Miao Hongxiao's letter was vague, she probably knew that Zhang's was worried, and briefly talked about the current situation and more dangers, but she didn't mention it at all. In the letter, Zhang was repeatedly told not to panic and not to expose the facts that he had met her, otherwise his life would be threatened.

These words are very strict, saying that if something happens to Zhang, she will not be able to forgive herself for the rest of her life; If she dies because of Zhang's lack of secrets, she will die without turning a blind eye.

"Ah Xiao knows that with my temper, if I know that something is wrong with her, it is impossible to let it go, and it is useless for her to scare me with my life, so I will threaten her own safety......" Zhang sighed coldly, "I didn't dare to joke with her life, so I put the letter away, cleaned up my traces, and didn't say anything to anyone." ”

"Who knows that more than ten years have passed, and Ah Xiao has not come back."

"I was in a trance, I felt that she was lying to me, and I hoped that she didn't lie to me, maybe one day, when I went out in the car to make incense, I could see her wearing a men's gown, folding flower branches and smiling at me naughtily......"

This incident was very painful for Zhang's family, her best friend left her side, her life and death were uncertain, and there was no news, and her mentality changed from helpless obedience at that time to struggle and guilt. If she didn't listen to Miao Hongxiao's words and immediately asked for help when she saw the letter, would it have turned out much better? Could it be that things are not as strict as Miao Hongxiao said, as long as someone helps, she can get through it?

They don't have to be separated for so long, and Lu Li doesn't have to live so hard......

"I didn't even say anything about Lan Xin's letter asking me about Ah Xiao, if you hadn't found it today, if it hadn't been a long time since it had passed, I'm afraid I would still hesitate."

Zhang's eyes closed slightly, and he was quiet for a while, before he turned his head to look at Lu Li, and looked him up and down: "Ah Xiao is so ruthless, she actually let you live in such a remote place, and find someone you don't know to take you, sisters like me and Lan Xin, aren't they worthy of trust in her heart!" ”

Although her words were strong, the expression in her eyebrows and eyes was full of resentment, she should have wanted to do something for Miao Hongxiao, but she didn't do anything.

Lu Li smiled slightly, "Isn't the junior also very good now?" My mother should be afraid that it will affect you. ”

"Sisters, what is there to be involved with." The Zhang family still minded, "Besides, there is still the Qu family in Shangjing, can't we even protect a young child?" ”

"Aunt Zhang......" Lu Li's voice was soft, as if she was coquettish, "Don't be angry, you see that I have come to you safely, and now I am really not afraid of anything." ”

Zhang Shi looked at Lu Li, and then looked at Zhao Zhu, the king of Ping, the prince of Motuo, Helian Yu, and the young master of the Shen family, his eyebrows eased slightly, and he snorted shallowly.

"And this letter...... Can you show me? Lu Li's eyes drooped slightly, "My mother didn't leave a word with me." ”

Zhang's body was suddenly shocked, his veil covered his eyes, and he seemed to choke, "This letter...... I lost it. Her voice trembled, with a deep apology.

"Lost?" Lu Li was shocked, his bad luck was no one.

Zhang's whole person was immersed in grief and grief, and she was speechless for a while, and her personal mother, who had been standing beside her, handed her a cup of tea, "Madam? ”

She waved her hand and motioned for the mother to speak.

The mother took a step forward and blessed Lu Li and a few people, "The old slave's surname is Du, he is the wife who accompanies the room, he has always been by his wife's side, and he has never left. Mrs. Miao and Mrs. Miao had a deep relationship, and when Mrs. Miao disappeared, Mrs. Miao took the letter with her, half thinking, half worrying that the letter would become Mrs. Miao's last relic. ”

"Because the letter is not big, it is easy to carry, and Mrs. takes it with her wherever she goes, and when she went to Tangnanzhuang outside Beijing for the summer in 14 years, she never put it down. Who knew that Tangnanzhuang was attacked by evil bandits that year...... Madame had lost a few boxes of things, and the letter was in those boxes. ”

The three words of Tang Nanzhuang seemed to evoke some bad memories, Zhang couldn't help it anymore, stood up abruptly, said annoyance quite embarrassedly, and hurriedly walked to the side hall across the screen.

The hall suddenly quieted down, Lu Li's eyebrows were slightly locked, and he was a little puzzled, Zhang's ...... It shouldn't be such an impulsive person. Although the meeting time was not long, he could see that Zhang was a quiet lady, with bright eyes and a bright heart, and a smart atmosphere.

"Madame is usually not like this, but today's mood fluctuates violently, don't mind." Mother Du was deeply blessed, she didn't dare to snub the guests, and carefully compensated for the host, no matter how worried she was, she only dared to look behind the screen, and didn't dare to let go of the guests and chase them.

The atmosphere in the main hall was quite sluggish, but Shen Wansha seemed to remember something, and asked Du's mother, "Fourteen years ago, Tang Nanzhuang ...... But what about the robbing? ”

Du's mother hung her head deeply, "Exactly." ”

"Then it's no wonder......" Shen Wansha's gaze swept across the screen, and he also sighed heavily.

Looks like there's something going on here...... Lu Li asked Shen Wansha, "What happened to Tangnanzhuang fourteen years ago?" ”

"I only heard the elders in the family mention it, saying that it was very miserable at the time, but I don't know the specific situation," Shen Wansha looked at Zhao Zhu, "Does the prince know?" ”

Zhao Zhu held Lu Li's hand under the table, "It's not a mountain bandit, it's not a rogue, it's a border pass that is in danger, the Liao people took advantage of the weakness, divided a thousand troops, and followed Datong, and really killed it." Tangnanzhuang is north of Kamikyo and next to Zhendingfu. ”

"Liao?" Lu Li's eyes were wide open, so it was a war?

Zhao Shu bowed his head, "The Liao people are all cavalry, sneak attack and loot in the dark, and our future and before reacting, we suffered a great loss." At that time, Wu Anhou and his wife's family were taking refuge in the summer in Tangnanzhuang Villa, and they experienced some dangers. ”

So it's really not intentional to lose things, and it's normal to mention it......

Lu Li glanced at the screen and sighed deeply, it was really bad luck.

Du's mother was probably worried that Lu Li would not believe it, gritted her teeth, and added the situation at that time, "At that time, the courtyard was in chaos all of a sudden, although the courtyard was Hou Ye's, but Hou Ye rarely went once a year, and the control of the subordinates was not so strong. ”

"At that time, I had to worry about my life, where could I take care of the things next to me? The other party's encirclement is shrinking little by little, and no matter how much Madame thinks about it, it is not good for others to fight for their lives and help her find the clothes and boxes back. The number of people around him decreased one by one, and in the end there was no food left, so everyone couldn't wait for death, so Mrs. gathered the guards and handed them over to Hou Ye, so that Hou Ye and his son fought hard to tear a hole and rushed out to find reinforcements, and she acted as a bait to lure away the enemy......"

"Although the reinforcements came in time in the end, and the owner of the family did not have an accident, but in those days, Mrs. suffered a lot, and after the reinforcements came, she was crazy to find clothes and boxes, but she couldn't find them, and Mrs. was seriously ill for a few times, lamenting and sighing......"

Du's mother expressed it very clearly. The letter was really lost, Zhang was very guilty about it, Tang Nanzhuang's memory was almost the darkest thing in Zhang's life, she had tasted hard work and lost a lot of things, but she really didn't blame her.

Please believe that her housewife is really a good person, and she has no intention of deliberately hiding it.

Lu Li actually didn't mind at all. will ask to read the letter, because he wants to see if he can find any clues from it, but it doesn't matter if he really loses it, anyway, he has been looking for clues related to Miao Hongxiao for so long, and it is the norm to not find anything particularly important and critical, and he has long been used to it.

Du's mother said this, it should be that the Zhang family attaches great importance to him, and he is a little careful.

Lu Li stood up, "Madam has already helped a lot, how can I care about this little thing?" Mom still went over to see Mrs. and asked her not to be sad, the younger generation didn't know before, and she didn't mean to make Mrs. uncomfortable. ”

Du's mother was grateful for Lu Li's generosity, and when she wanted to turn to see Zhang's, the screen was pushed open and Zhang's came out.

Zhang has probably washed his face, his sideburns are a little wet, and his eyes are still a little red, but his clothes are clear and clean. She came over and bowed deeply to King Ping, "The concubine is rude." ”

King Ping waved his hand to get her up, "It's also me who reminds Mrs. of the past." ”

Xu is venting his feelings and getting dredged, Zhang's shallow smile and groaning, his eyebrows stretched, and the whole person returned to the dignified and elegant appearance of Mrs. Hou, and said to Lu Li: "You are here today, the things next to you are not important, meet your brother." ”

The younger brother in her mouth should be Cui Zhi, the son of the Zhang family. Zhang and Cui Luo have been married for many years, and they only have one son under their knees, and they should be fifteen years old now.

"Okay." Lu Li responded with a smile.

Cui Zhi is a young man, although he was taken by his widowed mother, he did not see inferiority complex and depression between his eyebrows, and he was very generous and decent, and he was very serious when he saluted Lu Li, "I heard that my brother's skills are amazing, and my younger brother yearns for it." ”

Shen Wansha came up with an idea on the side, "Then the next time the little oak is dissected, you will also come to see it!" ”

Cui Zhi's eyes widened, and he was very excited, "Is it okay?" ”

Lu Li rubbed Shen Wansha's head helplessly, "It's not fun to dissect the corpse, the smell is unpleasant, and the corpse is not good-looking......"

"That's ......" Cui Zhi's eyes immediately darkened, full of disappointment.

Lu Li couldn't bear it, "In this way, if the corpse is not so scary, and your mother allows it, I will let you see it." ”

Cui Zhi immediately looked at Zhang, "Mother-"

Zhang Shile let his son make friends, and how can a boy be as pampered as a girl, it is time to practice courage. She first responded with a smile, and then reminded with a tiger face, "If you are too embarrassed, you will not be allowed next time." ”

"My son will not disgrace his mother!"

……

After the sad things were mentioned, it was time for everyone to chat and talk and get to know each other.

As Mrs. Hou, Zhang's news is not closed, she knows who Lu Li is, and naturally she knows that Zhao Zhu has a close relationship with him. Zhang really wanted to care more about Lu Li, but he hadn't done his best to take care of Lu Li in the past, and it was not appropriate to meddle in this matter, so he secretly observed Zhao Zhu while talking, seeing that he was really good to Lu Li, and he was still acting on the spot.

Shen Wansha knew that it was a young master with an innocent personality, and Helian Yu was not familiar with it again, so Zhang silently observed and evaluated......

Although it was a little late, she still wanted to do her best and watch her son for Miao Hongxiao.

……

Outside the warm breeze blowing willows, the sound of cicadas, there are a few pots of icebergs in the hall, white smoke is rising, the host is elegant and generous, the guests are lively and polite, the atmosphere is not restless or hot, very suitable.

Lu Li's eyes drooped slightly, and unexpectedly slid across the screen and saw the bookcase in the side hall. The bookcase is next to the window, and the window is now open, and the warm wind blows, slowly opening the pages on the table...... A piece of paper written in blue ink was revealed: looking back at the west wind, where the clock is sparse, and a spike of lights is like a dream.

It seems to be a eulogy, the artistic conception is nostalgic and helpless, looking at its lingering brushwork, it should be written by a woman.

The biggest master of Wu'an Houfu is Zhang's now, the main hall often comes to entertain guests, and the side hall should be Zhang's waiting for guests or a place to sit down, then these words should be written by Zhang's.

Probably mourning the deceased husband.

Lu Li sighed in his heart, Zhang's ...... He is a man of deep love.

……

After speaking, Lu Li said goodbye, and the Zhang family wanted to leave them in Houfu for dinner. If it were his own, it would be fine, but Zhao Zhu and He Lianyu ...... Lu Li hesitated. Zhang didn't want him to be embarrassed, so he didn't persuade him, but only agreed with him that in the next few days, no matter what day it was, she must come again, and she was waiting for him in the house to prepare food and play.

Cui Zhi was also full of regret, so Lu Li invited Cui Zhi to live and play at his place: "You can come over at any time, if I am fine, I will definitely be at home." ”

Cui Zhi looked at Zhang's and saw Zhang's nodding, and the joy on his face couldn't be suppressed.

When the group walked into the court, the servants who passed by all stood solemnly against the wall, and the rules were excellent.

Lu Li's gaze swept casually...... He paused.

Seeing him stop, not only Zhao Zhu, Shen Wanshahe, Lianyu, but also Zhang's Cui Zhi were also a little puzzled.

"Aunt Zhang," Lu Li's eyebrows condensed slightly, and his face was stern, "Has anyone in the mansion disappeared recently?" ”

Disappear? Did you disappear for no reason?

Zhang's eyebrows raised slightly, as if she didn't understand why Lu Li asked this, but she thought about it and replied seriously: "I haven't heard of it." ”

"Is there a servant who was sent out to do things and didn't come back for a while, with a head and a face?"

"This is a lot," the Houfu family has a big business, and the head of the Zhang family still has little leisure, and the servants are naturally busier, and the stewards who are busy outside every day do not know how many. Zhang looked at Lu Li's expression, "You want to find someone?" ”

Lu Li bowed slightly.

"In this case, I need to call the chief housekeeper to come over and inquire, I don't know how to arrange the people below." Zhang waved his hand, and the big girl beside her immediately turned around and went to ask the big housekeeper.

Shen Wansha quietly tugged on Lu Li's sleeve, "Little Li, what's wrong?" ”

Lu Li pointed to the elderly standing at the front of the people under the wall...... The embroidery on the clothes, the voice is slightly low as if implicit, "That, it's very familiar." ”

Shen Wansha didn't understand, familiar?

Cui Zhi heard Lu Li's words and asked, "That's a sign from our house, but what's the problem?" ”

"It's okay to say now." Lu Li shook his head, turned around and smiled apologetically at Zhao Zhuhe Lianyu, they were afraid that they would have to stay in the Houfu for a while longer.

Zhao Shu touched Lu Li's head and seemed to understand.

Shen Wansha jumped to his feet anxiously, "What the hell is going on?" ”

Lu Li explained to him, "The deceased you met at the entrance of the alley the day before yesterday also had the same family sign embroidered on his underwear. ”

He didn't understand why the deceased was embroidered on the undershirt but not on the outside, but he had always observed the deceased carefully and made sure that he was not mistaken. If nothing else, the deceased should be someone from Houfu.

Shen Wansha let out a long sigh, "I see." After sighing, he scratched his ears and cheeks and recalled, "Why can't I remember!" ”

Helian Yu held the young master's hand to prevent him from hurting himself, "In terms of observing the dead, no one is more careful than Lu Li. "So it doesn't matter if you lose to him, it's not that the young master is too weak, it's that Lu Li is too strong.

Shen Wansha smacked his lips and accepted this reason.

On a hot day, waiting in the court was not a thing, and the Zhang family invited Lu Li and the others back to the main hall to sit for a while.

……

The big housekeeper's surname is Liu, and he came quickly. is worthy of being an old housekeeper, and he is like a treasure to the people below, who should be where he is now, what to do, there is nothing he doesn't know.

Lu Li described the appearance and figure of the deceased that day, how old he was, and what kind of clothes he was wearing, and the old housekeeper thought about it and gave an answer, "There is a steward of the outer courtyard named Gao Cheng, who is very similar to what you described." ”

"Where is he now?"

"It should be collected in Xingzhou."

Lu Li asked the old housekeeper to elaborate. The old housekeeper said that Gao Cheng had been sent down half a month before the work in Xingzhou, and after he had prepared properly, he set off three days ago, and according to the speed of the carriage, he should be in Xingzhou now.

If you want to travel far, you will not be in Houfu or Shangjing, so you only wear underwear embroidered with family signs, and the outer clothes are changed into decent clothes to wear when you go out......

Lu Li nodded and understood.

Zhang looked at Lu Li's expression, his brows lowered, and the hand holding the handkerchief was clenched, "Is there something bad?" ”

Lu Li's eyes drooped slightly, how to say the right ......

Zhang's expression was solemn, and his voice was full of strength, "Just say something, although I am a widow, I can hold on." ”

Lu Li admired the smart and strong woman the most, and he no longer hesitated when he heard this, and said directly, "A corpse was found at the mouth of Chaoyang Street and alley the day before yesterday, which is very similar to Gao Cheng, a servant of your mansion. ”

"What? Gao Cheng is dead? The old housekeeper was very surprised, "Didn't you go to Xingzhou?" ”

Zhang was very calm, only paused for a moment, and then asked Lu Li, "Where is that corpse now?" ”

"It should be in the morgue of the government office."

Zhang immediately ordered, "Uncle Liu, send someone with quick legs and feet to the government morgue to identify and see if it is Gao Cheng." If so, please send an official to the government to investigate, remind the people in the house to cooperate, and send another person to Xingzhou, if not, immediately report to me. ”

"Yes!" The old butler left in a hurry and arranged to go.

The main hall fell silent for a moment.

Cui Zhi was a little incomprehensible, "Mother, it's just a subordinate, do you want to make such a big move?" "The government officials are easy to deal with, and if there is a lawsuit, they have to deal with it.

Zhang was frowning in thought, as if he hadn't heard him speak.

Du's mother explained: "It is said that a dead person in the family is nothing, and the life of a slave is not worth much." But the people of our house died in vain outside, and if the head of the family doesn't care, it will chill the hearts of the people below. If others can't get used to our family's deliberate actions, we can't retreat, and we need to get back face. ”

Cui Zhi glanced at Zhang with a complicated complexion, and lowered his eyes slightly.

Oh, yes...... His mother is a widow, and it is easy to be looked down upon, so she should be tougher.

He hated himself for growing up slowly.

Zhang's intention was to try his best to solve the case, so Lu Li couldn't stay still, "If Aunt Zhang doesn't dislike it, I'll help." ”

"So, it's a pity for you......" Zhang's gaze at Lu Li was a little complicated, "The first time you came to the door, this kind of thing happened at home, I, as an elder, didn't take care of you for a day, but I tired you to help me." ”

Lu Li waved his hand, "It's okay." ”

Shen Wansha also helped his little friend speak, "Madam, don't worry, you can't be tired of the little oak, the little oak can be smart, and the case can be solved quickly!" ”

Although the person sent by the Houfu to identify the body has not yet returned, Lu Li already feels that the deceased is □□ Gao Cheng. So he began to ask questions, and the first one was to ask Gao Cheng's origin, personality, and grudges with others.

Du's mother was blessed with a blessed body, and took two steps forward to reply.

If you ask her if anyone in the house has been lost, she is not sure, she needs to ask the following, but if she points out that the person who is sure is still a steward with a head and a face, she will not know.

"Gao Cheng is the servant sent by the Cui family when the waiting master stayed in the waiting house......"

Cui Luo has been poor since he was a child, he has no family background, the first emperor knighted him, he didn't even have a person to use, he should be a subordinate, all of them were the help of the Cui family in Beijing, this Gao Cheng was selected and sent by the Cui family.

This man is very loyal, very good at doing things, and very responsible, but if he is given a task, there is nothing that cannot be done, if it were not for the good sip of wine on weekdays, he would not be just a steward now...... The evaluation of him from top to bottom in the government is very unanimous.

Cui Luoxian went, the Zhang family was widowed, in order to avoid a bad reputation, the Zhang family ruled the government very strictly, the rules were very heavy, and the stewards supervised at all levels, and no infighting was allowed. Du's mother has never heard that Gao Cheng has a grudge against anyone, so he should have no enemies in the house, if there is, this news will not be hidden, and the morning report will come up.

"Loyal, able to do things, responsible, but as long as there is work, it will definitely be completed with high quality......" Lu Li read a few key words, "This Gao Cheng, is he very smart." ”

Du's mother said, "No matter who can manage things in our Houfu, they are not stupid." ”

"A smart person is good at hiding his thoughts, so he really wants to hide something......" Lu Li looked at Zhang.

Zhang closed his eyes, "I don't know my heart...... That's why I want to learn as much as I can. ”

There are too few clues to analyze anything for the time being, Lu Li thought for a while, "Can I take a look at Gao Cheng's room?" ”

He made this request just by the way, with the attitude of giving it a try, but he didn't expect it...... Gao Cheng's room gave him a lot of surprises.