The bell rang and the carriage moved slowly. Ke Nan and the others passed through the streets of the Imperial Capital.
When Bao Xiren and Song Huifu were heading to the Bronze Sparrow Pavilion, Miss Ke was also on the move. She was accompanied by her brother, Ke Bowen, and her junior, Di Huaiying.
They were going to visit Shen Yaohua, the widow of the late Empire's West Conquering General and Sword Sage of Water.
She was also the most important witness to Chi Lianyan's death.
Although she was the most important witness, in Di Huaiying's opinion, Shen Yaohua had nothing to do with Chi Lianyan's death. At most, she was just a pretext. Moreover, this widow had been in the carriage the whole time. She couldn't be considered a "witness". It was no different from a fool's dream to get any useful information from her.
Thinking of this, Lord Di glanced at Senior Ke without batting an eyelid.
With Senior Ke's wisdom, she wouldn't waste too much time or do anything useless. Why did she have to visit Shen Yaohua?
Did she simply want to see an old friend? Was it because of her professionalism as a constable? Or was it because she didn't want to let go of any opportunity to make trouble for Sun Lang?
He couldn't help but think of the look Junior Song gave him before he left. Then, he felt a headache.
After not seeing each other for so many years, it was hard to know what was in a person's heart. Everyone had their own thoughts and worries. Even if they were siblings in the same sect, there were still secrets that they couldn't tell each other?
Lord Di was unhappy. He heard Ke Nan say quietly, "I wonder how Sister Shen has been these years."
Di Huaiying woke up from his thoughts and sighed. "I don't think she's doing very well …"
Meeting Ke Nan's gaze, Lord Di shook his head and said, "It happened after Senior Ke Nan left. At that time, the victory of the war was celebrated. However, how could the families of the 300,000 elite soldiers who were wiped out in the Great Barren Mountain be happy?
Many wives lost their husbands, and many children lost their fathers … "
Ke Nan said thoughtfully, "Has Sister Shen always been living in the Shen family?"
Di Huaiying nodded and said, "Yes, there were a lot of twists and turns at that time. It was said that the West Conquering General had already left a will to prepare for the unexpected. He said that if he died on the battlefield, his wife would be allowed to remarry. She did not need to be a widow to avoid wasting her youth. But after all, he was the Sword Sage of Water Radiance, a general of the imperial court. He sacrificed himself for the country. The imperial court would not only confer him a posthumous title, but also his wife.
So her husband's family came to persuade her, and so did her maiden family … "
Ke Nan bit her lips. "Sister Shen didn't agree?"
Lord Di nodded and said, "Yes, it was said that her attitude was not very firm at the beginning. However, after the West Conquering General was buried, she went to pay her respects alone. After she came back, she insisted on not being a widow and moved back to her maiden family. Because of this, she had a bad relationship with her husband's family, and there were more rumors …"
He did not go into details. After all, this was only the gossip of the upper class in the capital. Those noble ladies and playboys might talk about it for a long time after dinner. However, Lord Di, as an official of the imperial court and an able minister of the Ministry of Justice, naturally would not pay attention to such trivial matters. The reason why he knew was that he heard a few words from his colleagues. However, Di Huaiying had an excellent memory, so he remembered it firmly at that time.
It was just that women were naturally good at associating and sentimental. Ke Nan could imagine the scene at that time after listening to a few short sentences. The pressure Shen Yaohua faced, the malicious slander from behind the scenes, and the pressure from her husband's family and even her maiden family. What a difficult situation it was.
She raised her eyebrows and scolded, "It's all because of you stinky men who force women to be widows all day long. Why? Even the West Conquering General knows how to be reasonable. Why do other people join in the fun?"
"Besides, after the war, didn't the imperial court issue a decree to encourage widows to remarry?
The country also knows that too many people have died and needs to recuperate. Why can the widows of ordinary people remarry, but the widows of generals can't?
Only ordinary people are allowed to set fires, but the officials are not allowed to light lamps? "
Di Huaiying and Ke Bowen, who were present, were swept by the women's rights cannon and felt a little embarrassed for a moment. As two hidden male chauvinists, they had a basket of reasons to refute and explain. However, as Ke Nan's brother and second younger brother, they had long understood a profound truth in the past that they should not try to reason with women, especially Miss Ke.
At this time, let Miss Ke scold to her heart's content first.
Sure enough, after Ke Nan scolded a few words, she found something wrong. Her beautiful eyebrows frowned, "Well, it seems that Sister Shen did not remarry …"
Lord Di said, "Yes, this is very puzzling. She clearly refused resolutely and did not even want the dignity of the first-rank noble lady. She left the Cao Family under great pressure and wanted to remarry regardless of everything. However, the most strange thing is that Shen Yaohua has been staying in the Shen Family for the past two years. When she goes out occasionally, she wears white clothes and a light veil to cover her face. She dresses like a widow …"
"This is really strange. Since she left under such great pressure and did not pursue a new happiness, what's the point of doing this?"
Ke Nan frowned and said, "Did Sister Shen just want to fight for her dignity?"
Di Huaiying shook her head and said, "I'm afraid only she knows the answer to this question."
Ke Nan touched her chin with her white and tender hands. This action of thinking not only did not bring out a sense of maturity and seriousness, but also made her look more adorable. She whispered, "Something is wrong, something is very wrong. There must be a reason for this abnormality. She has been staying in the Shen Family and is almost like a widow. However, she is a widow. Isn't it good to stay in her husband's house?
Why did she run back to her mother's house? "
Ke Bowen, who had been silent all this time, asked, "Is Miss Shen a very beautiful woman?"
Ke Nan was shocked at first, but then she showed an extremely gratified expression and sighed, "Brother, you have finally grown up. This is a little difficult, but it's okay, as long as you are interested …"
Ke Bowen stretched out his hand and flicked his little sister's forehead with a little force. Ke Nan hugged her head and shouted, "Brother Di is watching. Don't be crazy all day."
"What's the matter? Junior Brother is not an outsider."
Ke Nan waved his hand, and a mysterious smile appeared on his face. "It's true. Big brother, you've been acting like an eminent monk who doesn't get close to women all these years. I've seen it with my own eyes, and I've been anxious. You either like men, or you have dangerous thoughts about me. No matter what the reason is, for our Ke Family, it's bad news that we won't have any descendants …"
Ke Bowen pretended to hit her, but Ke Nan hid behind Di Huaiying. The eldest brother of the Ke Family saw this and shook his head. "Little sister, you have to be serious. I am just expressing my feelings. If she is an extremely beautiful woman who left her husband's house in a high-profile manner, it can be said that she has not been betrothed yet. In these two years, many people must have come to ask for her hand in marriage."
Ke Nan nodded. "Yes … Sister Shen is indeed a very beautiful person, just like a fairy."
Ke Bowen said, "But she still did not marry. She rejected all of them … She did not want to be a widow, but she rejected the marriage proposal. She has been staying at home all this time. Could it be that she is waiting for true fate …?"
Ke Nan clicked her tongue and said, "Big Brother, are you really interested in Sister Shen?
How can you say such mushy things?
You don't think that Sister Shen has been waiting for you all this time, do you? "
Ke Bowen shook his head and said, "Falling in love with a person at first sight from a few words of description, this kind of thing, only little sister, you, a little idiot who fantasizes all day long about marrying the right man, who loves him so much, would believe this kind of thing.
Miss Shen does not want to be a widow, which means that she wants to marry again. However, she rejected the marriage proposal because she does not want to be appointed by her father. She wants to pursue love, but she stays at home all year round and does not go out to socialize. What does this mean?
It means that there is a high possibility that she already has someone she likes … "
As he said this, he realized that Ke Nan was looking at him in surprise.
Ke Bowen was a little uncomfortable. "… What's wrong?"
Before Ke Nan could say anything, Di Renjie said, "No, maybe there is another reason. Like what Brother Ke said, Miss Shen has been waiting at home all this time. Maybe the person she is waiting for is not her sweetheart …"
Ke Bowen heard this and said with a serious expression, "What Brother Di said makes sense, but …"
The two iron-willed men looked at each other and seriously discussed the matter of a widow.
This was originally an ambiguous and erotic topic, but when it came from the two of them, it was so serious that it made people feel a little uncomfortable.
So, Ke Nan slapped both of them on the back of their heads. "You two rough men who have never talked to more than thirty women in your lives. What are you talking about?!"
The topic about Shen Yaohua stopped just like that.
Instead of guessing and hypothesizing, it was better to ask the person involved directly.
The carriage slowed down and the coachman's voice came from outside. They were about to reach their destination.
Shen Residence.
After getting off the carriage, Ke Nan and Di Renjie used their professional habits to look at the Shen Residence in front of them. The lion in front of the door, the red paint on the door, the gatekeeper, and even the freshness of the courtyard walls and the cleanliness of the streets in front of the residence. These small details were enough to reflect a lot of things.
Senior Sister Ke and Junior Brother Di looked at each other.
The Shen Family was trying to keep up appearances, but the situation in the residence was not good.
Di Huaiying smiled. "Senior Sister, Junior Brother Song's arrangement is not without reason, right?"
Ke Nan snorted.
Ke Nan was a little girl and Ke Bowen was a silent man. It was obviously not easy for this pair to knock on the door of the Shen Residence. After all, the Shen Family's business was not doing well and they were trying to keep up appearances. For a family that was once rich, trying to keep up appearances meant that they were twice as arrogant. Because they were weak inside, they had to put up a strong front.
Di Huaiying walked forward with a kind smile and knocked on the door of the Shen family. A moment later, the door opened a crack and the doorman poked his head out. He saw a young man with a warm smile, decent clothes, and extraordinary bearing standing in front of him. He was startled at first and then asked, "May I know who this honored guest is?"
Lord Di smiled and said, "The Supreme Court's Shaoqing, Di Huaiying, is here to visit Master Shen."
The doorman was shocked at first and then turned to look. Because of the height and angle, he did not see Ke Nan at all. Instead, he saw the tall and sturdy Ke Bowen.
One was friendly, the other was serious.
One had a red face, the other had a white face.
The doorman thought of something and his face turned pale. He quickly said, "Please wait for a moment, I will go and report to Master!"
After saying that, he quickly closed the door. Hurried footsteps sounded and the three people outside the door could faintly hear the other party shouting, "Master, it's not good!
The Supreme Court's people are here! "
Di Huaiying did not know whether to laugh or cry. Ke Nan said from behind, "Junior Brother Song's arrangement is reasonable."
The three people waited for a while but no one came to open the door. For a moment, it was awkward. Di Huaiying frowned and said, "The Shen Family has declined to this extent?
So rude … "
Ke Nan ridiculed, "Maybe the Master of the Shen Family did something wrong and knows that the Supreme Court's officials are here. In fear, he has already escaped from the back door."
Di Huaiying said helplessly, "The Supreme Court is not in charge of arresting people … Eh, someone is here."
They looked at the door and a moment later, the door was opened again. The three people were stunned. The one who opened the door was not the doorman, nor the Master of the Shen Family, but a young man with a youthful expression.
The young man poked his head out and looked at Di Huaiying. His expression was hesitant, but his face quickly became firm. He asked, "Are you the Supreme Court's official?"
Di Huaiying had a smooth personality and did not care about the prestige of an official. Hearing this, she said pleasantly, "That's me. Little brother, who are you?"
The young man replied, "My name is Shen Lie. My father is Shen Shixiong."
Di Huaiying suddenly understood. "So it's Young Master Shen."
Shen Lie had an anxious look on his face. It seemed that he had come here on his own accord. He spoke very quickly, "Are you people who have been ordered to investigate Chi Lianyan's case?"
Di Huaiying was stunned for a moment, then nodded and said, "Yes."
Shen Lie's face lit up. "I heard from my sister that there is an old acquaintance of hers in charge of the investigation. It's a sister named Ke Nan. Do you know her?"
Ke Nan poked her head out from behind Di Huaiying. "That's me."
Shen Lie was shocked. Then, his eyes widened and his face turned red. He was still too young. Seeing a girl like Ke Nan made his heart beat faster.
Then, he felt that something was wrong. "Wait, you …"
Ke Nan raised her eyebrows. "What about me?"
Shen Lie seemed to realize something, and the anxiety returned to his face. He stomped his feet and said, "This is an urgent matter. Don't joke around. No matter who you are, if you know Ke Nan, please send her a message. I have no other choice … Please ask her to think of a way to help my sister!"
Ke Nan's expression changed. "What happened to Sister Shen?"
Shen Lie looked indignant and said in a low voice, "It's all because of my father …"
Before he could finish, a shout came from behind the door. "Little bastard, what are you doing?"
In the Copper Sparrow Pavilion, Song Huifu and Bao Xiren saw Sun Lang.
Pangji closed the door. When the two entered the hall, Sun Lang was nowhere to be seen. Master Bao immediately became alert. Song Huifu wanted to look around but was stopped by Bao Xiren.
"Be careful, Brother Song. There might be some evil trap waiting for us."
Song Huifu looked at him and said loudly, "Student Song Huifu greets Commander Of War."
After a moment, there was a sound from the bedroom. Someone sighed. "Sigh, Bao Heizi, I have to say that your brother is much more polite than you …"
Bao Xiren snorted and carefully approached the door. He gently pushed it open and then jumped back as if he had been electrocuted. It was as if there was something dangerous inside.
Once bitten by a snake, ten years shy of ropes.
There were no jackals, wolves, tigers, or leopards in the room, nor were there any insidious traps. There was only Sun Lang sitting on the precious green wood carpet, facing the bed. They didn't know what he was tidying up. While he was fiddling with his back to the two people, he said, "Look at you, look at you …"
Master Bao said coldly, "It's because of the General's wisdom that I have to be careful."
Sun Lang sighed. "Sigh, I wanted to arrange for a few ladies to take off their clothes and bathe here. When you pushed the door open and the ladies screamed, the paparazzi outside would rush in and take pictures like crazy. You would be nailed to the Censorate's Pillar of Shame in minutes …"
Bao Xiren's heart turned cold when he heard this. He scolded, "Shameless!"
Sun Lang didn't care and continued to sigh. "Then I thought about it. No, I can't do that. F * ck your mother, I haven't seen such a scene before. Why should I let you, Bao Heizi, do it?"
When he said this, his back was still facing the two people. His shoulders were shaking. They didn't know what he was doing. Bao Xiren became more and more suspicious. He took two steps back and shouted, "What are you doing now?"
Sun Lang turned his head sideways and moved half a body away. It turned out that there was a box in front of him. He was just putting something into the box when he saw the general sigh sadly and sorrowfully say, "Bao daren, this general was impeached by you in the imperial court. I was very frightened and deeply realized that I can no longer keep up with the current version of events. After thinking about it, for an old man like me, staying in the imperial court is just occupying a latrine pit and not taking a shit. Why don't I bid farewell here and retire to my hometown? What, you won't allow me to tidy up?"
Bao Xiren was so angry that he laughed. "Don't try this with me!"
Sun Lang's body trembled. His eyes were filled with fear. He shouted, "Someone come!
Someone come!
Come in and take a look!
Master Bao is scolding me! "
Bao Xiren growled, "Are you done playing?"
Sun Lang glared at him. "What are you saying? I don't play with men."
Bao Xiren glared at him for a moment. He softened his voice and said, "I have something to tell you."
Sun Lang retreated in fear. He covered his chest and looked like a helpless girl who was about to be humiliated. "I'm warning you. The Empire has its laws!
The Empire has its laws!
Don't try this with me! "
Bao Xiren rolled his eyes and ignored his words. "His Majesty has already ordered me to investigate the Copper Sparrow Terrace and Chi Lianyan. I came to find you because I want to talk to you openly."
Sun Lang immediately sat up, looked up at the two of them, and raised his hand. Like a good child who was eager to speak and perform, he said in a childish voice, "Reporting to Teacher Bao, the Emperor opened a brothel, the Emperor colluded with the Extraterrestrial Demons, the Emperor appointed the Sword Sage, the Emperor killed his son to silence him, the Emperor is a bastard, the Emperor is a son of a bitch, the Emperor is so bad, why don't we change another one?"
Bao Xiren couldn't accept such a direct and explosive discovery. He shouted in anger, "How dare you!"
Sun Lang hugged his knees and swayed back and forth like a roly-poly toy. He said as if nothing had happened, "You only know how to say this. Is this what it means to be honest?
Do you think this is not the truth?
If it is the truth, what are you going to do? "
Bao Xiren said coldly, "This is just a bunch of nonsense. There is no Sky Demon at the Copper Sparrow Terrace!"
Sun Lang looked at him. "So you don't deny that Chi Lianyan was killed by the Emperor?"
Bao Xiren Senran said, "I'm talking about the Copper Sparrow Terrace with you!"
Sun Lang reclined on the ground and propped his head up with his hand. He cast a sidelong glance at Bao Xiren: "But I don't want to talk about the Copper Sparrow Pavilion with you. Bao Hei Zi, this is a game between me and the Emperor. You should be prepared to participate. Today, I will only ask you one question. After you answer, I will decide whether or not to continue the discussion."
"What question?"
Sun Lang looked up at the ceiling and said indifferently, "Between the Emperor and the truth, which one do you choose? Between the Emperor and justice, which one do you choose?"
Bao Xiren said in a low voice, "Do these two have to oppose each other?"
Sun Lang didn't seem to move, but his reclining figure straightened up. The General of Divine Strategies looked straight into Lord Bao's eyes and said calmly, "Definitely, unless you think that the Emperor is justice."
Bao Xiren was speechless.
Facing Sun Lang's eyes, he could not speak.
He should not have come in the first place. He did not want to come in the first place. It was only because Senior Brother Song wanted to come that he followed. He was not prepared … even though he knew that he would have to face Sun Lang sooner or later.
But in the next moment, he looked at Sun Lang and said slowly, "In that case, Sun Lang, I also have something to ask you."
"What is it?"
Bao Xiren's gaze seemed to pass through the blood of the Great Desolate Mountain. It passed through betrayal, sadness, anger, and hatred. It crossed time and space and saw the Sun Lang of the past and the Sun Lang of the present.
He asked, "Is revenge justice?
Do you still believe in justice? "
Sun Lang did not answer.
"You can't answer?
Then what right do you have to ask me such a question? "
Bao Xiren said indifferently, "You said that I should choose between the Emperor and the truth. In reality, you are asking me if I should stand on the side of His Majesty or you. I, Bao Xiren, have always wanted to stand on the side of justice. You told me that His Majesty is not righteous. But now, are you righteous?
Your revenge will shake this country and destroy the hard-won peace. This peace was bought with the lives of countless soldiers on the battlefield. Tell me, have you ever thought of this? "
Sun Lang looked at him coldly.
"I am only asking you if you have thought of this. I only want to ask you if you care about these things now. I only want to ask you if you think that revenge is everything."
"So …" Bao Xiren sighed. "Say something."