eldest son of Ming dynasty

Chapter 903 Power Has Only a Purpose
Compared with the emperor's supremacy,

Mei Chengtai, the only son of the Pinghai Marquisate, is in some ways a winner in life.

His grandfather was a marquis in the imperial court, his aunt was the emperor's favorite concubine, the prince was a brother of the same generation in the family, and the emperor was his uncle.

The Mei family has always been rich.
Born in such a family, Mei Chengtai doesn't know what sorrow is.

Until he vaguely saw the girl's profile, one look, one expression, it made the young heart unable to control itself, and he often lost his appetite.

So I come to Changle Terrace every day, often listening to the meaning of the music and paying attention to the people in the music.

The seat for distinguished guests of Miss Lin Qingyun in Changle Terrace is difficult for ordinary people to enter. Even if you spend a fortune, it still depends on who spends the money.

As night falls, lewd music gradually rises. The slender and soft tea-serving girls are infinitely charming. They shuttle between the seated guests, smiling sweetly and letting their imagination run wild. In the center of the dance floor, seven or eight fairies dance lightly with slender waists, transforming into graceful dance poses. Of course, all this is just a backdrop.

Everyone was glancing at the pretty figure behind the pink thin curtain, intentionally or unintentionally. The pair of arms that only reflected her shadow were either lightly lifting or slowly pressing. And for some reason, it seemed that the thin curtain between them gave rise to a different kind of beauty.

Mei Chengtai sat in his seat and shook his head for a while, then looked at the so-called Duke's son whom he looked down upon.
"Xu Yande, Changle Terrace costs at least five hundred taels of silver for one night. If you imitate me and come here every day, don't let your own father punish you and make you unable to leave the house! Haha!"

Beauty is here,

Xu Yande did not give in, "Everyone knows that the Mei family is rich, but you are so vulgar when you start talking about money."

"Bang!" Mei Chengtai slammed the table, "What did you say?!"

"Don't make noise, don't make noise."

A girl with rosy cheeks and bulging breasts came between the two of them. She clapped her hands and said, "Today is Miss Lin's big day. The two princes should be patient so as not to ruin the atmosphere here."

"Big day, what day?" Mei Chengtai asked maliciously.

"Don't worry, young master. You will know in a moment."

So they all enjoyed a wonderful time amidst the singing and dancing.

Until a certain note of the guzheng suddenly stopped, everything stopped, the dancer left the stage, and the thin curtain was pulled aside, revealing a beautiful woman with translucent white skin.

She took a few steps closer, and soft light fell on her, as if casting a faint halo along her figure, and a tranquil and gentle atmosphere spread.

She has a pair of eyes that are big, deep, and as bright as lake water. A simple glance at her can make everything shine.

Especially the slender waist tied with satin, which suddenly turns inward at the abdomen, forming an exaggerated curve.

This is the most beautiful courtesan in Changle Terrace.

Behind her, on the second floor, the owner of Changle Terrace was also staring quietly.

"Qingyun, you are polite." The girl bowed slightly. "For more than two years, Qingyun has devoted herself to Changletai. During this time, you have taken care of me. I am so grateful to you for my humble body and being able to survive until now! But the world is not the destiny of a woman. I am afraid that Qingyun's fate with you can only end today."

When she said this,
Mei Chengtai and Xu Yande's expressions changed immediately.
Because they had never heard any news before.

"Wait a moment!" Mei Chengtai was the most impatient and courageous. "Where is Miss Qingyun going?"

"Master Mei. I like quietness by nature and don't want to be disturbed. Please don't force me."

Xu Yande slammed the table and stood up, "I know, is it the scholar who wrote a poem for you to see half a month ago who wants to take you away?"

Mei Chengtai also knew about this and immediately shouted, "I'm going to find that guy!"

……

……

Zhu Houzhao was on the opposite side and had no idea what was happening inside, but he suddenly felt that the entire Changle Terrace was in chaos.

The original music stopped, the expressions of the people coming in and out were no longer normal, and it was so noisy that no one knew what was going on inside.

He took a step forward and looked over to the window. Sure enough, some people were coming in quickly and some were leaving in a hurry.

"Wang Teng."

"Little is here!"

"This shouldn't be normal, right?"

Wang Teng bent down and walked a few more steps over. He only took a glance and said, "Your Majesty, this is indeed an abnormal phenomenon. Otherwise, let me find out the situation and report back."

"No, your identity is also very sensitive, so it is inconvenient for you to show up. Just take a look first. I am just curious about what kind of drama I can see today."

I haven't finished speaking yet,
You Zhi called him again, "Your Majesty, look, it's that man just now."

Zhu Houzhao took a closer look and found that it was indeed the middle-aged scholar he met at Wenwei Hotel.

His hair was a little disheveled at this time, probably because he was beaten up by someone, and behind him were two patrol officers with knives. He then pointed at the people inside and said, "Two officers, the person who beat me is inside!"

This young and inexperienced guy.

He was referring to Changle Terrace.
The two yamen runners saw this and not only did they not go in, but they pointed knives at him first, "Damn it! Are you trying to make fun of us?! My two brothers and I only cared about your business out of kindness, but you are trying to trick us?!"

"How could I be trying to trick you? The court has a rule that you are not allowed to pick fights and hurt others in the City That Never Sleeps. Now that someone has hurt me, who else can I turn to if not you?!"

Zhu Houzhao watched this scene clearly from above, and he also understood the logic in the words of the two yamen runners, that is, they could not offend the people in Changle Terrace.

Then he turned his head and glanced at Wang Teng, "I said you were derelict in your duty, am I wrong?"

Wang Teng wanted to die now, "Your Majesty, I am guilty of a capital crime, and I am willing to accept the punishment!"

"Look again."

Things soon took a turn for the better. The three of them were pushing each other at the door, and there seemed to be a slight chaos inside Changle Terrace. At a certain moment, a loud 'bang' was suddenly heard.

Then there was the crowd pouring out of the door, screaming, "Murder! Murder!"

"Your Majesty!" You Zhi panicked, "Maybe there are assassins. Let me escort Your Majesty and leave first."

Zhu Houzhao's heart had sunk to the bottom. He didn't expect to see these scenes when he came out to take a look.

Thinking about it carefully, what he heard was the ridiculous reputation left by the sons of nobles from other people's mouths, and what he saw was the extravagant lifestyle and this mess.

None of these have the style of the new era. What is evident is nothing but luxury and depravity of the people.

"Why are you panicking? The great Lord Wang from the Never-Sleeping City is still here!"

"Yes, even if I die, I will not disturb Your Majesty!"

"That sounds good, but look at it yourself, is it reasonable?"

Wang Teng had no excuse, "I know my crime is unforgivable, I just want to ask for your majesty's permission to come back and confess my crime after I finish dealing with the current matter!"

"Someone's dead, go check it out! I'm waiting for you here!"

"Yes!"

As he was talking, Wang Tengfei rushed out of the private room. The city that never sleeps is not big, and his people are everywhere. Moreover, the screams here also attracted the nearby yamen runners.

There were about dozens of people, and they immediately approached him when they saw him.

Wang Teng hadn't wiped off the sweat inside yet, so he didn't dare to be careless and immediately gave an order decisively, "Old Liu, you are the most stable. Take your men to seal off the restaurant opposite Changle Terrace! No one is allowed to approach!"

As he spoke, he moved closer. "Especially on the second floor, don't disturb them, and don't let anyone disturb you. If there are any orders, just listen and do them. Don't ask any more questions! Do you understand?"

Old Liu had never seen Wang Teng so nervous before. "I understand. But Wang Teng...are you okay?"

"No nonsense! Just do it!"

"it is good!"

Wang Teng called another person to call people, and after everyone was called over, he led the remaining dozen or so people into Changle Terrace.

As soon as he arrived, the people in Changle Terrace seemed to be ready.

The host, Bai Zhihui, came to greet him personally, and stepped forward enthusiastically, "Greetings to you, Lord Governor Wang, we are sorry for not welcoming you from afar!"

Wang Teng ignored him and kept moving his hands, "Close the door, no one is allowed to leave! Especially those who are related to the murder case, no one is allowed to leave! Anyone who violates this will be killed without mercy!!"

He shouted this sentence with all his might, and the momentum alone was different from usual.

Bai Zhihui was a little surprised, but he still smiled and said, "Lord Wang, please sit down and have some tea to calm down. I will tell you what happened here. How do you think?"

Wang Teng used the other end of the sword to press against his chest and pushed him away. "You were here when the crime happened. I will find you!"

This was strange, and completely beyond Bai Zhihui's expectations. He raised his voice, "Old Wang, what do you mean?"

Snapped!
Wang Teng personally slapped him in the face, making him faint, and said viciously: "You also called me Old Wang?! Let me tell you, if someone dies, no matter who is behind you, you can't get away with it! Bai Zhihui, you've crossed the line!"

Bai Zhihui’s mind was in a mess. What, what happened?
"I'm here! I'm here! I'm Mei Chengtai!"

When the child saw the government officials coming, he felt that they were one of their own.

But Wang Teng just gave a polite salute and said, "Greetings, young master. I hope you are alright! Someone just died here and the case is not yet closed. Please don't leave for the time being."

"What did you say?!" Mei Chengtai was frightened to begin with, and now he seemed a little exasperated, "You are so good, Wang Teng! You are showing off your power to me, your grandfather! Get someone out of the way, I want to go home now!"

“No!” Wang Teng glared at all his men, “No one is allowed to leave today!”

Bai Zhihui asked, "Master Wang, have you drunk too much? Do you know what you are doing?"

Wang Teng ignored him and asked one of his own people who was approaching, "Who is the deceased?"

The servant also looked relieved and said, "It's an official."

"Fuck!" Wang Teng spat and couldn't help cursing, "Can you tell who it is?"

"I don't know him, but I asked him and he is Wan Haiying, a doctor in the Shaanxi Qingli Division of the Ministry of Revenue."

Although the official position is not high, he is an official of the imperial court, which is very troublesome.

The emperor already felt that this place was in a mess, so how was he going to explain this?

Without saying a word, Wang Teng turned around and grabbed Bai Zhihui by the collar, "Tell me! What the hell are you planning in secret!"

Bai Zhihui was knocked back several steps, his face flushed, "Wang Dugong! Wake up and see who I am! We are on the same boat!"

"I don't care how long you've been planning, how much you've arranged, or how thorough your plan is. I can tell you clearly that it's useless!"

Bai Zhihui was released. He straightened his clothes and said, "It has already happened. Just find a way to deal with it. This is the City That Never Sleeps, your own place. Why are you so panicked?"

Wang Teng panted heavily, glanced at Mei Chengtai who was still very unconvinced beside him, and said, "Young Master Mei, I will send someone to the Mei Mansion to tell Marquis Pinghai to come and pick you up."

Mei Chengtai shook his head desperately and said in horror: "How dare you! Why would my grandfather come to a place like this?!"

"If he doesn't come, no one will speak to you. You will either die or be skinned alive today."

Bai Zhihui was stunned after hearing this, "Master Wang, what are you talking about?"

“As for you,” Wang Teng looked at him with dead eyes, “whoever you call, you will be skinned alive in the end.”

At this moment, Bai Zhihui was a little uneasy. Wang Teng had not drunk alcohol, nor had he gone mad. Moreover, a while had passed since then.
As for people, although they were a little uncomfortable at the beginning, they have gradually come to their senses now.

Could it be that there was something about this matter that he had not considered?

"Boss," two bailiffs came over, "Let's go inside and take a look."

On the way,

His subordinates told him, "According to the people's description tonight, the incident started when the courtesan Lin Qingyun of Changle Terrace announced in public that she would redeem herself and marry the man on earth."

Wang Teng took a quick look and saw that the man had a long beard, a short stature, and looked to be in his fifties, but his face was pale and there were wounds and blood on his stomach, as well as on the ground. They were used to seeing this scene, but it would look a bit bloody to a normal person.

"Lin Qingyun has many followers. After she announced the news, all the guests who came to listen to the music tonight were furious, especially when they heard that the person she was marrying was the old man Wan Haiying, a doctor of the Shaanxi Qingli Division of the Ministry of Revenue... So they had an argument, and then the conflict escalated, and the scene became chaotic. In the chaos, Wan Haiying was accidentally pierced in the abdomen with a sharp weapon and died."

Wang Teng frowned, "On the surface, it's true, but it's not that simple behind the scenes. And if we just explain it this way, we won't be able to complete our mission. Can we say it's manslaughter? What about the courtesan?"

"In the next room."

Wang Teng stood up and pushed the door open.

What caught my eye was a beautiful woman looking up in fear with her hands clasped in front of her chest.

They know each other.

"Wang, Wang Dugong, I have come to see Wang Dugong. My late husband died tragically under the sword. Please, Wang Dugong, take care of my late husband!"

"You two are married?"

The girl said: "Although we haven't married yet, I have already decided to entrust my love to him, and I will never have second thoughts."

"It is a wonder that a chaste and heroic woman appeared in Changle Terrace. I want to ask you, you were right next to him, did you see who stabbed him?"

The woman said, "I have a grudge against the murderer for killing my husband, and I wish to get rid of him as soon as possible, so I will not protect him. But I have to tell the truth, the situation was chaotic at the time, and I really didn't see it clearly."

"Who has the knife? You can always tell clearly, right?"

“No one carries a knife.”

"But there was a knife at the scene."

“That’s where it was originally placed.”

"So who started the trouble first?"

Lin Qingyun thought for a moment and said, "It should be... Young Master Mei from the Mei Mansion!"

Wang Teng paused.

This murder method is very clever.

Now we can't find the murderer, it seems like manslaughter in the chaos,

Even if they wanted to investigate, everything would point to Mei Chengtai first. He was the only heir in the Mei family for three generations, and the emperor's father-in-law's incense depended on him. So if the commotion got too big, it would soon hit a ceiling, and the matter would be suppressed.

As a result, the case could not be investigated further and in the end it became a confusing account that was dealt with casually.

"Keep an eye on her."

Wang Teng turned and left. He had gained some preliminary understanding and decided that no matter what, he had to report the current situation to that person first so as not to keep him waiting anxiously.

After reaching the outer room, he glanced at Bai Zhihui again. This guy seemed quite calm. Perhaps he was confident.

"Master Wang," the man stepped forward, "did you get anything?"

Wang Teng thought that he hadn't heard him speak properly tonight, so he might as well see what he was up to. "You know the rules of the City That Never Sleeps. I am the governor in charge of this place, and I am the number one thing that cannot go wrong. Now that an official has died, you still dare to get close to me? I'm telling you, if the higher-ups blame me, I'll definitely drag you down with me before I die!"

"My life is worthless, and it's gone. But Lord Wang cannot wrongly accuse me. I did not expect what happened tonight. It's hard to guard against sudden accidents. I didn't mean to cause trouble for Lord Wang."

"Bai Zhihui, don't you have a close relationship with the Mei family? Can you get away with using the young master as a shield?"

"I don't understand what Governor Wang said."

Wang Teng thought, could it be that this guy and Mei Huaigu don’t actually have that close a relationship?
"Okay, so how do you want to end this?"

Bai Zhihui cupped his hands and said, "Of course, I would like to ask Governor Wang to conduct a detailed investigation. When the truth is made public, Chang Le Tai will be cleared of all charges!"

Wang Teng frowned.

Sure enough,

This guy has made up his mind that this case cannot be investigated further according to the current situation.

Under this premise, if he uses his connections to smooth things over, the matter will soon be settled, at least it will have nothing to do with him.

After all, the chaos started with Mei Chengtai.

He loved Lin Qingyun, so he had this motive. Besides, he did not have a good reputation, and this reason was indeed tenable as a young man who was angry for a while.

but……

Wang Teng said, "Bai Zhihui, no matter how smart you are, you may have miscalculated this matter. After all, intelligence is useless in the face of power. You think that all of you will be fine, but you are a businessman after all. The court politics in your mind are all what you have heard or imagined. You have never known how power is really used."

Bai Zhihui blinked his eyes and said, "Please let Governor Wang tell me clearly."

"You don't know how much effort the emperor has put into ensuring the safety of the City That Never Sleeps. An official from the imperial court died here. Have you ever really thought about the impact it will have?"

Perhaps the nobles here did not follow the rules, and the yamen runners did not enforce justice. As time went on, people gradually forgot some important things and thought they could do whatever they wanted by applying the rules of the dark.

Wang Teng left after he finished speaking, leaving behind only a cold sentence:

"I'm telling you, if this case is not solved in the end, all of you will be buried with us!"

Power has only a purpose, not right or wrong.

It’s unacceptable for such things to happen in the city that never sleeps.

(End of this chapter)