For the next two days, He Yan had been waiting for news from the Fuwang side of the Xu family, but unfortunately, it was not because Xu Zhiheng was also investigating the whereabouts of Mammy Qin, and Fuwang's search for someone did not go well. At the same time, on the night that He Yan and Xiao Jue met Mrs. Fan, someone really sneaked into the prison and wanted to silence.
Due to Xiao Jue's reminder, Master Liu increased the number of guards in the prison ahead of time, and the assassin did not succeed, but the prison guards failed to catch anyone and were escaped by the masked assassin. Even so, Mrs. Fan was still insane, Master Liu did not dare to use torture lightly, and the Fan family was still under investigation for the servant who was looking for her death, and the case was at a deadlock.
He Yan was assassinated in a street and alley that day. After the city guards came, many people dared to come to watch. He Yan revealed his identity, so it was impossible to hide this incident. The next day, Man Shuojing Everyone knows that Xiao Jue's fiancée, the Marquis of Wu'an, who was proclaimed by His Majesty, was assassinated in broad daylight. For a time, many people in Shuojing went out at night, for fear of encountering bandits wandering outside.
Before everything was found out, people in the capital would only think that they were "bandits".
In the prince's mansion, the beautiful maids were playing the piano and dancing.
It is no longer a matter of one or two days for Prince Guangyan to indulge in sensuality. Although the Crown Princess was angry, she was helpless, so she devoted all her thoughts to herself, hoping that she had already given birth to her eldest grandson, and that the position of the Crown Prince would be more stable. It's a pity that the princess's stomach is not up to par, and she has been silent since she entered the door of the Prince's Mansion. Guangyan was dissatisfied with the Crown Princess, and became more and more arrogant. Until now, no one in the entire mansion can discipline him.
Today, the prince held a banquet and invited Xu Xiang, and Chu Zhao was also there.
"Since the marriage was granted by the royal father, this palace has not had time to congratulate Zilan." The prince looked at Chu Zhao and said with a smile: "This time Zilan got what she wanted, and it is a miracle to have a blind date with Xu. Great deed. Congratulations." After saying that, Chao Chu Zhaoyang raised the wine cup in his hand.
Chu Zhao hurriedly picked up the wine glass in front of him, saying he didn't dare. Along with the prince, he drank the wine in the cup.
"Now Xiao Huaijin has returned to Shuojing," Guangyan sighed, "The messenger of Utto Kingdom will enter the capital soon. Xiao Huaijin will do everything possible to prevent the establishment of a restaurant in Dawei. It's ours, Ben Gong is not worried." After a pause, a trace of cruelty flashed in the prince's eyes, "What Ben Gong is worried about is the fourth child. If Xiao Huaijin joins the fourth child..."
Although Guang Shuo was in the court, although his contacts were not as good as Guang Yan, and Concubine Lan Gui's family was not as powerful as Empress Zhang, they had a natural advantage that they did not have - the favor of Emperor Wen Xuan.
Emperor Wenxuan favored Guangshuo, and several old and smelly hard stones in the court secretly supported Guangshuo, the fourth prince.
"Fourth princes do not dispute the mean, His Highness does not need to worry." Xu Xiang said with a smile.
"That kid is useless, it's just..." The prince narrowed his eyes, "It always makes people feel annoying."
Most of the people in the court did not say it clearly, but everyone knew that his talent and character were not comparable to that of Guang Shuo. Even his own people thought so, even this old fox in front of him... The prince's eyes flicked over Xu Xiang, but he remembered another interesting thing.
"Zilan," the prince suddenly looked at Chu Zhao, "I heard that there is a maid beside you, who is beautiful and smart, but is it true?"
When Chu Zhao heard the words, his heart was like a basin of cold water pouring down his head, and it slowly turned into ice, but his face did not show any sign, and he replied respectfully, "It is indeed the case."
"With this beauty, why have I never seen you with me?" The prince asked with a smile, but there was no smile in his eyes.
Why? Of course, it was because Yingxiang would not be able to stay in the Chu family once he was taken with him and seen by the prince. For a long time, with the character of Prince Guangyan, whenever there is a beautiful woman, he will always be kidnapped into his own house. Yingxiang's appearance will only bring disaster to her.
"This woman is not very smart, and because she was born too beautiful, it was inconvenient to take her with her, so the lower official kept her in the house and did some rough work."
Hearing this, the crown prince laughed, "Zilan, you are such a waste of money. You don't understand Lianxiang Xiyu's temperament like this. You will marry Pingting in the future, but you have to change it, otherwise Xu Xiang will be unhappy."
Xu Jingfu just sat on the side, drinking tea with a smile, as if he didn't hear Ji Feng in the prince's words.
Chu Zhao showed a somewhat bewildered look.
"It's a waste of money to stay in your house, so it's better to give it to Ben Gong." Prince Zhuangruo said unintentionally: "Beijing is lacking such a smart girl, and Donggong is not bad enough to provide personal food, what do you think? ?"
Chu Zhao was stunned for a moment, then looked up at Guangyan.
I don't know when the piano sound in the hall stopped, and the dancing maid also quietly retreated. In the silence, the air was stagnant like viscous blood, and it came with a disgusting suffocation.
The young man looks handsome, but he doesn't know if it's because he is indulgent, his eyes are obviously blue and black, and when he looks at people, he always looks a little sinister and manic. Even with a smile on the corner of his mouth and staring into his eyes, there is a bit of contempt from above.
That is disdain from the heart, and the superior looks at an ant with contempt.
"What?" The prince said jokingly, "Zilan wouldn't be reluctant, would he?"
Xu Jingfu just looked at the tea cup in front of him and said nothing.
Chu Zhao stood up, walked in front of the prince, and bowed down, "How dare Zilan? It is a blessing for Yingxiang to be chosen by His Royal Highness to serve His Royal Highness. It's just that this girl is clumsy and afraid of colliding with His Highness, since His Highness is in his heart. , and when the next official returns to the mansion, he will immediately send someone to deliver Yingxiang."
His respectful attitude obviously pleases the prince. After the prince waited for Chu Zhao to kneel for a while, he got up and lifted him up, and said with a satisfied smile: "Why do you need to salute, you are someone close to this palace, and someone will send him to the palace. After she is in the house, Ben Gong will also take good care of her."
Chu Zhao showed his loyalty again, and after saying that the prince was very happy, he returned to the seat and sat down.
On the long table, he feasted with chopsticks, his expression was as usual, he didn't seem to be affected by this, but when he stopped to drink, his eyes fell on Xu Jingfu beside him.
The old man's face was kind and loving, and he seemed to be somewhat open-minded. He looked over with a smile, just like the gentle smile of his teacher when he was worshipping the corner of his robe.
Chu Zhao also smiled back at Xu Jingfu and raised his glass to congratulate each other. Just looking at it carefully, he could see that the fingertips of his other hand under the table were embedded in the palm of his hand, and there was a bloodstain that was neither deep nor shallow.
…
When he returned to Chu's house, it was already very late.
Stepping into the mansion gate, the smile on Chu Zhao's face disappeared. He used to have a gentle smile, even when facing the servants of the Chu family, but today it seemed unbearable. As soon as he entered the gate of the mansion, his face was so ugly that water was about to drip. dare not.
Everyone in the Chu family knew that this Fourth Young Master was amazing. When he was first sent back to the mansion, everyone thought that this Fourth Young Master Chu would not live long. He was an outsider and was born of a brothel woman, no matter how you looked at it. Will be accommodated by Mrs. Chu. Before Chu Zhao met Xu Jingfu when he was young, he also had a difficult time. Although Chu Linfeng was protecting him, Chu Linfeng was not a father who cared about his son. In the corners that Chu Linfeng couldn't see, Chu Zhao was often made difficult and beaten.
But this child was very patient, and he endured it until good luck came. Prime Minister Xu Jingfu chose him, and soon he became Xu Xiang's proud disciple.
After that, Chu Zhao went all the way up. Gradually, Mrs. Chu could no longer move him. Chu Linfeng obeyed the son's words, but Chu Zhao never changed his temperament because of this. He treated the servants of the Chu family from beginning to end. Very gentle, as always, after a long time, many of Mrs. Chu's people also secretly took refuge in Chu Zhao.
A more promising, more gentle and considerate master, even a fool knows how to choose.
But today's Chu Zhao, his upbringing and good temper, seem to have endured to the end.
As soon as he walked into his yard, he saw a familiar lantern swaying at the door from a distance. Chu Zhao walked in, and Yingxiang came forward to meet him: "Fourth Young Master."
He entered the house without saying a word.
Xu Shi's expression was too abnormal today, Ying Xiang was stunned, followed in, stood beside Chu Zhao, and asked softly, "Fourth Young Master, but what happened?"
Chu Zhao raised his eyes and looked at the woman in front of him.
Ying Xiangsheng is very beautiful, charming and charming, and looks like a painting. Standing here, she is more beautiful than Hua Jiao. This kind of appearance is enough to enter the palace. In the Chu family, if it wasn't for the inconvenience of the maid next to him, I am afraid that Chu Linfeng would have already carried Ying Xiang as his twentieth concubine.
It's hard to imagine how Yingxiang's parents are just ordinary, how they could have such a beautiful face as Yingxiang.
The first time Chu Zhao saw Yingxiang, it was in front of the brothel. Ying Xiang's father, a gambler was holding her by the wrist, and in a bargaining tone, he discussed with the prostitute of the brothel whether his daughter could sell it for a little more money. And Yingxiang's mother, a woman with a big belly, just stood on the side and wept silently, daring not to say anything.
At that time, Chu Zhao was only nine years old, and not long after he had been with Xu Jingfu, Madam Chu dared not bully him blatantly. Yingxiang looked about the same age as him, dressed very shabby, but her skin was very white. Even though she was not dressed, she could see that she was a beautiful embryo. Her expression was always calm, she didn't cry or make trouble, she stood there, and when Chu Zhao stopped on the opposite street to look at her, the girl raised her head and glanced at him.
She had no expression, but she seemed to be able to see her deep sadness and despair through her eyes. It was like surrendering to the fate that was already clear, unable to resist.
For a moment, Chu Zhao thought of Ye Runmei.
He ordered the servant to buy Yingxiang with two pieces of silver, and went back and told Chu Linfeng that he lacked a personal maid. Chu Linfeng thought that Chu Zhao had other thoughts on his mind. He was romantic, not only was not annoyed by his son's behavior, but also greatly appreciated it. So far, Yingxiang stayed by Chu Zhao's side.
In recent years, Ying Xiang hasn't talked much, and her quiet and submissive temperament is completely different from her charming and flamboyant appearance. She is also getting more and more beautiful. Chu Zhao knows very well that beauty will bring disaster, and the days he can protect Yingxiang are very limited.
It was probably because Ying Xiang noticed the pity in his eyes, Ying Xiang was stunned for a moment, and after a while, she pursed her lips and asked, "Fourth Young Master, is this related to the servants?"
"I went to the Prince's Mansion today," Chu Zhao said, "The Prince knows about you."
The house was silent for a moment.
After a while, Ying Xiang said calmly, "This servant understands."
Her answer was obedient and gentle, just like the moment when she was about to be sold by her biological father outside the brothel, she naturally accepted her fate, as if she had expected it in the morning.
Chu Zhao moved his lips and finally spit out two words, "Sorry."
Yingxiang smiled instead. She walked to the table and poured tea for Chu Zhao as usual. The tea was simmered on the stove in advance, so when Chu Zhao came back, she would drink hot tea. To drink some warm stomach. She handed the tea cup to Chu Zhao and said softly, "After being with the Fourth Young Master for so long, the slaves are already satisfied. In the future, when the slaves are not here, Fourth Young Master remember to take care of yourself."
Chu Zhao took the tea and did not speak.
Ying Xiang knelt down and went.
"For so many years, thanks to your son's care, Yingxiang has nothing in return. Before you leave, give your son a kowtow." She gently kowtowed three times to Chu Zhao.
After the last head kowtow, she bent over for a long time, but did not get up.
Chu Zhao didn't stop her. After a long time, Yingxiang stood up again, and she saluted Chu Zhao, "Then, the servant will go back to the house to pack up and salute first, sir, take care."
After all, let's go out.
"Yingxiang." Chu Zhao called her name.
Yingxiang stopped and turned around, a glimmer of hope suddenly appeared in her eyes, that expectation was very secret, but at night, it was brighter than the stars.
Chu Zhao avoided her gaze, as if he couldn't bear to look at it any longer. After a moment of silence, he uttered two words.
"Take care of yourself."
…
He Yan didn't know about these matters of the Chu family.
These days, all her attention is focused on the Xu family. Money can make ghosts run the mill. Driven by silver, Fuwang finally found Qin's whereabouts a few days earlier than he said in the eight or nine days.
When He Yan got the news and went to the teahouse near Xu's house, Fu Wang came forward with a smile on his face, as if he had done something he was proud of and couldn't wait to appreciate it.
Seeing him like this, He Yan knew that he must have achieved a great harvest, and he was also overjoyed, so he asked, "But what happened?"
"Young master," Fuwang is very knowledgeable about things, so he didn't talk about the outcome of the matter, he only explained the hardships and dangers of his investigation these days, and then said: "Young man is risking his life to do things for you. You can't Don't feel bad."
He Yan smiled and put the last piece of silver in her sleeve on the table. At this point, she was also a poor man. But in front of Fuwang, he still had to put on an outfit.
"Little brother does things for me, and I will inevitably benefit from you. The money is just a small head. If you can do more things for me in the future, the money will only be spent."
When Fuwang heard the words, his eyes lit up, and he had a bottom line in his heart. He was afraid that after finishing this business, the mysterious man would disappear. With money coming so easily, it is natural to want to do a long-term business. The meaning of this person, and there are other things to be done by himself, Fuwang is a little happy.
"The whereabouts of Mammy Qin, the little one has already inquired about it for the young master. Mammy Qin has a good friend who used to live in Niujiazhuang outside the city. But the little one has inquired about it again, since Mama Qin fled to find it. After they got married, they stopped living in Niujiazhuang. The surnamed Niu was a blacksmith. Niu Blacksmith had a relative who lived in a barren mountain more than ten miles away from Niujiazhuang. The mountain was so big. It's not easy to find someone. But they live in the mountains, and they always have to change grain and oil. On the tenth day of every month, the cattle blacksmith goes down the mountain to buy food at the nearby market. He also helps people with some chores. On the day I go to buy food, I will also put the cast iron wares for sale in a blacksmith shop called 'Changmao Iron Shop'."
"Young master wants to go to Mother Qin, you can go to the 'Changmao Iron Shop' first. When the tenth day of the first day, when the blacksmith comes down the mountain, you can find the blacksmith. Only the blacksmith knows where Mother Qin is. The place." Fuwang smiled slyly, "As for how to get the blacksmith to speak, it depends on what the young master intends to do."
"The news you said is true?" He Yan asked.
"It's absolutely true, how dare you lie to the young master?" Fu Wang hurriedly said: "It's just that now the uncle is also asking people to check the whereabouts of Qin mama, and the little one has gone many ways to find out here, the uncle may not be able to. I found it. If the young master is in a hurry, it is best to hurry to the iron shop. If the uncle is the first to board... "
He didn't really think about the mysterious person in front of him with good intentions, but he was afraid that the mysterious person would not be able to find Mother Qin and would disappear. In the future, there would be no silver that he earned so easily for him to spend.
He Yan was also a little excited. She originally came to Xu's house just to find evidence, but did not expect to find a survivor. But now that Fuwang has inquired so meticulously, it is a pleasant surprise.
"You did a good job on this."
After receiving the compliment, Fuwang was overjoyed, as if watching the white money pouring into him, he said, "It's a small blessing to do things for the young master. If you have anything else to do, the young man can't do anything else. , that is to be more diligent in legs and feet, it would be great if I could be of help to the young master."
It's okay not to say this, He Yan really remembered another thing when he said this. She hesitated for a while before asking, "Do you know what's wrong with this grandmother Xu in your house these days?"
"Grandma?" Fuwang was stunned for a moment, feeling more and more that the person in front of him couldn't figure it out. He said earlier that Concubine He was his friend in the past. Could it be that this Grandma Xu has something to do with him now? In this case, wouldn't the green cloud cover the top of his uncle's head, and for a time, Fu Wang was very sympathetic to Xu Zhiheng.
He Yan didn't know that the little servant in front of him had already gone astray, so he only asked, "Don't you know about Grandma Xu's situation?"
"The little one is just a gatekeeper," Fu Wang smiled. "The grandma's yard is filled with maids and wives, and there are very few servants. If you really want to inquire, the little one can also run errands, but..."
"But what?" He Yan asked.
Not long after she met Mrs. He Er and He Xinying at Yuhua Temple that day, she met the assassin. After thinking about it, He Yan felt that it was inseparable from He Rufei. Although He Xinying didn't know anything, with He Rufei's cautiousness, he might not let her go. Although he didn't get along with this sister for a long time, He Yan didn't want her to have an accident.
"However, the eldest grandmother seems to be tired these days, so she doesn't go out much. When Madam went out, she didn't take her with her." Fu Wang said.
He Yan's heart tightened.
Mrs. Xu went out without He Xinying, which was nothing at all, but after she went to Yuhua Temple... It really makes one can't help but guess that He Xinying was under house arrest by the Xu family.
"Fuwang," He Yan looked at the person in front of him, "I will ask you to do one more thing for me, staring at Grandma Xu. If something happens to Grandma Xu, or if there is any problem, please go to the teahouse. Find the guy with the pockmarked face in here and let me know."
Although Fuwang was puzzled, he still nodded, "Okay."
After explaining the matter, the two left separately. He Yan left first, Fuwang after, Fuwang didn't notice when he was leaving, there was a figure hidden behind a column in front of a silk shop on the opposite street corner, and he walked out after his figure disappeared. .
A woman in black.
…
At night, the door of Xiao's study was opened, and someone came in from outside.
Xiao Jue hung the sword back on the wall, took off his outer clothes, and just turned around when someone knocked on the door.
"Enter."
Entering was Luan Ying dressed in black.
Xiao Jue didn't look at her, walked to the table, there was a stack of letters on the table, he picked up a few and flipped through them.
Luan Ying said: "You have already made up your mind about what the young master asked his subordinates to inquire about."
The young man was pulling out a piece of letter paper. Hearing the words, he did not look up, but said, "How?"
Luan Ying hesitated.
Xiao Jue moved his hand and glanced at her.
It was this look that made Luan Ying make up his mind and whispered, "My subordinates have been guarding the Xu's house for three days, and today we will be waiting for Miss He."
A quiet needle drop can be heard in the house.
"Miss He and the servant of the Xu family's gatekeeper sat in a nearby teahouse for half an hour before leaving. My subordinates asked the staff in the teahouse, and they had met several times before that."
Xiao Jue threw the letter in his hand on the table, sat down on the chair, looked at her and said indifferently, "What did you find?"
"The gatekeeper's name is Fuwang. Recently, he has a lot of money in his hand. He found a person named Qin Ma in the Xu family. Qin Ma was once the nurse of Xu Zhiheng's favorite concubine He Wanru, but after He Wanru died of illness, Qin Ma Mammy disappeared."
"My subordinates guessed that Miss He gave Fuwang a sum of money, and Tofuwang asked about Mother Qin's whereabouts. But the strange thing is that Xu Zhiheng, the uncle of the Xu family, is now looking for Mother Qin everywhere."
After Luan Ying finished speaking, he didn't dare to look at Xiao Jue's expression. He Yan actually had an unclear relationship with the Xu family behind his back, which was definitely not good news for Xiao Jue. A woman with many secrets is always suspicious.
"This person named Qin Mama seems to be very important." The young man played with the paperweight in his hand. Under the shadow of the oil lamp, he could not clearly see his expression.
"Have you found out the whereabouts of Mother Qin?"
Luan Ying nodded: "I found it."
－－－－－－off topic－－－－－
Nothing more? _