Chapter 466: Tongzhou

Translator: Atlas Studios Editor: Atlas Studios

The days passed. In the blink of an eye, the winter solstice passed and it was winter. Although the winter in the capital was not as heavy as the snow in Yunzhou and Tongzhou, it was no less cold than in those two places. It was a kind of cold that drilled into the bones.

Granny Song sent people to take turns guarding the few midwives, but she still did not see the Zhou family sending people to hire midwives.

On the nine cold days, it was raining and snowing. The few of them often appeared nearby and attracted the attention of others. The families with children at home were worried that they were up to no good. The woman next door to the Liu family went forward and pulled an old woman back. She asked with a green face, “I saw that you’ve been hanging around us a few times. It’s so cold. Instead of going home to stay, you’re still hanging around outside. What are you trying to do?”

The old woman struggled free and blushed. “I was just passing by. What’s wrong? Am I not allowed to pass?”

At this moment, the man in the woman’s house came out and shouted at the old woman, “You’ve been wandering around here furtively for a long time. Don’t think I don’t know. I’ve been paying attention to you long ago. There are also two young men. I think they’re beggars. Bring her to the officials.”

The old woman panicked. “You’re slandering me. Be careful when you get your come uppance.”

When Granny Liu heard the commotion, she also walked out. When the old woman saw the courtyard door open, she turned around and ran.

The old woman went back to look for Granny Song angrily and complained with an aggrieved expression, “Sister Song, look at how cold it is. My toes are frozen. If I hang around in those places every day, others will treat me as a beggar. They even want to drag me to see the officials. Is it easy for me?”

The more the old woman spoke, the more aggrieved she became. She wiped her tears and looked at Granny Song. “Sister Song, I think what Granny Liu said is true. His family really has a midwife. I don’t dare to stand guard at that place anymore. I’m afraid that Madam will blame me if I mess up.”

It had been so long, but she had not been there even once. Logically speaking, she should have hired a midwife! She had not seen his family since then. There was an 80% chance that there was really a midwife.

“Wait, I’ll report it to Madam.”

When Country Lord Ning heard Granny Song’s report, she looked at her with a dark expression. “His family already has a midwife. Why didn’t you report it earlier? If the Zhou family finds out and takes precautions, I’ll skin you alive.”

Granny Song was so frightened that she knelt down with a thud and kept kowtowing. “Madam, I promise not to alarm the Zhou family.”

Country Lord Ning glanced at Granny Song, who was so frightened that she kept kowtowing. She sighed. “Alright, if we continue guarding, we’ll attract attention. Let them come back!”

Granny Song felt as if she had been pardoned. She got up and bowed. “Yes,

Madam.”

Ning Xiangjun looked at her and said with a dark expression, “After Mr. Yang brings people back, you have to be careful about what you want to do. Don’t mess it up.”

Granny Song hurriedly knelt down and kowtowed in fear. “Madam, don’t worry.

I’ll definitely do my best.”

“You may leave!” Country Lord Ning waved his hand in satisfaction.

Mr. Yang rode his horse at full speed and encountered heavy snow on the way. He was delayed for half a month before he finally arrived in Tongzhou at the beginning of December.

After staying in the city for a night, he found the Tongzhou government office and used some money to find two constables. It did not take long to find Zhang Defa’s residence.

Mr. Yang walked in along the dirty alley and stood in front of the three straw huts. He looked at the straw huts in front of him in satisfaction and knocked on the door.

A woman’s voice came from the house. “Why are you back so early?”

With a creak, the wooden door opened. Chen Zhaodi, who had a gloomy expression and gray hair, stood at the door. She frowned and looked at the rich middle-aged man in front of her. ‘Who are you looking for?”

Seeing that her face was sallow and she was wearing a tattered cotton jacket, Mr. Yang was satisfied. He handed over the pastries with a smile and cupped his hands politely. “May I ask, Sister-in-law, is this Zhang Defa’s house?”

“Thank you, sir.” Chen Zhaodi hurriedly took the pastries. The fragrance of the pastries assaulted her nose. When she smelled the fragrance, Chen Zhaodi almost drooled. She smiled obsequiously. “Sir, you’re too polite. Zhang Defa is my husband. Sir, who are you? Why are you looking for my husband?”

Mr. Yang cupped his hands at her and said with a smile, “My surname is Yang.

I’m from the capital…”

“From the capital!” Chen Zhaodi exclaimed.

“That’s right.” Mr. Yang looked at Chen Zhaodi in satisfaction. “Sister-in-law, please get Brother Zhang and your son to come home. I want to invite you to a restaurant for a simple meal. We have something to discuss.”

When Chen Zhaodi heard that they were invited to a restaurant, she thought of the greasy vegetables and meat and couldn’t help but swallow her saliva.

“Alright, I’ll go find them now.”

Mr. Yang smiled and cupped his hands. “Thank you.”

“It’s not troublesome. It’s just a matter of making a trip.” Chen Zhaodi entered the house happily and placed the pastry on the table. She picked out a piece and stuffed it into her mouth before running out.

When they arrived at Zhang Defa’s workplace, she pulled Zhang Defa to the side with a smile and looked at him with glowing eyes. “Husband, a noble has come from the capital. He wants to treat us to a restaurant and even said that he has something to discuss with you two.”

“Noble from the capital? I think you’re suffering from hysteria!” Zhang Defa scolded with a dark expression.

Chen Zhaodi didn’t care about Zhang Defa’s attitude at all. She was still smiling. “Husband, why am I having hysteria in broad daylight? If you don’t believe me, come back with me to take a look. He’s still waiting at the door!”

Seeing Chen Zhaodi’s expression, Zhang Defa felt that she didn’t seem to be lying. “It’s best if there’s someone. No one. Let’s all stand at the door and drink the northwest wind today.”

Chen Zhaodi rubbed her hands and said with a smile, “We won’t drink the northwest wind. He’s treating us to a restaurant meal.”

Zhang Defa looked at Chen Zhaodi’s saliva and felt a little sad for some reason. “You’re dozens of years old. Look at how greedy you are!”

Mr. Yang stood in front of the straw hut and looked around. He felt the cold wind blowing straight into his neck. Mr. Yang raised his scarf and felt a little more comfortable. Looking at the Zhang family, he felt that it would be easy to take down the Zhang family.

After a while, Zhang Defa returned with Chen Zhaodi. Zhang Defa narrowed his eyes and looked at Mr. Yang, who was standing at the door. He searched his memories and didn’t recall that he had seen this Mr. Yang before.

Zhang Defa endured the doubts in his heart and went forward with a smile. He cupped his hands and said, “May I know why you’re looking for me?”

Mr. Yang cupped his hands in return. “I’m from the capital. I have something to discuss. Let’s go to the restaurant to eat first.”

Zhang Defa muttered to himself, “Even if he’s a liar, my family is penniless. I’ll follow him to take a look. What if something good really happens?” Zhang Defa cupped his hands and smiled. “Sir, you’re spending too much.”

“It’s just a simple meal.”

Seeing that Zhang Defa and his wife were about to leave after locking the door, Mr. Yang asked curiously, “Where did your son, the scholar, go? Call him along!”

Chen Zhaodi pointed at the alley in front of her. “He’s in the bistro outside. Call him from there..”

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