Chapter 31 Puppet

Jiang Ling followed Ming Huazhang's instructions and went out first to wait outside Wei's house in Chongyefang.

In fact, Jiang Ling thought that it would be enough to ask the Wei family directly and reveal their identities. Would the Wei family dare to hide it?

But Ming Huazhang disagreed, saying that their identities could not be exposed, and that the five of them should pretend to be strangers when they were out in the future. Even if they were carrying out the same mission, they should pretend to have met by chance, and they should not go in and out together. Otherwise, if one of them was caught, the other four would be exposed.

Jiang Ling's enthusiastic proposal to take Baobao Beibei to catch ghosts was also rejected. The lynx and leopard were too famous in Dongdu. Instead of taking them with them, it would be better to just write "This is the son of Marquis Jiang'an" on their faces.

Jiang Ling could only wait alone in Chongyefang. It was agreed that the second batch would leave in half a minute, but Jiang Ling waited at the wall and felt that this half a minute was too long.

Could Ren Yao and Ming Huashang have gone shopping on their way? Why are they so slow?

Jiang Ling has always been the center of attention wherever he goes since he was a child. This is the first time he has waited for someone. Finally, Ren Yao and Ming Huashang were late. As soon as Jiang Ling saw them, he couldn't help but complain: "Did you crawl here? Why are you so slow?"

Ren Yao's face immediately turned cold when he heard this, and he was about to throw away the paper bag in his hand. Ming Huashang quickly said, "You are wrong. Sister Ren was afraid that you were hungry, so she took a detour to bring you a sandwich."

Jiang Ling glanced at the paper bag in Ren Yao's hand and was very surprised: "For me?"

"Yes." Ming Huashang took Ren Yao's arm and gently pushed her to Jiang Ling. "Sister Ren brought it all the way. It's still hot now."

Ren Yao held the paper bag in his hand, not knowing whether to throw it away or not, and said awkwardly: "It's obviously not..."

They didn't go around to buy cakes for Jiang Ling, but they were afraid of being followed, so they deliberately walked around the market a few times to cover their tracks. And this cake was not bought by Ren Yao, but Ming Huashang said that they had eaten steamed buns, and Jiang Ling hadn't eaten anything yet, so he might be hungry. She then said that she didn't bring any money, so Ren Yao went to the cake stand to buy cakes.

Ming Huashang interrupted Ren Yao and winked at Jiang Ling: "Sister Ren has a sharp tongue but a soft heart. Don't let her kindness down. Why don't you come and get it?"

Jiang Ling was somewhat flattered and surprised. It would not be surprising for other ladies to do such a thing, but it was unexpected that a tomboy like Ren Yao could notice such a small detail.

Jiang Ling suddenly felt that although Ren Yao looked as stinky as a stone, he was actually not that disgusting.

This was the first time Ren Yao did this, and she felt awkward and uncomfortable. She threw the paper bag to Jiang Ling stiffly and said coldly: "I saw it on the street and bought it casually. Don't be so self-indulgent."

Jiang Ling patted Ren Yao on the shoulder, thinking that this brother could get along. He opened it and looked at it, and said in surprise: "Wow, how did you know that I like to eat pork slices and pancakes the most?"

This cake looks thin, but it actually contains several layers of meat filling. The meat is fat and lean in the right proportion, with oil seeping into the dough. It is baked to a crispy golden brown, fatty but not greasy, and smells fragrant.

The stall that Ming Huashang picked must be good, but it was Ren Yao who bought the cakes and paid the bill. Ming Huashang smiled and said, "This shows that Sister Ren and Prince Jiang have the same taste. They can eat together. They are really close friends."

Jiang Ling had seen all kinds of banquets, and this cake was a bit too shabby for his diet, but only roadside stalls had a world of flavor. Jiang Ling was not very hungry to begin with, but after being tempted by the aroma, he really got hungry.

Jiang Ling made friends based on appearance. He thought these two people were very much to his liking, so he said generously, "I've made friends with you two. Whatever you want to eat, I'll treat you!"

Ren Yao thought, who wants you to treat me? She subconsciously wanted to refuse, but Ming Huashang smiled and agreed: "Okay, then I won't be polite. I saw a cherry cheese shop on the way, so I'll take advantage of the prince's kindness today?"

A piece of cheese can only cost a few dollars. Jiang Ling didn't even blink, and waved his hand: "Okay! Why are you still so polite? It sounds awkward to call me the prince. Just call me by my name."

Ming Huashang readily followed suit. The three of them walked towards the cheese stand, and Ren Yao quietly pulled Ming Huashang's sleeve: "What are you doing? My Pingnan Marquis Mansion is not a poor family, who needs him to invite us? We are here to investigate a case, why would we waste time with him?"

Ming Huashang held Ren Yao's hand and said, "Although Jiang Ling has a bad reputation, he is not a bad person. I know that Sister Ren is the same. She has a good heart, but she is burdened by her reputation. In a sense, you and Jiang Ling are the same. We have to act together from now on. It's not a good idea to keep being in a stalemate. Give each other a step and be in harmony, isn't it better?"

Ren Yao still had a stern face. Ming Huashang saw that she was just used to using toughness to arm herself, and didn't know how to release kindness and tenderness, so she could only keep a cold face all the time. Ming Huashang said, "Sister Ren, just think of it as helping me. I'm a young woman, and it's not good for me to eat at the same table with Jiang Ling."

Finally, Ren Yao softened and was pulled by Ming Huashang to sit in front of the stall. Cherries are the most popular fruit in Luoyang now. Ming Huashang didn't mind the street stalls being rough at all. She sat down calmly and said, "Boss, I want two servings of cherry cheese."

Ren Yao was feeling a little uneasy in this environment. When he heard Ming Huashang's words, he quickly said, "I don't want to eat."

Ming Huashang ignored her and glanced at her with a smile: "Don't save money for Jiang Ling, shopkeeper, two copies."

Jiang Ling heard this and said, "Yeah, do you look down on me? Give me two servings!"

The host, who was busy behind the stall, responded and quickly prepared the dishes. Soon, he placed two plates of red and white, crystal clear desserts in front of Ming Huashang and Ren Yao: "Madam, the cherry cheese is here."

In front of her were two fresh cherries, covered with cheese and maltose, which looked delicious. Ming Huashang thanked her sweetly and forced the wooden spoon into Ren Yao's hand: "Sister Ren, if you don't eat, I'd be embarrassed to eat it too. It's rare for me to come out, so please have some pity on me."

Ren Yao instinctively rejected anything feminine. Such a delicate and exquisite dessert was obviously what a noble lady would like. How could she indulge in pleasure if she wanted to become a female marquis? But Ming Huashang showed a pitiful look. If she didn't move, wouldn't Ming Huashang be in a dilemma?

Ren Yao could only pick up the spoon and take a light bite. The early spring cherries with caramel tasted sour and sweet, and the milky aroma was overflowing. It was really good.

Ming Huashang smiled when she saw Ren Yao's expression: "See, I told you it was good. Jiang Ling, do you want it?"

Jiang Ling sat across the table eating his sandwich. He had no interest in this kind of dessert that was not even enough to fill his teeth, but seeing Ren Yao and Ming Huashang like it, he was happy. Jiang Ling said, "I don't need it. If you like it, just order a few more. I have plenty of money."

Ren Yao wanted to roll his eyes again, but Ming Huashang responded with a smile: "Okay, that's what you said."

After that, she called to the stall owner, "Boss, give me two more servings of cherry cheese. Pack them up and we'll pick them up later."

Jiang Ling didn't care about money. To him, money was the least valuable thing. He was just curious: "Why do you eat so much?"

Ren Yao chuckled and nearly choked on the cherry. Ming Huashang kept smiling and immediately understood why Ren Yao disliked him. She shouldn't have stopped Ren Yao just now.

Ming Huashang gritted her teeth and laughed, "I'll pack for my second brother and Brother Xie."

"Oh." Jiang Ling nodded and said, "No wonder. I thought you, a girl, couldn't be such a big eater. You and your brother have such a good relationship. You always remember him wherever you go."

Ming Huashang imagined the cherry on the plate as Jiang Ling's head, bit it off in one bite, and said without even looking up, "Yes, what else?"

Jiang Ling had finished eating the cake. He wiped his hands with a handkerchief, threw it aside, and sighed.

Ming Huashang was busy eating cherries and didn't notice Jiang Ling's abnormality, but Ren Yao immediately understood the inhuman helplessness, bitterness, and self-mockery from her sigh.

Ren Yao held the spoon and looked at Jiang Ling in shock.

A child like Ming Huashang, who grew up in love, would never understand that not all siblings in the world are trustworthy, and not all houses can be called home.

The Pingnan Marquis's Mansion was filled with smoke and miasma. Her uncle and cousins, whom she had never seen before, openly occupied the mansion, pointed fingers at her family, and said in a tone of favor what things would be given to her as a dowry. Ren Yao had lived in the shadow of why she was not a man since she was a child. At first, it was her relatives and servants who said so, and later, she herself thought so too.

Sometimes she practiced martial arts until she was exhausted, and she was devastated and wondered why the world was so unfair. Why did some people get everything just because they were men without having to pay anything, while she tried her best but couldn't even get the qualification to compete.

This resentment reached its peak when she saw Jiang Ling. She looked at him with a critical eye, and the more she looked, the more she felt disgusted. How could such a person who had nothing but luck be named the crown prince?

But at this moment, at a busy alley, on a small stall with grease stains on the table, she suddenly heard Jiang Ling sigh.

He already has everything he wants, so why is he still sighing? Is there something worrying at home that no one knows about?

Jiang Ling thought of his stepmother and younger brother at home, and really didn't want to let these bad things affect his mood. He shook his head vigorously, putting aside those unhappy things, and suddenly found that Ren Yao was looking at him with a very strange look.

That look was like the look a lady gives when she hands someone a handkerchief at a banquet. Jiang Linghun got goosebumps all over his body and asked in surprise, "Why are you looking at me like that?"

Ren Yao also reacted. She realized that she was staring at Jiang Ling in a daze. She felt embarrassed and glared at him viciously.

The tomboy is still the same tomboy. I have to say, Jiang Ling was quite relieved.

明華裳吃的差不多了，便開始辦正事。現在攤子前只有他們幾人，攤主很清閑，明華裳便有一搭沒一搭說家常：“掌櫃的，你做的乳酪真好吃。你這肯定得是老字號了吧。”

“哪有。”攤主是個有些發福的中年人，他見這三位郎君娘子衣料昂貴，氣度不凡，就猜他們絕不是凡人。

他本來還擔心他們吃不慣小攤子，來找他麻煩，沒想到那幾人雖然明顯不習慣這種環境，但并沒有借題發揮。尤其是其中最漂亮那位小娘子，一雙眼睛瑩潤明燦，未語先笑，實在很讨人喜歡。

攤主明知道這三位惹不起，但聽到好聽話還是忍不住心花怒放，得意道：“我也剛來五六年，憑手藝掙點糊口錢，算不得老字號。”

任遙本來還想明華裳問這些做什麽，但她擡頭，發現隗宅竟然就在他們身後。任遙這時候才明白，明華裳為什麽要讓江陵請客。

吃飯是假，打聽消息才是真。

明華裳一聽，立馬道：“難怪。掌櫃的手藝這麽好，生意一定不錯。我們下次來，不知道還能不能排上號。”

這是司空見慣的客套話，沒想到攤主聽後卻垮了臉，說：“借娘子吉言。娘子下次還想吃乳酪，直接遣人來就行，用不着排號。依我看，我這生意一時半會好不了了。”

“哦？”明華裳詫異問，“這是為何？以掌櫃的手藝，不該受此冷落啊。”

江陵和任遙都聽出明華裳的用意，兩人不覺屏息凝神，仔細聽攤主的話。攤主麻利地将旁邊的桌子抹了一遍，一臉怨色地朝旁邊努嘴：“還不是因為這裏。我原本看中了隗掌櫃生意做得大，不遠處又是菩提寺，所以在這裏租賃鋪子，做些小本買賣。誰知道，光沒借上，反倒惹了許多晦氣。”

明華裳問：“什麽晦氣？”

攤主似乎覺得說這些不好，語焉不詳道：“其實也沒什麽。隗掌櫃做木偶名聲在外，許多權貴人家都喜歡登門訂貨。興許他們的木偶畫的太好了，這段時間竟然活了，滿宅子亂跑。”

“這世上哪裏有鬼？”明華裳故做不信，輕慢說，“這定是隗家人為了賣木偶，裝神弄鬼，故意搏名聲呢。”

攤主吓了一跳，忙道：“娘子，可不敢這麽說。我最開始也不信，但有一天晚上，我收攤晚了，竟然聽到隗家院牆裏傳來歌聲。我還當隗掌櫃轉性了，再加上好奇，便踩到樹上看看誰在排戲。沒想到，竟然看到兩個一模一樣的木偶在唱戲，它們臉是白的，眼睛是黑的，臉上一點表情都沒有，胳膊一節一節地動，像被一條線牽着一樣，但除了這兩個木偶，周圍根本沒有人！它們聽到聲音，齊刷刷回頭看我，吓得我差點從樹上栽下去。”

明華裳和江陵、任遙對視一眼，還是不肯信：“掌櫃的，是不是天太黑，你看錯了？”

攤主急得直拍手：“哎呦娘子，世上哪來兩個一模一樣的人？那分明就是唱傀儡戲用的木偶。無論杖頭戲還是牽絲戲，總歸要有人操縱吧？但我看的千真萬确，周圍一個人都沒有。這不是木偶活了，還能是什麽？那晚上給我吓得夠嗆，我後來悄悄和隗家下人打聽，他們說這幾日确實有許多怪事，有些木偶明明收在庫房，第二天卻莫名出現在房門、窗戶上，甚至有一次一個木偶拿着刀，陰恻恻坐在隗三娘子床頭。哎呦喂，我光想想那個場面就瘆得慌，要不是攤子租了兩年，我早就搬走了。”

攤主說得投入，任遙腦海裏不由浮現出畫面。一睜眼，看到床頭有一個豔麗精致、面無表情的木偶，手裏拿着一把刀，正對着自己。她細微抽了口氣，手裏的櫻桃忽然吃不下去了。

她突然發現，深紅發紫的櫻桃，其實很像木偶臉上腮紅的顏色。

江陵聽得津津有味，不由問：“原來真的有鬼啊，那為什麽不叫高僧來驅鬼？”

“請了啊！”攤主激動道，“但沒用！三位，瞧見那個門沒有？”

明華裳和江陵一起伸脖子去看，點頭：“看到了。那是隗家正門？”

“沒錯。”攤主用力搓着手，他似乎想到什麽，腦門上漸漸生出冷汗，“我記得那天是二月二十吧，隗掌櫃送客人出門，到門口時覺得背後有東西，一回頭，看到剛才還空蕩蕩的正廳上坐着一個木偶，正對着人群笑，笑着笑着七竅流血，可把客人吓壞了。隗掌櫃趕緊去菩提寺請高僧來驅鬼，那天我就在這裏做生意，記得特別清楚。後來人來人往好幾趟，和尚來過，道士也來過，但一入夜木偶還是亂跑，根本沒用。”

這一點江陵可以佐證，他點頭道：“我也聽說了，道士做法事那天，我路過時看到這裏圍了許多人，一問才知隗家在驅鬼。”

明華裳也可以證明，她和明老夫人上香那天正是二月二十，上到一半一個人沖進來，硬是拉着主持要驅鬼。

她和江陵的時間線跟攤主的說辭都能對上，攤主應該沒有說謊。

看來明華裳的選擇沒錯，有些家族醜事，自家人未必清楚，但鄰居一定門清。

明華裳慢慢點頭，她有好幾個問題想不明白，她先挑最重要的，問：“木偶為什麽拿着刀出現在三娘子床上？三娘子是誰？”

“隗掌櫃的三徒弟喽。”攤主努努嘴道，“隗掌櫃沒孩子，膝下只有三個徒弟，一男兩女。大郎君既是長徒又是男子，指定要繼承家業，隗掌櫃便想着讓他娶一個師妹，師兄妹成親比別人親近，還能一起傳承師門手藝。婚事本來都定好了，是大郎君和二娘子喜結連理，誰想前段時間二娘子忽然失蹤，婚事只能落到三娘子身上，結果緊接着三娘子房間裏出現握着刀的木偶……”

攤主聳聳肩，說道：“一家兄弟都有長短，他們還是不同父不同母的師兄妹。唉，隗家的水，深着呢！”

這時候攤位上有新客來了，攤主立刻換上一臉堆笑，前去招待客人。有人在，不方便再打探消息，明華裳和另兩人對視，江陵拿出錢放在桌上，三人悄悄走了。

等走遠後，任遙壓低聲音問：“你說，攤主說得是真的嗎？”

明華裳沉吟道：“攤子是我随便挑的，沒法提前安排。他賣吃的，而隗家賣木偶，完全沒有利益往來，我想不到他說謊的理由。”

江陵摩拳擦掌：“管他是真是假，我們去隗宅裏看看。”

他們三人說着話，已經走到隗家門口。臺階上的人轉身，墨玉一般的眼珠輕輕掃過，對隗府管家說：“不牢麻煩管家了，我那不成器的弟弟妹妹找到了。”

明華裳看着面前這一幕，默默眨眼，不知道這是什麽情況。謝濟川單手握着折扇，微笑看着他們，不知道是提醒還是警告：“五娘，你兄長以為你走丢了，擔心了許久。我們這次來洛陽是替祖宗制備香燭，不是來游山玩水的，你還不過來認錯？”

明華裳明白了，他們現在的身份是來洛陽的外地人，為了采購辦喪事的香燭，木偶也在購買名單裏。她的設定，大概就是一個驕縱胡鬧的鄉下妞。

明華裳立刻做出不情願之态，挪到明華章身邊：“兄長，我錯了。”

管家對這種事見怪不怪，道：“崔郎君不要生氣，小娘子初進洛陽，都是這般。郎君裏面請。”

明華章淡淡掃了明華裳一眼，沒說話，掀衣走入隗家。明華裳趁機問謝濟川：“你們在做什麽？別告訴我你們打算假冒博陵崔氏。”

謝濟川含笑看了她一眼，道：“五娘真聰明。”

明華裳眼前一黑，博陵崔氏，五姓七望之一。她怕前面的管家聽見，只能湊近謝濟川，壓低聲音道：“你們瘋了？為什麽不随便編個富商、外地官員之類的身份？”

謝濟川用扇子輕輕敲擊手心，說：“可能是因為，我和他身上的貴氣太濃，哪怕編商戶身份，也沒人相信吧。”

明華裳一時哽住，謝濟川看到她的表情笑了：“逗你的。其實是大隐隐于市，隗家見慣了權貴，世家上門他們習以為常，若換成商戶和陌生官員，那才會被記住。”

明華章在前方和管家應酬，他餘光掃到明華裳和謝濟川越湊越近，突然開口：“五娘，過來。”