Chapter 72: We were both drugged, what do you think is our relationship?
Song Xiu has killed many young women over the years, and his crimes have been exposed countless times, but he has always been able to get away with it safely. The reason is that, firstly, he is rich, and secondly, he has Zheng Rong as his backer. After all, the Minister of Works is not a small official.
Song Xiu was forced to kneel down, but he was not panicked at all. "Sir, I wonder what crime I committed to be arrested like this?"
The prefect slammed the gavel, and Wang Gui told the story of his daughter's murder. Song Xiu was not afraid at all, "Where is the evidence? I admit that I did take a woman named Xin'er as my concubine, but that woman had an affair with a servant in the mansion and has already escaped. I was kind enough not to pursue this old man, but he actually turned the tables on me. I am really wronged!"
Wang Gui was furious and tried to hit Song Xiu, but was pushed away fiercely. "Don't slander my daughter. My daughter is very well behaved. How could she do such a thing?"
"If you don't believe me, you can go ask the maids and servants in my house. They all saw Wang Xin fooling around with a man. I was magnanimous and felt sorry for you and your daughter, so I didn't make a fuss about it. But you actually wanted to throw dirty water on me. You really don't let good people live!"
The two were arguing, and the prefect slammed the gavel and ordered people to go to Song Xiu's house to find out the truth. Pei Changfeng lowered his voice and said, "I heard that he has taken in at least 20 or 30 concubines over the years. Where are they kept? They can't have all run away with others."
There was soon discussion among the crowd. Rong Guozhen felt that something was fishy and remembered a case of wife murder. He asked people to turn over the soil in the Song family yard to see if they could find anything.
Song Xiu was fearless and looked like he knew justice was in the hearts of the people.
Not long after, the people who had finished checking came back and found six concubines in the Song family's villa in the capital, but nothing else. They turned over the soil three inches but still didn't find anything.
Pei Changfeng was not in a hurry and continued to lower his voice, "Why are there only six concubines? Where are the others? Does the Song family only have this one courtyard?"
There were doubts among the crowd, and the prefect asked the same question. Song Xiu replied, "Most of them are in the yard of my hometown, and I have sent some of them home. If you don't believe it, you can send someone to check."
If this is the case, the matter cannot be investigated in a short period of time. Once Rong Guozhen leaves, the prefect will naturally find a way to get away with it. I'm afraid Wang Gui will also lose his life.
"Why send them home?" Pei Changfeng whispered.
"Of course, it's because they dislike my age and are unwilling to serve me. I'm not the kind of person who likes to force others to do things against their will..."
"You're talking nonsense!" Wang Gui was waiting for this sentence. He trembled and took out a blood-stained banknote. "You forced my daughter that year. The dirty money you gave me is too dirty for me to use."
There was also a letter that Xin'er had someone pass on to her. It only had two short lines of words on it: "My daughter is doing fine. Don't worry, father."
Song Xiu's face changed. Rong Guozhen took the letter and looked at it. "The writer must have been injured, otherwise the handwriting would not be like this."
The prefect made the decision, "In that case, Song Xiu and Wang Gui will be imprisoned first."
Pei Changfeng knew that Rong Guozhen was going to intervene in this matter.
Although it is not a gentleman's act to set a trap for Rong Guozhen, it is precisely because Rong Guozhen is a gentleman that Pei Changfeng chose to be the villain who set a trap for him.
Seeing that the plan was half completed, Pei Changfeng quietly left.
Song Ming was talking in a low voice with someone not far away. When he saw Pei Changfeng, he came over in a hurry and said, "Changfeng, can you see clearly what happened? Why was my father locked up?"
Song Ming still thinks that Pei Changfeng really doesn't know about that incident. Perhaps he had a brief doubt, but after the doubt, the doubt was quickly dispelled. After all, if Pei Changfeng really wanted to take revenge, he could sue him after passing the imperial examination. Now that Wu Sanniang's family is almost dead, there is no evidence. How could Pei Changfeng know?
"Not very clear, it seems that Wang Gui produced some evidence, and then uncle was locked up." Pei Changfeng pretended to be embarrassed, "It's a pity that Wang Gui was also locked up, otherwise I could send someone to check privately to find out what's going on."
"Changfeng, you don't know that Wang Gui is very greedy and cunning. My father gave him fifty taels of silver to take his daughter as a concubine. Do you think it would cost so much to buy a maid? But Wang Gui was not satisfied and came to the house several times to extort money. In the end, the woman ran away with someone else. The house is full of junk!"
Song Ming spoke as if it was a serious matter. If Pei Changfeng didn't know what kind of person he was, he would probably feel sorry for what happened to his family.
He frowned slightly, as if he was very ashamed of such behavior, and finally said: "Don't you have a very noble relative in your family? Even if something really happened, he would not ignore you, right?"
Song Ming's expression showed a hint of complexity and irritability. He waved his hand and said, "Who knows?"
The emperor is investigating the Zheng family, and those who are interested have known about this for a long time.
After chatting with Song Ming, Pei Changfeng walked back and met Fan Ling who was waiting for him.
"Don't you think it's a bit risky?" Fan Ling asked, "What if things are different from what you guessed?"
"This is a risky move. I only want to win one game." Pei Changfeng continued walking without looking away. "Besides, it's not risky to deal with the Song family. So what if we are discovered? I'm not afraid of them, but they are afraid of me winning."
"The enemy is in the open, I am in the dark, I deserve to win."
It is true that Fan Ling thinks Pei Changfeng is a smart man, but more often than not, he feels that Pei Changfeng is dangerous. This danger is hidden in invisible corners, ready to show its claws at any time.
"It's up to you," Fan Ling said, "as long as you get your revenge."
Pei Changfeng talked about another matter, "The Marquis' Mansion is going to inherit the title, don't you want to return to your ancestral home and fight for the title?"
"Even if the old marquis is gone, the heir to the title is the eldest son of the family. What does that have to do with me? Besides, a marquisate with an empty title can't help me with anything."
That being said, there was no need to say more. Pei Changfeng and Fan Ling parted ways at the fork in the road.
When she returned home, Su Wanwan looked a little unhappy. When Pei Changfeng talked to her, she just looked at the sky without saying a word. Finally, she suddenly said, "Husband, I feel so boring every day."
Pei Changfeng looked over and realized something before she spoke, "Why not find something to do."
Su Wanwan was puzzled, "What?"
"What do you want to do?" Pei Changfeng asked her back.
This is a good question. Su Wanwan doesn't know how to answer it. She actually knows a lot of things. She can cook, embroider, and take care of things at home and outside. But this is in the capital, not the small Peijia Village. Will all her skills be put to good use?
Su Wanwan didn't know how to describe herself now. She no longer had to do laundry or cook. The only thing she had to do every day seemed to be waiting for Pei Changfeng to come home. It was indeed very leisurely, but also seemed like it was too leisurely. Was this really the life she wanted?
In fact, if being an official’s wife means living such a life for the rest of her life, Su Wanwan would rather not be one.
Pei Changfeng held her hand and rubbed it between his palms. "Didn't you want to open a restaurant before? How about opening a restaurant and being the boss?"
"But the land price in the capital is very expensive, and the annual rent is also quite a lot of silver," Su Wanwan calculated seriously, "Your annual salary is only more than 20 taels, you may not even be able to pay the rent, let alone open a shop and hire people."
Pei Changfeng coughed lightly, "Don't we still have some savings? If it really doesn't work, we can borrow some from our grandparents."
What he meant by borrowing was probably borrowing without returning.
Su Wanwan blinked and said, "My stepmother also has money."
The two hit it off immediately. Pei Changfeng went to the Marquis' Mansion and brought back a land deed directly. After all, a lean camel is bigger than a horse. The Marquis' Mansion also complained that the store given to Pei Changfeng was too small. If Pei Changfeng had not insisted, they would have given him the shop that was three or four stories high and occupied an unknown amount of space.
Su Wanwan cheated fifty taels of silver from Widow Liu. It should be said that Widow Liu hid it too well.
"When you married me, you only gave me three taels of silver, and ended up hiding all the money, right?"
Widow Liu wanted to cry but had no tears. "This is my retirement money. Son, remember to return it to me when the restaurant makes a profit."
Su Chaochao didn't know what fifty taels meant. She was already unhappy while eating the two-cent candied haws Su Wanwan bought for her. "Mom, you are too stingy. If my sister likes it, just give it to her. I saw that you have more in your cabinet..."
Widow Liu quickly covered Su Chaochao's mouth.
It was enough for Su Wanwan to get the money. There was no need to really spend all of Widow Liu's money. She smiled and went to look after the shop with Pei Changfeng.
The shop given by the Marquis' Mansion is not big. It can accommodate five or six tables as a restaurant, and there is a large backyard at the back, which is more than enough to be used as a kitchen.
Su Wanwan was so excited that her face turned red the whole time, and she held Pei Changfeng's arm tightly.
"Have you thought about the arrangements?" Pei Changfeng asked.
"I've thought about it," Su Wanwan nodded quickly and told him her plan. "When the time comes, just hire two chefs to cook and a waiter to run errands. If you're busy, I can come and help."
No matter what rank an official is, he doesn't want his wife to show up in public. Pei Changfeng wants to take good care of Su Wanwan for the rest of her life, but he doesn't want to just keep her in the square backyard.
Before Su Wanwan became his wife, she was just herself.
The restaurant opened very quickly, probably because the idea had been in place for a long time. Su Wanwan quickly prepared a menu and asked Pei Changfeng to write the words and then make a plaque based on them. The restaurant was named 'Qingfengwan'.
Those who understand this name will naturally understand it.
Seeing that Pei Changfeng didn't pay attention to the affairs of the Song family, but instead accompanied his wife to open a restaurant, Fan Ling was amused and anxious, "You really don't care at all."
Pei Changfeng smiled, "It's already a settled situation, no need to worry too much."
Fan Ling was still wondering what kind of magical powers Pei Changfeng had, when he saw a group of yamen runners running hurriedly in from the direction of the city gate. After a while, the yamen was in session.
Fan Ling glanced at Pei Changfeng and went over to watch the court session.
The prefect's face was filled with anger, but more of worry. He originally thought that Song Xiu was at most a little lustful, but who could have imagined that this man was a devil? The bailiffs searched the yard of his old home for several days and found dozens of female corpses, the youngest of whom was only eight years old!
This is simply outrageous. There hasn't been such a major case in our dynasty in more than 20 years.
The people in the yamen had driven Wang Gui away before, and this matter would definitely reach the ears of the emperor. The prefect planned to push all the blame onto his subordinates. No matter what, he must keep his official hat.
Rong Guozhen also came over from the Dali Temple. After listening to the report, he kicked Song Xiu hard in the heart, "You are not a human being!"
Song Xiu didn't expect that the prefect would actually go to his old home and search the yard. He had buried the bodies very deep. How was it possible, how was it possible... Could it be that Zheng Rong didn't help him this time?
After this case came to light, it became known to everyone through word of mouth within half a day.
Zheng Rong had been so busy dealing with the emperor's inspections that he became even more annoyed when something like this happened. "What a bunch of idiots!"
Apart from anything else, Song Xiu is his aunt's brother, he will definitely be implicated!
Zheng Rong sighed, feeling that he had reached the end of his rope and was no longer able to turn the situation around. At this moment, someone brought him a secret letter from Liao Cheng. After reading it, Zheng Rong suddenly became radiant. After returning home, he first had Aunt Lian, who was Song Xiu's younger sister Song Lian, blocked her mouth and then had her sunk into a well.
When the people from the Dali Temple arrived, Zheng Rong was sitting by the well with a dejected look on his face.
Rong Guozhen frowned, "What happened?"
Zheng Rong was silent, looking extremely grief-stricken. "Song Lian heard about Song Xiu's situation and actually committed suicide by jumping into a well. For so many years, I was kept in the dark by them. I hate it!"
Rong Guozhen had Zheng Rong taken to the Dali Temple for interrogation, and then he carefully checked the place where Song Lian jumped into the well. At the end, he waved his sleeves fiercely, "This old bastard!"
Song Xiu's sentence came down quickly: he would be beheaded ten days later. Upon hearing the news, Pei Changfeng smiled with satisfaction, but this was not enough, far from enough.
After hearing the good news, Su Wanwan personally cooked a table of dishes for Pei Changfeng in the evening.
Pei Changfeng drank a little wine, hugged her and murmured to himself, "Not enough, not enough..."
Su Wanwan touched his hair and hugged Pei Changfeng as if she was hugging a child.
Pei Changfeng raised his head and suddenly stared at her with a silly smile. There was no trace of his usual cleverness, and he looked like a fool.
"What are you laughing at?" Su Wanwan touched the corner of her mouth, but didn't feel any rice. She couldn't help but pinch his nose, "Don't laugh!"
Pei Changfeng didn't say anything, and suddenly closed his eyes, as if he wanted Su Wanwan to kiss him.
It was rare to see him like this, Su Wanwan lowered her head and kissed him on the lips, "Okay, go take a shower and go to bed."
Pei Changfeng nodded obediently, and after taking a shower, he lay on her chest, asking her to sing for him. In the end, he fell asleep first.
Su Wanwan touched his head and fell asleep, but not long after she fell asleep, she was woken up again.
Pei Changfeng stopped making such a fuss and started kissing her, as if he was going to do something.
Su Wanwan couldn't count how many times Pei Changfeng came that night. It seemed as if he would never run out of energy. He rushed around recklessly, less gentle and patient than usual, but it didn't hurt. Instead, there was a different feeling, which was quite comfortable, Su Wanwan thought.
The next day, Pei Changfeng got up to go on duty, but Su Wanwan was still sleeping soundly and didn't notice the departure of her.
It was not until Su Wanwan woke up and Hong Xing came in to open the window that Su Wanwan looked at Hong Xing a little embarrassedly. Who would have thought that this little maid looked as if she was used to it. After all, Su Wanwan and Pei Changfeng were really in love, and this kind of thing was bound to happen. As Su Wanwan's personal maid, although Hong Xing was young, she had long been accustomed to it.
When Pei Changfeng went on duty, Su Wanwan went to inspect her restaurant.
The two chefs hired by the restaurant are both locals and are good at cooking. Restaurants with good food are not uncommon in Beijing, but what is rare is that the portions are large at Su Wanwan's. In addition, no matter how many dishes are ordered, each table will be given two free side dishes, which are pickled vegetables made by Widow Liu. They are refreshing and delicious, and perfect for eating in summer.
Su Wanwan had some novel ideas and was not bound by the usual rules. As the weather was really hot and peaches were cheap, she gave each table an extra portion of sliced peach meat. In this way, the restaurant had more and more repeat customers. After ten days or so, the profit was considerable, and the restaurant was always full at mealtime.
Pei Changfeng originally just wanted to find something for Su Wanwan to do to kill time. Seeing that she did a good job and was happy doing it, he felt more and more that this decision was right. He even paid for Bai Jitong to go there once out of his own pocket.
Bai Jitong couldn't help but praise this small shop for its honesty and business sense. Pei Changfeng then said quietly, "Yes, my wife wanted to open a restaurant when she was free, so I let her do it. Who would have thought that my wife could run it so well? She always said that she didn't know anything..."
"Stop! Stop it!" Bai Jitong could see that Pei Changfeng had no good intentions. On the surface, he was treating them, but in fact, he was just showing off!
Pei Changfeng: "You misunderstood."
Bai Jitong: “Heh.”
Liao Cheng has also been paying attention to this place. Recently, Zheng Rong cannot meet with her privately, so she has shifted more of her attention to Pei Changfeng. Seeing that Su Wanwan's restaurant is doing well, she sneered, "To show up in public for a few taels of silver."
After thinking it over, Liao Cheng decided to go over and find some trouble with the two of them.
That afternoon, Su Wanwan went back with Hong Xing after looking around Qing Fengwan. From a distance, she saw a magnificent-looking carriage parked in front of her house.
She thought it was an elder from the Marquis' Mansion who had come, so she walked forward and saw a beautiful woman in gorgeous clothes coming out.
When the woman saw her, she first looked her over and asked, "Are you Su Wanwan?"
She is pretty, but looks a little wild. You can tell at first glance that she is from the countryside and is not presentable.
Su Wanwan didn't like her look, but she still said politely: "Yes, I am. Who is the girl?"
"I'm here to see Pei Changfeng." Liao Cheng smiled.
Su Wanwan frowned, realizing that this person had bad intentions, "What is the relationship between the young lady and my husband?"
Liao Cheng was looking forward to her reaction, just like teasing a cat, it was very entertaining, "He has been drugged, what kind of relationship do you think there can be between him and me?"
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