Eleventh Lady had already eaten and changed her clothes and waited for Xu Lingyi to come over so that she could pay her respects to the lady dowager.

Seeing Xu Lingyi coming back, he invited him to sit on the kang in the inner room, brought him a cup of tea, and sent the servant away, whispering, "Did my elder brother tell you?"

"I have said so." Xu Lingyi took a sip of tea. "Zhenxing was worried that things might get out of hand, so he asked Aunt Ten to live in the manor that came with her as a dowry. I think there is a solution, but we just can't rush it."

Eleventh Lady had just heard about the arrangement for Shi Niang to live in the dowry manor, and heard Xu Lingyi's words with a hint of meaning, so she asked, "Does the Marquis have an idea?"

Xu Lingyi nodded, and said, "I heard from Zhenxing that Duke Mao was hit hard, and he was in a daze. He had to repeat a sentence several times. He couldn't answer a single question out of five. His nephews from the side branches were serving him, and they were all watching him closely, fearing that Duke Mao would be left alone. They saw that the situation was not the right time to talk, so they left after sitting for a while. But you met Madam Jiang in the backyard, and Madam Jiang made some requests. She didn't tell me the specific situation in detail. Tell me in detail."

Eleventh Lady nodded, sat opposite Xu Lingyi, and told him everything in detail.

"This is tricky." Xu Lingyi pondered, "I originally thought that the Jiang family would come to me for the matter of Chengjue, but I didn't expect that they wanted to use me to investigate Ren Kun. But the Wang family's side relatives and Madam Jiang think differently. I'm afraid I need to think about this matter carefully."

Eleventh Lady nodded: "I thought so too. That's why I pretended not to understand what Madam Jiang said, and didn't even tell her that you were no longer an official."

"It's better if you don't respond." Xu Lingyi said, "The news of my dismissal should spread all over Yanjing in the next two days. Let's see what the Wang family thinks. Helping others is a good intention. We can't help to cause resentment!"

Eleventh Lady didn't expect Xu Lingyi to have no intention of avoiding or making things difficult for her. She was very surprised and thought for a moment before saying, "In the situation of the Wang family, if we want to keep Chengjue, what should we do?"

"We have to get through the Ministry of Rites first." Xu Lingyi said, "If someone in the cabinet speaks up, that's even better. Then it depends on the emperor's opinion. Generally speaking, if the Ministry of Rites approves, the emperor won't reject it. But sometimes the situation changes. In the late emperor's later years, the Duke of Weiguo and the Marquis of Linchuan were stripped of their titles. The former was because the legitimate son died, and the Ministry of Rites' request to let the eldest son of the concubine succeed to the throne was rejected; the latter was because they had no sons, and wanted to adopt the son of their younger brother, but it was rejected - it mainly depends on the emperor's mood at the time."

Eleventh Lady felt that this project was extremely huge.

"If it's difficult, please don't interfere. It's not bad to live in a small farm." She thought of Shi Niang's skinny appearance, "Maybe she can be happier."

To be honest, she felt that if Luo Zhenxing was willing to support her, it would be better for Shi Niang to live in the small farm she had brought as a dowry rather than staying in the Wang family. As for what happens after death... it's good enough for a person to live a good life in this life. As for whether there is a next life, it's still unknown. There's no need to give up the present life for the unknown.

"What nonsense!" Xu Lingyi felt warm in his heart when he saw her talking to him. Although it was a reprimand, it was said without a trace of anger, but with a hint of doting. "What's wrong with the Tenth Aunt moving to the manor that came with the dowry? She is Wang Lang's legitimate wife. Besides, she and you are sisters. If she gets better, you will have someone to help you. I have my own ideas on this matter. Don't worry about it."

Eleventh Lady couldn't help but smile bitterly in her heart.

Will Shi Niang help her when she gets better?

It’s good enough that she doesn’t make things difficult for herself!

As he spoke, Xu Lingyi stood up and said, "It's getting late. Let's go and pay our respects to mother so that we can get some rest early."

"Yes!" Eleventh Lady responded, helped Xu Lingyi put on the cloak and went to the lady's place.

She had asked Hubo to report to the old lady long ago. The old lady knew that Luo Zhenxing and Qian Ming were coming, and Shiyi Niang wanted to treat them to a meal. Seeing them coming together, she hurriedly asked about the situation.

Xu Lingyi spoke briefly, but he didn't mention Madam Jiang's request, Luo Zhenxing's plan, etc. The Madam listened and sighed, and told Shiyi Niang: "It takes ten years to be able to ride the same boat. Not to mention sisters. Tenth Aunt has encountered such a big thing, whether it is Gongxian Hutong or the Duke of Mao's Mansion, you can go directly to take care of it, and let the maid report to me - I know what you are going to do, so don't worry about it."

Eleventh Lady was very grateful for the Dowager's thoughtfulness. She thanked her and chatted with her for a while. Then she and Xu Lingyi said goodbye to the Dowager and left the yard.

But he met Xu Lingkuan on the way.

He stood in the gallery that they had to pass by, waiting eagerly.

I saw two people from a distance and hurried over to them.

"Fourth brother, I have something to tell you." Without avoiding Eleventh Lady, he walked forward with Xu Lingyi and said, "I heard that the one who killed Wang Lang was Ren Kun's personal servant. I went to inquire today. The servant's parents died early, and he only has a sister who works in the sewing room of the Ren family. After this incident, the servant's sister disappeared immediately. It took me a lot of effort to find out that she was sent to Kaifeng Prefecture."

"Delivered to Kaifeng Prefecture?" Xu Lingyi stopped and looked at Xu Lingkuan in surprise. "How did you find out?"

"Tigers have their dens, snakes have their holes." Xu Lingkuan's eyebrows flew up, with a bit of pride, "Yanjing is a small place, you can see Ren Kun wherever you look. There are always a few people around me who know Ren Kun."

Xu Lingyi thought of the fights he had a few days ago... and his opinion of this younger brother changed a lot. He smiled and gently hit him on the shoulder: "Okay, you!"

Xu Lingkuan grinned and whispered, "Fourth brother, I heard from someone who was asking for information that the Ren family gave the servant's sister to a wealthy family in Kaifeng Prefecture as an adopted daughter. Even their household registration was changed."

Xu Lingyi raised his eyes slightly, revealing a bit of confusion.

"Really." Seeing that his brother didn't believe him, Xu Lingkuan assured him, "This is what Ren Kun said. He wanted to let everyone know that he would take care of the people who followed him. And he wasn't afraid of others knowing. He had the ability to protect them. It was also to reassure the servant. You know what. His trick really worked. It is said that Shuntian Prefecture used severe torture, but failed to pry open the servant's mouth. Now people in Yanjing say that Ren Kun knows how to use people and is a ruthless character."

Xu Lingyi glanced at Xu Lingkuan and said, "Tell me! What did Ren Kundu tell you?"

After listening to this, Xu Lingkuan jumped up: "Fourth brother, I really didn't agree to anything. Really, I didn't agree to anything." He waved his hands repeatedly but glanced at Shiyi Niang.

"Your sister-in-law is not an outsider. If you have anything to say, please tell me. Otherwise, I won't take responsibility for it."

Xu Lingkuan chuckled.

"Ren Kun said that he will live in Changchun Temple until the case is closed. If Fourth Brother wants to find him, he will be waiting anytime." As he spoke, his expression gradually became serious. "He also said that if the incident happened again, he would still do the same thing."

The words were arrogant, bold and unruly.

Eleventh Lady felt a little creepy when she heard it.

Twenty-seven stabs, each one hits the vital part. He arranges the servant to take the blame and leaves calmly. He publicizes the treatment of the servant's sister in a high-profile manner, compares the death of Wang Lang, and tells others the consequences of betraying him and being loyal to him. He asks Xu Lingkuan to send a letter to Xu Lingyi, hinting that he knows the strength of the Wang family very well, and if Xu Lingyi wants to stand up for the Wang family, he is not unprepared. As for the last sentence of waiting for Xu Lingyi in Changchun Temple, it is like the finishing touch. Tell Xu Lingyi that no matter what the consequences are, he will not be afraid.

Determination, confidence, and perseverance, all in one.

How can one not be afraid of such a person?

Xu Lingyi stopped walking after hearing this.

He asked Xu Lingkuan gently, "Xiaowu, how is your relationship with Ren Kun?"

Xu Lingkuan was confused about what Xu Lingyi meant. He said carefully, "We don't have any direct contact. But if Fourth Brother needs me to do something, I can help."

Xu Lingyi nodded slightly. He stared at Xu Lingyi, his eyes gradually becoming serious: "Stay away from him in the future. This person is too cruel."

Xu Lingkuan was stunned.

Xu Lingyi explained carefully: "Look at the way he killed people, it was clean and neat. Look at his arrangements afterwards. He was bold but careful. He did not shy away from killing Wang Lang, and told others that those who betrayed him could do nothing even if he killed them. He also arranged for the families of loyal servants, and told others that those who were loyal to him would be prosperous and wealthy even if they died. He was a man of long-term plans. I will ask you to bring a letter to me, tell me the truth, and act like a daring and open-minded person. Xiaowu, such a person is too honest and too cruel. Just a nodding acquaintance is enough."

Xu Lingkuan lowered his head and thought about Xu Lingyi's words.

Seeing that his brother was no longer as hypocritical as before, Xu Lingyi smiled. He patted his shoulder and said, "It's getting late. Go back and rest!"

Xu Lingkuan nodded and said hesitantly, "Should we still care about Wang Lang's matter?"

"Even if you want to intervene, you can't just go to their door." Xu Lingyi said with a smile, "You have to know what they want, right? What's the point of scratching their thigh if their shoulder itches?"

Xu Lingkuan laughed and said, "I'll listen to Fourth Brother."

Xu Lingyi nodded: "Go and have a rest! I'll ask you for help if I need anything."

Xu Lingkuan bowed to Eleventh Lady and left briskly.

Xu Lingyi looked at his back and sighed: "Who would have thought that Xiaowu would become so sensible one day."

Eleventh Lady covered her sleeves and smiled.

The couple went to their own yard.

Xu Lingyi was talking to Shiyi Niang, "Since Ren Kun dared to act this way, I'm afraid he had an idea long ago. I wanted to be a peacemaker before, but I was afraid that Madam Jiang would not agree, thinking that we only cared about Tenth Aunt and ignored Wang Lang. Now it seems that Madam Jiang may not agree. You should stay at home for a few days and rest. If you have nothing to do, you can do some embroidery and take care of the children. It's better to let Madam Jiang go and have some trouble. Once the news of my dismissal spreads, she will stop. Then we can negotiate terms with the Wang family."

When he mentioned the child, Shiyi Niang took the opportunity to talk to him about adding a new house: "...Since you have some free time, why not settle this matter as soon as possible."

A change will bring about a new atmosphere.

Xu Lingyi was also quite interested: "Sure! I will discuss it with Manager Bai tomorrow to see if we can add a yard. We will have more and more children in the future!"

Eleventh Lady was speechless.