After sharing a body with her husband

The mother and daughter left, but Xie Ruoqiu didn't rush back; she stayed.

From the moment she entered the Xie family's door, she was filled with unease, fearing that Old Madam Wei would take it out on her and criticize her in front of her mother-in-law.

Fortunately, Old Madam Wei gave her some face, and Shang Lingjun ignored her.

Xie Ruoqiu breathed a sigh of relief.

Having finally seized a chance to exchange a few words with Shang Lingjun, she hurriedly began to explain:

"It wasn't me! That snake really has nothing to do with me..."

As if afraid Shang Lingjun wouldn't believe her, Xie Ruoqiu held up three fingers. "I swear!"

Seeing her as if facing a formidable enemy, Shang Lingjun chuckled softly.

"I know it's not you, what's the panic?"

Xie Ruoqiu was stunned. "You really believe me?"

Having eliminated two major threats—Song Yunyi and Xie Ruoqiu—Shang Lingjun was in a relatively good mood.

"You've finally managed to go back to your parents' home, shouldn't you visit the third branch of the family?"

"Uh... I'm waiting for my father to come back so I can greet him," Xie Ruoqiu said.

"Coincidentally, I also have some business to attend to at the third house. Let's keep each other company."

Shang Lingjun hadn't forgotten what she'd been thinking about before. She wanted to go to Xie Zhaoqing's old study to see if there was anything she'd missed.

Although Xie Ruoqiu was somewhat surprised, she also breathed a sigh of relief.

"Okay, Auntie, you go first."

A knowing smile played on Shang Lingjun's lips; she was filled with anticipation...

……

Inside Rongfu Pavilion.

Murong Shi reported the day's events to Old Madam Wei.

"A few days ago, a disturbance broke out on the estate. The foreman, after getting drunk, forcibly took a tenant farmer's wife. The tenant farmer then broke his leg. Fortunately, no one was killed, and the matter has now been resolved."

There's nothing in the accounts, everything's fine. There's just one more thing: Yun-ge'er's birthday is next month, and if we're going to have a banquet, we need to start preparing now. Mother-in-law, what do you think?"

Old Madam Wei waved her hand and said:

"The Empress Dowager has been unwell lately, and the imperial physicians have been summoned twice. It's not a big event like a full moon or a first birthday, so let's not make a big fuss. Just have a meal with your family."

Murong's expression froze, and the smile at the corners of her mouth faded.

"...Well, Mother-in-law is indeed very thoughtful."

Murong hesitated for a moment, then asked:

"Mother-in-law, isn't it a bit too early to let Lingjun learn how to manage the mine?"

"It's not too early. That's not something you can learn in a short time. It will take several years of practice. Let her learn slowly by watching and taking it one step at a time."

"That's what Old Madam Wei said."

Murong was still puzzled:

"But Lady Ling is, after all, a woman. The Seven Houses' businesses are enormous. Even if she learns to manage them, there will be no one to carry on the family line..."

Old Madam Wei spoke slowly and methodically.

"The seventh branch of the family cannot be without an heir. I am thinking of adopting a child to the seventh branch and having him raised by Ati."

Murong's expression changed, and she blurted out:

"Adoption?"

As if realizing her reaction had been a bit too much, Murong forced a dry smile.

"Has your mother-in-law found someone to adopt?"

Old Madam Wei took a sip of tea.

"Not yet. Adoption is no child's play. It's not so easy to choose. The child must be of Xie family blood, no more than two years old, preferably an infant, so that they can be properly raised. It's not easy to choose."

Murong's expression slightly softened.

"Then we really need to choose carefully..."

On the way back, Murong was absent-minded.

"Dongmei, do you think my mother-in-law won't let me throw a big birthday banquet for Yun-ge because she thinks I'm not of high social standing, so she doesn't even want to entertain my own family?"

Mrs. Sun was surprised that Madam Sun would suddenly say that.

"How could that be? The old lady has always valued you, Madam, and entrusted you with all the big and small matters in the house. You are the head of the household and the daughter-in-law carefully chosen by the old lady."

Murong shook her head, as if recalling the past.

"Back then, it was my father-in-law who chose me, considering my cousin relationship with my mother. Over the years, I have diligently managed the household affairs, never daring to be negligent for a single day. I also gave birth to Hengge and his two siblings. Who in the whole capital doesn't praise me for being virtuous and good at managing the household?"

But you know how hard it was behind all this. I went to such lengths just to gain my mother-in-law's approval. But listen to what she said about Lingjun just now—she never said that to me…”

"lady……"

After thinking for a moment, Mrs. Sun advised again:

"Seventh Madam is just a child who hasn't grown up yet. Although the Old Madam doesn't say it, she values ​​you the most. She has entrusted you with all the management of the household, the keys to all the places, and even the account books on the estate. Madam, please don't overthink things."

Murong took a deep breath.

"What you said makes sense. If my mother-in-law didn't value me, she wouldn't have entrusted everything to me. Perhaps as she gets older, she's become more kind to the younger generation, but..."

Murong's brows furrowed.

"You misspoke. It's not about having complete authority. My mother-in-law keeps a tight rein on the seventh branch's property, afraid that our eldest branch might get even a tiny bit of it."

Now, she'd rather hand over the jade mine to a complete novice than let the eldest son's family help. She's wary of them...

Murong looked up at the sparrows on the branches, her eyes slightly narrowed.

"I really can't understand it. They're both sons, so why such bias?"

Are your own grandsons and great-grandsons not as good as an adopted son?

What is she thinking?

Sun's mother looked troubled; she really didn't know what to say.

"lady……"

Murong composed herself and said, "Since Mother-in-law wants to adopt a child for the seventh branch of the family, let's help her choose one carefully."

"Yes."

Sun Mama helped Murong Shi leave.

……

Xie Zhaoqing's belongings were completely burned, and Shang Lingjun couldn't find anything. After asking around, she learned that the clan elders had disposed of all of Xie Zhaoqing's possessions cleanly to avoid any complications, leaving not even a single writing brush behind.

Helpless, Shang Lingjun could only return to Lingfeng Courtyard empty-handed.

She needs to use Xie Yan'an's study.

The writing brush, ink, paper, and inkstone were all prepared. No one was left in the study. One person was strapped on and eager to try.

Yesterday she sent someone out to buy Xie Zhaoqing's posthumous poetry collection.

Shang Lingjun carefully recalled, picked up a wolf-hair brush, dipped it in ink, and wrote down all the poems except those in the poetry collection from memory.

"I remember this poem is called 'Spring River Flower Moon Night,' and His Majesty praised it personally."

Shang Lingjun should quickly write down these poems, otherwise she won't have time when she gets busy later.

She wanted to spread all these poems before Xie Zhaoqing could memorize them all!

Huo Chuan didn't dare to speak, afraid of interrupting her train of thought.

She held her breath and slowly rested, looking at one picture after another. Huo Chuan also stared intently at the pictures, becoming more and more amazed with each one he looked at…