Allure of a Country Maiden-Chapter 156 - 154 Post

Mrs. Shen was shaking with rage!

"Stop! Don’t you dare leave!"

Then she pointed at Mrs. Liu and scolded fiercely: "Mrs. Liu, you two-faced harpy! This morning, when my third son came to pay respects, he said after breakfast he was going to see the shop and villa. So there’s money for a shop and a villa, but not enough to pay this little bit of silver. Who would believe that!"

Upon hearing this, the servants paused, turning to look at Xiao’er and her mother.

"Grandmother, do you know that we have over twenty servants in the Marquis Mansion? If father doesn’t invest in some properties in the Imperial Capital, how long could we rely solely on the emperor’s rewards and father’s salary? If we’ve silver in hand, wouldn’t it be best to invest it wisely? I’m a child and even I understood this, why don’t you?" Xiao’er exclaimed, her voice and expression implying, I am but a child, yet I understand this much, why does she not?

"Yes, if we don’t find ways to earn money, and we spend all our silver, we can’t afford to provide for everyone with just husband’s official salary! Soon, the people of Marquis Shengping’s mansion will starve!" Mrs. Liu added, her face concerned.

Others, upon hearing them, felt they had a point! To be able to live lavishly in the Imperial Capital, could they really rely only on an official paycheck? Impossible! What respectable family doesn’t have investments?

Without money, not only would they be unable to return favors, they wouldn’t even be able to bribe their way through the obstacles. It would be difficult to get things done!

It seems she’s just a short-sighted country woman. She would only pull her son back!

The Marquis Shengping is quite unlucky!

Everyone shook their heads, collected their belongings, and left as they came.

"Mrs. Liu, you ungrateful, poisonous woman, I will file a complaint with the emperor! As if you could be the wife of Marquis Shengping, dream on!"

"Grandmother, do you need me to help you prepare the carriage? I heard that filing a complaint requires one to kneel on a nail board, remember to go to the pharmacy for medication beforehand. What if you get seriously injured!" Xiao’er offered, feigning concern.

"Mother, do you have the documents for property division and relationship severance? When the emperor issues the edict later, remember to bring them as evidence." After saying this to Mrs. Shen, Xiao’er turned to ask Mrs. Liu.

Threaten us? Let’s see if they succeed! Let them taste the consequences of shooting themselves in the foot!

"Yes, I brought them! We might not have brought silver, but we couldn’t forget these two essential items! I keep them with me all the time, otherwise, it will be difficult to reason!" Mrs. Liu tapped her chest to indicate that she always keeps it safe close to her.

Mrs. Shen nearly vomited blood from the anger! "Poisonous woman with a black heart, you will not end well..."

Mrs. Li was filled with regret! She was truly blinded back then! This was a cruel joke by the heaven! Not only did the third son escape danger successfully, but he grew richer and more prestigious!

"Mrs. Liu, look what you have done to mother! Hurry and call for the imperial physician!" The younger sister-in-law, who had always called her own sister-in-law Mrs. Liu, with no respect or manners!

With such an attitude, she was dreaming if she thought her family would provide her with a dowry worth thousands of taels!

"Sister-in-law, we are new here and don’t know much, like how to call for the imperial doctor or where he is. Grandmother was just cursing vigorously, I don’t think anything is wrong with her. You’d better help her go back to her room and rest. In the future, unless necessary, you all should not come out. If your reputation is ruined, which family would dare to take you in. Let’s go back to our room, mother." After saying this, she walked away with Mrs. Liu.

They left behind several people fuming with anger.

"It’s outrageous! When my third son returns, he will certainly divorce you!" Mrs. Shen’s words were powerless.

She was just pretending to save face in front of the servants!

The third son no longer listened to her words.

――

"Your grandmother and the rest have become more and more outrageous! They dared to rack up bills for things worth thousands of taels!" Mrs. Liu became angry every time she thought of the amount the waiters reported when they came to collect the debts.

"Mother doesn’t need to fret. Grandmother and grandfather did raise father after all. Even though we’ve severed ties, we can’t completely ignore them. As long as we provide them with good meals, we don’t need to care about anything else. This way, even the emperor wouldn’t be able to fault us. Who would dare to say we’re not filial?!"

Mrs. Liu too understood this. They were no longer lacking in food or clothes now, simply treat it like dealing with beggars.

The two therefore continued discussing other matters.

At this time, Moli came in from outside with an invitation.

"Madam, Miss Xiao’er, this is an invitation from Marquis Zhongyong."

Xiao’er received it and glanced at it.

Turns out it was about the grand celebration of Di Shaowei’s grandmother’s birthday. Presumably, since her family is in the Imperial Capital, they sent an invitation as well.

Although her father and Marquis Zhongyong were both Marquis, the latter held real power! He was the grandfather of Di Shaowei, who was awarded the title of Marquis for his meritorious military service by the previous emperor!

Di Shaowei’s father was now the Chief General who defended the nation! A first-rank general, a notorious and revered killer in the Imperial Court!

Moreover, many of his descendants wielded influence in court.

The Zhongyong Residence was also the Empress’s maternal home.

Unlike her family who held the title of Marquis in name only, it was incomparable!

"What does the invitation say?"

"It’s the birthday of Brother Di’s grandmother. They are inviting us to attend." The invitation read "whole family is cordially invited." Xiao’er frowned, she couldn’t take Mrs. Shen, Mrs. Li and others with such shallow vision with her, there was clearly a budding romantic interest between Shen Bei’er and Di Shaowei.

If she brought them along, it wouldn’t be attending a celebration, but causing a disturbance instead!

"Young Master Di has done much for our family and owes us a great favor, we can’t be stingy with the gift we give! When does it take place?"

"In five days." Upon hearing Mrs. Liu’s words, Xiao’er snapped back to reality. She wasn’t worried about the gifts, as they had valuable things stored in her space.

She needed to come up with an excuse for Mrs. Shen and others, so they wouldn’t go to the celebration at Marquis Zhongyong’s residence.

They can’t all suddenly fall sick, that would be too obvious.

Right then, Shen Chengyao walked in, and Mrs. Liu quickly poured him a glass of water.

Shen Chengyao took it, drank it all in one gulp, then poured himself another glass.

Clearly, he was extremely thirsty.

"Father, did you have any gains today?" Xiao’er waited until Chengyao finished drinking before she asked.

"There is a villa named Hot Spring outside the city, over a hundred acres of fertile land, and two mountains. The asking price is 4,000 taels, a bit expensive, but the villa’s land is fertile, and the two mountains are well maintained."

"Couldn’t the price be negotiated?" Mrs. Liu frowned. Three thousand taels! There were only a little over a hundred acres of fertile land and two mountains. That was too expensive!

They had bought wasteland and barren mountains in their village for less than 200 taels!

The price difference was too big, it was something Mrs. Liu could not accept!

Xiao’er’s eyes lit up at the mention of the Hot Springs Villa. She thought of a way to ensure that Mrs. Shen and her group don’t attend the celebration at the Marquis Zhongyong’s mansion.

"Father, can I go with you to see the villa tomorrow? If it’s good, I want to buy it."

"Isn’t that too expensive?" Mrs. Liu did not quite agree.

"Mother, soaking in hot springs is good for the body! Moreover, I have an urgent need for it! Mother, do not worry, even if we buy it at a high price, I can quickly earn it back!"

"Even though you say so, I still feel like we’re incurring a big loss. But if you like it, it’s fine!" After grumbling a little, Mrs. Liu’s tone already less relentless.