Contentment with modest wealth

Chapter 391 My Big Brother Isn't That Kind of Person

"That's good!"

Granny Li breathed a sigh of relief.

“I had no other choice,” Lu Ying murmured. “If I hadn’t made a move last night, I would have been the one to die.”

"I've already made a move, and if I don't find a way to cover it up, I'm going to die anyway."

"I know there must still be flaws, but I have no other way out but to do this. This way, I can at least buy myself a few more days."

"What if Father really succeeds in the next few days? What if Sister also comes up with a solution?"

Granny Li nodded emphatically: "That's right! Every day we delay gives us more hope!"

Lu Ying swallowed hard: "I still need to rely on the Lu family for the rest of my life. No matter how much my father despises me, he still acknowledges that I am his daughter. If even my father completely abandons me and disowns me, then I will have no place to stand."

"So for my own sake, I absolutely cannot cause him any trouble at this critical juncture."

"If my sister doesn't save me then, or if she can't save me in time, I will naturally be at the mercy of the Yan family."

"But since there's no way back, why not charge forward recklessly!"

Granny Li hugged her.

Is the Third Young Mistress inside?

The three, master and servant, were weeping with their heads in their hands when a shout came from the courtyard.

Granny Li quickly wiped the tears from her eyes and went outside.

It turned out to be the head housekeeper from the main house, who came to visit Lu Ying on the old lady's orders.

The old lady is still bedridden and unable to bear the pain of losing her son.

Such a major event occurred last night, so no one dared to disturb her, nor did they dare to invite her to such a dangerous place. Therefore, the details were not known until this morning.

Although the head housekeeper came to visit Lu Ying, she naturally had other purposes as well. Currently, the only two matriarchs in the household who could rightfully manage affairs were the old lady and Lu Ying.

Yan Song would never agree to let his wife do all the work, so Lu Ying had to step in and continue handling affairs.

Lu Ying saw through her intentions and naturally agreed: "Since I've taken on this responsibility, I certainly won't dare to neglect it. Besides, we're in dire need of manpower right now, so my granddaughter-in-law would never dare to shirk her duties."

The head housekeeper breathed a sigh of relief. She spoke even more kindly: "The old lady often says that it is the Third Young Master's good fortune to marry the Third Young Mistress. You are always kind and decisive in your actions. And when it comes to the crucial moment, it has truly proven you right."

"Things within the manor and matters at the mourning hall really can't function without the Third Young Mistress in charge."

Lu Yingqian said a few words and personally saw her out.

Her maternal grandmother, Wei, had been having an affair with Yan Song for many years right under the old lady's nose. Yan Song was both her husband's grandfather and her own maternal grandfather, and he was still a thorn in the old lady's side. How could she possibly praise her sincerely?

In the past six months since I married into the family, apart from necessary occasions such as New Year's banquets, I have never been summoned to the main room even once.

At this moment, the sweet date is merely a reward for the donkey pushing the millstone.

"That's fine too." She said to the empty courtyard, "There's a new death in the mourning hall, so there will be a lot of supplies to be made."

"My sister's adoptive mother lives in Yanzi Hutong, which is not far from Nanshi."

……

Since Madam Yan's family had fallen on hard times, far fewer people came to mourn her than Yan Shu had in the past. Even so, they were still received for a whole day.

At night, Yan Song suddenly sent word, so Yan Liang asked his concubine children to keep vigil while he returned home first.

"I heard you let the third son's wife live alone in the Qiyu Pavilion?" Yan Song asked seriously. "What kind of behavior is this?"

Yan Liang bowed: "So that Grandfather may know that Madam Lu's identity is sensitive, and these are turbulent times. I have made this arrangement so that I can keep a close watch on her." Yan Song's expression relaxed slightly: "That doesn't have to be the case. There are so many servants in the mansion; it would be enough to have a few more people follow her."

“I’ve been hearing some gossip lately. You’re such a respectable young master; you shouldn’t let your reputation be ruined.”

Yan Liang paused for a moment, then said, "My grandson knows what he's doing."

“Grandfather,” Yan Qu said as he entered, “eldest brother is not that kind of person. His mother, Madam Lu, is of lowly birth, and eldest brother looks down on her.”

These words left Yan Song and Yan Liang speechless.

……

It was late at night when Yan Liang returned to his room.

One lamp was still lit in the Qiyu Pavilion.

He turned his gaze away and went into the room, where he saw the desk piled high with posts and ledgers.

In the past, everyone in the mansion had their own area of ​​responsibility. Yan Song was focused on dealing with the emperor and the cabinet court; Yan Shu and his wife were in charge of external affairs and internal affairs respectively, and they worked together tacitly; Yan Liang assisted Yan Shu and had his own circle of officials' children. Things that Yan Shu couldn't handle or social engagements that were not commensurate with their status would be handed over to him.

Within just a few days, Jin Shi was gone, the emperor punished her, Yan Shu died, and Madam Yan also passed away. Yan Song was still busy with court affairs, and all the affairs of the household fell on Yan Liang's shoulders.

He sat down on the tatami mat closest to the door and reached out to push open the window.

Through the window, and through the carved window in the courtyard wall, you can see a few sparks in the opposite courtyard.

When the butler came in, Yan Liang was already asleep, leaning against the pillows. There was a faint scent of calming incense in the room.

He turned slightly, but a hoarse voice came from behind him: "What is it?"

The steward hurried back and placed a bowl of tea and two snacks on the tea table: "The Third Young Mistress has already come out to take charge of affairs this afternoon. Everyone in the mansion is performing their duties, and everything is running smoothly."

"You mentioned earlier that the eldest young master is extremely busy and may not have eaten, so I specially prepared some food for him."

Yan Liang sat up straight and tucked the sachet beside him back into his sleeve: "Where is the Third Young Master staying now?"

"The Third Young Master found the Qiyu Pavilion too cramped, saying that since he was going to observe mourning anyway, he temporarily moved to the study, which was closer to the mourning hall."

"Keep a close eye on him. He is in deep mourning, so don't let him get close to women. Replace all the servants around him with young boys."

Yan Qu's absurdity was no longer a secret, and the steward agreed.

Someone came in from outside: "Reporting to the eldest young master, a letter came from the Dali Temple saying that Lu Shang—Lu Jie—has made new progress in the case of Zhou Sheng! Zhou Sheng has revealed almost everything he knows! This evening, another group of people were interrogated!"

Yan Liang took the letter from him, his already gloomy expression becoming even more somber.

He crumpled the letter into a ball in a few quick motions.

"This sudden disaster at this critical juncture has actually given Lu Jie some time. With such favorable timing and circumstances, it would be strange if he didn't succeed!"

He turned his head: "Where is Zhou Shengguan?"

"Still in Dali Temple Prison."

"Will we be able to find an opportunity to eliminate him?"

"I'm afraid not." The steward shook his head. "The staff in the manor have already discussed it. Since Lu Jie received the Emperor's decree, he has had people guarding Zhou Sheng himself, and all the case files, evidence, confessions, and other documents are always with him. There has been no opportunity for him to switch or steal them."

"If this continues, won't he be able to report back to the Emperor in just a few days?"

"The gentlemen said that at most three more days would be enough to close the case!"

Yan Liang covered his forehead with his palm.