Heaven's Formula

Not just Li, but everyone should leave Shangyuan City.

Just when the other party was about to leave the room, Xia Fan suddenly thought of a key question, "Since Li Mengyun is Li's biological mother, who is her father?"

"No one knows." Yan Qing stopped, "Some say it's an alchemist in the mansion, some say it's an ordinary person outside, but I've never seen her have an affair with anyone, let alone a marriage."

"Even when she was escorted to Xu country, didn't this person show up?"

"That's right, even if such a heartless man knows who it is, what's the use of it?" Yan Qing opened the door without looking back, "So let's treat him as dead."

Chapter 292

The Ministry of Records, the underground center.

After a great war, the book collection area here has been burned to the ground, but since most of the books have been backed up, the loss of the Privy Council is not too serious. It only needs to take some time to count and burn them. It is only a matter of time before the books are restored to their former appearance.

As for the issue that the backup book was not the original, the second prince didn't care.For him, the important thing about a book is the information on it, not the words or the paper itself.Compared to this, he is more concerned about the secrets hidden in the secret grid or dark room—for example, Room [-], which is used to store fairy arts, has signs of destruction inside the iron door.

At this time, an official from the Ministry of Records came to the side of the second prince, "Your Highness, we have thoroughly counted, and all the inheritance of immortal arts has not been lost."

"Are the magic eyes intact?"

"Yes, they haven't even moved their positions, which proves that the crystal cabinet has not been forcibly opened."

This sentence made Ning Qianshi feel a little relieved.

"However, there are two volumes of secret records recording immortal arts that are missing. I don't know whether they were burned or taken out of the recording department." The official continued.

"These important information should be backed up, right?"

"Yes, there are at least three printed copies and one manuscript in Shangyuan City."

"That's fine. Immortal art itself is hidden in the magic eye, and the secret record is just a supplement. Even if it is secretly sent back to the West Pole, it will not be of much use."

"Your Highness," Fei Nian asked, "do you think Olina Okan stole these secret records?"

"The two-foot-thick iron door does not destroy the outside, but starts from the keyhole and melts the lock cylinder with high temperature. This is very similar to her natural fire-free technique." Ning Qianshi analyzed, "With her With knowledge, one should be able to judge that the spells in these secret records are extraordinary, as for why he didn’t move his eyes, it should be related to Xia Fan’s secret procrastination.”

"So it turns out that Xia Fan is really not good at leaving the technique." Fei Nian thoughtfully, "During the trial in Qingshan Town, he couldn't even perform the most basic flying flower flame."

"Why, you suspect Jin Xia and the others?"

"No, Your Highness, I just do more thinking and plan ahead."

"A correct attitude." The second prince praised, "It is the basic quality of an alchemist not to use the Shangguan's point of view as the basis for judgment. Otherwise, if the Shangguan makes a wrong judgment, the concept built on it is just a fragile quicksand tower. It's a pity There are very few alchemists who can really do this. By the way...how is the matter you are investigating?"

Fei Nian realized that the other party was referring to the "sudden rise in ranking", "Sorry, Your Highness, there is no result yet. But I have asked people to review the entire personnel file, and I should be able to find some clues."

"The accident at the Lantern Festival slowed down your progress, right?" Ning Qianshi waved his hand indifferently, "After all, you have been under house arrest in the palace for nearly a week, and you can't blame you for not making any progress."

Not entirely to blame, but still has some responsibility.The alchemist of the Privy Council should have the ability to overcome accidents and challenges.

Fei Nian felt her back tense, and quickly lowered her head, "I will investigate this matter as soon as possible."

……

Leaving the recording department, Fei Nian rode to another luxurious house in Dongcheng District.

This seems to be a place where rich and noble families live, with vestibules and pond pavilions, but in fact it is a real estate purchased by the Privy Council, which is used to transfer letters and records sent from various places, and is also responsible for keeping some records. spare books.

There are still a dozen or so hidden branches like this in Shangyuan City, and even the emperor of the current dynasty cannot know their locations.

Twenty or so people were busy looking through the rebuilt documents in the mansion—they were all recorders trained by the Privy Council to update and check the contents of the documents, and a case file with hundreds of pages was in the hands of these people It only takes two hours to scan.In a sense, even the sensualists cannot replace their duties.

"Master Fei."

Seeing Fei Nian coming, everyone saluted together.

"Don't worry about me, you keep busy." He walked to the presiding officer's desk and asked, "Did you find any new mistakes?"

"It's all recorded in the booklet, Sir Fei, please have a look." The presiding officer handed over a booklet.

As of today, the recorder has found more than 50 discrepancies in the old and new documents. Most of them are omissions or mistakes, which are of no help to the investigation of Xia Fan's ranking.If it weren't for the fact that these documents were the main reference for He'er to formulate the ranking, he really wondered if he was wasting his energy.

Fei Nian quickly turned to the last page.

There are only three newly found faulty records.

One is that the names of alchemists in Suzhou were wrongly recorded.

One is that the information recorded by Shangyuan alchemists is incorrect.

One is that the death records of Lingzhou alchemists are mixed up with the other.

No matter which one, it is thousands of miles away from Shenzhou.

Below the three flaws, there is a further description by the presiding judge.Name slips and death record mix-ups are obvious issues, but the second one is a little more complicated.A son of a rich family who passed the scholar's examination and was supposed to be elected to the post was found to be still in the city.

Of course, this is also a common situation. Such people have a rich family background, do not worry about life, and have awakened the ability to sense Qi. Taking the scholar examination is purely to pass the time, and they have no idea of ​​serving the Privy Council at all.However, on the old version of the document, this person was recorded as "assigned" status, which was a bit of an oversight.

The alchemist was named "Shangguan Cai" and his post office was in Leizhou.

Fei Nian put down the booklet and rubbed her forehead.

It seems that today is nothing.

Just as he was about to leave the mansion, a recorder hurriedly handed a piece of paper to the inspector. The latter frowned after receiving it, and then stopped Fei Nian, "Sir, please stop, old man!" There seems to be something wrong with the records on the paperwork."

"Did you find any new bugs?"

"It's not new...it's still related to that Shangguan soldier."

"Oh?" Fei Nian went back to the other party's table, picked up the note - it contained a transfer order, and transferred Shangguan Cai to Jinxia City to report.

"How come..." Seeing this, he couldn't help jumping his head, "Is it impossible for a transfer order to transfer a non-existent person?"

"Indeed." The review officer agreed, "This report from Leizhou is concise and clear, and there is little possibility of writing errors. Therefore, there are only two possibilities for this situation to occur."

"One is that Shangguan Cai belonged to a fugitive official who promised to go to the post but fled halfway. This person went to Leizhou and Jinxia successively, and then returned to Gyeonggi without resignation. Although she was canceled in the new document integration record, but not Represents that the old report was wrong."

"And the second possibility is—"

Fei Nian took his words and said, "Someone impersonated Shangguancai and moved from Leizhou to Jinxia, ​​and at this moment is still working in Jinxia's Privy Council." He squeezed the note tightly, "I need everything Regarding Shangguancai's records, go and find them all now!"

Chapter 293 The Replacer

In two days, all kinds of information were gathered in Fei Nian's hands.

First of all, in the registration information of the scholar's examination, there was nothing unusual about Shangguancai. She passed the examination in the Tomb of Lost Souls and ranked at the bottom.According to the family background of the Shangguan family, it is unlikely that she would go to the border to become an unknown eighth-rank alchemist.

The second is the personnel file of the Jinxia Privy Council, which indeed records the name "Shangguancai".Moreover, the identity and procedures are all in compliance with the rules, and the Ministry of Finance has paid this person a salary on time.

It can be said that there is nothing unusual about these documents. If Shangguancai hadn't reappeared in Gyeonggi, it would not have attracted the attention of the examiner.

But even so, the matter is only at the imposter stage.It is not uncommon for a person who failed to pass the examination to reach a deal with another quasi-alchemist to serve in the local Privy Council. .

——If this matter does not involve Jinxia City.

After all, among all the flaws found so far, this one is the closest to Xia Fan.

However, how could an qi-sensing person whose level was barely above the passing line affect an elite alchemist like Xia Fan?He'er's calculations are by no means just talking nonsense, there must be some specific reason for the rise in ranking.

"My lord, we have found the person you want, and she is now in the execution hall of the headquarters." A subordinate reported to him.

Fei Nian nodded, "I'll go right away."

Maybe this substitute has nothing to do with Xia Fan, maybe he went in the wrong direction at the beginning, but at this time, he can only try his best with the mentality of trying.

He didn't want to disappoint His Royal Highness the Second Prince.

……

Two pots of charcoal fire were burning in the execution hall, making the dark room even more forbidding.

This is the place where the command department used to strictly interrogate prisoners. There are all kinds of shackles and instruments of torture hanging on the walls, just looking at it makes people feel chills.

The woman brought by the subordinates was sitting between the two braziers, her hands were tied behind the back of the chair, she struggled but could not move.Because of the cloth strips stuffed in her mouth, she could only whimper softly, and her wide eyes were full of panic and fear.

"How did you arrest people?" Fei Nian quietly looked at him for a moment before asking.

"Back to the adults, the subordinates used her friends to pretend to ask her out for a party, and then made a move in the unoccupied room."

"Very good. We don't have much time, so we'll try for a quick fix."

Before that, he had already found out the details of Shangguan's family - the other party was the sixth daughter in the family, who was very favored on weekdays, so she had an arrogant personality, and she was also considered as a daughter-in-law in Gyeonggi, and she often participated in poetry gatherings with women from other aristocratic families , Garden tours and other activities, should not have experienced such battles.

Fei Nian knew that without authorization, it was impossible for him to really question a woman from a wealthy family, and he couldn't even hurt her.Otherwise, once the resentment and resistance of this class are aroused, the subsequent integration work of the Privy Council will be greatly hindered.

That's why he chose the extremely deterrent place like the torture chamber.

This inquiry must be completed before Shangguan's family realizes that their daughter has had an accident.

Fei Nian strode up to the other party, reached out and pulled out the cloth strip from her mouth, "Are you Shangguan Cai?"

"Where is this place!? Who are you? Why are you arresting me?" Her mouth was empty, and she asked loudly.Although the words were very strong, her slightly trembling tone revealed the fear in her heart.

Fei Nian picked up a soldering iron in the brazier and shook it in front of her.

The latter immediately shut his mouth.

"From now on, I'll only ask each question once. What's your name?"

"Shang, Shangguancai."

"Do you know what you did?"

"I..." She hesitated for a while, but she still confessed after seeing the glowing red iron, "I just lost the appointment letter from the Privy Council, isn't that really a crime?"

He didn't remind anything, but the other party took the initiative to mention the document, and it seems that he knew about it in all likelihood.

"Lost it?" Fei Nian suddenly sternly said, "Do you know how much trouble you have caused? A while ago, His Royal Highness the Crown Prince was attacked in full view, and behind him was the shadow of someone who was plotting. The Privy Council is doing its best to investigate this matter , and the name Shangguancai is also suspected of treason!"

"How is it possible?" The other party was very surprised, "That person clearly said that he just wanted to become an eighth-rank official—"

"Who is that person?" Fei Nian leaned over in front of Shangguan Cai.

The latter couldn't help shrinking back—it was only then that she realized that she had slipped her mouth, but the matter had come to an end, and she couldn't care less.After all, what the other party is doing is treason, once she gets involved, the family may not be able to save her. "I... don't know, I really don't know! She found me through a middleman, and I don't know anything about her details. I didn't want that appointment and dismissal, and that person was willing to pay a lot of money to buy it , I agreed straight away. Besides, such things happen everywhere, don’t they?”

Seeing Shangguan Cai speak, Fei Nian knew that his "deterrence" had worked, he sat back on his seat, and said in a soothing tone, "There are indeed buyers everywhere, and it is understandable that you would agree. But this matter involves The nature of treason is quite different. If you can help us find out the identity of the other party, you will not only be innocent, but have merit. Did she tell you anything else?"

"We talked very little, mainly about remuneration. By the way, she also asked me to hide at home for half a year to minimize going out, but I don't think anyone will care about an eighth-rank alchemist in the border area."

"In other words, you have met her in person."

"We only met once..."

"If you saw her again, would you recognize her immediately?"

Shangguancai thought for a while, "I think...it should be fine."

"Very well, I will arrange for someone to draw the portrait. You tell them the basic characteristics, and they will draw a head portrait that matches it. You can choose the closest one." Fei Nian inserted the soldering iron back into the fire, Put on a gentle smile, and untie the rope behind her, "Since you have nothing to do with the traitor, we don't need to talk here. Please forgive the impoliteness of the Privy Council. This case is of great importance, and the Ministry of Command has no choice but to For that."

His sword-browed and starry face made the woman's cheeks blush slightly, "...I understand."

"Thank you for your cooperation, I will ask my subordinates to send you to the living room."

……

Walking out of the execution hall, Fei Nian unexpectedly saw an acquaintance.

"The Lock Weaver" Yan Qing.

"How did you come to a place like this?"

"His Highness asked me to take a look at Olina Okan's condition. If she recovers well, there is no need to hold back for the next interrogation." She glanced in the direction where Shangguancai left, "Who is that person?" ? Doesn’t look like someone who should come to the Ministry of Justice.”

Fei Nian sighed, "Your Highness asked me to track down Xia Fan's rise in ranking, this person may be related to it."

"Xia Fan...is there any problem?"

"It's still unknown, but if we can find out the details, it will not do any harm to the Privy Council."

"Then keep working hard." Yan Qing said disapprovingly.

After Fei Nian went away, she looked away, turned around and walked towards the depths of the prison.

Chapter 294 The Unremarkable Truth

"My lord, this is the portrait drawn based on the woman's description."

The subordinate presented a stack of rice paper in front of Fei Nian.

Fei Nian unfolded the papers one by one—in order to reduce errors, usually three to four portrait artists would draw a person's head at the same time, and finally the most experienced one would integrate the scrolls into one.This time, the four paintings and the final image are all similar. From the painting, it can be seen that the other party is a seventeen or eighteen-year-old woman: about five feet tall, with a high nose bridge, wide eyes, and flat bundles of hair. Not to mention ugly, but a very ordinary-looking woman.

"Where is Shangguan Cai?"

"It has been sent out of the Privy Council."

"She has no complaints?"