Zhao Wu'erduo's ears blushed, but he didn't dare to hide. He smiled awkwardly and said, "I'm relaxed and defenseless with my sister, but I wouldn't be like that with other people. Don't be angry, sister. I just said something wrong. Aunt is Uncle Xu's wife, and it has nothing to do with others." Feeling that he had called "Uncle Xu" too smoothly, he quickly added, "I call your father Uncle Xu, that's all right."
Xu Lanyin was still thinking about Wang Yi and didn't notice the loophole in his words. She asked, "Do you know Wang Yi?"
Zhao Wu nodded and said, "Wang Yi used to be my father's subordinate. I met him many times when my father was alive. He was dark and strong, with a bad temper. He married a later wife, but whenever he talked about Chai... Oh, Aunt, he would always call her 'my first daughter-in-law'. I heard this so many times that I still remember it." He added, "Sister, Aunt's identity must be kept secret. Wang Yi is not a worry-free man, and he is also very beloved by the Princess. If he knew that Aunt is still alive, he would not let her go easily."
Xu Lanyin was so angry that her liver ached. She angrily said, "That vile bastard, how shameless of him to say that! He's already married several wives, yet he's still thinking about other women." She took a sip of tea and continued, "I think Wang Yi's love for my mother was a trap set by Chai Zhengguan and Shen. Wang Yi's scandal before the wedding was also the work of those two. They just wanted to force my mother to death and withhold her dowry... It's just that this happened so long ago, it's hard to investigate."
Zhao Wudao, "As long as it is done, there will always be traces left. I will pay attention to it in the future." He thought to himself that he didn't need to pay attention, the old demon would investigate after he regained his freedom.
Xu Lanyin said, "I think so too. But as a girl in the boudoir, there are some things that are inconvenient for me to do. From now on, please help me keep an eye on the affairs of Chai Zhengguan and Shen."
Zhao Wu nodded and said, "Of course." He hesitated and said, "However, Aunt and Wang Yi have been engaged through three matchmakers and six engagements, and the Chai family has not returned the betrothal gifts to the Beiyang Princess's Mansion. Even if it is confirmed that Chai Zhengguan and Shen Shi were involved, as long as Wang Yi insists on it, your mother will have a hard time getting away with it."
Xu Lanyin sighed, "I know this is a tricky matter. But I don't want my mother to live in secret for the rest of her life. She did nothing wrong. Let's collect evidence first, and we'll find a way." Then he asked, "The Princess Beiyang Mansion was not involved in that major case."
Zhao Wu shook his head and said, "I haven't heard that the Beiyang Princess's Mansion is involved. Even if it is, it won't be serious and it's unlikely to have a big impact."
Xu Lanyin was very disappointed. If Wang Yi was implicated and beheaded, everything would be easier.
Thinking of Zhao Xingchen, Zhao Wu felt that it was too coincidental and said, "Auntie is from the Chai family, so you and Xiao Xingxing are relatives. You are really his aunt."
Xu Lanyin said, "It's such a coincidence. I thought before that Princess Nanyang would help us if we rescued Little Star. Now it seems that even if she is willing to help, if Wang Yi persists, some things will be difficult to handle."
Zhao Wuyan had always seen Xu Lanyin as optimistic and confident. Seeing her helplessness and frustration at the moment, he consoled her, "Don't worry, sister. No matter how difficult it is, we will find a way to punish the evildoers and let Auntie live a decent life..."
The two talked until very late. When they heard the cough of the chess master outside the door and the sound of the night watchman in the distance, Zhao Wucai got up and left.
After a whole day of bumpy ride in the car, Xu Lanyin was very sleepy, but she didn't sleep well that night. When she woke up the next day, her eyes were red and she felt listless.
Zhao Wu said distressedly, "How about Sister rest for another half a day?"
Xu Lanyin shook her head and said, "Time is the most important thing. Even if I'm really tired, I can sleep in the car."
After traveling for two days and resting for one night, the group finally arrived in the capital at dusk on March 29th, and entered the capital before the city gates were closed.
It was already dark when Ho Tung led them to a villa in Minhu.
This is a two-story house located in a busy alley. It is guarded by an elderly couple who both know the Ho Tung brothers.
Zhao Wuji and his companions will live here temporarily. Later, Zhao Wu will buy his own house in the capital and move there.
Zhao Wu, He Dong and He Xi lived in the front yard, while Xu Lanyin and Zhang Qi lived in the guest rooms in the west wing of the inner yard.
The old couple didn't expect anyone to come, and they didn't prepare any food at home. It was dark and there was nowhere to buy food, so they could only make a few bowls of vegetarian noodles and a few eggs.
He Dong smiled and said, "Sorry to bother you, uncle and auntie. The plain noodles are good and the portion is generous."
Zhao Wu added, "Please ask Auntie to boil some more hot water and bring it in for Miss Xu."
Xu Lan loves cleanliness, and after being on the road for a few days, she must want to take a good bath.
It rained again at night. Hearing the sound of the raindrops, Xu Lanyin felt particularly at ease. If they were still on the road, they would be delayed again.
The rain didn't stop the next day, so Xu Lanyin and Zhao Wu decided to go to Baiyaocaotang.
Xu Lanyin was wearing a half-new, half-old green dress. She wrapped the blackroot grass in cloth, then wrapped it in oil paper and put it in her arms. She went to the front yard with an oil-paper umbrella to take the carriage.
He Dong was driving the cart wearing a straw raincoat and a bamboo hat, and Zhao Wu was already sitting in the cart.
Ho Tung and Ho Sai had only been to the capital once, on official business in the Fujian Province, and were not very familiar with its streets and alleys.
When they arrived at the entrance of the pharmacy, Zhao Wuxian got out of the car and opened his oil-paper umbrella before letting Xu Lanyin get out. Because there were so many people coming and going here, he didn't dare to lend her a hand.
Baicaocaotang is located in a residential area, a converted house. Ten rooms were connected to form a pharmacy, specializing in selling medicine. Numerous rows of medicine cabinets were placed from east to west, and many people lined up to pick up medicine.
Zhao Wu directly said that he had something important to discuss with Manager Wan, and an apprentice who was picking up medicine led them through the pharmacy to the back.
The courtyard is enormous upon entering. In its center stands a century-old tree, lush and leafy, its trunk so thick it would take four adults to wrap their arms around it. The east and west wings house the medical clinic, small rooms with single doors where doctors sit and consult. Even in the rain, the crowds of patients are palpable. The rich aroma of medicinal herbs permeates the air, and every detail exudes the charm of a century-old pharmacy.
After walking through the corridor and the moon gate, we arrived at the second courtyard. The second courtyard was smaller than the first and very quiet. It was where the pharmacy manager worked. I heard that the third courtyard was the medicine hall, the core area of the Herbal Medicine Hall, and no one was allowed to enter.
Several men were standing on the veranda, talking quietly.
The apprentice said to a man in his forties, "Manager Wan, this young man and girl said they have something important to discuss with you."
Shopkeeper Wan is thin, has a goatee, and has a refined and elegant temperament. He doesn't look like a shopkeeper, but more like a gentleman.
Shopkeeper Wan didn't recognize them and thought they were here to sell medicine. He said, "Are you here to sell medicine? Just look for Master Tong."
He pointed to an old man in his fifties next to him.
Xu Lanyin bowed to Shopkeeper Wan and said with a smile, "It was a grandfather named Zhang who asked me to come to Baicaotang. He said that only Shopkeeper Wan could recognize the quality of that kind of medicine."
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