It was the first time to come to Huang's house, and the lotus that had been here before was not there. I couldn't help but ask where they went. Zhang Wulang saw the door of the Huang family facing the main street and the ten door spears lined up at the door, knowing it was an official, and refused to follow Peony and others into the house, only willing to bring people outside to guard.

  Peony reluctantly followed Xue's wife into the house. Just a few steps away, Mrs. Fu came out with a smile on her face and was startled when she saw Peony's appearance, but she didn't ask any questions and said: "Mrs. He is a rare guest, last time my lady wanted to invite you over for dinner, but I knew you were busy at the farm, so I didn't go to disturb you. She also said that after this period of time, she would like to invite you over to play."

  "Peony smiled strongly: 'I'm afraid I've let down your good intentions, but these days are really very busy.'"

  The mother accompanied her as she walked in, smiling and explaining why Xue Niang hadn't come out to greet them: "Xue Niang heard that you'd arrived and was overjoyed. She wanted to rush off and put on her new autumn clothes to show you, but it'll probably take some time before she comes out."

  "Never mind, I have an urgent matter that requires me to see your wife first. Is she at home? Does she have time?"

  The maid had anticipated that her mistress would come like this, and must have something to ask for, but she didn't dare to respond on behalf of Lady Du first, so she left some room: "Today the lady has a visitor, I wasn't serving there, and I don't know if the guest has left or not. You wait a bit, let me go take a look."

  "Actually, it's related to the incident where Xue Niang collided with Ning Wangfu's carriage last time. I need to see Madam Meng."

  "You wait, I'll go and take a look." The expression on Fuma's face was indeed different. She called over a maid to lead Peony and Xue Shi to the side hall where Lady Du usually received guests, served them tea, bowed her head in greeting, and quickly retreated to the back.

  Mrs. Duan was idle and was arranging a few chrysanthemums, after listening to what Mother Pei said, she frowned and said: "Didn't she say specifically what the matter was?"

  Fu's mother had a good impression of Peony, so she smiled and said: "It wasn't mentioned, but it seems like it should be something not too big or too small. She usually has a sense of propriety in her daily life. That time really thanks to her, quite righteous."

  Mrs. Dou put down the scissors in her hand, ordered people to bring water to wash her hands, and said: "You don't have to speak for her either. Since she has already come to the door and is a good friend of Xue Niang, it's not possible to refuse to see her. We must listen to what she has to say before making a decision. First, let's detain Xue Niang and not let her cause trouble."

  Mrs. Dou received the gift and quietly went to the side hall, where she saw Peony and Xue Shi sitting in the guest seat with a serious expression. The two people's faces were not very good-looking, but still calm. After thinking for a moment, she stepped forward and laughed loudly: "Peony, I invited you early, but you didn't come, saying that you were busy, so I didn't dare to let Xue Shi disturb you. As a result, that little girl always says that I'm holding her back. Luckily, you finally came today!"

  Peony and Lady Duan didn't meet often, nor were they familiar with each other. Since she had come to ask for a favor, she couldn't help but feel a bit nervous and constrained. After introducing herself to Lady Duan and exchanging formalities, Peony sat down as the guest. She had intended to get straight to the point, but Lady Duan insisted on making small talk, so Peony could only accompany her politely.

  Mrs. Dou saw that Peony's eyes had a hint of urgency, but her words and actions were still calm and composed, which made her even more appreciative. Only then did she steer the conversation to the main topic: "I heard from Auntie Fu that you have something to tell me? Is it related to the incident where Xue Niang collided with Ning Wangfu's carriage last time?"

  "Peony hastily took out the string of sandalwood beads that Meng Ruo had forcibly stuffed into her bosom: 'On that day, Meng Ruo forced one string each on me and Xue Niang, do you know about this, madam?'"

  Mrs. Duan glanced at the pearl and jokingly said: "I know about this thing, what's wrong? Is there something strange inside the pearl?"

  "Peony wiped away tears and said: 'This pearl is not strange, but people are strange. I came to ask the lady for help! I hope the lady will lend a helping hand.' After finishing speaking, she stood up and bowed deeply to Lady Duan."

  Mrs. Dou saw that she was holding back tears and hastily got up to support her, saying: "Tell me clearly, what's going on?"

  "Peony knew that no one would welcome a stranger running into their home to cry, so she forced back her tears and said softly: 'The Ning Wang Fu's Meng Ruoren sent someone to say that the string of pearls I received was betrothal money, and they want to take me to the Ning Wang Fu. If not, they will punish me. Although my status is lowly, I am not someone who only sees wealth and nobility, nor do I want to be taken away by force and treated like a shameless woman. I have the intention of dying to prove my innocence, but I also don't want to die unclearly.'"

  "Peony stole a glance at Mrs. Dou's expression, but saw that her face was solemn and attentive, so she continued: 'I've thought it over and over, and the only thing I can do is ask Xue Niang to be a witness for me. Just tell the truth, prove that Meng Ruoren and I never mentioned marriage before, and this pearl was something she said herself as a gift when we met, and forced her mother to give it to us. I know this will put you in a difficult position, Mrs. Dou, but there's really no other way. If you can lend me a helping hand this time, Peony will be eternally grateful.'" She finished with another bow.

  Mrs. Dou took the pearl and examined it carefully, a hint of amusement on her face: "Who was the one who came to deliver the message?" Peony didn't mention Xue Niang, but only mentioned being a witness. However, both of them received the pearls at the same time, and they were identical. This could be considered as betrothal gift for Peony, so what about Xue Niang's? This Meng Ruo person is simply unaware of the heights of heaven and earth!

  The peony-faced woman's ears turned red as she said in a low voice: "It was my paternal aunt, Madame Cui."

  Madam Duan smiled again, returned the pearl to Peony and said: "I understand. Since it was you who helped my family's Xue Niang get into trouble, I certainly can't just stand by and watch. You go back first, as soon as there is any news, I will send someone to find you."

  Peony obtained a vague promise from Mrs. Du, although she was still uneasy, but also knew that it could only go this far. She said to invite Xue Niang to testify for her, in fact, she came to ask for Mrs. Du's help. What she gambled on was the hope that Mrs. Du still had a sense of chivalry and justice, and she didn't expect Mrs. Du to do much, as long as Mrs. Du stood by her side at critical moments, mediating and turning things around would be enough.

  Sent off Peony, Lady Duan sank into thought for a moment, had someone bring out the string of pearls from Xue Niang, ordered people to prepare the sedan chair, and prepared to go find Li Man Niang without mentioning it.

  But as soon as Peony and Xue's wife had left the Huang family gate, they saw Zhang Wu Lang and Wu standing at the foot of the wall on the opposite side of the street, talking while occasionally glancing over here. Seeing the two women, Zhang Wu Lang immediately threw down Wu and rushed over, anxiously asking: "How is it?"

  Peony saw his crooked hat and the half-dry chicken dung on his boots, as well as the anxiety on his face, and suddenly felt a sense of closeness, and also smiled lightly: "It's said that I won't be a bystander, let me go back and wait for news."

  Zhang Wulang was overjoyed, like a child, and said loudly: "I told you, there is still justice in this world. Let's go, I'll send you back home."

  Wu Zong slowly walked over with his hands clasped together, looked at Peony and Xue Shi, bowed and said seriously: "Madam He need not worry, this is just a small matter, it will naturally stop after a while."

  "Thank you, General Wu," Peony smiled and said, "I hope your words come true."

  He said very seriously: "It will definitely be. He Niang is a good person, has ambition, and God will not let you suffer such grievances." After finishing, he clasped his fists and bid farewell to several people: "I have something important to do, I'll take the lead first." After speaking, he turned over and rode away on horseback.

  Zhang Wulang sensitively felt that Peony's attitude towards him was somewhat different from before, and he happily scratched his head and smiled: "Dan Niang, what does this person do? Just now he chatted with me for a few sentences, quite insightful, and the temperament is also quite right."

  "Neither do I know what he does, only that he's probably the trusted steward of a wealthy family. He said he used to travel all over the country when he was younger, probably because of this."

  Although she had met Jiang Changyang several times since the incident of buying stones with Yuan Shijiu, they were more familiar with each other and spoke more casually, but never mentioned their private affairs. So, Wu didn't know what he was doing after all. If you say he is Jiang Changyang's long-serving subordinate, the way the two men interacted sometimes doesn't seem like it, but if you say he isn't, he is a little man who has all the etiquette and is absolutely obedient to Jiang Changyang. A very strange yet harmonious master-slave pair.

  Zhang Wulang received such a vague reply and was somewhat dissatisfied: "I think he's quite concerned about you, I thought he was your family's closest friend."

  "Peony smiled awkwardly: 'Zhang Wuge, I really don't know, although we've met a few times, but I don't even know what his name is, all I know is to call him Wu.'"

  "He must have been a soldier before."

  The peony didn't make a sound, it turned out that Li Wei had also guessed before, Jiang Changyang must have been in the military, holding a knife for a long time, and even killed people. If it's true, then Wu being in the military is normal too, Zhang Wulang was right. As soon as she thought of Li Wei, Peony's heart sank again uncontrollably, it's hard to describe the feeling in her heart, she just felt sour, astringent and sad.

  The flower blooms with two heads, the words split into two branches, but Si Lang held his breath and rushed to Li Wei's shop in East City. After searching for two houses that were not there, he became more and more anxious and ran out. Ignoring the loud shouts of Bai Shi and Li Shi behind him, he rode straight to West City and burst into Li Wei's largest silk shop. With a fierce expression, he stood in the main hall, grabbed a young clerk and asked: "I ask you, where is your master?"

  That young man just arrived, I don't know him. Seeing his fierce appearance, he warned vigilantly: "Our master is not here."

  Si Lang suddenly pushed him, his eyes scanning the shelves one by one, thinking about where to start smashing things and getting this bird's temper out first. Before he even made a move, Cang Shan came up with a smile and said: "Fourth Master He, how do you have time to come over today? Are you looking for our master? He is in the quiet room at the back, let me go and inform him for you."

  Si Lang heard that Li Wei was inside, and couldn't help but sneer. He stretched out his hand and gently turned Cangshan around in a circle, took a step forward, and said loudly: "No need, I'll go see him myself!" He walked to the quiet room with ease, lifted his foot and kicked the door open.