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

Chapter 456 Wax Wax Secret Letter
Lu Geng was sitting in front of the desk, eating and drinking lavishly when Wang Maochun and Chen Shanmeng suddenly walked in from the door. As soon as they came in, they knelt down and paid their respects.

"We, Wang Maochun and Chen Shanmeng, are here to greet you, Your Excellency!"

Lu Geng was drinking a bowl of soup, and the two people's shouting almost choked him. He wiped the soup from the corner of his mouth, glanced at the two people kneeling on the ground at the door, and said, "You two adults, please stand up. We are not in the hall. There is no need to be so formal."

Wang Maochun and Chen Shanmeng stood up immediately. While they were standing up, Lu Geng tilted his neck back and poured the last bit of soup into his mouth.

Lu Geng burped, put down the empty soup bowl in his hand contentedly, looked at Wang Maochun and Chen Shanmeng, and said with a smile: "You two adults are very well-informed!"

Wang Maochun glanced at the empty dishes on the table and said, "Just before you came, the official document from the sect had already arrived. I specially called Chen to come and pay my respects to you."

Lu Geng smiled slightly, already understanding the meaning of Wang Maochun's words.

Chen Shanmeng also took a half step forward, clasped his fists and said, "Your Excellency is here. Please come to the Dali Temple and take charge of the trial."

Lu Geng stood up and said, "There is no rush to handle the case. When Yang Yi, Jiang Zhe and others arrive, we will go to the Dali Temple together. Now, I have to go see my junior brother first."

“Junior brother?” Wang Maochun was stunned for a moment, then suddenly realized and blurted out, “Master Wang Yue is here too?”

As Lu Geng walked out, he said, "It's not Wang Yue, it's Duan Rong!"

"Duan Rong?!"

Wang Maochun and Chen Shanmeng looked at each other in shock when they heard this. At this time, Lu Geng had already walked out of the room, went downstairs, and rode out of the inn.

Half a year ago, both of them had heard that Duan Rong was accepted into the sect by Zhu He and became the sect's direct disciple, but when did Duan Rong arrive at the Shenyun Mansion?
Zhu Zhengfu went to Guanglu Mansion to handle some important official business in the morning, and gave his three deputies some instructions before returning home. It was not that he wanted to be lazy, but he had been paying attention to the public opinion in Shenyun Mansion these days, so he had no time to take care of other things, so he had to put the affairs of the government office aside.

The information from the spies is usually delivered to the mansion in the afternoon or evening.

At this time, Zhu Zhengfu took a few sips of ginseng tea and prepared to sit in the recliner to rest.

At this moment, the old butler Zhu Yu rushed in in a panic. Maybe he walked too fast and bumped into a coffee table at the entrance, causing it to move with a creak.

Zhu Zhengfu opened his eyes, and there was a hint of displeasure in his eyes. Before Zhu Yu stepped forward, he scolded him: "It's been so many years, and you are still so flustered. You have no manners at all..."

Before Zhu Zhengfu finished speaking, Zhu Yu interrupted him and said, "Master, Lord Lu Geng is here!"

"Lu Geng!" Zhu Zhengfu immediately straightened his back in his chair and asked anxiously, "Where is he? Where is he?"

Zhu Yu said, "We have already entered the mansion and will soon reach the rockery."

"Quick, follow me to meet him!"

Zhu Zhengfu immediately jumped up from his chair. His fat body was as agile as an old monkey. He rushed out of the door and headed towards the rockery.

Zhu Zhengfu walked out of the room and saw from afar the doorman leading a tall and burly man, walking around the rockery and towards this side.

Zhu Zhengfu ran over, knelt on the ground, and shouted, "I didn't know Lord Lu was coming. I'm sorry for not coming to greet you."

"Okay, Master Zhu, I've come here several times! Stop the empty formalities!" Lu Geng asked, "Where's my junior brother?"

"Master Duan?" Zhu Zhengfu raised his head and said, "Master Duan is in the other courtyard!"

"Come on, take me there!" Lu Geng knew where the villa was, so he walked towards it. Zhu Zhengfu immediately stood up and followed him.

Inside the courtyard, Duan Rong was teaching Ruyi how to practice calligraphy. The two of them sat together, copying calligraphy and joking from time to time.

At this moment, Zhu Zhengfu ran in, knelt down at the door, and said, "I pay my respects to you, sir!"

Duan Rong was holding Ruyi's white and tender hands and copying the word "late". There was a faint smile on the corner of Ruyi's mouth.

Duan Rong frowned and glanced at Zhu Zhengfu who was kneeling at the door. He was wondering, Zhu Zhengfu usually came to pay homage in the evening and report the day's public opinion to him, why did he come to pay his respects so early today?

Duan Rong was just about to wake up Zhu Zhengfu and ask him what happened, but he saw a figure walking in from the door.

At this time, the sun was shining at the door. Duan Rong was standing in front of the desk where he was copying calligraphy. He saw a tall black shadow surrounded by a halo of sunlight coming in. Under the halo, he could not see the person's face clearly for a moment.

"Junior brother! We are all on the peak, worrying about you every day. Especially the senior sister, who talks about you every day. But you are really a gentle and pretty lady in the countryside!" The man said to Duan Rong as soon as he stepped into the room.

When that familiar voice sounded, how could Duan Rong not know who was coming?
At this time, Lu Geng had walked out of the sun's reflection and stood not far from Duan Rong.

"Senior Brother Lu, why are you here?" Duan Rong asked in surprise.

Lu Geng sat down on the armchair beside him and said, "Why can't I come? I'm sorry to bother you, Junior Brother, to study with me at night!"

As Lu Geng spoke, he lifted his butt slightly from his seat, stretched his neck, glanced at the calligraphy on Duan Rong's desk, and said in a sarcastic tone, "Oh - writing! How elegant!"

Lu Geng came in suddenly, and Ruyi just reacted at this time. She pulled her hand away from Duan Rong's hand, put down the brush, and stood aside with a blushing face.

Lu Geng sat there, staring at Ruyi, making a sound of "tsk tsk tsk" as he looked at her, and said, "She is so beautiful! Junior brother, you are so lucky! Alas..."

Duan Rong was no longer in the mood to talk nonsense with Lu Geng. He knew that Lu Geng must have something to do when he came here at this time. He glanced at Ruyi and said, "Ruyi, serve tea to my senior brother!"

"No need!" Lu Geng said, "I just drank a big bowl of soup and my stomach is full." Ruyi heard this and stood there in a dilemma.

Lu Geng glanced at him and said, "Girl, please go out first. I have something to discuss with your lover."

The lover that Lu Geng was referring to was naturally Duan Rong.

Ruyi felt even more embarrassed and ashamed when she heard this, but she still couldn't suppress the joy that rose in her heart.

Ruyi lowered her head, walked past Duan Rong and went out.

At this time, Zhu Zhengfu was still kneeling at the door. Lu Geng turned his head to look at him and said, "Master Zhu, you should go first."

"Yes! Your lord!"

Zhu Zhengfu then stood up, turned around and walked out the door.

Duan Rong sat not far from Lu Geng with a serious look on his face, not saying a word.

Ruyi carefully closed the door and walked towards the gate of the villa.

The moment the door closed, Duan Rong felt a trace of spiritual consciousness coming out from Lu Geng, sweeping outward. It was obvious that Lu Geng was worried about the surroundings and was afraid that someone would eavesdrop on their conversation.

Duan Rong looked at Lu Geng and said coldly, "Brother, when did you arrive? How did you get here?"

Lu Geng glanced at Duan Rong after hearing this, and there was no trace of laughter on his face. "I just arrived this morning, riding a horse through the East Gate."

The muscles on Duan Rong's face twitched, and he asked, "You rode in through the East City Gate and came straight to me?"

Lu Geng said, "That's not the case! I went to the inn to eat something first, and then Wang Maochun and Chen Shanmeng came to the inn to pay homage. I told them that I was coming to see you, and then I came here." "What?!" Duan Rong didn't understand Lu Geng's actions for a moment, and asked, "Brother, I think you think I'm not exposed enough! Aren't you obviously going to let the entire Shenyun Mansion know that I'm here?"

Lu Geng smiled and said, "Junior brother, do you still think that your presence in this courtyard is still a secret? Not only in Shenyun Mansion, but also in the elders' courtyard of the sect hundreds of miles away, who doesn't know you are here?"

Duan Rong didn't understand Lu Geng's meaning for a while. The only person who had come to investigate in the past few days was the waiter of Taihe Tower, and he retreated without even seeing his appearance. They might know that there was someone in this courtyard, but how could they guess that it was him?
Lu Geng suddenly changed the subject and asked gloomily, "Junior brother, let me ask you, how did you kill Li Shensi?"

Duan Rong frowned and said, "Kill him with poison!"

Hearing this, Lu Geng suddenly stood up, paced in front of Duan Rong, and asked, "Jiang Zhe brought a pharmacist from the sect's pharmacy, and he's on the way. Can the poison be tested?"

Duan Rong said calmly: "It can't be tested."

Lu Geng suddenly stopped, turned his head and looked at Duan Rong, and asked, "Junior brother, this matter is of great importance, don't be careless! Are you sure you can't find out?"

Duan Rong nodded and said, "Sure." Of course he was sure. Li Shensi was not poisoned at all. Who could prove it?
Lu Geng still stood there, staring at Duan Rong in a daze, as if waiting for his explanation.

Duan Rong had already thought of an excuse for this before planning the Wuji Mountain incident, so he said calmly, "That kind of poison is volatile. After the death of the deceased, the toxins in the body will evaporate within about a day. Li Shensi fell from the cliff and turned into a pool of rotten meat when he died, which accelerated the evaporation of the toxins. I'm afraid it will evaporate almost within an hour!"

Lu Geng's solemn expression suddenly eased a lot, his eyes moved, and he continued to ask: "The sect's pharmacist can't test it?"

Duan Rong said: "It has already evaporated. How can I test it? I can't even test it myself."

Lu Geng finally laughed at this time, reached out and patted Duan Rong on the shoulder, saying: "Junior brother, I didn't expect you to be such a master of poison!"

As Lu Geng spoke, he sat back in his chair and said, "Master is very satisfied with your actions this time. He praised you for using your mind wisely and not sticking to one pattern!"

Duan Rong smiled without commenting. If the poison could be identified, Lu Geng probably would not say the same thing.

Duan Rong asked, "Is Jiang Zhe here to investigate the Li Shensi case?"

Lu Geng said: "This is what Master Chu meant! Yang Yi, I and Jiang Zhe will handle the case of Li Shensi in the Dali Temple."

Duan Rong heard this and pondered for a moment before saying, "This arrangement seems a little unusual."

In the case of the former Shangshu Ling Zhu Shizhong, Duan Rong intervened only to assist in the investigation. The case was handled by the Dali Temple and the main handlers were Zhu Cheng and Zhu Peng. In other words, the case at that time was handled entirely within the secular judicial structure.

Lu Geng said: "Things are not ordinary, how can the arrangements be ordinary?"

In fact, when Zhu Shizhong died, firstly, his death was strange, and it was initially thought to be a natural disaster. Secondly, he was Zhu He's bloodline. In the elders' council, everyone else knew it tacitly and did not ask about it. The case was completely led by Zhu He alone.

But this time Li Shensi was different. In the Elders' Council, Zhu He and Ge Rushong were already arguing fiercely, so the arrangement was naturally unusual.

Lu Geng continued, "Brother, do you know? In the elders' hall of the sect, Ge Rushong insisted that you killed Li Shensi."

Duan Rong's expression remained unchanged. He sighed and said, "Doing dirty work and getting stigmatized, isn't this a common thing?"

Lu Geng said: "Brother, don't worry. As long as Li Shensi's poison cannot be detected, this matter will be simple. Even if it can be detected, Master has a way to let you pass safely."

Upon hearing this, Duan Rong glanced at Lu Geng. Lu Geng's words clearly implied that they had a backup plan.

At this moment, Lu Geng suddenly raised his eyes and looked around, and said as he looked around: "But Junior Brother, there are dirty things in your courtyard."

Duan Rong's eyes turned cold, and he asked, "What dirty stuff?"

Lu Geng said, "Ge Rushong described your whereabouts in the elders' hall of the sect very clearly, even down to the exact time. Junior brother, tell me if there is any dirt around you."

Duan Rong's eyelids twitched.

"He is hundreds of miles away and knows exactly when you left the villa and when you came back."

Duan Rong immediately understood who it was.

The guards outside the courtyard were not allowed to approach the courtyard. Only Qiu Luan and Ruyi could enter the courtyard. Ruyi was the only one who could accurately track the whereabouts of the emperor down to the exact time. Moreover, when he sneaked out on the night before the sacrifice, he did not use the powder to knock Ruyi unconscious.

Lu Geng looked at Duan Rong and said, "It seems that Junior Brother already knows who it is."

In fact, Lu Geng had already guessed it all along. The guards outside could not come in, and the guard in the yard was just sitting on the big bluestone. The biggest suspect was obviously the beautiful maid who was so attractive just now.

A cold light flashed in Duan Rong's eyes at this moment.

Ruyi was found by Zhu Zhengfu, but the person behind him was obviously not Zhu Zhengfu. Zhu Zhengfu is Zhu He's bloodline in the secular world. If he did so, he would be betraying his own clan and digging his own grave.

There is only one possibility. When Zhu Zhengfu went to the yard to buy a skinny horse, the matchmaker was Ge Rushong's man, and he took the opportunity to insert Ruyi in.

Zhu Zhengfu looked at Duan Rong and continued, "Ge Rusong insisted in the sect elders' council that you killed Li Shensi, so Master had a big argument with them, saying that he sent you to Shenyun Mansion to secretly investigate the spies in the city."

"Investigate the spy?!" Duan Rong's eyelids twitched wildly when he heard that. He had a premonition that another dirty job was coming.

Lu Geng laughed and said, "If Li Shensi's poison can't be tested, the case can't be linked to you. But since Master said that he sent you to investigate the spies, you have to find some to silence those who are talking nonsense!"

Duan Rong sat there in silence. Why did this old man always assign him this kind of work!?
Seeing that Duan Rong didn't respond, Lu Geng said, "Junior brother! Master's family said that you already knew the details of the spy. Is that true or not?"

Duan Rong sat there and sneered. Why did he feel that the old man was plotting against him?
Those spies were the result of Ge Rushong's years of planning. Even if he wanted to silence those who were talking nonsense, he only arrested a few of them for show. If he really hit Ge Rushong's weak spot, wouldn't that be like pulling out a tooth from a tiger's mouth?

Lu Geng said: "Regarding the matter of catching spies, Master has something to say to you!"

Duan Rong asked, "What?"

Lu Geng said: "Cut the grass and eradicate it! Pull it out by the roots!"

Duan Rong took a deep breath, his scalp tingling. He did not respond to Lu Geng for a long time. Dangerous? !

Lu Geng glanced at Duan Rong and said, "I have already told you what to do. It's up to you, Junior Brother. Oh, there is one more thing."

Duan Rong raised his head with a bitter expression.

Lu Geng said: "Master also told you that when you catch spies, don't move this spy next to you!"

"Why don't you move this line for now?" Duan Rong asked in surprise.

"Correct!"

"Why?" Duan Rong was puzzled as to why Zhu He asked this question.

Lu Geng said: "Master told me, how would I know. And Master has a secret letter for you."

As Lu Geng spoke, he pulled out a secret letter sealed with wax from his lapel and placed it on the table in front of Duan Rong.

(End of this chapter)