kvmb Chapter 241 Vomiting Blood
Chapter 241 Vomiting Blood
For the Second Madam, the First Madam's words were like a bolt from the blue.
So everything that should have gone to the second wife ended up in the hands of the first wife?
This was far more painful than killing her with a knife.
“Yes, I was confused at the time and made a big mistake. But Zhao Yi got away with nothing, and he keeps harping on my little mistake, forcing you to exterminate my whole family. We have already been punished, what more do they want? Do they want to drive us to our deaths before they will be satisfied?”
The second wife could not accept this fact: "These gold, silver and jade artifacts were discovered by me, so they should be my private property. Why should they be used to compensate Zhao Yi?"
"You've settled all the legal cases in the yamen." The old lady slammed her cane down heavily in front of her several times, then sneered, "If anything had happened to Yi'er, would you still be kneeling here trying to argue?"
She always held a sliver of hope for the second branch of the family, hoping that after they separated from the main household, they would reflect on their mistakes and reform themselves.
Instead of repenting, Luo Lingzhi became even more aggressive and accuses the eldest son's family of trying to force them to their deaths.
It truly proves the saying: "It is easier to change mountains and rivers than to change one's nature."
The old lady rested her hands on her cane, her eyes devoid of any warmth: "You discovered this batch of gold, silver and jade artifacts, so they should indeed be considered your private property. I'm telling you now, everything belonging to your second branch of the family belongs to Yi'er and Tan'er as compensation for them."
The second madam's face was pale. Was the old madam determined to give the things to Zhao Yi and Shen Qingtan?
“A person cannot stand without integrity. Today, I have decided to give all of this batch of gold, silver, and jade to Yi’er and Tan’er.” The old lady’s attitude was firm: “If you are not satisfied, then go to the yamen and sue us.”
"Mother, it was Shen Qingtan who plotted against us..."
"Shut up." The old lady didn't want to hear the second mistress say another word, and instructed the servants outside the door: "You carry these items to Lanxue Garden."
"Don't touch it! No one is allowed to touch my things!" The second wife rushed over, clutching the trunks and baskets. "If you want to take my things away, you'll have to step over my dead body."
The old lady gave the maid a wink.
Two rough-looking maids stepped forward, each grabbing one of the arms and dragging the second mistress away.
The second wife struggled fiercely, but the hands on her arms felt like two large iron clamps, preventing her from moving an inch.
The servants of the Duke's mansion quickly moved the chests and trunks away.
The second wife's eyes were bloodshot as she ordered the servants she had brought: "You're all dead, why aren't you going to snatch my things back?"
Instead of trying to snatch it, the servant took a few steps back in fear.
The second wife watched helplessly as her private belongings were moved away, box after box.
She spent over twenty years accumulating these things, bit by bit.
Over the years, she hasn't dared to use a single copper coin, for fear of being discovered.
She was just waiting for the Duke and the old lady to die, so that she could become the old lady of the mansion and then generously offer herself up for a good time.
Who would have thought that the second wife was expelled from the clan and separated from the family to live a life of poverty, barely able to make ends meet, and they were counting on this private stash of money to live a life of luxury.
In the end, this entire sum of money went into the pockets of Zhao Yi and Shen Qingtan.
She painstakingly and painstakingly saved up money, only to have it all go to someone else.
The second wife was so anxious that she vomited blood, her eyes rolled back, and she fainted.
The maidservant was startled and looked at the old lady in a panic: "Old Madam..."
The old lady glanced at the second wife indifferently: "Give her to her maid and take her back to Xingning Street."
The maidservant quickly threw away the hot potato.
The maids helped the second mistress leave the West Garden.
The noisy West Garden fell silent in an instant.
Shen Qingtan watched the Second Madam and her entourage disappear into the West Garden before turning her gaze away.
Today, Zhao Jue invited her to an appointment with a red ribbon and a sachet with a picture of a galloping horse soaring through the clouds.
After a moment's thought, she guessed that it was the Second Madam who instructed Zhao Jue to do it, in order to get her away and prevent her from managing the affairs of the West Garden.
Shen Qingtan had Liu Yue dress her up and then took a carriage to the appointment.
He disguised himself again, came out through a side door, returned to the Duke's mansion, and told the First Madam everything about the Second Madam's secret operation of a counterfeit goods shop and gambling den.
After discussing it, the mother-in-law and daughter-in-law handed over some of the evidence they had found to the old lady.
She then arranged for someone to pose as a night watchman and inform the gatekeeper that a thief had entered the West Garden.
The gatekeeper reported this to the old lady, who then sent people to investigate. The investigation led to the second wife, which resulted in the scene just now.
Thinking of the Second Madam's angry appearance, which made her vomit blood, Shen Qingtan felt a little better.
She guessed that the second madam had hidden a lot of money, but she never expected that she had hidden such a large sum of money. No wonder she could easily take out 90,000 taels of silver when she redeemed her dowry.
The second wife valued money more than her own life; killing her would actually be a relief for her.
Taking her money is like tearing flesh from her heart; it will make her wish she were dead.
Today's plan not only outmaneuvered the Second Madam, but also thwarted Pei Wuyan's scheme.
The old lady's people personally sent people to the West Garden to investigate the thieves, and naturally they were able to find Pei Wuyan and Zhao Wan.
Shen Qingtan looked at the aged-faced old lady: "Grandmother, this sum of money from Second Aunt..."
The old lady interrupted Shen Qingtan: "Tan'er, the money has been given to you, so take it."
This sum of money could only be kept by Zhao Yi and Shen Qingtan.
Shen Qingtan did not reply to the old lady, but instead looked at the first lady beside her.
The First Madam nodded slightly.
Shen Qingtan accepted it.
-
Pei Wuyan stood under the ginkgo tree, holding a brush in his hand, looking at Zhao Wan leaning against the tree as he painted.
The day he moved into the Duke's mansion, he learned that the Third Madam was secretly inquiring about him and had arranged for someone to send two kinds of pastries to his room.
Pei Wuyan sensed the Third Madam's intentions and planned to marry his daughter to him.
He specifically requested to paint at the West Garden, and given the Third Madam's sensibilities, she would surely have Zhao Wan come to keep the appointment.
Sure enough, Zhao Wan arrived at the West Garden within a quarter of an hour of his arrival.
She's just a young girl after all; she can't hide her thoughts, and they're all written on her face.
Pei Wuyan could see Zhao Wan's resistance to him, so he went along with her wishes: "Cousin, I know you're not happy with this marriage. How about we make a deal?"
She glanced at him in surprise, then quickly lowered her head again.
Pei Wuyan said gently, "If you lean against the ginkgo tree and paint a picture for me, I will decline this marriage proposal from the old lady."
She looked up, surprised, and asked, "Why?"
"If you are willing to marry me, I will use all the proper betrothal and wedding rites to bring you into my home, and I will treat you with the utmost respect in the future."
Pei Wuyan smiled gently and said, "If you are unwilling to marry me, I will not force you."
Remembering her mother's words, Zhao Wan stayed behind to paint for him in a daze, hoping that Pei Wuyan would keep his word and turn down the marriage proposal.
Now that it was dark, the servant lit an oil lamp.
Zhao Wan was restless and asked softly, "Cousin Pei, have you finished drawing?"
"It's finished." Pei Wuyan put down his brush and beckoned to her, "Come and take a look."
Zhao Wan looked up at Pei Wuyan, who stood tall and elegant in the hazy light and shadow, with delicate features and a gentle demeanor.
She pursed her lips, hesitated, and walked to Pei Wuyan's side. When she saw the painting on the stone table, she was stunned.