Chapter 264 Insider
Lin Yuesha really couldn't understand the women of this era. They were oppressed by their husbands' families, yet they refused to divorce and still had to maintain appearances.
Every time she was beaten, she would make excuses for the man, then feel sorry for herself and tell everyone how helpless she was.
But is Zhao San Niang truly innocent? Judging from her actions, she is quite a character.
Using Jiang Baozhu's feelings for Zhang Jing, he cleverly devised a plan, and Jiang Baozhu fell for it as she wished.
It could have been successful. The only unexpected thing was that Lin Yuesha happened to witness it. It was also because Jiang Baozhu was destined to survive. If Lin Yuesha had arrived a moment later, or left without wanting to pry into Jiang Baozhu's privacy, the outcome would have been different.
Suppose that Jiang Baozhu is murdered, and Xu Shi cannot withstand the blow and dies, then as Zhao San Niang wished, she and Xiao Cui will both receive great benefits.
"My lord, all of this was my idea, but Xiao Cui is innocent."
Zhao Sanniang knelt down and kowtowed to Lord Bai, wiping away tears as she did so. She had been blinded by greed and jealousy, and she deserved her punishment, but Xiao Cui should not have been implicated.
Lord Bai remained silent with a sullen face. Zhao Sanniang then turned to Jiang Baozhu and pleaded, "Miss Baozhu, you are a kind person. All of this has nothing to do with Xiao Cui. I don't care how you punish me..."
Lin Yuesha couldn't stand it anymore. These days, being kind is considered a sin. You get ripped off and almost die, but you still have to forgive the other person. Not forgiving them is considered unkind. It's a typical victim-blaming theory.
She rolled her eyes and looked at Jiang Baozhu, hoping that her sister could see things clearly.
"No, she is guilty. Xiao Cui is the source of your evil intentions. If I hadn't kindly saved you, none of this would have happened."
Jiang Baozhu gritted her teeth. Xiao Cui had wanted to tell her the truth before, but in the end she hesitated and didn't say it. Since she chose to hide it, she was obviously an accomplice of Zhao San Niang.
She realized deeply that without her father, home was no longer a home. She thought that coming to the prefectural city would bring her peace and quiet, but she didn't know how many people were plotting against her behind her back.
It wasn't just Zhao Sanniang; many others shared the same idea. For example, her neighbors were constantly pestering her to get married as soon as possible, and matchmakers were loitering around her door.
"Do you think that only my daughter and I were involved in planning all of this?"
Seeing that her pleas were in vain, Zhao Sanniang wiped away her tears, stood up, and said, "My daughter and I haven't known you for long, so it's understandable that we had bad intentions for money. But your maid, Xiaoxi, also knows the truth."
After Zhao Sanniang finished speaking, she gave a cold smile.
Now that things have come to this, there's no turning back; there's no going back. Let nature take its course.
"Xiao Xi?"
Jiang Baozhu had already calmed down, but when she heard Zhao Sanniang mention Xiao Xi, her eyes widened in disbelief.
Xiao Xi has been with her for many years, practically growing up in the Jiang family. They have a deep bond, so how could she possibly scheme against her? It must be Zhao San Niang trying to sow discord between them, so she's spreading nonsense and trying to frame Xiao Xi.
"It's...it's true."
Xiao Cui knelt on the ground, her voice barely louder than a mosquito's buzz.
There was a change in the Jiang family's fortunes, which couldn't be kept from Xiaoxi. Since Xiaoxi knew where Jiang Baozhu's secret stash of money was, Zhao Sanniang sent her daughter Xiaocui to persuade Xiaoxi.
At first, Xiao Xi disagreed, even accusing the mother and daughter of being heartless.
"Later, Xiaoxi hesitated for a moment and then agreed. Xiaoxi didn't go with you on the day you left."
Normally, Xiao Xi loves to join in the fun, and she will definitely not miss any opportunity to go out.
Zhao Sanniang told Xiaoxi that as long as Xu Shi and Jiang Baozhu died, the three of them could split the money and she could redeem herself from being a maid and become a young lady. In the future, she would have money and be able to marry into a good family.
"No...no, that won't happen."
Jiang Baozhu plopped down on the ground, stunned and speechless.
After a brief assessment, Lin Yuesha concluded that what the two were saying was true.
"Miss, Miss Jiang is really in a terrible situation."
Longjing sighed. Ordinary people wouldn't have such thoughts. Take her for example, being a maid for life isn't a big deal. Even if she got married, she would still have to work and serve others. It's not as comfortable as being a maid, and she could even save some money for herself.
"indeed."
Lin Yuesha was also very troubled. She thought she was unlucky enough, but compared to Jiang Baozhu, although she had encountered many setbacks, she had also overcome them.
The two really do influence each other; they're like sisters in misfortune.
Xiao Xi was arrested by the officials and brought to the main hall. She confessed honestly, and her story matched that of Zhao San Niang and her daughter.
Lord Bai wanted to determine the sentence for this group of people, and after discussing it with his advisor, they decided to hold another trial at a later date.
Lin Yuesha helped Jiang Baozhu out the door, sighing repeatedly; this blow was quite significant.
From a happy family to a broken one, the Jiang family now has nothing left but money.
"Sister Baozhu, why don't you and your aunt move into my house?"
Lin Yuesha couldn't think of any good solutions, but since she had a spare yard at home, she made the suggestion.
Although it's a bit inappropriate, my parents are reasonable people and will probably agree.
"Don't talk nonsense. It's not like we can't make ends meet. Why would I bother you?"
Jiang Baozhu shook her head, holding Lin Yuesha's hand. After being hit hard, she had recovered.
Thinking back to her past life, from the destruction of her family to her tragic death, not a single relative was left. In this life, at least she still has her parents and her good friend Lin Yuesha.
Although Father can't come home and Mother is bedridden, the fact that they are still alive is better than anything else.
As for being schemed against by servants, that's a minor matter; human hearts are unpredictable.
Jiang Baozhu forced herself to cheer up; with her father away, she had to support the family.
"But it's not right for just you and your aunt to be at home."
The servants also need to make purchases, and the huge courtyard needs to be tidied up. Lin Yuesha plans to introduce Huang Yaren to Jiang Baozhu. Although Huang Yaren likes to smuggle things, he is honest in business and values the character of his servants.
So far, the servants we've hired are all of good character.
“You need someone by your side right now. I’ll send Longjing over to take care of him for a few days. Once you’ve bought the man, send Longjing back to me.”
Bai Cha's neck is injured, and the only thing she can use is Longjing tea. Moreover, Longjing tea is efficient and not bad.
"Sister Yue Sha, then I won't stand on ceremony with you."
Jiang Baozhu owes Lin Yuesha too much; she'll repay it little by little in the future.
The house was in complete disarray, and she also had to prepare medicine for Madam Xu. She couldn't manage it all by herself and needed someone to help her.
As for cooking, she never lifts a finger in the kitchen, and the food she makes is so bad it's hard to swallow.
"Why are you being so polite with me?"
Lin Yuesha mentioned the Yellow Teeth Man and introduced business opportunities to Jiang Baozhu.
However, buying more servants is only a temporary solution; what if those servants develop other ideas?
Ultimately, the Jiang family needs a man to uphold its reputation.
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