The car was quiet for a while.

When Zhao Qingxiu was about to write, Pei Sanniang smiled sweetly:

"Young master is busy. He said he is going to your place for dinner in the evening. He will bring some friends there. He wants to eat Dongpo pork and asked you to go to Dongshi to buy some. Here, this is the pork money given by the master."

After she finished speaking, she took out a small warm money bag from her arms and stuffed it into the palm of Zhao Qingxiu's hand.

Pei Shisanniang held her little hand holding the money bag with both hands, came close to her ear, and whispered softly:

"Miss Xiu Niang, you should remember how to make Dongpo meat. Master said he taught you."

Zhao Qingxiu nodded: "Yes."

She pinched the familiar little money bag, opened the mouth of the bag, poured out a bunch of copper coins, touched it, and found that the thick hemp rope holding the copper plates was tied into a special bow, which was Tanlang's salary money.

Zhao Qingxiu put the small purse into her arms.

Pei Shisanniang smiled:

"But this Dongpo pork seems to need to be simmered on a low fire for a long time. The stove in the kitchen in your yard can't cook it. Why not go to my humble house first, stew the Dongpo pork, and then take it back.

"How about we finish buying the pork later and have lunch at my house."

Zhao Qingxiu writes:

[Where is the eldest lady’s home]

"Xunyangfang, the East Market happens to be in Xunyangfang, so drop by."

Zhao Qingxiu lowered her head and wrote with her index finger:

【good】

Pei Shisanniang smiled.

The carriage drove for a while, entered Xunyangfang, and approached Dongshi. Suddenly there was rain hitting the windows, making a soft rustling sound.

Zhao Qingxiu opened the car curtain and stretched out her hand to catch the rain.

She turned her head and looked toward the quiet courtyard behind her, looking worried.

"What's wrong with the pretty girl?"

[I forgot to collect my clothes. Can I go home later?]

Pei Shisanniang chuckled:

"It's okay, it's just a small matter. Someone will help the embroiderer collect the clothes."

Zhao Qingxiu thought of the Fang sisters and nodded lightly.

"Um."

…

Xiu Shuifang West Market, a few miles away from a luxury car heading to Dongshi.

There is a shop with a plaque reading "Taoshou Zhai" open and accepting customers.

But today, the guests it received in front of its door were a little special.

Not for door-to-door shopping.

A team of one hundred black-armored knights surrounded the Taoshou Zhai.

There was also a team of about 20 people in Tsing Yi who acted together with these black-armored knights. However, they did not stay outside. They all rushed into Taoshou Zhai and carried out a carpet-like search...

The guests who were shopping not long ago, as well as the shopkeepers of Taoshou Zhai and the maids, all stood in a row against the wall in the courtyard. They were searched by Qing Yi. Several shopkeepers trembled and some even peed.

In panic, everyone's eyes couldn't help but cast their eyes on a black-armored young man riding a tall horse in the center of the courtyard.

The young general seemed to be the leader, with a stern face. He stood on horseback in the center of the courtyard, staring at the gate of Taoshou Zhai. He and his horse were almost motionless.

On the street outside, pedestrians coming and going did not dare to stop at the nearby door, and no one even dared to pass by the back. They could only gather in a crowd at the corner of the street from a distance, looking solemnly at Taoshou Zhai.

However, there were also female Supervisor Yuan officers who were patrolling the city as usual. They looked confused, showed their Supervisor Yuan badges, and approached to ask.

The black-armored young general in the center of the courtyard took out two warrants from his arms, unfolded them, and said with a serious look and a voice as cold as iron:

"Under the orders of Ouyang Lianghan, the governor of Jiangzhou, and Qin Yi, the superintendent of the Central Army Battalion of the Southwest Suppressing Rebels, I have ordered to search the merchants in the city who are suspected of colluding with the water thieves in Hukou County. Please do not approach any other people.

, Otherwise, he will be punished on the spot for the crime of obstructing military affairs."

The female Overwatch Council officer looked stunned, confirmed that the warrant seal was correct, backed away and left. Before leaving, she couldn't help but take a few more glances at these Xuanwu Guards soldiers who were affiliated with the Chinese army camp on the front line...

At this time, a policeman in Tsing Yi hurriedly ran out from the backyard of Taoshou Zhai, holding a secret letter in his hand. He only had time to clasp his fists towards the black-armored young general, turned around and went out. Under the escort of the ten-horse black armor, he hurried away.

Go to Xingzi Lake.

Above everyone's heads, black clouds floated over and pressed on the city.

At a certain moment, snow-white lightning lit up the heaven and earth.

After a few breaths, the belated spring thunder rolled.

…

Facts have proven that bad weather can also affect temple visitor flow.

Even if it is a temple like Chengtian Temple located in the middle of the city.

Because in this era, medical treatment is poor, and catching a cold can easily bring down the whole family. Being exposed to rain is not worth the gain, and cloudy weather can greatly affect ordinary people's travels.

Fang Shengnan, who came to Chengtian Temple to deliver a letter in a low-key manner, felt that the weather was just right.

There are dark clouds overhead and heavy rain will not fall. The fish in Xingzi Lake frequently come to the surface to breathe.

The pilgrims in the temple went back early to collect their clothes, and the pedestrians on the road also hurried home to take shelter from the rain.

Fang Shengnan was dressed in gray men's clothing and a low-key hat, with the brim of the hat pulled down deliberately to cover his face.

She walked all the way to a Zen monastery in Chengtian Temple, and almost no one paid attention to her.

Fang Shengnan lowered the brim of his hat, breathed a sigh of relief, and glanced at the Zen courtyard with the open door.

Someone.

More than one.

There was a sound of a woman crying.

Fang Shengnan came to the door and took a closer look.

In the Zen monastery, in addition to a middle-aged Zen master with a bald head and a white face and no beard, there was also a woman with heavy makeup and a sad face.

The former is sitting in a semi-open Zen room, wearing the ordinary black monk's robe issued by Chengtian Temple, holding a string of Buddhist beads in his hand, and meditating in a lotus posture.

His face was calm and he faced the open air to the west where there was no door.

The latter seems to be a pilgrim coming from afar. Judging from the accent and appearance, he is from the north.

There were two maids following him, waiting at the door of the Zen house with their hands down.

Apart from them, under the eaves not far away, there was a chubby little novice monk who had just returned from breakfast. He was immersed in the meal and ate with gusto, almost stealing all the master's portion.

When Fang Shengnan saw this, he lined up at the door and waited.

Not long after, in the Zen room, the woman with a sad face cried and talked for a long time. At the end of her words, she seemed to ask something, and she looked at the middle-aged Zen master expectantly.

The middle-aged Zen master looked at her and then at the gloomy sky outside the door.

He raised an index finger.

The woman with heavy makeup waved to her maid, took out a tael of gold from her purse, and handed it over respectfully.

The middle-aged Zen master remained silent and only raised his index finger.

The woman with heavy make-up was stunned for a moment, then took another one tael of gold and stacked it with the one tael of gold in front of her.

The middle-aged Zen master looked haggard and pushed the gold down, still holding up one finger.

The woman with heavy makeup was stunned, staring at the Zen master's index finger, slowly raising her head and looking upward.

At a certain moment, she raised her head, suddenly stood up, took off her jewelry, and threw them on the ground next to the fallen gold.

The woman with heavy make-up and disheveled hair went out.

As she walked in the yard, she raised her head and looked at the dark clouds that were creating thunderstorms.

The woman with heavy make-up touched her face with both hands and wiped it hard. The whole face was smeared. She kept walking forward and looked up at the sky as if she was waiting for a heavy rain to wash away.

The two maids followed him somewhat bewilderedly.

Fang Shengnan looked curious as he watched the woman with heavy makeup leave.

After queuing up, she walked into the Zen courtyard, entered the house, and sat down in front of the middle-aged Zen master, with her sword across her knees.

"senior……"

Just as Fang Shengnan was about to speak, the middle-aged Zen master raised his finger.

She closed her mouth and looked up where the Master's finger seemed to be pointing. She looked up and saw only a gray roof with some leaks and nothing else.

The middle-aged Zen master said nothing, but still raised his finger.
To be continued...