The woman cautiously glanced up at him, then, as if stung by something, quickly lowered her head and said tremblingly, "I've thought it through."
After saying that, she felt it wasn't enough, and fearing that she hadn't shown enough sincerity, she added, "Whatever Your Excellency wants to know, I will tell you everything I know without reservation, and I will not dare to hide anything."
She looked hopefully at the hem of the man's robe: "I beg Your Excellency to have mercy and grant this humble person a way to live."
Wei Qinglou asked calmly, "Who arranged for Yao Ji to be assigned to Jiang Qi?"
The woman seemed surprised by his question. After a moment of astonishment, she forced a smile and said, "What are you saying, sir? I don't understand. Miss Yaoji, wasn't she personally chosen by Young Master Jiang to stand before you?"
She felt bitter inside, resenting Yao Ji for telling Wei Qinglou everything. Now that Yao Ji had climbed the social ladder and become successful, had she completely forgotten about the madam who had raised her? How could she be so inconsiderate of her life and death, revealing everything to Wei Qinglou!
If she ever gets the chance to leave this dark and dreary place, she'll definitely stand in front of Yao Ji and teach her a lesson she won't forget.
As she thought this, she secretly observed Wei Qinglou's reaction. Of course, she had considered that if she wanted to make an exchange with Wei Qinglou, she would inevitably have to give up something. But when it really involved her life, she still dared not take the risk.
Wei Qinglou is indeed terrifying, but that other guy is no pushover either.
If she really tells the truth, she'll probably be assassinated the moment she leaves.
Wei Qinglou chuckled lightly. He put down the documents in his hand and looked coldly at the woman below the hall: "Yin Qiuniang, you don't want to offend either side. Do you think you can please both of them? You've been running Yaoxuelou for over ten years. Everyone who knows you says you're shrewd and clever. How come you can't see things clearly when it comes to yourself?"
"You're afraid of that person, but not me?"
In the dim candlelight, the young civil official's eyebrows and eyes appeared like jade, warm and clear, but from beginning to end, after Yin Qiuniang glanced at him once, she dared not look up again.
Of course she was afraid; otherwise, she wouldn't have been able to endure it for just a few days.
"You went through a period of hardship in your childhood, and then you came to Yaoxuelou and lived a life of luxury for more than ten years. What? Hasn't the decadence and extravagance of these past ten years corrupted your heart? Are you still willing to live in the pain and fear of not knowing when you will die, just like you did in your childhood?"
“If that’s the case, then I have to admire you.” Wei Qinglou’s tone was calm, and his voice, like him, was cool yet gentle, as if a spring breeze was blowing gently when he spoke.
But when Yin Qiuniang heard him say that, she didn't dare to have any romantic thoughts. She could only think of the constant screams in the prison these days, and the scene of the prisoners being dragged out by the guards, covered in blood and covered in wounds.
She asked herself honestly, although she ran a brothel, she had never done anything heinous. If she were to suffer the same fate as those criminals, she would not be able to die in peace.
But is Wei Qinglou reasonable?
If he were reasonable, she wouldn't be in this situation now.
She recalled the comments made by the young men in the pleasure quarters about Wei Qinglou, such as "a young man as pure as white jade." She lowered her eyes and said hatefully, "He is clearly a demon, a devil!"
“That one…” Yin Qiu Niang shuddered, “is Chang Bei Qiu, Grand Tutor Chang.”
Wei Qinglou nodded in satisfaction.
Yao Ji's information was too vague: a person with a red mark on their hand, and it was unclear whether the mark was temporary or permanent. He really didn't want to bother searching for such a person. Rather than searching for a needle in a haystack, it would be simpler and more direct to interrogate Yin Qiu Niang.
Of course, he didn't expect Yin Qiuniang to have such poor mental fortitude. However, after being locked up for a few days, without even resorting to torture, he only used verbal threats, and she actually confessed.
Chang Beiqiu knew that the old scoundrel who had always opposed his father was someone the two of them constantly clashed in court, so it was understandable that he would set his sights on him.
He smiled and said to the guard, "Take her back and treat her well. Don't let Madam Yin suffer in prison."
Yin Qiuniang was shocked and frowned as she looked at Wei Qinglou: "Didn't Lord Wei promise me that as long as I tell you everything I know, you will spare my life?"
Wei Qinglou looked at her with amusement: "When did I ever promise you such a thing? Besides, is this all you know? Madam Yin, if you want something, you must first understand one principle: sincerity brings results. Moreover, didn't I instruct them to take good care of you? I didn't take your life, so how can you say that I won't let you live?"
After he finished speaking, he waved his hand, and the guards, seeing this, quickly took Yin Qiuniang away, giving him no chance to argue.
"Young master, the madam has sent me to invite you back for dinner." After the guards left, the servant who had been waiting outside tiptoed in and said to Wei Qinglou.
"Is Mother waiting for me again? Didn't I tell her that I wouldn't have to wait for me anymore since I'll be working at the government office from now on?"
The servant looked distressed and said, "That's true, but you know how Madam is. Once she's made up her mind, no one can persuade her otherwise. The Duke said that if you're really busy with official duties, you can take the files back to the manor; that will be the same."
Normally, Wei Qinglou might have actually taken the case file back, but today he had just learned about Chang Beiqiu from Yin Qiuniang, and he was clearly much more interested in Chang Beiqiu than the case file.
He stood up with his hands behind his back and said calmly, "No need."
After he returned home and had his meal with his parents, a servant came to him and reported, "The people from the Yan family have arrived. They say they have prepared a generous gift for you, young master. It has already been delivered to your door. The servant in charge of delivering the gift said that you must go to receive it in person."
...
The moon hung above the willow tree tips, and the chirping of crickets in the grass had barely begun when Green Kite excitedly ran back to the courtyard from the front yard. The embroidery that Manager Liao had arranged had been delivered!
She couldn't wait to tell the young lady the good news.
Although Zhu Jiayu was also happy, she wasn't as excited as her. She simply said, "Bring the things here, and I'll take stock of them."
Green Kite agreed, then turned and led the people to carry large and small bags into the yard.
Zhu Jiayu categorized the embroidered garments according to their patterns and designs. Then, she instructed Lüzheng and several maids from Chunshan Residence to deliver the embroidered garments and other items to the various courtyards. The remaining items were for Song Jiangmei, but it was too late to deliver them today, so they would have to wait until tomorrow.
She took a slow breath. Whether the embroidery workshop could be settled in Heling City depended on how well this battle went.
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