Shipin Dalizheng

Chapter 351: Unfaithful Person

Rong Wanli went to chase the person before dark, and when he caught the person, the city gate was closed when he returned. He had no choice but to go to Rongjia Village to rest for a night. At dawn, he immediately brought Mrs. Xiao to treat her illness because she was really ill and it was obvious that she could not hold on.

But she was also lucky. After all, there were two top doctors living in the Jian'an Earl's Mansion. Although their treatment methods and concepts were different, at least they both had real skills. By the afternoon, the high fever subsided, and Xiao Jinyue cried with joy.

Mrs. Xiao opened her eyes and saw her daughter serving her cleanly by the bed. For a moment, she thought that she was dead and her daughter was gone too.

"Yueyue..."

My hand touched my daughter's face, which was warm and filled with mixed emotions.

"Mother, it was Earl Jian'an who saved us. He inherited the title a long time ago. What my brother said is right. He is a good man."

Madam Xiao's voice was dry, "I'm sorry for wronging you. You should be someone's concubine."

Xiao Jinyue knew her mother had misunderstood, and her face flushed. "What are you talking about, mother? Even if I'm not the concubine of Earl Jian'an, he still looks down on us."

Madam Xiao was even more upset. If she became Rong Tang's concubine, although her status was low, at least she was of the same age and appearance. If she became someone else's concubine, wouldn't it be more aggrieved?

"At this point, you should tell mother that it's very difficult to redeem the wives of officials who are sent to the Jiaofang Bureau. The Earl of Jian'an must have spent a huge amount of money on you, and he doesn't want you anymore, so what does he want you to do?"

She is not a son and does not believe that there are people who want nothing but to be good people.

Xiao Jinyue had no choice but to tell Rong Tang about his idea. When she learned that he wanted to marry a wife to his soldiers, Mrs. Xiao felt very moved and thought that this was the best choice for her daughter.

No matter how high the family status is, being a concubine is a low status and one has no choice. On the contrary, for a military officer of such a low rank, her daughter can be considered as marrying down in terms of talent, appearance and character. Of course, now that their Xiao family is a criminal, compared with the other two, they can be considered as marrying up.

"Mother doesn't know what other options you have, but for now, this is the best choice. Did Earl Jian'an tell you who to marry?"

Xiao Jinyue lowered her head. "He hasn't said anything yet. He said it's okay if I don't want to marry, but it would cost me a lot, and our family can't afford it. If marrying one of his men can be considered solving a problem for him, then I'm willing to marry. He'll probably appoint a candidate for us in the next few days. He said I can choose one myself."

Madam Xiao struggled to sit up, ignoring her breath as she said, "This is a good thing, Yueyue. You can pick one from dozens of options, which is already a big advantage over others. And I'm here too, so I'll help you choose. Once I've arranged everything for you and you're married off smoothly, I'll be at peace even if I die right away."

"What are you talking about, mother? You will be fine. I believe that since Earl Jian'an has taken such good care of us mother and daughter, he will definitely take good care of father and brother. There may be a time when our family will be reunited in the future."

The mother and daughter were daydreaming in the house. Outside, a young man in a gray cotton coat was standing and listening to their conversation. It was Xiao Poyun, the reclusive man.

As the number of people in the mansion increased, there were not enough maids, so the task of delivering medicine to Madam Xiao was assigned to Rong Wanli. He was the one who brought Madam Xiao back, so he had a sense of responsibility.

"Hey, Mr. Xiao, why are you here?"

Apart from attending the celebration banquet, Xiao Poyun stayed in his own small courtyard all the time and rarely went out. I don't know why he came here today.

Xiao Poyun asked, "Is this Madam Xiao the wife of Xiao Fengyu, the former Left Vice Minister of the Ministry of Revenue?"

"Yes!"

"Xiao Fengyu was the ninth Jinshi in the second class of the first year of Xuanning?"

Rong Wanli scratched his head, "Master Xiao is a Jinshi, but I don't know which year."

Xiao Poyun said nothing more and walked out of the yard. His slightly lame legs felt even more lonely.

As soon as Rong Wanli delivered the medicine and left, he turned back and knocked on the door.

Xiao Jinyue opened the door and just called out "Brother Rong" before she stopped talking, "Who are you...?"

Those who live in the uncle's house should not be outsiders.

"My last name is Xiao too."

Xiao Jinyue felt even more relieved. In this era, people with the same surname often assumed to be from the same clan. Even if they were not related by blood, they were still three times closer than those with different surnames.

"Miss Xiao, could you please step out for a moment? I have something to say to Madam Xiao."

Xiao Jinyue was puzzled, but Mrs. Xiao nodded, so she walked out of the house and stood where she could not hear any talking, but she could still hear any other movements or sounds.

Madam Xiao didn't care at first, but when she saw Xiao Poyun looking at her coldly, with a familiar look on his face, she suddenly lost her composure, "You...you are..."

"Madam, do you know Hu Qingniang? I am her son, and my nickname is Nianlang. I am from Jinzhou in Jiangnan. Twenty-three years ago, my father, Xiao Fengyu, went to Beijing to take the imperial examination and passed the exam as the ninth Jinshi in the second class. After that, he sent people to pick me up, my mother, and my grandmother to reunite in Beijing. But when crossing the river, my grandmother pushed us into the water and left on her own. How ridiculous! Although my mother and I were rescued later, my mother could never understand why. My grandmother always loved me, so how could she kill her children and grandchildren? It was not until a few days ago that I came to the north and inquired about Xiao Fengyu that I learned that my whole family was guilty. I thought my grandmother was dead and the Xiao family was guilty. If I told the truth now, it would be like walking into a trap, and I don't want to pursue it anymore. But today I saw you, Miss Xiao, and I want to ask, when did you and Xiao Fengyu get married? Did you know that he sent someone to pick up his family?"

Madam Xiao's face was as pale as gold paper. Intuitively, she felt that the man in front of her was very dangerous and might become her children's future enemy. Even if he was lying on purpose, the truth would be clear once he inquired about it. There was no way he could deceive her.

"When I married him, I didn't know he already had a wife."

"I asked you when?"

"In May."

Xiao Poyun closed his eyes for a moment. "He sent someone to pick us up in September. Did you know that at that time..."

"I didn't know it at the time. He told me that he had an elderly mother in his hometown who needed to be taken care of, and out of filial piety, he wanted to bring her to the capital. I really didn't know that the old lady had done such a thing."

Mrs. Xiao burst into tears, "I'm sorry..."

Xiao Poyun laughed dryly, "Excuse me? Don't you ask for identification information when you go to the capital to recruit a husband for a noble lady? If you're willing to check, many of his things can prove that he's married. It's either you or your family is pretending not to know. Xiao Fengyu killed his wife and children for his future, and my grandmother ignored blood ties for the sake of family honor. It makes perfect sense."

Madam Xiao's mouth dropped open. How could she possibly argue? Even if she didn't know it then, it would show itself years later. Especially since the old lady was getting more confused as she aged, occasionally spouting off a few words, sometimes even calling her Qing Niang and begging heaven and earth to forgive her for having her hands stained with the blood of her daughter-in-law and grandson. What else could she not understand?

It's just that she already has children, and in order to live a peaceful and smooth life, she chooses to pretend to be ignorant.

She said again: "I'm sorry, the Xiao family has already become like this, it can be regarded as retribution, can you..."

"No. Madam Xiao, my mother fell ill after being pushed into the water and died early. Although it was my grandmother who did it, you and Xiao Fengyu are not innocent either. Unless..."

Madam Xiao’s face turned pale. “Unless we die?”

Xiao Poyun didn't say anything, but his sudden vicious look frightened Mrs. Xiao. She knew that her children were now unable to protect themselves.

"I understand. I will do as you wish. I just hope you will let Zhenyue and Jinyue go."

"I only want you two to die. I will treat the two younger ones as strangers."

Mrs. Xiao felt uncomfortable. If they were normal siblings, they should have the closest relationship of supporting each other.

"You, wait for me for a few days, I will find a good family for Jinyue."

Xiao Poyun retreated, and Xiao Jinyue entered the house. She felt that her mother's spirit was not as good as before.