implicated his brothers. They said that their younger brothers Xiu Hong and Xiu Wen were still unmarried, and now this kind of scandal has happened, families with daughters would inevitably think too...Meng Jinyao shot a look at Ning Dong.

Ning Dongyi nodded knowingly and immediately took out a silver note from her purse and handed it to Li Cheng.

That was a silver note worth one thousand taels.

Li Cheng saw the amount and was a little bewildered, but he didn't dare to question anything. He just stammered, "Miss, this, this is a thousand taels of silver."

Meng Jinyao lightly nodded: "That's right, it's one thousand taels."

Grandma Qiao looked at the one thousand taels with confusion and anxiety, her gaze fixed on Meng Jin Yao. They had agreed on six thousand taels, but now it was suddenly reduced to one thousand. Was she going back on her word and playing tricks on them, mother and son

Li Cheng couldn't help himself and asked urgently, "Miss, didn't you say six thousand taels"

Meng Jiny Yao said leisurely, "Didn't Zhuangzi's 1,200 taels of silver and the account book also be submitted to the Sun family around this time Take these 1,200 taels first to make up for this shortfall."

She paused, her tone softening as she looked at Grandma Qiao, a faint smile playing on her lips. "As for the remaining five thousand taels, it depends on Grandma Qiao's sincerity. If Grandma Qiao goes back and does things well, I will see your sincerity, and the five thousand taels will naturally be yours. Don't worry, Manager Li, there are still eight days until the deadline given by the gambling den."

Upon hearing this, Qiao Grandma and Li Cheng didn't dare to disagree. They were terrified at feeling their authority so tightly controlled, but they dared not disobey. They knew if they went back on their word later, given the eldest daughter's temperament, the two documents they had just signed would be sent to Mistress. The consequences then would be unimaginable.

Grandma Qiao was quite tactful, squeezing out a smile and respectfully replying, “What the eldest daughter said is true. The matter of five thousand taels can be put aside for now.”

Then, Meng Jiny Yao told Qiao Mama some details before allowing her and her son to leave.

Grandma Qiao and Li Cheng left the private room. Chang Yu let out a breath. Who could have thought that the girl who used to be looked down upon even by servants, the most unfavored one, is now the person holding their fate in her hands

Grandma Qiao glanced at the closed room, lowering her voice to warn, "Cheng'er, after this incident, you absolutely must never go back to places like gambling dens. Next time, there won't be anyone lucky enough to help fill the hole. The eldest daughter is willing to help now, but this kind of playing with fire can easily get us killed. "

Li Cheng is truly scared this time, he wouldn't dare to enter a gambling den even if he was beaten to death. These six thousand taels have left him feeling stifled for the past few days, unable to breathe freely.

Grandma Qiao then asked, "What about your gambling buddies Did any of them come looking for you after you parted ways yesterday"

“He lured away half the thugs and hasn't been seen since. Li Cheng shook his head, his face growing grave. “Perhaps he’ll be beaten to within an inch of his life and hide somewhere to recover from his injuries. If it weren’t for the young lady saving me yesterday, I estimate that I would have been in dire straits as well.”

Upon hearing this, Qiao Grandma felt a chill run down her spine and her face paled. She said in a low voice, "In the future, stay away from such bad friends. If not for him, you wouldn't have gotten into such a big mess."

Li Cheng hurriedly replied, "Mother, please. Son begs you to help first." His voice was laced with pleading. "Please help your son settle the five thousand taels owed to the gambling den, and then complete that matter for the elder daughter. After that, we will leave the capital. Son will definitely be filial in the future."

Grandma Qiao glared at her son reproachfully. Without him needing to say anything, she already knew they couldn't stay in the capital any longer. She had to leave once this matter was done, but both their slave contracts were in Madam's hands. They would need Big Miss's help when the time came.

Thinking about this, Grandma Qiao dared not mess things up even more. She had to do the best she could with what the eldest daughter had commanded. If the eldest daughter was satisfied, there was a chance she would bestow grace upon her and her son.

Grandma Qiao whispered, "Cheng'er, remember to not reveal any flaws. Otherwise, neither you nor I will be able to survive."

Li Cheng's face paled with fear: "Could it be that the young lady..."

Grandma Qiao's face was grave, she shook her head gently: "It's not the eldest daughter"

She is the wife.

The madam could have Cui'er killed, and she could also have her and Cheng'er killed. They betrayed the madam, and once she found out, she wouldn't let them mother and son live. She would kill them to silence them.

-

Inside the study.

Meng Jin Yao glanced at the two signed agreements, her eyes flashing with a mischievous smile.

In our dynasty, filial piety is highly valued. Children who accuse their parents are considered unfilial. Regardless of whether the accusations are true or not, they will be imprisoned for three years and receive twenty lashes. She wouldn't accuse her, but would make Sun's life a living hell.

Meng Jingyao instructed, "Qingqiu, put everything away."

In autumn, the sound of crickets chirped. He carefully folded two letters and placed them in an envelope.

Ning Dong moved to the window and took a look. She saw Qiao's grandmother and her son had already left the teahouse. After holding it in for a long time, she finally dared to speak: "Madam, your move is really high! The servant girl has learned a new trick again."

Meng Jinyao smiled faintly: “This kind of thing tests one's mentality. Whoever's mentality is not stable enough, they lose. With six thousand taels riding on their mother and son, the more I act indifferent, as if they are insignificant to me, the more anxious they become, the less daring they are to play tricks, fearing a misstep could cost them their lives. Unbeknownst to them, in reality, I am even more anxious

Ning Dong beamed with excitement: "Madam, what are we going to do next"

Meng Jin yao replied, "Next, it depends on Qiao's grandma's ability. Let's just watch and wait. We should also leave and take a stroll down the street to buy some things."

Qingqiu and Ningdong responded in unison.

Although it's not yet midsummer, the summer heat is already intense. The sun is quite strong even now in early summer.

Not long after leaving the teahouse, Meng Jin Yao's forehead was already sweating. She raised her head and glanced at the dazzling golden sun overhead. Feeling a bit wilted, she didn't want to continue walking and lost any desire to browse and buy things.

Qing Qiu took out a handkerchief and wiped the fine sweat from Meng Jin Yao's forehead. Seeing her meaning, she suggested, "Madam, it's almost noon now. Why don't we find a place to have lunch first There's a restaurant not far ahead, which we've been to before, and the food tastes pretty good.

Meng Jin Yao nodded and said, "That's a good idea. Let's have lunch and rest for a while before we continue shopping."

As the master and his two servants had walked just a few steps, a familiar figure emerged from the jewelry store ahead.

On closer inspection, I saw that it was Meng Jingyu. She was accompanied by a gorgeously dressed young lady, who was none other than Princess Jingning.

Qing Qiu and Ning Dong glared at each other, both thinking in their hearts: "What a coincidence!"

Meng Jinyu saw her elder sister and was slightly taken aback. Then, she smiled and greeted her: "Big sister, what a coincidence, running into you here."

Meng Jin Yao called out with a fake smile, "Second Sister,"

She having said that, bowed to the Lady Jingning: "This servant greets Lady Jingning."

Jingning County Princess gave Meng Jinyao a bland glance. She didn't humiliate Meng Jinyao publicly in the street after all. Although she disliked Meng Jinyao, she still had to give Gu Houye face. She said calmly, "Lady Gu, you don't have to be so polite.

Meng Jinyu looked at her elder sister, her eyes flickering with enthusiasm, and invited warmly: "It's almost noon, Elder Sister probably hasn't had lunch yet, why don't you join us I and the County Princess are just going to a restaurant in front for lunch. Jingxi was stunned for a moment, then quickly replied: "Of course."Meng Jin Yao smiled sweetly, and said: “Then I will still like the old geezer, as long as the old geezer doesn’t change his heart, I...