Chapter 188 Unveiled
After saying that, she seemed to remember something and began to complain: "I say, niece-in-law, why was the congratulatory gift you sent over last time so meager? It was too stingy. I was embarrassed to say that it was a gift from the General's Mansion. People who didn't know better would think that the General's Mansion had fallen on hard times."
Madam Ning said unhappily, "What nonsense are you talking about?"
Yu Qingci calmly replied, "Oh, since Fourth Aunt dislikes it, then I won't send it anymore."
Ma hurriedly waved her hand: "No, no, I was just joking with you, how could you take it seriously? It's been so long since I've seen my niece-in-law, and her little mouth is getting better and better at talking, hehehe."
"By the way, my son is getting married the day after tomorrow. It's inappropriate for my niece-in-law to attend, but my sister-in-law and Yun Chu are more suitable. You must come over for a drink at their wedding!"
Madam Ma looked at Old Madam Ning, who said:
"I'm feeling unwell these days, so I won't go to avoid causing you any trouble. Just have Yun Chu go."
"Anything is fine, everything is fine."
Mr. Ma disagreed with this.
"By the way, did you know that Yunbo from the second branch of the family caused a huge disaster a few days ago? Hehehe, look at my memory. Of course you know about this. Second brother and sister-in-law were so anxious that they came to your door for help."
Let me tell you the story. The person who tricked Yunbo claimed to be an official of the Court of State Ceremonial, saying he had connections to get Yunbo a job there. Well, my second brother's family actually believed him and gave Yunbo a lot of money to "pull strings." In the end, he was tricked into going to a brothel like Furong Tower, a place known for its extravagant spending.
In just one night, Yun Bo owed Furong Tower five thousand taels of silver. Five thousand taels! Can you believe it? Where would Yun Bo get so much money to pay it back? So he was detained…”
Ma told jokes about the second wife incessantly, and Yu Qingci happily joined in.
"I wonder how it went in the end. Did they manage to raise the five thousand taels of silver?"
Madam Ma: "They ransacked the house from top to bottom, sold several houses, shops, and the largest estate, and finally managed to raise enough money to send over. Once Furong Tower received the money, they released Yunbo. The second branch of the family has really suffered a big setback this time."
You don't know, as soon as Yun Bo was released, he went to the Court of State Ceremonial to settle accounts with that person. It turned out that the person really was an official of the Court of State Ceremonial, but he had been transferred to a post outside the capital a few days ago and had already left the capital to take up his new post. Where could we find him? The second brother's family was so angry that they almost vomited blood.
I went there to see them. My second brother's family has been through a lot because of this, especially Yunbo. He's so dejected now, it's unbearable to look at him. Sigh!
Madam Ma looked at Yu Qingci: "I heard that my second brother and sister-in-law came to your door to borrow money, but they couldn't even get into the General's Mansion. I say, my niece-in-law is too heartless. We are family, and blood is thicker than water. Five thousand taels of silver is a huge sum for a family like ours, but it's just a drop in the ocean for my niece-in-law. Why make such a scene?"
If word gets out, the people of the clan will be heartbroken, saying you are heartless and cruel, abandoning those in distress.
Yu Qingci: "How much did Fourth Aunt lend to them?"
Madam Ma choked: "Where would our family get the money to lend them? We're not as wealthy as my niece-in-law. Besides, Bing'er is getting married soon, which is a time when we need money. Where would we find any extra money to lend out?"
Yu Qingci: "So Fourth Aunt is also stingy? Fourth Aunt just said that family members are connected even if they are broken, and there is no more or less? You should be able to lend them at least a few dozen taels."
Ma didn't want to talk to Yu Qingci anymore, but still argued:
“Actually, we don’t need to lend them any money. Five thousand taels of silver seems like a lot, but my second brother and sister-in-law have amassed so much wealth in the General’s Mansion over the years, secretly buying houses and land for themselves. Who knows how much money they have hidden in their pockets? Now that their second son is in trouble, they only sold some of their private property to pay off their debts. They’re not seriously injured, so why would they need our help?”
After saying a few words, Ma turned to look at Yu Qingci, who was sitting there leisurely, engrossed in studying a silk handkerchief embroidered with colorful patterns in her hand, her eyes starting to dart around again.
“I have to say, my niece-in-law is really calm. Your mother has had such a big incident, and you’re still sitting at home? If it were me, I would have run out and taught those gossiping people a lesson.”
Upon hearing this, Yu Qingci paused in her hand, which was twisting the handkerchief, and looked up at Madam Ma:
"What did you say? Who's spreading rumors?"
Upon hearing this, Ma realized something was amiss and said, "How can she be so calm? It turns out she doesn't know that her own mother has been slandered outside."
"You don't know? It seems your niece-in-law stays indoors all day and hasn't heard a thing about the rumors circulating outside?"
Just as Madam Ma finished speaking, Granny Pei, who was standing behind Yu Qingci, suddenly coughed a few times.
Without realizing it, Madam Ma looked over and saw that Granny Pei was staring at her with a fierce and warning look in her eyes.
How could Madam Ma be afraid of an old servant like Granny Pei? She came here today to make things difficult for Yu Qingci. Who told her to be so stingy, earning so much money but kicking them out of the General's Mansion and being so miserly?
Madam Ma smiled at Granny Pei, but her words were directed at Yu Qingci.
“Niece-in-law, I have something to tell you…”
“Young Madam, I forgot that Madam Zhao from Jinxiu Pavilion came over earlier and said she had something to discuss with you. Judging from her expression, could it be that another big customer has come to visit? This is a serious matter. Why don’t you come back to Guanlan Pavilion with me first? I will bring Madam Zhao in to see you right away. We can’t let business be delayed.”
He then stepped forward to help Yu Qingci up.
But how could Ma let her have her way?
Madam Ma: "Granny Pei, are you getting senile? When I came in just now, I clearly saw that Madam Zhao had already left the mansion. Even if you drag your niece-in-law back now, you won't see her. It would be better to let your niece-in-law hear about the latest happenings outside, so that she won't complain to me, her aunt, for not telling her later."
Granny Pei turned cold and said to Madam Ma, "Fourth Madam has been sitting here all afternoon. Your household must be very busy with the wedding celebrations, so we won't keep you here any longer."
The implication is that you should leave.
Madam Ma waved her hands exaggeratedly: "Wait, I haven't finished yet! My niece-in-law's family has had such a big incident and she doesn't even know? So it's you people who are bullying your masters and keeping it from her?"
Yu Qingci was startled and looked at Madam Ma, then at Granny Pei. Seeing the latter's anxious and uneasy expression, she had a bad feeling.
She sat down steadily and said to Madam Ma, "I don't know what happened to my family, so please don't keep me in suspense, Fourth Aunt."
"Young Madam..."
Granny Pei wanted to say something, but was stopped by a sharp look from Yu Qingci.
Madam Ma gave Granny Pei a smug look, then rattled off all the rumors she had heard, and finally kindly said to Yu Qingci:
"It's no wonder my niece-in-law was kept in the dark. You're a young widow, confined to this small world every day. Some people want to keep things from you, how would you know? It's only because I, your fourth aunt, am kind enough to come and tell you."
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