Upon hearing this, Zhao Qianlan's face showed utmost gratitude. She tightly grasped Madam Zhao's hand, her expression full of helplessness: "Thank you for your understanding, sister-in-law."
“Even if Song Xizhi isn’t my biological daughter, it’s ultimately my fault for not disciplining her properly, which led her to do such a thing… even… even…”
She stopped mid-sentence, as if she were too embarrassed to continue, and could not finish her sentence.
Madam Zhao frowned in confusion: "Even what?"
Zhao Qianlan recalled the scheme she had recently devised, paused for a moment, and her previously closed eyes darkened slightly: "Even Song Xizhi is shameless!"
“Although my son-in-law is bedridden, he is still alive! But Song Xizhi actually had an affair with another man at such an important moment as the Fengshan ceremony!”
Madam Zhao's eyes widened, and her grip on Zhao Qianlan's hand tightened instantly. She almost screamed in disbelief, "What did you say?"
"This is the Fengshan Ceremony! It's an imperial decree ordering everyone to bathe, purify themselves, and cultivate their character. I was merely bitten by an insect, and that's already a great disrespect... How dare Song Xizhi do that?!"
Zhao Qianlan's voice grew increasingly low, her eyes filled with tears: "As her mother, I am truly angry at her lack of ambition and saddened by her misfortune!"
"I'd rather die than see her like this! It's all my fault!"
Madam Zhao was seething with hatred. In her life, what she hated most was a fickle woman! Especially not on such a grand occasion as the Fengshan Ceremony!
Her parents were away fighting in the war, and the two of them were originally deeply in love and were recognized as a perfect couple, a story that was widely admired.
But because of her father, he met a pretentious woman outside. The woman spread rumors and caused her mother to be exhausted on the battlefield, and even lost a city.
Her father, upon learning the truth, was filled with despair and remorse. He fought desperately to recapture the five cities, but also died on the battlefield.
The city was retaken, but she no longer had a home.
Thinking of this, Madam Zhao's eyes were already filled with tears: "It's not your fault, it's not your fault, it's Song Xizhi and that man's fault!"
Feeling the closeness of Madam Zhao, Zhao Qianlan thought to herself that her cousin's suggestion was really useful.
My cousin said we can't use hatred to sway this woman; we have to use genuine affection to coax her.
Zhao Qianlan felt a mix of secret joy and amusement. She slowly wiped away her tears, her eyes hardening. "So this can't go on. As her mother, I can't let her continue like this."
Zhao Qianlan grasped Madam Zhao's hand in return:
"Are you willing to be my witness? You happen to be in the same courtyard as Song Xizhi. Tell her that you saw her having an affair with a man, and that Consort Liang should confine her to her quarters. That's the only way to stop her completely and prevent her from going down the wrong path."
Madam Zhao was taken aback: "Me? You want me to speak?"
It wasn't that she didn't hate Song Xizhi; she wished he were dead!
But she had never seen anything like it, yet she was about to give false testimony in front of everyone, which was far too risky!
Having already suffered one defeat at the hands of Song Xizhi, I can't afford to lose my life too, can I?
Zhao Qianlan shook her head, tears welling up in her eyes: "But she did it, whether you saw it or not, she did it. Can you understand a mother's painstaking efforts?"
Madam Zhao was silent for a moment, then suddenly thought of her mother who had died on the battlefield: "Let me sort this out."
Zhao Qianlan sighed: "I really have no other choice. I can't let her make the same mistake again."
The two chatted for a while longer before they heard some noise outside the door.
Both women wiped away their tears. The old nanny opened the wooden door and was somewhat surprised to see who had come in: "Young master?"
She lowered her voice: "What brings you here?"
Zhao Qingshu's face was full of worry. He seemed to have come in a hurry and was still a little out of breath: "It's alright. I heard about what happened before, so I came. Consort Liang won't blame me."
He hurriedly went into the house.
Upon seeing this, Madam Zhao almost got out of bed. She felt sweet and her joy was palpable.
For some reason, ever since she came to Heyan Mountain, even her husband has become more attentive to her.
The man arrived; he was tall and moved with great force, making the room feel small and cramped.
Seeing this, Zhao Qianlan said to Madam Zhao, "Since my cousin is here, it's not convenient for me to stay here. You two can catch up."
After saying this, she simply lowered her head, stood up, gave Zhao Qingshu a polite yet distant bow, and then hurriedly left.
Zhao Qingshu still looked somewhat surprised. He walked to the chair where Zhao Qianlan had sat, sat down by himself, and asked, "Who was that person just now?"
Madam Zhao explained to him, and then recounted what Zhao Qianlan had just said.
Upon hearing her explanation, Zhao Qingshu nodded in understanding: "Oh, so she's a distant cousin from the clan. She came to visit you; she's really kind-hearted."
Madam Zhao felt the same way, but she still hesitated: "I shared a room with Song Xi, and she asked me to be a witness. Although I hate her and wish I could get rid of her as soon as possible, if this hadn't happened, I would be the one who would be doomed forever."
Zhao Qingshu tucked the blankets in with concern and gave Madam Zhao a slight smile: "I feel that she has good intentions. It wouldn't hurt for you to agree to her request. You are so kind; you're just doing this for the pleasure of helping others."
Madam Zhao's eyes widened: "Husband, do you think this is a good idea? Then I'll do as you say."
Zhao Qingshu nodded: "Yes, go ahead and do it."
As he spoke, he suddenly straightened his back and straightened his expression: "In the past, my father-in-law and mother-in-law sacrificed their lives for the country, their bodies wrapped in horsehide. His Majesty comforted the Zeng family and issued a pension. How much silver do you have left now?"
Madam Zhao was both puzzled and surprised: "Husband, do you need money? I used my dowry to raise three thousand taels of silver for the restaurant you used to run, and now there's not much left."
Zhao Qingshu took her hand and sat down on the edge of the bed: "As you know, the restaurant I run has made a lot of money."
Madam Zhao nodded: "I know the restaurant makes money."
Zhao Qingshu added, "So I want to open a second one, but all my cash is tied up in the first restaurant, so I still need a lot of money. I'll give you a share of the profits later."
Madam Zhao pondered for a moment: "Approximately how much do you need?"
Without hesitation, Zhao Qingshu answered with a number: "Four thousand seven hundred taels of silver. If you can raise more, six thousand taels will be fine too, and that will make me more financially secure."
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