Reborn in the last years of Kangxi

Chapter 93
The Wei brothers returned home very late, but the news they brought back surprised Cao Yong and Zhuang Xi.The previous speculation was completely fulfilled, the one who bought the crime was a native of Tongzhou, but his identity was somewhat beyond everyone's expectations.That man was an old man who was nearly a year old, his surname was Liang and his name was Mian, he was a big family in Tongzhou.

It turned out that after the Wei brothers rushed to Tongzhou, they visited all the three or two banks in the county, and there was no large amount of money withdrawn in the past half month.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 major transactions recently.Although there were also two mortgage houses who sold land, the amount of money was only 800 taels. Only Liang Mian sold a few Zhuangzi at the price of [-] taels per mu in early October, and the total amount was [-] to [-] mu.You know, the price of good land in Tongzhou is seven or eight taels of silver per mu, and the good ones can even reach ten taels.A price as low as Liang Mian's is really abnormal.

When the Wei family brothers found out here, they inquired carefully about Liang Mian's family background.The Liang family is a big family in Tongzhou, heir to the family of poems and books, and many children of the family have become officials.However, Liang Mian's heirs were difficult, with only one son and one daughter. After his son became a Jinshi, he worked as a Beijing official for more than ten years;The Xiong family is a famous family, and that person is a high-ranking Beijing official, the Liang family is really high-ranking.Mrs. Liang was married for three years and died of illness after leaving behind a child.

Liang Mian was afraid that his aunt's family would have many children, and that his grandson would lose his mother and be bullied when he was young, so after discussing with his aunt, he took him to his side to raise him.A few years later, when his son was released from his post, he caught up with the flood and his family suffered.Liang Mian's bloodline was only his grandson's, so he held it in his palm like a heart and soul.

Under such pampering, this child gradually grew up, but he really gave his grandfather a face. In the 45th year of Kangxi, he became a Jinshi and was named a Shujishi. In April this year, he was promoted to the editor of the Imperial Academy.I didn't want to be imprisoned for unknown reasons at the end of September, and hanged myself in prison within a few days.

Liang Mian was nearly seventy years old, and he only had this little blood, so it was cut off, and he seemed crazy.Within a few days, nearly [-] mu of fertile land was sold, causing those clan members who were worried about his family property to jump in pain.There was an endless stream of people who came to the door to advise, and there were countless people who wanted to be the old man's stepson and grandson.The old man never let go, he responded at first, but then closed the door.

However, his housekeeper, Liang Xi, has grown rich in recent days. He bought an outhouse and raised two fans.During the whole day, calling friends and calling friends, Hu was in the dark, extremely arrogant.

After checking around Liang's house, the Wei brothers were almost sure that Liang Xi was the one who went to find Wan Jiu.Because before Wan Jiu and others came to Beijing, Liang Xi had been in and out of Wan Jiu's house twice.In addition, he was still bragging to people when he was drunk, and now even people like Wan Jiu are rushing to call him "Master Liang" and work under him.

However, when the two brothers wanted to find Liang Xi, it was a step too late.The arresters from Shuntian Mansion came quickly, and followed Liang Xi's route to find the Liang family.

Because Liang Mian's son was an official of the imperial court, not an ordinary citizen, it is considered polite to arrest him quickly.I didn't want Mr. Liang to hear the notification that he wanted to change his clothes, and he didn't come out after entering the room.When the policemen went in, the old man's body was also hardened, and when Wu Zuo came to conduct an autopsy, the conclusion was that he had swallowed gold.

Liang Mian was the only master in the Liang family. Such a big incident caused a sensation in the whole Tongzhou.People from the distant and near branches of the Liang family came to the house noisily, wanting to divide up the family property.As a result, the arresters of Shuntian Mansion sent someone to go back to Beijing to ask for an order, and sealed up the Liang Mansion on the charge of buying murder to murder the imperial court official, and at the same time escorted Liang Xi back to Shuntian Mansion.

The brothers of the Wei family watched the commotion from afar, and really couldn't figure out how a rich local man here could have an enmity with Cao Yin who was far away in Jiangning?
After Cao Yong heard the news from Tongzhou, he couldn't understand the reason.Only Zhuang Xi pondered for a long time, and faintly figured out some clues.

"Yong'er, do you know that Xiong Cilu, the former official minister?" Zhuang Xi asked.

Xiong Cilu?This is a well-known cabinet scholar in the Kangxi Dynasty. He was once called the "Four Prime Ministers" together with Mingzhu, Suo'etu, and Gao Shiqi.After the San Francisco Rebellion, Xiong Cilu was dismissed because he wrote a letter opposing 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 42 years and returned to Jiangning in 45 years.

Long before Cao Yong came to Beijing, he knew a lot about the resume of this bachelor.Just because the mansion of this great scholar in Jiangning is the Qingliang Terrace near Qingliang Temple where Cao Yong stayed as a filial piety.When Cao Yong was in the temple, he heard the monks mention this great scholar many times.In the eyes of Jiangnan people, Xiong Cilu is not an official, but a university scholar. His books "Xuebian", "Xuetong", "Xuegu" and "Xueyu" have been handed down to the world.Because of his ancestral home in Xiaogan, his real name is Xiaochang, so people in the world respectfully call him "Mr. Xiaochang".

Cao Yong remembered something and asked: "Didn't Mr. Xiaochang pass away in August? It's so shadowy, it seems that I heard that there is a legacy!"

Zhuang Xi nodded: "It is true, and it has led to a lot of disputes! Mr. Xiaochang wrote the testament before his death, and his family sent the document to Beijing after his death. Back then, Shengjia was outside the Great Wall, and there was a lot of trouble in the middle. It took quite a while before I arrived at the Imperial Palace. There was a word in the remnant that recommended his nephew, the Hanlin Academy, to edit Kumamoto. The person above didn’t believe it, so he ordered someone to investigate carefully. It turned out that the relic had been tampered with, and Kumamoto bribed the servants of the Xiongfu. This is the crime of deceiving the emperor. Kumamoto was imprisoned, then sentenced to beheaded, and hanged himself in prison a few days later."

"Xiong Ben is Liang Mian's grandson?" Cao Yong understands the reason somewhat.

Zhuang Xi stroked his beard: "It seems so, but since the imperial court ordered to kill Kumamoto, why Liang Mian would resent your father, this is what makes people puzzled!"

Could it be that during the process of the Kumamoto case, his "secret" father provided some amazing information, which became the basis for his conviction, and that's why he was hated?But since it was a "secret agent" and it was a "secret report", how could the old farmer know about it?What about the dynamite that was replaced?What about the killer?After the truth of the murder case came to light, Mingli's answer was so simple, but after careful thought, it was full of fog. Too many things were hidden in this fog, and only a few traces were left, which made people more and more confused.

Who is behind the grassland murder?What's the secret behind this murder case in the capital?Cao Yong eager to know the answer.

In the next ten days or so, the brothers of the Wei family left early and returned late, spending a lot of money on the account just for this answer.

Cao Yong originally suspected that those people killed a few days ago belonged to the fourth elder brother. After all, whether it was Emperor Yongzheng's official spy agency "sticky pole" or the dark organization "Blood Droplet" written in the unofficial history, it will be remembered in later generations. It's so famous that it's hard not to get in touch.

In addition, he also faintly doubted the third elder brother.After all, in this drama of seizing the heirloom that has not yet ended, the fourth elder brother behaved like a spectator, no matter what he thought in his heart, his behavior was always submissive and low-key.The third elder brother is different. Although he is not outstanding among the princes and his mother is not prominent, he has always been very active.

However, the Wei family brothers monitored the three princes' mansion and the four princes' mansion for half a month, but they never found anything unusual.

On the Shuntian Mansion side, on the fourth day after the arresters returned from Tongzhou, the case was completely closed with Liang Xi's execution and the confiscation of the Liang family's property as the final verdict.

The big case that caused a sensation in Gyeonggi was settled.

*
In the north of the city, Dajinger Hutong, Seishtu Mansion.

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

Now that the case has come to light, the danger alert has been completely lifted, and Yongjia's arm injury has improved greatly, it's time to give thanks.Cao Yong went to inquire about the address of Saishitu, and on the day when he was resting, he took Cao Song, Cao Yi, Baoya and Yongjia to the mansion of Saishitu to thank him after school.

The concierge saw Cao Yong and others' BMW fragrant car, followed by several cars full of gifts, he couldn't help but clicked his tongue secretly, and hurriedly informed inside after receiving Cao Yong's post.

After a short while, Sai Shitu came out quickly, saw Cao Yong, and was about to say hello with a smile, but when he saw the things behind him, he lowered his face and pointed at the cars: "Cao Wei, why is this?"

Cao Yong held his fists in salute first, and then he replied: "Thanks to the guards of Sai who rescued his brother and sister that day, the real murderer hadn't appeared at that time, so I couldn't wait to come to worship. Now that the case is over, the Cao family prepared a small gift. Although it is a great kindness that I dare not say thank you, but it is my three brothers and sisters' heart, and I hope the guards will not hesitate to accept it."

Seshitu quickly shook his head: "The matter that day was just a matter of little effort to me, and I told you that I didn't want to get your house to thank you. Besides, you thanked you that day, and now what are you using these things for? Since you Come, please come in and have a cup of tea, I will never accept this gift."

Cao Yong inquired that he was not married yet, and there was only one widowed mother in his family. He smiled and said, "It's not a big gift, it's just a little bit of our younger generation's filial piety to our aunt. Today I brought my younger siblings here, and I should also go to worship my aunt. Know if it's cheap."

At this time, some neighbors had already quietly opened the door to peek at the excitement. Seeing Seshitu, it was not good for them to stand at the door like this. He also heard them talking about visiting his mother, but he couldn't say anything to refuse, so he had to invite them in.

Seishtu's house was the yard where Xiaosan entered, and it wasn't too spacious. As Cao's carriage drove inside, it became more and more cramped.An old housekeeper came out and was slightly surprised when he saw so many things, and then greeted Cao Yong and others, and waited for Seshitu to say how to deal with the things.

But Seshtu didn't even look at those things. While leading Cao Yong and his party to the living room of the main room, he told the butler, "Hao Bo, tell the inner courtyard that the guests will come to see your wife in a while and ask to send a servant girl." Lead the way." Butler Hao led the way.

After entering the hall, Cao Song and Cao Yi stood up together, or reached the ground together, or bowed solemnly, saying that they would like to thank you benefactor.

The last time Seshitu met Baoya, Yongjia and others, he knew their identities, so he was taken aback, how could he accept it?He hurriedly bowed and bowed back, and said in his mouth, "What are you doing?! Thank you all! You are trying to shorten my life!"

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

The servant served tea, and then said that his wife invited the guests over.Cao Yi, Yongjia and Baoya pleaded guilty, and followed a little maid to the inner courtyard.

*
Although the inner courtyard is small, there are all kinds of flowers and trees in the flower beds, and they are neatly tidied up.There were three main rooms, and the little maid led the three of them into the East Nuan Pavilion.

In the warm pavilion, there are two and a half old blue satin backrests on the big kang facing the window. On it sits an old woman in her 60s and [-]s. Made of silver and inlaid with pine stones, the flowers are flat and square, which looks neat and dignified. He is dressed in a crow-blue coat with a string of Buddhist beads on the front.

The three of them saluted the old lady, and the old lady greeted them with a smile, and let them sit on the kang again.The three thanked them with a smile, and just sat down on a row of chairs next to the Kang.

The old woman was Seshtu's mother Sitara.Xitara is a middle-aged widow with three daughters and one son.The three daughters have been married for many years, and only the youngest son Seshtu, who is twenty-one years old, has never been married.It's not anything else, it's just because of the difficulty of the words "the right family".

The Matrilineal family of Xi Tara was once prominent when he was young, but his family fortune fell because of his involvement in the Obai case.The good upbringing when she was young made her very particular about her actions and her vision was very high. In addition, the Jueluo family was born in a dignified clan with a red belt. The girl can't get into Xi Tara's eyes at all.

The Sitala family neither liked to cling to the powerful, nor would they marry the daughters of merchants, but those from similar families thought their families were poor and did not want their daughters to marry to live in poverty.In this way, whether they are high or low, they will pick and choose, and Seshtu's marriage will be delayed.It would be a lie to say that this mother is not in a hurry, but she is also absolutely unwilling to marry a daughter-in-law at will.

Seeing these three pretty girls like spring onions today, Xi Tara was very happy, after a few polite words, he couldn't help asking about their age and family background in detail.However, with this question, her heart, which had just warmed up, turned cold again. ——These three daughters, two are daughters of the Earl's Mansion, and one is Princess Gege.

Baoyagege, surnamed Aixinjueluo, was naturally excluded from the marriage; the two earls' families were worthy in terms of status, but after all, the woman's family was too good, and Xi Tara was afraid that they would look down on him.

After chatting for a while, Xi Tara's affection for Cao Yi and Yongjia, who are quiet and well-mannered, became more and more regretful in her heart; the more regretful she was, the more she felt that she loved them.Her words were originally kind, but now she also had a happy expression on her face.

Cao Yi watched his words and expressions, took advantage of the old man's joy, and respectfully handed over the gift list.

Xi Tara refused to accept it, and said seriously: "Saving a life is better than building a seven-level pagoda. It was a coincidence that my son saved you. This is his good fortune and practice. If he doesn't save it, he is wrong. "It is only right for him to be saved. Besides, he has gained self-cultivation, what kind of gift will he receive? I didn't hear him mention this matter at the beginning. I didn't know there was such a thing until you came to the door today. It can be seen that he I knew this was what to do, so I didn’t take it to heart, so please don’t worry about it.”

Cao Yi sincerely liked Tara's family: "Auntie is merciful, this life-saving grace, to you, is just the word "deem", but to us, it is a great kindness, and I will never forget it in this life. It’s not that these vulgar things are used to pollute my aunt’s compassionate heart. It’s just that the juniors came to visit for the first time today, so there is nothing to be filial to. If you give us the face of being nieces, and my aunt keeps a winter coat, it will be considered as our heart. !"

Although Xi Tara had a smile on her face, her expression was very firm: "You say you are filial to me. I am very happy when you come to see my old lady and talk to me. This is already a generous gift. So please bring back the foreign objects.”

Cao Yi and the others spent a lot of talking, but still failed to convince Sitara, and finally she refused the thank you gift with an elegant smile.

Seeing the old man talking for a long time, the three showed some tiredness, so they got up and said goodbye.

Xi Tara asked her servant girl to send them out, and still looked at their backs through the window, still loved them very much in her heart, after thinking about it for a while, she finally sighed helplessly.

*
In the front hall, the Cao Yong brothers and Seishtu also had a happy chat.

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

At this moment, the job title was put aside, and the elder brother called out, looking very affectionate.

After changing two cups of tea, Cao Yi and the others came out from the inner courtyard.When Cao Yi saw his brother, he shook his head slightly.Cao Yong knew that Seshitu's mother would not accept the gift, and he admired the family's character from the bottom of his heart. Many people may be able to live in poverty, but there are very few people who do not repay their kindness and refuse foreign money.

Cao Yong planned in his heart to send some ginseng and herbal skin care products to the elderly in two days, to express his heart to some extent, and he would not be rejected again, so he took back the gift list, thanked Seshitu again, and took everyone back home together. government.

(End of this chapter)