I see.
Qin San Niang finally understood. It turned out that only Granny Liu in the Tan family was of low social status, while Tan An and his wife were both law-abiding citizens. That explained why Mu Chun was so attentive when he came to visit, since Granny Liu lived in her son's house, which wasn't Si's property.
Although the hall was small, it was very elegant. Several chrysanthemums were placed by the door, and they were in full bloom at the moment, their bright colors dazzling.
Before long, the woman came over and said that her mother-in-law had been tidied up, but was too weak to get out of bed and would have to trouble them to move to the next room.
Qin San Niang and the other woman naturally wouldn't say anything, since the reason was perfectly reasonable.
When Qin San Niang saw Granny Liu, even with her mediocre medical skills, she knew that Granny Liu was nearing the end of her life and was just putting on a brave face.
However, although Granny Liu was in poor health, she still knew that the person in front of her was the master's adopted sister and the new mistress of the house.
"Hai, you may leave," Granny Liu said, glancing indifferently at her daughter-in-law.
It turned out that the woman's surname was Hai.
Hai did not agree, but instead walked to the window with a smile and said considerately, "Mother-in-law, let me take care of you here. Your health is not good, and it is difficult for you to even sit up!"
Granny Liu didn't say anything, but it was obvious that she didn't want her there.
Qin San Niang understood and said, "Sister, you can go and do your work without worry. We're just chatting with Aunt Liu, so it won't tire her out."
She spoke calmly, her face bearing an unquestionable expression. Perhaps accustomed to being a big boss, the aura she exuded at this moment was far beyond that of a simple village woman.
"Also, I have some things I'd like to discuss with Tan An. I wonder if he's home?"
Sweeping her with her sharp gaze, Hai choked for a moment. Hearing that she was still looking for Tan An, her eyes flickered again, and she said, "Master, my husband went out to work today, and I don't know when he will be back. You two talk first, and just call me if you need anything."
After saying this, Hai hurriedly went out. Lu Song and Da Wa exchanged a glance, then turned and went out the door, just in time to bump into Hai, who was planning to come back to eavesdrop.
Seeing Lu Song dressed in a tight-fitting outfit and deliberately hanging a dagger at his waist, Hai Shi was taken aback and laughed, "I was just about to go to the backyard... the backyard."
After saying that, he hurriedly walked past Lu Song without waiting for Lu Song's reaction.
After seeing Hai Shi leave, Granny Liu looked up at Qin San Niang and the others, her expression relaxing considerably. "You must be San Niangzi, right? I know you. The master told me about you. You are indeed a capable woman! I should bow to you, but since I'm practically in the grave, I'll break the rules this once."
Qin San Niang wouldn't flaunt her power over the former servants of the Si family just because she now held their indentures. She especially admired these old servants who had been loyal their entire lives.
Qin Sanniang smiled faintly, "Aunt Liu, Brother Si and his family have arrived at their destination safely and are all well, so you don't need to worry."
Granny Liu's cloudy eyes widened in surprise. She looked up abruptly, tears welling up in her eyes. "Good, good! That's wonderful! Young Master is alright, and is Madam alright too?"
Qin San Niang was taken aback. She only knew that Si Li Ren was alright, but the letter didn't mention anything about the others. However, the tone of his letter was very cheerful, so his family must be safe and sound.
Seeing how excited Granny Liu was, Qin San Niang could only nod and say yes.
"That's wonderful! Thank you, Third Sister." Granny Liu's cloudy tears streamed down her pale and deeply lined face.
Once he seemed to have regained some strength, he said to Mu Chun, "Mu Chun, come here and help me move the bedding."
Mu Chun was taken aback, but without hesitation, he stepped forward and moved the bedding next to the bed.
Granny Liu fumbled around on the wooden bed board for a while, then suddenly paused and said, "Remove this upper layer of the template."
Mu Chun did as instructed.
After the wooden board was removed, a hidden compartment was revealed inside. Qin San Niang had known that the bed had a hidden feature since she moved the quilt, but she hadn't expected the hidden compartment to be so exquisite and well-hidden.
As if she could read her mind, Granny Liu said calmly, "This bed was ordered from Jingzhou Prefecture when my old man was alive. These planks can also be made into a coffin. The wood is oil fir, which sinks in water and does not rot in the ground. It was a reward from my grandfather. He was afraid that I wouldn't have a good coffin after I died, so he left me some wood. I had him make this bed for me, so that it can be used as a coffin lid when I die."
Hess, with a smile, drifted into memories; for her, the past was a gentle treatment from time.
Mu Chun took out the small box inside. "Aunt Liu, this is it."
Madam Liu nodded and took out the contents of the box. It turned out to be a thin piece of paper. "Third Miss, the young master entrusted me to give this to you before he left. I should have given it to you a long time ago, but unfortunately, my family is in trouble and my legs are now useless."
After saying that, Granny Liu stuffed the paper into Qin San Niang's hand and gently patted her leg.
"Aunt Liu, there might still be hope for your leg. I know a very skilled doctor; why don't I take you to see him?"
Qin San Niang didn't care about the house deed; instead, she asked about the woman's leg first. Granny Liu suddenly understood why the young master insisted on leaving the shop and house to the young woman in front of him—not only because she had the ability, but also because of her kind heart.
For some time now, Granny Liu hasn't been idle at home. Instead, she's been paying close attention to the operations of Siji Cake Shop, from her anger when the shop changed hands, to the unprecedented prosperity of Ruyi Cake Shop, to Tan San Niang receiving commendation from the prefect for her agricultural work, and the booming business of Ruyi Tavern...
One thing after another, each event made her deeply admire Qin San Niang as her successor. However, just as she was about to hand over the house deed, an accident occurred. She accidentally broke her leg, triggering an old ailment from her youth. Her already fragile health deteriorated at a visible rate…
Granny Liu patted Qin San Niang's hand and shook her head. "Thank you, child, but it's time for me to go. I can't force you to stay. By the way, the other day, my son said the Si residence was haunted, but the feng shui of the house is excellent. He must have been fooled! Not to mention the guardian beasts outside the house, ordinary ghosts can't get in at all!"
Qin San Niang grasped her hand in return, taking the opportunity to feel her pulse, and said, "Aunt Liu, I will definitely investigate this. As for the Si residence, I will not sell it. If Brother Si returns, I will return the residence to him."
Granny Liu wiped away the tears from the corners of her eyes with her withered, tree-like hands. Her lips parted as if she wanted to say something, but in the end, she didn't. She only told them that Tan An had rented a warehouse at the He County dock and that they had to go there to find him.
After bidding farewell to Hai, the group rushed to the He County Wharf.
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