nycdaug Chapter 167: Pandemic
Chapter 167: Pandemic
"Mother Wang, have we arranged all our people? Aunt Tian..." Tang Qingmei lowered her voice and made a gesture of wiping her neck.
Only the dead can keep secrets.
Even if Old Madam Shen really wants to investigate this matter in the future, it would just be Madam Tian's behavior of pretending to obey but actually disobeying her will, and it would have nothing to do with herself as the mistress of the house.
At most, he would be accused of not being careful in employing people.
Ever since Nanny Tian volunteered to go to Taihe County, Tang Qingmei never thought of letting Nanny Tian return to the capital alive.
Her case is that there is no evidence to prove it!
Besides, Madam Shen knew how to weigh the pros and cons, and she hated the Qin family to the core, so she would never punish herself for such a small matter.
"Ma'am, don't worry. Everything has been arranged." Mother Wang smiled and patted the back of Tang Qingmei's hand, giving her a reassuring look.
While they were talking, the carriage left the city gate and headed steadily towards the Jingye Temple.
Old Madam Shen went back and took a nap, and slept until noon.
After drinking the medicine brought by Nanny Qi, he felt a little more energetic, so he asked Nanny Qi to accompany him around the mansion.
Before they knew it, the two of them had turned onto the road leading to Leng Yuexuan.
During the Chinese New Year, Shen Ruyi did not leave the courtyard. Even on the 33rd day of the lunar year, she only sent a servant to report that she was not feeling well and did not eat with Old Madam Shen and the others.
Tang Qingmei did go there with some people, but she came back in a dishevel with tea stains on her hair and clothes.
Seeing this situation, Mrs. Shen was both sad and angry.
What made her sad was that Shen Ruyi, a young lady from a marquis's mansion, could actually be bewitched by a peasant.
It's been ten years since I came back, and I'm still angry with my family.
She was even more angry that Shen Ruyi couldn't tell good from bad and didn't show any respect to her sister-in-law.
As a sister-in-law, she has lowered herself to others time and again, but she not only does not appreciate it, but also embarrasses others everywhere.
Old Madam Shen was so angry at the time that she wanted to take people to Lengyuexuan to scold Shen Ruyi on the spot, but was stopped by Tang Qingmei.
Old Madam Shen was waiting for Shen Ruyi to come and apologize to her, but she never got the chance and her heart was broken.
At this moment, she looked down at the path leading to Leng Yuexuan, turned around and was about to go back.
But then Ah Qi, the servant and guard beside Shen Junxing, came from another path holding a wooden box.
"Where are you going? Why aren't you serving Xing'er?" Old Madam Shen frowned. At this time, Ah Qi should be with Shen Junxing.
"Reporting to the old lady, Lord Shen got some new and interesting things from his colleagues during the court this morning, and I brought them back for the eldest lady."
Ah Qi stepped forward respectfully, bowed, and answered the old lady's question.
"He does have feelings for that evil girl, but she has to appreciate it." A trace of anger appeared on Old Lady Shen's face again.
Ah Qi didn't know how to answer this question and could only stand aside in silence.
"Okay, get up. You just go and see him off." Old Madam Shen waved impatiently at Di Aqi and sent him away.
Ah Qi had only taken a few steps when Old Madam Shen suddenly had an idea and also wanted to go to Lengyuexuan.
"Since we're here, let's go take a look together." After saying this, Mrs. Shen walked towards Leng Yuexuan first without waiting for Ah Qi's response.
Seeing that Madam Shen was going to Lengyuexuan, Nanny Qi broke out in a cold sweat.
Normally, every time Madam Shen wanted to see Leng Yuexuan, she would notify them in advance.
Madam Shen left today without any time to let the people over there prepare. Madam Qi was extremely upset and stood there for a while thinking about how to respond.
"Why are you still standing there? Are you hot?" Old Madam Shen turned around and glared at Aunt Qi who was standing there in a daze, her face full of impatience.
Even Ah Qi couldn't help but look at Aunt Qi sideways.
"Ah, please forgive me, I didn't sleep well last night, and I was distracted for a while."
Nanny Qi made up her mind and hurried forward to support Old Madam Shen, fearing that someone would find out what was going on.
At this time, in the courtyard of Leng Yuexuan, a leading old woman, after having eaten and drunk her fill, was sitting around the stone table under the tree of Leng Yuexuan with five or six servants, eating melon seeds and talking and laughing.
There was also a small bowl of unfinished white fungus and bird's nest on the table, as well as a few plates of leftover dishes such as braised pork elbow, crystal chicken, and a plate of fresh seasonal fruits.
Two maids were kneading her shoulders and legs in a servile manner.
Old Madam Shen could clearly hear the bursts of laughter coming from Lengyuexuan from a distance.
Nanny Qi thought to herself that something was wrong. After a little thought, she realized that it must be Leng Yuexuan's servants who were slacking off again.
I know that my wife went to Jingye Temple today, so I was so presumptuous.
In the past, Old Madam Shen did not come to Leng Yuexuan very often. As the head of the family, Shen Junxing was busy with court affairs every day and had no time to take care of her.
After receiving Tang Qingmei's instructions, the servants began to neglect Shen Ruyi.
Aunt Qi hated Tang Qingmei, but because her grandson's life was in danger, she had to make plans for Tang Qingmei.
Madam Qi wanted to die so much that she wanted to warn the servants serving in Lengyuexuan first.
"Madam, wait a moment. Allow me to go and inform them first."
"Why are you in such a hurry? No need to inform her. Ruyi's courtyard hasn't been so lively for a long time, don't spoil her mood." Listening to the laughter inside, Mrs. Shen's heart softened immediately.
After all, she was the baby that crawled out of her belly. Even if she was dissatisfied with Shen Ruyi, Old Madam Shen was still somewhat moved at this moment.
Nanny Qi was stopped and followed behind Old Man Shen, helpless.
I can only pray secretly that they don't go too far.
The door of Lengyuexuan was only slightly ajar. When Old Madam Shen pushed open the door, the old women were still eating melon seeds and chatting.
There were fallen leaves, melon seeds and fruit peels scattered all over the ground in front of the yard.
Aunt Qi wanted to speak up to remind her, but when she saw Madam Shen's face as dark as ink and Ah Qi who was standing beside her without saying a word, she finally resigned herself to her fate and shut her mouth.
"Let's keep our voices down. It's not good to disturb the young lady..."
A timid old woman spoke tremblingly.
"Bah! What are you afraid of? Madam went to Jingye Temple today and won't be back for several days. No one else is coming here." The burly old woman in the lead spat on the ground and rolled her eyes.
"But she is the eldest daughter after all..." The maid who said this was new and felt very uneasy.
"What young lady? It's just a title. Who in this mansion takes her seriously? Are you afraid that she will complain to the old lady? But the old lady has to believe it. What if she really complains? Our lady can just coax her and fool her away..."
The old woman deliberately spoke loudly towards the room, not taking Shen Ruyi seriously at all.
Her words immediately caused a burst of laughter.
Shen Ruyi's door remained closed the entire time, as if she hadn't heard the noise outside.
"Why did that damn maid Cuizhi take so long to buy some wine? Just wait and see how I deal with her."
The leading woman threw away the melon seed shell in her hand, stood up shakily, and looked towards the door.
This sight frightened her to death.