Ling Chuchu and Li Ma Ma have different opinions.
The two of them chattered in Madam Ling's ear, which made her even more irritated. It took her a long time to feel comfortable.
"Do you really think that I am so unhappy about the Ministry of Justice releasing Shen Chengzhou just because I want to seek justice for that corpse?" Old Madam Ling sneered and shook her head.
Ling Chuchu looked puzzled. She glanced at Nanny Li and then at Old Madam Ling.
"Chuchu is stupid, please explain it to me, grandma."
"Madame Li." Madam Ling called out to Madame Li. "Go and help me see how the bird's nest porridge I asked the kitchen to cook this morning is going. If it's ready, bring it to me."
Nanny Li agreed and walked out of the room quickly.
After sending Nanny Li away, Old Madam Ling finally felt relieved. She sighed and asked Ling Chuchu to sit down.
"The Ling Mansion has become what it is now, all thanks to Ling Qingwan's contribution. Your grandfather has passed away, how can your father alone fight against the General's Mansion? I don't believe that Ling Qingwan is so capable."
No matter how powerful Madam Ling was, she was still a girl after all. She had been in the backyard for decades and her spirit was no longer what it used to be. She was really worried. She was worried about watching her son become a marquis, and then watching him fall. She was worried that the Ling family would fall into decline and there would be no chance for them to turn things around.
"You suspect that the culprit for the Ling family's downfall should be General Shen, not Ling Qingwan?" Ling Chuchu pretended to be surprised, her eyes wide open.
"Why else would Ling Qingwan target the Marquis' Mansion for no reason? You know, she is also a member of the Marquis' Mansion. If one prospers, all prosper, and if one suffers, all suffer. Maybe she will suffer as well." Old Madam Ling snorted coldly. When she mentioned Ling Qingwan, she was so angry that she had no place to vent. "You saw that the Marquis' Mansion was downgraded from the first rank to the sixth rank, but the Seventh Prince was still on good terms with Ling Qingwan, and the few people who often surrounded her did not change at all."
"Are you referring to the young master of the Grand Tutor's family, Tan Hongbo, and the princess An Yi?" Ling Chuchu asked again. These people are all from wealthy families and prominent status.
"If Ling Qingwan destroys the Marquis' Mansion one day, she can go back to the General's Mansion. Ling Qingwan didn't suffer any loss in this matter." Old Madam Ling's every word was pearls, and she gritted her teeth, wishing to tear Ling Qingwan into pieces.
"Then what should we do?" Ling Chuchu was terrified and grabbed Madam Ling's hand tightly, as if she had grabbed a life-saving straw.
"Just don't provoke her again during this period." Old Madam Ling said coldly.
Ling Chuchu had provoked Ling Qingwan so many times without permission, and she always got humiliated. Old Madam Ling was not a fool, and she knew very well that Ling Chuchu was doing something under her nose.
Ling Chuchu was inexplicably scolded by Madam Ling. She felt depressed and left Molanxuan. She turned around and started to blame Madam Ling.
Zhishu and Zhiqin, who were standing by, were terrified and looked around quickly to make sure no one heard it.
"The Marquis' Mansion has fallen into this state, and it's as if she has nothing to do with it." Ling Chuchu snorted disdainfully. "After all that, she still can't beat Ling Qingwan."
"Young lady is right." The two maids dared not disobey and could only agree.
Not far away, Nanny Li heard Ling Chuchu's words clearly.
When they returned to Molanxuan, Madam Ling was taking a nap in a rocking chair. Nanny Li walked around Madam Ling and put the bird's nest porridge on the table.
"Please bring the porridge over. I'd like to try some." Old Madam Ling spoke slowly.
Nanny Li was stunned for a moment, then responded with a "sigh", then quickly picked up the porridge and handed it to Old Madam Ling.
"Madam, are you thinking about the master?" Nanny Li was a thoughtful person and had been serving Madam Ling for many years. Even if she frowned slightly, Nanny Li could tell what she was thinking.
Madam Ling sighed helplessly and handed the bowl to Nanny Li.
"In previous years, when the seasons changed, the master would often break out in rashes. The doctor said it was due to dampness in the body and needed to be adjusted. So I cooked different soups to warm his stomach. He even loved the bird's nest porridge I made. But in the blink of an eye, he was gone."
As she spoke, Madam Ling's nose felt sore and she thought it was shameful to cry, so she simply stopped talking, closed her eyes and continued to rest.
"If the master is in heaven, he must be thinking of you." Nanny Li said softly, trying to comfort Madam Ling.
The room was extremely quiet, with only the sound of two people talking being heard.
"He was so good. He just left without saying goodbye, leaving me with such a mess to clean up." Although Old Madam Ling was complaining, her words were full of regret.
"Just let the young master clean up this mess. Why bother yourself with this?" Nanny Li walked to Madam Ling's side, hunched over, and wiped the corners of her mouth.
Madam Ling shook her head.
"Miss, I have served you for many years. I know better than anyone how you have been through these years. There are some things I don't know whether I should say or not." Nanny Li glanced and looked at Madam Ling cautiously.
To be honest, she wasn't very sure when she said this.
Madam Ling said nothing, which meant that she agreed to let Nanny Li continue. She felt mixed emotions. It had been several years since Madam Ling heard anyone call her "Miss".
"Although the Marquis' Mansion has become the Ling Mansion and is not as glorious as before, if the young master works harder, this matter may turn around. You and the eldest lady have been keeping an eye on the second lady. Even if the second lady falls, it will not save the Marquis' Mansion from its predicament. If you are negligent in the slightest, you will be criticized and labeled as disrespectful. It is really not worth it."
Old Madam Ling opened her eyes and looked at Nanny Li with surprise in her eyes.
Nanny Li had served her for many years and had never interfered in the affairs of the Marquis's Mansion. How could Madam Ling not be surprised when she said such words today
"You are the elder. No matter what this mansion becomes like, they must treat you with respect. Even if you ignore everything, the master will find ways to climb up. And you, just live a leisurely life." Nanny Li advised earnestly. If you look closely, there are tears in her wrinkled eyes.
Old Madam Ling still didn't speak. She closed her eyes and fell asleep unknowingly.
It was drizzling outside, and the air was filled with a fresh scent. Ling Qingwan held up an oil-paper umbrella with one hand and lifted her skirt with the other, and hurried out of the Ling Mansion.
Ling Qingwan had been inexplicably sleepy for the past two days, and when she woke up, she found out that Shen Chengzhou had been released.
The carriage went straight to the general's mansion. As soon as it landed, Ling Qingwan rushed to the hall without stopping. Shen Chengzhou was drinking tea, and when he saw his precious granddaughter, he quickly stood up.
"Grandfather!" Ling Qingwan was extremely excited and ran to Shen Chengzhou.
She looked Shen Chengzhou up and down, and only felt relieved after confirming that he was not injured.
"The Ministry of Justice is under the jurisdiction of the Emperor and strictly abides by the laws of Dai Viet. They dare not do anything to me." Seeing what Ling Qingwan was worried about, Shen Chengzhou comforted her.
"That's good." Ling Qingwan's nose was sore. She held back her tears and smiled at Shen Chengzhou.