Chapter 100: Leaving Home (Part 1)

  I have never met this Jining Shifu before, let alone having any relationship with her. Who asked her to come find me? Come to think of it, I don't know many people either.

  She couldn't help but feel a sudden jump in her heart, and her palms were suddenly sweaty.

  She calmly smiled and followed Shifu out of the main hall in front of Tai Furen, going to a side room on the east wing.

  The maid served tea to the two of them, and Shi Tai from Jining smiled and said: "Fourth Lady, I don't know if you are familiar with a woman named Duan Shuangying and another named Yuan Xueyi."

  Big Aunt and Second Aunt!

  Although she had a vague guess, when it was confirmed, Eleventh still felt very shocked.

  I didn't expect that they still had such good names... However, since Madam Ji Ning came through Madame Tai and wanted to have a private talk with her in front of everyone, she asked straightforwardly if she knew the two aunts, seemingly well-prepared.

  She smiled slightly: "My mother's older sister and younger sister, one surnamed Duan, the other Yuan. I just don't know if they are the two you mentioned."

  "That's it." said Shi Tai with a smile. "Big Auntie said, Madam is a straightforward person, let me find you and say that you will definitely help them."

  After deceiving everyone, including herself... why would two aunts think they could help her?

  Eleventh Young Lady smiled and looked at Master Ji Ning without saying a word.

  The abbess of the temple was not surprised by her attitude, but smiled and said: "The two aunts said that they have been Buddhists for many years and sincerely want to become nuns to worship the Buddha. However, the mistress is afraid that people will gossip and say that the two aunts became nuns because they couldn't bear the mistress's abuse. Therefore, she has not agreed to it. This time, after following the noble family to Yanjing, they have become disillusioned with the world and left home to take refuge in my temple. I don't know if the madam knows about Ci Yuan Temple. In Yanjing, although my Ci Yuan Temple cannot compare to temples like Hu Guo Temple and Bai Yun Guan that are protected by the Buddhist and Taoist authorities, it is not an unknown place either." As she spoke, a proud expression appeared on her face. "The two aunts can read and write, have good manners, and speak eloquently. Taking refuge in my temple will allow them to focus on their Buddhist practice and also showcase their talents. Madam, now that you are stranded in Yanjing and unfamiliar with the place, why not open the door of convenience for the two aunts and make things easier for yourself as well?"

  The two bridesmaids were really good strategists!

  Just recognizing characters and breaking down sentences with a moderate tone, elegant words might not be enough to impress this mistress!

  "I wonder how much incense money the two aunts donated after taking refuge in the noble temple?"

  Eleventh Young Lady gazed calmly at Shi Nian's wife.

  "Madam is indeed a straightforward person. However, it's 5,000 taels of silver."

  The eleventh girl made an effort to control herself and didn't reveal a surprised expression.

  Nan Jingning smiled and said, "These silvers are naturally not in the eyes of Princess Yongping, but for the two aunts, it is the merit of filial piety to Guanyin. That's why they begged me to help with this trip."

  The eleventh girl couldn't help but feel sad for Yang's wife.

  At first, she thought that the silver ticket was in the Ten Niang's bracelet, but later it turned out to be arsenic... At that time, she was wondering where the money had gone? Or what was it used for?

  The story has an answer here.

  The tenth girl stayed in the remaining Yu Hang, which could only be cleaned up by the old lady like a dull knife cutting meat. It's better to make a desperate attempt, maybe there's still a way out. And the two aunts must have gained Yang Niang's trust in a way that deceived themselves, and jointly set down this trap within a trap. Yang Niang used her own death to divert everyone's attention, while also hoping that the old lady would know she was dead and spare some pity for the tenth girl, letting the two aunts take advantage of attending the temple fair to take away the tenth girl, then travel together to Beijing.

  It was as if Shi Niang had appeared out of nowhere, and it seemed that she had been in Yanjing for some time. But who could have informed them?

  Having received someone's entrustment, one should be loyal to their affairs. Since it is so, why didn't the two aunts come forward to stop Xiang'er from marrying Wang Lang?

  Jining smiled as if he could see through her thoughts, saying: "The two aunts also asked me to pass on a message to the madam. They said that the tenth young lady seeks benevolence and gets it, seeks righteousness and gets it. They are just weak women after all, seeking an opportunity to survive!"

  The eleventh girl couldn't help but smile bitterly: "After all, this is a matter of my mother's family, and I'm afraid it will still be up to my mother to make the decision."

  "That's natural." Ji Ning smiled, "Since the first wife of the Luo manor was able to marry you into the Yongping Hou manor, she must have had some thoughts. Two aunts are not too many, and fewer is not a pity. It seems that this account is calculated by the first wife of the Luo manor. But it's different for Ci Yuan Temple. To have someone like the two aunts who speak with reason, they must be very favored by the ladies of high-ranking families. This is also why I had to come to the madam's presence to ask for this favor."

  She repeatedly emphasized that Zhong Yi had two aunts, welcoming the two aunts to come to Ci Yuan Temple to become nuns. It seems that she has made up her mind to wade through this muddy water.

  Eleven girls can also understand.

  The temple wants to expand, it must have the corresponding talent. Generally, people who become monks are not because of poverty and having no one to rely on, but because of family changes and being disheartened. The former has not received much education, while the latter is very indifferent to worldly affairs. Like the two aunts, they used to serve the old master and accompany him in reading at night, their knowledge and demeanor are not ordinary. At this age, they are still stirring up trouble by leaving home, fearing that they will disrupt the layout of the first wife and be retaliated against, I estimate that there is also a desire to start a new life. Such two people can join Ciyuan Temple and donate a large sum of incense money... No matter from which aspect, Jining wants to take the lead. Moreover, Shi Niang married into Maoguo Gongfu, and she herself married into Yongping Houfu, if the truth comes out, Shi Niang privately left home, she has such a rebellious sister... In the end, the reputation is damaged for the two of them, and what is gained is not worth the loss for the Luo family.

  So, it was only then that Madame Jining dared to speak so bluntly.

  "Since Madam doesn't object, we'll make a trip to the Luo residence." Ji Ning Shifu's goal was achieved, and she stood up with a smile, "If Old Lady asks, I'll say that the two aunts thought of becoming nuns at Ci Yuan Temple and specially asked me to invite Madam to speak on their behalf in front of Madame Luo. As for other matters, I won't mention a word."

  It seems we still have to thank this Mrs. Jining and the two aunts?

  The eleventh girl is somewhat between tears and laughter.

  She suddenly had some understanding of Xu Lingyi's helplessness.

  That day in the small courtyard, Mingming knew it was a trap set by Yuanniang, Mingming knew there would be consequences, but for those considerate people or things, he could only jump down with his eyes open...

  Back to Tai Furen's place, Jining Shitai indeed said as in the east wing house that she came to invite Eleventh Lady to speak with Madame Wang on behalf of two aunts. She also said that Eleventh Lady felt that since the two aunts had already made up their minds to become nuns, they were willing to help them out. After waiting for one month after the new marriage, she would ask Tai Furen and Houye's opinion and then choose a day to return to her mother's home to discuss the matter of the two aunts with her own mother.

  Although everyone felt a little surprised after hearing it, the words of Jining Shitai were reasonable and made sense. It was also a matter of the 11th princess's family, so no one pursued it at this time.

  Madam Zhenning spoke for a while and then took her leave. The old lady looked at the time and it was getting late, so she went to the Buddhist hall with Du's mother. The others naturally dispersed as well.

  Eleventh Girl returned home and found Dong Qing, telling her about the meaning of Jinan's arrival.

  "Go back and tell Da Nai about this, especially remind her that Jining seems to have made up his mind to intervene in this matter." He also instructed, "Don't tell Da Tai for the time being, first talk to Da Nai and ask her to bring a plan. See what I should do on my end?"

  Dong Qing nodded and left.

  Eleventh Girl called out to Tao Mama again: "Can you pick a few quick-witted and clever people? I still have two second-class maids, six third-class maids, and four rough-duty amahs missing."

  "Madam, don't worry, I'll take care of it. I'll bring the person over for you to see this afternoon."

  The eleventh girl nodded and said in a low voice: "Can two or three people be arranged to work as servants in the study of the outer courtyard?"

  She is indeed Yuan Niang's daughter!

  "Mrs. Tao hesitated for a moment before speaking in a low voice, 'The three young masters are studying at home and there are several people from our side who have been sent over. If the lady wants to know anything, just ask me directly. Even if I can't answer it immediately, I'll send someone with a message this afternoon.'"

  Eleventh girl slightly shook her head: "Listening to the tone of Lord Hou, I'm afraid he's looking for a suitable teacher for the three young masters. At that time, it will definitely be in the outer study hall. Rong'er is already six years old this year and his body is weak, so he will probably follow several older brothers to start school in the outer study hall. Madame didn't mean to have me take care of Rong'er at all. Moreover, as inner house women, we can't compare with men who are outside seeing more and knowing more. If there's a good teacher by our side guiding us from time to time, it would occupy a name and also supervise Rong'er's behavior and studies. What's more, if something happens, we can talk to the teacher and have him teach Rong'er. Isn't that better than you and I randomly interfering?"

  Mrs. Tao couldn't help but praise: "Madam, this is a great idea. I understand. I'll go and take care of it right away." With that, she hastily got up.

  "You don't have to be so anxious." Shí yī niáng smiled and said, "Firstly, Mr. Yī's matter has not been settled yet, secondly, we are just preparing in advance, fearing that when the time comes, it will attract people's attention. You should know, there are three young masters studying together, it is us who want to keep an eye on Zhēn gē, those who don't know, would think we are going to keep an eye on èr shǎo yé."

  "Madam, rest assured, I will take care of it without anyone noticing," she said, then hesitated and added, "But there's still some trouble with Wanxiang..."

  "Go on!"

  "Wanxiang came to me yesterday and said that the kitchen in the mansion, except for the main one, all the other ten kitchens are not allowed to order dishes on their own. If someone wants to add a dish temporarily, they have to pay for it themselves and the kitchen will make it separately." Taomama continued, "In the past when Dagu Nainai was in charge of the household, each kitchen would take out money according to its size, and some kitchens would use more in the first half of the month and save in the second half. There were never any cases of overspending. The cost of temporarily adding dishes is naturally borne by each person themselves. But now that San Furen has..."

  "...In that case, ten kitchens can go shopping together." Shí yī niáng smiled and picked up the conversation, "Kitchen procurement is a big fortune, isn't it?"

  Mother Tao was stunned.

  The smile of the eleventh girl was still like that, with a warm and gentle tone, but her eyes had a calm and composed demeanor that seemed to see through everything. It was as if she was saying, "It's just some small tricks, you don't have to panic!"

  Mrs. Tao's face suddenly turned bright red.

  In the blink of an eye, I've written 100 chapters! Haha oo