Chapter 114 Extra Storyline Branch

  On the way back to Chao Xi Tang, Wang's mother couldn't help but grumble: "Fu Shi is also a decades-old shopkeeper, how could they send such two foolish kids... one moment saying we owe them money, the next saying it was an accounting error... I've seen people taking advantage of others in times of crisis, but never like this..."

  Serene and calm with a good mood, just smiling and listening.

  Entering the house, Mrs. Li was still bent over the table copying Buddhist scriptures.

  She put down her pen upon hearing the noise.

  Seeing her daughter's eyebrows and eyes relaxed, a happy expression on her face, she couldn't help but tease: "Hmm, looks like we still need to take a walk in the garden. After this walk, our spirits will be lifted quite a bit."

  Shen Mu Qing was taken aback for a moment.

  Li smiled and said: "Have you been to Jiuxi Study? I didn't treat Qi Min unfairly, did I?"

  Li thought she would meet Liang Jiemin at Jiusi Study!

  Serene and calm but smiling without speaking.

  Wang's mother naturally didn't dare say anything as she accompanied Shen Muqing in, and just stood by with a smile.

  Shen Muqing looked at Li's expression with a hint of firmness and thought for a moment before saying, "Madam, I have something to tell you."

  Mr. Li thought his daughter had gone to see Liang Jiemin, now there's something to say, naturally he sent someone by his side.

  Shen Mu Qing sat down beside Li Shi and said in a low voice, "Madam, do you still remember that when I went to the Medicine King Temple, there was someone named Xiao Xiao who had asked Ye Daren to come to our house to report something?"

  Li was taken aback and said, "Of course I remember him. He even won the top martial arts award this year!"

  "I just went to see him!"

  Li was shocked.

  Shen Muqing had already quietly told Li about what had just happened, as well as her conversation with Xiao Sa - of course, omitting the parts about Xiao Sa's true identity.

  Li listened intently, nodding his head, his expression gradually becoming more serious.

  "I also think Liu Jun's suicide is suspicious, so let Mr. Ouyang not come back and go to Jiangnan to investigate some news."

  Shen Mu Qing was greatly surprised.

  I didn't expect Mr. Ouyang wouldn't come back at all!

  "What are we going to do now?" Shen Muqing originally thought that Xiao Sa's idea was too risky, and now Mr. Ouyang is not around... she felt even more uncertain.

  Li did not make a sound, closed her eyes and leaned against the headrest.

  After a while, she opened her eyes and said in a low voice: "You said that Master had given Xiao Sa a nameplate before."

  "Hmm!" Shen Muqing softly responded with a gentle hum.

  "Xiao Xiao also said that if something happens, you can go to Fushen to find Xiao Qi."

  Shen Mu Qing softly responded with a gentle "en".

  Li let someone go and call Wang Zongguan.

  Shen Muqing didn't understand and said: "What's the point of calling Wang Zongguan? If there's anything, just order me directly!"

  Li looked at her and said, "What's the big deal? I have to see people sometimes!"

  Shen Muqing did not expect Li Shi to accept Xiao Sa like this.

  She was taken aback.

  Li said thoughtfully: "That Xiao Xiao, how old is he?"

  "Seventeen years old."

  "Is there anyone else at home?"

  "A full sister, two half-brothers, a half-brother, and two half-sisters!"

  "Oh!" Li raised an eyebrow, "There are still quite a few people at home!"

  Shen Mu Qing suddenly fell silent.

  She herself was pretending to be Li Shi and Xiao Sa's deputy, now Li Shi asked, even the number of brothers and sisters in other people's families are clear, who would believe they are not familiar? But she is not afraid that Li Shi suspects Xiao Sa has ulterior motives, but also worries about Xiao Sa's fiery temper can't bear grievances, causing misunderstandings between the two. Just hope Madam didn't notice anything!

  She was consoling herself by covering her ears and stealing a bell.

  A maid came in and reported: "Madam, lunch is ready, where would you like it served?"

  Shen Mu Qing listened, as if he had received a great pardon.

  Li smiled and glanced at her, saying: "Let's set it up in the flower hall, let Shu Ge accompany his sister-in-law to dinner!"

  Shen Mu Qing saw that Li Shi was no longer asking questions, let out a sigh of relief, and suddenly remembered what Wang Mama had said about selling the shop front, saying: "If your family is having trouble making ends meet for the time being, do you want to take my dowry money first to tide things over?"

  Li's eyebrows slightly furrowed, saying: "What happened?"

  Shen Muqing repeated what Wang's mother had said, and Li listened with a slightly sinking face. "I know," she said. "It's still the same thing I said before - whether it's Master's affairs or this family's affairs, you don't need to worry about them anymore. I have my own plans."

  "Madam, with more people comes more courage." Shen Muqing couldn't put his mind at ease. "Let me stay by your side, I may not be able to come up with any great ideas, but I can still handle serving tea and pouring water."

  "There are many maids at home, what tea do you want to serve? What water do you want to pour?" Li Shi's attitude was firm, "You go back to the Liang family and behave well, don't cause any trouble, that would be a great help."

  Shen Mu Qing was taken aback for a moment and hesitated before saying: "Madam, aren't you thinking of seeking help from the master at this critical juncture?"

  Li smiled and said: "Our two families are like locusts on a rope, it's not about who is asking for whom."

  Shen Muqing thought of the Liang family's attitude, but it was not good to speak clearly to Li.

  Li saw a flash of anger on Shen Muqing's face and understood. He smiled and said, "Your tolerance should be broader. As long as the old master has not been convicted, the Liang family will not make any moves. Even if it were the Liang family who had done such a thing, our family would have been the same. Moreover, what if something happened to our family? The Liangs could clear themselves, but they couldn't take their hundred-year-old foundation with them to accompany us, could they?"

  Shen Muqing was perplexed: "If so, then why bother with an alliance by marriage."

  Mr. Li smiled and said, "Of course it's adding flowers to brocade."

  Deeply moved and lost in thought.

  Li smiled and said: "As long as it's not a case of exterminating nine generations of your family, at least I've saved you."

  Tears welled up in his eyes and fell silently.

  Mrs. Li took out her handkerchief and gently wiped away her tears: "Silly child, saving one is one. I still hope that the old master will come out, you take good care of him!"

  "Madam, rest assured that I will take good care of the old master." After a moment's thought, he added: "I will also take good care of the big house."

  Mr. Li nodded and patted her hand: "This is my good child!"

  Shen Muqing returned to the Liang family and was even more gentle and low-key in her interactions. Every day, apart from paying respects to Old Madam Feng, she would stay in the Cuicui Courtyard doing needlework. Liang Youhui accompanied her for a few days but eventually couldn't sit still, exclaiming "I'm so bored".

  Fortunately, it will soon be August 15th, and the school has a few days off. Liang Youhui and her three nephews are having a blast together.

  Zhu Qi often accompanied Shen Muqing when she was doing needlework and chatted with her.

  "Bai Mu said, 'The news of Lord Liu's suicide has reached the capital, and the imperial envoys from the Censorate are submitting memorials one after another to impeach Master.'"

  As expected, the bill was passed on to the old master's head.

  "Bai Mu said, 'His Majesty has spoken, death is a major matter, and we will not pursue the family of Lord Liu.'"

  Xiao Xiao was right, the Emperor did not punish anyone from the Liu family.

  "Bai Mu said, all the scholars in the Hanlin Academy are discussing the old master."

  "Oh!" This was also within expectation. Shen Muqing thought of Liang Jimin in the Hanlin Academy: "What's Third Young Master's reaction?"

  Zhu Qi hesitated for a moment before saying: "Bai Mu said that Third Young Master has been drinking and reciting poetry with Chen Yazi these past few days."

  Shen Mu nodded slightly.

  Chen Yazi was unhappy in his official career, but he was a man with true feelings. Liang Jimin preferred to be with him than to listen to the group of people from the Hanlin Academy talking about her father-in-law's gossip.

  Several days passed and it was quiet outside again.

  Shen Mu Qing remembered the rustling sound of that notice, just as her mind was wandering, Dong Mama came in and said: "Your cousin's husband from Cao's family has come to Beijing on business, your cousin asked him to bring something for you."

  The husband of Tai Cang Lao Jia's elder sister?

  He was stunned for a moment before he came back to his senses.

  Isn't he Shen Yue's fiancé with the surname Ren?

  What is he doing here?

  But how did he become my sister's husband?

  Shen Yue brought her something, but what is it?

  They don't know something happened to Shen Zhen?

  Shen Mu Qing suppressed her doubts and smiled: "Thanks, Mom. I'll let Ying Fen follow you to get the things!"

  Dong's mother smiled and said: "He also wants to invite you to a banquet - Madame Ta has already had someone invite Young Master Ren to the Flower Hall."

  Shen Muqing was somewhat surprised and followed Dong's mother to meet Shen Yuerong's fiancé.

  The flower hall of the Liang family is very small, but inside it has a purple sandalwood screen and furniture made of huamu wood, everywhere showing the style of the marquis's mansion.

  Shen Mu Qing walked into the flower hall and saw a man wearing a light blue robe standing still in the middle of the hall with his head slightly bowed. She knew this was Shen Yue Rong's fiancé, and as she walked towards the main seat, she quickly glanced at him with her eyes.

  With the surname Ren, he has a tall and majestic figure, fair skin, starry eyebrows and sword-like eyes, with a dignified appearance.

  Shen Mu Qing was secretly surprised: "This surname Ren doesn't have the slightest appearance of a rogue. No wonder Master and Lin Jin both had a good impression of him when they saw him."

  After she sat down, Mr. Ren gave her a slight bow and said softly: "This is the first time we've met, Third Young Mistress! My surname is Ren, and my name is Ren Xiang."

  Shen Mu Qing politely invited him: "Brother-in-law, please sit down." And then had the maid bring up tea.

  Ren Xiang hesitated for a moment and sat down beside Shen Muqing.

  Men and women are different; even those who have a slight understanding of etiquette will choose to sit in the chair closest to the door.

  Shen Muqing thought of the two Liang family maids standing in the corner of the flower hall, and her eyebrows furrowed slightly.

  Ren Xiang seemed to be completely unaware of what was happening in front of him, smiling as he took out a small red lacquer box with gold trim from his bosom and handed it to Shen Muqing: "There are several embroidered pouches inside that my wife made, I'll have you bring them to Third Young Mistress."

  Ying Fen put away the box and Shen Muqing politely said: "Thank you for your trouble, elder sister. How are you?"

  Ren Xiang took a sip of tea, glanced at Ying Fen standing behind Shen Muqing, and then looked at the little maid standing in the corner of the flower hall. His voice suddenly became very low and urgent: "I know that something has happened at your uncle's house, and your aunt's health is not good. That's why I came to find Third Young Madam - on that day, we received a letter from your aunt saying that Fourth Sister was returning to Taicang, but when we went to the dock to pick her up, the ship had already set sail."

  A faint but crisp clinking sound echoed through the quiet room.

  Ying stepped forward and stood on Shen Qing's right side, blocking the maid's line of sight.

  After a while, Shen Muqing finally found his voice: "The person is gone?"

  Her voice trembled, as thin as a mosquito's hum.

  Ren Xiang looked at Shen Muqing's pale face with a lingering smile and felt relieved.

  Finally found the right person.

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  Chapter One Hundred and Fourteen: External Branches