Chapter 7, Sweet Rice Wine and Homicide

Seeing that Shen Yong did not look very happy, Fang Yi smiled and took his arm, leading him inside, and said, "Husband, I will prepare a few small dishes for you to enjoy with your drink later. What would you like to eat?"

Shen Yong looked foolishly at Fang Yishao as he put the pendant around his neck... Originally, Shen Yong's status certainly did not allow him to wear such lowly trinkets, as it would invite ridicule. However, after hearing Fang Yishao's few words, not only did he wear it, but he also inexplicably stuffed the silver pendant into his inner garment, carefully pressing it against his skin to keep it safe.

Someone! Fang Yishao said, "Otherwise, how could it be locked inside? Don't tell me they have fallen asleep?"

Shen Yong pointed to the door and said, "The door is locked, and no one is responding"

On this day, a sudden northwesterly wind arose, and the weather turned cold. As Fang Yishao finished cooking, noticing that everyone still wanted more, he prepared a warm snack for everyone—sweet rice wine with fresh shrimp.

Fang Yishao stared at him, and Shen Yong continued to ask, "What happened next? How did your father coax your mother?"

What are you saying? Fang Yishao looked at him

Shen Yong gazed at the sky, Shen Yibo shouted, "Are you mute?"

Fang paused for a moment, only then realizing that he had spoken the truth, and he vaguely said, "He is not..."

Fang Yi glanced at Shen Yong with a look of admiration, said nothing, and simply nodded.

Shen Yong laughed so hard that his stomach hurt and said, "You silly girl, how can you save your blessings?"

Outside the restaurant, the diners had long heard about the murder case; the shopkeeper had been killed. A crowd had gathered in several layers to watch the commotion, engaging in lively discussions.

As he raised his eyes again, he saw Fang Yishao smiling at him. Shen Yong suddenly realized something—ah, Fang Yishao is indeed his father's child, and her words are quite sweet.

Fang Yi finished tidying up the things, brushed off the dust from his clothes, and said, "Let's go, we are going to confront the shopkeeper."

Shen Yong was stunned for a long time, looked at Fang Yishao, and asked, "Is your father really that incompetent?"

Upon arriving at the front hall, one could see a group of diners eating heartily. The shopkeeper was not present. Shen Yong asked a worker who was tidying up the dishes, "Hey, where is your shopkeeper?"

No one answered inside the door

Hmm. Fang Yishao nodded slightly, following Shen Yong downstairs with a belly full of confusion

Ah! At the sight of a spoon, he was taken aback and jumped up

Indeed! Fang Yishao immediately nodded, "It is time to extort some money from him."

What is this? Shen Yong took it, looked at it, wrinkled his nose, and said, "How can something made of worthless silver be worn around the neck? Others use it as a footrest. In a moment, I will buy you a gold one to wear."

"Wait for me, I will pack up a few things and we can leave together." Fang Yishao said to Shen Yong while tidying up, "Later, we will go and confront that shopkeeper, let him be a bit more arrogant. Do you know, he was just outside charging exorbitant prices? A serving of three delicacies stir-fried with seafood actually costs ten taels of silver, enough to buy a cart of ingredients, it’s truly outrageous!"

A golden silk date cake

When Fang Yishao and Shen Yong came out, people surrounded them and began to ask questions. Shen Yong pulled Fang Yishao and ran away, and after much effort, they finally escaped the crowd and reached the yamen. Shen Yong squatted down to catch his breath and said, "What bad luck, to accidentally kill someone in broad daylight!"

Glutinous rice mixed with rice wine lees

Fang Yi took the pendant hanging from the red string and placed it around Shen Yong's neck, saying, "Therefore, my husband, whenever you find yourself too successful and pleased, take a look at this pendant. When you are feeling distressed and troubled, look at it as well. Remember, as long as you save a little during the times of prosperity, it will always be there for you in times of hardship."

Fang shook his head and said, "No, he won't accompany me, so he will accompany my mother instead, it's the same."

Fang nodded and said, "So, it can be said that men take advantage of their sweet words."

Certainly. Shen Yong nodded, "The scissors are still stuck in the chest... I don't know who was so ruthless."

"But why send a worthless silver piece?" Shen Yong asked in confusion, "If you're going to send something, why not send a gold one! Your father is really unreliable."

Live shrimp are briefly boiled in hot soup

Jia Dahua, puzzled, asked, "Why?"

No..." Shen Yong quickly shook his head

Um. Fang Yishao nodded, and the two walked to the entrance. Shen Yong raised his hand and knocked on the door, "Shopkeeper."

Both the guy and Jia Dahua felt puzzled and knocked on the door ... However, after a long time, no one answered.

Hmm. Shen Yong and Fang Yishao left the kitchen together

Shen Yong wrinkled his nose and said, "Is it that part you just mentioned?"

Fresh shrimp in rice wine is both sweet and fragrant

Shen Yong furrowed his brow slightly and knocked on the door again with force, "Shopkeeper?!"

"He is dead!" Jia Dahua also glanced over and shouted in shock

Shen Yong recalled the incident of kneeling in the ancestral hall that day and said, "Alas, you must not act rashly; I am asking you properly."

Isn't that right? However, to put it another way, fortunately, he gave this thing back in the day

After finishing the rice wine with a ladle, he kept a portion for himself and instructed the assistant to serve it at the table. While he was wiping his hands, he overheard Shen Yong muttering, "Greedy for money, he will definitely take the opportunity to swindle you out of a good sum."

Jia Dahua nodded slightly, but then heard Shen Yong ask, "Chef Jia, why are you taking a nap so early today? Aren't you having lunch?"

Then what? Shen Yong asked, "Is your mother angry?"

"You are a remarkable talented woman, do you not feel that you are degrading yourself by marrying this bully?" Shen Yong asked in confusion, "You even gave me the family heirloom?"

Hmm. "That is indeed the case."

Shen Yong let out a cold laugh and said, "A gambler cannot have any silver on him"

Shen Yong and Fang Yishao exchanged a glance and returned to the backyard to look for the shopkeeper in his room

He scooped another spoonful and stuffed it into his mouth, saying seriously, "My father said that in a person's lifetime, the times of smooth sailing add up to at most twenty years. A person, barring any accidents, can live for about sixty or seventy years. If one is fortunate and uses it sparingly, life will be smooth. However, if one spends it recklessly all at once, they will find it hard to get back up later."

Meanwhile, a servant from downstairs also ran up and asked, "Where is the manager? There are guests outside who want to book a banquet!"

Fang raised an eyebrow slightly and said, "Do you want to get beaten again? I have already said that you are not a bully!"

"Is it really this rough?" Shen Yong said, "If you take it back, your mother will definitely scold you!"

Shen Yong chuckled and said, "Your mother is quite special."

Oh, good. Shen Yong nodded, pulling Fang Yishao along, and said, "Let's go."

Fang Yishao thought for a moment and said, "You are quite good."

Shen Yong pouted in disappointment, "This man is no fun."

Shen Yong thought for a moment and understood, "Oh... so Master Fang is your adoptive father?"

When my father gave this pendant to my mother, he said to her, "My dear, have you ever heard that a person's luck and longevity throughout their life are limited?"

Originally, my father intended to buy a gold hairpin for my mother. Fang Yishao smiled and said, "My mother is truly beautiful; she only likes the best in everything she wears. Others buy various styles of silver jewelry or less pure gold ornaments to change and wear, but my mother only buys one good piece, made of real gold... While others have changed dozens of pieces, my mother always wears that one.

Shen Yong couldn't help but glance over, and as soon as he reached out with a spoon, he grabbed his ear and said, "Little lecher!"

Shen Yong frowned and said, "What kind of man cries for no reason? Only the weak cry!"

Fang shook his head and said, "Of course there is none left, just this one was given."

Shen Yongdao said, "My wife said she is too tired and wants to take a day off"

Shen Yong turned his face, widened his eyes, and looked at Fang Yishao, "You... just said you cheated him out of money?"

Shen Yong also agreed, thinking that Qing'er from the Fragrant Pavilion particularly liked the young master of the Wang family, because that young man knew how to flatter people

Fang nodded slightly and said, "Yes."

Oh dear

Is he not here? Shen Yong was somewhat puzzled and Fang Yishao asked, Could he have gone out?

Fang Yishao turned back and asked, "Is Father going to handle a murder case?"

Understood. Shen Yong wore an expression of displeasure, while Shen Yibo sighed and turned to leave with the constables, seemingly heading towards the tavern.

Dad... you scared me to death!" Shen Yong said, panting.

"He has gone back to his room!" said the fellow, "He was just here."

Shen Yong felt a chill breeze at the back of his neck, and quickly turned around, thinking... Could Fang Yishao's mother be looking for him? After all, he was known for his gambling and drinking! He hurriedly shifted the topic back, asking Fang Yishao, "So your father gambled away the remaining silver and the gold hairpin?"

Shen Yong shook his head and said, "Otherwise, let's not make things difficult for the shopkeeper later. When we have a moment, I will take you to find a doctor to have a look."

Hmm. Fang Yishao nodded slightly, scooping up a spoonful of soft and smooth sweet rice wine, and brought it to Shen Yong's mouth, saying, "My dear husband, do you believe that a person's luck and blessings throughout their life have a certain limit? If the shopkeeper suddenly earns too much, it would be beneficial for him to let go a bit at this time."

As soon as Shen Yong thought of the side dishes made by Fang Yishao, his mood immediately brightened... Moreover... Shen Yong felt that Fang Yishao was holding his arm quite tightly, hmm... There was also some flesh on his chest

Is that really so?" Fang Yishao leaned over with a smile and asked

Fang nodded slightly and said, "My mother often tells me that men, if they are not bad, they are not good; if they are bad, they are also not good. One must keep their eyes wide open and choose wisely."

Shen Yibo advised Shen Yong, saying, "Do not wander around these days, stay in the room and accompany Yishao while reading."

My father felt around his entire body and found only a small piece of scattered broken silver. He then went to a blacksmith's shop, flattened the broken silver, and made it into a small bell

Fang turned his face to look at him and asked

"What do you like about me?" Shen Yong asked curiously, "Don't you think it would be a pity to marry me?"

Why is this? Shen Yong was puzzled

Indeed. Shen Yong pointed at the hole in the door, and Shen Jie leaned over to take a look, frowning. After observing for a while, he said, "The window is open. Let's call two constables and say, 'Go, enter from the back!'"

Still no one has responded

Fang nodded slightly and then said, "My mother also does not understand. My father took out this string of worthless silver pendants and handed it to her, saying, 'If I were to give you a gold one, I could only give you one in a year. Therefore, I have turned the gold into silver, so that I can give you one every day in the future, for a lifetime. What do you think of that?'"

Fang Yi thought for a moment, then extended his tongue to lick his index finger. He poked a hole in the paper window on the wooden door and peered inside.

Fang Yishao squatted beside him and said, "That shopkeeper was clearly murdered by someone."

Just as he was asking, a door next door opened, and Jia Dahua came out, yawning and asking, "What is all the noise about?"

Shen Yong stood by and stared at Fang Yishao for a long time, suddenly asking, "Hey, I want to ask you something."

Shen Yong asked, "So you can also coax people?"

Since Fang Yishao and Shen Yong began working together in the restaurant, diners have had to queue for a table, and the owner has become so overwhelmed counting the money that his hands have grown weak

Shen Yong stood by, his eyelids twitching with anger, the old man has become senile

Fang raised her eyes to look at Shen Yong and asked, "Have you ever cried, my lord?"

Shen Yong chewed on the sweet fermented rice in his mouth, nodding in approval of its deliciousness, signaling that he wanted more, while asking, "What is this?"

Before long, the sound of footsteps was heard downstairs; the officials from the yamen had arrived

Fang extended a hand, took a red string from around his neck, from which hung a small silver bell, and handed it to Shen Yong

Fang raised an eyebrow and squinted at him, asking, "What are you thinking about?"

Later, my family encountered misfortune. Shen Yong said, "My mother pawned all the valuable jewelry, leaving only this worthless silver pendant. She often remarked, 'In life, one's luck and longevity have their limits. If back then, one could have settled for fewer gold items and kept more worthless silver pendants, it would have allowed for a few more heirlooms to be preserved as a memory.'

Fang Yi nodded with a smile and said, "I originally thought my father was utterly bad, so I absolutely could not have a man like that... However, on the day my mother was buried, my father cried for three days and nights at her grave. In the end, he missed my mother so much that he passed away not long after. Before he died, he even called out my mother's name. At that moment, I thought to myself, I want to find a man like that in the future, no matter how bad he is!"

My father is fond of gambling and drinking, which is why he has never had much money. Fang Yishao said with a smile, "One day he won a big pot, and happily bought a beautiful gold hairpin for my mother. However, on the way home, he passed by the gambling house, and seeing that he still had some loose change on him, he went in to gamble again"

Fang Yi raised the corner of his mouth in a smile, remaining silent.

He shook his head and said, "My mother has always treasured it like a precious gem, wearing it constantly"

Before he could finish speaking, Fang Yishao glanced at him and quickly asked, "So, did your father send you every day afterwards?"

"That is not the case," Shen Yong said, "As for the prefect... it has been a long time since there has been a case of death in the East Alley Prefecture."

Shen Yong asked her again, "Alas, do you not resent your father? He abandoned you long ago."

Fang Yishao smiled and said, "My father may not have many merits, but he has a sweet tongue and excellent skills"

Shen Yong curled his lips and said, "No wonder, you are willing to say 'Marry me.' I was still wondering if this old man was a bit lacking in brains."

"Young Master, Young Mistress," Shen Jie approached and inquired, "I heard there has been a murder?"

"It must be hidden silver," Shen Yong said, "Let's see how much he has actually earned in a while!"

Jia Dahua curled his lips and said, "Do you think I want to? I have been staying up all night these past few days preparing the ingredients. Otherwise, where would all these ingredients come from?"

scissors

Shen Yong and Fang Yishao exchanged a glance—this was not a deception

Fang Yishao looked at Shen Yong and saw that Shen Yong's expression remained unchanged. He merely tightened his grip on her wrist slightly. Fang Yishao understood and fell silent... Indeed, this is a matter of life and death. If it were to be said that it was a case of extortion, how could that be acceptable?

Shen Yong, curious, reached out and poured the remaining bit of fermented rice from the bowl into his mouth, smacking his lips and asking, "How to save it?"

Jia Dahua looked at Shen Yong and Fang Yishao and asked, "What are you two looking for the shopkeeper for?"

Um, before Fang Yishao could speak, Shen Yong said, "We would like to inform him that we do not wish to come tomorrow and will continue the day after."

Shen Yong thought for a moment, then knocked on the door forcefully, saying, "Hey, shopkeeper! Shopkeeper?!"

"Go." Fang Yishao kicked Shen Yong with a stern face, which made him unable to hold back his laughter

"What are you feeling wronged about?" Fang Yishao looked at Shen Yong and said, "My father, he indulges in all vices—drinking, gambling, and womanizing. He can't earn a living, has no parents, and no family fortune. After struggling to acquire cooking skills, he still attracted a world of trouble. He married such a good wife but didn't cherish her, and in the end, he has nothing. Let me tell you, I've seen the worst of men. What do you even call this, a bully or a scoundrel?"

Hmm? Shen Yong, puzzled, asked, "What do you mean?"

Fang nodded slightly and said, "But what difference does it make if it gets worse?"

The fellow quickly got up, crying as he ran outside, rolling and crawling his way to report to the authorities

"Look at your little achievements." Shen Yibo frowned, glared fiercely at Shen Yong, and then his expression immediately softened. He turned to Fang Yishao with a warm smile, supporting her arm as he asked, "Yishao, my dear child, are you scared? Someone, quickly brew some pearl and ginseng tea for the young lady to calm her nerves!"

Shen Yong was stunned for a long time before asking, "Is your father dead? What about Old Master Fang..."

While the two were conversing, someone suddenly interjected from behind, startling Fang Yishao and Shen Yong, who jumped up in place. When they turned around, they realized that it was Shen Yibo standing right in front of them.

Oh dear, shopkeeper!" The assistant began to cry, and Jia Dahua, feeling annoyed, kicked him and said, "What are you crying for! Hurry up and report to the authorities!

Heh. Shen Yong felt quite uncomfortable listening to this, but he also found it somewhat amusing, so he said, "Your parents are really funny"

Fang Yishao looked at him and said, "Of course it can be saved!"

Shen Yong lowered his head to take a look and noticed that the door was not locked. He said, "The door isn't even locked..." As he spoke, he pushed the door, but it wouldn't budge, clearly indicating that it was bolted from the inside

After listening, Shen Yong was stunned for a long time. After a while, he said, "Your father is truly remarkable. I must remember this; it will be useful in the future..."

Uh... Shen Yong was also taken aback and took a step back

Fang Yishao smiled and said, "Although this is worthless silver, it was personally made by my father for my mother"

You seem to have quite an open mind, don't you? Shen Yong said

Oh? Shen Yong glanced and said, "Your father is quite skilled with his hands"

It is. Two constables went downstairs, and two more constables were waiting at the door. Before Shen Jie went downstairs, he did not forget to remind Shen Yong, "Young Master, quickly take Young Mistress back, do not frighten her."

That is. Shen Yong said, "How can my wife Shen Yong wear silver things?"

Fang ignored him and continued to tidy up her things, while Shen Yong tugged at her sleeve and asked, "Hey, say something."

What happened? Shen Yong also leaned over, peering into the hole he had just looked at with a spoon... He saw that the shopkeeper was sitting in a chair, staring wide-eyed at the ceiling, with a pair of scissors stuck in his chest... Blood was flowing all over the ground

Shen Yong listened in confusion and asked, "Well... a woman fears marrying the wrong man! If I were you, I would definitely not want a scoundrel like your father! I am quite bad myself; being young now, who knows, when I reach your father's age, I might be even more unpredictable than him"

At the forefront is the constable Shen Jie. Shen Jie is a capable assistant to Shen Yibo, and due to their shared surname Shen, Shen Yibo has taken him as an adopted son. In his twenties, he possesses excellent martial arts skills and is quite intelligent. He has consistently assisted the old master Shen in solving cases and has also taken good care of Shen Yong.

Shen Yong looked at him, his face full of wrinkles from laughter, and found it quite detestable, for this was money that Fang Yishao had earned through hard work