Bend Over [ 折腰 ] - Chapter 77

[Chapter 76]

The next afternoon, when the North House returned, Xiao Qiao changed into a half-new and unused water light onion-colored clothes, faded the rings, dressed as if he were from an ordinary family, wore a masked mitsuru, accompanied by The Spring Lady Lin Mi, took a carriage to the Yuefu Inn in the city. Liu Lin Miao waited in the carriage. Taking ChunNiang inside, he asked the hall to find out about the Lang Jun who had settled down a few days ago.

Tang Qi said, “Zong Lang Jun is still here.” And today three or five visiting friends came, and asked to set up a banquet in the open space of the back hall. I was about to go over and add wine.

Chunniang gave the concierge ten big money: “I am an old acquaintance with him, and I am looking for him to have something to do.” I’ll drop in the way and deliver the wine for you. Tang Qi

saw that although the lady in the scarf hat was not dressed in obvious clothes, this servant woman who followed her stood up and seemed to be more grand than the master mother of the ordinary family, and she had money, how could she refuse and agree.

Little Qiao followed the guidance of Fang Cai Tang and came to the back hall.

This Yuefu Inn is also famous in the city, in order to attach the style and elegance, a small courtyard was set up in the back hall and a few yellow slot bamboo were planted. Although it is now late autumn, the weather is getting colder, but this yellow trough bamboo is hardy, the rod leaves are yellow and green, fluttering in the wind, and there is also a bit of Jiangnan charm.

Little Joe went down a corridor to the back hall, heard a faint laughter with the wind, a little closer, saw a bush of bamboo on the side, four or five men were feasting on the ground, sitting or lying down, all in their twenties, the largest, but also twenty-five or six, the posture was all crazy. I heard an older man sitting in the north direction laugh and said, “I once attached myself to the Linqing County Order and was his guest.” One day, a warehouse inspector Cao Rushed to Bai County Ling in the morning, and Yun Ji dreamed last night that he had made the jun a promotion to a rich man and came to pay tribute. The county commander was at first pleased, and the reward was great, and the next day, suddenly he was furious and ordered the staff to rebuke the man. Do you know why? The rest of the people meditated, and when they were puzzled, they overheard a woman’s voice behind them and said: “The

duty of the warehouse inspector Cao Cao should be to arrest thieves at night, he goes to sleep and dream, so he is derelict in his duties, and he should also be blamed.” I don’t know if I guessed it, right? Several

people on the floor were frightened, suddenly felt reasonable, suddenly laughed, turned back, and saw a woman who had just spoken in the open space not far away. She wore a power toe, her face covered in silk, and a middle-aged servant woman behind her. I don’t know who came from, and several people couldn’t help but look at each other.

One of the green-shirted men, similar to Wei Shao’s age, stood tall, wore a long sword at his waist, and his posture was elegant, which was Zong Ji. Looking back, he recognized Chunniang, got up from the ground, straightened his clothes, and stepped forward.

Chunniang nodded to him with a smile, called out “Lang Jun’an”, and handed him a jug of wine.

Xiao Qiao saw Zong Ji’s gaze fall on himself, and his look was confused, so he said, “It is very rude to rush to visit.” The day before yesterday, I was very grateful. Passing by today, I would like to thank you. If there is any disturbance, look at Haihan. As soon

as Zong Ji heard her open her mouth, he knew her identity, which should be the female prince in the Wei Mansion. A shy, busy greeting her. The rest of his friends saw this and knew that the woman was supposed to be visiting. At this point in the banquet, it was almost exhausted, and they all got up and left. After Xiao Qiao was nearby, although she could not see her face clearly because of mi, under the thin silk, she could still faintly identify a young and beautiful woman, and only then was she solved the puzzle of making music with her words, which showed that she was smart and sensitive, and she was very curious, and after that she couldn’t help but look at it a few more times.

Zong Ji sent his friends out, and several people joked, saying that he had only been in Yuyang for a few days, when he had made friends with such an outstanding beauty, concealed and not reported, and the next time he was bound to be punished for drinking.

Since Zong Ji had already guessed the identity of the woman, he dared to blaspheme, and he was busy denying it, and quickly sent his friend away and returned. In front of Xiao Qiao, he said respectfully, “I didn’t know that the female monarch had come here in person, and she had lost her way.” But useful to get me? But there is, despite the commandments. On that

day, he was saved by Biyan and swore an oath to repay him. Listening to Bi Yan and his wife talk about this Lady of Yan was very respectful, it seemed that when they had been kind to the two of them, they also regarded her as a benefactor in their hearts. Knowing that in her capacity, if nothing else, she would not come here to see her in person, so she said so.

Xiao Qiao asked Chunniang to avoid it first, and then said: “My sister specifically mentioned in the letter that the foot is under the foot, and the cloud foot is very widely traveled, and she is a trustworthy person.” So I rushed here. It is not a secret, it is indeed necessary to ask for the foot. Saying

that, he lifted the power shield to reveal his face, smiled slightly at Zong Ji, and nodded.

Zong Ji’s gaze fell on her face, and his gaze froze slightly, before he reacted, and he did not dare to look at her with a pair of eyes again, and only said: “Lady Meng’s false praise.” But whenever there is a problem, the queen does as she commands. The Emperor was jealous of the earth in order to repay the benefactor’s grace of salvation that day! ”

……

Little Joe came out of the Yuefu Inn and on the way back home, he kept meditating.

Last night, Huang Mi secretly reported the sneaky whereabouts of Jiang Mi, which made Xiao Qiao’s already tense nerves tighten again.

In the past life, Lady Xu’s unexpected illness, Big Qiao, Zhu Shi, Jiang Mi around Zhu Shi, and the Li Xianghou Lady who first appeared in her sight…

So many people, it seems that it should be able to wear a line.

Jiang Mi is a confidant of the Zhu clan, the Zhu clan is the head mother of the Wei family, and the Lady Xianghou surnamed Li is a noble lady in Yuyang City, and if the two have intersected in the past, it makes sense for the Zhu clan to send Jiang Mi to the door now.

But Little Joe’s intuition told her that things wouldn’t be that simple.

Judging from Huang Mi’s description last night, it is still impossible to judge whether Jiang Mi’s secret visit to The House of Lady Hou of Li’s township was sent by the Zhu clan or acted privately in secret.

Just when Lady Xu was ill and Wei Shao was away from home, Jiang Mi did such an almost sneaky thing, which was too suspicious.

But in the middle, it was as if something was missing, so that she could not reasonably string together the relationship between these people.

And that Lady Xianghou surnamed Li, who is sacred?

She has been coming to Yuyang for almost a year. Lady Yuyang, Little Joe had mostly seen it.

Her memory is good. People who have met, even if it is only one glance, she will not forget.

But this township lady, Xiao Qiao, was sure that she had not come to the Wei Mansion to move around.

Because of her widow’s status, it was reasonable to live in simplicity.

But now, since she had broken into her sight in this way at this moment, Little Joe was not going to let it go.

So she personally found the Zong Ji and asked him for help, to help her keep an eye on this township lady, and not to let go of her every move.

In fact, Little Joe now has a male servant who can send errands. But this matter is special, and ordinary people may not be able to stare at what is famous. The one who was jealous was different. Big Joe’s letter describes him as a Ranger.

Since the Spring and Autumn Period, rangers have been a special social existence group. Valuing righteousness over profit, promising thousands of dollars, and even repaying his confidant with death.

If the Ranger Zongji was willing to help, the effect would be better than if she handed things over to ordinary people.

But this kind of jianghu ranger is difficult to buy with money. Judging from what Big Qiao said in his letter, this Zong Ji also seemed to be quite righteous. He wanted to rely on his relationship with Big Joe and ask him for help.

Originally, she was slightly worried, afraid that she would come to the door like this, too hasty.

Unexpectedly, Zong Ji agreed to it as soon as he took a bite, and judging by his attitude, it was not reluctant.

This made Little Joe finally feel a little relieved.

She couldn’t help but turn her attention to the medicine That Madame Xu had taken again.

She had thought repeatedly before, assuming that everything was still the same as in the previous life, and Madame Xu, who was originally recovering, suddenly fell seriously ill and died, then most likely, the soup medicine she was taking was manipulated.

Therefore, after she was sure that Guo Mi, who was in charge of decoction in the north house, was fine, she repeatedly ordered that she must ensure that every time she decocted the medicine, she had to stare from beginning to end and could not leave a step.

I thought it was almost over. Now because of this accident, little Joe is even more nervous.

As soon as she returned to the Wei mansion, she instructed Chunniang not to take care of herself, and then to fry the medicine with guo mi before Lady Xu was cured and stopped taking medicine.

Chunniang was a little inexplicable. But the mood of the lady in these days has also infected her. I didn’t ask much, and I immediately responded.

“When it comes to decocting medicine, you can stay in front of the stove to make sure the soup medicine is clean.” You don’t have to let people know that I sent you to keep an eye on it.

Little Joe thought about it and gave another command.

……

After Chunniang left, Xiao Qiao groaned for a long time and decided to go to the East House.

After the incident of Wei Yu a few days ago, Lady Zhu, except for sending Wei Shao off a few days ago, showed her face, and the rest of the time she locked herself up in the East House, and did not want Xiao Qiao to ask For An.

Little Joe hadn’t seen her in days.

She wanted to go to the temptation to see if Jiang Mi had quietly gone to Madame Xianghou’s house, and did she know it or not.

Xiao Qiao arrived at the East House and waited for half a day, without even seeing Jiang Mi’s face, a servant woman came out and said that the lady was missing, and asked her to go back.

Little Joe had no choice but to dispel his thoughts.

……

In fact, she also thought about it, so she simply leaked the news that someone might want to be unfavorable to Madame Xu to Zhong Mi and asked her to help prevent it.

But after thinking about it again and again, I still couldn’t make up my mind.

If you tell Zhong Mi, Zhong Mi will definitely ask the reason and the object of suspicion.

What do you say then?

After all, so far, everything is just their own doubts, or rather, catching the wind and shadows.

Her biggest suspect was Zhu Shi. Because only the Zhu family has the motivation and the possibility of starting.

But this is no small matter. Zhu Shi was the head mother of the Wei family and the mother of Wei Shao. He suspected that she was going to kill Lady Xu so baselessly, but yu lightly lost her heart and went mad, and she was separated in front of Lady Xu, saying that it was serious, that is, it was a great rebellion and ulterior motives.

Whether from the perspective of human ethics or common sense, without conclusive evidence, she could not have leaked a little wind and noise.

So now all she can do is do everything she can to prevent it.

So much for.

……

Chunniang went to the North House. Xiao Qiao summoned Lin Mi and asked her to inquire in detail about the details of the Lady Xianghou surnamed Li. The more detailed the better.

Lin Mi has been in Wei Province for many years, is an authentic Yuyang person, and is also clever. Inquire about this kind of local home, and give it to her.

Lin Mi responded and hurried away. In the evening of the next day, Xiao Qiao returned to the West House from Mrs. Xu, and as soon as he entered, he saw Lin Mi greeted him. Knowing that she should have news, after entering the room and closing the door, she asked, “How?” What can you hear? Lin Mi

said, “Lady Hui, the lady of the township marquis lost her husband a year ago, and only returned to Yuyang’s ancestral home to keep filial piety.” Earlier, he lived in Luoyang. After returning, he was reclusive and had an excellent wind review. All I know is that there is a young son in the family. I can’t really find out the rest.

Xiao Qiao let Lin Mi go down, and he fell into contemplation.

Luoyang…

The first moment she thought, a name popped up in her mind: Emperor Su’e.

Could it be that Emperor Su’e and Lady Xianghou met, and then met Jiang Mi through Lady Xianghou?

But Jiang Mi was Zhu’s confidant, and Zhu’s hatred for Emperor Su’e was obviously deeply disgusted.

What else was there she didn’t know?

Besides, Emperor Su’e had now left Yuyang, and she was sure of that. Because she had personally heard Zhong Mi say to Lady Xu that the people of the inn personally sent her out of the city twenty miles away.

Unless she risked angering Lady Xu and turned back and stayed at the home of the township lady.

Don’t……

Jiang Mi is actually also a person of Emperor Su’e?

Little Joe was startled by the thought that came to him suddenly.

If this is true, then one link in the unconnected thread that has been plaguing itself these days is complete.

Lady Xu, Zhu Shi, Jiang Mi, Emperor Su’e…

That is to say, the object of suspicion, in addition to the Zhu family, now has another Su’e Emperor.

Although she was not in the Wei Mansion, if Jiang Mi was her person, it was not without a chance to attack Lady Xu.

Lady Zhu had a motive to resent Lady Xu. Emperor Su’e seems to have it too.

Little Joe suddenly felt his heart pounding, and his palms sweated.

……

This night, Zhu Shi, Su E Huang, Jiang Mi, one face after another kept coming to her mind. She lost sleep all night. Early the next morning, he got up with a black eye and packed up and was going to the North House, when ChunNiang came in and quietly told Xiao Qiao that the Zong Langjun had sent news in the morning, asking the lady to go to the inn again, and he had something to tell the lady.

Xiao Qiao’s spirit was shocked, knowing that he should have heard something, he hurriedly changed his clothes, took Chunniang and Lin Mi as he had done before, and hurried to the inn.

In the inn, Zong Ji was already waiting.

[End of This Chapter]