Chapter 87 She Has a Sweetheart
In the previous life, the Dou family's kiln had a major problem; someone had hidden hundreds of kilograms of gunpowder inside.
Later, dozens of kiln workers were killed in the explosion, and the kiln never recovered. Since the kiln was still registered under my grandmother's name, theoretically, if the government held her accountable, she would be responsible!
Given Dou Bochang's non-stick pan habits, this big pan might have ended up in his grandmother's hands.
That's why she had to come here.
Later, Pei Siyan probably settled the matter out of consideration for Dou Mingyan, and afterwards, the kiln naturally became hers.
Dou Wenyi stepped into the main hall and instructed Granny Cao, "Immediately, take some people to the bank to exchange three thousand strings of copper coins and bring them over. Have Bai Weiqi and Meng Wang come to see me."
She paused, then lowered her voice and gave a few more instructions.
"Don't worry, young lady, this old servant will take care of it right away."
Granny Cao's expression changed repeatedly. She admired the Fourth Miss's calm and decisiveness in the face of danger, even during yesterday's assassination attempt.
After Dou Wenyi met Bai Weiqi, the steward Meng Wangcai rushed over.
He was to blame for the terrible thing that happened yesterday. As soon as he came in, he knelt on the ground and cried out that he was innocent. "Fourth Miss, I swear to God, I thought that Zhang Er was an honest man, and that he was sent down by Granny Tong."
"How could I have known he was so audacious as to commit murder in the street!"
Sure enough, he shifted all the blame onto Granny Tong.
Dou Wenyi put down her teacup, calmly and slowly said, "The kiln workers haven't been paid for half a year. Why didn't you report it?"
Meng Wang didn't seem to mind, replying, "When Granny Tong was in charge, it was normal for wages to be delayed by two or three months. The kiln workers were used to it, but this time it's been too long, and they couldn't wait any longer..."
They weren't impatient; rather, they were instigated to become pawns in someone else's game, contributing to this meticulously planned trap.
Dou Wenyi smiled faintly and asked, "What were you doing yesterday?"
“I wasn’t at the kiln yesterday, and I only found out about the big incident when I came back last night.”
Does being absent absolve one of responsibility?
"Manager Meng, today, take your wages. From now on, you will no longer be a member of my Dou family's kiln."
"I am loyal to the Dou family, Fourth Miss, you can't let me off the hook..." Meng Wang was unwilling to give up and shouted desperately.
He glared resentfully at Bai Weiqi, who was seated at the lower end of the table. He had been promoted by Madam Gu and Granny Tong, and he thought he could turn his life around by relying on Bai Weiqi. This fourth young lady was still too naive.
The kiln workers gathered at the entrance had not received their wages and were full of resentment. Upon hearing the commotion, they immediately started making a scene.
"...On what grounds did you dismiss Steward Meng?"
"Hurry up and settle the wages, the Dou family is heartless."
"You don't care whether we live or die, but you pity us poor folks. When we are short of money and in urgent need, isn't it always Manager Meng who kindly lends us money to tide us over?"
"The world is going to the dogs; good people don't get rewarded..."
More and more onlookers gathered outside, chattering and expressing their indignation, all speaking out on behalf of Manager Meng.
If it weren't for the two rows of imposing guards standing at the entrance, this group of people would probably have listened to others' instigation and rushed into the house.
Dou Wenyi squinted her eyes. It seemed that Meng Wang was very good at winning people's hearts. Logically speaking, the Dou family's kiln has always been profitable, and there was no reason for wages to be delayed.
If Granny Tong gives Meng Wang benefits, he will naturally double-deal with her.
And these kiln workers were sold out and still had to count the money for the seller!
Dou Wenyi stood up and stood at the door, raising her voice, "Originally, according to the old custom, these wages should have been paid to you on the fifteenth of each month. The Dou family would never deduct wages. Granny Tong misappropriated the wages that should have been paid, so she also lost her job."
"This Meng Wang has been deceiving his superiors and subordinates, making you willingly accept being owed wages. Are you sure you want to plead for him?"
The onlookers immediately realized something was wrong, but remained skeptical.
Bai Weiqi interjected at the opportune moment, his voice booming, "Everyone, please calm down and line up. Miss Dou is a woman of her word, and she will settle everyone's wages today!"
The chattering crowd instantly fell silent.
Granny Cao and several servants carried several large boxes of copper coins from outside the door, and everyone tactfully made way for them.
Bai Weiqi, working with Granny Cao, began to distribute wages in an orderly manner according to the records in the ledger.
"Fourth Miss, officials have arrived and say they want to inspect the kiln permits—" the servant hurriedly entered to report.
Immediately, everyone tensed up.
Dou Wenyi remained calm and stood up to greet them. A large number of officers and soldiers filed out, and a tall and upright figure came into view.
Shen Yanzhou wore a bright crimson official robe, which was both striking and elegant.
Gunpowder was found hidden in the kiln, which was a serious matter. She asked Granny Cao to send someone to the government to report the case. As the Imperial Censor, Shen Yanzhou should not have been involved in such a matter. Why did he come?
Dou Wenyi stepped forward and curtsied, her eyelashes fluttering slightly. "Lord Shen, what a coincidence!"
Shen Yanzhou composed himself and smiled, "The constables will investigate carefully, so don't worry. Someone has built a private fireworks factory nearby, which has far-reaching implications. I heard that someone even used a blasting bomb yesterday. Are you alright?"
Dou Wenyi naturally understood his implied meaning and would not misunderstand that he had come for her.
"fine!"
Shen Yanzhou had learned the whole story of the case and asked with concern, "The assassins from yesterday have all been apprehended and are currently under strict investigation. Do you know who intended to harm you?"
Dou Wenyi pondered for a while, speaking cautiously, "I do have someone I suspect, but without evidence, I dare not make any rash judgments. However, I remember his voice very clearly; that scarred man once tried to kidnap me at the temple."
Shen Yanzhou's gentle face instantly turned cold. One after another, he's a repeat offender!
The mastermind behind this is truly wicked.
Shen Yanzhou stared at her intently. "Who is it?"
Dou Wenyi suppressed her emotions, her eyes clear. "Lord Shen, I'm afraid I offended someone at Chaotian Temple last time. As you said, it involves many people. I hope you won't get too involved."
Pei Siyan's attitude towards Dou Mingyan was unclear, and she didn't want Shen Yanzhou to offend Pei Siyan over such trivial matters.
"Oh?" Shen Yanzhou's expression was inscrutable.
The person she offended, besides Xuanming, was naturally that noblewoman who wanted to be the 'Lucky Daughter'. She should know who it was, but she was hesitant to tell him honestly.
Even if an ordinary person were to win the title of "blessed woman," it would be of no benefit whatsoever. On the contrary, members of the royal family, or those who are about to become royalty, would try every means to embellish their image and increase their fortune or confidence.
Several princesses flashed through Shen Yanzhou's mind, but he ruled them out one by one, because they had not appeared at Chaotian Temple that day.
So only one person remains who has this possibility—Dou Mingyan, her third sister, the future Crown Princess!
Shen Yanzhou's Adam's apple bobbed slightly, and he smiled knowingly. "Don't worry, Fourth Miss, I know what I'm doing."
Even though she only said one sentence, Shen Yanzhou had already guessed the answer; they were truly of one mind.
Dou Wenyi smiled too. Her gentle eyes and jade-like appearance were captivating, making it hard to look away.
Okay, that's really good!
Not far away, Pei Siyan coldly observed the perfectly matched couple under the osmanthus tree, a chill instantly rising in his eyes...
The owner of that light blue cloak last time was probably this Lord Shen!
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