The Lucky Farm Girl-Chapter 75 - Returning from Inspection_1
Chapter 75: Chapter 75 Returning from Inspection_1
Chapter 75 -75 Returning from Inspection_1
Xiao Hongtao’s expression darkened when he heard the words, “Chenchen, has something happened?”
“I heard from Sister Ke that ever since Aunty Xiao took office here, Old Lady Xiao hasn’t arranged for anyone to come over. Now, suddenly, she’s sending people again, and they’re close nieces and distant relatives. If you tell me Old Lady Xiao just wants to separate Uncle Xiao and Aunty Xiao with the same old tricks, I’d never believe it! What is Old Lady Xiao really scheming?” Yang Mengchen said gravely, “I’ve been thinking it over, and the only thing I can think of is Prince Chen!”
With his quick wits, Xiao Hongtao immediately caught on, and his eyes turned deep and fierce, “Chenchen means, someone has secretly informed Old Lady Xiao about my close relationship with Prince Chen, so she wants to use me to gain benefits, or even…”
He didn’t finish his sentence because he suddenly remembered that his eldest brother had already secretly pledged allegiance to that prince, who was at odds with Prince Chen like fire and water. Young Master Hua was still here for treatment, Prince Chen would surely come by often, and if those people were plotting assassinations in secret, the consequences would be unimaginable.
At this thought, Xiao Hongtao broke out in a cold sweat.
“Is there any better explanation?” Yang Mengchen did not expose Xiao Hongtao’s thoughts, “If no one had leaked information, Madam Yu and Madam Fang wouldn’t have shown up just as we were entering the inner courtyard. If Uncle Xiao doesn’t straighten out the County Office quickly, it’s not only Aunty Xiao who is at risk, but every move we make is also under the enemy’s watchful eye, which is extremely dangerous.”
Sister Ke and Butler Xiao Yutang both knelt in front of Xiao Hongtao, “This old servant has failed in my duties, please punish me, Master!”
One was the head butler, and the other managed the inner courtyard, yet they had failed to detect Old Lady Xiao’s spies within the house, which was a serious dereliction of duty.
“All stand up, I am also responsible for this matter; it is not entirely your fault,” Xiao Hongtao said with a solemn and stern face, his pupils containing a sharp, knife-like chill, “Next, we must find those spies, or the consequences will be unthinkable!”
Yang Mengchen was acutely aware that it was she who had implicated Uncle Xiao’s family, but remorse was useless at this point, and the only option was to face what was to come.
“Afterward, Butler Xiao and Sister Ke should call everyone to the side hall one by one according to the list; I have my methods for rooting out those spies. Furthermore, we must be careful to investigate the origins of any new servants we buy in the future and enhance the house’s security. As for Madam Yu and Madam Fang, we will deal with them after Uncle Xiao and I have met with them.”
Xiao Hongtao agreed without a second thought.
Following that, Yang Mengchen secretly screened everyone on the list and indeed found nine people to be suspicious. After questioning them in a special way, she discovered not only spies from Old Lady Xiao and different branches of the Xiao family but also two from powerful families.
What Madam Yu and Madam Fang confessed matched what Yang Mengchen and Xiao Hongtao had surmised, and it was even more malicious.
Xiao Hongtao felt a chill in his heart that reached its zenith, and for the first time, he thought of severing ties with that ruthless family.
Upon learning that every few days Madam Yu and Madam Fang would pass messages to Old Lady Xiao, Yang Mengchen and Xiao Hongtao discussed and decided to keep the two women for now. However, they would be confined to bed rest and not leave their rooms, while someone was arranged to watch them closely. As for the nine spies, Xiao Hongtao decided what to do with them without consulting Yang Mengchen.
Sister Ke and Chu Chun, along with four others, were on high alert caring for Lady Xiao. The food and clothing were monitored by designated individuals, and at least two people accompanied Lady Xiao every moment. Any slight odor, stone, or small puddle in the room was given high priority, and outsiders were strictly forbidden from approaching.
Xiao Wanxue was worried about her mother and therefore did not return to Yangliu village with the Yang Mengchen siblings.
After leaving the County Office, the Yang Mengchen siblings went to the Ironworker Shop. They did so to divert attention, lest the items created by their fifth brother draw notice and expose the iron mine in the mountains. Then, they headed to Apricot Forest Hall.
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Doctor Luo happened to be on his way out and was naturally pleased to see the Yang Mengchen siblings: “What brings you to town?”
“Aunty Xiao hasn’t been feeling well; I came to see her. It turns out she’s ‘with joy,'” Yang Mengchen whispered.
“With joy?” Doctor Luo was startled and then sighed, “I hope this time it will be a legitimate child, so Hongtao’s family can suffer a little less from the grinding and bullying.”
Yang Mengchen whispered something to Doctor Luo’s ear.
Doctor Luo’s eyes lit up as he looked at Yang Mengchen, “Is this really true?”
Yang Mengchen smiled and blinked her eyes.
“That’s certainly good news. Hongtao would be so happy he wouldn’t be able to sleep!” Doctor Luo believed the young lady wouldn’t make a mistake in her diagnosis.
“Let’s not tell Uncle Xiao about this for now; it might only make him worry more, considering Aunty Xiao’s advanced age.” Yang Mengchen tugged at Doctor Luo’s sleeve, signaling him to keep his voice down: “I can’t come here often, so I’m relying on Uncle Luo to check Aunty Xiao’s pulse every few days. And don’t tell anyone else about Aunty Xiao’s pregnancy.” She then informed Doctor Luo about the behavior of Old Lady Xiao and the various branches of the Xiao family.
Doctor Luo’s expression turned cold and stern; he inwardly cursed the Old Xiao woman as a venomous witch. Apart from Hongtao’s family, there wasn’t a single good person in the Xiao family.
“Uncle Luo, are you going out?” Yang Mengchen deftly changed the subject at the right moment.
“Your aunty and your second and third brothers just arrived; I was just preparing to go back,” Doctor Luo concealed his previous expression and smiled, “It’s perfect timing since you’ve come. Let’s go back together; your aunty talks about you all the time.”
Yang Mengchen nodded joyfully and then rode back to the other courtyard with Doctor Luo and Yang Chengrong.
Lady Luo, having received the news, hurried out to greet them. Upon seeing Yang Mengchen, she embraced her joyfully, “I was planning to visit your home tomorrow, but here you are already. It’s like we have a telepathic connection. My dear Mengmeng, I’ve missed you so much.”
“I’ve missed you too, Aunty,” nestled in Lady Luo’s warm embrace, Yang Mengchen’s eyes were brimming with tears. She felt blessed and content to have the love of five kind mothers in this life.
“Ahem,” Doctor Luo couldn’t help but interject, “My lady, let’s go inside first. The young lady isn’t in any rush to leave, and you’ll be staying here for a while. If you miss her that much, you can have her come over and stay with you in the other courtyard for a few days. Or, when the young lady’s house is completed, you can even go and stay at her place.”
“The master’s word is final; as soon as Mengmeng’s house is completed, I will move in immediately,” said Lady Luo.
Doctor Luo nodded affirmatively.
And Yang Mengchen, arm in arm with Lady Luo, added, “When I initially designed the house, I had already prepared rooms for Uncle and Aunty. You can stay as long as you like.”
Naturally, Doctor Luo and his wife couldn’t close their mouths for smiling.
“What about us then? Ninth Sister, do we have rooms too?” Luo Jingyao asked anxiously.
Yang Mengchen nodded with a smile, “Of course, there are rooms for all three of you brothers as well.”
“Ninth Sister is the best!” Luo Jingyao leaped for joy, her dimples making her particularly charming, “When will the house be finished? I really want to move in now.”
Yang Mengchen, looking at Luo Jingyao’s eager face, laughed and said, “It will take some time yet, but Third Brother Luo can come back with us to our place for now. Eighth Brother and the others are too busy teaching the children in the village, with Third Brother Luo there, it will be easier on them.”
“Ninth Sister, let’s go back right now!” Luo Jingyao pulled Yang Mengchen along to leave.
A steady voice with a hint of strictness timely spoke up: “Stop the nonsense!”
