However, A-Xia returned to the courtyard where the Mistress of the Li family lived with a heavy heart, and A-Chun happened to lift the curtain and walked out, and when she saw her, she said angrily, "Why did you take so long to deliver a snack, my wife is waiting for you to answer! "
Mrs. Li's surname is Zhang, she is over fifty years old, and she is well maintained, at least not bad compared to her peers who are generally prematurely senile, but her face is unavoidable and there are many wrinkles on the corners of her eyes. Kindly, seeing A Xia walking in, he smiled and asked, "Did you deliver the snacks?"
A Xia was blessed: "Yes, Master Tang is very happy, saying that my wife has bothered, let me thank you."
Mrs. Zhang smiled and said, "Master Tang has also helped us a lot. We only send some food on weekdays, so why bother? A-Xia, come here, I have something to tell you."
A-Xia hurriedly walked over. Seeing Mrs. Zhang staring at him, she felt a little uneasy, and said in a low voice, "What's your order, madam?"
Zhang Shi grinned: "Don't be nervous, let me ask you, do you have admiration for the next door Master Tang?"
A Xia's heart skipped a beat, and she stammered, "Too, ma'am?"
Mrs. Zhang: "You can be honest, I will never harm you, right or not?"
A Xia's voice was like a mosquito: "Yes..."
Zhang Shi smiled and said: "That's good, Master Tang is single in the capital as an official, and there is no one who knows the cold and the heat to take care of you, you are seventeen now, it's time for you to get married, I know your love for Tang My lord is interested, but as you are, it would be a bit reluctant to want to marry him as a proper wife. If you are a concubine, there should be no problem, but you have a good life and have learned a lot from me over the years. Qi Fang will return it to you. You are qualified to go out and marry a small family to be the grandma. I don't know what you think, so I called you to ask if you are willing to serve Master Tang or go out to marry people?"
A-Xia recalled the fact that she had just been rejected, her face flushed and said: "My maid, this maid was not ashamed just now, and has taken the initiative to express her intentions to Master Tang!"
Mrs Zhang was taken aback: "You girl, what's there to be ashamed of, a man should be married, a woman should be married, I watched you grow up since you were a child, not only you, but also A Chun, A Qiu and the others, I'm all happy to see you find a good home, get up quickly, what did Master Tang say?"
A-Xia knelt down, and the tears that she held back flowed out. She hugged Mrs. Zhang's leg and wept, "Madam, Master Tang doesn't look down on me, I... I don't live anymore!"
Zhang shi helped her up: "Is there no room for manoeuvre, what did Master Tang say?"
A-Xia sobbed and said everything she had just passed.
After listening to Mrs. Zhang, he sighed: "It seems that Master Tang really has no such idea. According to your appearance, Master Tang should not be unwilling, but not all men in the world are greedy and lustful. There are exceptions, no matter what, I will find another good match for you, which one in this mansion you fancy, it is up to you to choose!"
A-Xia said in a low voice, "The maid has no status, and dared to ask my wife to come forward and help me speak in front of Master Tang, say a word or two..."
Mrs. Zhang shook her head: "This is really an injustice from a previous life, that's all. I heard that Master Tang has been out early and returned late in the past few days. He has been very busy. After staying for a while, I will invite him over."
A Xia burst into tears: "Thank you maid, Mrs. A Xia will remember your great kindness for the rest of your life!"
…
A pair of small feet gently stepped on the corridor of the embroidered building.
The beautiful and delicate skirt has already covered the feet tightly, and because of walking, the skirt swayed gently, revealing the embroidered shoes below from time to time, which is tempting to contemplate.
It was as if what she stepped on was not a step, but a cloud.
She stopped at a door and knocked on it.
"Who?" A voice came from inside.
"Mother Lu, it's me." She said, her voice soft and soft, with the softness of Jiangnan's daughter's house, even if she was angry, it sounded like a spoiled child. Ordinary men listened, and their bones would be crispy.
The people inside didn't immediately come over to open the door as usual, and then smile all over their faces. Instead, they kept talking, and after a while, they said, "Wait, here we come!"
Through the pasted paper on the edge of the window, I could vaguely see the figure from far to near, and then opened the door with a babble: "It's Qingzi, come in!"
Qingzi said strangely, "Is your mother sick? Her face is a little unsightly."
The old bustard smiled reluctantly: "Nothing, come, come in and sit!"
She looked out again and shouted, "Liu Zi, serve tea!"
Qingzi stopped her: "Don't bother, Mama Lu, I have something I want to discuss with you this time."
The old bustard sighed: "If you have something to say, why are you so serious, I usually don't promise you anything you have, so just say it!"
Qing Zi considered for a moment, and seemed to finally make up her mind: "I want to redeem myself."
The prostitute's chrysanthemum-like smile disappeared: "What did you say?"
Qing Zi sighed, but her tone was firmer: "I want to redeem myself."
The old bustard no longer had the calmness he had before, and jumped three feet high: "No, I don't agree!"
Qingzi looked at her fixedly: "Mother Lu, we agreed before that if I can collect five thousand taels, I will redeem myself." She took out a bill from her bosom, "This is five thousand taels. The two bank notes were issued by Huitong Qianzhuang, and it is like a fake exchange."
The old bustard eased his tone: "Qingzi, don't say that mom doesn't believe what she says, mom doesn't know who you got the five thousand taels from, but five thousand taels is not a small amount, this money is for you. It’s all said and done, you have taken it all out, and even if you redeem yourself later, what will you rely on to live, it’s better to stay for a few more years.”
"Besides, I've seen quite a few girls. After going out from the Huanyi Building, they quickly ran out of money and had to resume their old business, but by then their worth would have dropped a lot, even if they came out and listed again. , I can't sell the original worth. Qingzi, Lu's mother won't cheat on you. Instead of redeeming herself, it's better to marry a concubine who is interested in you. That's a serious day. Woolen cloth!"
Qingzi: "Mother Lu, how many men can come to the brothel? Why do you use this to coax me? I'm nineteen now, and I haven't been doing it for a few years. We've been together for so long, There is no relationship, but there is fate, why should Mama Lu hold me and let me spend a few quiet days?"
The old bustard saw that she was very determined, her face became ugly, her lips moved twice, as if she wanted to say something cruel, but she rolled her eyes, and finally put on a smile: "That's it, since the words have already been said. I have nothing to say about this, Mom, but you have been with me since you were a child. I am always afraid that you will suffer and suffer outside, so I will only charge 4,000 for 5,000 taels. You can keep the other 1,000 taels for yourself. ready for emergencies.”
Qingzi was greatly surprised. She never expected that Lu's mother, who was always addicted to money, would be so good at talking. Not only was she willing to let her go easily, but she was also willing to refund her money. She was also moved and blessed the old lady: "For so many years, thanks to my mother's teaching, Qingzi is so grateful that she has nothing to repay. Please accept these five thousand taels. Qingzi is still a little selfish, and she won't starve to death for a while."
"Qingzi," the old bustard took her hand and sat down, lowering her voice: "Tell your mother honestly, was this silver note given to you by Mr. Zheng before? Now that the other person is dead, I heard that things are still very noisy. Big, this money won't cause any trouble?"
Qingzi: "Mother Lu, where did you think, this money was not given to me by Mr. Zheng, he is a dude, even if he has some money, he can't take out five thousand taels to redeem me in one go. It's all on the right track, and mom doesn't have to worry about it."
The maid: "If you don't explain it to me, I'm always confused. You must know that Mr. Zheng was resting in our Huanyi Building the day before his death. It's not clear. If the noble wants to do something, it will be easy for us to make a knife."
Qingzi: "Isn't this case closed? It is said that the murderer is the second son of the Marquis of Wu'an. The other party colluded with Zheng Gongzi's aunt to assassinate Zheng Gongzi. What does it have to do with us?"
The old bustard smiled and said, "That said, but I heard that the people from the Beizhen Fu Division are still investigating, saying that there is still something suspicious about the case, and I don't know what it is. I am in charge of your expenses on weekdays. How can you take out five thousand taels in one breath, I don't want to force you to keep you, but you have to give me the bottom line on this matter, lest I get into trouble with this money, and none of us can run away!"
Qingzi was silent for a moment: "I can't say the origin of this money, but it was given by a certain benefactor. He was interested in Qingzi and wanted to marry me, but because there was a big worm in the family, it couldn't be done. ."
The old bustard rolled his eyes: "Since you said that, I'm relieved, but there is one thing I don't understand. I'm waiting for you to clarify my doubts."
Qingzi: "Mom, if you have something to say, just say it."
The old bustard smiled: "Qingzi, I heard that you set up a house outside, is there any such thing?"
Qingzi's face changed: "What do you mean, mom, you find someone to check on me?!"
The old man's face also sank: "You are my daughter. Is there anything else you are hiding from me? Why don't I ask? Tell me the truth, where did this house come from?"
Qingzi got up and sneered: "It seems that today is a lot of nonsense. Since mom doesn't want to say something happy, I'll come back another day, I just hope you don't regret it then!"
However, before she could leave, a strange man's voice sounded in the room: "If Miss Qingzi doesn't explain clearly about the house and the money, I'm afraid she won't be able to leave today."
But I saw two people turn out from behind the screen, one carrying a sword, tall and dignified, and the other wearing a bamboo blue straight robe, gentle and gentle.
Qing Zi's face changed greatly, and when she was about to retreat to the door, the door was blocked by two soldiers.
Qingzi: "Who are you!"
Tang Fan saw her tightly clenched fists half-covered under her sleeves, which was a manifestation of her inner nervousness.
"Tang Fan of Shuntian Prefecture, there are still some questions about the Marquis of Wu'an case. I would like to ask Miss Qingzi to answer them."
Qingzi: "Isn't the case closed?"
Tang Fan shook his head: "The case has not yet been closed, because we found that there is another murderer in this case, does Miss Qingzi want to know?"
Qingzi: "That's none of my business!"
Tang Fan: "Zheng Cheng also had a dewy marriage with the girl, one night husband and wife, a hundred nights of kindness, why should the girl be so heartless, just listen to your relationship with Zheng Cheng?"
Qing Zi's expression was tense, but her back was straight: "Listening to what Master Tang said, does it imply that I have something to do with Zheng Cheng's death?"
Tang Fan: "There are two reasons for Zheng Cheng's death: First, Bupleurum was added to the aphrodisiac medicine he was taking, which made him lose his vitality and died from Yang, and the second is the Baihui Point on the top of his head. At the place, he was beaten so many times that the meridian in the skull ruptured. The person who changed the prescription has already caught it, and presumably Miss Qingzi has heard about it. It is Zheng Zhi, the second son of the Marquis of Wu'an, and Zheng Cheng's concubine Hui Niang. But we During the interrogation of Zheng Zhi and Hui Niang, they found that they knew nothing about Baihui Point, and neither Hui Niang nor Zheng Zhi had the conditions to keep tapping their acupoints when Zheng Cheng was in a drowsy state. This person must share the same bed with Zheng Cheng for a period of time. There are three people who meet this condition, you, Zheng Cheng's concubine Yu Niang, and Zheng Cheng's outer wife Zhao."
Qingzi: "Then why didn't your lord come to them, but to me?"
Tang Fan: "Since I discovered this suspicious point, I have been sending people to ambush outside the Huanyi Building, outside the Marquis of Wu'an's Mansion, and at Zheng Cheng's house, staring at the three of you. As long as anyone kills, there must be a motive, and there must be a motive. There will be a purpose. For more than half a month, Yuniang and Zhao's place have been calm. They have not interacted with any suspicious people, nor have they made a large amount of money. Only you, although you are the top brand of Huanyi, but The money given by the benefactor has always been in the hands of the prostitute, but suddenly there is money for the maid to buy a house secretly outside, and she even uses the money to redeem herself."
Just after he finished speaking, two yamen came in outside: "Sir, I found these in her house!"
Tang Fan nodded: "Let me see, where did I find it?"
Servant: "Under the mattress, she hid in the corner between the bed and the mattress."
When Qingzi saw the sachet in the other's hand, the expression that had gradually calmed down became flustered again.
Tang Fan untied the sachet, smelled it, and handed it to Suizhou, then said to Qingzi, "I guess this is the key to making Zheng Cheng sleepy and letting you do whatever you want? Inside? There is very little powder, and you should have emptied it long ago, but it has not been emptied completely, and there are still some residues, why don’t you simply throw away or burn the entire sachet? This way, it will leave no traces.”
Qing Zi said coldly, "Master Tang looks like a person who doesn't understand the style. The sachets embroidered by women are either given to their sweethearts or left to their closest relatives, so how can you say that you just throw them away? "
Tang Fan remembered A-Xia's purse that he had rejected, and touched his nose: "So, Miss Qingzi admits that she is the murderer?"
Qingzi: "That's right, it's true that I knocked Zheng Cheng into a coma and then knocked on his Baihui point. In about a month, people will die without leaving a trace. If I had known that there were others who wanted Zheng Cheng to die, I would There's no need to move."
Tang Fan: "Why do you do this?"
Qingzi: "What's the reason for this? Isn't Master Tang able to claim credit if he catches the murderer? Do you still need to find out the root cause? Zheng Cheng is very hateful, and he always likes to play new tricks on the bed. He can't stand the torment, he can get some money out of him and make him disappear completely, why not do it?"
She turned her eyes, looked at the old maid, and said resentfully, "This poisonous woman has never known how much she has harmed me since I was a child. I wanted to kill her before I left, but I didn't expect you to ruin a good thing!"
The old bustard was stunned by her confession. Seeing her looking at him, she couldn't help but hide behind Tang Fan.
As a result, he was able to grab Tang Fan's sleeve, and Sui Zhou's sleeve was vibrated, and he was pushed away involuntarily. He knocked over a chair and fell to the ground, screaming.
Sui Zhou was naturally not interested in listening to her continue, and said coldly, "Take it away, go back and try again."
Left and right immediately stepped forward and held her down.
Sui Zhou expressed his full disgust at the rich powdery smell that filled his nose, but he still went to Qingzi's house with Tang Fan to search around, took some suspicious things, and then the two left Huanyi Building .
Tang Fan sighed, "When we first discovered Madam Hui, I thought we had already found the real murderer, but I didn't expect that in the end, two groups of people wanted Zheng Cheng to die.
Suizhou: "In addition to letting the maid go out to buy a house, who else does the woman have contact with?"
Tang Fan shook his head: "No, she... it's not right!"
He stopped abruptly.
Sui Zhou also stopped and looked at him, somewhat confused.
Tang Fan didn't care to talk to him more: "We have to get back Qingzi quickly, we missed a problem just now!"
Sui Zhou didn't ask any more questions, he just straightened his body and swept forward, and soon disappeared.
When Tang Fan rushed to the Shuntianfu prison out of breath, he saw Qingzi lying on the ground, out of breath, while Suizhou stood by and questioned the yamen.
The officers said that when they escorted Qingzi away, because she was very cooperative and saw her as a weak woman, they did not search her body. Who knew that at this moment, she suddenly took out a short dagger from her body. Just stab yourself in the chest, and it won't work in a blink of an eye.
With a glimmer of hope, Tang Fan crouched down to press Qingzi's pulse, but found that he was already weak.