Upon hearing this, Gou'er reacted the most strongly, hurriedly asking, "Uncle Zhang, where did you see that Taoist priest? My father and I went to Xilai Restaurant today, but we didn't see him."
"Just then..."
Just as Zhang Youwei was about to speak, his wife hurriedly said, "Don't say anything yet!"
As she called out, she went to close the gate to the Lu family's courtyard. After making sure no one was eavesdropping, she said, "Let's talk in the kitchen!"
Jiang Jiuniang knew she was a thoughtful person, so she nodded and followed her into the kitchen.
The Lu family used to be large, and their kitchen was quite spacious. Now, even when both families come in together, it doesn't feel crowded, and it doesn't hinder conversation.
Zhang Youwei then continued, "In the alley next to Xilai Restaurant, he was unshaven, injured, and dressed like a beggar. He sneaked away while everyone was going into Xilai Restaurant."
"I was worried about alerting him, so I followed him to check, but I was certain that he went to the eastern part of the city."
The area in the east of the city is home to a mixed bunch of people, so it can be quite difficult to find someone quickly.
Jiang Jiuniang asked, "Brother Zhang, are you sure it's that Taoist priest?"
“I’m sure! Although he looked quite disheveled, I’ve known him for so long that I would never mistake him. Judging from his appearance, he hasn’t been doing well lately. I originally thought he was finally able to have a good life, but I didn’t expect it to be even worse than before.”
At this point, Zhang Youwei sighed. They were all pitiful people!
Before, you could make a living by casually scamming rich people on the street, but look at what's going on now.
"So, it's very likely that he just ran away from Xilai Restaurant, which means that the source of everything is Xilai Restaurant."
Although she already knew that Xilailou might be under the control of bandits, Jiang Jiuniang pretended not to know and told Zhang Youwei's family not to panic.
However, she still had to remind him of something. After thinking for a moment, she said, "Brother Zhang, the situation at Xilailou is unknown, and its safety cannot be guaranteed. You should change your stall location for a while. In short, the farther away the better, but try to stay in the city center where there are many people, and don't go to the outskirts of the city."
Zhang Youwei knew this was no simple matter, especially since the Taoist priest was in such a state. He nodded repeatedly and said, "Okay, okay, otherwise I'll just not go out to set up my stall tomorrow and rest for a few days."
Sister-in-law Zhang quickly chimed in, "Yes, yes, we were supposed to go hunting in the mountains, right? This is a good opportunity to give it a try."
Jiang Jiuniang said, "It's best not to go into the mountains either, as we're not sure if anyone is hiding there."
Zhang Youwei was stunned for a moment: "The mountains aren't safe either?"
Jiang Jiuniang nodded. Since those people were mountain bandits, it was impossible for them to call everyone to the city. There must be some in the mountains, but it was unknown which mountain they were lying in ambush on. In any case, it was best not to go there.
"Alright, a few more days won't make a difference. Just rest at home for a few days! Tong'er, you two go to the academy tomorrow morning and don't come back. Stay there for a few days. I'll have your father send you anything you need, so you won't have to worry about the dangers on the way back."
Sister-in-law Zhang immediately made up her mind, and the three men nodded in agreement.
Sister-in-law Zhang learned from Mrs. Sun that both the man and the son must listen to her for the family to be happy.
Jiang Jiuniang didn't say a word while Zhang Saozi arranged everything in an orderly manner. She just helped Gou'er prepare the dishes for him to eat. When Zhang Saozi saw this, she sent her husband and son back first, while she stayed to help Jiang Jiuniang. In the end, she even cooked two dishes for them before leaving satisfied.
Looking at the two freshly cooked dishes in front of him, Gou'er said, "Mommy, Aunt Zhang is so amazing, she made them so quickly."
"Everyone has their own expertise, and you're very capable too."
Lu Baichuan didn't come back all night. Although Jiang Jiuniang was a little worried, she tried her best to keep her emotions in check. She checked Gou'er's homework and did some prenatal exercises before going to bed. She fell asleep quickly.
Lu Baichuan didn't return until noon the next day, bringing food for the mother and daughter. The three of them sat together and talked.
“I sneaked into the mountains last night. The wife and children of the owner of Xilailou are all gone. According to what those people said, he didn’t take his wife and children back to the village at all. He killed them on the way and left them to be eaten by wolves in the mountains.”
They searched the landlord's house and the bandits' den, but found nothing. No wonder the bandits kept refusing to let the landlord see his wife and children.
"These bastards, once they fall into my hands, I'll make sure they suffer!"
Jiang Jiuniang slammed her hand on the table, and Lu Baichuan said again, "I haven't found that Taoist priest either. I don't know if he also suffered a terrible fate."
"No, no!"
Jiang Jiuniang waved her hand and said, "Brother Zhang saw him yesterday. He said he went to the east of the city. He was disheveled and looked like a beggar."
"Um?"
Lu Baichuan was somewhat surprised when Gou'er repeated what Zhang Youwei had said last night.
"So, there's still the Taoist priest as a clue. I'll have the magistrate send people to investigate the Taoist priest's whereabouts. Also, I'll investigate who's instigating these bandits. I don't believe a group of bandits could have such power to attract so many outsiders to their madness."
Lu Baichuan still felt that the Dongting people were behind it all, but he had no evidence.
"You can handle it yourself, just be careful."
Jiang Jiuniang nodded, knowing that he understood, so she didn't say anything more. Anyway, she was at home taking care of her pregnancy and couldn't help much.
The dog also said, "Father, please focus on your work outside. I will take good care of Mother."
At this moment, in a secluded alley in the east of the city, a beggar was wolfing down a chicken bone he had just picked up from the ground. He hadn't eaten for several days, and now even a chicken bone tasted like the most delicious food in the world.
He never dreamed that he would end up like this.
Previously, he was forced by those people to fabricate some divination results, thinking that as long as he listened to them, they would release his family. However, he learned by chance that his family had not been captured, but killed.
Those bandits aren't human! They're beasts!
With his family members all dead, he guessed that he would be dealt with as well, so he took advantage of a moment of laxity in the defense and ran away.
He dared not go home, nor show his true face to others, and could only make a living in the city as a beggar.
Thinking of her murdered family members and her own miserable life, she couldn't help but cry.
"He's here! Grab him!"
A group of yamen runners suddenly rushed in and surrounded him.
Pingxuan was so frightened that he dropped the chicken bone in his hand. His legs were trembling as he looked at the constables in front of him.
"Why...why are you arresting me?"
The lead constable snorted and said, "You petty thief, who else would we arrest if not you! Seize him!"
Pingxuan felt he had been misunderstood and wanted to run away, but his path was blocked. He tried to struggle, but he was no match for the constables. Suddenly, he felt like the sky had fallen.
The head constable grabbed the man and pinned him down, whispering, "A group of people are looking for you. If you want to live, come with us to the yamen!"
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