After the rebirth of the wronged soft girl, the devil's crematorium

Wen was puzzled and asked inexplicably, "Why are you suddenly causing trouble?"

The servant said, "The gatekeeper reported that a group of commoners, merchants who had done business with the eldest young lady, arrived today. They claim she'd cheated them and are now clamoring at the back door, demanding an explanation."

Wen's brows knitted tightly together as she suddenly looked at Qin, "What did you do?"

Qin's face was tense. She stood up and said, "Please understand, mother-in-law. This has nothing to do with me. I really don't know what's going on." But she was angry in her heart. She had clearly asked Manager Sun to solve the problem a few days ago, but that idiot was so useless.

Qin knew that if this matter became a big deal, it would not just be about the tea shop. It would involve the reputation of the Duke's Mansion. If someone got a hold of the evidence, the entire Zheng family would be implicated. She could not bear the consequences, so she could only put the blame on the steward.

"Where is the head of the family?" Wen asked again.

"The Patriarch is currently in the study, discussing matters with Yu Langling and Erlangjun."

When Wen heard this, she became even more anxious. Yu Lang was already here, which was not good. She hurriedly said, "Tell the steward to control those people and call Steward Sun from the teahouse."

The maidservant added, "The leader is very fierce and I'm afraid it's difficult to talk to him."

Wen Shi showed impatience, "Then invite them into the wing room and have them surround it."

After the servant left, Wen looked at Qin again, who looked pale, and realized that it was not that simple.

"I'm asking you one last time, are you really not involved?"

Qin suddenly looked up and saw Wen staring at her fiercely. She felt guilty. She knew Wen's character. If it was just a disaster, it would be fine. But if he lied to her, the consequences would be even worse.

She swallowed hard, knelt in the middle, and said, "Please forgive me, mother-in-law! Yes, I was confused for a moment, thinking that it would reduce costs, so I was persuaded to use this method."

Wen listened to Qin's crying and smiled to herself. This was the good daughter-in-law she had chosen.

"Mother-in-law, every mistake is my fault, but I'm doing this for the Duke's Mansion. This tea shop didn't have that much income before, and we even had to offer gifts to the noble families to maintain good relations. But Beiliang tea is too expensive, and the common people are unwilling to spend money. As a last resort, the manager found a tea merchant, hoping to make up for the difference."

Wen's face was gloomy. When she saw Su Wan looking at Qin and shaking her head slightly, as if with helplessness and mockery, Wen stood up and walked up to Qin and slapped her hard.

But now she didn't have that much time to scold Qin. The most important thing was to minimize the risks. Nothing could affect the Duke's Mansion and hinder the future of her son and husband.

"Where is the tea merchant?"

"In Shuiyang Lane, surnamed Zhou, Steward Sun knows him."

Wen was shocked. "In the capital?" Seeing Qin lowering her head and not daring to speak, Wen clutched her chest and sat down at the desk, saying weakly, "Someone, tell Steward Sun to go find him!"

Qin looked at Wen, whose face was gloomy, with tears in her eyes. "Mother-in-law, I have a plan. I know it's all my fault, but right now we have to prioritize the overall situation. If we want to prevent this from getting out, we have to eliminate the problem once and for all."

Qin slowly raised her eyes and looked at the person on the ground in silence.

Qin knew that the Duke's Mansion's expenses were excessive, relying heavily on external estates and shops. Even the Wen family's housekeepers often engaged in shady dealings. It was simply bad luck, but more importantly, she lacked the Wen family's ruthlessness. She should have decisively dealt with those people the last time they came to cause trouble.

Qin looked at Wen with a pleading expression, sensing murderous intent. Wen had long harbored this desire, but she'd been hesitant to speak it out loud because of her ridiculous reputation. So, for her own sake, she took on the role of villain.

After a moment, Wen sighed helplessly: "Even if they are commoners, they are still human lives."

Qin crawled forward a few steps on her knees and said, "My daughter-in-law is willing to eat vegetarian food and chant Buddhist scriptures to atone for her sins."

Wen closed her eyes again, twirled the Buddhist beads in her hand and said no more.

This is recognized.

Qin staggered to her feet, wiped away her tears, and then asked Sui Xin to go find someone.

"But even if we kill them, what if they have other companions who hold evidence? Wouldn't that just make things worse?"

Although the voice was soft, it was like a heavy hammer that suddenly woke the two of them up. Qin and Wen both looked at Su Wan in surprise.

Su Wan shuddered and said with a silly smile, "I'm just talking nonsense."

The words, neither light nor heavy, made Wen hesitate. She had been instantly anxious when she heard Yu Langling was in the mansion. But then she calmed down and thought, why would a group of common people be so fearless as to rush to the Duke's mansion to demand an explanation? Were they not afraid of death? If so, what were they relying on?

Wen looked at Su Wan again, her heart wavering. "Keep an eye on them first. Once we've dealt with the tea merchant and the things in the shop, we can deal with them later."

Qin also glanced at Su Wan, then moved aside with an uneasy look on her face.

The main room suddenly became quiet, and the atmosphere was a little weird.

After a moment, a maid broke the heavy silence, "Madam, Steward Sun is here."

"Let people in."

Steward Sun hurried into the main hall and knelt to greet Wen. "I destroyed the evidence, but the Zhou man is missing!"

These words were like a blow to the head, making both the mother-in-law and the daughter-in-law dizzy.

"What did you say?"

Qin was also incredulous, but she eventually understood why those people were so reckless. She stepped forward and raged, "What use is there for you? Didn't I tell you to handle it already?"

"Steward Sun, you were the one who instigated the young lady to pass off inferior goods as genuine ones, but you also gave them a handle. Now that the incident has been exposed, you should pay the price."

Steward Sun looked at Qin with his mouth open, only to see her glaring at him with red eyes, showing no guilt at all. She was trying to make him take the blame. He smiled bitterly inwardly. Human lives are naturally divided into different classes, and his worthless life originally belonged to the Duke's Mansion.

"This old slave is willing to bear this responsibility."

"But even if that Zhou guy is arrested, we have no evidence in our shop. If they really want to bring something to the government office, we can also sue them for fabrication and false accusation." Qin thought.

Seeing Wen's gaze directed at her, Qin shrank back and said, "My daughter-in-law is just afraid of being implicated in the Duke's Mansion."

Wen's expression calmed down. "In that case, we must first confirm whether those people have captured someone and what bargaining chips they still have."

"Mother-in-law is right."

Just then, a servant arrived and said, "Madam, the steward sent me to report that nothing of value has been found, and they are clamoring to see the eldest young master's wife."

Qin froze for a moment, "What do you want me for?"

The maid shook her head.

Wen thought for a moment and said, "In that case, you should go and meet them."

Qin opened her eyes wide, "Mother-in-law!"

"I'm not asking you to die. I'm just asking you to find out what evidence they have. Besides, if they really dare to do anything, we'll have a reason to take action."

Qin suddenly realized that Wen was using her as a target, but the mistake was hers, so what reason did she have to refuse?

When she looked at Su Wan who was looking down at herself, she asked, "Can I let my sister-in-law come with me?"

Su Wan suddenly looked up, "Me?"

"My sister-in-law has a clear mind. I think she can help me figure something out." At this moment, with her husband away, Qin needed someone to share her anxiety. She didn't know why, but she felt Su Wan was reliable. If the moment really came to a head, she would have to rely on someone.

After all, people are selfish.

Wen thought for a moment and said, "Okay."