Chapter 118: Old Things

Ming Huazhang was silent for a while, then lowered his eyes and said, "Shang Shang, I am touched by your kindness, but I am the one who was ambushed, and I am also the one they suspect. Judging from the King of Wei's performance, he still doesn't know that the Twin Bis are actually two people. You are safe, and there is really no need to get involved."

Ming Huashang knew he would say this, and said rather unhappily, "Do you think I'm greedy and afraid of death, or do you think I'm stupid and will cause trouble for you, so you don't want me to get involved in your affairs?"

"Neither." Ming Huazhang knew she was picking on him, but he stopped in front of her, looked her in the eye, and said, "I am your brother, and it is my responsibility to protect you. How can I ask you to take risks for me? If you get hurt because of my mistakes, I will never be able to forgive myself in this life. I know everything about the traitor, so you don't have to worry about it. Just do what you like."

"But this is what I like." Ming Huachang puffed up her cheeks, not knowing why she was angry. She looked up at him and said, "I used to think that everyone will die sooner or later, and that living a stable and comfortable life is the most important thing. But now I find that death is not difficult to accept, but it is the regrets before death that are the most regrettable. Do the things you like right away, and treat the people you like well. I don't want you to get hurt."

Ming Huazhang was startled and obviously paused. He looked at Ming Huachang's clear and bright eyes, which were as clean as the sky after rain, and was hesitant in his heart. Was he up to something and thought bad about his sister? After Ming Huachang finished talking about the person she liked, she followed him?

Ming Huazhang's heart began to beat rapidly, beating against his eardrums like drumbeats. He even suspected that he would disturb Ming Huachang. He clenched his palms tightly to calm his uncontrolled heartbeat, and said with a half-smile: "Shangchang has grown up and has someone she likes."

"Yes." Ming Huashang agreed immediately and said cheerfully, "Second brother is so good to me, of course I like him. But it's a pity that I was just being sentimental, and it seems that second brother doesn't care about my sincerity."

Ming Huazhang frowned silently, feeling a subtle sense of being teased. Her voice was too straightforward and frank, which made Ming Huazhang unsure. What did she mean? Was this kind of liking for her brother or for the opposite sex?

Ming Huazhang's eyes moved uncontrollably, and he tried to maintain his composure and said, "It depends on how sincere Shang Shang is, whether she is only like this to me or to every brother."

"If I remember correctly, I only have one brother." Ming Huashang said slowly, "I wonder who the brother you are referring to is?"

Ming Huazhang choked. He looked at the little rascal in front of him who was still pretending to be nice to him, smiled softly, and said slowly, "That's too many. There are at least five people you've called brother, if not ten. Two days ago, there was also a brother named Cheng, who even ranked ahead of me."

Ming Huashang looked at him, quite speechless. Men always had some strange desire to win that she couldn't understand. Cheng Xun was the eldest in the family, and it was normal for her to call Cheng Siyue "big brother" according to his seniority. Could it be that she changed his seniority?

Ming Huashang sighed softly. She just wanted to talk about this matter, so she took the opportunity to explain it today: "Mr. Cheng is a good man, but unfortunately I can't do what the Chengguo Mansion wants. I am not worthy of him. I made it clear to him on the Lantern Festival that we will just be friends in the future and go our separate ways. He has already agreed and will make it clear to the Chengguo Mansion after returning."

Ming Huazhang raised his eyebrows slightly, his eyes lit up, a slight smile appeared on his lips, and he looked very proud: "Really?"

"Of course I take it seriously." Ming Huashang snorted and said, "I told my father a long time ago that it was inappropriate, but he insisted that I go to see him. This meeting is my filial piety. Whoever loves to go can go. I will not go again. If I have a man I like, I don't need him to arrange it. I will go to see him even if I have to climb over the wall."

Ming Huazhang was in high spirits at first, but his mood suddenly dropped after hearing the last sentence: "My favorite husband? And you want to climb over the wall? It seems that the wall of the Duke's Mansion is still too low. Listen to what you are saying."

"What's the matter?" Ming Huashang glared at him unhappily and said in a gloomy tone, "I just like dealing with abnormal things, exploring what the murderer was thinking and why he became like this. A girl as strange as me, ordinary people would definitely not want to let me in. If I can find someone who understands my thoughts, supports my hobbies, and is willing to accompany me in my weirdness, let alone climbing over the wall, I am willing to go with him even through mountains of swords and seas of fire."

Ming Huazhang looked helpless, and he understood what she was worried about. After talking for so long, she was still scolding him in a roundabout way. Ming Huazhang said helplessly: "It's not that I don't support you, but it's too dangerous."

"You can choke to death if you drink water, so what can you do that is not dangerous?" Ming Huashang said angrily, "The only thing that is not dangerous is staying in the back house and waiting to get married, so should I go back and embroider my wedding dowry?"

"That's not what I meant..."

"That's what you mean!"

Ming Huazhang looked at her bright eyes, raised his eyebrows, and tactfully gave up the argument. He sighed and backed off, saying, "Okay, it's up to you. But testing the traitor is too dangerous. You must discuss this with me before you do anything."

Ming Huashang was finally satisfied and nodded mercifully: "Okay."

Her promise didn't enter his mind. Ming Huazhang pursed his lips, still looking worried. Seeing him so serious, Ming Huachang deliberately joked, "If I hadn't reminded you that the haunted house in Wei was haunted, you might have gone in the wrong direction. I also have half the credit for finding the Daming Palace Map. Maybe the one that King Wei is so angry about is actually me. Since Shuangbi is two people, no matter what happens, we should face it together. King Wei and the traitor don't know that Shuangbi is two people. This is our chance. You have been suspected by King Wei and can't come forward again. Let me do it next. It's better for us to cooperate with each other than to fight alone. Don't worry, I'm definitely better than you."

Ming Huazhang was silent. Ming Huashang looked at him and tried to hook his hand: "Second brother, if you don't object, does that mean you agree? I'll count to three. If you don't answer, I'll take it as your consent."

Ming Huazhang was about to speak when Ming Huashang quickly called out "three" and took his hand and hooked his fingers together: "Okay, you've agreed. A gentleman's word is as good as gold. You are not allowed to go back on your word."

Ming Huazhang was extremely helpless: "I didn't say anything."

Ming Huashang pretended not to hear and said, "Now let's find out the cause of the explosion in Jinxiu Building first. We can't let you get scolded for nothing."

She was skipping in front, and Ming Huazhang could see her profile as long as he looked up. She was obviously not an adventurous person, and she liked safety and stability the most, but for him, she was willing to do such a risky thing.

How could he deserve such treatment from her?

Ming Huashang was thinking about how to solve the case and how to lure out the traitor in the Konghe prison. He vaguely heard a sigh from behind him. Ming Huashang was stunned for a moment and turned around without any preparation: "Second brother, what did you say?"

Ming Huazhang looked at her with his dark eyes, wanting to say something but stopping himself. Finally, he touched her bun and whispered, "You are worthy of anyone. My Shang Shang is the most beautiful lady in the world, worthy of all the treasures in the world."

Ming Huachang was stunned for a moment before she realized that he was answering her words. Earlier, she had said that she was not worthy of Cheng Xun just to be polite, but Ming Huazhang told her seriously that she was worthy of him.

Ming Huachang's eyes were filled with tears, and she lowered her head quickly. For these sixteen years, no, now it's seventeen years, she has been a complete waste. Even her father felt that he was not doing justice to her future aunt by raising her to be such a waste. Only her brother always believed that she was the best and that others were not worthy of her.

She also knew that plotting against the Hejian was courting death, but she couldn't bet that the next time the traitor set a trap, Ming Huazhang would be able to escape with injuries, and she would be able to find him in time and cooperate with him. It would be best if she could find that person, but even if she couldn't find him and it backfired on her, she would be happy with it.

In the dream, she died at the age of seventeen, and this year she is seventeen. If her death is inevitable, then at least let her death be worthwhile.

He has been bringing her gummies for so many years, this time, it's her turn to protect him.

Ming Huazhang saw that she kept her head down, and his expression became serious. He leaned over and asked, "What's wrong?"

Ming Huashang quickly held back the tears in her eyes, raised her head and smiled at him, pretending to be cheerful and said, "The room where the shopkeeper's wife is recuperating is just in front. I have to go and get busy now. I'll tell you later. I'm leaving now."

Before Ming Huazhang could say anything, she had already rushed to the door, crossed hands with the maid, and lifted the curtain to go in. Ming Huazhang stood by the pillar and watched quietly, and he remained motionless for a long time until her figure disappeared.

He found that she had really grown up and was no longer the lazy and well-behaved sister he had in mind. She had her own hobbies and pursuits, and could even admit that she would take the initiative to pursue a man she liked. On the other hand, he became more and more cautious and cautious.

She said she wanted to find someone who understood her thoughts and could share her weird experiences. Ming Huazhang hoped so much that person was him.

A voice called "Shao Yin" came from behind him. Ming Huazhang looked at the door again and turned away expressionlessly. The official ran up to him and saluted him: "Shao Yin, everyone in Jinxiu Tower has been called. What do you think we should do next?"

"Take them to the guest room and I will question them one by one."

"yes."

"Keep a close eye on the room of the storekeeper's wife. If the second lady comes out, report to me immediately."

"Yes, sir."

Before Ming Huazhang left, he looked back again and saw a silhouette of a woman by the window. Her eyes were like clear spring water and bright like spring flowers, and she was talking softly to the shopkeeper's wife.

Ming Huazhang could imagine that her comforting voice must be gentle and naive, like the return of wind and flowing snow, a trickle of water, which could win everyone's favor unknowingly.

For example, him.

房內，明華裳正在安慰掌櫃夫人：“夫人，我是京兆府少尹的妹妹，兄長不方便靠近閨房，便托我來看看你們。夫人，你和令郎傷勢怎麽樣？”

錦繡樓是一座不大不小的酒樓，放在長安裏不值一提，但每年收入也足夠讓一戶三口之家過得寬松體面。

錦繡樓掌櫃姓錢，他的夫人姓柳，綽約妩媚，我見猶憐，是個不可多得的美人。夫妻二人去年新添了兒子，他們一家就住在錦繡樓後面的跨院裏，忙時錢掌櫃就去前面招待客人，生意清閑時就回來逗弄兒子，錢夫人無需抛頭露面，還請了兩個丫鬟貼身服侍，在上元慘案發生前，她的生活堪稱圓滿。

但是如今她的丈夫被炸死了，她的兒子還嗷嗷待哺，只剩下一座不知何去何從的酒樓。錢夫人哭了好幾場，惴惴不安，不知道自己的命運會飄向何方。

錢夫人眼尾還是紅的，絞着帕子說：“我沒事，只是些皮肉傷罷了。但寶兒被吓到了，昨夜哭了一夜，今天睡夢裏都在哭。”

明華裳看向旁邊，一個孩子叼着手，正一邊睡一邊抽噎。在他還沒生出意識的時候，就親眼目睹了父親的死亡，明華裳嘆息，說：“夫人節哀。京兆府絕不會放過任何惡行，你要振作起來，一切都會過去的。”

錢夫人怏怏點頭，看神情并不怎麽信。明華裳沒有解釋京兆府如今換了長官，一切都不同了，她直接用行動證明，問：“夫人，上元那日，錢掌櫃放的既是給令郎祈福的百歲燈，為何會突然爆炸呢？”

而且，火藥威力未免也太大了。之前明華裳也見過誤被煙花爆竹炸傷的人，但最嚴重的也不過是燒傷，這次人卻被當場炸死，屍體都燒的面目全非，實在太反常了。

錢夫人眼眶又紅了，拭淚說：“妾也不知。當家說要給寶兒祈福，特意找燈匠做了百歲燈。明明好好的，不知道為何就出事了。”

明華裳忙追問：“燈匠是何人，是你們随便找的還是有人介紹？”

錢夫人說了燈匠的名字，說：“他是這一帶最出名的紮燈手藝人，燈做好後，掌櫃還當場點亮看過，那時好端端的，并沒有爆炸。”

不是燈匠的問題，那就是等燈回來後，有人動手腳了？明華裳問：“這盞燈哪一日取回來的，放在何處，有誰接觸過？”

錢夫人狹長的眉眼吊起，細聲細氣說：“妾記得燈是初八拉回來的，那日好大的陣仗，街坊鄰居都看到了。當家先前就給寶兒擺過流水宴，不少人知道這件事，燈回來後許多人都來看過。妾不管事，不清楚都有誰來過，若娘子需要，一會我讓賬房列個單子。”

明華裳道謝，又問他們錦繡樓的日常章程。錢夫人說着自己不管事，但對酒樓上下十分熟悉，什麽時候開門迎客、什麽時候換班休息、廚房怎麽采買、庫房鑰匙在哪裏，她一清二楚。

明華裳将錦繡樓的排班記在心裏，問：“夫人，你和掌櫃可曾與什麽人結仇？”

錢夫人眼睛閃了閃，視線下移，正在這時孩子突然醒了，張開嘴嚎啕大哭。錢夫人忙将孩子抱在懷裏，低聲哼哄。明華裳也不好再逼問，陪着錢夫人哄孩子，她注意到孩子胸脯上挂着一個長命鎖，驚訝問：“夫人，令郎屬馬？”

今年是虎年，這個孩子看着才幾個月大，怎麽會戴着生肖馬的長命鎖？

錢夫人瞥了眼，道：“哦，這是旁人送的。流水宴來客太多，不知是誰留下的禮物。我看做工還算精致，就給他戴上了。”

那是自然，分量如此足的赤金長命鎖，誰會失心瘋地将金鎖扔掉？

明華裳其實還有些話想問，但孩子哭得止不住，眼看錢夫人焦頭爛額，根本沒心思搭理外人，她便識趣地告退，打算先去看看明華章那邊。

明華裳一出來就有官差問好，帶她朝一間客房走去。錦繡樓一樓吃飯，樓上可以住店，如今錦繡樓不明不白炸死了掌櫃，所有客人都退房了，樓上空空蕩蕩，正方便了明華章審問。

他随便找了間開闊的客房，将錦繡樓跑堂、廚子、賬房、雜役一一叫進來詢問。到門口時，明華裳對官差揮揮手，示意他們不用禀報，她輕手輕腳走入其中。

明華章掃了她一眼，面上八風不動，修長的手卻朝明華裳攤開。

明華裳蹑手蹑腳靠近，聽到一個廚娘模樣的人束着手，不屑道：“真當人都死了，不知道他們倆那些破事，如今倒擺起闊、裝起菩薩來了。我呸，我看是馮掌櫃在天有靈，帶走了錢益，只可惜放過了那個賤人。馮掌櫃生前最寵愛柳氏了，怎麽沒将她也一同帶下去。”

明華裳一進來就聽到這種話，有些驚訝。柳氏……不正是剛剛見過的錢夫人嗎？

明華章伸開手掌，卻久久沒等到她把手遞過來，明華章心中不滿，索性握着她手腕，将她拉到自己身邊。明華裳太過震驚，都沒顧得上理明華章過于強勢的動作，問：“你說的是錢夫人？她明明看着知書達理，溫柔婉約，你怎麽能這樣說她？”

這自然是明華裳故意激她。錢夫人看起來柔弱，但和她多說幾句就發現，這個女人心機很強，無論如何和知書達理搭不上邊。

果然廚娘一聽就氣炸了，冷笑着說：“可不是麽，他們夫妻如今翻身做主，把錦繡樓的老人都打發走了，自然不一樣了。要不是錦繡樓離不開我的招牌菜，恐怕我也被遣走了！我呸，我們跟着馮掌櫃做生意時，她柳氏不過一個賣魚女，要不是馮掌櫃被她的美色糊住眼睛，娶了她為妻，現在她還在街上賣魚呢！”

明華裳湊近明華章，悄聲問：“馮掌櫃是……”

“錦繡樓上一任掌櫃，這座酒樓就是他辦起來的。”明華章簡明扼要解釋，“馮掌櫃因病去世後，錢夫人，也就是柳氏，改嫁馮掌櫃的徒弟錢益，錦繡樓因此易主。”

廚娘是市井中人，潑辣慣了，也不管明華章是朝廷長官，叉着腰在他面前罵道：“什麽因病去世，依我看，分明是被柳氏和錢益害死的！”

明華裳和明華章不動聲色對視一眼，明華章面色不改，問：“人命關天，可不容你胡言亂語。诋毀主家是要吃官司的，你這話可有依據？”

廚娘見狀氣急了，唾沫橫飛罵道：“我诋毀她？馮掌櫃身體一直硬朗，娶了她沒兩年，突然得急病死了。她不等馮家人來就要給馮掌櫃發喪，相熟的人都沒通知，急匆匆蓋棺入土。我早就發現她和錢益勾勾搭搭了，果然馮掌櫃死了沒多久，她就帶着家産改嫁錢益。這對狗男女住在馮掌櫃的酒樓裏，揮霍着馮掌櫃的家産，還生了個兒子，如此喪盡天良之事，還用我诋毀她嗎？你們該不會看她長得好看，有心偏袒她吧？”

京兆府衙役聽到沉了臉，拔刀呵斥：“放肆！”

明華章擡起手掌，止住衙役，還是那樣冷靜鎮定，說：“所謂偷情、害人都是你一面之詞，你可有證據？”

廚娘支支吾吾，蠻橫道：“偷人這種事房門一關，誰能知道？但他們倆肯定有關系，馮掌櫃和柳氏老夫少妻，錢益這個年輕徒弟還日日在師娘面前晃，怎麽可能沒私情？”

明華章皺眉，飛快瞥了眼明華裳，心裏已有些不悅了。他眼神中微微露出冷意，霎間如法相怒目，威壓凜然：“夠了，本官容忍你是怕錯過冤案，可不是由着你撒潑。你若是再胡攪蠻纏，嘴裏不幹不淨，可別怪本官不留情面。”

明華章骨相英挺，皮相雪白，沒有表情時像金鑲玉質，清貴不可方物，一旦冷了臉便如神佛發威，令人又敬又畏，生怕唐突神靈。

廚娘被懾住了，嗓門馬上下降幾個度，語氣也通情達理很多：“大人息怒，民婦冒犯了。但民婦也是氣不過馮掌櫃死的不明不白，望大人明察啊！”

明華裳暗暗搖了搖明華章的手，明華章緩慢收斂了寒意，說：“你如實道來，本官自會主持公道。你為何懷疑柳氏和錢益串通，故意給馮掌櫃下藥？”

The cook's tone was much more restrained, but her expression was still angry. She said, "Manager Feng occasionally suffers from heart pain. He had been well treated before, but after she married in, she insisted that the original prescription was ineffective and wanted to invite Doctor Chu from Huichuntang for Manager Feng. The doctor was very arrogant. After he came, he only pressed the pulse and said that Manager Feng had heart pain. He used his secret prescription to guarantee that the medicine would cure the disease, but the medicine was not to be passed on to others. We could only take the sign to their pharmacy to get it. We all thought that this was a scam, but Liu said that if we were to use medicine, we should use the best one, Huichuntang They are famous for curing heart diseases. Their prescriptions will definitely cure the disease. Shopkeeper Feng believed it and gave Liu a lot of money to buy medicine. Liu went out to get the medicine herself every time. She never let others take over when she boiled the medicine. She also drove everyone in the kitchen out, saying that she was afraid of destroying the medicine. We all looked down on her hypocritical attitude, but Shopkeeper Feng was fooled around. As a result, one morning, Liu suddenly ran out crying and said that Shopkeeper Feng died of a heart attack in the middle of the night. She found out in the morning. We went in to see that Shopkeeper Feng was cold. "

Ming Huashang listened very carefully, but there was no doubt so far. She asked: "If Feng the shopkeeper had a heart disease, he might have died suddenly. Why do you think Liu and Qian Yi were the ones who harmed him?"

"Because someone saw Liu and Qian Yi meeting in private the previous afternoon. Qian Yi handed something to Liu, and the two looked evasive, as if they were plotting something. In the evening, Liu chased everyone out and boiled medicine in the kitchen. Manager Feng drank the medicine Liu brought over, and died the next day."

Ming Huazhang asked: "Since you suspected that she and Qian Yi were plotting murder for money, why didn't you report it to the authorities?"

"It was reported," the cook sneered, "but the police came and pricked the tongue of Feng the shopkeeper with a silver needle, saying that she died of illness. Oh, what do you mean by death of illness? In my opinion, she must have bribed the police secretly."

The cook scolded without mercy, completely forgetting that the official who "took money to settle the case" was actually from Jingzhao Prefecture. This was tantamount to scolding the Dragon King, and everyone present looked unhappy.

The yamen runner had a dark face and was about to say something, but was stopped by Ming Huazhang. Ming Huazhang still had that expressionless look on his face and asked, "Did you hand over the drug residue to the Jingzhao Prefecture back then?"

The cook was embarrassed. Perhaps it was only after Ming Huazhang mentioned it that she realized that the medicine residue was also evidence: "This... there are so many people coming and going in the kitchen, who would pay attention to the medicine residue? I'm afraid it has already been dealt with by Liu."

"Someone saw Qian Yi meeting Liu and handing her something. How does he explain it?"

"He said he was going to the West Market to buy something, and what he handed to Liu was something his master asked him to bring. Oh, they killed the shopkeeper Feng, not because of their arrangement."

After the cook left, Ming Huazhang pressed his forehead, feeling a headache from the cook's nagging. Seeing this, Ming Huachang rubbed his temples caringly and asked, "Second brother, what do you think of what she said?"

Ming Huazhang's eyes quickly cleared up, and he sat down holding Ming Huachang's hand, saying, "Everything is speculation. No matter how suspicious Liu and Qian Yi's actions are, they cannot be convicted without solid evidence. I'll look through the files when I get back to see if I can find other evidence."

"Do you think the death of the treasurer is related to this incident?"

"It cannot be ruled out." Ming Huazhang said, "No matter what the truth behind the death of Shopkeeper Feng is, at least it is certain that the old man of Jinxiu Tower and the Feng family suspected Qian Yi and Liu. In this case, it cannot be ruled out that they wanted to fight violence with violence and secretly tampered with the lamp."

Qian Yi loved to show off, and the news of the 100-year-old lantern had been publicized long ago, and many people knew that he would light the lantern himself. If someone wanted to kill him for money or revenge, this would be a good opportunity.

Killing Qian Yi by blowing him up in front of the Jinxiu Building, which was built by Feng, in front of many guests, would not only relieve his anger but also clear himself of suspicion. It was really a win-win situation.

Ming Huashang nodded and said, "I got a list from Madam Qian. Manager Qian once took these people to see the Centennial Lantern. Perhaps this is also a breakthrough point."

Ming Huazhang took the list and said, "Thank you for your help. Next, we will split into two groups. One group will check the people on the list, and the other group will check the relatives and friends of the Feng family. The murderer knows so much about Feng's past, so he must be close."

·

Su Yuji went out to buy things as usual, but today, not long after she left, she suddenly felt like there was a thorn in her back.

She remained calm, and suddenly quickened her pace as she turned into the alley. Unexpectedly, the person behind her had no intention of hiding anything, and kept getting closer and closer. Finally, he cried out in a sobbing voice, "Miss, please stop! It's the old slave!"