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Extra Chapter 8: Sighs of Changan

  Jing Wan'er didn't stay for too long and left soon, it was already late at night, if she really stayed longer, it would be bad for both her and Pei Tan.

  The guard standing outside had been staring at her with a suspicious expression from the start, and it wasn't until she quickly walked away that his face relaxed.

  In the study, Pei Tan stared at the slow and long night outside the door, even the scrolls in front of him were forgotten to be opened.

  In the past, every night, as if it were an unspoken habit, he would also lift his head and subconsciously take a look outside.

  At that time, the night was even darker, and nothing could be seen.

  ……

  In the morning, Jing Wanyi had just stepped out of the door when she almost bumped into someone. She raised her head and their eyes met, both of them stunned.

  "Shen... Shaoyong?"

  Ta Li Temple's Junior Minister, Shen Xingwen. Formerly known as Shen Zan.

  Shen Xingwen smiled and said, "I never thought that I would see you again in this life, Miss Jing."

  Wan'er didn't think so either.

  Her expression was subtle, and Shen Xingwen, now dressed in a dark blue embroidered official uniform, had an air of coldness between his eyebrows, exuding an aura of majesty, and he seemed to be a completely different person from before.

  Jing Wan'er subconsciously made way: "Please, Young Master Shen."

  Shen Xingwen's lips gradually curled up, and when he did, he seemed to have transformed back into the old Shen Xingwen, with an expression that was playful, worldly, and slightly irreverent.

  He stared at Jing Wanyan for a long time before slowly lifting his foot and brushing past her side to leave.

  Shen Xingwen left in the direction of Pei Tan's study.

  Pei Tan handed the case file to Shen Xingwen and said, "This is a copy of the case file from the Jingzhao government office regarding the Fan family's wine shop. You're in charge of handling this case."

  Sometimes, it's inconvenient for Pei Tan to show up in person.

  Shen Xingwen picked up the case file and scanned it. The recent sensational case had naturally reached his ears.

  Naturally knowing that this case did not involve murder, it had nothing to do with the Temple of Great Justice, but Pei Tan let him investigate.

  We are Shen Shaoqing, how clever a person is. Suddenly, another hook of the lip, "Yes, it's only natural for subordinates to share worries with their superiors, but can subordinates ask one more question... Is this related to Jing young lady again?"

  Pei Tan gazed at him lightly, her eyes seemingly calm and unruffled, as she said: "If it's really related to Jing Wanyu, shouldn't you be more diligent, Shaoyou?"

  All of you were once in the Temple of Dali, sharing life and death together. Such a deep friendship is not something that everyone has.

  These four words really made Shen Xingwen speechless, and Shen Wenting choked for a moment before smiling slightly: "The master is right, I will definitely do my best."

  Shen Xingwen pinched the case file and retreated from the study.

  Shen Shaoqing, being a man of action, immediately summoned the bailiffs and placed the case files on the table. He tapped his fingers lightly on the surface, seemingly deep in thought. After a moment, he spoke in a nonchalant tone: "Go investigate Li Xiuwei, that young master from the Li family. Find out about his social circle in Chang'an, especially where he likes to go, what he likes to eat, and who he likes to see."

  These young masters' whereabouts in seeking pleasure are high-profile and not a secret, so it's no big deal to ask around.

  When you are a subordinate, you should learn to understand your superior's mind and cannot make everything too clear to your superior.

  Shen Xingwen had a faint, meaningful smile on his lips.

  The official's expression turned cautious, and he asked carefully: "Young Master, why do you want to investigate the whereabouts of Young Master Li?" This Li family is not just any ordinary commoner's household, after all.

  Shen Xingwen's gaze made the yamen runner shrink back slightly. "Yes, I'll send someone to investigate."

  This young lord is even more majestic than Pei Tan, the upright minister, and the yamen runners dare to be angry but not speak.

  After the attendant left, Shen Xingwen turned another page of the case file with a more relaxed expression. He had already understood what Pei Tan meant. Now that Li Xi was fighting for the wine tower, this matter did not involve a homicide case, and the Grand Justice Temple could not intervene no matter what. That is to say... as long as this matter, or Li Xi himself, involved a "homicide" case, wouldn't it be handled by the Grand Justice Temple?

  Pei Tan said this is a great temple, with thoughts as vast as the sea.

  These aristocratic families are all dirty, and Pei Tan is well aware of it. None of them can withstand scrutiny. Shen Xingwen showed a hint of sarcastic approval.

  As long as you investigate, there's nothing that can't be found out. Li Xiu was such a carefree and pleasure-seeking young master in Chang'an, with flowers in hand, how could he not have several lives on his hands?

  Or has Li's hands never been stained with human blood?

  Shen Xingwen's smile grew thicker at the corners of his mouth.

  Shen Xingwen was strolling leisurely when he ran into Jing Wanyu, who was by the well, having just drawn a bucket of clear spring water. As she turned around, they found themselves face to face.

  "What's this, miss?" Shen Xingwen raised an eyebrow involuntarily.

  Jing Wan'er simply said: "Fetch some spring water and boil tea."

  Brewing tea, for whom is the tea brewed?

  Shen Xingwen smiled faintly and said with a hint of meaning: "The master has gone into the palace, it's unknown when he'll return."

  Jing Wan'er didn't pick up the topic, but instead changed the subject: "I'll brew some tea in a moment. If you don't mind, I'll have someone bring a cup to your quarters as well."

  Shen Xingwen's expression was even more meaningful: "In the past, Jingniang had never been so polite, Shen Mou was truly honored."

  At his current rank of fourth-grade official, he still addressed Jing Yuanner, a commoner, as Shen Mou, which was already giving her immense face.

  In the past, Jing Waner and Shen Xingwen were somehow "not on the same wavelength".

  Since you mentioned the past, Jing Wanyu was also very generous and smiled: "Wanyu has always admired Shao Qing, with strategy and means. People like Shao Qing are rare."

  Pei Tan valued Shen Xingwen's talent. Someone like Shen Xingwen is Pei Tan's right-hand man.

  Shen Xingwen raised an eyebrow, feigning surprise: "I didn't expect that Shen would have such a good image in your eyes, I thought you only had...".

  Shen Xingwen suddenly stopped, again with a smile that was not quite a smile.

  Jing Wan'er picked up the water bucket and didn't want to talk to him anymore: "Wan'er is leaving."

  Jing Wan'er carried the water bucket for a few steps before a hand reached out and took it from her.

  He lifted his head, Shen Xingwen smiled: "This heavy burden, let Shen certain help the girl carry it."

  Jing Wan'er said subconsciously: "How can this be allowed for Shao Qing..."

  Jing Wantong wasn't the one who didn't mention the water bucket, the corpses were all carried on their backs.

  "Don't be polite, girl. Even an ordinary man would lend a hand when he sees you doing such physical labor at home."

  He said that, and Jing Wanyu didn't dare utter a word, this meaning if he didn't mention it then he wasn't a man.

  Shen Xingwen took a few steps forward, but found that Jing Wanyu still deliberately kept a few steps away from him, and his lips curled up.

  "This Chang'an is really not a good place for young ladies. Shen didn't expect that the young lady would still be willing to return to Chang'an."

  Whoever it is, after experiencing such a family change, must hope to stay with their loved ones and never be separated again.

  It is worth noting that from Longyou to Chang'an, it can be thousands of miles apart. Jing Yuanyuan actually returned to Chang'an thousands of miles away.

  "What's left in Chang'an for you to miss, girl?" Shen Xingwen asked even more bluntly.

  Jing Wan'er's clear eyes looked at Shen Xingwen: "Wan'er still has unfinished business in Chang'an."

  Besides, as long as one is a child of the Great Tang, who would not miss the Great Tang's Chang'an?

  Even with bad memories, Chang'an is still Chang'an. The irreplaceable land of the Great Tang Dynasty.

  Shen Xingwen gazed at her for a moment, his expression unreadable. Suddenly, he burst out laughing and fixed his eyes on Jing Yuane'er, his voice filled with a rich, elegant tone: "In that case, later on, Shen will take the young lady to visit the Twelve Levels of Chang'an and take in the sights of the streets of Chang'an. How does that sound?"

  Such "passion" almost startled Jing Yuane for a moment. At this time, Shen Xingwen's gaze seemed to see something in front of him.

  He suddenly took a step forward, turned around and faced Jing Wanyan, blocking her line of sight.

  "Thorny girl."

  Jing Wan's eyebrows furrowed slightly as she looked at him with a puzzled expression.

  Shen Xingwen smiled and said, "If I have offended you in any way before, I hope Miss Jing will not take it to heart."

  He suddenly became so serious, which was something Jing Wanyu would never have expected.

  "In fact, there was no grudge between Shen and the girl. They used to have different stances, but now even that difference in stance doesn't exist."

  So the two can be said to have... put aside their past grievances with a smile.

  After being stunned for a while, Jing Wanyu also said: "Young master, what are you talking about? If we talk about past offenses, it was I who offended you, and I should be the one to apologize to you."

  Indeed, if we must talk about the past, it was actually Jing Yuanyu who had a "prejudice" against Shen Xingwen. At that time, due to various reasons, things happened for a reason, and now that time has passed, Jing Yuanyu naturally didn't hold any personal grudges against Shen Xingwen, and Shen Xingwen himself was indeed a rare talent.

  Jing Wan'er said so, Shen Xingwen's smile on his lips deepened: "Miss says so, Shen Mou is also relieved."

  Jing Wan'er smiled at him.

  A gentle and quiet lady, as beautiful as a flower, with such a smile is naturally open-minded and warm.

  Shen Xingwen looked at Jing Yuanyu, recalling what Pei Tan had said to him. If this case was related to Jing Yuanyu, shouldn't he be more diligent? With a softer smile in his eyes: "I heard that the Long Street Wine House incident is related to Miss Jing. The master has asked Shen to take over this case. I don't know if it's convenient for you to tell me some details?"

  Shen Xingwen leaned in slightly towards Jing Wanyu.

  Jing Wan'er's expression turned serious as soon as she heard it was a case, "Of course, what do you want to know, Shaoyou?" She guessed that Pei Tan might not investigate this case in person. If the Grand Justice Temple could handle this case well, it would be for the best.

  Shen Xingwen leaned in a bit closer: "The more detailed the better."

  It seems he is close to Jing Wan'er - from a certain perspective.

  Until Shen Xingwen's breath almost brushed against Jing Yuanyuan's face. It wasn't until then that Jing Yuanyuan suddenly realized something was off, and with a start, she quickly pulled away from Shen Xingwen.

  Jing Wan'er's face also fell: "Shao Qing, what are you doing?"

  Shen Xingwen's behavior just now is simply like a thug.

  Shen Xingwen's face again showed that familiar, enigmatic smile as he gazed at Jing Yuanyuan and said: "Sorry, truly a beauty like you is hard to come by, a gentleman's heart is easily moved... I couldn't help but be overcome with emotion just now..."

  "As soon as the two words 'infatuated' left his lips, a clear and cold voice came from behind him: "Shen Shaoyan, you're too presumptuous.""

  Behind him, Pei Tan had just returned in his official uniform and was standing there, he didn't know for how long.

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