Chapter 533: The Wind Rises, The Clouds Surge
Ms. Tan’s energy seed to dwindle in response.
“There’s no need for you to remind repeatedly of this matter, sister. I understand it well enough. However, since this man surnad Di refuses to take the bait, should we consider other strategies?”
“What other strategies could there be? There are many things you simply haven’t seen.”
Mrs. Su sat down on a long bench and casually plucked a piece of pastry from the fruit plate to taste.
Physical confrontation was not an option. The troops Lord Xin had dispatched had vanished into thin air. Let alone trying it again, they had already lost countless n that had nearly broken the Old Master’s heart.
Appealing to the higher-ups was also untenable. The letters the Old Master had forwarded upwards had not been answered to this day. They didn’t know when they could expect a response, yet the old master could no longer afford to wait.
Ms. Tan glanced at Cailian, who remained knelt on the ground, trembling, and steeled her heart.
“Sister, I do have a good plan, but this matter…”
“Oh! What’s your good plan? Quick, tell . We are in a dire situation, and you are stuttering here. For what?”
“Well…”
Ms. Tan was about to speak but suddenly stopped herself. She turned to look at Cailian: “Cailian, take a walk outside first. Rember not to go too far, otherwise, you might lose your way, understand?”
“Yes, Madam.”
With her head bowed and lips held tight, Cailian excused herself from the two won and left the pavilion.
Turning at a corner, she couldn’t help but look back at the pair whispering to each other. A flash of pain crossed her eyes, but within monts she regained her composure.
Inside the pavilion, Ms. Tan narrated her plan for quite so ti while Mrs. Su listened with image flashes in her eyes.
“The plan is indeed good, but as for who should execute it…”
In her words carried a reluctance, she repeatedly glanced at Ms. Tan.
How deplorable that this sister-in-law of hers had managed to secure an advantage and still wanted to play coy! She needed to be prompted to talk about even this kind of matter! How shaless! Ms. Tan silently cursed.
People had to bow under eaves of others’ houses. She was cursing inwardly while maintaining a facade of grief.
“This Cailian is indeed a steady girl, although she was nothing more than a child who crawled out from a mistress’s belly. Yet, the sister-in-law treats her as her beloved daughter. She has been lavished with good food and drink since she was a child. Now, if she must do this… I, my heart… Ah!”
As she said this, Ms. Tan feigned her tears, dabbing her eye corners with a handkerchief, appearing to be inconsolable.
Mrs. Su gave a slight smirk.
Her counterpart was indeed a type to not release her prey till she sees the rabbit!
“Why are you talking like this, sister-in-law? Cailian has grown up by your side. Now, for the rise and fall of our family, it is only reasonable for her to make so contributions. If our Old Master falls, what will disappear is our entire family. Sacrificing her alone is saving countless others. Even if she dies, she would have died a worthy death.”
“But, these words… as her mother, it’s really hard for to say it! Ah…” Ms. Tan sighed.
Mrs. Su also wore a solemn expression: “This, this is the only way without other options, isn’t it? Doesn’t she have a younger brother? Once our grand sche succeeds, you can adopt her brother to your side. That way you can resolve this cause-and-effect cycle, right?”
As she spoke, she deliberately emphasized the tone of the words “when the grand sche succeeds”.
Hearing this, a satisfied expression revealed itself on Ms. Tan’s face. She pretended to think for a long ti before responding.
“Since things have co to this, then… let’s proceed according to your plan, sister.”
Elsewhere.
Mrs.Ran was accompanying Liu Sisi on an intricately antique long corridor. Leisurely strolling along the winding corridor, Liu Sisi watched the scenery.
The beauty of the spring day was overwhelming. Occasionally a flying eave would peep through the greenery, artificial rockeries were rugged and full. Blooming buds of white, pink, and red adorned treetops. The petals of those colors were falling and floating from the sky, making circular movents with the wind, it was a true feast for the eyes.
Admittedly, the city’s scenery, while beautiful, bore heavy marks of human craftsmanship and was not as natural and unaffected as the manor landscape.
“Sisi! Has Lord Di been well recently?”
Mrs.Ran gently led Liu Sisi to the front with a group of maids and old won following closely behind.
A flash appeared in Liu Sisi’s eyes: “Of course he is. He goes out early and cos back late every day. Since taking up the position of sub-captain, he certainly doesn’t have as much free ti as he did in the countryside.”
“Naturally. Nowadays, Lord Di is a governnt-appointed official, so he cannot be compared to before. I heard so news – it seems Lord Di has t so troubles recently. My husband…”Mrs.Ran vaguely hinted.
Her family was in the salt trade business and wasn’t the head of their business none other than Di Yelei?
Understanding this, Liu Sisi didn’t make things difficult for her and directly interrupted her.
“Oh! You know that I am quite heavy now. Sisi doesn’t ask much about these matters and focuses solely on maintaining good health for the baby. As for the rest, Sisi either doesn’t concern herself or is incapable of concerning herself.”
Mrs. Ran was slightly surprised but she quickly regained her composure without dwelling too much and subtly changed the subject.
“Speaking of which, we won should not ddle in n’s affairs. On the contrary, your belly looks rather big. Are you about to give birth?”
Liu Sisi also followed the subject change: “Not that soon, I’m only six months in. By the ti of giving birth, the hot weather will have arrived.”
“Absolutely. Doing confinent in the hottest period of sumr can indeed be a suffering…”
While these people were having a heated conversation, Di Yelei was diligently busy in the armory.
“Old Tang, how many troops do you think these weapons are enough to equip?”
At the mont, Old Man Tang was weighing a battle-axe, applying so protective oil on it, and then placing it back on the weapon stand with satisfaction.
“These weapons should be able to equip ten thousand troops. However, Macheng County was originally not big. Lord, you have prepared so much, maybe in the end, it will co to the weapons in the armory just rusting. For this, you have offended several other lords. Is it worth it?”
Di Yelei naturally understood the implication of Old Tang’s words. He solemnly replied.
“It’s hard to say whether it’s worth it or not. However, so things, even without this, were destined to co from the start and cannot be avoided. In that case, it’s better to offend thoroughly than living and working under constraint, making one unable to let loose.”
“It is indeed that way! Lord Di, you indeed have an open mind, much to be feared about youth!” Old Tang could not help but shake his head in admiration.
“Old Tang praises too much. Let’s go! Let’s go out.”
As soon as they left the storeroom, they heard the distant shouting of gambling. Di Yelei unconsciously furrowed his eyebrows, but soon relaxed.
“Sir, there’s soone outside delivering an invitation.”
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