Chapter 106: Keeping a gigolo?

"Aunt Tao, what time are you talking about?"

She eagerly pressed for more information.

Tao's mother said, "Today is the fifth day since the heavy rain stopped, and the water on the streets has almost evaporated."

This servant believes that Madam Zheng will definitely return to the manor tomorrow, so tonight is the best time to deal with her.

Li Nanke was very curious.

“Mother Zheng has been staying away from home for many days under the pretense of going to Changyuan to collect grain. When she comes back tomorrow, we can just punish her for disobeying her master’s orders and failing to complete her mission. Why choose tonight?”

Tao's mother hesitated for a moment and subconsciously looked at Song Yi.

Song Yi hesitated for a moment, then nodded.

"There's no need to hide it from Ke'er."

Tao's mother bent down and whispered a few words in Li Nanke's ear.

Li Nanke's eyes widened in surprise.

"You're saying... that Aunt Zheng is keeping a gigolo in Cuihua Alley?"

Tao's mother nodded.

"The young lady is still young, and it's proper to avoid mentioning such things as it would offend her ears. However, we're about to punish Mama Zheng, and I'm worried..."

Song Yi interjected, "Aunt Tao is afraid that I'll suffer if I go against your second aunt."

Li Nanke's eyes darted around.

"Mother, I have a great idea..."

The night breeze was slightly cool, and coupled with several days of torrential rain, the air was damp.

Inside the meeting hall, the stewardesses gathered together, whispering amongst themselves.

"We've never had a meeting at night before. Why are we suddenly being asked to meet at night? Could there be some unexpected situation?"

"It can't be that it's going to pour rain again, can it?"

All the old women had a deep impression of it. Just ten days ago, on the day Song Yi returned from the Red County, she urgently summoned everyone and ordered that drainage ditches be dug in all the courtyards, including the garden.

Nobody wanted to dig drainage ditches under the scorching sun, and complaints filled the air.

For the first time, Song Yi lost her temper and coldly ordered Zi Lan to tie up the two troublemaking old women. Only then did everyone reluctantly start digging the drainage ditch.

To everyone's surprise, a torrential downpour occurred the following day.

After several days of torrential rain, I heard that the stewards and servants in other households were digging drainage ditches in the pouring rain, but it was all to no avail.

Not only was the master's house flooded, but the water level in the servants' quarters was above knee-deep. They were so miserable that they had to pump water out in the middle of the night, making it impossible for them to sleep.

In contrast, the servants in the Marquis's mansion were all indoors eating melon seeds and playing cards when it rained heavily, only taking turns going out to patrol the area.

Song Yi even specially asked Zi Lan to bring some snacks and wine to treat them.

Having experienced the torrential rain, these meddlesome women no longer dared to underestimate Song Yi.

Amidst the murmurs, Song Yi walked in.

The bolder old woman immediately asked, "Has the young master's wife summoned everyone here for some urgent matter?"

Song Yi glanced around the hall and shook her head with a smile.

"Since the torrential rain started, everything at home has been in perfect order. Thank you all for your hard work. Everyone has done their job very well."

The floodwaters on the streets have completely receded today. I heard that the Zhouqiao Night Market also reopened today, so I thought I'd give everyone a break tonight.

The head maids from each household were also given one tael of silver each and were to go to the Zhouqiao night market. They only needed to return before midnight.

As soon as he finished speaking, the entire flower hall erupted in an uproar.

Zhouqiao Night Market was the most bustling night market in Bianjing City. It was located at a key waterway in the east of Bianjing City, spanning the Imperial Road and bordering the Bian River.

Starting from Zhuque Gate in the south and ending at Longque Bridge in the north, the area is surrounded by numerous shops and is extremely prosperous.

But for these women in charge, they have to work during the day and sometimes take turns at night. Even when they don't take turns, they still have a lot of things to do when they get back to their own homes.

Where else could one find such a private moment of relaxation, let alone stroll through a bustling night market, where each person would be rewarded with a tael of silver?

"I've heard that the freshly fried lamb intestines at the night market are delicious and tender, so I'm going to try them today."

"I want to eat crystal soap and ghee abalone."

The group of old women received the silver from Mama Tao and left in small groups, beaming with joy.

Tao's mother took six more purses to the second house to see Madam Sun and told her about how Song Yishang, the head housekeeper, and the head maid had gone out to the night market.

"...This is Mama Zheng, the head maidservant of the second young mistress, and the head maidservant who is in charge of the eldest young master and the second young lady. This is the reward money for the head maidservant."

The Crown Prince's wife sent me to consult with the Second Young Mistress about whether to allow them to go to the Zhouqiao Night Market. If not, please have the Second Young Mistress distribute the money to them.

Tao's mother put down her purse, bowed, and left.

Sun's expression darkened, and she grabbed the purse and slammed it to the ground.

"Is the Song family here to deliver a reward? Or are they here to show off to me!"

"So what if you made a few taels of silver from harvesting grain? You're already strutting around like that. Bah!"

Her head maid, Chunlan, whispered, "I heard from the servants in the front courtyard that Manager Qin made a full 18,000 taels of silver from selling grain this time."

I heard that the Crown Prince's wife's dowry shops are making even more money.

Sun's voice suddenly rose in pitch.

"so much?"

Chunlan nodded, "If only we had secretly joined in the grain harvesting back then..."

Mrs. Sun was heartbroken and her flesh twitched.

She used to laugh at Song Yi for being silly, but who knew that she was the silly one in the end!

Sun was filled with remorse, but refused to admit it.

"The Song family was just lucky. They thought that by earning this little bit of silver and putting it into the public account, and then giving out some bonuses to win people's hearts, they could keep the steward's key."

"Ha, dreaming."

As soon as he finished speaking, he saw Chunlan glancing repeatedly at the purse on the ground, which made him even angrier.

He slapped Chunlan across the face.

"What? You also want to use the Song family's reward money to stroll through the night market?"

Chunlan covered her face and immediately knelt down, looking aggrieved.

"This servant dares not."

Sun gave a heavy snort, "I knew you wouldn't dare."

He paused, then added, "Mother Zheng has been gone for several days now. She should have finished her act by now. Changyuan is flooded, doesn't she know?"

Chunlan whispered, "They must have known that Changyuan was flooded, which is why they didn't dare to come back early."

Sun was somewhat irritated and gave instructions to Chunlan.

"Go to Cuihua Hutong and tell her to come back tonight."

Chunlan glanced quickly at the purse on the ground, covered her face, and retreated.

I ran into Tao's mother as soon as I stepped out the door.

"Where is Miss Chunlan going?"

Chunlan instinctively avoided looking at her face, which had been slapped, and gave a vague answer.

"The second young mistress asked me to go out and buy something. Is there anything you need, Madam Tao?"

Tao's mother handed over a purse.

"This was specially instructed by the young master, who said that since Mama Zheng has been away these past few days, Miss Chunlan has been taking good care of the second household all by herself."

"Miss Chunlan's reward should be doubled, but I left in a hurry and forgot one portion, so I came back to bring it to you."

"You've worked hard these past few days. The masters have all had dinner now and there's nothing else to do. Go take a stroll around. If anything comes up, I'll have someone keep an eye on things for you."

Tao's mother stuffed the purse into Chunlan's hand, patted her with a smile, and turned to leave.

It was as if he didn't see the handprint on her face at all.

Chunlan stroked the purse in her hand, her lips gradually pursing.

Why can everyone else take the reward money and go out to explore, but she can't?

We'll inform Zheng's mother later.

The Zhouqiao Night Market was bustling with activity. The old women of the Anping Marquis's mansion ate and drank for an hour. After admiring the silver flowers, they gathered together and went back to the mansion together.

As I was passing through Cuihua Hutong, an old woman suddenly shouted, "Thief! My purse has been stolen!"

"The thief ran inside."

The crowd hurriedly chased after the dark figure that flashed through the alley, and soon they rushed into a small courtyard.

The courtyard gate was kicked open, and everyone was stunned when they saw what was inside.

What did they see?

Two, oh no, three pure white ones...