Zhao Xiu clearly remembered that the handkerchief was still in his field of vision.

In the Hall of Inquiry, every lady is assigned to a circle chair, next to which there is a small table, some plum blossom type, some begonia type, and some square and round. Tea sets and boxes are placed on each table, and there are dried fruit snacks in the boxes for everyone to use. Zhao Xiu felt that her plum blossom was too small, and the things were full, and there was no vacancy, so when a new guest came, she casually put the handstove in the corner of the circle chair, and the handkerchief was under the handhearth. She sat on a circle chair with a silver-red chair, and a brass handstove and a white silk handkerchief stood out on it, and she could not have been mistaken.

For a short time, she had only exchanged a few words with the new guests, and when she came back, the handkerchief was gone, and strangely enough, the handstove was still there. It can't be that the wind blew the handstove and blew the handkerchief away, right? What the hell is going on?

Zhao Xiu's mind was full of all kinds of conspiracy theories. She hasn't eaten pork, hasn't she seen a pig run? In various online novels, the loss of handkerchiefs may be the beginning of the peach-colored incident, and then maybe a man who doesn't know what to call will run out and claim to have an affair with a young lady with a handkerchief, and the handkerchief is a love object; Otherwise, it is to plant a false accusation, throw the handkerchief somewhere, and make people think that the young lady has been there, has done something invisible to people, or has broken someone's secret, in fact, it is to blame. No matter why her handkerchief disappeared now, Zhao Xiu became vigilant, secretly glanced at everyone in the hall, and stared at the Ruizhu again, only to feel that everyone was suspicious, and the most suspicious was this girl who was inexplicably close to her!

Zhao Xiu narrowed his eyes and did not say anything. just beckoned a little girl to pour tea over, and whispered: "You go to find my girl Bihan, she is wearing a gray plaid gown, which is very easy to recognize." When I found her, I asked her to bring me a handkerchief. The little girl curtsied. He took the order and left. After a while, she led Bihan over. The latter presented a plain silk handkerchief with both hands, and asked Zhao Xiu in a low voice: "Didn't the girl bring one?" ”

Zhao Xiu glanced at her: "I need a second one." ”

At this time, Miss Fang came over with a smile: "What is Sister Zhao doing here alone?" They're chatting a lot, why don't you go and joke with the big guys? ”

Zhao Xiu made a small gesture and motioned for Bihan to step back, then smiled and greeted the big girl above: "Fang just talked a lot." I was a little thirsty, so I was lazy and took a break before talking. ”

Miss Fang smiled and sat down on the circle chair beside her—that was originally Feng Xiuqin's seat—and then continued to say to Zhao Xiu with a smile on her face: "Everyone is sisters of the same age, and they often laugh and write poems in one place, and the days have been long. They know each other well, and they also have a person who often comes and goes. You are new to the city, so you can't recognize everyone, don't be afraid, don't be shy, see it a few times, and you will be acquainted. Everyone gets along very well. If you have any problems, just tell me. Even if someone is rude to you. Just tell me, and I'll do it for you. ”

Zhao Xiu's heart moved, and she only felt that she was much more attentive today than when they met last time. Last time at Cao's house. Although Miss Fang was very polite to her on the face, she actually didn't take her very seriously. Why did you change your attitude today? Even if she made a good poem last time, it wouldn't make Miss Fang close to her, right?

Zhao Xiu pondered for a while, then lowered his voice and said to her: "There is something I really want to ask my sister for help." I got up to greet my new sister, pressed my handkerchief under the stove, and placed it on the chair. But when I returned, I found that the handkerchief was missing. Logically, the handkerchief is not a valuable thing. It's just that this kind of thing can happen in the house, which is really strange. Maybe it's a girl who doesn't know what I'm doing. Just took it, right? If my sister sees it, please ask her to give me back the handkerchief. It's just a small thing, but after all, it's my personal property, and it's not good to leave it outside. ”

The smile on Miss Fang's face froze for a moment, she said this to Zhao Xiu, she originally wanted to pull the relationship, but she didn't expect Zhao Xiu to really have something to ask her for help. But this kind of thing is not so much a request for help as a slap in the face. The Fang family has always claimed to be a scholarly family, everyone in the family is full of poetry and books, even the girl is more knowledgeable than other families, and she is suspected of stealing, or in front of so many people? ! Miss Fang felt that if she found the person who stole the handkerchief, even if it was finally confirmed that the other party was just setting up an oolong and not intending to steal, she would not be able to tolerate the other party continuing to stay in Fang's house.

Miss Fang finally managed to maintain the smile on her face: "There is such a thing? Rest assured, sister, my sister will definitely find things back for you. ”

She beckoned to her personal big girl Yunqu and whispered a command. Yunqu glanced at Zhao Xiu in surprise, curts, and stepped back.

She went to find the deacon in the hall of inquiry, who was standing in the corner, even when the ladies were laughing, she never moved, she must know which people had approached the seat of the Zhao girl, and she could easily know who was the thief. As a decent big girl from the scholarly Fang family, Yunqu also can't tolerate someone being so shallow-eyed. If you steal any lady's jewelry, it's just a handkerchief, what's there to steal? How much is that worth?!

Rui Zhu noticed the movement on Zhao Xiu's side, and soon found that the deacon Mama was shooting her gaze, and she sighed in her heart and quietly retreated. When Yunqu walked towards her, she quickly dodged out of the small door not far behind her and fled quickly.

Yunqu chased after her, couldn't see clearly through the glass window, reached out and wiped a handful of water vapor on it, faintly saw her running to the side of the house, sneered, and turned around to find Miss Fang to recover her life.

Ruizhu rushed back to her master's house, her heart pounding. She pressed her chest and took a few deep breaths, pinched the contents of her sleeve pocket, and made up her mind before walking to the upper room.

Fang Yishan and his wife had been waiting for a long time in the upper room, and when they saw her come back, they asked in unison: "How is it?" ”

Rui Zhu took out a handkerchief from her sleeve pocket and offered it with both hands - it was the one that Zhao Xiu lost!

Fang Yishan's wife hurriedly snatched the handkerchief, opened it and looked at it over and over, but couldn't help but show a disappointed look. She looked at Rui Zhu with a suspicious expression: "This is really the handkerchief of the eldest girl of the Zhao family?" Didn't you just come to fool me? ”

Rui Zhu hurriedly knelt down and said, "It's true, the slave maid was picked in Miss Zhao's chair. The slave maid has also seen Miss Zhao wipe her hands with it! ”

Fang Yishan frowned and looked at his wife: "Is there any problem?" His wife said to him angrily, "There is not even a mark on it." The material is just ordinary plain silk, and there is no incense, if you really want to take it out, it is said that it is the handkerchief of the daughter of the Hou Mansion of Jiannan, who will believe it? The daughter of this noble family. It is said that I have also read books, and I should know how to needle and thread, why are you so sloppy on female red? Even if you don't know it, it's better to call the girl embroidered flowers! ”

Fang Yishan's brows furrowed even tighter: "Could it be ...... Can't you use this veil? ”

"Of course not." His wife said categorically, "Even if you use it, others won't believe it." The Zhao family even knew that this was his girl's veil. The same will deny it. What's the point of that? ”

Fang Yishan had to instruct Ruizhu: "Go back to the heart hall and think of getting something marked, such as bracelets, jade pendants, purses, etc......."

Rui Zhu said fearfully: "Master, the eldest girl may already know about the slave stealing things, and she is very angry. The slave and maid are the ones who escaped. If she goes back, the eldest girl will never spare the slave. If she asked, what would the slave say? ”

Fang Yishan's wife said: "In this case, you can stay, I will call Xin'er to go." ”

Rui Zhu was a little unwilling, and wanted to stop talking, but she still endured it and exited the house.

Fang Yishan's wife sent another girl. But she was a little uneasy, and couldn't help but say to her husband again: "Can this really work?" In fact, the daughter of the noble family...... may not be suitable to be our Jinju's daughter-in-law. I used to take a good look at several daughters, all of whom were children of scholarly families. All of them are knowledgeable and courteous, gentle and virtuous. This girl from the Zhao family, looking at the carriage just now, knew that she had a big idea. Although he is really cool and capable, he is the first time to be a guest at someone else's house. dare to oppose the guest, if you really get married. With her family's family background, she can't ride on our son's head? Master. Or forget it, right? There are so many good girls in the world, why do you have to pick this one? ”

"What do you know?" Fang Yishan said impatiently, "I have been in the middle position of the soldier for four years, and I don't know when I will be promoted. In terms of seniority and origin, I am no worse than others. It's only because the head of the family is Shaoqing of Taichang Temple, who is only one grade higher than me, and he has suppressed me all the year round, so I haven't been able to rise for a long time. Otherwise, with my identity as an old person in the Qiandi of King Guangping, high-ranking officials are just ordinary. Now on the Cao family's brother-in-law's side, because my sister and my mother-in-law have never been close, and some words are not easy to say, so I can't count on it. Since my niece has invited so many ladies to hold a poetry meeting, and there is a daughter from Jiannanhou Mansion, of course I can't let go of this opportunity! Although the Marquis of Jiannan has no power or power, he is a hero from the dragon, and the saint is very long. can marry with his family, am I still afraid of the suppression of the concubine? ”

In fact, he has a secret in his heart, which even his closest wife can't tell. Although the Fang family is expected to marry the royal family, if it is not his daughter who is sent out, then even if his past secret is revealed, the Fang family will not protect him. As the cousin of the head of the family, he barely survived, and his daughter had to be sacrificed. He is a son of a side branch, and his official position is not obvious, how can he get the protection of the family? They will only give up his family like rotten meat. But if he can marry the Jiannan Hou Mansion, which is favored by the emperor, even if the East Window incident really happens, the Jiannan Hou Mansion will find a way to help him get rid of his crimes, at least he will keep his son. The relationship between Jiannan Houfu and the royal family is so good, without his family, the emperor would not be able to be the emperor. With this credit, he Fang Yishan is not a big man in the rebel party, what does it mean to spare his family's life?

When Fang Yishan thought about it, his heart became even hotter. Even if he knew that the girl of the Zhao family was still young, four years younger than his own son, and far from the age of marriage, he couldn't care about it. The guillotine was hanging over his head, and it could fall at any time, and he had to set his son's marriage as soon as possible, and it wasn't even settled, his son had to marry someone into the door as soon as possible!

Thinking so, he said to his wife, "Madam, I am doing this for our family. Not to mention that the Zhao family is the Hou Mansion, just the connections of the Jiannan County Duke before his death are enough for me to be like a tiger in the military department. Besides, I don't care about this family business, not entirely for my own future, but also for the sake of my children. With my current position, what kind of relatives can our sons and daughters say? But if you can climb up to Jiannanhou Mansion. The value of the children is different. With the relationship between the old lady of his family and the queen mother in the palace, maybe he will bring our daughter into the palace to say hello to the queen mother. Who said that the only one who can be the concubine is the five girls of the grandson? ”

His wife's heart became hot when he said this: "Okay, I'll find another way." If it doesn't work out today. It's a big deal to let my daughter think of inviting someone over in the future, and there will always be a successful day! ”

The couple was very ambitious, and a sneer came from the window. Fang Yishan's face immediately changed: "Who is it?" Who's out there?! His wife was so frightened that her legs were weak, and he rushed out of the door in three steps and two steps, and saw his cousin Fang Sanye standing under the window, looking at him with a sneering expression.

Fang Sanye is a grandson. The younger brother of the head of the family, ranked third in the clan, was originally a scholar in the first emperor dynasty, although the official position was not high, but he was a close minister of the Son of Heaven. It was once very beautiful. It's a pity that he was involved in the rebellion case of King Ying, and his official position was taken captive, and he relied on the connections of the Fang family and the intercession of his cousin Mrs. Shang to save his life, and he has been idle at home ever since. His eldest daughter, Fang San, was also allowed to be the main room of the Marquis of Shanyin, and died of illness before she could pass the door. Fang Sanye was also a gentle and elegant person, but he suffered heavy blows one after another this year, and recently he lost his daughter. The temperament of the whole person has changed greatly, and the clansmen are afraid of it. For some reason, Fang Yishan has always been closer to him than others. But in the past few months, he has also been deliberately cold, for fear of getting into bad luck. I didn't expect him to hear the couple's secret discussion today.

Fang Yishan looked at Fang Sanye, the expression on his face changed unpredictably, and finally turned into an amiable smile: "It turned out to be the third brother, how can you have time to come over today?" Please come in. Your brother and sister went back to their parents' house yesterday to save their relatives and got a good bag of big red robes. I'll soak it for the third brother to taste, how about it? ”

Third Master Fang looked at him with a smile: "Fourth brother doesn't have to whitewash the peace. Pretending to be nothing. I have heard what you husband and wife have just said. I can't imagine it. It turns out that the fourth brother still has such ambitions? But don't forget......" he leaned into his cousin's ear, "why did you and mine destroy your ambitions?" Isn't it the old lady of the Zhao family and the two little cubs who are bad? If it weren't for them, you and I would be high-ranking officials and famous for centuries. You actually want to marry the daughter of the Zhao family back as a daughter-in-law? I'm not afraid that the prince will fall asleep in the middle of the night and ask for your life! ”

Fang Yishan's neck shrank, and he said to himself: "The third brother will also say, the grand plan is already in vain, and the bones of the prince have been put into the ground." Those who know the times are junjie, and what is the point of dwelling on the past? I want to marry the Zhao family, but also for the sake of our Fang family. Third brother, don't forget, you are idle at home now, and your wife and children have to rely on the family to support you. If the Fang family is good, you can also live well. If the Fang family falls, will you be able to get better? Even if not for yourself, you should think about future generations. ”

Fang Sanye sneered and raised one side of his eyebrows: "Then I'll wait and see." Look at you, the fourth master of the side branch, how you rely on your in-laws to revitalize the Fang family. But don't blame me for not reminding you. You think you're a good cover-up and can get away with it, but don't forget that you and I aren't the only ones in this world who know your details. In case the matter is revealed one day, the Zhao family can even give up their own flesh and blood, will it really protect you? You look down on me as a lost dog now, how good are you than me? At least I have nothing to fear, and you? Hahaha-" He laughed out loud and flicked his sleeves and left.

Fang Yishan watched him go away, the expression on his face was so cold that it could condense into ice. His wife walked up slowly: "Master, what did you say to the third uncle?" Why does he look weird? ”

"Ignore him, he has always looked down on people's hearts." Fang Yishan forcibly suppressed the fear in his heart that was led out by his cousin, and said to his wife, "You go and call your son." Today's matter, no matter whether the girl can get the Zhao family's girl's belongings or not, he is indispensable. We'll have to tell him so he doesn't show his feet. ”

His wife agreed, and ordered someone to pass on her son, but after a while, the mother-in-law who delivered the message came back and said, "Brother Ju'er said that he is not empty." Today, Brother Qi of the long house met the prince of Guangping outside, and invited people to his house as guests, and almost all the brothers of the He clan went to visit. Brother Ju said that he and Shizi were quite similar in temperament, and he would wait until the guests were gone and then come back to see the old lady. Mrs. Fang Cai Shang brought the young master over with her, and the young master also came over. ”

Fang Yishan and his wife looked at each other. (To be continued) R580