Chapter 24: Confrontation Mother Zhou stared straight at the person running towards her...
Zhou's mother stared at the girl who was running towards her, as if she was afraid that the person in front of her would disappear if she blinked even a little.
Tang Suzi stopped in front of them and said to Lao Qian,
"Boss Qian, how is the house I stayed at yours a few days ago?"
Because of running, her cheeks were still flushed and her breathing was unstable.
"Ms. Tang, you know the special reasons for your house. No one has shown any interest in buying it yet. I'll send someone to inform you if there's any news. I'm currently with other guests looking at houses and I'm not free yet."
Lao Qian explained.
Following Lao Qian's words, Tang Suzi finally noticed the two people standing next to Lao Qian, and realized that he had indeed disturbed others by running over rashly.
"I'm sorry to bother you."
She apologized sheepishly.
But why do the expressions of this master and lady in front of me look so strange?
Without time to think about it, Tang Suzi turned to Lao Qian and said,
"If you have any news, please let me know as soon as possible, Boss Qian. I'm anxious to leave the room."
"Okay."
After hearing Lao Qian's reply, Tang Suzi nodded, said goodbye, and turned to leave.
This time, Zhou's mother did not rush to catch up. She just looked in the direction where Tang Suzi left, with tears in her eyes.
After Tang Suzi disappeared, she turned to Lao Qian and asked,
"Boss Qian, who is this girl?"
"Oh, she's the client who helped me sell her house before."
"What's her name?"
Mrs. Zhou asked anxiously.
Although Lao Qian felt a little strange, he still answered truthfully.
"Tangsuzi, Tang of Tanghua, Su, Su of the revival of all things, Zi, the child's Zi."
"Do you know where she lives?"
Zhou's mother continued to ask.
Lao Qian recalled,
"I don't know where she lives, but a few times when I was inspecting a house, I ran into her coming out of the house next door. I heard that the house was bought by a man named Ling An, and Miss Tang might live there."
Mother Zhou pondered for a moment and said,
"Has the house you mentioned been sold? Can you take us to see it?"
"Ma'am...what are you doing?"
Father Zhou finally recovered from his shock. He pulled Mother Zhou's sleeve and said vaguely,
"She... just looks a bit like me."
Old Qian looked back and forth at Zhou's father and mother's expressions, not understanding what was going on but still hesitantly saying,
"Yes, if you want to see it, I'll take you there."
Back in the carriage, Zhou's father immediately scolded him harshly,
"Madam, what are you doing? She is not Tiao'er!"
Zhou's mother lowered her head and said nothing, but tears dripped onto her sleeves one by one.
Seeing this, Zhou's father also fell silent.
After a while, Zhou's mother's mood finally stabilized. She didn't look at Zhou's father, but just lowered her head and said,
"I know our Tiao'er left ten years ago. But the feeling that girl gave me was too strong... I often dreamed of Tiao'er in the past ten years. I dreamed that she said she didn't hate us for leaving her alone in Weizhou, she only hated us for giving birth to her..."
Zhou's mother burst into tears.
"She also said... she hoped to have nothing to do with us in the next life... she hoped to never see us again in this life..."
Hearing this, Zhou's father was also somewhat moved.
"Alas, we are the ones who let Tiao'er down, we are the ones who let her down..."
"So even if that girl is just someone who looks like Tiao'er, even if it's just a similar face, that's fine. After all, we'll never see Tiao'er again..."
Zhou's mother said with sobs.
Father Zhou was silent.
He had no way to refute what Zhou's mother said.
They no longer have any chance to see their daughter Zhou Tiao again.
So even if I only saw a face that resembled my daughter, wouldn't that be considered seeing Tiao'er again...
*
Fang Buyu stood in front of the study window, holding Wang Gui's confession tightly in his hand, brows furrowed, staring out the window.
There are a few sparse stars in the night sky, and darkness still shrouds the earth.
He had originally planned to return to Beijing early tomorrow morning to interrogate Lin Bowen, but a sudden message disrupted his plans.
Guo Yan just told him that Tuoba Xuan sent his confidant Sun Zhiming to deliver a message, asking him to meet at Mengxixuan at noon tomorrow.
Mengxixuan is a famous restaurant in Jiusu County. Tuoba Xuan chose this place to meet, and it was obvious that he had arrived in Weizhou.
Fang Buyu sighed inwardly, he was indeed worthy of being the prime minister, he was so well-informed and acted so quickly.
He stared out the window at the abyss-like night, thinking in his heart:
Since he's interested in meeting me, I'll go meet him and see what he's up to...
*
The next day, in Mengxixuan.
Fang Buyu arrived early and was led into a private room upstairs.
In the private room, the charcoal stove emits warm heat, the carved wooden table has elegant texture, and several purple sandalwood chairs are placed beside the table, with delicate twined floral patterns carved on the chair backs.
There are several ink paintings hanging on the wall, depicting mountains, rivers, plants, flowing clouds and water, which have a bit of the atmosphere of literati and scholars.
Outside the window, you can vaguely see the courtyard of the restaurant, with several plum blossoms blooming proudly in the cold wind.
Fang Buyu gently stroked the celadon teacup specially made by Mengxixuan in his hand, and looked at the door from time to time, waiting for Tuoba Xuan's arrival.
Finally, a steady sound of footsteps was heard, and soon, two figures appeared at the door.
As Fang Buyu expected, it was Tuoba Xuan and his confidant Sun Zhiming.
Tuoba Xuan, dressed in a dark green brocade robe and smiling, walked into the room calmly, his every gesture revealing the majesty and bearing of a man in high position.
"Pavilion Master Fang, I've been waiting for a long time."
Tuoba Xuan nodded in greeting, his action was polite, but it also carried a sense of oppression that could not be ignored.
"You are too polite, Prime Minister. I just arrived not long ago."
Fang Buyu stood up and returned the greeting.
After the two of them sat down, Sun Zhiming quietly retreated behind Tuoba Xuan and waved to the waiter to come forward and refill their tea.
Tuoba Xuan gently turned the teacup in his hand, and the tea rippled gently on the wall of the cup, gleaming with a delicate luster in the interweaving of light and shadow.
His eyes, as sharp as an eagle's, turned to Fang Buyu with a half-smile on his face.
"Master Fang, how are you these days? I heard that you have been quite successful in handling the case in Weizhou. Congratulations."
Behind these seemingly congratulatory words, Fang Buyu keenly sensed the hidden coldness, just like a piece of brocade with fine needles hidden inside, gentle on the surface but actually sharp.
Although his heart was in turmoil, he still maintained a calm appearance, and followed Tuoba Xuan's words, pretending to be humble and responded,
"Thank you for your concern, Prime Minister. I just tried my best and gained a little."
Tuoba Xuan gently picked up the teacup. The warmth of the celadon seemed to come alive in his hands. He blew gently, and the fragrance of tea rose and filled the air.
He took a sip, then slowly put down the teacup and said:
"I specially invited Pavilion Master Fang to come here today because I recently traveled to Weizhou and learned that Pavilion Master Fang was also here, so I wanted to chat with Pavilion Master Fang and taste the delicious food of Weizhou."
Oh? I'm afraid it's more than that...
Fang Buyu's heart was as clear as a mirror, but he remained expressionless and still responded respectfully.
"This is Fang Mou's good fortune."
As they were talking, several waiters in neat clothes walked into the compartment, placed the dishes skillfully, and then quietly left and closed the door.
Tuoba Xuan smiled and gestured to Fang Buyu,
"Pavilion Master Fang, please pick up your chopsticks and try the dishes at Mengxixuan to see if they suit your taste."
Fang Buyu smiled faintly, picked up the chopsticks, but was not in a hurry to taste.
"Thank you, Prime Minister, for your concern."
Tuoba Xuan personally picked up dishes for Fang Buyu and introduced each dish in detail.
Until he pointed to a dish and recommended it in particular,
"This dish, stir-fried cowpea and shark's fin, is Mengxixuan's signature dish. You must try it."
Fang Buyu's eyes swept across the tempting cowpeas on the plate and he politely declined:
"I appreciate your kindness, sir, but I've been allergic to beans since I was a child. Eating them causes a rash, which is really unbearable."
Tuoba Xuan was slightly startled when he heard this, then a smile appeared on his lips.
"So that's how it is! What a coincidence! Beans are like poison to me, and I feel sick the moment I touch them. It seems we really are destined to be together!"
His smile was bright, and he seemed genuinely pleased by the coincidence.
At this point in the banquet, it seemed as if all the previous vigilance and temptations had disappeared. Only this smile, which truly seemed to come from the bottom of the heart, slightly eased the tense atmosphere in the room.
Next, the two of them ate and chatted, and the atmosphere seemed much more harmonious.
Not long after, Fang Buyu slowly put down his chopsticks, indicating that he was full.
Seeing this, Tuoba Xuan asked in a gentle voice,
"Master Fang, are you full so soon? There's still some dessert left. I wanted to offer you a taste."
There seemed to be some regret in his words.
Fang Buyu waved his hands quickly.
"Thank you for your kindness, sir, but I really can't eat any more."
Hearing this, Tuoba Xuan also put down his chopsticks. He picked up the handkerchief beside him, wiped his hands slowly, and then said casually,
"That's right. Don't eat when you're full. If you eat too much, your body won't be able to handle it and it will hurt you."
After saying this, he slowly raised his head, fixed his sharp eyes on Fang Buyu, and added meaningfully,
"After all, everything should be done in moderation, don't you think, Pavilion Master Fang?"
There was still a smile on his lips, but it didn't reach his eyes.
Fang Buyu immediately understood that Tuoba Xuan's words had other implications.
He met Tuoba Xuan's gaze.
"Your Excellency is absolutely right. Trivial matters like food, clothing, housing, and transportation should naturally be handled in moderation. However, when it comes to major issues concerning the foundation of the country and the safety of the people, then 'stopping at moderation' is shirking responsibility and even bringing disaster to the country and the people. Although Fang is not talented, I dare not commit such a crime."
As soon as these words were spoken, the air in the room seemed to freeze.
Although there was no swordplay in the confrontation between the two, their thoughts were clear to each other.
Tuoba Xuan's smile disappeared, and Fang Buyu responded to this silent warning with a neither humble nor arrogant attitude.
When they went downstairs, both parties' expressions had returned to normal, as if the previous undercurrent was just an illusion.
However, that subtle atmosphere lingered vaguely between the two of them like a thin mist.
Fang Buyu followed closely behind Tuoba Xuan, walking down the stairs step by step.
When Tuoba Xuan was about to walk up the last flight of stairs, suddenly, a clang sound was heard.
When Fang Buyu heard the sound, he looked over and saw a maid standing stiffly in place, with a tray overturned and food scattered all over the floor.
Her companion hurriedly put down his tray and squatted down to wipe the tail of Tuoba Xuan's clothes that were splashed with vegetable juice.
"I'm sorry, sir, she didn't mean it."
The fellow maid hurriedly explained.
Fang Buyu didn't realize what was happening, so he quickly quickened his pace and rushed down the stairs.
"My lord, are you all right?"
However, Tuoba Xuan did not respond to him, but just stared at one direction, with a look as if there were surging storms in his eyes, as if he had seen something unbelievable.
Fang Buyu was confused and followed Tuoba Xuan's gaze, and saw the maid who overturned the tray.
She was wearing a simple maid's dress, the texture and style of the clothes looked a bit old, as if it had been there for some time.
However, despite her simple clothing, it could not conceal her natural beauty.
The stunning beauty and charm revealed between her eyebrows and eyes are like a pearl half-hidden by dust. Although not ostentatious, it has an indescribable charm.
Fang Buyu felt something in his heart, as if he had seen her somewhere.
At this time, the maid also noticed Fang Buyu's gaze. Her eyes seemed even more panicked when they met his, and there were some emotions that Fang Buyu could not interpret.
However, it was this glance that gave Fang Buyu a flash of inspiration!
He suddenly remembered who she was—she was Liu Yiyi, the most beautiful courtesan in Zuiyue Tower where he lived as a child!
Having not seen her for many years, she had obviously aged a lot, and was dressed like a maid, so he did not recognize her at first.
But why did she come here to be a maid?
Fang Buyu was full of doubts.
In his memory, Liu Yiyi was once the most dazzling pearl in Zuiyue Tower, and was loved and admired.
Now, how could it have fallen to such a state?
But on second thought, it didn't seem to be any of my business.
Because in his impression, he once disliked Liu Yiyi very much, and could even say that she extremely hated him.
He remembered that one time his mother asked him to bring her some soup. When she looked up and saw it was him, she waved her hand and overturned the bowl.
As a child at the time, he stood there at a loss, listening to her cold words and instructions, asking him not to appear in front of her again.
From then on, he kept his distance from her, avoiding her whenever possible and never getting close to her again.
Now seeing Liu Yiyi squatting down silently to pick up the broken pieces of the porcelain bowl on the ground just like he did back then, this moment seemed like a role reversal in the blink of an eye, and he couldn't help but feel a little dazed.
After picking up the fragments, Liu Yiyi turned around and left without saying a word.
The maid next to her also felt strange when she saw this.
"This...she's not usually like this. I don't know what happened today. I'm really sorry, sir."
Tuoba Xuan's eyes followed Liu Yiyi's figure until she completely disappeared around the corner, and then he finally said,
"No problem."
"Sir, let's go."
Fang Buyu said softly. He noticed the subtle change in Tuoba Xuan's mood, but did not ask any more questions.
The two walked out of Mengxixuan together.
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