Upon hearing this, Zhao Qingshu curled the corners of his mouth, his face displaying a calm and smug expression.
"Didn't I say it's two hundred taels per time? Payment made immediately. If you can afford it, you can get four thousand seven hundred taels tonight."
Upon hearing this, Zhao Qianlan suddenly squeezed her legs together.
However, she understood the meaning behind Zhao Qingshu's words, and was very happy, also letting out a sigh of relief: "So you've already raised the money?"
Zhao Qingshu smiled and sat down next to Zhao Qianlan: "There's no need to raise any more. We have as many as you want. It all depends on your performance."
Upon hearing his words, Zhao Qianlan's eyes lit up instantly, and a hint of admiration appeared in them.
This is definitely not an act.
Under heaven, he is probably the only one who can casually take out 4,700 taels of silver in a single day without suffering any damage, as if it were just a drop of water.
Feeling the woman's adoration, Zhao Qingshu slowly unbuttoned her clothes: "Not only the money, but I've also taken care of things for you."
Zhao Qianlan didn't stop him; instead, she seemed to be looking forward to it: "Did you really convince her?"
Zhao Qingshu nodded: "Yes, she has no parents and listens to me very well."
"On the other side is my sister, who has long regarded Song Xizhi as a thorn in her side."
Zhao Qianlan was very happy, but she also felt a little sorry for Zeng Yaxian. However, this sense of superiority was quickly overshadowed by her smugness.
“I’ve already made all the preparations. With your help, this plan is flawless. She won’t be able to find any excuses. I’m going to ruin Song Xizhi’s reputation completely.”
"Let her have her hair cut off and stay in Heyan Mountain to spend her days with only the ancient Buddha and the dim lamp, or let her drown in a pig cage so that she can never return to the Marquis's mansion! She can't compete with my daughter at all!"
Zhao Qingshu, his eyes deep and unfathomable, pinched her chin, stretched out his long arm, and took the silk from the square table: "Is this how much you love your daughter?"
Zhao Qianlan willingly allowed her feet to be bound, and hurriedly said, "Of course it's because of you. If it weren't for that troublesome woman, no matter how much we cause trouble when we return to the capital, no one would find out."
Zhao Qingshu was finally satisfied.
He pulled the rope, and the woman's movements changed accordingly.
...
The events that occurred in Madam Zhao's courtyard that day quickly spread.
Even the clothes and bedding of Lady Zhao were covered with ants. The imperial physician said that Lady Zhao did not pay attention to cleanliness. As a result, Consort Liang was furious and stormed off. This detail became known to everyone.
The following day, Consort Li, who had been fighting with Consort Liang for a long time, suddenly invited all the other concubines and ladies to copy Buddhist scriptures together.
Although the Buddhist scripture that Consort Li recently acquired was not as precious as that of Master Yuanhui, it was still copied by a famous monk, and more importantly, it was complete.
The key point is that Consort Li also invited all the ladies she knew, and even Consort Liang herself; Consort Li personally sent someone to invite her.
This sounds like blatant mockery, but it's more like a provocation.
Everyone thought that Consort Liang wouldn't go, but to everyone's surprise, she went against the grain, dressed up in her finest clothes, and looked radiant and happy. She even copied down a lot of Buddhist scriptures.
She only said that as a fellow imperial concubine, copying Buddhist scriptures was for the sake of praying for the well-being of all people, so she must be present.
Consort Li was somewhat surprised, as all the ladies present praised Consort Liang for having the world at heart.
Only Consort Li narrowed her eyes, becoming more wary.
Something is definitely amiss. They're all old foxes, and Consort Liang's behavior is really strange.
As expected.
After the ladies had spent the whole day copying Buddhist scriptures, it was already dark, and they gradually left Consort Li's courtyard.
When Consort Liang and her wives went out, they saw a furtive figure in a secluded corner of the courtyard.
Consort Liang's eyes sharpened in an instant, and she suddenly roared, "Who's there!"
The ladies present were all startled by the sudden turn of events and looked up at the dark figure.
Upon hearing Consort Liang's voice, the figure trembled violently and stumbled, causing something to fall out of the bundle.
He hurriedly picked up his things and ran outside in a panic.
Consort Liang's eyes sharpened: "There's an assassin!"
"Guards! Seize him!"
Upon hearing this, the guards and maids in the courtyard sprang into action, ready to apprehend the fleeing man.
The commotion in the courtyard was so loud that it even drew out Consort Li, who was inside the house.
At this moment, the ladies who had left all turned back, and Consort Li's courtyard was packed with people.
Consort Li, supported by the old woman, walked to Consort Liang's side. Looking at the commotion, she frowned slightly and asked, "What's going on?"
Although Consort Li's title was Li, her appearance was not as beautiful and charming as Consort Liang's, nor was she as youthful as Consort Liang. The signs of aging were visible on her face.
Her family was prominent, and she had long held a high position. Her once heroic appearance now carried a hint of arrogance.
"Consort Liang, what are you trying to do by making such a fuss in my courtyard?"
Consort Liang simply smiled, a smile carrying a deeper meaning: "There was an assassin in my sister's courtyard. I don't know what happened, but the person has been caught. We'll find out once we bring him back for questioning."
When Consort Li turned her head, she saw a maidservant grabbing a person dressed as a eunuch and bringing him in front of her.
Consort Li frowned but remained silent. However, the nanny beside her, upon seeing the captured eunuch, let out a slightly alarmed cry:
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