Mistakenly Connected to the Jade Flower Branch

Chapter 233 Situation

Qin Jiu's expression darkened slightly, and after a long while, he said, "Second Aunt killed Uncle Adai, and then tried to kill Liang Qingcheng and Buzhi, but Duan Mingzhu discovered it, so she committed suicide by poisoning herself."

Nianyao asked in shock, "What exactly happened?"

Qin Jiu said, "I thought the children of those concubines were all killed by the First Madam. Actually, some of the concubines' daughters died because of the Second Madam."

The first wife was afraid that her son would share the inheritance with her son, while the second wife's personality changed drastically after her child's death. The first wife actually knew this and was happy to see it happen.

Nianyao couldn't understand: "But Second Aunt clearly saved us?"

Qin Jiu said, "Because Duan Mingzhu already suspects Erniang, and also because Uncle Adai knows the location of the basement, even if Erniang doesn't say it, Uncle Adai will."

Nianyao asked, "Why didn't Uncle Adai speak first?"

Qin Jiu paused for a moment before saying, "Uncle Adai likes Second Aunt. He knows what Second Aunt has done over the years and wants her to atone for her crimes. Second Aunt did want to gain our trust and she succeeded. I truly consider her my mother."

Qin Jiu thought he was well-informed and experienced in the martial arts world, but in the end, he still misjudged the situation.

Nianyao said, "Second Aunt killed Uncle Adai because Uncle Adai knew the inside story. Second Aunt wanted to take action against Liang Qingcheng and Buzhi because Buzhi is your child?"

Qin Jiu said, "That's right. No matter what, Second Madam wouldn't keep Uncle Adai alive, so she took advantage of Uncle Adai when he was least on guard. She must hate Jingzhao Manor, and everything and everyone in the manor. She saw that I had taken over Jingzhao Manor and was afraid that I would continue to run the manor."

Second Aunt couldn't bear to see such young children, so she killed them without knowing. Actually, if Duan Mingzhu hadn't discovered it, we would probably all have died at her hands. Before she died, she said she wanted to kill everyone at Jingzhao Manor and then burn it all down.

Indeed, the most poisonous heart is that of a woman! Nianyao said, "So, Mingzhu is your savior, and you still have such a big problem with her?"

Qin Jiu said helplessly, "One thing at a time, you didn't see how I treated her... I was practically her maid, being careful and cautious, afraid that she might be dissatisfied or suddenly lose her temper."

Nianyao thought through the whole story of Jingzhao Manor: "The Third Young Master's absconding with the money was a lie; he was actually killed by the Second Madam?"

Qin Jiu frowned slightly: "I hadn't thought of that. But I've checked, and all of the Jing family's businesses, including the salt plantation, have been sold off. The Second Madam isn't greedy..."

Nianyao asked, "Where can the Third Young Master take so much money?"

The two exchanged a glance, and at the same time, the same thought arose in their minds: Xu Sheng!

Xu Sheng needs money, he wants the money from Jingzhao Manor! If Xu Sheng intercepts or kills Young Master Jing, all that gold and silver will naturally fall into his hands.

The Jing family's sale of assets was a major event; the Jing family patriarch couldn't possibly be unaware of it. His tacit approval of this action was precisely to protect the Jing family's wealth. Naturally, the emperor wouldn't allow him to do so.

Qin Jiu speculated, "If that money really ended up in Prince Rui's hands, then Prince Rui must know about the Jingzhao Manor incident."

Nianyao said, "So, Xu Sheng inadvertently brought the whole thing to fruition?"

Qin Jiu said, "No, it's Xue Yunting and Su Wuming!"

Xue Yunting and Su Wuming knew more about the Jing family than they thought. Since the Jing family was unwilling to pay, and merchants followed their lead, the emperor and Xu Sheng naturally wanted to take over the Jing family.

Whether it was a coincidence or taking advantage of the situation, at least Xu Sheng achieved his goal.

Nianyao sighed, "Xu Sheng is really terrifying. It seems like there's nothing he can't do if he sets his mind to it. Where is Yun Ting now? With Duan Mingzhu in this state, we probably can't appease her either. It would be best if Yun Ting could come back."

Qin Jiu suddenly lowered his voice: "Chief, Zhou Yan said that Yun Ting joined Xu Sheng in besieging Furong City, but I heard some rumors that Yun Ting disappeared while trying to persuade Jin Hu to surrender at Yanshan."

Nianyao leaned forward and lowered her voice as well: "Is the information reliable?"

Qin Jiu said, "It's highly likely. Jin Hu is still guarding Yanshan, and Ji Kongming is still in Yuezhou, which proves that Xue Yunting failed to persuade them to surrender."

Nianyao asked, "Did he go alone to persuade them to surrender?"

Qin Jiu said, "Chief, have you ever seen a persuader lead troops?"

Nianyao said, "In times of war, envoys are not to be harmed."

Theory is utterly useless in the face of real combat. Qin Jiu looked at Nian Yao without saying a word.

Nianyao pondered for a moment: "If Yunting really disappeared in Yanshan, even if Xu Sheng doesn't care, Uncle... General Xue can't just pretend nothing happened, can't Qi Yang and Su Wuming avenge him?"

Qin Jiu nodded: "That makes sense."

Random guesses are useless. Nianyao stood up and walked out: "How about this, I'll go to Jiangxinzhou tomorrow... the day after tomorrow, to find out the truth."

Qin Jiu followed Nian Yao out of the side hall: "Chief, you're leaving as soon as you get back? Our house is almost finished, and we expect the brothers to be able to move in with their families next month."

Eighth Sister said this year's rice harvest is bountiful, so we need to build several granaries and drying grounds. If the brothers are satisfied, we'll implement this system on all the islands, so we can be self-sufficient and not rely on anyone else.

Nianyao asked, "Were all the seeds transported by An Liangchen?"

Qin Jiu said, "He gave half, and the other half came from Qinzhou. Eighth Sister's farming ability is really strong, and the brothers are also very enthusiastic. The area of ​​land reclaimed is twice what was originally planned. Chief, Dongyang is facing battles on several fronts, and we definitely won't have enough food..."

Nianyao interrupted dismissively: "It's none of our business if it's not enough."

Xu Lai and Luo An were chatting at the entrance of the teahouse. To call it a chat was an understatement; Xu Lai did most of the talking, while Luo An occasionally responded.

Nianyao pulled Luo An towards the backyard, saying as they walked, "Uncle Xu, can I borrow Luo An for a bit?"

Borrow her for a bit? That sounds weird! Xu Lai raised his hand halfway and then lowered it again, looking at Qin Jiu. Qin Jiu shrugged, indicating she knew nothing about it.

Nianyao pulled Luo An back to Yaochi and pressed him into a chair.

Luo An raised an eyebrow and teased, "Didn't you want to use it?"

Nianyao said seriously, "Luo An, if Nan Yue and Dong Yang go to war, which side will you side with?"

Luo An's expression turned slightly serious: "What do you mean?"

Nianyao paced back and forth in front of him, analyzing as she went: "You said everything is going smoothly on Nanfei's side. With Batu dead and internal strife in Mobei, they certainly don't have enough energy to deal with Dongyang. An Liangchen should be relieved now."

Xu Sheng led his troops to besiege Furong City, and the situation was basically settled. I misjudged An Liangchen. I previously thought An Liangchen was shrewd and calculating, but now I realize that compared to Xu Sheng, he's nothing.

Luo An looked at her with considerable admiration. Putting everything else aside, An Liangchen was indeed relieved; Nian Yao had been right.

Luo An acted as if it were none of his business: "Don't we grow our own land and become self-sufficient? What does their war have to do with us?"

Nianyao stopped in front of him: "You mean we'll ignore it and treat Chongming Island as a paradise?"

Luo An asked, "Is that not allowed?"

Nianyao gritted her teeth and said, "Of course not."

Luo An asked curiously, "Why?"