Chapter 63: Are the two of them in a divorced relationship?
The days passed like this until Wang Zhubu reminded him that he had not visited Xu Jiedushi since his last visit. After that, Xu Tongren went back, and now he came here again.
Zhao Yan knew that something might have happened this time.
That evening, he entertained Xu Tongren at Baoxiang Tower. After three rounds of drinks, Xu Tongren said, "I came here to ask you something. I heard there's a lady named Qiaodeng here, who was the one you praised for your great victory in the fire and thunder battle."
Zhao Yan replied calmly, "Yes."
When Governor Xu saw that this was indeed the case, he said, "It wasn't a big deal. Years ago, I adopted a son from Quanzhou. He didn't have much to do, so he opened a gambling house and hired some thugs to work for him. One of them was a ruffian named Chen Juezi. He lost all his money and borrowed a lot of money from my son's farm, but he couldn't pay it back. Chen Juezi came up with a plan: to use a woman to pay off his debt."
"My adopted son also saw the portrait and was very satisfied with it. But when Chen Juezi got into trouble and was beaten, my adopted son realized that the person in the portrait was Lady Qiaodeng."
Xu Tongren continued to explain, "My adopted son was furious when he found out. He never imagined this scoundrel would kidnap Madam Qiaodeng to pay off a debt. He had no prior knowledge of this, so he wanted to come and apologize."
As expected, Zhao Yan became furious after hearing this, but he suppressed his anger well. "Thank you, Lord Xu, for telling me the reason. Previously, I couldn't detain Chen Juezi due to lack of a legitimate reason. Now that your adopted son has testified, I will definitely punish Chen Juezi severely."
Xu Tongren was somewhat surprised. He had previously found it odd when he heard Zhao Yan push Madam Qiaodeng for the main credit; Madam Qiaodeng's contributions were indeed significant, and she deserved the credit. But Lord Zhao's behavior was even more surprising. Now, Lord Zhao, a provincial governor, was personally investigating such a matter. He immediately wondered if Miss Yu and Lord Zhao had some kind of friendship...
Zhao Yan said seriously, "Miss Yu and I have some old feelings. But the great victory at Fire Thunder was her due credit, and there was no personal connection involved. But this time, Chen Juezi is trying to ruin someone's reputation, and he's using such despicable means. He must be arrested and sentenced. Then I'll have to trouble my adopted son to make a special trip to testify on Miss Yu's behalf."
Xu Tongren didn't hear anything, just two words, "old love". Now that Lord Zhao is defending and clearing her name, there must be a big source for this.
Xu Tongren said righteously, "I naturally support you in severely punishing such a scoundrel. I will also ask my adopted son to testify. It would be best if this criminal is imprisoned forever and rid of this evil for the people!"
Zhao Yan did not refuse and thanked him profusely!
After saying goodbye to Xu Tongren, Zhao Yan was also wondering whether he should tell Huatang. While he was still hesitating, the carriage had already arrived home.
Ever since he said he would return through the side door last time, he had consciously avoided any chance of them meeting. Now, the expectation that had just risen in his heart also turned into dust at this moment.
A sense of loss welled up in him again. He knew there was nothing to say. He had spoken to Xu Tongren today. No matter who handled the case from now on, they would punish Chen Juezi severely. He simply wanted to take this opportunity to visit her again.
After figuring this out, Zhao Yan called out to An Yuan, "From now on, pay more attention to Miss Yu's movements. If you see anyone suspicious, come to me immediately."
An Yuan immediately replied, "I'll keep in mind your instructions, sir. I've been observing Miss Yu's yard since last time, and I haven't seen anyone suspicious recently."
Zhao Yan said, "Then keep watching to avoid any mistakes."
An Yuan nodded in response, and began to have doubts in his heart.
Before, An Fu said that he couldn't understand the young master's intentions, but now he is asked to keep an eye on him every day. An Yuan feels that this is too obvious a favor.
But the young master did not show that Miss Yu was the woman he liked, nor did he behave inappropriately.
Thinking back to the letter that the young master had asked him to deliver, the three words "dream lover" definitely referred to Miss Yu.
But recently he observed that the young master looked depressed and taciturn, and he even asked for three days off not long ago. All the signs indicate that the young master and Miss Yu are no longer interested in each other?
He couldn't figure it out. In the evening, he pulled Anfu aside and asked him about his doubts. Anfu still couldn't figure out his young master's thoughts. He replied, "I don't know either. How about you go and ask him next time when he's in a better mood?"
An Yuan shook his head, "When did you see the young master in a better mood? I don't dare to ask."
Anfu also sighed. Recently, the young master was not only in a bad mood, but his face was as black as the King of Hell. He was quiet and unhappy, and he only dealt with official business when he returned home.
Sometimes he couldn't figure out what kind of setback the young master had encountered. The young master had been like this since he was a child. Whether he was angry or had something on his mind, he would never tell others.
It would be nice if there was someone caring about, maybe they could help him out, but ever since the young master's divorce, I haven't seen him show any interest in any woman. Speaking of someone special, the only one who has shown any interest is Miss Yu...
He finally sighed helplessly.
The days went on as usual. Due to Zhao Yan's instructions, An Yuan would pretend to pass by Yu Huatang's house from time to time and take a few good looks at her.
The town was quiet to begin with, and no one else had visited Yu Huatang's home. Apart from Grandma Xu in front, An Yuan didn't find any suspicious people. Over time, he became a little lax.
Who would have thought that as the sun rose high in the sky, they heard dozens of people coming over from afar, shouting and yelling, mixed in with the curses of several middle-aged women. When they listened carefully, they heard words like "slut", "seducing her son", "seducing his man" and other disgusting words.
An Yuan went out and saw them getting closer and closer, finally stopping at Miss Yu's house. The group of people were so ferocious that they pulled down all the fences outside the yard. An old lady, with a face full of flesh, shouted into the house, "Yu Huatang, you divorced bitch, come out here. If you don't give me an answer today, I will skin you alive!"
An Fu, who was originally sweeping the floor in the room, was also horrified. He ran out and pulled An Yuan, saying, "Watch here. I'll go call the young master right away."
The commotion was so loud that many neighbors gathered around. Seeing everyone there, the crowd immediately became emboldened. One of the women, with a mean look on her face, pushed the man behind her out, crying out, "Everyone, look quickly. This is my son, Chen Juezi. A few months ago, this shameless whore seduced my son. My son was bewitched by her and wanted to marry her, but where can I find the money?"
"Guess what, this shameless woman actually encouraged my son to go to the gambling house, saying that with good luck, he might win..."
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