Chapter 138 Come with me
Yao Qingling lay on her side, letting He Yin massage her lower back.
She had held her breath while bowing, and now she felt a little uncomfortable.
She said, "I noticed something unusual at Marquis Zhongyong's place today. He Yin, can you help me analyze it?"
Qingling described what she had seen: "...Do you think it's possible that the Marquis took medication?"
However, Yao Ying immediately rushed out to find Ma.
If he had taken aphrodisiacs, he would have had difficulty controlling his desires and would not have had the mind to confront Ma.
Therefore, Qingling was not very sure.
He Yin was silent for a while, then took out paper and pen: "It's an aphrodisiac, but it should be mixed with other drugs. It would be best if I could examine the actual product."
Yao Qingling was making plans in her mind.
Did Ma know that Yao Ying was taking elixirs?
Qingling had never heard of it before, and wondered if he had only recently started taking it.
Madam Ma valued the position of Lady Hou and sought power within the household, thus neglecting to care for Yao Ying.
She thought that all the concubines in the mansion, her sons, daughters-in-law, and daughters were afraid of her and submitted to her.
She trusted her concubines to serve Yao Ying and focused all her efforts on bringing benefits to her family.
Yao Qingling's return to the mansion after her divorce shattered the "prosperous family" that Madam Ma had built, causing her to lose face and challenging her authority.
The peace of the Marquis's mansion was shattered. Madam Ma was eager to restore her authority, but amidst the chaos, the concubines below her began to stir up trouble...
For Yao Qingling, is the chaos that has just begun to emerge a good thing or a bad thing?
Qingling intends for her son to inherit the Marquis's mansion, so the weaker Yao Ying's offspring are, the more advantageous it will be for her.
However, if something serious were to happen to the Marquis's residence at this time, angering the emperor, it would not be a good thing for the Marquis's residence...
Qingling bit her lip: "It's best to see through things but not say anything, to have a clear understanding of the situation over there, so that you can take action at any time and control the situation."
She thought for a moment and said to Xia Chan, "I have a task for you."
He then said to Lou Yue, "Go and get close to Mei Ping, keep an eye on her, and find out all her secrets."
Yao Qingling always felt that the seemingly ordinary plum vase was not only unassuming but also clever.
A person like Madam Ma couldn't manage such servants.
She then said to He Yin, "Now you should examine everyone in the mansion and find an opportunity to get that elixir and examine it."
He Yin nodded.
After making the arrangements, she dismissed the maids, leaving only He Yin to serve her during her bath and massage.
The next day, Yao Qingling took He Yin and Lin Qiao to Pingqing Wharf.
On the way, Yao Qingling looked out the carriage curtain several times, each time swallowing back the words that were about to come out.
He Yin saw it but pretended not to.
She wasn't as talkative as Taoye, and besides, she also had to write.
Unlike Xia Chan and He Louyue, she wasn't good at reading people's expressions; her only responsibility was to take care of the young lady's health.
Yao Qingling took one last look at the curtain and puffed out her cheeks.
When she got into the carriage, she wanted Lin Qiao to be inside so she could take the opportunity to chat with her about her brother... well, to understand the thoughts and feelings of her subordinates.
But Lin Qiao was all height and no brains; she complained that the carriage was stuffy and preferred to sit on the outside of the carriage.
Upon arriving at Pingqing Wharf, a completely different scene unfolded.
Looking into the distance, the large and small boats moored on the wide river can be seen as far as the eye can see.
The dock was very large, and houses of varying heights were built nearby. Fishermen, fishmongers, porters, and laborers mostly lived here. The largest were warehouses, where countless items of rice, oil, cloth, porcelain, and medicinal herbs transported from the south were piled up in the dark warehouses.
The porters came and went like ants between the dock and the warehouse, so many that they were impossible to count.
The carriage couldn't go inside; it could only stop on the outside.
Qingling got off the carriage.
With so many people around, she couldn't possibly find Sheng Dahe, so she sent Lin Qiao to deliver the message while she waited at the entrance of the customs office.
After a while, Sheng Dahe arrived.
He was no longer the rough and slovenly man he used to be. He was wearing a blue brocade robe embroidered with cloud patterns, black satin boots, and a black gauze hat. His sideburns were clean-shaven, revealing a ring of light blue skin. At first glance, he looked like a powerful and influential out-of-town gentleman.
He glanced at the customs office, furrowed his brows slightly, but didn't seem intimidated.
Even now, there are still pictures of bandits posted everywhere, but he is Sheng Dahe, a person with a legitimate identity. Given his current appearance, who could recognize him?
He walked straight toward Qingling.
"Why are you waiting here? There's a teahouse over there."
He pointed to the teahouse, expressing his aversion to anything associated with officials.
Qingling said, "This is the most conspicuous spot."
Sheng Dahe was probably getting impatient. Before she could say anything more, he pulled her forward and nagged as they walked: "What's wrong with you? Didn't I tell you a long time ago that I had my eye on a warehouse and asked someone to pass on the message several times? It's only now that you've finally come."
"Come with me quickly." He took long, hurried steps, forcing Yao Qingling to jog to keep up.
"Sheng Dahe—" Qingling wanted to tell him to slow down, but Sheng Dahe was an impatient person and wouldn't listen to her at all.
Suddenly, a large hand appeared out of nowhere and grabbed Sheng Dahe's wrist.
Sheng Dahe paused, scrutinized the man who had suddenly appeared, and narrowed his eyes slightly: "General Lin?"
Sheng Dahe had never had direct contact with Lin Shiyuan, but had only heard about it from his subordinates. In addition, Lin Shiyuan had once paraded around the city, and Sheng Dahe had secretly entered the city at that time and caught a glimpse of him from afar.
"Oh, not a general anymore, now a clerk."
Sheng Dahe had been a bandit, so he naturally resented those who had been officials and would speak of them with sarcasm.
Yao Qingling was surprised. Could it be that Lin Shiyuan was looking for other work at the dock?
Lin Shiyuan didn't look at her, but glanced at Sheng Dahe indifferently: "She is the owner of Hui Ba Fang, not someone you can touch."
With a forceful pull, he flung Sheng Dahe's hand away.
Sheng Dahe hissed and rubbed his wrist: "Hey, you want to fight?"
Who would dare to embarrass him?
He took two steps forward, looking ready to fight.
Lin Shiyuan completely ignored him, turned to look at Yao Qingling, and after confirming that she was not frowning or sweating, asked, "Where are you going?"
Qingling straightened her clothes and hair and said, "I don't know either. Boss Sheng is just showing us the way."
However, she was genuinely grateful to Lin Shiyuan for appearing in time.
She was running with her big belly, and her body couldn't take it. After running a few steps, she felt her belly dropping.
It scared her.
She said to Sheng Dahe in a bad mood, "Where is your warehouse? Point me in a direction and I'll find it myself!"
Sheng Dahe stared at the two of them, his eyes wide: "Hey, Yao Qingling, you two aren't—"
He tilted his head, his gaze sweeping back and forth.
Yao Qingling raised her voice: "Aren't you in a hurry? Aren't you leaving?"
Sheng Dahe snorted and put his hands behind his back: "Come with me."
He took a step forward. Yao Qingling glanced at Lin Shiyuan, moved her lips but said nothing, and followed him.
Lin Shiyuan followed silently behind them.
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
