Ming Dynasty Detective 1546

Chapter 184 The Fate of Drug Addicts
"You want to make room for those two women?"

"Yes...yes! How could I not repay such a life-saving debt? They are all alone and helpless, and I have already promised to take good care of them!"

Yan Shifan answered somewhat embarrassedly, then added, "Mingwei, you rescued me with your own hands, so you should understand the crucial roles Yunshao and Churou played in the process, right?"

That was truly a life-saving grace, not what my mother misunderstood—that I was merely lustful.

Haiyue does know some of it, but not all of it.

His consistent approach is to handle things one step at a time.

At that time, the most important thing was to rescue Yan Shifan, capture the kidnappers, and suppress this trouble that was shaking the dignity of the imperial examination system and causing turmoil in the court and among the people.

Liang Jinglun and his remaining associates have now been escorted to the imperial prison for rigorous interrogation. Even if Yan Shifan doesn't reveal the details, Haiyue will inquire about them.

Since the other party had brought it up, Haiyue decided to press on: "I'll arrange the house..."

Yan Shifan was overjoyed: "Mingwei is indeed a good friend. Only you would help me with this!"

Haiyue continued, "But if Uncle Yan asks me where the house is, I won't hide it from him, because it's your secondary residence, and I can't hide it from my elders."

Yan Shifan's face stiffened, and he stammered, "Father...Father won't question this, will he? I'll settle things outside and won't bring them back!"

On his way back to the Imperial Academy, he had already made this plan. After all, Yun Shao's identity was indeed inconvenient, and Yan Song was about to be promoted to the cabinet. He couldn't let his career be affected at this crucial moment, because no favor could replace that.

Such behavior of keeping mistresses in a gilded cage was very common among the playboys in the capital. They all had very extravagant lifestyles. Yan Shifan had always envied them, and now he finally had the opportunity to step forward.

Haiyue asked a very practical question: "If you plan to keep her as a mistress, where will the money come from?"

Life is about the mundane necessities of daily life. The former courtesan's expenses would certainly not be low. Given Yan Shifan's current financial situation, even though his father holds a high official position, he really cannot afford to support her unless he asks his mother, Ouyang, for money.

Unexpectedly, Yan Shifan's eyes darted around, and he was already prepared: "When Yun Shao left the capital, he must have taken money with him. It must have been robbed by Liang Jinglun's gang of thieves. Once the items are returned to their rightful owner, won't they have the money?"

Haiyue: "..."

As expected of you!

Keeping a mistress and then having her pay to support you—are you just getting something for nothing?
Yan Shifan, however, felt no shame whatsoever. This was a love forged through hardship, and it could not be hindered by worldly suffering. He even wanted to act immediately: "Mingwei, when are we going to the Northern Garrison Command? I want to see Liang Jinglun's fate with my own eyes!"

"Alright! I originally thought you needed to rest for a few days, but since Donglou is so energetic, let's go."

Haiyue nodded slightly, stood up, greeted everyone, and led Yan Shifan out of Yixintang.

On the way, I chatted for a few more minutes with my classmates who had come to offer their condolences after hearing the news, and then we left the Imperial College.

Then they met Zhao Wenhua at the door.

Hearing that Yan Shifan had been kidnapped at the Deer Cry Banquet, Zhao Wenhua deliberately avoided him. After all, he had a minor conflict with Yan Shifan before, and Yan Song would definitely be furious when Yan Shifan died tragically. If he were to wander around in front of him and get implicated, it would be bad.

But to everyone's surprise, Yan Shifan was rescued in less than a day.

Feeling sorry for the heavens, Zhao Wenhua rushed to the Imperial Academy and was greeted by them with a joyful expression: "It's wonderful to see that Brother Donglou is alright. I didn't sleep a wink last night, just praying for Brother Donglou. Sure enough, good people are always blessed!"

Seeing the sincerity on the other party's face, Yan Shifan's dislike for him lessened considerably, and he laughed heartily, "Yuanzhi, there's no need for this. With Mingwei and the Embroidered Uniform Guard here, how could a mere thief harm me?"

Zhao Wenhua sincerely said, "The leader of the organization is exceptionally intelligent and resourceful, and Lord Yan enjoys the Emperor's favor, which is why the Embroidered Uniform Guard can be used as easily as an extension of their own limb, acting with swift and decisive efficiency..."

"Alright, alright!"

Yan Shifan immediately became alert and waved his hand: "We're going to the Northern Garrison Command. Do you dare to come?"

Zhao Wenhua first looked at Hai Yue, and seeing her nod slightly, he then agreed: "Of course, of course! I also want to see it for myself!"

"go!"

The office of the Northern Garrison Command was near Dongzhimen. When they got really close, both Yan Shifan and Zhao Wenhua subconsciously slowed down and felt a sense of fear.

After all, this institution, since its establishment during the reign of Emperor Chengzu, has been built upon piles of bones, not those of ordinary people, but those of high-ranking officials.

How could we not be afraid?

However, when they actually got closer, they found that it was not quite what they had imagined.

The weather is nice today. The sunlight shines obliquely on the vermilion gate, and the four black plaques with gold characters on a black background that read "Beizhen Fusi" on the lintel look upright and solemn in the sunlight.

Four guards in brown cotton armor stood on either side of the gate, swords at their waists, their expressions calm, occasionally bowing to the officials entering and leaving. There was no gloomy atmosphere, nor any deliberately exaggerated sense of solemnity. From the outside, the Northern Garrison Command looked like any other government office in the capital, appearing ordinary and busy under the autumn sun.

Haiyue stepped forward to announce their arrival, and soon Hong Qi came out to greet them, leading the three inside.

As they walked further in, Yan Shifan and Zhao Wenhua increasingly felt that perhaps their prejudices had been too deep-rooted.
Passing through the gate, you are greeted by a wide path paved with blue bricks, with several old locust trees planted on both sides, their branches rough and calloused.

Passing the screen wall, you enter the main courtyard. The courtyard is not very large, but it is well-organized. There are corridors on the east and west sides, and several wooden tables are placed under the corridors. Several clerks are copying documents at their desks. Occasionally, someone will look up to rub their sore wrists and pick up a teacup to take a sip of tea.

The main hall door was open, and the light was bright. You could hear people talking. In a corner of the courtyard, several servants were sweeping fallen leaves with brooms. The rustling sound of sweeping mixed with the noise of the market in the distance, which made the whole government office seem unusually peaceful.

'Phew! It's nothing special!'

Yan Shifan and Zhao Wenhua both breathed a sigh of relief. Seeing their relieved expressions, Hong Qi grinned slightly and said, "Please come this way!"

They hadn't walked more than a few steps when they were horrified to find that their surroundings had changed.

Along the long passage, the blue bricks are mottled and covered with withered vines, as if some invisible force has drained their life force. The sunlight overhead is blocked, and cold dampness seeps from the cracks in the stone slabs.

Before the prison gate at the far end stood two stone-carved Bi'an, their beastly heads ferocious, fangs bared, and empty eyes seemingly staring intently at anyone entering. The Imperial Guards standing guard at the gate were expressionless. Although it was daytime, they held torches in their hands, casting their faces in half-light and half-shadow. As the torchlight flickered, their shadows twisted and stretched on the wall, not resembling human figures, but rather some kind of lurking monster, waiting for its next prey to step into this infernal place from which there was no escape.

"This...this is the Imperial Prison?"

Yan Shifan and Zhao Wenhua's faces changed drastically, and their teeth chattered.

'The person who can set up such a formidable setup must be a master interrogator!'

Haiyue was secretly amazed by this contrast and the scale of the situation. The ancients had also mastered this kind of psychological intimidation without a teacher, and they had figured it out perfectly.

Even if they don't actually go to jail, just seeing this facade would probably make them lose seven or eight tenths of their courage, and the subsequent interrogation would naturally be much more effective.

However, once inside, they found that the air circulation was excellent, far removed from the bloody and foul smells of the local government offices, and the corridors were spacious.

Walking further in, one could see Lu Bing's broad back standing outside the prison, observing the people inside.

The three stepped forward, and before they could speak, their eyes instinctively drifted inside.

Liang Jinglun, whom Haiyue and Yan Shifan had met not long ago, was huddled in a dark corner, trembling slightly. One hand was groping on his body, while the other was gripping the ground, digging into the cracks in the brickwork, oblivious to the fact that his fingernails were breaking and bleeding.

His sallow face was covered in cold sweat, his eye sockets were sunken like two black holes, and his cloudy eyes darted around wildly but could not be focused. He muttered under his breath, "Give me...give me one more bite..."

Suddenly, Liang Jinglun began to convulse violently, his back arching into an eerie curve, the veins on his neck throbbing bulging, his thin limbs spasming, and his joints making a teeth-grinding cracking sound.

Under the startled gazes of Yan and Zhao, he thrashed about on the ground like a fish out of water, his forehead slamming heavily against the ground with a painful sound, again and again, as if he could drive away the millions of gnawing ants in his brain.

"quick!"

Lu Bing waved his hand, and two Imperial Guards rushed in and held him tightly to prevent him from harming himself.

"Ah ...

Liang Jinglun could only struggle and roar wildly, saliva uncontrollably dripping from the corner of his mouth, accumulating into a small puddle on his dirty clothes.

"This person first used 'Floating Life Fragrance' to enhance sexual performance. After three years, his desire grew stronger, so he used a large amount of 'Hibiscus Intoxication'. Two years later, he has now become completely uncontrollable!"

Lu Bing slowly spoke: "Do you believe it? This guy's name wasn't chosen wrong; he's actually a scholar!"

The Ming Dynasty allowed merchant families to participate in the imperial examinations. For example, Zhang Siwei, the later Grand Secretary, was from the Liang family, which was a merchant family. Liang Zhou named his son Liang Jinglun, clearly hoping that his son would be learned and knowledgeable. Liang Jinglun did indeed have the title of Juren (a successful candidate in the provincial-level imperial examinations). Perhaps it was not much in the central government of the Ming Dynasty, where Jinshi (successful candidates in the highest-level imperial examinations) were everywhere, but it was undoubtedly a sign of the upper class.

But now, the young master of Wantong Shipping has become like this.

Yan Shifan stared blankly, all hatred gone, replaced by a cold sweat. He suddenly turned to Zhao Wenhua: "If I had drunk your Hundred Flowers Wine, would I have turned into this too?"

Zhao Wenhua was equally stunned, muttering to himself, "I don't know... I don't know..."

To be honest, during the previous investigation of "Hundred Flowers Brew" and "Gastrodia Powder", Haiyue repeatedly used the name of Southeast Asian witchcraft to emphasize the harmfulness of these poppy products. When the diary of "Winged Fire Serpent" was seized, it was confirmed that it had attracted the attention of the emperor and his officials.

While it's important to pay attention, a hundred words of description are ultimately no substitute for seeing the state of an addict in person.

Haiyue's voice was low and menacing as she delivered a chilling warning: "Neither human nor ghost!"

(End of this chapter)