Chapter 77 Chapter 77 The child is so young, he can’t live without a mother...
The dark and strong man dared not hide it: "We are really from Luoxia Town, but the person who paid us to find you was not your father, but Lame."
Jasmine spoke word by word, "I'm asking how you found this place? Who told you I was in Kyoto?"
The dark and strong one: "We searched for a year and finally found it!"
"You're lying!" Jasmine let go of the short man. The short man finally emerged from the water, his face black and red, his eyes rolled back, and he was gasping for breath.
Jasmine stretched out her hand. Biyue Xiyue didn't know what she wanted, but she saw that Shancha had a dagger in her hand. Shancha pulled out the scabbard and placed the dagger in Jasmine's palm.
Jasmine grabbed the dagger and stabbed it neatly into Hei Zhuang's thigh.
Suddenly, the dark and strong man wailed.
Jasmine twisted the handle of the knife and asked him again, "Are you going to tell me or not? The next blow will be to your chest."
Hei Zhuang knew that this vicious woman really dared to do this. Without her life, no amount of money would be of any use, so he dared not hide it anymore.
"I said, someone somehow found out we were looking for you and showed us the way. We didn't believe it at first, so we thought we'd give it a try, but we didn't expect it to actually..."
“Where did your guide find you?”
"In Maozhou."
"What accent?"
"Looks like... looks like someone from the capital."
"Did they bribe you with money?"
"Yes, that's right."
"Where's the money?"
The dark, strong man fell silent. Jasmine drew her dagger and pretended to stab him in the chest.
"I'll tell you, we hid it in the crack of the bed in the inn where we were staying." The dark and strong man described in detail where the inn was and which room he was staying in.
The dark and strong man said with an apologetic smile, "I've confessed everything. Can you let us go now?"
Jasmine nodded casually.
The dark and strong man cried with joy. However, two hours later, when they saw the masked men trying to put them in sacks, the dark and strong man and the short man realized they had been tricked.
Just as he was about to curse, the masked man stopped him in time.
Jasmine went out to see them off and helped them load the two people into the carriage. Jasmine reminded them, "Be careful, don't let them see your face."
Big Rabbit patted his chest and assured: "Don't worry. They won't come back."
After seeing off the carriage, Jasmine closed the gate and went into the house: "Everyone should go to bed early today. We can clean up tomorrow."
Jasmine could see the look in Biyue and Xiyue's eyes, but she didn't care.
Seeing them standing still, Jasmine looked at them.
Xiyue said cleverly, "Don't worry, my lady. We didn't hear or see anything today. We promise we won't tell the lady or the master!"
Bi Yue also nodded in agreement.
Seeing them take the initiative to bring it up, Jasmine nodded immediately: "I believe you. Go and rest."
The two finally left.
She was eager to call off the engagement, and if they wanted to tell He Congde, she would let them. Based on what had just happened, He Congde wouldn't doubt her.
He Congde would not hurt her. If he knew, he might even help her conceal it.
Thinking about this, Jasmine was considering whether she should just suggest that the two girls go to He's house tomorrow.
.... Forget it. Less trouble is better than more.
When the door was closed and they were alone in the room, Shancha asked, "Madam, what if those two bad guys escape and come back to take revenge on us?"
Jasmine: "They were all sold into hard labor. It's not going to be easy for the two of them to come back. Tomorrow, when we wake up, go to the inn and get the money back."
"Yes, sir!" Shancha felt that she admired her wife even more.
The second day.
Jasmine held a gold ingot in her hand, turning it over and over. On the table in front of her was an unassuming black cloth bag, filled to the brim with gold.
This bag of gold was found by Shancha from the inn where Heizhuang and his friends were staying.
Jasmine had been sitting there for half an hour, examining each gold piece one by one.
Shan Cha was confused and couldn't help asking, "Madam, what are you looking for?"
"Find the murderer behind our murder."
Shancha picked one up and flipped through it, baffled. "But there's nothing on the gold. How could it possibly have the murderer's name engraved on it? Those two bastards don't seem that stupid."
Jasmine: "Have you noticed that the gold is very new and clean?"
Shancha continued to show her silly face to the lady.
Jasmine: "Every ingot of gold is different. Even the cloth bag that holds the gold is embroidered."
Shancha took a closer look and, as expected, discovered that the inconspicuous black cloth bag was covered with fine stitching that looked like flowers or auspicious clouds. It was even on all four corners!
Jasmine: "This is for supporting the bottles and tables. The people who are looking for them are from the capital, rich and powerful. We have only offended a few people in Kyoto. Remember this pattern and go ask around."
"I understand, my lady."
...
"...I heard that the famous daughter of Minister Duan's family was beaten yesterday? Have you found the murderer?"
"No, where can we find them? The master and his servants were sacked, dragged into an alley, and beaten. It's said their faces were even disfigured."
"Oh, how pitiful! Not long ago he was robbed, his engagement was broken off, and now he's been beaten again. This is just bad luck, right?"
"What's there to be pitied about? Just because the Duke personally broke off the engagement, that girl from the Duan family is definitely not a good person. She got beaten this time, maybe she did something bad and offended someone."
"You have a point."
Jasmine listened to the noble ladies gossiping, and her mouth corners were almost stretched to her ears.
What Duan Zhi cared about most was her reputation. Jasmine felt more comfortable hearing the discussions than when she had beaten up the master and servant herself yesterday.
One of the noble ladies took a fancy to a pearl hairpin in front of Jasmine. Seeing the maid's bright smile, the noble lady smiled at her kindly and said, "Wrap it up for me."
Jasmine smiled so brightly that her teeth showed, "Madam, this is the perfect match for you. You are truly as beautiful as a fairy. I will be at your service right now."
The lady was immediately delighted. Who doesn't like to hear good words?
All the maids in Concubine Liang's clothing shop can speak it, but none of them can speak it as well as Jasmine.
In order to hear good words, the other ladies also came close to Jasmine and asked her to introduce them to them.
Duan Zhi is undoubtedly the pocket of her Jasmine!
Duan Zhi must have already figured out that she was the one who hit her. But Moli wasn't afraid of her reporting it to the police, and she certainly didn't dare to. Moli was even less afraid of her revenge.
I don't think she would dare to retaliate.
For the sake of a small person like her, the entire Shangshu Mansion was put in a disadvantageous situation. Jasmine didn't believe that the lady of the Duan family would be so stupid.
Jasmine could actually report the incident to the police, after all, she had witnesses and physical evidence, but that would only lead to more complications. She couldn't take the risk.
Duan Zhi must have known this, which is why she bribed people. But she overlooked that she was not despicable enough.
Duan Zhi didn't dare put the sack on her, but Jasmine did. If provoked, she could be even more ruthless.
In the following days, Jasmine asked Datu and the others to guard Minister Duan's residence. If Duan Zhi made any move, she would be the first to know.
The six rabbits have now returned to the city. Jasmine spent a huge amount of money to open a braised pork restaurant next to Yuanguang Temple in the east of the city. She took the six people under her wing in the name of recruiting workers.
However, to avoid being discovered, she registered the braised pork shop under Shan Cha's name.
Of course, it wouldn't be a problem for her to come forward herself. She was kindhearted and couldn't bear to see the six rabbits suffer, so what? As the saying goes, less trouble is better than more.
Duan Zhi must know the truth. Now that she's suffered a loss at her hands again, Jasmine doesn't think she'll let it go.
If she showed mercy, she would be the only one to die. Therefore, Jasmine was not prepared to let her off easily.
But you have to wait for an opportunity that no one can find.
...
"Have you two ladies heard? The young lady from Minister Duan's family has disappeared! Some say she was disfigured and couldn't bear the shock, so she jumped into the river. I don't know if it's true."
"It's probably true. Who can handle this constant stream of blows? I heard Miss Duan wanted to reconcile with the Duke not long ago, but then the Duke was granted a marriage by His Majesty and engaged to Miss Wan. Now that she's disfigured, it's normal for her to want to die."
"Poor old minister, it's so hard for him to see his young son die. I heard that Miss Duan was his favorite granddaughter."
Jasmine was speechless. Seeing Shancha's terrified look, Jasmine lip-synced, "No."
Finally, when the workday was over, Shancha and his wife walked out of the shop, one after the other. A light drizzle was falling, and Jasmine stopped to wait for her, holding an umbrella.
Camellia was hesitating not far away.
Jasmine gave the order: "Come here."
Shancha felt her legs were out of control and she moved forward.
Jasmine stared at her intently. "If you act like this, I'll think you're trying to desert. Don't forget, we're all in this together. If you dare to report to the authorities, you won't be able to escape."
Shancha couldn't help wiping away her tears, but the more she wiped away, the more tears came.
Many people were watching them. Jasmine threatened, "If you cry again, I'll kill you when I get home."
"My life was saved by my wife, so you can take it away if you want."
Jasmine thought she was afraid and didn't expect her to say that.
Jasmine didn't intend to tease her anymore and told the truth: "Duan Zhi is not dead. I just tied her up and asked Datu and the others to guard her. I will scare her for two days and then negotiate with her."
Shancha stamped her feet and said, "My dear, you scared me to death! I thought you had really killed someone."
Jasmine: "Didn't you know I've killed someone?"
"How are they the same? You were protecting yourself before, but now you're doing it on purpose. I... I don't want to become an accomplice to a murderer and die a miserable death."
Yes, she was protecting herself. This reassured Jasmine, and she said firmly, "Don't worry. I have so many people and things I love around me. I would never let myself get to that point."
"Yeah!" Shancha hugged her and cried as if she had escaped death.
After a while, the two of them walked towards the back alley while talking.
Shan Cha: "What if Mr. Duan refuses to agree?"
Jasmine pretended to be fierce, and Shancha fell back in fear. Jasmine smiled playfully again: "If she doesn't agree, I will support her for the rest of her life."
Shancha: "Will they be discovered? Can Datu and the others keep an eye on them?"
Jasmine: "I delivered it myself. It's a rural area with few households, so it won't be discovered."
Jasmine added, "That dark and strong guy has been sent away. As long as she promises not to cause trouble for me, Mita Village won't come looking for her. Even if they do, we can handle them."
But Jasmine couldn't guarantee that she could convince Duan Zhi. She was willing to support Duan Zhi for the rest of her life, but she had to keep it a secret.
Duan Zhi is the wife of the Shangshu Mansion. Just like last time, neither the Shangshu Mansion nor the court will give up until they can find her.
She would only put herself in danger.
Her current conditions are not enough. Although Duan Xue is her biological brother, there is no guarantee that she will not kill him for the sake of justice.
There must be another handle that can force Duan Zhi to obey.
But what could she do if she didn't have any? Jasmine racked her brains but couldn't come up with any solution. She was very worried.
Jasmine was so worried that she could only look up the book, and then she saw the word "checks and balances" in a brilliant plan written by a great scholar.
Jasmine called Xiyue and asked her to deliver a letter to the doorman of He Mansion.
In the evening, He Congde came.
While serving him food, Jasmine told him about recent interesting things and mixed in some news she had "heard" with the interesting stories.
"...By the way, I heard that Minister Duan's eldest grandson accidentally killed a prostitute. Although she was a prostitute, prostitutes are also human beings. Isn't that right, Brother Congde?"
He Congde was watching her intently, listening to her chatter. Suddenly hearing this, he asked in surprise, "Are you talking about Duan Meng, the Minister of State?"
"That's right." Jasmine blinked twice innocently.
"Are you saying Duan Xue killed the prostitute?"
Jasmine nodded.
"How did you learn this?"
Jasmine: "It looks like it was worn by Madam Duan. I suspect the Duan siblings have a bad relationship..."
He Congde stood up suddenly and said, "I have something to do, so I'll leave first. I'll come to see you tomorrow." As he said that, he strode towards the gate of the courtyard.
Jasmine didn't keep him and just sent him to the door.
Everything was within her expectations. Jasmine curled her lips in triumph.
He Congde was the Assistant Censor of the Ministry of Revenue, and Duan Meng was the Minister of Revenue. It was for this reason that when He Congde learned about Duan Xue's affair, he would not stand idly by.
Duan Xue killed the prostitute a month ago. He was framed by someone. Shangshu Duan wanted to protect Duan Xue and cover up the matter.
In fact, Duan Xue wouldn't be in any danger if she hadn't concealed it. But her hands were indeed stained with blood, and Minister Duan was afraid that if word got out, it would damage her reputation. And this was the only promising grandson in the Duan family.
How could Minister Duan just sit back and watch?
Jasmine knew about this matter, but it still cost her a lot of money. It was Datu and his friends who ran around to find out about it.
When Jasmine went to see Duan Zhi, although she was tied up, had not washed for several days, and her feces and food bowls were placed together, she looked extremely miserable, but her eyes were still bright.
Seeing Jasmine, he smiled at her: "Are you disappointed to see that I'm fine?"
Jasmine scowled, "Yeah, so disappointing."
Duan Zhi's smile widened, and then suddenly, she slowly closed her mouth corners.
Jasmine asked, "Why aren't you smiling?"
Jasmine crossed her arms and sighed, "Madam Duan really misunderstood me. I wanted to reason with Madam Duan and let her go. I've been eating and drinking well these past few days, and having a few maids wait on Madam Duan. I really want Madam Duan to look radiant."
"Reason, what reason?"
Jasmine knew she couldn't wait, and she was even happier. "I'll let Madam Duan go. Madam Duan, please don't tell anyone about my past, okay?"
Duan Zhi looked at her suspiciously, knowing it wasn't that simple. "I can promise, but I'm afraid you won't believe it."
Jasmine: "Duan Xue killed a prostitute, and the old minister kept it a secret. How about I use this to make a deal with you?"
Duan Zhi: "I promise you."
Jasmine suddenly asked worriedly, "How's your relationship with your brother? You won't ignore him, will you?"
Duan Zhi: "Our brother-sister relationship has become increasingly harmonious."
"That's good."
Jasmine said, calling over the masked big rabbit Ertu, "Quickly untie Madam Duan. Then go get some water so she can bathe and change clothes."
Jasmine watched her wash at her leisure and asked, "Why don't you go after Wan Sui'er instead of me? After all, she's the future Duke's wife."
Duan Zhi: "You want to take advantage of others?"
Jasmine didn't reply to her.
Duan Zhi stopped talking.
After a moment, Jasmine spoke again, "If I were you, I wouldn't be able to swallow this. You wanted to enter the Duke's Mansion, but Wan Sui'er got there first. If it were me, I would definitely take you back."
Duan Zhi said expressionlessly, "Hurry up and go, it might be too late."
Jasmine looked at her for a while before saying, "I'm already engaged to the He family, as you know. I entered the He family as a proper wife, so there's no need for me to enter the Duke's Mansion as a concubine. But Madam Duan is different. Madam Duan, have you ever thought about fighting for it?"
Duan Zhi still had no expression on her face and ignored her.
Jasmine didn't think she was someone who gave up easily. What happened?
Jasmine sighed in regret.
She had suffered a lot these days, but when she saw the gate of the Shangshu Mansion, Duan Zhi thought she had won.
She locked her up and humiliated her, hoping to break her, but it didn't work.
So that was her purpose. Negotiation?
Very good.
She will let her know the consequences of today.
As Duan Zhi entered the mansion, the gatekeeper ran inside and shouted, "The Madam is back! The Madam is back safe and sound!"
Soon, sister-in-law Qiu came out with Lu. Lu went forward and hugged Duan Zhi, crying bitterly.
Duan Zhi was calmer than anyone else and asked Qiu, "Sister-in-law, how is my brother these days?"
Qiu's face didn't look good, her eyes were dark and blue, and the corners of her lips were strained. She replied, "I'm fine."
Duan Zhi asked again: "Where is Grandpa?"
This time it was Lu who spoke: "Your grandfather is obviously busy at the Ministry of Revenue. Forget about that for now and talk to mother. What exactly happened? Who kidnapped you, and how did you escape?"
...
It was just as she said, something had happened to her brother. It had happened a month ago, and she, his own sister, had been kept in the dark, yet she knew about it.
Grandpa wanted to protect my brother, but he was framed, and as long as the case was investigated thoroughly, he wouldn't even have to go to jail.
She wanted to threaten herself with her brother, she was dreaming.
Duan Zhi pulled out a bag of gold from the cabinet and instructed her trusted maid, "Tell them to go to Luoxia Town in Yizhou and find Qin Baixiang's parents. Bring them back."
"Yes." The trusted maid answered and was about to leave, but she almost bumped into the steward at the door.
"Where are you going in such a hurry?"
The trusted maid replied calmly: "My lady wants to eat cloud cake, and I am planning to go buy some."
The steward said: "You don't have to go. You are not allowed to go anywhere these days without the order of the Shangshu Lord."
When the trusted maid heard this, she hurried back to Duan Zhi's side.
The steward was the doorman of the Shangshu Mansion. He had been with Shangshu Duan for over forty years, starting at the age of sixteen. He was more trusted by Shangshu Duan than any of the other masters in the mansion.
Duan Zhi stood up and stepped forward. Just as she was about to speak, the steward bowed and said, "Madam, the Minister wishes to see you."
Coming out of Minister Duan's study, Duan Zhi's steps were weak and dejected.
In the study, not only Minister Duan, but also Duan Xue was there.
When her grandfather knew that she had inquired about her brother's affairs, he specifically told her not to tell anyone.
"...Your brother didn't do it on purpose. He was murdered. He had never been to such a place. The prostitute drugged him, and in his panic, he tried to cut himself, but ended up killing the prostitute. If this gets out, his future will be affected. The Shangshu Mansion will rely on him in the future. I've already convinced He Congde, and I'll find a way to dispel the rumors. Just ask Zhi'er not to spread them again."
She immediately said it wasn't her, but her grandfather and brother clearly didn't believe her.
Grandpa waved his hand again, his expression more majestic than ever before: "No need to say more, just do as you are told. From today on, you can rest in peace in the mansion. You don't need to go out unless necessary. Go."
Duan Zhi was completely bewildered. It wasn't until she returned to her own courtyard and saw several unfamiliar figures at the door that she realized she wasn't dreaming.
What is going on?
Duan Zhi spent the entire night figuring it out.
She wondered how he could let her go so easily. So he was waiting here. She probably had anticipated that Grandpa would cause trouble for her.
But how did she know?
He Congde.
He Congde is her fiancé!
Grandpa was sure that it was she who spread the rumor, and that He Congde must have listened to her and went to talk behind Grandpa's back!
She was actually defeated by an illiterate peasant girl.
The personal maidservant whispered to comfort her: "My lady, don't be sad. Wait a few days and I will find a way to get out."
Suddenly, there were many footsteps at the door. The master and servant turned around and saw that it was the doorman.
The steward bowed to Duan Zhi and said, "Qiulian is a coward, abandoning the mistress and running for her own life. This old servant, following the orders of the Minister, will take her away immediately."
Qiulian knew what would happen if she was taken away, so she shook her head and cried, "I don't have any, my lady, help me!"
Duan Zhi: "I asked Qiulian to come back and report the news. She did nothing wrong."
The steward looked embarrassed and said, "I hope my lady will not embarrass this old servant. Take him away."
...
Jasmine was relieved to hear that Duan Zhi was imprisoned.
Shancha: "My lady, don't be too happy too soon. What if Duan escapes or bribes the servants in the mansion to go to Luoxia Town?"
Jasmine: "If she wants to tell on me, I can do the same. Then I'll say it was Duan Zhi who forced me to do it. If the Shangshu Mansion finds out that she was the one who harmed Duan Xue, what do you think will happen to her?"
Shancha: "She's a legitimate daughter, what could possibly happen to her? At most, she'll be grounded for a few days like this time."
Jasmine said, "Duan Xue is the eldest grandson of the Shangshu Mansion. The old Shangshu is old and wants to rely on his eldest grandson to take over. At this time, a granddaughter is not as important as a grandson. I'm afraid she is not even as important as a finger. Madam Duan is a smart person. She wouldn't be stupid enough to offend the entire Shangshu Mansion." Shancha nodded repeatedly, "That makes sense. So, we are all right now?"
“A narrow victory!”
Jasmine was happy for a moment, but immediately became sad again.
What was the point of dealing with Duan Zhi? Her most important priority right now was to return to the Duke's Mansion!
Jasmine has been busy dealing with Duan Zhi these days and hasn't gone to see the Duke.
I wonder if he and Wan Sui'er have met again. Jasmine asked, "Did the Third and Fourth Rabbits say anything?"
Shan Cha knew what she meant: "The Duke didn't make an appointment with anyone with the surname Wan."
Jasmine was about to laugh when she heard the girl's next words: "But Wan has an appointment with the Duke."
Jasmine asked anxiously, "What did you do?"
Shancha: "We haven't even gotten married yet, what can we do? It seems we went horseback riding in the suburbs together."
Even so, Jasmine felt deeply unhappy. She imagined Wan Sui'er swaying on her horse, the Duke protecting her, and Wan Sui'er crying out in fear...
Then he thought, maybe Wan Sui'er could ride a horse. Then he imagined the two of them galloping across the green grass, as if they were going to spend the rest of their lives together.
Jasmine closed her eyes and forced herself not to think about anything else.
Jasmine covered her belly with her hands. He was the Duke of the Kingdom, and he certainly wouldn't allow his child to be left alone. The child was so young, he couldn't survive without a mother.
As long as she tells others about her pregnancy, she will definitely be able to go back!
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