tallest building

Chapter 184 Sending News

Wen Mingqian had just personally wrapped up a letter and prepared spring clothes and other items and handed them to Sang Er, asking her to send them to Gong Chang'an.

Huixin then brought in an old woman without even having time to greet them from outside, clearly indicating that she had something urgent to attend to.

"Madam Wen, I am an old woman from the Zhou family." The old woman introduced herself breathlessly, "I ran away to find you."

While she was speaking, Huixin had already withdrawn. She had now fully adapted to the life of a nun, living a simple and carefree life, quite at ease.

"What's your name, ma'am? Please sit down and tell me," Wen Mingqian said.

"My surname is Bai, and I do rough work in the Zhou family's kitchen. My daughter is a second-class maid in the madam's room, named Yumei."

Two years ago, the eldest son took a fancy to her and wanted to take her as his wife. My daughter was unwilling, but she didn't dare to disobey her master. Later, it was the eldest mistress who persuaded her to give up. Therefore, our whole family is very grateful to the eldest mistress.

My daughter just rushed to me, saying that our eldest daughter-in-law is in trouble. A cousin from the Cao family is spreading rumors about our eldest daughter-in-law to the madam, saying that she has been having an affair with a man who owns a silk shop and is pregnant.

Our lady actually believed it and called Zhao Mama, the maidservant of the eldest mistress, into the room for interrogation.

My daughter overheard this outside and rushed to find me, urging me to come out quickly and tell my wife that we can't rely on our eldest mistress's family; only you, my wife, are truly helping her.”

Everyone in the Zhou family knows that Wen Mingqian and Liu Cuiyi are close.

"Does Cao Hongyu have any evidence? Or is it just a baseless accusation?" Wen Mingqian asked.

"Oh dear, I don't know about that. My daughter rushed out to deliver the message, how could she dare to say too much!" said Madam Bai. "But she must be framing our eldest mistress. How could our eldest mistress, with her kind of character, do such a despicable thing?"
Even if she has any evidence, it must be fabricated.

“Mother Bai, thank you. If you can pass on a message to Cuiyi, tell her that I will find a way to help her and ask her to be patient.” Wen Mingqian didn’t ask any more questions after hearing this, but only said, “You should go back quickly and not arouse their suspicion.”

Then Aoshuang went out and hired a car for Bai's mother, and sent her off properly.

"What exactly is going on?" Wen Mingqian frowned. "On what grounds did Cao Hongyu frame Cuiyi? If this kind of thing isn't caught red-handed, it will just be a rumor in the end!"
What I fear most is that the Zhou family will be easily swayed by one side's advice and will treat Cuiyi terribly.

Sang Er, who was listening to Bai Mama's words, was already both angry and shocked. Hearing Wen Mingqian say this, she said, "It would be good if it were a frame-up. After all, the innocent will clear themselves."

"What...do you mean by that?" Wen Mingqian looked at her suddenly, a sense of foreboding rising in his heart.

“I’m telling you, this time it really isn’t a frame-up,” Sang Er said helplessly. “Who does Mother think the silk shop owner that Mama Bai is talking about is? It’s my good-for-nothing uncle!”

"What? You mean your uncle and Cuiyi..." Wen Mingqian's eyes widened involuntarily. She couldn't remember the last time she had been so surprised.

“It’s true, I’ve bumped into the two of them before.” Sang Er said with her head down. “I’ve also argued with Sang Sanyang before, but he was out of his mind and wouldn’t listen to me at all.”

I hesitated for a long time before telling Mother, not because I intended to hide it from you, but simply... it was just too difficult to say. "No wonder..." After the initial shock subsided, Wen Mingqian regained his composure and recalled previous clues. "I've always felt that Cuiyi's personality has become much more lively lately, like a different person. And this pregnancy of hers is unusually stable; it shouldn't be... it shouldn't be from the Zhou family."

"So this is a really tricky situation. If I were truly framed, at least I would have a clear conscience. But unfortunately... sigh!"

What if that guy surnamed Cao really has some evidence?

"A guilty conscience needs no accuser," Sang Er said, her face flushed with anxiety. "I'm afraid Liu Aniang herself won't be able to hold on, after all, she's weak-willed." "But that old hag Sang Sanyang is out of town, not in the capital."

“It’s actually a good thing that your uncle isn’t in the capital,” Wen Mingqian quickly assessed the situation. “Even if that Cao guy has evidence, so what? As long as Cuiyi denies it, they can’t do anything about it for the time being.”

“But can Aunt Liu do it?” Sang Er said discouragedly. “The Zhou family is a den of wolves, and there’s that Cao guy too. Besides, this isn’t just about the two of them. Once it’s confirmed, you, Aunt Liu, will definitely be implicated as well.”

“You’ve reminded me,” Wen Mingqian laughed, “In the end, this matter is most likely aimed at me.”

"Targeting you? Why?" Sang Er was puzzled.

"Think about it, that woman surnamed Cao is a guest in the capital. What ability does she have to catch your uncle cheating? Others may not know, but you and I know how thorough your uncle is in his actions."
"Given what happened between him and Cuiyi, he would definitely do everything in his power to protect her. How could he possibly make a careless mistake?" Wen Mingqian analyzed.

“That makes sense,” Sang Er gradually calmed down. “That old man may be shameless, but he’s not that useless. So who could it be…”

"Since they're coming for me, it's most likely the Prince's residence," Wen Mingqian smiled. "How could someone as arrogant and domineering as Princess Liu simply disappear after getting nowhere?"

"I thought it was strange too, all that bravado and then nothing happened," Sang Er said. "Turns out they were hiding behind the scenes, playing dirty tricks!"

“You don’t need to worry that Cuiyi will be unable to hold on. Although she may seem weak and easily bullied on the surface, she actually has a strong will in her heart. Besides, she would never betray your uncle, and she has a child in her belly!” Wen Mingqian had known Liu Cuiyi for many years, so he was sure of this.

“Mother, what else should we do? We can’t just leave Aunt Liu to deal with the Zhou family alone, can we?” Sang Er asked.

“Of course,” Wen Mingqian said. “Bring me my coat; I’m going to see someone.”

"Mother, do you want me to stay with you?" Sang Er asked hurriedly.

“No need, you should still go mail the things,” Wen Mingqian said. “Don’t worry, I’ll be fine on my own in broad daylight.”

“Mother,” Sang Er stood there without grabbing her clothes, “Don’t you…don’t you think what my uncle and the others did was wrong?”

Wen Mingqian looked at her quietly for a moment, then smiled and said, "The right and wrong in this world are not a straight line. Cuiyi and your uncle are both adults. They are not unaware of worldly principles, and they must have struggled and considered them."

As outsiders, we shouldn't judge them too much, nor should we interfere. Ultimately, we can only make our own decisions; we have no say in other people's affairs.