"Youyou, what happened to Lingxiao Poetry Club?"
Huo Qinghong went to the pier and asked, Bo Ruoyou told Feng Wodan and Wei Ling that they were murdered, and both of them happened to be in the Lingxiao Poetry Club, Huo Qinghong's complexion changed slightly , "This... I don't recognize the girl from the Feng family, but I am familiar with the second lady of the uncle's mansion. She is a lively and interesting character. Has she been murdered?"
Huo Qinghong has been living in a brothel for the past few days, so naturally he still doesn't know about the case of the uncle's mansion. He sighed several times, and then looked at the figure of Huo Weilou in front of him and said: "No wonder the elder brother asked about the poetry club, I still think that the elder brother has opened his mind." Woolen cloth."
Bo Ruoyou looked at Huo Qinghong curiously, "What is enlightenment?"
Huo Qinghong smiled wryly for a moment, "You can also see that my elder brother is quite dissatisfied when I come here for entertainment. He is the most incomprehensible person, and he never cares about men and women. He is not me. at such an age."
"In the beginning, this Lingxiao Poetry Club was only run by noble ladies for entertainment. After a long time, the reputation spread. When noble families in the capital were looking for their daughters-in-law for their children, they didn't bother to find a matchmaker. You only need to inquire in this poetry club, because the noble girls in the club are not only of high-class family background, but also have excellent talents, learning and appearance. Girls who have not joined the poetry club, no matter whether they really like poetry or not, want to join the poetry club, at least they can meet some noble ladies and gain a good reputation."
Feng Wodan is a merchant woman, and she was the one who was dragged in after she couldn't reach it. Bo Ruoyou understood after listening to it, and Huo Qinghong said again: "However, although I know the poetry club, I don't know much about it. In detail, big brother is so anxious to call me back, can I help you?"
Bo Ruoyou hesitated for a moment and asked, "Does your son know Lu Wenhe?"
Huo Qinghong raised his brows, "Him? Has he something to do with the case?"
Bo Ruoyou nodded, and Huo Qinghong frowned tightly, "Of course I recognize it, but why is he related to the case?"
Bo Ruoyou glanced at Huo Weilou in front of her, "Let Lord Hou tell the prince the rest."
The Embroidery Envoy has found out about the painting boat and is reporting it to Huo Weilou. When Huo Qinghong and Bo Ruoyou approached, he saw a painting boat approaching the lake in the distance. Huo Qinghong stepped forward and said, "Brother, Lu Wenhe and Bo Ruoyou Is it related to the case you are working on?"
Huo Weilou knew that Bo Ruoyou had passed the bottom, he nodded, "Yes, I saw a painting at your place earlier, is it from him?"
Huo Qinghong nodded, "He painted it, you remember correctly."
Huo Weilou glanced at him, "What's his family background? What's his character? Let's talk about it in detail."
It's related to the tolerance, Huo Qinghong didn't dare to be contemptuous, and said cautiously: "I don't know much about him, but a year ago, I suddenly heard people around me say that I bought his painting, and it was a good thing to brag about it. I went to see it, but I didn't really understand it, but it's so expensive, he always has his own reasons, right, so I also asked someone to order one, which is the one you saw, go I only got it in the autumn of the year, and I waited for two full months—"
"His family background is said to be the nephew of the Imperial Supervisor Lu Jijiu, but I asked one more question when I bought the painting. In fact, the relationship is not close. He is a side branch of the Lu family. There were officials in his family in the early years, and now they are in business. , but I heard that the business is not doing well, and it has completely declined, because of this, I added an extra one hundred taels of silver when I bought the painting."
"As for character, it's not bad. People who have seen the painting say it's really good, and after waiting for two months, it can be regarded as meticulously crafted. He doesn't look like he's in a hurry to make money and deal with it perfunctorily."
This is exactly what the shopkeeper of the calligraphy and painting shop said. Lu Wenhe is indeed not in a hurry to produce paintings, but anyone who wants to paint has to wait. This word "waiting" can kill the enthusiasm of many customers. opportunity to make money.
After hearing this, Huo Weilou pondered for a moment, "Does he usually come to poetry and literature clubs?"
The painting boat had already approached the lake, and a boatman laid out the pedals, and the embroiderer asked them to board the painting boat after a few instructions. Talent and learning, many people want to get to know more people through the literary society and poetry society. I don’t like these things at first, but I also went to join in the fun. Once I heard people say that he was very arrogant and never came to these elegant places easily. set."
The painting boat is not too big, it only has one floor, but it is very delicate and elegantly dressed. The embroiderer asked the shopkeeper some questions, and came to Huo Weilou after a while, "Master Hou, the shopkeeper said that the last time the poetry club came to this gathering, It was the time of the Shangyuan Festival. At that time, the snow had not yet melted, and the lake was full of snow. They stayed here for half a day, and the boats did not go out. Before that, they would come here once a month or two, especially in summer. There are a dozen or so people, at most there can be twenty or so, because they are all official ladies, and the servants are very careful, and they have not dissatisfied them until now."
"When I get on the boat, I will enjoy the scenery, write some poems, and eat some meals. I usually don't stay until dark. It is Miss Lu's maidservant who often comes to arrange for them. The piano, chess, ink, and ink fly to make the play book, so that everyone can have fun, and the subordinates lit up the portraits, and the shopkeeper has some impressions of Miss Wei and Miss Feng."
Bo Ruoyou felt a little sad when he heard that, although the boat has only one floor, it has halls connecting halls, and there are two kitchens for meals. Looking at the lights on the lake, imagine ten or twenty young girls gathering here, or reciting poems, or performing flying flower orders. The laughter of the girls is like parrots, which is really a wonderful scene. The two little girls who exist in this wonderful scene will never board this boat again.
Huo Weilou entered the cabin to have a look, and then walked around the corridor outside. Yesterday Ning Xiao reported all the cases to him, and naturally mentioned the poetry club. It's a painting boat, but I can't see anything, and although the shopkeeper on the boat recognizes the person, it's just a reception place, and there are no other clues.
Huo Weilou looked at Huo Qinghong again, "You should recognize the second lady of the uncle's mansion, but do you know that this second lady knows Lu Wenhe?"
Huo Qinghong scratched his head in distress, "This... I really don't know, I've never met Lu Wenhe, and I don't even know what he looks like..."
Huo Weilou knew that Huo Qinghong had a group of cronies, and seeing that he had bought Lu Wenhe's paintings, he thought for a moment that he had some friendship with Lu Wenhe, but he didn't think he was a master who only cared about paying for it.
Seeing that he didn't get anything and didn't stay any longer, Huo Weilou wanted to get off the boat immediately, Huo Qinghong muttered a few words about swimming in the lake and enjoying the scenery, but how could he get Huo Weilou's approval
A group of people were about to disembark, and several boatmen and shopkeepers immediately waited at the bow to see them off. Bo Ruoyou followed behind Huo Weilou. Seeing that he was walking fast, she also stepped a little faster, but she stepped ashore on her couch. At the very moment, a piece of wood under her feet became loose for some reason, and she slipped and staggered to the side—
Huo Qinghong hurriedly shouted, "Be careful—"
There are no fences on both sides of the pedal, Huo Qinghong, who was walking at the end, saw that Bo Ruoyou was about to fall into the lake, but Huo Weilou in front seemed to have eyes on his back, and he turned around and grabbed Bo Ruoyou's arm Pulled her back.
Huo Weilou pulled Bo Ruoyou closer to him, Bo Ruoyou stood still in shock, her complexion turned pale.
Huo Qinghong was startled and hurried forward, surrounded by the shopkeeper and several boatmen.
Huo Weilou felt the wrist under his palm was a little cold, so he lowered his eyes to look at her, "How is it?"
Bo Ruoyou herself was taken aback, she was still thinking about the relationship between Lu Wenhe and Wei Ling, but she didn't expect that the pedal on her foot was loose, and she almost fell into the lake because she couldn't react in time. Fortunately, Huo Weilou agile.
She covered her heart and took a breath before shaking her head, "It's okay, thank you, Lord Hou."
Huo Weilou let go of his hand, and the shopkeeper was also terrified, "How is Miss? It's all due to the carelessness of the people below. This pedal should really be replaced. It almost hurt Miss. Please forgive me, please forgive me—"
The shopkeeper kept complaining, Huo Weilou glanced at the obviously old pedal, his phoenix eyes were cold, Huo Qinghong also frowned and said: "You have to be careful, the water by this lake is not shallow, if you fall, The people who don’t know how to use water, and there’s no one around, how can it be good?”
The shopkeeper said with a wry smile: "There was an accident earlier, and after that, the villain often ordered the subordinates to replace them. After half a year of work, they started to hide away again. I'm really sorry, the villain just asked people to go out." Change."
Huo Qinghong frowned, "Has an accident happened earlier? Has the accident been rescued?"
The shopkeeper's eyes flashed as if he had thought of something, "I've been rescued, I've been rescued, and the grown-ups know this person, she's one of the girls you came to ask about just now."
After being frightened, Bo Ruoyou felt a little palpitated. She was about to leave, but when she heard this, she turned around immediately, "Which girl? What happened at that time?"
The shopkeeper said: "It's a girl surnamed Feng. They were also preparing to get off the boat at the time. The pedal was loose. This girl fell directly into the lake, which shocked everyone, but we were all outside at the time, and someone jumped down immediately to save her. When she got up, she choked on a couple of sips of water, but it was not a serious problem, she was also a kind person, she changed into clean clothes on the boat and drank a bowl of ginger soup before leaving, she did not pursue the little people."
"Did you change your clothes on the boat?" Bo Ruoyou couldn't help asking.
Huo Qinghong still didn't know about the cinnabar mole, seeing Bo Ruoyou concerned about the woman's changing clothes, she had a strange look on her face.
The shopkeeper seemed a bit inexplicable, "Yeah, I was wet at the time, there was a guest room on board, and the villain ordered someone to go to a nearby shop to buy clothes..."
What Bo Ruoyou wanted to hear was not these, "Did she change in the guest room? How many people were with her at that time?"
"It was in the guest room. She was accompanied by her maidservant. There was also a girl surnamed Li who also came to play with her. She was her friend. There were many people when the accident happened. Later, she was fine and it was too late. Everyone left some people first."
This girl from the Li family is probably the daughter of Captain Li.
After hearing this, Bo Ruoyou showed a look of disappointment, "There was no one else on board at that time?"
The shopkeeper smiled wryly, "Of course there are, but the others are men, so it is impossible to enter the guest room."
Bo Ruoyou was a little unwilling, "Where is the guest room? Can you show me?" After she finished speaking, she felt anxious, and looked back at Huo Weilou, seeing Huo Weilou nodded, she went back to the boat in peace of mind. Huo Weilou also followed.
The shopkeeper led the two of them all the way to the guest room near the stern. Huo Qinghong was a little suspicious, but followed him. When he got to the guest room, he saw that the guest room was spacious and elegantly furnished, and the windows were facing On that side of the water, it is impossible for someone to peek through windows etc.
Seeing that it was different from what she thought, Bo Ruoyou felt that she was in a panic, and asked the shopkeeper, "When did this happen?"
The shopkeeper briefly recalled, "It should be last year's autumn, September or October. It's been a long time, and the villain can't remember clearly. If the lady had an accident just now, the villain would not be able to remember it for a while."
Huo Weilou was almost the same as what Bo Ruoyou had guessed, but after walking around the guest room, it was slightly different from what they guessed, and after a while, the three of them got off the boat again.
After getting into the carriage, it seemed a little crowded because of the addition of Huo Qinghong. At this moment, Huo Qinghong asked: "Youyou, did you stay by Big Brother's side to do work?"
Huo Weilou handled the case, but Bo Ruoyou followed, it was almost the same as when he was in Luozhou.
Bo Ruoyou hurriedly said: "That's not the case, Lord Hou recommended the women to work in the Yamen of Jingzhao Mansion."
Huo Qinghong was startled, "Are you still on duty at the Yamen?"
Seeing Bo Ruoyou nodding, Huo Qinghong's face was a little surprised. He worked for Wu in Qingzhou, worked for Wu in Luozhou, and now he has to work for Wu after returning to the capital. Back then, he suspected that Bo Ruoyou had something wrong with Huo Weilou Now it seems that he was wrong, "Is this the first case you handled in Jingzhao Mansion?"
Bo Ruoyou responded, Huo Qinghong sighed, Huo Weilou said: "It's still hard to explain that the murderer knew that Feng's girl had a cinnabar mole on her body."
Just learned that Feng Wodan fell into the water here, Bo Ruoyou and Huo Weilou felt that the murderer might have seen the cinnabar mole on her back when she was changing clothes, but the shopkeeper said that there was no one else there that day, but it was a surprise. He dispelled the doubt.
Bo Ruoyou said: "The shopkeeper just said he can't remember clearly, I'm afraid he can't remember what happened that day, why don't you ask Miss Li's family, this Miss Li's family brought Feng Wodan to the Poetry Club man of."
Huo Weilou nodded, "It's time to ask."
Huo Qinghong looked at Bo Ruoyou, then at Huo Weilou, seeing that the expressions of both of them were serious, he didn't dare to say anything, the carriage slowly went to the Hou's mansion, and when he returned to the Hou's mansion, the sun was shining. It is already inclined to the west.
Ning Xiao had already returned to the Hou's Mansion. As soon as Huo Weilou entered the mansion, Ning Xiao greeted him, "Master, Lu Wenhe has brought you here."
Huo Weilou raised his eyebrows, "Go to Lu Jijiu House and ask how it goes?"
Ning Xiao said casually: "Lu Wenhe can indeed be regarded as Lu Jijiu's nephew, but the two cousins are far away. In the early years, Lu Wenhe was considered the best student among the younger generation, so Lu Jijiu took him a little seriously and often gave him advice. One or two, Lu Jijiu knew that he was quite famous in the capital, and he was quite happy, and he even advised Lu Wenhe to continue his scientific research, but Lu Wenhe refused."
Huo Weilou stared, "Why did you refuse?"
Ning Xiao said: "Lu Jijiu only said that Lu Wenhe seemed a little afraid of the court, and felt that if he entered the court, his literary talent would be buried. After thinking about it, Lu Jijiu felt that it was actually a good thing for him to be so indifferent to fame and fortune. I never mentioned it again. When their family was in trouble a few years ago, Lu Jijiu gave a lot of help. In the past few years, Lu Wenhe has made a living by himself, so the help is less, and there are not many walks around during the period. This time, the subordinates went to check Lu Jijiu only thought that Lu Wenhe had done something evil, but his subordinates did not reveal it, and later Lu Jijiu sent a servant to lead the way, so his subordinates went to the Lu family."
"Lu Wenhe's house is in Anning Fang, and both parents are there. When the subordinate came down, Lu Wenhe was painting in the study room. When he came out, there was still ink on his body. The subordinate said that he had explained to him, and brought him here. He came to Marquis Wuzhao's mansion, and he didn't ask any more questions, but he looked a little nervous."
Ning Xiao said as he walked, when he walked outside the reception hall, he had already explained what he saw in the Lu family. Huo Weilou nodded, first saw Eunuch Fu waiting at the door, and then saw the inside of the hall. The waiting young man in white shirt.
Lu Wenhe was in his late teens, he was a little thin, and he also had a feeling of slouching his shoulders and hunchback. He was a little cramped sitting in the open chair, and he didn't see the demeanor of the most talented man in the capital until he heard footsteps outside. He stood up suddenly, straightened his back, and regained a bit of Confucianism between his brows and eyes.
Seeing Huo Weilou approaching with strides, Lu Wenhe stepped forward to meet him, bowed and saluted, "Meet Lord Hou."
Huo Weilou waved his hand, walked straight to the main seat and took a seat, and when he was settled, he looked Lu Wenhe up and down. Few people can keep their minds steady under Huo Weilou's gaze, and so is Lu Wenhe, his eyes fell on the floor tiles in front of him, and there was some panic in his eyes.
After a while, Huo Weilou said, "Great talent Lu—"
Lu Wenhe took a quick look at Huo Weilou, and said "Don't dare" in trepidation, and Huo Weilou cut to the chase and asked, "Do you recognize Wei Ling?"
Lu Wenhe frowned, "I... I don't know each other."
The corners of Huo Weilou's lips curled slightly, "You really don't know?"
Asked like this, Lu Wenhe pursed his lips and hesitated, not daring to assert that he didn't recognize him.
Huo Weilou was playing with the black jade fingers on his knuckles, the corners of his lips were clearly raised, and the absurdity did not reach his eyes, "Wei Ling died by the Yuxi River in the east of the city. Not only did he die, but he also died a very miserable death. The Marquis guesses that you know about it."
Lu Wenhe's back was slightly stiff, and his hand on the side was slightly clenched. As expected, there were two spots of ink on the cuff. Huo Weilou didn't say much anymore, and could only wait for him to speak. The silent coercion is the most compelling. Lu Wenhe knew where he was, and Huo Weilou didn't speak harshly, he was already extra merciful.
Beads of sweat protruded from his forehead, Lu Wenhe's complexion changed a few times, and he finally said: "Report to Lord Hou, I recognize the Second Miss of the Wei family."
Huo Weilou looked up at him for a moment, "Tell me."
Lu Wenhe was just cramped before, but now his complexion is pale and he is sweating profusely, "The first time we met was more than half a year ago, in June last year, at the Wenhui in the Zhongyibo Mansion, I seldom go to the Wenhui Yes, but at that time Uncle Loyalty just bought my painting, and I went there to show my face, that day I recognized the second lady, the second lady was innocent, said that I admired the work, and then asked if I could do it for you in the future. She teaches poetry and prose, and she knows that I am a gifted scholar now, but she only makes a living selling poetry, prose and paintings, so she said that she can give me a very high level of training."
Lu Wenhe's face turned blue and red for a while, "Although I sell paintings, poems and essays, it is impossible to teach Miss Bofu, not to mention that she has a clear admiration, and my status is low, no matter what, I can't delay her, so I went I refused. After that, I haven’t seen her for a long time. The last time was three months ago, that is, before the Chinese New Year. A few students from the academy set up a gathering at the bank of Weiyang Lake. I went because I was a classmate. , that day happened to coincide with Ling Xiao Poetry Club's day at Weiyang Lake, and she saw me again. When it was dark, I was going back home, but she followed me and stopped me—"
Lu Wenhe said that his voice was a bit austere at this point, "She said that she liked my poems and essays very much, that they were the best she had ever seen, and asked me when I would publish the next collection of poems and essays, and when I would read them again. Selling paintings, asking whether my next painting can be sold directly to her, and saying that she is willing to buy it no matter how high the price is."
Lu Wenhe lowered his head, "Although she said that she loves my literary talents very much, she always said that it doesn't matter how much money you spend. I... I just felt a little annoyed, and felt that it was impossible to have anything to do with her. At that time, I broke away from her. and left."
After a pause, Lu Wenhe took a deep breath, "It's just these two times. I only met her these two times, so I don't know her well. Just now when Master Hou asked, I hesitated for a moment before telling a lie. I have also heard about the matter of the uncle's mansion, and I always feel a little pity, but I didn't expect that an embroidered clothes envoy found it in Xia's house. Does Hou Ye doubt it? It's just a two-sided relationship, and the stranger who told her that she met by chance did not. Too much."
Huo Weilou stared, "In your heart, you and her are strangers, but with her, it's not like that."
Lu Wenhe was a little dazed when he heard that, Huo Weilou said, "For the past six months, she has been trying to buy your paintings, and she has been studying the calligraphy you are good at. She really appreciates your talent."
Lu Wenhe looked surprised, "She...she is real?"
Huo Weilou said in a deep voice: "Of course it is true, because on the day of her accident, the last place she went to was the painting and calligraphy shop that sold your paintings several times."
"What?" Lu Wenhe was astonished.
Huo Weilou nodded, "In the past few months, she has often gone there to ask you when you will sell paintings and when will you publish a collection of poetry and essays, but every time you get nothing, but you will ask again next time, I am afraid that she will I’ve never been so attached to anything in my life.”
Lu Wenhe showed pain on his face, "I... I didn't expect her to be like this..."
"Where were you on the day she died?" Huo Weilou asked suddenly.
Lu Wenhe pursed his lips, raised his eyes and looked at Huo Weilou calmly, and said very calmly: "I have been painting at home that day, and I have never been anywhere. My father and mother can testify to this."