Chapter 490

Chapter 496: Unease (Part 2)

"Man fears the face-to-face encounter." Concubine Wen and Lady Shiyi were whispering in the warm pavilion. "If I go, I fear she will make excessive demands. If I don't, I know her best—her persistence can wear anyone down. Not to mention someone like Old Lady Qiuhong who hasn't seen much of the world. I'm afraid it will be difficult for her!"

In the end, Concubine Wen was still a bit afraid to meet Third Madam Wen!

Otherwise, she could have outright refused. No matter how formidable Third Madam Wen was, no matter how deep her persistence, could Old Lady Qiuhong really take charge and make promises on behalf of Concubine Wen?

Lady Shiyi countered, "What do you mean?"

Concubine Wen gave an awkward smile. "Could His Excellency send someone to handle the meeting with my third aunt?"

This way, it would become a matter between the Wen and Xu families. Perhaps this was precisely Third Madam Wen's goal.

"What is Concubine Wen truly afraid of?" Lady Shiyi pondered, then asked straightforwardly, "Could it be that Third Madam Wen has something on you? Even if you're concerned about your mother, as long as you are well and safe in the Xu family, the Wen family wouldn't dare to be the slightest bit careless. Why are you afraid to see Third Madam Wen?"

Concubine Wen's face turned bright red, but she did not jump up to refute. After a long pause, she said, "The year Madam first entered the household, Third Madam Wen gave me fifty thousand taels of silver, asking me to introduce her to you..."

At this point, Lady Shiyi understood immediately and couldn't help but laugh. "You took the money but didn't do the job!"

"No, no," Concubine Wen hurriedly explained. "I didn't fail to act; I just failed to succeed!"

Could it be out of guilt... If that's the case, it would be best for Lord Xu to take over. Lady Wen could then shift the responsibility onto Lord Xu, signaling to the Wen family her inability to do anything more, and use this opportunity to sever ties with them. Although Lord Xu might suffer a bit, since Lady Wen is his concubine, any future issues would still be attributed to his involvement or instigation. It would be better for him to step in and help Lady Wen clean up the mess, achieving two goals at once.

However, Lord Xu is currently preoccupied with the Huang family’s affairs; it’s uncertain whether he has the time or inclination to handle this matter for Lady Wen!

She pondered for a moment and sent Zhu Xiang to invite Lord Xu.

Lord Xu did not come himself but sent Manager Zhao to meet her instead.

“The Marquis said, if there’s anything you need, instructing me is just as good!”

Manager Zhao was the head of the affairs office, a trusted right-hand man of Lord Xu.

Lady Shiyi treated him with great courtesy, having a young maid bring a brocade stool for him to sit on behind the curtain, and she quietly explained the situation.

Manager Zhao immediately understood the subtleties involved, but given the matter’s implications for the interests and relations between the Xu and Wen families, he felt it unwise to make a decision on his own. He smiled and said, “I’ll report back to the Marquis.”

Lady Shiyi also recognized the gravity of the situation, smiling as she offered tea and had Zhu Xiang see Manager Zhao out.

In less than the time it takes to finish a cup of tea, a servant boy came in to report: “The Marquis said, please have Lady Wen rest well. He has already sent someone to meet with Third Madam Wen.”

Both women breathed a sigh of relief, and Lady Wen, particularly pleased, took out several coins to reward the servant boy under Lady Shiyi’s name before getting up to leave. “Qiuhong is waiting for my message at home. I should give her the news early so she can return sooner!”

Lady Shier saw her off in the autumn rain.

Mother Song came over: "Madam, Concubine Qiao has gone to the back gate!"

At this hour?

Lady Shier pondered and mused, "Do you know what for?"

"It seems that Lady Qiao's mother-in-law has arrived!"

Neither too early nor too late, just at this moment!

Lady Shier smiled and nodded. Mother Song said no more and quietly withdrew.

**********

On the other side, Mother Yang stared at the one-hundred-tael silver note in Yang Shi's hand, her eyes almost popping out: "Concubine, where did you get so much money from?"

"Never mind!" Yang Shi whispered, "It’s all legitimate. Don’t worry." Then she quietly instructed Mother Yang, "Take this silver note and find someone to inquire about the Yang family’s situation."

Mother Yang looked hesitant: "At this time, it might be hard to find anyone even with money..."

"There are many who add flowers to brocade, but few who bring charcoal in the snow," Yang Shi said coldly. "Right now, the Yang family has only been seized; how the Emperor will deal with them is still uncertain—whether he will merely punish them or exterminate the clan. But whatever his intentions, without a clear indication yet, people can't help but have some hopes. If after some time, nothing happens to the Yang family, we’ll naturally be fine. But if something does happen... trying to use money to get someone to gather information will be as difficult as climbing a mountain."

Lady Yang thought it made sense.

She took the silver note and hurried out of the courtyard.

By nightfall, news arrived.

"Jianning Marquis, Shouchang Viscount, and all their female relatives have been sent to the Supreme Court."

Lady Yang’s hands and feet turned cold, her face ashen: "It's over, it's over." She added, "The women were also sent to the Supreme Court, clearly showing no mercy... The lightest punishment would be exile for a thousand miles!"

Mother Yang didn’t understand these matters but knew Lady Yang was extremely intelligent. Hearing this, she covered her face and sobbed softly: "All our wealth, gone in a single day... Who will we rely on now..."

Lady Yang’s expression changed sharply upon hearing this, and she quickly said, "Mother, don’t cry. Quickly help me find out how the sister who married into the Zhongshan Marquis family and the sister who married into Grand Secretary Liang’s family are doing now!"

A glimmer of hope rose in Mother Yang’s heart: "Perhaps the two sisters can ask their husbands to plead for mercy from His Majesty, giving the Marquis and Viscount a chance at survival!"

If they could be exonerated, she and Lady Yang could naturally continue living a peaceful life in the Xu family!

Mother Yang wiped away her tears and set out to gather information.

Lord Xu strode into the inner chamber with a stern face.

Eleventh Lady was rocking Little Jing to sleep. Seeing him, she quickly signaled to Zhuxiang.

**********

Zhu Xiang hurriedly came forward to help Lord Xu change and wash up, then led the servants out of the room.

"Jin'er is asleep!" Lord Xu braced his hands on the kang, encircling his wife and son in his arms, gazing at Jin'er's peaceful face as he slept, a hint of warmth in his eyes.

Lady Eleven nodded, sitting up gently and whispering, "Just fell asleep!"

Lord Xu sat down on the bed with her to talk.

"Put this away." He handed her an official envelope, "The one who carried out the raid was a deputy general who had followed Jiang Yunfei for many years. When Jiang Yunfei was defeated, I once saved his life. Tomorrow, show it to Grandmother Huang, and burn it in front of her."

This must be what the Young Marquis of Yongchang was worried about.

This way, the people of the Huang family would see the evidence and know that Lord Xu had been entrusted to bring out the items.

Lady Eleven nodded and, in front of Lord Xu, placed the item in a secret compartment of the headboard.

Lord Xu carried Jin'er to the warm pavilion and gave him to Nurse Gu, then retired with Lady Eleven.

"Keep a close eye on Wen Shi. Don't let her have any contact with the Wen family," in the darkness, Lord Xu held Lady Eleven, his hand gently caressing her spine, the slightly protruding bones making his heart soften, his voice becoming gentle, "From Manager Zhao's tone, it seems that in this situation, the Wen family not only hasn't reined in, but they think their opportunity has come... If Uncle Wen continues to act without restraint, His Majesty might tolerate it this time out of old feelings, but may not do so a second time..."

Since she fell ill, Lord Xu had taken to touching her back, no longer with the former hint of ambiguity, but now more out of tenderness.

She rested her head on his arm and whispered, "In the past, when the Marquis did business with the Wen family, it was under orders, wasn't it?"

Otherwise, the Xu family wouldn't have had the nerve!

Lord Xu remained silent, but his hand paused in its caress of her back.

Eleventh Miss changed the subject, "I will speak clearly to Lady Wen. She's not the type who doesn't understand; she just sometimes needs a little guidance. When the Marquis entrusted her with managing the shop, she got it done in just two or three days..."

Lord Xu was silent for a moment before he said, "I've thought this through carefully. If we want Wen Shi to be content and not cause trouble, the best way is to resolve the matter with Lady Wen's mother. I think we should do this: Have Wen Shi send a trusted person to Yangzhou to talk to Lady Wen's mother properly. Since Lord Wen has passed away and his children are grown, perhaps the Wen family could build a temple for her in the outskirts and buy some land. She can move into the temple as a lay nun. We'll say she has become a nun. I'll help look after things. If anything happens to the Wen family in the future, being a nun will protect her from any repercussions!"

Eleventh Miss thought it was a good idea, "The Wen family might not agree. But if we can persuade Lady Wen's mother, that would be best. We must at least try. I'll speak to Lady Wen tomorrow."

Lord Xu hugged her and kissed her cheek, "Get some sleep! Remember to send someone to invite Third Madam Huang early tomorrow. This matter shouldn't linger."

Eleventh Miss murmured in agreement, feeling that all her worries were resolved. She closed her eyes and soon fell asleep.

Third Madam Huang watched as the items turned to ashes, then were doused with tea water, turning into a black, sticky mass. Her eyes welled up, and she took Eleventh Miss's hand, "I won't say more. I'll go report to the Marquis!"

**********

For the anxious Huang family, this was exactly the reassurance they needed.

Eleven Miss understood her feelings and saw her out, then went to Lady Wen's quarters.

"What did Lord Xu say?" Although Lord Xu had intervened to explain the issue, it didn't necessarily mean he would show her sympathy or mercy.

Eleven Miss relayed Lord Xu's position to Lady Wen.

Lady Wen froze: "Then... what about my brothers?"

Wasn't this being greedy after getting what they wanted?

Eleven Miss sighed helplessly: "If the Wen family had heeded Lord Xu's warnings, they wouldn't be in this mess today!"

Lady Wen's expression wavered with uncertainty.

Eleven Miss didn't press further.

She'd done everything possible—now it was up to those involved to make their choice!

She rose to take her leave.

**********

Yang Shi's expression was unreadable.

She murmured softly: "Third Madam Tang had fallen ill and was sent to a temple for recuperation. The Liang family hadn't made any moves..."

Matron Yang nodded repeatedly: "That's exactly what the messenger said!"