Pingyang Fu of the Red Chamber

Chapter 474 Yunqiao meets Grandma Liu
The family thinks about good things,

Grandma Liu was also a person who did what she said. She immediately got up and started dressing up. She also took out the new clothes that she had treasured before.

After changing his clothes, he taught Ban'er a few more words and told him what must not be messed up. Ban'er, a child of only five or six years old, knew nothing about it. He nodded vaguely and heard that Ban'er was taking him for a walk in the city. , I was overjoyed and accepted everything.

So, with the help of the family, after everything was packed, the dog found a cart and pulled Grandma Liu and Ban'er into the capital. After entering the city, they found a street corner and put them down, fearing that no one would see them. Then we went back along the way.

But an old lady who had been to the capital for many years, although she still had a vague impression of it, found herself in trouble when looking at the bustling streets with people coming and going. She really didn't expect that it would be difficult to find someone here.

Glancing at the people on the street, she wanted to ask, but there was an old woman with a child. Naturally, Grandma Liu felt wary and could only continue walking forward. She saw a restaurant at the corner of the street. Although there were not many people, it was obvious that It's also a big restaurant, but I don't understand all the characters written on it. What kind of restaurant is it called "Friends"? Anyway, it's a good place to ask about something.

Then she pulled Baner and walked forward. Grandma Liu naturally had to walk faster, otherwise she would not be able to find anyone when it got dark when she arrived.

When I arrived at the door of the hotel, I looked outside. Looking at the magnificent restaurant, I stopped moving forward, not daring to go in, and wandered outside the door.

The waiter in the shop had already noticed this old lady inside. Seeing this, there must be something wrong. She is wearing simple clothes and has a child, which is pitiful.

The waiter felt pity, and without saying a word, he returned to the inner hall, took naan bread, rolled the mutton, wrapped it in oil paper, and walked out.

"Auntie, you are in trouble. Come on, it's cold outside. Take it and eat it while it's hot."

After saying that, he stuffed the wrapped naan cakes into Grandma Liu's hands. Little did she know that Grandma Liu would reach out to take it. If she didn't take it, the little grandson stared straight at it. He could tell by the smell that it was a big bag. Meat, I had a very light life this year, and I was really greedy. I couldn’t bear to let Baner suffer, so I thanked him profusely.

"Thank you, little brother. Good people are rewarded, and the old woman is polite."

The waiter stepped aside, refused to accept the courtesy, and asked,
"Auntie, are you in trouble?"

Grandma Liu was embarrassed to ask for directions, but she didn’t know anyone in this place, and it was not easy to meet kind-hearted people, so she spoke,

"Brother, my aunt is also from the countryside. Her current situation is difficult at home. In my previous life, I had rich relatives in the city. I wanted to go find the Bodhisattva. However, many years later, I forgot the way. I would like to ask if it is possible."

The waiter thought it was something, it was just a trivial matter to ask for directions. Although he had only been in the capital for a few months, the brothers in the church had already visited the capital three times, and he could only forget the alleys.
"Okay, aunt, you can ask. I know the way. Tell me, where do you want to go?"

Grandma Liu was overjoyed when she heard this. It seemed that she had asked the right person, so she said,
"Brother, do you know that there is a Duke's Mansion on Ningrong Street, where the Duke Rong's Mansion is located."

The waiter was shocked for a moment. How could he not know the Jia family of Ningrong's second mansion? How could he not know that the wife of the Hou family was still across the street from her natal family? I thought she was an old country woman, but I didn't know she had such relatives.
"Auntie, you are actually related to the Duke's Mansion. Who on Ningrong Street doesn't know?"

Grandma Liu saw that the waiter's face changed a little, and she immediately realized something was wrong and changed her words.

"Oh, I'm just an old country woman. How can I get those high-ranking people? I just have a relative who works as a servant in the house. I want to find a way to meet them. How can I meet those noble people?"

Only then did the waiter suddenly realize, let me tell you, how could he still exchange greetings like this when he knew the Duke's mansion?
"Then you've asked the right person. Madam, please follow this street and walk north. After crossing a bridge, turn east and walk three more blocks to the north. It's about three blocks away. You'll know as soon as you ask, but, aunt, don't blame me for talking too much."

Grandma Liu secretly memorized the route. It was still possible to walk on this road. Farmers are the best people who can walk. It won’t take long. Seeing that the little brother had something to say, she asked doubtfully,
"Brother, tell me, my aunt is listening."

The waiter wanted to say it but didn't dare. He sighed.
"Auntie, you have to think about this. Although the Duke's Mansion is big and has everyone, I'm afraid you may not get what you want. I want to find a way to meet the head of the Rongguo Mansion, who is also married to the Wang family. Listen. She is said to be a kind-hearted person, and many people have benefited from her, but others may not be able to benefit from her."

Grandma Liu could keep the words of her younger brother in mind. Is it the second wife or someone else who married someone from the Wang family? But as long as she is from the Wang family, it would be easy. She nodded and thanked,
"Thank you, second brother. I won't bother you with your business anymore. Let's go."

After thanking him, he took his grandson and headed north, walking briskly on his feet all the way. Ban'er also came from a peasant family and was not that squeamish, so he followed behind him in obscurity.

Speaking of Zhang Jinyu, with a look of helplessness on his face, he led his soldiers and horses out of the Nancheng Prison. Looking at the long street, he was still cursing in his heart. You said that a cell should be built in the south, so it can't be built closer. , but it is right to think about it. Of the four directions in the capital, only Nancheng has the majority of ordinary people. If someone is arrested, no one else will know. As for other places, they are either nobles or officials from aristocratic families. If it were not for the brothel academy, it would be too conspicuous.

However, it was only those who were loyal to the imperial court that suffered.

Riding a horse, walking on the street, don't go too fast, just as if you are playing, walking slowly and prancingly. The Minister Shen in the carriage no longer urges you. Today's interrogation has cast a shadow on Shen Zhongxin's heart, although he has not yet recovered. Punishment, but the performance of all the officials today was to give a good confession, with almost no clues.Even though Mr. Cui Dehai was wavering, he was reminded by Mr. Tian, ​​as if he was enlightened, as if he had figured it out, and never mentioned it. I am afraid that the person behind it is not trivial.

The Marquis must have thought of this and went to the site to check and confirm the evidence. As for using the ashes algorithm to calculate the actual amount of grain, it is also an ancient idea. People from the Ministry of Accounts have begun to bring a large number of accountants to start the calculation. , there are still approximate numbers.

As for the other things, I am afraid that those officials will take action after hearing the news. The Marquis is not afraid, but I, Shen Zhongxin, am not a villain standing behind. After taking this matter, Shen took over the matter, figured it out, and his eyes became firmer.

When we arrived at the intersection not far ahead, there was a water bridge. After crossing the bridge, we were not far from the Rongguo Mansion. Zhang Jinyu was ready to move in her heart. Of course she was not thinking about Li Wan. Although the woman was more considerate, there was Sister Lin there. , the others were naturally at a disadvantage. I thought of Lin Daiyu and promised to visit her, but today I still haven't found it, and I can't help but feel unhappy.

Suddenly I saw someone selling cloud cakes and candied haws at the end of the bridge. I took out a few taels of silver and threw them over, shouting,
"Come here, I've packed all the things on your stall. The man selling candied haws, be careful not to get them dirty."

"Yes, yes, Lord Marquis, you must be careful, you must be careful."

Several small vendors hurriedly nodded in agreement, collected the money, and started packing. Everyone in this area did not know the Marquis. Not far away was the facade of the Hou Mansion Chamber of Commerce. The surrounding small vendors were very grateful. Duo, seeing Master Hou's majestic appearance, became even more cautious.

At this moment, when the common people walking on the bridge saw the officers and soldiers coming, they all stopped and moved out of the way in the center of the bridge, fearing that they would collide with the officers and soldiers and cause trouble.

Grandma Liu took Ban'er with her and looked at the tall officers and soldiers. She also hurriedly made way out of the way, for fear of bumping into the nobles. When she saw someone shouting "Hou Ye", she must be of noble status. Untouchables like us would not dare to look at them.

But Ban'er didn't know whether it was because he was tired from walking, or because Grandma Liu was reluctant to let him eat naan cakes. She was a little hungry and thirsty. Seeing someone packing candied haws and cakes, her mouth watered, and she couldn't help shouting,
"Grandma, grandma, I also want to eat candied haws,"

Grandma Liu was shocked. How could she be so ignorant? She hurriedly covered Ban'er's mouth and said,

"Eat whatever you want. I'll give it to you when you get there."

But Ban'er was thirsty and hungry. When her grandma refused to buy it, she burst into tears. This movement was particularly eye-catching.

Zhang Jinyu was riding on a horse and could see clearly that there was an old woman with a child and no other belongings. Seeing how pitiful she was, she ordered,
"You, take out a few more of these and wrap them separately, and send them to the old woman, saying they are for the child."

When the hawker saw this, he quickly picked out two packages and said with emotion,
"The Marquis is still kind. Although we are untouchables, we have received a lot of kindness from the Marquis. We cannot ask for this money."

After saying that, he wanted to hand the broken silver back. Why did Zhang Jinyu care about this little silver? If he took this little silver and spread it, wouldn't it ruin his reputation? Naturally, he refused to take it.
"It doesn't have to be like this. I don't lack these things. But your craftsmanship is very good and you have gained a reputation in this area. If I eat happily, you are repaying my kindness. As for the words of gratitude, don't mention it again. I know that it is not easy for you. , take it..."

Zhang Jinyu said a few words of relief. After hearing this, the people and vendors around him were so moved that they all knelt down and worshiped.
"Your Majesty is still considerate of me and other common people. Thank you, Lord Marquis."

"Get up."

"Thank you, Lord."

After getting up, he gave the wrapped snacks to Grandma Liu. Grandma Liu refused to accept it, so the vendor said,
"Old man, this is the good intention of the Marquis. Don't be too modest. Take it and give it to the child."

Grandma Liu had just seen the majesty of the Marquis and saw that the people were not afraid of him. He was a good official. He could not but say thank you for giving these to him, so he took Ban'er to the center of the bridge and knelt on the ground. Kowtowed,
"Old lady Liu, with her grandson Ban'er, thanks the Marquis for the reward."

"Old man, please wake up. There is no need for you to kneel down. It doesn't have to be like this. Looking at you looking so dusty, I'm afraid you just came to the capital not long ago?"

Zhang Jinyu raised his eyes and looked at the old woman. She was wearing a dull red coat. She was quite old. Her hands were rough, which must have been from farm work. Although there was a flattering smile on her face, she was neither humble nor overbearing, and she spoke sensibly. , as for the little grandson next to me, calling Baner, huh?Why does it sound so familiar?

Grandma Liu didn't dare to hide it, but she didn't know how to say it. She had just arrived in the capital.

"My lord, you are right. The old woman has only returned to the capital these years, and she does not remember many things."

(End of this chapter)