bayedsolid Chapter 148 The Xiao Family's Decision
Chapter 148 The Xiao Family's Decision
Yunyi used to disguise herself a little when she went out. Although the changes were not significant and she looked very much like the real person, if you looked closely, you would find some differences. This was why she was able to tell Han Lian'er that she had mistaken her for someone else.
However, she is currently preparing to return to Beijing, so there's no need for her to do anything unnecessary.
And how many of her subordinates actually look at her face closely? So, whether she's changed or not, many people simply can't tell.
Only Lao Quan, who was always by her side, noticed; even He Miao didn't realize it.
Xiao Jinxiu and her niece Xiao Linshan had never met the original owner of this body before, only having come into contact with her on the way to exile. So, when Yunyi came to help at first, they were somewhat hesitant. However, when they noticed that Yunyi's eyes looked familiar, they confirmed that she was indeed the girl they had met before.
After prisoners from the imperial court were exiled to Black City, there was a special area to house them.
The wealthy could buy daily necessities with their money, while the poor could only accept what the imperial court provided and then try to exchange their labor for money.
Many convicts were sent to work in nearby mines, and they almost always ended up dying in the mines.
Because of their prestige and connections, as well as their wealth, the Xiao family is in a much better situation. They haven't been assigned to the mine yet, and they live in an adobe house, which is much better than the thatched huts that are assigned to them. At least they don't have to worry about wind and rain.
However, with more than a dozen people in the three branches of the Xiao family, it felt quite crowded.
In fact, there were four branches of the Xiao family who were exiled together, including a fourth master Xiao, who was born out of wedlock. However, because he was angry about being implicated by the direct descendants, he broke up with them on the way to exile. When they arrived in Black City, they separated and did not live together.
Xiao Jinxiu said that the second madam was ill. When Yunyi came over, she saw that although the family was in a good mood, they were all in poor spirits and looked sickly.
Only Xiao Lingshan and Xiao Jinxiu were in better health, so they were the ones who went out to get the medicine.
However, the supply of medicinal herbs in Black City is limited, so they can only prioritize the more seriously ill second madam.
Since it was already evening, all the members of the Xiao family's third branch were present. When they saw Yunyi arrive, they were all taken aback.
The original owner of this body was quite famous in the capital. After all, she was the eldest daughter of the Marquis of Chengen. Marquis Fangtang's favoritism towards his concubine and neglect of his wife was well-known throughout the capital. Many people felt sorry for the original owner. However, the original owner herself was not ambitious. After her mother passed away, her concubine was promoted to the position of wife, but she was not on guard at all. She even complained that her mother had brought her bad luck and easily accepted her father's arrangements.
Many people feel sorry for their misfortune and angry at their lack of ambition.
The Xiao family had always despised Fangtang's practices.
The Grand Tutor once publicly reprimanded him in the imperial court.
Later, when Fang Yunyi disappeared, some people raised objections, but Fang Tang wasn't worried, so outsiders had even less to do and no right to inquire about the matter.
Yunyi bowed to the group and said, "Junior Yunyi greets you all."
"Are you that girl from the Fang family?" A woman with a heroic air walked over, her expression full of surprise.
This woman was Li Mengrui, the eldest daughter-in-law of Grand Tutor Xiao and the second daughter of General Xuanwei. She had been on the battlefield and was a woman who was no less capable than any man.
Yunyi hurriedly bowed, then couldn't help but look at the other person again. The original owner had seen the other person before, but they were not familiar with each other. However, at this moment, she felt that the other person looked very friendly, but she couldn't remember what she felt familiar about him.
Just then, a cough from inside the room interrupted everyone's mutual sizing.
"Sister-in-law, Yiyi knows medicine, let her take a look at Mother," Xiao Jinxiu hurriedly said.
Everyone snapped out of their daze. Although they were all a little confused, they did not stop them and hurriedly ushered the person into the house.
The weather had already turned cool, but the smell inside the house wasn't very pleasant either.
Yunyi had someone open a crack in the window, then took the old lady's pulse. There was nothing seriously wrong; she had just fallen ill from the exhaustion and worry of the journey. After giving her acupuncture, she went out and said, "You can't buy the medicine you need. I'll have someone bring it to you when I get back. Besides, all of you are showing signs of illness, and if this drags on any longer, you might all collapse. So, I'll bring you the medicine all at once."
"Thank you." Xiao Taiping bowed to Yun Yi.
"Grandpa, are you trying to shorten my lifespan?" Yunyi jumped back in fright. "You can't scare me like that!"
Everyone was taken aback for a moment, then couldn't help but laugh.
"But we have no way to repay you..." Xiao Taiping sighed. Now, even with money, it's impossible to buy medicinal herbs.
"Second brother, I still have some silver here..." Xiao Taihe said.
Yunyi scratched her head: "I have a rough idea, do you guys want to hear it?"
"Go ahead," Xiao Tai'an said.
He is the eldest brother, and has held a high position for a long time, reaching the rank of Grand Tutor. Although he is now in trouble, his demeanor will not change.
As soon as he opened his mouth, everyone shut up.
"I founded the Fengyun Gang, you've probably heard of it, right?"
Everyone nodded. The news that Boss Yun of the Fengyun Gang had absorbed the power of Boss Chu and Boss Jing, and had also dealt with Boss Bai, had already spread far and wide.
“Now that there are more people, we can’t always be fighting and killing. So, I was thinking of asking you to come over and teach them to read and write, teach them martial arts, and then…” Yunyi looked at Xiao Taihe, “The Third Master’s business acumen can’t be wasted either. Can you help me manage the shop?”
This idea just came to me on a whim.
The group exchanged bewildered glances. This idea was tempting; at least they wouldn't have to go to the mine, at least they could eat their fill, and at least... they wouldn't be killed for no reason.
But in the end, everyone's eyes fell on Xiao Tai'an's face.
As the head of the family, everyone obeyed his decisions.
“Girl,” Xiao Tai’an hesitated for a long time before speaking, “Do you know we are criminals? Do you know we…”
“I know.” Yunyi nodded. “But in Black City, the so-called laws are useless. Might makes right. I know you are an upright person and don’t want to implicate me. But since I dare to operate in Black City, and I even dare to go against Bai Jianming, it’s not because I’m afraid of being implicated. It’s just because I’m afraid you will think that people like us are not respectable.”
"Haha." Xiao Tai'an laughed. "Girl, although we old men can't mine or chisel stones, we can still teach people and take care of a few shops. Since you don't mind..." He stood up, straightened his clothes, and then clasped his hands in a fist salute to Yun Yi. "Greetings, Boss Yun."