Chapter 136 Planting Seeds

  "Second Master, I know you're neither the person in charge nor the one responsible for this matter. It's really putting you on the spot to talk to you about it." Mr. Ouyang took advantage of the pause in the conversation and sincerely said to Liang Shu, "Why don't we invite Madam out to see what she has to say? In any case, your family should give my master an explanation for this matter!"

  Liang Shu thought of Xiao Xiang's words and stuttered: "My third brother..."

  Mr. Ouyang nodded: "Third Master is still in our Shen family. The old master originally called him over to talk to him, but who knew that just as they were getting into the conversation, he received such news. The old master has already invited the Shuntian prefect to come home. We came here because of the friendship between Hou and our family, so we said a word."

  Liāng Shūxìn's heart was icy cold.

  It's all over, it's all over. I just hope Liang Jimin knows the severity of this matter and doesn't get taken advantage of by others, agreeing to anything...

  He hastily bowed to the three people present and said: "Please, sir and gentlemen, have a cup of tea first. I'll go invite Madam out right away."

  Three people walked towards Hanjing, and Liang Shu Xin ran all the way to Xianhe Hall.

  Liu Niangniang was helping Madame Wang relieve her indigestion.

  "...Your sons and grandsons have their own blessings, don't worry. I think Third Master is a lucky one, otherwise how could he pass the imperial examination at such a young age? As for Third Mistress's family, isn't there Eldest Mistress? Since she married over, what task have you entrusted to her that she hasn't accomplished? You can rest assured! Don't get angry and harm your body. This household still needs your guidance!"

  Madam Tai felt relieved in her heart and finally calmed down a bit, took over the hot tea handed by Zi Xiang and took a sip.

  Just as he was about to speak, Liang Shu Xin burst in.

  The situation is serious, and he can't afford to care about anything else. He invited Mr. Ouyang of the Shen family, Min Luan and Yuan Yu, to tell Madame Tai about the matter of severing ties between Liang Jiemin and Shen Muqing: "...... I'm afraid my third brother doesn't know what's at stake and rashly agreed to sever ties with the Shen family. I'll rush to the Shen residence now and see if I can persuade Old Master Shen!"

  Old Lady Shen heard this and was so angry that she trembled with rage: "Are the Shens really going to do this? I'm not afraid of trouble. If we're going to break off the engagement, then let's go to the government office and say it... We can still find a 15 or 16 year old for our Qiniang in the future, I'd like to see what kind of daughter-in-law their family will get..."

  Liang Shu's urgent bitter smile: "The Shen family has already invited someone from the Shuntian Prefecture to be at home..."

  Liu Yiniang was shocked when she heard that the Shen family had proposed a break-off of relations, and later realized the severity of the situation.

  She is a knowledgeable person, busy smiling and saying: "Yes, Mrs. Tai. Our family's third young master has no wife, naturally there are many people waiting to marry in. But if the third young lady and the third young master are sworn enemies, then she will be prepared to stay at home as a lifelong spinster." When she said this, she saw that Mrs. Tai's face was slightly cloudy, so she changed her tone: "However, the people who came are Minister Min from the Ministry of Rites and Minister Yuan from the Ministry of Etiquette... I think, Mrs. Tai should still go take a look! After all, Second Young Master is younger, some things are more convincing when said by Mrs. Tai. I think Shen's family just wants to regain some face, you see," she said with a hint of probing in her tone, "do you want to bring Miss Feng along too?"

  Madam Tai couldn't help but look up and examine Liu's wife carefully.

  She could tolerate this Liu Yiniang making some small moves with her own power - to try out the attitude of family members towards herself, whether it was respect or perfunctoriness, but that didn't mean she could tolerate a concubine framing the legitimate daughter...

  Liu Yiniang shrank under Tai Furen's gaze and muttered: "...... This, this is also my foolish opinion."

  The old lady was very satisfied with the performance of this little concubine, just like before, and did not show it, but coldly "hmm"ed and said: "Indeed, it's a foolish opinion! However, since Miss Feng has done such an ugly thing, even if it means cutting off all relations, we must make things clear with the Shen family. Otherwise, they will still think that our Qi Min is the one who wronged them." Her tone had already softened.

  Liu Yiniang let out a sigh of relief.

  Li Shu's uncle hastily said, "Grandmother, even if we give Feng to the Shen family, it may not be enough to quell this incident. I think it would be better to invite the imperial son-in-law and princess to help mediate. Given their status, I don't think the Shen family will refuse them."

  Old Lady Tai was taken aback and said, "I've been so muddled! How could I not have thought of the princess and the prince consort?! Yes, yes, yes, Uncle Shi, you're right! Hurry up and invite the prince consort and the princess to come over. Let them preside over justice for Ji Min. No matter what, this is a family affair. Can't let Mr. Min and Mr. Yuan interfere with other people's family affairs?!"

  "Grandma, what do you think? I'll go to the Shen's and let my wife go to the Marquis' residence... As you said, it's a family matter after all. If someone else goes, it might not be as good!"

  "Good!" Madam nodded, "It's settled then!"

  "Where is Mr. Min and Mr. Yuan?"

  The old lady didn't want to see her at all.

  She said somewhat irritably: "Let your sister-in-law go and make some arrangements. After all, your brother-in-law's father is also a high-ranking official, they should at least be given some face!"

  It can only be like this.

  Liáng Shūxìn agreed and hastily left.

  ******

  But the development of things was beyond Mrs. Ta's expectation.

  First is the Feng family.

  It is said that several aunts of the Feng family went back and immediately reported this matter to the old lady of the Feng family. The old lady listened and immediately sent the eldest daughter-in-law who was in charge of the household to the Liang family.

  "After such an ugly incident, we also lost face, bringing him back will give us a chance to explain to his family."

  It means going to pick up Feng Wanqing.

  Madam Tai thought about what Liu Niang said, if it made a big noise, the Shen family would have to save face, and they couldn't help but give an explanation. If the Feng family took their people back, what could she use to explain to the Shen family?

  Nature is independent.

  Feng Da's mother refused to let him go back and vowed not to give up, sitting there without leaving.

  The lady had no choice but to call Madame Feng over and scold her severely, telling her to go and attend to Old Madame Feng.

  Secondly, it's Mr. Min and Yuan Yu's attitude. No matter how Wang Wenxian puts it, insisting on taking Shen Muqing away: "No matter how things develop, letting the young lady go back to live for a few days will also alleviate Mr. Shen's heartache of missing his daughter."

  There's some room for negotiation in these words.

  Wang Wenxi felt a sense of relief in her heart. But when it came to letting Shen Muqing return to her mother's home, she was unable to make the decision herself. She could only comfort the three people and then go ask Madame Tai for instructions.

  The old lady was frowning and asked Wang Wenxi, "What do you mean? Are you letting her go or keeping her here?"

  Wang Wenxi said thoughtfully, "According to what you said, after something like this happens, the Shen family would normally take the person back home for a few days. However, if they just blindly take the person away, I'm afraid that when Third Brother and Sister return home and cry about it, Old Master Shen will be even more furious... With Madame Shen gone now, men are not as meticulous as women. Why don't we explain things to both of you elders and ask for your help in advising Old Master Shen?"

  Old Lady Tai was taken aback: "You also agree to hand over Miss Feng?"

  Wang Wenxi's gaze was full of confusion.

  Wang Wenxian suddenly thought of Shen Muqing's words - "Dabo worked so hard for this family, but neither the old lady nor the madam considered it a matter of course. As for Erbo and Liang Jimin, they didn't have to do anything to get everything."

  She was on the verge of tears.

  Or, those who know themselves best are usually their own worst enemies.

  So many years have passed, and she has made such sacrifices for her family, yet Madam Tai has never truly trusted her for a moment.

  "Just explain things to the two adults," she said with downcast eyes, "The two adults are not members of the Shen family after all, and they can't do anything about Miss Feng. This way, you can also hand over the person to the Feng family...and maintain the dignity of both families. As for how the Feng family disposes of Miss Feng...with Minister Min and Minister Yuan as witnesses afterwards, I believe that even if the princess and her husband were to come, they couldn't raise any objections!"

  Old Madame was deep in thought when a small maid came in trembling and reported: "The old master of the Imperial Son-in-law's residence has arrived!"

  "Come in quickly!" The old lady's face showed joy and she hastily instructed the little maid, "Quickly invite them to come in!"

  The old man came in and paid his respects to Madame.

  The old lady hurriedly asked: "When did the princess say she would come?"

  The old man smiled and said: "The princess says, it's late today, whatever it is, let's talk about it tomorrow!"

  The lady couldn't help but feel disappointed.

  Wang Wenxuan was shocked in her heart.

  It's just past noon... just after lunch... too late to say...

  She personally sent the old man to the second gate, in addition to the reward from the Liang family, she also stuffed a ingot into the old man's hand: "What is the princess doing? Yesterday's birthday banquet also said that her body was not suitable..."

  The old man looked around and said in a low voice, "Your family's second young mistress sent her personal maid to see the princess, and the princess decided not to come!"

  Wang Wenxiu's mouth corners rose high, seeing Grandfather off from the inner courtyard, then turned and went to Diecuiyuan.

  Shen Mu Qingzheng instructed the maids to pack up the trunks. Seeing Wang Wenxian come over, she sighed and went forward: "I don't care about myself, but I have to send Li Mama and Yingfen back. Otherwise, Madame's temper... I've always been this kind of person, as long as someone has helped me, I will never abandon them no matter what, but if it's someone who has made me unhappy, I will never let them off..."

  Wang Wenxiu glanced at Feng Wancheng, who was sitting on the edge of the bed drinking a bowl of ginseng soup, and nodded heavily. With a sense of emotion, she said: "If you don't manage the household, you won't know how precious firewood, rice, oil, and salt are; if you don't handle affairs, you won't know about people's hearts turning against each other. This is exactly the principle - if you can't even protect the people in your own home, what else can you talk about? When I first came to the Liang family, I was just like your third brother and sister, with only two attendants and eight maidservants. But look at me now - if I'm not happy, which matter of the Liang family's affairs can go smoothly?"

  Shen Muqing seemed to have no patience, and she smiled as she pulled Wang Wenxuan's hand, looking at her with a hopeful face: "Sister-in-law, you're here, is there good news to tell me?"

  Wang Wenxi's expression stiffened, and she forced a smile, patting Shen Muqing's hand in a soothing manner. However, she stuttered as she spoke to Feng Wancheng: "Fifth sister-in-law, Madam Feng has come to take you back home... The mistress's intention is to hand you over to the Shen family people... Fifth sister-in-law, what do you think? Do you have any ideas? I'll help you in any way I can..."

  Today is Sunday, tomorrow everyone has to go to work... don't wait for the update! (*^__^*) Hehe......