Hearing this, Yang Fan was enlightened. That's right. With Shenke Miao's official position and position, if he had died of illness or a sudden death, there would certainly be some rumors in the court. If he had died of illness, the court would have given him a corresponding pension, so he shouldn't have gone unnoticed.
If this person was demoted, exiled, returned to his hometown, promoted, or still active in the officialdom, there would always be people who would remember him. Only when he was safe and sound and gradually became inactive in the officialdom, would people get used to his non-existence and forget him to the back of their minds.
In other words, after this person was conferred the title of baron three years ago, he began to fade away from the officialdom. It took three years until everyone got used to his disappearance and completely forgot about him.
Zhao Yu said, "That's how it is. I asked many people, and they could still vaguely remember that after Shenke Miao was conferred the title of baron, he attended a few other officials' banquets and showed his face a few times. After that, he slowly disappeared. Even now, no one knows where he is or what he's doing."
"That's all!"
Zhao Yu said shamefully. "I tried my best, but I couldn't find any more information about this person. I even asked for his address and went there to take a look. That house was empty, with cobwebs hanging high and weeds growing everywhere. It's been a long time since anyone lived there. There wasn't even a servant to take care of it. "
Zhao Yu said to Yang Fan, "Such a person wouldn't disappear without a trace. But I've asked many people, and indeed, no one knows about his current situation. The only thing I can be sure of is that he's not dead. He's still in Shendu. As for his whereabouts, I really can't find any information. I'm ashamed. "
Yang Fan looked at him quietly, and a smile slowly appeared on his face. He patted Zhao Yu's arm and said gently, "Brother Zhao, don't be ashamed. The information you've found is very important. Just this alone is very useful. If I had gone to verify it myself, I wouldn't have been able to find this information. Thank you! "
As Yang Fan said this, he took out two strings of money from his bosom and gently pushed them over. "This is the remaining salary. Please accept it."
Zhao Yu's face turned red. "No, no, no! That won't do! Little Brother, you're humiliating me. Although I'm just a Jianghu person who runs errands to ask for directions, Jianghu people also have Jianghu people's rules. I didn't complete your request, so I can't accept the money. In business, there are always profits and losses. "
Yang Fan chuckled and said, "Brother Zhao doesn't need to be courteous. I'm already deeply grateful for what you've done! Please accept this money! "
After Yang Fan finished speaking, he stood up and said, "Innkeeper, bill!"
Seeing this, Zhao Yu no longer stood on ceremony and said, "Well … all right, today's meal is on me."
Yang Fan said, "Alright, then I won't stand on ceremony."
Zhao Yu paid the bill and left the tavern with Yang Fan. Yang Fan cupped his fists and said, "Brother Zhao, I will take my leave. You are an honest person. If I need Brother Zhao's help in the future, I will come and bother you again. "
Zhao Yu cupped his fists and said, "I'm ashamed, I'm ashamed."
Watching Yang Fan walk away, Zhao Yu stood where he was and thought for a moment. Suddenly, he took a step forward and chased after him, shouting, "Little Brother, please wait."
Yang Fan turned around and asked in surprise, "Is there anything else, Brother Zhao?"
Zhao Yu said, "Little Brother, I have dozens of subordinates working for me to make a living. It's really impossible for me to leave everything behind and specifically help you investigate this person. However, I will instruct the brothers under me that no matter what mission they are on, they will inquire about this matter. Once they find out anything …"
Yang Fan bowed deeply and said, "Brother Zhao is very considerate!"
Zhao Yu said, "Little Brother, if you say thank you again, I won't be able to put my old face anymore. It's just that once I have any news, I don't know where to go to inform you. "
Yang Fan's heart was moved. What he was doing really required the use of some spies and eyes. Rather than having to find different spies and eyes every time, he might as well make friends with this Zhao Yu. Looking at Zhao Yu's character and conduct, he was a man worth befriending.
Thinking up to this point, Yang Fan said, "Every few days, I will make a trip to Brother Zhao's place. Even if we don't do business, it would be good to visit as a friend."
Zhao Yu was overjoyed. "Sure, Little Brother is a straightforward person. I am willing to make friends with you. Since that's the case, I will take my leave. We will meet again someday!"
"Thank you for your trouble, Brother Zhao!"
Yang Fan cupped his fists and watched Zhao Yu stride away before turning to leave.
Yang Fan passed through Good Fortune Lane and entered Thought Lane through the south gate. After turning onto the main street, he could hurry back to Xiu Wen Lane along Jianchun Avenue. He walked slowly and strolled into Thought Lane. Suddenly, he caught a glimpse of a familiar figure. Focusing his eyes, he saw that it was Maqiao. Yang Fan couldn't help but smile.
Maqiao was sneaking out of a restaurant, his hand subconsciously on his waist. There was no need to ask, he was definitely here to dispose of stolen goods. Yang Fan had been recuperating at home while Maqiao had become a lone thief again.
Thinking up to this point, Yang Fan suddenly remembered that although Miss Cai Yun often brought some tonics, Auntie Ma often stewed chicken and duck soup for him to nourish his body. The Ma family's situation wasn't too good. It was likely that Maqiao had secretly gotten the money to buy meat.
Seeing that Maqiao had already left, Yang Fan hurriedly followed. Yang Fan quickly caught up to Maqiao and suddenly patted him on the shoulder. Maqiao had just disposed of the stolen goods when he was suddenly slapped by someone. His body shivered and he almost let out a strange cry. He turned his head and saw that it was Yang Fan. He couldn't help but angrily say, "You scared me to death. Why did you wander here?"
Yang Fan said, "Oh, I was bored alone, so I came out for a walk." After saying that, he asked knowingly, "What are you doing here?"
Maqiao laughed dryly and said, "Oh, there are a few shops selling livestock here. I came to buy a chicken."
Yang Fan said, "You're stewing it for me to eat, right? Brother Qiao, look at my body. Although I'm not as sturdy as you, I'm still very sturdy. My wounds have already healed and I feel like I've gained a few pounds of flesh. These days, in order to take care of me, you and Auntie have put in a lot of effort. I'm already very sorry. Your family isn't very well off, so don't continue to buy these things."
Maqiao said, "What are you saying? My brother is injured and is in a hurry to recuperate. Why should I care about saving money?"
Yang Fan laughed and said, "Saving money and waiting to marry a bride. To be honest, you'll be twenty next year and you still haven't found a wife. No wonder Auntie is anxious. You'd better put in more effort and quickly marry a sister-in-law for me. I can't wait for someone to call me Uncle."
Yang Fan laughed and pulled Maqiao out. Maqiao couldn't break free from him and could only give up his original plan. The two of them returned to the Xiu wen workshop. Just as they were about to reach the main entrance, a procession suddenly came out from inside. It was a funeral procession. The two of them unconsciously stopped in their tracks.
At the front of the procession walked a few Taoist priests, ringing bells and chanting. In the middle of the procession was a Taoist priest wearing an apricot yellow robe and a five-elder crown on his head. He wore a pair of straw sandals and held a copper coin sword in his hand. He was waving it in the air and chanting. To the left and right of the procession were two green-robed Taoists, each wearing a Haoran Scarf. One was carrying a cloud banner and the other was holding a seal.
Behind them were a few manservants carrying banners. Behind them, in front of the coffin, the little Miss Xuelian was wearing a linen mourning dress. She wore a mourning scarf on her head and a mourning belt on her waist. She held a memorial tablet in her hand. Beside her was Madame Yang, who was also in mourning. This was the funeral procession for Yang Mingsheng.
Because the Yang family's case was too important, it wasn't until today that the funeral arrangements could be made. Someone carried a spirit banner and loudly announced the location of the funeral to the departed souls, "Doctor, raise your foot. Let's go out. Let's go over the threshold and onto the bridge. The road is flat! We're on the right path! "He led the departed souls forward.
Two juniors of the Yang family threw paper money into the sky with all their might. The paper money flew down like snow, drifting in a detached and free manner. It slowly flew to the ground and was calmly stepped on by the funeral procession. It was like the final destination of life, whether you were willing or not, whether you wanted to or not.
Little Xuelian's face didn't show any signs of sorrow. Yang Mingsheng didn't love her since she was young, and children were very sensitive to this. Although she was young, children relied on their intuition. No words or fake smiles could hide from the eyes of their hearts.
However, Yang Mingsheng was still her father. Other than feelings, there was also responsibility. She didn't feel sorrow, but she felt hatred. She held the memorial tablet, her little face tense. Perhaps, in her heart, the hatred far surpassed the sorrow of her father's death.
Madame Yao, who was walking beside her, was already in her thirties. However, under her mourning clothes, she exuded a different kind of beauty. She looked like a young woman who hadn't even reached her thirties. Her appearance was indeed beautiful.
On the side of the road, a bystander who was standing and watching discussed, "Look, that's the Yang family's Madame!"
"Oh, she's so young and so beautiful. But, looking at her, she doesn't seem to be sad about her husband's death. "
"Hey, you don't know, they were husband and wife …"
After a round of whispering, the bystander suddenly realized, "So that's how it is. But today is the funeral, so it's only right to put on an act in front of others."
Yang Fan felt a slight sense of admiration for this madame. Some people lived their entire lives because of other people's gazes. This woman might have betrayed her husband, or maybe she had never liked him. She had only given up her own happiness for the sake of her family's development. But, she was able to live a magnanimous life, living out her true self. This was also her loveliness.
The coffin was carried by sixteen people using thick wooden poles. It slowly walked along the bluestone street. Paper money flew up in handfuls and fell piece by piece, just like the fallen leaves on the trees on both sides. It was late autumn.
Yang Fan's gaze lightly followed the fluttering paper money. Looking at the falling leaves, he lightly sighed and said to Maqiao, "Brother Qiao, let's go. There's no need to look anymore."
Just as the two of them were about to leave, the sound of galloping horses' hooves could be heard. Even though they were still a distance away, the sound of hooves clattering on the bluestone street could be heard. A burst of laughter could be heard from afar. The two of them couldn't help but stop and look in the direction of the sound.
You've already exceeded your reading limit for today. If you want to read more, please log in.
Login
Select text and click 'Report' to let us know about any bad translation.
