Before going out, Yuan Zhao went to the main hall in the front yard and took a look at the sundial. It had just passed Xu hour. According to the clock in the dream, it was just after seven o'clock in the evening, which was very early.

That dial was sent by Yan Shaofu, the father of the third sister-in-law Yan.

This dial has been ready for a year. Because the technology was not skilled enough, it was only tried in the palace and the palaces of important officials. Later, the Prince's Palace had it, and then it was the turn of the Dingyuan Houfu. This was an idea proposed by the Houfu's father and daughter, and it should be

Commendation.

She also has a clock in Dantai Mountain, which is still different from the clock in her dream, but it is indeed much more convenient than before.

Walking out of the gate of Hou Mansion, the main road of Zhengyang Lane is winding and winding, with numerous houses.

A crescent moon hangs high in the sky, and under the clear light, the eaves of the pavilions on both sides of the road look so old and lonely. In addition to the Hou Mansion, there are not only houses where merchants live nearby, but also some small officials who have chosen to settle here.

There are many like fifth brother-in-law You Changgeng.

Although it is not as opulent as Changning Street, the environment is still quiet and peaceful.

It's not too dark on the road, and there are lanterns hanging in front of the doors of each mansion. It's not particularly bright, but at least you can see the surrounding environment clearly.

Despite this, if a woman walks alone at night, danger will always follow her.

In the past, Zhengyang Lane was heavily guarded, but now all intersections are unobstructed.

Merchants attach great importance to profits, and are accustomed to sweeping away the snow in front of their own houses. The whole streets and lanes are open to outsiders to come and go at will. They have complex tastes, and they are patronized by gentlemen from time to time.

It can be said that except for Dingyuan Hou Mansion, most of the residences in Zhengyang Lane have been visited by thieves.

But thieves dare not provoke the Hou Mansion, because it is not just as simple as being heavily guarded. Over the years, thieves have died one by one, or a pair of thieves. Just like water dripping into the sea, they were swallowed up instantly and disappeared without a trace.

…

Returning to Yuan Zhao, before she and Luo Yan left Zhengyang Lane, the young man Jin Shui had already chased them in a carriage.

As soon as I asked, I found out that the second brother was complaining. He knew that his sister-in-law had never been to Twilight Market and was afraid that she would not be able to find the door, so he found the boy from Huatongyuan. Luo Yan was a bodyguard and had always been inseparable from the princess. Naturally,

I have never been to Beijing.

As for the servant Dongtang, he has more knowledge than Luo Yan, but he is certainly not as familiar with the streets of the capital as Jin Shui. In addition, Jin Shui and Dongtang often walk around the capital, and it is well known that they are the servants around Princess Anping.

.

Even if he appears next to the princess tonight, it won't hurt.

"Zhengyang Lane is a gathering place for mansions. It is quiet on weekdays, but it becomes more lively during festivals. Carriages from every household come and go, and women who don't go out on weekdays also show up. How can it be so quiet now?" Jin Shui regretted.

.

It was rare for the princess to stay in the capital and go out, but she only saw the deserted side of Zhengyang Lane, which was very disappointing.

"Isn't the Chinese Valentine's Day coming soon? It should be very lively then." Luo Yan looked forward to it.

"That's for sure. It's three days before and after Chinese Valentine's Day. Not to mention the outside world, our alley is also busy with traffic." Jin Shui talked eloquently, pointing to the closed doors of the mansions on the roadside, "Every door is open.

, waiting for my young masters and girls to return..."

At that time, Zhengyang Lane was very popular and full of vitality. However, the huge street in front of me was as deserted as a ghost alley.

"Well, that family named Lin is a big merchant in Moyang County. Their son-in-law's brother-in-law is related to an official in Taiyue Mansion. I heard that he met His Highness the Crown Prince and received a reward..." The information of each household is in

Jin Shui's eloquent narration gradually unfolded before Yuan Zhao's eyes.

Every household living in Zhengyang Lane has been thoroughly investigated by the Hou Mansion, and it is clear what the generations of their ancestors have done.

In the past, Yuan Zhao only read the information and had a vague impression.

Now, during the field investigation, coupled with Jin Shui's vivid explanation, the family map gradually took shape in her mind and became extremely clear.

It is clear at a glance who is irrelevant and who is sent by the royal family to monitor the Hou Mansion.

Unknowingly, the three of them finally left Zhengyang Alley. The streets outside were brightly lit, with people and cars passing by. Just standing at the intersection, one could feel how warm the outside atmosphere was, and it seemed like they were two different places from the deserted Zhengyang Alley.

world.

At the intersection, Yuan Zhao raised his face and looked up. The sky above the street was filled with colorful lanterns of different shapes. The shops on both sides of the road were shouting constantly and crowded with pedestrians. Various signs hung at the door of the shops were fluttering in the wind.

This is the smell of fireworks in the bustling world.

"I thought the streets would be deserted than in previous years due to the continuous war, but I didn't expect it to be so lively." Luo Yan was filled with emotion.

"The war is spreading across the border. How can the ordinary people in Beijing know about the hardships of the people on the border?" Jin Shui also lamented, "Even if they knew, it has nothing to do with them until they reach the capital. Working hard to support their families is the business."

In fact, before the war approached the first pass of Wuchu, a small number of people in the southwest were frightened into leaving their homes and fled.

Flee to the safest place in Wuchu, Fengjing.

Most of the people left behind did not know what had happened and stayed in their hometowns to farm and live as usual. The people who escaped managed to stay in the capital and buy mansions in a low-key manner, or do some small business to make a living.

No matter how difficult life is in Beijing, one has to wait until the war subsides before returning home.

Therefore, the evening market in Beijing is not only not cold, but more prosperous and lively than before. There are more styles of gadgets on the market, as well as all kinds of fresh and rare snacks.

The more outsiders there are, the more likely it is that trouble will occur in Beijing.

Beijing officials are well aware of these situations. Not only do they not impose curfews, but they also try their best to maintain the normal operation of the evening market. Since merchants from all over the country are currently entering Beijing, the national treasury is empty and short of money.

Of course, merchants were not fools. They knew the imperial court's intentions, but they did not dare to resist. It was just money, and you would have it as long as you earned it; but you only had one life, and once it was gone, it was gone.

The above information is what Yuan Zhao gained tonight.

Jin Shui led the way and drove the carriage to the most prosperous area of ​​​​the capital. They found a magnificent three-story restaurant and sat down. They listened to the merchants at the next table shaking their heads and smiling bitterly.

"Although the tax is heavy, fortunately, those powerful men in Beijing are generous and generous, so we won't lose everything." Merchant A said happily in his misery.

"That's a great blessing among misfortunes." Merchant B said with a smile.

"Hahaha..." the two merchants laughed heartily.

It can be seen that the commercial tax is not heavy enough, and the powerful son Yuan Zhao, who is extraordinarily generous and generous (with no consumption experience), tastes a dish called Lianfang fish buns, secretly complains, and explains Jin Shui:

"Pack this dish back home and give it to Lianshang to try too."

How fitting of the occasion! When I first renamed Lianshang, I almost called it Lianfang.

Poof, Luo Yan and Jin Shui laughed, "Hey, that's great! By the way, sir, would you like to try the fried carp in this shop? It's delicious."

Wan carp is raw carp fillet.

"No, raw meat has worms and can cause illness. You should eat less in the future." Yuan Zhao shook his head and casually warned.

A diner passing by heard this and stopped and stared at her:

"Hey, young master, where did you start talking about this? Do you have any evidence? I like fish and meat the most. I have been eating it for several years. Why don't I get sick?"

When Jin Shui heard this, he stood up, stared at the other person, and shouted sharply:

"You can eat what you like, and my young master won't talk about you, so what are you talking about? Get out!"

He was tall and strong, and looked like a vicious slave, which scared the diner back a few steps.

Seeing Yuan Zhao continuing to taste the dishes as if nothing had happened, I couldn't help but murmur in my heart. There were many powerful people in the capital, and they were afraid of offending others, so they had to take a detour with a cowardly look on their face.
Chapter completed!