But there is a business, Bo Ruoyou is absolutely impossible to miss the matter, the next morning, she left the mansion and came to Lanzhengfang, sitting in the carriage, she couldn't help but think about last night—
After returning home last night, she hesitated several times and did not tell Cheng Yunzhi about meeting Miss Bo's family. She knew that Cheng Yunzhi had a lot of resentment towards Mrs. Bo, and she probably had a adoptive father because she was young when she left home. The adoptive mother dotes on her, if she doesn't regard the people of the Bo family as close relatives, the censure in her heart will be lighter, so she is afraid that telling Cheng Yunzhi about this will arouse his unhappiness and impulse to come to the door, but in her opinion, Now is not the best time to return to Bo's.
He didn't tell Cheng Yunzhi, and in fact he shouldn't tell Huo Weilou. He kept this matter in his heart, so maybe he didn't need to say it out loud.
But last night for some reason, she couldn't help but speak to Huo Weilou. Huo Weilou is well-known, and after getting along with him for two months, she felt that his reputation was well-deserved. All the people who followed him were loyal to him, and they had seen his swift and resolute methods. Although he is strict and cruel, he rarely abides by strictness and justice. Later, he saw that he was lenient to Song Meiniang and others, and he also knew his benevolence. , Her trust in him was comparable to that of Cheng Yunzhi.
She doesn't understand court affairs, but in ancient times it was hard to distinguish between the turbid and turbid. Although Huo Weilou has a bad reputation, in her opinion, he is carrying the name of power to the government and the public, protecting the country for the people, Dazhou is now Haiyan Heqing in the court and the field, among the civil and military officials, he must be the first. Such a character, why can't people follow him willingly
In a whirl of thoughts, the carriage had already entered Lanzhengfang, and soon stopped in front of the gate of the Hou Mansion. At this moment, the sky was dimly lit, and the white belly of the sky was penetrated by bright light, and the morning sun was about to break through the clouds. Before Bo Ruoyou entered the gate of the mansion At that time, the entire Hou Mansion was even quieter than last night.
The attendants went to report that she was going along the corridor to the main courtyard. The servants of the Marquis Mansion seemed quite at ease with her, but they didn't follow her. Instead, she heard the sound of swords groaning on the side of the fork, she hesitated slightly, and walked over as if bewitched by her feet.
Turning around a flower stand with flourishing vine leaves, Bo Ruoyou saw Huo Weilou dancing sword in the distance.
He is dressed in a black bunt that is lean and vigorous, his forehead and hairline are soaked with sweat, and his posture is shining with brilliance. In his palm, the three-foot green sword looks like a swimming dragon. Suddenly, Bo Ruoyou seemed to hear the sound of dragons chant and cranes chirping. It wasn't the first time she watched Huo Weilou's sword dance, but this time she was a little dumbfounded.
Huo Weilou saw her when she first appeared at the entrance of the flower garden, but he didn't stop, he didn't stop until he finished practicing this section, when he turned around and saw Bo Ruoyou staring at him intently, a smile could not help but appear on the corner of his lips.
He raised his hand and wiped his forehead, and with a flick of his hand, a string of sweat beads flew out. He strode towards Bo Ruoyou with big strides, his whole face was covered with sweat, but for no reason there was a sense of coercion from mountains and tsunami. The closer he got, the more Bo Ruoyou felt that he seemed to be shining, attracting her attention inexplicably, and forgot to salute for a moment.
"Take it." Huo Weilou didn't mind at all, and didn't make fun of it, he just handed over his sword.
Bo Ruoyou took it blankly, but she didn't expect the long sword to be much heavier than she imagined. She slipped her hand and almost dropped the sword to the ground. Huo Weilou had already let go of it, so he couldn't help holding her hand and the sword at the same time , lifted it up, and frowned again, "Lost your soul?"
Bo Ruoyou hurriedly embraced the sword, only then realized that she was impolite, and slightly blessed, "Hou Ye—"
The corners of Huo Weilou's lips curled up, and he strode forward, Bo Ruoyou followed behind, he realized that his face was hot, but looking from her direction, the ink-colored brocade robe with complicated dark patterns was sticking to his body, more and more It is to set off his ape-back wasp waist with distinct muscles. He is not a strong body, but every inch of muscle is thinly attached to the bones.
Bo Ruoyou couldn't help but look away, and Huo Weilou, who was walking in front, had already taken off his belt. When he reached the main courtyard, he even tore his lapel open. When Eunuch Fu came out of the main courtyard, he saw Huo Weilou Looking at the disheveled clothes in the dangerous building, and seeing Bo Ruoyou struggling to hold his long sword behind him, he came forward with a soft cry, "Be careful not to hurt yourself."
Handing the long sword to Eunuch Fu, Huo Weilou had already disappeared, Bo Ruoyou moved his sore wrist, thinking for a moment how could Huo Weilou dance so smoothly with such a heavy sword.
"Youyou, it's too early for you—"
Eunuch Fu entered with his sword in his arms, and Bo Ruoyou followed in a low voice: "If you come late, I'm afraid the Lord Marquis will scold you."
Eunuch Fu couldn't help laughing out loud, "You are not a serious subordinate of Lord Hou, and there is no need for an autopsy today, so why are you afraid that he will scold you?"
Bo Ruoyou smiled and didn't say anything, seeing Ning Xiao's obedient behavior in front of Huo Weilou yesterday, she was surprised at first, but now she understands very well, because she doesn't want to disappoint Huo Weilou.
This idea has been there for a long time, but at the beginning it was because Huo Weilou had a strong prejudice against women, and even when she was in a place where she couldn't see it, she worked hard because she was dissatisfied with it. Later, when she arrived in Luozhou, she didn't dare to belittle her because she had something to ask for. Until now In addition to being dedicated to her errands, she still does not want to disappoint Huo Weilou.
It's a pity that she is not a man, otherwise, being a serious subordinate of Huo Weilou and making contributions with him, wouldn't it be a joy in this life
This thought flashed by, and Bo Ruoyou went into the study and went to look through the pile of books. What Huo Weilou said last night was absolutely correct, because she carefully read through the posts written by Wei Ling today. The posts she really wrote were all Ling Xiukai script, there are two nights of running script, and the writing is also scribbled. It can be seen that Wei Ling himself is not satisfied, so he stopped writing after writing only two pages. If a young girl like Wei Ling She is willing to study something she is not good at
Eunuch Fu came in to deliver hot tea, Bo Ruoyou recalled what Huo Weilou said last night when he was looking at the rubbings, "Hou Ye has been on the march since he was a child, but he seems to be very good at calligraphy, and his handwriting is so strong that it can be carried on the back of the paper."
Eunuch Fu put the teacup on the case table, and sighed when he heard this, Bo Ruoyou looked at him with some puzzlement.
"You may not believe it if you say it. If Hou Ye doesn't go to the battlefield, he only needs to go to the scientific examination, and he can win the number one prize." Fu Gonggong sighed, "Although Hou Ye practiced martial arts when he was young, he also fought with the prince. We were taught by the master in the Imperial College together, and the poems and parallel proses he wrote when he was eight or nine years old were passed down to the public, and students rubbed them and passed them on."
Bo Ruoyou was really surprised now, "Then Houye...did he go to the battlefield because he liked to march more?"
Mr. Fu shook his head, "No, there is nothing he likes or dislikes. Master Hou only does what he should do." Seeing that Bo Ruoyou didn't quite understand, Mr. Fu said fairly: "Silly girl, in the court, it is common for civil servants to verbally criticize and criticize you. The one who speaks the hardest is the soldier in command, and at that time when the northern barbarians invaded, the great Zhou country needed someone to guard it."
Eunuch Fu said with some sighs, "Although I watched you grow up, Lord Hou is really admirable. With the respect of the son, there is no enjoyment and glory in the capital. If you don't want it, you don't want it. If you don't want it, you will keep it in the north." It's been five years, and it's been so easy to hold the military power, and if you don't want it, you don't want it, you can afford it and let it go, and you never worry about it, so His Majesty trusts him so much now."
Bo Ruoyou's heart trembled when she heard it. There are many rumors in the market, but these words are really convincing when they come from Fu Gonggong. Huo Weilou is because he likes to march and fight, but he never thought that he would be amazed and amazed when he was young.
There is nothing he likes or dislikes, Lord Hou only does what he should do.
This statement sounds simple, but everyone has seven emotions and six desires. If a person can abandon desires and only do what he should do, what kind of strong will and self-control is required
Bo Ruoyou's admiration welled up in her heart.
When Huo Weilou walked into the study room, he had already changed into a robe, his black hair was still steamed after taking a bath, and he had sweated a lot. stood up and saluted.
Huo Weilou waved his hand, "What did you find out?"
Bo Ruoyou pondered for a moment, "Minnv found out that the second young lady not only reads calligraphy, but also looks at paintings. If it is true that she has a prejudice against others, then this person should be very good at both. Second young lady joined the Lingxiao Poetry Club. They are also considered talented women. There are quite a lot of young scholars in the capital, and the publication of books has been popular in recent years. Could it be related to these people? If the other party is also a descendant of a family, it seems that there is no need for her to meet everyone without telling everyone. "
"A young lady from an aristocratic family, a down-and-out scholar, is common in story books." He glanced at Bo Ruoyou, "Did you read any story books recently?"
Bo Ruoyou was taken aback, "Minister... I don't see much, and I haven't seen it recently,"
This kind of stories about gifted scholars and beautiful ladies are the most exciting. Bo Ruoyou is very indifferent in this regard, so naturally he won't read these specifically, but Huo Weilou said solemnly: "I haven't read much, then you need to read more."
Bo Ruoyou was wondering what he meant by this, outside, Mr. Fu said, "Master Hou, Ning Xiao is here."
After Huo Weilou walked to the desk, Bo Ruoyou also looked at the door. A moment later, Ning Xiao strode in. He probably didn't expect Bo Ruoyou to be here, and he glanced at her in surprise.
Huo Weilou asked, "Any news?"
Ning Xiao saluted, and continued: "Second Miss's personal maid said that she did go to other libraries to buy them, but she didn't go there often. The one she likes most is Chongwen Library. She can't think of a library with ink characters. The subordinates thought that either the second miss went to other places, it was very rare, or the second miss went to other places but she didn't know, and then followed the order of Lord Hou to investigate overnight. In this capital, there are a total of libraries with ink in their names. There are thirty or so families, but only five are able to print the booklet from last night."
The book last night is considered a rare book. It was originally lost, and now there are only various rubbings circulating on the market, and the money is not cheap. Ning Xiao took out a scroll from his sleeve, "These five families have two in the west of the city, and two in the east of the city. family, and another family in the south of the city.”
Bo Ruoyou couldn't help asking: "But is there one near the Yuxi River in the east of the city?"
Ning Xiao nodded, "The two families in the east of the city are near Yuxi River, one is near Dongshi, and the other is on the east side of Changxing Square, not far from the place where Second Miss was found. I asked about it when I went to Chongwen Library yesterday. The young man in the library, the young man recalled that he had indeed met the second young lady, because the second young lady often went there, and recognized her, but the second young lady did not buy a book yesterday, but left after looking at it. After entering Fushun Street, there is no other abnormality. And the boy said that although the second lady bought a lot of books, there is nothing unusual about it, and she has not seen anyone in the Chongwen Library."
Bo Ruo couldn't help but asked, "So the second lady said that going to Chongwen Library is just a cover? What she wants to go to is actually somewhere else?"
Huo Weilou answered, "Most likely went to the east of the city."
Fushun Street is not close to Yuxi River, and the place where her body was found is far away from Fushun Street, and it is not easy for the murderer to take a living person to the east. Only Wei Ling is most likely to go east by himself. .
Huo Weilou stood up, "Let's go."
Ning Xiao walked out in response, Bo Ruoyou breathed a sigh of relief when he saw this, wanted to say something but didn't say it, his eyes were even more eager to move, Huo Weilou had just taken two steps, and now he turned to look at her, "I want to go together?"
Bo Ruoyou nodded immediately, apparently waiting for his words, Huo Weilou said, "Then follow."
After Huo Weilou turned around and walked out, Bo Ruoyou's eyes brightened for a moment, Ning Xiao frowned slightly, looked at Huo Weilou, then at Bo Ruoyou, and then followed.
Bo Ruoyou was a little guilty when he looked at her. After all, it was not her turn to search and search. She couldn't help being more grateful to Huo Weilou. He could see what she was thinking in her heart and satisfied her even more. This made her feel a little bit secretive. joy.
After leaving the gate of the mansion, Huo Weilou had already boarded the carriage, when he saw Bo Ruoyou coming out, he lifted the curtain and said to the outside: "You follow Benhou."
Ning Xiao got on the horse's back, and when he heard this, he frowned even more, and stared at Bao Ruoyou, as if he wanted to stare a hole out of her body. But it wasn't the first time that Bo Ruoyou was in the same car with Huo Weilou, so he hurriedly climbed up.
The carriage rattles, because Lanzheng Square is in the west of the city, and it takes less than half an hour to walk to the east of the city. On the way, Bo Ruoyou lifted the curtain and looked outside, only talking about the case with Huo Weilou, and Huo Weilou stared at her for a while Feeling a little funny, "Ben Hou recommended you to the Jingzhao Mansion. Sun Zhao really deserves it. You are thinking about the case so much, so you have nothing else to say?"
Bo Ruoyou was slightly stunned, "Now that the case is urgent, women of the people are naturally concerned, isn't the Marquis not concerned? It's so easy for the Marquis to come to investigate one day after taking a rest..."
After Bo Ruoyou finished speaking, she thought for a while, what can she say to Wu Zhaohou
Huo Weilou sighed from the bottom of his heart, and suddenly asked: "You said your adoptive father was sick, how is he doing now?"
Bo Ruoyou raised her lips, "My adoptive father knows some medical principles, and always prescribes prescriptions for him to eat. Now that winter is over and the weather is warmer, he is feeling much better. Thank you Lord Hou for your concern."
Huo Weilou thought for a while, "If you feel something is wrong, this Marquis will also ask the imperial doctor to take a look for him."
Bo Ruoyou was flattered for a moment, "Thank you, Lord Hou. If the adoptive father falls ill again, the daughter of the people will come to trouble Lord Hou again."
Seeing her like that, Huo Weilou knew that she didn't have any heretic thoughts following him now. Sometimes he felt that she was stupid, and sometimes he felt that she was rare, so he asked her about the recent situation of her house, and asked about Lian Liang. Aunt Shuliang had a general understanding, and after traveling like this, by the time they reached the first bookstore, the sun had already climbed to the sky.
The first bookstore is called Hanmo, and it occupies a street-facing shop in Dongshi. Immediately changed a bit.
Huo Weilou took Bo Ruoyou to look around the bookstore, but his gaze didn't stop until he found the running script rubbings of the former pilgrimage sage, "How many people buy these rubbings on weekdays?"
The shopkeeper said with trepidation: "It's not too much. The person in charge of writing this set of rubbings has worked very hard. It takes two or three months to produce one copy, so it's not cheap. Most people who buy this book are talented and educated. Those who have improved in calligraphy."
Huo Weilou glanced at Ning Xiao, and Ning Xiao immediately took out a portrait, and asked again: "Have you seen her come to buy this set of rubbings?"
The portrait is of Wei Ling, and I don't know who drew it. It is quite realistic. The shopkeeper looked at it, but shook his head, "Most of the people who bought this set of rubbings were young gentlemen, and the girl has never seen it before."
Huo Weilou stared, it wasn't Wei Ling who came to buy it, but someone else might have bought it and gave it to her, "How many rubbings have you sold here in the past six months?"
The shopkeeper smiled wryly, "It's not ten books yet."
"Do you know their identities?"
The shopkeeper shook his head with a wry smile, "Of course I don't know. The customers leave after buying something, and the villains won't bother."
Huo Weilou lowered his eyes, and asked some more trivial questions, but the answers given by the shopkeeper were all disappointing, so he didn't waste time, and led people directly to the bookstore on the east side of Changxingfang.
The carriage went for another two sticks of incense. When getting off the carriage, Bo Ruoyou saw a Moyi calligraphy and painting gallery. Not only books were sold here, but paintings were also sold here. The shop opened on the side facing the Yuxi River. It looked a little deserted, but as soon as you entered the shop, you could see several imitations of famous works hanging in the middle, and an outsider like Bo Ruoyou was startled, almost thinking it was the real thing.
The shopkeeper was dozing off behind the counter, and said without raising his head when he heard the sound: "You can read books and paintings at will, and the price is clearly marked. The poems and paintings of great talents and the most fashionable storybook... "
The shopkeeper read a few words smoothly, and then raised his head when he realized something was wrong, and saw Huo Weilou brought Bo Ruoyou into the door, and both of them had extraordinary charms, so he quickly stood up, "What are you two looking for?"
Just after saying this, when he saw the embroiderer outside the door, the shopkeeper's face changed slightly and he immediately walked out, "My lord, this small business in this store is clear whether it is genuine or imitation, and there is no way to deceive customers." —”
Huo Weilou sized up the shopkeeper for a few moments, only looking at the place where the rubbings were placed, but at a glance, he didn't see the painting books in Wei Ling's place. He lowered his eyes and motioned to Ning Xiao, Ning Xiao. Xiao showed Wei Ling's portrait again. He thought this place was very remote, but he was afraid that he still couldn't find it, but he didn't expect the shopkeeper to let out a little surprise.
"This little lady has seen it before."
The expressions of Huo Weilou and the others cheered up, and the shopkeeper said again: "This young lady likes the paintings and calligraphy of the great talent Lu. I have asked several times in the past two months, but the result is that "Songtao Picture" and "Cang Tao" "The Wave Pavilion" was missed."
Huo Weilou raised his eyebrows, "Who is the talented Lu?"
The shopkeeper was stunned, "My lord, you don't know? Lu Wenhe is the talented man of Lu. He is the nephew of Lu Jijiu, the Imperial Supervisor. His paintings are not worse than the real ones. In the past two years, he started to make his own poems and paintings. At a young age, he has the demeanor of a generation. His poems and paintings are hard to find in the capital. Not talented, I have some kind of friendship with Lu Dacai, and I can occasionally get his paintings, but sometimes he only produces one painting in half a year, so it is really in short supply."
Huo Weilou knew about the Guozijian offering wine to Lu Jia, but he didn't know about Lu Wenhe. He glanced at the hall, "Which painting is his?"
The shopkeeper smiled wryly for a moment, "Of course there are none in the store. His paintings will be snatched as soon as they come out. If adults want them, the store can only ask someone to ask them. If the adults make another price, can this painting fall into the hands of adults?" , is still unknown.”
Huo Weilou was noncommittal, "This lady comes here a lot?"
The shopkeeper nodded hurriedly, "I haven't seen it before, but it's been a lot in the past half a year. To tell you the truth, the small shop is full of treasures, and the customers who come to the small shop are generous. The paintings are also sold by our shop. This lady did not know where to find out, so she came to ask many times. She didn't buy the paintings and articles of Lu Dacai, but she knew that Lu Dacai was good at running calligraphy, so she bought some. Other rubbings go back."
If this Lu Wenhe won the first prize, Huo Weilou would naturally know about it, but he didn't know about this one who didn't excel in scientific examinations, and he wanted to know what kind of talents this famous talent in the capital has.
"How much are Lu Wenhe's poems, calligraphy and paintings sold for?" Huo Weilou asked.
The shopkeeper stretched out his hand and pointed out, "At least they all start at a hundred taels. He published a collection of poems and essays, and later he was bid for this number, which was also sold by this shop—"
He spread his five fingers, his face pale.
Huo Weilou raised his eyebrows, "Since he is so talented and learned, why don't you know that he has continued the scientific research? And he is so famous, so he must be very popular on weekdays. I don't know where he lives, but is he willing to become an official?"
Huo Weilou was a quiet man, and the shopkeeper couldn't figure out his identity, so he said cautiously: "My lord, if you think so, it's a bit vulgar. This talented man from the mainland is quite a scholar, and the capital is so elegant. We invited him, but he never showed up, and never openly relied on his paintings to make money, he was a master, and he even wrote a parallel essay to criticize the dynasty—"
As if realizing that he had said something that shouldn't be said, the shopkeeper quickly changed his words, "It's not a criticism, it's just that he has some doubts about the current ruling and opposition parties, so he has lost the desire to become an official. He is now double ten years old. , if you really want to take the scientific examination, I am afraid that you will have won the first prize."
The shopkeeper only saw that the embroidered envoys were wearing official uniforms, but did not identify them, so he dared to speak nonsense. Bo Ruoyou stood aside, really sweating for him, but Huo Weilou smiled normally, "Even if He is a generation of writers, and he may not be a good official who pleads for the people. Since he dares to criticize the current evils, he does not have the courage to join the officialdom to change the times, so he is nothing more than a sour scholar."
The shopkeeper couldn't help but stare, took a deep breath and said, "My lord insists on saying that, then... that villain has no choice but to show Mr. Lu's painting to convince you."
Just said no, but now said to take it out, Huo Weilou showed great interest, the shopkeeper immediately turned and went to the inner room, Bo Ruoyou shook his head, just looked at the calligraphy and paintings in the hall, looked at them, Bo Ruoyou You suddenly saw a row of photo posts at the bottom of the shelf, she couldn't help but stepped forward to pick up the copybooks, "This post looks really good."
Huo Weilou walked behind her, looked over her shoulder, and finally said lightly, "What's so good about it?"
Sensing some dissatisfaction in his words, Bo Ruoyou pondered for a while, "But if you look closely, it's indeed mere."
Only then was Huo Weilou satisfied, at this moment, the shopkeeper took out a pair of landscape paintings like jewels, "My lord, please take a look, this is just an imitation, but you can see a little bit of kung fu, what do you think of this painting?" "
Huo Weilou turned his eyes to look, and raised his eyebrows just after taking a look, "I've seen this painting before."