Eleventh Lady had no idea what was happening with the Fifth Lady. She was discussing things in her own room with Amber.

"... Dongqing's vacancy will be temporarily filled by Luyun. Luyun's vacancy will be filled by Yanrong. This way, we can appease the people coming from the eldest sister's side. Let them all know that when doing things, it does not matter what one's background is, only what one's loyalty is."

Amber nodded and wrote down Eleventh Lady's arrangements in the book.

"What about Mother Tao?" she asked hesitantly.

"What does this have to do with Mother Tao?" Eleventh Lady said calmly, "Why don't you come running to offer yourself to her? Mother Tao, you are just giving her an excuse to convince herself." By the end of the conversation, her voice had gradually become inaudible.

The room became quiet.

Amber quickly changed the subject: "I have already done what the Madam asked. When do you think it would be best to send her out of the house?"

Early in the morning, Eleventh Lady instructed Amber to find a way to spread the news that Dongqing was sick.

"Let's say three days later!" She pursed her lips, "This matter should be done quickly rather than slowly." She then instructed Amber, "Dongqing is going to Goldfish Lane to recuperate. The Wanyi clan will send someone to visit him out of courtesy and rationality. The Liu Yuanrui family will also give a few instructions..." As she spoke, she glanced at Amber.

Amber understood: "I will do it tomorrow morning."

Eleventh Lady nodded: "That Liu Yuanrui's wife is a smart person. When you meet her, mention it by the way that the mansion is looking for a servant. I had this idea, wouldn't it be better if she brought it up herself?"

Amber smiled and said, "Don't worry, Madam. I'll save it."

"How is Binju these days?" Eleventh Lady hadn't seen her for a few days since she asked to look after Dongqing that day.

Amber's smile was slightly bitter: "She eats very little. In just a few days, she has lost a lot of weight. We also tried to persuade her. She agreed with her mouth, but turned around and remained the same."

"I'll go see her tomorrow!" Eleventh Lady sighed softly. She was about to discuss with Amber which of the maids was good, but then Xu Lingyi came back.

She had no choice but to go forward.

"The Marquis is back." Eleventh Lady bowed and saluted, "Have you eaten? Do you want some more?"

Xu Lingyi looked at her, a smile in his eyes.

He never eats midnight snacks. Shiyi Niang knows this. Naturally, she never asks him. But now he suddenly becomes incoherent... He thinks of Shiyi Niang's lame excuse of "I'm sick" the night before.

Or, panic?

Xu Lingyi said calmly, and did not remind her: "No need. I have been running around outside all day, and I am covered in dust. Let Chunmo come in and help me change clothes!"

Amber hurriedly called Chunmo in, and Shiyi Niang led Hongxiu to warm the bed with a hot water bottle.

When Xu Lingyi came out, he saw her arranging the pillows.

The background is dark blue with pink lotus embroidered on it.

For the first time, he felt that the combination of these two colors was very eye-catching and beautiful.

Xu Lingyi sat down on the bed and took off his shoes.

"I ran into Jiang Bai at Wang's house today." He said lightly, "From Jiang Bai's tone, Jiang Gui's personality is very easygoing. Jiang Wang is in charge of all matters at home and outside. The people in the Jiang family value her very much because of this."

Xu Lingyi would not go to see Jiang Bai for no reason, nor would he say these things to himself for no reason.

Eleventh Lady listened carefully, thinking carefully about what he said.

"As time goes by, Jiang Wangshi has inevitably developed a temper. The case in Shuntian Prefecture has not made any progress, and she is going to file a complaint with the emperor. Jiang Bai saw that the situation was getting out of control, so he wanted to ask me to be a peacemaker. Let's see if Princess Changning can come forward and say a few words in front of the emperor to prevent the Wang family from becoming extinct. As for Jiang Wangshi, they will appease her." Xu Lingyi lifted the quilt and lay down. "I think this way the Wang family will have a better chance of inheriting the title. It will also be more beneficial to the Wang family. It is a good idea."

"Just let the Marquis decide." Eleventh Lady thought about what she had seen and heard at the Wang family this morning, and felt that if this matter was not resolved quickly, the Wang family would continue to be in chaos. She followed Xu Lingyi's habit and moved a sheep-horn palace lantern to the small stool beside the bed, then put up the curtain and got on the bed.

Xu Lingyi lifted the quilt and pulled Shiyi Niang into his arms: "But we need to come up with some rules for Tenth Aunt. We need to find out who the Wang family's side branches are and what their personalities are. We need to avoid letting a wolf into the house."

Eleventh Lady felt that he was holding her too tightly.

Is it possible tonight...

She felt a little embarrassed just thinking about it.

They are just a pair of familiar strangers.

The thought flashed through his mind and he struggled a few times.

Xu Lingyi didn't care.

After the day before yesterday and yesterday, he was even more certain.

Eleventh Lady was a very delicate person. When she was held in her arms while sleeping, she had to move around for a long time before finding a position that made her feel comfortable.

He relaxed his arms slightly.

Eleventh Lady felt relieved.

Maybe I didn't control the strength well?

"Does the Marquis want me to ask what the Tenth Sister thinks?" she asked Xu Lingyi. In her heart, she hesitated whether to tell Xu Lingyi about the disagreement between her and Tenth Sister. She was afraid that if she didn't go, she would oppose just for the sake of opposing, and might make a decision that she knew was disadvantageous to her.

Xu Lingyi saw that her tone was not very warm. Thinking of the teardrop as bright as crystal hanging on her eyelashes the night before yesterday... he suddenly felt a little pity for Shiyi Niang.

Her family treated her like that, but she still wanted to help them find jobs. Even the most generous people can feel unhappy sometimes, right?

Why make it difficult for her again?

"You've been busy these days." His voice softened. "I wonder if we can ask Grandma Luo to handle this?" He immediately changed his mind and persuaded her not to go. "With a middleman, Aunt Ten can speak out her requests and ideas openly. With your current situation, I'm afraid she won't be able to speak out. If we don't know, it will be easier for us to mess things up."

Eleventh Lady agreed immediately: "Just follow the Marquis's wishes!"

Seeing her answer so readily, Xu Lingyi felt that his guess was correct.

After resolving the issue that had been bothering him for a long time, he felt relieved.

The soft body reminded him of yesterday's ecstasy.

"Moyan..." He sucked her earlobe gently, and his hand began to reach into her clothes and caress her gently.

Why again...

"I, I'm tired!" Eleventh Lady's voice was a little stuttering, and her face looked like she had been put on rouge.

It has the same effect as "I am sick".

Xu Lingyi laughed softly in her ear: "Where are you tired? Do you want me to help take a look?"

Eleventh Lady also recalled what happened the night before.

At that time, she was exhausted by Holly's fuss and was too lazy to struggle anymore!

So this time, she pulled at the corner of the quilt randomly, trying to wrap herself up like a cocoon. Xu Lingyi was unmoved. He just pressed the other half of the quilt to kiss her... Then he once again changed from the Marquis to Xu Lingyi, enjoying the ultimate indulgence after the extreme pain.

Afterwards, he helped her wipe her body as she curled up into a ball.

Suddenly I felt a little confused.

How could I become so humble just for this momentary pleasure!

* * * * * *

The next morning, when Eleventh Lady came back from the Lady Dowager's place, Liu Yuanrui's family was already there.

Eleventh Lady had someone bring a small stool for her to sit on.

"I caught a cold two days ago, and Dongqing was taking care of me, but she also got infected. I got better, but she got worse and worse. There are also a young lady and a young master living in the yard, and a pregnant concubine, so they really can't stay for long. I was thinking that if she doesn't get better in the next two days, I would send her to your place to recuperate for a few days..." As she spoke, she picked up the teacup and took a sip of tea.

Liu Yuanrui's family was shocked when they heard this.

Dongqing and Wan Da were about to set a date, but he suddenly fell ill.

But she didn't dare ask.

You know, the inner courtyard has the most twists and turns. Who knows which words can be said and which cannot be said!

Thinking of this, she showed a respectful look, as if she was obeying Eleventh Lady's orders.

Eleventh Lady couldn't help but nodded secretly.

Just know that you should follow the master's intentions. This will save you from wasting your time and energy.

"I know you have a family living there too. You can't let your family live in unrest just for her, right?" she said. "You just need to clean up a clean house for her. Bin Ju will go over and take care of her for a while.

After Liu Yuanrui finished speaking, he hurriedly replied respectfully, "Madam, rest assured, I will take good care of Miss Dongqing according to your wishes."

Eleventh Lady nodded, with some satisfaction in her eyes.

Liu Yuanrui's wife looked at him and chuckled, saying, "Madam, I heard that the courtyard is looking for a servant..."

"That's true!" Eleventh Lady casually handed her a ladder, "Do you have anyone to recommend?"

"It's like this." Liu Yuanrui's wife laughed, "My eldest son is twelve years old this year. Like his father, he is very honest. But he works very hard. Madam, can you let my boy have a try?"

"Sure!" Eleventh Lady agreed readily, then said with a "huh": "If I remember correctly, you have a few boys and girls of the right age. Bring them over to me when the time comes!"

Liu Yuanrui's wife was overjoyed when she heard this, and she knelt down to thank Shiyi Niang. The next afternoon, she brought her son Liu Taiping, Chang Jiuhe's second son Chang Xuezhi, Chang Jiuhe's eldest daughter Xiu'er, and Wan Yizong's eldest daughter Sixi over.

"Originally, Jiang Bingcheng's eldest son is ten years old this year. But Jiang Bingcheng sent his son to a silk shop as an apprentice, so I didn't ask for it."

This was the first time Eleventh Lady heard of this.

She suddenly had an idea.

It would be better to leave Jiang Bingcheng alone and gradually reduce the expenses of the courtyard. Yanjing is a prosperous city with abundant resources. With his personality, how could he be willing to stay in poverty? If I don't ask him to leave, I'm afraid he will find another way out. She also saw that Liu Taiping was honest, Xiu'er was lively, Chang Xue was smart and clever, and Sixi was calm, all of them were useful, so she liked them very much. She asked Amber to write down their names and told Luyun to send Liu Yuanrui and the children out of the house.

After a while, Lu Yun hurried in: "Madam, something happened to the Fifth Madam."

Eleventh Lady was shocked.

Lu Yun had already said, "Fifth Master's concubine Xiaolan is dead!"

Eleventh Lady and Amber looked at each other in surprise.

※

If there are any bugs, catch them tomorrow!

O(∩_∩)O~