I have never met this Jining nun, let alone have any friendship with her. Who asked her to come to me? Speaking of which, I know very few people.

Thinking of this, her heart skipped a beat and her palms suddenly became sweaty.

But in front of the lady, she smiled calmly and followed Master Jining out of the lady's main room and went to the east wing.

The maid served tea to the two of them, and Master Jining said with a smile, "Fourth Madam, I wonder if you know a woman named Duan Shuangying and a woman named Yuan Xueyi."

The eldest aunt and the second aunt!

Although she had vaguely guessed it, she was still shocked when it was confirmed.

Unexpectedly, they once had such nice names... However, since Master Jining came to her house through the lady dowager, and wanted to talk to her alone in public, and asked her directly if she knew the two concubines, I think she was well prepared.

She smiled slightly: "My eldest and second aunts are surnamed Duan and Yuan respectively. I just don't know if they are the two you mentioned."

"That's it." Master Jining smiled, "My aunt said that Madam is a straightforward person and asked me to find you, saying that you will definitely help them."

After deceiving everyone, including herself…why did the second concubine think she would help her?

Eleventh Lady smiled and looked at Master Jining without saying anything.

Nun Jining was not surprised by her attitude, but smiled and said, "The two concubines said that they have believed in Buddhism for many years and sincerely want to become nuns to worship Buddha. But the mistress was afraid that nosy people would gossip and think that the two concubines became nuns because they could not bear the mistress's abuse. Therefore, she never agreed. After coming to Yanjing with your family this time, they saw through the world, so they ran away from home and took refuge in my temple. I don't know if Madam knows Ciyuan Temple. In Yanjing, although my Ciyuan Temple cannot be compared with temples and Taoist temples such as Huguo Temple and Baiyun Temple that are protected by monks and Taoist priests, it is not an unknown place either." At this point, she showed a proud look on her face, "The two concubines can read and write, know how to advance and retreat, and speak elegantly. Taking refuge in my temple, they can not only concentrate on practicing Buddhism, but also show their strengths. Madam is now in Yanjing, and she is unfamiliar with the place. Why not open a door for the two concubines, which will also be convenient!"

What a great plan, my two aunts!

I'm afraid that just being able to read and write, know when to speak and when to retreat, and speak elegantly will not be in the eyes of this nun!

"I wonder how much money the two ladies have donated to your temple?"

Eleventh Lady looked at Master Jining indifferently.

Jining laughed: "Madam is indeed a straightforward person. It's just five thousand taels of silver."

Eleventh Lady took some effort to control herself from showing any surprise.

Jining smiled and said, "Of course, the wife of the Marquis of Yongping would not care about this money, but for the two concubines, it is a merit of filial piety to the Bodhisattva. That's why I begged you to help me make this journey."

Eleventh Lady couldn't help but feel sad for Aunt Yang.

At first, she thought that there were banknotes in Shi Niang's bracelet, but later she found out that it was arsenic... She was wondering where the money went or what it was used for.

The story ends here, and the answer is revealed.

If Shi Niang stayed in Yuhang where the eldest master could not see her, she would be dealt with by the eldest wife like a blunt knife cutting meat. It is better to try hard, maybe there is still a way out. The two concubines must have gained the trust of Yang Yi Niang as if they were bluffing themselves, and jointly made this plan of besieging Wei to save Zhao and escaping from the shell. Yang Yi Niang used her death to divert the attention of others, and at the same time hoped that the eldest wife would know that she was dead, so that she would have a little pity for Shi Niang, and let the two concubines take Shi Niang away by taking the opportunity of participating in the temple fair, and then go to Beijing together.

Shi Niang's appearance was so coincidental, it must have been some time since she came to Yanjing. But no one knew who had tipped them off.

If you are entrusted with a task, you should be loyal to the person who entrusted you with it. If this is the case, why didn't the two concubines stop Shi Niang from marrying Wang Lang?

Jining seemed to be able to see through her thoughts and smiled, "The two concubines asked me to bring a message to Madam. They said that Miss Ten got what she asked for. They are just weak women, asking for a chance to live!"

Eleventh Lady couldn't help but smile bitterly: "After all, this is my mother's family's business. I'm afraid my mother still has to make the decision."

"Of course." Jining smiled, "But since the wife of the Luo Mansion can marry you to the Yongping Marquis' Mansion, she must have considered it. Two concubines, it's not too much, and it's not too little. I think the wife of the Luo Mansion can figure it out. But it's different for my Ciyuan Temple. To have people like the two concubines who have something to say, I think they must be favored by the women of the high families. This is why I have to come to the lady to ask for this grace."

She repeatedly stressed that she liked the two concubines and welcomed them to become nuns at Ciyuan Temple. It seemed that she was determined to wade into this muddy water.

Eleventh Lady can also understand.

For the temple to develop, it must have corresponding talents. Generally, people who become monks are either poor and helpless, or they are disheartened by family changes. The former have not received much education, and the latter are very indifferent to the world. Like the two concubines, they used to accompany the master to study in the middle of the night, and their knowledge and conversation are extraordinary. At this age, they are still running away from home. They are afraid of being retaliated by the wife for disrupting the layout of the wife, and they probably also have the vision of starting a new life. Such two people can join Ciyuan Temple and donate a large amount of incense money... No matter from which aspect, Jining has to take the lead. What's more, Shi Niang married into the mansion of Duke Maoguo, and she married into the mansion of Marquis Yongping. The truth of the matter is revealed. Shi Niang left home privately, and she has such a rebellious sister... In the end, it was the two of them whose reputations were damaged, and it was the Luo family who lost more than the gain.

That's why Master Jining dared to speak so frankly.

"Since Madam has no objection, I will go to the Luo residence later." Master Jining achieved her goal and stood up with a smile. "If Madam asks, I will say that the two concubines wanted to become nuns in Ciyuan Temple and asked me to ask Madam to speak to the eldest wife of the Luo family. As for other things, I will not mention a word."

Do I have to thank this Master Jining and the two concubines?

Eleventh Lady was both amused and confused.

She suddenly understood Xu Lingyi's helplessness.

That day in the courtyard, I knew it was a trap set by Yuanniang, and I knew the consequences would be, but for the sake of those people or things I was concerned about, I could only watch helplessly as I jumped in...

* * * * * *

After returning to the Dowager's place, Master Jining did as she had said in the east wing. She said that she was asked by the two concubines to ask Eleventh Lady to plead their case with the First Lady. She also said that Eleventh Lady felt that since the two concubines were determined to become nuns, she was willing to help them. After one month of their wedding, she would ask the Dowager and the Marquis for their opinions and then choose a day to return to her parents' home to discuss the matter of the two concubines with her mother.

Although everyone was a little surprised when they heard it, Master Jining's words were reasonable, and since it was Eleventh Lady's family matter, no one pursued the matter at this time.

Master Jining said goodbye after a short conversation. Seeing that it was getting late, the old lady went to the Buddhist temple with Mother Du. The others naturally left as well.

When Shiyi Niang returned to the house, she found Dongqing and told her the purpose of Jining's visit.

"Go back and tell Grandma about this, especially remind her that Jining seems to be determined to intervene in this matter." He also reminded her, "Don't tell the first wife for now, tell Grandma first, and ask her to get a rule. See what I should do?"

Holly agreed and left.

Eleventh Lady called Mother Tao over again and said, "Can you pick a few smart and clever people? I still have two second-class maids, six third-class maids, and four rough servants available."

Mother Tao said hurriedly, "Madam, please rest assured and leave it to me. I will bring the person to you this afternoon."

Eleventh Lady nodded and whispered, "Can we send two or three people to work in the study in the outer courtyard?"

As expected, he is Yuanniang’s man!

Mother Tao was slightly startled and immediately whispered, "The three young masters are studying at home, and we have sent several people there. Madam, if you want to know anything, just ask me. Even if I can't answer you right away, I can still write to you in the afternoon."

Eleventh Lady shook her head slightly. "From the tone of the Marquis, I'm afraid he is looking for a suitable teacher for the three young masters. When the time comes, there will definitely be a lecture hall in the outer study. Zhun'er is six years old this year and weak. He will most likely follow his brothers in the outer study for enlightenment. The Madam has no intention of handing Zhun'er over to me. Besides, we are women in the inner house after all, and we are not as knowledgeable as the men outside. If there is a good teacher around to guide us all the time, we can not only occupy the title, but also supervise Zhun'er's behavior and knowledge. If there is anything, we can also tell the teacher and let him teach Zhun'er. Isn't it better than you and I meddling in it randomly?"

Mother Tao couldn't help but praise: "Madam, this is a good idea. I understand. I'll do it right away." As she said this, she stood up in a hurry.

"You don't have to be so anxious." Eleventh Lady smiled, "First, the matter of the master has not been decided yet, and second, we are just preparing for it in advance, for fear of attracting attention. You know, there are three young masters studying together. Those who know that we want to look after Zhun Ge, and those who don't know that we want to look after the second young master."

Mother Tao nodded immediately: "Don't worry, Madam. I will do it without anyone noticing." Then she showed some hesitation, "It's just that there are still some problems with Wanxiang..."

"Tell me about it!"

"Wanxiang came to me yesterday and said that there are eleven kitchens in the mansion. Yesterday afternoon, the Third Madam said that except for the kitchen in the Madam's room, the other ten kitchens must prepare dishes according to the order, and no more orders are allowed. If anyone wants to add dishes at the last minute, they have to pay for it themselves and the kitchen will make it." Mother Tao was afraid that Eleventh Lady would not understand, so she explained, "When the eldest aunt was in charge of the family, the money was allocated according to the size of the kitchen, and the amount was paid by the kitchen itself. Some kitchens used more in the first half of the month, and saved a little in the second half of the month. There was no overspending. If there are extra dishes at the last minute, it is an extra expense, and naturally everyone has to pay for it themselves. But the Third Madam said this..."

"...In this way, the ten kitchens can buy groceries together." Eleventh Lady continued with a smile, "The kitchens will make a fortune from purchasing groceries. Isn't that right?"

Mother Tao was stunned.

Eleventh Lady's smile remained the same, gentle and a little bit kind, but her eyes were calm and composed, as if to say, these are just some tricks, don't panic!

Mother Tao's face suddenly turned red.

※

In the blink of an eye, I have written a hundred chapters! O(∩_∩)O Haha~