Chapter 55 Chapter 55 "That lady and the stubborn one, I will...
The Duke knew that the Shangshu Mansion would not come to visit him so soon, so he went to the garrison camp first, and only rode back to the mansion after noon.
As soon as he entered the gate, the old lady grabbed him and asked, "Did the Duke mention it? What did His Majesty say?"
The Duke then told the emperor everything about his request to cancel the engagement and how he had refused.
The old lady took two steps back, pointing at him in disbelief. "Are you so reluctant to part with the Duan family girl? Are you willing to go against your mother for the Duan family girl?"
The Duke stepped forward to support the old lady. "Please forgive me, mother. I cannot betray my trust."
The old lady shook his hand away: "Don't pretend to be kind. You've already made up your mind, so why do you care about me?"
It was the first time the Duke had ever seen the old lady lose her temper with him, but he could do nothing about it. After instructing Madam Qian and Tao'er to take good care of the old lady, he bowed to her and walked away.
With the Duke's attitude, no one would believe him if he said he didn't like the girl from the Duan family.
And just now, the Duke hadn't refuted it. The old lady concluded that the Duke must have set his eyes on the Duan family girl.
If the daughter of the Duan family comes to marry, where will there be room for the old lady to sit?
The old lady snuggled in Nanny Qian's arms and cried bitterly.
Tao'er and Nanny Qian couldn't help but wiping away their tears along with the old lady when they thought about the future of their Yayuan.
Tao Er was afraid that the old lady would be too sad, so she advised her: "Don't worry, old lady, maybe I can persuade the Duke."
The old lady shook her head weakly, "That's impossible. I reminded Auntie, but it was just a casual remark. She was just an insignificant concubine. In the Duke's heart, how could a concubine be more important than a mother like me? If I couldn't persuade her, how could I persuade her?"
Tao Er thought so too, and thought to herself that her aunt was really pitiful.
The Duke didn't dare to say anything harsh in front of the old lady, but it was different for the concubine. Who knew how the Duke would teach her a lesson later?
Jasmine is not a fool. It is impossible for her to do whatever the old lady asks her to do.
However, she also wanted to know whether her grandfather would agree.
Last time, the eldest lady asked her to do something, instigating her to wait until she was in bed before pleading with the Duke. She was too impatient, and she acted as soon as her master returned.
Of course, she pretended to obey that time but actually disobeyed and deliberately disappointed the eldest young lady.
This time, Jasmine decided to give it a serious try at night.
The Duke did not wait for anyone from the Shangshu Mansion.
It was already evening. The Duke sat in the main courtyard, his face sullen and displeased.
Jasmine hadn't expected this. Her grandfather seemed to be in a bad mood today. Could it be because he had just been upset by the old lady?
The old lady asked him to cancel the engagement, and His Majesty also proposed to cancel the engagement. As a result, her husband took the initiative to beg His Majesty and said that he was willing to marry Madam Duan.
Why would she need to test it?
Jasmine completely lost confidence and decided to give up.
I thought about giving up and then thought about what happened when Madam Duan came in.
No! Whether the Duke and Madam Duan would treat each other as equals was another matter. But now she and Madam Duan were irreconcilable, and Madam Duan would definitely make things difficult for her.
Jasmine clenched her fists, stepped forward, squatted in front of her master, and said softly, "It's getting late. Let me help you bathe."
The Duke's face was still sullen, but when he glanced at the concubine, his expression softened a little. "Yeah."
The Duke stood up and followed his concubine into the bedroom.
He opened his arms and let his aunt help him untie his belt, while he lowered his eyes and looked at his aunt intently.
Jasmine noticed the gaze above her head, looked up to meet his gaze, and then smiled brightly.
The Duke noticed the concubine's dimples again, and he felt that the dimples were not as deep as the last time he saw them, so he poked them.
The concubine didn't like sharing a bathtub with him, but after the Duke found out, he no longer forced her.
But today, after he sat in the bathtub, his aunt actually came in.
After playing in the water for a long time, the Duke finally carried his concubine to the bed.
Just as he was about to get close to his aunt, he heard the same gentle voice as the one she had said to the four villains at the inn that day: "Master, can you not marry Madam Duan?"
...
The Duke's arrow was on the string and had to be shot. He just paused for a moment, with a sullen face, and said nothing.
After this wave passed, he gasped for breath, supported his arms on his aunt's head, looked at her, and said, "No."
She knew it! Jasmine asked knowingly, "Why?"
"Once I've made a promise, I can't break it. Even if Madam Duan is crippled or paralyzed today, she will still be the future Duke's wife."
The Duke looked at the concubine with complicated eyes. He wanted to say a few more words to her, but he didn't know what else to say to her.
Jasmine asked him again, "Between Lady Duan and Qiang'er, who would I choose?"
"Aren't you all in the Duke's Mansion?" The Duke didn't understand what this meant.
"Jian'er is saying, one day Jian'er misses me, and it just so happens that Madam Duan also wants me to accompany her. Will I choose Jian'er or Madam Duan?"
The Duke didn't speak.
The Duke was somewhat stumped by this question. Logically, he should take care of his wife first, but how could he ignore his concubine?
A difficult question he had never considered. A dilemma the Duke had never faced before.
He didn't say anything, so Jasmine just assumed that he would choose Lady Duan.
This man was always so law-abiding that even doing something behind closed doors during the day would make him reprimand himself for half a day. When they were out, if she wanted to hug him or wipe his sweat, he would scold her.
How could she, a concubine, compare with his wife?
And Madam Duan is still the wife he is satisfied with.
Jasmine's heart ached so much that she wanted to curl up and ignore everyone.
But she still had some sense left. She curled her lips and smiled, "I was just joking with you. To be honest, it was the old lady who forced me to ask you."
The Duke was still staring at his concubine in a daze.
Jasmine gently stroked his face: "Master, you don't blame me, do you?"
The Duke stared at the concubine for a long time before saying, "It's not strange."
The Duke turned over and tucked the corner of the quilt for his concubine: "Go to sleep."
As soon as he finished speaking, the Duke was pounced on by his concubine.
Inside the dim bed curtains, the shimmering sound of wind chimes filled his ears. His aunt pressed close to him, her lips brushing across his face and chin, her hands moving all over his body, busily engaged.
"Jian'er." The Duke was puzzled and tried to push her away, but the concubine hugged her tighter. "At least now it belongs to Jian'er alone."
The Duke was even more at a loss.
...
The next day, the old lady learned about her aunt's failure. There was no surprise on her face, nor was there any anger.
Jasmine, however, was not in a good mood. She had been planning this for days, originally believing that kidnapping Madam Duan would result in neither the Duke's Mansion nor His Majesty approving of the marriage.
She took every aspect into consideration, but she underestimated the Duke's feelings for Madam Duan.
He always listened to the old lady, but this time, for Madam Duan's sake, he refuted the old lady twice.
He also rejected His Majesty.
Jasmine thought of the Grand Princess's Mansion for the umpteenth time. Their eyes met, and he looked at Duan Zhi with an unusual reaction.
It seems that Duan Zhi is bound to enter the Duke's Mansion.
What should she do then?
Jasmine lay in her rocking chair, lost in thought all day, until Xiuhong, unlike her usual composure, ran into the main courtyard to call her.
"Auntie! Auntie! Someone has come from the Shangshu Mansion and wants to see you by name!"
Xiuhong had no idea why the Shangshu Mansion was looking for her. But precisely because she couldn't guess, she was particularly afraid. She knew it was definitely not a good thing.
Shancha, who was chewing a snack, was the first to react when she heard this. The teacup in her left hand fell, and the snack that had just entered her mouth was choked out.
Shancha rushed to Jasmine in a hurry: "Auntie, he...they are coming, they will definitely come to arrest us, what should we do, Auntie..."
"What are you afraid of?"
Jasmine looked towards the main courtyard entrance calmly, as if none of this was a big deal to her.
But only Jasmine herself knew how fast her heart was beating.
Jasmine asked Xiuhong, "Who's here?"
Xiuhong said nervously, "They're all here. Madam Duan, Madam Duan's parents, and the old minister are here too."
Jasmine pinched her sleeves and felt her legs trembling.
"Is the Duke back?"
Xiuhong shook her head with a bitter face.
Jasmine felt that she was doomed this time.
Xiuhong thought about it and said, "But the old lady has already sent the doorman to look for the Duke."
Shancha hugged Jasmine's arm and said, "Auntie, how about we wait until the Duke comes back?"
Jasmine had the same idea. She just nodded and said "OK", and was about to find an excuse to delay for a while, when a terrifying sound of footsteps came from afar.
All three of them looked towards the doorway.
"Auntie, the old lady said it's a pity to keep the guests waiting for so long. She asked you to get ready and go as soon as possible."
The person who came was Taoer.
Jasmine agreed, "I understand. I'll tell the old lady I'll change my clothes and come right back."
Tao Er bowed, but did not leave. She was actually waiting for her.
Jasmine had no choice but to pretend to go back to the house and change her clothes. Seeing Tao'er still standing at the gate, she took a deep breath and walked out.
Front yard living room.
The old lady sat at the top, and to her left were the wives of the eldest master, the eldest son, and the fourth son. The other side was filled with members of the Duan family.
Jasmine went in and bowed to everyone.
When facing the Duan family, they all looked at her with indifference and inquiry.
"Are you the Duke's concubine?"
The old minister looked at Jasmine solemnly and majestically, as if the person in front of him was a criminal who had done all kinds of evil.
"That's right, my servant."
"You have an ordinary appearance and come from a poor background. But is that why you are resentful that Zhi'er is the Duke's legal wife, and you are jealous and want to kidnap Zhi'er?"
The voice was like a resounding bell, as if if Jasmine dared to quibble, she would be dragged away and beheaded.
Shan Cha was so frightened that she fell to her knees: "Please spare my life, sir!"
Jasmine didn't even look up, but replied seriously to the old minister, "I'm innocent. I'm just a weak woman in the harem, how could I dare to kidnap Madam Duan? Even if I had the guts, I only have an equally timid maid by my side. How could I possibly kidnap Madam Duan? Please understand, my lord."
Minister Duan had met too many people, and he was just testing them. If the woman before him were to speak incoherently and kowtow in panic, he would believe she was innocent.
However, under his scrutiny, this woman calmly explained her innocence. This was quite problematic.
Minister Duan confirmed that there was indeed something wrong with this woman.
Just as he was about to threaten her again, the old lady spoke up, "What are you doing here, Lord Shangshu? Are you coming to the Duke's Mansion to torture me?"
Good-for-nothing! The old lady glared at Jasmine, almost carving these six words on her face.
How could someone from the Duke's Mansion kneel before others at will? His Shangshu Mansion wasn't a royal relative.
The old lady despised the concubine for bringing shame upon herself. As the old lady, she certainly couldn't let the concubine continue to bring shame upon herself.
Minister Duan looked at the old lady, his expression as dignified as ever. "I've already explained to her that the Duke's concubine is a suspect in Zhi'er's murder. Even if she doesn't believe it, she should still allow people to question her. How can she possibly cover up for her? Could it be that she and the concubine are in collusion?"
How could the old lady win an argument with a minister who had decades of experience in verbal battles in the court? She was dumbfounded.
"Who is shielding? Who is colluding?"
The old lady stood up suddenly, then thought about the person in front of her whom she couldn't afford to offend, and slowly sat down again. "The Duke hasn't returned yet, so as a mother, I naturally have to protect him. Is that wrong? You are the old minister, and you threatened me right away. This concubine is timid, and others don't know about it. They think you are trying to force a confession out of her before the Duke returns."
The old lady actually guessed it right. This is exactly what Minister Duan thought.
There was nothing more profitable than scare a little woman. Once she was frightened, there was no need to go through any more trouble.
But since he wasn't frightened, the old minister had other options. "Old Madam, you're wrong. Why would I need to be tortured into confessing? I've handed this matter over to the Jingzhao prefect to investigate. Because my concubine is a member of the Duke's family, I've asked the prefect to come to my house. Once he arrives, everything will be clear."
Everyone in the Duke's Mansion was frightened by these words.
The Jingzhao prefect is coming to the Duke's Mansion?!
Could it be that there was solid evidence proving that Aunt Jasmine was the murderer? As soon as the old minister stepped into the door, he explained his purpose to the old lady and even mentioned that he suspected Aunt Jasmine was the real murderer behind the incident.
But the old lady and the others thought that the old minister was just suspicious. Now, after hearing the old minister say this, everyone's eyes were focused on the concubine.
Jasmine cried out in panic, looking helplessly at the old lady, but she didn't know how to explain herself.
The old lady was also very frightened and hesitant. She knew that the old minister would not wrongly accuse a concubine without any reason and come to her house in person.
But she must protect the dignity of the Duke's Mansion! When the Duke is away, she is the only one who can protect it!
"Since the prefect hasn't come yet, why should the minister be so anxious? Who knows, the prefect's findings may turn out to have nothing to do with the concubine?"
"Whether it's irrelevant or not, the old lady will know later."
"The prefect of Jingzhao is here!" The doorman hurried in to report.
It really came!
Everyone stood up to greet him respectfully. Although the Jingzhao prefect was only a third-rank official, he could face His Majesty directly and held considerable power.
The old minister bowed to greet her. Seeing this, Li Fuyin stepped forward quickly, smiled and bent his waist, then turned around and bowed to the old lady in the same way.
The old lady hurriedly shouted, "I don't deserve it, I don't deserve it."
Since he was here to judge the case, the old lady invited Li Fuyin to sit at the top of the table. Li Fuyin refused once or twice, but seeing that he could not refuse anymore, he had no choice but to accept.
Minister Duan returned to the subject and asked Prefect Li, "Regarding the abduction of my granddaughter, how is your investigation going?"
Li Fuyin nodded solemnly to the old minister and said, "I have already investigated everything. It was all thanks to Madam Duan who told me everything that day and helped me analyze the motives of the real murderer. Otherwise, I would not have been able to find out the truth so quickly."
Minister Duan nodded in satisfaction, then turned to Jasmine and said, "Did you hear that? Confess and I will treat you leniently, but resist and I will punish you severely. If you confess now, I will spare your life. Otherwise, you know the consequences."
Jasmine was frightened again.
But she's not stupid. How could she possibly recruit?
"Auntie!"
Shancha called out to her softly. Her voice was filled with anxiety and fear. She had thought no one would notice, but now everyone was watching Jasmine's every move, so how could they miss her, the concubine's personal maid?
Duan Zhi said, "Grandpa, this girl seems to have something to say."
Minister Duan looked at Shan Cha and said, "Come forward."
Jasmine's heart tightened. When Shancha knelt beside her, she burst into tears and said, "I didn't do it. I simply didn't do it. Even if the two gentlemen wanted to beat me to death today, I would not admit it!"
Jasmine grabbed Shancha's wrist again. "I know you're afraid of trouble, but we're innocent. Even if the Minister says he'll spare my life, if I confess, I'll be treated like a rat from now on. That's no different from being dead. If that happens, I'd rather die."
Minister Duan's eyes became even more solemn.
Li Fuyin's eyes lit up. The Duke's concubine was indeed not simple, no wonder.
The people in the Duke's Mansion who had previously suspected Jasmine were now certain that Minister Duan had been slandering them. Look at the concubine. Even after being pushed to this point, she still refused to admit it. It definitely wasn't the concubine who did it.
The main reason is that no one believes that my aunt has this ability.
The old lady was almost furious. She bluntly reminded him, "She's just an ignorant concubine. Otherwise, it's better to wait until the head of the Duke's Mansion returns, and then the Minister can punish her!"
Minister Duan glanced at his granddaughter and knew there was no other way, so he nodded in agreement.
At this time, Duan Zhi spoke up, not looking at Jasmine, but at Shancha: "I know why Auntie is being stubborn. Auntie, you have the Duke's protection, so you don't have to be afraid. But Auntie, have you ever thought about helping the girl who did evil with you? Can the Duke protect her?"
After a pause, Duan Zhi continued, "Or did Auntie think about it a long time ago? Did Auntie do it on purpose? She thought that when the truth could no longer be hidden, she would find a scapegoat. Pity this innocent lamb."
Jasmine didn't look at Shancha, but continued to lower her brows and eyes as she replied, "I don't understand what my lady means."
Duan Zhi stood up and went forward to help Shan Cha up. "Shan Cha, tell me everything you know. Considering you have redeemed yourself, I will forgive you. If you wish to leave, I will give you a sum of money to ensure you have food and clothing for the rest of your life. If you don't want to, I have a way to make you stay with me."
This is outrageous! This guy hasn't even married into her family yet, and he's already trying to steal her from the Duke's Mansion!
The old lady was furious: "Is it never going to end? I finally understand. Today, you grandparents are trying to force me to bow my head! The Duke is not here, and I, an old woman, am still alive!"
"Jasmine, get up!"
After receiving the old lady's signal, Nanny Qian stepped forward to support the aunt.
Jasmine stood up shakily.
Mrs. Lu had been enduring for a long time. Ever since the imperial decree granting the marriage came down, she had endured so much suffering from the Duke's Mansion.
Seeing this, Lu slammed the coffee table and shouted, "Kneel down!"
Jasmine was so frightened that she fell to her knees again.
Mrs. Lu turned her sharp eyes to the old lady and said, "If you continue to obstruct me, it will inevitably arouse suspicion that everything I did was instigated by you."
"Young Madam, be careful with your words."
The Duke's voice echoed outside the corridor.
There was a fierce quarrel in the guest hall. When everyone heard the noise, they turned around and saw Duke Yan standing in the corridor.
Everyone stood up immediately.
The Duke walked into the room and exchanged greetings with the old minister and Li Fuyin. Li Fuyin wanted to offer him a seat, but the Duke raised his hand, indicating that there was no need to be so polite.
Turn around and walk towards the old man's seat.
The old man understood what he meant and stood up to offer his seat without complaint. He walked around to the last seat in shame.
On any other day, the eldest young lady's wife would have complained, but at this moment she was so frightened by the scene that she didn't know who to look up to, let alone care about the master.
The Duke's expression wasn't particularly good. But when it came to serious matters, the Duke always looked dead.
No one found it strange.
Mrs. Lu simply thought that Duke Yan hadn't seen the old lady's true face. Her Shangshu Mansion had already made plans to break off relations with the old lady before coming here today, and Mrs. Lu knew that now was the opportunity.
So Lu said, "I didn't mean to offend the old lady. Please forgive me, Duke."
After a pause, Lu continued to speak to the old lady, "I know that the old lady does not like this marriage, but if you have any dissatisfaction, you can express it to His Majesty and the Duke. What does it have to do with me, Zhi'er?"
Everyone could tell from these words that they were accusing the old lady of targeting Duan Zhi behind her back.
The Duke of Guo naturally understood what he heard. He glanced at the angry old lady and said, "Young Madam, do you have any evidence?"
Mrs. Lu just looked at the old lady and said sarcastically, "No. But I think the old lady knows it very well. Everyone in Kyoto knows why the old lady is like this, and I'm afraid only the Duke doesn't know."
This time, before the Duke could even speak, Minister Duan said, "Shut up."
There was no evidence, nothing more than a frame-up. She had even framed a woman of the second rank, the former wife of Duke Ding. The old minister was filled with disgust.
If Lu had not given birth to two extremely intelligent grandsons and granddaughters, the old minister thought to himself how could he have kept her.
Lu didn't dare to disobey her father-in-law and fell silent.
When the Duke saw the old minister scolding Lu, he stopped talking and just asked, "Why are you kneeling, Auntie?"
Upon hearing her master's words, Jasmine immediately looked over with a sorrowful expression: "This servant..."
She was about to explain, but the Duke interrupted her: "My Lady, there is no need to explain. Please, Lord, explain the whole story."
When Li Fuyin saw that it was finally his turn, he poured out the words he had prepared long ago.
Li Fuyin first explained how the Shangshu Mansion suspected that the concubine was the murderer, and then described in detail what happened to Madam Duan.
"...That's why Madam Duan suspected that this matter was related to the Duke's Concubine."
The Duke asked, "Has the prefect found evidence that proves that my concubine is the real murderer?"
Li Fuyin: "There are witnesses. All four suspects confessed that it was the concubine who ordered them to do it."
As soon as these words were spoken, the living room became noisy again.
Those who knew the truth sat there calmly, but those who did not know the truth, such as the old lady and the eldest young lady's wife, were stunned.
Could it be that my aunt really did this?
The Duke was as calm and composed as the old minister. He said, "But I don't believe that my concubine would do such a thing. Those four suspects could also be framed."
Li Fuyin: "That's possible. So I investigated the backgrounds of these four people and the people they interacted with over the past six months. I discovered that they had previously been involved in petty thefts near the Imperial City and had close contact with a servant in the Duke's Mansion."
The Duke: "This doesn't mean it was done by the concubine. Perhaps it was someone else in the Duke's Mansion."
Someone else? Who else?
It's hard to say it was her old lady, right? The old lady looked at the Duke with fear and trembling voice, "Duke, do you suspect me?"
"Mother is worrying too much."
Even though the Duke said this, the old lady was certain in her heart that this was what he meant.
If Nanny Qian hadn't held her hand tightly, the old lady would have fainted from anger.
Despite what the Duke said, Minister Duan didn't think he was favoring the concubine, but rather that he truly believed she was innocent. Minister Duan looked at Duan Zhi, who stood up and said, "Duke, I'd like to ask Shancha, your maid, a few questions. Is that okay?"
The Duke nodded: "Yes."
Duan Zhi continued, "I would like to promise Shancha two things in front of the Duke. As long as Shancha reports the truth, I guarantee in the name of the Shangshu Mansion that this matter will be forgiven. From now on, Shancha will be like a sister to me, and I will protect her for the rest of her life. Please bear witness to this, Duke."
The Duke took a moment to speak, "Yes."
Duan Zhi had helped Shan Cha up before, but when the Duke came in, Shan Cha knelt down again. At this time, Duan Zhi reached out to Shan Cha again.
Duan Zhi spoke gently and asked with a smile, "Don't be afraid. No one here dares to embarrass you. Just tell the truth."
Shancha nodded repeatedly.
Duan Zhi's smile deepened as she spoke, "Let me ask you, why did you and Aunt Moli end up in the abandoned house under the bridge behind Yuanguang Temple in East City?"
Shancha glanced at her aunt, hunched her shoulders and replied, "Yes...it's her aunt who wants to go."
Duan Zhi and Lu's eyes lit up.
Lu also changed her sharp tone and encouraged softly: "Go on."
Shancha: "Auntie saw it was about to rain and wanted to send a cloak to the Duke. The old lady also happened to say that the Duke would be hungry, so she told Auntie to bring some cakes with him. Auntie left the house without hesitation. When we arrived at Yuanguang Temple, it was indeed pouring rain. The temple was packed with tourists, and people were also taking shelter nearby. I saw a row of houses under the bridge and suggested that Auntie take shelter there. So we went. And who knew we would see Madam Duan?"
Duan Zhi's smile faded.
Shancha continued, "Originally, Auntie didn't want to cause trouble, but unexpectedly, two people came and tried to bully Madam Duan. Auntie couldn't bear it, so she stepped forward and shouted, 'The soldiers are coming!' and scared them away. Auntie went to talk to Madam Duan, but Madam Duan refused to appreciate it. She told Auntie to stop pretending and said she knew it was Auntie who was hurting her. Then, unexpectedly, the two men returned, and two more people came. The four of them kidnapped Madam Duan, Auntie, and the servants."
Shancha knelt down again along Madam Duan's legs. "I don't know why Madam Duan saw four people kidnapping me and my concubine, and still suspected that it was my concubine who killed my concubine? My concubine said she just wanted to make a living in the backyard of the Duke's Mansion. Madam Duan, please give her a chance to live!"
Shancha kowtowed deeply.
Mrs. Lu frowned, wanting to give her father-in-law a lecture but afraid of being punished.
Duan Zhi looked down at the maid kowtowing to her, knowing she had made a mistake. She had underestimated this master and servant.
The Duke looked at his concubine with an indescribable feeling.
"You and your aunt seem to have a good relationship." Duan Zhiping said calmly, without further explanation. She only asked Shan Cha, "Let me ask you, why didn't you take a driver with you when you and your aunt went out?"
Shancha crawled on the ground and didn't say anything for a while.
Jasmine: "It's because I don't want to take it."
"I didn't ask my aunt." Duan Zhi interrupted her.
Jasmine stopped talking.
After a moment, Shancha said without even looking up, "I don't want to drive either, but my aunt said that one more person means more trouble. All along, my aunt and I have never asked for a driver when we go out."
Duan Zhi: "Do you know how much personal money my aunt has?"
Shancha was stunned, not understanding why she asked such an irrelevant question.
Not only Shancha was confused, everyone in the living room was puzzled.
Jasmine clenched her fists, trying not to look strange on her face.
Shancha was afraid of a condom, so she said, "I don't know."
"Why not take it out and have a look at it?"
The eldest young master's wife couldn't help but interrupt: "I don't know why Madam Duan wants to check the concubine's personal information for no reason? A concubine can only have a few melons and dates. Right now, let's focus on the important matters, right?"
Duan Zhi didn't respond to the eldest young lady's words, but only said, "Eldest young lady, you are wrong. My concubine is not an ordinary concubine. I am the Duke's only concubine, and I live in the Duke's Mansion. I believe the Duke's Mansion will give me a monthly allowance, and the Duke will also give me some money from time to time."
Duan Zhi looked at the Duke and asked, "I wonder if what I said is true?"
It is not known whether the Duke rejected His Majesty's request to cancel the engagement, but Duan Zhi is now more willing to express herself. She used to pretend to be humble and kind, but now she doesn't want to do that at all.
The Duke couldn't guess what Madam Duan meant, but since she was telling the truth, he nodded and said, "That's right."
Duan Zhi smiled at the Duke and asked, "I'd like to ask, Duke, how much money have you given me for self-defense?" She thought for a moment and added, "Even precious jewels count."
The Duke asked, "Is this related to your kidnapping?"
Duan Zhi: "It's related."
The Duke actually thought about it seriously, but he couldn't quite remember. "I gave her jewelry twice, and money three or four times, but it wasn't much."
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