Chapter 75: Chapter 75 Returning from Inspection_1 Chapter 75: Chapter 75 Returning from Inspection_1 Xiao Hongtao’s expression darkened when he heard the words, “Chenchen, has sothing happened?”
“I heard from Sister Ke that ever since Aunty Xiao took office here, Old Lady Xiao hasn’t arranged for anyone to co over. Now, suddenly, she’s sending people again, and they’re close nieces and distant relatives. If you tell Old Lady Xiao just wants to separate Uncle Xiao and Aunty Xiao with the sa old tricks, I’d never believe it! What is Old Lady Xiao really scheming?” Yang ngchen 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 imdiately caught on, and his eyes turned deep and fierce, “Chenchen ans, soone has secretly inford Old Lady Xiao about my close relationship with Prince Chen, so she wants to use to gain benefits, or even…”
He didn’t finish his sentence because he suddenly rembered 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 treatnt, Prince Chen would surely co 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 ngchen 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 extrely dangerous.”
Sister Ke and Butler Xiao Yutang both knelt in front of Xiao Hongtao, “This old servant has failed in my duties, please punish , 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 ngchen 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 co.
“Afterward, Butler Xiao and Sister Ke should call everyone to the side hall one by one according to the list; I have my thods 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 t with them.”
Xiao Hongtao agreed without a second thought.
Following that, Yang ngchen 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 ngchen 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 ti, he thought of severing ties with that ruthless family.
Upon learning that every few days Madam Yu and Madam Fang would pass ssages to Old Lady Xiao, Yang ngchen and Xiao Hongtao discussed and decided to keep the two won for now. However, they would be confined to bed rest and not leave their rooms, while soone was arranged to watch them closely. As for the nine spies, Xiao Hongtao decided what to do with them without consulting Yang ngchen.
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 mont. 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 ngchen siblings.
After leaving the County Office, the Yang ngchen 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.
Doctor Luo happened to be on his way out and was naturally pleased to see the Yang ngchen siblings: “What brings you to town?”
“Aunty Xiao hasn’t been feeling well; I ca to see her. It turns out she’s ‘with joy,'” Yang ngchen whispered.
“With joy?” Doctor Luo was startled and then sighed, “I hope this ti it will be a legitimate child, so Hongtao’s family can suffer a little less from the grinding and bullying.”
Yang ngchen whispered sothing to Doctor Luo’s ear.
Doctor Luo’s eyes lit up as he looked at Yang ngchen, “Is this really true?”
Yang ngchen 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 ngchen tugged at Doctor Luo’s sleeve, signaling him to keep his voice down: “I can’t co 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 inford 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 ngchen deftly changed the subject at the right mont.
“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 co. Let’s go back together; your aunty talks about you all the ti.”
Yang ngchen 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 ngchen, she embraced her joyfully, “I was planning to visit your ho tomorrow, but here you are already. It’s like we have a telepathic connection. My dear ngng, I’ve missed you so much.”
“I’ve missed you too, Aunty,” nestled in Lady Luo’s warm embrace, Yang ngchen’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 co 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 ngng’s house is completed, I will move in imdiately,” said Lady Luo.
Doctor Luo nodded affirmatively.
And Yang ngchen, 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 ngchen 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 ngchen, looking at Luo Jingyao’s eager face, laughed and said, “It will take so ti yet, but Third Brother Luo can co 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 ngchen along to leave.
A steady voice with a hint of strictness tily spoke up: “Stop the nonsense!”
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