inspire-indiana Chapter 196 Li Qianqian Asks for Help
Chapter 196 Li Qianqian Asks for Help
“If you’re not deaf, you should have heard what I said clearly. If you continue to make trouble, I’ll send you to the Jingzhao Prefecture government office, and that’s the least you can do,” Jingxue said coldly.
Then she said to her people, "Everyone back to your posts and do what you're supposed to do!"
"Liu Sanhao, you brat, you bastard who's been ridden by a thousand men and trampled by ten thousand, what kind of brothel is this? You won't even let men in, you..." Liu Dazhuang was so frightened that he immediately covered his wife's mouth.
At this moment, several constables walked over. "What's going on? Don't you know they've been cracking down on crime lately?"
When Liu Dazhuang saw the government officials approaching, he quickly pulled his wife up from the ground and hid to the side.
Manager Peng stepped forward and explained the matter to the yamen runner.
The head constable turned to Liu Dazhuang and asked, "Is what she said true?"
"Sir, we really want my sister to go home and get married." Liu Dazhuang's face turned red.
"This isn't something you can decide on your own. It requires your sister's consent and the consent of the family, understand? I'm letting you off the hook today because you have several children with you. Now leave immediately. If you cause trouble again, you'll be spending the New Year in jail!" the constable said.
"But..." Liu Dazhuang's wife wanted to say something, but Liu Dazhuang grabbed her arm.
"Yes, sir!" Liu Dazhuang said, bowing and scraping, then pulled the two smaller children over and walked out of the crowd.
At this moment, Jingxue, who was standing at the entrance of the beauty shop, glanced at Yingwu. Yingwu immediately went to the rouge shop. After a while, another shadow guard came out of the shop and headed in the direction where Liu Dazhuang and his wife had left.
Jingxue entered the beauty salon. Inside, a young woman was doing her nails, and a maid was accompanying her.
We walked directly through the front hall and arrived at the backyard.
Manager Peng quickly opened his door, and Jingxue went inside and sat down in a chair.
Just as Liu Sanhao was about to kneel down, she remembered that her master disliked kneeling, so she could only bow and say, "Master, I'm sorry! It's all my fault for not handling the household affairs properly."
Jingxue did not speak.
Manager Peng, who was standing nearby, said, "Master, I was also at fault. I always thought that each girl had her own private matters and I didn't know much about their backgrounds, which is why I was hesitant to report to the authorities today."
"Sanhao, when did your older brother and sister-in-law find out you worked at the beauty salon?" Jingxue asked.
"I returned to the master's house about a month after we opened. One day, I went to the grain store with Sister Zelan to get some bean sprouts. We happened to meet my elder brother, who said he had been looking for me for a long time."
“My older brother said that there is not much food left at home, and he can’t find any work, so he had to try his luck to see how I am and whether I am still alive,” Liu Sanhao said, tears welling up in his eyes again.
"I also felt sorry for the children at home, so I bought ten catties of rice at the grain shop and asked him to take it back."
"Later, my elder brother came several more times, and I used almost all of my wages to buy him rice."
“Two days ago, my elder brother and sister-in-law came together and said that they wanted me to redeem myself and go back with them. They said they had found a merchant family for me, and if I married into that family, I could become a young mistress. My sister-in-law said that the family had promised to redeem me, but I didn’t believe them and didn’t want to leave here, so I sent them back.”
"I didn't expect them to come again today. When they saw that I wouldn't agree, my sister-in-law started making a huge scene!"
After listening to Liu Sanhao's words, Jingxue said, "I can give you the indenture. I don't need your five taels of silver. Are you willing to leave?"
Liu Sanhao knelt down with a thud. "Master, Miss, I have said that you gave me my life, and I am willing to follow you forever."
“If you’re willing to stay, that’s fine, but if your family causes trouble again, that won’t do. I won’t be as easy to talk to as I am today. I’m only giving you face today because we’re in business, and rules are necessary,” Jingxue said seriously.
Liu Sanhao cried, "Miss, I only did this because I felt sorry for my elder brother and his children... Waaah, why don't you transfer me to work somewhere else!"
"No need for that. I've already made myself clear to you. If they cause trouble again, even if I don't deal with them, someone else will. Go back to work!"
"Yes, I understand!" Liu Sanhao said, wiping away her tears as she left.
Manager Peng looked apologetic. "Master, it was all because of this servant..."
"Alright, remember this lesson! Is there anything else at the shop?" Jingxue frowned and sighed.
"Yes, I remember. The hygiene products in the store are selling very well. At the end of the month, Miss Lixia also checked the accounts, and the inventory is still sufficient," said Manager Peng.
"Alright! I've also taken some time to leave the palace today. If you need anything, just ask Lixia!" Jingxue said, then got up and left with Runyue and Xiaoman.
Jingxue and the other two strolled around West Street for a while. Just as Qin Jing had said, the shops on the street had indeed been tidied up.
From time to time, one could see yamen runners and patrolmen. As the twelfth lunar month arrived, people began to prepare for the New Year, and there were many carriages and pedestrians on the streets.
After looking around Li Ji's shop and having lunch with Li Xia at the fruit and vegetable store, the three of them took a carriage back to the palace.
Before leaving, Jingxue didn't see the shadow guards she had sent out to follow Liu Dazhuang and his wife. She instructed Lixia to send someone to the palace to find her if there was any news.
Li Xia reassured Jing Xue that she would definitely be able to handle the matter well.
When Jingxue and her companions reached the vicinity of the East Palace Gate, they unexpectedly spotted Li Qianqian in the distance, talking to the guards.
Jingxue released her supernatural power and heard Li Qianqian say, "I'm going to find my cousin, Princess Zhan. Why won't you let me in!"
"Those living inside are all princesses and noblewomen of royal rank. You cannot go in unless someone comes to fetch you!" the guard said coldly.
"Could you please deliver a message to Yichun Palace for me? My cousin will definitely send someone to pick me up!" Li Qianqian said.
"No, we don't have any spare personnel at the moment!" the Imperial Guard said expressionlessly.
“You…” Li Qianqian stomped her feet in anger.
Her maid turned around and saw Jingxue and the others approaching. She exclaimed excitedly, "Miss, it seems that the Princess Consort has returned!"
Li Qianqian turned around and saw Jingxue. She hurriedly lifted her skirt and ran over. Jingxue noticed that there seemed to be tear stains on the girl's face.
"Cousin, cousin, you're finally back!" The voice was clearly choked with sobs.
Jingxue quickly stepped forward to greet her, "What's wrong? Is something the matter?"
Li Qianqian ran up to Jingxue and grabbed her hand. "Cousin, my brother gambled with those rich kids and lost nearly ten thousand taels of silver. They said they'd come to our house in a couple of days to demand it back. What should we do? Father will definitely beat him, and Grandmother will definitely protect him. There's going to be trouble at home again!"