The next day, Zuixianglou discovered that the Jinling oiran was missing mysteriously, and immediately reported the case. According to the government investigation, the case seemed to be related to the son of the Minister of Civil Affairs.
However, at the time of the incident, Zhao Ji, the son of the Minister of Civil Affairs, was hundreds of miles away in Luzhou Academy. This bizarre and unsolved case ended up being left unsolved and became a topic of conversation for local people after dinner.
As participants, Zhang Xiu and Yan Feng had already retired and led the cows to the dean's hometown in Huainan.
The Huainan Wang family is also a famous family in Jiangnan. There are seven Jinshis in one family, and the father and son have three beauties. They are no less generous than the Zhao family where Zhao Ji is.
The sixth son of the family, Wang Xu, was a veteran of the Three Dynasties, one of the three Dukes, and held the title of Grand Tutor. He retired and returned to his hometown twenty years ago and became the dean of Luzhou Academy, which is what Zhang Xiu calls the old man.
When they arrived at Wang Zude's house, the two of them announced their door, and the old housekeeper went inside to report.
Not long after, a middle-aged man in his fifties wearing a military uniform came out and said with a bow: "I guess you are Mr. Zhang and Mr. Yan in my uncle's letter. The two young masters are concerned about the affairs of my son Zude." I feel deeply ashamed for all the hard work I have done. I have sent people to prepare a banquet, so please let me talk to you two gentlemen in the room."
Zhang Xiu smiled and returned the greeting, and said very politely: "Brother, you don't need to see anyone outside. I am the dean's personal disciple. When I get here, it's like coming to my own home. Let the cook make some abalone, ginseng, wing tripe, and bear paw." Bird’s nest or something, just have a homely meal together!”
As he spoke, he held the king in his arms and enthusiastically let him in. At the same time, he ordered the butler to show everyone tea.
After Wang Yuanwai was seated, he still looked confused: "@#￥%￥#@..."
Who am I, where am I, how is this feeling of being at home, this seems to be my home, right?
Zhang Xiu, who was mainly a guest, took a sip of tea and asked with an easy-going look: "Brother, why don't you see my nephew Zude come out?"
Wang Yuanwai came to his senses and sighed: "Well, the child is ill and is recuperating in the bedroom. I'm afraid he won't be able to come out to see him."
Zhang Xiuoh said, "So that's it. The dean thought something had happened at home, and he felt uneasy, so he specially sent me and me to visit."
When Wang Yuanwai heard this, he sighed with some emotion: "Oh, my uncle is worried. As a junior, I am really unfilial."
Zhang Xiu then asked: "What kind of disease does nephew Zu Dexian have? I have been studying with Dr. Liu since I was a child, and I am somewhat familiar with medical skills. Maybe I can help you with it."
There was a trace of embarrassment on Wang Yuanwai's face. He hesitated for a long time, and then sighed helplessly and said: "Zude's illness is quite embarrassing to talk about. He is lovesick. He doesn't think about food or tea all day long. He is suffering from it all day long." sick."
The fire of gossip was burning in Yan Feng's eyes, and he couldn't help but ask: "Is the woman he likes a married woman?"
Zhang Xiu rolled his eyes at him and scolded him: "What are you talking about? The Wang family has always had a strict family tradition, and Zude grew up under the influence of the dean... Damn it, it's really possible!"
Thinking of the dean's preferences, Zhang Xiu took a deep breath, widened his eyes and choked on his words.
Wang Yuanwai: "..."
Co-authored: In your eyes, the strict family tradition inherited from my Wang family is a good wife? ? ?
Wang Yuanwai's cheeks twitched and he explained: "The woman Zude is interested in is only 28 years old and has not left the cabinet."
Yan Feng asked doubtfully: "In that case, don't you just come to propose marriage? With the Wang family's reputation in Jiangnan, no one will refuse, right?"
Wang Yuanwai sighed silently: "I thought so too at first, but the Xin family..."
As he spoke, he shook his head and continued: "The woman Zude is attracted to is the fourth daughter of the Xin family next door, and her nickname is Siniang.
The Xin family moved to Huainan this year. Although Mr. Xin has no fame, he is a well-read poet and a scholar. I often communicate with him, and we have a lot of fun talking. "
"But regarding this girl, no matter what I said, I even changed the matchmaker three times, but he just refused to agree. When I asked the reason, Mr. Xin always couldn't explain. As time went by, Zude became lovesick... …”
"This is a bit difficult to handle..."
Zhang Xiu lowered his head and thought for a while, then suddenly slapped the table and stood up with eyes shining.
Seeing him like this, Wang Yuanwai was surprised and said: "Brother Zhang Xian, have you thought of a way?"
Zhang Xiu was startled and said with a confused look on his face: "What can I do? I just want to go to the kitchen and let them know and ask them to add another dish of steamed mandarin fish."
Wang Yuanwai: "..."
Are you just here to eat and drink?
Half an hour later, Zhang Xiu, who was full of wine and food, burped and slumped on the chair.
Wang Yuanwai looked at all the empty plates on the table, forced a smile and said, "Brother Xian, is this food still delicious?"
Zhang Xiu nodded with satisfaction and said: "It can be said that this is the best meal I have had in the past few days. Brother, don't worry, I won't eat your food in vain. Zude's matter will be taken care of by me." , after I digest it, I will go and meet with Mr. Xin in person."
"Based on a certain person's sharp tongue, if I can't get him to agree to this marriage, I'll hold his head in front of you!"
Wang Yuanwai's eyelids twitched wildly and he said: "Brother Xian, why don't you go and rest early..."
Zhang Xiu's face darkened, and she said displeasedly: "You don't believe me. Even if I can't beat Mr. Xin, there is still Brother Yan. Brother Yan is not a living wage!"
Yan Feng picked up the rice bowl in his hand and complained: "You have eaten all the food. What will I eat if I don't eat dry rice?"
Wang Yuanwai couldn't laugh or cry for a while: "This is not the point. The point is that we are here to propose marriage, not to propose marriage..."
Zhang Xiu smiled slightly and said seriously: "Put the marriage proposal aside for now. Take me to see Zude first. You have to ask him and Xin Siniang how they are. Don't let Luo Hua be ruthless when the time comes. It’s all wasted effort.”
Wang Yuanwai nodded when he heard the words, sighed slightly, stood up and led them to the backyard.
There were candles lit in the attic in the backyard, and two figures, a man and a woman, were standing in front of the window, embracing each other, lips touching, and the three of them were stunned.
Wang Yuanwai's old face turned red with embarrassment, and he whispered anxiously: "This...how rude is this! How could Zude do such a disgraceful thing? How rude is this!"
With that said, he was about to go in and separate the two of them.
Zhang Xiu grabbed him and said, "If you go in like this and ruin their good deeds, how will this woman behave in the future?"
Wang Yuanwai was startled. He felt that it was a bit rash to break in like this. He asked eagerly: "Then what do you think we should do?"
Zhang Xiu looked at the two people kissing passionately upstairs and said calmly: "Don't worry, let's watch it for an hour first!"
Wang Yuanwai: "@#￥%￥#@......"
After an hour, all the uncooked rice will be cooked!
When Wang Yuanwai was in a state of confusion, Yan Feng suddenly felt a slight vibration coming from the wooden box behind him. His eyes narrowed and his expression became serious.
"We're afraid we won't be able to watch the show. There's... a demonic spirit in the house!"
