Chapter 357 Do you dare to say that you have no distracting thoughts?
"Cousin Xie Zhang, haven't you already been appointed an official in the Ministry of Rites? Why are you here at the clan school?"
Xiao Qinghe nodded and saluted.
Xie Zhang is the nephew of his second aunt's family. He passed the imperial examination six years ago and became an official in the Ministry of Rites. Although he is only a sixth-rank official now, Xie Zhang is handsome and kind. It was Madam Xiao who helped arrange his marriage back then.
It’s a pity that his wife died three years ago after giving birth, leaving behind only a daughter.
Xie Zhang had deep feelings for his wife and was depressed for half a year before he cheered up. Now, three years later, he seems to have come out of the haze and regained his former gentle and elegant demeanor.
Xie Zhang said gently, "I'm not here to study. I've been asked to deliver a letter to my cousin."
Xie Zhang said as he took out an envelope from his sleeve pocket and handed it to Xiao Qinghe.
The envelope was wrinkled and had deep red marks on it. Xiao Yechen could tell at a glance that it was stained with blood. He frowned and warned, "Don't touch it. This letter is stained with blood."
Although the blood has dried, its origin is still unknown, which is still an ominous sign.
Xiao Qinghe didn't move. Xie Zhang praised Xiao Yechen's good eyesight before explaining, "This letter was written by a poor woman. A classmate of mine passed it to me. The blood on the letter also came from that woman. Because it involves her privacy, I can't open the envelope and re-copy it. But please rest assured, cousin He'er, I can guarantee with my life that this letter is absolutely correct."
Even though Xie Zhang was the guarantor, Xiao Yechen was still worried. He wanted to open the letter first, but Xiao Qinghe had already reached out to take the letter.
This letter was written by a woman named Yu Niang.
Yu Niang was originally a famous prostitute in Yuzhou. At the peak of her fame, she was spotted by a wealthy businessman and redeemed in marriage.
At first, the rich businessman treated her very well, and she was grateful for his kindness. She changed her life, quit her job, and even took care of her health, hoping to have children for the rich businessman.
However, she became pregnant three times, but each time she had a miscarriage and remained childless.
Because of this incident, she felt guilty towards the rich businessman. Not only did she serve her parents-in-law more respectfully, she also used her skills to help the rich businessman train a group of dancers who were good at singing and playing the guitar.
Relying on these dancers, the wealthy businessman's business grew bigger and bigger, and he even moved his family to Hanjing and established a place for himself in Hanjing.
However, after arriving in Hanjing, the rich businessman began to neglect her. Not only did he take away her power as the head of the household, he also confined her to the courtyard. One of the dancers who had mastered all of her skills climbed into his bed and became his new lover.
After investigation, Yu Niang found out that she had miscarried three times because of the rich businessman. The rich businessman never thought of letting her give birth to the child, and even secretly gave her a chronic poison, hoping that she would die of illness.
Yu Niang went through great pains to have this letter delivered.
Every word and sentence is full of tears and tears.
Xiao Qinghe looked solemn after reading it.
Yu Niang said that she had been poisoned for a long time and was afraid that she would not live long.
The most urgent thing is to find a doctor to treat Yu Niang, and then slowly find out the truth.
Xiao Qinghe put the letter away and asked Xie Zhang in a gentle voice, "The person who wrote the letter is in imminent danger. Cousin, could you please bring your classmate to the Xiao family? I need to know more details."
"Of course, no problem," Xie Zhang agreed immediately, and then added, "I've heard that cousin He'er, the princess, and Madam Shen are secretly helping women, and I really admire them."
Xie Zhang said this and bowed solemnly, full of respect.
Xiao Qinghe returned the greeting and agreed with Xie Zhang on a time to meet his classmates.
Cao Wen's luggage was all in the carriage. He found a place to put it down and then went out to make friends with his classmates.
Xiao Qinghe showed the letter to Chunxi, who immediately said, "My eldest brother's shop is doing well these days, and he deals with a lot of people. I can ask him to find out more about the situation, and then send a pigeon to Yinyin, asking her to find out about Yu Niang's time in Yuzhou."
As soon as Chunxi finished speaking, Xiao Yechen said, "Although Xie Zhang is He'er's cousin, he is a man after all. Let me go meet his classmate on He'er's behalf."
It was precisely because of the consideration of the distinction between men and women that Xiao Qinghe asked Xie Zhang to bring the man to the Xiao family. She would then meet the man in the front hall. With so many servants in the mansion watching over him, nothing would go wrong. However, Xiao Yechen had often helped them in the past two years. Although he had a cold personality, he was very thoughtful, and it was more convenient for him to travel outside.
Xiao Qinghe didn't hesitate much and nodded, "Then I'll trouble you, brother."
**
On the appointed day, Xie Zhang brought his men to the Xiao family early in the morning.
The servant made tea, and just as Xie Zhang took a sip, Xiao Yechen walked into the front hall.
Xie Zhang subconsciously glanced behind Xiao Yechen, a little surprised: "Brother Yechen, why is it you? Did something happen to cousin He'er?"
Xie Zhang's tone was natural and full of concern.
Xie Zhang was wearing a moon-white brocade robe embroidered with green bamboo today, which was quite different from the plain blue-gray robe he wore at the clan school that day. His originally elegant and handsome face now looked much better.
He must have dressed like this on purpose, wanting to take advantage of the gap between their two meetings to leave a deep impression on Xiao Qinghe.
Xiao Yechen immediately made a judgment. He lowered his eyes slightly, not revealing his emotions, and said calmly, "He'er is fine. It's just that there are differences between men and women. I will follow up on this matter from now on."
Disappointment flashed in Xie Zhang's eyes.
He originally wanted to use this incident to get in touch with his cousin He'er more, but he didn't expect Xiao Yechen to show up halfway.
However, it would be better to be more considerate of my cousin He'er as she is getting divorced and returning home.
He had been worried that his cousin would be so absorbed in saving lives that she would come into contact with some unscrupulous people, but now he felt relieved.
The Xiao family has a very strict family tradition, and cousin He'er is also a person who is strict with herself.
Xie Zhang quickly recovered and introduced his classmates to Xiao Yechen.
Xie Zhang's classmate is from Yuzhou. He has received help from Yu Niang before. When he learned that Yu Niang is in a difficult situation now, he tried his best to help Yu Niang pass the message.
The wealthy businessman that Yu Niang married was called Yu Zhao. He moved his family to Hanjing two years ago. He was indeed very wealthy. He opened a bookstore, a cultural relics store, and a silk shop, and also owned some land. He also had a wide social circle.
The pens, inks, paper and inkstones used by the Xiao family school recently were all purchased from his shop.
At the beginning of next month, Yu Zhao is going to hold a birthday party for his mother. Many guests have been invited, including this classmate.
He can help bring people into the Yu family to see Yu Niang.
Xiao Yechen discussed with him on the spot and formulated a basic action plan.
After the discussion, the man left first. Xiao Yechen also wanted to leave. Xie Zhang suddenly spoke up, "I don't remember ever offending Brother Yechen. Why did Brother Yechen seem hostile to me both times we met?"
Xie Zhang looked puzzled, and Xiao Yechen didn't hide it, saying coldly, "I'm hostile to you because you have bad intentions."
As a man, Xiao Yechen knew what Xie Zhang was planning at a glance.
To be fair, Xie Zhang's character and appearance are pretty good, but after all, he is also a widower with children.
He had been widowed for three years, so he could remarry, but he shouldn't set his sights on Xiao Qinghe.
Xie Zhang remained calm after being exposed by Xiao Yechen. He simply said playfully, "I may have ulterior motives, but do you, Brother Yechen, dare to say that you have an open mind and no distractions?"
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