Both worlds are like dreams

She and Gu Qinglan searched for a long time and only found a bunch of bamboo slips with the following record: In the 764th year of Liuyun calendar, it rained for several days in Guyan County, the river water rose sharply, and countless people died. The imperial court made every effort to rescue, repair the dam, and intercept the water flow. As a result, the flood in Guyan County was greatly reduced, and the people lived and worked in peace and contentment.

Guyan County is low-lying, and floods are frequent every year, but there has never been such a large-scale flood since the founding of the country. Guyan County suffered heavy casualties that time, and even nearby towns were affected. The people had no crops to eat. The disaster relief silver was everyone's hope, but it disappeared for no reason. At that time, Beiling had just experienced a war with Beiyuan, and the national treasury was consumed greatly. After the first disaster relief silver disappeared, it took a long time to collect the second one, but Guyan County was almost an empty city at that time. It was not until the dam was rebuilt that the people returned one after another. The scene today is here.

"It seems there is no useful information here." Xue Huang sighed. "I hope Second Uncle and the others can gain something."

Gu Qinglan's eyes fell on the densely packed bamboo slips, and it was obvious that he was unwilling to give up.

"Brother Qinglan, did you find any useful information from the files on the theft of disaster relief funds?"

"According to the records, when my father and his men were escorting the disaster relief bank to the dam, a thick white fog rose from the water, blocking out the sun. They were trapped on the dam, unable to move forward or backward. However, when the fog dissipated, the disaster relief bank also disappeared. There was only a huge monster on the river surface, whose true appearance could not be seen in the thick fog, and it went away. That's why there was a legend of the river god appearing."

"How long did it take for the white mist to rise and dissipate?"

"It's not recorded in the files, but my father once mentioned that it should have taken less than half an hour."

Xue Huang frowned. "Two hundred thousand taels of silver is not a small amount. It would take at least twenty carriages to transport it. How could it be transported away overnight?"

"This is the reason that cannot be explained, so it can only be classified as an unsolved case."

Xue Huang thought for a moment, "Is the disaster relief money all packed in boxes?"

"According to the Ministry of Revenue, all of them were iron boxes that could hold one person, with seals and copper locks on them. After the white mist dissipated, all of the boxes disappeared."

"It's not easy to move all the boxes in such a short time. Could it really be the river god?" Xue Huang raised an eyebrow. "Did no one see the black shadow in the white mist clearly?"

Gu Qinglan shook his head. "No one can see clearly what it is. Some say it is a mountain, while others say it is a river god."

"Then do you believe it?"

"To be honest, I don't know how to judge. After all, I didn't see what happened back then with my own eyes. But this matter is a concern for my father. After he resigned from his post and stayed at home, he has been investigating this matter. In addition, the death of Marquis Han Xi also left him with a concern. He died of illness the following year. But he sorted out some of the information he found and kept it, and I have been looking for the truth over the years. But it has been too long, and I almost gave up. I didn't expect this matter to be brought up again."

Xue Huang patted his shoulder and said, "Brother Qinglan, this time we are all together, we will definitely be able to find out the truth. Fifth brother mentioned that Tan... Tan what?"

"Tan Hongwen."

"Yes." Xue Huang smiled. "He is also one of the leaders who escorted the disaster relief silver. Perhaps we can start with him."

Gu Qinglan pondered for a moment, "He might be able to do it, but the Imperial Hospital has already diagnosed his death, and there are no clues in the palace."

"Then let's go to his house and check." Xue Huang said. "Second uncle kept Zhuo Yang here before he left. Maybe we can find some clues."

"The Tan family is now headed by Tan Zheng, who is also a member of Shen Congfeng's party. He is the deputy commander of the imperial guards and is not easy to deal with. Let Zhuo Yang be careful."

Xue Huang nodded and looked at the time. "It's already this hour. Since there is no useful information here, let's go back first."

Gu Qinglan nodded, "Let's go."

"I'm going to find Xingyue. She's still in the library, covering for me."

"Then I'll take care of other things first, and then wait for you at the palace gate."

"Okay." Xue Huang said goodbye to him and slipped back to the library.

Mo Xingyue had been waiting for so long that she was almost sleepy. Seeing her come back, she immediately perked up. "How was it? Did you get anything?"

Xue Huang shook her head.

"An old case cannot be solved in a short time," Mo Xingyue comforted her, "Don't think about it for now. You look so dirty. Come back with me and change your clothes."

Xue Huang glanced at the streaks of dust on her white clothes and thought it was inappropriate to leave the palace in this state. So she returned to the palace with Mo Xingyue.

Mo Xingyue's clothes were all very complicated and gorgeous. She searched for a long time before finding a white dress. This was probably the only white dress she had.

It fit Xuehuang perfectly, so he generously gave it to her.

"It's almost noon, let's go eat together."

Xue Huang smiled and said, "Brother Qinglan is waiting for me at the palace gate."

"You value women over friendship!" Mo Xingyue snorted.

"Okay, I'll come see you another day." Xue Huang shook her hand, "Be careful in the palace, and come to me if you have any problems."

"Alright, alright, go ahead." Mo Xingyue waved her hand, "This princess can handle it."

Xue Huang left with a smile, heading towards the palace gate.

Gu Qinglan was also waiting there. She smiled and was about to go straight to him.

Suddenly, a soft and charming voice sounded from behind, "Princess Changle."

Xue Huang was a little surprised. She looked back and saw a charming woman in purple palace dress slowly walking towards her.

Xue Huang didn't know her, but judging from her age, she should be around 30, so she shouldn't be a princess. Her clothes were quite gorgeous, and her jewelry was unique to the royal family, so she should be a concubine in the harem.

"Greetings, Your Majesty." She bowed.

"I didn't expect to see Princess Changle here today. I've long heard that Princess Changle is unparalleled in appearance and has an unrivaled elegance. Seeing her today, I can see that her reputation is well-deserved."

"Your Majesty, you are too kind," Xue Huang smiled calmly, "Forgive Changle for my poor eyesight. I don't know where your Majesty is?"