Beiping, a harsh winter season in the late forties of the twentieth century. The sparse street lamps in the dark night flickered on and off, like a fluctuating ghost fire; The evening breeze whipped the deserted ancient city like a thorny whip. It was getting late, and most of the people in Beiping in the cold winter had fallen asleep at this time.

In a deep and secluded alley near Luoguxiang in the north of the city, there is a large mansion surrounded by blue bricks, and the grand gatehouse shows that the people who live here must be rich and noble. In the backyard of this family, there is a very quaintly furnished study with lights on, and an old man with a tough body and silver hair in the study is furious at this time, he is Wang Yunqing, the owner of this big mansion. Mr. Wang Yunqing is over sixty years old, tall and tall, with a long thin face with a crown nose, high eyebrows and deep eye sockets, bright eyes, and the lines on his face are generally distinct. This afternoon he went out to visit an old friend, and in the evening he came home after dinner, and after a few homely words with his wife, he went to his study in the backyard to sit down and drink tea to recuperate. Wang Yunqing has the habit of appreciating antiques in his leisure time in the evening, and he regards collecting antiques as the first pleasure in his life, and he feels that enjoying antiques can obtain an indescribable spiritual enjoyment. Who knew that today he found a painting scroll in the red sandalwood bookcase, which was a bamboo and stone picture of Zheng Banqiao, a famous painter in the Qing Dynasty. Although Wang Yunqing's collection of antique calligraphy and paintings is not small, this is his favorite treasure. He unfolded the painting and put it on the bookcase, holding the magnifying glass in his hand and carefully looking at every detail of the painting, watching the old man unable to sit still. He cocked his goatee and shouted, "Someone! ”

No one paid attention to it for a while, and the old man was anxious: "Come on, come on!" He was so anxious that he circled the room with his hands behind his back.

"It's coming, it's coming." A man hurried in from the outside where the curtain was raised. This person is in his forties, with a pair of slender smiling eyes on his white Chinese face, a slightly fat figure, and a very rich appearance. This person's name is Zhao Tongfang, known as Lao Zhao. He was originally a son of a wealthy bannerman, but later due to his family's broken background, he was introduced to the Wang family by a friend as a driver and housekeeper in order to live. Lao Zhao has a steady personality and is down-to-earth, although he usually doesn't talk much, but he is educated and obedient, whether he sees his master or his subordinates, he nods with a smile, and the number of etiquette is always indispensable, so he has won the trust of the old man Wang Yunqing.

"Sir, what do you command?" Lao Zhao lowered his head and lowered his shoulders and asked softly.

Wang Yunqing saw that it was Lao Zhao who came in, so he asked with concern: "Lao Zhao, why haven't you come home so late?" ”

Lao Zhao narrowed his smiling eyes: "Master, there are some things in our house that haven't been finished today, so we have to leave later." ”

"It's rare for you to bother like this, you also have your own home and children to take care of, you can talk to your wife about the things you haven't done."

"Master, my wife's health is not very good, and I don't want to disturb her about some small things. Besides, I'm a steward, and I'm in charge of all these things. ”

After Lao Zhao finished speaking, he looked up at Wang Yunqing again, and asked timidly: "Master, I see that your complexion is not good today, what's wrong with you?" ”

Wang Yunqing pointed out the window with some anxiety and said, "Lao Zhao, don't ask yet, go find your wife, go quickly!" "Yes." Lao Zhao hurriedly agreed, turned around and walked out of the house.

After a while, Lao Zhao walked in with his wife. This Mrs. Wang has kind eyebrows, dignified demeanor, and a slightly fat figure. Although she is nearly sixty years old, she can still vaguely see the charm of her youth.

Mrs. Wang looked at Wang Yunqing frowning with an angry face, and asked with some surprise: "Master, what's the important thing on this big night?" Let Lao Zhao call me over in a hurry? ”

"I ask you, who has been in this study recently when I wasn't at home?"

"Didn't you lock the door when you left! In the entire Wang family, only I have the key to your study, and only ghosts can enter except for me who can enter this door. ”

Wang Yunqing pointed to the bookcase with a trembling finger and said angrily: "Hey! That's hell to go! I don't know when my precious thing was transferred! ”

"Master, I don't understand what is not adjusted." Mrs. Wang asked cautiously.

Wang Yunqing pointed to the bookcase angrily and said, "My lady, if you don't understand, just look at the painting yourself!" ”

Mrs. Wang walked to the bookcase with a suspicious face, slowly picked up the painting and looked at it carefully, she didn't see the reason for looking at it for a while, so she whispered to herself: "I feel that the paper of this painting seems to be a little new, and I can't see anything else." ”

Mrs. Wang's words almost made Wang Yunqing mad, he pouted and counted Mrs. Wang: "You have been with me for so many years, you haven't grown your eyesight at all, you can't see such an obvious fake?" ”

"What, it's a fake? I didn't see it at all, this thing is too realistic! Madame Wang's eyes widened, and she couldn't believe that the painting she was holding was a fake.

"This ingenious thing is an imitation, and no matter how similar it is, it is also a worthless butt wipe! You laymen can only be deceived. After speaking, Wang Yunqing, who was in a hurry, covered his chest with his hands and coughed violently.

Mrs. Wang saw that the old man was so anxious that she coughed, so she gently slapped him on the back, "Don't worry, even if this painting has been dropped,

You can't get it back in a hurry, but what if you get sick in a hurry? ”

"Madam, although this painting is a rare treasure, everyone who loves to collect calligraphy and paintings wants to have it, but since it arrived at our house, you know how many troubles it has caused. It finally gave birth for a few years, and now it has been transferred at home again. Let me tell you, my heart and soul baby has now become a fake, and I am not only anxious, but I am afraid that I will never see it again! ”

Wang Yunqing was so anxious that he couldn't stop patting his thigh with his hand, and then raised his head and looked at his wife for help.

Although Mrs. Wang comforted the master with relieved words at this time, her brows were also tightly locked. Wang Yunqing is a hands-off shopkeeper, Mrs. Wang is the hostess of the house, usually the things in the palace are taken care of by her, no matter how big or small, and now a famous painting of the lord was stolen by someone unknowingly, she felt that her heart was heavy and she was very sorry for the master. The Wang family has never lost something, this time not only lost something but also lost a rare treasure, she felt that this matter was strange and very serious. Madame Wang couldn't help but say to herself: "Strange thing! Our Wang family's rules are very strict, and we haven't even lost a needle and thread on weekdays, but now this kind of thing has happened, I really never expected it. It's a pity that this thing has been stolen now, but it's a terrible thing that the family's Tsunade Rites will be gone in the future! In my opinion, this matter must not be tolerated, and it must be investigated! ”

Lao Zhao, who was standing on the side, nodded hurriedly and said, "Yes, master, wife, if this matter is not investigated, I don't know what will happen in the future!" ”

Wang Yunqing slowly took a few sips of tea, and after taking a long breath, his mood calmed down a little, and after a little thought, his expression became serious, and he instructed Lao Zhao to say: "You call Hongxing and Hongju brothers and sons right now, the sooner the better." ”

Lao Zhao replied: "Master, Young Master Hongxing was eating out tonight, and he and you came back with front and back feet, as if he had just fallen asleep." ”

"Then you call me Hongju first."

"Young Master Hongju went to school early in the morning, and he hasn't come back yet." Lao Zhao added.

Mrs. Wang continued Lao Zhao's words and said: "Master, Hongju has always been away from home in the past two days, and he can't stay home for a long time, and he is nervous all day long. Mrs. Wang said: "Hongxing went out in the afternoon, saying that he was at home and was in a panic, and he wanted to find a few friends to skate in Beihai Park to relax, so I let him go." ”

Wang Yunqing complained to his wife and said: "Hongxing, this kid doesn't have any skills, he just eats, drinks and has fun. You're usually too spoiled by him. ”

"Go, hurry up and call me Hongxing!" Wang Yunqing angrily ordered Lao Zhao to call Wang Hongxing over immediately.

"Master, at this time, Young Master Hongxing may be asleep, and you still need to wake him up?" Lao Zhao didn't want to move, he squinted at his wife, and only moved his steps outside the door.

Mrs. Wang understood what Lao Zhao meant, she held Wang Yunqing's shoulder and said, "Master, Hongxing just fell asleep when he was tired from playing, I don't think I will call him tonight, will I talk about it tomorrow morning?" ”

Wang Yunqing's eyes widened: "No!" There is a thief in the house, I can't sleep, no one can sleep! ”

Mrs. Wang continued to dissuade: "Master, this matter is not something you can find out in one night, in my opinion, it is too late today, you better rest, let's wait until tomorrow dawn to talk about it." ”

"I can't wait for tomorrow, you can find Hongxing right away. If he's going to sleep, pull him out of the bed, go, what's the point of standing there! Wang Yunqing waved his hand impatiently to Lao Zhao and said.

Lao Zhao answered, hurriedly bowed his head and walked out.

After Lao Zhao went out, Mrs. Wang asked cautiously: "Old man, do you really think that our son did this?" ”

"You've always been a calf protector! If it's not for them doing a good job, who else can there be? Wang Yunqing asked rhetorically.

"I don't think Hongxing will do this, that kid is naturally timid, doesn't like to read, doesn't know calligraphy and painting, and he hasn't looked at your baby stuff when he is a child. It won't be him! I know. Mrs. Wang patted her chest and said.

"You said it wasn't him, then it must have been done by Hongju?"

"Hongju, this kid is the opposite of his brother, he loves to read and write since he was a child, he always loves to drill into your study when he has nothing to do, and he always likes to watch when you play with antiques, don't you often teach him antique scriptures?"

"You mean to say that Hongju is the most suspicious?" Wang Yunqing frowned after hearing this.

Mrs. Wang hurriedly shook her head and said, "No, no, I didn't mean that!" Hongju has been an honest and well-behaved child since he was a child, and now that he has grown up, he will not do these things of chickens and dogs! ”

Wang Yunqing felt that what his wife said was reasonable. These two sons were raised by him since childhood, and the Wang family has a very strict family education, so he doesn't really believe that his children will do such bad things. If it wasn't his two sons who were the ones who made the plan, who would it be? His brow furrowed even tighter.

Mrs. Wang looked at Wang Yunqing, who bowed his head and was silent, and said, "Master, but it's good for you to interrogate their brothers, so that you don't have to let go of their suspicions." ”

At this time, there was a sound of footsteps outside the door, and Wang Yunqing was busy sitting down.

The door curtain was raised, and Lao Zhao accompanied Wang Hongxing into the house. This Wang Hongxing looks like his mother, with a medium build, broad shoulders and a round face, fine skin and tender meat, a big oily back, and a pair of big eyes that can talk.

"Dad, are you looking for me?" Wang Hongxing lowered his head and asked softly, he always looked respectful when he saw his father.

"Hongxing, let me ask you something; Have you recently come into my study? The old man asked with a straight face.

"Dad, I haven't been in."

"Really?"

Wang Hongxing nodded and said, "It's true." When Lao Zhao called him over, he had already told him what the old man was angry about, telling him to be careful and talk less, so he tried to answer in short words.

Wang Yunqing asked again: "Have you seen my painting of Zheng Banqiao?" ”

Wang Hongxing asked puzzled: "Dad, I only know the Gaoliang Bridge outside Xizhi Gate and the Jinshui Bridge in front of Tiananmen Square." Where is Zheng Banqiao? His stupid question amused Mrs. Wang and Lao Zhao, who were standing on the side.

"Yes, you still know that there is a seventeen-hole bridge in the Summer Palace, and I mention Zheng Banqiao to you is simply playing the piano to the cow!" Wang Yunqing was so angry with this uncompetitive son that he couldn't cry or laugh, and he changed his words: "Let me ask you, have you seen anyone enter my study?" ”

Wang Hongxing shook his head and said he didn't know.

"Have you seen Hongju come in?"

"I don't see it, I don't know." Wang Hongxing replied.

Wang Yunqing angrily patted the book case and reprimanded: "It's really annoying! When I ask you, you don't know anything. I see you don't know anything but eat, drink and be merry! ”

"Dad, I really don't know!" Wang Hongju felt very aggrieved, he turned his head and looked at his mother with innocent eyes, hoping to get her protection.

Seeing this, Mrs. Wang hurriedly played a round and said, "Master, just ask!" I don't think it's about the children at all. Our Wang family has a large population, so you don't suspect others just by doubting your own children? You have to ask about our servants too. ”

Wang Yunqing heard what his wife said and stopped asking Wang Hongxing anything, he felt that this child who did not learn and did not understand the value of antique calligraphy and painting at all, and he would not do it if he stole paintings.

Lao Zhao took Mrs. Wang's words: "Master, I also think that Young Master Hongxing has nothing to do with this matter. ”

"Do you think Hongxing has nothing to do with this matter, so who is more suspicious? I'd love to hear what you have to say. Wang Yunqing turned his head and asked Lao Zhao with interest.

"Master, I think this must have been done by a thief, but I'm a subordinate, so it's inconvenient to speak."

Wang Yunqing hurriedly said: "Say, you can say whatever you want, I don't blame you for saying something wrong." ”

Lao Zhao cleared his throat and approached Wang Yunqing's side and lowered his voice and said: "Master, I feel that Young Master Hongju's behavior has been a little strange in the past few days, he wanders outside all day long, he leaves at dawn in the morning, comes back very late, and always can't stay for a while when he returns to the house and then goes out, I always feel that his mysterious heart seems to have something going on." This、I、I don't know whether to say it or not. Lao Zhao stopped talking, and his face showed embarrassment.

Wang Yunqing urged dissatisfiedly: "Say, tell me everything you know!" Don't talk to me. ”

"I think Young Master Hongju has a ghost in his heart, and he is more suspicious."

"What do you say? I don't believe it! Mrs. Wang on the side was anxious, and she glared at Lao Zhao vigorously.

Wang Yunqing waved his hand to his wife: "Don't interrupt, let him finish, maybe Lao Zhao has his reason." ”

Lao Zhao lowered his head and continued: "I happened to see him coming out of the study when I walked in front of your study door two days ago, and he almost collided with me in a panic. I think maybe he took your picture, but of course, I can't conclude that he did it, I'm just guessing. If it was really Young Master Hongju who transferred the painting, it might have been a last resort, maybe he would quietly change the real painting back to you in a few days. Well, but Young Master Hongju has been a well-behaved child since he was a child, can he do such a thing? But who is he? Lao Zhao said something specious.

Wang Yunqing raised his hand to interrupt him: "Okay! What if, maybe, if you have something to say, you just say it, why beat around the bush! However, I understand the meaning of your words. Well, it's too late today, so let's stop at that, and you should go home and rest. Lao Zhao answered and exited the study.

Wang Hongxing stood aside and looked at his father timidly, Wang Yunqing waved his hand impatiently and said, "Go, you can go too." Wang Hongxing couldn't wait to leave quickly, but when he saw that his father didn't ask any more questions, he raised his legs and walked out of the door.

After Lao Zhao and Wang Hongxing left, Wang Yunqing felt that his heart was blocked, and he paced back and forth in the room with his hands behind his back, not sleepy at all. The virtuous Mrs. Wang sat him on a chair and comforted him: "Master, I said that you can't say who did it, we have to investigate it carefully." Even if this painting can't be recovered, can it still collapse this day? You're a man who has been through a lot of wind and waves, what is this to you today? ”

Mrs. Wang's consolation made Wang Yunqing's mood much better, and he said to Mrs. Wang apologetically: "Madam, I was in a hurry just now, and I spoke to you more heavily, don't take it to heart." As he spoke, he poured himself a cup of tea and handed it to Mrs. Wang.

"You really are! What else is the old husband and wife polite? If such a good painting is stolen, everyone has to be in a hurry, I understand, I don't blame you! ”

This night, Wang Yunqing and his wife had no sleep all night.

The people in this royal house, whether it is the master or the servant, are all people who talk about etiquette and rules, and the Wang family has never even lost a small thing like a needle and thread, but now the priceless famous painting of the old man Wang has been given away by someone for no reason, which can cause an uproar in the Wang family's house. To know what kind of family this Wang family is and the origin of that painting, you have to start from the beginning.