Chapter 182: Reason and Emotion

  Xiao's husband and wife looked at each other in dismay.

  After a moment of silence, Xiao Xu looked at Shen Muqing seriously: "You mean——"

  "If my friend hasn't returned before Lord Wang leaves, I'll come to persuade you, sir. At that time, please ask Lord Xiao and Lord Wang to discuss together and see if we can find a solution that is most beneficial to Xiao Sa."

  Xiao Ze hesitated and looked at Shen Muqing.

  The lady hastily said: "This, this will do? Don't know if Old Master Shen will agree or not?"

  Shen Mu Qing comforted the Grand Lady, smiling and nodding at her, then looked at Xiao Zhe and said: "As you said, the Emperor indeed does not want to let the Empress return. However, under pressure, he also wants to put on a show for the officials and the people, so he sent a low-ranking official with no decision-making power, the Giving Official, to be an envoy to Bahe - I was thinking that if my friend can bring back some useful information before Wang Da-ren's envoy arrives in Bahe, we won't have to act blindly; if my friend cannot return in time, we will also think of a way to persuade Wang Da-ren - only if he agrees, can we possibly rescue the person."

  The lady looked at Xiao Zuo.

  Xiao Ze was silent for a moment, gazing into Shen Muqing's eyes: "I'll do as you say!"

  Shen Mu let out a sigh of relief.

  She was afraid that Xiao Zuo and Da Tai Tai would each do their own thing, not only failing to bring Xiao Sa back, but also causing trouble.

  In this case, Shen Muqing had no choice but to step out and take charge of the situation.

  Mrs. Shen originally thought that having the Shen family take charge of this matter was more reassuring than letting Xiao Xu and herself run around wildly, and since Xiao Xu had agreed, she didn't have much to worry about anymore.

  She smiled and took Shen Muqing's hand: "Muqing, Su'er's matter, I'm entrusting it all to you."

  "Don't worry!" Shen Muqing hastened to assure Madame, "As soon as there's any news from Master's side, I'll come and tell you."

  "Mrs. Dai invited her: 'I'm so bored living alone in the guest house, and I'm worried about Sa'er too, making every day even harder to get through. If you're not busy, come over and keep me company for a bit!'"

  Shen Mu Qing was taken aback for a moment.

  Not to mention that the aunt has not returned, the family's affairs need to be taken care of by oneself. Even if the aunt returns, one will still be suspected of having an affair with the madam if they continue to visit her frequently.

  She was hesitating about how to answer the mistress without hurting her feelings, when Xiao Ze let out a cold hum beside her.

  Shen Muqing suddenly thought of his words - let Xiao Sa marry the daughter of a chief assistant's family as his wife, and let his son live every day under the gaze of his daughter-in-law.

  She smiled slightly and said: "As long as Madam doesn't mind me talking too much—"

  "No, no." Before Shen Muqing could finish speaking, the old lady happily said, "The people around me are all dull and boring, usually I want to find someone to talk to but can't find anyone - you're willing to come, I'm delighted, how could I be displeased?"

  Shen Mu Qing smiled and nodded.

  "I'll go first!" Xiao Ze said calmly, "If Mr. Shen is willing to see me, just send someone over to tell me - I'm staying in the south wing of Lian Sheng Inn."

  Deep and quiet, serene and subtle, lost in thought.

  She guessed that Xiao's father and mother would not live together, but did not expect both of them to stay at Lian Sheng Inn at the same time, one living in the East Wing and the other in the South Wing.

  Xiao Ze didn't wait for her response and quickly turned around and left.

  The house was in complete silence.

  Shen Mu Qing turned around and found that the big wife beside her was gazing at Xiao Zhe's back with a desolate and bewildered expression.

  She quietly stepped back one step and stood behind Mrs. Dai, gazing together at the direction where Xiao Zuo was leaving.

  It wasn't until quite some time later that the mistress finally came back to her senses.

  She saw Shen Muqing standing behind her, slightly stunned for a moment, then smiled; "Let's go, take a look at the Kanjian I had made for Sa'er."

  This thing will have to be brought along with Lord Wang at that time too——

  Shen Mu Qing thought for a moment, then nodded her head.

  The two returned to the bedroom, and Madame asked Yin Gao to bring in a package. When she opened it, inside was a dark-colored coarse linen cape and a set of knee pads.

  "Look at this stitch, how is it?"

  "Very delicate."

  The old lady let out a sigh: "I had the best tailor make it - I haven't held a needle and thread since I was fourteen, my hands and feet have long been disobedient."

  Shen Mu Qing thought of her saying she wanted to learn how to be a good wife and mother, and take care of Xiao Saos children.

  "Everyone has their own strengths!" she comforted the mistress, "For example, some people spend a month embroidering a piece of goods that can sell for ten taels of silver, but you can earn ten taels of silver in just one day. Calculating it this way, it's only natural to be willing to trade your one day for someone else's month."

  This is a cost issue —

  The lady listened with tears of gratitude in her eyes.

  She grasped Shen Muqing's hand tightly: "Really? Do you really think so?"

  The red needle and thread were originally an important standard for measuring a woman's virtues - no wonder Mrs. Big felt uneasy in her heart!

  Shen Mu Qing nodded sincerely: "I really think so!"

  Madam's eyes had some tears in them.

  She pulled Shen Muqing onto the kang and sat down: "I'll have the maids put everything away - let's sit down and talk."

  It's better to do something than just wait around. Mrs. Dai has been worried and frightened about Xiao Sa's situation lately, and there is no one by her side who can comfort her, so it would be good if I could comfort her myself!

  Thinking of this, Shen Mu Qing sat down calmly and peacefully.

  The maid brought tea for the two again and quietly retreated.

  Mrs. Dai sipped her tea and chatted with Shen Muqing.

  "I heard that your wife passed away four years ago, I don't know who's in charge of the household chores now?"

  Shen Muqing and Madame Dai chatted about family matters.

  "The aunt helped with the management of the household - when the mistress was present, she always kept to her own place, and so the master let her take charge of the house."

  After all, it's a family matter, some things are better left unsaid!

  "Then are you used to the customs at home?"

  Are you asking if Auntie is embezzling money from the household?

  Shen Mu Qing smiled and said: "I also have a house in Baizhi Fang, because my aunt treated me well, so I've been living in Songshu Hutong all along."

  The old lady sighed and said: "If Sa'er hadn't sold the courtyard in Bai Shu Hutong, we would be closer now."

  Songshu Hutong and Baishu Hutong are separated by two hutongs and both belong to Jishanfang.

  Serene and calm but smiling without speaking.

  This is a matter of the Xiao family, she'd better not interfere.

  "It's a pity that the house was sold," said the old lady with a reluctant tone. "My business is in the south, and I rarely come to Kyoto. The last time I came to Kyoto was five years ago. Zhi Saier had bought a house in the capital, so I stayed at his place. At that time, I fell in love with that house - there were tall osmanthus trees planted beside the veranda of the back house."

  "Do you like Osmanthus trees?" Shen Muqing asked with a smile.

  "Ah!" The old lady nodded, "The Xiao family planted a slope of osmanthus trees in the southwest corner. Every August, the fragrance of osmanthus wafts through the air and can be smelled throughout Lincheng."

  "Is it all planned? Wouldn't it be monotonous in other seasons?"

  "Who says it isn't!" said the mistress with a smile. "So I thought of moving into the back house - who knew, Second Sister was living there. I didn't want to trouble her to move out, so I moved into the south room of the main house."

  Shen Mu Qingyuan was actually asking when the Osmanthus tree on the half slope of Lincang Xiao's house was planted, but unexpectedly, the conversation was diverted to Erjie by the old lady.

  She couldn't help but smile wryly.

  "I was looking at her and she seemed a bit frivolous, and deliberately flattering me, I didn't like it. I'm afraid she'll corrupt the maids in the house." The old lady secretly observed Shen Muqing's expression, "Then I asked Sa'er to give her to you, guess what Sa'er said?"

  Shen Muqing had already seen through Madame's intention - wanting her to explain the relationship between Xiao Sa and Second Sister.

  If I speak out, wouldn't it be equivalent to admitting that there are indeed 300 taels of silver missing?

  She lowered her head and took a sip of tea.

  She furrowed her brow and waved at me. The old lady also took a sip of tea, saying slowly, "At first, I thought he was unwilling, but who knew that the next day, Pang Debao would let the maids pack up the second sister's things and have her follow me. At the time, I kept her by my side and asked her some questions in detail. Some of what she said made sense, while others didn't make much sense. I know she has a somewhat frivolous nature, and over the years, I've been observing her carefully. Originally, I was planning to train her well before sending her back to Sa Er's side, but who knew that Sa Er had no intention of taking her back? He even had Pang Debao bring me a message, saying that if there was a good family, he would prepare a dowry for the second sister and marry her off."

  She was stunned for a moment before speaking: "Does...does Second Sister agree?"

  The old lady's eyes flashed with surprise, and she smiled: "Why not? I've already found someone for her, and we're going to get it done by the end of the year - whether or not there's money, marrying a daughter-in-law is a good way to spend the New Year. Although the family I found for her isn't some wealthy aristocratic household, they are a well-off family, and they've been eager to welcome a new daughter-in-law into their home."

  Shen Mu's clear eyes flashed with confusion.

  Why would Second Sister behave and speak in such a manner in front of me? Is it that Eldest Madam wants me to exert myself to save Xiao Sa, so she deliberately said those words?

  The thought flashed through her mind, and she felt herself being overly anxious again!

  No matter what happens between him and Xiao Sa in the future, since something like this has happened to Xiao Sa, he should do his best to help him emotionally and rationally.

  The old lady smiled knowingly and said, "Because it was a remarriage, she was initially not very willing - later seeing that the other person's character and appearance were not bad, she nodded in agreement."

  This still makes some sense - after all, Second Sister has been married before and isn't young anymore.

  I told Pongdebao to tell Saier, and Saier even had Pongdebao meet Second Sister's brother. Her brother was also happy for her and had Pongdebao bring one hundred taels of silver and several pieces of jewelry as a dowry gift for his sister. Saier also gave two hundred taels of silver as a dowry gift to her!

  Second sister should be his first woman - just like that, dismissed with two hundred taels of silver.

  Shen Mu Qing's heart felt a chill.

  Even if the second sister is dissatisfied in her heart, what does it have to do with herself?

  Why did she have to put on such an act in front of herself?

  Or did she know Xiao Xiao's mind?

  At this moment, Shen Muqing's heart began to beat rapidly and disorderly.

  Tsu Xiao Que even lied to Da Tai Tai - could it be that she had misunderstood herself?

  No, no, Baoliang said it clearly - just because you like him, doesn't mean you should turn a blind eye to the facts and even make excuses for him.

  For a moment, her mind was in a state of utter confusion.

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  Chapter 182: Reason and Emotion