Pai Dians words made several people in the Dalit Temple stand in the desolate and remote graveyard, no one dared to speak, only the cold wind blowing through the graveyard chilled them to the bone.

  "Sir, if this is true, isnt it?" The attendants eyes were filled with a hint of shock.

  If its true, then Zonghou, who was originally sentenced to death, not only didnt die but was also replaced by an unknown corpse.

  A death row prisoner was replaced by another person to die in his place; this was a shocking and astonishing thing in Changan, as well as the entire Tang Dynasty.

  The case of Zong Huos death by horseback riding was actually the first day after Pei Tan took office as the Minister of Justice, and he personally tried it. The final sentence of death should be said that without the pressure from Pei Tan and the Pei family, it would not have been possible to convict him.

  But it was like this, Pei Tan personally supervised the case of pushing Zong Huo to the guillotine, and after the execution, such a twist actually appeared!

  Pei Tan slowly grasped the handkerchief in his palm and instructed in a cold tone, "Take the body back to the Dalisi Temple and have it examined by an undertaker first."

  After the autopsy was completed, it was only then that they knew who had actually died, Zhang or Li. According to reason, for those who were put to death in the palace, after their death, the imperial physician would also verify their identity before burying them. If this corpse was fake, then it meant that the imperial physician who performed the autopsy had also been bribed.

  "Did anyone notice when we arrived?" Pei Tan asked the attendant beside him.

  The attendants expression was serious: "We set out from the main gate of the Dali Temple, and all along the way... its probably hard not to be seen by people."

  The conversation between the two has already brought out the key point. If the identity of the corpse is fake, then it means that someone in Changan City had been planning all this long ago. Therefore, Pei Tans trip from the Temple of Great Wisdom to the palace tomb should not be known by those with ulterior motives.

  But now its almost impossible for Pei Tan to conceal his whereabouts.

  "First bring back the body and then talk." Pei Tan gave the order.

  ——

  "If all of this is true, then who could be the mastermind behind it?" In the carriage, attendant Pei Xian couldnt help but glance at his own lord.

  "Of course, Im the one who least wants Zong Ho to die."

  Zong Huo is a tyrannical and overbearing young master, and if you ask about Changan City, the number of people who wish for his early death far exceeds those who dont want him to die. The only person who might not want him dead is probably... this young masters own father, the Minister of War, Zong Chuke himself.

  Zong Chuke was over 70 years old and had a son in his old age, so he doted on Zong Huo to the extreme. Even if Zong Huo killed someone in Changan City, it would be more important for Zong Chuke to save his sons life.

  "Zong Chuke has already caused trouble for our lord many times, until his son was executed outside the Meridian Gate, and only then did he suddenly stay at home and not go out." Attendant Pei County said, "If he really dared to use someone else as a substitute to save his son, wouldnt that be a serious crime of deliberately disobeying orders?"

  Bai Tan was speechless. The old master of the Bai family, who had served as Taifu for two dynasties, was none other than Bai Dong Su, also known as Lord Bai. He was also Bai Tans father.

  For someone who loves his son as much as his life, what is rebelling against the emperor? If possible, Zong Chuke would have used everything to exchange for Zong Huos life.

  That piece of human skin tattoo has now become the most critical thing.

  Pei Tan arrived at the Dali Temple and immediately called for the executioner.

  But when Wu Zuo saw the tattoo that Pei Tan took out, his face changed.

  Pei Tanping dismissed everyone else and only kept his trusted advisors Pei Xian and Wu Zuo with him in the antechamber.

  "Adult, that tattoo is not ordinary people have, in those years a group of northern escaped slaves who committed crimes came to Changan, after being collected by the Honglu Temple for the major families of Changan as slaves."

  That is, their identity was indeed slaves.

  "So you recognized that tattoo?"

  "The official Zheng said solemnly: I report to Your Excellency, when the Honglu Temple distributed these escaped slaves that year, in order to prevent them from escaping again and bringing potential danger to Changan, they were given different tattoos, which are the unique marks of their serving households."

  Just like the coat of arms on a carriage, representing different forces.

  Pei Tan stared at the tattoo pattern, if this was a family crest, it must not be one of the famous families in Changan, because Pei Tan could recognize all the crests of the seven surnames and five aristocratic families.

  The doctor said at this time: "Sir, can you still remember the Da Du Hu Fu of five years ago, the Jing family?"

  Pei Tans eyes moved slightly, and he looked at Yu Zuo.

  The coroner said: "This corpses mark is indeed from the Jing family back then."

  Jing family... Pei Tan searched for the distant traces in his memory, mostly from the Hu Fu, was one of the second-class aristocratic families in Changan, not at its peak, but also a well-known family.

  "The Jing family may not be a prominent clan, but Jing Zhe, who served as the Grand Protector of the Capital in those days, was a scholar-official who passed the imperial examination and was quite favored by Your Majesty at that time."

  Those who can be selected from the imperial examination and enter officialdom are at least recognized by the current emperor as virtuous talents. In those years, Jing Zhe was able to become a second-grade official, which means he must have been highly trusted. However, no matter how much trust he had gained, Jing Zhe later lost his position and was exiled because he offended Wei Hous party people.

  Born in a poor family, still too fragile.

  For example, the Liu family also offended Wei, but they can still stand upright, and were only punished with a few months salary, without even moving their muscles and bones. This is naturally because the Liu family has a strong foundation and is not afraid at all.

  But if it falls on the head of the Jia family, it will be a disaster that destroys the entire family.

  Pei Tan still remembers the events of that time, and its precisely because he remembers that he feels todays matters are not simple.

  Will anyone from the Jing family still be left in Changan after being exiled?

  "Initially, were all members of the Jing family exiled to Cold Tower, or was there an exception?" Pei Tan asked.

  Generally, families who are sentenced to exile will not have anyone left behind, but it is hard to guarantee that there wont be an exception.

  The doctor said at this time: "Sir, there is indeed an exception."

  Pei Tans gaze was fixed on the painting.

  "In those years, Jing Zhe had a only daughter who was just over ten years old. Because of her youth, she was favored by the executioner at that time and sent to the palace."

  Sending women with good looks and skills into the palace was indeed a prevailing custom at that time and even now.

  "Is this daughter still in the palace now?" Pei Tan asked,

  ——

  Jing Waner felt a little uneasy all afternoon, which was similar to the night when she first had a premonition that something would happen to the Jing family. This unease came inexplicably and made her feel restless.

  That piece of human skin had naturally been sent out by the little palace maid.

  That piece of human skin she cut from the corpse.

  Her unusual behavior soon fell into the eyes of those palace maids who were eager to find fault with her and felt relieved when she made mistakes.

  "I really want to give that cheap person some color." A little palace maid said with gritted teeth.

  Qiaoer, who had always been at odds with Jing Waner, hated her even more. "If the Empress could deal with her in the same way she did with Yinger last year and throw her into Taihu Lake to feed the fish, that would be satisfying."

  But that was impossible, they hated Jing Yuanner while being secretly afraid of her.

  In case Jing Waner dies, who among them will be dragged out to deal with those smelly and rotten corpses.

  Jing Waner saw the group of palace maids with ulterior motives, a hint of a smile on her lips, and walked forward. She noticed one of the palace maids secretly stretching out her foot to trip her up.

  Jing Waner deliberately stepped on her foot and looked at the palace maids strange cry, but she could only glare at her fiercely.

  In this palace where people are eaten, only if you are more ruthless than others can you live longer.

  Jing Waner walked past the palace maids with her eyes downcast. In the past five years, one by one, the disobedient palace maids in the miscellaneous service room had died, and their bodies were all handled by Jing Waner herself. This brought the greatest fear to these palace maids, that anyone here could die, except for Jing Waner herself.

  This fear is enough to control every single person in the servants quarters.

  "You have never disappointed me." The wrinkled face of Shang Gong stared at the delicate face of Jing Yuane.

  Jing Waner looked at Cui Shang Gong.

  Every time Cui Shanggong called her over, there was never a trivial matter.

  "The Empress has heard a rumor." Cui Shanggong narrowed his old eyes.

  Jing Waner stood still, and Cui Shanggong was not someone who would speak idly.

  Chui Sang-gong looked at her: "It seems that Your Majesty has recently intended to... re-examine the case of Jing Shi from back then."

  This sentence was somewhat like a drumbeat, pounding in Jing Wanyans ears.

  Jing Waner also used great willpower to keep herself standing there motionless.

  Ke Cuis sharp eyes had already scanned Jing Yuers face, but couldnt see anything: "Youre not... even a little happy?"

  Few people who have been robbed of their homes can be retried, and most are not old and dead in the cold tower, and even their children and grandchildren will be slaves for generations.

  But if Jings family really started to hit the jackpot, it means that todays Jing Waner is a lowly and obscure palace maid who collects corpses in the palace, being bullied and oppressed by others. However, she might become any of the pampered young ladies in this Changan mansion tomorrow.

  Any woman who enters this palace would hardly dare dream of such good fortune even in her dreams.

  Jing Waner raised her listless eyebrows and looked at Cui Shang Gong: "There are many idle and boring rumors in the palace every day, why do you take it to heart?"

  Seeing such an "unflappable" Jing Yuanyuan, Cui Shanggongs eyes became like a fox, revealing cunning: "Jing Yuanyuan, this palace doesnt believe you would really take this as ordinary gossip in the palace. Youve been very obedient for five years in the palace, but just as I dont believe that, neither do I believe your heart is truly as gentle and obedient as it seems on the surface."

  At this time, Jing Wanyu lowered her head slightly, and indeed looked harmless.

  But Cui Shanggong looked at her expression, clearly without trust.

  Jing Waner slowly raised her head, and the expression in her eyes was somewhat indistinguishable: "I understand what you mean, Your Majesty, and I also understand why you are saying these things to me. Lets not mention that the Jing family is originally a nameless surname that does not enter the Seven Families of Changan, whether or not Your Majesty still remembers this kind of door now, even if you remember, would you be willing to re-examine the case because of the Jing familys lack of power and influence? Even if all these are true, after the case is re-examined, can the Jing family turn over a new leaf, or if they really did turn over a new leaf after being pardoned, what does this have to do with me?"

  "...After re-examining, you will be the thousand gold of the Qin family."

  Jing Wanyi stood quietly in the hall for a long time: "After re-examination, I will be just a corpse buried in the palace."