, and nearly killed the young master. In my opinion, it would be better to sell him far away to relieve the anger!"
Cold words streamed into the room, and Xia He's eyes were filled with tears. She had lived with Bisi for the past two years, spending every day together. Even if they weren't close sisters, seeing her end up like this made her heart sad. She was thinking that when she could come and go more easily, she would visit Bisi more often and help her out.
But things didn't go as planned. Years later, she married a talented steward and followed him south to manage the Gu family's farm. She was gone for several years, and when she saw Bisi again, it was ten years later. She couldn't believe that this ugly woman with a red face, a loud voice, and rough hands and feet was actually the same idle girl with a willow-like waist, a cheerful complexion, and a love of elegant things.
After sending Bisi away, Minglan was also in a low mood. After a moment, she said, "Xia He, go pack her bag and bring her every stitch and thread. Don't let others covet it. Xia Zhu, go watch outside. I need to talk to the Madam."
The two girls responded in a low voice, one went out directly, and the other quietly closed the door from the outside.
At this time, there were only the two of them in the room. Shao Shi was completely tense, sitting and lying restlessly like a frightened bird. She caught a glimpse of Minglan staring at her without blinking, and she panicked even more: "Sister-in-law, don't scare me. This time I'm wrong! It's my fault... I..."
After hearing Aunt Ren's confession, although the words of apology were still the same old tune, his heart was more sincere, and every word came from the heart.
"What exactly did sister-in-law do wrong?" Minglan pressed. "Should she have listened to Auntie's instigation, or shouldn't she have disobeyed me?"
Shao was stunned by the question and his face turned dark red.
"Let me take your sister-in-law's pulse," Minglan pressed on. "Your sister-in-law is wrong for two reasons. First, you refuse to trust me; second, you trust others too easily! Ultimately, your sister-in-law simply doesn't trust me. Aunt Ren said I was using you in public as a cover for Tuan Ge'er, but you actually believe it!"
How could Shao Shi dare to respond? He could only wave his hands repeatedly: "No, no, no... How can I..."
"Let me explain!" Minglan clapped her hands, propping herself up on the table. "The capital is in chaos. There are only two types of people who would come to the Marquis' Mansion to cause trouble: those who are either after money or those with ulterior motives. I specifically ordered the main room of Jiaxi Residence to be brightly lit to attract greedy thieves. Humph, is there any place in the mansion richer than mine? After the thieves have robbed my house, they won't even be able to walk!"
Shao opened her mouth wide and stammered, "I, I was wondering why your yard is so bright...!"
"If they're coming for people... humph, the two Marquis brothers have been at odds more than once, and half the capital knows about it! Whether they're coming from the palace to arrest us or our kind stepmother-in-law, they're only after us, mother and son. What has it got to do with you? Well, if you insist on getting in... your yard is built next to the lake! Two and a half of its four sides are on the water. Could the thieves bring a raft and attack at night?! There's only one exit, easy to defend, hard to attack. I've deployed so many guards, and Boss Tu said it long ago: unless there are three times as many thieves as you can, they'll never get in!"
Minglan put her hands on the table, her imposing aura was so overwhelming that Shao Shi was so scared that she almost wanted to crawl under the table.
"To be honest with you, the one I'm most wary of is actually the Madam's side! The rebels weren't started by her, and the number of people who can come to cause trouble is limited. What I'm afraid of is that it's easy to dodge an open spear, but it's hard to guard against an arrow from the dark! There are so many old people under the command of this mansion, and their hearts are unpredictable. When the mansion was in chaos, the old women and maids came in and out. A hairpin, a packet of medicine, a stone, a thorn, how can Tuan Ge'er, who is so young, be able to prevent it! But before the incident, how could I say such heartbreaking words!"
Shao was so upset she almost knelt before Minglan. She collapsed on the table and pleaded, "Sister-in-law, I've been blinded by greed and have no vision. I don't know what's good for me. If, if it's true... I'll give Tuan'er my life as compensation..."
"I won't ask my eldest sister-in-law to pay with her life," Minglan said coldly. "I've always liked Xianjie'er. Even if the Marquis doesn't like her, I still want to make sure she has a good future. But if you really kill Tuan'er, how do you think I'll feel?"
Shao shuddered and waved her hands: "No, no... This is not Sister Xian's fault..." She suddenly felt extremely grateful to Sister Rong. If she had not risked her life to save her brother, even if she and her daughter had survived, she would have had a hard time in the future.
"It was so close, just half a step away..." Minglan's eyes revealed deep fear. "If it weren't for Rong's courage and determination, Tuan Ge'er would have lost his life. What a situation we are in now, it's really unimaginable."
Shao didn't dare to think further. Not to mention Minglan, even Gu Tingye's anger was more than enough to burn them and their daughter to ashes alive - the more she thought about it, the more scared she became, and her palms and back were covered in sweat.
Minglan stared at her coldly for a long time before she said, "I'm not saying this today for you, but for Sister Xian."
Shao raised his head like a wooden man, not understanding what he meant.
"When you stole away to hide in Kouxiang Garden, you only wanted to take Sister Xian with you, right?" Minglan sighed. "Sister Xian is a good girl. She actually remembered Rong at that moment and called her along."
Shao's eyes suddenly filled with tears. She raised her head and cried, "My dear daughter! I almost hurt you, but you saved me!"
Xianjieer called Rong Yatou over, and Rong Yatou saved Tuan Ge'er, and indirectly saved herself and her mother's situation - it was fate, good deeds are rewarded! She suddenly felt extremely pious in her heart, towards the way of heaven, the gods, and the cycle of cause and effect.
Minglan pushed open the door and before stepping out, she said solemnly, "Don't worry, sister-in-law. As long as you don't make any mistakes in the future, I will treat both girls as my own daughters." She paused, "I keep my word."
After saying this, she didn't look back, and left straight away, supporting Xia Zhu who was guarding outside the door.
That night, after dinner, Luzhi came to report the news passed by Qiong's mother - Shao had told Xianjie the whole story. The mother and daughter hugged each other and cried for a while. Although Shao blamed herself, she was relieved.
The next morning, Xianjieer came to pay her respects to Minglan with red and swollen eyes, twisting her hands and feet nervously. Minglan touched her head with pity and told her to go play with Rongjieer and Tuan'er.
But she wasn't so good-tempered towards Shaw. Although she was still polite, her expression was solemn and cold, and she didn't say a word, which frightened Shaw into submission.
Minglan once thought that if Shao had been afraid of her as she was of the Lady Dowager, even if Aunt Ren urged her harder, she probably would not have dared to rush to Tuan'er's hiding place - Qiu Niang was a perfect example.
Villains fear power but not virtue, and gentle persuasion does not work for everyone.
Minglan sighed at this helpless reality.
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