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.
Ming Huachang had almost finished eating, so he started to do business. Now there were only a few of them in front of the stall, and the stall owner was very idle, so Ming Huachang chatted with him casually: "Boss, the cheese you make is really delicious. You must be a time-honored brand."
"No way." The stall owner was a middle-aged man who was a little overweight. Seeing that the three men and women were wearing expensive clothes and had extraordinary demeanor, he guessed that they were definitely not ordinary people.
He was originally worried that they were not used to eating at the stalls and would cause trouble for him, but he did not expect that although those people were obviously not used to this environment, they did not take advantage of it. Especially the prettiest girl among them, with a pair of bright and shining eyes, smiling before she spoke, she was really likable.
The stall owner knew that he could not afford to offend these three, but he could not help but be overjoyed when he heard the nice words. He said proudly: "I have only been here for five or six years. I make a living with my skills. I am not an old brand."
Ren Yao wanted to ask Ming Huashang why, but when she looked up, she found that the Wei residence was right behind them. Only then did Ren Yao understand why Ming Huashang wanted Jiang Ling to treat them.
Having a meal is fake, getting news is real.
Ming Huashang heard this and immediately said, "No wonder. The shopkeeper's craftsmanship is so good, so the business must be good. I wonder if we can still get a number next time we come."
This is a common polite remark, but the stall owner's face fell after hearing it, and he said, "Thank you for your kind words. If you want to eat cheese next time, just send someone over directly, there is no need to queue up. In my opinion, my business will not be able to recover for a while."
"Oh?" Ming Huashang asked in surprise, "Why? With your skills as a shopkeeper, you shouldn't be ignored like this."
Jiang Ling and Ren Yao both understood Ming Huashang's intention, and they held their breath and listened carefully to the stall owner's words. The stall owner quickly wiped the table next to him, and pointed to the side with a resentful look on his face: "It's all because of this place. I originally saw that the storekeeper Wei had a big business, and there was a Bodhi Temple not far away, so I rented a shop here to do some small business. Who knew that I didn't get the loan, but instead caused a lot of bad luck."
Ming Huashang asked: "What bad luck?"
The stall owner seemed to think that saying these things was not good, and said vaguely: "Actually, it's nothing. The shopkeeper Wei is famous for making puppets, and many wealthy people like to come to the door to place orders. Maybe their puppets are so well-made that they have come to life recently and are running around the house."
"How can there be ghosts in this world?" Ming Huashang pretended not to believe it and said contemptuously, "This must be the Wei family pretending to be ghosts in order to sell puppets and gain fame."
The stall owner was startled and said hurriedly, "Madam, don't dare to say that. I didn't believe it at first, but one night, I closed the stall late and heard singing coming from the wall of the Wei family's courtyard. I thought that the shopkeeper Wei had changed, and out of curiosity, I stepped on the tree to see who was rehearsing. Unexpectedly, I saw two identical puppets singing. Their faces were white, their eyes were black, and there was no expression on their faces. Their arms moved one by one as if they were pulled by a string, but there was no one around except these two puppets! When they heard the sound, they all turned their heads to look at me, and I was so scared that I almost fell off the tree."
Ming Huashang, Jiang Ling and Ren Yao looked at each other, but still refused to believe it: "Shopkeeper, is it too dark? Did you see it wrong?"
The stall owner was so anxious that he clapped his hands: "Hey, madam, how can there be two identical people in the world? Those are clearly puppets used in puppet shows. Whether it is a stick show or a string show, there must be someone operating it, right? But what I saw is absolutely true, there is no one around. If this is not a puppet alive, what else can it be? It scared me so much that night, and I later quietly I inquired with the servants of the Wei family, and they said that there were indeed many strange things happening in the past few days. Some puppets were clearly stored in the warehouse, but they appeared inexplicably on the door and window the next day. There was even a puppet holding a knife and sitting on the bedside of Miss Wei. Oops, I feel so scared just thinking about that scene. If the stall had not been rented for two years, I would have moved away. "
The stall owner was talking so absorbedly that Ren Yao could not help but imagine a scene in her mind. She opened her eyes and saw a gorgeous, delicate, expressionless puppet at the head of the bed, holding a knife in its hand, facing her. She took a deep breath and suddenly could not eat the cherry in her hand anymore.
She suddenly realized that the deep red and purple cherries actually looked very similar to the blush on the puppet's face.
Jiang Ling listened with great interest and couldn't help asking, "So there really are ghosts, then why don't you call a monk to exorcise them?"
"Yes!" the stall owner said excitedly, "but it's no use! Three, do you see that door?"
Ming Huashang and Jiang Ling stretched their necks to look and nodded: "I see. Is that the main gate of the Wei family?"
"That's right." The stall owner rubbed his hands vigorously. He seemed to have thought of something, and cold sweat gradually appeared on his forehead. "I remember that day was February 20th. Manager Wei was seeing a customer out. When he reached the door, he felt something behind him. He turned around and saw a puppet sitting in the main hall which was empty just now. It was laughing at the crowd. It was bleeding from all seven orifices. The customer was scared to death. Manager Wei hurried to Bodhi Temple to ask a monk to exorcise the ghost. I was doing business here that day, so I remember it very clearly. Later, many people came and went, including monks and Taoists, but the puppet still ran around at night. It was useless."
Jiang Ling could prove this. He nodded and said, "I heard about it too. On the day when the Taoist priest was performing the ritual, I passed by and saw a lot of people gathered here. I asked around and found out that the Wei family was exorcising ghosts."
Ming Huashang could also prove that the day she and Madam Ming went to burn incense was February 20th. Halfway through the ceremony, a man rushed in and forcibly grabbed the host to exorcise ghosts.
The timeline between her and Jiang Ling matches what the stall owner said, so the stall owner should not have lied.
It seems that Ming Huashang made the right choice. There are some family scandals that may not be known to the family members themselves, but the neighbors will definitely know about them.
Ming Huashang nodded slowly. She had several questions that she couldn't figure out. She picked the most important one first and asked, "Why did the puppet appear on Sanniang's bed with a knife? Who is Sanniang?"
"He's the third apprentice of Shopkeeper Wei." The stall owner pursed his lips and said, "Shopkeeper Wei has no children, only three apprentices, one boy and two girls. The eldest disciple is the eldest and a boy, and he is destined to inherit the family business, so Shopkeeper Wei wanted him to marry a junior sister. Brothers and sisters are closer than other people, and they can also pass on the master's skills together. The marriage was originally arranged, and the eldest and the second lady were to get married. Who would have thought that the second lady suddenly disappeared some time ago, so the marriage had to fall to the third lady, and then a puppet holding a knife appeared in the third lady's room..."
The stall owner shrugged and said, "Brothers in the same family all have their own strengths and weaknesses. They are actually brothers and sisters from different fathers and mothers. Alas, the waters of the Wei family are very deep!"
At this time, a new customer came to the stall, and the stall owner immediately put on a smile and went to entertain the customer. It was inconvenient to inquire about the news when there were people around. Ming Huashang looked at the other two people, Jiang Ling took out the money and put it on the table, and the three of them left quietly.
After they walked away, Ren Yao lowered his voice and asked, "Tell me, is what the stall owner said true?"
Ming Huashang pondered and said, "I just picked the stall randomly. I couldn't arrange it in advance. He sells food, and the Wei family sells puppets. There is no profit exchange between them. I can't think of any reason for him to lie."
Jiang Ling rubbed his hands in anticipation: "Whether it's true or not, let's go to Wei's house and take a look."
As the three of them were talking, they had already reached the door of the Wei family. The person on the steps turned around, glanced at them with his black jade eyes, and said to the housekeeper of the Wei family: "Don't bother the housekeeper, my useless brother and sister have been found."
Ming Huashang looked at the scene in front of her and blinked silently, not knowing what was going on. Xie Jichuan held his folding fan in one hand and smiled at them, not knowing whether it was a reminder or a warning: "Wu Niang, your brother thought you were lost and was worried for a long time. We came to Luoyang this time to prepare incense candles for our ancestors, not to travel around. Why don't you come and admit your mistake?"
Ming Huashang understood that they were now outsiders who came to Luoyang to buy candles for funerals, and Mupu was also on the shopping list. Her setting was probably that of a proud and noisy country girl.
Ming Huashang immediately acted reluctant and moved to Ming Huazhang's side: "Brother, I was wrong."
The housekeeper was not surprised by such things and said, "Don't be angry, Mr. Cui. This is what happens when a young lady first comes to Luoyang. Please come in, Mr. Cui."
Ming Huazhang glanced at Ming Huashang indifferently, and without saying anything, he lifted his coat and walked into the Wei family. Ming Huashang took the opportunity to ask Xie Jichuan: "What are you doing? Don't tell me that you are planning to impersonate the Cui family of Boling."
Xie Jichuan glanced at her with a smile and said, "Wu Niang is really smart."
Ming Huachang's eyes went dark. The Cui family of Boling was one of the Five Surnames and Seven Families. She was afraid that the housekeeper in front would hear her, so she could only move closer to Xie Jichuan and whispered, "Are you crazy? Why don't you just make up an identity like a wealthy businessman or an official from another place?"
Xie Jichuan tapped his palms lightly with his fan and said, "Maybe it's because he and I exude too much nobility. Even if we pretend to be merchants, no one would believe us."
Ming Huashang was choked for a moment. Xie Jichuan saw her expression and laughed: "I was just kidding. In fact, he is a great hermit in the city. The Wei family is used to seeing the powerful and wealthy. They are used to seeing noble families come to their house. If it were merchants and strange officials, they would be remembered."
Ming Huazhang was entertaining the butler in front. He glanced at Ming Huashang and Xie Jichuan getting closer and closer, and suddenly said, "Wu Niang, come here."
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
