Hongdou subconsciously wanted to apologize. Ever since the master and servant were moved to the side courtyard, she felt particularly guilty when facing all the masters and servants in the house. As soon as she helped herself up, before she could speak, she heard the master behind her say
: "I ran into a little trouble and couldn't even see my mother-in-law."
Dongshan looked surprised: "How could that happen?"
Hongdou immediately replied: "In the same place where we were beaten last time, those men appeared again. We didn't check carefully after we were injured last time, thinking that we were unlucky enough to meet the robbery. Today, thanks to the girl's caution,
I brought a stick and beat them down. Then I realized that a group of people were instigated by others to deliberately make things difficult for our master and servants."
After hearing this, Dongshan's heart skipped a beat.
Pan Jiuniang was an orphan herself, and no one would embarrass her. Well, unless it was because of the young master, he asked curiously: "Has the mastermind behind it been found out?"
Hongdou was a maid, and it was hard to identify Taohua, who was half a master, so she simply kept her mouth shut.
"It's Taohua." Chu Yunli told the story exactly what happened next: "Taohua's father repeatedly emphasized that she was just a middleman, and this matter has nothing to do with the Zhou family."
She yawned: "I'm injured. I've been bumping around all day. I'm already very tired. I want to go back and rest. By the way, I couldn't visit my mother-in-law today. I want to go again tomorrow. Please tell the young master.
One sound."
A night of silence.
It shouldn't have been so quiet. It was too late in Dongshan to see the sky and the young master had already rested, so he didn't go to report it. He Junhai woke up the next day, and he told him the matter while he was having breakfast.
He Junhai was originally in a good mood, but after hearing these words, he lost his appetite and put down the bowl in his hand: "Call Taohua."
As a maid in the first house, she must serve her master respectfully whenever he needs her. Taohua thought that the master was in a good mood in the morning and was about to dress up, but the person at the door was full of impatience: "Quickly.
Some work, sir, is still waiting."
Her heart skipped a beat and she said, "Young Master likes me to wear rose red, please let me change."
"No need." The man at the door said firmly, "Young master should not be interested."
Sure enough, something happened.
Taohua knew what she had done. She heard early in the morning that the master and servant of the side courtyard came back late at night. She thought everything was going well... The more she thought about it, the more panicked she became. She followed her entourage to the main room in a state of confusion, feeling uneasy.
After Fu passed away, he raised his head and met the young master's dark eyes.
"What good deeds you have done should be rewarded for it."
Hearing this, Taohua almost jumped up in fright: "I didn't do anything! Why is the young master so angry?"
"I will give you another chance to confess. If you don't tell me, He Mansion is a big place, and the most important thing it lacks is a side courtyard." He Junhai narrowed his eyes: "If you really did those things, you won't even be able to live in the side courtyard."
Taohua's heart trembled and she almost knelt down.
"This slave doesn't understand, please let me know."
He Junhai gave her a chance because of his past friendship. Seeing that this person was ignorant, he suddenly felt that he was in trouble and waved his hand: "Go down! Don't go out for the next two days until I finish the investigation!"
After walking out of the main room, Taohua was in a trance. After returning to the room, she immediately asked someone to go home. During the waiting period, she could not sit still. When she saw the young master leading people out of the yard, she could no longer sit still and got up to go
Went to the side courtyard.
Chu Yunli was injured. She had been struggling for so long yesterday. She was really tired. Either she couldn't get up or she just didn't want to think about it. So she slept for a while. When she finished cleaning up, it was already bright outside and she was about to let Hongdou go.
I looked to see if the carriage was ready, and saw Peach Blossom coming in a hurry.
"Jiuniang, did you say bad things about me in front of the young master?"
The tone of questioning was full of anger.
"No, I can't even see the young master." Chu Yunli looked her up and down: "I almost got beaten again yesterday, was it you?"
Like a cat whose tail was stepped on, Taohua jumped up instantly: "No!"
Chu Yunli nodded casually: "Is there anything else? I have to go out."
"Were you beaten yesterday?" Taohua asked tentatively: "I heard that you came back very late. Did you look at your mother-in-law?"
"No!" Chu Yunli smiled at her: "I was not beaten. I suffered such a punishment when I went out before. I was prepared for it, but it was those people who were beaten by me. I wanted to report it to the official, but your father
They came out and said that they were also miserable people, and they took action against me because of a sudden change of ideas, giving me a chance to change their ways. I agreed, and they compensated me three hundred taels!"
When Taohua heard this, she could hardly control the expression on her face.
Three hundred taels of silver, where did it come from?
The Zhou family definitely can't take it out. Could it be that it was borrowed?
For a moment, she wished she could run home and ask what happened.
Chu Yunli didn't look at her, and got on the carriage again with Hongdou. Before leaving, she said with emotion: "It would be great if there were some unsighted ways of calamity today. Three hundred taels a day is simply a business with no capital and huge profits.
"
Taohua: "..." I can't bear it once, how can I do it again?
*
This time, Chu Yunli's journey went smoothly. The carriage didn't even stop and went directly to the courtyard where her mother-in-law lived in the outer city.
To be precise, it was outside the alley where my mother-in-law lived. The space inside was too small for a carriage to pass. The place was too shabby, and the people who lived here probably couldn't even ride a carriage.
Chu Yunli hopped on one foot and arrived outside her mother-in-law's courtyard. Before she could knock on the door, the door was already open.
The person who opened the door was a woman in her fifties with a slight limp. She was holding a basket in her hand. When she saw the master and servant at the door, she looked confused: "Are you..."
Pan Jiuniang brings money back every month, sometimes more than once. Even if she is not familiar with the people in the yard, she knows a lot, but she has no impression of the woman in front of her. It is obvious that this person is a newcomer.
Come.
Hongdou explained: "We are here to visit my mother-in-law."
The woman Qian suddenly asked: "Are you Jiuniang?" Seeing the two men nodding, she hurriedly stepped aside and said: "Come in quickly. I often hear my mother-in-law talking about you. You are a kind-hearted girl who has given us poor people a way to survive.
I haven't seen her before, and I also said that I would make some delicious food and send it to He's house one day. The girl has been so kind to me, and I have to thank you. I can't afford good things, so I can only make some food to show my love."
"You don't have to be so polite." When Chu Yunli came in, Qian extended her hand to help her.
The mother-in-law did fall. She was already unable to move, and now she was lying on the bed unable to get up. After seeing Chu Yunli, he held her hand and looked up and down, his eyes lingering on the bandages, and tears gradually came to his eyes.
: "Why is it hurt so badly?"
"It's much better, but it looks scary." Chu Yunli threw away the crutch and took a few steps: "Look, when these things are removed, you will be like a normal person. Mother-in-law, don't worry about me, it's important to get well soon.
.”
But the mother-in-law cried even harder: "You girl, you always report good things but not bad things. I have already asked the Zhou family. Now that you have been moved to a side courtyard, your wages are not as much as before, and you have given so much money back...
What can I say about you? You have to remember that you are the most important at all times. If you can't even take care of yourself, how can you take care of others?"
"Okay, okay, I remember." When Chu Yunli comforted her, he touched her wrist and then frowned.
My mother-in-law was not expected to live long, and now she fell again. If she didn't take good care of herself, she would probably be alive in two or three months.
"After I was injured this time, the young master hired a very smart doctor for me. I asked by the way if there was any medicine for a body like yours. The doctor gave me a prescription. You must remember to take medicine in the future."
The mother-in-law looked disapproving: "Don't spend that wasted money. If you have that money, you might as well buy more food. There are so many people waiting with open mouths."
Chu Yunli was silent. Pan Jiuniang was willing to help these poor people, but she was partial. The most important person in her heart was her mother-in-law. In her eyes, this was her only relative.
"We won't be able to live in this yard for a few days. Madam has already said that when the people around her are free, she will take you to a village in the suburbs to raise her. Later, you can ask them to gather their belongings and take them away.
Pack up all your things. You can leave as soon as the carriage arrives."
The person who reported the news yesterday has already mentioned these things. This courtyard is indeed not very good, it is small and shabby, and it is crowded with so many people. If you go to the village in the suburbs, at least you can live in a spacious place. No matter how you look at it, it is a good thing.
The mother-in-law was a little worried: "How could Madam show such kindness for no reason?"
Mrs. He, who took the lead in setting up the Salesian Home, was my mother-in-law. My wife also donated money, but it was only a small amount. She didn't seem to be willing to think about so many idle people.
"This is a reward for me." She knew the situation well, so everyone could get together and go away easily.
The mother-in-law said in surprise: "Have you made a contribution?"
"Don't ask any more questions. We'll move to Zhuangzi first. After my injury is healed, I'll come and stay with you." Chu Yunli held her hand: "Wait until I have someone deliver the prepared medicine.
Be sure to drink it. By the way, let Grandma Chun make the medicine for you, and don’t let other people get their hands on it."
Despite the fact that there are nearly twenty people living in this courtyard, the only one who really knows the ins and outs of the situation is Grandma Chun who came out of the Salesian Home with them, and the others are all people picked up by her mother-in-law later.
The mother-in-law heard something in her words... Ordinary people can't imagine the secrets of wealthy families, and the same goes for her mother-in-law. However, since Pan Jiuniang went to the He Mansion, she especially liked to hear the gossip of wealthy families. For example, the master drank this medicine.
The medicine must be administered by someone you trust, and no other people should be allowed to interfere during the process.
When her cheap granddaughter said this, her heart tightened: "What do you mean?"
Chu Yunli didn't hide anything: "Yesterday, I heard that you had fallen. I hurried out and met the gangsters. If they were really robbers, I would be unlucky, but they were waiting there specially.
No matter how I look at it, this is all planned by someone behind the scenes. So, the people behind the scenes knew that I would pass by that place at that time, and they must have calculated that you would fall down first."
She looked out the window. After all, she heard that Pan Jiuniang was back. There were many people standing in the yard.
The mother-in-law also looked out and sighed: "Okay!"
There are many miserable people in this world. My mother-in-law is kind-hearted. Whenever someone comes to ask for help, she will help her. However, some people in this world are greedy.
Okay. My mother-in-law has been fairly well-informed over the years, so it’s not surprising that some of the people she took in took advantage of others and took advantage of her.
Seeing her depressed mood, Chu Yunli smiled and said, "I will stay with you when we go to Zhuangzi."
"Okay!" My mother-in-law was very happy after hearing this.
Chu Yunli looked out the window and said, "The person who let me in just now..."
"I just came here, her maiden name is Qian." The mother-in-law sighed: "She is good at everything, but she is really hard-working. My mother gave birth to many daughters in order to have younger brothers. She is the sixth in the family and is slightly older.
When she was older, she was sold to her younger brother to save the betrothal gift for his wife. Anyone who is willing to spend a lot of money to marry a girl from a poor family always has a reason. Her husband has a bad temper and beats people at every turn. He has already beaten her before her.
Two women have died, and one of their children was kicked to death. It's really not a big deal. When she came to the door more than ten days ago, she didn't have a good piece of meat on her body. She had her mother's family and her husband's family but no place to go. However, she was a diligent person.
Yes, recently she does most of the shopping and cooking in our yard."
Speaking of this, the mother-in-law hesitated for a moment: "When you reminded me earlier, I remembered that on the day of the fall, someone got up next door at night. At that time, I heard the sound of the door opening and closing, but I didn't take it to heart. The next morning there was someone under the eaves.
The place was extremely wet. I was too blind to see clearly, so I stepped on it and fell. Later, they investigated and found that three people went to the latrine that night, and one of them was her."
Nothing happened before, but Qian fell down as soon as she arrived, and anyone would doubt her.
Just at this moment, there was a knock on the door, followed immediately by Qian's voice: "Mother-in-law, let me bring you some tea. The girl must be thirsty after running all the way."
The mother-in-law was a little nervous for a moment. Chu Yunli patted the back of her hand comfortingly: "Come in!"
Mrs. Qian walked in with a smile: "There is no tea prepared in the yard. This is the tea foam I asked someone for when I was shopping on the street. It doesn't look good, but the taste is the same. I heard there is a Longjing in it, girl.
Don’t take it personally.”
"No." Chu Yunli reached out and took the tea, not in a hurry to drink it, but looked her up and down.
Qian felt a little uncomfortable when she looked at her. She tugged the broken hair around her ears and said with a forced smile, "What are you looking at, girl?"
"The people living in this courtyard are the old, weak, sick and disabled, and most of them can't move." Chu Yunli smiled: "Even though I support so many people, in fact I am just a maid, and all the money to buy food comes from my province.
The salary I received. My wife is very good at it, so she is not suitable to live here."
Qian's smile froze, and then her eye circles turned red: "But I...I don't dare to go home, that beast will beat me to death. I can't go back to my parents' home either. My third sister was widowed before, and the hundred days haven't come yet."
.I was forced to marry into another family by my uncle... Wuwuwu... I'm really afraid... if they kick me out... I will only die..."
If it were the real Pan Jiuniang here, she would probably be soft-hearted. After all, if you live a good life, no one wants to bear a life in vain. If you have supported so many people, why are you afraid of opening one more mouth?
Chu Yunli was not like that, and said seriously: "I know you are suffering, but there are many people in this world who are suffering more than you. My salary is not much. If I accept even the good people, I am afraid I will have to buy a few more hills.
It’s not even enough to live in. Madam, this hole can’t be opened, you have to understand me. You can move out later.”
Qian was stunned: "You...if I leave here, I can only die."
"You're not even afraid of death, how can you still be afraid of that man?" Chu Yunli sneered: "Buy two packs of rat medicine and keep them handy, put a knife under your pillow, and see if he dares to touch you."
Qian was speechless: "He will beat me to death."
"Then kill him first!" Chu Yunli waved his hand impatiently: "I'm going back to the inner city in a moment. I have to hurry up and say a few words to my mother-in-law. You can go pack your things first. If you really want to
You're afraid, I'll take you back later and use the name of He Mansion to suppress you..."
"I won't go back!" Qian screamed: "Please, as long as you don't go back, you can do whatever you want."
"Anyway, you can't stay here." Chu Yunli said with a serious face: "I'm driving you out because my mother-in-law fell after you came!"
Qian hurriedly defended: "That's not me. I just went to the hut that night and squatted for a while because of my stomach pain. My mother-in-law took me in when I was desperate. I was grateful before it was too late. How could I harm her?"
Her voice became lower and lower under Chu Yunli's cold eyebrows, and she smiled bitterly: "I'll just leave."
Hongdou has been busy since she entered the yard, helping with the cleaning and washing. When Chu Yunli went out, she saw an old man with gray hair telling her: "There is a pile of chicken manure in the corner over there. We can't even move it. Just so you can
Come, help me clean it up, it really stinks."
Chu Yunli's face turned cold.
If the whole bag cannot be moved, can’t it be divided into separate packages?
There are eighteen people in the yard, including seven children, the oldest is six years old, and the youngest is still in infancy. Among the remaining eleven, four are completely unable to move, seven can be moved, and the mother-in-law is one of them
, I usually rely on my mother-in-law and the seven people to take care of the remaining people, and the older children will also do whatever they can.
Looking carefully, the yard is not clean and the ground is not smooth. In the past, Pan Jiuniang would come and go in a hurry and not pay much attention to the situation in the yard. In other words, she didn't take it to heart when she saw it. The yard is not big and there are so many people living there.
It's normal for there to be a lot of chaos among people.
Over there, Hongdou wiped the sweat from her forehead and saw several bags of chicken manure. Although she was a little embarrassed, she still passed by. During the process, she also pulled out a bag and prepared to pack it.
"Hongdou, it's getting late, and we have to go back to the inner city." Chu Yunli urged: "Let's go quickly!"
The old man who ordered Hongdou had lived here for three years. He didn't mention his name, so people called him Old Man Yin. When he saw Chu Yunli coming out, his face suddenly felt guilty, and he didn't dare to say anything and shrank back.
Neck tried his best to reduce his sense of presence. Chu Yunli did not let him go: "Uncle, you can move. Anyway, I don't do anything this day. Can't you just move the chicken manure out? By the way, maybe you all know it.
We are about to move to a village in the suburbs. My wife just gave us a place to live. Before we move in, all the servants inside will be evacuated. By then, the place will be big, and it will be up to us to clean it up. We will probably have to plant some crops.
land……"
Old Man Yin was already slowly getting up, ready to move the chicken manure. When he heard this, he immediately exploded: "This is not fair. They are lying on the bed and someone puts food to their mouths, and their clothes and bedding are never washed.
.Just because I can move, everyone can’t just point at me and serve them!”
Chu Yunli raised his eyebrows: "Then what do you mean by fairness?"
Old Man Yin was speechless.
Chu Yunli looked at the people standing and sitting in the yard: "I have rented this yard for ten years, and some people have lived there for several years. Everyone is here today. Let me remind you that my mother-in-law and I have no restrictions.
Everyone, you can come and go freely. If you get tired of living here or feel it is unfair, you can leave at any time. Also, the ugly thing is, after I moved to the village in the suburbs, I could lie down in bed without getting up if I couldn't move my legs.
But as long as you can move your hands, you have to work, even if you can only peel a small bowl of beans a day, you can't be idle."
As soon as these words came out, everyone looked at each other in shock.
Chu Yunli shook his head inwardly. These people were indeed very pitiful, but if they were kept like this all the time, they would make them lazy.
Look, many people have dissatisfied looks on their faces.
Someone wanted to speak, but Chu Yunli was the first to say: "As for you, you can come and go. As long as you stay, you have to do some work within your ability. For example, this yard shouldn't be so dirty!"
Everyone wanted to refute, but they really couldn't stand up. Living here, the food was not good, and they could only eat a meaty meal during the holidays. If they were not desperate, they would not be able to endure this hardship.
The clever one had already stood up and picked up the broom and started cleaning up. There were two people who were not moving, including old man Yin. When he met Chu Yunli's gaze, he stiffened his neck and said, "I'll leave later. It's just two bowls of brown rice porridge a day."
, you still want people to work, let’s see what you can do.”
Hongdou was annoyed: "Since you don't like it, don't drink it!"
"Don't argue with people like this." Chu Yunli pulled Hong Dou's sleeve: "Let's go!"
Before leaving, she turned back: "Those who are leaving, I don't ask you to remember me, I just hope you don't hurt the poor people in this yard. If anyone is beaten or beaten, I will not let you go if you turn around! Don't forget
, I am the maid of He Mansion."
The name of the He family is very useful when used to threaten ordinary people.
The two people who were about to leave and Mr. Qian could only suppress the urge in their hearts.
The courtyard where her mother-in-law lived was really far away from He's Mansion. Chu Yunli didn't waste any time along the way. When she rushed back to the Mansion, the sky was already hazy.
The master and the servant took a shower, and the maid who brought dinner had a mysterious face: "Miss Ninth, something happened in the house today. That peach blossom girl seemed to have made the young master angry, and he had him slap him."
Hong Dou was startled, and then took a sip: "That's right!"