Magistrate Hu was a little worried, so he specifically asked the old lady for instructions and ordered Sun County Prime Minister to accompany him, while he stayed in the living room to drink tea with the old lady and reminisce about the past.
The Zhao Mansion is too big. According to the maids, there is a long distance from the main hall to the backyard where Mr. Zhao lives.
While he was in a hurry, Chu Nanzhi asked the two maids about some details about the structure of the houses in the mansion.
In addition to the main hall and several side halls, the buildings in the outer courtyard of the Zhao Mansion occupy the largest area of the family ancestral hall in the southwest corner. The rest are mostly warehouses for storing sundries, lower rooms for servants to rest, and some simple guest rooms.
The inner courtyard is divided into six courtyards. The courtyard to the north is where Zhao Taigong and his wife lived.
Although the west side is not the main courtyard, it was the former residence of Mrs. Zhao's family because it is close to the ancestral hall.
There is a side courtyard sandwiched in the middle of the two courtyards. Since it is closer to the main courtyard and Xiaolangjun is still young, it is easier to take care of him, so that is Zhao Xiaolangjun's bedroom.
Knowing where Mr. Zhao Xiaolang lived, Chu Nanzhi took Xiao Sibao and went straight to the side courtyard.
As soon as he arrived outside the courtyard gate, he was stopped by a young man in white.
Chu Nanzhi casually looked at the man in white:
This man was dressed in an extremely noble manner, and at first glance he was clearly not a servant of the mansion.
And as far as she knew, a big family like this was very particular about rules, and even the male servants in the family might not be allowed to enter the inner courtyard.
When he was hesitating and suspicious, he saw the man in white with fierce eyes, glanced at Chu Nanzhi, his daughter and Sun Xiancheng in an extremely unfriendly manner, and shouted sharply at the two maids:
"Who are these people, and how did they bring them to my brother Yan's courtyard?"
"Brother Yan?"
Chu Nan Zhi suddenly felt confused.
The file never mentioned that Zhao Xiaolangjun had an older brother, nor did Magistrate Hu or Sun County Cheng.
But if you think about it carefully, it makes sense. After all, the case was just regarded as a missing person case from the beginning, and there was no reason to delve into the family affairs.
Maybe it's an illegitimate child or something. If you ask too much, it will touch on people's privacy and cause unhappiness.
Not allowing the maids to answer, Sun County Prime Minister immediately explained to the man respectfully:
"I am the county magistrate, and I and this lady came here to investigate the case under the orders of the county magistrate."
The two maids also explained to several people in succession: "This is the second husband of the family, the cousin of my younger husband."
It turns out they are cousins, not concubines or illegitimate children.
Chu Nanzhi was about to ask something more when she saw Zhao Erlang roaring fiercely:
"Instead of investigating the case and finding the whereabouts of the bandits who captured my brother Yan, what are you doing here in the inner courtyard of your home?"
The maid was so frightened that her face turned pale, and she replied uneasily: "On the master's command, I specially sent slaves to lead the county magistrate and Lady Chu."
"Ms. Chu?"
The Erlang of the Zhao family rolled his eyes at Chu Nanzhi and the little four treasures she was holding with disdain:
"The county magistrate is just here to investigate the case. Who is this Madam Chu? She is here to join in the fun, and she has a child with her. You really think that the door of my Zhao Mansion is so easy to get in and out of."
Sun Xian Cheng immediately recommended: "This Madam Chu is the woman who helped the county investigate the tax bank case a few days ago. They and their daughter were also specially invited by the county magistrate to help find the whereabouts of the young man."
When Xiao Sibao heard Erlang's disgusting name, he deliberately made a malicious face to Zhao Erlang.
"you"
Zhao Erlang's face sank with anger, he glared at the mother and daughter, and cursed pointedly:
"We can encounter all kinds of weird things these days. A woman who doesn't take care of her husband and children at home and goes out to show her face is really shameless."
After saying that, he angrily threw his hands away.
When the maids saw Zhao Erlang leaving, the older maid quickly apologized to Chu Nanzhi:
"My second husband has been very upset recently because of the disappearance of his younger brother. He has a bad temper and has contradicted the master and the lady. Please don't blame me."
Chu Nanzhi shook his head magnanimously to show that he would not care.
Lin Jinxiao would be deeply saddened if something happened to a selfish and ruthless person like Lin Jinhong. It is understandable that Zhao Erlang is concerned about his brother's safety.
But she was a little confused and asked the two maids: "Since your second husband is the younger brother's cousin, how can he live in this courtyard together?"
"This lady doesn't know something. Erlang is the only son of my master's brother. Back then, his father traveled all over the country with my master and died at sea. At that time, Erlang was only half a year old. His mother couldn't bear the pain of losing her husband.
He died of illness not long ago, so Erlang was brought up by my master and my old lady. The master always treated him as his own son, so he naturally lived in the inner courtyard."
The older maid finished speaking and pointed to a private courtyard to the east: "That's Erlang's courtyard over there."
"I see."
Chu Nanzhi nodded and smiled: "It seems that the old lady really loves and cares for her family."
Sun Xian Cheng frowned and stroked his mustache: "I have heard that the Grand Duke has a younger brother, but I have never heard anyone talk about the Grand Duke having such a nephew."
The eldest maid patiently explained: "Erlang has been living in seclusion for many years since he moved to Luyan Port with his lord. He rarely makes friends with outsiders. It's not surprising that the county magistrate has never heard of him."
The little maid pursed her lips and added angrily: "It's okay if you don't know. A rich and famous person like my master, who is famous all over the world, will inevitably be remembered by bad people. Xiao Langjun is a living example, and there is no news about him until now.
"
"That's true."
Sun Xiancheng agreed, glanced at Chu Nanzhi meaningfully, and said with a wry smile:
"If you want to talk about this rich man from Luyan Port, then Madam Chu's cousin is a very important person. Even the county magistrate has to show some courtesy to him."
Chu Nanzhi only responded with a wry smile, deliberately not answering his question.
Luyan Port is the most fertile place in the entire Pingning County. There are numerous wealthy gentry families, and it is not uncommon to have a few dandy sons.
As for Hu Maoxi, if we say he is honest, he is also greedy for money.
But no matter how bad he is, he doesn't exploit the people.
I have been bowing down to those wealthy squires all day long and accepting money from them, so I naturally have to be more polite.
After thinking about it, she said to Sun Xiancheng: "Xiancheng Sir, let's go inside and have a look."
"Um."
Several people then entered Zhao Xiaolangjun's yard together.
Although Mr. Zhao Xiaolang has been missing for many days, all parts of the yard are still cleaned spotlessly and neatly, making it look extremely comfortable.
Chu Nanzhi, the county magistrate and others first looked around the courtyard:
Directly opposite the courtyard gate is the main house, and not far from the main house there are two wing rooms on the left and right.
The wing room is where the maids live. None of the maids heard any movement in the main room on the night of the incident, which shows that the person who killed the young man is not an ordinary servant. At least he must be very close to the young man and will not let him
To create defensiveness.
Thinking of this, I went straight to the main house to visit.
The furnishings in the house are very exquisite. Antiques, calligraphy and paintings, and original works of famous people are all over the house, which shows that the family loves it.
What makes Chu Nanzhi wonder is that he is just a ten-year-old child, so he needs these things.
She didn't ask any more questions, and the eldest maid hurriedly praised her young man sincerely:
"My little husband is very smart and loves to read. He started copying Chang Lao's handwriting when he was four years old. The copying was so lifelike that even Mr. Nie once praised my young man's talent and made a promise to Chang Lao.
When my young master is older, I will accept him as his disciple, so my master has been collecting these famous treasures for my young master these years."
"Um!"
To be appreciated by Mr. Nie and Mr. Chang, he should at least be a humble gentleman who is filial, kind, benevolent and righteous.