Traveling through ancient times: starting with live streaming

died?

Is that scoundrel and gambler Xiao Bing dead?

While Zhou Chang was still in shock, Shen Rui's consciousness became active. Her mind, which loved gossip and making up stories, became active and she made up more than a dozen possibilities within a second.

On the other side, Concubine Qin Sun continued to narrate: "I don't know if it's a coincidence, but when the government summoned that man for the first time, they didn't take it seriously and didn't suspect him. When they heard the news for the second time, that man's body had been thrown into the wilderness. According to the coroner's autopsy, someone must have known that he had suddenly made a fortune, so they broke into his house and were discovered by him. A fight broke out between the two, and he was killed by the thieves. Then, fearing that they would be discovered, they threw the body into the mountains outside the city."

Zhou Chang felt relieved for Xiao Lan, and it also allowed her to put her worries aside.

But since Xiao Bing is dead, let’s not waste it. Xiao Lan’s past should also be entrusted to him.

Zhou Chang thought of this and asked, "Empress Qin, has Xiao Sile's zither been found? That old acquaintance might have stolen Xiao Sile's zither and sold it for money."

Concubine Qin Sun's brother was the commander of the imperial guards. Sun often heard first-hand news of crimes in Jindu City, and no one found it strange.

Concubine Qin thought about it and shook her head: "Rui Guiren's analysis is reasonable, but the person is dead and the clues are broken. Xiao Sile's zither has not been found, just like the person, his whereabouts are gone."

"Alas, what's the point of looking for their whereabouts? I guess they all fell into the water, or were killed by that man and can't be found anymore." Concubine Ding sighed with regret.

Everyone followed suit and said what a pity.

It would be great if everyone could come to this conclusion in the end.

Just as Zhou Chang was thinking this, Shen Rui spoke uncontrollably, "Just now, Concubine Qin mentioned burglary. Could it be related to the Ma Feihu gang of thieves that have been causing trouble in the imperial city recently?"

Shen Rui's throat itched if she didn't speak, and she felt uncomfortable if she didn't tell others the stories she had made up in her mind. It was a pity that she was born a girl, otherwise she would be the most suitable person to be a storyteller in this era.

Concubine Qin Sun obviously hadn't connected the two things yet, and her face was blank.

Concubine Jin Ding was also a talkative person, so she took over the conversation: "It shouldn't be. Isn't it said that Ma Feihu specializes in stealing from officials and wealthy families? The residence of the Minister of War has been robbed twice..."

"That's the third time." Concubine Qin Sun suddenly dropped another bombshell.

"Three times?" This time the one who cried out in surprise was Concubine Shun, Tian, ​​who had always been sitting to the lower right of Concubine Yi.

Shun Fei Tian was three years older than Guifei Yi. She was the biological mother of Prince Rong Fengduo, but because of her humble birth, her rank was lower than Guifei Yi.

She has always been submissive and low-key, not fighting or competing, and speaks little, so she seldom attracts the attention of others and has no sense of existence.

Zhou Chang looked over and saw that Tian had been a vegetarian and worshipping Buddha in recent years. His plump face now had a kind look, which made him look very friendly.

Concubine Qin Sun was also speaking in high spirits: "That's right, it seems to have happened last night, and I heard that someone was killed this time. Originally, my brother should have had a day off today, but because of this incident, the city had to be under martial law, so he had to go back to the palace."

Zhou Chang remembered that Pei Li had mentioned this matter a few days ago at the Minister of Justice's Mansion, but he didn't expect it to become such a big deal.

"Amitabha, may Buddha bless you." Concubine Shun Tian seemed very scared to hear such news. She clasped her hands together and chanted the Buddha's name.

Concubine Yi, Gu, had always looked down on Tian. She gave her a sidelong glance and said, "Concubine Shun is so pious. Has she enshrined the golden statue in the Dafu Temple? The Buddha at the Dafu Temple appeared yesterday and said that he had collected many golden statues. The wishes of the people whose golden statues were collected will surely be fulfilled."

This is a question asked despite knowing the answer. There is also a Baohua Hall in the palace, and Concubine Shun worships Buddha in the palace all year round. How could she have the opportunity to go to Dafu Temple to worship the golden statue?

"It's a pity that I am not blessed and have no chance." Concubine Shun bowed in her seat.

"Really? There is such a thing? Your Majesty, is this true?" Concubine Xin asked Concubine Yi with a flattering look on her face.

Concubine Yi, Gu, glanced at Concubine Xin, then at Zhou Chang, and said with a hint of meaning: "Concubine Rui is unusually quiet today. If it were in the past, Concubine Rui would be the first to ask such a question. Could it be that she already knew it?"

"No, I don't know." Zhou Chang hurriedly adjusted his expression, "I'm just curious."

"Lady Rui, are you feeling unwell?" Concubine Jin Ding changed the subject.

"No, no." Zhou Chang couldn't agree to it casually, otherwise he would have to mobilize a large number of troops to invite the imperial physician to give him medicine.

Concubine Yi, Gu said, "If you are really not feeling well, don't bear it. What if it is a good thing? It is Concubine Rui who has been accompanying Your Majesty these days. Since Your Majesty had the twelfth prince twelve years ago, no princes or princesses have been born in the palace until now."

There is no reason to mention princes and princesses. The Emperor is already over sixty years old, so it is normal that he cannot have children.

As for the fact that Concubine Rui accompanied the emperor, others did not know about it, but I am afraid Concubine Yi knew it better than anyone else.

Emperor Lin is old, and the older people get, the more lively they like. However, he is tired of the old faces in the palace, and he can't listen to music and watch plays all day long, so he wants to find someone new to accompany him for meals, walks, and to relieve his boredom.

Shen Rui's main talent is storytelling. She speaks in a chattering voice that is pleasant to the ear.

Emperor Lin often didn't know what she was saying, but he listened to her to cheer her up, and even jokingly called her "lark".

Shen Rui's favor can be said to be just a "virtual favor" with no actual benefits, but even so, it will probably easily arouse the jealousy of the women in the harem.

Zhou Chang said, "Your Majesty is very kind-hearted. It's a pity that I am not blessed. I just hope I can accompany Your Majesty to talk and entertain Your Majesty."

Her current plan was just to use Shen Rui's character to make up a story and tell it to the emperor, and then try to lead the topic to the affairs of the Yuan family.

It was obvious that the case of Minister of Revenue Minhang's treason was over and no one was willing to bring it up again. If she wanted to bring the topic back again without leaving any trace, she would have to think carefully about it.

As soon as Zhou Chang finished speaking, an eunuch came in and delivered an imperial decree: "Your Majesty has ordered that Concubine Rui and Concubine Xin accompany the Emperor for lunch today."

"Yes, I will accept the order." Zhou Chang quickly followed Concubine Xin's example and stood up with her to accept the order.

Several young concubines nearby looked at him with envy.

The high-ranking concubines didn't feel anything, but they suddenly realized that the talking time passed quickly and it was almost noon before they knew it.

Concubine Yi, Gu, quickly asked all the concubines to disperse.

Zhou Chang followed the other concubines to take their leave and took two palace maids back to Bailing Pavilion where Concubine Rui lived to change clothes. Of course, the three words "Bailing Pavilion" were changed after the emperor joked that she looked like a lark.

Seeing Concubine Xin leave first with a smug look on her face, Zhou Chang didn't feel happy at all.

She hadn't prepared a good excuse yet. She wasn't interested in just having dinner with an old man in his sixties. "I want to work hard to be a shining psychopath in this dull life."