Xu Yanchi was off duty today. When he learned that his second uncle had been thrown into the imperial prison, he felt a twinge of regret. But if given another chance, he'd still do the same.
The Jin family had been raided, and none of the families on that ledger had escaped unscathed. Jin Bao was already a member of the Xu family. If he hadn't acted promptly, the next family to be raided would've been the Xus.
As the marquis and the head of the family, he had to plan for the whole family.
Moreover, it was his second uncle who had committed the crime. How could he drag the family down with him?
As compensation, he'd do his best to rescue his second uncle.
"Auntie, don't be too anxious. I've been asking around these days. But the imperial prison is no ordinary place. We can't rush. I've already had someone grease the wheels to make sure Uncle suffers less."
Xu Yanchi's face was full of indignation and shame.
"If I'd known that Jin Bao would bring such a disaster to the family, I shouldn't have agreed to let her into the house in the first place."
Shen Qing sneered inwardly. If he hadn't agreed to let Jin Bao in, where would his luxurious life have come from? And where would his glory as the commander of the Five - City Garrison come from?
Now that the Jin family might implicate him, he regretted letting Jin Bao in?
He sure knew how to kick someone when they were down and discard someone once they'd served their purpose.
Granny Ge resented Xu Yanchi for being so ruthless. When the Jin family got into trouble, he'd simply thrown Jin Bao to the second branch. Jin Bao was clearly his concubine. He didn't want her anymore, so he just gave her to the second branch. If it weren't for him, how could their second master have ended up in the imperial prison?
But she couldn't fall out with him now.
Her son was gone, and her natal family couldn't offer much help. Otherwise, she wouldn't have tolerated a junior taking over the family without splitting up. She knew that if they split up, with her spendthrift husband and son, she'd end up starving on the street sooner or later. As long as they didn't split up, she could at least live a good life.
But this whole thing was Xu Yanchi's fault. They had to rescue Xu Wei for her!
Now Granny Ge even hated the old lady. If it weren't for the old lady's greed for the Jin family's silver, how could they have invited such a disaster?
" Daughter - in - law Yanchi, I'm begging you. Please think of a way!"
Seeing that Shen Qing didn't say a word, Granny Ge made up her mind and knelt down with a thud in front of Shen Qing.
Shen Qing stepped aside and frowned, ordering someone to help Granny Ge up. Granny Ge didn't want to get up, but it was Zhuxing who was pulling her. Zhuxing easily pulled her up and forced her back into her seat, making her unable to move.
Shen Qing said, "Auntie, what you're saying. The imperial prison is directly under the emperor. What can I do?"
"You... Your Duke - Protecting Mansion has made great military achievements and has the imperial edict of immunity. How can you have no way? Our family can only rely on you now. You can't just ignore this!"
Shen Qing concealed the disgust in her eyes. What was Xu Wei? How could he be compared with her Duke - Protecting Mansion? How could he deserve her to plead for him using the glory of her grandfather and father?
"The imperial edict of immunity was used three years ago. Not to mention Uncle, even if it were me in the imperial prison, I wouldn't be able to do anything."
Did they really think the imperial edict of immunity was as common as cabbages and anyone could use it?
Not to mention that it was already gone. Even if it were still there, she had personally sent Xu Wei in. Could she still get him out unscathed?
Granny Ge's face turned deathly pale. Although she didn't pin her hopes on Xu Wei anymore, if her husband also died after her son's death, where would she stand in the marquis's mansion?
She was just a minor concubine's daughter. Back then, she'd seduced the lecherous Xu Wei and used some tricks to steal her elder sister's marriage and marry into the Xu family. As a result, she'd completely offended her natal family. She couldn't even go back to her own home!
The old lady couldn't bear to watch anymore. "Daughter - in - law Yanchi, you should also think of a way. Even if there's no imperial edict of immunity, it'd be good if you could ask someone to grease the wheels. After all, we're a family. You can't just watch your uncle in prison not knowing whether he's alive or dead."
"Yes," Xu Yanchi chimed in. There was something he didn't say.
Judging from the emperor's favor towards Shen Qing, it'd be as easy as pie for her to save someone. All she had to do was say a few words.
But this mustn't be known to others!
Xu Yanchi had secretly made up his mind to have a good talk with Shen Qing later. After all, he was her husband. Even if she was still angry with him, she couldn't deny this fact!
He'd promise her some benefits. He wouldn't let her do things for him for nothing.
Shen Qing said, "I understand. I'll ask someone to find out the news. Mother and Auntie, please rest assured. Since I'm a daughter - in - law of the Xu family, I'll surely plan for the Xu family."
Granny Ge was almost overjoyed to tears. But before she could say anything, she heard Shen Qing continue, "But Mother and Auntie also know the situation of the Duke - Protecting Mansion. After my mother passes away, the emperor will take back the mansion. Mother and I only have an empty title. In fact, we don't have much say. Auntie should also be mentally prepared."
Granny Ge could hardly stop crying.
Seeing the usually domineering Granny Ge so sad, everyone couldn't help but be moved.
The third aunt comforted her, "Auntie, don't be too sad. If it doesn't work out, it's just fate."
Granny Ge sobbed, "I understand. You just do your best. If it doesn't work... I won't blame you."
That's good.
Shen Qing didn't want to be hated by someone like Granny Ge.
"Then I'll have someone go and make arrangements."
Under Granny Ge's eager gaze, the old lady nodded. "Go ahead."
Not long after Shen Qing left the Hall of Longevity, Yingxiu couldn't help but whisper, "Miss, are we really going to ask someone to find out the news about Second Master?"
"Why not?"
She had personally sent him in. How could she not tell these people about Xu Wei's miserable state?
It would be a waste of effort if the people who were supposed to see the result of her painstakingly - laid plan didn't get to see it.
"Go. Ask someone to find out in detail. Make sure to pass back every bit of news about Uncle."
Shen Qing emphasized the words "in detail". Zhuxing immediately understood.
She'd go and tell the brothers to give Xu Wei more torture so that the whole marquis's mansion would know how miserable Second Master Xu was!
Shen Qing narrowed her eyes. Xu Wei was just the beginning. Next, she'd push the Xu family members into hell one by one!
"Shen Qing!"
"Wait a minute."
Shen Qing recognized the voice and immediately quickened her pace.
Seeing that she not only didn't wait for him but also walked faster, Xu Yanchi immediately chased after her and blocked her way.
Zhuxing was not around. Yingxiu instinctively stepped in front of Shen Qing to protect her. "What does the marquis want to do?"
Xu Yanchi's face darkened. How dare a maid talk to him like this!
"I won't argue with you today. I have something to say to the madam. Get out of the way."
Yingxiu wasn't going to move. The miss was pregnant. What if the marquis did something to hurt the miss and the baby in her belly?
"How dare you! A lowly maid dares to block my way. Someone, drag her away!"
"Stop." Shen Qing pulled Yingxiu behind her and looked at Xu Yanchi unceremoniously. "Did the marquis chase after me just to take out his anger on my maid?"
Xu Yanchi was at a loss for words. He tried to save face. "I have something to say to you. She won't let me through. Can't I punish her?"
Shen Qing sneered. "Yingxiu is my personal maid. Everything she does is at my order. Does the marquis want to punish me too?"
"Exactly. I think the divorce letter is a good idea. Why doesn't the marquis write one? I'll leave with them right away and won't get in the marquis's way."
The servants who were about to step forward to seize Yingxiu looked at each other in surprise. Everyone in the mansion knew that the marquis and the madam had a bad relationship, but they didn't know it was this bad!
The madam was even asking for a divorce. They were not a couple but enemies!