Kaifeng House Small Dining Table

Zhao Hanyan thought about it until midnight last night, then changed his mind, knocked on the door of Baiyutang, took the badge of the fourth-rank guard of Baiyutang, and went out of the city overnight to Deping County.Near noon, when the two returned, Zhao Hanyan was very surprised to hear that the emperor had ordered Qu Rongfa to be beheaded.

"Why so fast? I read in Qu Rongfa's confession that he accepted bribes and cheated secretly in the imperial examinations, and he did several dirty things under the instruction of Grand Master Pang, such as excluding dissidents and maliciously slandering, etc. The details are clear. But there are no specific explanations about the cases about Ziyanguan, Zhangfu, etc. This is not a clear investigation, so why are you in such a hurry to order a death penalty?" Zhao Hanyan asked Bao Zheng.

"This morning at the court, I already questioned this matter, but most of the ministers didn't mind it, and were all surprised by the crimes committed by Shangshu of the Ministry of Rites. Seeing that all the ministers begged for severe punishment, the Holy Majesty decreed that Qu Rongfa will be executed immediately." Bao Zheng explained, "I was also very surprised when I heard the will of the Holy Majesty. Qu Rongfa will be retried if he is guilty. Severe punishment is inevitable, but why are you so anxious to execute him immediately?"

"Where's Grand Master Pang?" Zhao Hanyan asked again.

"For the time being, there is no decree to deal with him. Grand Master Pang did not plead guilty. He said that it was Qu Rongfa who framed him, and he must be confronted in court. Because many people pleaded for Grand Master Pang and begged the emperor to deal with him carefully, so he only issued an order to allow him to be arrested. Order Grand Master Pang to stand trial. However, after the next court, the Holy Majesty left me alone in the hall with Lord Song and Lord Yan, and repeatedly ordered me to get the evidence of Grand Master Pang's confession as soon as possible to understand the case. It is estimated that the Holy Majesty is also eager to deal with Grand Master Pang."

Bao Zheng's eyes were full of doubts, but as a courtier, he naturally obeyed the orders of the Holy Majesty.He immediately asked Zhao Hanyan if he could guess what her cousin was thinking.

Although Bao Zheng knew that the youngest son of the Eight Worthy Kings did not care about court affairs and had never had any deep contacts in the aristocratic circle of the capital, he understood Zhao Hanyan's wit and ability to judge people.Bao Zheng guessed slightly that if Zhao Hanyan had the opportunity to get in touch with the Holy Majesty, he should be able to chat with the emperor who was about the same age, and more or less understand his mind.Bao Zheng, the young emperor's mind, was unpredictable, a little fickle, and elusive, just in line with the phrase 'the sacred heart is unpredictable'.

"It's his intention to order Qu Rongfa to be dealt with." Zhao Hanyan explained to Bao Zheng, "He wants Qu Rongfa to die as soon as possible."

Bao Zheng frowned and pondered for a moment, then looked at Zhao Hanyan, "You mean that the Holy One has long wanted to deal with Qu Rongfa, and this time he took the opportunity to push the boat along?"

Zhao Hanyan agreed, "Almost."

Bao Zheng frowned again.

Seeing Bao Zheng, Zhao Hanyan seemed to be a little bit puzzled, knowing that Master Bao was very upright, and it was even harder to explain to him that this was her evil cousin playing the emperor's art.Sometimes it may have nothing to do with the case or the right or wrong of the person. It is just to balance the power of the DPRK and China and to get rid of potential hidden dangers as soon as possible.

"Qu Rong found out that he can't die now. There are many doubts in this case. I'm afraid that there will be a more powerful mastermind behind the scenes, and there will be a bigger conspiracy waiting for us." Zhao Hanyan told Bao Zheng that she always had a bad feeling.

"However, if Qu Rongfa was not responsible for the case, why did he plead guilty and confess to Taishi Pang as his envoy? It doesn't make sense on this point."

Bao Zheng felt that there were many things that didn't make sense in this case from any angle.To say that Qu Rongfa was wronged doesn't seem like he was wronged.It is said that he did it, but there are many doubts that cannot be explained clearly.But comparing the two, the latter is more convincing than the former.

After careful consideration, Bao Zheng stood up, ready to enter the palace again, and begged the Holy Majesty to postpone the execution of Qu Rongfa for the time being.

Zhao Hanyan saluted Bao Zheng and respectfully sent Bao Zheng away.

After leaving the door, Bai Yutang asked Zhao Hanyan what he was going to do next, "I brought back the peppercorns myself, so naturally I want to make a meal that will make shopkeeper Xue cry."

Bai Yutang expressed his expectation, and then went back to the kitchen to take out the peppercorns from the bag.Because they are freshly picked peppers, some of them still have dead branches and leaves.After Bai Yutang finished picking, he put them on a plate and served them to Zhao Hanyan.

"I didn't expect that one day I would help cook meals for prisoners." Bai Yutang said.

Zhao Hanyan treated the pork belly with wine soaking and salt kneading, then raised his head and smiled at Bai Yutang, "So, there are many exceptions you will have to make in the future."

Zhao Hanyan took a part of pepper, pork chops, and pork belly and boiled it in water. This method is very, very good for removing fishy smell.Stir-fry the remaining peppercorns until fragrant, crush them, add ginger, garlic, scallions, and put them into the pork belly together with the blanched pork ribs. After sealing and tying it up, put it in a casserole and simmer over low heat to let the meat smell in the cooking process. Distributed a little bit, as time goes on, the fragrance will become stronger and stronger.Take it out when the soup turns milky white.Take out the pork belly and pour out the pork ribs. At this time, the pork ribs are very soft and rotten. The meat is very soft when touched, and it is easy to fall off the bone. However, the ribs are in good shape and do not appear to be boiled at all.

Immediately remove the peppercorns in the pork belly, cut into strips, add the freshly made knife-cut noodles to the soup pot, add tripe shreds, pork ribs, yam slices and mushrooms, cook for a stick of incense time, add three whole Boil the cabbage and season with salt.

This is a very famous pepper soup noodle in Deping County. Ordinary people only have the opportunity to eat this kind of noodles during the Chinese New Year or when there are senior citizens celebrating their birthdays.

The shredded pork belly has been processed without any peculiar smell, and it is even more delicious than the fragrant pork ribs.This kind of shredded pork belly has a very strong and thick taste. It tastes chewy, but it is not too difficult to chew. In addition, the inner wall of the shredded pork belly is permeated with a very strong and fresh aroma of pepper and pork ribs. People immediately feel that only this This kind of combination is extremely delicious.

In the milky white soup, there are snow-white noodles cut with rice knives. The thick and fragrant soup is smooth but not greasy, and has a slight numbness. Can't stop, completely reluctant to put down the chopsticks.

Bai Yutang didn't like hemp things before, but today he likes eating this kind of noodles very much. From the first bite to the end of a bowl of noodles, he was almost immersed in tasting the delicious food, and he finished it before he realized it.

Bai Yutang did not hesitate to praise Zhao Hanyan's excellent craftsmanship. It is amazing that he can make a bowl of noodles so exquisite from soup to side dishes.

"However, I didn't feel too numb after eating it. The taste was just right, and it didn't make me cry." Bai Yutang expressed his concern. Zhao Hanyan used this bowl of noodles to taste shopkeeper Xue, fearing that he might not get tears from shopkeeper Xue.

"Maybe." Zhao Hanyan guessed, and asked Bai Yutang if he wanted to bet.

"What's the bet?" Bai Yutang asked.

Zhao Hanyan: "One person listens to another person for one thing, keep it simple and not too much."

"Okay." Bai Yutang glanced at Zhao Hanyan with a smile in his eyes, as if he had already figured out what he would ask of Zhao Hanyan if he won.

Zhao Hanyan raised his eyebrows and asked what he was thinking.

Bai Yutang shook his head, but didn't say anything, "I'll tell you when I win later."

"Oh, that's going to be difficult, I might not be able to hear it, because I think I will win!" Zhao Hanyan said to Bai Yutang confidently.

Bai Yutang cooperated and said, "Coincidentally, I think so too."

"Then we'll see who wins."

Zhao Hanyan put the freshly cooked bowl of pepper noodles into the food box.When this bowl of noodles was cooked, the heat was deliberately lacking, and it was put into the bowl with residual heat. Considering the distance between the kitchen and the prison, the cooked noodles would become too stuffy in the food box. Rotten, affecting the taste.

Zhao Hanyan came to the prison with a suit, so he took the food box, asked the jailer to open the door, and went into the prison to deliver food to shopkeeper Xue.

Bai Yutang held the knife and watched from a distance. He was very quiet, and it was easy for people to ignore his existence.

Seeing that Zhao Hanyan really came to deliver food to him, Shopkeeper Xue found it amused, "You won't be sincere about the nonsense I said before? Are you really thinking about a dish that will make me cry?"

Shopkeeper Xue laughed twice, and said to Zhao Hanyan: "Let me tell you, there is actually nothing that can make me cry, even if you find something extremely sour, bitter or spicy, it can't make me cry." Tears, I haven't cried in many years, and the person who has suffered the most terrible suffering turns around and no matter what he experiences again, he doesn't feel bitter. Many times what you think is bitter is sweet to me."

After Zhao Hanyan listened to shopkeeper Xue's words, he didn't speak, and brought the bowl of pepper noodle soup he made to shopkeeper Xue.

Shopkeeper Xue's smile disappeared when he saw the pepper soup noodles. He frowned and stared at the bowl of noodles, unable to restrain his excitement, and turned to look at Zhao Hanyan.

Zhao Hanyan moved a little closer, and put the noodles at a distance away from Shopkeeper Xue's mouth.

"I've prepared mine, and the rest depends on whether you dare to eat it or not." After Zhao Hanyan finished speaking, he looked at shopkeeper Xue quietly.

Shopkeeper Xue moved his eyeballs, and many thoughts flashed through his mind.

Shopkeeper Xue's heartfelt voice: These words are actually provocative. If I dare not eat, I will be seen as a flaw. If I eat, I'm afraid...

The shopkeeper Xue only hesitated for a while, probably to avoid Zhao Hanyan seeing his flaws, and then took the noodles, sneered and sighed that it was just a noodle, then buried his head, picked up almost the whole bowl of noodles with chopsticks, and poured them into the mouth. Swallow in your mouth.

It's obvious when he eats this meal, he really wants to finish this bowl of noodles as soon as possible.

Shopkeeper Xue sucked the noodles until his cheeks swelled up to the point where he couldn't fit them, so he bit off the noodles and began to chew.In the process of chewing, shopkeeper Xue's face gradually changed from a false cover-up to a complicated one, then from a complicated one to a simple one, and in the end it was very simple sadness, and he couldn't help but blush while eating.He is trying to control his emotions, but the emotions that have been suppressed for a long time are like a flood that has been released. After eating the noodles in his mouth, tears are already in the circles of his eyes, and he continues to eat what is left in the bowl. Can't help it, but it hasn't fallen off yet.Until the end, he held the bowl, raised his head and drank all the noodle soup in the bowl, and tears quickly fell from the corners of his eyes.

Although Bai Yutang stood far away, he also paid attention to this. When he saw that shopkeeper Xue, who was usually cunning and impeccable, even when he was interrogated, he was really surprised because of such a simple bowl of noodles. .While being amazed, Bai Yutang couldn't help admiring Zhao Hanyan for being so powerful in capturing people's hearts.

Zhao Hanyan took out the handkerchief that he had prepared earlier from his sleeve and handed it to Shopkeeper Xue.

Shopkeeper Xue put down the bowl, sniffed his nose, and turned his eyes to look at the white silk handkerchief Zhao Hanyan handed over, feeling ironic.He took the handkerchief over, wiped the tears from the corners of his eyes with a wry smile, blinked his eyelids, and looked at Zhao Hanyan.

"The pepper noodle soup you made is delicious. After living in prison for so long, I was a little excited when I suddenly ate such a delicious thing. I didn't expect to cry." Shopkeeper Xue laughed at himself, "It seems that I was too high before. Look at yourself, or maybe I underestimated your cooking skills."

Shopkeeper Xue's explanation showed obvious traces of cover-up, and Zhao Hanyan could hear it.

"Are you going to break the promise and change your mind?" Zhao Hanyan directly asked Shopkeeper Xue if he could speak.

Shopkeeper Xue lowered his eyes, "Since it was a promise, and you have thought so hard about giving me such a bowl of noodles, I should be able to explain why I named it Wangyou Pavilion. I am also a dead person, and I will keep my promise before I die." For once, I am worthy of myself.

In fact, my reason for choosing this name was very simple. There is a very famous Wangyou Pavilion in Jianghu, so I also called it this. I wanted to see if people from the real Wangyou Pavilion would come to trouble me. "

"Did you choose this name on purpose to attract people from the real Wangyou Pavilion to come to you?" Zhao Hanyan stared at shopkeeper Xue closely and asked him why he did so.

"That's another question, I don't need to answer it." Shopkeeper Xue said.

Zhao Hanyan saw that shopkeeper Xue looked like he was reticent, so he knew that he would not ask any more questions.She silently put away the noodle bowl, turned around and was about to leave when she suddenly stopped and turned to look at shopkeeper Xue who was secretly observing her.

"Don't you wonder why I made this bowl of noodles for you?"

Shopkeeper Xue looked back at Zhao Hanyan, with defensive eyes, "Didn't you just cook a bowl of noodles casually? What's so special about it?"

"It came at will, but there is also a reason. I happened to go to Deping County to buy peppercorns. I saw this dish in the local specialties, so I learned it by the way." When Zhao Hanyan explained, he carefully observed the reaction of shopkeeper Xue. .

Shopkeeper Xue looked relaxed, and said in harmony, "So that's how it is."

Zhao Hanyan took one last look at shopkeeper Xue, nodded, turned around and left the cell.After she personally confirmed that the jailer had locked the cell door, she left with Bai Yutang.

"I lost, so I will tell you what you want." Bai Yutang said.

"Let me think about it, but it's not so easy to let you go." Zhao Hanyan said to Bai Yutang with a smile.

Bai Yutang agreed and said yes, and then asked Zhao Hanyan what he had just gained.

"Great harvest, one thing is confirmed."

Zhao Hanyan and Bai Yutang went to Zhang Ling to ask how Aunt Sun's case was investigated and whether there was any whereabouts of the Taoist priest.

"Not yet, I guess the Taoist priest is a fake, and he deliberately changed his name. It will be difficult to find someone for a while." Zhang Ling explained.

Zhao Hanyan said to Zhang Ling: "It may be easier to find another Taoist priest. If you find him first, there may be clues."

Zhang Ling hurriedly asked who it was, and when he learned that he was a blind Taoist priest, he couldn't help but sigh that his Taoist name was strange, and immediately agreed to find someone.

In the evening, the government servants who went to investigate the childhood residence of Su Yuerong and Qu Changle with the portrait a few days ago returned.

"The subordinates first went to Su's house in Chenzhou, and took Miss Su's portrait to confirm with her father. There is no doubt that she is Miss Su. I asked the neighbors nearby, and the Su family only moved there four years ago. Many people I have seen Miss Su before, and I recognize that the person in the portrait is her."

"Did you check the place where you lived four years ago?" Zhao Hanyan asked.

"I asked the neighbors around, but they didn't know exactly where it was. I asked Su's father, and they said that he lived in no fixed place at that time. He often traveled around with his children and took the four seas as his home."

After finishing the report here, I will continue to report about Qu Changle over there.Qu Changle was adopted to the home of his uncle Qu Rongan, and the government officials wanted to find Qu Rongan with Qu Changle's portrait.However, it was discovered that Qu Rong'an's family was no longer in Songzhou, and it was unknown where they went. After all, the family moved away four years ago.Asking the neighbors nearby, they didn't have much impression of Qu Changle's appearance.Qu Rong'an's family is very strict in teaching the adopted heirs. Before they grow up, they have been taught by their husbands, and Qu Changle has never been asked to go out.Even if he went out once in a while, it would be a long time ago, and he only vaguely remembers that he was a handsome kid.As for what the facial features look like, because it's been a long time, I really can't remember clearly.

"Four years ago, as soon as Qu Changle was taken back by his father Qu Rongfa, Qu Rong'an's family moved away inexplicably. Four years ago, Su's father moved, or it can be said that he changed from Yunyou to Chenzhou." Zhao Hanyan He asked Bai Yutang, "Did you find out that it was all four years ago?"

Bai Yutang agreed, and asked Zhao Hanyan if there was something tricky about it.

"Yes," Zhao Hanyan said affirmatively, "There must be. Nothing will collide by such a coincidence. I can now be sure that there is a huge conspiracy behind this case."

Knowing Bao Zheng's return, Zhao Hanyan hurriedly asked Bao Zheng about the result of his meeting with the saint.

Bao Zheng shook his head, "No."

"Can you say there is no smoke oil?" Zhao Hanyan asked again.

Bao Zheng shook his head, "I didn't give me another chance to open my mouth, the Holy Majesty seems to be very sure about this matter."

Zhao Hanyan frowned, "I'll try it."

Bao Zheng was surprised. He thought that Zhao Hanyan and the emperor didn't see each other often, so they shouldn't have such a close relationship.Bao Zheng asked Zhao Hanyan carefully how to face the saint.

"I can only ask my father, the eight virtuous kings, to help spread the word." Zhao Hanyan explained to Bao Zheng, "Although there are some twists and turns, we have to try."

"It's better to go, you and I persuade the Holy Majesty together, it's easier to persuade than one person." Bao Zheng suggested.

Zhao Hanyan thought it was reasonable, and then asked Bao Zheng to wait for a while, and she went to the Baxian King's mansion in person, and begged the Baxian King for help.

Seeing Zhao Hanyan, the Eighth Sage King sized him up carefully, frowned, turned around and sat down, and looked at her sideways with serious eyes.

"I've been out of the palace for so long, and it's only now that I think of your godfather coming? Or did you come here because of a request?"

Zhao Hanyan smiled and hurriedly apologized to the Eight Sage Kings.

"Your first brother, you said that you are living well in Kaifeng Mansion, and I see it too. People are more fleshy than those in the palace." Ba Xianwang looked at Zhao Hanyan's white and tender face, and said with emotion, "It looks much better than before."

"Father, what matters now is the case, not your fat daughter. This case is very problematic, why don't you take me into the palace to see my cousin?" Zhao Hanyan begged.

"Is there anything wrong with the current verdict of this case? Taishi Pang and Qu Rongfa are not innocent at all. Don't you want to prove their innocence?"

Obviously, the Baxian King did not understand Zhao Hanyan's approach.

"They are not innocent, but they can't fulfill the wish of the mastermind behind the scenes because of this. One yard counts for one yard, and they cannot be confused." Zhao Hanyan explained.

The Eighth Sage King sighed, "Let me try. Your cousin has long recognized this matter, so he may not respond, but try your best. Whoever calls me a godfather owes you."

Zhao Hanyan laughed, and quickly thanked the Baxian King for his help, and told him that Bao Zheng would also go with him.

"Forget it, let's go."

Ba Xian Wang is one of the few princes who can enter and leave the palace at will. It is very convenient to follow him into the palace. There is no need to ask for permission in advance, which saves a lot of troublesome steps.

Outside the Chuigong Hall, the Eight Sage Kings sent the eunuchs to communicate, and then Zhao Zhen allowed them to enter the hall.

Seeing Zhao Hanyan who was standing last in the row, Zhao Zhen pursed his lips and dismissed Eight Sage Kings and Bao Zheng. Later, he wanted to 'reminisce' with his cousin.

Bao Zheng listened to this and felt that he had found the right person this time.Immediately, he and the Eight Sage Kings withdrew and sat in the side hall, waiting for the call.

"A rare visitor, come to my place." Zhao Zhen sat in a comfortable position and said to Zhao Hanyan with a smile.

Zhao Hanyan relaxed and looked at the environment of the Chuigong Palace curiously. After all, it was her first time to come to this kind of place where the emperor handles court affairs.

"Is there something important to say?" Zhao Zhen asked again.

Zhao Hanyan nodded, and told Zhao Zhen that she hoped that Qu Rongfa would not be killed for the time being.

"A civilian has died in vain in front of the Kaifeng mansion. It is very likely that someone deliberately caused trouble to tarnish the reputation of Kaifeng mansion and take the opportunity to rescue the people in the prison. If he is not executed sooner, I'm afraid there will be changes."

Zhao Hanyan heard what Zhao Zhen meant, he had already made up his mind, he just wanted to balance the forces in the court and China, and push the boat along the way to get rid of the powerful ministers who got in the way.At this time, if there is not a big enough reason for him to change, usually he will not change.

"Someone is going to hurt Mr. Bao." Zhao Hanyan picked a word that could attract Zhao Zhen's attention, so as to avoid Zhao Zhen's defensiveness and not listening to her when he was lobbying for a while.

"What do you mean?"

"Qu Changle was taken back by Qu Rongfa four years ago, and Su Yuerong only showed up to meet Bai Yutang four years ago. Miss Zhang, Miss Lu Er, etc. were kidnapped and brought to the Zhang residence four years ago." Zhao Hanyan immediately Explained Su Yuerong's identity to Zhao Zhen, and elaborated on Su Yuerong's suspicions in Miss Zhang's death case, "As for the Ziyan Taoist chief of Ziyan Temple, according to his post-mortem examination, he had a With an 'old face', the body is that of a young man about sixteen or seventeen years old, which can be described as a 'white-haired virgin'."

Zhao Zhen frowned and asked Zhao Hanyan to explain further.

Zhao Hanyan: "Six years ago, Deping County lost six boys. The youngest was eight years old, the oldest was 12 years old, and the rest were about ten years old."