Chapter 825 From this day forward, the eldest young mistress will seclude herself to study Buddhist scriptures.

Madam Gu's expression immediately softened considerably: "Oh, it's Tang'er. Come, come and sit down."

Gu Qianning's mood improved: "A-Tang, come and try the pre-Qingming Longjing tea from your mother's shop, it tastes really good!"

Shen Wantang smiled and agreed. After taking a seat, she tasted the tea and then repeatedly praised it, "Excellent tea!"

She knew perfectly well that Gu Qianning disliked Pei Yingzhu, so she deliberately used this superior tea to put Pei Yingzhu in a bad light, because this tea was indeed much better than the purple leaf tea that Pei Yingzhu brought.

However, Shen Wantang glanced at Pei Yingzhu's expression and saw that she was calm and gentle, so she knew that Pei Yingzhu did not take the matter to heart.

After drinking tea, they chatted casually. During the chat, Shen Wantang casually complimented Madam Gu's newly made hairpin, and Madam Gu immediately took out the hairpin and gave it to her.

Granny Chang, who was standing to the side, was stunned for a moment, looking quite surprised.

Shen Wantang herself did not expect her mother-in-law to be so generous. This gold hairpin was made of high-quality materials and had intricate craftsmanship. The plum blossoms were carved to life, and the plum blossom leaves were made of emeralds, making it look extremely noble.

It would probably take at least half a year to complete such a gold hairpin.

Madam Gu waited so long to finally get her hands on it, but after only a short while, she actually gave it away to her?

Shen Wantang subconsciously declined: "Mother, this hairpin is too precious. Besides, you have already given me many good things before. How can I be so greedy as to want something so precious from you again?"

Madam Gu said with a kind face, "Good child, you are so filial. Those other girls would never care whether I live or die. Although this hairpin was made for me, the style is not old-fashioned at all. It would suit you young people too. Aning, hurry up and put it on your second sister-in-law. Let's see if it looks good together."

"Okay!"

Gu Qianning responded crisply, got up and walked to Shen Wantang's side, took off her original hairpin and put on this new one.

Wow, it looks so good!

Gu Qianning looked Shen Wantang up and down and exclaimed sincerely, "Atang, this hairpin suits you so well! What a coincidence, you just happened to be wearing a willow green dress today, which complements this emerald hairpin perfectly!"

Madam Gu smiled and said, "Tang'er has fair skin and a good temperament, so she can definitely pull off this hairpin. I didn't give it to the wrong person."

Pei Yingzhu also offered a few words of praise.

In an instant, the atmosphere in the room became harmonious and pleasant, completely dispelling the previous coldness and unpleasantness.

Just as they were enjoying themselves, Meng Yunlan arrived with Qiao Zhiyu.

This time, Qiao Zhiyu wore a rather elegant purple brocade dress with gold trim. Although it still didn't fit her perfectly, it was much better than what she wore before.

Clearly, this dress was a new one given to her by Meng Yunlan.

As soon as the two people entered, they knelt down in front of Madam Gu.

Meng Yunlan stepped forward, kowtowing repeatedly as she cried out in heartbreaking grief, "Mother, please save my father! Mother! Yunlan will serve you like a cow or a horse to repay your kindness!"

Qiao Zhiyu followed behind, kowtowing and pleading, "Please, Madam, have mercy and save my aunt and uncle! I will recite scriptures and pray for you every day, wishing you a long and healthy life!"

After the two finished speaking, the originally cheerful atmosphere suddenly turned cold again.

For a long time, Madam Gu, who was sitting at the head of the table, remained silent.

Meng Yunlan and Qiao Zhiyu remained prostrate on the ground, seemingly unwilling to get up unless Madam Gu spoke.

Shen Wantang and Gu Qianning exchanged a glance, both seeing the same emotion in each other's eyes: Meng Yunlan was really going all out, even adopting such a humble posture.

Only Pei Yingzhu seemed indifferent, even having the leisure to fuss over her newly painted nails.

After a long silence, Madam Gu said calmly, "Yunlan, you have been married into the Duke's mansion for five years. I have loved you like my own daughter. When you made mistakes, I have always been lenient and never scolded you. You have not been pregnant for five years, but I have never said a bad word about you. I have done my best for you. What do you think?"

"Yes, my mother has treated me very well, and I have always been grateful for her love and have done my best to be filial to her. Therefore, regarding my father's matter, I urge my mother to go to the palace and plead with the Empress to have the Emperor withdraw his petition..."

Before Meng Yunlan could finish speaking, Madam Gu interrupted her: "Since you know that I have treated you well and have been fair to you, then you should also be fair to me, instead of trying to harm me and making me go to the palace to disobey the imperial decree. This is a matter that could lead to the entire clan losing their heads."

"Mother!"

“If you really still consider me your mother, you should go back now, stay at home, eat vegetarian food and chant Buddhist scriptures to atone for your father and mother’s sins, instead of forcing me to save two low-quality, inhuman death row inmates.”

With a pale face, Meng Yunlan crawled to Madam Gu's feet, crying. She hugged Madam Gu's leg and said, "Mother, even if they made a mistake, they don't deserve to die!"

Madam Gu looked at her with disappointment: "Yunlan, your father imprisoned the former prime minister's beloved daughter in a corner, forcibly possessed her for three whole years, and even made her pregnant. Do you think such a heinous crime doesn't deserve death? What if you were the one imprisoned? Do you still think the old man who humiliated you deserves to live?"

"Your mother and uncle colluded to lend money at exorbitant interest rates, causing countless people to lose their fortunes and sell their children to pay off your debts. The wealth and glory of your Meng family are all built on the blood and tears of those people! What if you were one of those people who lost their fortunes? What if you were the one whose daughter was sold? Do you still think that people who lend money at exorbitant interest rates shouldn't be killed?"

"If everyone were as shameless and greedy as your parents, who in this capital could live a peaceful life? If all officials were as heartless and inhuman as your father, then the Great Feng would perish!"

Meng Yunlan opened her mouth, wanting to say something, but Madam Gu didn't give her the chance.

"Therefore, I am unwilling to go to the palace to plead for your father and mother! As long as I am a human being, I will never say a good word for them, because they are not worthy!"

Meng Yunlan's face was completely drained of color. As if her soul had been ripped away, her shoulders slumped, her head hung low, and she collapsed to the ground.

"Someone come here!"

Madam Gu declared authoritatively, "Take the eldest young mistress back to Jade Dew Courtyard. From this day forward, she will seclude herself to study Buddhist scriptures and pray for the suffering people!"

Immediately, two rough-looking old women came in, grabbed Meng Yunlan from both sides, and took her out.

Seeing this, Qiao Zhiyu was afraid that she would be dragged out as well, so she quickly got up and left in a sorry state.

Then, Madam Gu had no other leisure time. She waved to Shen Wantang and the others, saying, "Alright, you can all go back now! Just be extra careful in your actions and words these next few days."

"yes."

Shen Wantang and the others responded in unison and left together.

Pei Yingzhu was completely unaffected by the situation just now. She was determined to enter the palace and make her presence known to the Emperor and the Crown Prince: "Sister Aning, when shall we set off? It's getting late. Why don't we leave now?"