The first work of the imperial prison

"Tibetan..."

Yin Mengqiu's voice melted into the wind: "That depends on whether the young master is talking about a living person or a dead person."

Ye Baiting was behind her, unable to see her expression: "How do you say?"

"Living people eat, drink, and scatter, and they always have their own thoughts. They may cause trouble at any time. Everything is a problem. If you want to hide, unless you plan ahead, know that you will encounter problems, and find an absolutely safe place. Prepare everything, hide for a few days, otherwise you will have to have helpers—although this palace city is huge, it is impossible for one person to do anything.”

"It would be even more convenient if a person is dead. Within the walls of this palace, which desolate courtyard cannot bury bones, which desolate well cannot sink corpses? There are many corners and corners in the palace, and there are many remote places. Find it out, search step by step, search inch by inch, I'm afraid it will take a long time..."

As Yin Mengqiu said, he turned his head to the side, lowered his eyebrows and eyes slightly, with a little self-blame: "Sorry, but I said too much, did I scare the young master?"

Ye Baiting shook his head.

He wasn't frightened, but felt that Yin Mengqiu's expression was a bit immersed when he said this, as if he had seen many similar things.

Yin Mengqiu sighed: "I just feel that Jin Yiwei has been handling cases for a long time, so there are many things that are outstanding, the world is cold, and people's ugliness has been seen all over the place. I have nothing to say to you and the commander, so I didn't want to restrain myself, but it seems You said it too directly, out of proportion—"

"I also ask the commander and the young master to forgive me, but what the slaves said are all facts, and I dare not hide them."

"Get up."

Yin Mengqiu knelt down to salute, but it was Qiu Yiqing who called out instead of Ye Baiting, because he was slightly distracted and something floated in his vision.

He stared at the thing that floated towards and then flew away in an instant, and suddenly asked: "Where is this place, and how far is it from Kunning Palace?"

Yin Mengqiu: "After the emperor ascended the throne, he built a palace wall to separate Changle Palace, and the inside and outside are a little far apart. We took a small road and had to walk through the desolate courtyard and side palace. Here... is still some distance from Kunning Palace. Close to the side courtyard of the Lenggong."

Ye Baiting nodded, and asked Chou Yiqing: "The queen, did you say when you are free, and is she waiting for us?"

"Just now the Imperial Guards reported that someone from Kunning Palace has an audience, and it seems a little urgent." Qiu Yiqing glanced at the sky, "It may take more than half an hour before the Queen has time to summon the two of us."

This means that even if you pass early, you have to wait.

Ye Baiting thought to himself: "Then...can we arrive later?"

Qiu Yiqing immediately understood: "What do you want to do?"

Ye Baiting tilted his head slightly: "Is it possible to walk around the palace with command and envoy power?"

Hatred and suspicion: "The emperor has given you the right to be cheap."

"Then let's go in this direction—" Ye Baiting pointed to the other side of the palace wall, "I just saw something that was swept away by the wind, the commander took me up to have a look?"

"it is good."

Qiu Xingqing knew that Xiao Zuo Zuo was not a random person, he had always been measured, he didn't ask any questions, he directly hugged the opponent's waist, tapped his toes, and led him into the air, standing on the palace wall.

"Ms. Yin Mengqiu, the next Luben envoy can go on his own, and you can step back."

Yin Mengqiu was also shocked at the movement of commanding the young master's waist to fly upwards just now. In a trance, he felt that the young master's waist is so thin, the line from the chin to the neck is smooth and soft, and the lines on the corners of the two clothes are beautiful and harmonious. After a slow beat, he lowered his head under the commander's sharp eyes: "Yes...the servant will retire."

She just looked at the young master twice more, the Commander's eyes are really scary.

The female officer left quickly, and Ye Baiting saw her back walking through the narrow and long palace walls, and also saw the surrounding scenery.

When people walk below, they can see the high palace walls. Inside the pedestrian alley, it is cramped and depressing. Standing on the top of the wall is completely different. The palace building is majestic and majestic, with golden roof tiles, and the sun falls on the green trees and red walls. The dappled light and shadow seem to be full of the rise and fall of history, majestic and majestic. After the vision is widened, the entire imperial city feels a few circles larger. Standing in the passing years, it is the most solemn, elegant and majestic place.

Qiu Yiqing clasped Ye Baiting's waist: "What did you see just now?"

Ye Baiting's eyes turned to the distance, the veil that was swept away by the wind: "That - hurry up, chase after it, we will get it!"

Qiu Yiqing followed his fingers and saw this light beige-colored veil. It was not very clear from a distance, but he could vaguely distinguish it. It matched the pattern on the utensils on the banquet table where the case occurred yesterday.

Ordinary people have to pay attention to the harmony of utensils when hosting a banquet. Rich and noble families will specially burn bowls and dishes with their own style, let alone the royal family?For all banquets, especially those where the emperor participates, not only the dishes and ingredients, but also the table and dishes, and even the serving trays and decorations must be matched. There were many such light apricot-colored handkerchiefs during the banquet yesterday. Some are used as padding, and some are only used for decoration. This square handkerchief looks like it was used at that time. Why does it appear here?

On top of that, it wasn't just light apricot, it had an overly dark, brown-like smear in the center that looked like... blood.

"Hold me tight."

The moment Qiu Xunqing saw the handkerchief, he performed lightness kung fu and flew past with Ye Baiting in his arms.

Ye Baiting hasn't felt this way for a long time. In broad daylight, being hugged and carried by Qiu Yiqing... seems to have returned to the beginning, when his relationship with Qiu Yiqing was not yet clear. With good living conditions, he didn't know that the commander was a bit of a dog, and he had already started secretly using public affairs for personal gain, and took advantage of him by taking advantage of this opportunity.

At that time, he and Qiu Yiqing hadn't established enough trust, and he was always worried that Qiu Yiqing would suddenly drop the chain, or accidentally let him go, and he would fall to his death. He is a little afraid of heights, and he can't help but strangle the opponent to death, and he will fall together if he wants to fall!

This time, he could enjoy the feeling of flying in the air even more.

Today the summer wind is very mischievous, its direction is erratic, and it always brings a variety of different floral fragrances, some are slightly sweet, some are light, some are fragrant, the wind blows his face, he seems to feel the freedom of birds soaring into the sky .

It's just a pity that the wind is so erratic and strong, the veil they are looking for flies a little far away, and it always turns and spins, flying in an unimaginable direction.

Since Emperor Yu'an ascended the throne, there are no concubines in the harem. Before that, he was exhausted just for survival and the future, and he didn't have the heart to talk about love. Later, he met the queen, who was really overthrown, and couldn't accept others. Many yards are empty.

This place is not far from Kunning Palace, and far away from Ningshou Changle Palace, Qiu Yiqing is more convenient to use, but in order to avoid accidental encounters with inappropriate scenes of palace people, he blew his whistle.

The law of this whistle is a special rehearsal rehearsal by the imperial guards. The palace people have learned it, and all of them can understand the emergency order. It means that there is no danger, so you don’t have to worry about it. People who have nothing to do must take shelter temporarily, be cautious in words and deeds, and do not disturb for no reason...

In Ningshou Palace, the Empress Dowager stood in front of the window, holding a cup of tea in her hand: "You are young after all, so lively."

Ban and An Shu stood on one side with their hands together: "But the trouble is up to the master?"

The Empress Dowager's voice was old and long: "No problem, it's fine to let them make a fuss in broad daylight."

Ban and An looked outside, the distance was too far, they must not be able to see Qiu Yiqing and Ye Baiting, but they could hear where the biggest movement was: "This direction... seems a bit inappropriate, I'm afraid we might meet What old man in the palace?"

After a long period of silence, the voice of the Taihuang Taihuang came from the window again: "Then it's not you and me who should be worried, just wait and see."

Changle Palace.

Grand Concubine You was also standing in front of the window, not as relaxed as the Empress Dowager, her brows were slightly frowned: "These two, if you don't go on a good road, how did you get there?"

Fu Lixing handed her a cup of fragrant tea: "Your Majesty, don't worry, it's just some old people in the early years. The matter of old sesame seeds and rotten millet, the late emperor has been there for many years. Even if the commander and the young master meet, who dares to say?" Damn, no, who is so bold?"

After a long time, Imperial Concubine You took the tea from his hand: "That's true."

"That slave..."

"Whether they dare or not, you have to keep an eye on this palace. If you have any news, report back immediately—do you understand? Any, any, news, news."

Imperial Concubine You's face suddenly became serious, her eyes were sharp, Fu Lixing hadn't seen her master like this for a long time, this expression, put forward ten years ago, had only one meaning, that is to tighten her skin, the empress is going to clean up her.

"……Yes."

For such an instant, he didn't dare to look into his master's eyes, so he could only bow his head in response.

Tai Chi Temple.

Disturbed by the sudden whistle, Emperor Yu'an suddenly stopped writing: "What are you doing, Ah Qing?"

Eunuch Gao stood aside and stopped studying ink: "The old servant just came back from the outside, and it looks like the commander is flying Young Master Ye on the palace wall. He must be looking for some evidence."

"Fly with me?"

Emperor Yu'an became interested, put the brush on the pen holder, walked to the window, but couldn't see anything.

Eunuch Gao: "The distance between the commander and envoy seems to be a bit far, it's closer to the side hall of the Leng Palace."

Emperor Yu'an went directly to the top of the Tai Chi Hall along the stairs at the back. At the highest point, the field of vision suddenly widened, and he quickly caught Qiu Yiqing's figure.

The distance is too far, and the expression on his face can't be seen clearly, but Qiu Yiqing's whole body posture and chic and coquettish flying movements are all obvious-he is very happy at the moment.

He was indeed investigating the case seriously, but he also enjoyed this moment very much, and even showed it off on purpose.

Emperor Yu'an couldn't help laughing: "Ah Qing is really happy..."

Eunuch Gao didn't speak.

Emperor Yu'an asked: "With the queen, do you want to keep them for lunch?"

"The empress still has palace affairs there. I haven't summoned Qiu Yiqing and Ye Xiaogong yet, but I have ordered people to go to the dining room earlier and ordered a lot of dishes that I don't usually use." Eunuch Gao smiled, "I think I know that Young Master Ye likes it, and I want to keep the meal, does the emperor want..."

"Of course I want to—"

Halfway through the words, the light in his eyes just brightened, and then dimmed again. Emperor Yu'an sighed: "I really want to, but it's a pity that I don't have time..."

He looked at Qiu Suqing's sweetheart in his arms from a distance, and then looked at himself, the majestic emperor, he was so busy that he couldn't even see his wife...

What kind of case was solved, and it was only picked when he was the busiest!

"Hmph, it's cheap for him."

Emperor Yu'an was so angry that he couldn't stay upstairs, and ran down the stairs without waiting for the old eunuch Gao Cang: "Tell him later that when I am free, he must bring little A-Ding to meet alone. , let's see if I don't speak ill of him!"

In Kunning Palace, Empress Yue was the calmest, she didn't even go to the window to look, but just glanced at the surrounding palace people lightly: "It's just the commander of the Jinyiwei carrying out the mission, there is no need to make a fuss, pass on the word of the palace, if anyone dares to say Loud mouth, rod punishment."

"……Yes."

Qiu Yiqing and Ye Baiting made such a fuss in the palace, which seemed to alarm everyone, but in fact it didn't take long, so they took advantage of lightness kung fu to fly twice and whistle twice. Even the handkerchief wrapped in the wind couldn't catch up, and soon stopped by a tree.

The handkerchief was carried by the wind and wrapped in the branches.

"Stay here for a while," Qiu Yiqing put Ye Baiting away, "I'll come as soon as I go."

Ye Baiting blinked: "Aren't you taking me?"

Qiu Yiqing squeezed his hand: "The branches and leaves are dense in summer, it's not good to get your face scratched."

"……All right."

Qiu Yiqing moved quickly, jumped onto the branch, stretched his hand in, grabbed something, and landed beside Ye Baiting.

It was the light apricot square handkerchief.

The veil is unfolded, and the material is high-quality, embroidered with water and cloud patterns in bright and dark yellow. It is the bedding series used in yesterday's banquet. It is used under the dishes, especially the dried fruit and snack dishes. It must be placed. It is smaller than ordinary people carry The supa is larger, and the material is harder to the touch.

Qiu Yiqing had seen this series of handkerchiefs with his own eyes at the scene, and Ye Baiting had seen it on the document files of the on-site investigation, but at that moment, he decided to chase after him. It was not the color or size that attracted him, but what he saw. It's a very dark brown on top—

It's blood.

"Is this... the blood of the dead?"

Ye Baiting was skeptical, and so was Qiu Xingqing: "The deceased only had trauma to the head, if it had been wiped, the marks would not be so natural."

The amount of blood is one of them. If the handkerchief is wiped, there will be scratches on the face.

But if not, where did the blood come from?

Ye Baiting pointed at the edge of the bloody color: "Look at the edge of the smudge, isn't it very blurry? In this weather, the blood dries quickly, so it can't be such a blurred edge, but it looks like it's smeared when it meets water."

"The banquet is in the pavilion, and there is indeed water next to it, but if the veil enters the pool and the water, it will be difficult to fly again."

It will absorb water and sink to the bottom.

So it can't be that lake.

Ye Baiting thought for a moment: "It's better to put it away first, and check its source carefully."

Qiu Xunqing: "All the things at the scene yesterday have been sealed up. The quantity is on the investigation file, but whether it is lost or not...I'm afraid I have to ask Yin Mengqiu how many of this set of decorative cloths are in total."

See if there is a piece missing.

"Ah."

After getting the things, there is no need to continue flying on the palace wall. The two of them landed, led by Qiu Yiqing, an "acquaintance in the palace", and were about to go directly to Kunning Palace. Unexpectedly, before they took two steps away, they heard There was a burst of singing.

The singing is far away, the female voice is weak and old, but it is singing about youth.

The melody was intermittent and indistinct, Ye Baiting couldn't hear it very clearly, it seemed like an old palace official was singing about the time when he was favored in the past, the first few lines were fine, it was about the spring breeze of peaches and plums, beautiful scenery everywhere, the more desolate it was towards the back, the rustling autumn wind , there is no crop, the cold wind is bleak, the clothes are not cold enough, and it is said that it is hard to attract the emperor's three cares, but one child is not born, can't bear the emperor's favor, and has no children, the rest of life is miserable, and there is no branch to rely on. Your own fate, your own sins...

Just hearing this voice makes me feel miserable.

Qiu Yiqing took Ye Baiting's hand and went out: "They are all palace servants left behind by the late emperor, or they were favored and had no status, or they made mistakes, they are punished here, and they are not even eligible to be moved out of the honorary care."

Ye Baiting hummed, and followed him out. Unfortunately, he went the right way, but for some reason, the door in front was locked from the outside.

Is it to prevent the people inside from escaping?

But it didn't bother Qiu Xingqing: "No problem, let's go through the side door."

If you just go through the side door, you have to walk through the road just now, and slowly, you will meet the singing palace man.

The man was startled, he wanted to stand up, but his strength was exhausted, he could only shrink back with his hands on the ground, and raised his sleeves to cover his face: "No, no, it's not my fault, don't take my life... ..."

Ye Baiting didn't want to disturb her at first, she didn't even see the woman's face clearly, she just felt that she didn't look that old, she was not yet 50 years old, but her hair was already white, she was skinny and her skin was wrinkled , with disheveled hair, dirty clothes, and no tidying up, it looks a bit scary.

"No, you are the empress..."

She suddenly knelt on the ground and kowtowed to Ye Baiting: "My child...my child...Your Majesty, you have children too, why did you kill my child...I dare not, I will never If you dare, the empress will let me go, let my child go..."

This person's mental state has obviously collapsed. No matter what other people are curious about, if they want to ask questions, they will definitely not be able to.

Ye Baiting pulled Qiu Yiqing: "Let's go."

It's better to walk faster and not give her too much stimulation.

But empress... who is the empress in this person's mouth?Concubine Youtai?Judging by his age, this seems to be the direction he can think of the most. It is not uncommon for the harem to fight for favor and assassinate each other and their children...

It was a bit long along the way, Ye Baiting shook his head, let go of irrelevant thoughts, and continued to chat with Qiu Suqing about the case in a soft voice.

For example, the current harvest, the future direction, do you have any new ideas... and so on.

Walking out of the remote alleyway, Qiu Xunqing recruited the imperial guards to help bring a message, asking the female officer Yin Mengqiu if he knew the number of utensils yesterday, and reported it when he knew it. The utensils, cups, plates, wooden trays, decorations are all available.

As expected of a court lady who has been a female official in the Shang Palace Bureau all the way, she is meticulous in her work and has sufficient preparations in advance. The quantity and size of all the things used are listed on the note sent by the imperial guards.

It's impossible for the female officer to know what happened after the scene was blocked, but she knows what it should be, so it's easy to compare.

"Apricot yellow handkerchief, I really lost a piece."

"Then what we found is evidence."

While talking about the case, Qiu Xunqing also took care of a few things about the imperial guards. When they arrived at Kunning Palace, it had been a long time, and Empress Yue had just finished her work, so she left them for dinner.

The small table is set up, and all the dishes are served...

Empress Yue looked at Ye Baiting, the more joyful she looked, she smiled and asked the palace servants to serve dishes: "I heard from A Shao that you like spicy food the most. Try something from the imperial dining room. How does it taste?"

Ye Baiting obediently picked up the chopsticks and picked up the vegetables: "Thank you, Empress."

"You used to call me Sister Xiaoyue."

"Uh……"

Ye Baiting paused with his chopsticks in the air. You said it was the past, but now the identity is different. I dare to shout, for fear that the emperor will beat me!

And what little sister... He remembered, Empress Yue was younger than him, how much younger, one year old, or a few months?This little sister Xiaoyue can sometimes be wicked, and she is used to deceiving people, tricking him into calling her sister for a long time!

Queen Yue looked at him with a smile: "How, compared with A Shao's, is it delicious or not?"

Ye Baiting: ...

Let him just say, Miss Sister is really nice, she is very loyal as a friend, but when she becomes narrow-minded, she likes to tease her own people, how can he answer this question?Saying that my sister's food is delicious, the palace is full of imperial cooks, and the empress has carefully prepared these dishes. Wouldn't it be a crime of contempt to say that they are not delicious?Speaking of delicious, where did you put your sister?Is it true that the empress has never eaten the dishes cooked by her sister?

No matter what, he just acted coquettishly like he did when he was a child: "Of course... the one made by sister Xiaoyue is the best!"

The hall was suddenly quiet, and the palace servants looked a little shocked... How dare you talk to the empress like this!

I don't want Empress Yue to laugh, she seems to be very happy about her friend's quarrel in the past, she didn't see him, she actually changed the chopsticks, picked up the dishes, and sent them to Ye Baiting: "You are the most delicate in the whole Ye family. .”

A big smile broke out on Ye Baiting's face: "It's not that you and your sister spoiled me. If you continue to do this, I can't help it. I'm going to ask you for something."

"Okay, whatever Ah Ting wants, as long as I have it, I will give it."

Palace man: ...

I've never heard that there is this big Buddha on the empress's side. If I knew it, I would have gone for a walk!

Queen Yue: "The icing on the cake is worse than giving charcoal in the snow... When you are in trouble, I didn't help you, can you blame me?"

Ye Baiting shook his head: "You just don't know."

If he knew, he believed that sister Xiaoyue would help him.

The story in the original text was getting farther and farther away, and he couldn't remember it clearly, but he remembered that there was a description later, a masked girl assassinated He Yiming, it should be Empress Yue.She can use swords. She usually has a cold temper and doesn't like to talk much, but she is as tough as her sister. But in that book, she doesn't seem to be married to the emperor?

But the story in the book is not important, everything is important now, he is here, his sister's family is very good, sister Yue is also married to a lover, and he also has Qiu Yiqing... This is the best, he has to work hard, Keep this fulfillment and happiness going.

"Sister Yue still has to take care of her health. The palace is busy, so don't indulge in it. If it doesn't work, just throw it to others. With the emperor here, the sky won't fall."

"I know, you were like this when you were young, like a little adult, you have to take care of everything, if others don't listen to you, even if you act like a baby, you still have to let others listen to you. It's still the same now," Queen Yue looked at Qiu Suiqing, her smile undiminished, "The commander didn't bother him?"

How can Qiu Yiqing be bothered: "I can't ask for it."

The palace people in the main hall were stunned. It has been three or four months since the master of the middle palace, but it is rare to see the empress laughing so much, unless she is teased by the emperor's various thoughts, and the commander... the commander is not stern and selfless. Zhang Bingkuang's face never smiles, why did he smile just now?

This boy, this handsome man named Ye Baiting, could he be a god!