Chapter 207 Chapter Two Hundred and Seven: Granny Liu's Acting Reveals the Conspiracy...
It has been several months since Nurse Liu reunited with her husband's family and lived happily together.
Her husband, mother-in-law, and even her children who were close to her mother-in-law had all made Liu, the wet nurse, feel utterly hopeless, yet she went to Liuzhou to take care of the Second Prince without hesitation.
In contrast, she dared not say it outright, but in her heart she felt that the Second Prince, whom she had nursed, was also her child.
Until His Highness contracted smallpox this time, her husband's family all seemed to have changed their ways. Her mother-in-law was kind and loving, her husband was desperately apologizing and trying to please her, and her children were very considerate... Could Nanny Liu really believe that? Who knows what these people are plotting? They can't keep quiet about it!
If they were greedy for wealth and status, why didn't they fawn over them when they first arrived in Beijing two months ago? If they were truly repentant, as the old saying goes, why choose this time? Are they kicking someone when they're down, or are they taking advantage of the situation for some other purpose?
So, on the surface, Liu the wet nurse seemed to have forgiven them, but in her heart, she remained wary.
Now, several months have passed, and like any ordinary person working for a wealthy family, she occasionally brings home bits of needle and thread, as well as small amounts of silver she has saved. If she is rewarded with a good meal or snack, she doesn't eat it all at once, but carefully wraps up the small amount and takes it back to her children.
—Nanny Liu behaved just like an ordinary wet nurse should.
In fact, she received the highest allowance in the Prince's mansion's backyard. Qi Chengming cherished her as if she were family. Fruits, vegetables, snacks, and fabrics were provided daily without fail. Liu, the wet nurse, would never take all that she truly received to her husband's family, thus betraying His Highness's kindness.
This time it's Chinese New Year.
Liu, the wet nurse, sent the New Year's gifts back home early, saying that she would go back to visit after the New Year because she couldn't leave the Prince's mansion.
In reality, she stayed at the Prince's residence to celebrate the New Year with His Highness, bringing her adopted daughter along. The wet nurse, whose husband's surname was Zhang, didn't complain at all, agreeing politely. Looking at the ghee pastries, the bundle of fatty meat, and the exquisite New Year lanterns, she was overjoyed. Now she could have a good New Year…
And then.
When Liu's wet nurse visited after the New Year, she learned of a terrible piece of news.
Her good son, who worked in a factory in the suburbs, secretly drank alcohol before going to work. While drunk, he damaged a truckload of precious glass tiles that the family desperately needed, which would cost at least two thousand taels of silver in compensation! The Zhang family didn't have that much money, so her son was detained and beaten at the factory. She sent someone to inform the family to raise the money quickly.
After hearing all the details, Qi Chengming frowned and asked, "Is this aimed at me?"
He thought it was too simple.
Outsiders were unaware that Liu, the wet nurse, harbored a deep-seated distrust of her family; they only knew that he valued her highly. Logically, Qi Chengming could have easily covered the cost for the wet nurse, or rather, given the glass factory he managed in the suburbs, procuring a batch of glass tiles would have been a simple matter of giving the order.
If someone is trying to sabotage him behind his back, are they betting that he ultimately won't spend such a large sum of money for the wet nurse, or that they'll settle this matter?
Would the other party try to bribe Liu the wet nurse? What would they plan to do to him?
Qi Chengming's gaze met that of Liu the wet nurse. He could tell from the woman's eyes that they were thinking the same thing.
You can't guard against thieves every day.
Qi Chengming wanted to lure the snake out of its hole and kill it all at once. But he wasn't sure if Liu, the wet nurse, could bring herself to do it; after all, it was her own son. If not, he would have to keep a close watch on her son.
"Your Highness, my good-for-nothing son has caused trouble and has no reason to cause you any worry. I beg Your Highness to put on an act with me." A ruthless glint flashed across Liu's face as she bowed deeply and spoke voluntarily.
Qi Chengming quickly went around the desk to support the woman's arms: "Nanny, don't kneel. I told you before that you don't need to bow like this."
After the time it takes to drink a cup of tea.
Qi Chengming opened the study door, indicating that he could enter. Xiao Dezi was the one serving at the door today, and he readily went in to replace the Prince's long-cold tea.
Qi Chengming asked him a couple of questions in a low voice, and Xiao Dezi cleverly whispered, "Yes, I just saw Banli in the yard, splitting thread with Xiaoju."
Banli was the more clever of the two palace maids bestowed upon her by Emperor Hongren.
Shishuang has already passed the test. Although she is a little slow-witted, she at least had the courage to serve Qi Chengming closely when he contracted smallpox, so she was promoted to fill the vacant position of head maid in the main courtyard. Now only Banli is left awkwardly receiving the status of a second-class maid, and she is no longer allowed to serve him closely.
Qi Chengming made up his mind and nodded to Granny Liu.
He first looked at the bowls and cups, reluctant to part with them, then at the ink sticks and inkstones on the desk, still reluctant to part with them. Finally, his gaze fell on the exquisite lotus and fish porcelain ornaments on the shelf... still reluctant to part with them.
This is all money.
Qi Chengming: "..."
Xiao Dezi, always full of clever ideas, quickly offered the teapot in his hand, saying, "Your Highness, please use this. Wasn't one of the cups that matched this red coral auspicious pattern teapot broken by Earl Weiyong last time?"
I've long felt bad about cups and pots that don't match.
Qi Chengming gave him an appreciative look, signaling the wet nurse and eunuch to step aside so they wouldn't get splashed by the warm water in the pot.
"Crack!"
A cracking sound came from the study, followed by the prince's rare angry roar: "Nonsense! Wet nurse, I think you've been throwing your weight around in the mansion for too long, and you've forgotten your place!"
Xiao Ju, who was concentrating on splitting the thread, was startled and looked up nervously. The other palace maids and eunuchs working in the courtyard also fell silent as if they had been choked.
What happened?
Chestnut had known since entering the manor that the prince's harem was empty, with only the wet nurse residing there. She was simply lucky; the prince had nursed her when she was a child, and she was treated like royalty in the manor, with no one daring to offend her. And now, trouble had struck?
The next sound from the study was the wet nurse's hushed voice, as if she were crying and trying to explain or plead for something.
Chestnut recalled that not long ago, when Nurse Liu came to the courtyard, she actually stepped into the prince's study. Perhaps she had something to ask of him.
She snapped out of her daze and heard the prince's voice grow even colder: "Pleading for that kind of person... Nurse, you've really lost your mind! Go and calm down."
Before long, the wet nurse Liu came out, her face covered with tears, her eyes showing signs of suppressed crying, and her expression one of unprecedented panic and despair.
She staggered out and went back to her place to pack up her valuables.
"Nanny, are you alright?" The maid who served Nanny Liu had come from Liuzhou and stood by anxiously, not knowing what serious thing had happened.
"It's nothing, Xiaocao, just pretend you don't know." The wet nurse was unwilling to talk. She quickly glanced at the household items, put all the silver ingots that the Prince's Mansion had given her during the New Year into her purse, and to make it look more realistic, she also put on a gold-plated earring that the palace had given her when she was breastfeeding the prince.
More than ten years have passed, and the earring has become worn and tattered. Most importantly, one of them was lost long ago, so it's no longer a pair. And since it wasn't personally bestowed by Consort Hua, Nurse Liu could only leave this old object lying around. It's good that it can be put to use again now.
The wet nurse hastily packed a bundle, then lowered her head and headed out.
Madam Hua, the wife of Steward Hua, was quietly waiting at the courtyard gate.
"I've heard about what happened to your family." She quietly slipped a pearl ring into the wet nurse's arms and hurried away. "I can't help much, so take this and sell it quickly."
The wet nurse looked up, somewhat taken aback.
She instinctively wanted to return the ring, but after hesitating for a moment, the woman had already walked away.
After walking through the covered walkway, Gan Tang waited there hesitantly, looking around cautiously like a thief, and handed over a handful of vouchers: "These are all I have. They're usable in the capital. You can use them."
Still worried, she hesitated for a long time before lowering her head and saying, "Mama Liu, you know how the Prince usually treats us. He won't ignore anything that's truly important. You... don't do anything foolish."
The wet nurse hadn't gotten the question out of her earlier, but now she grabbed Gan Tang's hand and quickly asked, "Good Gan Tang... are you really willing to get involved in my family's affairs?"
Gan Tang hesitated, then said, "This is the only time, Mama Liu. You should... keep an eye on them so they don't anger His Highness."
From a personal standpoint, Nurse Liu had always been loyal to the Prince, kind and gentle to everyone, never causing trouble, and was well-liked. They had been together for several years, and now that Nurse Liu was facing a devastating crisis, these maids and palace servants who were on good terms with her couldn't bear to see her suffer, but dared not disobey the Prince's wishes. They could only secretly slip her some money to do their part, which couldn't be considered an attempt to taint her.
On a rational level, Gan Tang was afraid that Liu, the wet nurse, might do something foolish that could bring disaster to the Prince's mansion. Giving her some money was both a way of appeasing her and a warning. By giving her a heads-up, she could keep a close eye on her and nip any potential trouble in the bud if she were to repeat the same mistake.
Nanny Liu agreed. On her way out, she ran into a few people she was on good terms with from the kitchen and the hot water room. Some only dared to look at her. Some asked her a few questions hesitantly. Others, knowing they shouldn't get involved, quietly went to the stables to find her a carriage, which was enough for her to do her best.
Nanny Liu: "..."
Although she was acting and mainly went to the Zhang family outside the mansion, she didn't expect to gain these things inside the mansion.
Regardless of their motives, these people all did their best to help her when she encountered difficulties.
The wet nurse thanked them deeply, got into the carriage, and hurried away.
"They've left? Keep a close eye on what's going on." Qi Chengming said in the small side room. Song Gu's trusted confidante, Xiao Fangzi, was still diligently guarding the radar, which was precisely tracking the departure of the wet nurse, Liu.
"Yes, Uncle Huang is the one who drives the carriage for her." Song Gu had already made the arrangements.
As usual, Liu the wet nurse went to the pawnshop and pawned all her belongings, including the vouchers—vouchers were in high demand these days and could fetch a good price.
After exchanging the money, Liu the wet nurse went home. Even if it wasn't enough, she was determined to redeem the person.
Then came the classic old routine—
After the Prince's Mansion announced that it would not help Liu the wet nurse, Liu, her husband, and her mother-in-law could only cry and beg. The factory owner with connections was too arrogant to let them go, and the glass tile manufacturer, who was in a hurry to use tiles, was so angry that he kicked them out and beat them up.
Desperate and with nowhere else to turn, Liu, the wet nurse, sat on the wall of the Zhang family's house, surrounded by her mother-in-law's heart-wrenching cries, her daughter gasping in fear, and her husband sighing and arguing with her. It was as if the world had suddenly turned upside down; her life had plummeted from a blessed haven to a den of wolves.
Two more days passed, and the owner of the glazed tile factory and the factory reached an agreement that the matter would not be pursued further, but Liu's wet nurse's son would be detained at the factory until the huge debt was paid off, at which point they would discuss returning to the factory.
Even the wet nurse was dumbfounded: "..."
Isn't this just giving her son a job? Even though he doesn't get paid, it'll keep him from causing trouble.
What does that mean?
The storm raged earlier, but now it's suddenly all soft and gentle?
The wet nurse Liu became even more suspicious. She stayed for a while longer, but saw no further action taken behind the scenes, and the Zhang family returned to peace.
Completely bewildered, she returned to the palace and quietly asked Qi Chengming, "Your Highness... is someone secretly helping us?"
"No." Qi Chengming was also very puzzled.
There are people openly watching this matter, and there are also his radars in the shadows. This time, no one is helping behind the scenes. However, there are a few suspicious people who loitered around before heading to the palace. They look like Emperor Hongren's spies, or perhaps secret agents gathering intelligence in the capital.
Could it be that they really dared not go too far because Liu, the wet nurse, came from the Prince Rui's mansion?
This fishing attempt was a failure.
Qi Chengming suddenly had an idea and turned on the surveillance camera.
—There's a new situation in the monitoring notification on the system page.
Emperor Hongren sat in the side hall, seemingly having read some intelligence, with Cui, an envoy whom Qi Chengming was very familiar with, kneeling before him.
The old emperor's expression was a mixture of pride and complexity. He didn't laugh, but simply put down the secret report, sighed, and murmured, "Not bad..."
"Chengming is a good man. He finally knows when not to be soft-hearted... I can rest assured now."
He murmured, as if repeatedly convincing himself, "I am relieved."
Qi Chengming: "…………"
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