After Princess Fengrong and her entourage left, Wuchang Mansion was getting hotter day by day. I wonder if those sleepwalkers were also afraid of the heat, but the security in the city had been surprisingly good these days.
Today it is Qiao Shuoming's turn to be on duty. He is patrolling the city with a few of his men.
"With this damn weather, it's no wonder that people from Prince Rui's Mansion have to go out of town to escape the summer heat. It's really much hotter this year than last year."
"Isn't it! Otherwise, rich people will still enjoy it! If I had so much money, I would live outside."
"Then just think about it, your next life will be miserable!"
"Hey, you kid is looking for a beating, aren't you? If I admit that I'm not good in this life, why will I be in trouble in the next life!"
Listening to the chatter and laughter of several guards behind him, Qiao Shuoming did not stop him harshly, but said: "Everyone cheer up, the patrol will be over soon, I invite everyone to drink herbal tea."
Upon hearing this, several officers cheered happily.
"Qiao Tou is still the most generous!"
"Come on, come on, let's speed up the pace, finish the patrol early, and go drink herbal tea early."
While they were talking, everyone had arrived at the last block to be patrolled.
This is the busiest place in Wuchang Prefecture at night. There are no guests in the daytime, so it looks a bit depressed.
As Qiao Shuoming led people inside, he scanned the stores on both sides of the road. If he saw anything suspicious, he went up to ask a few questions.
Most people on the street knew him, and he received many warm greetings along the way.
The street went from beginning to end without any major problems. Qiao Shuoming wiped the sweat from his forehead and was about to ask everyone to gather up and drink herbal tea when he suddenly caught a glimpse of a familiar figure out of the corner of his eye.
Qiao Shuoming turned around to look, but the man turned around and disappeared around the corner of the corridor on the second floor.
He glanced at the signboard, which read the three characters Pinyilou.
Qiao Mingming stepped into the door, and the madam immediately came up to him: "Oh, isn't this Master Qiao? What kind of wind brings you here today?"
The officer following behind immediately said: "What nonsense are you talking about being old? Our Qiaotou is still young!"
"Yes, yes, yes, look at my mouth. I really can't speak. Please come in quickly, Mr. Qiao and the other servants. It's really hot today. I'll ask someone to prepare iced sour plum soup for you to drink to relieve the heat."
"
As soon as they heard about the iced and sour plum soup, the few workers who were anxious to get off work immediately smiled and were not in a hurry to leave. They were still admiring in their hearts. Qiao Shuoming really knows how to choose a place. When they come in, they can drink iced and sour plum soup for free.
A few people sat down in the hall, and the iced sour plum soup was quickly served. Everyone couldn't wait to drink it. Only Qiao Shuoming rested his fingers on the rim of the bowl of sour plum soup, but his eyes were wandering around.
The madam was a little panicked by his sight, and couldn't help but follow his gaze and look around, but didn't find anything unusual.
Just when the madam finally couldn't hold back and wanted to ask, Qiao Shuoming finally asked: "Your family is considered a time-honored brand in the city. It has been open for more than ten years, right?"
The old bustard was confused by the question, so he nodded and said, "Isn't it? It will be twenty years from now. On this street, if we talk about the length of time it has been open, my family will be in the top three if not the first."
.”
"Well, not bad." Qiao Shuoming nodded perfunctorily and asked again, "Since we've been driving for such a long time, there are some things that I don't need to say more."
The madam couldn't stand it anymore and asked: "Master Qiao, if you have anything to say, just say it directly. If we do something wrong, I will ask them to change it immediately. What you said made my heart skip a beat."
She thought Qiao Shuoming came here deliberately to cause trouble and wanted some benefits, so she winked at her subordinates and asked them to prepare a few taels of silver.
When doing this kind of flesh-and-blood business, you have to deal with government officials. It is common to spend some money and blood in exchange for peace.
Unexpectedly, Qiao Shuoming asked: "Has a new person come to your store recently? Where do they come from? Is there a bond of sale? Have you reported it to the government office?"
When the madam heard this, her expression suddenly changed.
Recently, a few people did come to the store, but they only stayed for a few days and then left. In order to save money and trouble, she did not go to the government office to report, and there was no deed of sale.
But how did Qiao Shuoming know that someone was coming to the store?
Thinking of this, the madam glanced around the faces of several of his men. Could it be that there was a mole in the store? Has he been betrayed?
"Master Qiao, this is actually what happened." The madam didn't want to get into trouble, so he immediately said, "An acquaintance brought a few girls over and said he would only stay with me for two or three months, and the money he earned would come with me.
Divide equally.
"I happened to have a few empty rooms here, and I thought it would be a waste to leave them empty anyway, so I might as well give her a favor and make some money on the way.
"Because she said she would stay for two or three months before leaving. I was lazy and didn't go to the government office to report. It's all my fault. Master Qiao spared me this time, and I will never dare to do it again in the future."
Qiao Shuoming asked thoughtfully: "How do you know this acquaintance of yours? Who are the people she brought? They can't be abducted women from good families, right?"
The madam was startled when she heard this, and waved her hands repeatedly: "Master Qiao, I don't dare to say such nonsense, I don't have the courage! I have seen their marriage contracts!
"I have known this person for two or three years. I have brought people here several times before, but they always leave after two or three months. She is honest in her work. She agreed to split the money 50-50, and she has always been happy to give money.
It doesn't matter who comes or goes.
"So when she came this time, I didn't think much about it, and just made arrangements as usual."
After finishing speaking, the madam asked worriedly: "Mr. Qiao, could this person be a kidnapper? But she doesn't look like one at such a young age!
"Although she takes different people with her every time, they all seem to have a good relationship with her. They usually talk and laugh. It doesn't look like they were abducted and forced into this business."
Qiao Shuoming was a little confused for a while. When he came to search the house before, he felt that Miss Bai was a little strange, but he couldn't tell what was strange.
Today I suddenly saw one of Miss Bai's maids here, and that weird feeling came over me again. I had never heard of anyone doing this kind of flesh-and-blood business before.
Qiao Shuoming thought for a moment and said to the madam: "Don't make it public about today's matter. Just think that we are here to drink sour plum soup. Keep an eye on those people. If there is anything out of place,
Call someone to come to the government office immediately and tell me.
"This matter is very important, but as long as you are not involved and cooperate well with me, you will not be implicated.
"But please be careful and don't let the news leak out and alert me, do you hear me?"
The old bustard hurriedly assured: "Don't worry, Mr. Qiao, I'm familiar with this job, and I promise to do it for you clearly!"