Chapter 457: Scheme
Editor: Atlas Studios
When Shu Shuniang and Madam Shu-Fang returned to the Shu residence, Madam Shu-Fang was about to ask her what had happened back then when Shu Shuniang left her behind to look for her younger brother, Shu Mingxiang.
Madam Shu Fang’s expression was a little ugly. She was the daughter-in-law of the Shu family, but she did not expect her to be treated worse than their married daughter.
Madam Shu-Fang knew that it definitely involved the Shu family’s scandal. According to Mu Yangling’s words just now, the Shu family had probably let down their second daughter who had been stranded outside.
Madam Shu-Fang looked at the closed study door, sneered, and turned to leave. No matter what they did, they couldn’t drag her daughter down with them.
Shu Shuniang said anxiously, “Since she knows everything, it’s impossible to make use of her to make the Qi family stop. Little Brother, what do you think we should do?”
Shu Mingxiang sighed and said, “Back then, when Father asked someone to enlist the Mu family as a military household, I didn’t agree…”
“What’s the point of saying all this now? The key is to resolve the matter at hand.” Shu Shu Shuniang said anxiously, “In the past two days, more and more memorials have been impeaching my father-in-law. The Emperor hasn’t expressed his stance yet. I’m afraid he’s waiting for Qi Xiuyuan’s memorial. If we wait any longer, I’m afraid my father-in-law’s position will be lost.”
Zhang Cheng worked for Minister Qin, and Minister Qin was in charge of the Ministry of Revenue. However, back then, there were frequent disasters, and the Ministry of Revenue was in trouble. He had no choice but to take the blame and resign. Then, he pushed Zhang Cheng up and took up the position of prime minister.
In an instant, Zhang Cheng became the target of public criticism. This was originally a small matter, but there were many people who wanted to see Zhang Cheng suffer and target Minister Qin, so their attacks were so fierce.
If Zhang Cheng was implicated in this matter, he would have to give up his position as Minister of Revenue. Minister Qin could push one person to the top, but it was not so easy to help promote another person.
Therefore, Shu Shuniang couldn’t help but be anxious.
The Shu family was also anxious.
Zhang Cheng was their in-law. With Zhang Cheng in charge of the Ministry of Revenue, it would be much more convenient for their family. Shu Mingxiang thought for a moment and said, “Let’s tell Father and Mother about this. If Mother can step in, it might work.”
Since Shu Shuniang was only Mu Yangling’s Aunt, she could disrespect her. But if her grandmother personally came forward, she couldn’t be so insolent, right?
If word got out, she would be labeled unfilial.
However, Shu Shuniang said, “I’m afraid it’s useless. She has a heart of stone. When I came out, she reminded me that unless our family puts Wanniang’s name back into the genealogical tree and gives her justice, otherwise.” Shu Shuniang gritted her teeth and said, “Otherwise, our Wanniang would have died 16 years ago. How is she my mother’s granddaughter? The rumors outside can’t hurt her at all.”
Shu Mingxiang’s expression changed drastically. “She doesn’t even acknowledge her maternal grandmother?”
Mu Yangling retained the memories of her previous life, so she had a strong concept of family, but her concept of ‘clan’ was faint. Certain actions that could not be understood in this world were very normal in her eyes.
‘Your Shu family gave up on my mother first and even tried to kill her again and again. As my mother’s daughter, not to mention that they didn’t have much feelings for each other to begin with, whatever sentiments there were between them had vanished by now. ‘Therefore, she never planned to acknowledge her maternal grandparents.
In this era, Shu Wanniang was the daughter of the Shu family, and her life and death depended on her parents. Not to mention that they didn’t really kill her, even if they did kill Shu Wanniang, the daughter left behind by Shu Wanniang would have no choice but to acknowledge them because she had the Shu family’s blood flowing in her.
The simplest logic was that without the Shu family, there would be no Mu Yangling. Half of the blood on Mu Yangling’s body came from the Shu family.
Therefore, Mu Yangling’s actions were undoubtedly unfilial, but the Shu family couldn’t say anything now. It was impossible for them to reveal the truth back then. Since outsiders didn’t know, Mu Yangling’s actions appeared reasonable.
It was only now that the Shu family understood where they stood. They had thought that this would be used against the Mu family and Mu Yangling, but who knew that it would become something to control the Shu family instead?
Indeed, this was a competition of who was more shameless.
To Mu Yangling, ‘face’ was very important, but it also depended on what kind of ‘face’ it was.
Shu Mingxiang was silent for a moment before saying, “Let Mother try. Perhaps it will work?”
“Aren’t you afraid of angering Mother? Mu Yangling’s words are like knives. She’ll stab wherever it hurts. If you want to go, go. I’m not going.” Recalling how Mu Yangling had humiliated her just now, Shu Shuniang felt suffocated.
Shu Shuniang rolled her eyes and said, “Since the culprit is Qingniang, what do you think about letting her go to the Qi family to confess?”
Shu Mingxiang was silent, but the more Shu Shuniang spoke, the more she felt that it was feasible. “Qingniang was the one who pushed Wanniang down back then. Since Wanniang told her daughter everything, Mu Yangling must know about this too. Besides, Qingniang’s daughter was the one who started this…”
Shu Shuniang and Shu Mingxiang looked at each other. They both wanted to push all the blame to Shu Qingniang.
Shu Mingxiang chuckled and said, “Qingniang still has a son. As long as there are enough benefits, the Zhou family will definitely be willing. However, it’s not convenient for us to step in. I’ll tell Mother later and ask her to bring Qingniang to the Qi family.”
A smile appeared on Shu Shuniang’s face. She stood up and said, “Then, Little Brother, I’ll go back first. Let me know when there’s news.”
Shu Mingxiang nodded and sent Shu Shuniang off.
At this moment, Mu Yangling, who had thought that she would not see the Shu family for a long time, was carrying the baby, whose eyes were gazing around the room in high spirits. She let him lean closer to look at the decorations in the room and saw that his eyes were constantly glancing at colorful things. When she spoke exaggeratedly, he would also turn his head to look at her.
Mu Yangling said to Li Jinghua, “Sister-in-law, look at Little Treasure. He must be very smart. His eyes are moving very quickly.”
Li Jinghua took the baby from her arms and tapped his little face, feeling slightly relieved. “Let’s invite the imperial physician over for a checkup. It would be great if we can invite an imperial physician who specializes in pediatrics.”
Mu Yangling said, “I’ll get Haoran to submit a memorial. The Emperor will definitely agree.”
“How do you know?” Li Jinghua glared at her sister-in-law.
Mu Yangling said proudly, “Of course I know. Didn’t the Emperor let the imperial physician stay in our house because he wanted to know about your situation in time? If we ask for an imperial physician specializing in pediatrics, the Emperor will definitely agree. He can find out the exact situation while displaying the kindness of an Emperor. It’s killing two birds with one stone.”
As the child’s condition was unknown, no one was in the mood to give him a nice nickname. In addition, Mu Yangling had been calling him darling, so Li Jinghua decided to name him Little Treasure.
In the past two days, the child’s eyes had completely opened, and his eyeballs could already move around freely to look at things. Mu Yangling had once heard someone say that children with intellectual problems usually had dull and listless eyes. Their eyeballs either did not move, or they did not move often. Seeing Little Treasure’s grape-like black eyeballs move along with Mu Yangling’s movements and gaze around excitedly, Mu Yangling felt that there was nothing wrong with this child.
Li Jinghua’s confidence also increased a little. Now, she only had to wait for the diagnosis to be confirmed in three months’ time.