Chapter 93

Yu Ying accepted the facial cream from the wife of the county magistrate and Madam Qian, and after chatting for a while, Fu Wei and the others came out of the study where the county magistrate Zhou was temporarily staying.

Yu Ying and Fu Wei bid farewell to the magistrate's wife and left with Qian Muliao and his wife.

Qian Muliao had clearly worked with Fu Wei for more than two months and had always been very aloof. But now he seemed to feel that he had met Fu Wei too late. After coming out of the magistrate's study, he kept pushing Fu Wei's carriage and discussing how to improve the current situation in Yu County.

Even when we came out of the yard and reached the fork in the road, we were still chatting with great interest.

After parting ways with the Qian couple, Yu Ying pushed Fu Wei aside and couldn't help but laugh, "This Qian's assistant is really interesting. When you met him a while ago, he was so indifferent to you, but now he has so much to say to you."

Fu Wei: "Maybe I didn't get along with that staff member Sun before, but now that I have someone I can talk to freely, I can talk to him without stopping."

It cannot be said that Secretary Qian had no ability, but he was too arrogant, which gave Secretary Sun the opportunity to win over the people in the county government, creating a situation of equal strength.

"Since Staff Member Qian is already on your side, then Staff Member Sun shouldn't be a threat either."

Fu Wei smiled calmly and said slowly, "There's nothing to be afraid of. Whatever he wants to do next is within my expectations."

Yu Ying chuckled: "Then you are really amazing."

Fu Wei turned to look at her, raising his eyebrows slightly: "You seem a little perfunctory."

Yu Ying blinked: "I'm serious."

Seeing the slightly silent expression on her face, Fu Wei couldn't help laughing.

Back outside the house, Yu Ying asked him, "When are you planning to leave?"

The smile on Fu Wei's face faded. "Wait another hour before leaving. You want to make lip balm, right? I'll stay and help you."

"The pottery jars haven't been delivered yet. I guess they can't be made until this afternoon. If they are made in the afternoon, they will be ready tomorrow."

After hearing this, Fu Wei pondered for a few breaths and suggested, "Then let's go out for a walk. The county seat has more things than Yu County. We can buy some New Year's goods for the New Year."

Yu Ying also agreed with preparing New Year's goods.

Even though she is separated from her family by time and space, she has to take good care of herself and live every day well, and she still has to have the sense of ritual during the New Year.

After Yu Ying agreed, she went back to the house to get the silver and bamboo basket before leaving with him.

County Magistrate Zhou knew that Fu Wei had difficulty traveling, so in addition to arranging a carriage for him, he also arranged for two people, Huo Yacha and Wu Xiaoyacha, to accompany him. With them accompanying him when he went out, Yu Ying felt relieved.

The street market they chose was close to the teahouse, so after they had finished shopping, Fu Wei could also go to the teahouse.

After about half an hour, we arrived at the destination.

Yu Ying and Fu Wei got off the carriage. Yachai Huo went to find a place to park the carriage, and Yachai Wu followed them.

The New Year's Day is about ten days away, so the county seat is particularly lively.

The place was bustling with people, and people were rubbing shoulders with each other.

There are more stalls now than before, and both sides of the street are filled with all kinds of items, with no empty space at all.

Yu Ying looked this way and that way, wanting everything, but her money was limited, so she could only choose what she needed.

For snacks, Yu Ying bought ten kilograms each of pear candy and candied fruit, as well as twelve boxes of bean cakes.

These are not only for home consumption, but also for giving as gifts.

She planned to send some New Year gifts to Song Sanlang, the He family, Manager Chen and Uncle Chen from Wu's Restaurant, as well as the government officials and others.

Over the past six months, everything has gone smoothly for her thanks to their care, and social interactions are indispensable.

Yu Ying went to buy red paper for the door, silk flowers for Fu Ning and a hairband for Fu An.

I bought a lot of miscellaneous things and spent about 700 coins.

When he turned around to give the food to Fu Wei, he found that his legs were full of snacks. Looking at Wu Xiaoyacha, his hands were also full of things.

…

I didn't notice and bought so much.

Fortunately, she can earn some money now, otherwise she would definitely feel the pain.

Seeing that it was almost time, Yu Ying walked towards the teahouse.

When they were almost at the teahouse, she and Fu Wei exchanged a glance and said in unison, "I happen to have a carriage. I'm planning to go to the pottery to get the jars for making lip and facial balm. Do you want to come with me, or should we find a teahouse first?"

Fu Wei understood and pondered, "The streets are crowded, and it's hard to walk in a carriage. I don't know when we can reach the carriage. If you want to go shopping, I'll find a place nearby to wait for you."

Yu Ying looked around and saw the teahouse. She said to Wu Xiaoyacha, "First, take my husband to the teahouse in front. Then, I'll trouble Wu Yacha to help me send the things to the carriage."

Wu Xiaoyacha grinned and said, "No need to bother, no need to bother."

Yu Ying and Wu Xiaoyacha sent Fu Wei to the teahouse and booked a private room on the first floor.

When I walked towards the private room, I saw a wooden sign with the words "Listening to the Rain Room" hanging on it.

This is the right one.

Yu Ying stopped at the room next to the open door and said, "Let's take this one."

After entering the private room and ordering a pot of tea, Yu Ying looked at Fu Wei and said with a hint of meaning, "I should be back in half an hour. Please wait a moment. If you need anything, you can find the waiter in the teahouse."

Fu Wei nodded lightly: "I saved it."

Yu Ying took her things and walked out with Wu Xiaoyacha. When she reached the door, she turned around and looked at Fu Wei before leaving.

After watching them leave, Fu Wei closed his eyes, pretended to sleep, and tapped his knees lightly, waiting.

Not long after, the faint sound of a door opening was heard from next door.

The fingertips on his knees paused, and Fu Wei slowly opened his eyes with a calm look.

He adjusted the direction and pushed Su Yu towards the door.

The door of the private room had a threshold about one finger high. He grabbed the door with both hands and leaned back. When the carriage also leaned back slightly, he secretly pulled forward with both hands, and the wheels got stuck on the threshold.

If you want to pretend, you must not show any clues outside.

When Su Yu arrived in front of the "Tingyu Pavilion", Fu Wei raised his hand and knocked three times.

The door of the private room opened, revealing a strong and majestic middle-aged man.

The middle-aged man had a short beard on his chin. He looked handsome and dignified, but also had a strong and intimidating aura. His eyes were deep and made people shudder.

When the middle-aged man saw Fu Wei, he squinted his eyes slightly and looked at his appearance. After a while, his gaze moved down to Su Yu and his legs, and his eyes darkened.

The middle-aged man said, "Come in and talk."

As he spoke, the middle-aged man took a few steps out of the private room and walked past Fu Wei.

Fu Wei lowered his eyes and glanced at the man's right hand and steps.

It was a very large palm, and it was obviously not the left hand holding the knife, but there was a thick layer of calluses on the palm of the right hand.

The weapon used should be a spear.

His steps were heavy and steady, almost silent, and he was obviously a trained martial artist.

The middle-aged man walked behind Su Yu and easily pushed Fu Wei over the threshold and into the house with almost no effort.

After closing the door, he pushed Fu Wei to the table and sat down beside him.

The middle-aged man looked at Fu Wei again, then opened a teacup and placed it in front of him, pouring in steaming hot tea.

"I thought you wouldn't come." said the middle-aged man.

After pouring the teapot 70% full, he put it down, picked up his own tea and took a sip, then looked at Shang Fuwei and asked, "Do you believe what the letter says?"

Fu Wei looked at him calmly, his expression unmoved. "I came here just to hear what you have to say. Whether you believe it or not, you can only make a judgment after you hear it."

Hearing this, the middle-aged man suddenly smiled: "Your expression and your words are nothing like that villain Huo Shanrong, but exactly like your biological father."

When Fu Wei heard his adoptive father's name and the word "thief", he slightly withdrew his hand from his leg, but his expression remained gloomy.

"It seems that you not only know my biological father, but also my adoptive father."

The middle-aged man smiled contemptuously: "It is not wise to recognize a thief as your father."

Fu Wei said nothing.

The middle-aged man looked at him and asked, "Why, are you unhappy about your adoptive father?"

Fu Wei was silent for a moment before he said, "The most basic thing is that you need to explain the reasons to me so that I can make a judgment, rather than accusing me of recognizing a thief as my father without any clear explanation."

After hearing what he said, the middle-aged man took out an envelope and placed it on the table. He pushed it in front of Fu Wei with his long fingers.

"Here is the information that a group of us have gathered over the past twenty years. If you wish to send this information to Lingnan and thus gain the favor of your adoptive father, then go ahead."

Fu Wei glanced at the envelope, then looked up at him. After a moment's deliberation, he asked, "Are you one of my biological father's former subordinates, and now a fierce bandit in Muyun Mountain?"

The middle-aged man was surprised when he heard this, and then nodded without hiding it: "I am."

After agreeing, he smiled and said, "It seems that the villain Huo Shanrong has trained you well. This can be regarded as his retribution."

The message in the man's words, coupled with the things that Fu Wei had never dared to investigate further, all pointed to one possibility.

The possibility that the adoptive father harmed the Fu family.

The man sighed, and after a long silence, he asked, "How are Madam Fu and Brother Zhen doing now?"

Fu Wei raised his eyebrows: "I thought you had already investigated it."

The man said truthfully, "I just learned the day before yesterday that you were in Cangwu County. The Fu family is in Lingshui Village, Yu County. Although I sent spies to investigate, they haven't returned yet."

Upon hearing this, Fu Wei frowned slightly. "Their lives have been hard enough, and things are only starting to get better now. If you are truly one of my biological father's former subordinates, don't bother them. Let them live a normal life."

The man glanced at him and said, "Even if you know that there are strange reasons for your father's death and that the Fu family didn't have to suffer, are you going to sit back and do nothing?"

Fu Wei's eyes darkened, and he asked him, "How can I manage this? With such a small position as an aide?"

The man was speechless.

After a moment of silence, he looked down at his legs: "What's wrong with my legs?"

Fu Wei said casually, "I was exiled to Lingnan when I encountered bandits and was interrupted."

The man narrowed his eyes and said, "Are you sure it wasn't Huo Shanrong's biological son who interrupted him?"

Fu Wei glanced at him and said nothing.

This look speaks for itself.

They are all smart people, so there is no need to explain too much or say too much nonsense.

The middle-aged man understood what was going on and said, "I'll find someone to treat you when we get back."

"No, someone has already treated me."

The man raised his eyebrows, his eyes suspicious: "You rejected me, but you are afraid that my people will affect your life?"

Fu Wei: "That's the reason, but what I said is also the truth. Since you sent people to investigate, you will be able to find out who I am talking about."

At the end of his words, Fu Wei's expression gradually turned cold: "I don't know you well. This is the first time we meet today, and I don't trust you."

The middle-aged man smiled and said, "Well, I'm telling you this, firstly to tell you that your biological father is not a thief, and secondly because I don't want Master Fu's son to recognize a thief as his father and be harmed by him. Just keep this in mind."

He stood up and looked at Fu Wei: "I can't stay in the county seat for long, so I'll say goodbye now. If you have any difficulties, I will help you."

After saying that, he walked behind Fu Wei and pushed Su Yu.

Fu Wei glanced at the letter on the table, and finally picked it up and put it in his heart.

The man simply pushed Fu Wei out of the private room and left.

When Fu Wei returned to his original private room and the door closed, he took out the letter from his arms and opened it.

He pulled out the letter and found that it was ten sheets of paper. When he examined it, his expression became solemn.

*

Yacha Huo and Yacha Wu moved all the pottery jars onto the carriage before going to the teahouse.

It took about four quarters of an hour from leaving to returning to the teahouse.

When Yu Ying returned to the private room, she saw Fu Wei sipping tea leisurely, and there was no sign of him being any different from before she left.

For a moment, Yu Ying was not sure whether he had met the mysterious man or whether he knew anything.

Now they were outside and there were other people around, so Yu Ying couldn't ask too much. She could only wait until she returned to the inn and closed the door before asking in detail.

It was already noon, time for dinner, so Fu Wei treated everyone to a meal at a restaurant.

After lunch, in order to make up her excuse, Yu Ying had to wander around absentmindedly for another half an hour and bought a few things.

When we got back to the inn, it was almost noon.

After coming back all the way, Fu Wei's expression remained the same.

It was not until she returned to the room and sat down that Yu Ying asked the question that she had been holding back for a long time.

"Have you seen anyone?"

Fu Wei nodded slightly: "I saw him, it was a..." He thought about the man's appearance and said: "He is a middle-aged man with both righteousness and banditry. The two are contradictory but also very harmonious."

Yu Ying imagined what Fu Wei said, and the image of a middle-aged man with a full beard and a square face emerged in her mind.

The more he thought about it, the weirder it seemed. He simply stopped thinking about it, turned his thoughts back to Fu Wei, and asked, "What did that person say to you?"

Fu Wei took out the letter and handed it to her.

Yu Ying took the letter and read it with a puzzled look on her face.

Seeing the contents of the letter, Yu Ying's expression became serious.

It clearly records the incident of Wuling County's prefect Fu collaborating with the enemy and plotting rebellion twenty years ago. It points out the time and all the people involved, and the details are so detailed that there is nothing wrong with it.

The most important point is that the person who secretly reported that Governor Fu was collaborating with the enemy was the current Governor Huo.

After the secret report, the court secretly sent people to the county magistrate's office to search for evidence, and they found letters of treason and enemy spies.

The person who conducted the search was none other than the treacherous and powerful official who now held sway over the government.

The letter also pointed out that every year, Prefect Huo would secretly send 10,000 taels of silver to the imperial city to give to this powerful official.

The route, the person who will deliver the goods, and the person who will take over the goods are clearly written on it.

After reading all the content, Yu Ying was in a trance for a moment.

After putting the letter down, she looked solemnly at Fu Wei, who looked calm, and asked him, "Do you believe this?"

Fu Wei glanced at the letter and said softly, "A letter."

He thought for a moment and said, "He does send out a large sum of money every year, and the people who escort him are also correct. And..." He paused and looked up at her, "I have probably guessed what you didn't tell me."

Fu Wei now understood why it was so difficult for her to speak.

How could she tell him that his biological father was killed by his adoptive father, and that his adoptive father was also his and the Fu family's enemy?

Yu Ying was silent for a moment, feeling a little complicated.

After a while, she asked, "Then why did you..."

Fu Wei smiled: "Why are you so calm?"

Yu Ying nodded.

Fu Wei sighed softly, "Perhaps I've already had some suspicions about him in my heart, but I just didn't want to delve too deeply into them. I didn't want to think the person who raised me for twenty years was so malicious."

If the adoptive father did not frame the Fu family, why would he ignore him?

Why did he allow Huo Minzhi to harm him?

If he had no guilt towards the Fu family, why did he deliberately conceal the place where the Fu family was exiled?

Putting all these details together, he believed the contents of the letter 50%.

Xin's adoptive father formed a clique with treacherous officials for personal gain.

Xin's adoptive father is not a good person.

He even began to believe that his biological father was framed by his adoptive father.

Considering her previous hesitation, the result was already clear.

Yu Ying asked in a low voice: "Then what do you want to do?"

Fu Wei shook his head: "I don't know."

How could he possibly figure all these things out in just one or two hours?

Fu Wei exhaled again, then smiled faintly at Yu Ying and said, "Forget it. I don't want to think about this for now. I'll make the lip balm for you first."

Yu Ying couldn't help but ask worriedly, "Are you really okay?"

Fu Wei shook his head: "I am much stronger than you think."

Yu Ying was skeptical, but she also understood that when a person is upset, being busy is the best medicine.

She stood up, took the grinding bowl, and asked him to grind the dried flowers and comfrey into powder separately. She went to the kitchen to borrow a clay pot and a clay stove, boiled all the jars containing lip balm in hot water, and then wiped them dry one by one.

She and Fu Wei were busy working in silence.

After a busy day and having his evening meal, until bedtime, Fu Wei was as calm as ever, as if he was really not affected at all.

But the more he acted like this, the more worried Yu Ying felt.

It was late at night, very cold, and the sound of the midnight watch could be faintly heard in the room. Yu Ying, half asleep and half awake, touched the outside of the bed.

She reached out to touch the side of the bed, but it was empty. Her sleepiness gradually faded away, and she reached out to lift the curtain.

There are hanging lights under the eaves, and the light shines into the house, and the outlines of objects in the house can be clearly seen in the dim shadows.

Yu Ying saw a figure sitting quietly beside the table.

It is a hidden danger.

Seeing him like this, Yu Ying knew that today's events did have an impact on him, but he was just pretending to be indifferent.