"People are afraid of the opposite side." Madam Wen and Eleventh Lady were whispering in the warm room, "If I go, I'm afraid she will ask for too much. If I don't go, I know her best. She can be softened by just the gentle method of grinding. Not to mention someone like Grandma Qiuhong who has never seen the world. I'm afraid Qiuhong will be embarrassed then!" She looked like she was going to ask Eleventh Lady for advice.
After all, Madam Wen is probably still a little afraid to meet Grandma Wen San!
Otherwise, she would have refused it outright. No matter how powerful and skilled Wen San Niang was, could Qiu Hong's mother-in-law still make any promises on behalf of Wen Niang?
Eleventh Lady asked her back, "What do you mean?"
Madam Wen smiled awkwardly and said, "Can you please ask the Marquis to send a steward to see my Third Aunt?"
This way, it became a matter between the Wen and Xu families. Maybe this was exactly what Wen San's grandmother wanted.
"What is Madam Wen afraid of?" Eleventh Lady pondered and asked her directly, "Could it be that Madam Wen San has some evidence against you? Even if they are worried about your mother, as long as you stay in the Xu family alive for one day, the Wen family will not dare to be careless in the slightest. Why are you afraid of meeting Madam Wen San?"
Madam Wen's face flushed red, but she did not jump up to refute. Instead, she held it in for a long time and said, "The year when Madam first came into the family, Madam Wen San gave me 50,000 taels of silver and asked me to introduce Madam to her..."
When Eleventh Lady heard this, she couldn't help but laugh: "You took the money but didn't do anything!"
"No, no." Madam Wen said hurriedly, "It's not that I didn't do it, I just didn't finish it!"
Is she guilty... If that's the case, then it would be best for Xu Lingyi to take over. Madam Wen can push the responsibility onto Xu Lingyi, signal to the Wen family that she is powerless, and take this opportunity to cut ties with the Wen family. Although Xu Lingyi will suffer a little, Madam Wen is his concubine. If something happens in the future, others will think that he was the one who ordered it or was involved. Instead of being unable to explain himself, it is better to help Madam Wen deal with the mess, killing two birds with one stone.
It’s just that Xu Lingyi is busy with the Huang family’s affairs right now, and I don’t know if he has the time or mood to help Madam Wen deal with this matter!
She thought about it and sent Zhu Xiang to invite Xu Lingyi.
Xu Lingyi did not come back, but asked Manager Zhao to come and see her.
"The Marquis said that if Madam has anything to say, she can tell me the same thing!"
Manager Zhao is the chief manager of the office and Xu Lingyi's right-hand man.
Eleventh Lady treated him very politely. She asked a maid to bring a brocade stool for him to sit on behind the curtain and told him the matter in a low voice.
As soon as Manager Zhao heard this, he understood the mystery. However, this matter was related to the interests and relationship between the Xu and Wen families. He was not sure what to do, so he smiled and said, "I'll go and report to the Marquis."
Eleventh Lady also knew that the matter was of great importance, so she served tea with a smile and asked Zhu Xiang to escort Manager Zhao out.
Less than a cup of tea later, a servant came in and replied, "The Marquis said that the Madam and Madam Wen should have a good rest. He has sent someone to see Madam Wen San."
The two of them breathed a sigh of relief at the same time. Madam Wen happily took out a dozen coins and rewarded the servant in the name of Eleventh Lady. Then she stood up and said goodbye: "Qiuhong is still waiting for my letter at home. If I give her a definite letter as soon as possible, she can go back earlier!"
Shiyi Niang Qiuyu saw her out the door.
Mother Song came over: "Madam, Aunt Qiao went to the back door!"
Go to the back door at this time?
Eleventh Lady pondered and said, "Do you know what to do?"
"It seems that Mrs. Qiao San is here!"
Not too early, not too late, just this time!
Eleventh Lady smiled and nodded. Mother Song said nothing more and quietly retreated.
* * * * * *
Mother Yang looked at the silver note of one hundred taels in Yang's hand, her eyes almost dropped: "Auntie, where did you get so much money?"
"Don't worry about it!" Yang whispered, "It's legitimate income anyway. Don't worry." After that, she whispered to Yang's mother, "Take the banknote and find someone to inquire about the situation of the Yang family."
Mother Yang looked troubled: "At this time, I'm afraid I can't hire anyone even if I have money..."
"There are many who add icing on the cake, but few who help in times of need." Yang said coldly, "At this moment, the Yang family has only been raided, and it is still unclear how the emperor will deal with the Yang family - it is possible that they will be punished just like that, or it is possible that the Yang family will be exterminated. But no matter what it means, there is still no clear statement, and everyone can't help but have some thoughts in their hearts. If the Yang family is fine in a few days, we will naturally be fine. If something happens to the Yang family... If we want to use money to bribe others to find out some information, it will be as difficult as climbing a mountain."
Mother Yang thought about it and it made sense.
She took the banknote and hurried out of the yard.
At night, news came.
"Marquis Jianning, Earl Shouchang and their female relatives were all sent to the Dali Temple."
Yang's hands and feet were cold, and her face was ashen. "It's over, it's over." She added, "The women were also sent to the Dali Temple. It's obvious that they were not given any face at all... The lightest punishment is exile a thousand miles away!"
Mother Yang didn't understand these things, but she knew that Yang was a very smart person. Hearing this, she covered her face and sobbed: "Our huge fortune is gone in one day... Who can we rely on..."
Yang was shocked when she heard this, and hurriedly said, "Don't cry, mom. Please help me find someone to find out what's going on with the sister who married into the Zhongshan Marquis family and the sister who married into the Liangge Lao family!"
Mother Yang felt a surge of hope: "Maybe the two aunts can ask their husbands' families to help them plead for mercy in front of the emperor. The Marquis and the Earl still have a glimmer of hope!"
If they could get away with it, he and Yang would naturally be able to continue living a peaceful and stable life in the Xu family!
Mother Yang wiped her tears and asked someone to find out.
* * * * * *
Xu Lingyi strode into the inner room with a sullen face.
Eleventh Lady was patting Jing'er to sleep, and when she saw this, she winked at Zhu Xiang.
Zhu Xiang hurried forward to help Xu Lingyi change his clothes and wash up, then led the servants in the room to retreat.
"Jin'er is asleep!" Xu Lingyi supported himself on the kang with his hands, holding his wife and son in his arms. Looking at Jin'er's peaceful face as he fell asleep, there was some warmth in his eyes.
Eleventh Lady nodded, sat up gently, and whispered, "Just fell asleep!"
Xu Lingyi sat down with her and talked.
"Put this away." He handed her a briefcase. "The one who confiscated the property was a deputy general who had followed Jiang Yunfei for many years. I saved his life when Jiang Yunfei was defeated. Tomorrow you show this to Grandma Huang San, and then burn the things in front of her."
Is this what the Prince of Yongchang is worried about?
In this way, the Huang family saw the evidence and knew that Xu Lingyi was entrusted to get the things out.
Eleventh Lady nodded and placed the things in the secret compartment on the bedside board in front of Xu Lingyi.
Xu Lingyi carried Jing'er to the warm room and gave him to Mother Gu, then went to rest with Shiyi Niang.
"Keep a close eye on Mrs. Wen. Don't let her come into contact with the Wen family." In the dark, Xu Lingyi hugged Shiyi Niang and gently stroked her back. The slightly protruding joints hurt his hand, which softened his heart and made his voice softer. "From what Manager Zhao said, the Wen family not only didn't hold back, but instead felt that their chance had come... Third Master Wen doesn't know how to advance or retreat. The emperor may tolerate it this time out of their past friendship, but he may not tolerate it a second time..."
Ever since she fell ill, Xu Lingyi liked to touch her back. Unlike before, when there was always some ambiguity in his touch, now it was more of pity.
She rested her head on his arm and whispered, "When the Marquis did business with the Wen family in the past, he was following orders, right?"
Otherwise, the Xu family would not be so bold!
Xu Lingyi didn't say anything, but the hand that was stroking her back paused.
Eleventh Lady stopped asking and changed the subject: "I will explain everything to Madam Wen. She is not the kind of person who doesn't understand, but sometimes she lacks some guidance. This time the Marquis asked her to run the shop, and she only took two or three days to complete it..."
Xu Lingyi was silent for a long while, and said: "I have thought about this matter carefully. If you want the Wen family to be at peace and not cause trouble, the best way is to solve the problem of Madam Wen. I think it is better to do this. Let the Wen family send someone to Yangzhou to talk to Madam Wen. Old Master Wen is no longer alive, and his children and grandchildren are all grown up. It is better to let the Wen family build a temple for her in the suburbs, buy some land, and move to the temple to become a laywoman. She can be called a nun. I will also help to say hello. If something happens to the Wen family one day, Madam Wen is a nun, and she can't be held responsible!"
Eleventh Lady thought this was a good idea: "I'm afraid the Wen family won't agree. It would be best if we could convince Madam Wen. But we have to give it a try anyway. I'll go talk to Madam Wen tomorrow."
Xu Lingyi hugged her, kissed her on the cheek, and said, "Go to sleep! Remember to send someone to invite Grandma Huang San to come tomorrow morning. This thing should not be kept for long."
Eleventh Lady said "hmm", feeling that several things she was worried about had been resolved. She closed her eyes and soon fell asleep.
* * * * * *
Grandma Huang San watched those things turn into ashes, and then after Shiyi Niang poured tea on them, they turned into a black mass. Her eyes became wet, and she took Shiyi Niang's hand and said, "I won't say more. I'll go back and report to the Marquis now!"
For the anxious Huang family, this was a reassurance.
Eleventh Lady could understand her feelings, so she saw her off and then went to Wen's place.
"What does the Marquis say?" Although Xu Lingyi came forward to help her solve the problem, it did not mean that he would be sympathetic and generous to her.
Eleventh Lady conveyed Xu Lingyi's intention to Madam Wen.
Aunt Wen was stunned: "Then, what about my brother and the others?"
Does this count as wanting more after getting something?
Eleventh Lady said helplessly: "If the people of the Wen family had listened to the Marquis's advice, there wouldn't be such a disaster today!"
Madam Wen looked somewhat surprised and doubtful.
Eleventh Lady didn't force it.
We have helped everyone who should help, it now depends on how the parties involved make their choice!
She stood up and said goodbye.
* * * * * *
Yang's expression was gloomy.
She whispered, "Tang San's grandmother is ill and has been sent to the temple to recuperate. There is no news from the Liang family..."
Mother Yang nodded repeatedly: "That's what the messenger said!"