Chapter 184: Exchanging Information
Wen Mingqian had just finished packing a letter and the prepared spring clothes into a bundle, handing them to Sang Er to mail to Gong Changan.
Hui Xin then entered with an old woman, not even having time to announce herself outside, clearly indicating an urgent matter.
“Madam Wen, I am an old woman from the Zhou Family,” the old woman panted, introducing herself. “I snuck out to find you.”
While she was speaking, Hui Xin had already withdrawn. She had fully adapted to her life as a nun, living a simple and ascetic life daily, which she found quite peaceful.
“What is your name, Granny? Please sit down and tell me slowly,” Wen Mingqian said.
“My surname is Bai. I work in the kitchen at the Zhou Family’s. My daughter is a second-tier maid in Madam’s chambers, named Yu Mei.
Two years ago, the Eldest Young Master fancied her and wanted to take her as a concubine. My daughter was unwilling, but she dared not refuse her master. Later, the First Madam persuaded him, and it was dropped. Therefore, our whole family is very grateful to the First Madam.
Just now, my daughter rushed to find me, saying the First Madam is in trouble. The Cao Family’s cousin, Miss Cao, is with Madam and spreading rumors about our First Madam, saying she had an affair with someone who runs a silk shop and is pregnant.
Our Madam actually believed it and called Granny Zhao, the First Madam’s companion, into her room for interrogation.
My daughter overheard this outside and quickly found me, asking me to hurry out and tell you, Madam. After all, our First Madam’s maternal home cannot be relied upon; only you, Madam, are truly helping her.”
Everyone in the Zhou Family knew that Wen Mingqian and Liu Cuiyi were close.
“Does that Cao Hongyu have any evidence? Or is it just baseless slander?” Wen Mingqian asked.
“Oh dear, I don’t know about that. My daughter was in such a hurry to deliver the message, how could she dare say too much!” Granny Bai said. “But it must be slander against our First Madam. Given the First Madam’s character, how could she do such a sordid thing?
Even if she has any evidence, it must be fake.”
“Granny Bai, thank you. If you can pass a message to Cuiyi, tell her I will find a way to help her and that she must be patient,” Wen Mingqian said after listening, without asking further questions. “Hurry back now, don’t arouse their suspicion.”
She then had Ao Shuang go out to hire a carriage for Granny Bai and send her off properly.
“What exactly is going on?” Wen Mingqian frowned. “Why would Cao Hongyu slander Cuiyi? If such a thing isn’t caught red-handed, it’s just rumors in the end!
I’m afraid the Zhou Family will just believe whatever they hear and torment Cuiyi to death.”
Sang Er, having listened to Granny Bai, was already both angry and shocked. Hearing Wen Mingqian say this, she spoke, “It would be good if it were just slander, after all, the innocent will remain innocent.”
“What do you mean by that…?” Wen Mingqian looked at her sharply, a sense of foreboding rising in her heart.
“I mean this time it’s not actually slander,” Sang Er said helplessly. “The person running the silk shop that Granny Bai mentioned, who do you think Mother suspects? It’s my good-for-nothing uncle!”
“What? You mean your uncle and Cuiyi…” Wen Mingqian’s eyes widened involuntarily. She couldn’t remember how many years it had been since she was this shocked.
“It’s true, I’ve caught them together before,” Sang Er said, lowering her head. “I’ve also argued with Sang Sanyang, but he was infatuated and wouldn’t listen at all.
I hesitated for a long time before telling Mother, not intentionally hiding it from you, but it’s just… it’s just too difficult to say.”
“No wonder…” After the initial shock passed, Wen Mingqian regained her composure and recalled previous clues. “I always felt Cuiyi had become much livelier recently, like a different person. And her pregnancy has been unusually stable, it should… it shouldn’t be the Zhou family’s.”
“So this is really tricky. If it were truly slander, at least one would have a clear conscience. But unfortunately… sigh!
If that Cao woman really has any evidence, what then?
As the saying goes, a guilty conscience makes one fearful. I’m afraid Mother Liu herself won’t be able to hold on, especially since she’s so soft-hearted,” Sang Er said, her face flushing red. “And Sang Sanyang, that old scoundrel, has gone out of town and isn’t in the Capital City.”
“It’s a good thing your uncle isn’t in the Capital City,” Wen Mingqian quickly assessed the situation. “Even if that Cao woman has evidence, so what? As long as Cuiyi denies it firmly, they won’t be able to do anything for a while.”
“But can Mother Liu do that?” Sang Er said dejectedly. “The Zhou family are all wolves, and that Cao woman too. Besides, this isn’t just about them; once it’s confirmed, you, Mother, will definitely be implicated too.”
“You’ve reminded me,” Wen Mingqian smiled. “In the end, this matter is likely aimed at me.”
“At you? Why?” Sang Er was momentarily confused.
“Think about it, that Cao woman is staying in the Capital City. What ability does she have to catch your uncle in the act? Others might not know, but don’t we know how meticulous your uncle is in his affairs?
If he and Cuiyi have gotten into this situation, he would definitely do his utmost to protect her completely. How could he make such a careless mistake?” Wen Mingqian analyzed.
“That’s true,” Sang Er also gradually calmed down. “Although that old scoundrel is shameless, he’s not so incompetent as to reach this point. Then who could it be…”
“Since it’s aimed at me, it’s most likely the Prince’s Mansion,” Wen Mingqian smiled. “How could someone as arrogant and overbearing as County Princess Liu, after being thwarted, just disappear without a trace?”
“I found it strange before too, that after such a fierce display, there was no more news,” Sang Er said. “So she was hiding behind the scenes, playing dirty tricks!”
“You don’t need to worry about Cuiyi not being able to hold on. Although she appears weak and easily bullied on the surface, she has a strong will deep down. Moreover, she would never betray your uncle, and there’s the child in her belly!” Wen Mingqian, having known Liu Cuiyi for many years, was certain of this.
“Mother, what else should we do? We can’t just leave Mother Liu to deal with those people from the Zhou Family alone, can we?” Sang Er asked.
“Naturally,” Wen Mingqian said. “Get my outer coat. I need to go see someone.”
“Mother, do you want me to accompany you?” Sang Er asked quickly.
“No need, you should go mail the things,” Wen Mingqian said. “Don’t worry, I’ll be fine alone in broad daylight.”
“Mother,” Sang Er stood there, not reaching for the clothes. “Don’t you… don’t you think what my uncle and the others are doing is wrong?”
Wen Mingqian looked at her quietly for a moment, then smiled. “Right and wrong in this world are not a straight line. Whether it’s Cuiyi or your uncle, they are both adults now. They are not ignorant of worldly principles, and they must have struggled and considered their options.
For us outsiders, we shouldn’t judge them too much, nor should we interfere. In the end, we can only control ourselves; we have no say in other people’s affairs.”
