t more and more uneasy about how things had unfolded.The old man came to grind corn every day, but as soon as he saw Hu Ai-lan, he stopped talking about it. Their family must be severely short of wate...Chapter 1116: She Went Out to Play with Others

Fang Jinshu slept soundly, completely unaware that Zong Yu had made Qin Qianqian cry for a whole day.

When she woke up from her afternoon nap, she felt refreshed and clean all over. It was no surprise that Zongyu had cleaned her up for her.

She woke up and called for Xiaoyue.

Xiaoyue and Mugwort were both in the yard, hearing Fang Jinshu's cries from inside the room, Xiaoyue hurriedly got up.

"My wife should be up, you watch me go in first."

Hibiscus nodded eagerly.

Fang Jinshi also heard the crying outside. After Xiaoyue came in, she asked,

"What's wrong Who is crying"

Xiao Yue hurriedly poured a cup of water and handed it over.

"To Madam, it is Qin Qianqian."

Fang Jinshi's drinking motion came to a halt.

"Qin Qianqian What's wrong with her"

Xiaoyue remembered the cold expression on Houye's face when he left this morning, and she felt a surge of anger.

"When the lord left in the morning, he said a few words to her."

She has been crying since this morning.

Fang Jinshi was speechless.

"You guys should just do your own thing and don't worry about her."

Xiaoyue nodded, with Fang Jinshiu's words she had a general idea.

From now on, no matter what Qin Qianqian does, both she and Mujin will not pay her any more attention.

Fan Jinshu packed up and was about to leave when she ran into Yulian. She hadn't really seen her much at home lately, so she grabbed Yulian's arm.

"Jade Lotus."

Zong Yulian turned her head to look, she didn't expect that her sister-in-law would be at home at this time. Her eyes flickered slightly, and Fang Jinshi saw it.

She pretended not to notice and asked deliberately.

"Seeing your hurried look, what have you been busy with lately"

Yulian had a faint scent of rouge and powder on her, but this girl never used these things. Previously, Fang Jinshu had seen some high-quality rouge and sent it to her as a gift. Although Yulian accepted it, she never used it.

She said herself that she wasn't used to these things.

Now, the scent of water and powder on her body is so strong, it far exceeds the amount an ordinary woman would use.

Fang Jinxiu's suspicion flashed across her mind. Combined with Yulian's slight flinch when she saw her, she was sure the girl must be hiding something from them recently.

“I, I am of course busy with the task of dividing and setting up the vegetable stalls. It's too much for Chang He to handle alone. We've opened several restaurants in the east of the city one after another. Business is so good that we need people watching over them every day.”

"I'm busy with this."

Fang Jinshi raised an eyebrow. If she really spent every day at the vegetable stall, her clothes should reek of fruits and vegetables, and at the very least, her shoes would be stained with bits of leaves.

Yulian did not have these marks on her body.

She knew she was lying, but instead of calling her out on it, she simply smiled at her.

"Okay, then you go busy yourself first."

Yu Lian saw her sister-in-law and only asked a simple question before letting her go. She was a little surprised, and said half-believingly.

"Well then, sister-in-law, I'll be going first."

Fāng Jǐnxiù smiled and nodded.

As soon as Jade Lotus turned to leave, the smile on her face vanished instantly. She beckoned a servant over.

"What about the long river"

"Tell the madam that Song, the manager, is in the accounting room."

"Have him come see me."

"Yes."

Song Changhe, hearing that Fang Jinxiu wanted to see him, hurriedly finished his work and came to the main courtyard. Fang Jinxiu had planned to go out to Yuanke Lai today to check on the situation. After meeting Yu Lian, she decided not to go.

"Madam, you called for me."

Last time the Hou Mansion held an opening banquet, he still hasn't fully counted all the gifts from officials and prominent families in the capital. But it will be soon, Chang He has a very quick learning ability.

"Is the inventory of gifts from the last palace banquet still being counted"

The Long River thought that Lady was disdainful of his slow hands and feet, and his face turned ashamed.

"Yes, we are finishing up now. Please rest assured, madam, everything will be organized soon."

Fang Jinshui shook her head.

"There's no need to rush the gift inventory. If you can't handle it alone, cultivate a few capable lieutenants. There's simply too much work to do, and relying solely on your own hands won't cut it. How many hands do you have, and will you never rest"

Chang He is only seventeen this year and is still growing. She doesn't want to tire the child out too much.

Song Changhe instantly understood. It turned out that Madam wasn't here to reprimand him, she was still caring for him as always!

The boy broke into a goofy grin.

"Jinxiu, I'm not tired."

He doesn't trust others with things, Sister Jinxiu and Brother Zongyu entrusted him with their family wealth, he has to live up to their trust.

Fang Jinshi has already been thinking about finding a few capable assistants for Chang He. This child is too honest and doesn't easily trust others. How can he do everything himself in such a large Marquis mansion Wouldn't he be exhausted.

"I came to you today to ask about the business at the vegetable market. Are those new branches that opened on the east side of town keeping you busy"

Chang He immediately replied.

"Just getting by."

"When we first opened, things were certainly chaotic. Now that we have a full staff, business at the new shop in Eastern City has settled down."

He was still puzzled.

"Madam, why do you ask this today Is there something wrong with the vegetable shop"

Fang Jinxiu heard Chang He's answer and already had a number in her heart. The girl Yulian had indeed deceived her.

"Do you know what Yulian has been up to recently"

Chang He paused, since moving into the Marquis's residence, the burden on his shoulders had become much heavier than before. The vast Marquis's mansion required management, and there were several times more servants in the mansion compared to the manor. Most of these people were also under his management.

The long river shook its head.

I don't know.

"However, Miss Yulian hasn't been home lately. The old madam often asks about her. Once I heard Miss Yulian say that she made some friends in the capital and went out to play with them."

At dinner time, Fang Jinshi specially came over to accompany Mrs. Mu for a meal.

Zong Yu is still busy with official duties in the army. He probably won't be able to see anyone anytime soon, as the Four Nations Trade Conference is just around the corner.

Zong Bai was also busy, when Mu shi saw Fang Jinxiu coming over, she couldn't be happier.

She usually spent her days in the grand garden of Hou's manor, tending to flowers with her maids, embroidering, and generally leading a far from dull life.

After she moved into the big house, she saw the children less often. Luckily, Jinxiu would come to keep her company every day. As long as she was home, she would always eat with Mu Shi.

There was no more harmonious and close relationship between a mother-in-law and daughter-in-law than Mu and Fang Jinshi that day.

Though the two usually chatted and laughed over meals, with a pleasant atmosphere, Fang Jinshui seemed absent-minded today. Although she kept responding to Mu Shi's words, Mu Shi still keenly noticed her distraction.

Jinshi, do you have something on your mind

"Still having some trouble Tell mother about it, perhaps she can help you come up with a solution."

Fang Jinshu gracefully set down her chopsticks, as if waiting for Mrs. Mu's words.

"I have nothing serious to report, just that I happened to meet Yulian a moment ago. She seemed very hurried."

"Mother, do you know what Yulian has been busy with recently"

Mu smiled, "Oh, so you're worried about that girl."

"It's fine, don't worry. Yu Lian has made some new friends recently, they seem to all be from officials' families. She went out to play with them."

That girl's got a wild streak in her. Keeping her cooped up at the Marquis' mansion all day would drive her crazy. I'm actually quite pleased that she's been able to make friends here in the capital. The fight was over by then.Xiaoyue displayed her diplomatic skills from this period. When the officials came to inquire, she turned a heart-stopping brawl into a personal grudge. The officials saw th...