Do You Know?: I, the Little Cabinet Elder, Regent of the World

"I—" Lin Qinshuang's eyes darted away, realizing there was a logical flaw in her statement.

She had been under house arrest since her daughter's affair began, and all she could think about was how to persuade Sheng Hong to ask Liang Han for her hand in marriage.

This hasty question left her momentarily at a loss for a suitable excuse.

Sheng Hong's expression changed drastically, and he could hardly believe it: "It's you!"

"You're the one who spread it!"

"Honglang." Lin Qinshuang was flustered and didn't know how to explain herself.

"No wonder!"

With a long sigh, Sheng Hong brushed his face with his hand: "When Mo'er's incident came to light, I specifically interrogated her, and you arrived later than anyone else."

"When Mo'er's incident happened, some people asked me what happened. I could only make up a reason, saying that Mo'er accidentally fell to the ground, and Liang Han happened to see it and helped her up."

Lin Qinshuang argued, "That way, once the two get married, we can simply say that Mo'er and Liang Han were already engaged, which is why she reached out to help. Even if that's said, the Sheng and Liang families can stick to the same story, so it won't be shameful!"

This was her plan.

Compared to adultery, the impact of helping someone is almost negligible.

Once Mo'er and Liang Han are married, no amount of gossip will change anything.

Sheng Hong was furious, his eyes red-rimmed, and roared, "That's your own daughter! How could you treat her like this?"

They deliberately spread a scandal and fabricated a dubious story about "helping him up."

What they are plotting is very clear.

However, how degrading is this way of seeking justice at the cost of one's innocence?

"I defiled her?"

"Honglang, you keep saying you want to arrange a marriage for Mo'er, but what kind of people are you looking for?"

"If I hadn't come up with a plan for Mo'er, she would have had to marry a poor scholar."

"Mo'er has been pampered since childhood, how could she possibly endure the hardship of serving others?"

"Not only that, but if that scholar turns out to be useless, Mo'er will have to suffer for the rest of her life."

"I abused her? Who is abusing her?"

Speaking of her daughter, Lin Qinshuang inexplicably gained some confidence and simply tore off the disguise she had maintained for decades.

In a few days, Mo'er will become the legitimate wife of the eldest son of the Yongchang Earl's Mansion.

As a concubine, she now had someone to rely on.

Once Mo'er gets married, we can take her out to live with us.

Anyway, she doesn't live in the Sheng family mansion, so there's no need for her to be subservient.

"you!"

"You only see the splendor of high-ranking families, but you don't know the dangers within. Mo'er has an affair. Even if she marries into that family through despicable means, she will still be looked down upon!" Sheng Hong rebuked angrily.

Having an affair is a sure way to be disliked by one's mother-in-law; how can one ever rise above others?

Moreover, Liang Han is a spoiled brat and is by no means a good match.

In the following year, when Yongchang Bo passed away, his estate was divided, and Liang Han could not even get a tenth of it, leaving him rich but powerless.

In comparison, what's wrong with choosing a husband with a promising career and sharing both joys and sorrows together?

Once a candidate passes the imperial examination and becomes a Jinshi, he is assigned to a county to accumulate experience in governance, and he becomes the most influential person in that county.

My father was a fifth-rank official, and my second brother was a compiler in the Hanlin Academy. Both of them were capable of being promoted to the imperial examinations.

In fact, if one has the chance to catch the eye of the eldest son-in-law, one must at least be dressed in a red robe.

Such achievements are already on par with his!

With someone above protecting them, as long as they don't make any major mistakes, they're like local tyrants, living a carefree life.

"No no no."

"Give Mo'er some dowry, so she can have a grand wedding and won't be looked down upon," Lin Qinshuang said hopefully.

With a long sigh, Sheng Hong looked disappointed and asked impatiently, "How much dowry can Mo'er have?"

"Don't you know that the Yongchang Earl's Mansion is one of the wealthiest and most prestigious noble families?"

"Hua'er's ten-mile-long red bridal procession was prepared jointly by the eldest daughter-in-law, the old lady, and the first wife. Your fields and shops were given to you by me; how much can you spare for your dowry?"

"Honglang! The eldest daughter-in-law is the legal mother, and the old lady dotes on her granddaughter; she's her most prized possession."

"Shut up!"

Sheng Hong flew into a rage, tears streaming down his face: "You, a mere concubine, are living a more dignified life than the main wife!"

"How could you, how could you have the nerve to scheme against an old lady? How could you have the audacity?"

"Mo'er, such a good child, what have you turned him into?"

"Don't you even know what shame is?"

Sheng Hong slapped himself hard, tears streaming down his face.

"Shame? Does Hiroro think I'm shameless?"

Lin Qinshuang smiled gently and said slowly, "Back then, you and I secretly consummated our relationship and indulged in debauchery in broad daylight. How could Honglang not feel ashamed?"

She has a lot to say about shame.

"Now, I'm only scheming for Mo'er, and Hong Lang thinks I'm shameless?"

"In the eyes of you scholars, what exactly is shame?"

The rebuttal startled Sheng Hong.

This is not his Shuang'er!

His Shuang'er isn't like that!

"Shuang'er, you didn't say that before," Sheng Hong asked, his voice trembling.

"What does Honglang want me to say?" Lin Qinshuang retorted without backing down.

Sheng Hong's sky has fallen.

Shuang'er, how could you be this kind of person?

Sheng Hong trembled, tears welling up in his eyes: "You are just a weak woman, all alone and helpless. I often feel sorry for you, afraid that you will suffer any injustice. Whether it is gold and silver jewelry, or clothing and food, it is no less than that of the eldest madam. How could you do this?"

"Whatever Honglang wants to hear, Shuang'er is willing to tell Honglang," Lin Qinshuang said calmly.

when!

Sheng Hong's body trembled.

He simply couldn't believe that Shuang'er was such a person.

He has always believed that he and Shuang'er are true love.

As for the eldest daughter-in-law, her marriage was more of a political alliance.

As a result, Shuang'er said whatever he wanted to hear.

This true love is fake!

Moreover, he has been deceiving himself for over twenty years?

Sheng Hong's heart trembled slightly, and he raised his hand.

Who would have thought that someone in their forties could still experience heartbreak?

"What, is Honglang going to beat Shuang'er?" Lin Qinshuang said confidently.

She knows Sheng Hong all too well.

"you!"

Sheng Hong slowly lowered his hand.

"Hiroshi's heart is truly big!"

"Mo'er's scandal has been exposed, which concerns the reputation of the Sheng family. Instead of trying to get Liang Han to propose marriage, you're talking to me about the past?"

"You're threatening me?!" Sheng Hong exclaimed in surprise, taking several steps back.

“Didn’t Hong Lang already know?” Lin Qinshuang said slowly.

"Bitch!"

"Shameless!"

Sheng Hong couldn't help but curse loudly.

A few curses were heard, and then a knock on the door sounded at just the right moment.

"My lord, someone from the Jiang residence has arrived. They say the eldest son-in-law has acquired a cake of imperial tea and requests that you go and taste it immediately."

The announcement sent a chill down Sheng Hong's spine.

Ruined!

Lin Qinshuang was startled, her hands and feet trembling slightly: "Why would the eldest son-in-law specifically seek out the master?"

Sheng Hong glanced at her.

One step, two steps.

Sheng Hong's body was weak, and his steps were as if he were going to the execution ground, as if he had almost lost all his strength.

Chapter 149 Catching a Cold or Falling into the Water!

Jiang Mansion.

Long Pavilion.

The shallow stream murmurs over the stones.

A pot of clear tea sits on a stone table, its sweet aroma refreshing the senses.

Jiang Zhao and Sheng Hong sat facing each other.

Jiang Huaijin held a glass of honey water and led the little dog, running around from time to time.

The younger Jiang Xun followed her older brother with a smile.

Apart from two innocent children and the faint sound of flowing water, there was an indescribable sense of oppression at the pavilion.

Flames billowed from the brocade cage, casting dappled light and shadow that illuminated half of Jiang Zhao's face.

His emotions were subtle and indistinct, making it impossible for others to discern his true feelings.

Sheng Hong held the teacup, his head slightly lowered, not daring to look directly at his son-in-law.

An unspeakable burden weighed heavily on him.

Even breathing became extremely difficult.

After a while, Jiang Zhao picked up the teacup and took a sip.

"Father-in-law, why are you so anxious?"

Sheng Hong felt uneasy, lowered his head, and dared not utter a sound.

The silent pressure made him break out in a cold sweat and feel restless.

Jiang Zhao glanced at him: "Silence solves nothing. I wonder if Father-in-law has anything to say to his son-in-law?"

“My dear son-in-law,” Sheng Hong said tentatively. “When Mo’er fell, Liang Han helped her up, which was indeed indecent.”

When it comes to family traditions, Sheng Hong couldn't help but feel a sense of侥幸 (a sense of getting away with something).

Compared to adultery, helping someone up is nothing.

"It's not just about helping someone up, is it?"

Jiang Zhao gave him a deep look.

Sheng Hong's body trembled.