After dinner, Yin and Qingyan returned to the mansion. As soon as they entered, they went straight to the study.

"Fourth Brother, what agreement did you reach with the Jue Luo clan?" Qingyan was very curious. The fact that Fei Yanggu and Yin agreed at the same time must have brought huge benefits.

Yin smiled slightly. This girl hadn't relaxed for a long time. It has to be said that Yargan is smart. She understands that if she doesn't let go of the benefits she has, Yin will definitely complain.

Recently, Emperor Kangxi secretly investigated how many of the concubines in the residences of his officials were colluding with salt merchants. Ejeku was clearly defying the order and was even more despicable than Longkodo.

"Want to plead for mercy?!" Yin had long anticipated that the Jue Luo clan would not let go of any opportunity. Ejeku had been protected too well, which was why all sorts of problems arose.

Qingyan nodded. Jueluo kept explaining, but she didn't want to listen to a word. She lay listlessly on Yin's back, her little face scrunched up. She really didn't want her mother to come to the mansion to plead for her like before.

As midnight approached, Yin finally calmed Qingyan down. For the next few days, she was on tenterhooks, fearing that Lady Jue Luo would come directly to plead for mercy.

In the afternoon, Yin returned after finishing his business at the Ministry of Revenue. Qingyan had a bitter face and was holding a letter written by the Jueluo clan. The letter instructed Qingyan to be in charge of the headdresses for the future female members of the Jueluo clan, but the cost of the headdresses would have to be borne by their household.

"Fourth Brother..." Yin stepped forward, took the letter, and quickly glanced at its contents. He felt sorry for Xiao Guai.

"As my mother-in-law said, prepare the jewelry and the money from the mansion!" Yin didn't want Qingyan to be unhappy. She had a heavy burden on her shoulders. In the past few years, Yuelai Inn had become a major source of information for the royal family, and Qingyan had become even stricter in some aspects of management.

Qingyan gave a bitter smile, and her small hand gripped his tightly.

“Little darling, a problem that can be solved with silver is not a problem!” Yin replied domineeringly.

********************

The next morning, Qingyan had breakfast and was just about to deal with the affairs of the mansion when Sulan came in to inform Qingyan that Lady Jueluo had arrived!

In an instant, Qingyan felt dizzy and disoriented. How did her mother get here?

I haven't heard that Ejeku was punished. Yinzhi and Ama must have let him go.

"Please come in." Qingyan sighed helplessly. Her mother had come, and she couldn't very well refuse to let her into the mansion.

Dressed in a pine-colored palace gown and wearing three-inch flowerpot shoes, Jue Luo walked in quickly. When she saw Xiao Guai, she acted as if she had seen a relative.

"My little darling," Qingyan glanced at her and saw that Jueluo's eyes were red and swollen, as if she had been crying bitterly. "You must help your mother!"

Qingyan was stunned. What was she making a fuss about now?

"What's wrong?" Qingyan looked at her with a puzzled expression, then glanced at Sulan behind Jueluo.

I hope they can explain. This time, Su Lan was also a little confused. Nothing has happened to the Ulanara clan recently.

The master and servant exchanged a glance, both feeling puzzled. Who was it?

"Little darling, let Sulan go out first." Jue Luo's tears fell, and Qingyan couldn't help but soften his heart.

She nodded, and Su Lan, still worried, retreated to the doorway to wait. Jue Luo Shi wiped away her tears.

"Mother, what's wrong?" Qingyan rarely saw the vulnerable Jue Luo clan, and she couldn't help but worry even more.

Jue Luo smiled bitterly. Jue Luo also had legitimate daughters. Ejeku was not very capable, but his daughters were all beautiful. The Jue Luo clan had agreed to raise these girls well, preparing them to seek benefits for the family at crucial moments.

She received a letter from her niece, saying that she was to be given to Prince An as a concubine.

What?!

As soon as the words were spoken, Qingyan was stunned. Prince An?!

"Yue Le?!" Qingyan questioned.

Jue Luo nodded helplessly. This was Ejeku's eldest legitimate daughter, and this year she had just reached the age for the imperial concubine selection. Many princes of the imperial clan were eyeing her, and considering her appearance and looks, taking her into their harem was also an option.

Furthermore, now that Qingyan has secured her position in the Fourth Prince's residence, if she could establish a relationship with the Jue Luo clan, she should be able to get even closer to the Fourth Prince.

Damn it!

Qingyan was indignant. She still remembered the person her mother had mentioned, who was a year younger than her. Now, she was actually giving him away like a gift.

"Little darling, you must save her." Jue Luo felt uneasy. Recently, Ezheku had been avoiding her. Even though Jue Luo had promised to continue providing jewelry for the Jue Luo clan, she still hadn't gotten Ezheku to relent.

"Mother, what request have you agreed to this time?" Qingyan asked, stroking his chin.

Jue Luo nodded and explained the matter of the headdress. Qing Yan then understood that Ezheku was greedy and would definitely not let them go so easily. Now, in the eyes of the Jue Luo clan, Xiao Guai was a huge gold mine. Unless he got a number that satisfied them, he would not give in.

"That's enough. What else do they want besides this?" Qingyan understood that the other party must have made a request, and Feiyanggu disagreed, so Jueluo Shi came to her for help.

Ejeku not only demanded that the headdresses and jewelry of his female relatives be provided free of charge, but he also refused to accept any payment from his female relatives when they ordered headdresses and jewelry from Linglong Pavilion, regardless of their grade. Furthermore, he would give priority to those who ordered the unique grade headdresses and jewelry.

Hehe!

Qingyan had an icy expression. Was Ejeku trying to tell everyone that the Jueluo clan would make decisions about the Ulanara clan's assets?

"Mother, does he want to order jewelry even faster than the royal family?" Qingyan has orders from the imperial concubines, which are gifts from their families. These are the ones that are prioritized for production.

Jue Luo's face paled. Her daughter's words were a bit extreme, but that was also normal.

"Little darling, we don't need to agree to this one, but can we...?" Jue Luo pondered, ultimately deciding against comparing Ejeku with the royal women, but still able to satisfy the first two conditions.

"Mother, do you know how many pieces of jewelry Uncle takes in a year? If we let it go unchecked, your share of the profits would probably be enough to make up for all of them!" Qingyan sighed, her mother knew nothing about what was going on outside, and even wanted to help.

impossible!

Jue Luo looked incredulous; how could her own brother have used so much silver?

"Don't be skeptical, Uncle has mistresses too. His female relatives are definitely not limited to those in the mansion." As a junior, Qingyan didn't want to talk too much about her elder's affairs.

Jue Luo's face turned purple; her younger brother was so disappointing.

Keeping a mistress!

Emperor Kangxi issued a decree prohibiting members of the imperial family, the imperial clan, and court officials from keeping mistresses.

"Little darling, you can't talk nonsense like that!" Jue Luo Shi didn't want to believe her younger brother could be that kind of person, and quickly tried to explain. Qing Yan smiled; her soft-heartedness really was hereditary. (To be continued. If you like this work, please vote for it on Qidian. Your support is my greatest motivation. Mobile users please go to m.qidian.com to read.)