Chapter Two, The Half-Cleared Moon (5)
He understood that her earlier silence was not due to indifference regarding the matter, but rather a matter of prioritization; she had chosen to settle accounts after the autumn.
Jingyi obediently pressed against the wall, looking at the small silver bracelet that had been worn at her waist since childhood. With a hint of weakness in her voice, she said, "I don't quite understand either. Two thieves inexplicably stole it on the street. After I discovered it, I chased after them and happened to catch them beating an elderly man. As soon as I appeared, they stopped hitting him. I asked them for the bracelet, but they refused to give it to me, so I took action..."
Jing Yi silently sighed
You are such a fool
Leng Yue responded with a sound, hesitated for a moment, and then said, "Please do not blame me for my lack of eloquence. The item in my hand is indeed precious, and I am unsure if your disciple, Master Chen, would be available to assist me in examining it together"
Zhang Laowu was taken aback, "Isn't this the rule in the yamen... The larger the yamen, the more they demand. If one were to be thrown into the prison of Jingzhaofu, it would require at least a hundred or so taels of silver, otherwise it would be impossible..."
It is indeed rare to encounter a situation where a grandfather reports his grandson, especially outside the capital region. In other places, even if a grandfather were to report his disappointing grandson, it would typically be done at the local government office. However, within the capital region, there exists the Jingzhao Prefecture office, yet Zhang Laowu chooses not to go there. Instead, he secretly seeks out the Deputy Minister of the Dali Temple to make his report. What could be his intention in doing so?
Old Zhang Wu thought for a moment and said, "His name is Zhang Chong, he is thirteen years old, and his height is about the same as mine. He has a round face, big eyes with double eyelids, and he looks quite spirited. He once lost a canine tooth in a fight, so he speaks with a slight lisp. His favorite food is the buns from Qingxiang Building, and sometimes he also gambles with dice on the street... There isn't much else to say about him." His favorite food is the buns from Qingxiang Building, and sometimes he also gambles with dice on the street... There isn't much else to say about him.
Regardless of how loud her scolding was, and regardless of the hand that was firmly pressing on his shoulder, Jing Yi pulled her into his embrace
Before Jing Yi could finish speaking, Leng Yue couldn't help but unleash a string of curses, each one more intense than the last, "Are you fucking stupid! Are you missing a few screws! Did a donkey kick your head or did a door slam on it!"
"Fourth Young Master, you are a good person, a truly good person..." Zhang Laowu also took half a step closer to Jingyi. Perhaps due to the excessively lowered tone of his voice, Zhang Laowu's words sounded particularly shaky, "I... my grandson has committed a homicide, I cannot protect him, otherwise I would have no face to meet the ancestors of the Zhang family below... But he is my only grandson, his parents passed away early, I raised him by myself, I just want to see him one more time... My grandson has committed a homicide, I cannot protect him, otherwise I would have no face to meet the ancestors of the Zhang family below... But he is my only grandson, his parents passed away early, I raised him by myself, I just want to see him one more time... If he gets caught by other officials, I won't be able to come up with that much money, and I definitely won't be able to see him again... Fourth Young Master, please do me this favor!"
The cold moon's horse was tied to the hitching post at the entrance. The cold moon did not go to lead the horse; instead, she silently walked with Jing Yi along the wall of the courtyard, moving further away from the main gate. Upon reaching a secluded corner, she turned sideways, firmly grasped Jing Yi's shoulder, and with one hand pressed him tightly against the courtyard wall. With her other hand, she forcefully yanked the silver bracelet tied around Jing Yi's waist and held it up before his eyes, stating word by word, "How could the token of our engagement fall into someone else's hands?"
The cold moon clearly did not feel that being deceived alongside many others would slightly improve her mood; her expression darkened further, and her voice became even colder, "In other words, the reason you were stabbed is that you lost it and then wanted to take it back?"
She has almost gathered enough reasons to want to cut off his head today
What the lady said is indeed true
Then I would like to thank you in advance, sir
Jing Yi attempted to say a few words to her, such as that Zhang Laowu was very pitiful, and that she did not need to find someone else to show her porcelain, as she could just show it to him. However, Leng Yue completely ignored him
It is not a problem, it is not a problem... He will be here tonight to tend the fire. I told him to come to my house early tomorrow morning.
Cold Moon's spirit tightened, and she blurted out, "How did you know?"
... ... Let go of me!
Jing Yi's words were directed at Zhang Laowu, yet Leng Yue felt they were more like a message meant for her. The tone was gentle, akin to a soft yet reassuring embrace, inexplicably extinguishing her anger and stirring up a hint of other emotions deep within her.
Old Zhang swallowed hard, steadied his breath, and calmed his trembling voice before continuing, "As a result, when he returned to take over his shift the next morning, there was a charred body stuffed in the firewood entrance, the kiln fire had gone out, and my grandson had also disappeared without a trace..."
Without waiting for Jingyi to say anything further, Lengyue took Jingyi's hand and walked out the door. They exited the courtyard where the porcelain kiln was located, not bothering to check if Xiao Yunde had returned, and continued walking through the front estate until they reached the main gate.
The cold moon's voice rose several degrees, roaring to the point that even the sound changed, "Why are you risking your life to snatch this thing? Are you going to let them kill you? Am I supposed to marry the bracelet instead!"
Leng Yue thus linked her arm with Jing Yi's and said to Zhang Laowu, "Then I will trouble you again tomorrow"
It is already uncommon to report on relatives, let alone a grandfather reporting on his own grandson; such an incident is something Jing Yi has never heard of in the teahouse or the literary scene.
The reason this item is treasured is not only because it once belonged to the Cold Moon, but also because if this item is lost, the predetermined fate of this union will no longer hold true
Zhang Laowu did not find anything inappropriate about the curiosity of the wife of the Minister of Dali Temple regarding the murder case, so he answered truthfully, "My apprentice, Xu Qing, he also works here, he is also a kiln worker... That night, it was supposed to be his turn to keep watch here, but his wife fell ill, so he was sent home, and my grandson came to take his place. He said my grandson was cursing and swearing all day, saying he wanted to kill someone. When he asked what was wrong, my grandson did not say clearly, just told him to wait and see..." That night, it was supposed to be his turn to keep watch here, but his wife fell ill, so he was sent home, and my grandson came to take his place. He said my grandson was cursing and swearing all day, saying he wanted to kill someone. When he asked what was wrong, my grandson did not say clearly, just told him to wait and see...
Old Zhang let out a sigh, shook his head, and slowly raised his hand to point at the firewood opening, which was about shoulder-width. "He killed him right here, stuffing the body into the firewood opening to burn him to death..."
This is an unequivocal insult, yet as Jing Yi listened, it felt as if everyone in the world was praising him in unison
Old Zhang was startled by the powerful shout, nearly dropping the cane in his hand. He repeatedly waved his hands at Leng Yue, saying, "Madam, one must not be scolded, one must not be scolded... it will bring misfortune!"
Jingyi has always been uncertain, so this bracelet is truly important to him
After a few words were shouted, Leng Yue's eyes turned red, and she glared at him with a pair of watery eyes filled with anger, causing Jing Yi to be momentarily stunned before he regained his composure
You scoundrel
Jing Yi did not respond to Zhang Laowu's words with any comforting remarks, but instead spoke gently and calmly, "The matter of blame can only be determined after we find the person... If you truly want me to locate him, please describe what he is like and where he might go."
Old Zhang let out a deep sigh and shook his head vigorously, "My grandson has been spoiled by me since he was little, his temper is quite bad, and he has caused no small amount of trouble... This time he has committed such an offense, it is all my fault!"
You can rest assured
Zhang Laowu nodded slightly, his eyes a bit red, but his voice had calmed down somewhat. "He knows I only have this one grandson, and he is afraid that if something really happens to him, I won't be able to bear it. So he first hid the person who was burned to death in a box and came to my house to see if my grandson was home... I couldn't find my grandson, and when my apprentice returned, he didn't even know where the burned person had gone, and only then did he tell me. ... Both my grandson and the burned person were nowhere to be found, and I had no other options, so I first told Boss Xiao that my grandson had gone back to his hometown for some matter, and I would hold the fort. I was just thinking about how to find you when you arrived." ... I couldn't find my grandson, and when my apprentice returned, he didn't even know where the burned person had gone, and only then did he tell me. ... Both my grandson and the burned person were nowhere to be found, and I had no other options, so I first told Boss Xiao that my grandson had gone back to his hometown for some matter, and I would hold the fort. I was just thinking about how to find you when you arrived.
... ... ''
The cold moon seemed unable to listen any longer, her brows furrowed into a tight knot, and she stepped away towards the firewood pile, focusing all her attention on the kiln entrance
When Zhang Laowu uttered these words, his hair was still disheveled, his clothes were not neatly arranged, he leaned slightly on his cane, his hands and feet trembled, and his lips quivered, presenting a particularly desolate appearance that evoked both disbelief and a reluctance to disbelieve.
After Jing Yi finished speaking, he paused slightly and continued in a gentle tone, "Please clarify the matter regarding your grandson first. Who did he kill and how did he do it?"
Most of the time, such accusations that are not brought to the forefront are merely a matter of negotiation, and Jing Yi happens to be a person who is open to discussions on all matters. Leng Yue fixed her gaze on Jing Yi's head, intending to warn this head not to act recklessly under the broad daylight
Before Jing Yi could finish speaking, Leng Yue took hold of his arm, leaving him momentarily stunned, and the words that followed were left unspoken
That... my wife means that the way things are handled in the yamen is indeed somewhat inappropriate... I have noted this and will certainly report it to the court in a few days
Good
Jing Yi furrowed his brows and looked at Leng Yue, only to find that Leng Yue was also looking at him, with a gaze that seemed to wish to bore a hole through his head.
I am not deceiving you... I say this to everyone.
In other words, the excuse you made about losing the bet and getting beaten was fabricated to deceive me
The cold moon was humble and smiling, a stark contrast to the fiery girl who had just been cursing like a sailor at the grandson. "I have recently acquired a few treasures that I would like to show you, but there are too many people here, and it is not very convenient."
Zhang Laowu was about to kneel down when Jing Yi hurriedly supported him, frowning slightly, yet still spoke gently, "Sir, please don't be anxious... First, could you tell me whether you have seen the matter of bringing money to meet the criminal with your own eyes, or have you heard it from someone else?"
"No need to thank me..." Zhang Laowu looked at Jing Yi and sighed again, "If the Fourth Young Master could allow me to see my grandson one more time, I would certainly work like an ox or a horse to express my gratitude to you..."
At this distance, she could effortlessly employ no less than seven methods to make him obediently fall silent in the blink of an eye
The cold moon gazed intently, and then she noticed Jing Yi's expression darken as he turned to Zhang Laowu, speaking in a warm and friendly manner, "Sir, please feel free to speak your mind. I will do my utmost to assist you in any way I can"
As soon as the word "good" left Jing Yi's lips, Leng Yue walked back from the firewood pile, seamlessly interrupting Jing Yi's words, "Sir, I have a few questions regarding porcelain that I would like to consult you about. I wonder when it would be convenient for me to visit your home for a chat"
Jing Yi supported the terrified Zhang Laowu, whose body had gone weak with fear, and silently sighed to herself; she was furious, and he could completely understand that.
Jing Yi released his grip, and before letting go, he kissed her delicate lips deeply and gently. After releasing her, he instinctively stepped back to the courtyard wall and stood properly, looking at the blushing cold moon with pure innocence, saying, "I will definitely finish copying the 'Biographies of Exemplary Women' seven times tonight"
Indeed, at that time, Jingyi also thought this way, believing that she must have been lacking in discernment to such an extent that she would allow someone to steal her most treasured possession in broad daylight
Burned to death
Jing Yi looked at the frighteningly pale face of Leng Yue and nodded honestly, "There were two of them, and the bracelet was hidden in one person's arms. While we were fighting, the red string got exposed. When I went to snatch it, I wasn't careful and got slashed by the person behind... Fortunately, I managed to get it back."
Upon hearing such a request from an elderly man, Leng Yue already felt a pang of bitterness in her heart. At this moment, upon hearing these words, a surge of anger arose from the bitterness, and unable to contain herself, she exclaimed, "These damn sons of bitches lacking in virtue!"
Zhang Laowu was taken aback, "To... to my home?"
Little Moon
Alas, alas...
Oh... this is easy. Old Zhang turned his head to glance at the kiln and said, "Let's wait until this kiln is finished... I will be at home from tonight until tomorrow afternoon. My home is right in the alley next to Qingxiang Building, the innermost house is mine, it's very easy to recognize"
The cold moon silently moved a few steps closer to Jing Yi, standing side by side with him, without uttering a word
Jing Yi's face was gentle, as if he were seriously and considerately chatting with an elder, asking, "Did your disciple tell you about these matters?"
Without this marriage contract, what is the likelihood that Leng Yue would still agree to marry him?