Chapter 174 - 129. Study Tour
In the night of Luocheng, the distant and aged voice of the night patrol echoed: "It’s cold and freezing, be careful of the slippery road."
At 3 AM, it was time to get out of bed.
In the Imperial Capital, the high-ranking officials of the court would have already gathered inside Eastern Hua Gate in front of Wenyuan Pavilion, huffing white breaths in the air, waiting outside for the orders of the Officials.
Chen Ji lifted the curtain and, peering through the carriage window at the dim dawn light and the thin mist, thought that he had to hurry back to Anxi Street or he would be late for school again.
He gently put down the curtain. Inside the swaying carriage, Jin Zhu was slowly recalling:
"That year, the assassination case of the Minister of Revenue caused a great sensation. His Majesty gave Dali Temple seven days to catch the real culprit. If they failed, officials of Dali Temple above the fifth-rank would be demoted by three levels, and those below the fifth-rank would be dismissed forever."
"Back then, the Imperial Capital seemed to be immersed in an icy river, people didn’t even dare to breathe heavily in the streets, fearing that cold air would be sucked into their bodies. Unfortunately, the case remained unsolved until news of Lu Jin’s promotion and nobility in Jing Dynasty reached us, and then everyone knew what had actually happened... It was a tough winter."
As he spoke, he looked towards Shopkeeper Yuan with a deep gaze: "Back then, so many chancellors and inspectors of Dali Temple, and the Imperial Censors patrolling the city, could not find any clues. Now, after many years, to investigate the truth is as hard as reaching the sky."
Shopkeeper Yuan said: "Lord Jin Zhu, if by chance I become the Hai Dongqing of the Spy Department, I will definitely find out the identity of Lu Jin’s sister. I believe she surely hasn’t returned to the Jing Dynasty; with Lu Jin’s status, she would have no need to hide."
Jin Zhu laughed heartily: "Then why do you think she hasn’t returned to the Jing Dynasty? Perhaps she is dead."
Shopkeeper Yuan said: "If she were dead, with Lu Jin’s means, he would naturally retrieve her body. If she’s alive, then only two things can keep a woman from leaving: love or a child."