The man is of short stature, about forty years old, wearing a gray and patched robe, with a messy bun and beard, a sallow complexion, and holding a gray-blue bundle in his arms.
"I want to see Mrs. Chang's wife!"
He cried so heartbroken that he rushed to the Dengtai Tower.
However, before he could get close to the front door of Tai Tower, he was blocked by two figures.
The two men were both young men, dressed in ordinary clothes, but the actions and eyes that stopped the man at this moment conveyed a sense of silent oppression.
The man with tears on his face subconsciously took a step back, his crying stopped for a moment, and then he hurriedly knelt down, kowtowed and begged: "I have something important to ask Mrs. Chang. It was extremely difficult to find her here today... please."
All noble lords, please show mercy and let me in!"
His cry for seeing the Chang family's wife had already attracted the attention of many people outside the building. At this time, he knelt down to beg for help. Poor people in shabby clothes knelt on the lanterns, and nobles gathered on the stage.
Outside the building, this shocking scene fell into the eyes of everyone, making the man look even more pitiful and humble.
"Strange, why does this person want an ordinary lady..."
Many people gathered around, and discussions filled the surrounding area.
Outside the building were all Cui Jing's people, including the two who tried to stop him. At this time, someone quickly went upstairs to report the matter to Cui Jing.
Seeing that the evening banquet had reached the second half, Cui Jing wanted to leave early and go back to Xuance Mansion. He was about to say goodbye to Chang Kuo. At this time, he heard his subordinate coming to report, and his expression moved slightly, and he walked towards Chang Sui Ning who was standing aside.
Chang Suining was standing next to a screen with pictures of ladies, talking to Yao Xia and others.
When the girls who were talking and laughing saw Cui Jing approaching, some of them looked tense and stepped aside unconsciously.
Seeing Cui Jing walking closer, two more ladies retreated behind the screen.
It seemed that with every step that handsome young man took, he was not stepping on the floor tiles, but on their courage.
When Cui Jing actually stopped in front of Chang Suining, Yao Xia, who had been carrying her to the end, finally silently let go of Chang Suining's arm, leaned towards Cui Jing, and walked away breathlessly.
"Captain Cui——" Chang Suining turned his head and looked outside the building: "But someone is coming?"
Hearing her unsurprising inquiry, Cui Jing nodded slightly: "There is an unidentified man in his forties crying outside, claiming that he has something important to ask Mrs. Chang in person -"
"Since it's an important matter, then Governor Lau Cui will have someone ask him to come up."
Her tone was reasonable, so Cui Jing bluntly warned: "The person who comes here is not good."
Chang Suining nodded: "Well, good people don't come."
Cui Jing: "..."
It's not that I wanted her to take over the words.
Chang Suining continued: "There are many people with mixed eyes. If he is allowed to make noises and cry outside, it is really uncontrollable. Even if he is expelled, it will be more likely to breed unclear rumors in the future that can be whitewashed."
If someone really deliberately prevents her from finishing the poem today, her expulsion will probably play into the opponent's hands. It is better to take this trick first and see what kind of drama the opponent wants to sing.
While Cui Jing was thinking, Yuan Xiang couldn't help but remind her in a low voice: "Ms. Chang, it's better to be careful. The other party comes alone, so I'm not afraid of him causing trouble... But when I looked down just now, I saw that his complexion was sallow and his eyes were dark. No.
For a healthy person, wouldn't it be unlucky if some unkind person were to cause harm to someone else?"
Bad luck is a nice word to say. If someone dies at the apprenticeship banquet, someone will definitely make a fuss about it, thus causing unnecessary trouble.
Chang Sui Ning said nonchalantly: "It doesn't matter, I just like to watch this excitement."
Yuanxiang: "?!"
Do you like to watch the fun of dead people?!
He looked at Chang Suining and his eyes suddenly became a little worried - watching all the excitement would only harm the Chang family's wife.
Cui Jing: "...go."
Yuanxiang suppressed his complicated expression and went to arrange the matter.
The man was "invited" quickly.
His previous movements not only attracted the attention of people outside the building, but also attracted the visitors upstairs who were enjoying the breeze by the fence, and they started talking curiously.
At this time, the man went upstairs and immediately attracted many looks.
Even today, there are many literati who come from mediocre or even poor backgrounds. However, no matter how poor they are, their clothes are clean and tidy even if they are patched.
But this man was different. Not only did he look poor, he was also disheveled. His beard and hair were disheveled, and the straw sandals on his feet were tattered and dirty.
The presence of such a person in such a place is so out of place that it cannot be ignored.
Wherever it appears, someone will retreat and get out of the way.
Those visitors who noticed him stopped talking for a while because they were puzzled.
The man was obviously not used to this kind of situation. He became even more anxious for a moment. Holding the baggage tightly with both hands, he asked anxiously: "Where is Mrs. Chang? Where is Mrs. Chang? Didn't you say you would take me to see Mrs. Chang?"
"I am the Mrs. Chang you are looking for." Chang Suining walked over, stopped three or five steps away from him, and looked at him calmly: "You don't recognize me, why are you looking for me?"
The man knelt down towards her with a plop before answering.
His voice was frightened and pleading: "Please, Madam Chang and your family, please raise your hand and inform me of the whereabouts of my nephew!"
"Who is your nephew?" Chang Sui'an came over and asked with a frown: "Why do you ask in front of my sister?"
"My nephew is famous!" the man cried: "He is a scholar, his surname is Zhou Mingding! He is familiar with Mrs. Chang!"
"Zhou Ding?!" Chang Sui An frowned. Just as he was about to speak, he was interrupted by Chang Sui Ning who took a step forward and spoke first——
"You mean, your nephew is Zhou Ding, and you came to ask me about his whereabouts?"
The man nodded tremblingly: "Yes, exactly..."
At this time, many people had gathered around, including Wei Shuyi and Duan's mother and daughter.
"...Who is this Zhou Ding?" Wei Miaoqing frowned and asked in a low voice, "He is a scholar? Have you heard of it?"
Wei Shuyi squinted his eyes slightly and looked at the man, shook his head slightly and said nothing.
Duan gave her daughter a stopping look - this matter seemed strange at the moment, so she didn't give the other party any reaction so as not to cause any trouble to Suining.
Wei Miaoqing seemed to feel something, nodded slightly, stopped talking, and just looked at it seriously.
At this time, Chang Kuo heard the noise and strode over.
Amidst the noise all around, Cui Jing raised her hand to stop him silently.
Chang Kuo looked at the young man in front of him in confusion.
Cui Jing: "General, please be patient and listen first."
This is what Chang Suining told him - there is no need to let General Chang get involved first.
Naturally, General Chang is not a rough guy who only knows bad things, but after all, he drank too much today, and his words will inevitably be careless and careless. There are many literati present, and every word and deed will be infinitely magnified under the watchful eyes of the public. In addition,
The image is too oppressive and can easily give people the impression of bullying others.
If you meet that timid person and scare him to death on the spot, you can't explain it.
In short, General Chang's sledgehammer is not suitable for the current situation.
Her thoughts are reasonable.
After hearing what Cui Jing said, Chang Kuo frowned and listened patiently.
Chang Suining asked the man curiously: "Then why do you think I know Zhou Ding's whereabouts?"
The man raised his head and looked at her, his expression seemed a little difficult to explain, but he finally made up his mind and said: "...My nephew and Mrs. Chang have been in private contact for a long time...It happened that when he disappeared, it was Chang.
Those days after the general returned to Beijing after winning the battle!"
There were unexpected sounds of surprise all around.
Private communication, two people are happy with each other?!
Although Wei Miaoqing didn't make a sound, she couldn't help but widen her eyes.
What would a man with whom Chang Sui Ning be in love... look like?!
She saw that Chang Sui Ning didn't even look at her brother seriously. Could it be that that man was prettier than her brother?
Her wishful thinking was relatively pure, but more people had already imagined a lot from the words "we have been in private contact for a long time". Although they did not dare to say it explicitly, the eyes they looked at Chang Sui Ning couldn't help but change.
Hitting someone is just audacious at best, and breaking the law is just a reputation for being arrogant...
But now, if a woman is stained with this matter, it will be a stain on her reputation for life!
For a time, many people, including Cui Jing and Wei Shuyi, looked at the girl who was suddenly pushed to the center of the whirlpool by these words.
She was very calm, even so calm that she did not immediately explain or defend the key words that could destroy her——
And she was not shy about her words: "So, do you mean that after my father returned to Beijing, he found out about my private exchange with him, so he did something to him?"
Facing those calm eyes, the man secretly felt that the little lady's reaction was different from what he imagined, but there was only a look of fear on his face: "I... I just want to know the whereabouts of my nephew, and I never dare to do anything about it.
Question the heart of General Chang..."
As he spoke, his lips moved for a moment, as if he could no longer withstand the pressure from all around him, and he kowtowed his head again, crying: "My brother and sister-in-law only have one son in my family. Over the past two months since my nephew disappeared, my brother and sister-in-law have
They all fell ill one after another! I really had no choice, so I boldly came here..."
Then he turned to the onlookers, as if he was forced to seek justice: "Our Zhou family has no power and power. Generations have been farming. Maybe my nephew has read a few books and passed the exam to become a scholar."
I don’t know how high the fame is, so I have the courage to associate with a girl from the Chang family... If I can find my nephew, my brother and sister-in-law will definitely discipline him so that he will never dare to have such delusions again!"
His eyes were full of tears and runny nose, and he looked ignorant and ignorant, and because of his ignorance, he looked even more pitiable.
Someone sighed in a low voice: "What a fool. He said this in public and ruined the reputation of Mrs. Chang. How can there be any chance of getting better?"
"Haven't you heard? I've been searching for more than two months. Maybe I'm really at my wits' end. It looks like I haven't read a book yet. I'm so eager to find someone that I can only come up with this plan..."
"It can't really be General Chang..." Let's beat the mandarin ducks with a stick?
And he has been missing for more than two months...can he still be found?
"The situation is not clear yet, how can you, as scholars, speculate?" Qiao Jijiu rarely scolded anyone seriously.
The scholars bowed their heads one after another and lowered their heads in shame.
Qiao Jijiu and his wife Wang both stepped forward.
When passing by Chang Kuo, Qiao Jijijiu paused and lowered his voice and said urgently: "People are asking you by name to ask for someone, why are you standing still as if you are just watching the fun!"
Chang Kuo, who was already blushing, glanced at him, then looked at his arm.
Qiao Jijiu looked over and saw that his forearm was being held by Cui Jing.
Chang Kuo tried his best to lower his voice: "Sui Ning doesn't allow it!"
"Why is that, Ning Ning..." Qiao Jijiu's face changed, and after looking at Cui Dadu Governor, he consciously stayed here temporarily with Chang Kuo.
Xi'er's fist was already harder than the stone Nuwa used to mend the sky.
The man's cry continued: "It was our fault in our lax discipline... I dare not ask your government for forgiveness... But he must have a better memory now. I just hope that your government can show your favor."
Tell me the whereabouts of my nephew! When he is brought home, we will strictly control him!"
Chang Suining felt that he had almost heard it.
The other party's words may sound superficial at first, but because they are superficial and straightforward enough, they are able to cause the greatest sensation in the shortest time.
But if you listen further, it is not difficult to find that he is just talking about those words.
It seemed like someone had taught him, so he said it as if he was endorsing it. There was some kind of rules and regulations, and he didn't dare to disturb them.
If she continues to be silent and unresponsive, the other party will be unable to continue the performance, which will be quite difficult for him.
Chang Suining then spoke: "I listened for a long time and didn't understand. You first slandered my reputation and then kept asking us for someone, and it's a dead person. I don't know what you mean?"
Everything fell silent for a moment.
The man's expression suddenly froze: "Dead...dead?"
died!
Really dead?!
There was a look of fear on his face: "You... you actually dare to seek human life..."
Chang Suining frowned in confusion: "Don't you know how your nephew died?"
"I..." The man opened his mouth, and his face suddenly turned pale: "You..."
Chang Sui Ning is clear.
It seems that he does not know——
This can explain where he got the confidence and courage to cause trouble.
Everyone around looked at each other in shock.
Madam Chang, what does this mean?
Do you directly admit in public that you murdered the scholar at home?
With confusion all around, the young girl faced the crowd and said, "Don't get me wrong. This person's nephew Zhou Ding did die, but it was not because of my family. My father was a kind man and never died."
You cannot do such a thing that disregards the law."
She said, her eyes fixed on one person: "As for the inside story, I think it would be more appropriate for Yao Tingwei to come forward and explain."
Yao Tingwei?
Everyone looked at Yao Yi subconsciously.
What does this have to do with Yao Siqing?
Yao Yi, who had long since stopped listening, seemed to think about it for a moment, then nodded and walked to Chang Suining's side.
Mrs. Xie, who was standing not far away and watching quietly accompanied by several women, frowned slightly.
There were some things that she didn't understand well, but this scene was very different from what she had imagined. Facing the honors that were so important to a woman, there was no confusion or even arguments. Everyone in the Chang family was surprisingly calm and orderly...
…
But it doesn't matter.
In the face of evidence, any amount of calmness will be shattered.
For a moment, her eyes fell quietly on the bundle held in front of the man.