Plead for love

  Ling Ding's guess was once again ruthlessly rejected by Li Yan, and he was actually angry. But Li Yan was his master, and he couldn't afford to offend him, so he could only continue to secretly resent him while pretending to ignore him, and instead drew closer to the great hero he admired.

  Yan Sanbai patiently explained to him, with a tone of teaching - he seemed to have noticed that Lingding liked to investigate cases, and intentionally or unintentionally taught him.

  Ling felt that Yan San Bai's image was even more majestic and imposing.

  Ling is actually very clever and catches on quickly, Li Yan just occasionally has a poisonous tongue.

  Yan Sanbai could see that none of the attendants by Luoyang Wang's side were simple. There was Lingding, who often sat at the same table as the king, and there was also Ahmon, who looked like a smiling Buddha, and perhaps others that Yan Sanbai had not yet seen. The key point was that their martial arts skills were all very high.

  This night, Yan Sanbai slept very soundly. Because Li Ya had an extra wound on his hand, he wanted to make this city a little more peaceful. So Ah Mon didn't return for the whole night. Under the black shadow of Chang'an City, many cockroaches were swept out and eventually fell silent.

  Ling Ding seemed completely unbothered by these things and continued to follow Yan Sanbai in investigating the case with undivided attention.

  Because the clue was broken, Yan Sanbai decided to sort out the case from scratch. On the one hand, he needed to investigate whether Li Qian and Cheng Rui's cases had anything to do with Qin Sang. On the other hand, he needed to separate them and look for clues from a new perspective.

  This is a stupid method, but also the most basic and effective method, in short, it's - search!

  Don't let go of any clues, investigate all the people and things that Li Qian and Cheng Rui have come into contact with. Actually, the people from the yamen had already investigated before, but due to time constraints, they only roughly filtered through once, whereas this time it was more detailed.

  Because Li Yan is going back to Chang'an, the case must be cracked within three days from now, and time is not ample. But Ling Ding followed Yan Sanbai out for a day, but there was nothing found.

  Li Qian and Cheng Rui were both Xiucai, but they weren't classmates. Although they occasionally met at poetry gatherings due to various reasons, just like everyone's impression, Li Qian was a honest and down-to-earth person, while Cheng Rui was self-proclaimed romantic, the two didn't even qualify as friends.

  One clue after another was declared a dead end, and each possibility was negated. Zero was getting anxious.

  As they stepped into the royal palace with the sunset, the anxiety between Zero's eyebrows was immediately replaced by astonishment.

  A large crowd had gathered in front of the Wang's mansion, and the gatekeeper was saying something to them. The more people that came, the more crowded it became. Many of the people here were acquaintances of Zero Ding, they were neighbors from Shibei Street, Shibei Street, where Yuan Feng Baozi shop was located. He looked around and indeed saw the owner of the baozi shop, Yuan Yi Qing's father, Yuan Zhi.

  "What's going on?" Ling Ding was puzzled.

  "Just take a look at the past and you'll know." Yan Sanbai said calmly, walking slowly to the entrance of the Wang Mansion.

  Yan San Bai was so obvious that he was almost discovered at the first time.

  "Yan Dashao is here! Yan Dashao has arrived!"

  "Hello, Mr. Yan!"

  The neighbors all greeted him enthusiastically, and Yan Sanbai took the opportunity to ask them what they were doing gathered here. At this time, Yuan Zhidao stepped forward and explained: "Lord Yan, please don't be surprised, these are all old men I've invited."

  Yan Sanbai actually had a guess in her heart, but still asked: "Master Yuan, what is this for?"

  "Alas..." Yuan Zhang sighed, "It's all because of my family's Yi Qing's matter. Rarely do he and Xiao Yue get along so well, who would have thought something like this would happen? Yi Qing has already told me the whole story from beginning to end. Xiao Yue is also pitiful, I just want to ask you, sir, can't we show some leniency?"

  "Yes, yes, Little Moon was also trying to protect herself. If she didn't resist, wouldn't that be asking for trouble? It's not like she had a choice..."

  Everyone was chattering and saying that these people had all come to plead for Xiao Yue.

  It's just sunset, the sun sets and people return home. Many passersby come and go, seeing the scene here, and at the gate of Luoyang Wangfu, they can't help but gather around to ask what's going on.

  Xiao Yue and Qin Sang's affair spread quickly, like a stone thrown into the calm water, causing ripples to spread rapidly at a visible speed. More and more people echoed, pleading for Xiao Yue.

  In such a situation, people are always willing to show their good side, especially when it's a sad and helpless story. Moreover, this is a request from Yuan Zhidao himself, who, although just a baozi shop owner, is known by most people in Luoyang and has a good reputation because his baozi are delicious, and he always insists on sending mantou to the Lingyin Temple, such a person must have accumulated a lot of merit.

  Everyone suddenly remembered Yuan's son, thinking that this could have been a beautiful story, but now the two are facing the possibility of being separated forever, and they felt even more sorrowful, with some people even having red eyes.

  "Master Yan, please tell Prince Wang for me and ask him to spare my life!" Yuan Zhi pulled on Yan Sanbai's hand, making a sincere request.

  Unlike Li Yan's impression in the hearts of civil and military officials, he has always been a good-natured king in the hearts of Luoyang citizens, without any airs. Since Yan Sanbai was so kind-faced, he must also be a kind-hearted person, so Yuan Zhi really held some hope in his heart.

  Yan San's face didn't change color, and he used his usual smile to comfort Yuan Zhi. "Don't worry, Yuan Gong, the case is still under investigation, don't rush to conclusions. However, I will definitely pass on your request to the prince."

  Ling Ding took a slight step back, turned his head and asked Bo Ye, "Where is Wang Ye?"

  Bo Ye wiped the sweat off his face, "The prince and Ah Meng haven't returned yet, fortunately you came with Yan Daxia, otherwise I wouldn't have been able to handle it. How did these petitioners end up at the prince's mansion, Qin Niangzi isn't even married to my prince..."

  Yes, Ling Ding narrowed his eyes and asked to go to the Wang Fu, which is not very reasonable. Generally speaking, the first reaction must be to go to the Yamen. The Yamen is where cases are judged, going directly to the Luoyang Wang Fu is too bold. Although he also felt that Xiaoyue was quite pitiful, she originally had a good relationship with Yuan Yi and could have escaped her suffering, unfortunately...

  Huh? Zero suddenly paused - where's Yuan Yi Qing? Why didn't he come?

  He couldn't help but look at Yan Sanbai, who gave him a signal with his eyes, and his gaze fell on Yuan Zhi's body. Ling Ding understood the meaning of this brief tacit understanding that had been established over time, patted Bo Ye on the shoulder to let him take care of things here and not cause any trouble, then quickly turned around and left.

  Ling Ding soon arrived at Si Bei Street, but did not see Yuan Yi Qing. The official guard who stayed nearby to keep watch told him that Yuan Yi Qing had gone to the Wen manor, and since it seemed like nothing out of the ordinary, he hadn't reported it.

  It suddenly reminded him of what happened in front of Wangfu Gate, but he felt a different meaning.

  At this moment, Wenfu.

  Yuan Yiqing stood outside the study, stubbornly still, like a tall and straight pine tree.

  The crows and sparrows around him were silent, as if he had been forgotten here by people, but he refused to leave.

  After a long while, a sigh was heard from the study, and a pair of thin hands pushed open the door. The old man's face looked at his favorite student with a mixture of sadness and disappointment, saying: "Must you be so stubborn? A life for a life is the natural order of things, Little Moon was destined to part ways with you, why must you cling to her?"

  Yuan Yi Qing did not refute, but instead bowed deeply, "Please, teacher, fulfill your wishes!"

  Yuan Yiqing's teacher was Wen Haicheng, a former official of the Hanlin Academy and an elder statesman who had only just retired last year.

  "Alright, alright, I'll go with you."

  Upon hearing this, Yuan Yi Qing's slightly pale face suddenly lit up with joy. He hastily went forward to support his elderly teacher and walked out of the Wen Mansion together.

  Go? Where to go? Of course, it's Luoyang Wangfu.

  Last night, Yuan Yi Qing lay in bed thinking for a whole night, remembering that bowl of hot rice. He felt he had to do something. So today, he has been running around all day. He can't undo the tragedy that's already happened, but he can try to save those who are still alive!

  Ling Ding stood at the street corner and saw two people coming out of Wen Fu's house. Suddenly, he understood and couldn't help but admire - Yuan Yi Qing was not like those who had read books to the point of foolishness, but instead valued relationships and had some brains.

  He decided to rush back to the Wang Fu first and tell Yan Sanbai this news, but as soon as he turned his head, a magnified face suddenly appeared in front of him.

  "Prince!" Zero Ding almost got scared to death by him.

  "Don't be so startled." Dan Feng glanced over, Li Ye held a folding fan to cover half of his face, "You immediately return to the Wang Fu to stall them."

  Ling didn't understand, "Prince Wang, aren't you going back?"

  Li Yan didn't answer, but a voice came from behind him, "Because we still have things to take care of."

  Just then, another head popped out from behind Li Yan's back, staring at him with a pair of big, shiny eyes - "Great heroes, are you scaring ghosts?"

  "In short, this important task is left to you." Li Yan patted Ling Ding's shoulder, and as soon as he finished speaking, he and Yan Sanbai swung their sleeves and disappeared without a cloud.

  Alone, I remain with no one by my side, disheveled in the wind.

  After the chaos subsided, I looked back from afar.

  The husband and wife students have already gone far away.

  Zero Ding was shocked and ran wildly with his legs pulled out.

  My heart is sorrowful, why must I suffer so?

  …………

  On the other hand, Yan Sanbai and Li Ya returned to Ji Bei Street again. One with his hands hanging down, the other fanning himself, they walked leisurely into an alley, looked around to make sure no one was watching, and climbed over the wall!

  The hem of her dress fluttered in the gentle breeze as the two of them entered the Yuan residence. Among them, Li Yan's movements were the most practiced.

  "You go this way, I'll go that way," said Yan Sanbai. The two of them split up and acted with great efficiency.

  The old servant of the Yuan family was sweeping the courtyard when suddenly a gentle breeze blew in, blowing up the withered branches and fallen leaves on the ground. He turned his head to look - where did the wind come from?

  But he didn't see anything and soon lowered his head and continued sweeping carefully.

  Swallow three white light closed the door, carefully sizing up this small house where Xiao Yue lived. The house was very clean, with a dresser by the window, and judging from the color of the wood, it should be newly made. Many things in this house were new, showing that the Yuan family treated Xiao Yue quite well.

  Yan Sanbai examined it carefully, twitching his ears and nose, and even lifted up the bed to take a look underneath.

  Finally, he sat in front of the dresser again, opened the makeup box, and a vision of Xiaoyue's face appeared in his mind, imagining that it was her sitting here now.

  Yes, she would take up the comb and dress her hair, and apply rouge to conceal the pallor of her complexion; for this was at her lover's house.

  Yan Sanbai's slender fingers one by one picked up those lipsticks and accessories, and even opened the lipstick case, bringing it to her nose for a sniff. Her posture was elegant, her movements calm and composed, and from behind she looked just like a beautiful woman.

  He smiled faintly, with a subtle and elegant fragrance.

  Outside, Li Yan walked by and looked in through the window gap. His expression suddenly became a bit strange - what was he doing?

  Yan Sanbai finished looking at the outhouse and turned to go to another room. After wandering around, he ended up in the kitchen. He was meticulous about his work, of course, and wouldn't let even the kitchen escape his notice, so he carefully examined every nook and cranny again.

  Finally, he opened the cupboard, and inside there was a bowl of sliced meat, a bowl of green vegetables, a small dish of pickled beans, and a plate of fish, all more than half eaten. It seemed to be leftover food, thought Yan Sanbai.

  "Are you hungry?" A voice suddenly came from behind. Yan Sanbai didn't need to turn his head to know who had come, he said: "I'm just investigating a case."

  Li Yan shrugged, "I didn't find anything on my side, what about you?"

  "There's a bit of inspiration, but it's not specific yet, I need to think more carefully." Yan Sanbai didn't hide the truth, stretched out his hand and closed the cupboard door. "I think I should go visit Little Moon."

  "Eat first and then go."

  Yan Sanbai was stunned for a moment, then nodded slightly.

  The two of them jumped over the wall again and went out onto the street, where they ate a bowl of Li Yan's favorite wontons. Then Li Yan returned to the Wang Fu to see Wen Hai Cheng, while Yan San Bai went to the prison cell to see Xiao Yue.

  It was already late at that time, Yan Sanbai walked into the dimly lit prison cell under the moonlight. The jailer lit a torch to lead him on his way and after walking through a long corridor, Yan Sanbai saw the cell where Xiaoyue was being held. As previously arranged, Xiaoyue was being held alone, and the jailer briefed Yan Sanbai along the way, saying that since Xiaoyue had been locked up, she had been unusually quiet, not crying or making a fuss, but just staring blankly at the only iron window in the cell.

  Yan Sanbai saw her when she was still in a daze.

  A beam of cool moonlight shines in from the iron bed, and Xiao Yue sits in the moonlight, looking up at the window with great concentration, even a little dazed.

  "Little Moon?" Yan Sanbai called out to her, and only then did Little Moon slowly turn around, seeing it was him, she smiled warmly, "It's Young Master Yan, so late at night, do you have something to discuss with me?"

  "Is the girl still here?"

  Xiao Yue's eyes narrowed, and her expression suddenly turned sorrowful. "What's good or bad, what relation does it have now?"

  "I've come tonight with some good news to tell you." Yansanbai said seriously, looking at her.

  Xiao Yue seemed somewhat unenthusiastic, "Sir, just say what you have to say, I can accept anything."

  "You don't have to be so pessimistic, Yuan Gongzi is running around for you everywhere, even Wen Haicheng was invited by him to speak on your behalf, maybe... there's still a turning point."

  "Really?" Xiaoyue raised her head, and a hint of vitality flashed in her eyes again. She was somewhat excited, and overjoyed to the point of tears, "Did Yiqing really do this for me? Is he still running around for my sake?"

  "Of course it's true." Yan Sanbai squatted down, looking at her with a warm smile, his eyes scanning her delicate face and fingers with calluses, "Little Gongyu has chosen a good husband, he really loves you."

  "Ah, my husband...my husband..." Xiaoyue murmured to herself, raising her eyes again to gaze out the window. The cold moonlight illuminated a single tear that had rolled down from the corner of her eye. She sank back into her own world, as if unable to hear anyone's voice.

  Yan Sanbai kept watching quietly, without making a sound to disturb him.

  After a long time, he turned around and left, with a sigh falling into the sea of his heart. The woman in the cage stretched out her hand towards the only window, gazing at the moonlight passing through her fingers.

  She opened her mouth, silently shouting his name, and countless tears rolled down her cheeks.

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