Song Yue counted the contracts of sale, and not a single one was missing.
She picked up Yun Dong's note and handed it to him. Yun Dong stared in shock, his eyes widening: "Miss?"
"I will not mistreat anyone who is loyal to their master." Song Yue handed her the indenture and then looked at Zhang Mama: "Where are your family members' indentures?"
Granny Zhang was alarmed: "Some are with the Grand Madam, and some are with the Duke."
Song Yue personally retrieved the indentures of Zhang Mama's entire family, held them in her hand, and looked at Zhang Mama with a half-smile: "Remember this, if you are loyal, no one will dare to bully you. If you are not loyal, Wang Mama is an example."
The sinister smile sent chills down Zhang Mama's spine. She dared not harbor any disloyal thoughts and knelt on the ground: "Miss, there is something this old servant needs to report to you. In fact, someone poisoned the food you ate the day before yesterday."
It seems that the threat had a significant effect.
Song Yue said, "I know, it's just Lingyun Grass. It can cause people's pulse to become disordered, making them mistakenly believe that they are pregnant."
As soon as she finished speaking, Zhang Mama was so shocked that a chill ran down her spine. She looked at Song Yue as if she had seen a ghost. The Third Miss actually knew everything!
"This old servant...this old servant deserves to die."
“What’s past is past, I can forgive and forget. From this day forward, you are to be loyal to me,” Song Yue said.
Granny Zhang swore she would never betray him.
Song Yue had no intention of letting the matter of Lingyun Grass go so easily. Her eyes flickered slightly, and a smile played on her lips: "Granny Zhang, these days, whatever Madam Yuan asks you, just do as before. Don't let her see through your act, understand?"
Zhang Mama was quick-witted and immediately understood; "Yes."
The manor was peaceful for two days.
The Moonlit Pavilion has been thoroughly cleaned and tidied up; the interior is beautifully decorated, clearly showing that much effort has been put into its renovation.
She asked, "Does the old woman know where my mother's dowry is?"
She went to the small storeroom; it had long been emptied.
There are only three possibilities: either the Dowager Lady holds it, or the Duke of Jingguo and Yuan Fuling seize it. The possibility of Yuan Fuling seizing it all is very small.
"Replying to the Third Miss, most of the dowry was locked in Ninghui Hall, and a small portion was given to Madam for expenses, especially the shops outside, all of which were given to Madam. Every year, Madam sends some dividends to the Grand Madam as a token of respect."
Just as I expected!
Yuan Fuling was a concubine who rose to power; she didn't actually have that much wealth.
Judging from Yuan Fuling and Song Yao's attire, it's clear they secretly withheld their mother's dowry.
She was determined to make the mother and daughter vomit up everything they ate!
The night was bright
Footsteps came from under the eaves. Ling Yi lowered her voice and said, "Miss, the Eighth Prince is here."
Song Yue frowned. Why is the Eighth Prince here so late?
Despite my hesitation, I let them in anyway.
Zhao Zhiyan cleared his throat and said, "Your bodyguards are quite dutiful."
"Thank you for your kind words, Eighth Imperial Uncle. May I ask what brings you here so late at night?" Song Yue asked.
She couldn't believe that someone could be so free.
Zhao Zhiyan clenched his fist and pressed it to his lips, his gentle eyes looking at her: "What exactly did you say when my brother summoned you a few days ago?"
Um?
Why is even Zhao Zhiyan so gossipy?
"Since that day, my brother suddenly stopped conscripting soldiers, reduced the number of troops, and allocated a lot of silver to the soldiers."
Since the Northern Chu Emperor ascended the throne, anyone who obstructs the conscription of soldiers will be severely punished.
In the past two years, hundreds of thousands of soldiers have been conscripted, but suddenly the conscription was abandoned and some of them were released.
The sudden change was truly unexpected.
After thinking it over, he could only guess that it was Song Yue: "You told the Emperor that your mother left the Southern Frontier?"
“No.” Song Yue shook her head and answered truthfully: “I only said that if the emperor continues to conscript soldiers, the people will cry out in despair. Once war breaks out, the Southern Frontier will definitely take their anger out on my mother and kill her to vent their anger.”
Zhao Zhiyan suddenly realized, why didn't he think of giving advice like this?
His gaze toward Song Yue held a hint of admiration: "There's one more thing. How did you know your mother was still alive?"
Song Yue was only three months old at the time, and not many people knew the inside story.
Song Yue blurted out, "It was my mother who appeared to me in a dream."
Zhao Zhiyan didn't believe a word of her words. Seeing that she was unwilling to talk about it, he stopped asking. He did know what had happened at the Duke of Jingguo's mansion in the past few days, and he secretly sighed that Song Yue was both intelligent and prickly.
Like a hedgehog.
Zhao Zhiyan suddenly realized this was her way of protecting him. He sighed softly and said gently, "It's truly not easy for someone so young. Since it was entrusted to you by your cousin, I will protect you to some extent. If you need anything..."
"Eighth Imperial Uncle, I would like to borrow some money."
Before he could finish speaking, Song Yue interrupted him immediately, staring at him sincerely and holding up three fingers. Zhao Zhiyan's eyelids twitched: "Thirty thousand taels?"
Song Yue nodded obediently, feeling a little uneasy. What if Zhao Zhiyan rejected her?
"OK!"
Unexpectedly, Zhao Zhiyan readily agreed and turned to disappear into the night.
Song Yue also breathed a sigh of relief. Without money to protect herself in the mansion, she would be unable to move an inch, and the people under her might not be willing to do things for her.
…
Night deepened
Qionghua Courtyard next door
A figure in black quietly entered, and the maidservant curtsied to the newcomer: "Young Master."
Song Yao looked up in surprise, then hurriedly turned her back and grabbed a handkerchief to wipe away her tears. Song Hengchuan walked over anxiously: "Yao Yao, what's wrong?"
"No, it's nothing." Song Yao turned around, her red and swollen eyes betraying her emotions. She choked back tears. "Big brother, why are you here?"
Song Hengchuan was forced to kneel for two days, and his knees were sore and swollen. But as soon as he heard that Yuehua Pavilion had been vacated and that Song Yue had been causing trouble these past two days, he immediately came to visit Song Yao.
Seeing Song Yao's eyes redden, Song Hengchuan wished he could tear the culprit to pieces!
"She shouldn't have come back in the first place!"
“Brother, don’t say that. She is also a daughter of the Duke’s mansion. She has been raised outside for more than ten years and has already suffered enough. As her older sister, what’s wrong with me giving in to her…” After Song Yao finished speaking, the maid immediately said, “Miss, you are just too kind, which is why you are bullied. The Third Miss took advantage of her trip to the palace and forced the Duke to order that you not be allowed to get close to the Prince of Zhennan. You and the Prince are childhood sweethearts. The Third Miss just can’t stand to see you doing well, so she takes your things from you everywhere. You have been crying for a day and a night because of this.”
"Qinghe, shut up!" Song Yao scolded softly.
The light lotus leaves fell silent.
Surprised, Song Hengchuan clenched his fists tightly after realizing what had happened: "Damn it! How could she be so ignorant? Yao Yao, don't worry, what belongs to you will not be taken away by her."
"Big brother?"
"Don't worry about anything else. In my heart, you are the most noble young lady in the Duke of Jingguo's mansion." After comforting her, Song Hengchuan got up and left.
Song Yao watched his retreating figure, a mocking smile playing on her lips.
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