Chapter 128 Delivered to the Door
On both sides of the street, in addition to the vendors setting up stalls to make a living, there are also many young and old people squatting in a corner of the market waiting for some odd jobs, such as delivering letters, carrying rice, and running errands.
However, the news that my grandparents were sick had spread throughout Qingshi Town. Although no one knew what the specific disease was, almost everyone assumed it was contagious. Therefore, when the mistress went out to the street to look for people to help, almost everyone gave way.
"A bunch of cowards who don't know how to make money. They deserve to die in poverty!"
The mistress covered her mouth and nose with her handkerchief and stood aside with a gloomy look on her face. She could smell the sweat of these smelly men before she even felt uncomfortable getting close to them. Instead, she was afraid that she would be infected with their illness.
But even though she despised it, she didn't dare to accept such a serious job, for fear that she would be infected accidentally. Where would she find someone to help her? The mistress didn't want to have any close contact with the concubine.
"Madam, you're looking for someone to work for you? What do you think of me?"
An old man dressed as a homeless man volunteered. Normally, he would compete with these young people for work, but he would usually lose. After all, who would prefer to hire someone young and strong to run errands? Now, what these young people were afraid to do was his chance.
The mistress frowned fiercely. It wasn't that she was being picky, but the old man was quite old. If he wasn't nimble, it would be useless to hire him back...
"Don't look at my age, I'm very brave. I dare to take on any job and do any work."
The old man patted his chest. The meaning of his words was clear: he was not afraid of any infectious diseases.
You wouldn't expect him to be someone who values money over his life, but after living like this for most of his life, it's really almost the end of him... The mistress reluctantly acted like a kind person and nodded slightly.
The old man followed the mistress back to the courtyard and quickly placed the concubine on the cart. The concubine was not in a half-dead state to begin with, and she secretly cooperated with many of the movements, saving the old man a lot of effort.
Back in the courtyard, Cheng Wei Yao did not set up her stall today for the first time in her life. She stayed at home waiting for someone from her grandparents' family to come and fall into her trap. She guessed that it would only take a few days for the turtle to give in.
"Sister-in-law, you've been working so hard to help me study. Do you want to take a break?"
Wen Chengming was a considerate person and wanted to pour a glass of water for Cheng Weiyao. In the past, his sister-in-law would take care of the study, while his elder sister or mother would accompany him to study.
This time, my sister-in-law finally had a chance to rest, but she had to distract herself and take care of herself. It was really hard.
"I'm not tired, just read the book, don't worry about me."
Cheng Weiyao rubbed Wen Chengming's little head, but her mind was on her own stall.
Although she did not go there in person, persistence is the key to doing business. The imperial concubine volunteered to take Wen Liyu with her. The tea eggs were braised the night before, so there was no need to worry.
However, the steamed buns for Roujiamo are usually made as they are purchased. Although I baked some in advance, based on past sales figures, I'm afraid it still won't be enough. Even though Cheng Weiyao had taught the Imperial Concubine how to bake steamed buns before leaving, she was still a little anxious.
The door of the courtyard was suddenly knocked rudely. Cheng Weiyao's eyes flashed. It must be someone from her grandfather's house. She quickly got into the role and went to open the door with a nonchalant and arrogant face.
"Why are you knocking? Someone died in the family? You have no manners at all..."
The mistress was waiting outside for Cheng Weiyao to open the door. She felt a little uncomfortable when she heard the tone of indirect criticism, but considering that she could get rid of the mess of her concubine soon, she reluctantly endured it.
When Cheng Weiyao opened the door, she saw her mistress's face with a handkerchief covering her mouth and nose, unable to hide her disgust. She raised her eyebrows and tried to close the gate again with her arm.
The mistress was dumbfounded. Wasn't the Prince of Qingping's mansion eagerly waiting for the concubine to return and live there? Why did she just show up and then close the door without even asking a single question...
"Wait a minute, I came here specially to send someone to you. I can't just treat you to some good tea, but at least you can't be so rude, right?"
The mistress held up the courtyard door with one hand, and her domineering aura was unconsciously weakened by this joke.
Seeing that there was no way to close the door, Cheng Weiyao simply leaned against the door and blocked the way in with her body. She glanced at the old man watching the show on the side and the concubine in the cart who said nothing, and retorted coldly.
"I don't think your family is very reasonable either. I want a living person, not a half-dead burden. A piece of paper to release a concubine has caused a huge trouble. Grandfather is indeed a good businessman!"
The mistress was so angry at Cheng Weiyao's sharp tongue that her nose was crooked. Her eyes rolled and she instantly had an idea.
"You're just a junior, and I won't bother with your rude words. But what about your old lady? Your own mother is here, so how can you just turn her away? It shows that your family affection is very indifferent. If word gets out, I'm afraid you'll raise an ungrateful person..."
The mistress's plan was obvious. Cheng Weiyao, the married-in daughter-in-law, naturally had no feelings for her concubine, but to the imperial concubine, she was her closest blood relative and her biological mother.
The government has long had laws stipulating that children must be filial to their parents. If children are unwilling to support their parents, beat and insult their elders, or even abandon them when they are seriously ill and bedridden, they can sue the government and have the case brought to justice.
As for whether they would be tattooed on their faces, have their noses cut off, or be paraded through the streets after being arrested, she had no control over that.
"I'm sorry, but I'm afraid your plan will be in vain. My mother is not at home. I told you last time that if you want us to take my concubine home, you must bring the letter of release as a concubine. Are you coming here to force someone in?"
Although Cheng Weiyao didn't know much about the laws of this dynasty, in order to prevent her grandfather's family from taking advantage of loopholes, she also read some of the laws of the current dynasty while accompanying Wen Chengming to review his lessons.
According to the law, if a husband abuses his concubine and causes injury, the crime will be two levels lighter than if he injures his wife. If a husband abuses his concubine and causes death, he will be beaten with 100 boards and exiled for three years. If the mistress abuses the concubine, she will be dealt with in the same way as the husband.
In other words, no matter how you look at it, the sentence is not severe. As a concubine, Auntie will suffer a loss. The most urgent thing is to get the letter of release as a concubine in her hand.
"Of course I brought the letter of release, but I have to say this beforehand: once the arrow is shot, there is no turning back. Now that you have taken this person, you can't go back and give it back to us!"
Seeing that Cheng Weiyao was willing to accept it, disdain flashed in the mistress's eyes.
No wonder Cheng Weiyao was so arrogant. It turned out that she was taking advantage of the fact that no one was home, so the monkey was the king...
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