Chapter 158: Persuading people to join the gang using both hard and soft tactics
Xue Hengzhao dimmed the lamp wick on the table next to him and gently lowered the bed curtain.
On the couch, both Lan Ning and her son were fast asleep, and it was a quiet and beautiful scene.
Xue Hengzhao walked out gently. Zi Yan, Fang Nian and others were outside. When they saw her coming out, they all asked in a low voice: "How is it?"
"They're all asleep," Xue Hengzhao said, "Just go in and watch alone, and leave two people outside to listen. I think the princess will sleep for a long time."
"Good sister, I have worked so hard for you." Zi Yan was extremely grateful to Xue Hengzhao in her heart, "You are also tired. A house has been prepared for you, Aunt Qi and the mother-in-law, and people have been sent to serve you.
, go and have a rest!
Besides, it’s already late at night, and you may have to go back to the palace to report the news tomorrow morning.”
"It doesn't matter, I can still bear it. Then I'll leave first, and it's you who will have to work hard next." Xue Hengzhao said a few polite words, and then a little girl led her out and walked to the guest room where she rested. p>
"Little sister, please take me to that ghost mother-in-law first." Xue Hengzhao said to the little girl, "I want to say a few words to her."
"Her house is not far from yours," the little girl said enthusiastically, "Sister, please come with me."
When she arrived at the door of the house, the little girl knocked on the door, and someone answered, it was the old woman in the house.
He came over and opened the door and asked: "What's wrong?"
"Sister Heng Zhao wants to say a few words to the mother-in-law." The little girl said, "Has the mother-in-law slept?"
"I'll go in and ask her. If she's asleep, I'll wake her up." The old lady spent the night outside, and the ghost old lady lived in the inner room.
"You two should come in first, it's cold outside!" The mother-in-law let the two of them in before going into the inner room.
"Girl, please go in!" After a while, the old lady came out, "That one has washed up and hasn't gone to bed yet."
"It's really hard work," Xue Hengzhao reached out and took out some broken silver and handed it to the woman and the girl, "Can you please get us some food, and we'd better make a pot of wine."
"Hey, we can't accept this. You are the great benefactors of our house! You don't have to say what you want to eat." The mother-in-law said quickly.
"That's not the case. I don't want to alarm too many people." Xue Hengzhao knew that the servants in each mansion had their own ways. "You don't have to say that it's the two of us who want to eat, so as not to make the masters feel bad if they find out." "Then listen to the girl, let's go down and prepare." The woman just thought that Xue Hengzhao was keeping a low profile, so she went to the small kitchen with the little girl and woke up the cook through the window.
Some people in their house would sometimes ask for some food and wine in the middle of the night, and they would give the cook money alone.
So the cook didn't ask any questions, took the money and started working.
Here, Xue Hengzhao sent the two men away, and the ghost woman asked her: "What does the girl want from me?"
"I would like to ask my mother-in-law for a favor, or to make a business deal with you." Xue Hengzhao was straightforward and did not beat around the bush.
After hearing this, the ghost woman shook her head and waved her hands, saying: "Come on! Come on! Come on! This is really a fluke, and I can escape with my life.
It's better not to get involved in the affairs of wealthy people. This is like flying insects flying around the flame of a lamp, coveting the popularity of others, but not wanting to fly closer to them, the more likely they will be burned to death.
I would rather be poorer and miserable, and at least be able to keep a long life.
Little girl, please stop forcing me. I beg you, just do it!"
"Mother-in-law, it's not that I won't spare you. Once you get involved in some things, you can never get away from it." Xue Hengzhao further persuaded, "I hope you understand this principle too."
"It's just being used," the ghost woman sighed and said, "People like me have no other use besides being used."
"It's true that we want to take advantage of you, but there is a difference between exploiting and exploiting.
After some people take advantage of others, they either abandon them or silence them.
And the more serious the matter, the more decisive it will be when it ends.
And we can not only save your life, but also let you live the rest of your life with peace of mind.
I can also see that your background is extraordinary, but now you have fallen into this situation. You must have experienced many ups and downs during this period.
If glory and wealth cannot move you, can I help you fulfill your wish? Will it come true or not?"
"How do you know that I have an unusual background?" asked the ghost woman.
"When I first went to find you, I put down the bag of gold leaves, but you didn't even look at it.
Like ordinary poor people, don't just know that things are not simple, they will inevitably be attracted to gold and silver at the beginning.
Even if we have to accept our threats later, we will confirm again whether the bag of gold is real.
Moreover, I asked you to change your clothes after you got here. If you really grew up in poverty, you wouldn’t even be able to wear such clothes.
I often feel uncomfortable after wearing it.
But I noticed that you were extremely calm and there was nothing wrong with what you wore.
You must know that although the clothes were taken out of the servant's room, they were also given by others as a gift to the old lady of the Lan family when she celebrated her birthday.
Because she did not wear the clothes given by outsiders, she gave them to her companion.
In addition, I also noticed that the set of needles you brought is not gold, silver, or jade, but most people would not be able to recognize it.
But I know that these are extremely rare Taiyin bone acupuncture, because I have been weak since childhood, and when I was about to die of illness, a miracle doctor used this acupuncture on me.
It is said that although the dragon has removed its armor and has scales left on its body, the phoenix still has its remaining feathers when it falls down the slope.
No matter how you cover up the traces of the past, they cannot be completely eliminated."
"Why should I believe you?" The ghost woman suddenly smiled, with an indescribable desolation in her voice.
"You don't have to believe me," Xue Hengzhao said, "The ending is still the same. Don't even think about leaving here alive."
"You threaten me again." The ghost woman is not afraid.
"It's not a threat, it's purely self-protection." Xue Hengzhao looked directly at her without blinking.
"If I make a request, can you do it? You are just a little palace maid." The ghost woman turned around and her tone changed accordingly.
"I am speaking to you on behalf of the princess." Xue Hengzhao stood there, his voice calm and determined, "Actually, you are not afraid of death, but you still have hopes and concerns in your heart.
If it were others, they would never care about this. They would only buy you with money or threaten you with death.
And we can try our best to help you achieve your wish, do you agree or disagree?"
"My wish is too big," the ghost woman smiled sadly, "I want to rescue people from the prison, and I want the emperor to issue an order to rehabilitate them. Can you...can you?"
"It may not be possible." Xue Hengzhao took a step forward, "You must know that you just delivered the emperor's grandson."
The slightest breeze filtered through the cracks in the window, disturbing the flame of the candle, and the shadows of the two people became somewhat erratic.
"How about it, mother-in-law, do you want to take a gamble?" Xue Hengzhao grinned, "Don't worry, even if I can't help you achieve your wish, I can still keep you safe."