In the next two days, He Yan waited for news from the Xu Family's Fu Wang. Unfortunately, he didn't know if it was because Xu Zhiheng was also searching for Qin momo's whereabouts, but Fu Wang's search didn't go smoothly. At the same time, on the night that He Yan and Xiao Jue met Lady Fan, there really was someone who snuck into the prison to silence them.
Because of Xiao Jue's reminder, Official Liu increased the number of guards in the prison. The assassin didn't succeed, but the jailers weren't able to catch the masked assassin. Even so, Lady Fan was still crazy. Official Liu didn't dare to lightly punish her. The Fan Family and the servant girl who tried to commit suicide were still being investigated, so the case was at a standstill.
He Yan was assassinated that day in the streets. After the city guards arrived, many citizens gathered their courage and came to watch. He Yan revealed his identity, so this matter couldn't be hidden. The next day, everyone in Shuo Jing knew that Xiao Jue's fiancée, Marquis Wu An, had been assassinated in broad daylight. Fortunately, her skills weren't bad and she managed to escape. For a time, the number of citizens in Shuo Jing who went out at night greatly decreased. They were afraid that they would encounter bandits wandering outside.
Before everything was investigated, the people in Shuo Jing would only think that it was "bandits."
In the Crown Prince's residence, beautiful servant girls were playing the zither and dancing.
The Crown Prince's indulgence in Guang Yan's sensual pleasures wasn't something that happened in a day or two. Although the Crown Princess was angry, she couldn't do anything. She focused all of her efforts on herself and hoped that she would give birth to a grandson soon so that the Crown Prince's position would be more stable. Unfortunately, the Crown Princess's stomach didn't live up to expectations. Ever since she entered the Crown Prince's residence, there had been no news. The Guang Yan was dissatisfied with the Crown Princess and became more and more impudent. Now, in the entire residence, there was no one who could discipline him.
Today, the Crown Prince hosted a banquet and invited Prime Minister Xu. Chu Zhao was also present.
"Ever since Imperial Father bestowed the marriage, I haven't had the chance to congratulate Zi Lan." The Crown Prince looked at Chu Zhao and smiled. "This time, Zi Lan has fulfilled her wish and strengthened her marriage with Prime Minister Xu. It is a wonderful thing. Congratulations. "Finished speaking, he raised the wine cup in his hand to Chu Zhao.
Chu Zhao hurriedly picked up the cup in front of him and repeatedly said that he didn't dare. Then, he drank the wine in the cup.
"Now that Xiao Huaijin has returned to the capital," Guang Yan sighed. "The emissary of the Wutuo Kingdom will enter the capital in a few days. Xiao Huaijin would certainly do everything possible to obstruct the opening of the market in Great Wei. But now that most of the people in the court are on our side, ben gong isn't worried. "After a pause, a trace of ruthlessness flashed through the crown prince's eyes." Ben gong is worried about Lao Si. If Xiao Huaijin joins Fourth Brother … "
In the imperial court, although Guang Shui did not have as many connections as Guang Yan, and Concubine Lan's family was not as powerful as Empress Zhang's, they had a natural advantage that they did not have — Emperor Wen Xuan's favor.
Emperor Wenxuan doted on Guang Shuo, and several old and smelly pieces of hard Shi Tou in the imperial court also secretly supported the Fourth Prince's Guang Shuo.
"The Fourth Prince is mediocre. You don't have to worry, Your Highness," Minister Xu said with a smile.
"That kid is useless, but …" The Crown Prince narrowed his eyes. "He's always an eyesore."
Most likely, although no one in the imperial court said it explicitly, everyone was well aware that his ability and character were not as good as Guang shuo's. Even his own people thought so. Even this old fox in front of him … The Crown Prince's gaze swept past Minister Xu, and he thought of another interesting matter.
"Zilan," The Crown Prince suddenly looked at Chu Zhao. "I heard that you have a servant girl who is beautiful and clever. Is that true?"
Chu Zhao heard this and felt as if a basin of cold water had been poured over his head. Slowly, it turned to ice. However, he did not show it on his face. He respectfully replied, "That is true."
"If you have such a beauty, why don't I see her by your side?" The Crown Prince asked with a smile. However, there was no smile in his eyes.
Why? Of course, it was because if the Crown Prince saw Ying Xiang by his side, it would be impossible for her to continue staying in the Chu family. For a long time, with the Crown Prince's Guang Yan personality, as long as there was a beautiful woman, he would kidnap her and bring her to his fu. Ying Xiang's appearance would only bring her trouble.
"This girl's hands and feet are not clever, and because she is too beautiful, it is not convenient to keep her by my side. This lowly official has always had her stay in the fu and do some rough work."
Hearing this, the Crown Prince laughed loudly. "Zilan, you are wasting God's gift. You don't know how to care for women. In the future, when you marry Ping Ting, you need to change. Otherwise, Minister Xu will not be happy. "
Xu Jingfu only sat to the side and drank tea with a smile. It was as if he did not hear the Crown Prince's words.
Chu Zhao appeared to be at a loss.
"Since it is a waste to keep her in your fu, why not give her to me?" The Crown Prince said nonchalantly, "I lack such a clever servant girl. The Eastern Palace is not lacking in food to feed one more person. What do you think?"
Chu Zhao paused and raised his eyes to look at the Guang Yan.
The zither music in the hall had stopped at some point, and the dancing servant girls had quietly retreated. In the silence, the air was stagnant like sticky blood, and there was a nauseating feeling of suffocation.
The young man's face could be considered handsome, but it was unknown whether it was because of excessive indulgence, but there were obvious dark circles under his eyes. When he looked at people, there was always a trace of ruthlessness and mania. Even though there was a smile on his face, there was a trace of contempt in his eyes as he stared at Chu Zhao.
That was disdain from the bottom of his heart. It was the contempt of a superior looking at an ant.
"What?" The Crown Prince said jokingly, "Could it be that Zilan can't bear to part with her?"
Xu Jingfu only looked at the teacup in front of him and did not say anything.
Chu Zhao stood up and walked to the Crown Prince. He bowed down, "How could Zilan dare? Ying Xiang was chosen by Your Highness to serve Your Highness, and it is Ying Xiang's fortune. It's just that this servant girl is clumsy and I'm afraid she will offend Your Highness. Since Your Highness has decided, when this official returns to the fu, I will immediately send Ying Xiang over. "
His respectful attitude clearly pleased the Crown Prince. The Crown Prince waited for Chu Zhao to kneel for a while before he stood up and helped him up. He smiled with satisfaction, "There is no need to bow. You are someone close to me. After she is sent to the fu, I will take good care of her."
Chu Zhao expressed his loyalty again, and after the Crown Prince was greatly pleased, he returned to his seat and sat down.
There was good wine and delicious food on the long table. He held his chopsticks and drank with a normal expression. It seemed that he was not affected by this matter at all, but when he stopped drinking, his gaze fell on Xu Jingfu beside him.
The old man's face was kind and affectionate, and he seemed to be somewhat open-minded. He looked over with a smile, just like his master's gentle smile when he became his disciple.
Chu Zhao also returned a smile to Xu Jingfu and raised his cup to congratulate him. If one looked carefully, one could see that the fingertips of his other hand under the table were embedded in the palm of his hand, and there were traces of blood that were neither deep nor shallow.
By the time they returned to the Chu family, it was already very late.
Stepping into the fu, the smile on Chu Zhao's face disappeared completely. He was used to wearing a cultured and refined smile, even when facing the servants of the Chu family. Today, it was as if he could not bear it. As soon as he entered the fu, his face was so ugly that it seemed like water would drip from it. The servants did not even dare to approach him.
Everyone in the Chu family knew that this Fourth Young Master was extraordinary. When he was first sent back to the fu, everyone thought that this Fourth Young Master would not live long. An outside wife, and a lowly child born of a brothel girl, would not be tolerated by Madam Chu. Before Chu Zhao met Xu Jingfu, he also had a difficult time. Although he had Chu Linfeng's protection, Chu Linfeng was not a father who cared about his son. In a corner that Chu Linfeng could not see, Chu Zhao was often beaten up.
However, this child was very good at enduring. He endured until good luck came. Prime Minister Xu Jingfu picked him, and soon he became Prime Minister Xu's favorite student.
After that, Chu Zhao skyrocketed. Gradually, Madam Chu could no longer touch him. Chu Linfeng listened to his son's every word, but Chu Zhao's temperament did not change. He was very gentle to the servants of the Chu family, as always. After a long time, many of Madam Chu's servants also secretly sought refuge with Chu Zhao.
Even a fool would know which master to choose from, who had a better future and was more gentle and considerate.
But today, Chu Zhao's good manners and good temper seemed to have run out of patience.
As soon as he walked into his courtyard, he saw the familiar lantern swaying at the door. Chu Zhao walked in, and Ying Xiang came forward to greet him. "Fourth Young Master."
He walked into the room without saying a word.
Perhaps his expression was too strange today. Ying Xiang was startled and followed him in. Standing beside Chu Zhao, she asked softly, "Fourth Young Master, did something happen?"
Chu Zhao looked up at the woman in front of him.
Ying Xiang was very beautiful and charming. She was like a painting as she stood here. Her beauty was more beautiful than a flower. Her appearance was enough to enter the palace. In the Chu family, if it were not for the fact that it was inconvenient for him to do anything to her, Chu Linfeng would have already made Ying Xiang his twentieth concubine.
It was hard to imagine how Ying Xiang's parents, who looked so ordinary, could give birth to such a beautiful face like Ying Xiang.
The first time Chu Zhao saw Ying Xiang, it was in front of the brothel. Ying Xiang's father, a gambler, was holding her wrist and bargaining with the brothel's madam to see if he could sell his daughter for a higher price. Ying Xiang's mother, a pregnant woman, just stood aside and cried silently. She did not dare to say anything.
At that time, Chu Zhao was only nine years old. He had just been with Xu Jingfu, and Mrs. Chu did not dare to bully him openly. Ying Xiang looked to be the same age as him. Her clothes were very shabby, but her skin was very white. Although she did not dress up, he could see that she was a beauty. Her expression was very calm, and she did not cry or make a fuss. She just stood there. When Chu Zhao stopped across the street to look at her, the girl raised her head and looked at him.
There was no expression on her face, but he seemed to be able to see her deep sadness and despair through her eyes. It was as if she had surrendered to her fate and was powerless to resist.
In that moment, Chu Zhao thought of Ye Runmei.
He ordered his servant to buy Ying Xiang for two silver coins and went back to tell Chu Linfeng that he was lacking a personal maid. Chu Linfeng thought that Chu Zhao had other thoughts. He was a romantic, so he was not angry at his son's behavior. Instead, he was very appreciative of it. From then on, Ying Xiang stayed by Chu Zhao's side.
In these years, Ying Xiang did not talk much. What was different from her beautiful appearance was her quiet and obedient personality. She was also becoming more and more beautiful. Chu Zhao knew that beauty would bring disaster. The days that he could protect Ying Xiang were very limited.
Ying Xiang probably noticed the pity in his eyes. Ying Xiang was stunned. After a while, she pursed her lips and asked: "Fourth Young Master, does this have anything to do with me?"
"I went to the Crown Prince's palace today," Chu Zhao said: "The Crown Prince knows about you."
The room was silent for a moment.
After a while, Ying Xiang said calmly: "I understand."
Her answer was obedient and gentle, just like 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.
Chu Zhao moved his lips and finally spat out two words: "I'm sorry."
Ying Xiang smiled. She walked to the table and poured tea for Chu Zhao as usual. The tea was simmering on the stove in advance. This way, when Chu Zhao came back, he would drink hot tea. On such a cold day, he needed to drink hot tea to warm his stomach. She handed the teacup to Chu Zhao and said softly: "I've been with Fourth Young Master for so long. I'm satisfied. In the future, when I'm not here, please take care of yourself. "
Chu Zhao took the tea and didn't say anything.
Ying Xiang knelt down.
"For so many years, I'm indebted to Young Master for taking care of me. Ying Xiang has nothing to repay you with. Before I leave, I'll kowtow to Young Master." She lightly kowtowed three times to Chu Zhao. Each kowtow seemed to weigh more than a thousand gold pieces.
After the last kowtow, she bowed down for a long time and didn't get up.
Chu Zhao didn't stop her. After a long time, Ying Xiang stood up again and bowed to Chu Zhao: "Then, I'll go back to my room to pack. Take care, Young Master."
After she finished speaking, she was about to leave.
"Ying Xiang." Chu Zhao called her name.
Ying Xiang stopped in her tracks and turned around. A glimmer of hope suddenly appeared in her eyes. That hope was hidden, but in the night, it was brighter than the stars.
Chu Zhao avoided her gaze, as if he couldn't bear to look at her. After a moment of silence, he spat out two words.
"Take care."
He Yan didn't know about these matters in the Chu Family.
These days, all of her attention was focused on the Xu Family. Money makes the world go round. With the help of money, Fu Wang was able to find Nurse Qin's whereabouts a few days earlier than the eight or nine days he had previously said.
When He Yan received the news and went to the teahouse near the Xu Family, Fu Wang approached him with a smile on his face, as if he had done something worthy of pride and couldn't wait to be rewarded.
When He Yan saw him like this, he knew that he must have made a big gain. He was also delighted and asked: "Have you found her whereabouts?"
"Young Master." Fu Wang was very good with words. He didn't talk about the results of the matter, but only talked about the hardships and dangers he had faced in the past few days. Then he said: "This little one has risked my life to do this for you. You can't help but feel sorry for me. "
He Yan smiled and put the last piece of silver in her sleeve on the table. At this point, she was also a pauper. However, in front of Fu Wang, she still had to put on an act.
"Little brother, if you do things for me, I will definitely give you benefits. This silver is only a small amount. If you can do more things for me in the future, the silver will never run out. "
When Fu Wang heard this, his eyes lit up. He had an idea. He was afraid that after completing this business, this mysterious person would disappear. Since the silver came so easily, he naturally wanted to do a long term business. This person meant that there were other things for him to do. Fu Wang was happy.
"This little one has already helped Young Master find out Nurse Qin's whereabouts. Nurse Qin has a lover who previously lived in the Niu Family Village outside the city. However, this little one also found out that after Nurse Qin ran away to find this lover, they no longer lived in the Niu Family Village. This lover's surname is Niu and he is a blacksmith. Blacksmith Niu has a relative who lives in a barren mountain more than ten li away from the Niu Family Village. That mountain is so big that it is not easy to find a person. However, they live in the mountain and need to exchange for food and cloth. On the tenth day of every month, Blacksmith Niu will go down the mountain to the nearby market to buy food. He also helps people do some work. On the day he goes to buy food, he will put the forged ironware in a blacksmith shop called 'Chang Mao Blacksmith Shop' to sell. "
"If Young Master wants to find Nurse Qin, you can first go to 'Chang Mao Blacksmith Shop'. On the tenth day of the month, Blacksmith Niu will go down the mountain and find him. Only Blacksmith Niu knows where Nurse Qin is. " Fu Wang smiled slyly. "As for how to make Blacksmith Niu speak, that will depend on Young Master's plan."
"Is the information you said true?" He Yan asked.
"It is absolutely true. How could this little one dare to deceive Young Master?" Fu Wang hurriedly said, "It's just that Eldest Master has ordered people to investigate Nurse Qin's whereabouts. This little one went through many channels to find this place. It is not impossible for Eldest Master to find it. If Young Master is in a hurry, it would be best for you to hurry to that blacksmith shop. If Eldest Master gets there first … "
He was not really thinking for the mysterious person in front of him out of kindness. He was just afraid that the mysterious person would not be able to find Nurse Qin and disappear. In the future, he would not be able to earn money so easily for him to spend.
He Yan was also a little excited. She originally came to the Xu Family to look for evidence. She did not expect to find a living person. Now that Fu Wang had inquired so carefully, it was really a pleasant surprise.
"You have done well in this matter."
Receiving praise, Fu Wang was overjoyed. It was as if he was looking at a steady stream of shiny silver flowing towards him. He said without thinking, "It is this little one's fortune to work for Young Master. If Young Master has anything else to say, please do not hesitate to tell me. This little one is not good at other things, but my legs are a little diligent. If I can help Young Master, that would be great."
It would have been better if he did not say this. Once he said this, He Yan really thought of another matter. She hesitated for a moment before asking, "Do you know if there has been anything wrong with the current Xu Family's Young Mistress recently?"
"Young Mistress?" Fu Wang was stunned. He felt that the person in front of him was more and more unfathomable. Previously, he said that Concubine He was his former lover. Could it be that this Xu Family's Young Mistress also had some unclear relationship with him? If that was the case, wouldn't his Eldest Master's head be covered in green clouds? For a moment, Fu Wang sympathized with Xu Zhiheng.
He Yan did not know that the servant's mind had already wandered a hundred thousand miles. She only asked, "You don't know Young Mistress Xu's situation?"
"This little one is only a gatekeeper," Fu Wang said with a smile, "Young Mistress's courtyard is filled with servant girls and older women. There are very few servants. If Young Master really wants to inquire, this little one can also run errands, but … "
"But what?" He Yan asked.
That day, not long after he bumped into Madame He and He Xinying at Yu Hua Temple, she encountered an assassin. He Yan thought about it and felt that He Rufei was definitely involved. Although He Xinying did not know anything, with He Rufei's cautiousness, he might not let her go. Although he did not spend much time with his younger sister, He Yan did not want anything to happen to her.
"However, Young Mistress seems to be tired these days and has not gone out much. When Madame went out, she did not take her with her. "Fu Wang said.
He Yan's heart tightened.
Madame Xu did not take He Xinying with her when she went out. Originally, it was not a big deal, but after she went to Yu Hua Temple … He Xinying could not help but guess that He Xinying was under house arrest by the Xu Family.
"Fu Wang," He Yan looked at the servant in front of him, "I want you to do one more thing for me. Keep an eye on Young Mistress Xu. If something happens to Young Mistress Xu, or if there are any problems, please go to the teahouse and find the freckled waiter and inform him. "
Although Fu Wang was doubtful, he still nodded, "Okay."
After the matter was settled, the two parted ways. He Yan left first, followed by Fu Wang. When Fu Wang left, he didn't notice that in front of a silk cloth shop on the opposite side of the street, there was a figure hiding behind a pillar in front of the shop. It was only after his figure disappeared that the figure came out.
It was a woman in black.
At night, the door to the Xiao family's study was opened and someone came in.
Xiao Jue hung the sword back on the wall and took off his outer clothes. Just as he turned around, someone knocked on the door.
"Come in."
The person who came in was Luan Ying, dressed in black.
Xiao Jue did not look at her and 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, "The matter that Young Master asked this subordinate to inquire about, there are already some clues."
The young man was taking out a piece of paper. Hearing this, he did not raise his head and only said, "How is it?"
Luan Ying was somewhat hesitant.
Xiao Jue's hands paused and he glanced at her.
It was this glance that made Luan Ying make up her mind. She said in a low voice, "This subordinate has been waiting at the Xu family's door for three days. Today, Miss He came."
The room was so quiet that a pin drop could be heard.
"Miss He and the Xu family's doorman sat in a nearby teahouse for an hour before leaving. This subordinate asked the teahouse's waiter. Before this, they had already met several times. "
Xiao Jue threw the letter in his hand on the table and sat down on the chair. He looked at her and said, "What did you find?"
"The doorman is called Fu Wang. Recently, he has a lot of money in his hands and is looking for someone called Qin mama in the Xu family. Qin mama was the wet nurse of He Wanru, Xu Zhiheng's favorite concubine, but after He Wanru died of illness, Qin mama disappeared. "
"This subordinate guesses that Miss He gave Fu Wang a sum of money and asked Fu Wang to inquire about Qin mama's whereabouts. But the strange thing is that the Xu family's eldest son, Xu Zhiheng, is also looking for Qin mama everywhere. "
After Luan Ying finished speaking, she did not dare to look at Xiao Jue's expression. He Yan unexpectedly had an unclear relationship with the Xu family. For Xiao Jue, this was definitely not good news. A woman with many secrets always made people suspicious.
"This person called Qin mama seems to be very important." The young man played with the paperweight in his hand. Under the shadow of the oil lamp, his expression could not be seen clearly.
"Have you found Qin mama's whereabouts?"
Luan Ying nodded, "I have."
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