With a business plan in hand and the funds and manpower provided by the Yun family as a backing, Xu Zhi was naturally full of confidence.

After discussing it with Ping, Xu Zhi dropped Ping off at her doorstep and instructed the driver to drive out of the city.

Xu Zhi still needs to go to Zheng Boyuan and Wu Muyue to refine this plan. Most importantly, they need to select a suitable flood discharge location to prevent the water in the Miao River from getting out of control.

After leaving Old Madam Yun's courtyard, Madam Ming stood outside the courtyard wall. The old woman following behind her stood there for a while and then asked in a low voice, "Madam, shall we go back?"

Madam Ming looked at the courtyard across the garden, where her daughters lived. Her two daughters lived in the same courtyard.

Ming said, "I'm going to see Sister Qiang."

The old woman behind Ming Shi said as she walked, "I heard from the old woman who stayed in the west courtyard that Miss Jin plans to take her younger sister to the capital."

Upon hearing this, Ming stood up and asked, "Oh? Is the news true?"

The old woman nodded and said, "It should be true. It is said that Miss Jin has already started preparing her luggage. After all, Miss Jin's marriage has been arranged for a long time. Her parents are not around, and no one is making arrangements for her. Her servants said that she seems to be going to the capital with her dowry to await marriage. These things should be informed to the old lady first."

The young lady Jin mentioned by the old woman is the eldest daughter of Yun Yuwen, the eldest son of the Yun family. She is already seventeen years old and her marriage was arranged last year. Her fiancé is the second son of her maternal uncle's family, who is also the grandson of the scholar Fu. It is said that she is still studying and preparing for the county-level examination next year, which means that she has not yet obtained the title of Xiucai (a successful candidate in the county-level imperial examination).

Looking at the pink walls and black tiles some distance away from the flower courtyard, Madam Ming sighed and said, "She's a good girl, it's just a pity she didn't have reasonable parents. Fortunately, she married into her maternal family, so her life won't be too difficult."

The old woman sighed inwardly, though she didn't show it on her face. Although Miss Jin had married into her maternal family, this marriage was something her mother, Madam Fu, had fought hard for. Even the old lady had worried a lot about this. No matter how good Miss Jin was, or how wealthy the Yun family was, it was just a merchant family. Those official families had various reasons for not letting their promising children marry girls from such families.

Ming was naturally aware of all the reasons. It was precisely because she understood that she so desperately hoped that her husband could achieve something in the capital and elevate their family's status, so that their children would have more options when it came to marriage.

With her thoughts in mind, Madam Ming arrived at the gate of her two daughters' courtyard. Before she even entered, she heard a clear, arrogant voice calling out from inside: "You lot, don't think I didn't see you! You're just trying to bully my sister because you think she's nice? Let me tell you, as long as I'm here, you're dreaming!"

Madam Ming shook her head and said to the old woman beside her, "This wretched child, what kind of prestige is she trying to show off now?"

The old woman laughed and said, "Our second young lady isn't the type to show off her power. Those little hussies are bound to misbehave."

As soon as Ming entered the room, a small figure rushed towards her. Ming quickly helped her up and said, "Wei'er, what are you doing?"

The girl called Wei'er by Ming was her second daughter, who was seven years old this year. She was a cute little girl with a round face. When she heard her mother ask, she wrinkled her nose and said, "Mother, while my sister was asleep, they were gossiping over here. I heard everything. They said that my sister fell into the water and was rescued, so she has to marry him. They also said that the person who rescued my sister is not a good person, but a street thug."

Upon hearing this, Madam Ming turned pale with anger and shouted, "Who gave you the audacity? It was a female guard from Madam Zheng's household who saved your young lady. Who told you it was some street thug? Where is Qingju? Qingju, come out here!"

Yun Weier tugged at Ming Shi's sleeve and said, "Sister Qingju went outside to buy things for my sister. My sister said she wanted to embroider a purse for the sister who saved her, and Qingju went to buy silk thread."

Madam Ming said to the old woman behind her, "Go and hand these gossipy girls over to Aunt Yun. Let Aunt Yun teach them proper manners. If they learn well, they can get a position in this mansion. If they don't, just kick them out."

Several young maids, their faces streaked with tears, tried to continue kneeling and begging for mercy, but were dragged away by several rough-working women at the behest of Madam Ming. Standing in the courtyard, Madam Ming thought of her daughter, who was already thirteen years old and at the age when she should be getting married, but such a thing had happened. Since the maids in the mansion were saying this, it must be because there were already such rumors outside. How would her daughter find a good family in the future?

Overwhelmed with grief, Ming's eyes instantly reddened. Seeing her mother's expression, Yun Wei'er quickly advised, "Mother, please don't be like this. My sister has been in a bad mood these past few days. If you continue like this, how will she cope?"

Madam Ming quickly wiped away the tears from the corners of her eyes with a handkerchief, nodded, and said, "Wei'er is right. Mother must not lose her composure now."

At this moment, the eldest son and his wife have been taken to the capital. Her husband went to the capital overnight a few days ago and only sent back a few letters. He has not returned. Mingshi can't find anyone to talk to. As for the old lady Yun, she just told Mingshi not to be too nervous and to relax. She said that once things in the capital are settled, there is no need to worry about the children's marriage.

But Mingshi is Yun Qiang'er's mother. She has spoken to her and tried to persuade her, but Yun Qiang'er has been staying in her room lately and eating less and less.

My dear reader, there's more to this chapter! Please click the next page to continue reading—even more exciting content awaits!