Shen Ruoxin's figure vanished into the darkness before dawn, like a pebble thrown into the lake surface. Ripples, however, quietly spread in Pingjiang Prefecture, stirring up the murky undercurrent.
The first to be swept away by this undercurrent was not the enemy far away in Fengqiao Town, but the one right beside them - public opinion.
It seemed that overnight, gossip about the Jinxiu Pavilion and the second daughter of the Shen family began to spread quietly in the teahouses, taverns, streets and alleys of Pingjiang Prefecture.
Have you heard? The second young lady of the Splendid Pavilion, despite her young age, has extraordinary skills!
Not only extraordinary! Upon hearing that her father's body was still intact, she was in a hurry to sell off her family property, saying that she wanted to raise money for some poor relatives in the north to start a family. I think she must have ulterior motives, right?
"Exactly!" I saw the housekeeper of the Splendid Pavilion. Two days ago, she went to the money shop with a large number of silver notes, looking very mysterious. Who knows if the money was clean or..."
"SHH!" Keep your voice down! I also heard that the second young lady ran away overnight the other day! He only brought a few servants and hired a wild chicken carriage outside, saying he was going to visit a friend. I think he must have something to hide in his heart and have gone out to avoid trouble, right?
"An unmarried girl's family, it's fine for her to show up and manage her business, but she's running around so aimlessly. What kind of dignity is that!" Shen Hanlin (referring to Shen's father, although he did not become a Hanlin scholar, he was respectfully called by the common people) will surely ruin his reputation for a lifetime at the hands of this daughter!
These rumors and gossip, like poisoned needles, seem minor but precisely hit Shen Ruoxin's weak points - her identity as a daughter, her "overstepping" behavior, her secret flow of funds and her sudden departure from the residence. Every word she said was hinting at being unscrupulous, impure and unfilial, attempting to tear to pieces the "filial piety" coat she had meticulously constructed and drag her into the quagmire of morality and public opinion.
When Li Molan heard these rumors, she was so angry that she trembled all over. She immediately judged that this was by no means an accidental street talk, but rather someone was fanning the flames behind the scenes!
Who is it? "!" In the empty warehouse, she lowered her voice and asked Wang Xiuniang, "Is it Su Ji?" Or those people like Zhao Babapi? Why are they informed so quickly? ! The second young lady had just left when they began to splash dirty water!
Wang Xiuniang's expression was also extremely gloomy. She shook her head, her eyes solemn: "It's hard to say." Su Ji has been keeping a close eye on us. It's certain that they want to take advantage of the situation. Zhao Babai also has informants in Pingjiang Prefecture. Our previous actions might not have been able to deceive him. Even... Those in the government who want to make fun of us and are waiting for a share of the pie might also be possible!
So what should we do now? Li Molan was extremely anxious. "The second young lady is not here, and the eldest young master's side..." She hesitated to speak, a trace of worry flashing across her face.
Since Shen Ruoxin left, the eldest son Shen Yu, in the capacity of an "elder brother", has forcefully intervened in the management of the Jinxiu Pavilion. Although he did not make any outrageous moves for the time being due to his mother, Lady Liu, and the courtesy of the elderly, he merely strengthened the "supervision" over the accounts and the warehouse. However, his doubts and distrust cast a shadow over the Jinxiu Pavilion.
If these malicious rumors reached the ears of the eldest young master, with his meticulous care for his reputation and already suspicious attitude towards his sister, the consequences would be unimaginable!
Don't let him know! Wang Xiuniang made a prompt decision, "At least, we can't let him hear these dirty words from outside!" We must suppress this unhealthy trend before the rumors spread further and before the eldest son loses his temper!
How to press? Li Molan frowned. "We are short of hands now and have to deal with the Third Young Master Liu's side..."
"If you can't hold it down, you have to 'guide' it!" A trace of shrewdness from having experienced many things flashed in Wang Xiuniang's eyes. "Since they want to bring up the 'filial piety' of the second young lady, let's do this' filial piety 'even more thoroughly and more touching!"
She leaned close to Li Molan and said in a low voice, "You forgot?" The claim that the second young lady asked us to spread about the "elder brother's wedding information" before? Now, it just comes in handy! Not only should we say it, but we should also do it in a big way, making it known to all and bringing tears to people's eyes!
Li Molan instantly understood Wang Xiuniang's intention and her eyes lit up: "What Xiuniang means is..." "Turn defense into offense?"
"Right!" Wang Xiuniang nodded. "They say that the second young lady has ulterior motives for selling the family property?" We just said that it was to avoid disappointing our father's spirit in heaven and to show the brotherly love among all our fellow countrymen! It is to enable the Shen family bloodline who have been wandering outside to return to their roots and start a family and a career with great honor! What a great righteousness and filial piety this is!
"Did they say that the second young lady left the mansion overnight to avoid disaster?" We just said that it was because she heard that her cousin was seriously ill and was extremely worried that she disregarded etiquette and dignity and traveled through the night to visit him! A weak woman, running around and toiling for her family, how tenacious and affectionate she is!
They said it was unclear that the second young lady used a large sum of money? Let's take out the seemingly reasonable accounts that have been prepared long ago (such as purchasing expensive medicinal materials, paying high fees, etc.) and leave those gossips speechless!
Wang Xiuniang became more and more agitated as she spoke, as if she had already witnessed the scene of those rumor-mongers being slapped in the face: "We want everyone to know that our second young lady is not some rebellious wild girl, but a weak woman who is willing to sacrifice herself to support the family business and abide by filial piety!" Whoever dares to slander her again has no conscience and is going against the entire word "filial piety"!
These words made Li Molan's blood boil. Exactly! The second young lady endured humiliation and shouldered the heavy burden of the Shen family. She also spared no effort for those relatives she had never met (even though they were fictional). This in itself is a deeply touching drama of filial piety and righteousness! As long as this play is performed well and sung loudly, those malicious rumors will naturally be dispelled!
"Ok!" Li Molan immediately said, "Xiuniang, you are highly respected and popular. I'll leave this' performing opera 'to you!" You should visit your neighbors and familiar shops more often and let this statement out "casually". Here, I'll have the accountant make the relevant accounts more detailed. Then, I'll have a few smart maidservants go outside and "accidentally" hear some rumors. After that, they'll come back and "indignantly" defend the second young lady, messing up the situation!
The two had made up their minds and immediately went their separate ways.
Wang Xiuniang changed into a decent dress and carried a small basket, going to the familiar cloth stores and rice shops as usual. She didn't directly refute the rumors. Instead, during casual chats with others, she sighed and "unintentionally" mentioned the "difficulties" of the second young lady and the "pitifulness" of that "distant cousin". A few just-right old tears and a few touching sighs drew the sympathy and sighs of many people.
"Alas, it's not easy for the second daughter of the Shen family either. At such a young age, she has to support such a big family..."
"Yeah, for that cousin I've never met before, I've really done my best!"
"Who says it's not? Nowadays, such a loyal and caring girl is rare!" "
The direction of public opinion has begun to change quietly.
On the other side, Shen Yu naturally also heard the rumors outside. He was already suspicious of his sister's behavior. Hearing those unbearable speculations, he was even more furious and his face turned ashen. But he is, after all, a member of the Shen family. Deep down, he has the aloofness of a scholar and a sense of safeguarding the family's reputation.
When a classmate who usually had some contact with him asked him with a somewhat ambiguous smile, "Is Lingmei really as rumored..." At that time, Shen Yuqiang suppressed his unhappiness and doubts and coldly interrupted him:
My younger sister is filial to her father and friendly to her fellow countrymen. What's wrong with that? But your Excellency, instead of delving into your studies, you are here gossiping and discussing the affairs of the boudoir. How could this be the behavior of a gentleman? "!"
A stern scolding made that classmate leave sheepishly.
Back home, Shen Yu didn't lose his temper immediately. He just locked himself in the study, his face terrifyingly gloomy. On the one hand, he despised those filthy rumors and instinctively wanted to safeguard the reputation of his family. On the other hand, those rumors confirmed some of his guesses in his heart, making him even more disturbed and annoyed about his sister's behavior. He had a vague feeling that the matter was by no means as simple as his mother and Wang Xiuniang had said. That "cousin", that "marriage capital", is more like a... Cover-up!
Just as Shen Yu was in a state of inner turmoil and the entire Jinxiu Pavilion was making every effort to deal with the covert public opinion battle, Li Molan finally received news from the "Bailefang" side.
The guy sent to investigate the situation brought back an unexpected result - Yoo Seung-woo actually came out of the gambling house by himself! Not only that, he paid off most of the usury he owed. Although he was still in a sorry state, he was not detained any longer.
"Came out by yourself?" Have you paid off your debts? Li Molan was greatly surprised. "Who helped him?" Could it be... "Has Liu Hanlin's residence taken action?" "
The fellow shook his head, with a hint of strangeness on his face: "Not like it." I learned that after Liu SAN Gongzi came out, he didn't return to the mansion but went directly... "Su Ji Silk and Satin Store in the west of the city!"
"Su Ji?" "!" Li Molan's heart sank suddenly, and a strong sense of foreboding welled up in her heart. Did Liu Chengyu go to Su Ji at this critical juncture? ! Could it be...