A thousand enlightenments in one night, starting from being a menial apprentice.

Chapter 405 Climbing the stairs
When Duan Rong and Zhu Peng stepped over the threshold of the Dali Temple, the pockmarked man had already turned into a corridor with the documents in his arms.

Duan Rong's eyes turned, and he suddenly asked Zhu Peng casually, "How many years has the pockmarked man at the door who handles appointments been here at the Dali Temple?"

"Ah!" Zhu Peng was stunned by Duan Rong's question. After thinking for a while, he replied, "I can't remember the details. There was an old man there at first, and then he took over. It's been about four or five years, right?"

Duan Rong said: "Really? That's quite a long time!"

Zhu Peng looked at Duan Rong with a strange look in his eyes and asked, "Why are you asking about him all of a sudden?"

Duan Rong smiled. "I'm just asking casually."

Although he discovered that the man with the pockmarked face was the one who shot Zhou Wei, he was not going to tell anyone about it.

After finding out the real cause of death of Shangshu Ling Zhu Shizhong and arresting the craftsmen, his mission was basically completed. Digging deeper, he really caught the pockmarked face, and Zhu Cheng interrogated the person behind it in the dungeon of Dali Temple.

The matter was getting bigger and bigger, and the implications were getting deeper and deeper. After all, Zhu Cheng and Zhu Peng were Zhu He's bloodline, and those people were still a little cautious, but he had no foundation. If he didn't handle it well, he might end up in trouble.

There was no need to stir up this hornet's nest. After investigating the case to this extent, he could basically report to Zhu He. Next, Duan Rong planned to just play around and muddle through for a few more days. He thought that this matter would be dealt with.

This was also the plan he had thought of before coming here, it was just a matter of degree. He had to be able to report to Zhu He, but he couldn't dig too deep into the case. If he stirred up the major forces behind the struggle and got involved further, he would probably die without leaving any trace.

And the identity of the pockmarked face is obviously at the boundary of this degree.

If we go any further, something bad might happen.

Duan Rong has decided to stop here.

He and Zhu Peng walked into Zhu Cheng's office and found Zhu Cheng buried in a pile of documents on the desk.

As the two walked in, Zhu Cheng looked up at them.

When Zhu Cheng looked up from the documents, he saw that his eyes were red.

Zhu Peng walked over, put his hand in front of him, and said, "Stop it. Look at your eyes, they are as red as a rabbit's! Go back and have a rest."

Zhu Cheng opened his hand and said, "Get up, I've got it all."

Zhu Cheng took a few documents in his hand and spread them on the empty table beside Duan Rong, saying, "This is the autopsy report and the preliminary investigation details. See if you can dig out some ideas for the investigation. I can't stand it anymore, so I'm going back to sleep first."

Although Zhu Cheng said "you two", his eyes were only looking at Duan Rong.

Zhu Peng had no idea how to investigate a case, but he knew that Duan Rong was an expert at it. He wanted Duan Rong to take a good look at the case files, perhaps he could make a ball of sand and figure out a clue.

Duan Rong glanced at the documents and said, "I'll study them later."

Zhu Cheng nodded, picked up the cold tea on the table, poured it down his throat, and then strode out the door.

After Zhu Cheng left, Zhu Peng just sat on the armchair with his legs crossed, trimming his nails with a short brush.

Duan Rong sat there and flipped through the books casually. After a while, he suddenly looked up at Zhu Peng and said, "What fun places are there in Shenyun Mansion? Take me for a walk."

Upon hearing this, Zhu Peng immediately put down his legs and asked in surprise, "Now?"

Even if Duan Rong didn't say it, he would take Duan Rong out for some fun and fulfill his role as a good host after the case was settled. But now that the case hasn't been concluded yet, it's really a bit too much for Duan Rong to ask him to take him out for a walk.

Duan Rong said as if it was a matter of course: "Yes, now."

Zhu Peng looked at him suspiciously and said, "Didn't we take a good look at the files and find some ideas?"

"I saw it!" Duan Rong said, "But finding ideas requires inspiration. When I'm in a fun place, my inspiration is the most overwhelming."

"is it?"

"Of course, we're not going out to play. We're going out to find inspiration for solving a case. Do you understand?"

Zhu Peng was stunned by Duan Rong's trick, but he also wanted to go out and play. Since it was Duan Rong who suggested it, he just went along with it. If something went wrong and Zhu Cheng scolded him, he still had Duan Rong to take the blame.

Zhu Peng straightened up and said, "The most fun place in Shenyun Mansion is naturally Yanyue Tower!"

"Yanyue Tower?" Duan Rong's eyes moved. "Isn't Li Muping, who was killed by lightning along with Zhu Shizhong, from Yanyue Tower?"

"Yes. But this Li Muping is already an outdated courtesan. She is just a thing of the past. Otherwise, even the Shangshu Ling may not be able to marry her. The most popular one in Yanyue Tower now is Qin Xueyin. In Shenyun Mansion, there is a saying that it is difficult to see a snow even if you spend a thousand taels of gold. Even if you spend a thousand taels of gold, it is difficult to see Qin Xueyin once."

Duan Rong sneered and said, "After all, she is just a whore in a brothel. Why is she worth one thousand taels of gold? With one thousand taels of gold, I can buy the Flame Moon Tower!"

Zhu Peng said: "You are just a bumpkin. That's the way to say it."

"There has to be a reason for the explanation, right?" Duan Rong said.

"Of course." Zhu Peng said, "If you want to meet Qin Xueyin, the first step is the Qinlou Poetry Contest!"

"Qinlou Poetry Contest?"

"Yes! Under Qin Xueyin's embroidery building, all the patrons have to hand over their finished poems to the maids in advance. After receiving the poems, Qin Xueyin will review them one by one. Only the selected poems can see her, but still behind a curtain."

Duan Rong was amazed and asked, "The poem was selected, and it was seen through the curtain?"

"Yes." Zhu Peng said, "You are eligible to go upstairs only if your poem is selected. After chatting and playing the piano, if Qin Xueyin likes you, you can stay overnight. This is the second level."

Duan Rong said with a smile: "After a nap, you made a scene like you are taking the imperial examination. You guys really know how to have fun!"

Duan Rong suddenly changed the subject and asked, "You have participated in many competitions, have you ever been selected?"

Zhu Peng's face suddenly turned red, and he said in a somewhat discouraged tone, "I have tried several times, but those poems were not accepted by Miss Qin."

He also paid a lot of money to have people write poems for him several times, but maybe he was unlucky, or maybe he was not blessed enough, anyway, his poems were never selected.

"Let's go!" Duan Rong suddenly said, "Take me with you. I guarantee you can get to Qin Tower this time!"

"Really?" Zhu Peng was overjoyed.

But his shining eyes soon dimmed, and Duan Rong was obviously bragging.

He was a country bumpkin from the four prefectures of the southeast. He might be good at investigating cases, but as for writing poetry! No matter how you look at it, he doesn't look like someone who can write poetry.

Regardless of whether Duan Rong was bragging or not, Zhu Peng still brought Duan Rong to Yanyue Tower.

After all, this is the most lively and charming place in Shenyun Mansion.

Yanyue Tower is on Changle Street, on the bank of Danjiang River, and the most bustling place is where Qinlou is.

Countless bees and butterflies were crowding there waiting for Qin Xueyin's maid to collect her poems. Many poor scholars were also selling their poems in front of the building.

Although buying other people's poems might be exposed as soon as they started talking, after passing the first hurdle, at least they could get a glimpse of Qin Xueyin through the curtain. This would be enough for them to brag about it in front of their friends for a year.

When Duan Rong, Zhu Peng and others hurried over, they saw the maid who collected the poems had already come downstairs.

When Zhu Peng saw the situation, he said, "Well, today's trip is in vain. It's too late!"

Duan Rong: "Too late? I think it's just right!" Duan Rong said, and walked to the stall of a scholar next to him, picked up his pen and started writing.

He first wrote a poem "Early Morning Walk in Shangshan" for Zhu Peng.

This poem is the best poem of Wen Tingyun. It can almost be regarded as a masterpiece that he has created by chance and it is an extraordinary performance.

After Duan Rong finished writing, he looked up and saw that the maid who collected the manuscripts had already collected them in the middle of the stairs. His eyes moved and he immediately wrote himself a short poem full of murderous intent: Singing generously in the streets of Yan, calmly serving as a prisoner of Chu. Drawing the knife to make a piece, I will not let down my youth.

Duan Rong smiled after finishing writing. The man who wrote this passionate and murderous poem ended up being a traitor who sold out his country for fame and fortune when the nation was in danger. Isn't the so-called poem just a joke?

Seeing that the maid had received the end, Duan Rong immediately handed over the last piece of manuscript.

The manuscript in Zhu Peng's hand was handed over to Duan Rong after him.

The maid had already gone upstairs with a large stack of poems, while Zhu Peng was still muttering there.

Although Zhu Peng did not understand poetry very well, he could still discern some of the flavor of the poem "Morning Walk of Merchants" that Duan Rong hastily wrote for him: When I wake up in the morning, the bell of the journey rings, and I feel sad for my hometown. The crowing of chickens shines in the thatched tavern under the moon, and the footprints of people are covered in frost on the wooden bridge. Oak leaves fall on the mountain road, and citron flowers shine on the post station wall. Thinking of the dream in Duling, ducks and geese fill the pond.

He didn't quite understand the meaning of some sentences, but the rhythm and rhyme were obviously very graceful and elegant, and definitely not a low-brow work written to please the occasion.

In the embroidered building, Qin Xueying, wearing a veil, sat lazily in front of the desk, flipping through the manuscript of poems. As she flipped, a hint of anger appeared on her fair face.

"It's all just hypocritical and whining!"

"Nonsense! Nonsense!"

Qin Xueyin saw that she was about to finish reading the manuscript and thought that today would be another day when no one would go up to the tower.

"Is there really no one with real talent and knowledge in this Shenyun Mansion?"

Just then, she saw the last two drafts of poems.

She just read it once and her eyes lit up.

Then, she placed the two drafts of poems side by side on the desk, and the more she read them, the more she liked them.

The Qin Tower was crowded with admirers, many of whom had spent a lot of money and effort just to climb up to the Qin Tower and catch a glimpse of Qin Xueying's face.

About half an incense stick later, the maid who collected the manuscripts suddenly walked out of the embroidery building. Standing at the entrance of the stairs, she called out in a tender voice, "The people coming up the building today are Duan Rong and Zhu Peng!"

Zhu Peng was stunned when he heard this. He thought the poem written by Duan Rong was good, but at most it was just as good as the ones written by those scholars. How could he be able to climb the Qin Tower and win the favor of Qin Xueyin?

Is it luck?
No! Duan Rong himself was able to climb the tower. If it was just luck, how could the two poems he wrote be selected?

Zhu Peng turned his head and stared at Duan Rong in amazement, saying, "Brother Duan is truly a remarkable man!"

Duan Rong smiled and said, "Let's go upstairs!"

Zhu Peng looked at Qin Xueying's personal maid standing at the stairs with shining eyes and couldn't help drooling. This was his first time going upstairs.

The two of them pushed aside the crowd crowding at the stairs, climbed up to the Qin Building, and stepped into Qin Xueying's boudoir in full view of the jealous and envious gazes of the crowd.

After Duan Rong and Zhu Peng entered, the maid closed the door of the embroidery building.

The group of unsuccessful suitors were immediately disappointed.

"Isn't that guy Zhu Peng? The one from the Privy Council, can he write poetry? Go find out which scholar he got his poems from, and get me a copy too."

"Oh, that's not right. Wasn't there someone called Duan Rong just now? Have you heard of him?"

"Have not heard."

"It seems that the person who caused the thunder in the wild lake outside the city is called Duan Rong, right?"

"Correct!"

"You mean the person who just came up to the building was Duan Lei Shen! How is that possible? Wasn't he investigating a case at the Dali Temple? How could he have time to come to Yanyue Tower?"

Outside the building, the voices faded away.

Inside the boudoir of the embroidery building, Qin Xueyin played a tune for Duan Rong and Zhu Peng on the piano stand with the curtains drawn.

Zhu Peng stared at Qin Xueyin who was wearing a veil behind the curtain. Although he couldn't see her real face, he could still feel her elegant and graceful demeanor.

Qin Xueyin finished playing the zither and felt a little tired. She had just recovered from a slight cold a few days ago and was still feeling very lazy. If she hadn't been so fond of the two poems, she wouldn't have played the zither.

Qin Xueying waved her hand slightly, and two maids rolled up the bamboo curtain.

Qin Xueyin's face was faintly visible under the veil.

This is her greatest sincerity.

Zhu Peng was even more delighted. This time, he almost saw half of Qin Xueying's true appearance!

Qin Xueyin glanced at Duan Rong and Zhu Peng and said, "The poems written by the two gentlemen are the best poems Xueyin has read in the past two years. They are really delicious!"

"Although Mr. Duan's poem is only twenty words long, it is as powerful as a dagger or a pistol, and it is as fierce as the wind and clouds! The one who can write this poem must be a real man, a real hero!"

Duan Rong smiled slightly, picked up the cup in front of him, drank it all, and said: "Actually, this poem was written by a fellow villager of mine!"

"Oh?" Qin Xueyin smiled softly and said, "Young Master is quite frank."

In fact, there were more than one or two people who borrowed other people's poems to go up to the tower, so there was the saying of chatting over the zither. She just wanted to see the quality and whether the poems were real talent and knowledge, which she could tell with just a few sentences.

Duan Rong said: "Miss, do you want to know what kind of person my fellow countryman is?"

Qin Xueyin said, "I would like to hear the details."

Duan Rong said: "In his early years, he was indeed a righteous man, just as described in the poem. But later, he became a thief who sold out his friends for fame and forgot his roots. I want to ask you, young lady, can the human heart really be seen in the poem?"

Duan Rong's question was like a thorn that pricked Qin Xueyin.

She held the Qinlou poetry contest because she believed in the principle that poetry can express one's aspirations and reveal one's nature. If the human heart cannot be seen in poetry, wouldn't it be a joke for her to put on such a big show? Duan Rong was exposing her shortcomings by asking this question.

Qin Xueyin said with all her might: "Xueyin firmly believes that people's hearts can be seen in poetry."

"Really?" Duan Rong looked at her with a smile.

Qin Xueyin sighed and said, "It's a pity that people's hearts change easily. I firmly believe that Mr. Duan's fellow villager had a sincere heart of a righteous man when he wrote this poem. Without this heart, there would be no such poem. However, the world is bleak and people's hearts are changed! That thief who sold out his friends for fame and forgot his ancestors is no longer the righteous man he was back then, and he would never be able to write such a poem!"

Duan Rong was slightly surprised when he heard this. He couldn't help but applaud this girl's understanding of the human heart in poetry! "Miss, this is a very insightful statement! I will teach you!"

Not only did Qin Xueying speak well, but Duan Rong even felt that what she said might be the truth hidden in the dust of history.

People’s hearts are fickle!
(End of this chapter)