Madam Yin was so angry that she didn't want to say another word.
Even Yin Wenxiao looked at Qin Sheng with deep disappointment in his eyes.
Qin Sheng knew why, of course. As the saying goes, "It's easier to change mountains and rivers than to change one's nature." Whether in the past life or this life, the true nature of this mother and son had never changed.
They all took it for granted that she and the Qin family should unconditionally help the Yin family and Yin Wenxiao.
They wished they could squeeze every last drop of blood from her and her family.
But on what grounds?
In the end, naturally, it ended on a sour note.
Even as he walked out of Songliu Courtyard, Yin Wenxiao let out a heavy snort and strode away from Qin Sheng.
"..."
Qiao'er snorted as well, "What a joke! He's incompetent yet dares to throw a tantrum at Madam!"
She was always outspoken, but Jade scolded her, "What nonsense are you talking about? Be careful that the Earl doesn't hear you and cut out your tongue."
...
Within two days, Zhang Jin, the son-in-law of the Yin family, was transferred to work in the Ministry of Revenue.
Yin Wenxuan was overjoyed. From then on, the couple had finally settled down in the capital. Being a Beijing official was much more prestigious than being an official from another region.
On this day, Yin Wenxuan, with her pregnant belly, personally took charge of preparing a banquet to entertain the guests.
Qin Sheng was going with Yin Wenxiao, and she had someone show the gifts she had prepared to Old Madam Yin for her inspection.
A rosewood screen with plum blossom design embroidered by a master of the previous dynasty, a fine inkstone, a string of Bodhi beads, and some health supplements.
These gifts are valuable enough.
However, Madam Yin also asked Granny Shi to open her private treasury and take out several bolts of fine fabric and a few lustrous pearls, which Qin Sheng was to take with her.
Qin Sheng and Yin Wenxiao, one in a carriage and the other on horseback.
Upon arriving at the Zhang residence, they were greeted by the son-in-law's younger brother, Zhang Yang.
Zhang Yang was different from his brother; he was neither good at academics nor martial arts, and he was lazy, gluttonous, and had unrealistic ambitions.
There's a reason why he was able to collude with Yin Wenxiao in his past life.
There were quite a few guests today. Yin Wenxiao exchanged pleasantries with Zhang Yang at the entrance, while Qin Sheng followed her maid inside and sat down with the female guests in the courtyard.
Madam Bi also arrived. Upon seeing Qin Sheng, she quickly went over to speak with her.
Qin Sheng didn't know most of the people who came today, and those he did know were only casual acquaintances. The only one he could really talk to was Bi Shi.
"You, my dear sister-in-law—"
Seeing that no one was paying attention to them, Bi leaned over and whispered to Qin Sheng, "She's so capable, walking with such a brisk pace even with such a big belly."
Qin Sheng smiled and said, "She manages everything in this mansion by herself, so naturally she's quite capable."
"Yes, but---"
Bi's eyes darted around. "I heard that she sold her dowry estate in order to find a good teacher for her son."
"Is that so?"
Qin Sheng was surprised, "Finding a good tutor in the capital shouldn't cost that much money, right?"
After so many years of marriage, has Yin Wenxuan not accumulated any wealth at all?
Qin Sheng knew that when her eldest aunt got married, the dowry given to her by Old Madam Yin included two estates, both of which were the best in the Yin family.
"It doesn't need to cost that much money."
Madam Bi rolled her eyes and lowered her voice even further, "You don't know, your sister-in-law started sending gifts and making connections with various families in the capital as soon as she returned. The Zhang family's wealth is far from enough, so they have to sell their estates."
Qin Sheng: "So that's how it is."
The male and female guests were seated separately, so Qin Sheng didn't see Yin Wenxiao until the banquet was over.
She asked Qiao'er to ask when the Earl would be returning.
When Qiao'er returned, she was furious. "Lord has already gone back."
"..."
Qin Sheng pursed her lips and, as she went out with her two maids, she ran into Yin Wenxuan, who looked unwell.
Just as he was about to greet her, Yin Wenxuan ignored him completely and walked away quickly with her personal maid.
Qiao'er asked in bewilderment, "What's wrong with my great-aunt on such a wonderful day?"
Qin Sheng was also puzzled, but her doubts were quickly resolved.
As they walked out, Qin Sheng overheard most of the conversations of other guests.
It is said that someone sent Zhang Jin a beautiful woman to congratulate him on his promotion, and Zhang Jin actually accepted her.
Since marrying Zhang Jin, what Yin Wenxuan was most proud of was that Zhang Jin was devoted to her and there were no other women in their house.
On this auspicious day, Zhang Jin acquired a beautiful woman; no wonder Yin Wenxuan looked so displeased.
Qin Sheng smiled slightly and left the Zhang residence, just in time to see someone getting off a carriage next to her.
She glanced over instinctively and was startled to see Yue Rongheng. She immediately bowed to him.
Yue Rongheng looked over and actually smiled at her.
"..."
Even after getting into the carriage, Qin Sheng was still a little confused, wondering if the Regent had... gone crazy?
Upon returning to the manor, Caiyue greeted him before he even reached the entrance of Zhefang Courtyard, "Madam!"
"What's wrong?" Qin Sheng asked as he walked into the courtyard, seeing her anxious expression. "Did something happen?"
Caiyue said, "You and the Earl went out not long ago today, and someone came to our gate. It seems to be someone from Aunt Ye's family."
"Who?" Qin Sheng stopped in her tracks abruptly.
“Aunt Ye’s family member is a rather young woman,” Caiyue said. “The old lady personally sent Granny Shi to greet her at the gate and also had someone take Aunt Ye to Songliu Courtyard. She hasn’t come out yet.”
"..."
Ye Jiaoniang's only family member was her birth mother, who was a concubine in a wealthy family in Hushan. How did she end up in the capital?
No wonder Yin Wenxiao rushed back to his residence.
According to Caiyue, Aunt Ye's "family member" had been in Songliu Courtyard for at least an hour and a half, and no one knew what they were talking about.
Qin Sheng instructed people to keep an eye out and report any unusual activity at Songliu Courtyard.
She had just changed her clothes when the maid came in to report.
The maidservant reported, "Madam, Aunt Ye has returned to Mingyue Pavilion and seems to be fine. As for that lady, she was escorted out through the back door by Granny Shi and left in a carriage. The driver was the old lady's confidante. I dare not go up to inquire, for fear of implicating you, Madam."
That's strange.
However, Qin Sheng didn't care much. "If we can't find out, then so be it. It'll save us from being used against us." She waved her hand, dismissing the maid.
The next morning, Qin Sheng went to Songliu Courtyard to pay her respects to Old Madam Yin.
As I passed through the garden, I happened to run into a maid carrying a tray, who seemed to be a servant from Mingyue Pavilion.
But hasn't the old lady already placed everyone in Mingyue Pavilion under house arrest, forbidding anyone from leaving? It's only been a few days.
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
