianhu, who was accompanying him. Moreover, he was alone and had no relatives, so he was obviously a dead man.

Since he had taken the poison in advance, there must be no evidence left at home.

"What do you think, Aiqing?"

Seeing Lai Shangrong put down the report in his hand, Emperor Zhenglong immediately asked.

Lai Shangrong could only bite the bullet and said: "Since the assassin took the poison in advance, it must not have been a temporary act, and he has no relatives. I am afraid that he is a dead soldier, and there will definitely be no evidence left at home.

However, if such a person can reach a thousand households, someone must recommend him. We should start with the recommended person and the weapons used.

Of course, since he was Zuo Xiaowei's Qianhu, Captain Feng Tang was also to blame! "

After thinking for a while, he added: "Weichen is not from Xingming, so this is all I can think of for the time being!"

"Hmph!" Emperor Zhenglong snorted coldly, pointed at Qining on the ground and said: "You are not from a criminal background, but you can think of this. He, the commander of the Jinyi Guards, is no better than you!"

In fact, Qining had already made a plan for Lai Shangrong's proposal before he came.

Although the two have the same views, one is the commander of the Jinyi Guards and the other has never handled relevant cases. It is no wonder that Emperor Zhenglong is biased.

"Why are you still kneeling? Get back here and follow Lai Aiqing's idea and start investigating immediately!"

"Yes! Your Majesty!" Qi Ning quickly stood up from the ground and slowly retreated.

As soon as Qi Ning left, Emperor Zhenglong said in a deep voice: "Lai Shangrong accepted the order! I order you to supervise the Jin Yiwei and thoroughly investigate the case of murdering Prince Jing. Every detail of the case, no matter how big or small, will be reported in detail!"

After a pause, he added: "No matter who is involved, everything is true. Do you understand?"

"The minister obeys the order!"

Lai Shangrong thought for a while, but then he said bravely: "Wei Chen thinks that the two cases of murdering Prince Jing and murdering Prince Qi must be related. I wonder if they can be combined into one case?"

The emperor's order cannot be violated. Now the emperor treats himself and Qining differently, but if the results are not found for a long time, he may not be so good at that time.

Therefore, giving the emperor an explanation is a top priority.

Lai Shangrong inevitably had doubts about the attempted assassination of King Qi. Compared with King Jing, who was about to become an adult, it should be easier for the infant King of Qi to succeed.

Besides, a palace maid died, so the assassin must have been not far from King Qi.

However, there are only a few words from the emperor at present, and there is no way to know the details, let alone to speculate.

Regardless of whether the emperor ultimately agrees with his proposal, once Prince Jing's case really involves the queen, today's proposal to investigate the two cases simultaneously will at least ensure that he is not suspected.

Although Emperor Zhenglong understood that there must be a connection between the two, he was still hesitant.

Once the two cases are agreed to be investigated together, the Queen will inevitably be involved, and foreign ministers cannot be allowed to enter the palace to question the Queen.

"I have handed this case over to the Criminal Punishment Department. If you have any doubts, please ask Shouzhong to take you there!"

(End of this chapter)