During the meal, Jiang Jiuniang did not sit at the same table as the men, but sat with the women and asked them about their future plans.
If nothing unexpected happens, they will leave tonight and won't stay any longer.
Some of them were locals and naturally wanted to go home. Others were abducted from other places and also wanted to go back to find their relatives. Even the maids in Qinglian's family had a place to go and wanted to return to their hometown in the countryside.
After going around, only Qinglian, Lin Shi, and two or three other orphaned girls who had also lost their families had nowhere to go.
“Madam, the general promised me that he could take me back with him. Please take my sister-in-law and me back with you! My sister-in-law and I have been taking care of the family shop business, so we can handle these things without any problem.”
Qinglian immediately knelt down before Jiang Jiuniang. In this situation, she could only do her best to protect herself and her sister-in-law. As for the maids, she wouldn't stop them from returning to their hometown.
Jiang Jiuniang had indeed considered this, since the shops at home were short of staff, so taking them back wouldn't be a problem. However, she couldn't make a decision lightly; she needed to clarify things first.
“Miss Qinglian, taking you back is not a big deal, but have you really thought it through? As you said, your family used to have businesses. Even if your family members were killed, these businesses are still there. As long as you are willing, you can live a good life with those businesses. There is really no need for you to come back with us to do odd jobs.”
Anyway, the bandits have been recruited by the government, and they can get their money back. With that money and those properties, wouldn't it be better to just give up?
Regardless, Jiang Jiuniang wanted to hear what they had to say.
“Madam, as you know, only my sister-in-law and I are left in our family. It’s really too difficult for two women to support the family. Like this time, we are just ordinary merchants with no background or power. In this situation, we can only leave it to fate. But it’s different when our madam goes back. She can rely on the general’s power, so those who covet our family’s wealth don’t dare to bully us.”
Qinglian was a smart person. She knew that it was useless to try to be clever in front of people with absolute power. It was better to speak her mind and ask for their protection.
"Don't worry, Madam, we only care about our own safety and would never do anything out of line!"
As she spoke, Qinglian kowtowed directly to Jiang Jiuniang. After understanding her intention, Lin Shi also kowtowed and begged.
No wonder my father-in-law said before that my younger sister was clever and that we would need to find a son-in-law to live with us in order to protect the family business. My younger sister is really smart and knows how to make use of everything that is available.
And now, Jiang Jiuniang is the one she's using.
Jiang Jiuniang hadn't expected her to speak so frankly. A hint of amazement flashed in her eyes. This girl had a spirit like a lotus flower, making her someone not to be underestimated.
Are all girls whose names contain the character "lotus" so intelligent?
"You're so smart, why don't you think about cooperating with me instead of trying to curry favor?"
Jiang Jiuniang looked down at her, her eyes filled with admiration and a smile.
Qinglian was somewhat incredulous that the Madam was willing to cooperate with her?
Why?
Her family were just ordinary merchants with no power behind them. Without power, it was difficult to move an inch and do business. In recent years, their profits had not been high, so her father decided to sell most of the shops, leaving only a few of the better-performing ones for retirement, and then take the whole family to the mountains to live a peaceful life away from the world.
But who could have imagined that, after so many things have happened, this general's wife would say she could cooperate with him?
Did she mishear?
Seeing her like this, Jiang Jiuniang guessed what was going on and said with a smile, "You heard me right. I don't have any particular hobbies. I just like to associate with smart people. Since you know that you can protect your family's business by relying on my power, you can naturally rely on my power to make your business bigger and better, right?"
Qinglian didn't answer immediately, but paused for a long time before slowly asking, "Does Madam really believe me?"
Jiang Jiuniang nodded: "I never joke about money."
Qinglian was somewhat shocked, but more than that, she was overjoyed. With Jiang Jiuniang's words, she was certain that she could manage the family business well and take good care of her sister-in-law, so she wouldn't have to live under someone else's roof anymore!
"Thank you, Madam!"
She was about to kowtow when Jiang Jiuniang stopped her, saying, "I don't like it when people kowtow to me. Don't do it again."
There are too many people around now, it's not a good time to discuss business. We can talk about it in detail when we get back.
Having found a way out for herself, Qinglian did not forget her former maids. If they were willing, they could continue to follow her; if not, she could return their indentures and let them leave.
Some people still insisted on going home, realizing that family was more important after this experience. Others felt that even if they went home, there wouldn't be a good future, and they might be sold by their fathers and brothers again, so they decided to continue following Qinglian.
As for the remaining two or three orphaned girls, Jiang Jiuniang said that if they wanted to stay here, she would ask Prince Mao to arrange for them to be registered as female households, so that they could support themselves with their own hands in the future. If they did not want to stay here, they could also go back with her. Her shop needed people, but it was not so easy to work in the shop. They had to be eloquent and persuasive.
When the girls heard that they needed to be eloquent, they didn't dare to go. They thought it would be more worthwhile to stay here and settle down as female households. Being in charge of their own affairs was better than having to put up with other people's attitudes.
Now everyone had a place to go, and Jiang Jiuniang had finished her meal.
Because they still had things to take care of, everyone simply ate their fill without drinking or chatting. They just asked about the situation on the other side, so they ate quite quickly. Basically, by the time the women finished eating, the men had also finished.
Prince Mao came to investigate a case. After eating and drinking his fill, he sent people to summon the officials in the city to thoroughly investigate the matter.
Anyway, with witnesses and physical evidence, it wasn't too complicated.
After that, Lu Baichuan and his group prepared to set off under cover of night.
On the way out, I ran into those officials, but no one paid any attention to each other.
This time, Jiang Jiuniang couldn't cheat, so she honestly followed along and traveled for almost three days before finally arriving at the capital.
Qinglian and her family also went to the General's Mansion. When they saw the imposing plaque, Qinglian realized their true identities; they were the most famous people in the capital.
Jiang Jiuniang found Lianhua, briefly explained her wishes, and then entrusted Qinglian's family to her for arrangements.
He then went to inform Lady Sun that he was safe and sound, and then disguised himself and quietly entered the palace.
After being away for a few days, the political climate in the capital had improved considerably. To Lu Baichuan's surprise, he discovered that the Earl of Chang'an and his remaining followers had been dealt with by the Emperor. Using the incident of those people besieging Lotus Flower as an excuse, the Emperor had fabricated a series of charges against them, executing those who deserved to be beheaded and exiling those who deserved to be exiled. The court was instantly purged.
Only then did everyone realize that their emperor's strength was not as formidable as they had imagined.
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