Do You Know?: Rule the World

"It's true that I can't do anything about it, but last time I helped you copy the 'Salt and Iron Treatise', my wrists were sore for three days."

Minglan's eyes rolled, and she suddenly moved closer to Xiaotao, a cunning light flashing in her almond eyes.

"Hey Xiaotao, do you want to eat roasted lamb and grilled quail?"

Xiao Tao shook her head repeatedly, "Miss, don't try to bribe me. My second brother said he won't allow me to..."

"Add another sweet-scented osmanthus cake!"

After hearing this, Xiao Tao swallowed uncontrollably, and Minglan took the opportunity to put the pen directly into her hand.

"Help me copy two pages, and I'll make them for you after class tomorrow!"

After saying that, Minglan buried her head on the table and dozed off regardless of Xiaotao's resentful look.

At the same time, the old lady was inside the house.

Wang Ruofu knelt on the ground, her face pale, clutching her handkerchief tightly, and occasionally raised her eyes to peek at the old lady's expression.

Rulan knelt on the side, sobbing softly, her almond-shaped eyes red from crying, like a frightened little rabbit.

Although she looked sharp-tongued, she only quarreled with Molan and was always afraid of the old lady.

At this moment, I didn't even dare to beg for mercy.

"I won't mention the Sheng family. I'll just ask Hua'er and Aunt Kang, who means more to you?"

As the old lady spoke, her sharp eyes pierced straight at him.

Wang Ruofu shrank her neck and whispered, "Mother, since you're asking this, it's... naturally Hua'er."

"My sister said that this matter is very safe. The moneylenders are all old acquaintances, and the interest is also according to the rules."

"I was just confused and greedy for money, so I believed her."

"Besides, I told my sister a few days ago that I would no longer lend her money at usury. Now the accounts have almost been settled. I don't know why this news suddenly spread."

The old lady narrowed her eyes and snorted coldly, "Your husband is keeping his tail between his legs outside, always on edge, afraid that he will be caught in the wrong by accident."

"But you, on the other hand, not only don't you know how to restrain yourself, but you also follow your good-for-nothing sister and act recklessly!"

"What kind of business is lending money at high interest? You'll get stabbed in the back!"

"If this gets to the Imperial Censor's ears, think about it. Will your sister bear the responsibility for you, or will the Sheng family and Hua'er bear the responsibility for you?"

"Hua'er may have given birth to a grandson, but how many eyes are eyeing the position of Crown Princess?"

Rulan's heart trembled as she listened, and she couldn't help but wipe away her tears again.

Just as Wang Ruofu was about to speak, Sheng Hong came into the house panting and jogging. He raised his hand and pointed at Wang Ruofu. His lips trembled and he couldn't say a single word.

"It's over, Mother is finished now..."

Rulan said to herself.

She and her maid Xi Que moved to the side unnoticeably, fearing that Sheng Hong would notice her.

After a while, Sheng Hong calmed down and said angrily, "Oh my God, you are so brave!"

"In this magnificent capital of Bianjing, at the foot of the emperor, at the very gate of the imperial city, you dare to lend money at high interest rates. How many officials' families have been convicted because of this!

"You just want to see me dismissed from office, tattooed, and then exiled, so that you can feel happy, right?"

Wang Ruofu collapsed on the ground and cried, "My dear, I know I was wrong. I will never listen to my sister again."

Sheng Hong stared at her straight in the eyes, looked up to the sky and sighed, "If this gets out, even if His Highness remembers the good times we had together, he will not abandon Hua'er."

"I'm afraid the emperor will immediately issue an imperial decree to reprimand her and appoint a new Crown Princess."

"Idiot, big idiot!"

Madam Liu, who was also kneeling beside them, saw her mistress, who looked terrified, and pleaded, "Master, old lady, anyway, this matter hasn't been spread out, and the mistress has already stopped."

"This old slave deserves to die! I shouldn't have tried to excuse the lady!"

"It's just that the eldest lady has been taking care of the household chores for these years. Even if she has no credit, she has worked hard. This time, she was ultimately bewitched by Aunt Kang."

"Besides, there are my eldest sister and my second brother. My second brother will take the imperial examination next year, so this is a crucial time."

"Please, my Lord, please forgive me this time!"

Upon hearing this, Sheng Hong turned his head and looked at the old lady.

The old lady held her forehead and didn't even lift her eyelids. It was obvious that she didn't want to deal with this matter anymore.

The room was horribly quiet for a moment. Rulan forced herself to stop sobbing and didn't dare to make a sound.

Although this matter was dangerous, fortunately it did not get out to the outside world. If the punishment was too severe, it would be difficult to explain to the Wang family if they knew about it.

After weighing the pros and cons, Sheng Hong frowned and said, "From today on, you will go to the ancestral hall and kneel down to reflect on your actions. When you truly repent, you can stand up again."

"I think you don't need to worry about this matter of being the head of the family anymore."

Wang Ruofu opened her mouth when she heard this. Kneeling in the ancestral hall was not a big deal, it was just suffering.

But if the power to manage the family falls into Lin Qinshuang's hands, she doesn't know when she can get it back.

"Sir!" she cried out.

The old lady knew very well how this happened today.

She had this outburst just to teach Wang Ruofu a lesson that she would never forget.

If we don't teach him a lesson, I'm afraid this fool will be used as a gun and drag the entire Sheng family into trouble.

As for Lin Qinshuang becoming the head of the family, forget it.

The old lady looked at Sheng Hong and said at the right moment, "Wei is a very capable person. I think we should let her take charge of the household for now. When the eldest lady truly repents, we can discuss the handover."

"Wei?" Sheng Hong raised his eyebrows, feeling quite surprised.

"She's a softie. Can she really manage the household? I think it's better to let..."

Before Sheng Hong finished speaking, Wang Ruofu quickly said, "Wei Shi is indeed suitable. She is very considerate and is the perfect person to manage the household!"

Compared to Lin Qinshuang, she would rather choose Wei Shuyi. At least Wei is honest and obedient, and there is still room for maneuver in the future.

The old lady said: "Don't underestimate Wei. Although she has a gentle personality, she is never vague when it comes to setting rules."

"Have you noticed anything wrong with her Tingxueju over the past few years?"

Sheng Hong thought about it carefully and it seemed to be true. He bowed and said, "Then do as mother says."

Then, he turned his head and looked at Wang Ruofu, "Why don't you go to the ancestral hall and kneel down!"

At night, in Songmo Residence, Sheng Changbai's residence, he was still reviewing his lessons in the study.

The maid Yang Hao came in quietly with hot tea and placed the teacup gently on the table.

She hesitated for a moment and whispered, "Second brother, why don't you go and ask the master for help? The eldest lady is still kneeling in the ancestral hall."

"It's been three hours, and the master won't even allow me to send you food or a mat."

Upon hearing this, Sheng Changbai put down the book and frowned.

"It was my mother's fault in the first place. She couldn't even handle this little punishment. Why did she listen to the slander?"

"A trickle of water, if it is not blocked, will eventually become a river. Let the mother reflect on this, so as not to cause greater disasters in the future."

Seeing that he had a stern face and looked determined, Yang Hao immediately shut up and stopped talking about the matter.

Chapter 104 General Xiao Zheng, teaches Aunt Kang a lesson

Caihuan, who had been acting as the informant between the two, secretly informed Hualan about Wang Ruofu's punishment the next day.

Hua Lan didn't hide anything from Zhao Han.

In her opinion, it would be better to tell the truth herself than to let the official hear it from other sources.

In the backyard, she raised her hand to pour a cup of tea for Zhao Han and said softly, "One wrong step will lead to eternal damnation."

"I hope mother will learn her lesson this time and not be provoked by my aunt."

Zhao Han held her slightly cold hand and said, "My mother-in-law has a straightforward temper and is very simple-minded. She is easily instigated."

"But if this aunt of the Kang family is not taught a lesson, I'm afraid she will cause trouble again in the future."

Hua Lan's eyes lit up with warmth when she heard this, and then she sighed softly and said, "Your Highness knows my mother quite well."

"Although she acted rashly, one thing she never had was the slightest intention of harming anyone."

"I wonder how Your Highness intends to teach your aunt a lesson?"

Although she is her biological aunt, she can't stand her repeated instigation of trouble. In order to protect her mother and the Sheng family, Hualan no longer cares about her grandmother's face.

Zhao Han picked up the teacup with a faint smile on his lips.

"I think my father-in-law is probably trying to destroy the loan agreement now."

"After he completely destroys it, we can find an opportunity to publicize the Kang family's high-interest loan."

If this matter gets out, it will be impossible for Kang Haifeng to be reinstated.

Wang Ruoyu lost all his face among the officials and their wives in Bian Jing.

The old lady of the Wang family has the ability to cover up the affairs between Wang Ruo and the harem, but it is difficult to stop the gossips of the people.

Speaking of which, Wang Heng's official position has been stagnant over the years, which is also related to Wang Ruoyu.

Although Old Master Wang has passed away long ago, he left behind a wealth of connections.

As long as Wang Heng focused on his career and managed these relationships well, why would he have to stay in office for so many years?

Unfortunately, in order to support Wang Ruo and deal with the aftermath, the Wang family has been spending money non-stop and has been trying to beg people for help and find ways to deal with the aftermath.

Wang's aunt therefore hated Wang Ruoyu very much, but Old Lady Wang and Wang Heng were still determined to protect their sister.

Even if Wang Ruoyu wanted to use Wang Ruofu as a scapegoat, there was no written loan contract, so it was just a random accusation.

Besides, if she really did that, no matter how stupid Wang Ruofu was, she would be able to see that this sister had no sibling affection for her.

Hualan blinked.

She walked around behind Zhao Han, raised her hand and gently placed it on his shoulder, kneading it while whispering, "Auntie is very proud."

"If others knew that the Kang family had fallen to the point of relying on loan sharking to survive, it would probably be more painful than taking her life."