The big bandit in the Red Mansion robbed Lin Daiyu at the beginning

"But, Madam, have you ever thought about what would happen if..."

After a pause, Linghu Chong turned his head to look outside the hall. After finding that no one was there, he turned his head to look at Xue's mother again and continued in a low voice,

"What if Qingfeng Village captures Jinling? What will happen to the Xue family and the other major families who volunteered to send money to the Imperial Guards today?"

As soon as these words were spoken, the expressions of Xue's mother and Xue Pan changed.

Even from behind the hall there was a faint sound of bead curtains.

Xue Pan hurriedly and anxiously pulled Linghu Chong's sleeve and said,

"Brother Chong, you absolutely cannot say that!"

Xue's mother was also startled by Linghu Chong's words and echoed,

"Chong'er, Pan'er is right. There are some things you absolutely cannot say outside this door!"

"Besides, the rebels in Yangzhou only have a few tens of thousands of troops, while Jinling City has a hundred thousand imperial guards. How dare they attack us?"

Finally, he said,

"Furthermore, Daqian is a powerful nation with the world's best troops. How can a mere rebel be a match for the imperial court? It's only a matter of time before they are wiped out by the imperial court!"

Linghu Chong nodded slightly and said seriously,

"Don't worry, ma'am. Chong knows what to say and what not to say."

Then he continued,

"However, the people from Qingfeng Village in Yangzhou alone were able to turn the entire Yangzhou into an iron barrel in just a few days. They are definitely not ordinary bandits."

"I secretly think that for this matter, my Xue family should prepare early, lest we have no way out after the incident!"

Upon hearing this, Xue's mother frowned slightly, and wanted to scold Linghu Chong for his arrogant words.

But when he thought about the other party also considering the Xue family, he pondered for a moment, took a deep breath and looked at Linghu Chong and said,

"Okay, Chong'er, we'll just pretend we didn't hear what you just said, and don't talk nonsense outside."

"Otherwise, if outsiders hear it, who knows what complications will arise."

Hearing what Xue's mother said, Linghu Chong felt helpless and wanted to persuade her again, but he saw that Xue's mother had already picked up the teacup on the table.

He sighed helplessly and bowed to Xue's mother.

"Thank you for the admonition, ma'am. I'll take note of it!"

Mother Xue nodded slightly, took a deep breath, stood up, looked at Linghu Chong and said,

"Well, let's go!"

"The world has been quite unstable lately, so I'd like you to keep an eye on Pan'er and prevent him from getting into trouble. Just help Pan'er make decisions on how to handle some business matters."

"Yes, ma'am!"

Upon hearing this, Linghu Chong bowed again and turned to walk out.

Xue Pan saw this and could only watch Xue's mother stamp her feet.

"Oh, Mom! Why don't you let Chong-ge finish what he's saying?"

Xue's mother frowned and glared at Xue Pan.

"Shut up! Some things are not for children to ask about!"

Xue Pan was frightened by Xue's mother's momentum and shrank his neck. He smacked his lips and said nothing in the end.

He quickly turned around and trotted after Linghu Chong who was walking out of the hall.

"Brother Chong, wait for me!"

"Brother Chong, slow down!"

Looking at herself like this, Xue's mother shook her head helplessly and sighed heavily.

At this moment, a graceful figure walked out from the side door at the back of the hall.

"Mom, why didn't you listen to what Brother Linghu said earlier?"

Upon hearing this, Xue's mother turned to look at the person who came and shook her head helplessly.

"Alas! In such extraordinary times, right and wrong, disaster and blessing, are unpredictable."

As he said this, he turned his head and looked outside the hall and said slowly,

"I naturally understand what he means. After all, my Xue family is an imperial merchant family. Since your father's death, it has gradually declined."

"I was planning to send you to the Divine Capital for the selection according to the selection documents just sent by the Ministry of Revenue. If this matter were to get out, the consequences would be disastrous. Therefore, I would never let anyone know about it."

Xue Baochai frowned slightly when she heard this.

She was naturally reluctant to go to Shenjing to participate in the selection. Not to mention her cousin from her aunt's family, she had to endure for many years after entering the palace before she was selected as the Shangshu of Fengzao Palace.