The Wei River surges, the wind and rain are gloomy,
The servant guarding the corner gate of the Mu Mansion frowned as he looked at the woman in front of him. Why did she come to submit a visiting card in the heavy rain?
Xu Jiang held up the visiting card and said, "Please help pass on the message, saying that Xu Jiang is here to visit Madam Mu and Miss Mu."
The servant didn't answer. "Master has instructed that no outside visitors will be allowed in the mansion these days. Please go back."
After saying that, he was about to close the door.
Xu Jiang reached out to stop her, saying, "During last month's Lantern Festival, your young lady went missing, and I was the one who helped find her. A while ago, Madam Mu came personally with gifts to express her gratitude, and she also invited me to her house as a guest. Are you going to make the decision on Madam Mu's behalf and reject me, your benefactor?"
This matter was known to everyone in the Mu Mansion. When the servant heard that it was his young lady's benefactor, his expression changed and he said with a smile, "I didn't know it was my benefactor. Don't blame me, don't blame me."
Then he said in embarrassment: "It's not that I want to stop you, it's really hard to disobey the master's order. Please understand the difficulties we have as servants."
Although he spoke softly, he did not give in, which shows that he was strict in managing his family.
Having said that, it was pointless to continue nagging, so Xu Jiang gave up. "In that case, I will come back another day. Please, my brother, take the visiting card to Madam Mu and tell her that I regret not being able to meet her today. If Madam Mu is free, please come over to chat. Xu Jiang respectfully awaits your arrival."
The servant answered this time, "Don't worry, madam. I will definitely pass it on."
Seeing the man leading the donkey away, the servant closed the door, thought for a moment, and then sent the visiting card to the backyard and handed it to the maid serving there.
Xu Jiang did not leave in a hurry, but found a restaurant near the Mu Mansion and waited there under the pretext of hiding from the rain. She sat there for nearly an hour, but no one from the Mu family came out.
Just as he was about to leave, a carriage drove up from the street and stopped in front of the Mu Mansion.
Yes, Mu Cong is back too.
Mu Cong also got off the carriage, and two attendants hurriedly held an umbrella for him. He was wearing court robes, and must have just returned from court.
Xu Jiang looked at the two attendants following him. One of them looked very similar to the man who was monitoring him in Xiaozhuxi that day, so he didn't dare to go forward.
Xu Jiang didn't leave the restaurant until several people came in.
I've waited for so long, but Mrs. Mu still hasn't come out. It seems I can't rely on her.
She stared at the closed door of the Mu Mansion for a long time, feeling annoyed.
Zhao Xiu was Mu Congye's disciple, and Mu Congye knew his background best. The court would definitely investigate, so how did he answer?
Thinking of Du Hui who is still locked up in Wutai, the answer is obvious.
He helped Zhao Xiu.
Xu Jiang couldn't find any way to criticize his behavior, but she was filled with resentment. These bastards were turning people into ghosts!
After entering the door, Mu Cong also stopped and said coldly to the two people beside him: "You are already back, why are you still following me?"
The attendant holding the umbrella was polite but not respectful. He said with a smile, "We are only following orders. Why should you take your anger out on us, sir?"
Mu Cong also threw away his umbrella and left.
The attendant's expression changed. He snorted coldly and said to another person, "Master, you are too lazy to serve me. Let's go and have some drinks."
Mu Cong also returned to the study, but saw his wife waiting in the room. He asked wearily, "Why are you here?"
Seeing that he was soaked from the rain, Madam Mu hurriedly asked the maid to fetch clean clothes for him to change. After he changed his clothes, Madam Mu wiped his hair with a handkerchief and found that he had many more white hairs. Her eyes immediately turned red.
"Zhao Xiu...how is it?"
"With their guarantee, my life is safe, but my career and future are ruined, and I will never be able to enter the government again."
"Then...where is Lord Du?"
Mu Cong was silent for a moment, "Either he will be exiled from the capital, or he will be demoted to a commoner." He will also have to sacrifice his good reputation for the rest of his life.
Madam Mu paused, then said with shame, "We are the ones who have let him down."
"Under the power of the strong, one has no choice." Mu Cong also patted her hand and sighed, "If I were alone, why would I fear life and death? But I have a family, you, and Lan Jing."
He couldn't bear to do it and couldn't bear it.
"I'm not afraid either." Madam Mu shed tears, "But what is Lan Jing's fault?"
Mu Cong also stood up and wiped her tears, then pulled her into his arms. "I will bear all the sins. As long as you and your daughter are safe, even if you go to hell in the future, I will have no regrets."
"Husband and wife share the same destiny. I will follow you wherever you go."
Mu Cong also sighed, saying, "With a wife like this, what else could a husband ask for?"
After a while, Madam Mu wiped away her tears and said softly, "Today, Shopkeeper Xu came to our house and handed in a visiting card."
Mu Cong was also startled and asked anxiously, "Can she be allowed into the mansion?"
Madam Mu shook her head.
Mu Cong also breathed a sigh of relief, "That's good."
Madam Mu added, "She sent a servant to tell me to meet her at the bookstore. I guess she wanted to find out more about Zhao Xiu."
"You absolutely cannot go." Mu Cong also stopped him, "Once you go, it will not only bring trouble to us, but will also implicate her."
Besides, since they chose Zhao Xiu, why would they leave any evidence behind?
Now, apart from Zhao Xiu's answer sheets for the imperial examinations and the essays he wrote at Du Hui's house, his provincial examination papers, and the rest of his essays and poems are all in their hands. Even if there are omissions, as long as they say that they were written by someone else, none of them will be counted.
We can't let him come forward to testify that Zhao Xiu framed the court ministers. Wouldn't that put the entire Mu Mansion in danger?
"But judging from her expression, she won't give up easily." Madam Mu felt guilty. "When Lan Jing got lost, she tried her best to help find him. What's more, the one who's in trouble now is Lord Du, with whom she has a close friendship..."
"As long as we don't see each other, she can't do anything." Mu Cong was not at ease either, but now that the storm had begun, the situation was beyond the control of people of low status like him and Xu Jiang, so why bother letting her get involved and become a waste of money.
It is not easy to protect yourself in a dangerous situation. No matter whether it is Mu Mansion or Xu Jiang, it is best to avoid them if possible.
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