With the arrival of Madam Zhang and other female relatives, the area in front of the Wu residence became even more lively.
Looking at the tightly closed gates of the Wu residence, Lu Qiqi instructed, "Nineteen, send someone to tell the old woman we paid to make an even bigger scene, to fan this fire even more!"
Nineteen, patting his round little belly, accepted the order and turned to leave the private room.
......
The Wu family mansion, the courtyard of the First Madam.
When Madam Wu heard from the gatekeeper that there was trouble outside, she immediately sent someone to inform Wu Guangping.
But to everyone's surprise, at this very moment, Wu Guangping issued an order that no one in the mansion should bother him with anything.
Outside the gate, several shrewish women had been cursing for more than two hours, using foul language that was unbearable to hear.
If this continues, I'm afraid the General's Mansion will lose all face!
But she didn't dare to leave the mansion rashly. She had been envious of Aunt Ning's business dealings with the respectable women in the border town.
Therefore, most of the insults outside the door are true.
Now that Consort Ning has disappeared, she, as the First Madam of the Wu family, has had her management authority taken away. Now that Consort Ning is missing, she has also been ordered by the General to be confined to her quarters and cannot even step out of the courtyard.
Just as she was at her wit's end, the gatekeeper rushed into the courtyard in a panic.
Madam Wu placed her hands on her lower abdomen, and a deep red mark was left on the web of her left hand from pinching.
She was completely unaware of it.
When she saw the gatekeeper, she knew in her heart that something terrible was about to happen.
Sure enough, the gatekeeper stopped in front of Madam Wu, bowed and reported, "Madam, a large group of people have arrived outside and said a lot of things."
Another group of people has arrived?
Madam Wu's expression hardened as she asked, "Who is it? What did they say?"
The gatekeeper reported truthfully, "Nearly half of the prominent female merchants in the border town have come."
Among the familiar faces were Madam Zhang, Madam Qiao, Madam Wang, and Madam Wan.
The first few names were fine, but the last one, Madam Wan, completely broke Madam Wu's composure.
Although Madam Wan was not a big shot in the border town, her maternal relatives were capable and served as civil officials in the court, including those who could write imperial edicts.
Since the reigning emperor ascended the throne, the Jin Dynasty has emphasized civil affairs over military affairs, and there have been many instances of suppressing military generals.
My husband, a military officer, not only caused unrest at home but also amassed a fortune.
If this gets back to the capital, and someone is wrongly accused of embezzling money from the people of the border town and charged with rebellion, that would mean having their property confiscated and being executed!
Madam Wu felt increasingly frightened as she thought about it. The gatekeeper, recalling the situation outside, reported truthfully, "They were shouting at the door demanding that General Wu return the money, and they even produced an account book, claiming it was evidence."
There was also the butler's red seal on it.
Upon hearing the name of the Wu family's steward, Hongyin, Madam Wu could no longer remain calm.
Not only was her power to manage the household taken away by Aunt Ning, but when Aunt Ning was in charge, her home was deserted, and even her former close friends turned against Aunt Ning.
This caused her, as the first wife, to lose all face.
Now that Aunt Ning has disappeared, the people who came to collect the debt have evidence in their hands, as well as the red seal of the Wu family's steward.
As the first wife of the Wu family and General Wu's legal wife, she had to shoulder her responsibilities no matter what, and even if she had to appeal to the emperor, she couldn't escape it.
Thinking of this, Madam Wu felt extremely resentful towards Wu Guangping.
Wu Guangping was able to become a general because of her family.
A year ago, the border town fell, and her entire family was killed by the Tartars; not a single one survived.
Wu Guangping felt that she had no family to support her and had even forgotten where she came from!
Resentment and grievance instantly enveloped Madam Wu. Ignoring the house arrest order, she shouted, "Let's go! Come with me to find the master!"
At the same time, Wu Guangping also received a message outside the Wu residence.
He hadn't expected Song Yanqing to be so ruthless, practically leaving no room for error.
First, place him under house arrest in the Wu residence, then have the Shadow Guards surround the Wu residence under the pretext of thoroughly investigating the matter of the Wu residence harboring Tartars, so that he cannot move in order to clear his name.
Now they've gathered a group of women to cause trouble in front of the Wu residence, forcing him to hand over Concubine Ning.
Once Aunt Ning leaves the mansion to explain, someone can be found to expose her identity. The whole thing is designed to force him to take action.
This woman dared to make a scene outside his door, yet the county government didn't make a fuss at all. He simply couldn't believe that Song Yanqing hadn't stirred things up!
Wu Guangping sat at his desk, flicking his nose with his right index finger, his heart already set on killing him.
Just then, there was a knock on the door.
When Ye Lin entered the room, his eyes darted around, and he dared not look directly at Wu Guangping.
His little tricks naturally didn't escape Wu Guangping's eagle eyes.
Wu Guangping said, "I asked you to go and fetch Aunt Xiang and the children, why did it take you so long?"
Ye Lin lowered his head, looking at his toes. After a moment, he stammered, "Reporting to the General, Aunt Xiang is not in the mansion. Even her courtyard has been completely emptied."
I also found a female corpse in Consort Xiang's room; it was the maid she brought with her.
Upon hearing this, Wu Guangping narrowed his eyes, peering at Ye Lin through his small slits, and said in a very authoritative voice, "The person is gone, and all the things have been moved?"
Ye Lin was also very puzzled and said quickly, "Yes! Aunt Xiang's room has been completely emptied, not even a stool or a bed was left."
Even Ye Lin found it incredibly fantastical to hear these words.
Even if Aunt Xiang and her child escaped through the secret passage on the night of the Shadow Guard's search, they couldn't possibly take the bed with them.
Did the furniture in the house come to life? Could it just disappear into thin air?
Ye Lin was completely baffled.
When Wu Guangping learned of Lu Xiangxiang's disappearance, he knew it was Song Yanqing's doing. Since that was the case, he could not use Lu Xiangxiang and the child to pressure Lu Qiqi and thus control Song Yanqing.
Therefore, in his view, Lu Xiangxiang was a useless move and there was no need to take her seriously.
After pondering for a moment, Wu Guangping smiled and said, "These young people are ignorant and arrogant. Since they want to force me to accept this money, then I'll grant their wish!"
Upon hearing this, a glint of light flashed in Ye Lin's eyes. "What does the general mean?"
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