Madam Ming was naturally keeping a close eye on Xu Zhi. Seeing Xu Zhi's behavior, she understood even more the meaning behind her grandmother's words. She took a deep breath and waved to a maid behind her. The maid was holding a tray with a bowl of sweet soup on it. When she was about to place it in front of Xu Zhi, her hand trembled slightly for some reason, and some of the sweet soup spilled out, with a few drops landing on Xu Zhi's sleeve.
The maid immediately knelt on the ground. Xu Zhi breathed a sigh of relief, feeling as if the situation had finally come to an end. She gave Bai Ying a wink, and Bai Ying quickly stepped forward to help the maid up, smiling as she said, "Sister, don't be alarmed. Please take our mistress to a secluded place to change her clothes."
Ming rushed over in a panic, apologizing to Xu Zhi repeatedly. Xu Zhi stood up and said to Ping, "Sister-in-law, I'm going to change my clothes. I'll be back soon."
Madam Ming quickly said, "Madam Zheng, this way please. There is a small courtyard here, which is quite elegantly decorated and relatively secluded. It's perfect for you to change your clothes."
Xu Zhi was followed by Bai Ying and Shiliu. With Shiliu around, she wasn't afraid of the Yun family playing any tricks.
Ming led her into a small courtyard. Xu Zhi looked around carefully. It was a small courtyard with three main rooms and east and west wing rooms. The courtyard was quite exquisite, with lush flowers and trees. A large sycamore tree stood at the base of the courtyard wall, its canopy casting shade over the entire courtyard. It was surprisingly cool after entering.
An elderly nanny stood at the door. Seeing Madam Ming bring Xu Zhi in, she quickly stepped forward to bow and said, "Please, Madam Zheng, move to the inner room."
Xu Zhi glanced at Bai Ying and Shi Liu following behind her. Seeing Shi Liu nod at her, she followed and entered the main room with the old nanny.
As soon as she entered, she saw Old Madam Yun, whom Ming had mentioned was recuperating in the city, standing at the door. When she saw Xu Zhi enter, she was about to bow.
Xu Zhi was startled and quickly steadied him, saying, "Grandma, you're making me feel so bad. My grandmother isn't even as old as you. If you bow to me, aren't you shortening my lifespan?"
Xu Zhi had met Grandma Yun twice before. After helping Grandma Yun stand up, she saw that Grandma Yun looked haggard. She was not even seventy years old, but the wrinkles on her face were even deeper, and her brows were always tightly furrowed. When she saw Xu Zhi, there was even a look of worry in her eyes.
After Xu Zhi helped Grandma Yun sit down, she sat on another chair. The old nanny had already served Xu Zhi tea. Xu Zhi didn't say anything, just sat quietly, looking at Grandma Yun, waiting for her to speak.
Grandma Yun looked at Xu Zhi, sighed slightly, and said, "Madam Zheng, I really had no other choice but to resort to this tactic and invite Madam Zheng here."
Xu Zhi nodded and said, "Grandma Yun, since you were able to invite me here, you must have already inquired about my identity. Let's get straight to the point and talk about what's going on."
When Grandma Yun heard Xu Zhi's words, she actually laughed and said, "I didn't believe it before that the taste from afar was backed by a teenage girl. Now it seems that I was blind."
After saying this, Old Madam Yun pondered for a moment and said, "My Yun family has indeed encountered an unprecedented crisis this time. In desperation, we have no choice but to seek help from Madam Zheng. Madam Zheng, please listen to my request. Whether Madam Zheng can help or not depends on Madam Zheng's wishes."
Seeing Xu Zhi nod, Grandma Yun slowly began to recount what had happened.
The Yun family has been in business for generations, and they were a well-known merchant family in the previous dynasty. Although they made a lot of money, the Yun family has always kept a low profile, so they have never attracted the attention of some people.
The current crisis of the Yun family can be traced back to last year. The patriarch of the Yun family's eldest branch, who is also the eldest son of the old lady Yun, is not as good at business as his second brother, who is also the second son of the Yun family. Therefore, the old lady Yun has always entrusted the core business of the family to her second son. She has also been considering whether to hand over the position of head of the family to her eldest son or her second son.
The eldest son of the Yun family could tolerate the fact that most of the family's assets were in the hands of his second brother, because he was not as talented as his brother. However, he could not tolerate that he was not the head of the family.
As the eldest son of the Yun family, the eldest son has always been the only choice for the head of the family. The head of the Yun family has always been the eldest son of the main branch. After the old lady of the Yun family revealed some information, the eldest son of the Yun family actually colluded with Wan Jingchen, the magistrate of Miaozhou.
Wan Jingchen, as a member of a collateral branch of the Wan family, has been staying in Miaozhou for several years. During these years, the concubine he brought with him has helped him get along very well with some wealthy families in Miaozhou City. Old Madam Yun said to Xu Zhi, "Wan's concubine, surnamed Shen, we all call her Madam Shen. As far as I know, Madam Shen has helped many families with a lot of things and has earned quite a bit of money. I understand that we merchants often have to lose money to avoid disaster. We are in the business of buying and selling, and the money in our hands doesn't stay for long before we have to give it away again. We are used to giving and receiving. Madam Zheng, you don't know this, but a few days ago, my eldest son's wife brought this Madam Shen to our house and bluntly asked me for half of our family's annual income."
The Yun family's vast wealth and annual income are truly substantial. Xu Zhi looked at Old Madam Yun in astonishment and said, "Has she gone mad? Doesn't she know that officials sent to other places are not allowed to have financial dealings with local merchants?"
Grandma Yun sighed softly and said, "Of course I can't agree, but this Madam Shen said that she didn't come to talk to me on her own behalf, but on behalf of the Third Prince."
Upon hearing the name of the Third Prince, Xu Zhi felt a chill run down her spine. She recalled the clever and shrewd concubine in the residence of the Yuezhou prefect when she was in Yuezhou. How similar the scene was!
Xu Zhi's heart was in turmoil, but her face remained calm. When Madam Yun saw Xu Zhi's expression, she knew that she had found the right person. She was just a merchant from a small place. How could she have the ability to compete with the prince of the court, especially since she heard that he was a rather favored prince?
Remembering her purpose, Old Madam Yun carefully said, "Our Yun family has several businesses in the capital, so we naturally have some information about the city. I know Madam Zheng's identity, and I've come here today to discuss this with you, simply because our Yun family is just a merchant family. We really dare not and cannot get involved with the prince. It's a misfortune for our family to have such an unworthy descendant who doesn't know his place. I can only try to find you here, Madam. I beg you to help me. I will definitely repay you handsomely."
As Grandma Yun spoke, she stood up to bow again, and Bai Ying, who was standing next to her, quickly went over to help her.
Xu Zhi stood up and said earnestly to Old Madam Yun, "Old Madam, this matter is of great importance. I can't offer you any words of advice. I would appreciate it if you could help me find some fast horses. I need to go and discuss this with someone. No matter what happens, I will give you an answer in seven days. Please keep that Madam Chen in check these next few days and keep your family in check so that there are no further complications."
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