Chapter 752 Building the Temple (Part 2)

She squatted there, taking off Duan Rong’s shoes and socks, and placed Duan Rong’s bare feet into the hot water.

Ruyi kept her head lowered, and Duan Rong didn’t notice that her eyes were slightly red at the moment.

After Ruyi dried Duan Rong’s feet, he lay down on the bed, having been busy and exhausted; as soon as he touched the bed, he fell asleep immediately.

Ruyi poured out the footwash, seeing Duan Rong was already sound asleep, then brought a stool, blew out the candle light, sighed lightly, and lay down in the darkness...

Around the last watch of the night, outside the courtyard, Chou Luan lay on the big stone, seemingly asleep as well, but suddenly opened his eyes, leapt to his feet, and flashed himself past the gate.

As soon as he crossed the gate of the courtyard, under the dim lighting, he saw a figure.

Chou Luan placed his hand on the knife at his waist, about to strike, when he heard a familiar voice coldly say, "It’s me!"

It turned out to be Zhu Zhengfu’s voice!

Chou Luan relaxed his grip on the knife, moved aside a bit, and the dim light then shone on the face of the figure nearby, revealing Zhu Zhengfu in his official uniform.

Zhu Zhengfu glanced at the dark, foreboding courtyard, turned to Chou Luan, and asked, "Is the master asleep?"

Chou Luan was slightly taken aback, thinking: It’s already late at night during the last watch, even the dogs are asleep.

Seeing Chou Luan ignore him, Zhu Zhengfu then turned to look at the dark courtyard, a hint of hesitation in his eyes. He struggled for a moment, then resolved himself, muttering, "No! This can’t wait, I must get the master up!"

Saying this, Zhu Zhengfu walked quickly towards the courtyard, while Chou Luan ignored him, lying back on that big stone.

Zhu Zhengfu reached the door, began knocking vigorously, and said in a low voice through the door crack, "Master! Master! I have matters to report!"

The room was originally very quiet, with only the faint sound of breathing drifting in the darkness, as both Duan Rong and Ruyi were deeply asleep.

Zhu Zhengfu’s knocking woke them both up.

Duan Rong opened his sleepy eyes, turned over, and heard rustling from Ruyi’s side, hoarsely asking, "Ruyi, what time is it now?"

Ruyi, half-asleep, replied, "Master, I don’t know either."

Duan Rong sighed, "Go open the door for Master Zhu."

"Yes, master." Ruyi was already sitting up and started dressing.

She got up, groping her way out to the cupboard, took out a flint, lit a candle, and walked forward, saying as she went, "Coming, Master Zhu!"

Upon hearing Ruyi’s response, Zhu Zhengfu stopped knocking.

By this time, Duan Rong had gotten up, quickly dressing.

He buttoned his clothes as he walked out from behind the screen, where Zhu Zhengfu was already standing at the doorway, a dull candlelight reflecting on his face, which was filled with tiredness.

As Duan Rong emerged from behind the screen, Zhu Zhengfu immediately knelt down, saying, "I deserve to die for disturbing you at night, Master!"

Duan Rong replied, "No problem, Master Zhu, stand up! I’ve been waiting for you."

Surprised by Duan Rong’s words, Zhu Zhengfu raised his head, slightly stunned.

As Zhu Zhengfu got up, Duan Rong immediately asked, "Master Zhu, what time is it now?"

Zhu Zhengfu’s face became slightly embarrassed as he replied, "Master, it’s the fifth watch, just past the last watch."

"Oh!" Duan Rong nodded, "So, it’ll be dawn in a bit."

Duan Rong suddenly got up, glanced outside, and then turned to Zhu Zhengfu, saying, "Master Zhu, you arrived later than I expected!"

Hearing this, Zhu Zhengfu grew even more uneasy, feeling fortunate he hadn’t gone back earlier.

Honestly, at the Taltar on Wuji Mountain, he had witnessed the strange and bizarre death of Li Shensi. Though he didn’t know how it happened, it was clearly Duan Rong’s handiwork. Initially, he sought to flatter Duan Rong, but now, he felt both respect and fear towards him.

Zhu Zhengfu immediately bowed slightly, "Replying to the master, the events tonight are numerous and chaotic, it is not easy for me to be here now."

Duan Rong said, "Master Zhu, sit and talk!"

Ruyi had already brought two cups of tea.

Zhu Zhengfu immediately picked up a cup, sipping a little. Meanwhile, Ruyi quietly closed the door and left.

Duan Rong sat there, ensuring Ruyi had gone far outside before looking at Zhu Zhengfu, "Master Zhu, speak!"

Zhu Zhengfu said, "Master, Li Shensi is dead."

Duan Rong fell silent, pouting, thinking: I killed him, wouldn’t I know?

Seeing Duan Rong’s expression, Zhu Zhengfu immediately understood, and continued, "After Li Shensi’s death, Minister of the Ministry of Justice Chen Shanmeng, Adviser Ge Hengtai, and I were put in charge of the preliminary investigation of the case."

Duan Rong’s eyes showed slight movement, asking, "Whose idea was it?"

Zhu Zhengfu replied, "It was suggested by Chen Shanmeng to Mansion Master Wang Maochun."

Duan Rong furrowed his brow slightly. Chen Shanmeng had obviously realized immediately that Li Shensi’s death resulted from a political vortex between two factions.

Zhu Zhengfu continued, "However, we’re only responsible for gathering preliminary evidence. After all, the deceased held the title of Minister of the Secretariat, so the full investigation awaits the sect’s edict. Mansion Master Wang Maochun has already sent an official notice to the sect."

Duan Rong nodded, understanding this was standard procedure. He looked at Zhu Zhengfu and said, "Continue, what else?"

Zhu Zhengfu said, "Also, because of the crowding and shoving at Wuji Mountain’s peak, some people died. The celestial altar’s procession just returned to the Prefecture Government Office, and many relatives of the dead and injured surrounded the Prefecture Government Office, causing trouble. Fortunately, Wang Maochun was alert and had Grand Protector Jiang Zhuoyun deploy heavy armored cavalry to completely surround the Prefecture Government Office, thus avoiding chaos."