Do you know: I am Xu Jiazi

Chapter 456: Disposal of the Two Families [Thank you! Goodbye! 42k more to go]

Sheng family,

Shouantang,
In the dim candlelight,

Sheng Hong frowned, waved his hand to signal Hua Lan to stop talking, then glared at Wang Ruofu and asked, "Are you going to tell me or not?"

Wang Ruofu looked at Sheng Hong in panic and said, "It's gone, it's really gone!"

Mother Liu, who knew about Wang Ruofu's loan, was surprised that there was something she didn't know. She looked up at the furious Sheng Hong and said, "Madam, just tell me what's going on!"

Sheng Hong glanced at the silent old lady and said in a deep voice:
"Hua'er, tell me!"

Hua Lan supported Wang Ruofu and said, "Father, mother really doesn't know about this! Do you remember what the Kang family asked you and mother to settle before?"

"It's only been a short time, how could I forget? Hua'er, why did you bring this up?"

Sheng Hong asked after his anger subsided a little.

Hua Lan said: "Father, the maid was not killed by the Kang family when they were punishing her, but..."

Before I finished speaking,

Sheng Hong and Wang Ruofu both looked a little unnatural. The couple knew that the Kang family did not fail on accident.

Hua Lan looked at her parents' expressions and guessed what happened. She said quickly, "It was Aunt Qi's family. They deliberately withheld the interest, but that woman found out."

Listening to Hua Lan's story,
Sheng Hong and Wang Ruofu's eyes widened.

The three mothers Fang, Cui and Liu who were serving on the side also looked surprised.

"No, that Madam Qi is the personal housekeeper that my mother personally appointed to my sister! And my sister has always been smart, how could she be deceived by someone?"

Wang Ruofu said with a look of disbelief.

Hua Lan frowned and looked at Wang Ruofu angrily, "Mother, this is what Jing Ge asked Qi Da himself!"

Sheng Hong's eyes were full of thought. He looked up at the old lady and said, "In the evening, the personal attendant of the Marquis' Mansion came to our house to ask about Qi Da. I was thinking of telling the Kang family about it tomorrow!"

"Father, what did I ask you?"

Hua Lan asked with concern.

"Ask why Qi Da said that the Marquis' Mansion is the backer of the Kang family!"

Sheng Hong said this hatefully and glared at Wang Ruofu again, causing Wang Ruofu to lean back into Liu Mama's arms.

"Hong'er."

"Mother."

Hearing the old lady's words, Sheng Hong hurriedly bowed, and Wang Ruofu also looked up.

"Although Jing'er has detained Qi Da, the Kang family has kept it a secret! But if Qi Da doesn't return after tonight, it will be difficult to cover up the matter."

"Son, I understand! Let's go to the Kang family now!"

The old lady nodded and said, "Hong'er, you have done a good job. I am relieved."

"My son is ashamed!"

"Go!"

Sheng Hong bowed and ignored Wang Ruofu, and walked out of the hall directly.

With the support of Liu's mother, Wang Ruofu followed dejectedly.

At the gate of Shou'an Hall,

Dong Rong, who was standing by, hurriedly caught up with Sheng Hong.

"Do you know any idle ruffians who lend money at high interest rates in Bianjing?"

"My Lord, I have heard of it before!"

"Go find out how the most ruthless usurers charge interest! Also, have the servants at home go to the Censorate and tell them that I cannot attend court tomorrow."

"Yes, my lord."

quickly,

Sheng Hong and his wife left the Sheng family by car.

In Linqi Pavilion,

Lin Qinshuang was sitting on the embroidered cushion in front of the table in her pajamas, gently sniffing the flowers in the vase.

"My dear, I am back."

Zhou Xuenniang whispered at the door.

Lin Qinshuang waved her hand: "Please find out why the master was called away? What was said in Shou'an Hall?

Zhou Xuenniang said, "My dear, the maids were all left outside the Shou'an Hall and we can't find out anything, but I think it seems to be something about the Marquis's Mansion and the loan shark."

Lin Qinshuang was stunned and looked at Zhou Xuenniang: "Oh?"

Zhou Xueniang nodded and whispered, "Just now, I went to the outer courtyard and saw the strong guards and strong women who came in the evening. I asked the groom in the mansion and he said they were from the Marquis's mansion."

"So Hualan is back?"

Lin Qinshuang asked.

"What the young lady said is true! I was about to return home when I saw Young Master Dongrong calling the servant. After giving him five strings of cash, Dongrong said that the master had asked him to find out about the interest on the loan. The master had already asked for leave for the court tomorrow morning."

Lin Qinshuang was puzzled and asked, "Now that the Marquis's mansion is in great favor, and the Marquis of Yongyi has returned to the capital with great achievements, this general with great military achievements should have received a lot of silver and treasures. Why is he asking about the interest?"

"My dear, could it be that the Marquis' Mansion is also going to lend money at interest?"

Lin Qinshuang shook her head and said hesitantly, "Unless a noble family like this can no longer make ends meet, they would lend money at high interest rates like that idiot Wang Ruofu!"

"Money laundering"

Lin Qinshuang recited softly, and after her eyes rolled a few times, her expression gradually became clear.

"My dear, what have you figured out?"

Zhou Xuenniang asked in a low voice with inquiring eyes.

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

"I don't think it's the Xu family's business! The master can't interfere in the affairs of such a wealthy family! I think it's most likely that something happened to the Kang family. It's a pity that such a good card is gone."

"Young lady, if something happens to the Kang family, why would a young lady go back to her parents' home?"

Lin Qinshuang's smile faded and she said uncertainly, "Maybe the Xu family is afraid of the reputation being affected? We will know when the master comes back tomorrow."

Zhou Xueniang looked at Lin Qinshuang with some admiration and nodded repeatedly: "Little girl, do you think the master will give you the power of housekeeper again because of this matter?"

Lin Qinshuang raised the corners of her mouth and said sadly: "The capital is not like Yangzhou. Even if I am the housekeeper, I still need Wang Ruofu's approval on the surface."

Zhou Xuenniang said, "But in this family, the master still has the final say."

Lin Qinshuang smiled and said, "This Wang Ruofu is not fit to be a mistress, humph!"

West Fruit Lane
Kang Family,

In the courtyard near the second gate,
Kang Zhaoer, who was lying on the couch, suddenly woke up.

The moonlight from outside shone in, and I could vaguely see that my biological mother, Su Xiaoniang, had sat up.

"Girl, what's going on outside?"

"It seems someone has come to the mansion! It's so late and I don't know who it is."

Su Xiaoniang said in a low voice.

At this time, a voice was faintly heard: "Replying to Lord Sheng, my brother was drinking with Wulang from the Marquis's Mansion today, so he didn't return home!"

"Oh! No wonder."

The sounds of talking and footsteps gradually faded away, and the surroundings became quiet again.

Su Xiaoniang lay back on the couch and whispered, "It's a relative of the Sheng family! Go to sleep! You have to get up early tomorrow."

"Ok!"

Kang Zhaoer lay back on the couch,

In the darkness, Kang Zhaoer listened to the snoring sounds of her and Su Xiaoniang's sleeping sister and brother. She smiled, touched them, and closed her eyes.

Not long after,
Kang Zhao'er was still asleep.
suddenly,

In the quiet night,

Someone shouted, "Master! I am innocent! I only care about the Kang family! Master Sheng, we have no grievances..."

The shout was quite loud, but there was no sound afterwards.

Kang Zhaoer and Su Xiaoniang both woke up again: "I heard that it was the voice of Qi Er, the steward."

"Ah."

As she spoke, Su Xiaoniang stood up, put on her clothes, and walked out.

Before leaving the courtyard, I saw the lanterns at the door swaying and heard the sound of the door knocker being locked. Su Xiaoniang hurriedly asked, "Why is the door locked?"

"Don't worry, Miss Su. This is what the Madam wants. You don't have to pay your respects tomorrow morning. Someone will bring you food."

"Oh, I know."

Looking at Jin Xiaoniang's yard where the lights were on not far away, Su Xiaoniang turned around and walked back.

The first quarter of the Mao hour (after 5 a.m.)

Xinzheng Gate in the outer city,
It was still dark.

But there were still many people gathered at the city gate, preparing to enter the city.

inside the city,

The yawning soldier of the imperial guards looked at the soldier on horseback and said, "Wow, you left the city early today!" The soldier smiled and patted the bamboo tube behind him, saying, "It's urgent news. The nobleman gave us a lot of money, so how can we not leave early!"

The words "Wang, the governor of Yingchang Prefecture" can be vaguely seen on the bamboo tube.

The soldier glanced at the bundle hanging in front of the saddle as he spoke. Inside was a few newly bought meat buns to eat on the road.

Watching the city gate slowly opening, the guard continued, "This new post horse from the north looks a little short!"

"Don't be fooled by this horse's small size, but it has outstanding endurance. The delivery shop just bought it from the Xu family's horse shop. It can run a long way on a meal of grass!"

Talking
The soldiers rode their horses and headed out of the city.

After leaving the city, the horse's speed gradually increased and soon disappeared from sight.

The morning light is faint,

Somewhere on the roadside from Quyuan Street to Jiying Lane,

The new shop patrolman in new clothes stood at the door bored.
Sometimes his eyes would linger on the maid who went out to buy breakfast.

Suddenly, the rookie's eyes lit up, and he turned around and shouted to the patrol officer: "Quick, come out and see, there are good horses!"

The veteran soldier in the patrol shop was not in a hurry. When he walked slowly to the door, several tall horses approached.

The old soldier smiled and bowed, saying in a clear voice: "Happy Spring, Sanlang Wulang!"

When the newcomer heard the shout, he quickly turned his gaze away from the horse and shouted, "An'er, Chun'an!"

The newcomer looked up and saw the two men on horseback in front nodding in greeting.

"Ding Dong~"

The coins jingled,

The attendant behind the most handsome horse threw a string of copper coins worth more than ten coins over and said:
"Brother, have dinner."

The old soldier took the copper coin, bowed to Qingyun and the carriage behind him and said with a smile:
"Thank you, brother Qingyun! Happy Spring Day, young lady!"

Hua Xiang in the carriage smiled and nodded, then lowered the curtain.

Then, the old soldier turned his head to look at the new recruit who was in a daze and said, "How is it? Is such a handsome horse rare? Do you see it often?"

The newcomer followed the receding carriage with his eyes, nodded, and then quickly shook his head.

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

Jiying Lane,
Sheng family,

Through the doorway, I watched from afar as Xu Zaijing dismounted his horse.
The personal guards of the Marquis' Mansion who had followed last night and were waiting on the mounts hurriedly bowed.

Xu Zaijing nodded and walked towards the school courtyard.

Zai Zhang also nodded, but he went to the backyard of Sheng's house.

After the incident, Zai Zhang never saw Hua Lan again.

Zai Zhang wanted to come to Sheng's house last night, but was scolded by Sun and had to wait until morning.

Xu Zaijing stepped into the courtyard and looked at Changbai, who was absent-mindedly contemplating the bamboo at the edge of the school, and asked, "Changbai, how come you knew this?"

Changbai turned his head to look at Xu Zaijing and sighed, "Well, my elder sister sent someone to tell me before I came to the academy."

Xu Zaijing took off his cloak and handed it to Hua Xiang, revealing his brand new spring shirt, and walked to Chang Bai's side: "It's not a bad thing to find out this kind of thing early!"

Changbai nodded: "I know, but mother might feel uncomfortable."

Xu Zaijing: "Hua Xiang, you go in first."

"Yes, son."

When Huaxiang walked into the school with a bookcase in one hand and a cape in the other,

Xu Zaijing asked, "Why, does your great aunt not want to take over worldly affairs?"

Changbai hummed: "Eldest sister didn't want the housekeeper power to fall into the hands of Linqi Pavilion, so she told me a lot."

"cough."

Xu Zaijing coughed lightly.

Changbai glanced at Xu Zaijing and said, "Why, Wulang, didn't you see clearly about my family's affairs when you were in Yangzhou?"

Xu Zaijing was speechless for a moment, and said softly: "Has the housekeeper been chosen?"

Changbai nodded: "Eldest sister wants to let Wei Xiaoniang be the housekeeper, and it seems that grandma has no objection."

"Very good, Changbai, don't worry, Third Brother will tell Father and Mother about this matter."

"Well, please say a few more words to Wulang! My brother-in-law may be too concerned and may... "

Xu Zaijing patted Changbai on the shoulder and said, "My home is not a dangerous place. There are not so many problems. Changbai, you are so unhappy. Have you mentioned it to Sister Hualan?"

Changbai sighed again.

"Let's go in!"

As he said that, Xu Zaijing put his arm around Changbai's shoulders and walked into the school.

Before Zhuang Xuejiu came,

Gu Tingye, Qi Heng and others came in one after another.

Fortunately, Changbai just kept a straight face and didn't say anything while reading, so the two of them didn't notice anything wrong.

When the three Lans entered the school, their expressions were somewhat different. Molan looked happy, Rulan was full of doubts, and Minglan was unhappy.

On the wooden platform at the back of the school,

Hua Xiang looked at Ming Lan and whispered a few questions into Xiao Tao's ear.

Xiao Tao looked at Ming Lan and whispered, "When Qi Lang was helping the young lady to grind ink, he accidentally broke the young lady's beloved inkstone."

Hua Xiang listened and nodded repeatedly.

Noon (12:00 a.m.)

Mother Fang stood at the school door holding a handkerchief.

In the school,
Zhuang Xuejiu frowned as he looked at Zai Zhang who was absent-minded, then shook his head and said, "Let's all go!"

After saying this, Master Zhuang stood up and walked out without waiting for everyone to finish thanking him.

When Mrs. Fang bowed, Mr. Zhuang just nodded slightly and left.

Subsequently,

Xu Zaijing, Changbai and Zai Zhang followed Fang Mama back to the backyard of the Sheng family.

Zai Zhang tilted his head and said:
"Mother Fang, are my father-in-law and mother-in-law back?"

"Replying to my brother-in-law, I just got back less than a quarter of an hour ago!"

"Is everything settled?"

"I don't know about that."

Talking
Everyone came to Shou'an Hall.

The three of them greeted each other and took their seats.

When the maid was led out of the courtyard,
Seeing that his brother had no intention of speaking, Xu Zaijing did not let the atmosphere in Shou'an Hall calm down, and asked directly: "Grandaunt, cousin, is the matter of the Kang family over?"

Sheng Hong pursed his lips with a tired look and nodded, "The Kang family's tricky servant has been taken into custody and is waiting for a reply from the old lady of Yingchang Mansion."

Xu Zaijing nodded.

"Father, how is the situation at my uncle's house?"

Changbai asked.

Sheng Hong shook his head and said, "It's shocking! The Qi family has not only been withholding interest in the past few years, but also when the Kang family sold the extra yards, the Qi family took a lot of money from it."

Seeing Zai Zhang's puzzled look, Sheng Hong continued, "Listen, the Kang family was empty before, and most of the things they used are here."

Sheng Hong stopped.

The meaning was conveyed clearly.

Sheng Hong glanced at the old lady and said:

"My relative got into trouble, and it almost implicated the Marquis's mansion. It's my fault for not managing the household properly! When Marquis Xu is free, I will personally come to apologize, and the Madam will hand over the power of the housekeeper first."

While Sheng Hong was speaking, Wang Ruofu lowered her head and said nothing.

"Father-in-law, why do you have to do this?" Zai Zhang just said.

Xu Zaijing: “Ahem!”

Zai Zhang was stunned for a moment, then he understood and stopped talking: "You are right."

How this matter is handled ultimately depends on the attitudes of Xu Minghua and Sun.

Two days later,
The sun sets in the west,

On the road from Bianjing to the suburban village,
Xu Zaijing, who had changed his horse, clothes and weapons, covered his face and stopped on the dirt slope beside the road.
Next to him was Liao Sanlang Liao Shuye, who was dressed similarly to him.

Looking at the carriage on the official road, Liao Sanlang said:
"I never thought that this Qi family member was not beaten to death!"

"Their family has served the Wang family for decades. Father Qi was the one who came with Old Madam Wang as a dowry, so naturally they have some feelings for her."

Liao Shuye nodded.

Then he turned around to look at the masked Qingyun and the Li family Taotie brothers behind him and said, "Xu Wulang, you look down on me too much!"

"Please return the money to the Kang family for me. Ha!"

As he spoke, Liao Sanlang drew out his long sword and rode his horse towards the official road.

(End of this chapter)