Chapter 42: Demanding an Explanation for the Uprising

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  "Missus, you're looking for me?"

  Although she was slightly embarrassed by Wang Qifang, when Qiangniang came before her again, there was no change in her expression. Instead, she respectfully knelt down to pay homage to Wang Qifang and then stood quietly aside, with a humble and obedient demeanor.

  "Older Sister Feng, come, let's talk inside!"

  Wang Qifang looked at her with a serious expression, and a hint of a smile flashed in her eyes as she spoke softly.

  "Yes, young mistress!"

  As she spoke, Qiangniang followed Wang Qifang with small steps and entered the door.

  Madam Zhao saw the situation and didn't say much, but beckoned Spring Niang to come over. "Girl, go and call a horse carriage from the market. Also, go to the Zhuangzi and call your several brothers to help Young Madam move!"

  "Ah!"

  Chunni may not be as clever as her brother Chen Dongsheng, but she's not stupid either. After more than a month at Qingyuan Mountain Villa, from Zhao Ayi and the young mistress's occasional idle talk, as well as the servants and tenants in the front and back yards of the villa, she had heard some stories about Shao.

  In addition to her elder brother's summary, Chunni also more or less understood the situation of Shao. Well, how to say it, anyway, both Shao and Zhao were from large households in Beijing, they had offended someone or made some mistakes in Beijing, and were forced to flee here to avoid disaster. And the steward Feng in the front yard was responsible for guarding Shao.

  Look at the scene in front of you, and then look at Zhao's hint. It's nothing more than Young Mistress buying the farm herself, preparing to move, but fearing that Feng will come out to obstruct her, so she lets Chen Chunni go to Chenjiazhuang to gather people to help.

  Looking for help? No problem! Not to mention that the young lady is the benefactor of the Chen family, even if it's an ordinary host family, they are still generous masters. When asking people for help, it's definitely not a waste of money. You know, just a few days ago, when helping the young lady open up wasteland and farmland, Chunni's neighbors and cousins earned quite a bit of labor money!

  Now with Old Lady Zhao's personal instructions, how dare Chunni slow down? As soon as Old Lady Zhao finished speaking, the little maid quickly ran out of the door and went to find help.

  Unfortunately, when she called back a few strong and sturdy brothers, the wife of Feng's family was smiling all over her face, personally helping the young lady onto the carriage. Behind her were three or four robust rural women, each carrying a large bundle in their hands. Ah, weren't these the things she and Zichun had packed together? Could it be that the young lady and Feng's wife had reached an agreement, and didn't need anyone to help with the move?

  "Madam, don't worry, these aunties are all tenants of our mountain villa. If there's any hard or tiring work to be done at your place, just give the orders!"

  Qian Niang lifted the curtain of the carriage and leaned into the compartment, saying something affectionately to Wang Qiefang.

  "Alright, I'll trouble Feng Dashi with everything. Also, after Feng Guanshi returns, please ask him to come to my Qingquan Manor, I have some more questions for him!"

  In the carriage, Wang Qifang sat steadily and whispered.

  "Ah, don't worry, I understand!"

  Qian Niang nodded repeatedly, and seeing that Wang Qifang had no other instructions, she withdrew from the carriage and turned to give detailed orders to several old women.

  "Mother Zhao, I've called for both the carriage and the people, what do you think?"

  Chunni was somewhat bewildered, and after being pulled by her elder brother from behind, she hastily ran to Zhao's side and asked cautiously.

  "Oh, what's going on? The carriage and people are all ready, the lady of the Feng family has prepared everything for the young mistress." Not only was Chunni confused, but even Zhao Ayi was a bit bewildered. What had happened in just the time it took to drink a cup of tea? The Feng family had changed completely, not only showing more respect to Qiuniang, but also obeying her orders as if they were her personal attendants, listening to her every word as if their lives depended on it.

  "This, that... " isn't good, is it? Can't just let them run a trip for nothing? Chunni was somewhat embarrassed, her own cousin running a trip wasn't a big deal, but the horse carriage driver outside wasn't easy to get rid of.

  "Here, girl, it's not good to let others run an errand for nothing. This is a few coins for tea money, give it to the rickshaw driver and the young men to share!"

  Madam Zhao heard Xiao Yatou's difficulty and casually pulled out a handful of copper coins from her sleeve pocket and handed them to Chunni.

  At this time, Wang Qifang stretched out her hand from the car window and beckoned to Zhao Ayi: "Ayi, hurry up and get on the bus, we should go!"

  "Ah ah!"

  Zhaoyi pulled Zizhu up onto the carriage, and Qiangniang still had a smile on her face as she saw them off. However, in the palm of her tightly clenched hand, she was firmly grasping a small white object.

  "Seventh daughter?"

  Madam Zhao glanced at the woman following behind the carriage, then turned to look at Qiuniang's calm face, just about to ask about Qiangniang's situation. Her peripheral vision caught a glimpse of Zizhu's excited expression. Obviously, with this outsider around, it wasn't a good time for a heart-to-heart talk.

  She silently sighed and temporarily suppressed her doubts, deciding to ask Qiuniang for clarification after arriving at the Zhuangzi.

  At the same time, in the capital city, there was also someone who was confused, and he was none other than Zhao Tianbai, Wang Qifang's husband.

  "Zhao Guan Jia, Father is so anxious to call me, what's the urgent matter?"

  Zhao Tianbai was originally discussing business in a wine house, but was called back by the major steward beside his father. He missed out on a big deal for nothing, and Zhao Ershao's heart was suffocated with anxiety, which would only get worse later. After hearing the message from Zhao Guan, it seemed that his father had found him for no good reason. However, Zhao Guan was like a gourd with a cut mouth, saying nothing when asked, leaving him anxious and eager.

  "Second Master, don't ask any more questions, it's an urgent matter, the old master is waiting for you in the study!"

  Zhao, the steward, looked to be forty-five or six years old, with a somewhat portly build, and his slender eyes seemed extremely sharp. In fact, it wasn't that he didn't want to tell Second Master, but rather Old Master had given orders not to leak any information.

  "……" Zhao Tianbai was taken aback, thinking that he was the eldest son of the family, his father had always been fond of him, and even the housekeeper Zhao had always shown him respect, never speaking to him in such a rude tone. Hmm... Had he done something wrong to anger his father? But, but recently he had been busy with business matters, didn't have any free time at all.

  Zhao Tianbai thought for a moment and changed his questioning approach, "Zhao Housekeeper, is there an esteemed guest visiting Father today?"

  "...it is," Zhao the steward paused, thinking of Second Young Master's position in the Zhao family, and reminded him in a low voice, "It's someone from the Li family of Haicheng...the master seems to have been questioned by them until he was speechless, not to mention how angry he is!"

  Hai Cheng Li's family? Hmm, it seems like the Zhao family doesn't have any dealings with the Hai Cheng Li's family.

  Wait, isn't there a Confucian merchant in Haicheng named Li Changshu or Li Changzhong? But they don't have any business dealings with the Zhao family, do they? And he and Zhao Tianbai don't even have a half-cent relationship.

  "What's it got to do with me?"

  Although I don't remember having any festivals with the Li family, my father is not a person who vents his anger on others. Now that he's specifically telling him to "get out" and come back, it must have something to do with me.

  "Ah!"

  Zhao's housekeeper nodded slightly and said, to be honest, he had followed Master Zhao for over a decade, but this was the first time he saw him so angry. Alas, Second Young Master, you should take good care of yourself, I'm afraid I won't be able to help you!

  "Father, the child has returned, I don't know——"

  "Naughty child, get in here at once!"

  A loud and furious roar came from the study, scaring the waiting servants outside so much that their legs were trembling with fear.

  "Yes, Father!"

  Zhao Tianbai was also somewhat fearful. Originally, he had a few points of fear towards his strict father. When he heard his father's furious voice, his heart suddenly started racing wildly.

  Gathering his courage, Zhao Tianbai pushed open the door and stood in front of the desk with his hands clasped together, forcing a smile: "Father, I don't know what mistake I've made to make you so angry. If I'm wrong, please punish me, but don't get too worked up and harm your health!"

  "Hiss!"

  Several white papers flew towards Zhao Tianbai, and Old Master Zhao pointed at his son with a dark face, scolding: "You rebellious child, look at the good deed you've done! Now people are coming to our door to ask for justice, I'm so ashamed as your father that I have nothing to say. Hmph, you're going to lose all the face of the Zhao family..."