On one side, Mrs. Ta and Guo's mother were talking about their innermost thoughts, while on the other side, Li's mother was also chatting with Shen Muqing.

  "...has already passed on the message to Wang Chang."

  Wang Chang is the son of Wang Mama who runs a small eatery in Baizhi Fang.

  Shen Mu nodded slightly.

  She stayed up all night, thinking about what had happened during this period of time.

  Shen Zhen's imprisonment... Wang Shengyun's warning... Liu Jun's ****...

  One by one, one thing after another, shrouded in mystery, making her feel that everything is connected, yet unable to find the main thread that links these events together.

  Or, Wang Shengyun knew... As soon as Li heard the words, he also knew.

  But what's going on here?

  The next morning, Shen Muqing went to pay his respects to Old Madam with a big black eye circle.

  The old lady couldn't help but comfort her: "Go and flip through those records of famous ministers, which one didn't have several rises and falls?"

  The problem is that Shen Zhen's age is already advanced, and it is also in the midst of a change of imperial power. At this time, he is at a disadvantage, and it is unknown whether he can get back up or not. No, no, no, even if he can't get back up, as long as he can survive and come out alive, that's all that matters!

  Shen Muqing could only stand by and smile.

  Madam Tai ordered Liang Shu to go to the Imperial Stables to gather some information.

  Liang Shu nodded in agreement.

  In the evening when I came back, he just said that the son-in-law agreed to find an opportunity to ask Wang Gonggong.

  The old lady listened and nodded slightly, saying: "You see if you want to hit or not, I heard that Wang Gonggong is a ruthless person!" As she spoke, she glanced at Shen Muqing with a hint of implication.

  Liang Shu was taken aback and hesitated, saying: "Just go and make some inquiries, if there's any news, it won't be too late to take action then... Wang Gonggong's influence is not ordinary."

  Shen Mu's head hung low, but a hint of cold smile played on his lips.

  Seven or eight more days passed, and there was no significant progress from either Wei Thirteen's side or the Crown Prince's side.

  And since then, there has been no news from the Shen family after Jinxiu came to report a message to her that day.

  Shen Mu Qing was not at all anxious.

  Is it that Li no longer trusts the Liang family or is something going on in the Shen family that Li doesn't want her to know about?

  Fortunately, it will be August 15th in a few days. Shen Muqing prepared mooncakes, osmanthus wine, and Laojunmei tea as gifts for Liang Jimin to take back to her parents' home for the Mid-Autumn Festival.

  In previous years, before August 15th, Shen's house was crowded with people and horses, but today it is deserted.

  The gatekeeper saw Shen Muqing return and was taken aback, hastily running to report: "Eldest Miss has returned!"

  Deeply moved and heartbroken.

  Is it really hard for everyone to believe she won't come back?

  Arriving at the Li's residence, Shen Muqing found her in good spirits, and couldn't help but let out a sigh of relief.

  Mr. Li received the courtesy of Liang Jìmǐn and smiled: "Don't you have to go to the Hanlin Academy today?" Although there was a smile on his face, his tone was very polite.

  Shen Muqing silently let out a faint sigh in her heart.

  This marriage ended up disappointing Li.

  Li Qiming smiled and said, "I'm on leave, came over to see you."

  Mr. Li's eyes had a hint of a smile, and his tone softened considerably: "Your father-in-law is not here, and I'm not feeling well either, so let Da She accompany you for dinner today... after you've eaten, it's best to head back early!"

  It's totally driving people away!

  Li Qiming also felt it. His face slightly red, he said: "Madam is worried about Father-in-law's affairs, right? Grandmother has already sent Second Brother to the Son-in-law Mansion to inquire about the news, and also entrusted someone from the Wei Guogong House... You don't have to worry too much, a lucky person will naturally have good fortune. Father-in-law won't come to any harm."

  Li listened for a moment, looked at Shen Muqing with a dim expression, and smiled: "Thank you, son-in-law. I still have a few words to say to Muqing." She called in Shui Xiang, "Take the young master to the Jiuxi Study to look at some books."

  Liang Jimin respectfully greeted Li and followed Shuixiang to Jiuxi Building.

  Li's smile became warm and gentle.

  She patted the cushion beside her: "Come, sit next to me."

  Shen Mu Qing smiled and sat down beside Li Shi.

  "Alright, alright. What's gotten into you?" Li looked at her with a smile all over her face. "The Liang family has its own considerations and stance as a hundred-year-old scholarly family. Qiming is both a son-in-law and a son, his days are not easy either. As the saying goes, 'at home obey your father, when married obey your husband.' Now that you're married, you should prioritize the Liang family and not be so disobedient like you were at home. You should also advise Qiming to behave himself!"

  I'd rather demolish ten temples than destroy a single marriage. Even if the Li family is still dissatisfied, I can only advise my son like this.

  Shen Mu Qing understood in her heart and became even more filial to her parents.

  But now is not the time for this, she still has more important things to do.

  "Madam, I let Bai Mu go to the outside teahouse and wine shop for a stroll. It seems that Liu Jun's matter has not been spread out yet. Looking at the situation, Wang Ge Lao's news came from a secret channel. He told us such an important message, but I don't know what his intention is."

  Although Mrs. Li was somewhat disappointed with her son-in-law, she still accompanied her daughter to deliver the Mid-Autumn Festival gifts to her maternal home. In her heart, she truly thought that as a member of a noble family, one has both rights and obligations. It is proper for Liang Qiming to listen to the arrangements made by the Liang family. As long as the young couple gets along well, Mrs. Li doesn't care about how they interact with each other.

  She remained calm and quiet, not wanting to discuss Shen Zhen's affairs with her, but fearing that any discord between daughter and son-in-law would affect their future relationship.

  "Just don't worry about these things," said Mrs. Li with a smile. "Mr. Ou will take care of it."

  His mother's behavior of rejecting her was even more heartbreaking for Shen Muqing.

  If it wasn't for Liang Jiemin's hesitant answer last time, why would Li be like this? At this critical moment, who wouldn't want someone to lend a helping hand? Even if they can't help, saying some comforting words can still bring a glimmer of hope to those feeling helpless and lost.

  If it's said that Shen Muqing was trying to get along with Liang Jitian like friends after they got married, then Liang Jitian would have made her look down on this husband of hers. Now, Shen Muqing has a hint of resentment towards Liang Jitian...

  Why can't Liang Jimin be more proactive?

  Such a big thing, with his ability and official position, it's impossible to help in any way. Why can't he just accompany Li and have a conversation? Or come home more often?

  Li's courage was boosted by several points...

  Shen Mu Qing thought quietly, with a chill in her eyes that even she herself didn't know about.

  "How is Mr Ou?"

  Li had made up her mind not to let this matter be handled by the child, and naturally she wouldn't bother with Shen Muqing's doubts. She just smiled and said: "I'll ask Wang Mama to set out the meal early. If it's still early before returning home, you all go out for a stroll, don't always worry about family matters. I've heard that some officials have been in prison for over ten years! Can't Master come out one day? You're all so worried and gloomy every day. Quickly forget about this matter."

  Walking with Liang Jitian... Shen Muqing couldn't help but sneer in her heart.

  It's said that since he became an official in the Hanlin Academy, he never brought back a single penny of his salary. It's unknown whether it was spent on public affairs or kept for himself, but as a husband, shouldn't he have discussed it with his wife?

  Li's daughter remained silent, knowing she still couldn't let go of Shen Zhen. So she smiled and said: "Why don't we copy a few pages of Buddhist scriptures together to calm down?"

  Shen Muqing then saw that on the large kang desk by the window, the Buddhist scriptures she had yet to copy were spread out.

  Before, although Li respected incense, he never copied Buddhist scriptures, but now...

  She couldn't help but be filled with tears, regretting that she had married the wrong person and even more so that she was unable to help.

  Mother quietly copied Buddhist scriptures, and the rhythmic ticking of the clock in the room made it even more quiet.

  There is too much fox in her heart, Shen Muqing can't calm down after all.

  She saw Wang's mother peeking out from behind the curtain twice.

  "Li said, calling in Wang's mother: 'What is it?'"

  Wang's mother smiled and said, "I just want to ask, does your husband like dried shrimp?"

  Li looked at Shen Muqing.

  "Enjoy your meal!" Shen Mu said with a smile.

  Wang's mother nodded: "Then I'll order a Ten Brocade Soup. When the weather is hot, it's better to dispel fire."

  The mother and daughter smiled at each other and continued writing with their heads down.

  Shen Mu Qing felt something was off.

  Why bother making ten broths when you can just go and catch fire?

  Isn't there something?

  She thought of Wang's mother looking at her with a gaze that subtly revealed a longing.

  Wasn't it Liang Jimin who did something to embarrass Wang's mother?

  Thinking of this, I couldn't calm down even more.

  "Alas, the more I copy, the more vexed I become. I'd better go out for a walk."

  Li watched Shen Muqing's expression, which was indeed very annoyed.

  "The osmanthus behind has bloomed, it's good for you to take a walk in the garden." She smiled and sighed, "After all, one is still young!"

  Shen Mu Qing thought of Wang Mama, smiled, and led Ying Fen out the door.

  Li looked at Shen Muqing's back and the smile on her face gradually faded. She called out to Liu Chun, "Did Master tell you anything about Grandfather's matter?"

  "No!" Liu Chun smiled, "Brother-in-law looks very worried."

  That's normal too.

  Li did not ask again and lowered his head to copy Buddhist scriptures.

  Out of the house, Shen Mu Qing indeed saw Wang's mother anxiously standing beside the hanging flower gate.

  She walked hastily over there.

  Wang's mother turned around and walked out.

  Shen Mu Qing quietly followed behind Ying Fen without making a sound.

  Two people walked out of the Chaoxi Hall, one in front and one behind, and stood at the corner of the courtyard. Wang's mother then said in a low voice: "There is a shop called Fushizhai that our family usually buys seasonings and goods from, and they are delivered by him. Today he came to our house to ask for payment, with an amount of 1,500 taels, saying that it was ordered by the mistress on a certain day, but there is no clear date or details written down, nor is there any signature... He insisted that you must come out and clarify things!"

  The family's food, clothing and daily necessities all come from long-term cooperative shops, which settle accounts every November, and as Wang Mama said, such situations are generally considered to be the shopkeeper's own bad luck - who made you not calculate clearly at the time. Now Wang Mama can't even ask her to show up, it's clear that things have become irretrievable.

  Few people give charcoal in snow, but many throw stones into a well!

  He smiled slightly and said, "Alright, I'll go take a look!"