bayedsolid Chapter 186 Spit it all out!
Chapter 186 Spit it all out!
The old master had considered Mu Xin Nuan and Li Shi, but the gifts were sent by the old lady, and besides, his eldest granddaughter hadn't gone there today. It was the eldest daughter-in-law who, it was said, helped Jin Shi smooth things over.
The old man naturally didn't believe it was a trap they had deliberately set.
Furthermore, Mu Xin Nuan's words just now didn't imply any intention to protect the Li family, so it seems that it was most likely just a coincidence.
"Anuan, get up first. Let's talk things over."
“Grandfather, the most important thing is that shimmering brocade. I never knew when it ended up with Second Aunt.” Mu Xin Nuan’s eyes reddened as she spoke. “It was originally a gift from the Emperor. I couldn’t bear to use it, so I gave two bolts to Mother. But Mother said she was keeping them for my dowry, so they were all put in the storeroom. If I hadn’t overheard the gossip among the servants today, I… Grandfather, I have never given anything to Second Aunt. Everyone in the Mu family can testify to that.”
"Alright, stop crying. Grandfather certainly believes you."
Of course, the old man knew that she hadn't sent anything over. From the beginning, it was entirely the old lady's idea. Now, things have turned out this way, making her a laughingstock. Who can she blame?
When the old master took Mu Xin Nuan to Rong Yuan, they found that the main room was already full of people, including the second son, Mu Changping.
Mu Xin Nuan followed her in, bowed, and then stood behind the old man quite consciously.
"Grandpa, you've come back just in time! This banquet today was clearly a trap from the very beginning! And you call yourselves family? How could you expect us to be treated like this? These sisters-in-law, where is the family in all of us?"
Jin listened to the old lady's words and cooperated quite well. Her face was full of sorrow, and tears were about to fall.
"Enough! Don't you know why today's banquet turned out like this? If you hadn't insisted on having the things moved to the west wing, would it have turned out like this? You guys are really bold! You even dared to touch A-Nuan's things! Do you have several heads? Those were all bestowed by the Emperor, they were imperial gifts! You actually dared to take them and use them in private, good! Very good!"
Upon hearing this, Mu Changping understood. It turned out that his mother wanted to favor his branch of the family, and as a result, she even moved all the things that the Emperor had previously bestowed upon Mu Xinnuan to the west wing. He then winked at Jin Shi before saying, "It's all my fault for being unfilial and troubling Mother."
Having received Mu Changping's hint, Madam Jin naturally knew what to say. She quickly forced a smile, her attitude quite good, "Father, don't worry. In a little while, I'll have someone bring a list and take back all the things the Emperor bestowed upon Anuan."
Upon hearing this, Mu Xin Nuan's lips curled into a smile. This Jin Shi is truly clever! She knows that she absolutely cannot keep this imperial gift for herself, but as for the other things, she should be fine using them!
Upon hearing this, the old man's eyes widened. "What do you mean by only taking back Anuan's things? Do you even dare to use the eldest daughter-in-law's dowry? You really are my good son! We've only just returned to the capital, and you've already caused me one trouble after another! Do you think we haven't been ridiculed enough?"
Mu Changping's expression froze. It seemed that none of these things could be saved.
The old man sneered, "Hmph! If it weren't for the help of your eldest daughter-in-law today, what kind of reputation do you think you would have today? You forcibly took the younger generation's things, and now you want to seize your sister-in-law's dowry? You even dare to covet things bestowed by the Emperor. You really have a lot of nerve!"
“Father, please calm down. Actually, Mother was just worried about her son. As you know, I have scraped together 100,000 taels of silver, and I really don’t have much cash left. Please calm down, Father. As for those things, I didn’t say I wouldn’t give them to you.”
"No cash? Fine! Second son, do you think your father is getting old and senile?" The old man looked at him coldly. "You made such a grand entrance when you returned to the capital, and your trunk was full of bricks? Should I have someone open it all up and search it thoroughly?"
Upon hearing this, Mu Changping immediately broke out in a cold sweat. "How could I trouble Father? Father, rest assured, I will have someone send everything back in a moment."
Jin nodded in agreement, "Yes, my daughter-in-law will return the things as soon as she gets back. She absolutely has no intention of taking advantage of my sister-in-law and Anuan."
"There is no best! Get this done today. No one is allowed to delay it."
After the old master finished speaking, seeing that the old lady was about to say something, he glared at her and then said, "Chang'an, go and call the steward. If there aren't enough people, call all the servants in the manor over and make sure everything is properly arranged, one by one. Don't let anything be damaged. Otherwise, your second brother will suffer the consequences."
Mu Chang'an quickly agreed, knowing that this was a warning and reminder to his second brother, as many of these items were imperial gifts and could not be taken lightly.
Upon hearing this, Mu Changping knew that these things were definitely doomed. However, when he thought that his father had ordered this to salvage his reputation, and that his father was not just angry but also thinking of him, he calmed down a bit.
The old lady was naturally upset to see all the things she had painstakingly acquired taken back so quickly. However, in this mansion, the old master was the most powerful person, and since he had spoken, who would dare to say a word against it?
Although Li Shi didn't know that this whole thing was orchestrated by her daughter, she felt that Mu Xin Nuan was involved! Especially the words her sister-in-law said in the west courtyard today, which were sharp and unlike her usual self.
After giving his instructions, the old master called his two sons to his study. It was obvious that he was going to give them a lecture, and he would probably also mention Mu Changping's official position.
“Mother, although we got the things back this time, judging from the way Second Aunt and the Old Madam are, I’m afraid they won’t let it go. You should still be careful.”
"Don't worry, at worst I'll just avoid contact with her in the future. As long as I stay in my brothel, she can forget about causing me any trouble."
“Mother, my third and fourth brothers have returned and entered school. From now on, they will definitely have contact with Ah Xuan and Ah Yuan. What I’m worried about is how well these two brothers learned when they were outside. Judging from the attitude of my second uncle and aunt, their character is really worrying.”
Li was slightly taken aback. "Are you worried that they will lead Ah Xuan and Ah Yuan astray?"