The concubines in the Sheng family's main house were now very well-behaved. In the past, Li Yuxin was a weak and docile woman, and the concubines would come and go as they pleased, without the slightest respect. Now that Concubine Liu was gone, the three concubines had suddenly become less restrained, and the maids had become even more indifferent. Li Yuxin disdained them, forcing them to pay their respects only at 12:00 a.m. every five days. They would wait a full quarter of an hour before she emerged to receive the greetings. Afterward, Madam Liu would lecture Li Yuxin.
Then Li Yuxin opened her mouth and ordered: "The old man is in poor health. Each of the concubines and girls should copy ten volumes of scriptures to pray for the blessing of the mansion."
"Yes." Everyone replied in unison.
Li Yuxin looked at them impatiently and waved them away. After they had left, Madam Liu stepped forward and replied, "Master spent yesterday at Chunfeng Tower again. I heard there's a girl named Yun'er there who looks a fair bit like that Liu."
Li Yuxin said nonchalantly, "Just keep an eye on the property in the mansion. If the master doesn't come home, then he won't come back. The old man has already beaten me, and the elders can't do anything about it, not to mention that I'm his legitimate wife who doesn't even like me."
Mother Liu said embarrassment, "I'm afraid Master has been led astray. Recently, someone who followed Master reported that he had already lost two thousand taels of silver in a gambling house."
Li Yuxin finally took the matter seriously. After thinking for a while, she stood up and headed towards Shou'an Courtyard, where Old Man Sheng lived. She instructed Mother Liu on what to do next, and after about a quarter of an hour, they arrived at Shou'an Courtyard.
"Madam, the master asks you to come in." The maid who announced the situation lifted the door curtain and invited the group in.
Li Yuxin walked in slowly and stopped three steps away from the seated old man Sheng. She then knelt and saluted: "Daughter-in-law greets father."
Old Master Sheng sat listlessly in the main seat and waved his hand for Li Yuxin to sit down. After Li Yuxin sat down, she asked, "How are you today, Dad?"
Mr. Sheng nodded, and then a hoarse voice came: "What brings you here?"
Li Yuxin looked around. Butler Song, who was accompanying her, waved everyone away until only Li Yuxin and her servant, along with Old Master Sheng and his servant, were left in the room. Li Yuxin then spoke, "Father, I'm sure you know what Master has been doing lately. I'm not here for that. Madam Liu, please tell Father the truth."
Madam Liu bowed and then spoke, "Master, it would be fine if the master spent all day in brothels. But for the past three days, someone with ulterior motives led him to the gambling table. In just three days, he won over ten thousand taels of silver, and then lost another two thousand taels."
Upon hearing this, Mr. Sheng coughed violently for a moment before stopping. After being served with honey water by Butler Song, he spoke again, "I understand. You can go down now."
Li Yuxin stood up and bowed, then left the room with Mother Liu. Mother Liu was a little hesitant: "Miss, what does the old man mean by this?"
In her previous life, Li Yuxin had cared for Old Master Sheng, who was ill. She knew that the less he spoke, the more serious the situation became. Now, with Sheng Huaizhong, she could handle it. Holding Mama Liu's arm, she said, "Old Master hates gambling the most. If any of his descendants dared to get involved, breaking their legs would be the least of their problems."
Mother Liu covered her mouth with her hands and laughed, and began to flatter her: "Miss, you are so smart, even if I am the Monkey King, I can't escape from your palm."
Li Yuxin snorted softly and replied, "Sun Wukong is quite capable, while I am only a scholar, and it is difficult for me to even donate money to become an official. How can the two of us compare?"
Mother Liu immediately admitted her mistake after hitting the wrong horse, and the two of them went back to the main courtyard chatting and laughing.
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