Chapter 125: Not an easy person to deal with
"That painting was originally drawn by the girl for Granny Zhong." Xier said.
Chang Sui'an was stunned: "So, that painting was really painted by Ningning?"
Xier nodded.
Although Chang Kuo had thought about this possibility, he looked at his daughter in confusion at this moment: "If that's the case... then why didn't anyone notice it just now in Dengtai Tower?"
"Because I am indeed good at two types of handwriting, but I just never told anyone about it before." Chang Suining had no choice but to say: "I copied Princess Chongyue's handwriting, and the painting in the building imitated the style of Her Royal Highness the Princess—"
He added, "Plus, the painting they found was from last year. Although it was only half a year ago, I have experienced a lot in the past six months and have forgotten many things from the past. My personality has changed, so the works I paint are no longer the same. And because I deliberately tried to match the style of Her Royal Highness the Princess when I painted the painting, I was able to conceal it from the public."
In this regard, Chang Kuo was relatively easy to fool. He knew nothing about calligraphy and painting. After hearing Chang Suining's explanation, he nodded in understanding.
He breathed a sigh of relief: "Fortunately, Ningning has this previously unknown ability, otherwise it would be hard to explain today."
After a pause, he looked at his daughter and said, "It can be considered as the blessing of the spirit of Her Royal Highness the Princess in heaven."
Chang Suining: "...I think so."
She did not dwell on the topic of blessing herself, but asked: "But... who is that Granny Zhong?"
It was obvious that she was mentally ill, and she had no problem using this to her advantage.
Xier replied, "Mrs. Zhong was the housekeeper in the girl's courtyard. She watched the girl grow up. She took care of her daily life. The girl has been very close to her since she was a child."
The year is peaceful and clear.
There is no mistress in the Chang family, so it would be reasonable to have an older personal maid to take care of Ah Li.
She asked, "Where is this Granny Zhong now?"
"Granny Zhong passed away last winter."
Xier's tone was somewhat sad, and she carefully watched her girl's reaction, fearing that the sad things would be brought up, but at this moment she had to continue talking -
"Granny Zhong has been ill for a long time. Last year, she took the initiative to go to a farm outside the city to recuperate, because she didn't want the girl to see her sad... The girl later followed her to the farm. Manager Bai and Mr. Lang invited the best doctor in the city to stay by Granny Zhong's side, but it was still..."
"Before she died, Granny Zhong said that she wanted to be buried in her hometown in Bingzhou after her death. So after Granny Zhong passed away, her son carried the coffin back to her hometown—"
"Before sealing the coffin, the girl personally placed some of Granny Zhong's usual belongings into the coffin. The painting was the one the girl drew for Granny Zhong to be buried with her."
Chang Kuo frowned: "Then it should be in Zhong's tomb... Why did it appear in the capital?"
"I know!" Chang Sui'an said confidently, "It must be Wu Lin's doing!"
"Wu Lin?" Chang Suining thought for a moment and asked, "Grandma Zhong's son?"
Chang Sui'an nodded: "Yes, it turns out Ningning still remembers him!"
Chang Suining: “…”
It's impossible to remember. I just made a random guess based on what Xier just said.
Xier took over the conversation and said, "When Wu Lin was working in the mansion before, he always loved to be sneaky and cunning. He relied on the favor of Granny Zhong and often bullied the servants... If it weren't for Granny Zhong's control, I don't know what he would be like."
"Before she died, Granny Zhong proposed to redeem Wu Lin and let him return home. She was probably afraid that he would cause trouble after her death."
Chang Kuo also hummed and said, "Mrs. Zhong is a smart person, but her son is indeed hopeless."
Seeing that his daughter valued the Zhong family, he also thought about asking Manager Bai to train Wu Lin, but that boy was not up to the task.
"I asked Manager Bai to return Wu Lin's indenture. I didn't charge him any money for redemption. In addition, I gave him another sum of money according to my sister's wishes. With Granny Zhong's previous savings, he should be able to live comfortably even if he returns to the countryside in Bingzhou!" Chang Sui'an said disdainfully, "How could he even open his own mother's coffin!"
Opening the coffin to take the burial objects, this could not have been done by an outsider! "Besides being sneaky and cunning, does he have any bad habits?" Chang Suining asked, "For example, gambling?"
"He doesn't gamble, but he..." Chang Sui'an paused in the middle of his speech and his face suddenly turned red.
Chang Suining said "Oh" with understanding: "That is indeed a hobby that costs a lot of money. I'm afraid he has already taken all the things in the coffin."
Chang Sui'an looked inexplicably panicked... My sister understood now? !
Chang Kuo coughed lightly and said seriously, "Someone must have gone to Bingzhou to find him, specifically to inquire about Ningning's private affairs—"
Chang Suining then asked Xier, "Does he know about my relationship with Zhou Ding?"
Xier nodded, her face not looking good: "Once Granny Zhong told me to be more careful and not let the girl be deceived by Zhou Ding... When I left, I saw him hiding behind the wall furtively, as if he was eavesdropping."
"That's him!" Chang Kuo slapped the coffee table, "This money-hungry guy!"
As he said that, he called Manager Bai to come forward and said, "...Send someone to Bingzhou to get him secretly. Even if Wu Lin hides in a rat hole, we must dig deep into the ground to catch him!"
Manager Bai agreed.
"He doesn't sound like a smart person. I don't think we can get any useful clues from him." Chang Suining said, "But this kind of traitor who doesn't know how to live or die should be found as soon as possible--"
Otherwise, who knows how much of the master's family's secrets would be leaked out.
Chang Sui'an couldn't help but say: "This kind of person is a nuisance wherever he goes. We shouldn't have let him go back to his hometown in the first place!"
Chang Suining also agreed with this statement, but it was meaningless to say it now: "Just take it as a lesson for me."
Chang Kuo asked: "Regarding the matter of the Xie family tonight...does Ning Ning have any suspicions?"
Chang Suining nodded and said bluntly, "Mrs. Chang, the wife of Duke Ying."
Chang Kuo did not show any surprise when he heard this. He had obviously guessed it, and said in a deep voice, "She is here to seek revenge for her son."
Although he was angry, his mind was still clear: "But she didn't do this herself, so Xie would never betray her. If I can't get direct evidence from Wu Lin... I'm afraid I can't do anything to her for the time being."
Chang Suining took the warm tea handed to him by Xier and said casually, "Just sort this matter out first, there's no rush for the rest."
Seeing the girl calmly drink tea, Chang Kuo was silent for a while, but asked: "Does Ning Ning think that Dad is useless?"
Chang Suining raised his eyes to look at him: "Father, why do you say that?"
Chang Kuo's tone was a little depressed: "My daughter was bullied. I know who did it, but as a father, I can't go to her house to vent my anger..."
"If this is useless, then isn't the Ming family of Yingguo Mansion even more useless?" Chang Suining said with a smile, "I beat Ming Jin, but they also didn't dare to come to my house to vent their anger, so they could only do something behind my back? And this trick failed, so they should be the ones who are more frustrated."
Chang Suining put down the teacup and said with a smile, "Even the saint's mother's clan members are so restrained. Father has no evidence in his hand, so he can't just knock on the door casually. It's not shabby at all."
"On the contrary, the reason they are so restrained and dare not touch me in public is because of my father's status and reputation. If I hadn't relied on my father, how could I have beaten Ming Jin so easily?"
Hearing her say this, Chang Kuo couldn't help but shake his head and laugh, and he felt a little relieved.
He was not a brainless person, and it was not the first time he was caught up in the vortex of power and influence in the capital. He knew that not everything could be done as he wished. However, no matter how capable a parent was, if they could not seek justice immediately when their child was wronged, they would always feel frustrated.
Parents always think they can do anything in front of their children.
Chang Suining could empathize with this feeling.
Although she had never been a parent, she couldn't bear to see people around her being bullied - this might have been her original intention when she first put on Axiao's clothes as a child.
"But Ningning, don't worry. Dad will find a way to get you back sooner or later!" Chang Kuo promised.
Chang Suining felt that he had not suffered any loss tonight, and although Chang had not shown up and could not be caught, Xie, who was jumping in front, could not escape.
The weight of this matter was just a minor matter to her, but she liked to settle accounts clearly, no matter whether they were big or small. If a grudge was not completely avenged, she would not be able to enjoy her meal and would grit her teeth and think about it in her dreams.
What she is most concerned about now is who bought the jade dust to poison her in her previous life.
Thinking of this, Chang Suining said, "Besides this matter, I have another matter I want to discuss with my father."
Chang Kuo was not happy with what he heard: "What discussion?"
The feeling of not being able to vent his anger for his child immediately was so painful that he wished his daughter would make a hundred requests to him right away!
So this is not a request, this is a show of filial piety! "I want to borrow a few people from my father. They need to be good at fighting and not often show up in front of people." Chang Suining made up a reason: "If they follow us secretly, we can also be on guard against the Ming family."
After being startled for a moment, Chang Kuo smiled happily: "This is a good suggestion! Dad agrees!"
As he said that, he called Manager Bai: "Old Bai, bring all the people over here!"
Chang Suining: “?”
Have you found all the candidates?
Chang Kuo just smiled but said nothing.
He admitted that he was prepared.
Putting aside other things, just based on the fact that his daughter likes to fight with others, as a father, wouldn't he think of adding a few more people?
Manager Bai quickly led a group of men in tight-fitting clothes. There were ten of them in the group, and it was obvious at first glance that they were well-trained.
Chang Kuo looked at them and said, "From today on, you will be responsible for the girl's safety. If the girl has any instructions, you don't need to ask others, just follow them with all your heart."
The ten people responded in unison and bowed to Chang Suining.
The leader said, "My name is Chang Ren. I will command you as long as you give me orders."
Chang Suining: ...What a sharp name.
She nodded: "I will trouble you all in the future."
After letting Chang Ren and others leave, Chang Kuo talked to his daughter for a while before leaving the study with his two children.
"How does Ningning plan to accommodate the two little beggars we brought back today?" Chang Kuo asked casually.
"I want to keep them in the mansion for a while and observe their aptitude and character before making arrangements. What do you think, Father?"
Chang Kuo nodded: "Okay, then leave it to Chu Xing, let's practice it first."
No matter whether the cat is black or white, a mule or a horse, since you have entered the mansion, you should practice first.
Chang Suining nodded in agreement.
A strong body comes first.
"Dad." she suddenly shouted.
Chang Kuo turned to look at his daughter walking beside him, smiling kindly: "What's wrong?"
Chang Suining also turned to look at him, with a serious smile in his eyes: "Thank you, father."
No matter what happened today or in the past, no matter it was Li Shang, A Li, or Chang Suining at this moment - she should say thank you to Old Chang.
Lao Chang may seem rough and rude, but he is actually soft-hearted and delicate.
He is a very good subordinate and a very good father.
Chang Kuo smiled and tapped her head: "Why are you thanking Dad? What nonsense are you saying!"
Chang Suining smiled at him and said, "I will be filial to my father in the future."
She had already made preparations to take care of Lao Chang in his old age. After all, Lao Chang had once declared that he did not intend to marry and that doing so would be too much trouble.
But who knew that in the blink of an eye, he brought back a little calf...
Chang Kuo burst into laughter upon hearing this, and said cheerfully, "Great! Apart from anything else, our Ning Ning can support Dad just by selling paintings!"
"One of my sister's paintings can be sold for four thousand taels!" Chang Sui'an made a rough calculation and was shocked: "It's no problem to support any number of fathers!"
Chang Suining nodded modestly.
Although the four thousand taels of silver had an element of robbery, it was feasible to use it to support a family.
If I get really unlucky and down and out someday, I'll just sell my calligraphy and paintings and support my father, and that kind of life should be pretty good.
She looked towards the horizon with a smile. The nights were short in summer and it would be dawn soon.
A lot of things happened that night, which seemed exceptionally short, with many people not even sleeping a wink.
In the mansion of Duke Ying, Ming Jin, who had a dream in which Chang Suining was severely punished by someone, woke up with a smile and asked about the incident in Deng Tai Tower. Upon hearing that Chang Suining was not only unharmed but also became famous, he got angry and scolded him again and again, and smashed things in the room with a dark face.
Lady Chang, the wife of Duke Ying, was sitting in a chair at this time. In front of her were kneeling a man and a woman, both dressed as servants.
The man bowed his head and said in a trembling voice: "...That man claimed that he saw the painting made by the Chang family's wife with his own eyes, and his description of the cause and effect could not be more true, but who knew that he actually fooled me!"
The man's expression changed repeatedly: "This person is full of lies. It's really hateful. Madam, please allow me to go to Bingzhou..."
Before he finished speaking, Chang sneered, "Ridiculous, are you going to Bingzhou to fall into the trap?"
The man's face changed: "Madam..."
Chang's face was extremely cold: "Take them all away."
"lady!"
"Madam, spare my life!"
As the person was dragged away, the cries for mercy quickly disappeared.
After a moment of silence in the room, the maid next to Chang asked in a low voice, "Madam, do you want me to send someone to Madam Jie?"
"What are you going to do?" Chang closed her eyes and pressed her tired eyebrows: "Do I need to remind her what to say and what not to say?"
"Yes." The old woman thought and said, "From this, it seems that the lady of the Chang family is not a reckless person who only knows how to take action..."
Chang sneered: "Yes, it was I who underestimated her."
She had heard the details of what happened in Dengtai Tower. If she thought about it carefully, she would know that the reason why the incident went wrong was not only because of the painting, but also because of Ms. Chang.
"He's not a pushover." Her voice was slow and cold. "It seems I need to think about it more carefully next time."
…
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(End of this chapter)
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