Chapter 236: Informer
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Upon returning to the mansion, Yuwen Chu changed clothes and went to the study to listen to the reports from his advisers about the day’s affairs. Meanwhile, Mingzhu comfortably sat down in the white rattan rocking chair by the window. She thought to herself, just because she had sat in white rattan chairs a lot in her past life, it didn’t mean she wouldn’t sit in one in this life. Otherwise, should she refrain from eating rice and meat in this life just because she might be reminded of something unpleasant from the past?
After rocking the chair a few times, Zheng Momo walked in and whispered, “Your Highness, today someone from the Jiang family came to deliver a message to the mansion. The wife of the gardener, Yu Dajia, happened to see something and wants to report it to you.”
So soon there’s an informer? Mingzhu sat up. “Let her in.”
A woman in a brown coarse cloth dress, around forty years old, entered timidly, not daring to look up at Mingzhu or get too close. She knelt down as soon as she entered and bowed deeply. “The servant pays respects to Your Highness.”
Mingzhu kindly said, “Get up and speak.”
Yu Dajia’s voice trembled with nervousness. “The person who delivered the message was a steward from Second Miss Jiang’s side whom I’ve seen before. After delivering the message, he and Steward Zhu were whispering in a corner of the garden.”
Given that Jiang Shanshan had been the future Wangfei for so many years, it wasn’t surprising for Master Zhu to be familiar with a steward from her side. The problem was that Master Zhu and this steward were whispering in a corner of the garden. What was there to whisper about? Mingzhu furrowed her brows. “Did you hear what they were saying?”
Yu Dajia whispered, “The steward gave something to Master Zhu, seemed like two jars of something, and said that Master Zhu had asked Miss Jiang to handle something, and it was done.”
Concerned that Mingzhu might not take it seriously, Yu Dajia hurriedly explained, “I felt that even if Master Zhu had trouble, he should seek help from Their Highnesses and Your Highness. How could he… how could he…”
How could he seek help from a former candidate for Wangfei? For Yuwen Chu, this matter wasn’t much of a concern, but for the current Wangfei, it felt a bit like encroachment. Understanding Yu Dajia’s intentions, Mingzhu asked directly, “What do you want?”
Yu Dajia nervously said, “This servant has a son who works in the stables. He accidentally had his leg broken by a horse some time ago. He could have come back to work after recovering, but Master Zhu said, ‘What can he do with a lame leg?’ But he still has two children to support…”
This Zhu Changsheng was really something. Regardless, if someone had their leg broken by a horse, they should be compensated. But he was acting high and mighty, disregarding others’ lives. This had made people bold. They wouldn’t care who you were. Mingzhu instructed Zheng Momo directly, “Go and talk to Li Quanxin. If that position has already been filled by someone else, find another easier task for Yu Dajia’s son. If not, let him return to his duties.”
Yu Dajia expressed her gratitude profusely and then left.
After sending Yu Dajia away, Zheng Momo returned to report, “I’ve spoken to Li Quanxin. The position in the stables was taken by someone from Zhu Changsheng’s family. We’ve arranged another task for Yu Dajia’s son, watching over the storeroom. Given his leg condition, this is the most suitable job for him. He could only sweep and replenish supplies in the stable, and nothing else.”
Mingzhu was very satisfied with Zheng Momo. It hadn’t been long, but she had already managed to mobilize Yu Dajia to inform. Mingzhu didn’t care about what Jiang Shanshan had given to Zhu Changsheng or what favor Zhu Changsheng had asked from Jiang Shanshan. She only cared about Zhu Changsheng’s character, which had clearly deviated. She immediately instructed Zheng Momo, “Since there are informants in this mansion, we must be careful and cautious in what we do. We must not let any rumors leak out.”
Zheng Momo smiled, “Rest assured, Your Highness. We’ve already made two deals with Bo Lai Wu. The third batch of orders was sent over today, and the association’s leader has agreed. We’ll mobilize everything in the next few days.” The third batch of orders was large, and the time was tight, but unfortunately, the manager of Bo Lai Wu didn’t dare to confirm directly. He only said that he had to ask the owner before agreeing.
If Jiang Shanshan had been more cautious and not accepted large orders, this plan might not have had much impact on her. However, after being provoked by Mingzhu today, she would definitely not accept defeat and would try to do something. Therefore, Mingzhu felt that there was a ninety percent chance that Jiang Shanshan would not refuse this batch of orders. And this was just the beginning.
Zheng Momo continued, “Today, I met a girl named Xiangli. She used to serve in front of the Wangfei but took some time off recently. She might be coming back now.” She advised Mingzhu, “People like her who can come back are trusted by His Highness. Although Your Highness should be wary and cautious, you cannot refuse them. This mansion belongs to His Highness, and he has his own considerations when arranging personnel.”
People like Xiangli had been separated for investigation because of Mingzhu’s poisoning, but her people had been released long ago, yet Xiangli and her companions had remained elusive. Mingzhu had almost forgotten about them, but now they had resurfaced. Since they were released, it meant they had nothing to do with that matter. Besides, not everyone in this house was brought from her maiden home, so having one more person like Xiangli wouldn’t make a difference.
After pondering for a moment, Mingzhu said, “Let her come back.”
In the evening, when Yuwen Chu returned, he mentioned Xiangli’s matter to Mingzhu, “It’s not because this girl is particularly capable that she must come back to serve. It’s because you are the Wangfei, and you should support the people in this mansion to gather their hearts around you. Understand?”
“His Highness’s words are the law. I’ll comply.” Mingzhu understood. If there were benefits, everyone could share them. Otherwise, if she only gave benefits to her own people from her maiden home and not to the native people of the English Mansion, it would cause division. Naturally, people’s hearts would turn away because no matter how good she treated them, they wouldn’t be valued. Who would bother to put in that effort? Of course, they would gravitate toward others who could provide them with benefits.
Seeing her agree so readily, but the tone seemed a bit sour, he wanted to tease her. He reached out and pulled her onto his lap, saying with a smile, “I’m giving you a chance. Ask me anything you want to know?”
What do I want to ask? Actually, he was hoping she would ask something? Mingzhu tilted her head for a moment, then grabbed his clothes and asked, “Your Highness, are you protecting Xiangli because you think she’s good?”
“Jealous little pot.” Yuwen Chu chuckled joyfully, “Even if she’s good, she’s not as good as you. If I wanted to make a move on her, would I wait until now?”
“I suppose so. Your Highness is not that kind of lecherous person.” Mingzhu made a kissing sound on his face, and Yuwen Chu took the opportunity to turn over and press her onto the bed. However, he didn’t go any further, just kissing here and there. Mingzhu had already prepared herself to be taken advantage of, but he stopped in time, leaving her feeling frustrated, unable to advance or retreat.
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