Shen Yu was stunned. In order to save Mo Sheng, she had no choice but to argue unreasonably. She tugged at Mu Nanfeng's sleeve and hid in the corner, whispering a reminder:
[Big brother, Yang Hua has just died. If another concubine of the Mu family were to die, what would outsiders say about our family? Would they say we are strange and eccentric? Or that General Mu abused his wives and concubines?]
Mu Nanfeng's expression changed from anger to embarrassment.
Seeing this, Chen Yu continued, "In my opinion, we should first lock up Mo Xiaoniang in Jingshu Garden, and then deal with her after some time."
And so, Shen Yu temporarily saved Mo Sheng's life.
------
Three days later.
Mu Nanfeng summoned the Mu family members to the ancestral hall for a meeting, and Shen Yu, who held the Mu family's ancestral token, naturally had to attend.
These past few days, An'er's cold has not been completely cured, and she keeps bothering Chen Yu. Chen Yu can't bear to see An'er crying and making a fuss, so she brought her to the Mu family.
Shen Yu got out of the sedan chair. An'er was already fast asleep. Shen Yu ordered Jiu'er to take An'er to Jinxiu Garden.
At this moment, the direct and collateral branches of the Mu family rushed to the scene, and even the second uncle, who was doing business in another place, returned.
Shen Yu hurriedly stepped forward to greet him, "When did Second Uncle return? Has Sister Luo Yan returned?"
Second Uncle sighed, "Alas! This winter is unusually cold. In previous years, Dali was like spring all year round, and the ice business was booming."
Last month, the temperature plummeted, and my ice business in Dali suffered a terrible loss, so I brought you, Luoyan, back to visit.
I arrived home yesterday, intending to visit today, but it just so happens that Nanfeng has gathered everyone at the ancestral hall for a meeting.
Chen Yu peered out to look for Luo Yan, only to find his eyes meeting those of his third uncle.
This third uncle usually relies on the Mu family's business to make a living, and often comes to the Mu family to discuss matters with Yang Hua.
After Yang Hua died, Third Uncle stopped coming to the Mu family. His sudden appearance today must mean he has a very important reason for visiting.
really.
Third Uncle glanced at Chen Yu and asked, "Is the matter of donating cotton quilts to the soldiers on the frontier true or false?"
As soon as Chen Yu nodded, her third uncle flew into a rage: "Nonsense! Over a thousand quilts! How many years would it take to earn that back!"
At this moment, Mu Nanfeng walked over with a smile, stood on the stone steps at the entrance of the ancestral hall, bowed to the crowd, and said directly:
"Nanfeng invited the Mu family members here today to announce something: Zhao Yanghua has unfortunately passed away and has been removed from the Mu family genealogy. However, Nanfeng still has two young children who cannot be without their mother's guidance."
Therefore, I have decided to make Gu Lingrong my second wife and record her in the Mu family genealogy. I hope that all the elders will bear witness to this.
“Alright, it makes sense for the eldest daughter of the Gu family to be a second wife.”
"That's how it should be."
Where is Gu Lingrong?
"She has always taken care of the Mu family's illegitimate son, doing everything herself. Now that Yang Hua is dead and has left behind a daughter, it seems that Ling Rong will have to take care of both children."
"Sigh, it's not easy. Becoming a second wife is a blessing."
"yes……"
The crowd whispered among themselves, nodding in agreement.
Upon hearing this, Gu Lingrong, who had been hiding outside the door, calmly walked in, stood beside Mu Nanfeng, and bowed to the Mu family members.
Lingrong thanks all the elders for their recognition. Lingrong will definitely treat Qing'er as her own daughter.
The eldest daughter-in-law of the Mu family is indeed kind and benevolent.
Third Uncle was the first to praise Lingrong's appearance, then stepped forward and addressed the crowd:
From this day forward, Gu Lingrong is the eldest daughter-in-law of the Mu family, and General Mu's wife. By the way, who holds the Mu family's headship token? Now that Lingrong is the eldest daughter-in-law of the Mu family, she should rightfully hold the headship token.
Yes, the token cannot be in the hands of the Mu family's daughter.
This doesn't make sense. I don't know why Old Madam Mu would do this.
Perhaps this was not what Madam Mu intended.
[...]
Upon hearing this, Chen Yu immediately understood her third uncle's thoughts.
When Yang Hua was alive, his third uncle must have been involved in accepting bribes and buying and selling official positions. Otherwise, how would his third uncle have known the newly appointed Vice Minister of the Chancellery?
Fortunately, Madam Mu gave the token to Chen Yu.
Shen Yu was already a married woman and did not want to get involved in the affairs of the Mu family. However, the Mu family was in disarray at the moment, and Gu Lingrong knew nothing about business. How could Shen Yu just abandon her?
Shen Yu stepped forward, waving for Mu Nanfeng and Gu Lingrong to separate. She stood between them, raised the token, and said:
The reason my mother entrusted the token to me for safekeeping was that she discovered someone had ulterior motives and was harming the interests of the Mu family.
Today, Sister-in-law Lingrong has become the matriarch, and I should rightfully hand over the token. But, does Sister-in-law Lingrong know how to manage the Mu family? Does she even know what businesses the Mu family owns?
Therefore, once Sister-in-law Lingrong is familiar with the affairs of the Mu family, I will voluntarily hand over the token of leadership.
No, I'm afraid someone has ulterior motives and wants to seize the Mu family's assets.
Third Uncle stepped forward, blocking Chen Yu's way and inciting the crowd:
[You all probably don't know yet, but Mu Chenyu made the decision on her own to donate over a thousand quilts. Did she even mention this to anyone? Let alone discuss it with anyone.]
The courtyard of the ancestral hall erupted in an uproar. [Thousands of quilts?]
This is a huge sum of money!
[She didn't even consult us. Shen Yu is so inconsiderate. With her donations like this, the Mu family will probably starve.]
[...]
Chen Yu was too lazy to argue. The donation of cotton quilts was the Emperor's decree, and as the saying goes, an imperial order is hard to disobey. Besides, the national treasury was currently empty, and the Emperor would definitely require all officials to contribute generously; not a single one could escape.
At this moment, the Third Uncle turned around and angrily scolded her, "Hand over the token. Your ignorance will bring harm to the Mu family."
Chen Yu fell silent, staring at the doorway.
Just now, her third uncle came in and objected to the donation of cotton quilts. She had anticipated that her third uncle was there to cause trouble, so she had already sent Cuiwei to invite Li Yingjun, the Vice Minister of the Imperial Secretariat.
If Li Yingjun is acquainted with his third uncle, it can be confirmed that his third uncle was involved in accepting bribes and buying and selling official positions.
At this moment, Li Yingjun walked over gracefully and greeted his third uncle with a cupped hand: "Master Mu, Yingjun said he was going to visit your residence, but I never expected to meet you here."
Third Uncle nodded and was about to leave when Chen Yu stopped him.
[Third Uncle, Lord Li has come to the Mu family to discuss the matters that need attention regarding the donation of cotton quilts. Our Mu family is fortunate to donate cotton quilts to the soldiers on the frontier; that is an act of charity. Therefore, we must all work together to complete the donation.]
"Miss Chenyu is right. The Mu family's generous donation this time is a timely help, and His Majesty is extremely grateful..."
Li Yingjun spoke eloquently for a full half hour before leaving.
When everyone learned that the donation of cotton quilts was an imperial decree that could not be disobeyed, they were all ashamed and dared not face Chen Yu directly. Third Uncle was even more embarrassed, because he had colluded with Yang Hua to buy and sell official positions, and Li Yingjun was one of them.
At this moment, a series of hurried footsteps broke the silence of the ancestral hall. Cuiwei rushed to Chenyu and quietly reported:
"Miss, something terrible has happened! A maid from Jing Shu Yuan has come to report that Consort Mo has escaped."
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