si-mexico Chapter 749 3 Qingguan
Chapter 749 3 Qingguan
"But all the temples have been searched, and there is nothing wrong." Feng Li frowned.
I searched for most of the night and checked every place carefully, but didn't find any problems.
"Besides temples, other places are not free from the smell of incense and candles." Jiang Suining thought for a moment and said, "For example, incense and candle shops, funeral goods shops, or... Taoist temples?"
"You're right. It's not just the temple. All these places are suspects and need to be searched thoroughly." Pei Zhaozhi nodded.
"But there are so many shops in the imperial city. If we search them all one by one, it will take a lot of effort. And if we find nothing like tonight, it might make the people even more anxious." Feng Li said worriedly.
"We only have this little clue now. We can only continue to investigate along the path of the incense and candles." Pei Zhaozhi said firmly, "Keep searching. Don't miss any possible places."
"Yes, I obey your command." Feng Li bowed and replied, then showed a bit of embarrassment, "Sir, those incense and candle shops are fine, but this Taoist temple... There is only the Sanqing Temple in the west of the imperial city. That is the place where Prince Su practices meditation. We can't search it as well."
"Prince Su?" Wei Yao was not quite sure of the other party's identity and looked at Jiang Mushi in confusion.
Jiang Mushi explained in a low voice: "Prince Su is the youngest brother of the late emperor. He is not much older than the emperor, but he is his uncle in terms of seniority. I heard that he has been practicing in Sanqing Temple for more than ten years. He usually lives in Sanqing Temple and doesn't even go back to Prince Su's Mansion."
"Besides Prince Su, there should be other people in Sanqing Temple, right?" Wei Yao asked.
"Originally, there were. There was only one Taoist temple in the imperial city, the Sanqing Temple. I heard that in previous years, there were pilgrims going there to burn incense. But since Prince Su started practicing in seclusion there, they gradually stopped receiving pilgrims. Now, the entire Sanqing Temple has only the Taoist priests and Prince Su."
While Jiang Mushi was explaining to Wei Yao, Feng Li spoke again.
"Sir, the search of those temples last night has caused great dissatisfaction among the temple dwellers. Fortunately, the emperor's order prevented them from resisting. However, Sanqing Temple is unusual, and it is estimated that the emperor will not issue an order to agree to a search. It is the place where Prince Su practices meditation, so there shouldn't be any problems."
Although Prince Su has been in seclusion for many years and has not been involved in state affairs, he is, after all, the emperor's uncle and his seniority is there.
Normally, because of Prince Su's asceticism, pilgrims no longer go to the Taoist temple. If they rashly bring the yamen runners to search, they will definitely offend Prince Su.
Pei Zhaozhi frowned and thought for a moment, then said, "First send people to search those incense and funeral supplies shops, and make sure nothing is left out. As for the Sanqing Temple, I will ask the emperor for permission first."
"Yes, I obey your command." Feng Li took the order and did his job, and soon left the Ministry of Justice again.
After a night passed, seeing that it was time to enter the palace for duty, Jiang Suining, Wei Yao and the others did not stay any longer.
As for Zhong Yixiu, Pei Zhaozhi sent someone to send her back to the academy.
At the entrance of the Criminal Department, Zhong Yixiu, Wei Yao and Jiang Suining expressed their gratitude earnestly before leaving with the bailiffs in a daze.
Although the person was caught, it was only a tiny clue and Zhong Yixiu was still worried.
Looking at her leaving back, Wei Yao couldn't help but sigh.
"I hope the murderer will be caught soon, and I also hope the women who were caught, especially Zhong Yiyu, will be safe."
Although she didn't have much affection for the two sisters of the Zhong family, they were human lives after all, and she hoped that nothing would happen to them.
Jiang Suining also sighed in his heart, without saying anything more, and soon went into the palace with Wei Yao to take up duty.
The incense, candle and funeral items shops in the imperial city were searched for a whole day, but still nothing was found.
Pei Zhaozhi asked Emperor Xiao for permission to search the Sanqing Temple, but as the search of the temple yielded no results, Emperor Xiao did not agree.
Pei Zhaozhi had originally left the palace, but after learning that the incense and candle shop had found nothing, he entered the palace again to ask for permission.
"Your Majesty, I promise that I will only go to Sanqing Temple to check it out. If Prince Su blames you, I am willing to take full responsibility."
"Nonsense! I have already said that Sanqing Temple is the place where the emperor's uncle practices meditation. How can you search it randomly?"
"emperor……"
"What's more, this matter has caused a lot of uproar, and the people don't know the inside story. If any rumors that damage the royal family are spread, how can you bear the consequences?"
"But if the murderer cannot be found in time, I'm afraid more women will go missing. By then, the people will talk about it and question the court's ability, which will also be detrimental to the court." Pei Zhaozhi knelt in the imperial study, "Your Majesty, as the Minister of Justice, I know that I am not doing a good job in investigating the case. After this matter is over, no matter how Your Majesty wants to punish me, I will have no complaints. I only ask Your Majesty to allow me to go to Sanqing Temple."
The royal family's reputation is important, but is the safety of the people unimportant?
So many innocent women are now missing, and more may continue to disappear. Even if there is only the slightest possibility, he will go to Sanqing Temple to investigate.
Emperor Xiao stared at Pei Zhaozhi and said, "Lord Pei, I know you are focused on investigating the case, but your uncle is my elder. Even if I don't consider the opinions of the people, I still have to consider his feelings."
"Your Majesty, although Prince Su has been in seclusion for many years and has not been involved in state affairs for a long time, if he knew about the missing woman's case, I think he would hope to find out the truth as soon as possible and would not necessarily refuse to cooperate." Shen Yanxi said as he stood aside.
When Pei Zhaozhi entered the palace for the second time to ask for permission, he came in with Shen Yanxi.
Emperor Xiao shook his head. "That being said, it is still inappropriate to conduct a rash search."
Seeing that Emperor Xiao was determined, Shen Yanxi realized that continuing to ask for permission would probably not produce any results, so he took a step back.
"If His Majesty is really worried, then why not let me and Lord Pei take a few people to Sanqing Temple, under the guise of visiting Prince Su, to take a look first, inform Prince Su of the matter, and seek Prince Su's consent before conducting the search."
Pei Zhaozhi glanced at Shen Yanxi and immediately said in his mind, "Your Majesty, Lord Shen's suggestion is very good. I am willing to seek the opinion of Prince Su first. After all, Sanqing Temple is Prince Su's place of meditation. If there are really thieves hiding there, it will also affect the safety of Prince Su."
Emperor Xiao looked at Pei Zhaozhi and Shen Yanxi and finally gave in.
"Well, what you said makes sense. In that case, we will go and visit as you said, but remember not to offend the emperor's uncle. If the emperor's uncle does not agree, no one is allowed to search the Sanqing Temple rashly."
"Yes, I obey."