Chapter 39

**Fortieth Chapter: Filling in the Blanks (Part 2)**

Amber looked astonished. "I don't know!"

She had never thought about this issue before.

Eleven Miss's eyes brightened.

Finally, a glimmer of hope appeared!

"The people in the estate can be brought from our ancestral home in Yuhang, but the coachman certainly cannot." She smiled at Amber and said, "Tomorrow, give that coachman two taels of silver and ask him to help buy some famous snacks in Yanjing. Take the opportunity to ask him if he knows about the Jiang family of Leping."

Amber hesitated. "Why would a coachman know about the Jiang family of Leping?"

"You grew up in the inner estate, so there are some things you might not be aware of." Eleven Miss smiled. "When it comes to being well-informed, no one can compare to the porters, sedan-bearers, and carriers. They travel from village to village, know many people, and have seen many things. Nothing happens in Yanjing without them noticing. Just ask him. You can even inquire about the incident where Young Master Wang killed a man." Her brows furrowed slightly as she continued, "The maids in the Xu family already know about it. These people must know something too." Her voice lowered. "If we're lucky, there might even be rumors about why Young Master Wang has not married...!"

Amber nodded and left in response.

Dongqing, however, was very disheartened. "Miss, that Young Master Wang... regardless of the reason, killing someone means he's not a good person. You should give up on any thoughts of him!"

"I know." Eleven Miss's smile was bitter. "People always have a sense of wishful thinking. They hope there will be a future, that they will encounter something better, so they hesitate, waver, and ponder... But when there is no future, one can only focus on the present!"

Dongqing was very puzzled. "Miss, what are you..."

"It's nothing," Eleven Miss waved her hand. "Let's go to bed early. We've been out all day, and it's been exhausting!"

The next day, at around 9 a.m., Fifth Miss and Eleven Miss went to pay their respects to the matriarch. The matriarch had already gotten up, and boxes and trunks were scattered haphazardly in the room. The matriarch sat on the Rohan bed, listening as the first wife and Xu Mama checked the items in the trunks against the ledgers. Sixth Concubine stood by, serving with downcast eyes.

When they entered, the matriarch merely lifted her eyelids. "You're here."

Fifth Miss and Eleven Miss hurriedly went forward to pay their respects to the matriarch and the first wife.

"I'm busy here. You two go rest." The matriarch's tone was indifferent.

Everyone knew that Elder Liu had retired, and the three masters of the Luo family were all idle at home... Hearts were tense, and no one dared to ask or say much in front of the matriarch.

The two curtsied and withdrew.

As they left, Fifth Miss asked Dujuan, who had seen them out, "What's going on?"

Dujuan whispered, "They're preparing to send gifts."

Fifth Miss's eyes lit up. "Is it for the Yongping Marquis Estate?"

Dujuan shook her head. "I don't know."

Fifth Miss's expression dimmed, clearly disappointed. She sent Zi Wei to try and get information from Luoqiao, but Luoqiao, with her tight lips, revealed nothing no matter how much they asked. They only saw that the elder master and the matriarch were very busy—the elder master left early and returned late every day, and the matriarch often took the first wife to check the trunks.

During this time, the matriarch had gone to Yongping Marquis Estate twice. She left Fifth Miss and Eleven Miss at home, taking only Xu Mama with her. After lunch, she went and returned before dinner, as if it were an ordinary visit between relatives. She either brought a few boxes of pastries or a few bolts of fabric.

This caught Eleven Miss's attention—who knew what the matriarch's purpose for visiting was?

She would occasionally stop her needlework and fall into deep thought.

Luckily, Amber had some news to share. "...Young Master Wang came out from Cuihua Hutong early in the morning. An old vegetable vendor happened to pass by him. For some reason, Young Master Wang became enraged and... Later, Fifth Young Master Xu intervened and compensated the old vegetable vendor with one thousand taels of silver. The matter was settled without a lawsuit." Amber's face showed some hesitation. "I told the coachman that I was originally from Yanjing. When my old master passed away, the second wife brought me back to Yuhang, and later I was assigned to serve Miss. I've been in Yuhang for the past few years. I had a younger sister who served in the estate of Duke Mao..."

It was a good excuse!

Eleven Miss looked at Amber with a hint of admiration.

"Who knows? Upon hearing this, the coachman quickly told me, 'You should find a way to go to Duke Mao's estate and take a look! Just last month, they lost two maids—one reportedly died of illness, and the other accidentally fell into a well. You've been out of the capital for three or four years; how would you know if your sister is dead or alive?'"

Eleven Miss couldn't conceal her shock.

Amber’s forehead was beaded with sweat. "Miss, should I secretly go to Duke Mao's estate? I can say I’m looking for my sister. The coachman also said that if I want to go, I just need to change my attire, and he can borrow a friend’s carriage. It’ll only take an hour. As long as everything in the inner household is arranged, no one would ever know."

"No," Eleven Miss firmly refused. "His idea is indeed good. But what if he takes you somewhere else instead? It would still be without anyone knowing."

Amber hesitated to speak.

Eleven Miss’s expression turned serious as she solemnly said, "This discussion is over. Do not bring up going to Duke Mao’s estate again!"

Amber could only agree.

Seeing that Amber looked somewhat reluctant, Eleven Miss repeatedly advised her to "always be cautious" and then asked about the Jiang family. "...Have you found out anything?"

Amber quickly replied, "The Jiang family has a five-courtyard residence in Stone Lion Alley. Currently, it is occupied by Academician Jiang and some Jiang family members who are studying at the Guozijian. Their family is known for its strict discipline and humble treatment of others. That boy Xiao Liuzi said that a coachman he is familiar with passed by Stone Lion Alley one morning. For some reason, Wang Gongzi flew into a rage, and a vegetable peddler happened to be nearby. The friend saw that although the man was dressed very plainly, he had fair skin, red lips, and hands whiter and prettier than a girl's. It was clear he was a young master from a wealthy family. The young master not only didn’t blame him but also gave him one tael of silver to calm his nerves. He hesitated to accept it, but upon learning it was from the Jiang family, he was reassured that they weren’t the type to bully others. He happily accepted it and told his relatives and friends."

So, the Jiang family is unwilling to get involved in Wang Lang's matters?

Eleven Miss pondered and asked Amber, "Who is Xiao Liuzi? And how do you know about 'swindles'?"

Amber’s face turned slightly red, and she looked somewhat uneasy. "The coachman we hired is called Xiao Liuzi. He told me about 'swindles.' It’s when people set traps to cheat those who are greedy and take advantage of them..."

Eleven Miss smiled but then thought of the starkly different behaviors of the Wang and Jiang families, and the smile faded from her face.

How did these two families end up becoming related?

The thought flashed through her mind, and she couldn’t help but ponder.

Marriage alliances should involve equal social standing, mutual support, and shared values...

Why did the Luo family want to form a marriage alliance with the Wang family?

If it was to find good homes for the younger sisters, even from the little she had gathered, Wang Lang didn’t seem like a good person. If it was for power, even the servants in the Xu household knew that the Duke of Mao’s estate was in decline. Eldest Miss couldn’t have been unaware of this. It would have been more advantageous to marry into a family of officials who had lost their wives but still held real power as a second wife.

Generally speaking, at this point, Luo Yuaniang should have been focusing all her energy on ensuring Chun Ge's interests were maximized in the event of her death. How could she spare energy to arrange a marriage for a younger sister she hadn’t seen in over a decade?

Thinking of this, Eleven Miss was startled.

Yes, at this moment, everything Luo Yuaniang thought and did should have been for Chun Ge... So, how did this marriage benefit Chun Ge?

The Luo family, Wang family, Xu family, Jiang family... They spun around in Eleven Miss's mind like a revolving lantern.

She asked herself: If I were Luo Yuaniang, what would I do?

Once the thought arose, it couldn’t be stopped.

Internally, find a stepmother who could be controlled by the Luo family to ensure Chun Ge grew up smoothly. Externally, seek strong support to confirm Chun Ge’s position as heir as soon as possible. After all, Chun Ge was the legitimate son born to Xu Lingyi's first wife, making him more noble than the legitimate son born to a second wife. He was the first in line to inherit the title.

Now, internally, Yuaniang had a plan. Externally...

Eleven Miss couldn’t help but press her forehead.

The Jiang family... a family that values clean living, humility, and enjoys a good reputation... They don’t need to be protected but might say a word of justice for Chun Ge at a critical moment. However, they are also a political family. Families like theirs weigh their words and actions carefully... How could she bind this family to Chun Ge?

The best solution would be a marriage alliance!

Conveniently, a daughter of Duke Mao had married into the Jiang family, and one of their sons needed a wife...

She gave a wry smile. "Does the Jiang family have any daughters? And how many?" Before Amber could answer, she murmured to herself, "Of course they have daughters. Otherwise, why go through so many convoluted steps..."

Amber hurriedly said, "Should I go ask Xiao Liuzi again?"

Eleven Miss shook her head. "Once is enough. Don't go ask any more questions." She pointed to the east and added, "We don't want to arouse suspicion."

Amber nodded immediately. "I understand."

Eleven Miss gave a slight nod and smiled. "You should go get some rest!"

She needed to think carefully about how to handle this situation.

Amber withdrew, and as she walked out, she bumped into Feicui head-on.

"Why are you here, Sister?" Amber greeted her with a smile and invited her to the western wing where she lived.

Feicui shook her head with a smile. "I'm here to invite Eleven Miss. Third Wife has arrived, accompanied by Fifth Master and Sixth Master. They are currently having tea with the Matriarch. The Matriarch sent me to inform Fifth Miss and Eleven Miss to come and pay their respects."

Amber nodded with a smile. After Feicui relayed the Matriarch’s message to Fifth Miss, she accompanied Feicui to Eleven Miss's place.

Upon understanding Feicui's purpose, Eleven Miss tidied herself and, accompanied by Amber, followed Feicui to the Matriarch's residence.

Compared to her time in Yu Hang, the twenty-seven-year-old Third Wife appeared noticeably more worn out.

After paying her respects, Fifth Master and Sixth Master, who were standing nearby, greeted her with a smile, "Eleven Miss."