Liu Ying did a quick count. Good heavens! That’s six people—plus Qingya, that makes seven! And they still wanted to buy more? Did Xing Muzheng think Qian Jiaoniang was some empress living in the palace?
Qian Jiaoniang didn’t even raise her head. “This little courtyard of mine can’t hold so many people. Perfect timing though—since Uncle and Aunt are here, have them all go serve Aunt in her courtyard instead.”
“This… Madam, the old master and madam already have maids arranged. These ones were personally picked by the Marquis for you.”
“Then please thank your Master for his kind intentions. I appreciate it, but no thanks.”
What was this good nephew of hers thinking? Could he still harbor feelings for Qian Jiaoniang? Surely not! Don’t tell me he’s even thinking of defying the imperial edict for her? That would be out of the question! The Tian family’s wealth and status all depended on the Marquisate—no one could afford to mess that up.
With Qian Jiaoniang refusing the maids, the servants left disappointed. She asked Qingya to invite the Tian couple inside. Then she went around back and pulled Ding Zhang aside, whispering to him, “Steward Ding, you really calculated things well—those two chests of silver were just enough to hand out completely. Did you already guess I’d increase the amount?”
Ding Zhang bowed low and laughed, “Madam, how could this servant dare presume to guess your thoughts? It was the Marquis—he figured you might give more and told me to prepare extra.”
Xing Muzheng guessed she’d increase it by ten taels? Qian Jiaoniang narrowed her eyes, released Ding Zhang, gave a cold snort, and strode back into the house.
Qingya had seated the Tian couple in the hall. When Qian Jiaoniang entered, she feigned a bit of anger. “Why didn’t you have the elders take the seat of honor?”
Tian Linwen stroked his mustache and coughed. “No need for formality. Madam Qian, we came to speak with you about something. Let the servants withdraw.”
Qingya looked toward Qian Jiaoniang. She nodded, and Qingya slipped out through the eastern side. Ding Zhang, standing by the door, sensibly closed it for them. Now only Qian Jiaoniang and the Tian couple remained. She sat at the head, picked up the teapot Qingya had left, poured herself a cup, and slowly took a sip.
Come to think of it, this was the first time since their arrival at the marquisate that the Tian couple had spoken with Qian Jiaoniang alone. Liu Ying looked at her husband, who arched an eyebrow at Qian Jiaoniang but said nothing. Suddenly, Qian Jiaoniang stood and disappeared behind a side curtain. The couple was stunned. A moment later, she returned with her embroidery basket, sat down again, and resumed her needlework in silence.
After a while, Tian Linwen frowned and gave Liu Ying a look. She could no longer hold back. Turning her head, she said, “Madam Qian, I know you’ve been divorced—by imperial decree no less—so what are you still doing living here in the marquisate?”
Qian Jiaoniang tugged at a thread and chuckled. “Aunt’s still as forthright as ever, just like before. Whatever’s on your mind, you say it. But really, shouldn’t you be picking up a broom to sweep me out by now? What’s this? Afraid to do it this time? Or is there something weighing on your conscience—worried the Marquis might ask?”
Liu Ying puffed up her chest and barked, “What conscience? I’ve always done things upright and proper! Back then I had no choice but to—”
“Ahem ahem!” Tian Linwen coughed loudly, cutting her off. He was clearly afraid of eavesdroppers—or that Qian Jiaoniang had set a trap.
Liu Ying shut her mouth at once. Qian Jiaoniang laughed—softly, but with the sharpness of needles pricking the Tian couple.
Tian Linwen spoke. “There’s an old saying—‘No one is overly kind without a reason; if they are, they must be scheming something.’ What do you want from us?”
Qian Jiaoniang set down her tea cup and said faintly, “What I want… I want my mother to be alive again.”
Liu Ying’s face changed at once. “It’s not like I killed your mother! Don’t make false accusations!”
Qian Jiaoniang lazily dragged a needle through her hair. “Why so nervous, Aunt? I was joking. The dead can’t come back. Even if I held a grudge, I wouldn’t torture myself over it.”
Tian Linwen sneered inwardly. So she knows to be pragmatic. “Just say what you want from us.”
Qian Jiaoniang set down her embroidery and clapped lightly. “Uncle truly is a smart man. Talking to smart people is such a relief.” She paused, then continued, “You both know my situation. I’m now just a cast-off woman, unlikely to find a new husband. I don’t wish to marry again either—I just want to live the rest of my life in comfort. The Marquis has been kind so far, probably out of respect for my late mother, but he’s stingy. He only gives me two taels a month. And you know men—their hearts can change overnight. If he brings in some pretty new wives and concubines later, how would he even remember me? So I won’t ask for much. Have the Marquis give me a hundred gold to send me off, and I’ll never mention the past again. I’ll leave Yuzhou, far away, never to return.”
“A hundred gold? You think a hundred coppers is the same thing? You speak so lightly of it!” Liu Ying glared, nearly jumping up in anger.
Qian Jiaoniang smiled. “Of course it’s not easy. If it were, would I be here grinning and bearing it with you two? But I believe in your abilities. Once I receive that hundred gold, I’ll leave. Then you can live in peace at the Marquis’ residence. Isn’t that a good deal?”
The Tian couple exchanged a glance. Tian Linwen asked, “Are you being serious?”
“As serious as a runaway horse—you can’t call it back.”
Tian Linwen gritted his teeth. “Fine, once spoken, even four horses can’t chase the words back!”
Qian Jiaoniang laughed heartily. “Yes! That’s the saying!”
After the Tians left, Qingya came out from behind the curtain. She had been listening to everything. Stepping forward, she asked, “Jiaoniang, what exactly are you planning?” She knew Qian Jiaoniang wanted revenge on the Tians but didn’t know the details of her scheme.
Qian Jiaoniang raised a finger to her lips, half-smiling. “You’ll know soon enough.”
Liu Ying hurried alongside Tian Linwen as they returned to their courtyard. She tried several times to speak but was stopped each time by her husband’s looks. Once back, she didn’t even bother with tea, slammed the door shut, and said breathlessly, “Hu—husband, are we really going to ask our dear nephew to give Madam Qian a hundred gold? Isn’t that letting her off too easy?”
Tian Linwen sat down and calmly poured himself a cup of tea. Liu Ying stomped her foot anxiously. “Say something already!”
“You women are always so impatient.” Tian Linwen stroked his mustache and motioned for her to sit. Only then did he slowly say, “Just because I agreed to her terms, doesn’t mean I’ll actually give her what she wants. If she asked for my life, should I hand it over too?”
“Then you’re saying…”
“If Madam Qian is waiting for us to give her a hundred gold, she won’t dare speak out for now. We can take this chance to cozy up to our good nephew. Once he completely stops trusting her, whatever she says later will be dismissed as lies. And if necessary, we can just—”
He made a throat-slitting gesture.
Liu Ying drew a sharp breath but nodded firmly.
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