Chapter 256 A Plan to Turn the Tide
Jiang Ling paused. The madam was so vicious. Even after confirming that she had nothing to do with Hongxiu's disappearance, she still didn't intend to let her go.
Her origins were already shrouded in mystery, and even the villagers of Jishui Village might not side with her if she were falsely accused of being from the Great Sheng Dynasty.
Unfortunately, she and Fang Shijie actually do have dealings, and if the rumors spread, quite a few people will probably believe them.
Jiang Ling said coldly, "What else did she say?"
“She said if I didn’t do as she said, she would tell Brother Xiaoran and you all my schemes… She said that as long as Brother Xiaoran knew that I had deliberately plotted to use him, and you knew that I had wicked intentions… then… then she would never tolerate me again…”
After saying all this, Xiaotao seemed to have all her strength drained away, collapsing to the ground, only able to suppress her sobs.
She had painstakingly planned for so long, but in the end, it all came to nothing.
Meanwhile, Xiao Ran, who had returned at some point, clearly heard their conversation outside the door.
His face was drained of color, and he silently lowered his head, his expression unreadable.
Jiang Ling was somewhat surprised. She had sent Xiao Ran away precisely because she was afraid he would hear these words and ruin his budding feelings and beautiful aspirations for love.
She paused, wondering how to start the conversation, when Xiao Ran quietly walked away again.
Jiang Ling sighed softly, "Never mind, it's better that you know."
His life is his own. He is still young, and he can choose how to walk his own path in the future.
His gaze returned to Xiaotao, who was slumped on the ground, sobbing uncontrollably.
She thought to herself that if it weren't for this incident, she would have been willing to let her and Xiaoran be together.
After all, it wasn't Xiao Tao's fault that she ended up in a brothel; it was the fault of the world.
Xiao Tao schemed for herself in a desperate situation, and Jiang Ling wouldn't blame her for it. Any girl in such a hell would try her best to escape. If it was just simple manipulation, Jiang Ling wouldn't be so angry.
But she schemed against Xiao Ran, who was wholeheartedly helping her, and even tried to frame herself to achieve her goal.
That alone makes it impossible for her to stay by my side.
However, there is one more thing to do before letting her go.
Since the person under the peony flower sent her to gather information, we might as well take this opportunity to turn the tables and make Xiao Tao a double agent.
Jiang Ling spoke, her voice regaining its previous calm, "I spent fifty taels of silver to redeem you from your servitude. These fifty taels cannot be wasted."
Xiao Tao looked up at Jiang Ling with teary eyes, not understanding her meaning, her eyes filled with confusion and fear.
Jiang Ling slowly stood up, walked to her, looked down at her with sharp eyes: "Since you have an agreement with the mother under the peony to find out information for her... that's perfect. I also need someone to gather information here."
Xiao Tao shuddered suddenly, as if she had a premonition of something.
"From now on, you will be a double agent and work for me."
"Didn't Mom ask you to find out where Hongxiu is? Then you can play along. When you go back to report the news, use your connections under the Peony Blossom to help me do something for you!"
"Don't worry, since your mother sent you to gather information, she won't do anything to you in the short term. On the contrary, she will create favorable conditions for you."
Xiao Tao was stunned for a moment, clearly not expecting Jiang Ling to make this request.
But now that the indenture is in Jiang Ling's hands, she has no room for negotiation.
Moreover, she genuinely believed that following Jiang Ling was better than following her mother under the peony flower.
Otherwise, she wouldn't have gone to such lengths to plan this.
She thought that if she couldn't marry Xiaoran, working at the grocery store for the rest of her life would be fine.
She knew she had come with a purpose, and she didn't really want to hurt Miss Jiang.
She just wanted to wait until things settled down before finding an opportunity to tell Miss Jiang everything.
But she underestimated Miss Jiang, and now her initiative has turned into a passive one.
She lowered her head, adopting a resigned posture, and said, "Please speak, Miss Jiang."
Jiang Ling's voice turned serious. "The first thing I want you to do is find Hongxiu's personal maid, Xiao Qiu."
She was just wondering how to contact Xiao Qiu, so she figured she might as well take advantage of such a good opportunity.
Xiao Qiu had relied on Hong Xiu since she was a child, and Hong Xiu had always taken care of her food, drink, and shelter. If Hong Xiu wanted to leave, she would definitely notice.
At the very least, it's important to confirm that Hongxiu escaped on her own, rather than being kidnapped.
Xiao Tao listened blankly, then looked up and said, "But, back when Sister Hongxiu disappeared, Xiao Qiu had already been locked in the woodshed by Mother..."
Jiang Ling spoke with a slightly threatening tone: "Aren't you very smart? I believe you can find a way."
A hint of difficulty flashed in Xiao Tao's eyes.
But they did not back down because of this.
Jiang Ling could tell that she was thinking about how to proceed, and knew that she had her own plan.
People can unleash tremendous potential when they are in dire straits.
Jiang Ling took a sip of tea and said, "After this matter is over, I will arrange a second thing for you. If you do it well, I will find you a way out. Or I will give you some money and send you somewhere else. If you don't do it well, as Mother said, you are not righteous... I cannot tolerate you here."
In this world, a thirteen-year-old girl with no money or power has no way to survive independently.
Although she has a home, that home has already sold her once, and going back would only mean being sold a second time.
The second time, I don't know where it will be sold.
Jiang Ling had just spent fifty taels of silver on her and promised to arrange a way out for her as long as things were done well.
Xiaotao is a smart person; she must know how to make the right choice.
She quickly gave her answer: "Xiao Tao will do her best to complete the mission."
Jiang Ling appreciated her pragmatic attitude.
As for the second matter, Jiang Ling had already thought it through. Since the madam under the peony flower wanted to kill her, she didn't need to show any mercy.
Jiang Ling still possesses the banner of the Yan Yang Merchant Caravan of the Great Sheng Dynasty. To frame someone, she naturally needs some solid evidence.
Once Xiaotao has found out the information she wants, she will then have her find a way to slip the flag into the madam's room.
They will spend a lot of money to spread rumors.
Now, the Great Yu Dynasty and the Great Sheng Dynasty are at war, and the people of the two countries are irreconcilable enemies.
This rumor can be spread with very little effort.
Even if they can't wipe out all the peonies, at least the madam will be doomed.
Having arranged everything, Jiang Ling looked at the thirteen-year-old girl covered in scars, and her tone softened.
"There's an abandoned courtyard behind the general store, which I've already bought. Settle in and move in. Five days from now, I'll arrange for you to go to town; you can take that opportunity to go back to Peony Garden. I believe you've already thought through what to say and do then,"
Xiao Tao struggled to get up from the ground, wiped the tears from her face, bowed deeply to Jiang Ling, then turned around and walked out of the grocery store with slightly unsteady steps.
Jiang Ling watched her figure disappear through the door, hoping that Xiao Tao's cleverness would be put to good use this time.
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