Lin'an Never Night

Chapter 259: Nianhua Cottage
Emmanuelle Belle knew very well that if she and the sixteen suffering sisters she wanted to take care of wanted to survive successfully in a foreign land, they could not do without the protection and help of Mr. Yang.

However, she did not want to betray her beliefs and exchange herself for Yang Yuan's "friendship".

However, if Yang Yuan really made unreasonable demands on her, she was worried that if she refused, there would be serious consequences.

Amidst this confusion, they arrived at the house with two entrances and two exits in Liufufang, Zuoyi North Lane.

It is located at the end of an alley, with a quiet environment, white walls and black tiles, a row of flowers and trees in front of the door, and outside is the inner river Fugou.

The gate is long and narrow, with a plaque hanging above the lintel with the words "Nianhua Xiaozhu" inscribed on it.

As soon as you see the name, you will know that this is not someone's main residence, but a villa.

Yang Yuan originally wanted to take a look at the environment here, but he didn't expect the wall to be so deep. If he didn't go in, he could only take a look at the outside environment.

The title deed that Cao Yong gave him was transferred directly to him by using his authority as the Minister of the Ministry of Revenue.

But after all, it was just given to him, and logically he couldn't go in here without someone to lead him.

Unexpectedly, there was an old gray-haired man sitting on the stone steps in front of the house, basking in the sun.

The old man saw a handsome young man and a tall woman wearing a veil hat hesitating in front of the door. He looked at them from time to time and took the initiative to ask.

After asking this, the old man realized that the new owner of the house had arrived, and he hurriedly explained his identity to Yang Yuan. He was the gardener of "Nianhua Xiaozhu".

Yang Yuan took out the house deed and showed it to him. The old man immediately smiled and bowed, saying, "I have followed Master Cao's instructions and am waiting for you, my young master.

I just didn't expect you to come so soon. Now that everyone in the courtyard has moved out, you can move in anytime. Would you like to go in and take a look at the courtyard now?"

Yang Yuan originally thought that this was an idle property of Cao Yong, but after listening to him, he realized that someone had lived here before.

Yang Yuan said, "Okay, please lead the way, old man."

The old man smiled and said, "I dare not, I dare not, young man, young lady, please come this way."

Although Emmanuelle Belle spoke authentic Song Dynasty official language, she did not say a word. She just stood behind Yang Yuan and followed him into the "Nianhua Cottage".

The gatehouse of this villa is not very tall and wide, but it is very elegant.

As the gate opens, you'll see an exquisite stone-carved screen wall in front of you, blocking the view of the courtyard.

After crossing the threshold and going around the screen wall, the inside suddenly becomes bright.

Although this house is just a two-story courtyard, it actually occupies a very large area.

The first courtyard is the space for the owner's daily activities, with a main room, auxiliary rooms, living room, study, servants' room and gatehouse.

Each house has a stone foundation, blue brick walls, and carved and painted beams on the roof ridges and four sides, which is extremely ingenious.

In addition to the main path leading directly to the main hall, there are also corridors on the left and right.

Entering the second courtyard, there are rockery, pools, strange rocks and bamboos, which are arranged with great ingenuity.

A courtyard, winding and lingering. If an unfamiliar person walks in, it seems like there is endless space.

This is where the women in the inner house carry out their daily activities.

In the four directions of the garden of the second courtyard, there are four "courtyards within a courtyard", namely Plum Pavilion, Orchid Pavilion, Bamboo Garden and Chrysanthemum Garden, each of which has seven houses.

What surprised Yang Yuan even more was that this house was fully equipped with all kinds of furniture and daily necessities.

This Cao Yong really spent a lot of money to save his life. Before he knew whether the task could be accomplished, he gave him a luxurious villa that he could move into right away!

However, when he thought about the fact that Cao Yong earned 1.6 million kan a year just from his shares in Hakata, Japan, and he didn't know how much other income he had, Yang Yuan felt that this amount of money was nothing to Cao Yong.

Yang Yuan stood in the main room of the "Chrysanthemum Courtyard", looked at the exquisite and luxurious decoration in the room, and smiled to Emmanuelle Belle: "It seems that you don't have to squeeze in the big carriage inn anymore. You can all move in tonight."

Emmanuelle Belle was marveling at the exquisiteness of the house and the mysterious oriental charm. Suddenly, when she heard that the house would be given to them to live in, her heart skipped a beat.

"Nianhua Xiaozhu, Nianhua Xiaozhu, is Mr. Yang really planning to hide us in this deep courtyard and pick the flowers one by one?"

Emmanuel quickly declined, "Master Yang, we don't need to live in such a nice house in such a fairyland. The rent must be very expensive."

Yang Yuan smiled and said, "I have already invested in your shares, how can I still charge you for the room? You can just stay here with peace of mind.

Only when people are at peace, will they work hard to make money for me. Besides, this house cannot be without people. It would be bad if no one lived in it for a long time.”

Emmanuelle Belle was very worried. There is no free lunch in the world.

Mr. Yang is so generous, I'm afraid he really has some ulterior motives, but he didn't say it clearly, so how can I refuse?
It would be fine if he doesn't use force, but what should I do if he threatens to give up my protection?
I cannot betray my beliefs! I just hope that Mr. Yang is a gentleman and will not be angry because of my rejection.

Yang Yuan took Emmanuelle around for a walk and said to the old man, "From now on, you should continue to guard this house. Someone will move in tonight."

The old man thought that after the house was handed over, the new owner would send him away. However, when he heard that the new owner could still make use of his remaining energy and continue to guard the house, he could not help but be overjoyed and called the new owner "Master" and "Master" even more affectionately.

Yang Yuan took Emmanuelle Belle out of the "Nianhua Cottage" and crossed a stone bridge to the other side.

Turn left from here and you will be heading towards Renmeifang.

Yang Yuan didn't remind Emmanuelle Belle to find the way, as she would forget it tomorrow anyway.

Only after hearing Chen Erniang's report did Shishi come out of the room slowly.

As soon as Emmanuelle Belle saw Li Shishi, her eyes lit up.

My God, this lady's gait, her posture, her elegant temperament, and her impeccable demeanor are so perfect that even a noble duchess would not be worthy of such demeanor.

She was like the French king's bride, dressed in gifts as gorgeous as clouds, with a golden silk hem from the East trailing on the long red carpet.

She wore a crown of gold and jewels on her head, and a diamond brooch on her chest sparkled brightly.

The queen strolled through the magnificent palace, as light as a dove or a colorful cloud...

At first sight, Emmanuelle Belle was captivated by Li Shishi's supreme charm.

Yang Yuan looked at Shishi's particularly graceful steps, but couldn't help rubbing his nose guiltily.

Hey! He was a little too unsympathetic to the beauty last night. Shishi was just starting out, and he should have been gentler, but Shishi was so good at flirting that he couldn't control himself at all.

As soon as she saw Yang Yuan, Li Shishi glared at him with a look of anger and resentment. She really wanted to strangle this ungrateful little rascal to death.

Emmanuelle Belle politely took off her veil and gracefully performed a Western aristocratic salute to Shishi.

Seeing Emmanuelle Belle's face, Li Shishi couldn't help but show a look of amazement.

What a beautiful foreign woman! Where did Yang Yuan get her?
Li Shishi glanced at Yang Yuan quickly and raised her eyebrows slightly. Could it be that the little bastard had offended a foreign woman outside and had nowhere to stay, so he came to me for help?
Yang Yuan knew that Emmanuelle Belle spoke the official language of the Song Dynasty very well and had no problem communicating with Shishi.

So he simply introduced the identities of both parties to each other and let them communicate on their own.

He sat in the pavilion in the flower hall, drinking tea, eating seasonal fruits, leisurely and at ease.

However, his gaze occasionally fell on the lotus pot in the corner, and a sly smile could not help but appear in his eyes.

The head of the upper hall in Tokyo really has all kinds of charm.

The most beautiful women in the world are all very similar, so there must be someone in Lin'an who is as beautiful as Shishi.

But, how many people can match her charm that is inherent in her bones?

After just a brief recollection, Yang Yuan began to feel distracted again.

After Li Shishi and Emmanuelle Belle had discussed the matter, they came before Yang Yuan.

Li Shishi said to Yang Yuan with a half-smile, "I heard that Erlang, you have already arranged accommodation for them?"

Yang Yuan knew that she would have wrong thoughts, but there was nothing he could do. If he were in her shoes, he would have the same wrong thoughts. Only time would tell.

Yang Yuan said frankly: "I wanted to ask you for help, Madam, but I just happened to get a house, so I let them live there."

Shishi glanced at him with a charming look in her eyes: "Oh? Nianhua Cottage, huh? I know that place. I will go there to contact Miss Belle later."

Seeing Li Shishi's teasing look, Yang Yuan calmly counterattacked: "Yes, it's a coincidence that the two places are not far apart. If Madam Li walks there, it shouldn't be too hard, right?"

"Don't worry about that, Erlang. I've heard from Bei'er about the strange disease she suffers from. In that case, let them move in as soon as possible. If we delay until tomorrow, I'm afraid I'll have to argue with Miss Bei'er again."

While speaking, Li Shishi took advantage of the sleeves of her robe to quickly pinch the soft flesh on Yang Yuan's waist.

You little bastard, are you teasing me for being disabled today? It's all your fault!
If she wasn't unsure whether she was pregnant or not and didn't dare to act recklessly, she wouldn't have fulfilled your wish, little thief.

Yang Yuan felt pain, but did not dare to say anything. He just agreed with a smile and took Emmanuelle Belle away.

As soon as they left Li Shishi's residence, Emmanuelle, who had been very reserved, became excited:
"Mr. Yang, this Madam Li is truly a charming, knowledgeable, and wise lady!"

"I have benefited a lot from my conversation with Mrs. Li today. I am now full of confidence in the future. I assure you that you will be proud to be my shareholder in the future."

Emmanuelle Belle is really happy now.

Her original hope was just to give these sisters in distress a place to settle down and a business to support their families.

In the future, when they find their life partner and decide to make this foreign country their home, they will also have a decent dowry.

It can be said that Emmanuelle Belle considered all the sixteen girls who were in trouble as her responsibility.

On the one hand, this is because she has the highest status and the strongest ability among all the women.

On the other hand, she is the oldest among the girls, she is already eighteen years old.

Although the other girls look tall and strong, that is only because of their Chinese and Western races.

In fact, most of them are only fifteen or sixteen years old now.

Because over there, men of that era usually got married between the ages of twenty and thirty, and women generally only got married between the ages of fifteen and twenty.

Emmanuelle Belle was fifteen years old when she was captured, and her father was looking for a suitable marriage partner for her.

If she had not been defeated by the devil in the war and became a prisoner, she would have been married to another man by now.

After a conversation with Li Shishi today, although Li Shishi had just learned of her plan, Li Shishi's extremely organized analysis, very targeted ideas, and suggestions that could be implemented more effectively made Emmanuelle Belle ecstatic.

She believed that by working with Mrs. Li, she would become a successful businessman.

So, she was eager to show her abilities to Yang Yuan.

She hopes to demonstrate her other values ​​so that Yang Yuan will see her as an important partner.

Then, Yang Yuan would not lose the big picture for the small and make any unreasonable demands on her.

Otherwise, she really couldn't imagine what would happen to her if she rejected the pursuit of a powerful governor-level figure in this foreign country where she had no relatives.

Yang Yuan had no idea what the little golden retriever was thinking about. After sending Emmanuelle Belle back to "Lu's Mule and Horse Inn", he asked his father-in-law Lu to help send these girls to "Niaohua Cottage".

There were ready-made mules, horses and carts in the "Lu Family Mule and Horse Inn". These women did not have any personal belongings with them, so it was not a big deal to just give them a ride. Old Man Lu agreed immediately.

After all the arrangements were made, Yang Yuan reminded Emmanuelle Belle, "Later, remember to write down your cooperation with Madam Li in your...memorandum, so that you don't forget it tomorrow. Oh, and me too."

At this point, Yang Yuan patted his forehead with a headache: "You will have to keep meeting new people and encountering new things every day...

I can’t imagine how much you’ll need to see every day after a year or two.”

Emmanuelle was also helpless, and said to Yang Yuan: "Don't worry, Mr. Yang, with my current memory and reading speed, I believe this is not difficult to do."

Yang Yuan said: "You should settle down first. Once you are stable, we can ask a famous doctor in Lin'an to see you. Maybe there will be a cure. By the way..."

Yang Yuan turned to Mr. Lu and said, "Mr. Lu, take one of your account books and give it to her."

Yang Yuan glanced at the iris hanging on Emmanuelle Belle's chest. Today, it can be folded into an iris, but maybe half a year later, it will become a book.

When the little golden retriever wakes up every morning, the first thing he does is to start his diligent "morning reading". He is even more miserable than the girls in the third year of high school who are about to take the college entrance examination.

After Yang Yuan explained the matter clearly, he rushed to the Imperial City Office.

The "Mahuang Crossbow" was intercepted by people from the Imperial City Division, but it was discovered in Shanyin.

Before, the Imperial City Bureau could secretly send personnel to Shanyin to investigate.

But now the matter has become too big. The theft of sharp weapons in the army has made the emperor furious, and it has attracted attention from both the government and the public.

Due to the limitations of the imperial court system, the Imperial City Administration could not extend its tentacles beyond the city of Lin'an.

Previously, not many people paid attention to it, so it could be done quietly. But now, in order to avoid suspicion, the case can only be taken over by the Speed ​​​​Room.

Yang Yuan went to the Imperial City Office this time to hand over the relevant case files and criminals to the Privy Council. After he understood the preliminary situation, he would go to pay a visit to Prince Pu'an.

When I arrived at the gate of the Imperial City Administration and saw the plaque that read "Imperial City Administration", an inexplicable pressure came over me.

Whether in front of Luxi or Shishi, he never showed any sign of being under pressure. It seemed... he always looked confident and relaxed.

However, the pressure in his heart was heavier than a mountain.

Although the little golden retriever was unable to clearly reveal who the murderer of Mu Si was, she did help Yang Yuan narrow the scope of the investigation.

The real murderer who killed Musi was at the dock.

The arrows shot from the air were just to create chaos, attract attention, and give the person who was actually carrying out the assassination an opportunity to act.

There were three groups of people at the dock who had the opportunity to kill Mu Si.

Prince Pu'an Zhao Yuan and his entourage.

Imperial city soldiers.

Escorting imperial guards.

In other words, except for the prisoners being escorted, everyone at the dock at the time was a suspect.

Therefore, Yang Yuan couldn't help but feel like he was walking on thin ice at this moment.

The danger was even more intense than when he had fought against the "Guoxin Institute" alone for his elder brother.

Because, at least at that time the relationship between the enemy and us was clear, and we could just do it!

The danger he faced was simply due to the huge disparity in strength between the enemy and us.

But now, Prince Pu'an will be his direct superior in solving this case.

The first-hand materials and evidence he used to investigate the case came from the Imperial City Bureau.

But Prince Pu'an and the Imperial City Division were both suspected of murder, so he had to be on guard against a knife coming from behind at all times. This feeling was very uncomfortable.

Yang Yuan let out a light sigh, and the solemn look in his eyes was quickly replaced by a relaxed smile.

He walked forward with brisk steps, as if he had walked unknowingly into a fog where a ferocious beast was hiding.

In the imperial envoy's signing room, Prince Pu'an and Mu En stood opposite each other.

Mu En said to Pu'an County Prince Zhao Yuan with a sincere look on his face: "Your Majesty, the emperor hopes to conclude this case as soon as possible."

Zhao Yuan said, "I have just taken over this case. I have not yet found out who stole the Mahuang Crossbow and who killed Mu Si. How can I close the case so hastily?"

Mu En said: "Officials, merchants, pirates, and the Jin people smuggled with impunity, and even the most important weapons in the army were stolen...

After the case broke out, Qin Hui was caught off guard. This was a great opportunity to cut off his followers. "

Mu En said to Zhao Yuan, "If we continue to investigate the real culprit who stole the Mahuang Crossbow and the real culprit who killed Mu Si, it will take too long and Qin Hui will recover. He may find a way to counterattack. At that time, the good situation will no longer exist."

Zhao Yuan hesitated and asked, "Are we just going to randomly point to a murderer and hastily close the case for this?"

Mu En said: "Of course we still need to investigate the person who stole the Ma Huang Crossbow, but it can be done secretly by the court after the case is closed."

Zhao Yuan hesitated and said, "Do you know the consequences of doing this? Order and rules are the foundation of the rule of law. Once you wantonly play with them to achieve your goals, there will be endless troubles!"

Mu En said in a deep voice: "I have also fought on the battlefield. Whether to kill with a knife or a gun, whether to stab him in the front or in the back, has never been a rule that must be followed. Killing the enemy is the right thing to do!"

Zhao Yuan was also a little annoyed: "Mu Tiju, this is not a battlefield for the two armies to fight, this is related to the justice of the court's criminal system!"

What the two people are arguing about is which is more important, procedural justice or outcome justice.

Zhao Gou wanted to cut the Gordian knot and quickly close the case while Qin Hui was unable to react, kill those who should be killed, exile those who should be exiled, demote those who should be demoted, and weaken Qin Hui's followers.

However, Zhao Yuan, who had been trained as a crown prince, had his mind full of the teachings of sages and moral articles.

He believed that if a country cannot be governed without laws, the people cannot survive without laws! Governing a country and governing the people must be upright. If there are laws but they can be circumvented, then there are loopholes in the laws, which is equivalent to having no laws at all, and there will be endless troubles.

Therefore, this loophole must never be opened. Even if it means sacrificing temporary interests, the absolute legality of law enforcement must be guaranteed.

The two of them were stuck there for a moment.

When the imperial soldier who brought the news to Yang Yuan walked down the hall, he saw Prince Pu'an and the imperial envoy standing opposite each other, looking at each other, and there seemed to be a tension between them.

He didn't even dare to enter the hall, but shouted from a distance outside the hall: "Your Majesty, Mu Tiju, Yang Yuan, the Privy Councilor, has arrived."

(End of this chapter)