jdhmnovel Chapter 124 He is like a wolf howling in the mountains
Chapter 124 He is like a wolf howling in the mountains
Qi Xiao didn't go to the Dali Temple until the afternoon. Pei Hao was busy writing documents for the Luo Yu case. He thought the case was almost closed and Qi Xiao didn't need to come to the Dali Temple every day like Yingmao. So when he heard the servant's message, Pei Hao was a little surprised.
"Greetings to His Majesty the Ninth Prince."
"Master Pei, there's no need to be so polite." Qi Xiao didn't want to waste time on small talk, so he went straight to the point. "Is Master Pei really busy with Master Luo's case right now?"
Pei Hao frowned and couldn't help but sigh. Case closed? How could it be closed without the murderer apprehended? The Jingji Protectorate had arrested so many people, but not a single one confessed to the murderer. And that old man, Cao Weishan, had no intention of further investigation. When they met yesterday, he repeatedly urged Pei Hao to "quit while he's ahead" and quickly close the case.
"Master Pei, the murderer has not been caught yet."
Pei Hao raised his eyes and looked at Qi Xiao: "What does Your Highness mean?"
"I want a thorough investigation."
Pei Hao was stunned. Qi Xiao's intelligence had become clear to Pei Hao these days. He was very much like His Majesty: decisive and efficient, yet thoughtful and discerning. His Majesty's prioritization of him was truly foresighted. Pei Hao admitted that he had a new appreciation for Qi Xiao, but Qi Xiao was, after all, a prince. If he wanted to establish himself in Yuanjing, he had to handle this case with flying colors. He had already done so, so why was a thorough investigation necessary?
However, a thorough investigation of the Luo Yu case would go against His Majesty's wishes, which would be excessive and would do no good at all. It would only cause trouble for Qi Xiao himself. Why would he investigate? And why would he tell him about it?
"Master Pei, are you going to close the case here?"
Pei Hao's brow furrowed, and he looked several years older. He certainly didn't want to close the case; he would wait until Cao Weishan transferred the criminal to the Dali Temple, where he would definitely conduct a retrial. The Dali Temple was the place where the laws of Dachen were upheld. The guilty would be punished, and how could the crime of murder be tolerated?
"Since Lord Pei is unwilling to close the case hastily, I have an unwelcome request. I hope Lord Pei can help me."
"Your Highness, why are you doing this? You know it's impossible."
"Why is that, Master Pei?"
Pei Hao sighed deeply, "Where there are laws and regulations, people cannot resort to trickery and deception." (From Guanzi. Mingfa, meaning: Where there are laws and regulations, people cannot resort to trickery and deception.)
He had spent his entire life in the Dali Temple, and he no longer cared about maintaining a clean government. He simply wanted to hold onto his own little piece of land, at least to be able to clean up the mess right in front of his own door. But Luo Yu had suddenly died. Having been his colleague for over a decade, how could Pei Hao bear it? How could he not be furious? How could he close the case and not investigate?! Even if it meant implicating more people, even the emperor's sons and powerful ministers, he would investigate even if it cost him his life!
When Qi Xiao saw Pei Hao gritting his teeth, he knew that he was right. Pei Hao was a loyal and upright person, completely different from Cao Weishan. There was no need for him to say anything. Pei Hao had no intention of giving up.
"Lord Pei wants to investigate this case, so why not let me do it? If His Majesty blames me, please save me, Lord Pei."
Pei Hao was stunned. He didn't understand what Qi Xiao meant. What was he going to do?
Pei Hao sat in front of the documents on the desk for a long time. The tea beside him had long since gone cold, but he was unaware of it. It was not until the sky gradually darkened and the waiter came into the room to add more lights that he seemed to come back to his senses and sighed.
Pei Hao was completely astonished by Qi Xiao. He looked nothing like a prince, yet he resembled His Majesty. But every time Pei Hao thought about this, he realized that Qi Xiao was nothing like his father. He was like a wild horse, a haughty eagle, a wolf howling through the mountains. He cared nothing for the balance of power or false respectability. He glared at his prey with a calm and ferocious gaze, like a beast capable of devouring even the most wicked. But Pei Hao wondered if he cared nothing for rules and regulations...
When Qi Xiao asked Pei Hao what he insisted on, Pei Hao said without hesitation, "Therefore, those who have laws and regulations cannot be deceived by trickery." This was the righteousness in Pei Hao's heart.
But Qi Xiao didn't reveal his true intentions to Pei Hao. Was it for power? For profit? Was he seeking his own demise if he couldn't please His Majesty?
What is the Tao in Qi Xiao’s heart?
If the paths are different, then we should not consult with each other.
But besides Qi Xiao, is there anyone else who will investigate Luo Yu's case? No one.
Pei Hao knew that he would definitely anger the emperor after investigating this case. He had already anticipated that the outcome would be dismissal from office at the lightest and death penalty at the worst, but the morality in his heart could not be destroyed, so he had to go against the current this time.
But Qi Xiao said that he would be the one to investigate the case, and that he could actually use him. Once the murderer was apprehended and the truth of the case was revealed, Pei Hao would only need to speak out for justice. Qi Xiao would bear the brunt of His Majesty's wrath.
Qi Xiao asked him to save his life.
Pei Hao sighed heavily and couldn't help but smile bitterly. It was clearly Qi Xiao who was protecting him! He was already old, and he actually needed a kid to protect him?!
Before I knew it, the night had fallen completely dark.
Pei Hao finally stepped out of the room and shuddered at the cold night wind. It was almost time for him to go out and have a drink.
The Dali Temple has been extremely busy recently and has not had a proper Mid-Autumn Festival. Other government offices have Mid-Autumn Festival banquets, but the Dali Temple has not had one this year. Firstly, Luo Yu has not even celebrated his 37th birthday, so no one is embarrassed to bring it up. Secondly, Pei Hao is a conservative person and has never liked banquets. Now that Pei Hao, the Shaoqing of the Dali Temple, is in charge, the subordinates dare not bring it up.
Pei Hao walked around the Dali Temple and found that most of his colleagues were still busy. If he didn't leave, others would not dare to leave too early.
"Call everyone over, let's get together."
When Pei Hao said this, everyone stared at him with wide eyes, and they were all so shocked that they couldn't speak.
Pei Hao sighed, "Let's go, let's go. Anyone who has nothing to do tonight can come. The moon is full on the 16th, so let's make up for the Mid-Autumn Festival and toast Lao Luo a glass of wine."
...Drinking?! Pei Hao said he wanted to treat his colleagues to a drink?!
"Click." Someone accidentally dropped the pen.
"Alright, Master Pei is treating us, how can we refuse? Let's go, pack up, and leave now."
Just like that, more than a dozen officials came out from the Dali Temple and headed towards the East Market.
The East Market was still as bustling as usual, but it was much quieter than yesterday.
Although there are many restaurants in the East Market, there are not many places that can accommodate more than ten officials from the Dali Temple to eat and drink to their heart's content. Pei Hao didn't understand this and just followed them. Sure enough, he walked into Yongxing Lane. Qi Xiao said that he only needed to choose a location facing the street.
How hard could it be for the officials from the Dali Temple to get a seat facing the street? Pei Hao didn't even need to ask. He glanced at the window seats facing the street. The shopkeeper naturally understood and hurriedly greeted them and escorted them to the table.
Pei Hao sat by the window and sighed slightly.
"Master Pei, come, let us colleagues toast you first."