Chapter 178: Worth Trusting

  Tiao Xiao Que gently stroked her temples and said to the little maid in the house, "I like drinking hot tea - can you change a cup of tea for me?"

  The little maid smiled and responded, going to the tea room beside the flower hall. Update the fastest eye fast

  Tu Xiao Que immediately picked up her skirt and ran to the window, sticking to it and looking out.

  Only Shen Muqing and a young man in his early twenties were standing with their backs to the gate, talking in low voices in the middle of the courtyard.

  Tu Xiao Que thought of that day, Mrs. Da's gaze was like a torch: "... Sa Er is in trouble, Shen Niang is straightforward, 30,000 taels of silver are borrowed without hesitation, not even an IOU... Logically, I should have been warmly received and promised to help with all her might when I went to ask for it personally... Why did she seem so polite and distant when she saw me? Xiao Que, tell me everything that happened before and after you met Shen Niang..."

  She still remembers how badly her legs were shaking at the time...

  Later, although the big wife didn't say much, she sent herself to see Shen Muqing today: "......Since you have a good private relationship with Miss Shen, go and help me ask for some news!"

  Unlike her usual gentle demeanor, this time the big madam's gaze was like the first time she saw her... with a kind of chilling murderous intent...

  An idea flashed through her mind, and Tu Xiao Que pursed her lips.

  What Shen Muqing said was all comforting words, but thinking carefully, they didn't have any practical significance... The mistress is now getting anxious and trying every possible remedy... If I go back and tell the truth, I'm afraid it will be...

  Want to come closer and listen?

  Tu Xiao Que was hesitating when she saw the little maid carrying a freshly brewed pot of hot tea walking towards the flower hall.

  She hurried back to the flower hall and sat up straight, a little maid pushed the door in, smiled and put the tea on the tea table behind her: "Miss Tu, please have some tea."

  Xiao Que was taken aback: "What did you just call me?"

  The maid tilted her head and said in a puzzled tone: "They're calling you Miss Tu?"

  "Who made you call me like that?" Tu Xiaoque asked with a hesitant face.

  "It's our family's aunt who lets us call you that."

  ******

  Shen Mu Qing furrowed his brow: "You said Second Young Master Liang wants to see me?"

  Zhou Bai Mu nodded reluctantly: "He's lingering at the gate and won't leave, can't hit him, can't scold him either. Let's just ignore him, it's almost time for Mr. Min to come and play chess with Master..."

  He looked at the flower hall of Tingyu Xuan with a self-deprecating smile and said, "Please invite Second Young Master Liang to the outer courtyard flower hall, I'll be right there."

  Zhou Bai Mu left at the sound of his name being called.

  Shen Mu Qing called out to Ying Feng: "You stay and keep that Zhu Xiao Que company for a bit, I'll be right back."

  Ying Fan bowed and went to Tingyu Xuan's flower hall, while Shen Muqing went to the outer courtyard's flower hall.

  From a distance, she saw Liang Shu Xin, dressed in mourning attire, pacing back and forth in the flower hall with its doors wide open, looking very anxious.

  Shen Mu Qing was taken aback for a moment.

  Mr. Liang had already seen her on the other side and hurriedly walked over.

  "Third brother and sister... no, no..." Liang Shu Xin was somewhat incoherent, "Auntie, I have a request to make of you!" As he spoke, he had already bowed deeply to her.

  Shen Muqing suddenly thought of that day in Cong Lü Tang, where he also bowed to himself.

  "Second Master, what's going on? Let's talk inside!"

  Her tone was kind and gentle, and Liang Shu immediately let out a long sigh of relief.

  He really feared Shen Muqing would treat him as an enemy.

  Two people sat down in the flower hall, Shen Muqing saw several young men standing outside the flower hall.

  Zhou Baomu is afraid she'll get taken advantage of?

  Shen Mu Qing smiled slightly.

  The maid brought up the tea and she asked on her own initiative: "Second Master, what can I do for you?"

  Liáng Shū Xìn's face showed a somewhat awkward expression, and after a while, he said in a low voice: "You should have heard, right? About the matter of our family's title..."

  Shen Mu Qing was taken aback for a moment.

  What does this have to do with Liang Shu's coming intention?

  She nodded and said calmly: "I've heard."

  "I came here just for this matter!"

  Deeply shocked and saddened.

  Liang Shu Xin had already said, "Family matters, you're also clear about. Wei Thirteen and Yu Hui have been together since childhood, and they're also relatively familiar with Yu Hui's situation. If the two of them can make this marriage work, it would be a lifelong support for Yu Hui."

  Shen Mu nodded calmly: "I also think that Wei Thirteen is quite good!"

  Li Shu's face showed a hint of sadness: "Since Father passed away, Grandmother has been bedridden. Someone in the imperial court suggested that Big Brother should inherit the title, and Mother was very anxious. Apart from asking Third Brother to persuade the King of Jin... oh, I mean the current Emperor, she also wanted to betroth Young Huai to the young son of the Marquis of Dongxiang..."

  "Is that Lin Ba'er, the youngest son of Duke Ling An of Dongxiang?" Shen Muqing asked in surprise. "The younger brother of Her Majesty the Empress?"

  Liang Shu nodded, his mouth twitching for a moment before he muttered: "That Lin Bao'er, born an idiot... and only ten years old this year..."

  "How could this be?" Shen Muqing exclaimed in a low voice, "Did that lady agree?"

  Liáng Shūxìn smiled bitterly: "It wasn't the Lín family who agreed! It was our family who asked someone to act as a matchmaker!"

  Feng actually wants to use his daughter in exchange for his son's future... No wonder Liang Shu feels painful... If he accepts the title because of this, Liang Shu will probably never be at peace for the rest of his life?

  Shen Mu Qing furrowed his brow: "What can I do to help Yu Hui?"

  Liáng Shūxìn's face flashed with gratitude. He hesitated for a moment, then said: "Actually, I wanted to ask Old Master Shěn for help!"

  "Please help, sir?" Shen Muqing was quite surprised, "What's going on?"

  Li Shu's eyes flashed with determination, his expression solemn as he said: "I know, big brother taking the title, the difficulty lies in the difference between legitimate and illegitimate. If I take the initiative to yield, this matter should be much easier, shouldn't it?"

  After a moment of contemplation, she understood his thoughts.

  "You want to exchange your title for a youthful marriage... In that case, you might as well speak plainly with the eldest young master and the eldest young lady, and look for Old Master, I don't know what he can do for you?"

  Liáng Shū Xìn's expression was painful: "I want to ask Old Master Shěn to act as an intermediary for me - I will voluntarily give up my title, and after Big Brother succeeds to the title, he can use his authority as the head of the household to arrange for Yòu Huì to marry the thirteenth young master of the Wèi family..."

  This matter was originally not to be discussed openly, and after the illegitimate son inherited the title, he would also have to go against the will of his legitimate mother by marrying his younger sister...

  Shen Muqing had some hesitation.

  Liang Shu-xin thought Shen Mu-qing was unwilling to help, and pleaded: "I also know that it's our Liang family who owes you. But now that things have come to this point, I've thought about it carefully, and apart from Master Shen, there really is no one else I can turn to. So I had to come and ask you to step forward and speak on behalf of the case. Please look at the relationship between Yu-hui and your family's past kindness, and help Yu-hui..."

  "Second Master misunderstood!" Shen Muqing smiled helplessly, "This matter is of great importance, I'm afraid the old master's prestige is not enough to serve as an intermediary... The old master is no longer in a central position after all. Whether or not Duke Wang will give face, whether or not Eldest Master will agree, I don't have complete confidence. However, rest assured, just as you said, Young Master Hui has always been close to me. Even if this matter is difficult, I'll still try to help you."

  Liang Shu listened with moist eyes and silently bowed to Shen Muqing.

  Shen Mu Qing let out a deep sigh and stood up saying: "I'll go with you to see Master!"

  ******

  Shen Zhen was playing chess with Mr. Min when Shen Muqing explained the purpose of Liang Shu's visit, and he indeed showed a difficult expression.

  "After all, this is a private matter between the Liang and Wang families... I'm afraid it's not suitable for me to be an intermediary?"

  Mr. Min, who was listening on the side, advised: "Ten fingers have different lengths... It's rare for the second son of the Liang family to be friendly and respectful to his younger brother. You can help as an intermediary, it's a good story."

  Shen Zhen sank into deep thought for a long time before saying, "I've heard that after Liu Yu entered the Imperial Cabinet, he repeatedly pulled down Wang Shengyun's hind legs. Is this true?"

  Mr. Min suddenly realized, "That's right. Wang Ge Lao's capable son-in-law was captured and still served as a lieutenant in the Five Armies Commander's Mansion, which had already caused controversy. If it now spreads that he disobeyed his legitimate mother... In this case, if Wang Ge Lao agrees to Liang Shu Xin's terms, then at that time Liang Bo Gong will be hard-pressed to avoid being impeached by the Imperial Censor; if he disagrees, he would have lost face in front of you and become an ungrateful person. I think Liu Ge Lao will definitely be interested in this matter... If he can bring down Wang Ge Lao, then Hu Ge Lao is old, and his hope for becoming the next Chief Minister will be the greatest..."

  Shen Zhen nodded, and Lao Da smiled broadly: "Bie Shan has been in the Ministry of Justice for a long time, so he thinks more deeply about problems!"

  Mr. Min smiled and said: "Thanks to your guidance... To think about it, it's a pity that I didn't become your disciple that year!"

  Shen Zhen burst out laughing: "A friendship that transcends age is more suitable for my current identity... I guess this is also fate!"

  Although they had different purposes, Shen Muqing still felt a little relieved that he could help Yu Hui, so he invited Liang Shu to come in.

  Liang Shu Xin personally repeated what he had come for.

  Shen Zhen's face showed a look of difficulty again: "......I don't know if Wang Gong Lao will agree or not?"

  Liang Shu-xin bowed to Shen Zhen: "I also understand the principle of 'when a person leaves, the tea becomes cold'. However, now everyone in the capital knows that Wang Ge-lao became the prime minister only because of your recommendation. If he doesn't even give you face, it's not our fault, but rather that we two families are unlucky to have encountered a scoundrel."

  Shen Zhen listened to Liang Shu's description of Wang Ge Lao as "rascal" with a very pleased expression, and said: "Since you are willing to give it a try, then I will be the intermediary!"

  Liang Shu was overjoyed and hastily arranged a time and place to invite Shen Zhen to meet at that time.

  Shen Zhen let a servant beside him, Mu Xiang, take note: "You must remind me at the time."

  Mu Xiang nodded repeatedly.

  Liang Shu Xin saw that the event was successful and with a relieved expression he exchanged pleasantries with Shen Zhen and Mr. Min before standing up to bid farewell.

  Shen Muqing saw Liang Shu Xin wanting to bid farewell, lifted her foot to send him off, but saw Shen Jian shaking his head at her.

  She stayed behind intentionally.

  After Liang Shu walked away, Shen Zhen asked: "Has the person sent by the eldest lady of the Xiao family left?"

  "Shen Mu Qing was taken aback for a moment before responding: 'No. I don't know what you want with her, sir.'"

  Shen Zhen glanced at Mr. Min and said in a low voice, "Since that's the case, you'll go to Madame Dai's place later. Tell her that the imperial court will soon send Wang Qing, a secretary from the Ministry of Rites, as an envoy to Bahe River. This person has some connection with me, so it won't be a problem for him to bring a letter to Xiao Sa. As mother and son are connected at heart, even if they can only exchange a few words, that's still good."

  "Send someone to the Ministry of Personnel? This is just a perfunctory move!"

  Shen Zhen nodded: "Being willing to perfunctorily go through the motions is already not bad."

  Deep and serene, without words.

  (I originally wanted to update on New Year's Day, but I only finished writing this chapter at this time...... Sorry! Here is my belated blessing, wishing everyone a happy and harmonious new year, and a joyful reunion with your family! (*^__^*) Hehe......)