The answer is obvious: Granny Wu's efforts were in vain, and Lin Mu didn't dare to even bother to respond.
From a young age, he was instilled with the idea of unwavering loyalty in his upbringing.
Moreover, if it really gets out, after the incident, not to mention whether the second wife will protect him, the third young master will definitely guess that he did it and will never forgive him, right?
Granny Wu returned empty-handed, having only tried to probe the Third Young Master's private savings. Lin Mu kept his mouth shut and dared not inquire further.
She was also afraid that Lin Mu might try to communicate with the Third Young Master in the opposite direction, so she first warned him, then tried to appease him by finding his father a job as a doorman.
It's like they didn't get any information at all, and they even gave up the job they had planned to offer Lin Mu as a bribe.
However, Lin Mu was also shrewd and tactful. Although he didn't say it, he knew that he couldn't take the benefits from the second wife's side for nothing.
Not wanting to refuse the gatekeeper's job, he gave Granny Wu a heads-up.
"I wonder if the newcomer Zhou Chuan is up to the task? Sister Fangli has always been sensible and doesn't like to meddle in the Third Young Master's study."
But I was really afraid that Zhou Chuan was dull-witted and would hinder the Third Young Master's studies, which would displease him.
"Granny, please pass on a message to Sister Fangli, asking her to give Zhou Chuan some guidance."
Wu Mama understood and stopped bothering Lin Mu. There was simply no time left, and she also realized that Lin Mu was a tough nut to crack.
Not lingering at Lin Mu's house, Granny Wu stood up and headed straight home. Fang Li received a message from Fang Tang around noon.
She said she had ruined a garment in the laundry room; it was a Song brocade cardigan belonging to the second wife, and it had accidentally gotten snagged. She wanted her help to deliver it to the second wife.
Upon hearing this, Fangli hurriedly went to the laundry room, wanting to help Fangtang deliver the clothes.
As soon as I stepped inside, I saw Zijuan standing there holding the dress.
"I came here to pick up some clothes. The Second Madam needed them urgently, but they got snagged. I recognized the laundry maid, and after asking her a few questions, I realized she was your sister."
Well, that's good for you. Come with me and explain and plead for her, otherwise I won't have the heart to punish this girl.
If we don't pursue it, how can a laundry maid plead for leniency?
Fangli looked at Zijuan gratefully, "That's right, I'll go with you, otherwise a laundry maid like her isn't qualified to plead with the Second Madam."
However, Fang Li did have some doubts. Things were just too coincidental, and Zi Juan didn't remember Fang Tang? There were obvious loopholes in what she just said.
However, even if it's a trap, I have to go. If I get kicked out of Fangtang's place again, I can forget about ever working here again.
With a smile on her face, Fangli obediently followed Zijuan to find the Second Madam.
Once we arrived, we learned why we were there.
Fang Li wasn't as "loyal" as Lin Mu. The key was that she only managed matters within the inner courtyard, and the Third Young Master only let Lin Mu know about other important things.
So after doing this, even if they have suspicions, Fangli has a way to make sure they can't find any fault with her.
She suppressed her excitement and quickly walked back to Mo Yuan Courtyard.
Don't rush, make sure everything is foolproof before taking action.
After returning home, I first went to the tea room to ask Xingzi for a pot of tea, and then went back to my room to think things over and see what the most appropriate course of action would be.
At 3 PM, Fangli called Chun'er.
“It’s too difficult for Zhou Chuan to organize the books by himself. You should go and help him.”
Upon hearing this, Chun'er didn't think much of it and ran straight to the study.
The third young master requested that the books be rearranged, and after asking Zhou Chuan where the books were placed, he helped organize them.
The third young master went out today too. I wonder if he'll be back tonight?
Chun'er had been helping organize the bookshelf, and by evening when it was time to fetch dinner, she was too busy to help, so Fangli went to fetch it for her.
During the meal, Fangli called Zhou Chuan over. The First Madam had given all the courtyards a special treat of glutinous rice balls, which he hadn't brought back.
She and Dai Xiu couldn't carry it all, so they asked Zhou Chuan to go and get another dish. Zhou Chuan went to the main kitchen without complaint and got another dish.
The mealtime was delayed a little, so Chun'er had to tidy up the study herself for a while longer.
After the meal, around 9 PM, everyone lay in bed and fell fast asleep, dreaming until dawn.
The next day, Granny Shi stretched and yawned as she went to open the door, muttering that she had slept so well the night before and hadn't slept so soundly in many days.
At noon, Fangli and Daixiu went out to fetch lunch again, while Chun'er continued to tidy up the study.
When they arrived at the main kitchen, Daixiu was instructed to go get some soup, and Zijuan was "coincidentally" arranged by the meal-serving nanny to stand next to Fangli.
On the way back, Zijuan carried the exchanged food box and couldn't help but marvel at how quickly Fangli had done things.
Lady Hou requested that the items be retrieved within two days if possible, but Fangli was able to get it done within a day.
She couldn't help but think to herself how unpopular the Third Young Master was. None of his most trusted servants and first-class maids were on his side.
……………………………………………………
Jiang Lanling was shocked to receive the message from Yang Mei, sent by Zijuan.
Although I was 50-60% convinced, I still had doubts and wanted to try it out again.
Brother Yang, or rather the entire Yang family, are truly cunning; none of them can outsmart Jiang Lanling.
"How about I take you to sit at the alley entrance?"
Uncle Yang was about to lose his temper; he hadn't recovered yet. What was he doing at the alley entrance?
But then I thought, I should publicize Jiang's "hard work" beforehand.
"Alright, bring me that cane and help me out to sit down!"
When they reached the alley entrance, Jiang Lanling stood quietly not far away, watching him, unusually, loudly proclaim to the neighbors how wonderful she was and how much she had worked for the family.
He also said that he would get her some tonics to drink in a while.
"Oh my! This is incredible! I never realized Yangmei's father was such a doting husband. How much did that ginseng root cost?"
Uncle Yang got more and more excited as he was praised, "Who drinks ginseng rootlets? Buy her mother some ginseng slices in a while, if you're going to buy them, just buy the slices!"
A group of old women around him started praising him again, showering him with compliments.
Jiang Lanling watched for a while, then silently turned around and went home.
At the end of the month, when one is supposed to wear a hairpin, one should go to the temple to pray. However, Jiang Lanling made an excuse not to go.
What exactly are Gu Xiao and Gu Ting planning? Even Zheng Jin hasn't figured it out, which is why he's so anxious to get his hands on the ledger.
Even if he has a thousand schemes, as long as the second wife acts quickly enough, they can prevent him from using them.
The second wife really didn't want to let this opportunity pass. The things that Concubine Yang and Gu Xiao had done were enough for her to kick them out of the Marquis's mansion.
The old Marquis still held onto the hope that the family would separate after Gu Yan and the others had grown up, so that they could support each other in the future.
But if what Gu Xiao did really comes out, let alone waiting for Gu Jing and Gu Yancheng to help each other.
The Marquis's mansion will be seriously impeached and won't fare well. They'll be able to "help" each other out, but only to salvage the Marquis's reputation.
Zheng dared to say such things about just a few children; their careers would all be affected, and none of them would escape it!
Gu Xiao is such a swindler!
With everything ready, Jiang Lanling was unwilling to cooperate with them in making a scene in the next few days. She wanted to wait until her daughter had received the hairpin and the proper betrothal gifts before taking any action!
Jiang Lanling was also perceptive enough that after thinking it over at home, she still felt it was best to be cautious during this period. So she didn't go to the temple on the mountain.
This was truly a clever move; it saved her own life and didn't delay what the second wife needed to do later.
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