Chapter 135 Zhao Duan: I think you are not accepting the toast, but drinking the penalty wine
"yes!"
The driver responded, tucked the whip into his waist, and asked again:
"After finding the person, will we arrest him directly?"
He Zheng rubbed his mustache with his thumb, a habit he used when thinking, and shook his head.
"No need. Just make sure he's there. Don't make any noise. Then come out and wait. There are a lot of people in there. When he comes out, kidnap him and interrogate him."
He kept Zhou Cheng's instructions in mind and tried his best to avoid alerting Zhao Duan in advance.
Watching his attendant walk towards the Jiaofangsi, the official in green robes tapped his knees lightly, his eyes drifting away:
After two days of investigation, he couldn't find any clues that Zhao Duan was having an affair with another woman behind the Empress's back.
However, it was discovered that this "Qin Qu" was the close follower of the Zhao thief. If they could pry open his mouth, they might be able to make a breakthrough.
…
East City.
After leaving the teahouse, Zhao Duan and his party headed straight towards their target location.
As they got closer to the east side, the buildings on both sides of the street became visibly dilapidated.
Not surprisingly, if the capital is divided into four parts, it can be roughly summarized as follows:
The north is noble, the west is rich, the east is poor, and the south is bustling.
Dongcheng is the place with the most poor people.
Yes, even in the emperor's capital, the best place, there are still a large number of poor people.
"Is Xue Xuan's private school located right here?"
Zhao Duan lifted the car curtain and looked around curiously.
Haitang was riding a horse, walking side by side with him on the side of the carriage. Upon hearing this, she said calmly:
"What else? Grand Tutor Dong only saved her life, but what future can a daughter of a convicted official have in the capital?
Besides, it is rare for women to teach, even nowadays, let alone a few years ago?
Only in Dongcheng, where many children cannot afford to go to good schools, are they willing to accept female teachers. Even so, she only teaches children who are just beginning to learn.
I see, a private kindergarten... Zhao Duan looked around and saw a large yard in front of him. There seemed to be many children in it. He asked curiously:
"Is that also a cram school?"
Begonia pouted:
"That's an orphanage, a kind of charity, specializing in adopting orphans. You don't even know that, do you?"
Zhao Duan asked curiously, "Oh, is it funded by the government?"
"Yes, but the government's funding alone is not enough," Haitang sneered.
"The money allocated to the charity hall has passed through so many hands, and everyone has taken a little, so there isn't much left.
East City is the poorest, and people have starved to death in recent years. But things have gotten better in recent years. I heard that a priest regularly makes private donations, and he's been able to support many orphans.
Is there such a kind person?
Zhao Duan was a little surprised, and then asked curiously:
"You seem very familiar with these."
"Better than a pampered young man like you." Haitang rolled her eyes.
"Stop talking nonsense, just keep going. We'll be there soon. By the way, when we get there, don't say anything. Zhang Han and I will ask them so as not to scare them."
Maybe it was because she was the traitor that day and Zhao Duan shot her with a knife, so Haitang spoke with sarcasm.
Am I really that scary... I suspect you are implying something.
"Haha, if you don't want to tell me, then don't tell me."
Lord Zhao is open-minded and does not bother with this little girl.
The main thing is that he also knows that he is notorious among the people and is simply an image of a dissolute and vicious villain.
If Haitang could get information through sweet talk, he wouldn't bother to do it.
…
…
Dongcheng, Zhongfang Street.
The locals all know that in Huajian Hutong on one side of the street, the third house with a big willow tree at the door is home to a lady.
The lady moved here more than ten years ago. When she first came, she was still a young girl, and she was only accompanied by an elderly couple.
It is said that she was a daughter of an official family who moved from the north city.
Because of a disaster, he ended up living in Zhongfang Street. The old couple around him were his former servants.
Early in the morning, some women from the neighborhood would bring their children here and send them to the private school run by Mrs. Xue to study, and then take them back in the afternoon.
Some children who lived nearby also ran over on their own.
Today is no exception.
After the sun rose, children came one after another. Once they entered the courtyard, they would behave themselves and bow to the elegant woman standing in the courtyard, calling out:
"gentlemen."
It's so lively with so much chatter.
Xue Xuan would then wear a female Confucian robe and nod to everyone with a smile.
She was only in her twenties, thin and frail, but her every move was filled with a scholarly air that was rare in this neighborhood.
Maybe she was born with thin skin, so even when she was talking to people normally, her cheeks were slightly flushed.
"Sir! These are spring rolls my mother fried. She asked me to bring them specially for you!"
A cute little girl, about five or six years old, with pigtails, ran in from outside holding a small box.
He almost tripped when entering the door, and screamed, which scared Xue Xuan so much that he hurried to help him.
The little girl stood up on her own, with a silly smile on her face. She couldn't wait to hold up her lunch box as if offering a treasure, and shouted:
"Eat, sir, eat!"
Because he was short, the box was so small that when he lifted it, it could only reach Xue Xuan's chest.
The little girl tried to stand on tiptoe, but she couldn't reach it.
Xue Xuan smiled gently, raised his hand to ruffle the girl's hair, took the lunch box, and asked softly with a smile:
"Mom fried a few, did you eat them?"
This girl was a little stupid and was relatively young among the group of children, so Xue Xuan took special care of her.
The girl counted carefully on her fingers:
"One, two, three...six. Mother fried six and said they were for the husband and she wouldn't let our daughter eat any."
A slightly disappointed expression.
Xue Xuan smiled, helped her tidy up her pigtails, and stuffed the lunch box back into her hands.
"Teacher will have class soon, so Nannan will save it for him first and go to the classroom to memorize the lessons. How about we eat together at noon? We can each have half."
The girl was very happy and ran into the house happily.
Before all the children arrive, they have to memorize the lessons on their own, and only when everyone is present will they attend class.
At this moment, there are already childish sounds of reading in the room.
Xue Xuan stood up with a smile, and after seeing a few more children, the entrance finally became quiet.
"Miss, I'm going to the shop to buy some paper money and incense. Do you have any instructions?"
At this time, an old servant with gray hair came over and whispered.
The old servant was carrying a bamboo basket. Although he was dressed simply, one could still vaguely see the demeanor that only people from wealthy families could cultivate.
The smile on Xue Xuan's face slowly faded.
A trace of loneliness appeared in the eyes of this woman who had fallen to this point and was once rich and powerful.
There was a moment of sadness on his face, he forced a smile and whispered softly:
"Nothing to tell you. Uncle Fu, I always trust you to do things."
The old servant named Fu Bo smiled with relief:
"I don't remember it as clearly as I did when I was young. In two days, it will be the anniversary of the master's death.
I almost forgot to buy some wine last year. Fortunately, young lady, you remembered it. The master didn't care about money when he was alive, and he only liked rice wine.
If I forget again, in a few years, when I am old and pass away, I will see the master and his wife and they will criticize me for not doing my job properly. "
Xue Xuan's eyes were slightly red, and he forced a smile. He wanted to say something, but he choked up.
Thirteen years have passed since the Xue family was wiped out. Xue Xuan, who had escaped with luck that year, has grown up long ago.
The only couple who did not leave, Mr. and Mrs. Fu, are already old.
The neighbors in Zhongfang Street only knew that Xue Xuan was originally a daughter of an official.
But they, who were of low status, did not know that this "Mrs. Xue" who was gentle but strong, well-educated and praised by everyone around her was the only daughter of a fourth-rank official.
Not only did they not know, Xue Xuan himself was almost forgetting it.
Only on the family memorial day every year would she be forced to recall the tragedy of the past.
Is there hatred in your heart?
Of course there is, it is a deep-rooted hatred and a blood feud.
But the enemy who caused Xue Lin to be imprisoned and the Xue family to be wiped out has been promoted step by step. Now he has become a big shot that she, an ant, can never even see.
What can the disciples do?
Xue Xuan could only wipe away the tears from the corners of his eyes, force a smile, and let himself forget the painful past.
However, at this moment, the sound of carriages and horse hooves came from outside Huajian Lane.
Then, three uninvited guests appeared in the shadow of the big willow tree.
"Who are you looking for?" Uncle Fu asked in confusion and caution.
The people who came were naturally Zhao Duan and his two companions.
At this moment, he was also looking at this simple private school curiously. His eyes passed the old servant and fell on the bookish, thin-skinned and ruddy young lady behind him.
He instantly determined that this person was the descendant of Xue Lin.
It's nothing. Even though she has been down and out for more than ten years, the temperament of a lady from a noble family that she has cultivated in her bones still makes her stand out among this group of grassroots people.
The woman only stood there for a moment, and it was almost as if she had the five big words "My ancestors were rich" welded on her forehead.
"Ms. Xue, we meet again."
Haitang smiled and spoke.
She had come to the house a long time ago when investigating a case, but at that time she only briefly understood the situation and reported the name of the official from the imperial yamen.
Xue Xuan also recognized her, his expression changed slightly, and his eyes showed a subtle coldness and alienation:
"So it's the official who has arrived. I'm sorry for not welcoming you. I suppose these two are also your friends?"
Mr. Official... Zhao Duan looked at Haitang with a strange expression:
You even accused me of scaring people, but you're not much better.
Haitang smiled and nodded:
"These two are my colleagues. They came today to learn more about the case of Master Xue Lin. Last time, they were delayed and left in a hurry, so they were unable to discuss it in depth. Therefore..."
Xue Xuan didn't wait for her to finish, and shook his head and said respectfully:
"My father's crimes were grave, and I am lucky enough to have survived. I am grateful to God. The government has already concluded the case, and the relevant documents must be there. If you officials want to know more, please go and investigate. I have no knowledge of the affairs of the court."
Tsk, clearly distrust... This is a normal reaction...
If you complain when an official comes to question you, you are courting death.
Oh, the case back then was under the supervision of the late emperor, and it was decided by the current Chief Justice of the Dali Temple, Zhou Cheng.
If Xue Xuan dared to say that he was wrong and refused to accept the situation, wouldn't that mean that the late emperor was wrong? Was it also the Zhou Tingwei who was wrong?
Zhao Duan shook his head. Sure enough, things were not that smooth.
"Ms. Xue, you don't have to be so alert. My two colleagues and I have come here with no ill intentions..." Haitang was still trying to persuade her kindly.
Beside him, Zhang Han, who had a paralyzed face, said in a deep voice:
"Ms. Xue, please cooperate with our investigation."
Finished!
Zhao Duan wanted to cover his face.
Sure enough, no matter what the two said, Xue Xuan insisted on the six words "My father is extremely evil" and refused to let anything out.
Now, Haitang and Zhang Han also felt it was difficult to deal with.
They couldn't just say that they were here to cause trouble for Zhou Cheng on the orders of His Majesty.
"Forget it, I'll do it."
On the side, Zhao Duan, who had not said a word since entering the courtyard, could no longer bear to watch and spoke softly.
He stepped forward, glanced at the two of them, and shook his head.
"Are you always so gentle, kind, respectful, frugal and modest when handling cases?"
He turned his head again and looked at Xue Xuan and Uncle Fu. His face had changed into a villainous expression. He looked down at them with a condescending smile and said with a sarcastic grin:
"I think you guys are not accepting my toast, so you have to drink the penalty wine!"
(End of this chapter)
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