Chapter 470: Handling of the Two Families [Thanks! Thanks again! 42k words owed]

The Sheng family,

Shou'an Hall,

Amidst the dim yellow candlelight,

Sheng Hong frowned, waved his hand to signal Hualan to be silent, then glared sideways at Wang Ruofu and said, "Will you speak or not?"

Wang Ruofu looked at Sheng Hong with a face full of panic and said, "It's gone, it's really gone!"

Liu Mama, who knew about Wang Ruofu placing high-interest loans, was surprised that there were still things she didn't know. At the same time, she raised her eyes to look at the furious Sheng Hong and said, "Da Niangzi, whatever the matter is, you should just say it!"

Sheng Hong glanced at the silent Old Madam and said in a deep voice:

"Hua'er, you speak!"

Hualan supported Wang Ruofu and said, "Father, Mother truly does not know about this! Do you still remember the matter the Kang family asked you and Mother to settle before?"

"How long has it been, how could I forget? Hua'er, why do you bring this up?"

Sheng Hong asked, his anger slightly abated.

Hualan said, "Father, that maid was not beaten to death by mistake when the Kang family was punishing her, but rather—"

Before she could finish her sentence,

Sheng Hong and Wang Ruofu both had unnatural expressions on their faces; the couple naturally knew that the Kang family had not done it by mistake.

Hualan looked at her parents' expressions and guessed the matter seven or eight tenths correctly, so she hurriedly said, "It was the family of Mama Qi by Aunt's side. They deliberately withheld the interest money, but that maid found out..."

Listening to Hualan's account,

Sheng Hong and Wang Ruofu both widened their eyes.

The three mamas serving on the side, Fang, Cui, and Liu, also had faces full of astonishment.

"No, that Mama Qi was the personal managing mama that Mother personally gave to Sister! And Sister has always been shrewd, how could she be deceived by someone?"

Wang Ruofu said with a look of disbelief.

Hualan frowned, looking at Wang Ruofu with anger at her lack of resolve, and said, "Mother, this was asked by Jing Ge'er personally from the mouth of Qi Da!"

Sheng Hong's eyes, however, were full of thoughtful expressions. After raising his eyes to look at the Old Madam, he said, "In the evening, the Marquis's personal guards came to the house to ask about that Qi Da. I was still thinking of speaking to the Kang family tomorrow!"

"Father, what did they ask you?"

Hualan asked with concern.

"Asking why Qi Da said the Marquis's residence was the Kang family's backer!"

Sheng Hong said hatefully and glared at Wang Ruofu again, glaring until Wang Ruofu leaned into Liu Mama's embrace.

"Hong'er."

"Mother."

Hearing the Old Madam speak, Sheng Hong hurriedly bowed in salute, and Wang Ruofu also looked up.

"Although Jing Ge'er has detained that Qi Da, the Kang family side is being kept in the dark! But if tonight passes and Qi Da still hasn't returned, the matter will be hard to cover up."

"Son understands! I will go to the Kang family right now!"

The Old Madam nodded: "Hong'er, you handle matters thoroughly; I, this old woman, am at ease."

"Son is ashamed!"

"Go!"

After Sheng Hong bowed in salute, he ignored Wang Ruofu and went straight out of the hall.

Wang Ruofu, supported by Liu Mama, followed along dejectedly.

At the entrance of Shou'an Hall's courtyard,

Dong Rong, who was standing in attendance, hurriedly followed Sheng Hong's footsteps.

"Do you know any of the idlers and ruffians in Bianjing who place high-interest loans?"

"Replying to Master, I have indeed heard of them in the past!"

"Go and inquire about how the most ruthless high-interest loans collect their interest! Also, have the servants at home go to the Censorate to say something; I cannot attend the morning court tomorrow."

"Yes, Master."

Very quickly,

The Sheng couple took a carriage and left the Sheng family residence.

In Lin Qige,

Lin Qinshuang sat on a stool in front of the table in her nightclothes, gently sniffing the flowers in a vase.

"Wei Xiaoniang, this servant has returned."

Zhou Xueniang said softly at the doorway.

Lin Qinshuang beckoned: "Did you find out clearly why Master was called away? What was said in Shou'an Hall?"

Zhou Xueniang said: "Wei Xiaoniang, the maids were all kept outside the Shou'an Hall courtyard and couldn't find out anything, but this servant observed that it seems to be something about the Marquis's residence and high-interest loans?"

Lin Qinshuang was startled and looked at Zhou Xueniang: "Oh?"

Zhou Xueniang nodded and said in a low voice: "Just now this servant went to the outer courtyard and saw some tough guards and strong women who came in the evening. I asked the stableman in the residence, and he said they came from the Marquis's residence."

"So that means Hualan has returned?"

Lin Qinshuang asked.

"Wei Xiaoniang is right! This servant was just about to return when I happened to see young Dong Rong calling for servants. After stuffing five strings of cash to him, Dong Rong said Master told him to go inquire about high-interest loan rates, and Master has even asked for leave from tomorrow's morning court."

Lin Qinshuang asked suspiciously: "Nowadays, this Marquis's residence is enjoying great imperial favor, and the Marquis of Yongyi has returned to the capital with great merit. A general with such illustrious battle achievements should have received quite a bit of silver and treasure, so why inquire about high-interest loans..."

"Wei Xiaoniang, could it be that the Marquis's residence also wants to place high-interest loans?"

Lin Qinshuang shook her head and hesitated: "Such a noble and titled household, unless they can no longer make ends meet, would they place high-interest loans like that fool Wang Ruofu!"

"High-interest loans..."

Lin Qinshuang recited softly. After her eyeballs turned a few times, the expression in her eyes gradually became clear.

"Wei Xiaoniang, have you calculated something?"

Zhou Xueniang asked in a low voice, her eyes full of inquiry.

Lin Qinshuang stroked the flower branch with a smile on the corner of her mouth, and said with some regret in her tone:

"I observe that this is not a matter of the Xu family! Master cannot intervene in the affairs of such high-ranking and powerful households! I think it is most likely that something happened to the Kang family. High-interest loans... it's a pity that such a good card is gone just like that."

"Wei Xiaoniang, if something happened to the Kang family, why did the eldest young lady return to her maiden home?"

Lin Qinshuang's smile dissipated, and she said uncertainly: "Perhaps the Xu family is afraid of being implicated in their reputation? We will know when Master returns tomorrow."

Zhou Xueniang looked at Lin Qinshuang with some admiration and nodded repeatedly: "Wei Xiaoniang, do you think Master will return the power of managing the household to you because of this matter?"

Lin Qinshuang raised the corner of her mouth and said melancholically: "The capital is not like Yang Zhou; even if I manage the household, on the surface, it still requires Wang Ruofu's nod."

Zhou Xueniang said: "But in this family, ultimately, it is still Master who has the final say."

Lin Qinshuang smiled: "This Wang Ruofu is simply not material for being a mistress, humph!"

West Fruit Alley

The Kang family,

In the courtyard near the second gate,

Kang Zhao'er on the couch woke up with a start,

The moonlight outside shone in, and one could vaguely see her biological mother, Su Wei Xiaoniang, sitting up on the side.

"Wei Xiaoniang, what happened outside?"

"It seems someone from the residence has come! It's so late, I don't know who it is."

Su Wei Xiaoniang said in a low voice.

At this time, voices could be vaguely heard: "Replying to Lord Sheng, my brother was drinking with the Marquis's residence's Fifth Young Master today, so he didn't return to the residence!"

"Oh! No wonder."

The voices and footsteps gradually moved away, and the surroundings became quiet again.

Su Wei Xiaoniang lay back on the couch and said in a low voice: "It's the Sheng family's relatives! Sleep! You have to get up early tomorrow."

"Mm!"

Kang Zhao'er lay back on the couch,

In the darkness, Kang Zhao'er listened to the snoring sounds of her younger sister and brother sleeping between her and Su Wei Xiaoniang. She smiled, touched them, and then closed her eyes.

Not long after,

Kang Zhao'er had not yet fallen into a deep sleep,

Suddenly,

In the quiet night,

A person's loud shouting voice rang out: "Master! This lowly one is wronged! This lowly one is only thinking of the Kang family! Lord Sheng, we have no grudges..."

This shouting was somewhat loud, but there was no sound afterward.

Kang Zhao'er and Su Wei Xiaoniang both woke up again: "Wei Xiaoniang, listening to it, it's the voice of Managing Mama Qi Er."

"Mm."

Saying this, Su Wei Xiaoniang got up, put on her clothes, and walked outside.

Before she even left the courtyard, she saw the lanterns at the entrance swaying, and the sound of the door knocker being locked. Su Wei Xiaoniang hurriedly said: "Why is the door being locked?"

"Su Wei Xiaoniang, do not panic. This is the Da Niangzi's intention. Tomorrow morning, the morning greetings will be exempted, and someone will naturally come to deliver food."

"Oh, I understand."

Looking at the courtyard of Jin Wei Xiaoniang, where the lights had already been lit not far away, Su Wei Xiaoniang turned around and walked back.

The first quarter of the Mao hour (after 5:00 AM)

Outer city Xinzheng Gate,

At this time, the sky was not yet bright,

But many commoners preparing to enter the city were still gathered at the city gate.

Inside the city,

A yawning city-guarding soldier looked at the courier on horseback beside him and said: "Huo, you are out of the city early today!"

The courier smiled and patted the bamboo tube behind him, saying: "Urgent letter, the noble gave a lot of silver, how could I not be early!"

On the bamboo tube, one could vaguely see the words "Prefect Wang of Yingchang Prefecture".

As the courier spoke, he glanced at the bundle hanging in front of the saddle, which contained a few newly bought meat buns to eat on the road.

Watching the city gate slowly opening, the guarding soldier continued: "This new post horse from the north looks a bit short and small!"

"Don't look at this horse's size; it has outstanding endurance. It was just purchased by the relay station from the Xu family's horse firm. It can run very far on one meal of grass!"

As they were talking,

The courier rode his horse and walked toward the outside of the city.

After leaving the city, the horse's speed gradually increased, and it disappeared from view in a short while.

The morning light was just beginning to shine,

On the side of a certain road from Quyuanjie to Jiying Lane,

A new recruit of the patrol station wearing new clothes stood at the entrance, bored,

His gaze sometimes lingering on the maids and servants coming out to buy breakfast.

Suddenly, the new recruit's eyes lit up, and he turned back to shout urgently toward the patrol station: "Quick, quick, come out and look, there are good horses!"

The veteran soldier in the patrol station was not in a hurry. When he walked slowly to the entrance, several tall horses happened to approach.

The veteran smiled, cupped his hands, and said loudly: "Zhang Zhang Sanlang, Fifth Young Master, spring greetings!"

Hearing the shout, the new recruit hurriedly withdrew his gaze from the horses and followed suit, shouting: "Young Master, spring greetings!"

The new recruit raised his eyes and looked, just seeing the two people riding in the front nodding in acknowledgment.

"Ding-dang~"

Copper coins clinked,

The personal guard behind the most spirited horse threw over a string of a dozen copper coins and said:

"Old brother, go eat."

The veteran caught the copper coins, cupped his hands toward Qingyun and the carriage behind, and smiled:

"Thank you, little brother Qingyun! Miss, spring greetings!"

The flower in the carriage smiled, nodded, and then lowered the curtain.

Subsequently, the veteran tilted his head and looked at the dazed new recruit, saying: "How about it? Such spirited horses, are they rare? Do you see them often?"

The new recruit's gaze chased after the departing carriage and horses; he nodded, then hurriedly shook his head.

"Let's go, let's go eat."

Jiying Lane,

The Sheng family,

Through the entrance, watching from afar as Xu Zaijing dismounted,

The Marquis's personal guard who had followed last night hurriedly cupped his hands in salute.

Xu Zaijing nodded in acknowledgment and walked toward the school courtyard.

Zaihang also nodded, but he was heading toward the Sheng family's backyard.

After the incident happened, Zaihang had not seen Hualan again.

Last night, Zaihang had wanted to come to the Sheng family, but after being lectured by Sun Shi, he had to wait until morning.

Xu Zaijing stepped into the courtyard, looked at Changbai, who was absent-mindedly contemplating the bamboo beside the school, and said: "Changbai, how did you know?"

Changbai turned his head to look at Xu Zaijing and sighed: "Mm, before coming to the school, Eldest Sister sent someone to tell me."

Xu Zaijing took off his cloak and handed it to the flower, revealing his brand-new spring shirt, and walked to Changbai's side: "Discovering this kind of thing early is not a bad thing!"

Changbai nodded: "I know, but Mother might have to suffer a bit more."

Xu Zaijing: "Flower, you go in first."

"Yes, Young Master."

After the flower walked into the school with a book box in one hand and a cloak in the other,

Xu Zaijing said: "What, does Yu Dagu not want to take over secular affairs?"

Changbai gave an 'mm' sound: "Eldest Sister does not want the power of managing the household to fall into Lin Qige, so she told me quite a bit,"

"Cough."

Xu Zaijing coughed lightly.

Changbai glanced at Xu Zaijing and said: "What, Fifth Young Master, did you not see clearly the affairs of my family when you were in Yang Zhou?"

Xu Zaijing was speechless for a moment and said softly: "Then has the candidate for managing the household been decided?"

Changbai nodded: "Eldest Sister has the intention of letting Wei Wei Xiaoniang manage the household, and it seems Grandmother did not object either."

"Very good. Changbai, rest assured, Third Brother will speak to Father and Mother about this matter."

"Mm, at that time, please also ask Fifth Young Master to say a few more words! Brother-in-law is concerned and loses his judgment; he might..."

Xu Zaijing patted Changbai on the shoulder: "My family is not a dragon's pool or a tiger's den; there aren't that many things. Changbai, you are so unhappy, could it be that you have already mentioned it to Sister-in-law Hualan?"

Changbai sighed again.

"Let's go, let's go in!"

Saying this, Xu Zaijing put his arm around Changbai's shoulder and entered the school.

Before Zhuang Xuejiu arrived,

Gu Tingye, Qi Heng, and others arrived one after another.

Fortunately, Changbai kept a straight face and didn't speak when reading, so the two didn't notice anything wrong.

When the three Lans entered the school, their expressions were somewhat different: Mo Lan had a face full of joy, Rulan was full of confusion, and Minglan was unhappy.

On the wooden platform at the very back of the school,

The flower looked at Minglan's appearance and asked a few questions in a low voice in Xiaotao's ear,

Xiaotao looked at Minglan and said in a low voice: "When Seventh Young Master was helping the young lady grind ink, he accidentally broke the young lady's beloved inkstone."

The flower listened and nodded repeatedly.

The first quarter of the Wu hour (12:00 PM)

Fang Mama stood at the entrance of the school, pinching her handkerchief.

In the school,

Zhuang Xuejiu frowned, looked at the absent-minded Zaihang, shook his head, and said: "Everyone disperse!"

After speaking, Zhuang Xuejiu didn't wait for everyone to finish their salutes before getting up and walking out.

When Fang Mama bowed in salute, Zhuang Xuejiu only nodded slightly before leaving directly.

Subsequently,

Xu Zaijing, Changbai, and Zaihang followed Fang Mama back to the Sheng family's backyard.

Zaihang tilted his head and said:

"Fang Mama, have Father-in-law and Mother-in-law returned?"

"Replying to Eldest Son-in-law, they just returned less than a quarter of an hour ago!"

"Has the matter been handled properly?"

"This... I don't know."

As they were talking,

The group arrived at Shou'an Hall.

The three of them saluted together and took their seats.

When the maids were led outside the courtyard,

Xu Zaijing looked at his brother who had no intention of speaking. He didn't let the air in Shou'an Hall go quiet and said directly: "Yu Dagu, Uncle and Aunt, has the matter of the Kang family ended?"

Sheng Hong pursed his lips with a face full of exhaustion and nodded: "The treacherous servants of the Kang family have already been detained, waiting for the reply from the Old Madam of Yingchang Prefecture."

Xu Zaijing nodded.

"Father, how is the situation at Uncle-in-law's house?"

Changbai took over the conversation and asked.

Sheng Hong shook his head and said: "It's shocking! That Mama Qi's family not only withheld interest money these past few years, but when the Kang family was selling off surplus courtyards before, this Qi family also ate quite a bit of money from it."

Looking at Zaihang's puzzled appearance, Sheng Hong continued: "Listen, the Kang family was already empty inside before, and all their daily expenses were mostly..."

Sheng Hong stopped.

But the meaning was conveyed clearly.

Sheng Hong glanced at the Old Madam and said:

"Relatives had this incident, and it almost implicated the Marquis's residence. It is my lack of strict household management! When Marquis Xu has time, I will personally go to apologize. As for the power of managing the household, Da Niangzi will hand it over first."

When Sheng Hong was speaking, Wang Ruofu lowered her head and didn't say a word.

"Father-in-law, why must you..." Zaihang had just said one sentence.

Xu Zaijing: "Cough!"

Zaihang was startled, then understood and stopped his words: "What you say is right."

How to handle this matter ultimately still depends on the attitude of Xu Minghua and Sun Shi.

Two days later,

The setting sun slanted westward,

On the road from Bianjing to the villa in the suburbs,

Xu Zaijing, having changed his horse, attire, and weapons, was masked and stationed on a dirt slope by the roadside,

Beside him was Liao Zhang Sanlang, Liao Shuye, dressed similarly.

Looking at the carriage on the official road, Liao Zhang Sanlang said:

"I never thought that these Qi family members actually weren't beaten to death!"

"Their family served the Wang family for decades. Qi's father was the one who came with that Old Madam Wang as part of her dowry, so naturally, there was some affection."

Liao Shuye nodded.

Then he turned his head to look at the masked Qingyun and the Li family brothers, Taotie and Chimei, behind him, and said: "Fifth Young Master Xu, you look down on me too much!"

"You help me return the silver to the Kang family. Ha!"

Saying this, Liao Zhang Sanlang drew his long saber and rode his horse toward the official road.

(End of chapter) ===== CHAPTER 471 =====