Chapter 255 What does she want you to do?
Grandpa Zhao glanced at the chaotic scene, sighed, and said to Jiang Ling:
"Miss Jiang, you... sigh, it's better to lose money than to suffer any more trouble. I'll head back now. Contact me if you need anything."
Jiang Ling nodded and thanked him, "Thank you, Uncle Zhao."
With the matter finally settled, Jiang Ling sighed and walked into the shop. Everyone else followed her in, except for Xiao Tao, who was kneeling on the ground.
Xiao Ran lowered her head, her eyes red and still bloodshot from anger.
His lips moved, but in the end, it only turned into a whisper full of regret:
"Sister Jiang... I'm so sorry, I've caused you so much trouble... I... I'll definitely work hard to pay you back those fifty taels!"
Upon seeing this, Zhao Yin and his wife hurriedly stepped forward, their faces filled with unease and apology.
Zhao Yin said, "Miss Jiang, this was caused by Xiao Ran's ignorance. We didn't teach him well... Even if our family tightens our belts and goes without food and drink, we will definitely pay back the money as soon as possible..."
Zhao Yin's wife also promised, "Yes, we will repay, we will definitely repay..."
They were filled with anxiety, fearing that Jiang Ling would take her anger out on Xiao Ran because of this incident and would no longer allow her to work as a shop assistant.
Since he injured his leg while hunting, the family's expenses have basically relied on Xiao Ran's wages.
Life has only just started to get better. If I lose this job, where else in my life will I find such a good job and employer?
Xiao Ran is now studying and learning martial arts, all funded by Miss Jiang.
“Xiao Ran, Brother Zhao, Sister-in-law Zhao. This matter is not Xiao Ran’s fault. He was just trying to help someone and was an innocent victim who was dragged into it. I will not blame him.” Jiang Ling’s voice remained calm, without any blame.
"How can we blame someone who is trying to do good deeds just because of the unreasonable arguments of a villain? Who will do good deeds in the future? I bought Xiao Tao with my own money, so you don't need to take responsibility for it. Don't worry."
Moreover, this whole thing started because of Hongxiu, and Xiaoran was just caught up in it.
What Jiang Ling couldn't understand was why her mother chose this time to break off relations with her.
Did she hear some news and conclude that she was involved in Hongxiu's disappearance?
Jiang Ling glanced at Xiao Tao outside, then turned to Zhao Yin and his wife and said:
“Brother Zhao, Sister-in-law Zhao, please take Xiaoran back to rest and calm her down. I will handle things here.”
"well."
Seeing that Jiang Ling didn't blame Xiao Ran, nor did she intend to fire him, Zhao Yin and his wife were relieved. They pulled Xiao Ran and started to walk out.
Although Jiang Ling did not blame her, they still had a lot to say to Xiao Ran.
Before leaving, Xiao Ran glanced at Xiao Tao, but ultimately left without saying a word.
After the three members of the Zhao family had walked away, Xiao Yi pointed at Xiao Tao on the ground and asked softly, "Sister, what about her...?"
Sensing that everyone around her had left, Xiao Tao bit her lip tightly, her eyes reddening, before daring to look up and examine Boss Jiang, whom she was meeting for the first time.
She was younger and prettier than she had imagined.
He lacked the aggressive demeanor of a businessman and the condescending air of a benefactor; he possessed only a calming and serene demeanor.
At this moment, Jiang Ling's gaze also turned to her.
Her gaze was calm and unwavering, devoid of pity or disgust, merely an objective examination.
Xiao Tao felt her gaze and shrank even tighter.
She stood up in fear, took small steps into the shop, and knelt down.
"Thank you... thank you so much, Miss Jiang, for saving my life... Xiao Tao... Xiao Tao will repay you even if I have to work like a cow or a horse..."
Jiang Ling did not respond immediately. She remained silent for a moment, and the air seemed to freeze.
Then, she said to Xiaoyi, "Xiaoyi, we're having braised pork with preserved mustard greens tonight. Go ask Aunt Qian for some preserved mustard greens. Tell her we'll send some over to her once we've made the braised pork with preserved mustard greens."
"Okay! I'm going right now!" Upon hearing that there was something delicious to eat, Xiao Yi happily ran out.
In the shop, only Jiang Ling and Xiao Tao remained.
Jiang Ling sat down in the chair, poured herself a cup of tea, and turned her gaze back to Xiao Tao kneeling on the ground.
To be honest, Jiang Ling didn't like her because she sensed that Xiao Tao had actively participated in this conspiracy.
Because everything was too coincidental, as if it were specially designed.
Perhaps the only variable is Hongxiu's sudden disappearance.
If Hongxiu hadn't disappeared, given Xiaotao's abilities, she could have made Xiaoran fall in love with her in time, and eventually redeem her from her servitude.
If Jiang Ling and the madam don't fall out, and with Hong Xiu intervening, her price might only be ten taels of silver or less.
With Xiao Ran's current income, plus the subsidies Jiang Ling gives him, he can save up in less than half a year.
But Hongxiu disappeared, and the madam blamed it all on Jiang Ling, ruining the business. Perhaps Xiao Ran will never deliver goods to the peony again.
Xiao Tao started to get anxious.
This led him to take a risky step.
After clarifying these points, Jiang Ling spoke:
"You're clever, you know how to plan for yourself. It's just that your methods are too clumsy. The reason your mother under the peony didn't see through it is probably because she made some kind of deal with you."
Xiao Tao froze, instinctively wanting to deny it, her voice trembling almost imperceptibly:
"Miss Jiang... Miss Jiang, Xiao Tao... Xiao Tao doesn't know what you're talking about..."
Jiang Ling wasn't in a hurry to expose her; she simply gazed at her calmly.
"You're a smart person; you should be well aware of the current situation. Your indenture is in my hands." She gently waved the thin piece of paper that would decide Xiao Tao's fate.
"This means that from this moment on, your fate is in my hands. Whether you stay, sell, or even live or die, is entirely up to me."
She paused, giving Xiaotao enough time to process the weight of those words.
Her last line of defense was completely shattered, and Xiao Tao's face turned deathly pale instantly.
This time, the tears were genuine, no longer feigned, but filled with lingering fear and humiliation.
"Waaah... Miss Jiang... I'll tell you... I'll tell you everything..."
She choked back tears as she recounted, haltingly, what had happened after that night.
It turned out that her mother had seen through her thoughts that very night.
Hongxiu has disappeared, and she has tried everything she could to find and ask, but still has no news.
Only Jiang Ling and Fang Shijie remained, but Fang Shijie was no longer within the territory of the Great Yu Dynasty.
As for Jiang Ling, the madam had secretly investigated her and said that she had good relationships with many important figures in the capital, so she couldn't just make a move against her.
She desperately needs someone to gather information.
“My mother suspects that Sister Hongxiu’s disappearance is related to…you, Miss Jiang, but she can’t find any evidence, and she can’t get any information from you…she, she just told me…”
Xiao Tao's voice grew softer and softer, sobbing and trembling: "She said she could grant my wish, play along with me in this charade, and help me prove my affair with Brother Xiao Ran in front of you, forcing you to redeem me... But the condition is that after I enter your shop, I must... I must do things for her."
Jiang Ling nodded as expected: "What does she want you to do?"
"She told me to keep an eye on everything about you, especially... to find out where Sister Hongxiu is. If I had any news, I should find a way to tell her... She also said that if I really couldn't find out anything about Sister Hongxiu, I should spread rumors that you and Fang Shijie are in cahoots, that you are both from the Great Sheng Dynasty..."
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