Chapter 13: Kneeling in the ancestral hall as punishment?
"Zhuzhu, you're right." A calculating look flashed in Wu Lingheng's eyes. "But we can't let the Jiang family find out about my sister-in-law first. We have to think it over carefully. We must bring my sister-in-law to the capital to meet Elder Jiang. Only then will the Jiang family take us seriously."
Song Mingzhu nodded and said, "If the Jiang family sends someone south to look for someone tomorrow, I will immediately set off south and return to the village to bring my sister-in-law to Beijing."
"No, no! My sister-in-law can't come to Beijing now." Wu Lingheng's expression suddenly became serious.
"Why? If we don't bring my sister-in-law to Beijing now, when will we?" Song Mingzhu was puzzled. "If it's too late, the Jiang family will find Wushuang Village."
"Since my sister-in-law is coming to Beijing, my brother will definitely come with her, and that girl will definitely come with her as well."
Song Mingzhu suddenly realized that Sister Yu must not come to Beijing.
"Then...what should we do then?"
"Don't panic. The Jiang family may not make any moves tomorrow. My sister-in-law has lost some of her memory. We haven't met her many times. Are you sure she looks like Old Jiang?"
"I'm not mistaken. When my eldest brother brought my eldest sister-in-law home, I ran back to take a closer look. I was deeply impressed."
Because Jiang Yunwan has an excellent appearance and temperament, she is obviously a pampered lady in the city.
If it weren't for the scratch scar on Jiang Yunwan's face, she would have been somewhat envious and jealous!
"...She is most likely Elder Jiang's daughter."
Wu Lingheng thought for a moment, "Regardless of whether my eldest sister-in-law is Old Jiang's daughter or not, that girl cannot come to Beijing under any circumstances. Even if the Jiang family goes looking for her, it will take them two years to find Wushuang Village. That girl will only be safe if she gets married."
Song Mingzhu felt that everyone would be in trouble sooner or later. "Even if Sister Yu got married and her sister-in-law recognized the Jiang family, then Sister Yu would be Mr. Jiang's granddaughter in name only, and she could bring her family to Beijing to visit relatives."
A fierce look flashed in Wu Lingheng's eyes. "This girl is so lucky. Her elder brother and sister-in-law raised her as their own daughter. Now she is more likely to be Mr. Jiang's granddaughter in name only. She should have been killed back then!"
Song Mingzhu's heart skipped a beat. Her husband had become increasingly ruthless in the years since he came to Beijing. "It's no use regretting it now. Do you have any way to ensure that the Jiang family will have no clues within two years?"
Wu Lingheng smiled and said, "I am no longer the ninth-rank official with no foundation. The Jiang family has sent people south to search for her. I will make good arrangements. It only takes two years. During this time, I will find a good husband for the girl and marry her off after she reaches the age of 15."
"Also, even if she gets married and comes to Beijing, we'll be keeping an eye on her. As long as she doesn't come into contact with anyone from the Marquis' Mansion, it'll be fine. In two years, our precious daughter will also marry into the royal family. That girl won't be a problem for us."
Song Mingzhu lowered her eyes and thought for a moment, "This is the only solution for now. No matter whether the Jiang family goes south to look for people or not, I will go back to Wushuang Village tomorrow."
After Song Mingzhu left, Wu Lingheng's face darkened, and a nameless fire rose in his heart, "Someone come!"
"Master!" Upon hearing the voice, confidant Zhang Yuan hurried into the study.
"Immediately arrange for someone to go to the former Grand Tutor's Mansion and keep an eye on the Jiang family. I want to know what the Jiang family will do in the next two days."
Zhang Yuan was a little surprised, but didn't ask any more questions. He replied, "Yes, Master."
"Madam is leaving the capital. Please arrange for your men to accompany her south. All matters will be at her disposal."
"Yes, sir."
"This time I have a task for you to do alone. Come closer."
Song Mingen wants to rely on Old Jiang to turn the tables and climb over his head?
Don’t even think about it!
Song Mingen must be a humble peasant!
Jiang Mansion
"Madam." The head maid Jinxiu hurried into the inner hall.
"Why are you so flustered?" Feng Yingying, the mistress of the Jiang family, frowned slightly.
Jinxiu glanced at the cute and well-behaved Jiang Shiyun beside her and said, "The old man is back. Let the young lady go to the study now."
"Has the portrait of Auntie been restored?"
"Yes little miss."
"Mother, I'm going to see my grandfather."
"Young lady..." Before Jinxiu could stop her, Jiang Shiyun had already left the yard.
"Madam, the old master seems to know that the peony fruit cake comes from Mingyue Tower."
"What did you say?" Feng Yingying was shocked. "How did my father-in-law know that?"
"Uncle Chang just came in person and said that the old master met with the painter Mr. Tao at the Yue Ming Xuan Teahouse today. Across from Yue Ming Xuan is Ming Yue Tower..."
Feng Yingying's expression changed slightly. "Come with me and wait at the second gate."
Now only the master can calm the anger of the father-in-law.
"Grandfather, portrait of aunt..."
Jiang Shiyun walked in excitedly, but seeing Jiang Youya's serious face, she was so frightened that she quickly stopped running and saluted Jiang Youya politely. "Grandfather."
Jiang Youya felt sad when he saw that his eldest granddaughter, who looked most like Wanwan, actually lied to deceive others.
"Get up."
"Thank you, Grandfather."
Jiang Shiyun straightened up and saw that Jiang Youya was still stern. She felt a sudden panic in her heart. "Grandfather, you don't seem happy. Is it because my aunt's portrait hasn't been restored yet? Don't be unhappy. The capital is so big and there are so many talented people. Someone will definitely restore my aunt's portrait."
Jiang Shiyun spoke carefully and flatteringly, and secretly observed Jiang Youya's expression.
Jiang Youya couldn't bear to see his granddaughter trying so hard to please him, so he softened his expression and said, "Your aunt's portrait has been restored."
Jiang Shiyun's eyes lit up. "Where is my aunt's portrait? I want to see if she looks like my grandfather or my grandmother."
Only then did Jiang Shiyun dare to look at the desk in front of Jiang Youya.
When he saw Mingyue Tower's unique food box, his face froze.
Oops!
Despite all the precautions, my grandfather still found out.
"Sister Yun, tell me, what's going on? Why does the peony fruit cake from Mingyue Tower taste almost the same as yours? Almost exactly the same?"
Jiang Shiyun fell to her knees with a plop, "Granddaughter knows her fault, please punish me, grandfather."
Jiang Youya's heart trembled, and he just left the seat and sat back down.
"You are wrong. What's wrong?"
Jiang Shiyun lowered her head and said, "My granddaughter is stupid. I haven't learned how to make peony fruit cake even after following the instructions left by my aunt."
"Three years ago, Sister Yun'er came to the mansion to enjoy the flowers and brought back Mingyue Tower's peony fruit cake. Grandfather wasn't home at the time, so I gave it to Grandmother to try. Grandmother said it tasted very similar to the one my aunt made. At that time, I was blinded by greed and thought of passing off Mingyue Tower's peony fruit cake as my own to please Grandpa and Grandma. I was truly wrong, and I hope Grandfather will punish me."
"You..." Jiang Youya couldn't bear to punish him. Three years ago, the child was only seven years old, which was enough to show that he was a filial child.
But he has to be punished. He knows how to lie at such a young age, which will definitely cause big trouble when he grows up.
"Chang Huai, send the young lady to the ancestral hall..."
"Wait a minute." At this time, a pair of handsome men who looked about 60% similar walked in.
The people who came were Jiang Shiyun's father and brother Jiang Yunzhou, and Jiang Guanchen and his son, followed by Feng Yingying.
"Father, this is my fault."
Jiang Yunzhou gave Feng Yingying a look without saying a word.
Feng Yingying hurried forward, pulled Jiang Shiyun up from her kneeling position, and left the study.
"...I asked Sister Yun to keep it a secret from father."
"Grandfather, I also know about this." Jiang Guanchen lowered his head and didn't dare to look at Jiang Youya's face which was as black as ink.
"Okay, you all kept it a secret from me, Yunzhou. Did you know that this peony fruit cake was Wanwan's original creation? Now, not only is Mingyue Tower selling peony fruit cakes, but every county in the south has them. What does this mean? It means Wanwan is still alive. She's not dead, she's still alive, do you know?"
"Dad, don't get excited. Calm down and listen to my explanation."
Jiang Youya took a deep breath and said, "If you can't explain it today, you and your son will both kneel in the ancestral hall. You won't have to attend court tomorrow!"
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