Tianliangyuan

Chapter 397 Think it through before you speak

Xu Zhaozhao was quite satisfied with Xu Zhuzi's arrangements, and she knew without asking that Xu Zhuzi probably had two or three servants at home, since he was a well-known manager.

"Peony, go and call Granny Yu over."

"Yes, master."

Granny Yu was Xu Zhaozhao's wet nurse and was always highly regarded.

"Miss, what are your orders?"

Xu Zhaozhao smiled and said, "Granny Yu, Dingxiang is pregnant. Although Zhuzi said that his mother would go over to take care of her, I am still worried. In a little while, you can take two clever little maids with you to go see Dingxiang. Also, go to the storeroom and pick out some tonics that pregnant women can eat to send to Dingxiang."

"Yes, I will make arrangements now."

By this time, Xu Zhuzi had already left Jinxiuyuan.

Granny Yu brought two little girls, around ten years old, over. She knew they were going to stay and take care of Dingxiang; running errands was no problem for them.

That evening, after Xu Zhaozhao had her dinner, Granny Yu came to report.

"Did you see Dingxiang?"

“Miss, I saw her. Dingxiang’s mother-in-law is there too. Besides her, there is also an old woman in the courtyard who helps with laundry. As you instructed, I delivered some tonics there and left a little maid to run errands.”

Xu Zhaozhao nodded: "Did Dingxiang say anything?"

"Dingxiang was originally planning to kowtow in the direction of our Duke's mansion, but I stopped her. We had prepared two maids for her, but she refused to accept them, so we could only keep one in the end."

"Fine, she can't figure this out on her own, let her be."

Li Shun went to work early in the morning, but he was absent-minded the whole time. His eyelids kept twitching, and he had a feeling that something bad was going to happen.

Sure enough, before noon, his family sent a servant to find him, saying that something had happened at home.

Li Shun's heart skipped a beat, and he asked a lot of questions along the way.

The servant's words were incoherent, but Li Shun roughly understood them.

Before they even got home, Li Shun's face darkened.

Sure enough, as soon as he got home, he saw two groups of people facing off in the courtyard, while his mother, Zhou, was being helped by an old woman to try to persuade them.

"shut up!"

As soon as Li Shun spoke, the courtyard indeed quieted down.

But while Madam Qian and her daughter were afraid of him, Xu Zhuzi was not.

"Oh, Lord Li is back. Perfect, it saves us the trouble of making another trip. Lord Li should think carefully about how to give the Duke's mansion an explanation."

Madam Qian took two steps back guiltily, but one of her servants was not to be outdone.

"What nonsense are you spouting! Our young lady comes from a respectable and honest family, and she and Lord Li are childhood sweethearts, their bond has lasted since they were little. Your young lady has interfered and now she dares to humiliate our young lady, it's simply outrageous!"

Xu Zhuzi stopped arguing with her and instead kept his gaze fixed on Li Shun.

“Lord Li, I am here today on orders to measure the dimensions of the house and courtyard. The county princess is preparing the dowry for the seventh daughter, and you and the seventh daughter of the Duke’s mansion are engaged, and the wedding date has already been set. Now, to have a mother and daughter in mourning come to stay for a while is surely very inauspicious?”

Li Shun's heart skipped a beat; he really hadn't expected this.

It's indeed inappropriate for my aunt and cousin to be dressed in mourning clothes.

How could a family like the Duke's Mansion not care about these things?

"Manager Xu, please don't be angry. It was indeed my oversight in this matter. Originally, I only allowed my aunt and cousin to stay because they had been wronged in their hometown. Today, this incident has caused trouble, which was due to my lack of consideration. I hope you can calm down, Manager Xu."

Despite Li Shun being only a seventh-rank official, he still had to speak well of Xu Zhuzi.

Who can blame them when their master is a county princess of the second rank?

"I dare not accept such praise. Lord Li, if it were merely taking in this mother and daughter, that would be one thing. But today, we did not offend anyone in the manor, yet these two wicked servants came over and pointed fingers at us, even slandering Miss Xie's reputation. Lord Li, this is a serious matter. You should think about how to explain this to the county magistrate!"

As soon as Xu Zhuzi finished speaking, his face darkened: "Lord Li is known for his integrity. I will give you face today and only report this matter to the county magistrate for the time being. As for whether the county magistrate will be angry, that depends on how Lord Li remedies the situation."

Xu Zhuzi and his group left, and Li's mother finally couldn't hold on any longer, her body swayed and she fainted.

Li Shun hurriedly sent someone to fetch a doctor, and then made arrangements for the day. Of course, he also inquired about the day's events.

Upon learning that Xu Zhuzi was not lying and that it was indeed the Qian family's wicked servant who had come to provoke them first, and that his words had been full of insults against Miss Xie, Li Shun was naturally displeased.

Mrs. Qian and her daughter have returned to their residence and dare not go out again.

However, Li's mother was ultimately kind-hearted and soft-hearted, and considering the blood ties between them, she couldn't help but say a few good words to Madam Qian.

"Mother is confused! My marriage to the Seventh Miss is already arranged and has been formalized. Why do you still want to involve my cousin? Besides, she and her mother are currently in mourning. How can they stay here indefinitely? As a daughter, her father has passed away, and instead of observing mourning and avoiding the world, she dares to come out and flaunt herself. It's simply absurd!"

Li Shun originally wanted to say something even harsher, but considering his mother's feelings, he changed his tone when the words came out.

Li's mother also knew that her sister had indeed made a mistake. No matter what, how could she mention childhood sweethearts in front of her legitimate in-laws?

If this gets out, what kind of person will Li Shun become?

A heartless and ungrateful villain?

"My son, we have offended that Steward Xu today. What should we do?"

“I will find a way to handle this matter myself, and I will have to go to your house to apologize. Mother, please take care of yourself. As for your aunt and cousin, let them go back to Lantian County as soon as possible.”

Li's mother looked worried and somewhat unwilling: "But your uncle has passed away, and if the Qian family continues to bully them, how will they survive?"

"What's so difficult about that? I'll arrange for someone to take them back myself, so there's no need to worry."

Li Shun was an official after all, and with the people he sent backing him up, who would dare to bully Madam Qian and her daughter?

Li's mother thought that although the Qian family was moderately wealthy, they were still just an ordinary family, and no one in the entire Qian family held an official position, so there shouldn't be any major problems.

Li Shun hurriedly changed his clothes, then ordered someone to prepare a generous gift, and personally went to the Duke of Huguo's mansion to apologize.

This was originally part of Xu Zhaozhao's plan, so she remained very calm when she saw Li Shun arrive.

"Today's events were caused by many of my servants. I humbly request Your Highness to forgive me."

Xu Zhaozhao scoffed, her tone clearly sarcastic.

Li Shunxin was also dragged into the mess; this county princess was not someone to be trifled with.

"Li Shun, I'll give you one more chance. Think it over before you speak."

Li Shun's eyes darted around quickly. After thinking through the whole story, he knew exactly what the county princess cared about.