Jinyi Spring

Ming Shanyue's eyes were deep. "Is that old woman Liu still in Xia Achan's courtyard?"

Granny Li shook her head and said, "She has been dead for many years."

Who was the coachman who drove the carriage that day?

"Oh, this old servant doesn't know."

Ming Shanyue's expression grew even more serious. "Xia lied. She never sent anyone to invite Doctor Feng. Remember, nanny, you must keep a close eye on her. Any food she sends to my mother must be disposed of. Be careful, and don't let her or anyone else notice anything amiss."

Granny Li's eyes were filled with horror. "How dare the young lady harm the madam like this? She's incredibly audacious... This old servant understands."

Mingshan pondered for a moment and then said, "Granny, think carefully again. Who else is there who has been serving Xia Shi closely or is a trusted confidante?"

Granny Li lowered her eyes and pondered for a long time. When she raised her head, her expression of surprise and doubt was even stronger. "Master, thinking about it carefully, something really doesn't seem right. The young lady initially brought a wet nurse from her hometown, but she died of illness a few years after entering the manor."

"Later, the one who won her heart the most was Song Shi's wife, who came from the family of maids who accompanied her in her dowry. She also died many years ago. I've forgotten the exact year. Then there was her eldest maid, Yu Pan, who went back to the estate to visit relatives in early winter last year. She accidentally fell into the river and drowned."

"Recently, I heard that Yulan privately mentioned wanting to speak with the Second Master. When the Aunt found out, she was angry and slapped her twice, telling her to go home and reflect on her actions. That girl had a fiery temper. On her way back to her family in the countryside, she threw herself into a well and died. The Aunt cried her eyes out and gave her family fifty taels of silver."

She became increasingly alarmed as she spoke, murmuring, "How come all those whom the aunt relied on so heavily... met with tragic ends?"

Ming Shanyue remained silent for a moment, mentally matching the times of death of those people one by one.

Yu Pan died in early November last year, after Wan Ping framed her mother. Yu Lan had gone to a private room on the second floor of Defuquan Restaurant alone with Xia Shi, and that time was definitely not just a simple meal.

The woman from Song Shi's family was probably silenced because she knew some secret. Granny Liu never even went to invite Doctor Feng, so they dared not let her live. And Wanping's brother was definitely killed by Xia Shi. As for the coachman, he's probably gone too.

Xia is a meticulous and ruthless woman. She killed so many people, all of whom were loyal to her, without leaving a trace.

These people couldn't have been people she personally took action against. Therefore, there must be someone she absolutely trusts lurking in the shadows, ready to handle any trouble for her...

Ming Shanyue was secretly shocked; Xia Shi was far more ruthless than he had imagined.

We're so unlucky to have attracted such a thing.

He looked up and asked, "When Madam Xia's wet nurse entered the manor, did her children accompany her?"

Li Mama said, "Only that old woman served the young lady when she entered the mansion. I asked her before, and she said that she has a daughter who is already engaged back in her hometown, so she did not come with me."

She paused, as if remembering something, "Oh, there's one more thing. When Miss Cousin's governess, Granny Sun, was very close to the aunt when she was in the manor. Last year, she fell ill and retired to her hometown in June."

Ming Shanyue tapped her fingers lightly on the table and sneered, "Last June, just as I was about to return to the capital to take up my post, I was appointed as the Commander of the Northern Garrison. She was afraid. Granny Sun was a former palace lady-in-waiting, and the Xia family dared not easily eliminate her, so they had to let her go home... Where is Granny Sun's hometown?"

Granny Li said, "It's very far, it seems to be in Nan Yue."

South Vietnam!

Ming Shanyue slowly leaned back in her chair. "Alright, I understand. You'll keep today's events in mind, Granny."

These words, even if they were to be told to the mother, should be told by him or the father in person, and she should also be told how to deal with Xia Achan in the future.

After Granny Li left, Ming Shanyue said to Song Xian, "Go and call Uncle Wei here." Steward Wei came to the outer study, and the two discussed the matter behind closed doors for a quarter of an hour.

On the sixth day of the eighth lunar month, Feng Buji and Aunt Wang held a grand birthday celebration for Feng Chuchen, with six tables set up. They also invited Madam Hu and her grandson, the Yao family, and Mr. and Mrs. Feng Changfu to the birthday banquet. Guo Hei and Duan Yan also came to offer their congratulations.

Early that morning, Xia, along with her daughter Kong Xiyan, two maids, and two old women, took a carriage to the Jokhang Temple to offer incense.

Today is the 39th birthday of her birth mother. Every year on this day, she goes to the temple to offer incense and pray for blessings.

She specifically pleaded with Old Madam Ming, wanting her daughter to also go and show her filial piety. Given the special occasion, the old lady relented and agreed.

Seeing her daughter beside her skipping and chattering excitedly, as fresh and tender as a newly blossoming flower bud, Madam Xia tightened her grip on her hand and whispered, "You're all grown up now, you should learn to be more mature. Speak less, think more..."

Those who will enter the palace to accompany the emperor in the future cannot be so unconventional.

Kong Xiyan knew her mother had swallowed the rest of her words, so she shook her arm and said coquettishly, "I've been cooped up for so long, and I'm so happy to finally be out here."

She covered her mouth again and lowered her voice, saying, "In the future..." Her face turned red, and she was too embarrassed to say that she would become a concubine. She added, "I will definitely avenge the slap."

The person she hates most right now is Ming Shanyue, even more than she hates Feng Chuchen.

Xia shushed her, trying to stop them. Although there were only the mother and daughter in the car, she was still afraid that someone might be overheard.

She tapped her daughter's forehead again and whispered reproachfully, "You haven't learned your lesson yet, you dare to say anything."

Kong Xiyan pouted and stopped talking.

Jokhang Temple was a royal temple and the most popular monastery in the Great Yan Dynasty. Its abbot, Master Yuhui, was a highly respected Buddhist monk, revered by emperors throughout history. However, he spent most of his time traveling and preaching, rarely remaining at the temple.

The temple is located at the foot of West Mountain, attracting throngs of worshippers. A mile away from the temple, various stalls have already set up, with vendors calling out their wares, creating a lively and bustling atmosphere.

Kong Xiyan couldn't wait any longer and got off the car early, strolling towards the mountain gate.

She loved those delicate little trinkets: unique sachets and pouches, woven bamboo baskets and boxes, straw-carved animal figurines, and beautiful porcelain boxes...

If she saw something that caught her eye, she would buy it. Xia Shi followed along with great interest, and sometimes she would even help her choose.

I came to a stall selling bamboo products. The stall owner was a kind-looking middle-aged woman.

She greeted customers with a beaming smile, "Madam, Miss, look at my bamboo ware, it's famous far and wide for its quality. The bamboo is excellent, and the weaving is so tight..."

Kong Xiyan was indeed attracted and began to carefully select items.

Xia seemed quite interested, picking through the items at the stall for a while. Finally, she picked up a small bamboo pillow and examined it closely. She seemed satisfied, but still didn't buy it.

Kong Xiyan bought a lot of good stuff, and Xia paid more than two taels of silver without hesitation.

After the group left, the woman bent down to tidy up the lacquer boxes that had been rummaged through on the stall. Using her sleeve as a cover, she picked up the small bamboo pillow that Xia had been looking at the longest and noticed a tiny folded piece of paper under the box.

She calmly crumpled the note into her palm, then casually placed the pillow back in its original position. (End of Chapter)