As usual, Su Peisheng delivered plain steamed buns to a certain confined master. On his way, he passed by Weifang Courtyard. Yuexiang, the head maid of Consort Nian, hurriedly walked past on the road next to him. Judging from the direction she was heading, she was leaving the mansion.
Su Peisheng chuckled. Because of the mistress's favor, the maid was returning to her family home more often, and she had to go back to the Nian residence every now and then.
Is it really necessary to show off like this?
In comparison, Master Tong was much more low-key; whether the master favored her or not, she acted as if nothing had happened.
He shook his head and continued walking towards the study.
A young eunuch trotted past from behind, saying, "Steward Su, wait a moment, I have something to report."
Su Peisheng turned around and saw that it was the young eunuch who had been assigned to serve the Tong family's aunt. He asked, "What's the matter? Why are you in such a hurry?"
The young eunuch bowed and said, "Chief Steward Su, this is Madam Li. She wants to return to her family home in Tongzhou and asked if she could see Master Tong before she leaves."
Seeing Master Tong is out of the question. No one in the manor knows that Master Tong has returned to the residence; they all assume she lives in a separate courtyard.
"You go back and serve him first. I'll go ask the master what he thinks. Master Tong isn't in the manor, and she won't be able to see him for a while."
"Alright, I'll go and report back." The eunuch turned and left.
In the study, a voice said, "Master, Madam Li wishes to return to her family home in Tongzhou. Before leaving, she would like to see Master Tong one last time."
Instead of asking about the Li family, Yinzhen inquired about something else, "How's the investigation going?"
Su Peisheng: "Reporting to you, sir, we have already investigated and found out that the Li family was implicated in the matter of smuggling tribute. Li Dezhong lost his head because of this. The old master of the Li family is preparing to move back to his hometown, but Madam Li disagrees. The old lady of the Li family has never liked Madam Li. Madam Li failed to produce any offspring for the Li family, and because Li Dezhong's concubine was involved, the old lady of the Li family decided to divorce Madam Li on behalf of her son. The young lady of the Li family left the clan to live with her mother."
As he left the clan, Yinzhen's face was cold. His pen moved across the official documents, and his words sent chills down one's spine: "Since the Li family has gone this far, send word that they are never to return to the capital."
"twitter."
Su Peisheng felt sorry for the Li family. They bullied others without even considering who they were. The Tong family might not have many capable people, but they had a wonderful daughter.
And so, out of love for one's master, the family came knocking on the door. Since the master respected Master Tong, he naturally protected the Tong family.
How come some people can't see it clearly?
Don't be surprised, there are quite a few people in the mansion who can't see clearly either.
Tong Tinglan did not get to see her sister.
Yinzhen presented the mother and daughter with silver and generous gifts, and ordered Quanfu to personally escort them to Tongzhou. He also said that he would arrange for Tongshi to return to Tongzhou to visit her relatives at a later date.
Tong Tinglan felt regretful. After being married for many years, she and her two sisters had never even met. There were often sordid things going on in the women's quarters. Only after getting married did she realize the happiness she had before marriage.
Yun'er looked disappointed. "Mother, I really want to see Auntie. Uncle always says that Auntie is beautiful, much more beautiful than Mother."
“There will always be a chance.” Tong Tinglan stroked her daughter’s little face, looking at the almond-shaped eyes that resembled her younger sister’s. Although she was her daughter, she looked six-tenths like her younger sister, especially those shimmering watery eyes.
In the Lan Courtyard, Nan Yi stared at the steamed bun in front of her with a resentful expression, glaring at Li Yi. "Can you give me two slices of meat? Look at me, after eating steamed buns for five days in a row, how much weight have I lost? Do you think it's easy for me to gain some weight?"
Li Yi said with a bitter face, "Master, this servant has no choice. This steamed bun was given to me secretly by Eunuch Su without your knowledge."
"Come on, if your master didn't have permission, would he bring us food every day?" He certainly didn't intend to let a concubine like her starve to death.
“I don’t want to eat. Go find Su Peisheng and tell him that the steamed buns gave me a stomachache.” She slumped over and curled up. She beckoned to Li Yi and gave him a suggestion, “Here’s what you do: describe my situation as miserable and demand that the food be improved. Otherwise, I’ll have to force my way in.”
She couldn't beat the four men outside, but in order to get some meat, she decided to give it a shot and see how Su Peisheng would respond. She also needed to discuss this with Li Yi and Li Er. If they agreed to let her off the hook, there was still a glimmer of hope.
Outside, Li Yi was munching on a steamed bun, saying as he ate, "Steward Su, Master Tong has been complaining of an upset stomach these past few days, and he's lost a lot of weight. You see, it's fine for the two of us gentlemen to eat steamed buns, but Master Tong is delicate and has many old and stubborn ailments. Eating this all the time is too much for him. Could you please get him some nutritious food to help him recover?"
Li Er chimed in, "Yes, yes, Master's face is sallow, he can't sleep at night because he's hungry, and he keeps moaning in the middle of the night. He's so pitiful, I'm afraid he's sick."
Su Peisheng's expression immediately changed upon hearing this, and he pointed at the two of them, "You, why didn't you say so earlier?"
He slapped his thigh in anger, "We're doomed! If Master Tong really gets into trouble, we won't be spared!"
Su Peisheng took off running towards the main courtyard. He wondered if the master and the princess were finished discussing matters.
Seeing how anxious Su Peisheng was, Li Er stroked his chin and said, "Boss, do you think I was too harsh? He's in such a hurry."
“We have to be ruthless. Master Tong is thin and has old ailments. She is already in poor health. The plain water and steamed buns she eats every day are prepared by Steward Su himself. It has nothing to do with us.”
If anyone is to blame, it's Su Peisheng.
He carried out the master's orders thoroughly; no amount of pleading or bribery would work. He's an inflexible guy, serves him right.
These past few days, they've been eating only plain water and steamed buns twice a day, staying in the orchid courtyard all day long, and they still can't conjure up any food. It's their fault, isn't it?
As soon as Su Peisheng entered the main courtyard, Quanfu, covered in dust and dirt, rushed past him and knelt in the hall, so frightened that he could barely speak, "Master, something terrible has happened."
Yinzhen stood up abruptly. "What is it? Speak."
Quanfu glanced at the Fujin and the others in the hall, then hung his head and didn't dare to speak. As the master's personal attendant, he would inevitably have to handle some private matters for the master.
When the Tong family was demoted, he vaguely knew that the families of the Fujin and the Nian Concubine were involved.
The Tong family is gone. It's terrifying. Who could be so heartless as to do this? He dared not think too deeply about it.
Yinzhen pursed his thin lips, thinking it was a matter of the court, and said, "Go to the study."
Quan Fulian forgot to say his respects, simply grunted in response, and jogged after him.
Back in his study, Quanfu swallowed hard, wiped the sweat from his face, and said with difficulty, “Reporting to you, sir, the Tong family, the Tong family is gone. All twenty-three people were gone overnight. The fire burned the estate to the ground.”
"Bang!" Yinzhen's expression suddenly changed. "Who did this? How did they burn it?"
Quanfu's face turned ashen, and he shook his head. "When I brought Madam Li here, the Tong family was already in ruins. I heard from the nearby villagers that the fire burned for a day and a night. A tenant farmer on the estate said that it seemed to be the work of a gang of bandits. They slaughtered the Tong family at night and then set the estate on fire."
"Where is the government? Twenty-three people are gone. Why didn't they report it?" Such a serious massacre, yet there's not a single word about it in the capital. Tongzhou isn't far from the capital. This is highly unusual.
Quanfu kowtowed and said, "Your Excellency, I was in a hurry to return to the manor to report the news and did not have time to ask."
Yinzhen gritted his teeth. Could this be the same group that assassinated Yi'er? Very well, so arrogant. "Prepare the horses, let's go to Tongzhou."
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