The Wei brothers returned home very late, but the news they brought back surprised Cao Hao and Zhuang Xi. The previous speculation was completely fulfilled, and the murderer was a native of Tongzhou, but the identity was somewhat unexpected by everyone. That person turned out to be an old man who was nearly a year old, surnamed Liang Mingmian, and he was a big family in Tongzhou.

It turned out that after the Wei brothers went to Tongzhou quickly, they visited all the three or two money houses in the county seat, and there was no large amount of money withdrawn in the past half month.

According to Mr. Zhuang's instructions, the two inquired about the big families on the ground in Tongzhou to see if there were any large transactions in the near future. Although there were also two pawn houses that sold land, the amount of silver was only 1,800 taels, and only Liang Mian sold a few Zhuangzi at a price of 5 taels and 1 mu in early October, totaling 8 or 9,000 mu. You must know that the price of fertile land on the ground in Tongzhou is seven or eight taels of silver per mu, and the good ones can even reach ten taels. A low price like Liang Mian is really abnormal.

When the Wei brothers found out here, they carefully inquired about Liang Mian's family background. The Liang family is a large family in Tongzhou, with poems and books heirlooms, and many children in the clan have entered the family. However, Liang Mian's heirs were difficult, with only one son and one daughter, and after his son became a jinshi, he had been a Beijing official for more than ten years; The daughter married her brother's house master, and a Xiong surnamed Jingguan filled the house. The Xiong family is a famous family, and the person is a high-grade Beijing official, and the Liang family is really high-level. Liang married for three years, and after leaving a child, he died of illness.

Liang Mian was afraid that his uncle's family would have many children and his grandson would be bullied when he lost his mother at a young age, so he discussed with his uncle and took him to his side to raise him. A few years later, his son went out of office and caught up with the flood, causing the family to suffer. Liang Mian's bloodline is only his grandson's vein, which is held in the palm of his hand as if he is his heart.

Under such pampering, this child gradually grew up, but he really gave his grandfather a long face, Kangxi forty-five years in the Jinshi, named Shu Jishi, in April this year promoted to the Hanlin Academy to edit. I didn't want to be imprisoned at the end of September, so I hanged myself in prison a few days later.

Liang Mian is almost ancient, and only this bit of bloodline is cut off, and he seems to be crazy. Within a few days, nearly 10,000 acres of fertile land were sold, causing those clansmen who were worried about their family property to jump to their feet in pain. There is an endless stream of people who come to advise, and there are countless people who want to be stepchildren and stepgrandchildren for the old man. The old man never let go, and at first he coped with it, and then closed the door.

However, his housekeeper Liang Xi has recently become more generous, set up a foreign house, and raised two fans. In the whole day, calling friends and friends, Hu Tiandi is dark and arrogant.

After checking in the vicinity of the Liang family, the Wei brothers were almost able to confirm that the middleman who went to find Wanjiu was Liang Xi. Because before Wan Jiu and others entered Beijing, Liang Xi had been in and out of Wan Jiu's house twice. In addition, he also boasted to others after he was drunk that even characters like Wan Jiu now have to rush to call himself "Liang Ye" and do things under him.

However, when the two brothers wanted to find Liang Xi, they were one step too late. The arrest of Shuntianfu is coming, and he also followed the line of Liang Xi and found the Liang family.

Because Liang Mian's son was an official of the imperial court before his death, he was not an ordinary person, so it was polite to catch him quickly. I didn't want Mr. Liang to hear the announcement, saying that he wanted to change his clothes, and he didn't come out after entering the room. When the catchers went in, the old man's body was also hard, and when he came to inspect the body, the conclusion was that he swallowed gold.

The Liang family has only one master, Liang Mian, and such a big thing happened that it immediately caused a sensation in the entire Tongzhou. The people from the distant and close branches of the Liang family came to the door in a noisy manner, wanting to divide the family property. As a result, the arrester of Shuntianfu sent people back to Beijing to ask for an order, seized the Liang Mansion on the charge of buying a murderer and murdering the imperial court officials, and escorted Liang Xi back to Shuntianfu.

The Wei brothers watched this excitement from afar, and they really couldn't figure out how a rich man here could form a grudge with Cao Yin, who was far away in Jiangning?

After Cao Hao heard the news from Tongzhou, he couldn't understand the reason in his heart. Only Zhuang Xi pondered for a long time and faintly figured out some clues.

"Hao'er, do you know that the former official Shangshu Xiong gave him a job?" Zhuang Xi asked.

Bear Shoes? This is a famous cabinet scholar of the Kangxi Dynasty, and was once called the "Four Phases" together with Mingzhu, Suo Etu, and Gao Shiqi. After the rebellion of the three feudatories, Xiong Cixu was dismissed because he had written against the withdrawal of the feudal domain, and then lived in Jiangning. More than ten years later, he entered the court again, until Kangxi retired in the forty-second year of his life, and Kangxi returned to Jiangning in the forty-fifth year.

Long before Cao Hao entered Beijing, he knew a lot about the resume of this scholar. It's just because this scholar's house in Jiangning is the Qingliang Terrace near the Qingliang Temple where Cao Hao stayed in filial piety. In the temple where Cao Hao was back then, he had heard those monks mention this scholar many times. In the eyes of Jiangnan people, Xiong Cixu is not an official, but a university scholar, and his books such as "Xue Debate", "Xue Tong", "Xue Gui" and "Xue Yu" have been circulated in the world. Because of his ancestral home Xiaogan, his real name is Xiaochang, so the world also respectfully calls him "Mr. Xiaochang".

Cao Hao remembered something and asked, "Didn't Mr. Xiaochang die in August?" The shadow is full of shadows, as if I have heard of the legacy! ”

Zhuang Xi nodded: "This is indeed the case, and it also leads to a lot of right and wrong!" Before his death, Mr. Hyochang wrote a testament, and after his death, his family sent the fold to Beijing. At that time, the holy car was outside the fortress, and it took a long time to get to the front of the palace. There is a word on the testament that he recommended his nephew Hanlin Academy to edit Kumamoto, and the one above did not believe in this matter and ordered someone to investigate it carefully. As a result, it was found out that the posthumous fold had been tampered with, and it was done by Kumamoto to buy off the people of the Xiong Mansion, which was a crime of deception. Kumamoto was imprisoned, subsequently beheaded, and hanged himself in prison a few days later. ”

"Kumamoto is Liang Mian's grandson?" Cao Hao somewhat understood why.

Zhuang Xi touched his beard: "It seems that this is the case, but since it is the imperial court that ordered to behead Kumamoto, why does Liang Mian resent Ling Zun, this is what makes people puzzled!" ”

Could it be that in the course of Xiong's case, his "secret agent" father provided some amazing information, which became the basis for his conviction, so he was hated? But since he is a "secret agent" and a "secret report", how can an old man from the field house know? What about the explosives that have been replaced? What about the killer of the mouth? After the truth of the murder was revealed, Akari's answer was so simple, but when he thought about it carefully, it was foggy, too many things were hidden in this fog, and only a trace of scales and claws was missing, which made people more and more confused.

Who is behind the steppe murder? What is the secret behind this murder case in Beijing? Cao Hao desperately wanted to know the answer.

In the next ten days, the Wei brothers went out early and returned late, spending a lot of money from the books, just for this answer.

Cao Hao originally suspected that the people he killed a few days ago were the people of the fourth elder brother, after all, whether it was Emperor Yongzheng's official spy agency "Sticky Pole", or the dark organization "Blood Drops" written in the wild history, they were too famous in later generations, and it was difficult to connect them.

In addition, he also faintly doubted the third elder brother in his heart. After all, in this drama that has not yet ended, the fourth elder brother behaves as a spectator, no matter what he thinks in his heart, his behavior is always deferential and low-key. The third elder brother is different, although he is not outstanding among the princes, and his mother family is not prominent, but he has always behaved very positively.

However, the Wei brothers monitored the Third Elder Brother Mansion and the Fourth Elder Brother Mansion for half a month, but they never found anything unusual.

On the side of Shuntianfu, on the fourth day after the arrest was about to return from Tongzhou, the final judgment was made with Liang Xi's decision and the confiscation of the Liang family's property, and the case was completely closed.

The dust has settled on this major case that caused a sensation in Gyeonggi.

* North of the city, Dajinger Hutong, Seshtu Mansion.

Since he said that Seshtu helped stop the horse and save people, although Cao Hao was grateful from the bottom of his heart, out of consideration for the safety of his family and Seshtu, he never took his younger siblings to thank this benefactor.

Now that the case has come to light, the danger alarm has been completely lifted, and Yongjia's arm injury has also improved greatly, it is time to thank you. Cao Hao went to inquire about Seshtu's address, rushed to his rest, and took Cao Song, Cao Yi, Baoya, and Yongjia to Seshtu's mansion after school to thank him.

The porter saw Cao Hao and the others BMW incense car, and several cars full of gifts behind him, and couldn't help but smack his tongue secretly, and took Cao Hao's post and hurriedly reported inside.

After a while, Seshtu walked out quickly, saw Cao Hao, and was about to say hello with a smile, but when he saw the things behind, he lowered his face and pointed to those car drivers: "Cao Guard, why is this?" ”

Cao Hao first hugged his fists to salute, and then replied: "When it was said that thanks to the guards who saved their brothers and sisters, the real murderer did not appear at that time, and I couldn't wait to come to worship." Now that the case is over, the Cao family has prepared a small gift, although it is a great favor and dare not say thank you, but it is a heart of my brother and sister, and I also ask the guards to smile and accept it. ”

Seshtu hurriedly shook his head: "What I said was just a gesture for me, and I also told you that I didn't want to get your thanks." Besides, you have thanked you and thanked you, and now what are you doing with these things? Since you are here, please come in and have a cup of tea, I will never accept this gift. ”

Cao Hao inquired that he had not yet married a wife, and there was only one widow in the family, and said with a smile: "It's not a heavy gift, it's all a little bit of our younger generation's filial piety to our aunt." Today, I brought my younger siblings over, and I should also go to my aunt to say goodbye, I don't know if it's cheap. ”

At this time, some neighbors had already quietly opened the door to look into the bustle, and Seshtu saw it, and it was not good for them to stand at the door like this, and when he heard them mention visiting his mother, he could not say anything to refuse, so he had to invite them in.

Seshtu's house is a courtyard of Xiaosanjin, which is not too spacious, and the Cao family's carriage rushes in, becoming more and more narrow. An old housekeeper came out with him, and was slightly surprised to see these many things, and then greeted Cao Hao and others, waiting for Seshtu to say what to do with the things.

Seshtu didn't look at those things, and while leading Cao Hao and his party to the living room of the main house, he instructed the housekeeper: "Uncle Hao, tell the inner courtyard that the guests will come over to see the wife in a while, and ask a maid to be sent to lead the way." "Then Steward Hao took the order.

Entering the hall, Cao Song and Cao Yi stood together, or went to the ground in a series, or solemnly squatted, and bowed solemnly, saying that they would thank Gong En.

The last time Seshtu saw Baoya, Yongjia and others, he knew the identities of everyone, and he was bluffed, how could he bear it? Hurriedly leaned over and bowed back, and said straightly: "What is this for?!" Thank you for it! You're going to break my life! ”

Cao Hao saw that he was enthusiastic and straightforward, so he pulled down and sat down together.

The servant brought tea and replied that the wife had invited the guests over. Cao Yi, Yongjia and Bao Ya confessed and followed a little maid to the inner courtyard.

* Although the inner courtyard is small, the flower beds are all available and tidy. There were three main rooms, and the little maid led the three of them into the east warm pavilion.

There are two and a half old blue satin backrests on the big kang near the window in the warm pavilion, and an old woman of fifty or sixty years old sits on it, with a long face, slightly thin, and her hair is a little gray, but she is combed in a slight, only a silver inlaid turquoise flower flat square, which looks neat and dignified, a crow blue coat, and a string of Buddhist beads in the front placket.

The three of them saluted the old woman, who smiled and greeted them, and then sat on the kang. The three of them smiled and thanked each other, and only sat on a chair set up next to the kang.

The old woman was none other than Sishtu's mother, the Hitara clan. The Hitara clan is middle-aged and widowed, with three daughters and one son. The three daughters have been married for many years, and only the youngest son, Seshtu, is now twenty-one years old, but he has never married. It's not anything else, it's just that the words "the door is right" are difficult.

The Matrilineal family of the Hitara clan was also prominent for a while when they were young, and later they were involved in the Aobai case. The good upbringing when she was young made her extremely exquisite, and her vision was very high, and the Jueluo family was born in a serious 800 clan with a red belt, although Seshtu was only a third-class guard, but she also had the title of General Feng'en, so ordinary girls couldn't get into the eyes of the Hitara clan at all.

The Hitara clan did not like to cling to the powerful, nor did they want to marry the daughter of a merchant as a daughter-in-law, but those who were quite close to the family thought that their family was poor and did not want their daughter to marry and live a poor life. In this way, if the high is not low, they will pick and choose, and Seshtu's family affairs will be delayed. To say that this mother is not in a hurry at all, it is false, but she is also unwilling to marry a daughter-in-law at will.

Seeing these three handsome girls like shallots today, the Hitara clan was extremely happy, and after a few polite sentences, he couldn't help but ask them about their age and family background. However, this question, her heart, which had just warmed up, was cold again. - Of these three daughters, two are daughters of the Earl's Court, and one is the county lord Gege.

Bao Ya Gege, whose surname is Aixin Jueluo, is naturally excluded from the marriage; These two earls are worthy of their status, but in the end, the woman's family background is too good, and the Hitara clan is afraid that they will not look down on their own family.

After chatting, the Hitara clan had a better impression of Cao Yi and Yongjia, who were quiet and quiet, and they felt more and more sorry in their hearts; The more I regret it, the more I feel like them. Her words were already kind, and she was happy at this time.

Cao Yi observed his words and looks, and took advantage of the old man's happiness, and respectfully presented the gift list.

The Hitara clan refused to answer, and said: "Save people's lives, and win the seventh-level floating slaughter." By chance, my son saved you, and this is his creation and practice. If he doesn't save him, he's wrong. He saved, Fang should have been. And he has cultivated himself, so what kind of thanksgiving will he receive? I didn't hear him mention it until you came to the door today, and I didn't know that there was such a thing, so he knew that it was the right thing to do, so he didn't take it to heart, so please don't worry about it. ”

Cao Yi's face was full of sincerity: "Aunt is merciful, this life-saving grace is for you, but the word 'as' can be for us, but it is a great kindness to us, and we will never dare to forget it in this life." At present, it is not that these mundane things are used to pollute the compassion of the aunt, but it is actually the younger generations who have come to visit me for the first time, and there is nothing to be honored. If we give a few of us the face of being nieces, and my aunt keeps it to make a winter coat, it will be our heart! ”

Although there was a smile on his face, his expression was very firm: "You said that you respect me, and I am very happy that you come to see my old woman and talk to me." This is already a generous gift, so please bring back foreign objects. ”

Cao Yi and the others took a lot of words, but they still couldn't say anything about the Hitara clan, and finally she refused the thank you gift with an elegant smile.

Seeing that the old man had been talking for a long time, the three of them showed some tiredness, so they got up and took their leave.

The Hitara clan asked the maid to send them out, and looked at their backs through the window, still very fond of them in their hearts, and after thinking about it, they finally sighed helplessly.

* In the front hall, the Cao Hao brothers and Seshtu also had a good conversation.

Seshtu asked for details of the case, and angrily condemned the men. He is warm-hearted and kind, with a little smile on his round face, and it is very easy to warm up with people. Therefore, Cao Hao and Cao Song both felt that it was a pleasure to chat with this person without being tired at all.

At this time, the title of the position was put aside, and the eldest brother screamed, which seemed very affectionate.

After changing two teas, Cao Yi and the three of them came out of the inner courtyard. When Cao Yi saw his brother, he shook his head slightly. Cao Hao knew that Seshtu's mother refused to accept the gift, and he also admired the family's style from the bottom of his heart, and many people could be content with poverty, but there were very few people who did not want to repay the favor and refused foreign wealth.

Cao Hao thought about sending some ginseng medicinal materials and skin care products to the old man for two days, and expressed his heart to some extent, thinking that he should not be rejected again, so he took back the gift list, thanked Seshtu again, and took everyone to say goodbye and return home.

(To be continued)