I am imprisoned in Kaifeng Mansion

"Everyone is capable, don't underestimate them, and rats are the same. But don't underestimate them. It's just these inconspicuous little things that can be killed no matter what." Zhao Zongqing stood casually, and spoke with a sense of humor. It was a bit joking, as if joking.

Cui Tao agreed: "Fortunately, they are rats, not humans. Even if they die endlessly, they will not be able to turn the world over."

"true."

Everyone around felt that Zhao Zongqing was echoing Cui Tao, but only Cui Tao noticed that Zhao Zongqing's pronunciation was slightly wrong, he should have said the word 'rat is'.I am correcting and clarifying to her: It is true that rats cannot turn the sky, but capable people can.

Zhao Zongqing was born in a wealthy and noble family, and was used to bossing others around. Even after several years of experience as a monk, he still couldn't get rid of the arrogance and dignity in his bones.Not to mention him, even ordinary people will be upset when others compare themselves to a rat.Of course, the premise is that he automatically substituted Cui Tao's so-called "rats in the gutter" to refer to them.

Is this accepted?

It seems that the result of her 'quick tongue' is not bad, which further shows that their doubts and judgments about Zhao Zongqing are not wrong.

Cui Tao put her hands behind her back and smiled.

Seeing Cui Tao's expression and reaction, Zhao Zongqing thought that Cui Tao, like everyone else, had misunderstood his words as "true".

Zhao Zongqing followed with a smile, and his attitude revealed a bit of "it's nothing more than that".He then went to take care of the house repairs and supervise the work of his subordinates.While Cui Tao was not paying attention, Zhao Zongqing winked at the people around him, and the two immediately took orders and hurried away.

The purpose of Cui Tao following Zhao Zongqing is to monitor him, she can focus on two things, even if there is endless work in front of her, she will also pay attention to Zhao Zongqing's movements.

"Everyone, do a good job. Madam Cui invites everyone to eat steamed mutton tonight!" Li Yuan immediately shouted to his subordinates after receiving Cui Tao's wink at him.

Before coming, Li Yuan had discussed the password with his subordinates, and the mention of 'mutton' meant that they should follow him closely.

From daytime to evening, Zhao Zongqing was engrossed in the fortifications and did not talk to Cui Tao again.

Cui Tao guessed that Zhao Zongqing would not be able to do evil in full view, and it would be easy for others to catch him.His behavior today should have a more hidden purpose, which will be difficult to figure out for a while.

When it was dark, the two yamen servants who had been sent to follow up came back.

They told Cui Tao that the two followers of Zhao Zongqing had actually gone to the other garden outside Beijing, dug a few jars of wine from under the peach blossom tree and returned to Beijing.At first when they saw the jars, they carefully considered whether there might be something else in them.In the evening, when the people of the Sub-district Department finished their work and went back, they saw Zhao Zongqing's entourage arranging wine and food to reward everyone.They watched helplessly that the jars were filled with wine after they were opened, and they didn't come back until they were all poured out and drunk.

Cui Tao is an old acquaintance with Feng Dayou, the head of the Subdistrict Department, and Cui Tao also asked him to help secretly monitor the situation from within the Subdistrict Department.

"Feng Dayou said that there is nothing unusual about the street department recently." Cui Tao said to Han Qi.

Han Qi: "It seems that they are just here to help this time."

Since Zhao Zongqing took the initiative to come to Kaifeng Mansion to ask for help, he expected that there should be no problems on the surface.But for the sake of caution, we must still check what should be checked.

"Expecting that we would investigate him, I deliberately sent someone to get the wine in a mysterious way, as a feint." Cui Tao snorted, "But Zhao Zongqing doesn't seem like a person who punches empty, I feel that this time He must have a purpose in this matter. This kind of situation of 'you know that I have a problem, but you just can't find out about me', I am afraid it will make him very proud."

Han Qi told Cui Tao not to worry, and the more he got to the back, the more calm he was, "He is anxious, we are safe, and the mistakes will show themselves."

……

As the end of the new year approaches, the streets are getting more and more lively. Many people who live near Bianjing will come to Bianjing to buy new year's goods at this time.There are even many people from neighboring states who come here specially, in order to buy the most popular gadgets back home, so as to show face to relatives and friends, after all, they must celebrate the most solemn festival of the year.

Ping'er missed her father and decided to go home for the New Year.

Wang Siniang didn't have another home, and besides it was so cold, she didn't want to go out of town dressed like a fat ball, so she made up her mind to stay in Bianjing for the New Year.

Wang Siniang thought that Cui Tao would choose to go home for the New Year like Pinger, but she didn't expect Cui Tao to stay in Beijing.

"Ms. Cui really doesn't have to stay here for me, it would be nice to go back to Anping to reunite with my parents. Oh, forget it, I'll go back to Anping with you!" Wang Siniang decided through gritted teeth.

Fat Ball's journey was troublesome and uncomfortable, but she fought hard for her sisters.I swear that this year will be like this, and she will lose weight in the next spring, and she will never be dressed in a fat ball in winter again.

Of course, Cui Tao didn't stay in Beijing because of Wang Siniang, she was worried that Zhao Zongqing and others would make trouble on the day when everyone was celebrating.She should have refuted Wang Siniang directly and mercilessly as usual, but when she saw Wang Siniang's innocent smile, she suddenly didn't want to speak so bluntly.

"How can I wrong you every time, it's good to stay in Beijing, Bianjing is so lively." Cui Tao patted Wang Siniang on the shoulder.

Tears welled up in Wang Siniang's eyes, and she nodded excitedly.She immediately picked up the bamboo basket and went to the street to buy new year's goods.She may be able to fool her when she celebrates the festival by herself, but if Mrs. Cui celebrates with her, then she has to prepare everything.

On this day, after Cui Tao had been on duty in Kaifeng Mansion for half a day, he encountered a case.

There is a family named Lei in Maxiang. There are seven people in his family. The old father Lei Daming, the eldest son Lei Tian, ​​and the second son Lei Yu.Lei Tian was 27 years old, married his wife Xu, and had one son and two daughters.In the seventeenth year of Lei Yu, he is a carpenter and is negotiating a marriage.It was Xu's eldest daughter-in-law who had the accident, and Xu's natal family, Xu's eldest brother, Xu Dalang, was suing.

Cui Tao heard the whole story from Xu Dalang and Xu's mother:

Mrs. Xu caught a cold for seven days, and then she was bedridden. Seeing the doctor taking medicine, everything was fine, but her condition did not improve.At noon yesterday, when Lei Tian entered the room to give Xu Shi some medicine, he found that Xu Shi had passed away.

The end of the new year is approaching, and it is not good to have a coffin pretending to be a dead person at home during the Chinese New Year.The Lei family made every effort to bury the Xu family as soon as possible.When Xu Dalang heard that his sister died suddenly and saw that Lei's family was in a hurry to bury him, he suspected that there was something wrong with his sister's death.

Xu Dalang brought Xu's mother to the funeral and asked to see his sister for the last time, but the Xu family refused on the grounds that the coffin would never be opened again after it was sealed.Xu Dalang became even more suspicious of Lei's family, so he filed a lawsuit in Kaifeng Mansion.

Xu Dalang suspected that the Lei family had a reason for killing his younger sister. As early as a few years ago, when Xu's mother visited Xu, she often heard Xu say that the Lei family treated her badly, or beat or scolded her, and often had a wound on her arm. Bruising and purple, not a piece of good skin.Xu Dalang sought out Lei Tian's theory for this, but in exchange Lei Tian kicked and beat Xu's harder.Mrs. Xu had no choice but to swallow her anger. After that, when she returned to her mother's house, she dared not talk about Lei Tian beating him again.

Seeing this, Xu's mother and Xu Dalang couldn't ask any more questions, they could only pretend that they didn't know.From their point of view, there is no other way around this matter. They can't make peace after having three children. Besides, the reputation of the woman and Li outside is not very good after all, and it will be difficult to find someone else. I can't bear to have children.

"This child's life is miserable. She has resigned herself to her fate and begged us to leave it alone. What can we do? But who would have thought that Lei Dalang is a beast, and he beat my daughter to death!" Mother Xu cried bitterly. Explain to Cui Tao.

"The autopsy has not yet been done, how can Mrs. Xu be sure that your daughter must have been beaten to death by Lei Tian?"

"Otherwise, why didn't they dare to open the coffin, why didn't they dare let me see my daughter for the last time?" Mother Xu looked at Cui Tao with tears in her eyes, as if expecting Cui Tao to give her an answer.Cui Tao didn't know Lei's family at all, so of course she couldn't give her an answer.

Xu Dalang supported Xu's mother, and asked Cui Tao if he could go out and do an autopsy on his sister himself.Whether it was right or wrong, you only need to do an autopsy to find out, after all, he didn't want his poor sister to die wrongly.

"We only believe in Mrs. Cui's autopsy skills. If Mrs. Cui says she died of illness, we will believe it."

Cui Tao went to Lei's house and asked to open the coffin for an autopsy, but was stopped by Lei's family.

"Xu is the daughter-in-law of our Lei family. She was born as a member of our Lei family and died as a ghost of the Lei family. Her affairs should be decided by our Lei family! Our Lei family has rules since our ancestors. Don’t open it, otherwise future generations will suffer from constant disasters and retribution!” The grizzled Lei Daming shouted tremblingly while leaning on a cane, while his second son, Lei Yu, was supporting him all the time.

Cui Tao turned to look at Lei Tian.

"I listen to my father. If my father doesn't let me open the coffin, I can't open it." Feeling Cui Tao's gaze, Lei Tian bowed his head and continued to argue, "My wife did die of illness. If you don't believe me, you can ask the neighbors nearby. At that time, these neighbors have visited."

"Did you not understand something?" Cui Tao asked.

Lei Daming, Lei Tian, ​​Lei Yu and his son looked at Cui Tao in puzzlement.

"This is an investigation by the Kaifeng government, not a bargain at the vegetable market." Cui Tao greeted Li Yuan and others to open the coffin immediately.

"No, no, no, the coffin cannot be opened!" Lei Daming exclaimed, wanting to step forward to stop him.But it was useless, and he was stopped by the yamen servant in one fell swoop.

After opening the coffin, Cui Tao carefully inspected Xu's body.The body surface conformed to the circumstances of two-day death, without external injuries, bruises and old wounds, it really looked like he died of illness.

Both Xu's mother and Xu Dalang came over to check on Xu's situation. They were relieved to see that Xu was in good health, and apologized to Cui Tao embarrassingly.

"You! You—" Lei Daming was so angry that he fell over and passed out.

Lei Tian and Lei Yu brothers exclaimed and hugged Lei Daming.

The shouts of the two brothers attracted the neighbors around. After the neighbors inquired about the situation, they sighed that the Xu family was too much, how could they wrong such a good person as Lei Dalang.They also talked about the opening of the coffin in Kaifeng Mansion, which broke the ban on Lei's family's ancestors, broke Feng Shui, and feared that future generations would be unlucky.

"It is said that the coffin cannot be opened, when did you hear about it?" Cui Tao asked these people.

"We heard about it when Xu Dalang wanted to open the coffin," said the neighbors.

"That was yesterday."

"I have already said that my sister-in-law died of illness, and there are many neighbors who can testify, but you..." Lei Tiantian burst into tears, "If something happens to my father, and my children have any accidents in the future, what should I do? Ah! It's all my fault for being an unfilial son, marrying the wrong person, getting into trouble and going home, and making me feel sorry for my ancestors!"

After Lei Tian finished speaking, he knelt down with a plop, beat his chest with both hands, and kowtowed to Lei Daming, apologizing in pain.

"Miss Cui... what should we do? We just suspect..." Seeing this situation, Xu Dalang lost his momentum and became very guilty.

Cui Tao picked up the silver needle in her hand, first went to the house to wake up Lei Daming, and then paid for someone to grab a pair of shock soup for Lei Daming to drink.

"It's not wrong for our Kaifeng Mansion to investigate cases according to the rules, and it's not wrong for the Xu family to report to the government if they have doubts. Do you understand this?"

"I don't understand! Why didn't you all come together, and our Lei family has to suffer all the bad luck and bad things for nothing, who will judge us for our suffering!" Lei Daming complained, blushing and thick neck, and then coughed continuously in anger stand up.

Cui Tao couldn't talk to the old man anymore, so he could only choose to leave.

The next day, the day before the yamen's New Year's Eve holiday, Lei Tian came to Kaifeng Mansion to appeal for his grievances, and what he was suing was the fact that Cui Tao and Xu's family went to Lei's house to open the coffin for an autopsy yesterday.

Lei Tian said that his father cried bitterly and stayed up all night, and his condition worsened. His two daughters had fevers at night, and they started to have high fevers.It was all because the people from Kaifeng Mansion opened the coffin without authorization, which made their Lei family start to suffer bad luck.

Lei Tian wants to seek justice and an explanation.

How to seek justice for the normal operation of the government office handling cases?At most, it is just considering the special situation and giving some monetary compensation.It's already the end of the year, and tomorrow will be a holiday, and no one wants this kind of trouble to drag on until the New Year.I'm afraid that some unlucky things will happen to Lei's family during the Chinese New Year, and it will all be blamed on Kaifeng Mansion.

Han Qi set a relatively high amount of compensation.He met and talked with Lei Tian in person, first understood the reason, moved him with emotion, and then offered money to compensate, and said that he would ask a Taoist priest to re-establish Feng Shui for his family.

Only then did Lei Tian go with satisfaction.

Cui Tao crossed her arms and leaned against the door, watching without saying a word.

"What's wrong?" Han Qi asked softly.

"I went to see Lei Daming's symptoms. His eyes were red but not swollen. It didn't look like he had been crying all night. His pulse was strong and he was always strong. The two little girls really caught a cold and had a little fever. After taking the medicine, they recovered. .”

"Qiniang Hua Tuo is reborn, a genius doctor, and a natural medicine to cure the disease." Han Qi praised.

"I know that Liu Lang is trying to make me happy." Cui Tao snorted coldly, "I encountered this kind of thing years ago for no reason. Although it didn't involve a murder case, it's just as ugly."

"Okay." Han Qi put the crane cloak on her body, and tied it carefully at the neckline for him, "Although the world is full of ugliness, there are good people who are sincere."

"Well, that's a very good remark!" Cui Tao burst out laughing, instantly happy, she liked this sentence very much, "But where is the sincerity of this beloved, I have to see for myself."

Before Cui Tao finished speaking, her slender index finger poked Han Qi's heart.

Han Qi held Cui Tao's hand nervously, and the skin behind his ears gradually turned red.

"We will get married when the Tianji Pavilion case is completely over."

It sounds like someone is in a hurry to get married, but after thinking about it, he may not be in a hurry, for example——

"What if it never ends?"

"It has been discovered that people in neighboring states are secretly recruiting troops. According to the intercepted news, they will make moves in the next year."