Noble Lady

Xue Chenyu nodded with a smile and said, "Mother Xu has always been a servant in the Marquis' Mansion, and so has Sun Ping'an. Even the house you just sold was given to her by my mother."

Otherwise, how could Mother Xu, who was just a servant, buy a house in Beijing?

"But at that time, my second uncle insisted on going into slavery for Sun Ping'an. My parents couldn't persuade him, so they granted his wish. But to show her loyalty, Mother Xu expressed her willingness to serve in the Marquis' Mansion for the rest of her life, and that's how the death contract was signed."

Xue Chenyu spoke in a gentle tone with a smile in her voice, but every word she said was that they, mother and son, deserved what happened today.

"Don't worry, Miss Xue. I have already signed the divorce agreement with Sun Ping'an. Mr. Chen from Jingzhao Prefecture was the witness, and the official seal was affixed on the spot."

"From now on, I have nothing to do with his marriages and funerals. He performs his labor service, and I live my own life. We have nothing to do with each other, and naturally I won't worry about his family affairs."

Fan Wenxuan is a smart person. She immediately understood what Xue Chenyu meant and immediately expressed her position.

Xue Chenyu likes this kind of smart people very much. It is much easier to deal with smart people.

"Then, Madam Fan, what are your plans next? If you want to go back home, I can arrange for someone to take you back."

"Thank you for your concern, Miss Xue. I still want to stay in Shengjing. Even if I find a job, I can support myself. Returning home would only mean that my stepmother would sell me again in exchange for my stepbrother's future."

"Mrs. Fan is unfamiliar with Shengjing. If you have trouble finding a job or need help, you can look for Suying."

"Thank you very much. I also wish Princess Anping a great success at the flower viewing banquet."

"I'll also lend you my good wishes."

After a few more pleasantries, Fan Wenxuan left a gift and said goodbye.

Xia He escorted her out of the house.

Su Ying was not in a hurry to leave, but instead described the miserable situation of Xu Mama and Sun Pingan from the perspective of an outsider.

"Mrs. Xu has been through so much hardship on the farm that she's no longer the pampered girl she once was. Now she's so dark and thin that I'm afraid the girl wouldn't recognize her if she saw her."

So she was eager to leave the village.

As for Sun Ping'an, he was beaten every three days and threatened every five days in the Jingzhao prison. He had a bruised face and nose every day and lived in fear as if he was walking on thin ice.

Even in this situation, he still claimed that he had a master behind him and would make those who beat him unable to get out of trouble sooner or later.

But no one has ever seen the master behind him, so what awaits Sun Ping'an is even more brutal revenge from the families of the girls who were cheated of their money and sex.

"Suying, try to find out who the master Sun Ping'an is talking about."

Since he said yes, we have to find out.

Su Ying nodded, "Don't worry, young lady, I know what to do."

Su Ying did her job well and was rewarded with a small silver ingot. After thanking him, she left happily.

Who wouldn’t love such a generous and considerate master?

As soon as Su Ying left, Mrs. Xue came over.

"I just heard about something. Once it got out, there was a lot of talk, but I don't know if it's true. After thinking it over, I decided to let you know."

"What's wrong, mother?" Xue Chenyu felt uneasy.

Madam Xue said, "I heard that the Sixth Prince's wife will be selected at the same time as the flower viewing banquet. The news just came out two days ago, and the noble ladies in the city are already in full swing."

"However, the Queen Mother has put so much thought into finding a wife for Prince Cheng, and she's basically already invited all the eligible noble ladies in Shengjing City, so there's no need to send out invitations again."

"Sixth Prince?" Xue Chenyu was surprised. "What were the reactions of the Imperial Concubine and Duke Chen's Mansion?"

"This news was sent by the Duke's Mansion. They said it was Concubine Chen's intention. Knowing that you have been busy preparing for the flower viewing banquet, they passed the news to me."

It's so hasty, but Concubine Chen is willing?

The flower viewing banquet was originally prepared for Prince Cheng, but now that the banquet was approaching, the Sixth Prince was hastily added.

Based on her understanding of Concubine Chen, that Concubine has always been a strong and face-conscious person. How could she accept such disregard and even insult?

Unless, this is not up to the imperial concubine to decide.

Someone else is in charge, the Queen Mother... or perhaps His Majesty?!

Therefore, this was the reason why Concubine Chen specifically asked someone to bring her the message.

This thought flashed through Xue Chenyu's mind, and his expression darkened, "Mother..."

"It seems we have the same idea." Mrs. Xue met her gaze and smiled faintly.

"Why would Your Majesty suddenly intervene in this matter?" Xue Chenyu was puzzled.

Madam Xue said, "There are many things in the palace that are unpredictable. But His Majesty's sudden involvement in this matter must have been for a reason. The fact that Concubine Chen could only give such a warning shows that she is also unaware of the true situation."

"You must be extremely careful when the time comes and act accordingly."

Xue Chenyu nodded, "My daughter understands."

Then, Mrs. Xue told her about the recent situation of Mrs. Xue, telling her not to worry, and then left.

Xue Chenyu knew clearly that her grandmother had chosen to come to Beijing at this time because she had colluded with her second uncle to make life difficult for the Marquis's Mansion.

Sun Ping'an returned to Beijing long before the New Year. His second uncle was in collusion with him. Normally, he should have come to Beijing long ago, but he was delayed until now. It should be that Sun Ping'an has been secretly communicating with him.

When my father's whereabouts were unknown, my second uncle avoided that period of time because he was afraid that he would be implicated if the Marquis's Mansion was in trouble.

In other families, brothers are friendly and respectful to each other, but in my father's case, his mother can't stand him getting ahead, and his younger brothers want to step on him to climb up.

I don’t know what kind of brother this is?

But His Majesty, what is the reason for suddenly intervening in the flower viewing banquet? Ever since my father returned safely last time, they have tacitly treated His Majesty's visit as if it had never happened.

But in fact, she felt that His Majesty's eyes had never left the Marquis's Mansion.

evening.

Situ Zhen came.

During this period, he was apparently in Qinglong Temple, but in fact he had to come to Wu'an Marquis Mansion every night.

Just as Xue Chenyu finished dinner and returned to the house, he came.

Xue Chenyu skillfully dismissed the maidservant beside her and sat down beside the soft couch. "It's already this late, why is the prince still here?"

"How about now?" Situ Zhen poured himself a cup of tea and drank it slowly.

Xue Chenyu teased, "We're still brewing old tea today. Spring tea won't arrive for a few days. I'm sorry, Your Highness."

Situ Zhen drank the tea in the cup in one gulp and said with a smile, "How can this be considered an injustice? The aged tea here, Miss Xue, is much better than others. It's fragrant and sweet."

loquacious.

Only then did Xue Chenyu notice that he was wearing an apricot-colored round-necked robe embroidered with a bunch of green bamboo, which looked very elegant. He also used an ordinary black leather belt and wore a blue jade crown.

It was quite different from his usual style of wearing gold and silver and looking like a dandy.

"Why is the prince dressed like this today? What important matter is he going to attend?"

"I went to the palace to see the Empress Dowager," Situ Zhen said, "and she told me some secrets."

"secret?"

Xue Chenyu subconsciously wondered if this was the reason why Concubine Chen had someone pass on the message to her.

"The secret the Queen Mother mentioned must be a royal secret. Prince, please don't tell it here. I'm afraid I won't live to see tomorrow if I hear it."

Xue Chenyu always joked with him on weekdays, but Situ Zhen was also a jokester and didn't care much about it on weekdays.

But after she finished speaking today, he actually paused.

"You reminded me that this matter has not been confirmed yet, so it's better not to tell you."

Xue Chenyu:?

Could it be that this is some unspeakable royal secret?

"I have a premonition about your second uncle's incident. I'm afraid your father and I will have to travel south again soon." Situ Zhen changed the subject very smoothly.

Xue Chenyu also knew what to do and did not ask about the royal secrets.

"Prince, do you mean that you already have a clue?"

At present, we only know that my second uncle is smuggling salt and iron with others, and we also know that they are going to Lingnan, but the other party's background has not been figured out yet, and my second uncle has not confessed yet. If he is so sure, there must be other reasons.

"Fang Rui sent me a letter." Situ Zhen said, "He has found some information, but it still needs to be verified."

Xue Chenyu suddenly understood everything as if she had been enlightened.

Fang Rui has not shown up since his father and Situ Zhen returned to Beijing.

Everyone outside thought that he died in the northern border, and they were afraid of touching upon the sad memories of the Prince of Cheng, so they did not dare to mention it casually.

But no one expected that he would take advantage of the famine to secretly send Fang Rui to Lingnan.

"Prince, had you predicted changes in Lingnan so long ago?" Xue Chenyu was curious.

Situ Zhen scratched her nose helplessly. "Earlier, Lord Xue and I speculated that there was an army in Lingnan, but we had no evidence..."