After being jilted, the entire neighboring village was filled with deep regret.

As expected, Sang Shi caused quite a commotion and almost ran out of the Ma residence. Many people on the street saw this and inevitably gathered outside the Ma residence to discuss it.

That night, two carriages quietly left the Ma residence.

After settling Bai down, Ma Xingteng and the others immediately took the strawberry jam to Zhaohua County.

The strawberry jam was in high demand and short supply, and this deal could be completed without going through the Bai family. Ma Xingteng only went to the Bai residence to pay his respects to Master Bai after the strawberry jam was sold out.

The father-in-law and son-in-law talked for a long time in the study.

Master Bai sent someone to summon Qin, Bai's birth mother, and instructed her: "Rong'er's mother-in-law is seriously ill and has caused quite a bit of trouble. Her maid, Shiliu, has also betrayed her. It's difficult for her to manage the Ma family's affairs all by herself. Since you have nothing to do, you can go back with your son-in-law to help Rong'er. It would be good if you could talk to her."

Qin was flattered and overwhelmed, completely unable to believe that such a good thing would fall on her head. She asked tremblingly, "Master, should we inform Madam at this time?"

Ma Xingteng's heart tightened, but he said calmly, "My mother-in-law is not in good health. I originally thought of going over to tell her, but I was afraid of upsetting her, so I only discussed it with my father-in-law."

Master Bai nodded slightly. “Madam needs to rest. The eldest young mistress is in charge of the household affairs now. You can just tell her. I’ll talk to Madam in a couple of days.”

In Master Bai's opinion, this matter was nothing at all.

He's getting old now and doesn't have much interest in women, so Qin Shi is naturally not very useful to him.

Besides, Qin Shi's beauty has faded, so keeping her in the mansion would just be like keeping another idle person. It would be better to send Qin Shi to the Ma family, which would also save the mansion some expenses.

Overjoyed, Madam Qin quickly thanked Master Bai and went back to pack her luggage.

Ma Xingteng waited until Qin finished tidying up before going with her to see Zhu.

Zhu Shi was very supportive of Qin Shi's decision to go to the Bai family. Her thoughts were the same as Master Bai's. The Bai family's finances had not been good in recent years. There were many servants in the mansion, but many of them did not have any jobs and still had to be supported by money. She had been complaining about this for a long time.

Especially Master Bai's concubines, they were real parasites, daring to do nothing, yet they received a considerable monthly allowance.

Seeing that Madam Zhu agreed so readily, Madam Qin was even happier. Before leaving, she asked, "Young Madam, how will my monthly allowance be paid from now on?"

Zhu's face stiffened.

Ma Xingteng, who was standing to the side, never expected Qin to ask such a question and subconsciously looked at Zhu.

Zhu's face turned somewhat unpleasant. Just as she was about to speak, Ma Xingteng said, "Madam, in principle, since you don't live in the mansion, it's not appropriate for you to receive the mansion's monthly allowance."

Zhu's expression softened a bit, and then Ma Xingteng changed the subject, saying, "But you did give birth to a daughter for the Bai family, so it is only right that the Bai family should support you."

Zhu's face fell again.

Seeing that things were going well, Ma Xingteng quickly pondered and said, "How about this, the eldest young mistress returns Aunt Qin's indenture to her, and I'll take her back to the Ma family. From now on, Aunt Qin will be a member of the Ma family and will have nothing to do with the Bai family."

“How can that be! Aunt Qin has at least given birth to children for the Bai family. Our Bai family is not the kind of cold-blooded and heartless family!” Madam Zhu refused.

Ma Xingteng laughed and said, "I heard that my brother-in-law's concubines who had given birth to children all remarried, and you found them all good families. This not only saved the household expenses but also earned them a good reputation. Aunt Qin's situation is similar to theirs. My household is in chaos, and I thought Aunt Qin would be more useful in my household than staying in the Bai family, so I made this suggestion. The eldest young mistress's agreement is a great help to me, and I will definitely repay this favor in the future. What do you say?"

To be honest, Mrs. Zhu was genuinely tempted. She even acted coy and asked, "If I also wanted to start a strawberry jam business, would you agree?"

"Of course I agree! How could I not agree! We're all family, helping each other is only right." Ma Xingteng answered without the slightest hesitation.

Zhu was delighted and immediately asked Rulan to fetch Qin's indenture and hand it to Ma Xingteng. She whispered, "Qin's indenture should be under my mother-in-law's control. I can't make decisions without her consent. Fortunately, she's ill, and I have the key to the storeroom. We'll handle this quietly. You should leave now!"

Ma Xingteng expressed his gratitude again, this time with a greater sense of sincerity.

After watching the two men get into the carriage and leave, Madam Zhu returned to her courtyard in high spirits.

Rulan hesitated and asked, "Master, if you just let Aunt Qin leave like this, Madam will definitely cause you trouble when she finds out."

Zhu scoffed dismissively, "What's there to be afraid of! She's like a tiger with its teeth pulled out now. Even if she pounces on me, she can't hurt me. She's just Aunt Qin. It's worth it to trade her for a profitable business!"

Even if her father-in-law knew, he wouldn't say anything. After all, the Bai family's business was declining day by day, and several of their shops were on the verge of collapse. They couldn't afford to wait any longer and had to find a solution.

Upon hearing this, Rulan fell silent.

Madam Bai only learned of Ma Xingteng's visit to the Bai family the next day. Upon hearing the name, her face immediately darkened. "Where is Bai Rong? Did she come back with us?"

Granny Li stepped forward respectfully and replied, "No, only Ma Xingteng. I heard he went to the master's study, and then went to see the eldest young mistress with Concubine Qin. This old servant wanted to inquire, but the eldest young mistress's people stopped me outside and even had someone watch me as I returned to the main courtyard to serve the mistress."

They wouldn't even let this old servant leave this courtyard. I only heard this morning that Ma Xingteng had gone back, so I rushed to report to you."

She thought Ma Xingteng would stay in the county town for a few more days and would come to visit her every day, so there was no rush. Who knew that the scoundrel would just run away like that.

Madam Bai was displeased, very displeased. She coldly ordered, "Go to the Ma family and tell them that I am seriously ill and that Bai Rong should come back to take care of me."

Granny Li hurried out to make arrangements. As soon as she reached the backyard, she saw Madam Zhu getting into the carriage to leave. She hesitated and turned around, but Madam Zhu stopped her, asking, "What do you want?"

"It's alright, I'm not here." Granny Li lowered her head guiltily.

Madam Zhu sneered, "Granny Li, I know your temperament. I advise you to be sensible and say what you want to say, don't force me to take action!"

Thinking of her knocked-out teeth, Granny Li was so frightened that she quickly knelt down. "Young Madam, the Madam is ill. She misses the children and asked this old servant to inform Miss Rong and the others to come back."

"Cough cough cough!" Zhu choked on her saliva, looked at Li Mama in disbelief, her face full of anger, "Li Mama! Mother is delirious, are you delirious too? A married daughter is like water spilled, her sister-in-law and the others are no longer members of the Bai family."

Her husband's family is too busy with their own affairs; how could they expect you to be at their beck and call? You're really taking yourselves far too seriously!

Zhu didn't hold back in his sarcastic remarks.

Granny Li didn't dare to talk back at all. (End of Chapter)