Chapter 19: The Girl Is Sticking to You

  Yang Mingsheng thought about the matter of capturing the assassin for a moment, and then completely put it aside. Having been in charge of the prison for many years, he was naturally aware that searching for someone in Luoyang City was as difficult as finding a needle in the ocean. He didn't have any hope of really catching this assassin, and he even suspected that this so-called assassin was just an illusion, a person who didn't actually exist.

  "An assassin, how could he be placed in the eyes of the Empress Dowager, and have her personally order to arrange for his capture. The Empress Dowager sent someone to see Zhou Xing, and Zhou Shilang again assigned this task to me, I'm afraid... it's a matter of skill!"

  Yang Langzhong tapped his index finger lightly on the table, pondering for a long time. His eyes suddenly lit up as he figured it out: "The Empress Dowager is going to use this opportunity to get rid of those officials in the court who don't listen to her!"

  Yang Mingsheng smiled, feeling that he had already grasped the pulse of the Empress Dowager. Catching thieves was a small matter for minor officials, and he had already given orders to do so; whether or not they could catch them depended on the abilities of those minor officials. As an official, one should do what is proper for an official to do, which is to follow the will of the Empress Dowager and make her satisfied!

  He knew what he had to do now.

  Yang Fan wandered around the alley for a few rounds, and somehow got a set of women's clothes hidden in his arms. He then went to Jiang Xuan Ning's stall to eat noodles. Yang Fan made an excuse that he was very hungry this morning, bought two bowls of noodle soup, and walked back with the noodle soup in hand. Suddenly, a man's shrill cry came from the alley, like someone had been caught off guard: "Heavens! Where did this scoundrel come from? I'm going to report to the authorities! I'm going to report to the authorities!"

  Yang Fan turned his head at the sound, and saw a man in his forties with a copper coin patterned robe, sporting two eight-shaped whiskers, and a rather rotund figure, standing at the entrance of the alley, jumping up and down and scolding: "This shameless little thief, stealing my newly bought bottle and dish is one thing, but how could he also steal the apricots I just bought for my wife? Those were top-quality Anji silk-woven ones!"

  Many people in the alley heard and smiled. Luoyang Wei Tang Zong came out of Yang Langzhong's mansion, and first met with the head of this alley, Su Mohe, the head of Xiwen Alley. As soon as he received Tang Zong's instructions and sent him away, he heard a loud shout. He rushed over in extreme anger and shouted: "Huang Zhao Ping, you...you're making such a big deal at dawn, what are you doing?"

  Huang Yuan saw Bao Zheng coming, and then he saw the head of the Wu Hou shop's security patrol following behind him. He immediately rushed up to them as if they were old friends and exclaimed: "Bao Zheng, Head of Security Patrol, you two are both here, great! My family was robbed last night, a pair of Tianmu glazed double-ear vases and a stack of three-color glazed open-mouthed plates were stolen. But what's even more infuriating is that the thief also stole the agate pendant I bought for my wife..."

  Yang Fan held the large wooden bowl, his eyes rolled around, and he thought to himself: "Ma Qiao has stolen another one of An Qi's treasures, why hasn't he taken it out yet? Could it be... that he has some special hobby?"

  Su Mo Han waved his hand and said, "Enough! What are you yelling about? It's just a few lost items. Go back to Wu Hou Pu and report it, the three cities of Nan Xi Bei will take care of it. Why make such a big fuss? A grown man acting like a shrewish woman, shouting in the streets!"

  After scolding Huang Yuanwai, Su Fangzheng turned his head and happened to see Yang Fan holding two large bowls, and shouted: "Yang Er, where are you going?"

  Yang Fan stopped and said casually: "Oh, Su Fangzheng, Ma Qiao has a bit of stomach cold, I'll get him a bowl of hot noodle soup to take back."

  Su Mo Han hummed and said, "He's always got something going on, either his head hurts or his butt itches. You hurry back and tell him to finish eating, then come to my place with you, I have some instructions for you both."

  "All right, don't worry about it, we'll be there soon, what's so serious?"

  "A case! A big case! You know, the person who went missing is from our Xiuwen Workshop. The Ministry of Justice has sent someone over and it's not to be taken lightly. Hurry up and report to my house in a moment."

  Su Fangzheng was speaking, and he hastily walked away. Lei Buliang followed him with a stern face. In an instant, Su Fangzheng's loud voice rang out again in another alley: "Chen Adai, go and call all the security guards from each street and alley to my house. I have something to instruct you! Hurry up!"

  Yang Fan secretly pondered that this neighborhood hadn't even lit a single incense stick in ten and a half days, so what was the meaning of today's actions...

  Yang Fan suddenly thought of the female thief hiding in his own home, and his heart tightened. He quickened his pace and rushed back home. Yang Fan hastily returned home and first handed the noodles to Tian Ai Nu, saying: "You eat something first, it's not too late to change clothes later."

  "Thank you!" Tian Ai Nu took over the rice bowl and thanked him.

  Yang Fan sat down opposite her with his knees crossed, and asked in a low voice: "Miss, I have something to ask you. What case did you actually work on? How did you manage to stir up such a big commotion?"

  Tian Ai Nu held a large bowl and had just picked up a pair of chopsticks, when she heard this, she looked at Yang Fan and asked: "What's going on? What's the big deal?"

  She had washed her face and tidied up her hair, although she was still wearing the same crumpled silk dress and pants, but she had regained some of her beauty. A beautiful woman is always a beautiful woman, just like a pearl, even if it's buried in mud, as long as you wipe off a little bit of dirt, it will emit an enticing glow.

  At this time, she stared at Yang Fan's appearance, which was particularly cute, but Yang Fan didn't have the heart to appreciate it now. He hastily said: "Just now, Fang Zheng asked me to report to him after dinner, and I also saw the evil commander of Wu Hou Pu there. I estimate that it must be related to your matter. I don't know what kind of case you've committed, but even the evil commander and Fang Zheng are shocked. In my opinion, you should leave quickly."

  "Oh?" Tian Ai Nu's eyes flashed with a hint of unusual color, but she quickly covered it up. She elegantly shook her head and said: "If what you say is true, I'm afraid I won't be able to leave now!"

  "Can't walk?" Yang Fan looked at her in surprise and asked, "How can you not walk?"

  Tian Ai Nu said: "If even the head of this ward and the evil handsome have received the news of catching people, you say, the streets and alleys are narrow, all the city gates, can't they be more heavily guarded?"

  Tian Ai Nu let out a soft sigh, so light that Yang Fan wasn't even sure if she was sighing or blowing on her noodles: "If even your neighborhood is alarmed, then all the other neighborhoods, including inns, taverns, and pharmacies... everywhere will strengthen their inspections. The city gates are no exception. We can't leave now."

  Yang Fan exclaimed: "What kind of case did you actually take on? It's been a sensation in all nine cities!"

  Tian Ai Nu apologized and said "I'm sorry, I can't tell you."

  Yang Fan stared at her and said: "Didn't you want to change your clothes and leave this morning?"

  "I've changed my mind!"

  "Women always change their minds at any time, isn't this a matter of course?"

  Yang Fan: "......"

  Tian Ai Nu looked at him and comforted him, "You don't have to worry, in the vast Luoyang City, it's easy to find someone. Besides, you are a member of the Wen Fang, and I am right here with you at home, the head of the Wen Fang is looking for you to arrange a search for people, so hiding in your house is actually very safe."

  Yang Fan paced a few steps in the house and said with a serious expression: "Safety, I'm afraid it's unlikely. You'll be in great danger if you stay."

  Tian Ai Nu said: "I know, but if I leave, it will be even more dangerous."

  "I'm saying... it's very dangerous for you to stay behind."

  "So, you must be careful and hide me well, don't let anyone find out."

  Yang Fan said: "Aren't you afraid I'll report you?"

  Tian Ai Nu elegantly picked up a small piece of pastry, blew on it lightly and smiled: "Don't be afraid! If you accuse me, I'll confess that you're my accomplice. Sir, you probably don't know yet, once my case is brought to court, anyone who's implicated will be beheaded..."

  “……”

  Tian Ai Nu put down the bowl of soup and said to him, "Actually, you don't have to worry too much. To thoroughly investigate Luoyang City, unless twenty thousand troops are deployed. Now that the government has even used up all the manpower in Wuhou Fang, it can be seen that the investigation is just a mere formality, only seeking to make an explanation to their superiors. I'm staying here, no surprises, but if I leave now, I'll fall into their 'startling the snake by hitting the grass' plan."

  Yang Fan said with a bitter face: "I saved people, originally just wanted to..., who knew it would cause such a big trouble, what's the point of coming here?"

  Yang Fan, having lent a helping hand to save someone, couldn't possibly do something as heartless as pushing them out of the house halfway through. The thing was, he didn't even know who this person was, so naturally he wasn't willing to take on this unrelated responsibility. Moreover, this attitude was exactly what he should have had when facing Tian Ai Nu.

  Looking at the wronged expression of his poor wife, Tian Ai Nu's heart softened for no reason, and he comforted her: "I said it before, I will repay your life-saving kindness. How about this? As long as you can cover for me to evade the government's search, I'll give you a sum of money, enough for you to marry a beautiful daughter-in-law, what do you think?"

  “……”

  "Good grief! Look at this home of yours, it's messy like a pigsty. How can people live in such a state? During my stay here, I've been helping you clean up every day. Don't worry, once I'm done tidying up the room, I guarantee it'll be spotless."

  “……”

  "I can also help you with washing clothes, how about that? Don't worry, the clothes I wash are like new ones."

  Yang Fan said irritably: "Thanks! I only have one set of clothes, you washed them, now I'm left with nothing to wear."

  Tian Ai Nu said softly, "That's okay, you can bring back a few pieces of cloth and I'll help you make a few new sets. Don't worry, the clothes I cut out are even better than those made by the head tailor of Luoyang City's famous 'Chengzhifang'!"

  A little beauty spoke so softly and gently, Yang Fan was at a loss for what to do. He looked helplessly at this mysterious female thief who had suddenly transformed into a cook, a seamstress, and a laundry maid. After a while, he coughed and smiled awkwardly: "If that's the case... does it also include serving in bed?"

  Her two slender eyebrows, shaped like crescent moons, rose slightly, transforming into a pair of elegant Wu hooks. Then her beautiful big eyes narrowed slightly as she said softly, "This... you can try it out."

  Yang Fan's gaze fell on her slender waist, where her sword was already hung back. Yang Fan had seen that sword before, it was very sharp and absolutely a good sword for killing. Now, a delicate and beautiful palm was resting on the hilt of the sword.

  Yang Fan rubbed his nose and sighed, "No need, I've decided to guard my chastity for my future wife!" P: Tian Ai and Ah Chou are going to have children and live a happy life together, please cast your congratulatory votes! ^_^