Chapter 372: A bastard

"My master is suddenly gone, and I was so panicked I lost my head, so I asked Liu Xiao Chuan to invite you. You are a capable person; after your analysis, I finally have some clues in my heart."

Liu Wan Shi spoke softly, though her voice was a bit hoarse. Her face was pale, and her eyes were swollen from crying.

"We are all born and raised in the Marquis's residence; my master died for the Marquis's residence, which can be considered dying in his place. I know the Marquis's residence won't treat me poorly, but in my heart..."

Liu Wan Shi couldn't continue, lowering her head and wiping her tears with a handkerchief.

Xiujuan, the maid who married Liu Xiao Chuan, was now a manager's wife, handling things inside and out. Seeing Liu Wan Shi crying again, she accompanied her in crying.

"The Marquis's residence said to let us handle the funeral first; we don't need to save on necessary silver, and the Marquis's residence will cover all expenses. They already sent two seals of silver this morning; if it's not enough, we can draw more from the accounting office. Brother Chen, you work outside and are well-informed. Liu Xiao Chuan hasn't been out much and doesn't understand outside matters well. I'll have to trouble you next; thank you for your hard work." Xiujuan, now a manager's wife, indeed had a very imposing manner in her words and actions.

Chen Guanlou coughed lightly, "Don't be too sad; please take great care of your health. I'll go and inquire, and when I have news, I'll come and tell you. If you have channels for news, you can also ask someone."

Xiujuan said, "We women, the news we can inquire about is mostly trivial matters of the inner house. When the men do things outside, we really have no way to start, and others are unwilling to tell us. Liu Xiao Chuan is just a helper and hasn't worked properly in the Marquis's residence, so he isn't familiar with anyone up and down the Marquis's residence. In desperation, we can only beg Brother Chen; you have wide connections, and everyone is willing to give you face. You stepping out is more effective than Liu Xiao Chuan. We beg you shamelessly because we really have no other way."

"Did other managers familiar with Liu Guanshi not come to pay their respects?" Chen Guanlou asked a bit too much.

Liu Wan Shi sighed upon hearing this, "They came, but it seems they were all given a gag order; one by one, they all claimed ignorance. Brother Lou, this matter really needs to trouble you."

Chen Guanlou frowned slightly, looking at the helpless and soft-bodied Liu Wan Shi, and nodded, "Fine, I'll try my best."

Who is in the Marquis's residence, who is not, and how long they have been away—no one knows better than the gatekeeper.

Chen Guanlou invited Chen Guanxiang, the gatekeeper of the Marquis's residence, to a restaurant to eat and inquire about news.

Chen Guanxiang arrived on time and spoke as soon as he sat down, "You want to know how Liu Guanshi died, right?"

Chen Guanlou was stunned for a moment, then laughed, "Nothing can be hidden from Brother Xiang; your eyes are like torches. No wonder the Marquis's residence gate can't do without you."

He poured tea and wine, inviting the other party to drink and eat.

Chen Guanxiang, having eaten someone's food, didn't wait for Chen Guanlou to ask and said directly, "Liu Guanshi went out on the fifth of last month; I don't know specifically what he was handling. Three other managers also went out during those days, and none of them have returned yet, and I don't know how they are doing. That's all I know."

"Three?"

"Right, three!"

"Are all the martial artists raised by the Marquis's residence there?" Chen Guanlou asked while pouring wine.

"I don't know about that. Martial artists have other residences and basically don't interact with the Marquis's residence on weekdays. Only the Head Manager knows the situation. You have dealings with the Head Manager; you can go and ask him."

"The Head Manager is busy; how can I trouble him with such a small matter? Brother Xiang, you've solved a big problem for me; I'll toast you."

Chen Guanxiang drank the wine and asked about something he was curious about, "Why are you running errands for the Liu family? Could it be that you've taken a fancy to Liu Wan Shi?"

"How could that be."

"Hehe!" Chen Guanxiang didn't believe it, "We are brothers; what you think in your heart can be hidden from others, but not from me. As soon as I look at you, I know you are a fellow traveler. Women are still better, especially a charming woman like Liu Wan Shi. If there's a chance, I'd also like to taste her. However, that half-adopted son of hers, called Liu Xiao Chuan, is like a wild dog, biting anyone he sees. If you want Liu Wan Shi, it won't be easy."

"Brother Xiang, women care most about their reputation; it doesn't matter if you tease me, but there's no need to drag others into it. Come, come, drink, drink."

"You really don't want to?" Chen Guanxiang was determined not to give up and focused on this topic character, Liu Wan Shi, "If you don't want to, then I'm going to make a move."

"How are you going to make a move?" Chen Guanlou was unhappy, "You have a wife and children; instead of living peacefully, you think about all sorts of things all day long—what is it, you want to keep a mistress! Can you afford a woman like Liu Wan Shi?"

Chen Guanxiang hissed, "And you say you haven't thought about it; look how anxious you are. I was just saying it casually."

"Saying it casually, my ass! Tell me the truth, how exactly did Liu Guanshi die?"

"Anyway, he definitely didn't die at the hands of his own people; it's estimated he was unlucky and encountered fierce bandits who killed him to silence him. Consider him unlucky." Chen Guanxiang gulped down a mouthful of wine, "Liu Wan Shi has no man now; people eyeing her will definitely emerge one after another. If you have the heart, make a move early. A tree's shadow, a person's name; you have a great name outside. If you take a fancy to Liu Wan Shi, others won't dare to mess around."

Chen Guanlou didn't express his stance.

Chen Guanxiang asked curiously, "Do you think she's too old? She's only ten years older than you. Only older women know how to cherish a man."

"Talking nonsense all day long." Chen Guanlou sneered, "Am I short of women? Is it worth it for me? Liu Guanshi helped me back then; if he hadn't passed a message to the Heavenly Prison, I wouldn't have my current gains. I am a person who knows how to repay kindness; I'm not as filthy as you think."

Chen Guanxiang was unhappy, "Stop acting so righteous. What kind of person Chen Guanlou is, others might not know, but I understand. I've been a gatekeeper at the Marquis's residence for many years; I dare not say anything else, but my eyes have truly been tempered, and I can judge a person accurately at a glance. You, you are both acting and setting up a memorial arch; you are the truly shameless one."

Chen Guanlou rolled his eyes on the spot, "How many people in this world aren't shameless? You are about the same as me; don't call the pot black."

"But I am more open and honest than you." Chen Guanxiang laughed, "I want women, and I never hide it. You just read too many books and always talk about that, what is it, so-called sentiment."

"Not talking about sentiment, just thinking about that stuff in bed all day long—that's called a beast." Chen Guanlou ridiculed, "You go to a brothel, and the girls there will try hard to create an atmosphere for you. Do you understand what atmosphere is? Do you think everyone spends money to go to a brothel just for that stuff in bed? The prelude is also very important. So you are just a bumpkin; it's a pity you are a gatekeeper at the Marquis's residence."

Chen Guanxiang was so angry his face turned blue, "I have a wife at home; that's still better than you, a bachelor."

"Having a wife is useless. If I wanted to marry a wife, the women who would want to marry me could line up from the West Gate to the East Gate. Do you have that?"

This wine couldn't be drunk anymore.

"If you have the ability, go marry one back."

"Why should I listen to you? Even if I live wildly until I'm fifty, I can still marry a beautiful wife who is twenty-eight; can you do that?"

A fatal blow!

Chen Guanxiang was so angry he flicked his sleeves and left, not bothering to be knowledgeable with this bastard Chen Guanlou.

When he needed someone, he was Brother Xiang; when he was useless, he turned his face and didn't recognize anyone.

If he drinks Chen Guanlou's wine next time, he is a bastard. ===== CHAPTER 373 =====