Zhou Ling'an stood in front of Song Ning, completely blocking her view, his expression serious: "Mother, I've said it before, my affairs are none of your business. Can you please stop meddling?"
Madam Yu immediately began to complain, "My son, I'm doing this all for your own good! This Song Erya is so sharp-tongued, how dare she be disrespectful to Jiaojiao here, and even say such hurtful things to her mother! My son, you must stand up for your mother!"
Zhou Ling'an remained silent with a cold face; he had heard enough of this kind of talk.
Xu Jiaojiao quickly lowered her head: "Brother Zhou, I'm sorry, it's all my fault. I... I just wanted to talk to Miss Song, I didn't expect it to turn out like this, please don't be angry."
Song Ning laughed. This Xu Jiaojiao really knows how to play the weakling. She wasn't like this when she was pressuring her with the county magistrate.
“Miss Xu, my mother is being unreasonable and has bothered you again today. Don’t worry, I won’t let her come again.”
“Brother Zhou, you’ve misunderstood. My aunt didn’t bother me. I’ve been staying home all day with nothing to do, so I’m grateful to her for keeping me company.”
Thinking about her upcoming plans, Madam Yu was afraid that Zhou Ling'an would make her go back now.
She stepped forward and took Zhou Ling'an's hand: "Ling'an, I was wrong. I will definitely avoid Song Erya from now on. I can't stand being alone at home all the time, so I thought I'd come to Jiangning County to broaden my horizons. Ling'an, you can't keep me locked up at home forever."
As she spoke, tears welled up in her eyes.
Song Ning narrowed her eyes slightly. Something was off about Madam Yu today. In the past, she would never admit her mistakes in front of her.
Why did you admit your mistake so readily today?
"So can I go now?" Song Ning poked her head out from behind Zhou Ling'an.
Zhou Ling'an looked at her, not knowing what to say. His mother always caused her trouble.
"Er Ya, I'm so sorry, I apologize to you on behalf of my mother."
"Alright, I'll thank you as long as you stay away from me. I can't afford to offend your mother or your future wife."
Zhou Ling'an's heart tightened, and he hurriedly explained, "Er Ya, no, don't listen to my mother's nonsense..."
Before Zhou Ling'an could finish speaking, Song Ning took two steps back and said, "I have something to do, I'll be leaving now."
She hasn't finished buying everything on her little notebook yet.
Song Ning turned a corner and bumped into an acquaintance again.
Lady Liu looked around anxiously, as if afraid of being seen, and hurriedly entered the pharmacy.
When he came out of the pharmacy, he seemed to be carrying something in his hand and tried to hide it in his sleeve.
That expression was too obvious; it was suspicious at first glance.
After the person left, Song Ning went into the pharmacy and asked the staff what medicine Liu Wangshi had bought.
As expected, the things I bought weren't anything good.
It doesn't seem normal for a woman to buy sleeping pills out of the blue, does it?
Song Ning followed Liu Wangshi all the way into the alley, where they secretly met someone at what looked like a back door.
Song Ning looked up and realized that this should be the back entrance of the building in front.
As Liu Wangshi emerged from the alley, Song Ning glanced at the building they had just seen and discovered it was actually a brothel.
This is the only brothel in Jiangning County. It's daytime now, and the street isn't bustling, but you can tell it's decorated very grandly.
This place is quite large, and it is often frequented by wealthy families who come to listen to music. It is also a place often visited by many talented people.
In their eyes, this place should be an elegant place, because the girls there are all quite talented.
Of course, it's a legitimate business on the surface, but there are always some shady dealings behind the scenes, and I've heard that quite a few girls elope with men here every year.
This Lady Liu has quite a wide network of connections; she even knows people here.
But she had just seen that Lady Liu had clearly bought something; the person gave her a paper package, and she gave the person silver.
What is it that you have to buy in a brothel?
Song Ning thought and thought, and suddenly realized something, and was immediately shocked. These Liu Wangshi and Yu Shi were too bold.
That's the county magistrate's daughter.
How much must Madam Yu like Xu Jiaojiao to go to such lengths to marry her into the family as her daughter-in-law?
When Song Ning turned back to look for Liu Wangshi, she had already disappeared.
She said that two people together can't produce anything worthwhile.
Song Ning was considering whether or not to meddle. After all, it was a matter of mutual consent, and Xu Jiaojiao might even blame her for meddling.
But then she thought of Zhou Ling'an, and she began to hesitate.
When Zhou Ling'an used to drive her carriage, he would visit the bookstore whenever he had free time in Jiangning County and tell her a lot about the school and academy.
His eyes would light up whenever the topic of studying for exams came up.
But if what she thought was true, what Yu did was enough to ruin her son's future career.
If this gets out, he won't be able to take the imperial examinations, let alone stay in the current academies.
Zhou Ling'an, Zhou Ling'an, how could you have such a mother who ruins her son's life?
Song Ning began searching for Liu Wangshi on the street. She hadn't been gone long, so he should be able to catch up with her.
When Song Ning found the person, Liu Wangshi happened to walk to the front of a restaurant and hid in a corner outside, as if waiting for someone.
Before long, Madam Yu and Xu Jiaojiao arrived, and the shopkeeper himself came out to greet them.
After the two went inside, they waited for a while before Lady Liu also went in.
Song Ning found a little girl on the street.
"Little friend, I bought you some yummy food. Can you pass on a message for me?"
After the little girl walked away, Song Ning went straight into the restaurant.
The waiter immediately stepped forward to greet her: "Miss, how many are in your party?"
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