This statement made the shopkeeper's face change slightly, "This is the "A Thousand Rivers Picture" painted by Mr. Lu more than half a year ago. I heard that it was bought at a high price. Later, many students and scholars in the city tried to imitate the painting, but they never painted that painting. It’s just like the charm, but there are a few people in the small shop who have a good technique. It took a few months to imitate it, but the small shop has not yet been put up for sale. If adults have seen it, they must have seen the real thing. Could it be that you bought this piece? Do you know the person in "A Thousand Rivers Map"?"
Bo Ruoyou also looked at Huo Weilou suspiciously. Huo Weilou smiled, but didn't answer the question, "You have sold Lu Wenhe's paintings in your store, and you have seen this lady come to the store to ask many times, then how about you?" Have you ever seen Lu Wenhe meeting this young lady here?"
The shopkeeper was a little dazed, "This is unprecedented, even the villain has only met Mr. Lu twice, usually after agreeing on the price and paying the deposit, Mr. Lu will order someone to deliver the painting. "
"No middleman?" Huo Weiluo asked again.
The shopkeeper said: "No, at first Mr. Lu had a familiar art gallery, and most of his paintings were consigned there. Later, the shopkeeper of the art gallery left the capital. Because he met the villain, he put Mr. Lu's paintings on the table. The villain here is also a villain, and he didn't let Mr. Lu's paintings lose money. Therefore, Mr. Lu's paintings of villains were easy to get. The owners of other calligraphy and painting halls in the capital also wanted to sell Mr. Lu's paintings. Painting, but every time I can't compete with the villain."
The shopkeeper said while rolling up the picture scroll in his hand, and said: "In addition to the paintings and poems of the talented scholars in Beijing, there are also two authentic works by the former masters in the small shop. Would you like to see it?"
The shopkeeper saw that Huo Weilou did not appreciate Lu Wenhe's paintings, and felt that his status was probably noble, so he tentatively asked, but Huo Weilou still stared at the scroll in his hand and said nothing.
The shopkeeper said again: "Although this imitation is very similar to the real one, it is not worthy of the status of an adult. If the adult likes it, the villain can ask Mr. Lu if there are any new paintings recently."
Huo Weilou looked around the shop, "How often does this lady come here? When was the last time?"
The shopkeeper hurriedly said: "The last time I came was five days ago. I can't remember how often I came here before. I come every month. When I come frequently, I come once every ten and a half months. And the villain guessed, This lady is probably interested in Mr. Lu, so she has worked tirelessly. I have met many little girls who admire Mr. Lu, but most of them just come to ask once or twice, but she has come to ask several times Yes, the villain will remember."
After a pause, the shopkeeper reacted belatedly, "My lord came to ask this lady if she has been here before, could it be that... this lady has not returned home?"
The embroidered envoy is wearing the official uniform of the yamen, and it can be seen from which yamen, but if he is on a business trip, how can there be a woman with him? Moreover, Huo Weilou was also in tweed clothes, the shopkeeper thought about it, and felt that Huo Weilou was looking for someone, so he couldn't help asking: "Could it be that this young lady eloped with someone? Could it be... that she eloped with Mr. Lu? "
Huo Weilou glanced at him, the shopkeeper was forced by his expression, and quickly shut up.
It's true that Wei Ling often comes here, regardless of personal opinions, but at least she wants to come here, not Chongwen Library, Chongwen Library is just a cover, she is probably also someone who admires Lu Wenhe, but she Born in the uncle's mansion, her status can be considered noble, if she really likes Lu Wenhe, why doesn't she try to meet him directly? And to be so sneaky.
Huo Weilou glanced across the hall, "Who else have their paintings and calligraphy consigned here?"
The shopkeeper sighed, "There are quite a few, but those who have no names and surnames, how can they sell out? Many people make a living from this, but it is difficult to maintain their livelihood. It is really pitiful. Only those who are good at imitation paintings Some oil and water are available."
Those who have no names and no surnames, and the painters are ordinary, people who really like calligraphy and painting will naturally not buy their works, but imitation paintings, especially imitations handed down from generation to generation, are almost in short supply.
Huo Weilou walked by the shelf and flipped through the shelves casually. Seeing this, Bo Ruoyou also followed him to look through the books and paintings. After looking around, he found a few good imitations. Huo Weilou asked again, "This lady When you come, do you often wear a red dress? Do you come alone?"
The shopkeeper nodded, "That's right, this young lady is beautiful and likes red dresses, she can be seen from a rich family background, but it's true that she doesn't bring a maid every time, and it's a bit strange."
"Among the literati who consign calligraphy and painting here, are there any left-handed people?"
Huo Weilou's tone was casual, and the shopkeeper was stunned when he heard that, "Is there a defect in the left hand? That's not true... Most of these literati and scholars have been in the examination room and failed, and some of them are still human beings. They will not have disabilities."
Bo Ruoyou's autopsy concluded that the murderer had injured his left hand or only had four fingers on his left hand, but Huo Weilou was a little disappointed by the shopkeeper's words. He looked around the shop again, and seeing that he found nothing, he led people away without delay.
After getting into the carriage, Huo Weilou ordered: "Go to Duke Huo's mansion."
Bo Ruoyou hesitated and said, "Master Hou said he saw that painting, did he see it in the Duke's mansion?"
Huo Weilou nodded, "Huo Qinghong bought it back."
Bo Ruoyou was not surprised when she thought of Huo Qinghong, but Huo Weilou's expression was gloomy. Seeing him like this, Bo Ruoyou already expected that he would not give Huo Qinghong a good look later.
However, when the carriage arrived at the Duke's Mansion, Huo Qinghong was not there.
Ning Xiao stood outside the carriage and reported: "It is said that the son has not returned home for several days, and at this hour today, he still does not know where he is."
Huo Weilou's complexion suddenly became very ugly, and he ordered: "Benhou, go to the bank of Weiyang Lake to see what he is doing, and you take a few people to the Guozijian Jijiu Restaurant, and ask about the details of this Mr. Lu. Hou Hui will take Huo Qinghong back to the Hou's Mansion, and later invite this great talent from Lu to the Hou's Mansion to meet him."
Ning Xiao complied, and hurriedly took people to the Guozijian Jijiu House.
Even though Bo Ruoyou has only returned to the capital not long ago, she still knows that there are many brothels by the Weiyang Lake. Huo Weilou knows where Huo Qinghong is without even asking, and she knows Huo Qinghong very well.
The carriage went straight to Weiyang Lake. Weiyang Lake is located in the west of the city. Although the location is remote, it has become a bustling place to enjoy the scenery and have fun because of the excellent scenery and the main road of the West Market. There are many restaurants and boats by the lake. , several well-known brothels stand by the lake. These brothels are not comparable to ordinary brothels. Many of them are stunning, and each has unique skills. To enter this place to get close to Fangze, it is necessary to spend a lot of money. In fact, the capital sells money cave.
Huo Weilou didn't say anything along the way, seeing him like this, Bo Ruoyou naturally kept calm and didn't dare to speak, only when the carriage passed by the West Market, Bo Ruoyou couldn't help but lift the curtain and look out.
Changxingfang is located in the east of the city. She bought her house and home in the East Market a few days ago, so after returning to Beijing, it was the first time she came to the West Market. Weaving, Bo Ruoyou looked at the painted pillars and carved beams outside with a fresh look, and Huo Weilou spoke softly at this moment.
He asked slowly, "Is the excitement good?"
Bo Ruoyou hurriedly put down the curtain and turned around, sitting upright, not daring to move.
Huo Weilou was a little helpless, "It's not that the Marquis forbids you to see it."
Bo Ruoyou glanced at him, and saw that the expression between his brows and eyes was really relaxed, and he straightened his back just now, "Master Hou is not in a good mood just now, and the girl should raise the curtain to make Master Hou unhappy, so..."
Huo Weilou raised his eyebrows slightly, "Is this Marquis so unreasonable?"
have.
Answering this from the bottom of her heart, Bo Ruoyou rolled her eyes, and said rather tactfully: "How can you be unkind to Master Hou, it's just that Master Hou has a noble status, if you make Master Hou unhappy, it is naturally the fault of the people below."
These words made Huo Weilou laugh angrily, "Are you mocking Benhou?"
Bo Ruoyou couldn't help but look bitter, "How dare a commoner girl?"
Huo Weilou snorted angrily, and seeing the carriage driving out of West Market towards Weiyang Lake, he said: "You have met Huo Qinghong, his parents only have one son, but he is nearly Double Ten and has no ambitions at all." , is really annoying."
Bo Ruoyou and Huo Qinghong walked together for half a month, so they naturally had some understanding, "Master Hou, don't be angry, the son is noble and young, so it's not a big deal to indulge yourself now."
Huo Weilou raised his brows slightly, apparently he did not expect Bo Ruoyou to speak for Huo Qinghong, "If this Marquis is like him, how can there be Wu Zhaohou today?"
Bo Ruoyou said: "Of course it is difficult for the prince to compare with Lord Hou, not to mention the prince, it is difficult for the tens of thousands of people in the Great Zhou Dynasty to compare with Master Hou."
Huo Weilou raised his eyebrows and looked at her, and Bo Ruoyou said: "Master Hou was born noble, and Master Hou's heart and strategy are far superior to ordinary people. Who in the world can compare with Master Hou? If you think that your son is not as outstanding as you, you will only annoy yourself, which is really not worth it."
Huo Weilou's raised brows fell, and his expression relaxed a lot, "It didn't make him like this Marquis, it's really so incompetent and out of character."
Even though he said so, his tone was gentle, Bo Ruoyou breathed a sigh of relief, thinking that no wonder people in the officialdom would flatter and flatter, who doesn't like to hear compliments? And this method of flattery is really easy to use. It has only been a few days, and she has used it like a duck to water.
Huo Weilou was in a good mood, so Bo Ruoyou became less nervous. The carriage drove all the way to the lake, and just after walking not far, Bo Ruoyou first saw the Wanyun Pavilion standing on the east side of Weiyang Lake, she couldn't help it He said, "This is the place where Feng Wodan and his maid got lost that day."
Hearing this, Huo Weilou also leaned over, and the two of them leaned forward to look out the window together, but the window was only that big, Huo Weilou's bullying made her feel nervous, but she did not reject being close to him. As it got closer, she stepped aside and pulled the curtain higher with one hand to ensure that she could see it too.
"The maidservant of the Feng family said that the Taoist priest of Qingxu Temple set up a place for divination and prayer talismans in the pavilion. At that time, everyone first released animals outside, and then went to the pavilion to pray for peace talismans. There were so many people who went there. She So I waited outside, but after waiting for a long time, I didn’t see Feng Wodan coming out, and later, I went in to look for it, but found no one inside.”
As Bo Ruoyou said, Huo Weilou also fixed his eyes on Wan Yunting.
This night Yunting is said to be a pavilion, but it is a water pavilion with grilles on all sides. The west side faces Weiyang Lake, the east side is covered with carved grilles to block the outside view, and the main entrance is on the south side. Today's weather is clear and bright, there are many tourists by Weiyang Lake, at this moment, there are many figures wandering in the Yunting Pavilion at this night, but it is blocked by the grille, so they can't see clearly.
Huo Weilou looked at the structure of the pavilion, and when the carriage was about to pass by, he said: "This pavilion has more than one exit." After speaking, he said: "Stop the car and go to see if there is an exit on the north side of the pavilion."
The carriage stopped, and after a while, an embroidered envoy came back and reported: "Report to Lord Hou, there is indeed a small door in the northwest corner of the pavilion."
Bo Ruoyou immediately realized, "So Feng Wodan left from the north by herself that day? Did she deliberately want to get rid of her maid?"
Qin Lou and Chu Pavilion are all on the northeast side of Weiyang Lake, and the carriage started to move again. Huo Weilou said, "It's not impossible, Wei Ling also deliberately went out alone because of something happened, Feng Wodan was also alone when she was discovered, presumably she also has her own reasons." reason."
Bo Ruoyou thought for a while, "Regardless of why the two of you are alone, the murderer has probably figured it out a long time ago. I'm glad that the red dress is easy to find, but the cinnabar mole on the body needs to be discovered by someone very close. It's easy to think of the murderer. It might be someone close to them, but although the two of them overlap, the intersection is a bit broad, could it be that Feng Wodan also likes Talented Lu?"
Huo Weilou pondered for a moment, "I don't know yet, after meeting Lu Wenhe, I will ask the Feng family."
Bo Ruoyou should be, at this moment, the carriage stopped.
The carriage was parked in front of Yiyue Tower, but there were three courtyards at a glance from here, and there were several painted boats moored by the lake in the distance. Just looking at it from a distance, you can see that the people on the boats are all in pairs. into the pair.
Huo Weilou ordered the embroidered envoy to search for him, the name of Duke Huo's son was resounding, and soon the embroidered envoy found out clearly, and replied: "Master Hou, the eldest son is on a painting boat called Feiyun Pavilion in front."
The carriage rattled and moved, and soon stopped in front of the boat. The boat was parked by the lake, and a vermilion lacquer pedal led directly to the boat. Compared with the boat of the Shen family who went north, this boat had three floors, but it was not The mast is more exquisite and beautiful, and it is also magnificently decorated. It is still daytime, but if it is night, it is conceivable that it is really like Qionglou Yuyu.
The embroidered clothes envoy boarded the boat first, and the expressions of everyone on the upstairs boat who were drinking and enjoying the scenery with their companions changed drastically. The embroidered clothes envoy asked where Huo Qinghong was, and the shopkeeper led the way, trembling all the way to Huo Qinghong. Rest on the third floor and go.
Bo Ruoyou followed Huo Weilou indifferently at first, and when she reached the second floor, she suddenly remembered that this place was a place of fireworks. All those who ate and drank were driven back, and now most of the drinkers and prostitutes closed their doors and did not dare to provoke them.
"Master Hou, the prince is here—"
The shopkeeper laughed along, but his face was already covered with sweat after climbing to the third floor.
Huo Weilou frowned slightly, kicked the door open without saying a word, the broken latch fell to the ground, a loud noise seemed to shake the hull of the ship, Bo Ruoyou was slightly startled, subconsciously went Take half a step back.
Huo Weilou strode in, but Bo Ruoyou hesitated for a moment and didn't follow.
The curtains in the room were hanging all around, and the eyes were filled with pink embroidered curtains. The rich scent of powder and powder was a bit pungent, Huo Weilou glanced around, and saw a large screen with four openings behind the double curtains.
Huo Weilou pointed, "Wake up people."
The embroiderer waved the curtain and walked around the screen to call for people, while Huo Weilou sat down on the low couch under the west window.
The woman beside Huo Qinghong had already been awakened by the sound of kicking the door. She who was pushing Huo Qinghong at the moment saw a big man entering the inner room, and couldn't help but screamed. Said: "Put on clothes and step back."
The woman was so frightened that her face paled, she quickly put on her dress and ran out without even having time to pull up her hair. She was almost at the door when she saw Huo Weilou sitting under the west window. It was only later that he realized what Huo Weilou's identity was, and ran out even if he couldn't do the etiquette.
Bo Ruoyou, who was waiting outside the door, staggered when she bumped into her. She apologized and fled downstairs.
Bo Ruoyou couldn't laugh or cry, why was she so frightened
Huo Qinghong was pushed a few times in his sleep, and impatient, the embroiderer said helplessly: "My lord, you really should wake up, Master Hou is here—"
"You...you little liar, my elder brother never comes to these places." Huo Qinghong murmured a few words, turned over and fell asleep again.
The tone was sticky and greasy, and even the embroidered clothes envoy couldn't help showing disdain, and called him again, "My lord, the Marquis is looking for you specially, and I expected you to be in these places, so I came here directly. Lord Hou is here on business, get up quickly, lest Lord Hou be angry."
"On business..."
Huo Qinghong repeated in a daze, and the next moment, his closed eyes suddenly opened.
It's true that Huo Weilou wouldn't come here on weekdays, but he did it for business, why couldn't Huo Weilou go for business
He knows Huo Weilou too well!
Huo Qinghong sat up abruptly, "Where is big brother? Is he already on the boat? I'll go see him right away and tell him not to come in—"
The embroiderer looked at Huo Qinghong sympathetically, then pointed outside.
With a bang, Huo Qinghong only felt that he had been struck by a bolt of lightning. He hurriedly picked up the clothes thrown at the end of the bed, and walked out while putting them on, not even having time to put on his shoes.
"Brother... If you have something to do, just ask someone to call me, why come in person..."
Huo Qinghong's upper body was bare, while her lower body was wearing a pair of snow-white brocade trousers. At this moment, she was taking a jacket and trying to put it on her body. After finally putting it on, she walked out of the curtain, but when she met Huo Weilou's gaze, she saw Huo Weilou looked at him suspiciously, "What are you wearing?"
Huo Qinghong was taken aback, and lowered his head to look at himself. This look also surprised him. He got up too anxiously, and what he took was not his own clothes, but a woman's bright red robe. Although he He likes to have fun, but he doesn't like women's clothes, especially in front of Huo Weilou, it's just out of shape.
"I took the wrong big brother! I'll change it, I'll change it—"
Huo Qinghong rushed back and tidied up for a while before coming out with a decent appearance, but looked at Huo Weilou with a cautious expression, "Brother, why are you here? What's the big deal?"
He cautiously walked up to Huo Weilou, not daring to sit down, but Huo Weilou was looking at the room, the room was full of exquisite women's things, but the eyes were full of pink color and the pungent fragrance of incense, It made Huo Weilou a little uncomfortable. It's not that he has never set foot in such a place. No matter how high and powerful he is in the officialdom, he needs some entertainment. It's just that in the past three or four years, his position has become more stable and powerful, and he rarely does such unnecessary things. matter.
Therefore, he, who had never stayed in these places for more than two hours, asked incredulously, "You have been hanging around here for many days and have not returned home?"
While talking, Huo Weilou pushed open the window beside him, and the cool wind from the lake rushed in instantly, making Huo Qinghong tremble.
Huo Qinghong closed her lapels, "What's wrong here? Is it not good here?"
Huo Weilou had a cold face, and raised his hand to touch the tip of his nose in disgust. Huo Qinghong understood it, and he took two deep breaths, "Brother, what are you disgusting, does it smell bad? It smells so good, everyone here It's delicious—"
"You talk like a girl now." Huo Weilou said mercilessly.
Huo Qinghong raised her brows high, and couldn't help but straighten her waist, "Where am I like a girl, I'm like a tiger—"
"Shut up." Huo Weilou couldn't bear it any longer, "I came here for business, you follow me back home now."
Huo Qinghong's expression was bitter, as if he still didn't want to leave this place, but Huo Weilou had already stood up, he glanced coldly at Huo Qinghong for a moment, Huo Qinghong immediately said honestly: "Okay, okay, I'll go with you right away. "
After going out, Huo Qinghong saw Bo Ruoyou, he was very surprised for a moment, "Youyou? Why are you? Why are you here? You came with elder brother?"
Bo Ruoyou blessed Fushen, "I pay homage to your son, yes, I came with Lord Hou."
Huo Qinghong opened his mouth wide. If Huo Weilou had not already started to go down, he really wanted to hold Bo Ruoyou to question him. When the group went downstairs, the shopkeeper was still waiting profusely, and Huo Weilou strode away. Huo Qinghong followed Huo Weilou, as if afraid of getting tainted by the vulgarity of this place, and looked back at Bo Ruoyou from time to time, with a look of curiosity and interest on his face.
After getting on the shore, Huo Weilou slowed down his pace. He stood on the shore and looked towards the several painted boats in the middle of the lake. In the early spring, the weeping willows on both sides of the lake sprouted new buds, and Weiyang Lake seemed to be left on earth by the gods. A piece of tourmaline, the lake is green and blue, and the desolation and despondency of winter has long been swept away. It is quite interesting to take a boat tour at the moment.
"Brother, are you not leaving?" Huo Qinghong asked him.
Huo Weilou's phoenix eyes narrowed, "I've changed my mind, let's find a painting boat and go to the lake to have a look."
Huo Qinghong showed surprise, at this moment Bo Ruoyou asked: "Master Hou, do you want to find the boat that Ling Xiao Poetry Club took?"
There was a hint of approval in Huo Weilou's eyes, as if he didn't expect Bo Ruoyou to react so quickly, and he ordered the embroiderer as she said, "Go and ask, which painting boat is commonly used by Lingxiao Poetry Club..."
Huo Qinghong looked at Huo Weilou in surprise, "Brother, you actually know Lingxiao Poetry Club? The poetry club is full of noble daughters from the capital's family, you care about their poetry club, do you... plan to see me for me?" A sister-in-law?"
This remark made Huo Weilou even more impatient, but Bo Ruoyou who was at the side slightly opened his eyes when he heard it.
Huo Qinghong still wanted to ask, but Huo Weilou said coldly, "Shut up", and then strode towards the Huafang Pier in the distance. Huo Qinghong blinked, but walked towards Bo Ruoyou with some reluctance...