Mysteries of the Great Zhou Dynasty

Chapter 42 Soles
"You know, everyone walks differently, so shoes wear out in different places. This pair of shoes is worn on the right heel, which means the murderer walked with more force on his right foot. It's the same as the other pairs of shoes in your house." Yan Mingzhang paused and sighed, "Or, you can take off your shoes now and take a look. Just compare them and we'll be fine."

Zhao Ruwen didn't move, but his expression was already wavering. His eyes drifted to his shoes: "..."

Mo Yun threw the shoes that Zhao Ruwen usually wore and the shoe print rubbings left at the crime scene in front of Zhao Ruwen.

Zhao Ruwen suddenly jumped up, grabbed the paper of the rubbing, and stuffed it into his mouth frantically, trying to destroy the evidence.

Yan Mingzhang and Mo Yun just looked at him calmly, motionless. Suddenly, Zhao Ruwen's eyes went blank and he stopped what he was doing. He actually knew that this was just a rubbing, what use was there!
"Besides, your wife didn't have the kind of relationship you think she had with other people. She was even making clothes for you before she died. The sleeves of this dress are still unfinished..." Yan Mingzhang gently placed a package in front of Zhao Ruwen and said softly, "...Forget it, there's no point in telling you this. How can a heartless person feel the love of others?"

Zhao Ruwen blankly opened the package and held the dress that would never be finished. He slumped to the ground, his eyes blank, and kept muttering, almost roaring, "It's not like that, it's not like that, you lied to me! I'm not wrong! I'm not wrong! I'm only acting on behalf of justice!"

Yan Mingzhang glanced at Zhao Ruwen, his eyes as calm as water, as if he was talking to himself: "Pathetic, sad, and hateful!"

What was he thinking as he held the clothes? Did he regret it? Who knows?
……
-
It was a day off, so Yan Mingzhang, Rong Wanyin and Su Zhan made an appointment to go to the night market.

Rong Wanyin looked at the steaming meat buns that had just come out of the oven, swallowed her saliva, and thought to herself, keep your stomach empty for a while, as you will have a big meal later. There are two suckers today, so I will definitely rip them off.

Yan Mingzhang took out a penny and bought a meat bun, which was white and plump, very cute. Rong Wanyin righteously refused, "I won't eat it! I want to save my stomach for a big meal!"

Yan Mingzhang held the bun and handed it to Rong Wanyin's nose, and the fragrance wafted in the air.

Yan Mingzhang said calmly: "Are you sure?"

Rong Wanyin hesitated for a while and took it: "Okay, I'll reluctantly help Lord Yan solve the problem." After saying that, she took a big bite.

Su Zhan looked at the two of them and suddenly felt very cold. He shivered and thought, "Ah—it's so sore."

Su Zhan's attention was all on the two of them, but he didn't notice that there was a clothesline across the front. The black rope was very thin, and there was no clothes hanging on it. It was dark, and Su Zhan walked forward blankly. He didn't pay attention and bumped into the clothesline head-on.

"Ouch!" Su Zhan cried out. Yan Mingzhang, too preoccupied with Rong Wanyin, also bumped into the clothesline. The two men were about to warn Rong Wanyin, but Rong Wanyin, happily enjoying her meat bun, was completely unaware and passed through unhindered.

Su Zhan and Yan Mingzhang looked at each other helplessly, thinking that being short did have its advantages.

After eating the buns, Rong Wanyin wiped her mouth and felt her stomach. She still wasn't full, so she said, "This bun isn't enough. How about some soup dumplings?"

Rong Wanyin looked carefully and found that there was no one around her. When she turned around, she saw only two dark shadows squatting there with their noses covered.

Rong Wanyin asked curiously, "What's wrong with you?"

Both of them felt embarrassed and replied in unison, "Nothing!"

Rong Wanyin curled her lips in confusion.

The three of them originally planned to eat at Yuexianglou, but Rong Wanyin was thinking about Aunt Qing and Erya, so she suggested eating wontons.

Erya quickly brought the wontons. She was still very shy, but there was a smile on her face. She was wearing a pair of white shoes with red plum embroidery, which was very delicate and cute.

Rong Wanyin looked at her and smiled: "Erya, your shoes are very beautiful!"

Erya nodded shyly and said in a low but proud voice, "Mom made it for me."

Aunt Qing held a basket of dumplings in one hand and a dish of vinegar in the other, placed them on the table, wiped her hands with her apron, touched Erya's head, and said, "This child has suffered a lot with me. Her father passed away early, and the clan was wiped out. They snatched away our few acres of thin land. We are an orphan and a widow, and we really have no choice but to flee here. Thanks to the boss, we can open a wonton stall and make a living. This child and I get up early and go to bed late, but we can't eat a good meal or wear new clothes all year round. It's really hard for her. I know she blames me in her heart, blaming me for being too cowardly and not resisting, but how can I, a woman, compete with such a big family!"

Aunt Qing wiped her tears while speaking. Erya held her hand distressedly: "Mom, I was ignorant before, I don't blame you anymore."

Su Zhan raised his teacup and said to Erya with a serious expression, "Little girl, a tree weathers wind and rain without falling; it's tenacious; a blade of grass endures ravages without yielding; it's also tenacious. Although they are different, they both deserve respect. Do you understand what I mean?"

Erya smiled generously and said, "Well... I understand... Thank you..."

Aunt Qing and Erya went to entertain other guests and were busy.

Rong Wanyin sat down and nudged Su Zhan with her elbow. "Hey, Master Su, are you actually hiding your abilities? Are you afraid of the emperor being wary of your family's influence, so you're pretending to be a dandy?"

Su Zhan opened his fan with a snap and fanned it proudly: "You have good taste! I didn't expect that I could hide so well and still be discovered!"

Yan Mingzhang naturally added more tea to Rong Wanyin's cup and refilled his own, saying, "No, you're overthinking it. He's really just an ordinary, ordinary dandy."

Su Zhan pretended to be furious: "Hey, do you know how to chat? If you can't chat, don't talk! Do I need to emphasize the word "ordinary" twice?"

Su Zhan angrily picked up the teapot to add tea to himself. After pouring for a long time, only a few drops of water came out. Su Zhan looked at the two people's full teacups and was furious: "Hey, you are too unfriendable!"

Rong Wanyin and Yan Mingzhang looked at each other, then lowered their heads and smiled, their eyes full of smiles.

Aunt Qing filled the teapot, put it down, and said, "You two have such a good relationship!"

Su Zhan picked up a steamed dumpling angrily, snorted, and took a big bite: "Who has a good relationship with them!" The meat filling was so hot that Su Zhan jumped up and down.

Everyone laughed.

(End of this chapter)