Chapter 45: line with translation of title

In the previous life, which is also next month, Mei Xue's older brother Yang Qinwu would come to the Jiangjun Fu.

Li Qingluo also only learned of this sordid secret that had been covered up after hearing the servants gradually mention Mei Xue's name.

So in this life, she only then decided to make good use of this.

Mei Xue's original name should have been Yang Xue'er.

But how could the Li family admit that Yang Xue'er had died a miserable death in the Jiangjun Fu?

So they lied, saying that Mei Xue had already taken her house slave contract and left the Jiangjun Fu a year ago.

Yang Qinwu was obviously not someone easily fooled.

He caused a great disturbance at the gate of the Jiangjun Fu.

But in the end, how could he alone resist the mansion of the Great General?

He was merely a minor commandant of the Imperial Guard.

Coming to cause trouble at the gate of the Great General's mansion, his end result was a broken leg and a broken arm.

Yang Qinwu had struggled for years to attain the position of commandant of the Imperial Guard, but after that he became a cripple, and all he had gained turned to nothing once again.

But in this life, he currently seems to be merely a brigade commander; however, if this person is indeed Yang Qinwu, he will certainly be promoted next month.

On another side, Lan Cang Courtyard.

Li Kechuan summoned the little servant into the study and asked him about recent movements at Hongfenguan.

The little servant replied, trembling: "Young Master, that granny comes and goes without a trace; no matter how I follow, I get shaken off… The few matrons guarding Hongfenguan are unusually sharp-eyed; you can't slip in oil or salt, let alone bribe them."

Nowadays, not even a mosquito can fly into Hongfenguan, let alone gather information.

Li Kechuan kicked the little servant over in anger.

"Are you not even as good as the matrons and maidservants by her side? Why do you still stay by my side? Useless thing!"

The little servant's face turned white with fright; he immediately scrambled up and lay flat on the ground.

"Young Master, I will atone! I will surely devote myself even more wholeheartedly!"

Li Kechuan wearily rubbed his brow: "Report any movement of hers immediately! Get out!"

The little servant rolled and crawled out of the study, feeling he had snatched back his life.

Li Kechuan sat down in the chair with a grim expression.

He knew in his heart that something was off.

That granny goes out early and returns late, looking very busy.

Just what is she doing for Li Qingluo?

Since these useless people around him can't find anything out, he will go see for himself.

He will surely find out what mischief Li Qingluo is up to!

Deng Mama handled things quickly; after only three days, she told Li Qingluo: "Miss, Yang Qinwu heard that this concerns his sister, so whether true or false he dares to come. I, the old servant, have already made all arrangements; you just need to go out later."

Upon hearing that Li Qingluo wanted to go out, Jingci Tang's Old Lady Pei readily agreed.

She knew what Li Qingluo intended to do, because in a few days she would summon Deng Mama to question her.

But she also wondered in her heart how Luo'er had come to know these things.

An unmentioned maidservant Mei Xue, and a commandant surnamed Yang within the Imperial Guard.

Could it be that she has other people outside handling affairs for her?

Moreover, she has never mentioned who saved her from her internal injuries back then and gave her medicine to treat her.

It seems this obedient granddaughter of hers still harbors a deep secret unknown to outsiders!

Hall of Abundant Blessings.

Li Qingluo was again dressed in male attire.

But her skin has become much fairer lately, so dressing as a man no longer resembles the past as closely.

Fortunately, she pays attention to details and even stuck on a false beard.

Thus, when boarding the boat, the boatman respectfully said to her: "Young master, watch your step."

Li Qingluo stood at the bow and from afar saw Yang Qinwu standing on the dock, looking out.

Indeed, it was him.

In her previous life, Li Qingluo had seen this Yang Qinwu's face amidst the chaos.

Back then he dragged his bloody severed arm, lying before the gate of the Jiangjun Fu, still shouting his sister's name in his mouth.

Both siblings were utterly ruined by Li Kechuan and the Jiangjun Fu.

In their eyes, such a lowly person, as insignificant as ants, was not worth mentioning.

"Right, didn't Mei Shuang say that Mei Xue had corresponded with her brother by letter over these ten years?"

How could Yang Qinwu know nothing about his sister's whereabouts?

Deng Mama: "Yes, but that's not contradictory either. Mei Shuang said that Mei Xue, at age eight, sold herself into the Jiangjun Fu with a body contract. At that time, it seemed her brother was always misbehaving, stealing chickens and dogs, no good, while their grandfather was gravely ill and urgently needed money, so she took this path."

"Later, Mei Xue's grandfather still passed away."

"Mei Xue, in order to motivate her brother, completely cut off contact with him. Only later, when she heard that her brother was searching for her frantically, did she send a message to Yang Qinwu, saying she now works as a maid in a wealthy household, urging her brother to strive hard and become a good person, and that when her term was up, she would be released from the mansion and the siblings could reunite."

"Perhaps she did this to keep Yang Qinwu's hopes alive, so she never revealed exactly which household she served in."

"It wasn't until two years ago that Mei Xue completely cut off contact with Yang Qinwu; only then did he become anxious and start searching for his sister."

Thinking of these siblings' fate, Li Qingluo sighed with emotion: "Deng Mama, bring him aboard the boat."

Having said that, she turned and entered the cabin.

At this moment, the Jiangjun Fu.

The gatekeeper delivered the news; Li Kechuan, who had originally been dining with Qu Shi, immediately put down his chopsticks and rose to go out.

Qu Shi called out to him: "Chuan'er, you… what are you doing? Don't act too rashly. Remember, don't anger your grandmother again; gradually, she will come to value you again."

Qu Shi didn't care how Li Qingluo would be treated; as long as Chuan'er no longer annoys his grandmother, that's fine!

Li Kechuan did not linger, quickly stepping out of the Spring Presence Hall.

Qu Shi let out a soft sigh.

Since she married into the Jiangjun Fu, she has never defied her mother-in-law's rules.

Speaking frankly, after Pei Lao Furen returned, she really found herself unable to adapt in any way.

Although the Old Lady is quite amiable as a mother-in-law, she didn't even require her to pay morning and evening respects every day, nor did she ask her to attend to her meals and sleep.

Even though she was still the one managing the household, now Jingci Tang and Hongfenguan have effectively become forbidden grounds for the three of them.

The Old Lady plainly said, don't let them set foot nearby, and there's no need to manage all affairs of their grandparent-grandchild pair.

But how could saying 'I won't care' really mean not caring?

However, the last time Qu Shi was punished with a month's confinement in the Buddhist hall and had to copy so many sutras, just thinking about it now makes her heart tremble.

Naturally, she dare not defy her again in any way.

She just hopes that Chuan'er won't anger his grandmother again, so that in the future the Tianfeng Trading House might possibly be placed in his hands.

After all, the grandmother only has this one legitimate grandson, so last time, even if she felt sorry for Li Qingluo, Chuan'er didn't receive any punishment, did he?

Wait until next year when Madame Cui enters the family, and Chuan'er again holds the Tianfeng Trading House, he will certainly be able to rise in the imperial court to a position higher than his husband's.

By then, the whole family will be glorious, and she will be able to enjoy blessings.

Just thinking of this, Qu Shi couldn't help but smile.

During the day, the Qinhuai River may not be as lively as at night, but it is still an absolutely prosperous spot in Jinling City.

On the river surface, various boats slowly drifted along.

Some were out sightseeing and enjoying autumn, some were holding poetry gatherings and painting exhibitions.

Some families moved their banquets onto flower boats, discussing business and chatting with disciples.

Of course, there were also some small cargo ships transporting goods to the wharf.

All kinds of boats floated on the river surface, and today Li Qingluo was among them.

"Miss, he's here."