In front of Hulao Pass in Sishui Town, there was a small inn called "Zhe Inn" because the owner's surname was Zhe.
Things were different now. In the past, there was only a deep ravine in the southwest that led to Yingyang and Luoyang. As a result, one man could hold the pass against ten thousand enemies, and it became the gateway to the ancient capital of the Nine Dynasties.
Later on, the geography changed, and the river changed its course. Hulao Pass was no longer the only path, and no one treated it as an important pass. The original rammed-earth walls of the pass had been eroded by wind and rain without a trace. Only the lone stone tablet on the ground with the three words "Hulao Pass" written on it was a record of the past glory of this place.
Because of this, the business of "Zhe Inn" wasn't good. However, the shopkeeper didn't plan on moving to a more bustling place. The Zhe family owned land and could be considered a landlord in the area. They opened this inn because there were a few residences along the street. They had nothing better to do. Since it was their empty house, they would earn some if they could, but it didn't matter if they couldn't.
Because of the owner's thoughts, the inn's business was even worse.
In the world of the Tang dynasty, there were three types of inns. The ones run by the government were known as hostels, the ones run by the private people were known as traveling guides, and then there were the monasteries. If you went there, you would pay some incense money, and the receptionist monk would arrange a place for you to stay.
There were no hostels run by the government in Sishui Town, nor were there any temples. There were only traveling guides run by the private people. The business of "Zhe Inn" was the worst among the traveling guides in Sishui Town, but in terms of environment, it was the best.
That afternoon, a waiter picked up some dried meat, pickles, and carrots. Just as he entered the inn, a group of people came from afar.
There were seven or eight people, all riding tall horses. The horses were of excellent quality, and the riders were valiant and mighty. Each of them carried a saber, and they were escorting two carriages in the middle. The carriages were large carriages used for long-distance travel, but they were far more exquisite than ordinary long-distance carriages. One look and one could tell that they were from a wealthy family.
When the group arrived at the entrance of the inn, only one rider dismounted and entered the inn. He called over the shopkeeper and asked about the number of rooms, whether there was food and drink, whether there was hot water in the bathroom, whether there was a brazier to warm the kang, and whether there was pasture for the stables. Only after making sure everything was clear did he nod in satisfaction and ask, "There are a total of twelve rooms, right? We'll take them all! "
The shopkeeper was thin and had a moustache on his chin. He looked very unscrupulous. After listening to his words, he couldn't help but look troubled. "Sir, there are already two guests staying in the inn. Do you think …"
He glanced outside and said with a smile, "I think the rest of the rooms should be enough to accommodate you and your companions."
"Ah Lang likes peace and quiet!"
The man smiled, took out a pearl from his bosom, and spun it on the chopping board. The pearl immediately began to spin, and when it was reflected by the sunlight, it looked like a rainbow.
"Shopkeeper, do as you see fit. We'll only book it for one night and leave tomorrow morning. Once it's done, it'll be yours! The shop charge will be calculated separately! "
The shopkeeper stared dumbfoundedly at the pearl the size of a longan fruit, his face filled with greed. He only hesitated for a moment, but as if he was afraid that the other person would change his mind, he pounced forward and tightly held the pearl in his arms.
After the time it took for a stick of incense to burn, two customers came out of the shop with their bags on their backs, cursing and swearing. The shopkeeper nodded and bowed behind them, "Excuse me! Offend! I'll return the shop charge, please forgive me! "
After the two customers left, the group of people dismounted one after another. A few people walked into the shop, looked inside and outside, and then went back to the carriages to ask for instructions. Then, the people in the two carriages came out.
In the carriage in front, there was a young man dressed in white, wearing a light fur coat. He looked cold and arrogant, as if there was no one else around him. He was led directly to his room. Immediately, someone ordered the innkeeper to prepare hot water. The shopkeeper was about to ask someone to move the bathtub, but he didn't expect that the guards would move one of the carriages themselves. The shopkeeper was stunned.
When the waiter brought the boiling water in, he saw that the bed, pillows, covers, and everything else had been replaced by the waiter's own. Even the tables and chairs were covered with a snow-white ribbon. The waiter was speechless, but he didn't stare for long because he was immediately chased out.
A fat woman came down from the second carriage, holding a baby in her arms. The woman was obviously a wet nurse, but the mistress was not seen. Looking at the situation, the child should be the son of this young man who loved cleanliness. Who knew that the child was not arranged to live in the room next to the young man, but in the room on the right of the second row, furthest from the young man's residence.
It was said that the child was afraid that if the child cried at night, it would disturb the master's rest. Then, a group of tall and strong guards came into the shop, ordering the shopkeeper and the waiters to take care of the horses, walk them, water them, stables them, and feed them.
When it was time to eat, the chef in the inn was chased away again. One of the guards went to the kitchen and brushed the pot until it seemed to be thinned. The innkeeper felt his heart ache when he saw this. Then, he made two dishes, some rice and noodles, and used his own cutlery to serve them to the room of the important master. Then, he asked the chef in the inn to cook for the guards who accompanied him.
Although these people looked rather arrogant, they were not bossy or unkempt. They all spoke very politely, and did not indulge in drinking. The innkeeper had already obtained a bright pearl, and seeing that the customers were very well-behaved, he naturally beamed with joy. The unhappiness caused by their previous excessive attention also vanished like smoke in thin air.
The weather had not warmed up yet, and the town was cold and solemn at night. This shop was located in a remote area, and it was completely booked. There was no such thing as staying up all night, hiring prostitutes to drink, gambling, and eating. Therefore, it was especially quiet. Everyone had a good night's sleep until the rooster crowed and the sun rose from the east.
A few guards got up first, dressed neatly, went to the backyard to look at the horses, and ordered the waiter to set up the carriage. This was the place where the guests brought their own cook into the kitchen, brushed the bottom of the pot until it was thinner, and then started cooking. After serving the master's food, they packed the food in boxes and carried it to the master's room. Then, they ordered the cook in the shop to cook.
When the food was ready, it was placed on two tables. The guards who had not shown up before also came out. Everyone sat down and looked around. One of the guards, who looked like the leader, suddenly asked, "Where's Aunty Gao?"
The others then realized that the woman with the fat child was not here. Immediately, a young man jumped up and said, "I'll go call her!"
The man passed through the main room and hurriedly turned to the second room. He walked to the rightmost room and gently knocked on the door, "Aunty Gao?"
There was not the slightest sound in the room. The man knocked twice more and called out again, but there was still no sound. His face changed a little. He reached out and pushed the door. It was not bolted from the inside, so it opened with a 'creak'.
The room was silent, and there was no one in sight. The man rushed to the bed and reached out to open the curtains. Seeing that the bed was neatly made and there was no one there, he could not help but scream, "Aunty Gao is gone! The child … the child is gone! "
…
In Young Master Jiang's room, Yuan Tingyun was sweating profusely as he stood there.
There was food in front of Young Master Jiang, but he could not eat anymore. He tried to maintain his composure in the face of danger, but his face looked as if he had been exposed to the cold wind for three days and three nights, and it was frighteningly green.
"Gone? Even the adults and the child disappeared just like that? "
"Yes! They're all … gone! "
Young Master Jiang sat there woodenly, and slowly said, "You didn't arrange for anyone to be on duty at night?"
"Of course!"
Yuan Tingyun hurriedly explained, "We have a total of nine people, including the coachman. We are divided into three shifts of three people, and every night … we have to be on guard!"
Young Master Jiang slowly raised his eyes, glanced at him, and asked, "How did you arrange it?"
Yuan Tingyun said hesitantly, "Young Master, at the window and the door, I … I arranged for someone to be on the roof, and someone to look down from above, to monitor anyone who comes near!"
Young Master Jiang sighed softly, and said, "The person on the roof, naturally, was arranged to be on my roof?"
Yuan Tingyun stammered, "Yes … yes …"
Young Master Jiang frowned slightly, and asked doubtfully, "Where would Aunty Gao go with the child? Do you think she left on her own, or was she kidnapped? "
Yuan Tingyun hesitated for a moment, and answered, "It's impossible that she left on her own. Aunty Gao is just an ordinary woman, and in the middle of the night, she is unfamiliar with this place. Even if she had any plans, she would not take this risk! "
Young Master Jiang lightly tapped his fingers, and said in a low voice, "Then … if she was kidnapped by someone, who do you think it could be?"
Yuan Tingyun hesitated, and said, "Perhaps … someone saw our extravagance, and mistakenly thought that the child was Young Master's, so they took her as a hostage, and wanted to extort money."
Young Master Jiang frowned slightly, and shook his head lightly, and said, "I have a bad premonition, I feel that this matter seems to have something to do with Yang Fan!"
Yuan Tingyun said decisively, "It can't be him, he doesn't even know he has a daughter. Besides, if it was him … it wouldn't be as simple as kidnapping the child quietly. "
Young Master Jiang thought for a moment, and nodded lightly, and said, "That makes sense! It's just that … it's really unbelievable that a few thieves could steal two living people from under your noses without making a sound … "
Yuan Tingyun smiled bitterly, and said, "Young Master, even martial artists, if they didn't know that someone was coming, and were careful when they slept, they would be no different from ordinary people after a good sleep. We didn't encounter any problems on our way out of Luoyang, so it's inevitable that everyone would slack off. Moreover, although those rats and dogs can't be shown in public, they have their own unique points … "
Young Master Jiang lightly exhaled, and said in a low voice, "Yes! If someone really kidnapped them for money, then it's easy. We just need to sit here and wait for them to name a price. I'm afraid … "
Yuan Tingyun said loudly, "Young Master, don't worry! It's impossible for Yang Fan to do it. Not to mention that he doesn't know he has a daughter in this world, even if he knew, he wouldn't steal his daughter back quietly and be done with it. So … "
Before Yuan Tingyun's voice died away, a long laugh came from outside the door, "You're right! Of course I wouldn't come quietly, and leave quietly. Aren't I here now … "
…
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