Chapter 433: Mama Qi, how are you speaking? [Thank you! Thank you again!

Bianjing,

Xiguozi Lane,

In the middle of the night,

The sound of the carriage driving in the lane was exceptionally loud.

"Whoa~"

Two carriages stopped at the entrance of the Kang family.

Because the Kang family was also a family of officials for generations, the deceased Old Master Kang had been an official in the court for many years and was a giant in the officialdom, just like the Old Master of the Wang family who was enshrined in the Imperial Ancestral Temple.

Therefore, the location of the Kang family's residence in Bianjing was much better than that of the Sheng family.

Previously, the Kang family courtyard was large and the lintel was solemn.

But in the few years since Old Master Kang passed away, the Kang family began to sell off the outer courtyards one after another.

The explanation to the outside world was that they were gathering dowries for the daughters who were about to be married off.

Nowadays, the Great Zhou has a custom of heavy dowries, so such a reason can barely pass, and can fool some people who don't know the truth.

But anyone who marries into the Kang family knows that the dowries of the Kang family's daughters are not very generous.

It was fine when the Kang family master, Kang Haifeng, still had an official position relying on his ancestors' shade.

Now that Kang Haifeng no longer has an official position,

Not only does he not seek reinstatement,

But he also likes to treat guests at famous Bianjing restaurants like Fan Lou and Pan Lou, and is a regular at Qiyun Lou and Feiyun Tai.

He has taken so many concubines that Kang Haifeng doesn't even recognize the children born to them.

Those who can be officials in the court are all human spirits. Seeing Kang Haifeng's appearance, they know that the Kang family's family status is already in an unstoppable decline, and some old acquaintances with friendships have begun to slowly distance themselves from the Kang family.

When the Kang family asks people to handle matters, most people ignore them, and those who do mostly do so to seek money.

Only the maternal family of Kang Haifeng's First Madam, Wang Ruoyu—the Wang family—and the in-law Sheng family will help out because of their relative relationship.

Actually, among these relatives, there should also be the maternal family of Kang Wang Shi's eldest sister-in-law, the Feng family.

But... it is just that the Old Madam of the Wang family is still alive!

If the Old Madam of the Wang family were not alive, just based on the fact that when Wang Ruoyu married, she forced her sister-in-law, First Madam Feng's maternal mother, to beg for the Child-Sending Guanyin by kowtowing step by step,

The Wang family could exert ten parts of effort, but most likely would only be willing to exert three parts.

The Feng family, ever since that incident back then, the Wang family's matters are still fully helped, the Sheng family is also doing their best, but the Kang family... heh.

Kang family outer courtyard,

Two candle stands stood in the front hall for receiving guests,

All the candles on the candle stands had been lit,

In the candlelight, Kang Haifeng, with a face full of anger, sat on one side of the Luo Han chair in front of the screen, while Kang Wang Shi Wang Ruoyu, with hatred on her face and eyes moving non-stop, sat on the other.

"Master, First Madam, someone from the Sheng family has come!"

At the door, a managing mama wearing decent clothes said.

"Mama Qi, who from the Sheng family has come?" Kang Wang Shi stood up and hurriedly asked.

Kang Haifeng also looked over.

"Replying to First Madam, Master Sheng and First Madam Wang have both come."

Kang Haifeng nodded and sat back down.

Kang Wang Shi glanced at Kang Haifeng, threw her sleeves hatefully, and was about to walk out.

Just as she stepped out of the room, she saw the Kang family servants carrying lanterns, bringing Sheng Hong and his wife over.

Behind Sheng Hong and his wife followed Dongrong and Mama Liu.

When they reached them,

Wang Ruofu, wearing heavy winter clothes, grabbed Kang Wang Shi's hand and said: "Eldest Sister, are you alright! Your servants said someone was beaten to death?"

Kang Wang Shi glanced at Sheng Hong and said hatefully: "This slut actually wanted to seduce my son."

Sheng Hong, beside the lantern, shook his head, and Wang Ruofu said urgently: "Eldest Sister, you should have just sold this kind of cheap maidservant; how could you get human life on your hands..."

Sheng Hong looked at Wang Ruofu with full surprise and said nothing.

Kang Wang Shi glared at Wang Ruofu and said: "I just wanted to punish her with ten boards; who would have thought that slut was so unable to withstand a beating."

At this moment,

Kang Haifeng in the front hall lifted the door curtain and said: "Why don't you invite people in, instead of talking at the door?"

Seeing Kang Haifeng, Sheng Hong hurriedly bowed: "Brother-in-law."

Kang Haifeng showed a rare smile to Sheng Hong, nodded, and said: "Brother-in-law, come in and talk."

The four of them entered the front hall and took their seats,

After Sheng Hong and Wang Ruofu handed their cloaks to their respective personal servants, Sheng Hong spoke first: "Brother-in-law, where is the body of that maidservant?"

Kang Haifeng shook his head somewhat irritably and pointed at Kang Wang Shi.

Kang Wang Shi signaled to Mama Qi.

Mama Qi looked at Sheng Hong and said: "Master Sheng, why are you asking this?"

Hearing this, Sheng Hong looked at Mama Qi with great surprise and said nothing. He picked up the hot tea offered and took a sip. While lowering his head to drink tea, he also stole a glance at Kang Haifeng.

Wang Ruofu also scanned Mama Qi and said: "I say Mama Qi, when the master of the house is talking, why are you interrupting? In our Wang family, is that how your mother taught you the rules?"

Mama Qi hurriedly bowed: "Third Da Niangzi, this old woman is a fool; my heart only thought of our Da Niangzi, and I also wanted to ask clearly."

Seeing that Kang Haifeng had no reaction, Sheng Hong put down the teacup and glanced at Dongrong.

Dongrong bowed and said: "This mama, the Master wants the little one to see the situation, so it's convenient to help your residence speak and plan."

Hearing this,

Kang Haifeng glanced at Sheng Hong, stood up, and signaled Sheng Hong to follow.

Walking not far away, Kang Haifeng said in a low voice to Sheng Hong: "I say brother-in-law, is this long-term servant of yours reliable?"

Sheng Hong lowered his head to hide the displeasure in his eyes and said in a low voice: "Brother-in-law, rest assured, this long-term servant of mine has followed me for more than ten years; his grandfather was a long-term jailer, not only skilled at hitting boards, but also slightly knowledgeable in the craft of a coroner."

Kang Haifeng nodded and walked straight back to his seat, and Sheng Hong followed.

"Take him!" Kang Haifeng said.

Mama Qi glanced at Kang Wang Shi and nodded: "Little brother, walk this way."

Mama Qi and Dongrong had already left the hall,

Wang Ruofu glanced at Kang Wang Shi and said: "Sister, this maidservant was beaten to death by mistake; you just need to pay the silver for her sale, why make such a big fuss?"

Kang Wang Shi raised her head, opened her mouth as if to say something, then shook her head irritably: "There are many things involved here, it's not clear in a moment."

"Just say it, the Master and I are both here, what is not clear." Wang Ruofu said heartlessly.

Sheng Hong waved his hand: "Eldest Sister doesn't want to say, so don't ask."

Wang Ruofu looked at Sheng Hong sheepishly.

"First Madam, drink tea."

Mama Liu behind Wang Ruofu picked up the teacup to relieve the situation.

Wang Ruofu hurriedly took it.

After a while,

Dongrong walked in and whispered in Sheng Hong's ear: "Master, the person has been gone for several days, and the injuries are not what ten boards could cause."

Sheng Hong's eyes moved, and he glanced at Dongrong, who had already stood up straight.

Dongrong understood and leaned over again to whisper: "The little one reckons there were at least thirty boards; it was meant to beat the person to death."

Sheng Hong closed his eyes, frowned, and nodded.

Seeing Sheng Hong's appearance, Wang Ruofu said: "Master? Dongrong, what did you say to the Master?"

Dongrong glanced at Wang Ruofu embarrassedly and didn't reply.

"Brother-in-law, what's wrong? Can't this matter be handled?" Kang Haifeng looked at Sheng Hong and said.

Sheng Hong shook his head, looked at Kang Wang Shi, and said: "Eldest Sister let me and the First Madam come in the middle of the night, but you didn't tell me the truth. I don't know how big this matter is, so I can't help with this favor."

Hearing this, Kang Wang Shi squeezed out a smile and said: "Brother-in-law, you are a high official in the Ministry of Personnel, in charge of the performance evaluation of all officials; what favor can't you find someone to help with?"

Wang Ruofu was on the side: "Exactly, exactly!"

Sheng Hong glared at Wang Ruofu: "Exactly what exactly? Do you know how many days the person has been dead, so you just exactly?"

And Mama Qi, who had entered the front hall with Dongrong, looked at Dongrong in surprise.

"Wasn't she beaten to death during the day?"

Wang Ruofu said and looked at Kang Wang Shi in confusion.

Kang Haifeng clenched his fists and looked at Kang Wang Shi, his eyes full of questioning,

Kang Wang Shi raised her eyes to look at Sheng Hong, and after meeting Sheng Hong's eyes, she waved her handkerchief: "I didn't mean to hide it from you, brother-in-law..."

Sheng Hong nodded: "Eldest Sister, you should tell me the truth! With the power of the Kang family and the Wang family, how could you not handle such a maidservant?"

"Finding my house in the middle of the night, is it because the matter can't be hidden?"

Kang Haifeng looked at Sheng Hong and slapped the armrest of the chair: "Brother-in-law, just say whether you will help with this favor or not!"

Sheng Hong bowed and said: "This favor is to be helped, but Eldest Sister didn't explain the origin, so I don't know who to find!"

"Still not saying it!"

Kang Haifeng scolded.

Kang Wang Shi pursed her lips and said: "This little maidservant is not old, she has two sisters and one brother. Those two sisters are personal mamas beside two capable martial officials in the capital, and her brother joined the army two years ago. I heard he also made contributions in the Western Army."

"Before the New Year, it was said that this maidservant should go home for the New Year, but our house hid it. After the New Year, their family came and said they must see the person tomorrow, and that's why..."

After listening to these words,

Sheng Hong nodded: "Good, now I have a count in my heart."

Kang Haifeng said on the side: "Then, brother-in-law, can this matter be blocked? Actually, these days I am seeking reinstatement; if something happens at this juncture, I will lose everything."

"Back when you first passed the imperial examination, I was the one leading you to meet those official children."

Sheng Hong nodded and bowed: "Brother-in-law has helped me, I naturally remember it; I will do my best for this matter."

Kang Haifeng said: "With these words from brother-in-law, I will believe brother-in-law for once."

Sheng Hong stood up: "If there is anyone who understands the situation of this maidservant's family, please let brother-in-law tell my long-term servant. Tomorrow morning after the morning assembly, I will invite someone to mediate this matter."

"Good, good, good!"

Kang Haifeng nodded repeatedly.

Sheng Hong and Wang Ruofu stood up and left.

Sending Sheng Hong and his wife out, when Sheng Hong and his wife got into the carriage, Kang Wang Shi said on the side: "Brother-in-law, mediate, mediate, it's better to pay less silver."

Wang Ruofu, who got into the carriage, lifted the carriage window curtain and said: "Eldest Sister, rest assured!"

Sheng Hong just nodded.

The Sheng family carriage drove away,

Kang Haifeng, who was standing in place, scolded: "Why are you talking about silver or no silver? Even if it costs more silver, we must settle the matter!"

Kang Wang Shi rolled her eyes at Kang Haifeng: "It's my dowry that's being spent, not the money of your Kang family!"

"Shut up!"

Kang Haifeng threw his sleeves and turned to leave.

A small courtyard near the Kang family's second gate,

In the room of the courtyard,

The red sparks of the charcoal basin were almost extinguished, providing little heat.

On the bed,

One big and three small, four people were covered by a cotton quilt.

The two little ones closest to Adult Su Young Madam were sleeping soundly,

In the quilt, Su Young Madam tucked the quilt corner for the eldest daughter who was furthest away on the outside. Accustomed to the darkness, Su Young Madam could see the bright eyes of the eldest daughter in the darkness, and that adult said: "Zhao'er, you haven't slept yet?"

"Young Madam... is the maidservant sister in Brother's room really beaten to death?"

"You are still young, don't ask about this."

"Oh! But... that day I saw that maidservant sister being beaten. Was she wanting to be Brother's concubine? Is being a concubine just being dressed warmly and eating enough?"

"Sigh!"

Su Young Madam in the darkness sighed, rubbed Kang Zhao'er's somewhat cool little face and said: "Zhao'er, when one is a concubine, one's life is held in the hands of the mistress, and life and death are not up to oneself. Do you see if I, your mother, am eating enough?"

The little girl shook her head: "It's just that I can eat enough these two days of the New Year."

Subsequently, she continued: "I also heard the First Madam scolding that maidservant sister, saying she is a cheap slut, and like those born to concubines, she is a born cheap seed. Mother, am I a born cheap seed?"

In the darkness,

Su Young Madam was silent for a long time,

When Kang Zhao'er was about to fall asleep, she heard her biological mother say: "Zhao'er, no one is born cheap, and no one doesn't want to be a proper First Madam, but one must always live first."

"Sleep."

The next morning,

The sky was still dark,

Roughly this time was when Xu Zaijing had finished exercising.

Kang family small courtyard,

Someone got up, and the cold air drilled into the quilt, making the two little children who were sleeping burrow into their mother's arms.

"Young Madam, I'm going to fetch water for the maidservant in Eldest Sister's room."

"Sister, wait for me, I'll go with you."

The little boy in Su Young Madam's arms said, and as he spoke, he was about to get up.

"No need for you, I'll go myself. If Sister Yuan is in a bad mood, you will also be implicated. Don't let Young Madam worry."

As she spoke, Kang Zhao'er left the room,

Feeling the cold of the morning of the second day of the New Year, Kang Zhao'er tightened her clothes.

As a concubine-born daughter, Kang Zhao'er had to serve the Kang family's legitimate second daughter, Kang Yuan'er.

Although there was the disadvantage of being scolded and beaten by Kang Yuan'er when she went crazy, there was also the benefit of not freezing.

Kang Zhao'er barely managed to eat half a cold meat bun in the morning, and then resisted until noon.

When she was helping the kitchen mama bring lunch to the small courtyard near the second gate where the Young Madam was, Kang Zhao'er happened to see someone being led by Mama Qi into the front hall for receiving guests, and the direction seemed to be from the back courtyard.

Front hall for receiving guests,

Two decent-looking women were sitting on chairs,

The decent clothes, one light and one dark, had no wrinkles,

One look and you could tell they were worn often, not often kept at the bottom of a box and only worn when needed.

Both women had very unkind expressions, with anxiety in their eyes, and also a hint of being well-prepared.

Seeing them walking in led by Mama Qi, these two women stood up directly and said to Mama Qi: "I say Mama Qi, is your First Madam still not showing up today?"

The middle-aged man who followed in bowed and said: "Mama Qi, let me say it here; you go be busy!"

"Who are you, why should we let her go! Let our little sister come out!"

The woman in the dark clothes said.

"Two First Madams, please listen to this little one. If what I say is unreasonable, or if the two feel what I say is wrong, it won't be too late to find Mama Qi."

"Looking at your demeanor, this 'little one' of yours is a bit wronged! I don't know who you are?"

The other woman in light clothes said.

"First Madam, you flatter me; this little one is just a small steward in the house of Lord Liu of the Dali Temple."

"Then, please speak!"

The light-colored woman continued.

The middle-aged man had a look of sorrow on his face: "To tell you the truth, the two's younger sister was punished because she seduced the young master of the Kang family, and there was a mistake in the punishment, so she has already passed away."

"What!!!"

The two women showed horror.

"You, you!!!"

"Good! Now we will go to the Kaifeng Prefecture and let the government give us an explanation!"

The middle-aged man hurriedly said: "Two First Madams, please listen to me for a few words."

"I know you are a managing mama beside First Madam Guo outside the West Water Gate, and you are a managing mama beside First Madam Fu, and you have some relationship with the old servant of the Duke of Cheng, the Feng family."

"The two's own younger brother is also making contributions in the Western Army..."

These two First Madams looked at each other, seemingly having expected this matter.

The woman in dark clothes said: "Then let's talk to the government office about the Kang family First Madam lending money at high interest!"

Hearing this, the middle-aged man's eyes shook, but his face seemed to have known about this matter long ago.

"Eh! Two First Madams, why tear your faces apart! You two can know and inquire about this matter, so you must also know which family the Kang family First Madam's own younger sister married into."

"The Sheng family, we naturally know!"

The woman in light clothes said.

"Then do you know which family the Kang family First Madam's niece married into? I tell you two, it is the Xu family of the Marquis of Yongyi!"

"You two wouldn't want the contributions your own younger brother made with his life to be washed away, would you?"

As he spoke, the middle-aged man took out a piece of paper.

"This is the silver the Kang family is prepared to compensate. In the future, the young master will still need to look at women; it's better to use this silver to set up some industries, which is the right thing to do for marriage!"

(End of chapter) ===== CHAPTER 434 =====