Chapter 50: The Nun's Invitation

  "Hmm, you go on," said Xiao Jiading.

  Chrysanthemum said: "At that time, Tong's younger sister was very strange. She guessed something and went back home to hide behind the window to take a look. Then she saw Zhao sneaking out from the place where the man had just left and going back into the house. At that moment, she suspected that Zhao had an affair with someone."

  "Why did things go wrong later, Zhao was caught, and she didn't say anything?"

  "That's Liu Xiangzheng! She didn't even get a clear look at him at the time, and just based on one horse, how dare she speak recklessly?"

  "Is this Liu Xiangzheng very powerful?"

  "Of course! They're a wealthy and influential family at home. I've heard they have connections with high-ranking officials in the province and county!"

  "Oh. That's got to be careful."

  All the questions have been asked, Xiao Jia Ding's wine has also come up, and he hugged Chrysanthemum and said: "Sleep!"

  Chrysanthemum's heart beats faster, but Xiao Jia Ding didn't make any further moves, he just held her and fell asleep. She was also drunk, and in a state of panic, she too fell into a deep sleep.

  The next day, dawn breaks, and Xiao Jia Ding wakes up to find Yu Juan curled up in his arms, sleeping soundly. Her pretty face is flushed red, and he can't help but lean over and gently kiss her cheek.

  This suddenly woke up the chrysanthemum. She opened her blurry eyes, looked at Xiao Jiateng, and was stunned for a moment. Suddenly, as if she had just reacted, she let out a soft "ah" and lowered her head to look at her own body. Her clothes were still intact on her body. Looking at Xiao Jiateng again, he was also wearing his clothes. She felt her body again, and there was nothing unusual about it. With some confusion, she looked at Xiao Jiateng.

  Xiao Jiading smiled slightly and patted her little face, saying: "Alright, get up, the sun is shining on your butt! Do you still want to lie in my arms?"

  Chrysanthemum was greatly embarrassed, and hastily scrambled up, but having drunk too much the night before, the effects of the wine had not yet worn off, and her body felt somewhat dizzy as she stood by the bed adjusting her clothes.

  Xiao Jia Ding also tidied up his clothes and looked at Chrysanthemum, saying: "You can go now. If there's anything in the future, you can come to the county government office to find me."

  Although Chrysanthemum was a country girl, she understood the weight of such a promise very well. She nodded happily, smiled shyly and pulled the door out.

  Xiao Jiading washed up and bid farewell to Liu Xiangzheng and Luo Cunzheng, returning home. These two people didn't ask about the previous night's events at all, which would have made their honored guest feel awkward, so they just tacitly understood each other.

  When Dai Mao brought the captives back to the yamen, it was already noon and the court was about to adjourn. Xiao Jiading arrived at the signing room of the County Magistrate of Kang, who saw him with great joy and asked: "How is the situation?"

  Xiao Jiading sighed and shook his head: "Nothing was found."

  "What... what's going to happen with this case? Just received a notice from the prefecture, saying that Judicial Counselor Jin Kun of the prefecture is coming this afternoon to hear about the trial situation! And he's even going to personally interrogate the defendant, what to do?"

  The judicial assistant of the prefectural government was in charge of criminal trials, from the seventh grade down, only one level lower than the legal officer. Although the rank is lower than that of the county magistrate, it represents a higher authority and is here to hear the retrial of cases, which cannot help but make County Magistrate Kang nervous.

  Xiao Jiading sighed again and said, "What else can be done? If Zhao's testimony is reversed during the review by Judge Gu, then this case will have no evidence left, and the only way out is to release him."

  To release him? It sounds easy to say, but for the county magistrate, it's equivalent to having made a wrong case, that's a big stain! The face of County Magistrate Kang looked difficult, and he slowly sat down.

  Xiao Jiading glanced at County Magistrate Kang who was in a daze and quietly retreated.

  After dispersing, Zhu Haixin invited Xiao Jiading out to dinner again and said he had something to talk to him about. The two of them left the yamen and arrived at Loulan's snack shop once more.

  The cumin roasted lamb at the snack stall was very popular, with a long queue waiting outside. When Xiao Jia Ding arrived, Lou Lan wanted to come over and greet him, but Xiao Jia Ding waved his hand to indicate that it wasn't necessary, and walked straight into the house. Yu Gui naturally welcomed them with a smile.

  Yu Gui had already set aside a room for them as a private suite, knowing that Xiao Jia Ding and his family would be frequent visitors.

  Xiao Jiading and Zhu Haixin sat down, then Zhu Haixin ordered a few dishes, including cumin roasted lamb, which he also enjoyed eating.

  After ordering food, Xiao Jiading didn't ask Zhu Haisheng if he had anything to say, knowing that Zhu would speak up on his own.

  "Indeed, Zhu Haixin mysteriously said to Xiao Jiading: 'This morning, Cui Yu Lou's Chi Mei girl came looking for you, saying she had something to discuss. - Big brother, it seems like she has a good impression of you, this woman is very elegant and refined, I spent a lot of money just to see her once and only got to hear her play the piano and sing, nothing more could be done. But today, she actually came looking for you in person, tsk tsk, it's truly enviable! - This is the name card he gave you.'"

  Having said that, he took out a delicate red letter envelope and handed it to Xiao Jiading.

  The name card was also called "Bai Tie" later, Xiao Jia Ding took it over, and the cover was written in small gold script: "Ping Kang Fei Hua Chi Mei Dun Shou".

  Pingkang is a synonym for the residence of Tang Dynasty songstresses, because in Chang'an, Tang Dynasty, there was a Pingkang Fang, where courtesans gathered, and Feihua was often used by songstresses to refer to themselves.

  Xiao Jiading opened the envelope and took out a red letter with a faint scent, on which was written two lines of poetry in elegant handwriting:

  The silken window refuses to apply rouge.

  Only to ask Xiao Lang about tears stains.

  Below that is a line of small characters, which writes the address.

  This little girl, just thinking about it, wrote a few lines of sentimental poetry, setting the tone. Xiao Jia Ding had some feelings in his heart, but there was no expression on his face, and he raised his head to ask Zhu Hai Yin: "What did she say?"

  Xiao Jia Ding was unmoved, but Zhu Haiyin couldn't help but praise her, saying: "She didn't say anything, just asked me to pass on a message. She said she's inviting you to dinner at Yi Zhou Wine House tonight and asked you to do her the honor. —— Big brother, what kind of magic did you use to make her invite you to dinner instead?"

  Xiao Jiading smiled and didn't answer, saying: "Is this what you wanted to say?"

  "And another one! Besides Chi Mei, there's another woman looking for you. Tsk tsk, big brother, your luck with women is really not shallow!"

  "Cut the fart! Who's there?"

  "A nun! You say, big brother, even a nun is looking for you, and you still say that having a lot of good fortune is bad?"

  "A nun?" Xiao Jia Ding was really surprised, Chi Mei came to find him, he wasn't surprised, because Chi Mei had already said that after she redeemed herself, she would tell him. Maybe this matter was done, but this nun coming to find him, he was really surprised. Thinking carefully, he had crossed over into the Tang Dynasty, but had never dealt with a nun before. What did this female nun want from him?

  " She specifically asked for you by name. I told her you went out to investigate a case and would probably return at noon. Then she said that she'll come find you at noon..."

  As soon as he finished speaking, Yu Gui came in and apologized to Xiao Jia Ding with a smile: "Xiao Zhiyi, there is a nun outside who wants to see you."

  Speak of Cao Cao and Cao Cao arrives. Xiao Jia Ding and Zhu Hai Yin exchanged a glance, then Xiao Jia Ding said: "Please ask her to come in!"

  In a moment, Yu Gui led in a nun, with a small package on her back. She looked like she was only eighteen or nineteen years old, with delicate eyebrows and autumn-water-like eyes, white and smooth skin. Although she wore loose monk's robes, they couldn't hide her slender figure. Unfortunately, she had shaved her head. A woman without hair always seems to be lacking something. Looking at the beautiful nun in front of him, Xiao Jia Ding felt this regret. If this nun still had three thousand black hairs, her looks would not be inferior to that of Huang Shi Yun, the number one talented woman of Yi Zhou.

  Xiao Jiading felt a bit strange, why did he compare this pure and beautiful young woman with the disgusting Huang Shiyun? Ugh!

  Xiao Jia Ding seemed to want to shake off the thoughts in his mind, and subconsciously stood up, saying: "Master, please sit down!"

  Seeing Xiao Jia Ding being so polite, Zhu Hai Yin seemed to understand something and quickly got up. He said to Xiao Jia Ding: "Big brother, I... my stomach hurts, I need to go to the toilet, it will take a while, don't wait for me when the dishes are served, you can eat first." As he spoke, he winked at Xiao Jia Ding and smiled as he left.

  Xiao Jiading pointed to the couch where Zhu Haishan was sitting and said, "Please sit down!"

  The nun did not sit down, but instead joined her palms together and said: "I am Huiyi. May I ask if you are Xiao Zhixiu, who won the poetry contest against Yi State's number one scholar, Zhong Wenbo?"

  Xiao Jiading smiled: "It's me, this trivial matter has spread to your ears as a monk? - Sit down first, you're standing like that, I can only stand too, how tiring."

  Hui Yi hesitated for a moment, then bowed and sat down on the couch, looking at Xiao Jia Ding and said: "I am here to ask for Master Xiao's help on behalf of my master."

  "Oh? You monks are asking for my help? Hehe, what's going on?"

  Huiyi took down the package from her back and placed it on the table, opening it to reveal a box full of copper coins. Huiyi said: "This is ten taels of silver, as a deposit. If things are successful, Master will also reward the donor with another ten taels of silver."

  This is 20 kan, equivalent to RMB 100,000! The reward is not low either, but I don't know what to do.

  Xiao Jia Ding didn't ask, he just smiled and looked at her.

  Huì Yí lowered her voice and said, "It's like this, our Emei Sect leader passed away, leaving behind a will that requires his five disciples to compete with each other to decide who will inherit the position of sect leader. Our Shifu is the eldest son of the previous sect leader..."

  Xiao Jiading exclaimed in surprise: "You are from Emei Sect?"

  "Yes."

  "How many people does your Emei sect have?"

  "Not counting secular disciples, there were one hundred and twenty-three people."

  "It's really not a small matter. Your masters are competing for the position of leader, what do they want me to help with? I don't know any martial arts."

  Huiyi also smiled, her smile very beautiful: "The master's martial arts are the highest among the five disciples. If it were just a test of this, the master wouldn't worry. However, the will of the late Master said clearly that there would be three tests: one is Zen studies, two is martial arts, and three is poetry."

  "Poetry? You monks still want to recite poetry and compose verses?"