Chapter 457: Scheme
Translator: Atlas Studios Editor: Atlas Studios
When Shu Shuniang and Madam Shu-Fang returned to the Shu residence, Madam Shu-Fang was about to ask her what had happened back then when Shu Shuniang left her behind to look for her younger brother, Shu Mingxiang. Madam Shu Fangâs expression was a little ugly. She was the daughter-in-law of the Shu family, but she did not expect her to be treated worse than their married daughter.
Madam Shu-Fang knew that it definitely involved the Shu familyâs scandal. According to Mu Yanglingâs words just now, the Shu family had probably let down their second daughter who had been stranded outside.
Madam Shu-Fang looked at the closed study door, sneered, and turned to leave. No matter what they did, they couldnât drag her daughter down with
them.
Shu Shuniang said anxiously, âSince she knows everything, itâs impossible to make use of her to make the Qi family stop. Little Brother, what do you think we should do?â
Shu Mingxiang sighed and said, âBack then, when Father asked someone to enlist the Mu family as a military household, I didnât agreeâŠâ
âWhatâs the point of saying all this now? The key is to resolve the matter at hand.â Shu Shu Shuniang said anxiously, âIn the past two days, more and more memorials have been impeaching my father-in-law. The Emperor hasnât expressed his stance yet. Iâm afraid heâs waiting for Qi Xiuyuanâs memorial. If we wait any longer, Iâm afraid my father-in-lawâs position will be lost.â
Zhang Cheng worked for Minister Qin, and Minister Qin was in charge of the Ministry of Revenue. However, back then, there were frequent disasters, and the Ministry of Revenue was in trouble. He had no choice but to take the blame and resign. Then, he pushed Zhang Cheng up and took up the position of prime minister.
In an instant, Zhang Cheng became the target of public criticism. This was originally a small matter, but there were many people who wanted to see Zhang Cheng suffer and target Minister Qin, so their attacks were so fierce.
If Zhang Cheng was implicated in this matter, he would have to give up his position as Minister of Revenue. Minister Qin could push one person to the top, but it was not so easy to help promote another person.
Therefore, Shu Shuniang couldnât help but be anxious.
The Shu family was also anxious.
Zhang Cheng was their in-law. With Zhang Cheng in charge of the Ministry of Revenue, it would be much more convenient for their family. Shu Mingxiang thought for a moment and said, âLetâs tell Father and Mother about this. If Mother can step in, it might work.â
Since Shu Shuniang was only Mu Yanglingâs Aunt, she could disrespect her. But if her grandmother personally came forward, she couldnât be so insolent, right?
If word got out, she would be labeled unfilial.
However, Shu Shuniang said, âIâm afraid itâs useless. She has a heart of stone. When I came out, she reminded me that unless our family puts Wanniangâs name back into the genealogical tree and gives her justice, otherwise.â Shu Shuniang gritted her teeth and said, âOtherwise, our Wanniang would have died 16 years ago. How is she my motherâs granddaughter? The rumors outside canât hurt her at all.â
Shu Mingxiangâs expression changed drastically. âShe doesnât even acknowledge her maternal grandmother?â
Mu Yangling retained the memories of her previous life, so she had a strong concept of family, but her concept of âclanâ was faint. Certain actions that could not be understood in this world were very normal in her eyes.
âYour Shu family gave up on my mother first and even tried to kill her again and again. As my motherâs daughter, not to mention that they didnât have much feelings for each other to begin with, whatever sentiments there were between them had vanished by now. âTherefore, she never planned to acknowledge her maternal grandparents.
In this era, Shu Wanniang was the daughter of the Shu family, and her life and death depended on her parents. Not to mention that they didnât really kill her, even if they did kill Shu Wanniang, the daughter left behind by Shu Wanniang would have no choice but to acknowledge them because she had the Shu familyâs blood flowing in her.
The simplest logic was that without the Shu family, there would be no Mu Yangling. Half of the blood on Mu Yanglingâs body came from the Shu family.
Therefore, Mu Yanglingâs actions were undoubtedly unfilial, but the Shu family couldnât say anything now. It was impossible for them to reveal the truth back
then. Since outsiders didnât know, Mu Yanglingâs actions appeared reasonable.
It was only now that the Shu family understood where they stood. They had thought that this would be used against the Mu family and Mu Yangling, but who knew that it would become something to control the Shu family instead?
Indeed, this was a competition of who was more shameless.
To Mu Yangling, âfaceâ was very important, but it also depended on what kind of âfaceâ it was.
Shu Mingxiang was silent for a moment before saying, âLet Mother try. Perhaps it will work?â
âArenât you afraid of angering Mother? Mu Yanglingâs words are like knives. Sheâll stab wherever it hurts. If you want to go, go. Iâm not going.â Recalling how Mu Yangling had humiliated her just now, Shu Shuniang felt suffocated.
Shu Shuniang rolled her eyes and said, âSince the culprit is Qingniang, what do you think about letting her go to the Qi family to confess?â
Shu Mingxiang was silent, but the more Shu Shuniang spoke, the more she felt that it was feasible. âQingniang was the one who pushed Wanniang down back then. Since Wanniang told her daughter everything, Mu Yangling must know about this too. Besides, Qingniangâs daughter was the one who started thisâŠâ
Shu Shuniang and Shu Mingxiang looked at each other. They both wanted to push all the blame to Shu Qingniang.
Shu Mingxiang chuckled and said, âQingniang still has a son. As long as there are enough benefits, the Zhou family will definitely be willing. However, itâs not convenient for us to step in. Iâll tell Mother later and ask her to bring Qingniang to the Qi family.â
A smile appeared on Shu Shuniangâs face. She stood up and said, âThen, Little Brother, Iâll go back first. Let me know when thereâs news.â
Shu Mingxiang nodded and sent Shu Shuniang off.
At this moment, Mu Yangling, who had thought that she would not see the Shu family for a long time, was carrying the baby, whose eyes were gazing around the room in high spirits. She let him lean closer to look at the decorations in the room and saw that his eyes were constantly glancing at colorful things. When she spoke exaggeratedly, he would also turn his head to look at her.
Mu Yangling said to Li Jinghua, âSister-in-law, look at Little Treasure. He must be very smart. His eyes are moving very quickly.â
Li Jinghua took the baby from her arms and tapped his little face, feeling slightly relieved. âLetâs invite the imperial physician over for a checkup. It would be great if we can invite an imperial physician who specializes in pediatrics.â
Mu Yangling said, âIâll get Haoran to submit a memorial. The Emperor will definitely agree.â
âHow do you know?â Li Jinghua glared at her sister-in-law.
Mu Yangling said proudly, âOf course I know. Didnât the Emperor let the imperial physician stay in our house because he wanted to know about your situation in time? If we ask for an imperial physician specializing in pediatrics, the Emperor will definitely agree. He can find out the exact situation while displaying the kindness of an Emperor. Itâs killing two birds with one stone.â
As the childâs condition was unknown, no one was in the mood to give him a nice nickname. In addition, Mu Yangling had been calling him darling, so Li Jinghua decided to name him Little Treasure.
In the past two days, the childâs eyes had completely opened, and his eyeballs could already move around freely to look at things. Mu Yangling had once heard someone say that children with intellectual problems usually had dull and listless eyes. Their eyeballs either did not move, or they did not move often. Seeing Little Treasureâs grape-like black eyeballs move along with Mu Yanglingâs movements and gaze around excitedly, Mu Yangling felt that there was nothing wrong with this child.
Li Jinghuaâs confidence also increased a little. Now, she only had to wait for the diagnosis to be confirmed in three monthsâ time..