Master Ding was extremely filial to his elderly mother, even though he was furious but afraid of hurting her feelings.
Yan Qingqing was utterly speechless at Ding Yuanwai's actions. She did not deny that people should be filial, but blind filial piety was absolutely unacceptable.
Moreover, with such a spendthrift son in the family, if they don't stop the losses in time, the Ding family is really not far from complete ruin.
However, this was a family matter for the Ding family, so Yan Qingqing couldn't say much.
But to everyone's surprise, Master Ding's eyes darted around, and he looked at Yan Qingqing sincerely and said, "Mingzhao, I know you are a man of great wisdom. Considering that we have known each other for a while, please teach me."
"As long as my Ding family can weather this crisis, I, Ding, will certainly follow your lead from now on."
Ding Yuanwai's words can be seen as an act of surrender to Yan Qingqing. Although Yan Qingqing is currently a fifth-rank noblewoman, her power base is relatively shallow.
Besides, even a starved camel is bigger than a horse; the Ding family still has some wealth.
However, Yan Qingqing was someone who liked to take the initiative, so she naturally wouldn't be swayed by a few words from Master Ding.
So he said calmly, "Master Ding, I'm not going to rebel, what's the use of having you follow my lead?"
Master Ding was terrified by Yan Qingqing's words. This Mingzhao really dared to say anything!
So he quickly explained, "Mingzhao said that this kind of joke is not to be taken lightly."
Mr. Ding wanted someone to help him come up with an idea to help his family get through this difficult time.
From now on, if anyone asks him to do something, as long as it's within his capabilities, he will certainly not refuse.
Yan Qingqing smiled upon hearing this.
He then said, "If that's what Master Ding says, then considering our past friendship, I might be able to think of a way to help."
Upon hearing this, Master Ding was overjoyed and said, "In that case, I must thank Lord Mingzhao."
Yan Qingqing waved her hand and said, "Don't thank me yet. The solution to this matter depends on whether Master Ding can endure the hardship."
Master Ding said firmly, "What's a little suffering if it's enough to protect the family business?"
Yan Qingqing thought for a moment and said, "Alright, after you go back today, sell all the houses and shops in your family."
Then he dismissed all the servants and disposed of all the valuables in the house.
Of course, you can find a place to hide.
Then tell everyone that your family fortune has been squandered by your eldest son.
Especially your mother. Let her know the consequences of endlessly spoiling her children and grandchildren.
And you should abandon your eldest son when the time is right. A scourge lives on for a thousand years; he will only bring ruin and destruction to your family.
Upon hearing this, Master Ding nodded repeatedly and said, "I'm not afraid that Mingzhao will be laughed at, but my current wife is my second wife."
She gave birth to a son and a daughter for me, but my grandmother always felt that my stepmother was malicious, so she became more and more biased towards my eldest son.
Mingzhao's words gave Ding a sudden realization. He realized that this was all because of his blind filial piety, and he would definitely be firm and discipline him properly when he returned.
We can't let such a rebellious son ruin our whole family!
Seeing that Master Ding had thought things through, Yan Qingqing asked, "So, Master Ding, are you still willing to sell this estate?"
Master Ding said with a bitter face, "Sell! If you're going to put on an act, you have to go all the way! Besides, that unfilial son has a mountain of debt outside, and we have to let the old lady know that I've already sold the land to pay off his debts."
Yan Qingqing nodded. As long as he had a plan in mind, it wouldn't be a waste of her idea to give him this suggestion.
Li Xiangping breathed a sigh of relief upon hearing Master Ding's reply. He had been looking at estates for so long and had only found one suitable. He was really afraid that Master Ding would not sell it.
Li Xiangping was startled when he realized he had this idea, wondering if he had gone astray.
Yan Qingqing, on the other hand, did not have such a burden. She had already agreed on the date for the transfer of the manor with Master Ding, and Yan Qingqing also promised that the income for this season would still belong to Master Ding.
Master Ding was naturally extremely grateful to Yan Qingqing.
After the matter was settled, Master Ding left with his steward.
Li Xiangping helped Yan Qingqing into the carriage.
Li Xiangping was so happy that his mouth almost stretched to the back of his ears.
Yan Qingqing looked at him and teased, "Why are you so happy just because you bought a manor?"
Li Xiangping replied with a simple smile, "Happy, of course I'm happy."
Mother, this is a whole thousand acres, not thirty or fifty acres.
Our family used to have seven mu of land, and later Magistrate Ling granted us another fifty mu, but it's still less than sixty mu.
Now that we have this thousand acres of land, we'll never have to worry about going hungry again, and we can become big landowners! When I was little, I always envied families with lots of land.
Mother, didn't you say that even if we have money, we still need to buy land?
When Mom was giving Ding Yuan advice on going out, I thought he wasn't going to sell anymore. I was quite disappointed for a while.
"Mom, do you think what I'm doing is wrong?"
Li Xiangping rattled off a whole bunch of things, and Yan Qingqing could completely feel his excitement.
Even after the two returned home, Li Xiangping's lips remained curled into a smile.
Seeing Li Xiangping so happy, Yuan Huiniang smiled and said, "Look how happy you are, sir. Is that estate you've chosen suitable?"
Li Xiangping nodded and whispered something in Yuan Huiniang's ear.
Yuan Huiniang looked at Li Xiangping with some surprise and said, "What a coincidence."
To be honest, Master Ding is actually a benefactor to our family.
You don't know that the ten taels of silver we used to do business were a gift from the Ding family to celebrate Old Madam Ding's birthday.
"What goes around comes around."
Yan Qingqing and the others hadn't mentioned this, so Li Xiangping really didn't know.
No wonder his mother wanted to help Master Ding today; so that's why.
Meanwhile, Master Ding was pondering Yan Qingqing's words the whole way, trying to figure out how to achieve the best effect without arousing suspicion.
When they arrived at the Ding family's residence, Steward Ding helped him down from the carriage. Master Ding's face immediately fell, and he looked extremely bitter.
Then he loudly ordered the steward, "Go and pack up all the valuables in the house, and sell everything that can be sold."
Upon hearing this, Butler Ding quickly agreed and led his men to take inventory of the items.
The commotion quickly reached the backyard.
Madam Ding was standing respectfully in front of Old Madam Ding.
Grandma Ding, still with a kind and gentle expression, looked at Madam Ding and said, "Can't you tolerate that boy, Dalang, at all?"
He only spent a little money from his family.
Besides, what young person doesn't enjoy indulging in pleasure and revelry?
Don't blame him for going to brothels. He's a grown man, and none of you are going to properly find him a wife. How can he not go out and fool around?
To be honest, you're not really my biological mother; you're not caring enough.
Upon hearing this, Madam Ding looked numb and disappointed. In any case, no matter what she did over the years, it was always wrong.
Even though she bore a son and a daughter for the Ding family, they could never compare to the rebellious son left behind by the late Madam.
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