After listening to the old master's teachings, Shen Shangxu then reported to his grandmother what he had seen and heard in Ningzhou County, which made the old lady sigh repeatedly...
"Xu'er has suffered for over a year..."
Shen Shangxu seemed to deliberately ignore his father, Shen Tongxing, and aside from a few polite greetings, he didn't say another word.
Shen Tongxing glanced at his eldest son, then hesitated several times before speaking.
In the end, the principal wife, Lady Nie, couldn't stand it anymore and stepped in to ease the tension.
"Ah Xu has been away from home for so long. You must not be used to the food and lodging in that remote little town of Furong County. You've lost a lot of weight. When you come back this time, just tell your mother what you want to eat as soon as possible, and I'll have someone make it for you!"
This man was imprisoned in Furong County and then escorted all the way to the capital. He was detained in Dali Temple for so many days, no wonder he lost weight!
"Thank you for your concern, Mother. However, you still have many things to manage in the manor, so I dare not trouble you!"
Shen Shang spoke in a calm tone, yet his manner showed respect for his elders, leaving no room for criticism.
This family dinner was both to welcome him back and to celebrate his promotion.
The Shen family would never make trouble for him at this time.
After finally finishing the meal, Old Mrs. Shen patted his hand and said with a loving expression, "Aunt Yang fell ill after hearing that you were imprisoned. Go and see her!"
Shen Shangxu felt a sudden pang of pain in his heart, but he only frowned slightly on the surface, replied "Okay," and then got up to bid farewell to the elders.
We left the courtyard.
As soon as she stepped out of the courtyard gate, she quickened her pace and rushed towards Aunt Yang's Lotus Courtyard...
In the old master's courtyard, Zheng, the eldest sister-in-law of the first wife, began to speak sarcastically, "Second sister-in-law, don't take it to heart. After all, you're not her biological mother. If you want to be good to her but she doesn't appreciate it, what can you do?"
"I advise you to think more positively!"
Madam Nie was already in a bad mood, but she kept it to herself. Now, hearing her sister-in-law deliberately stirring things up, her expression darkened even more.
"Sister-in-law must have misunderstood something. Ah Xu has been filial since childhood and will never be estranged from me!"
But Zheng scoffed, "Do you even believe what you're saying?"
"It's good that my second sister-in-law has this confidence!"
Nie was somewhat indignant, but felt there was no need to argue with Zheng.
In the end, it was the old lady who scolded Zheng: "Enough! As the eldest daughter-in-law of the Shen family, why are you always stirring up trouble like a troublemaker?"
That was quite a harsh statement, especially with so many servants present.
Madam Zheng's face flushed red and then turned pale, looking extremely embarrassed.
"Mother..." she wanted to say something in her defense.
But the old lady knew perfectly well what was going on and wouldn't listen. "Our Shen family ancestors were once very prominent, but unfortunately, the clan lacked outstanding members to occupy high positions, which led to our family's current mediocre status."
"Ah Xu is a promising young man. If he rises through the ranks in the future, he will surely lead the entire Shen family to prosperity as well..."
"From now on, whoever makes me hear any more rumors or remarks that sow discord and cause unrest in the family, don't blame the Shen family for not to tolerate them!"
As soon as the old lady finished speaking, Zheng's face turned ashen.
Nie lowered her head, appearing humble and subservient, but a flash of hatred flickered in her eyes!
Two days later, Liu Yingying's snack shop reopened.
The children rescued from the Marquis's estate were all helped by the government to contact their families...
Only six children who were originally orphans remained, still living in the courtyard.
Aside from Liu Yingying, who could offer them some shelter, they were already homeless.
Several of the older women who used to live in the same courtyard as Zhang Hui have also found their children.
They weren't locals from Beijing; they came here specifically to find their child.
Now that the children have been found, they remembered that their relatives were still alive in their hometown, so they all came to thank Liu Yingying and say goodbye.
Business was booming today; the large buckets of skewers we prepared the night before sold out in less than a morning.
When Liu Yingying was cleaning up the dishes, she realized that Madam Wan hadn't come today.
In the past, whenever the shop was open, Madam Wan was never absent.
Liu Yingying had no choice but to ask Zhang Hui, "Why didn't Madam Wan come today?"
"She's finally made it through the tough times. Her son was among the children rescued this time, and now she wants to be with him every second, afraid he'll be taken away again in the blink of an eye..."
Zhang Hui spoke of Wan Niangzi with a mixture of relief and sorrow, and also thought of her own child.
I wonder where the dog is now?
Is he safe and sound?
Liu Yingying was happy for Wan Niangzi after hearing this, and at the same time, she did not forget to comfort Zhang Hui.
"Don't be too impatient, believe that you will find your dog someday!"
"Yes!" Zhang Hui nodded, her eyes glistening with tears.
After all the work in the shop was finished, Zhang Hui, Li Niangzi, and Jiang Niangzi all left.
Liu Yingying and Xiaoxue were also preparing to close the door and go home.
Xiaoxue glanced around and muttered softly, "I don't know what Xue Ye has been busy with lately, he's always running around, and I never see him..."
"Sister Liu, haven't you asked him what he's been up to lately?"
Liu Yingying smiled thoughtfully, "Xiao Ye is already an adult. He has his own opinions and judgments on many things, and he has the freedom to do what he wants to do!"
Xiaoxue pondered her words with a somewhat bewildered expression, and finally said, "Sister Liu, you're so good to Brother Xue Ye!"
"You brat, have I ever been bad to you?" Liu Yingying reached out and pinched her fair and tender face.
Out of the corner of his eye, he caught sight of several small figures hiding behind a corner of a wall across the street.
She turned around and beckoned to the timid little ones.
"Get over here, all of you! What are you all hiding there for?"
The little ones immediately panicked, thinking they were well hidden and wouldn't be discovered.
Little did they expect Liu Yingying to have such a sharp eye.
Soon the five people came up to her, each one shyly lowering their heads, too embarrassed to look her in the eye.
"You need something from me?" Liu Yingying's tone softened.
She knew these children wouldn't come looking for her unless they had something to say.
"Brother Huang, hurry up and tell me!" Ah Chun tugged at Ah Huang's sleeve, looking anxious!
Liu Yingying didn't urge them, but crossed her arms and just watched them.
Ah Huang's face immediately turned even redder.
"Aunt Liu, I...we...we want to help you with something, is that...okay?"
Ah Huang finally mustered up the courage to speak his mind.
This is also the consensus of the other four siblings.
Ever since Liu Yingying helped rescue Ah Chun, she has been seen as a very capable person by these children.
She is strong and fearless in the face of power!
She's smart and quite good at making money!
Following Liu Yingying is definitely the right choice!
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