Chapter 132 Life History
This morning, the King of Wei suddenly received a secret letter from Shenxing, saying that at 11:00 am today, Shuangbi would go to the big willow tree at the southeast corner of Guangdefang to pick up a bookcase. The enemy who came to the door must be eliminated, so the King of Wei immediately sent out elite troops to set up a net at that location. Even if a mosquito flew in, it would not escape his eyes.
However, after a whole morning, the wooden box was still there, and no one approached. The King of Wei's first reaction was that he had been tricked, so he ordered people to check and surprisingly found that the wooden box had not been replaced, and the books inside did not seem to have been taken away. The King of Wei was a little confused and could only order people to continue watching.
It was chilly in early spring. The sun rose to its highest point, then gradually set. In the blink of an eye, it was sunset again. Ming Huazhang kept his promise today and finished work early, but Ming Huashang was still as tired as a dog. She looked at the setting sun and said weakly, "Another day has passed. Chang'an is so big. How long will it take to search it all?"
Even though he was exhausted after a day of hard work, Ming Huazhang was still calm and composed. He said to Ming Huashang in a gentle voice, "God will not let down those who work hard. There will be results."
Ming Huashang raised her eyebrows but didn't say anything. When she stepped into the gate of Jingzhao Mansion, she uttered a "huh" and her face suddenly became serious: "Second brother, was this wooden box here this morning?"
Ming Huazhang had long legs and big steps, and he walked one step ahead of her. He stood on the stairs and looked back, cold and self-possessed, his eyes were calm, but underneath they hid a sense of alertness.
What is she doing? There are so many eyes staring at this place now. If she doesn't want to reveal her identity, she should stay away from this wooden box. Why did Ming Huashang bring it up?
He met Ming Huashang's eyes. Her eyes were furry and clear, and she looked like someone who would not do anything bad. But who could know what strange ideas were in her little head.
Ming Huazhang was actually a little scared of her, so he kept a calm and cool demeanor and said, "Yes. What's wrong?"
Ming Huashang looked solemn and said to Ming Huazhang in a serious tone, "Second brother, everyone in Chang'an is on guard against boxes of unknown origin, but a wooden box appeared outside the gate of Jingzhao Prefecture. It has been there all day and no one has taken it away. Do you think there is any possibility of explosives inside?"
She acted very serious, as if she really didn't know where the box came from. Ming Huazhang met her eyes, and without words, the tacit understanding of brother and sister for many years made him understand instantly. He pursed his lips, suppressed his smile, and nodded: "That makes sense. Come on, clear the surrounding people and surround this box. Be careful, there may be explosives inside."
Ming Huazhang started a big fight, attacking the Qing army and prying boxes, and the noise was so loud that soon the people nearby knew that a bomb was found outside Jingzhao Prefecture. Seeing the excitement, the crowds gathered in three layers inside and outside. Jingzhao Yin came out and saw the battle here. He was very surprised: "What are you doing?"
Ming Huashang hugged the hand warmer to keep warm, silently watching Ming Huazhang and Jingzhao Yin argue about the possibility of a bomb. Ming Huashang secretly raised his eyebrows and hugged the hand warmer tighter.
It's great to have a brother who is a gentleman. Even if he's talking nonsense, he can make it sound so bright and righteous.
Yesterday she sent a message to the palace, asking them to send her a box of books as support. This was actually a false bait she had put in place to catch fish.
She sent people to observe from a distance. The people who were watching said that there were many people watching the box today. At noon, someone even fell down next to the box. People knocked and touched the box. It was not difficult to guess from this description that someone knew that Shuangbi was coming here and set an ambush early.
She had just delivered the letter last night, and she wanted to get the book shortly after the palace gates opened today. In such a short period of time, it was still leaked. This shows that there must be a traitor among those who left the palace last night and this morning.
The palace gates were strictly managed, and there were rules for who came in and out every day, so it was not difficult to check.
The fishing was basically successful at this point, and even Ming Huazhang thought she was just spreading false information. Unexpectedly, after Ming Huachang caught the fish, he even wanted to take back the bait.
Ming Huashang stood in the crowd holding a hand warmer, seemingly drowsy, but actually very clear-headed. The best acting is to be yourself. Only a pair of twins would try every means to avoid suspicion, but does a noble lady who is enthusiastic about solving cases and does her own thing need to look ahead and behind?
unnecessary.
No one believed that the famous couple would self-destruct in such a high-profile way, but Ming Huachang chose to do the opposite. It was safe for them to stay away from them, but the mastermind behind the scenes would understand after thinking about it. She and Ming Huachang were so concerned about the explosion that they did not react when they found an unidentified package outside the door. This was a case of trying to cover up one's own guilt.
So there is no need to think too much, just go for it. This is the collection of books of the Konghe Supervisor, it would be a shame to throw it away, it would be a waste if you don't take it.
The yamen runner put on protective gear and carefully pried open the box. Ming Huashang waited listlessly, and sure enough, not long after, the yamen runner came back to report: "Jingzhao Yin, Shao Yin, there seems to be books inside?"
"Book?" Ming Huazhang's acting skills were very good. He said solemnly, "Be careful to take out the things inside. The murderer may have hidden gunpowder underneath."
The yamen runner believed it and admired Ming Shaoyin's meticulousness and prudence very much. He ran back convinced and shouted at people to be careful and not fall into the trap.
They were like facing a powerful enemy, and they were more careful in carrying the books than when honoring their mothers. Finally, the yamen runner looked at the flat surface inside that seemed to be the bottom of a box, choked up for a long time, and said, "Shao Yin, this... seems to be a box of books?"
Ming Huazhang knew it was a box of books, but he still put on his gloves, took the book with a calm face, flipped through a few pages, and wondered, "What on earth did the murderer want to do?"
Ming Huashang stood by, looking thoughtful: "Given the murderer's arrogant character, I'm afraid he is deliberately provoking the authorities. Maybe the mystery of the third case is hidden in these books?"
Ming Huazhang and Ming Huashang looked at each other, one admired the other's acting skills, and the other admired the other's ability to lie. The brother and sister each maintained their own mystery and said, "Put all these things in and study them carefully."
Ming Huazhang deliberately dismissed Ming Huashang early, but when they finally left Jingzhao Prefecture, it was already very late. Ming Huashang got into the car with a deep hatred, still studying the book in his hand over and over again. The curtain of the car was lifted, and a gust of cold wind came, which was quickly blocked by someone.
Ming Huazhang held up his coat with one hand and got on the carriage slowly. The originally spacious carriage seemed to become cramped after he sat down. Outside, people from Jingzhao Prefecture said goodbye. Ming Huazhang nodded lightly and signaled the driver to start the journey.
The carriage slowly moved towards the Duke of Zhenguo's Mansion. No one in the carriage spoke for a while. Ming Huazhang saw Ming Huashang still reading with a frown on her face. He could no longer bear it and tapped her forehead: "Little liar."
Ming Huashang chuckled, but quickly suppressed it, and glared at Ming Huazhang: "I just told a few lies, unlike you, who fooled everyone and everyone thought you were a gentleman. I think you are the biggest liar."
Ming Huazhang didn't say anything, obviously he was used to being squeezed. After Ming Huachang finished making a fuss, worry appeared in his eyes again, and he asked: "Second brother, what should we do next?"
Ming Huazhang raised his hand and pressed the acupuncture points on her head with his slender fingers. He kneaded them slowly while removing the hairpins from her temples. He said softly, "Don't worry, I have a way to solve it. You have helped me a lot and have done a good job."
Ming Huashang's body slowly relaxed under his massage. She found a comfortable position and leaned on him, asking, "What about the case? The Flower Festival is only a few days away, but there is still no clue about the murderer."
Ming Huazhang didn't know what was going on in his heart, but he was still cold and gentle to Ming Huachang, and said slowly and calmly: "There is no way to rush. The worst result is nothing more than being reprimanded. I think that if the case cannot be solved before the Flower Festival, it would be a good idea to let the saint stay in the Daming Palace without leaving the palace. Don't think about these things, I will take care of everything. You have been tired for several days, so go to sleep peacefully."
Ming Huazhang's voice seemed to have some kind of magic. Ming Huachang's eyelids became heavier and heavier, and she was really sleepy. She simply closed her eyes and said deliberately: "I'll rest for a while. Remember to wake me up when we get home."
The breath above his head was clear and gentle, like a starry sky falling on the water, and he whispered, "Okay."
The carriage slowly passed through the night and stopped in front of a mansion. The gatekeeper removed the door sill, and the carriage drove straight in and stopped directly in front of Ming Huashang's yard. Zhaocai and his men came out and wanted to wake Ming Huashang up, but Ming Huazhang stopped them: "No need."
Zhaocai felt a flash before her eyes, and then she saw Ming Huazhang pick up Ming Huashang, walk out of the carriage as if holding some treasure, and walk directly into the courtyard. She was stunned for a long time, and inexplicably felt flustered, and hurriedly chased after him: "Second Young Master, let this servant come."
Ming Huazhang's movements looked relaxed, but they were full of determination. He calmly dodged Zhaocai's hand and had no intention of putting Ming Huachang down. He said, "Go get some water, wash her and change her clothes. Don't wake her up."
·
At night, Ming Huashang's brother and sister finally returned home, and Su Yuji, who was ordered to follow them, could breathe a sigh of relief. She walked home in the night, exhausted, but still worried that Su Xingzhi would be anxious after waiting for her for so long. She turned into the alley, and the door of her long-awaited home was right in front of her, but Su Yuji's body suddenly stuttered.
Her eyes turned cold, she turned her head sideways, her hands ready to attack. Unexpectedly, a kind figure came out from the side, and when he saw her, he wiped his tears: "Miss, why did you come back just now? I have been waiting for you for a long time. Why didn't you come?"
Su Yuji frowned and looked at her for a while, and finally recognized that this person was the woman who claimed to be an old servant of the Duke of Zhenguo's Mansion not long ago. Su Yuji said unhappily: "Didn't I already say that I want to think about it carefully by myself, and I don't want anyone to disturb me before I figure it out. Why are you here again?"
The maid lowered her hands and kowtowed, saying, "I dare not disobey the young lady's order, but there is one thing I think I should pass on to you."
Su Yuji looked at her warily: "What?"
The maid pulled out a yellowed letter from her sleeve and handed it to Su Yuji with both hands: "My lady, please read this. This is a letter that Madam wrote to the Wang family seventeen years ago when she was pregnant. However, due to the turmoil in the political situation, this letter was never sent out and has remained with me all these years. I searched for it for a long time and finally found it from the bottom of the box. This is one of the few relics of Madam, and I think Miss might want to keep it as a souvenir."
When Su Yuji heard that this was a letter from Wang Yulan, the wife of the Duke of Zhenguo, her fingertips tightened and her eyes suddenly tensed up. She stared at the paper for a long time, slowly reached out her hand, and took the letter.
The piece of paper with the stale smell of time fell on her fingertips, as if it weighed a thousand pounds. Su Yuji had an illusion for a moment, as if what she received was not just a letter, but a secret that was sealed in the dust of that period of time and was so heavy that it could not be touched.
Su Yuji calmed down, opened the envelope, and looked at the paper in the moonlight. What caught his eye was the neat and tidy calligraphy with flowers on the hairpin. He could almost glimpse the owner's mood when writing these words from the lines, which must have been gentle and calm.
Su Yuji continued to read on. The letter said that during this period of time, there was a lot of unrest in Chang'an. The Queen Mother accused the Crown Prince of being disobedient and unfilial, and of having the intention of treason. The Crown Prince had been confined to the Eastern Palace. The Duke of Zhenguo was running around outside to help the Crown Prince. The situation was changing rapidly, and everyone was in danger. She was resting in the villa in Zhongnan Mountain, and she couldn't help but worry, and often felt palpitations. The last time the doctor examined her pulse, he said that she was very likely pregnant with twins.
She didn't want to distract the Duke, so she didn't tell him the news. But the doctor also said that she was not pregnant, and having twins would be doubly dangerous, so he advised her to make plans early, while the children were still young, and there was still time to induce labor. They were still young, so if they could keep the adult, they would always have other children in the future.
After much thought, she still couldn't bear to sever her bond with the two children, so she was willing to take the risk of her life. Although she was afraid, she still looked forward to having the two children, and didn't know whether they were boys or girls. If they were boys, she would name them Yunqu and Jinghan, and if they were girls, she would name them Yuji and Qiushui.
The rainbow disappears after the rain, and the clouds are full of colors. The setting sun and the lone wild goose fly together, and the autumn water and the sky are the same color.
From the name, we can see her expectation for the baby in her belly.
After reading it, Su Yuji fell into deep silence. She knew that the twins of the Zhenguo Mansion were actually named Huazhang and Huashang. She envied them because they looked like a family and even had matching names. But it turned out that all this was fake?
She thought that her grandmother and brother, who loved her selflessly even though they were not related by blood, were actually the executioners who changed her life; she thought that the twin brother and sister, who were born together and loved each other, lived as happily as in the novels, but in fact, even their names were wrong.
Only her name is the one that Wang Yulan created for her unborn child with all her efforts and love, stroke by stroke.
But she was raised in a farm family, and for 17 years she didn't even know who her biological parents were, and lived in confusion and cautiously. How ridiculous.
The maid looked at Su Yuji's expression and spoke again, "This is the portrait of the lady. I knew it was right the first time I saw her. You and the lady have the same figure and temperament."
The servant unfolded the portrait, and before Su Yuji could say anything, he looked up and saw a woman sitting in front of the waterside pavilion, wearing a flower in her hair and smiling. When Su Yuji saw the person in the painting, he felt like he was struck by lightning, and couldn't say a word.
So much alike that she herself felt that from her eyebrows to her face shape and expression, she and the person in the painting were simply cast from the same mold. When Aunt Su was alive, she often looked at her without saying a word. At that time, who was my grandmother looking at?
When the maid saw Su Yujie's expression, she knew there was no need to say anything more. It was worth the prince's trouble to find Wang Yulan's old letters and portraits from the Wang family in Taiyuan.
In fact, when the maid saw Wang Yulan's portrait, she was immediately sure in her heart that Su Yuji was Wang Yulan's daughter. On the contrary, neither of the brother and sister in the Duke of Zhenguo's Mansion looked like Wang Yulan, and the maid was not sure which of the two was the fake one.
Originally, the King of Wei didn't care about such family disputes at all. Who was whose child, and who was occupied by a cuckoo in a magpie's nest, what did the King of Wei have to do with it? But who made one of them the orphan of Crown Prince Zhang Huai? The King of Wei must pull this dove out, because the one who mistakenly entered the magpie's nest was not an ordinary bird, but a dragon's son.
The maid tempted her, "Miss, take this portrait to the Duke of Zhen's mansion. There is no need to explain. Just unfold the portrait and everyone will know who the real one is. The Su family has been deceiving their superiors and subordinates for so many years. It is time for the fake daughter of the Su family to pay the price."
Su Yuji lowered her head and said nothing, but her eyelashes fluttered rapidly, and it could be seen that she was not at peace. The maid added fuel to the fire and said, "Miss, are you still reluctant to part with Su Xingzhi? Are you worried that you will cause trouble for the Su family and Su Xingzhi if you make too much trouble? My silly lady, wake up. Do you think Su Xingzhi doesn't know what Nanny Su did? But he didn't say anything for so many years because he loves his sister more and wants his sister to stay in the mansion and enjoy the glory and wealth!"
The maid said so much, but none of them had as much impact on Su Yuji as this one sentence. She raised her head suddenly, and said with red eyes: "You don't need to stir up trouble between me and him. I will ask myself whether he has cheated on me all these years."
Su Yuji's conversation with the maid ended unpleasantly. Su Yuji left in a rage. She acted firm and strong in front of the maid, but when she walked out of the alley, she suddenly felt dizzy and leaned against the wall as if exhausted.
She couldn't help but echo the maid's words in her mind. Did Su Xingzhi know her life experience? What did he regard her as all these years? A family member who depended on each other for survival, or a hollow puppet for his sister to change her fate?
Su Yuji didn't want to think. She forgot what she was going to do and where to go, and leaned against the wall in a daze. Su Xingzhi hadn't seen Su Yuji come back for a long time, and couldn't wait any longer, so he went out to look for her, and then he saw Su Yuji leaning against the door of his house.
Su Xingzhi was stunned for a moment, then hurried over and held her arm: "Yuji, what's wrong with you?"
They have been calling each other like this for more than ten years, but at this moment, Su Yuji was hurt by this name. She raised her head and looked at Su Xingzhi quietly. Su Xingzhi felt a little flustered by her gaze, and frowned more tightly. He asked: "Yuji, what's wrong with you? Are you feeling unwell?"
Su Yuji shook her head and stood up with the help of the wall. Su Xingzhi tried to help her, but she coldly avoided him.
Su Xingzhi noticed her obvious refusal and was stunned for a moment, his face becoming heavy. He carefully observed her expression and asked, "Yuji, what happened?"
Su Yuji was silent. She had always believed that there would never be any secrets between her and Su Xingzhi, but at this moment, the maid's words were like a thorn in her heart. For the first time, she did not tell him the truth. Instead, she smiled falsely, lowered her eyes and said, "Nothing, I'm just a little tired."
Su Xingzhi looked at her pale face and did not ask any more questions. He opened the door and said, "Now that you are back, have dinner. There is always food on the stove for you. Eat first and then go to sleep."
·
Ming Huachang was drowsy when she suddenly woke up. She stared at the bed curtains above her head for a long time.
Wasn't she closing her eyes to rest? Why was she here?
She propped herself up on the bed and slowly sat up. Outside the tent, Zhaocai was twisting the quilt. She heard the rustling sound inside and hurriedly pulled up the curtain and came in: "Madam, are you awake?"
Ming Huashang's mind was still not clear. She looked around and asked in shock, "When did I come back?"
"It was Erlangjun who brought you back. He asked me to take good care of you and left just now." Zhaocai said, with an expression on his face that seemed to want to say something but hesitated. He couldn't help but ask, "Madam, why did you fall asleep outside?"
Ming Huashang leaned softly on the pillow, resting her wrists on her eyes, and said weakly, "I didn't want to, I just wanted to take a nap, who knew I would fall asleep accidentally."
Zhaocai couldn't hold it in any longer and said, "My lady, is this something you can do carelessly? After you fell asleep, it was Erlang who carried you back home."
Ming Huashang hummed, and said nonchalantly: "I only dare to sleep with him. If I were alone outside, I wouldn't be so careless."
Zhaocai considered for a while and said carefully: "My lady, although you and my husband are a perfect match, you have grown up after all. You are different from when you were little. The first lady and the third lady are both discussing marriage, reciting poems and painting all day long, and they are very quiet. But you are always out and about, and you are easy to be gossiped about."
Ming Huashang snorted lightly, her voice nonchalant yet firm: "Yes, I'm grown up now. Why should I listen to others about what I want to do? I went out to solve the case, and I have a clear conscience. My father has no objection, so they can say whatever they want."
Although Madam Ming has a high seniority, the Duke of Zhenguo Mansion is still the Duke of Zhenguo Mansion after all, and the real boss is the Duke of Zhenguo. Originally, the Duke of Zhenguo disagreed with Ming Huachang going out before dawn every day and returning home after dark. He did not think it was shameful for a lady from a noble family to hang out with a man from outside the family all day, but he thought it was too dangerous. But no one knows what Ming Huazhang said to the Duke of Zhenguo in private. Anyway, the Duke of Zhenguo never intervened in Ming Huachang's actions again, which was considered tacit approval.
The Ming family has a father who is only concerned about the safety of his obedient daughter Ming Huashang no matter what she does, and an elder brother who is always there to help her overcome obstacles and solve problems no matter what she wants to do. Even if others are not used to it, what does it matter?
Zhaocai certainly knew this truth, but Ming Huashang was a seventeen-year-old lady who was waiting to be married. She had no mother or sister to help her choose a marriage partner. If she didn't please Madam Ming, could she expect the servants to help her find a husband?
Moreover, my lady and Erlang are too close. After a girl gets married, she will rely on her parents for support. It is a good thing for her to be close to her brother, but no brother will carry his sleeping sister into the house after the sun sets, put her on the bed with his own hands, and take off her shoes for her.
Zhaocai didn't know what to say about the next Duke, so he could only persuade Ming Huashang earnestly: "My lady, although that's what you said, there are only so many promising young men in Chang'an. If they are snatched away by others, the ones you can choose will become worse and worse. Your life-long affairs still have to rely on the old lady to make the decision for you. Princess Taiping has sent an invitation, and a banquet will be held in the princess's mansion tomorrow. At that time, all the noble families will be there. You must seize the opportunity and find a good husband as soon as possible. You can't delay any longer."
Zhaocai thought, maybe Erlang and Erniang are just young now, and everything will return to normal when they get married in the future.
As long as the second lady finds a husband, everything will be fine.
"Things that can be robbed are not good things." Ming Huashang lay in bed, silent for a long time, and suddenly asked, "Zhaocai, if you knew that you only had one year left to live and you didn't know when you would die, what would you do?"
"Ah?" Zhaocai said hurriedly, "Then I must first give the key to the box where my wife's clothes and jewelry are kept to the new bride, and then distribute the belongings I have saved over the years to the maids Jinbao, Jixiang, and Ruyi. I will keep the cash for myself and have a good meal every day."
"You're still blaming me. I see you're only thinking about eating." Ming Huashang laughed, and then said softly, "I think so too. Life is too short. I haven't lived well enough, and I'm preparing to die. If I think about it this way, what's the point of marrying into a wealthy family? What's the point of having gold, silver, and jewelry? I should protect the people I cherish and do what I'm really interested in. The rest of the time, I should eat well, sleep well, and be happy every day. That's enough."
"Puh, puh, puh." Zhaocai quickly spat on the ground and said angrily, "My lady, what are you talking about? Don't say such unlucky words. You will definitely live a long life."
"Okay." Ming Huashang smiled and said, "Zhaocai, it's getting late, you should go back to bed."
Zhaocai stood up with the basin in his hand and turned his head sharply: "My lady, please remember that Princess Taiping will hold a banquet tomorrow. This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. Don't run around and prepare for the banquet."
Ming Huashang reluctantly agreed, and Zhaocai left with doubt after she repeatedly assured him. After closing the door, Ming Huashang breathed a sigh of relief and was finally able to turn over and go to sleep. However, this time, she closed her eyes for a long time and could not fall asleep.
Ming Huashang opened her eyes and stared in one direction, her eyes were amazingly bright in the darkness. She and Zhaocai had been together for many years, and they could be said to have grown up together. How could she not hear the hidden meaning of Zhaocai's words?
Ming Huazhang was becoming less and less open about his behavior, and she often felt that he was expecting others to see it. But why did he do this?
She knew she was going to die this year, so she was willing to follow her own way before she died, to like whomever she wanted and to do whatever she wanted. But what about Ming Huazhang?
He is a talented person famous in Chang'an, a newly-appointed Jinshi, a promising young official in Jingzhao Prefecture, and the next Duke of Zhenguo. Is he crazy to risk his future and reputation?
What does he mean? Who is he? Who is she?
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