Idle courtiers

Chapter 91 Verification
After sighing, Zhou Nan looked sideways at Bai Chuwu, smiled and said nothing.

Bai Chuwu felt hairy when he saw him: "Master, what are you looking at me for?"

Zhou Nan pondered for a moment, and said: "Xiao Wu, this sacrifice to the Heaven and Earth County Lord is very important. You are born with thin skin and tender flesh, so the Taoist Xuanzhen must be interested in you. Otherwise, you can come back at night and have a good talk with him Talk. Don't worry, if things happen, I will ask for credit for you from the Elder Master."

"Master, the old Taoist said that you often went to play with him back then, and it doesn't matter if you go again now, but you would rather die than follow a humble job." Bai Chuwu yelled angrily, turned around and ran out of sight, It is estimated that he will not show up again for a few days.

Seeing his vigorous figure, Zhou Nan couldn't help praising him in his heart: He's really a handsome man.

Recalling that Xuanzhen Taoist said that Zhou Xiucai and Mr. Mei often went to the Taoist temple to practice Zen and ask questions. Maybe they really slept with the old Niubi. It is also chastity.Although this matter has nothing to do with me, I took his place after all. If it gets out about me, the world will know that Zhou Nan is as good as Long Yang, so how will I meet people in the future?

No, I have to find a way to shut Xiao Wu's mouth on this matter.

After leaving the Taoist temple, he returned to the county government office and reported to the county magistrate of the Ming Dynasty.Zhou Nan said: "Xianzun, that Xuanzhen got into the eyes of money, and he asked for 100 taels. This is purely not giving you face. Such a monster, if you don't clean it up, you don't know what is good or bad."

He was prepared to be reprimanded by Shi Jieren.

But Shi Jieren said with kindness on his face: "It's serious, Xuanzhen is a master outside the world, and arrogance is inevitable. Your status is low, so it's not surprising that you don't move. You will go to the Japanese county in person." A trip to Taoism."

This matter passed the test so easily, Zhou Nan really did not expect it.

After coming down, he thought about it, Shizhi County will be transferred to Yunnan in two months, and he doesn't want to take care of the affairs of the yamen more and more recently.When meeting people, no matter what their status is, they always smile, and they don't have the airs of a parent official at all, probably because they want to leave a good impression on everyone.There is no need to offend people anymore.

After heaving a sigh of relief, Zhou Nan began to ponder over the fact that Mr. Mei died after taking aphrodisiac poison.

But sitting in the ceremony room, my mind is full of Xuan Zhen's shining eyes, full of obscenity.

Suddenly, a flash of lightning flashed across his heart, and Zhou Nan stood up with a huff, and murmured: "So I was wrong. What Mr. Mei is taking is not an aphrodisiac, but a so-called elixir. Xuanzhen. I was also confused, thinking about the matter from the bed, no wonder I was splashed with water by Sister Su."

It turned out that the current Emperor Jiajing was devoted to Taoism and spent all day meditating in the palace doing alchemy in order to cultivate longevity.During his more than 30 years in power, a large number of alchemists and warlocks were ordered by him to serve in the palace.Of course, there are Taoist leaders and moral figures like Shao Yuanjie and Tao Zhongwen among them, but there are also charlatans who made Xiyuan a mess.Taoism seems to have the posture of a state religion.

That being the case, the trend of folk cultivation has sprung up, especially among scholars, who read "Huang Ting", talk about metaphysics, and follow the spirit of pills to do what they want.

It’s okay to just read Taoist scriptures, sit down and talk about metaphysics, and do philosophical discussions.However, taking the elixir does a lot of harm to a person's body.

There are many poisonous substances in Taoist elixir, such as red stone fat, stalactite, and realgar.Another example is mercury and lead, which can even kill people.

The human body reacted violently after eating this so-called elixir, according to historical records.During the Wei and Jin Dynasties, it was popular for morale people to take "Wu Shi San". After taking this medicine, people would feel cold all over, and their skin would become extremely sensitive. They could not wear new clothes, otherwise their skin would be worn out.Therefore, Jin people can only take off their coats and robes.

And it's strange to say that although I feel cold all over, I can't eat hot food, otherwise I will die. This is also the reason for the origin of the Cold Food Festival.

In addition, you have to keep walking to dissipate the medicinal properties in your body, which is called Xingsan.

Loose clothes and big sleeves, cold food, and casual walks, on the surface it may be described as elegant and romantic, but in fact Jin people are very painful in their hearts.People also become irritable and irritable, drawing their swords at each other if they disagree with each other.

Except for the Wei and Jin Dynasties, there are not a few emperors who died after taking the so-called elixir of longevity in the past dynasties. The most famous one is Tang Taizong Li Shimin.In the Ming Dynasty, the current Emperor Jiajing, Emperor Jiajing's son Longqing, and Emperor Taichang later died on it.

Even the emperor would inevitably die from poison, let alone ordinary people.

Many people died, and after realizing the harm of elixir, folks and officials' families generally strictly prohibited their children from alchemy.It's just that this matter cannot be brought to the surface, after all, today's emperor eats this stuff.If you object, it is politically incorrect.

It is actually easy to find out whether Mr. Mei died of Danfa. One is to ask Sister Su whether her dead husband is practicing Taoism; the other is to open the coffin for an autopsy. , everything is clear.

However, neither of these two paths works.

Knowing a son is like a father, then, you can only go to Mei's house and ask Mei Kang.

Given the relationship between Zhou Nan and the Mei family, if they go to the house now, they probably won't see each other.

Zhou Nan thought for a while, then went to the punishment room to ask for an arrest card, changed into an official uniform, put on a waist knife, took Lin Ada, Lin Aer and his two brothers with him, and went to investigate the case in the name of the Yamen.

It is actually more risky to use the name of Yamen to harass the people.If the Mei family is going to make a fuss, he will inevitably be in big trouble.However, recently, Shizhi County is kind to people and convinces them with virtue. Even if the Mei family sued the yamen, they would probably hold it up high and let it fall gently, and make peace with the mud.

Seeing the arrest card from the yamen, the Mei family dared not neglect.After a while, Butler Jin came out and invited Zhou Nan and the others to sit down in the flower hall and enjoy tea.

After a while, I saw a beautiful figure come in, it was Mei Chi Mei Second Miss.

Zhou Nan stood up, cupped her hands and said, "I've seen Miss Mei Er, can I ask if Mrs. Mei is here?"

Second Miss Mei didn't know how to be courteous either, and said coldly: "My father sent my brother to Huai'an for the exam, what's the matter with Mr. Zhou? If it's a small matter, I can make the decision myself. If it's a big matter, I have to wait for my father to come back."

"Hey, I really forgot. It seems that I came here for nothing."

That's right, the boy took the three tests of the county government court, and the third son Mei had already passed two tests, leaving only the last court test.After passing the college examination, he will get the fame of a scholar.

Although the head of the county examination can be selected as a scholar according to the rules, this matter is of great significance to the Mei family, so they can't help but not care about it.Counting it, the college exam is just a few days away, the exam room is set in Huai'an City, the Grandmaster Tixue from the Nanzhili Xuezheng Yamen has come to Huai'an, and there are still ten days before the college will be closed and the exam will start.

Mei Kang was probably afraid that his son would be lax because no one would supervise him after he went to Huai'an City, so the couple simply went with him to accompany the exam.

Zhou Nan put his hand on his forehead, anxious in his heart.Ordinarily, everything can be discussed after Mei Kang comes back.

However, two days have passed since the ten-day period at Sister Su's place.That woman is crazy, she can do anything, and he can't wait.

After finishing speaking, Zhou Nan stood up pretending to be disappointed, cupped his hands, and wanted to leave.

Mei Chi hated Zhou Nan in his heart, but seeing him leave after only saying a word, he was annoyed.

Although she said just now that if the matter is serious, she will wait for Mei Kang to come back.But Zhou Nan didn't even say anything, just got up and left, obviously looking down on people, this is absolutely intolerable.

Immediately he shouted: "Your surname Zhou, you can speak up when you have something to say, it is really abominable to be so contemptuous of others."

Zhou Nan: "If you really want me to tell you, it's better to wait for Yuanwai Mei to come back. I can't be in a hurry these few days."

Mei Chi was even more furious when he showed off, "Zhou Nan, stop, if you don't speak clearly today, don't even think about leaving my Mei family."

Zhou Nan was delighted to see that the aggressive method worked.

He smiled wryly again: "You really want me to say, well, second miss please hold back." As she spoke, she waved her hands and let Ah Da and Ah Er leave the flower hall.

"What are you going to do, and what can't you tell others?" Seeing Zhou Nan and herself alone in the flower hall, Mei Chi blushed suddenly when she remembered the skin-to-skin kiss with him on the boat that day.

Zhou Nan said: "This matter is related to your elder brother's reputation, so you really can't let others hear about it."

It's fine if he doesn't mention Mr. Mei, but when he mentions it, Mei Chi's hatred wells up in his heart: "Tie Zhou, it's a shame you still have the face to mention my elder brother."

Zhou Nan didn't talk nonsense: "Second girl, your elder brother is strong and strong. Back then, I was a frail scholar with no strength to restrain a chicken. Do you think I can beat your elder brother to death with one punch?"

Mei Chi only looked at Zhou Nan angrily, without saying a word.

Zhou Nan: "Recently, I took over an official business, and I was involved with your elder brother. I suspect it has something to do with your elder brother's death. I want to come and ask, and I hope you can answer truthfully."

Mei Chi suddenly giggled and sneered: "Zhou Thief, back then you harmed my brother, and everyone was watching, how could you argue? That happened ten years ago, and you have already been punished. You, a thief, probably found out with your conscience. You have gained a reputation as a scholar. This feud has been uncovered from now on, and from now on you and my family will have nothing to do with each other. Now you are saying such crazy words and humiliating my Mei family, what is your intention?"

Zhou Nan sighed: "Second Miss, why don't I want to resolve the grievances between the two families. In fact, it is good for everyone now. I am not a fool, so how could I find myself in trouble again. It is really strange that Brother Mei died, and I also Suffering unjust injustice, ruining his future, and becoming a lowly prisoner. In the past ten years, every time I think of this time, it really hurts my heart. I suspect that my elder brother was poisoned to death, no After finding out about this matter, Zhou Nan felt unwilling. Please also ask Miss Er to answer my question and give me back my innocence."

After speaking, I bowed deeply.

"What... You said that brother was poisoned?" Mei Chi was so startled that his hairs stood on end: "You, you, what nonsense are you talking about?"

Zhou Nan said seriously: "Yes, I'm [-]% sure that Brother Mei was poisoned and has already been poisoned. Second Miss, if this is the truth, are you willing to see the murderer get away with it? Please answer my question .”

"You... Get up, if you have any questions, just ask, I will definitely tell you what I know."

(End of this chapter)