Chapter 24: Lure the Snake Out of Its Hole
"The secret in the letter lies in this poem." Chang Suining said, "Although the poem does not mention the three words 'Shangyuan Festival', it is actually a fu about Shangyuan Festival, and the first three sentences after that contain the three words 'moon', 'bridge', and 'meeting' respectively——"
The two exchanged poems and letters many times. Others might not be able to see it, but Ah Li must have seen the invitation in their letters.
Manager Bai and Chang Suian thought of tracing the case from the people that Ah Li was familiar with, and they also checked Zhou Ding's letter. They were quite careful, but after all, they were not well-versed in poetry and prose, so it was normal that they did not see any clues - and the intention of the person who wrote the letter might be this.
What he wanted was that only Ah Li could understand it, but others couldn't.
Chang Sui'an took the letter from his sister, read it again and again, and was shocked and angry: "As expected! As expected!"
Then he handed it to Chang Kuo and said, "Father, look!"
Chang Kuo took it but didn't look at it carefully, his face already darkened: "Yu made such a move on the letter in advance, in case the suspicion is traced back to him later... From this point of view, it seems that Zhou Ding had planned it all along!"
To say that it was premeditated, it shouldn't be too early.
A thoughtful look appeared in Chang Suining's eyes.
Compared with the poems in the previous letter, the Shangyuan Fu was much more "rough" and the hidden words were not very clever. It seemed like a sudden decision to invite Ah Li out...
Was it a sudden decision? While Chang Suining was thinking, Chang Kuo had already stood up and ordered in a deep voice: "Old Bai, bring this man here quickly!"
"Father, wait a minute." Chang Suining said, "Don't alert the enemy first—"
"What kind of snake is he? He's just a bug looking for death!" Chang Kuo was still in shock and fear: "Dad will chop this bastard into pieces with his own hands to vent your anger!"
Chang Sui'an was eager to try but hesitated to speak - it was obvious that he also wanted to chop it, but he didn't dare to snatch the food from his father's mouth.
"It is indeed a stink bug, but the truth is not clear at this moment, and there is still a doubt." Chang Suining asked, "Father, think about it, this man has coaxed money from me, so he must have regarded me as a rare cash cow. And from these letters, it can be seen that I have no conflicts with him, so why did he suddenly want to cut down the tree?"
Chang Kuo's expression froze, and his eyes changed: "Unless... someone promised him more money and gave him a greater benefit?!"
Chang Suining nodded: "Very likely."
Although Ah Li was kindhearted, she was not a fool. She was just a girl with a gentle temperament. She would not have too much money to embezzle. Especially since she knew that her brother did not approve of her relationship with Zhou Ding, it would be even more difficult for her to take too much money from the mansion to give to him at once.
Zhou Dingbi also knew that the Chang family did not like their daughters to have any contact with him, and this source of income would probably be cut off sooner or later - if someone offered him huge profits at this time, he would certainly be tempted.
"So... sister, you're saying that this person might be instructed by someone?!" Chang Sui'an was shocked: "Who could it be... to do such a cruel thing to my sister!"
Chang Suining: "Have I ever made enemies with anyone in the past?"
"Of course not!" Chang Sui'an said without thinking: "My sister has a gentle temperament and a kind heart. Not to mention that she has made enemies with others, even the people she has contact with are few and far between..."
As he spoke, his voice suddenly paused.
Seeing his expression change, Chang Suining asked, "But what did you think of?"
"Sister is certainly very beautiful... since she went out of the city to enjoy the spring and burn incense last year, she has been known as the most beautiful woman in the capital. It is inevitable that she will attract the envy and jealousy of others, but..." Chang Sui'an scratched his head: "But it shouldn't be a disaster that will kill her!"
Chang Suining: “…”
She really thanked me.
She could only ask: "What about father? Has father offended anyone inside or outside the court——"
While Chang Kuo was concentrating on thinking carefully, Chang Sui'an had already said, "Even if they are my father's enemies, they should come after me! What kind of ability is it to attack a young lady!"
Chang Suining thought about it and felt that it made sense.
The identity of A Li, an orphan, was no secret. The fact that she was Chang Kuo's adopted daughter, not his biological daughter, was something that could be discovered with a little inquiry.
Even if he was an enemy of the Chang family, he should not have ignored his own son and attacked a weak adopted daughter.
You can't...
Thinking of a possibility, Chang Suining's eyes changed slightly.
It shouldn't be...
"It's impossible to guess what's going on right now!" Chang Kuo said in a tone of cutting the Gordian knot: "Once we find out who's behind this, everything will become clear!"
But in this case, as Sui Ning just said, we should not act rashly and alert the snake - this time, there really is a snake.
I'm afraid it's still a big snake.
Chang Suining nodded and said, "Right now the enemy is in the dark and we are in the light. If we want to lure the snake out of its hole, we still need Zhou Ding's help."
The girl's expression remained calm from beginning to end. Chang Kuo was dazed for a moment, then he subconsciously asked, "What is Sui Ning's plan?"
This is something that cannot be asked of the little girl, but the little girl is obviously not the same girl as before.
The matter was unraveled from the very beginning, and clues became clear step by step...it was all because of this little girl who paved the way and led them to think more deeply.
"This letter from eight or nine days ago already contains greetings and invitations..." Chang Suining picked up the latest letter and said, "Then let Xier go and reply to the letter, saying that I was ill a few days ago, but have just gotten better recently. You can meet her tomorrow at the place agreed in the letter."
Chang Sui'an was shocked and uneasy: "Ningning...you still want to see him?"
"Yes, this will both scare him and test him."
"But this person is hypocritical and insidious. If he..."
Chang Suining: "Don't worry, since I'm going to meet you, I will make all the necessary preparations."
When Chang Sui'an was still feeling uneasy, Chang Kuo nodded and said slowly, "On this matter, I'll listen to Sui Ning."
"..." Chang Sui'an clenched his fists and said, "Then I'll take some people to check this person's background as soon as possible!"
When he first learned that Zhou Ding was in contact with his sister, he asked Jian Tong to investigate, but he only checked his identity, experience and family background, which was not very detailed.
Now that this person is so suspicious, it is no longer the same case - we must investigate his eight generations of ancestors, his three meals a day, his whereabouts, and even the color of his underwear!
Seeing that he left as soon as he said he would, without staying for a moment, Chang Kuo shook his head: "This brat is still so anxious! Lao Bai, you go and keep an eye on him, don't let him mess things up out of recklessness!"
Looking at the young man's back as he left with his men, Chang Suining sighed with mixed feelings in his heart.
The little boy who used to stare at people with his big eyes and looked naive, has, in the blink of an eye, become a brother who supports her and makes decisions for her.
As Chang Sui'an and Guanzi Bai left one after another, Xi'er couldn't help but feel a little confused. She looked at the corner of the table hesitantly: "Girl, that maid..."
Does she still bump into the corner of the table? If she doesn't, it always feels impolite.
If we collide, the atmosphere will be gone.
There will be an extra chapter today, see you at 6pm (end of this chapter)
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