Hidden in the court

Chapter 155: Night Journey

Suddenly, he felt a force behind him. He turned around and saw that Su Mengyang's other arm was still being pulled by someone. The girl was also looking at this side.

"Aren't you going to pick up the silver?"

"I can't squeeze through. By the time I squeeze through, the silver will have been snatched away. It's easier to catch this young master."

Zhao Yao was silent.

"I'll give you money, will you let him go? We have to go."

In the end, Zhao Yao successfully saved Su Mengyang with two taels of silver. The three of them came out of Wangchun Tower, Zhao Yao led the donkey, and the drunk Su Mengyang was carried on the donkey's back. The man and the donkey had to endure the words coming from Ji Mingshang.

"No... Old Zhao, listen to me. Go east for a few hundred steps after leaving the night market, then turn left, walk to the end, and then turn right. There is a Northern God of Wealth Temple over there. There is a big hall inside, and there is a Zhao Gongming in the hall. Go over there, ask him to stand up, and you sit there... What kind of family is this? Just spend money. How much did you spend tonight?"

"Fifty-six taels, return it to me tomorrow."

"What the hell is only fifty-six taels? Did you really do something dirty?"

Hearing this, Zhao Yao glared at him fiercely.

"You ordered more than a dozen girls to drink, ate at a table, and broke more than a dozen plates and cups!"

"That can't be fifty-six taels, right?"

Facing Ji Mingshang's confusion, Zhao Yao simply uttered a few words: "The money I spent is also counted on you."

"Who are you? Just be stingy. You won't be able to eat four dishes in your life."

In response, Zhao Yao said, "I don't have the habit of eating four dishes."

It was late at night, and the wind blew. Ji Mingshang's steps seemed a little staggering. He had been drinking and having fun with several girls tonight, and he didn't want to leave. Humming a little tune, he staggered towards the Imperial Censorate.

The two people from the Censorate were also waiting, especially Luo Lin, who seemed a little anxious.

It was already the late night, so even if Ji Mingshang and Su Mengyang were out to keep an eye on someone, they should be back by now.

"Don't worry, they may have discovered something and are tracking it down."

Hu Die was also standing at the door, comforting Rowling.

Suddenly, I heard a familiar voice humming a little tune and getting closer.

There's something wrong with this movement?

Just as Ji Mingshang stretched out his hand to push the door open, it suddenly opened from the inside. Luo Lin stood at the door with a lantern in her hand and a cold face. Her eyes were like torches, staring at the red face of Ji Mingshang, smelling the alcohol and rouge on his body. A trace of confusion and disappointment flashed in her eyes, followed by anger.

"You came back just now, did you go to some brothel again?" Luo Lin's voice was cold, and every word seemed to pierce Ji Mingshang's heart.

Ji Mingshang was startled by her sudden questioning, and his whole body suddenly turned cold. After sobering up a lot, he realized that he had drunk a little too much today.

He hesitated and tried to explain: "Lin'er, I... guess what happened today. I was there with Brother Su to watch those people. But these people were restless at night. After dividing the money, they secretly went to the night market, and we followed them. Who knew that these people went into the brothel again? I couldn't do anything. I couldn't lose them, so I went in.

But I promise, I was just following you, and I didn’t do anything excessive, really!”

Luo Lin didn't want to hear his explanation, and raised the lantern in her hand, almost singeing Ji Mingshang's hair. Luo Lin's eyes were even more furious: "If you were just following, why did you drink, and why did you smell so heavily of rouge?"

At this moment, Rowling's small stature was really enough to make Ji Mingshang unable to raise his head.

Ji Mingshang was shocked, knowing that the truth had been revealed and that he could no longer conceal it. However, he still wanted to struggle, "It was true that I was following her, but you also know that people who go to a brothel must drink. That would be too conspicuous. I really only drank a little and did nothing else. If you don't believe me, ask Brother Su, he can testify."

Just as he turned his head back and was about to pull Su Mengyang, he saw the figure lying on the donkey's back.

"It's over, it's useless..."

He knew Rowling's temper very well. He could go to that place, but he couldn't lie.

"By the way, Lao Zhao has also arrived in Qingzhou. Please explain to me."

The two looked back and saw Zhao Yao standing behind and leading the donkey, and Su Mengyang lying on the donkey's back.

Without paying any attention to him, Zhao Yao helped Su Mengyang in. Hu Die also led the donkey in.

Only Rowling and Ji Mingshang were left outside the door confronting each other, and Ji Mingshang could only give an awkward smile.

Rowling said coldly: "If you step into such a filthy place again, don't blame me for being merciless." After that, she turned inside and closed the door heavily.

"Let me in!"

"Aren't you willing to climb over the wall? Go ahead!"

After hearing this, Ji Mingshang felt relieved. It was obvious that everything was fine now.

Zhao Yao helped Su Mengyang into the house. The three of them fell silent again as they looked at the drunk Su Mengyang. Fortunately, Su Mengyang had a good alcohol tolerance and did not make a fuss even when drunk. He just lay there quietly.

Just then, Ji Mingshang rushed in from outside the door.

"Old Zhao, what did you find out tonight?"

"Those fake monks and Taoist priests didn't say anything. But there is definitely something wrong with Wangchunlou. The windows on the third floor are all locked, but there are only fake paintings and big boxes inside. Someone comes up to check every half a minute, and someone comes up to buy fake paintings. Why would a brothel engage in the business of making and selling fakes? Not only does it not make anyone notice it, it also easily attracts attention. They also mentioned a 'master'. Is it possible that they are talking about the Qingzhou official?"

Ji Mingshang and Hu Die immediately thought of Wang Xie. There was no other way. As the highest official in the area, this kind of person just happened to fit their stereotype of the suspect the most.

Without waiting for them to say anything else, Zhao Yao continued to ask Ji Mingshang: "What about you? What did you find out tonight?"

Ji Mingshang scratched his head, his eyes wandering, and smiled awkwardly.

"Actually...actually, I noticed that there are so many calligraphy and paintings in that place. The owner behind the scenes must be a calligraphy and painting lover. In order to facilitate further investigation, I told the owner that I would bring a painting with me tomorrow and ask her to find a seller for me."

Zhao Yao didn't say anything after hearing this, but just sighed.

"what happened?"

"The calligraphy and paintings on the first floor were all written by ordinary customers. I'm afraid they are just for decoration and don't mean anything. The fakes on the third floor are all imitations of famous artists. These things are expensive to make, but they are sold at a low price."

Butterfly listened to the two of them talking back and forth, and her mind was a little confused.

We were originally investigating the temples, how did it get involved with brothels?

And based on the statements of these two people, only one thing can be confirmed: the clue is broken.