Jiang Segu was unaware of what had happened at Zhaotai Courtyard and was listening to Aunt Lan talk about the interrogation of the servants at Huilan Courtyard.
"According to the gatekeeper, on the night of the incident, Consort Hui went out with Mama Lin. Consort Hui returned first, but Mama Lin did not return until midnight."
The gatekeeper also said that when Lin Mama returned, she seemed somewhat distracted, and when greeted, she didn't respond.
Jiang Segu felt a tightness in her chest. Did her older sister go out with Lin's mother?
That……
Jiang Segu dared not think too deeply, but Aunt Lan continued, "I asked Granny Hui about the exact time when she returned..." She paused, then said in a deep voice, "It was no more than a quarter of an hour different from the time when Third Grandmother passed away."
A quarter of an hour is enough time to walk from Lanyue Courtyard back to Huilan Courtyard if you walk quickly.
Just then, Qiaohe walked in.
"Miss, Kang Kai is here again! Zi Jin gave him fifty taels of silver and said that the First Madam will go to see Kang Kai at 11:00 AM tomorrow, but she didn't say where!"
"Don't worry about that. We'll just follow the First Madam tomorrow. Are we afraid we won't find the place?"
Before Aunt Lan could finish speaking, Xiu Rong lifted the curtain and came in again.
"Sixth Miss, the Marquis has gone to find Miss Liao!"
This was something Jiangse Valley could have foreseen, and something he hoped to see.
As long as the grandfather nods and is willing to acknowledge Miss Liao, then the engagement is half done!
"The food and wine delivered to Miss Liao must be carefully inspected. Also, spread the word that my brother is going to take Miss Liao boating on the lake tomorrow!"
Aunt Lan was a little worried about not having enough manpower, but she also knew that they didn't have much time left.
Therefore, she spoke up and said, "I think there are two capable women in Huilan Courtyard. Why don't you use them first, Sixth Miss?"
"Aunt Lan, you decide what to do!"
Thus, Ke Chao and Ke Mu, two third-class maids from Huilan Courtyard, were transferred to take care of Liao Luzhen...
Meanwhile, news that Jiang Wenlin and Liao Luzhen were going boating on the lake the next day spread to all the courtyards of the Marquis's residence.
At this moment, Madam Jiang had a small blister on the corner of her mouth. It was unclear whether it was due to her busy schedule over the past few days, the appearance of Liao Luzhen, or her worries about what might happen tomorrow.
Madam Jing brewed her some chrysanthemum tea to cool her down. "Madam, this can't be rushed! Besides, even if the young master and Miss Liao are engaged, there are still three years before they can get married! Three years! Who knows what will happen in these three years!"
Madam Jiang did not continue Jing Mama's words, but asked instead, "Have you sent someone to follow Second Madam?"
"Zijin went personally! Madam, please rest assured!"
"We're short-handed right now, so we'll have someone call Zilan back!"
Although each master had four head maids, each served a different purpose.
In Madam Jiang's courtyard, there are four head maids: Zijin and Zilan, as well as Zizhu and Ziye.
These two people, one skilled in embroidery and the other in arithmetic.
They were a little less shrewd in dealing with the infighting and scheming within the inner court, so Madam Jiang generally wouldn't assign tasks to these two.
However, considering that Zilan was still in mourning and that her elderly mother seemed to be frail, Madam Jing still spoke up to persuade her, "Madam, Zizhu and Ziye are also usable. I'm afraid that if Zilan comes back at this time, it might cause some unnecessary misunderstandings for the Sixth Miss!"
Madam Jiang then remembered the night Qiaolian led people to search the entire courtyard, and exhaled a deep breath, saying, "So, which is safer, purple bamboo or purple leaf?"
"If we're talking about being reliable, then Ziye is definitely the better choice; she's more meticulous!"
"Then when I go out tomorrow, tell her to keep a close eye on the second branch of the family! Also, you need to keep an eye on the old lady, just in case..."
"What if something happens?" Madam Jiang ultimately didn't say it.
"I remember Zizhu's younger brother was serving Liang Shaojie in the front yard, wasn't he?"
Jing's mother nodded in agreement.
"Tell Zizhu to remind her brother to keep a close eye on Liang Shaojie and to report any unusual activity immediately!"
"Is the First Madam afraid that Young Master Liang will develop feelings for Fifth Miss?"
"That's a venomous snake waiting for its chance to strike. If Fifth Sister isn't careful and gets entangled, it will drag me down into the abyss too!"
Thinking of her brainless daughter, Madam Jiang closed her eyes and after a moment instructed, "Go and bring Fifth Miss to my courtyard yourself!"
There are so many things to do right now, and she's afraid that if she doesn't pay attention to one thing, this girl will cause trouble!
For some reason, she suddenly felt very uneasy!
***
Because Marquis Changping and Liao Luzhen had a very pleasant conversation, and because Liao Luzhen was eloquent and charming, Marquis Changping was overjoyed. After leaving the courtyard, Marquis Changping went to Lanyue Courtyard with a happy expression.
When he saw Old Madam Yin, he finally suppressed his smile, put on a sorrowful expression, and exchanged a few perfunctory pleasantries with her.
It's just that we're unlucky, having to witness the tragedy of parents outliving their children.
After exchanging pleasantries, Marquis Changping went straight to business.
"Actually, this matter should have been discussed between my wife and the old lady, but as you know, my wife is currently unwell, so I had no choice but to come here!"
Old Madam Yin naturally understood what Marquis Changping wanted to say, but she still asked, "I wonder what the Marquis wishes to discuss with me?"
"Does the old lady know that another young lady has come to our house today?"
"I've never heard of it before!"
Regardless of whether the words were true or false, Marquis Changping recounted in detail how Liao Luzhen had taken a liking to Jiang Wenlin, with particular emphasis on Liao Luzhen's background.
Then, he sighed, "...I wonder if it's because my third son and his wife are watching from heaven that Lin-ge'er has caught Miss Liao's eye. If it weren't for Miss Liao, I'm afraid I would have been worrying myself sick over Lin-ge'er's marriage! I think we should settle this good thing as soon as possible, lest something unexpected happens!"
Old Madam Yin disliked what Marquis Changping said. Lin-ge'er was such a pure and kind child, what kind of good girl wouldn't be good enough for him? How come in Marquis Changping's mouth he was like some old, stale item that couldn't be taken out of the house!
Unfortunately, this was also what she wanted to see, so she could only suppress her dissatisfaction and say, "This matter is naturally up to the Marquis, who is Lin Ge'er's grandfather, but shouldn't the Marquis also inform General Weiyuan?"
How can we notify them like this!
If they were to notify them, would the marriage still be possible?
Marquis Changping thought this to himself, but outwardly agreed, "Of course we should inform them, but the current situation is special. A letter sent to the Northwest might not arrive for a while, so I thought we should write the letter, but the engagement can be taken care of first!"
"Does Your Excellency mean to act first and report later?"
"This is also Miss Liao's idea! Miss Liao is a good girl. When she heard about the third son and his wife, she took the initiative to suggest that the engagement should not be a big deal, saying that a meal together as a family would be enough!"
“That young lady is kind-hearted, but we must not bully her! She is so sensible, shouldn’t the Marquis, as an elder, show some respect for her?”
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