Chapter 135 Zhao Duan: I think you are toasting and not eating, but you are drinking as a penalty
"yes!"
The coachman responded, stuffed his whip into his waist, and asked for instructions again:
"After you find the person, do you arrest him directly?"
He Zheng scratched his mustache with his thumb, which was his habitual thinking action, shook his head and said:
"No, just make sure he's there and don't be alarmed. Then just come out and wait. There are many people inside. Wait until he comes out and kidnap the person for interrogation."
He kept Zhou Cheng's advice in mind and tried to avoid alerting Zhao Duan in advance.
Watching his entourage walk towards the Jiaofang Division, the green-robed official tapped his knees, his eyes far away:
After two days of investigation, he could not find any clues that Zhao Duan was cheating on the empress with a woman.
However, they learned that this "Qin Qiu" was Zhao Thief's personal follower. If he could pry open the other party's mouth, he might be able to make a breakthrough.
…
East City.
After Zhao Duan and his party left the teahouse, they headed straight for the target location.
As they got closer to the east side, the buildings on both sides of the street became visibly dilapidated.
Not surprisingly, if the capital is divided into four directions, it can be roughly summarized as follows:
The north is expensive, the west is rich, the east is poor, and the south is lively.
Dongcheng is a place with the largest number of poor people.
Yes, even at the feet of the Emperor, the most virtuous place, there are still a large number of poor people.
"Xue Xuan's private school is located here?"
Zhao Duan opened the car curtain and looked around curiously.
Haitang rode a horse and walked side by side with him on the side of the carriage. Hearing the words, he said lightly: "What else? Master Dong just saved her life, but what else can a prisoner's daughter do in the capital? A way out?
Besides, it is rare for women to teach even today, let alone a few years ago?
Only the many children in Dongcheng who cannot afford to send them to a good school are willing to accept a female teacher. Even so, most of the children she teaches are enlightened students. "
Got it, private kindergarten... As Zhao Duan looked around, he saw a large courtyard in front of him. There seemed to be many children in it. He asked curiously:
"Is that a private school too?"
Haitang pouted:
"That's an orphanage, a kind of charity house that specializes in adopting orphans. You don't even know this, do you?"
Zhao Duan asked curiously: "Oh, is it funded by the government?"
"Yes, but just relying on the yamen's allocation is not enough," Haitang sneered: "The money allocated to the shantang has been distributed through so many hands, and each person takes a little, and there is not much left.
Dongcheng is especially the poorest, and people have starved to death in the past few years. But things have gotten better in recent years. I heard that a priest regularly makes private donations and supports many orphans. "
Is there such a kind person?
Zhao Duan was a little surprised, then curiously said:
"You seem to be familiar with these."
"Better than a pampered young man like you." Haitang rolled his eyes:
"Don't talk nonsense. You'll be there soon if you keep going. By the way, when you get there, don't talk. Zhang Han and I will ask, so as not to scare others."
Perhaps Zhao Duan shot her because she was cheating on her that day, and Haitang said it with a gun and a stick.
Am I that terrible... I doubt you are feeling me.
"Haha, if you don't say it, don't say it."
Mr. Zhao is open-minded and does not care about this little woman.
Mainly, he also knows that he is notorious among the people, and he is purely a dandy and a cruel villain.
If Haitang could talk nicely to get information, he wouldn't be too lazy to take action.
…
…
Dongcheng, Zhongfang Street.
People here all know that in the Huajian Hutong on one side of the street, there is a female gentleman living in the third house with a big willow tree at the door.
It has been more than ten years since the female gentleman moved here. She was still a young girl when she came, and she was only accompanied by an old couple.
It is said that she is a young lady from an official family who moved from Beicheng.
Because of the disaster, he lived in Zhongfang Street. The old couple beside him were his original servants.
In the early morning, some women from the neighborhood would bring their children here one after another, send them to the private school run by Mrs. Xue's wife, and then take them back in the afternoon.
Some of the children who were close to me ran over on their own.
Today is no exception.
After the sun rises, children come one after another. When they enter the courtyard, they will behave themselves, bow to the elegant woman standing in the courtyard, and call out:
"Sir."
Chirping, so lively.
Xue Xuan would wear a women's Confucian robe and nod one by one with a smile.
She was only in her twenties, with a thin and frail figure, but her movements were full of bookishness that was rare in this neighborhood.
Maybe he was born with a thin skin, so even when he was talking to others normally, his cheeks would be slightly flushed.
"Sir! These are the spring rolls fried by my mother. You want me to bring them to you specially!"
A cute girl about five or six years old with braided hair ran in from the door holding a small box.
When he entered the door, he almost tripped and fell. Xue Xuan was so frightened that he rushed to help him.
But the little girl stood firm on her own, with a silly smile on her face. She couldn't wait to raise her lunch box high like a treasure, and shouted: "Sir, eat, sir, eat!"
Because of his short stature, he was only a little bit big, so he could barely reach Xue Xuan's chest when he lifted the box.
The little girl tried her best to tiptoe, but she couldn't reach it.
A gentle smile bloomed on Xue Xuan's face. He raised his hand and rubbed the girl's hair. He took the lunch box and asked in a soft voice with a smile: "Mother, how many have you fried? Have you eaten?"
This girl was a bit stupid and she was also the youngest among the group of children, so Xue Xuan took special care of her.
The girl clasped her fingers and counted carefully:
"One, two, three...six, my mother fried six of them and said they were for my husband, so I wouldn't let my daughter eat them."
A slightly disappointed look. Xue Xuan smiled, helped her tidy up her braid, and gave her the lunch box:
"My husband has to go to class later. My daughter will save my life for him and go to the school to read books. Can we eat together at noon? Let's take half for each of us."
The girl was very happy and ran towards the house happily.
Before the children come together, they all memorize it by themselves. Only when everyone comes together will the class begin.
Now there is the sound of childish reading in the room.
Xue Xuan straightened up with a smile and saw a few more children before the door became quiet.
"Miss, I'm going to the shop to buy paper money and incense candles. Do you have any instructions?"
At this time, an old servant with gray hair came over and whispered.
The old servant was carrying a bamboo basket. Although he was dressed simply, he could still vaguely see the magnanimity that could only be cultivated in a wealthy family.
The smile on Xue Xuan's face slowly faded.
There was a hint of loneliness in the eyes of this woman who had fallen into this situation and had once been rich and powerful.
There was a moment of sadness on his face, then he forced a smile and whispered softly: "Nothing to say, Uncle Fu, I always feel at ease when you do things."
The old servant named Fu Bo showed a relieved smile:
"I remember it more clearly than when I was young. In two days, it will be my memorial day.
I almost forgot to buy wine last year. Fortunately, Miss, you remember that the master did not care about money when he was alive, and he only liked a sip of rice wine.
If I forget it again, in a few years, the old slave will also go down, and when he sees the master and his wife, he will scold me for not doing things well. "
Xue Xuan's eyes were slightly red, and he forced a smile. He wanted to say a few words, but he was choked up.
Thirteen years have passed since the Xue family was wiped out. Xue Xuan, who was lucky enough to escape with his life, has long since grown up.
The only couple who didn't leave, Mr. and Mrs. Fu, were both old.
The neighbors in Zhongfang Street only knew that Xue Xuan was originally a lady from an official family.
But they, who were of low status, didn't know that this "Mrs. Xue family", who had a gentle temperament but was strong at the same time, well-educated and well-educated, and praised by everyone around her, was the only daughter of a high-ranking fourth-rank official back then.
Not only did they not know, Xue Xuan himself was about to forget about it.
Only on this day of family memorial day every year, would she be forced to recall the massacre of her family in the past.
Is there hatred in your heart?
Of course there is, a hatred that is unforgettable and a blood feud.
But the enemy who put Xue Lin in jail and caused the Xue family to be wiped out back then has risen step by step, and now she is an ant, a big shot that she can't even meet.
What can I do?
Xue Xuan could only wipe away the moisture from the corners of his eyes, squeeze out a smile, and let himself forget the painful past.
However, at this moment, the sound of carriages and horse hooves came from outside Huajian Alley.
Then, three uninvited guests appeared in the shadow of the big willow tree.
"Who are you looking for?" Fu Bo asked doubtfully and warily.
The visitors were naturally Zhao Duan and the others.
At this moment, he was also looking at this simple private school curiously. His eyes passed over the old servant and fell on the bookish, thin-skinned and rosy-faced young lady behind him.
It was instantly determined that this person was a descendant of Xue Lin.
Without it, even if she has been in decline for more than ten years, the ladylike temperament she has developed in her bones is still too outstanding among this group of grassroots people.
This woman just stood there and almost had the words "My ancestors were rich" welded onto her forehead.
"Miss Xue, we meet again."
Haitang smiled and spoke.
She came to visit him a long time ago when investigating the case documents, but at that time she only briefly understood the situation and reported her name as an imperial official.
Xue Xuan also recognized her, his face changed slightly, and there was an imperceptible coldness and alienation in his eyes:
"It turns out that the official arrived and was not welcomed from afar. Do you think these two are also your friends?"
The official...Zhao Duan had a strange expression and glanced at Haitang:
You also said that I am scary, but you are not much better.
Haitang smiled and nodded:
"These two are my colleagues. They are here today. They still want to learn more about the case of Master Xue Lin. Last time, we were delayed by something and left in a hurry, so we couldn't talk in depth, so..."
Before she could finish speaking, Xue Xuan shook his head and said respectfully: "My father's crime was serious, and the girl's lucky life was a tribute to God's grace. The government had already concluded the case, and the relevant documents must be there. If the officials want to know, they can just go and investigate. The women of the people don’t know anything about the things in the court."
Tsk, obviously distrustful... This is a normal reaction...
If an official comes to ask, just complain, that is asking for death.
Oh, the case back then was interrogated by the late emperor, and it was decided by Zhou Cheng, the current minister of Dali Temple.
If Xue Xuan dares to say even half a word of injustice and refuses to accept it, wouldn't it mean that the late emperor was wrong? Was Zhou Tingwei wrong?
Zhao Duan shook his head, it turned out not to be that smooth.
"Miss Xue, you don't have to be so alert. I and my two colleagues are here with no ill intentions..." Haitang was still trying to persuade her.
Next to him, Zhang Han, with a paralyzed face, also said in a deep voice:
"Ms. Xue, please cooperate with our investigation."
Done!
Zhao Duan wanted to cover his face.
Sure enough, no matter what the two of them said, Xue Xuan always insisted on the words "My father's sins are extremely heinous", and he didn't let it slip at all.
At this time, Haitang and Zhang Han also found it difficult to handle.
He couldn't just say that he and others came to trouble Zhou Cheng on His Majesty's orders.
"Forget it, I'll do it."
On the side, Zhao Duan, who had not said a word since entering the hospital, couldn't bear it anymore and said quietly.
He stepped forward, glanced at the two of them, shook his head and said:
"Are you always so gentle, courteous and thrifty when handling cases?"
He turned his head again and looked at Xue Xuan and Uncle Fu. His face had changed into a villain's face. He smiled condescendingly and said with a sarcastic smile: "I think you are toasting and not eating, but you are drinking as a penalty! "
(End of chapter)