I am imprisoned in Kaifeng Mansion

Zhang Wenpo bowed her head in embarrassment, unable to speak.

When everyone saw Zhang Wenpo's expression, they probably had guesses in their hearts. It is likely that Zhang Susu and Judge Wang have had an affair without a matchmaker. Maybe Zhang Susu is pregnant with Judge Wang's child.

"Zhang Susu is not a vegetarian character. Everyone has seen how fierce the toss is. Even if Judge Wang is unwilling to meet Zhang Susu's temper, he will attract flies with bad eyes. It's unlucky, sure. Can't escape!" Wang Siniang judged.

Han Zong reprimanded Zhang Wenpo to tell the truth about the situation, "You are a member of the yamen, you should know that there is no concealment of any important situation in the case, if you miss the good time to arrest the real murderer, how can you let Jiuquan know that you are an aunt? Under Zhang Susu, rest in peace?"

Zhang Wenpo agreed, and honestly explained everything she knew.

Sure enough, as everyone guessed, Zhang Susu was indeed pregnant, and she was discovered early, less than one month old.Zhang Wenpo didn't know how Zhang Susu discussed with Judge Wang. In short, after Zhang Wenpo found out about the relationship between the two, Judge Wang agreed to marry Zhang Susu. The wedding date was set on the eighth day of the next month, so it was only a matter of notifying relatives and friends to hold a grand wedding ceremony.

Judge Wang has been taking sick leave in Kaifeng Mansion, Cui Tao felt strange and asked why.

Zhang Wenpo: "I thought it was weird at first, but then Susu explained to me that because she was pregnant and had to prepare for her marriage, Judge Wang cared too much about her and was worried that something would happen to her, so he asked for leave to accompany her."

Judge Wang already had four sons and three daughters. It should not be new for a woman to be pregnant with his child.If Zhang Susu is his true love, and he cares too much about Zhang Susu, it doesn't seem to be the case?If he really cared, how could he agree to marry Zhang Susu preconditionally?

The truth should not be what Zhang Susu said to Zhang Wenpo, some words were beautified by Zhang Susu.

Han Qi asked the small and medium-sized officials in the yamen to check Wang Judge's leave requests over the years. During the three pregnancy and childbirth periods of his original wife, he never asked for leave for any reason.

Zhang Wenpo also felt that Cui Tao's analysis made sense, and it was indeed strange that she asked for sick leave to accompany Zhang Susu.

Ping'er suddenly thought of something, "She once asked me about the situation of the poisonous poison case in the Dizang Pavilion. When she gave us the boneless chicken feet that morning, she probably stole the poisonous insect eggs stored in the morgue. Judge Wang..."

"Yes, yes, yes, I did ask, I remember!" Wang Siniang echoed.

Cui Tao asked the two of them what their expressions were when they watched Judge Wang take Zhang Susu to the jewelry store.

"Smiling, she looks very happy, and Zhang Susu seems to be very happy too." Wang Siniang said.

Cui Tao nodded, "The two of them held hands happily, and the flower hairpin crown they bought together was also a top-quality product in the shop. It doesn't seem like they are being perfunctory, let alone being controlled and threatened."

"The situation of being infected by a gu can be ruled out. If he really got a gu, he shouldn't run to accompany Zhang Susu, but come to Mrs. Cui to relieve the gu immediately. Everyone in Kaifeng Mansion should know that Mrs. Cui can solve this kind of Gu." Han Comprehensive analysis.

Everyone echoed Han Zong's words, and suddenly found that Judge Han seemed to have begun to learn how to judge cases.

"For the promotion, Judge Wang should be very anxious. Zhang Susu used this as a negotiation condition and asked Judge Wang to marry him. It can be seen that this condition is the most pressing on Judge Wang's mind.

Now he does not hesitate to take a few days of sick leave to accompany Zhang Susu, but he is not afraid that he will not be promoted if his performance is not good? "

What made Judge Wang change his attitude and treat Zhang Susu so graciously?The biggest possibility is that Zhang Susu will help him realize his most urgent wish at present, which is why Judge Wang is willing to marry Zhang Susu regardless of outsiders' opinions.

"Zhang Susu helped Judge Wang get promoted? Is this possible?"

Han Zong repeatedly determined that Zhang Susu was just an ordinary girl from a poor background who learned autopsy skills from Zhang Wenpo. She was quick and smart, but these were not enough to change her background and make her capable of helping a court official get promoted. .

"But not necessarily, it's up to people to plan things." Han Qi said at this moment,

Think about Zhang Susu's demeanor when trying to please people, and think about his deep scheming, but there are all kinds of possibilities.

Cui Tao asked Zhang Wenpo to recall where Zhang Susu had been recently.

"She's been quite honest recently, she hasn't been out much, and occasionally she goes out to buy things for the dowry, and she returns home not long after."

As Zhang Wenpo was talking, she suddenly remembered.

"That's right! She went to the Great Compassion Temple a few days ago. Not long after the accident in Kaifeng Mansion, she said she was wrong and she would go to the Great Compassion Temple to repent for a while. I thought it was good, so I agreed, and I probably lived there. There are seven or eight days."

After Wang Zhao learned of the specific time Zhang Susu was in Dabei Temple, he immediately went to Dabei Temple to investigate the situation.

Before leaving, Han Qi reminded Wang Zhao to pay special attention to those who lived in the temple at that time.

Wang Zhao turned back at dusk and reported to Han Qi, Cui Tao and others. During Zhang Susu's stay at Dabei Temple, Mrs. Wu, the mother of the Ministry of Officials, also worshiped Buddha there.

According to the monks in the temple, Zhang Susu had a close relationship with Mrs. Wu on the third day of her stay in Dabei Temple, and she was very fond of Mrs. Wu.When leaving, Mrs. Wu also gave her a generous gift.

In a situation like this where it is necessary to ask the female relatives of the high gate compound to testify, Cui Tao is required to step in.When Cui Tao went to visit the Minister of the Ministry of Officials, she specifically mentioned to Mrs. Wu that Da Ma was her aunt. The purpose was to let Mrs. Wu relax and shed her guard against the government office without reservations. .

Mrs. Wu originally heard that people from Kaifeng Mansion came to question her at night, so she was somewhat displeased and conflicted.Seeing that this girl Cui Tao has a lovely appearance, a sweet smile, and is Mrs. Lu Xiang's niece, her attitude is completely different.

Mrs. Wu told Cui Tao the truth that she did befriend a woman named Zhang in Dabei Temple, but she didn't know if her boudoir name was Susu, and she only called her Zhang Erniang.

"This girl is kind-hearted and saved my life."

That day, Mrs. Wu went to the pond in the temple to feed the fish as usual, but she didn't want to slip and fall into the pond. The water was not shallow, and the four maids accompanying her were all unaware of water, so they were anxious to bark on the bank.At that time, Mrs. Wu really felt that she was going to die, and it was Zhang Susu who appeared in time to save her life.

"I see that she is dressed in ordinary clothes, so she must come from a poor background. After asking about the situation carefully, it is true. She promised to give her a house and good land, but she didn't want it. She also wanted to arrange a good marriage for her, and she said that she was already engaged. , although it is a continuation, but the future husband treats her very well. He doesn't even ask for any thank you gifts, as long as I am in good health, it will be her blessing."

"I heard from the monks in the temple that when she left, she was given a generous gift by the old lady?" Cui Tao asked.

"Hey, what kind of gift is that? I heard that she was married and was born as an orphan. She didn't have any elders to prepare a dowry for her. It's so pitiful, so I gave her two things casually. She still insisted on not wanting it, so she insisted on giving it to her before accepting it. Down.

She knelt down and kowtowed to thank me, crying and saying that she never knew how her grandmother loved her, and thanked her for letting her feel it.I feel sorry for this child who is too sensible and grateful, so I can just let her treat me as her grandmother. "

After Mrs. Wu said this, she couldn't help sighing again.

"Oh, I can't help but feel sorry for this child."

While listening, Cui Tao couldn't help admiring Zhang Susu's method. In a few words, she actually recognized Mrs. Wu as her grandmother.

Since Zhang Susu's goal was to marry Judge Wang, it must have been no coincidence that Mrs. Wu fell from the pond, but after such a long time, the scene had been destroyed and could not be verified.In short, as long as Mrs. Wu falls into the trap, she is a fish in Zhang Susu's net. Zhang Susu is easy to catch such tricks as courteousness, pretending to be weak and sympathetic, and repaying favors.Mrs. Wu is a person who worships the Buddha, and her mind is kind. It is also reasonable that she can't stand up to Zhang Susu's "heaven and earth net".

The performance appraisal of officials below the fifth rank in the country is under the control of the Ministry of Officials, and the person who speaks the most in the Ministry of Officials is the Minister of the Ministry of Officials.Zhang Susu had a life-saving grace for the mother of the Minister of the Ministry of Officials, and when he looked back at the performance appraisal, he helped to talk about love and make a big effort, and it was really possible for Judge Wang to go up.

So it is roughly clear that Judge Wang's sudden hospitality and his willingness to marry Zhang Susu are because Zhang Susu got on the line of Minister of the Ministry of Officials.

This matter is actually quite sad. Women go to great lengths to calculate in order to get married, but men just sit back and enjoy the success, but they are just giving away the position of a regular wife.Zhang Susu was probably also upset, so Judge Wang asked for leave to accompany her.

Cui Tao then asked Mrs. Wu if she knew who Zhang Susu's future husband was.Mrs. Wu shook her head, saying that Zhang Susu didn't explain in detail, but told him a lot about her husband's hard work but always being taken credit for by his superiors.

This made Mrs. Wu still a little angry, and complained about her future husband.But Zhang Susu said that a loss is a blessing, and her future husband thinks that as long as the final result of the matter can benefit the people, it is a good thing, so there is no need to worry about small things.

"Look at him, Wuyuan is so clear, he only seeks to benefit the people, he is really a good official, such a person should be reused in the officialdom. I am afraid that my eldest son is not as good as him, don't look down on his high official rank!"

Mrs. Wu also talked about this with Cui Tao because she was the niece of the Da Ma family. It is impossible for her to talk about this to a government servant in Kaifeng.

Judge Wang's own achievements were not good enough, yet she even blamed her superiors. Judge Wang's immediate superior was Han Qi.When did Han Qi take the credit from him?On the contrary, they took him with them when they were suppressing the bandits, and gave him some credit.

Cui Tao silently retracted her previous judgment on Zhang Susu as "very pathetic", but she dared to frame her family as "little shy", Zhang Susu deserved to be pathetic!

However, since Zhang Susu and Judge Wang already had a mutually beneficial relationship, Judge Wang had no reason to kill Zhang Susu before his promotion wish was fulfilled.As the magistrate of Kaifeng Mansion, it is very unlikely that he would kill Zhang Susu by cutting his throat in the street. Now these investigation results have reduced the possibility to almost no.

But one thing that puzzles everyone is: If Judge Wang didn't kill Zhang Susu, why did he escape?Why haven't you showed up yet?

"The possibility of being hijacked is not ruled out."

Han Qi had earlier ordered Wang Zhao to send people to set up checkpoints on all the main roads outside Nanxun Gate, and try their best to search for the trace of Judge Wang's carriage. There is no news so far, and it is estimated that it will be difficult to find anyone tonight.

"But who would hijack him? And before hijacking, he killed Zhang Susu so cruelly?"

Everyone didn't quite understand, but they wanted to follow the line of the enemy to find out whether Judge Wang had offended anyone before.

When everyone finally dispersed, the night was already dark.

When Cui Tao sent Han Qi away, Han Qi suddenly hugged her and whispered 'baby' in her ear.

Han Qi got into the carriage immediately, and Zhang Chang immediately drove away with a whip.

Cui Tao stood there in a daze, first blinked her eyelids, then rolled her eyes, looking at the carriage going away, couldn't help laughing.

Usually when getting along with Han Qi, she really didn't realize that he was a person who knew kung fu, but just now she felt it deeply, very fast.

This gentle man became flexible, probably nothing to do with monkeys.

Cui Tao didn't even notice how Han Qi got into the carriage so quickly just now.Of course, she was startled by the sound of 'baby', and she was taken aback for a while, but she ran away in the blink of an eye, can it be blamed for her slow reaction?Of course not, blame Han Qi for being too fast, I hope he is not so fast in everything.

After Cui Tao returned to her room to take a bath, she put the two ancient jades she bought from the jewelry store on the table.The shopkeeper of the jewelry shop may not have recognized it, but these two pieces of jade are from the Han Dynasty, and it is very rare to be able to make a pair.This jade pendant is 'heart-shaped', which refers to the shape similar to a real heart. It is an elliptical shape with a wide top and a narrow bottom. Because there is a large round hole in the middle, it looks a bit like a flat and wide jade ring at first glance. The pattern is auspicious. The long-tailed birds hollowed out on the left and right sides seem to hold a heart, which has a very beautiful meaning.Don't say that this thing was bought for three guan, even three hundred guan is worth it.

The surface of the jade pendants was a little dusty, which is why the color turned blue. Cui Tao soaked the two jade pendants in water first, and then chose a blue thread to tie the knots. Put the two jade pendants in a brocade box covered with vanilla and seal them up.

The next day, after Cui Tao had breakfast, she received a reply letter from Anping.

This letter is very thick when picked up.After opening it, it was found that the letters from Mrs. Cui, Mrs. Ma and Cui Mao were all put together. There was also a letter in this letter, which Mrs. Ma asked Cui Tao to forward to Mrs. Ma.

Cui Tao first read Mrs. Cui's letter.Mrs. Cui is naturally happy that Cui Tao has someone she likes, and he is a son-in-law candidate that the entire Cui family is very satisfied with.However, Mrs. Cui still carefully reminded Cui Tao to consider the situation at Han Qi's family, whether her family would mind her past and present.

Mrs. Cui knew that Cui Tao should have an idea in her heart, but she still couldn't help telling her that the girl's family had better not rush.If the Han family is not sincere, the marriage cannot be rushed.On this point, Xiao Ma and her have the same idea. In short, both mother-in-law and daughter-in-law expressed one meaning: they should not wrong their own daughter.

Cui Maoxin's content expressed his joy. He has always admired and praised Han Qi very much. He really didn't expect to have such a good son-in-law in the future. He praised Cui Tao for his vision and gave Cui Tao and Han Qi a good time wishes.He also said that after they got married, the Cui family would stand behind them no matter what happened.

The focus of Xiao Ma's letter is to check people.She attached the letter to Mrs. Da Ma just to ask Mrs. Ma to help her find out who secretly asked for a marriage arrangement for her daughter.

If it's just ordinary people, they don't have to worry about anything, and they can easily refuse when asked by the officials. If not, then please ask Da Ma and Lu Xiang to come out and stop them.

In fact, Mrs. Ma has never begged her elder sister Mrs. Ma for anything, but this time in the letter she sincerely begged Mrs. Mrs. Da to help her with this favor. She did not want her daughter to be troubled by such things. , for this hasty engagement.Because her daughter has suffered too much, Xiao Ma doesn't want Cui Tao to suffer any more grievances.

After reading the letter delivered by Cui Tao, Da Ma was silent for a long time and sighed.

Cui Tao found that Da Ma was a little busy, and asked her softly if she was not feeling well.

"It's okay, I feel uncomfortable, and I feel sorry for you." Da Ma looked at Cui Tao and took her hand, "I'll tell you something, but don't blame aunt after hearing it, aunt I really don’t want this to happen.”

Cui Tao nodded, "Auntie, please tell me."

"The person who secretly asked for the marriage was none other than your uncle!" Mrs. Ma said apologetically to Cui Tao, "I really didn't know about this at the beginning. , I only heard him mention it later when the notebook had already been sent up."

Mrs. Da Ma couldn't help but sigh, she really didn't expect her husband to be able to do such a thing without authorization, and he didn't even discuss it with her in advance.So these days, she was so angry that she never asked him to come to her room.

Cui Tao was very surprised, she really did not expect that something would happen to Lu Xiang.

"Why on earth is this?"

"However, I don't know why he got wind, saying that since Erlang likes you, it's a good thing to get married, and the two families were originally going to get married, so this destined good marriage cannot be broken."

Of course, Lu Xiang also said something else, pointing out that what Cui Tao is doing now will definitely make it difficult to find a good husband, and that a noble family like the Lu family is willing to let her in, which is the best home for her.

Naturally, the Damascus couldn't tell Cui Tao these words, she knew Cui Tao's temperament, and she might not come to the prime minister's house again after she knew it.

Mrs. Dama then told Cui Tao that Lu Xiang also reprimanded Lu Gongbi, saying that he was a man with a shrunken head, not like a man from the Lu family.

"Are you saying he's angry? I didn't see him take care of this matter before, but now we've all let go, but he suddenly got up and decided to ask you to be her second daughter-in-law."

"Do you know what caused him to be like this?" Cui Tao felt that Lu Xiang was not stubborn, and there must be a reason for his sudden persistence.

"I remember going to a banquet once. After I came back, I heard him praise you non-stop. He also said that all daughters-in-law like you in the Lu family must have virtuous and filial descendants, so that the Lu family can continue to prosper."

At that time, Da Ma had already explained to Lu Xiang the situation of Lu Gongbi letting go. At that time, Lu Xiang was drunk and fell asleep. She thought that his memory from drinking too much was messed up, and it was nothing serious.

Unexpectedly, the next day, he handed in a request for marriage, and at that time kept it from everyone in his family.

Mrs. Dama managed to persuade Lu Gongbi to let go, but now the child's father has a problem again, which really made her so anxious that he didn't sleep well for the past two days.

"Your mother asked us to help stop it, but we didn't know that we caused this trouble. I'm going to lose my lord this time!"

Mrs. Da Ma told Cui Tao that the book was submitted, but it was absolutely impossible to get it back.Fortunately, this kind of request for marriage is processed relatively slowly, and it is common for two or three months to be queued.

Da Ma didn't know that Cui Tao was interested in someone at this time, so he took Cui Tao's hand and told her that she would try her best to find a way to solve this matter.

"Or you—" Da Ma's tone suddenly changed, and he deliberately observed Cui Tao's expression.

Cui Tao immediately said: "Auntie doesn't have to feel too guilty, this matter will be resolved in a few days. Uncle is just a temporary idea. After a while, if Auntie persuades her often, she will naturally understand."

Damascus lowered his eyes in disappointment, and then when he raised his eyes, he smiled in his eyes, promising that this was indeed the case.

After sending Cui Tao away, her face turned cold, and she summoned Lu Gongbi to come to her, and asked him to go and persuade his father to stop messing around.

Lu Gongbi frowned, "I'm just looking for a lesson, he won't listen to it for a while."

Damascus took a deep breath in anger, there was no man in the family who would not let her worry about it.

Lu Gongbi finally agreed to persuade him, but he was scolded by Lu Xiang.

……

"Lu Xiang?" Han Qi was a little surprised when he learned from Cui Tao that the person requesting the order was actually Lu Gongbi's father.

"It's so strange." Cui Tao frowned, and said to Han Qi, "Don't you think that the recent things are very strange? The case between Zhang Susu and Judge Wang is very strange, and Lu Xiang is here too."

According to Cui Tao's guess, Lu Xiang must have met someone and said something to him when he attended the banquet that day, which made him, who didn't care much about meddling in his son's marriage, change his attitude drastically, and insisted on letting her be his daughter-in-law.

When Lu Xiang mentioned her to the Da Ma family, he said that marrying her would allow the Lu family to continue to prosper.Cui Tao is more inclined to think that it should be a warlock alchemist.If it is this kind of person, it must be famous, admired, and highly respected.

Cui Tao asked Han Zong to help investigate the situation of Lu Xiang attending the banquet that day.

Han Zong then told Cui Tao, "That day was the Eighth King's birthday banquet. At that time, a highly respected ascetic was indeed invited, and it was Taoist Master Wuyou. Among the children of the aristocratic families who attended the banquet, someone saw with his own eyes that Taoist Master Wuyou and Xiang Lu had a very pleasant conversation."

This result was quite beyond Cui Tao's expectation.It was Zhao Zongqing who hinted to Han Qi that someone asked for a marriage.Then if the person who instigated Lu Xiang to ask for the marriage was Taoist Wuyou, and Taoist Wuyou and Zhao Zongqing were close friends...wouldn't this be a harmony?

Han Qi also secretly investigated and asked friends or colleagues who attended the banquet at that time. Some of them overheard the conversation between Taoist Wuyou and Lu Xiang, but said that the two were not discussing Taoism, but tea. We had a good time talking.

Cui Tao: "It doesn't rule out that after those people left, Taoist Master Wuyou said something that bewitched Lu Xiang. If it is true, Taoist Master Wuyou must have bad intentions."

It was not clear whether the instigator was Taoist Wuyou or not.Second, if it is, it is unclear why he did this and whether it has anything to do with Zhao Zongqing.[-] If the two of them are really colluding, what are they playing?It's equally confusing.

"It's really too strange." Han Qi took Cui Tao's hand, "No matter what, I will take leave and return to Anping tomorrow."

Back to Anping, naturally Zhang Luo was going to propose marriage to Cui's family.

"What about Judge Wang's case?" Cui Tao sighed, "Now it's at a critical juncture."

"Without you and me, Kaifeng Mansion would not be able to handle the case. It would be too lacking. Then let them realize this problem as soon as possible and correct it in time." Han Qi touched Cui Tao's cheek and smiled gently, "No Don't worry about the delay."

"Both my mother and my grandmother said that this engagement is a good thing, but there is no rush, and I cannot be wronged in the slightest."

"I shouldn't let you be wronged." Han Qi agreed, frowning slightly, wondering if there were any omissions in the things he had prepared in advance.

"But I think as long as you are the right person, no matter what you do, no matter how hasty it is, that is the best." Cui Tao saw that Han Qi's brows were tightly furrowed, and stretched out her hand to smooth his brows, "So I don't feel that at all. Sorry."

But Cui Tao said this just to let Han Qi remember her kindness.No way, she began to plot his heart again.