"I followed Second Mistress to a house on the west side of Changqing Lane. Second Mistress stayed inside for a long time before coming out. I took the opportunity to ask the surrounding residents and learned that the family were herbal medicine merchants who had entered the capital three months ago. The master of the house rarely went out and usually sent servants to run errands!"
Later, the second mistress came out with a man. The two of them did not hide anything and rode in the same carriage to Huishengtang on Yongping Street.
The maid was afraid of revealing their whereabouts, so she didn't follow them inside. However, she learned from the waiter standing at the door that the man with the second mistress was surnamed Liu and was one of the herbal medicine suppliers for Huishengtang.
The maid wanted to find out more information, but the second mistress's younger brother arrived soon, so the maid had to hide to the side!
Two more hours passed before the Second Mistress emerged alone, and later the maidservant returned with her.
That Huishengtang should be thoroughly investigated.
Second Aunt returned, but did not come to ask her for the antidote, which shows that the people from Huishengtang had already helped her detoxify.
Therefore, she was even less able to get the truth out of her second aunt!
Just then, Cailan came to report, "Miss, Changping has arrived!"
Jiang Segu's gaze darkened as he looked at Cailan, but he didn't react. He simply said, "Let him come over!"
With Changping's arrival, Jiangse Valley dismissed Qiaohe and Qiaolian.
"But has there been any news from Steward Yin?"
Changping bowed his head. "We are incompetent. Since that day, we have been unable to find Second Madam's younger brother and Lianxiang. It's as if they suddenly disappeared from the capital..."
That's really strange!
Just now, Qiaolian said that she saw her second aunt's younger brother go to Chang'an Street, but Changping and Steward Yin have been unable to find him for so long.
Jiang Segu stared at Chang'an with his dark eyes as deep as an abyss, but in his heart he thought of Madam Hou.
Changping lowered her head, thus not seeing Jiang Segu's suspicious gaze, and continued, "Xiao Mama's eldest son-in-law, Xiang Dong, was transferred to the shop in Datong to be the head manager by the Lu family, the maternal family of the former Marquis's wife. Manager Yin's people have already gone to Datong, but there has been no news from them yet..."
"Since the matter I asked you to investigate has stalled, then what brings you here today?"
"I bribed one of the purchasing servants of the Lu family, and also spent a few days getting close to Cheng Yun, the younger brother-in-law of Sister Xiangdong. I got some information from them, so I came to tell you, Miss."
Jiang Segu became somewhat interested. "Tell me what you've found out."
"Xiao Mama's eldest daughter, Emerald, is not only beautiful, but also very kind-hearted, so she is very popular among the servants of the Lu family."
Because she gave birth to two boys in a row, some old women said she had the appearance of being a mother of sons and advised her to have more children for the Xiang family.
The servant in charge of procurement for the Lu family said that it was precisely because of these words that the jadeite suffered misfortune!
Why did that servant say that?
"The servant didn't know the specifics, he only knew that this was the rumor circulating among the servants of the Lu family!"
How could someone with a face that indicates a propensity for having sons bring misfortune upon them?
Jiang Segu couldn't understand, so he asked again, "What did Cheng Yun say this time?"
"Cheng Yun initially took a liking to Qingyu, the third sister of Emerald, so he always went to the Xiang family to get close to Xiang Dong, hoping that Xiang Dong would plead on his behalf and ask Emerald to go back to her parents' home to mediate and see if there was any hope."
Xiang Dong was a man of honor. He was afraid that if he didn't make the trip for Cheng Yun, his elder sister would be harassed by her husband's family. So he mentioned this to Fei Cui, and Fei Cui went back to her parents' home.
Cheng Yun's eyes reddened when he talked about it, saying that Jade's suicide was all because of him..."
Jiang Segu was even more confused!
How could Cheng Yun say that Emerald's death was caused by him when there are absolutely no connection between them?
Changping continued, "I found out that a few days before Xiao Mama's second daughter, Biyu, drowned herself, she went to Yulingzhai to deliver tea and snacks."
And Xiao's mother's youngest daughter, Qingyu, had also been to the front yard before the accident..."
At this point, Changping paused, then hesitantly voiced her guess, "Miss, my guess is that the incident involving the three Xiao sisters might be related to the young master?"
Jiang Segu's eyes widened in shock, but her tone remained completely flat. "You mean, my uncle abused the three daughters of the Xiao family in order to have an heir?"
After considering it for a long time, Changping finally said, "These are just my wild guesses. We still need to investigate carefully to find out the truth!"
Jiang Segu was somewhat disappointed by Changping's self-protective answer, "If that's the case, then go and check if it's as you think! Also, Second Madam's younger brother is currently at Huishengtang, and he seems to be acquainted with a medicine merchant in Changqing Lane."
Changping understood Jiang Segu's meaning and cupped his hands, saying, "I will go and investigate the Resurrection Hall right away!"
After Changping left, Qiaolian and Qiaohe came in.
Jiang Segu asked Qiaohe, "After I left, is the mansion peaceful?"
"Everyone is safe and sound! It's just that Shui Ling was really scared last night, and she's been following me around all day, not leaving my side for a second!"
Has anyone approached Madam Hou's body?
"Cai Lan went to clean it up, saying that after all, Madam Hou was the girl's wet nurse, and she couldn't be allowed to leave in such a undignified manner!"
A hint of hostility suddenly flashed in Jiang Segu's eyes. "What do you all think of Cailan?"
Qiaolian immediately understood, recalling whether Cailan had shown any unusual behavior recently.
Qiaohe was not as clever as Qiaolian and did not guess why Jiang Segu asked this question. She honestly replied, "Although Cailan is a man of few words, her embroidery is exceptional. Back then, didn't you follow Cailan and learn embroidery for quite a while?"
Upon hearing Qiaohe's words, Jiang Segu's expression immediately changed, and he realized he was in trouble!
Qiaohe thought she had said something wrong and felt very annoyed!
But she had been very careful, not even mentioning Young Master Liang's surname, so why was the young lady still angry?
Qiaohe nudged Qiaolian with her elbow, wanting Qiaolian to touch up her makeup.
Qiaolian, thinking Jiang Segu was asking her a question, said, "Miss, ever since you broke Cai Niu's leg, Cai Lan seems to have been taking care of Cai Niu. At first, I thought it was because the two of them shared a room, but now I think I might have misunderstood!"
Jiang Segu ignored Qiaolian's words and anxiously said, "Quickly find my handkerchief, sachet, and all the items embroidered with my name!"
Not only was Qiaohe unaware of the reason, but Qiaolian was also stunned for a moment before she finally moved.
Just then, Cailan came in carrying lunch. "Miss, it's time for lunch!"
Hearing the commotion, Qiaolian quickly stopped what she was doing, grabbed a jacket, and pulled Qiaohe out, saying, "Miss, what do you think of this jacket?"
The usually taciturn Cailan took her lunch out of the food box and asked, "Are you going out again this afternoon, Miss?"
Jiang Segu raised an eyebrow and said succinctly, "I need to go out for a bit!"
Cai Lan's eyes flickered slightly, but she didn't say anything more.
Jiang Segu pretended to be casual and said, "Qiaolian has been running around with me all morning, and Qiaohe often goes out with me. This afternoon, Cailan will come out of the manor with me!"
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