Chapter 417 Offering Advice

Chapter 417: Offering Advice

Ji Yuntang saw them frowning in deep thought and knew her words had already taken effect. She continued to guide them patiently:

"But then again, you are Ji Qingqing's biological parents, holding her most fatal secret in your hands. Even Lady Meng has no reason to forbid you from seeing Ji Qingqing."

"If I were you, I would use this as leverage. If the Marquis's residence refuses to let me see my daughter, then I would make her secret public, reporting it to the Emperor himself. Even if it means burning all bridges and risking everything, no one would walk away with any benefit."

"Lady Meng will surely let you stay to protect her daughter's position as the Crown Princess."

"Of course, this is the last resort. Unless absolutely necessary, I, as the Princess, wouldn't recommend this path."

Chen Huaxiu was somewhat dazed after hearing Ji Yuntang's words.

Indeed, they had been putting up with Ji Qingqing without question, afraid she would be displeased, and had chosen to stay at Prince Ye's residence instead.

But if Ji Qingqing ultimately refused to acknowledge them, what would they do then?

They were merely commoners. If the Marquis's household wanted to kill them, it would be as easy as flipping their hand.

Chen Huaxiu did not consider herself a magnanimous person. She had come to the capital to find Ji Qingqing for the sole purpose of enjoying wealth and glory.

Now, however, Ji Qingqing was leading them around by the nose!

Chen Huaxiu raised her head and looked at Ji Yuntang with a piercing gaze. "Can you help us?"

Ji Yuntang had anticipated this question. She lightly raised her hand and summoned Chen Hu.

"This matter is simple. I will arrange for a guard from Prince Ye's residence to personally escort you to the Marquis Yongning's residence, until you've seen Lady Meng or Ji Qingqing."

"This way, they'll think you're backed by Prince Ye's residence, and naturally won't dare to make things difficult for you."

Chen Huaxiu was skeptical, neither fully believing nor dismissing Ji Yuntang's words.

In the end, Chen Hu still escorted their family to the Marquis Yongning's residence.

When he requested to see her, he announced himself as being from Prince Ye's residence.

When the servant delivered the message, Lady Meng was drinking tea in her room.

Upon hearing this, she was so startled her hand trembled.

"Why would people from Prince Ye's residence come looking for us? Could it be that wench Ji Yuntang has already discovered the true identities of the Wu family and sent someone to threaten me?"

After thinking it over, she had Chen Hu brought in.

Chen Hu entered alone. He cupped his hands in greeting and said, "Lady Meng, while Mr. Wu and Mrs. Chen were staying at Prince Ye's residence, they've been missing Second Miss Ji and wanted to come back to see her."

"Our Princess truly had no other choice, so she sent me to bring them here."

"The Princess also instructed me to convey a message to you, hoping the Marquis's residence will treat the Wu family well for her sake. Our Princess will also visit them now and then."

Lady Meng was speechless.

Lady Meng was shocked.

A warning, a clear warning!

That wench Ji Yuntang had indeed figured it out, and she had sent a guard to warn the Marquis's residence not to lay a hand on the Wu family.

Lady Meng clenched her fists, her face contorted with rage.

"Go back and tell Ji Yuntang that the Wu family has done the Marquis's residence a favor. I will, of course, treat them well."

"With your words, I can rest assured and return to report."

After saying this, Chen Hu left.

Wu Jinxi and the other three were brought in. They still looked a bit nervous when they saw Lady Meng.

Lady Meng swept her gaze over them and asked, "Did you ask Ji Yuntang to send you back?"

Wu Jinxi said with a woeful expression, "Indeed it was. That place at Prince Ye's residence will chew you up and spit you out. We really couldn't stand living there anymore!"

"We beg you, Lady Meng, don't kick us out. As long as you let us stay, we'll do anything you ask."

Lady Meng narrowed her eyes and pressed, "Aside from Ji Yuntang, have you said anything careless to anyone else—for instance, about Qingqing's origins?"

Wu Jinxi immediately held up his hand and vowed, "No, absolutely not. Not a word, even to Ji Yuntang."

Lady Meng stood up, her gaze growing cold. "I can let you stay, but if you go out and run your mouth, don't blame me for being ruthless!"

Keeping them under her thumb was fine too. Once she found the opportunity, she would get rid of these people. They absolutely could not mess up Ji Qingqing's plans.

With this in mind, Lady Meng asked, "Your identities are too noticeable. From now on, you'll work as servants here for now. What can each of you do?"

Wu Jinxi didn't want to do manual labor anymore and immediately said, "I can drive a carriage. I'll be your coachman."

Chen Huaxiu said, "I know embroidery. I learned it from my mother as a child. I can sew clothes for you, ma'am."

She was secretly jealous of Lady Meng, but now she had no choice but to bow her head.

Wu Shijie knew nothing. He stood there hemming and hawing for a long time without knowing what to say.

Chen Huaxiu suggested, "Lady Meng, why not let my eldest son be a gatekeeper? He can definitely do that."

"Very well, that's how we'll arrange it!"

Lady Meng gave in. Better to avoid unnecessary trouble—she could temporarily agree to their requests.

Her gaze shifted and fell on Wu Chaoyang. "And what about this child..."

Chen Huaxiu immediately knelt and said, "Lady Meng, I have two more bold requests. My son Yang Geer is already seven years old, but he hasn't had any schooling yet."

"I beg you to hire a tutor for him, to teach him to read and write. This would ease my worries."

Lady Meng thought this wasn't a big deal—the Marquis's residence already had a tutor on hand—so she agreed without hesitation.

"I'll do it. If you have any other requests, just say them all now."

Chen Huaxiu continued, "I also beg you to get a doctor for my son. Ji Yuntang used him to test medicine at Prince Ye's residence. I'm afraid Ji Yuntang might hurt him."

"I understand. You can all go now."

Lady Meng had the servants take the four of them away to show them their jobs.

Wu Jinxi hadn't expected Lady Meng to be so easy to deal with today.

Indeed, Ji Yuntang's words had worked.

He looked all over but couldn't find Ji Qingqing, so he asked the servant guiding him.

"Where is your second young lady?"

The servant replied, "The Crown Prince's men came and picked up the second young lady early this morning and took her out to the eastern outskirts to enjoy the lake view. She should be back soon!"

Just then, a guard came to relay a message, "Wang Er, the lady orders you to hitch up a carriage and bring the second young lady back from the eastern outskirts."

The man called Wang Er was the same guy who was guiding Wu Jinxi, and he promptly agreed.

"Sure thing, I'll go pick up the second young lady right away."

Wu Jinxi's eyes lit up when he heard he'd be going to get Ji Qingqing.

He stepped forward and said, "I'll come along too—good chance to learn the city streets."

------------