Chapter 99 Who is trying to harm Heng'er? I hope his reputation will be ruined!
However, the next day, before Du Heng could find an opportunity to go to the side courtyard, he heard Li Mao, the manager of the front courtyard, rushing in with a report. A group of beggars had gathered outside the mansion gate, banging on broken bowls and singing doggerel, attracting passersby to stop and watch.
Li Mao was a calm and reliable person, never disturbing his master over trivial matters. His personal invitation must have been due to something unusual.
Seeing his nervous expression, Du Heng suddenly became alert and immediately followed him to the Chuihua Gate. Before he even arrived, he could hear the noises outside the mansion approaching, and the lyrics of the beggars' chanting became clearer and clearer, each word drilling into his ears.
"The son of the Du family is very capable,
At a young age, he won the first place in the imperial examination.
Unfortunately, he is a heartless man,
The ungrateful climb the wall,
My cousin sacrificed herself to block the knife.
Even if it means disfigurement, it is worth it.
Who knows the Shangshu's beauty?
To coax Jieyuan into exchanging for a bride,
Change the bride! "
After the song was over, the little beggars started jingling and clanging their bowls, causing onlookers to talk a lot.
"Did I hear correctly, old woman? Are you scolding the Du family's young master for being ungrateful?"
The trembling voice of an old woman was heard, which showed how powerful those little beggars were. If the news had not spread throughout the streets and alleys, how could they have attracted even the elderly?
Then, another shrill female voice interrupted. From the sound of her voice, she seemed to be cracking melon seeds while watching the fun. "Isn't it said that this Jie Yuan Lang is extremely filial? I still remember his sorrowful look when he entered the mansion in mourning. How could he do such a treacherous thing now? And, which minister's daughter is this Jie Yuan Lang looking for? Does he know that there is a cousin in the Du family, or doesn't he?"
"Who cares if she knows or not! Besides, what's wrong with climbing a high wall?" A man's voice replied dissatisfiedly. Qingquan felt that it sounded familiar. It sounded like the peddler who often hawked his wares on the streets here. "People go to higher places, and water flows to lower places. What's wrong with the young master of the Du family finding a wife from a prominent family? If you were in his place, if a young master from a noble family took a fancy to you, would you marry him or not? I think you are worse than this Du Jieyuan! I'm afraid you would have kicked out that annoying person at home long ago."
"Bah!" the shrill female voice spat, "Didn't you hear clearly? It was his cousin who blocked the knife for him and got disfigured, and yet he's leaving her behind. Isn't that worse than abandoning your wife and children?"
As soon as these words were spoken, everyone echoed them.
"Yes, a girl disfigured herself for him, but she didn't show any gratitude. Now she wants to marry the minister's daughter. His love is so thin that he doesn't recognize her anymore!"
"It's only been ten years since the new emperor of our Great Zhou Dynasty ascended the throne, and already people are starting to mess around. This cousin of the Du family is too honest. Why would an unmarried girl take the blame for someone else's actions? Now, people don't want her because of her disfigurement. How can she ever get married in the future?"
"I guess this young master of the Du family must be a very romantic man. He might have made some promise to my cousin in private, otherwise why would she be so reckless?"
The words became increasingly unbearable, and Qingquan, who was following Du Heng, broke out in a cold sweat. He wanted to take a few servants and chase away those nonsense beggars, but without the young master's permission, he dared not move, and could only call out "Young Master" in a low voice.
The young man thought for a moment, then took out a purse from his arms and handed it to him. After leaning over and whispering a few words, he waved his hand and told him to do it.
Seeing this, although Li Mao was suspicious, he was sure that the young master had a countermeasure, so he stood aside without being anxious, waiting for instructions.
Not long after, a familiar voice came: "Oh, my purse is broken, don't pick it up, don't pick it up, that's my change. If you pick it up again, I will report it to the police!"
In an instant, the attention of the people outside the palace who were watching the excitement was immediately attracted by the three words "small change".
"What? There's some small change to pick up?"
"Where? Let me go check it out!"
"Hey, hey, hey, stop pushing me. If you push me, I'll make you pay me!"
As the crowd became restless, the people who had originally gathered in front of the Du Mansion to watch the excitement rushed out like a tide. Greed and curiosity quickly swallowed up their previous indignation and interest.
Du Heng then turned around and looked at Li Mao. Li Mao immediately understood and took a few servants to drive away the beggars outside the door. However, just as he took a step out of the room, Du Heng called him in a low voice.
......
In fact, before reporting this to the young master, Li Mao had already ordered his men to suppress the matter and not to spread it to the inner chambers. However, the noise was so loud that it eventually reached the old lady's ears.
The old lady made a prompt decision and asked Chaoxia beside her to notify Songying and tell everyone in the East Courtyard not to tell Cheng about this matter. If anyone dared to spread a word of it, they would be sold immediately and would not be forgiven.
At this time, in the old lady's main hall, there were only Rong and Du Heng who had just returned from the gatehouse.
Seeing her grandson approaching, the old lady asked bluntly, "You just went to the Xu Mansion yesterday. How did this rumor start today? Tell me, Grandmother, what exactly happened yesterday?"
Du Heng felt guilty seeing his elderly grandmother still worrying about him. He lifted his robe and knelt, saying solemnly, "I'm sorry for causing you worry. Nothing happened yesterday, but I have some clues and have sent someone to investigate. Please rest assured, grandmother."
There was no solid evidence for this matter, and Du Heng was unwilling to tell his grandmother his guess, so he could only comfort her in a calm tone.
Seeing this, Rong immediately said, "Mother, don't be anxious. Heng'er has always been very measured in his actions. If he says he has an idea, he won't act without a clear purpose."
The usually calm and composed old lady was now confused by her concern and asked, "Any clues? What clues? Who is trying to harm Heng'er? I hope his reputation is completely ruined!"
Rong Shi's heart sank a little when she heard this. She also had her suspicions, but she wasn't sure if they matched Heng Ge'er's thoughts.
When Qingyun relayed to her the words sung by the little beggars, her heart tightened.
It is well known that Hengge'er won the top prize in the previous exam, so it is not surprising.
But no one except those in the mansion knew about the incident of the lantern festival blocking the knife. Furthermore, Heng'er had just gone to the Xu residence with his sister-in-law yesterday. It was a bit too soon for this private matter to be incorporated into a beggar's doggerel in just one day.
A name had already vaguely emerged in his mind, but he couldn't figure it out. That person had been staying at the Du Mansion since coming to Beijing. If it was really her, how did she do it?
Like Ying'er, she came alone, with no one to serve her. But if it wasn't her, who else could it be?
Rong was just thinking about how to tactfully express her suspicions when she had no evidence. Suddenly, a maidservant came in and announced, "Miss Deng said she's here to apologize to the old lady and the young master!"
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