After hearing this, Yang twisted the white crepe handkerchief from Hangzhou into a ball.

Mother Yang had no choice but to comfort her: "The two aunts are inevitably sad about what happened to the Yang family. It is also common sense that Grandma Tang San is sick..."

Before she could finish her words, Yang shook her head slowly: "Marquis Zhongshan is from a family of nobles. They only need to flatter the emperor, so they are not only snobbish but also a bit ostentatious. When something happened to the Yang family, grandma Tang San fell ill immediately. This is the best explanation. The Liang family, on the other hand, is a family of scholars who pay attention to family traditions and reputation. Even if they are dissatisfied with something, they will keep it in their hearts and deal with it slowly. I'm afraid that both sisters will be abandoned by their husband's families..." When she said this, she felt a bitter taste in her mouth.

"No!" Mother Yang tried to whitewash the situation. "Auntie, you are overthinking. I have asked that person to find out what disease Tang San's grandmother has and what Liang's grandmother has been doing these days..."

At this time, relying on luck can kill people!

Yang waved her hand and said nothing more.

Mother Yang retreated sadly.

* * * * * *

Qiao Lianfang, however, felt like she was sitting on pins and needles.

Her mother came to her and told her that the Yang family was raided and the Qiao family was in a panic. Mrs. Qiao even wanted to come to Xu Lingyi. Her mother told her that a daughter who is married off is like water spilled, and the Qiao family did not stand up for her at the beginning. If Mrs. Qiao came to her, she should just watch from the sidelines and never intervene. She also said that many meritorious nobles in Yanjing were involved, and the Xu family might not be able to protect themselves. If she went to Xu Lingyi for the Qiao family's affairs at this time, it would only make Xu Lingyi unhappy. She was told not to act rashly no matter what.

But today, Xiu Li received some very bad news.

It was said that the Dali Temple had seized twenty or thirty boxes of account books from the Yang family. Not only did the Yang family have connections with foreign officials and bully the weak by taking advantage of their power, but they also violated the rules to extract profits and exploited the people at high interest rates... Not only were the families of Duke Cheng and Marquis Zhongshan involved, but even the ministers in the court were in danger, and the government and the public in Yanjing were in a state of panic.

"How about we go and see the Marquis?" Seeing Qiao Lianfang sitting there without saying anything, Xiu Li whispered some advice to her.

Qiao Lianfang was stunned.

Xiu Li had explained: "You met the Third Madam at the back door that day. On the way, you met people from the sewing room and the laundry room, and you even drank tea in the gatekeeper's room. These people are used to bullying the weak, and I'm afraid the news has already reached Madam's ears. Why don't we go and ask the Marquis openly..." As she spoke, she advised Qiao Lianfang, "The Marquis won't come, and Auntie won't go. If this goes on, when will it end? Do we have to wait for the Marquis to come and apologize to Auntie? Madam just gave birth to the young master, and the Marquis loves him so much that he has to see him every day to feel comfortable. There's a long time to go, and if he looks at him for a year or two, will he look at him for ten or eight years? Auntie must plan for herself!"

Qiao Lianfang thought of Xu Lingyi's cold face, pursed her lips and said nothing.

Xiu Li knew her temper, so she could only sigh softly. After serving her lunch break, she left a little maid to watch over her and quietly retreated.

The courtyard is square, and the ground is still clean and tidy. The hibiscus beside the steps is much thicker than when I first arrived, but it is less lively and more quiet.

Days like this go by one after another, month after month, and time seems to have frozen into frost.

Yinqiao's low laughter came from the door, which was very happy and seemed a little unscrupulous.

"How can we compare with the sisters around the Madam?" Her voice was filled with flattery. "Manager Wan, who married Sister Binju, is now a second-class manager in the office. Manager Guan, who married Sister Amber, works in the largest grain and oil shop in Beijing. Manager Cao, who married Sister Yanrong, has now gone to the Huishi Office. Even the sisters around the eldest aunt, we are far behind..."

Someone immediately shouted softly, "What nonsense are you talking about? Can you just use the word 'big' casually? Who did you learn the rules from when you came in? How come you don't even understand this!" It was Dong Hong's voice.

"Oh!" Yinqiao's laughter was full of obvious flattery, "Otherwise, when I entered the mansion, why would my mother ask me to learn how to speak and act from the sisters around Madam Wen? Look at my mouth, thank you for your guidance! I will never dare to do it again!" Then she quickly changed the subject, "Where are you going, sister? I'm free, how about you come and sit with me, I'll help you go! There are some snacks here, try them and see what you like?"

Xiuzhen listened and opened her mouth to call Yinqiao back, but she couldn't speak for a long time because of the air stuck in her chest. Then she heard Donghong say, "Thank you for your kindness, sister! I followed my aunt's order to go see if the lady is in the room. If it's something else, I'll do it for you. I dare not delay this matter, sister, please sit down first, I'll be back soon!"

"I'll see my sister off!"

As Yinqiao spoke, the sound of light footsteps was heard.

What a dog's eye looking down on people!

The servants around my aunt are getting worse and worse!

What should my aunt do after she leaves?

Thinking of this, she could not help but stand under the eaves in a daze.

Go, where to go? The Qiao family is in a mess now, and it is the third wife who has been widowed for many years. When she comforted her aunt last time, she even mentioned that the Qiao family still has 300 acres of sacrificial land in Daxing County... After leaving the Xu family, where can she go?

In the flash of lightning, she suddenly thought of Jiexiang!

Jiexiang is already middle-aged, isn’t she also staying in the Xu family?

* * * * * *

"Isn't the madam in the room?" Madam Wen was a little disappointed.

Dong Hong smiled and said, "It is said that Madam Huang from the Yongchang Marquis's Mansion has come. The Madam Tai specially asked Yuban to invite Madam over to discuss the March 3rd banquet!"

People outside are in panic, but we still have to celebrate the March 3rd Festival in the city?

Madam Wen was very surprised.

But she had been tossing and turning in her mind for several days. If she didn't take advantage of this moment to say it out loud, she was afraid she would never be so bold again.

Thinking of this, she simply stood up and said, "Let's go to the main house and wait for the Madam!"

Donghong responded and helped Madam Wen change her clothes.

Madam Wen stood under the eaves of the main house for about two hours before Eleventh Lady came back.

"If there is anything, ask the maid to report it to me," she invited Madam Wen into the house. "Fortunately, the weather is good today. If it was windy and rainy, what would we do if someone caught a cold?"

Eleventh Lady is still as gentle as ever.

For some reason, Madam Wen felt a little sad. She smiled and sat on the small stool beside the kang, and said softly, "Madam, I came here this time to ask for a favor from you!"

No matter what the reason is, since Xu Lingyi has set a base point, he must not deviate from this range.

Eleventh Lady said, "Tell me about it!"

Madam Wen's smile faded, and she said seriously, "I want to send Qiuhong's father to help me go to Yangzhou. Please grant me permission, Madam!"

On one side is her mother, and on the other side are her brother and sister-in-law. Even if she were in her position, it would be difficult to make a decision... Is this considered cutting off one's arm to save a life?

Eleventh Lady sighed slightly and whispered, "Do you want me to send someone to escort him?"

"No need!" Aunt Wen's eyes were already tearful. "This matter has just begun. Don't drag the Marquis and the Madam into it."

Eleventh Lady said nothing.

Madam Wen lowered her head to drink tea.

The two sat quietly for a moment, not knowing what to say!

A few days later, Qiuhong's father quietly left for Yangzhou. Two ministers were suspected of violating the law and taking profits and were imprisoned in the Dali Temple.

Xu Lingyi closed the door and refused visitors. He came to see Jing'er at noon every day and rested in Banyuepan at night. Only Linbo and Zhaoying stayed by his side to serve him.

Eleventh Lady still asked him, "This year on March 3, I want to invite relatives and friends to our house to play for a day, and then sing a party, just like in previous years. Do you think it's okay, Lord?"

Xu Lingyi smiled and said, "Let alone singing for a whole day, even if you sing for three days, the emperor will be happy if he knows!" There was also some joy in his tone.

Eleventh Lady was relieved and said with a smile: "Be as careful at the end as at the beginning, and there will be no failure. It's always a good thing to be careful!"

Xu Lingyi listened in silence for a while, then smiled and kissed her cheek: "Got it!" His voice was gentle and soothing, and even had a kind of affectionate taste, which made Shiyi Niang's heart skip a beat.

* * * * * *

Yang's heart also skipped a beat.

She grabbed Mother Yang's hand tightly: "What did you say, Dabao came to see me?"

Dabao is her family's long-term worker. He is a loyal and honest man. Whenever there is any important matter at home, people ask him to handle it.

Mother Yang also looked a little serious: "If the Madam hadn't sent Zhu Xiang to pass the message, I wouldn't have known about it! I heard that he wandered outside the mansion for several days, but couldn't find a way to pass the message in. The guards noticed him and beat him up. If he hadn't shouted that he was your relative, I'm afraid he would have been thrown into the river long ago."

"Where is he now?" Yang stood up anxiously, "Did this matter alarm the Marquis?"

"I don't know if the Madam has told the Marquis!" Mother Yang said, "He is at the guardhouse. I went to meet his relatives and gave them a few taels of silver, asking them to help find a doctor. I will come back to you right away!"

Yang's brows knitted tightly together. "How could mother be so confused! The Yang family is now a lost dog, and everyone can humiliate them. He came to see me, why didn't you tell me in advance? If the Marquis suspects that it is someone from the Yang family who wants to ask for something... then we will never be able to clear ourselves even if we jump into the Yellow River!"

Mother Yang didn't think so much at the time. She couldn't help but asked in surprise: "Then, what should we do now?"

"We can only make the best of it!" Yang said in a deep voice, "I will go and ask Madam to let me see Dabao. If Madam agrees, I will meet him in Madam's main room. When the time comes, let the people in Madam's room hear clearly what he said and how I answered!"

"Well, if it was really the Marquis who sent him to bring the letter..."

"I can't meet him in private even more." Yang's attitude was firm, with some firmness in the corners of her eyes and eyebrows. She was less bright and more stern. "Since I stepped into the Xu family's door, I have followed the rules and never violated them. The Marquis should know it very well. It will rain, and my mother will get married. The people from the Yang family are coming to find me. How can I, a person in the boudoir, stop them?" She stopped abruptly here.

She is dignified and self-respecting, but now she is facing the predicament of her family being ruined. Even a person with a heart of stone would have to be a little soft-hearted!

Thinking of this, Yang whispered to Mother Yang: "Let's go see the Madam!"

Mother Yang said "Oh", but did not leave immediately. Instead, she said, "If the master sent a bodyguard..."

"That's even better!" Yang murmured, "Whenever he comes to me, there's never any good news!"

Mother Yang's expression darkened.