met free Chapter 236 Killing someone with a borrowed knife
Chapter 236 Killing someone with a borrowed knife
Shen Qingtan opened the letter, read its contents, and was filled with surprise.
“Second Aunt was actually making counterfeits.” Shen Qingtan handed the letter to Zhao Yi: “When she redeemed her dowry, I suspected she was selling counterfeits. My mother investigated privately and only found out that Master Luo ran a gambling den.”
Zhao Yi washed his hands several times, then read the letter: "The fact that my mother's people couldn't find anything means that my second aunt is very vigilant and acts very discreetly. She probably never made any personal contact, and the shop wouldn't be registered in her name. She wouldn't leave any clues. How did Boss Qin find out?"
Shen Qingtan understood what Zhao Yi meant: even if Boss Qin bought a fake, with his connections, he wouldn't be able to trace it back to the Second Madam.
"Someone deliberately leaked this information to Uncle Qin?" Shen Qingtan pondered. "Using someone else to do the dirty work?"
“That possibility cannot be ruled out.” Zhao Yi folded the letter and handed it back to Shen Qingtan: “Second Aunt sells counterfeit goods, and the prices are not low. People who can afford them must be wealthy, and some of them must have powerful backers.”
"Over the years, the matter has never been exposed, probably because of the Duke's mansion's influence. We know about this matter now. Whether the person behind it is using us to do their dirty work or has other schemes, we cannot sit idly by."
At this point, Zhao Yi's expression darkened: "Instead of waiting for the truth to come out, we might as well expose it first."
Shen Qingtan had no intention of letting the second wife's family off the hook. Now that she had a ready-made handle, she naturally wanted to make good use of it.
Regardless of the motives of those behind her, she and the second wife's family had long been locked in a bitter feud.
"Second Master, please investigate this thoroughly." Shen Qingtan took out a tinderbox, burned the letter, and turned to look at him: "If it is true, don't make a fuss for now. I have other plans."
Zhao Yi noticed the sly glint in her eyes and a smile unconsciously crept onto his face: "Okay."
Shen Qingtan looked at the smile in his eyes and brows and curved her lips into a smile: "Aren't you going to ask me what I'm going to do?"
She was really curious about the circumstances under which he would not indulge or give in to her.
"What do you want to ask?" Zhao Yi smiled. "If there are things you're unsure about, or things that might get in my way, you'll discuss them with me on your own without me having to ask."
Upon hearing this, Shen Qingtan smiled brightly: "I'll tell you after you find out about Second Aunt's matter."
Zhao Yi raised his hand and rubbed her head, then called Jiang Mu in and instructed him to investigate the Second Madam and Master Luo.
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Around noon, Mama Wei from Shian Hall arrived and asked Shen Qingtan to come over.
Shen Qingtan subconsciously thought of Pei Wuyan, as the old lady had previously intended for him to be introduced to Zhao Wan from the third branch of the family.
Now that Pei Wuyan has moved into the Duke's mansion, and there's nothing else going on at the mansion, the old lady's summons of her is most likely about Zhao Wan's marriage.
Sure enough, when Shen Qingtan arrived at Shian Hall, she saw Zhao Wan sitting on a stool next to the old lady, her head slightly lowered, and her cheek slightly flushed.
Shen Qingtan glanced at Zhao Wan without showing any emotion, then bowed to the old lady and said, "Greetings, Grandmother."
"Tan'er, sit next to your grandmother." The old lady beckoned to Shen Qingtan and said with a kind smile, "Wan'er has come of age and is of marriageable age."
Zhao Wan blushed and dared not look up at anyone.
Shen Qingtan asked, "Grandmother, have you chosen someone?"
“A distant relative of mine has come to the capital and is currently staying at the Duke’s mansion. He is my nephew-grandson.” The old lady looked at Zhao Wan with loving eyes. “The Pei family has a good reputation and is considered a wealthy and respectable family in Jiangnan. Yan’er is very good at his studies and has a good reputation outside.”
At this point, the old lady paused for a moment and said to Shen Qingtan, "A person's character can only be clearly seen through gradually. The reason I invited you here today is to entrust this matter to you and Yi'er."
Shen Qingtan asked in surprise, "Entrusted to me and my husband?"
“You two are about the same age as Yan Ge’er and Wan’er. Yan Ge’er lives in our mansion. Yi’er usually has nothing to do, so visit him more often and keep an eye on Wan’er.”
The old lady knew her third son and his wife's character well; they were timid, yet they had their own little schemes and were unwilling to settle for mediocrity.
They themselves don't strive for a better future, but force their children to do so.
Their two children are both upright and clear-headed; they didn't follow the third son's wife's instigation to take shortcuts and knew their place.
That's why the old lady felt pity for Zhao Wan and genuinely wanted to find her a good marriage.
The old lady said to Zhao Wan, "If you have nothing else to do, go to Lanxue Garden more often to keep your second sister-in-law company and teach her some manners."
Zhao Wan said softly, "Grandmother, Wan'er understands."
Shen Qingtan's heart stirred slightly; the old lady wanted Pei Wuyan to have more contact with Zhao Wan.
From the old lady's attitude, it was clear that she thought highly of this marriage.
If Zhao Yi says that Pei Wuyan is of excellent character, then this marriage should be arranged.
Shen Qingtan said with a smile, "Grandmother, I will tell my husband about this later."
"I trust you two to handle things." The old lady patted Zhao Wan's head. "Now that the marriage is settled, the wedding date will be around next spring. Our family needs to make proper arrangements."
Zhao Wan was only fifteen years old, and her heart was full of fantasies about her future husband.
Although she was a daughter of the Duke's family, she was born of a concubine, while that young master Pei was a legitimate son of the main branch. She felt somewhat uneasy about it.
Zhao Wan didn't expect Pei Wuyan to be as good as her second brother; she would be content if he treated her with more respect.
She followed her second sister-in-law out of Shi'an Hall, clutching the handkerchief in her hand, hesitant to speak.
Upon seeing this, Shen Qingtan asked, "Sister Wan, do you have any concerns about this marriage?"
Zhao Wan gently bit her lip, unsure whether she should speak, afraid of not receiving understanding or approval.
After a while, Zhao Wan looked up at Shen Qingtan and saw that her eyes were gentle and her expression was as gentle as spring water, capable of encompassing everything.
She seemed to have found the courage to speak out the thoughts that had been bottled up in her heart.
“My parents were born out of wedlock. My father held a sinecure and did nothing. My younger brother is still young and has not yet passed the imperial examinations. I am not very outstanding myself. I have no confidence that I can make a good life for my husband, who is the legitimate son of a wealthy family.”
Zhao Wan's eyes were filled with worry: "I would like to marry a man from an ordinary family. He needs the Duke's mansion to promote him. If I have value to him, I will have more confidence."
Shen Qingtan knew that Zhao Wan was a sensible person who thought things through very clearly, but marriage was not something she could decide for herself.
"Grandma hopes you're doing well," Shen Qingtan said softly. "Sister Wan, your second brother will keep a close eye on you."
Zhao Wan gave a wry smile: "Sister-in-law, I don't ask for a life of wealth and luxury, I just want to live a simple and peaceful life."
“Sister Wan, a person’s character has nothing to do with their family background.” Shen Qingtan patted her head tenderly. “Many men born into humble circumstances are unfaithful; they are only willing to share hardship with their wives, but not wealth. Many men born into wealth are upright; they will give their wives enough respect and love.”