Madam Xiao looked at him sharply and said in a deep voice, “You don’t need to play dumb with me. You saw what happened today. If no one had instigated it, a mere few thousand taels of silver would never have reached the Marquis’s ears.”
“Aunt Yue, relying on the Marquis’s favor, has been running rampant in the manor. I admit my Li’er is no match for her. But you are about to take the imperial examination. If you don’t resolve this matter before you leave, I’m afraid that after you return, Aunt Yue will be in charge of the manor.”
Hearing this, Xiao Chengyan’s eyes deepened, and he nodded in agreement. “What you say is true, Madam. So what do you intend to do?”
“If I had any leverage over Aunt Yue, how could things have turned out like this today?”
Madam Xiao looked at him coldly. “I thought you had a plan in mind before you sent someone to deliver the message.”
Xiao Chengyan said calmly, “I do have an idea, but it depends on whether Madam is willing to do it.”
“What?” Madam Xiao looked puzzled, and there was also a hint of wariness in her eyes.
What exactly did Xiao Chengyan want to do without saying a word?
Would he set a trap and scheme against her as well?
Xiao Chengyan saw her hesitation, his dark eyes moved slightly, and he smiled faintly, “Madam, don’t worry, the grievances have their source and the debts have their debtors. I will only deal with those who have a grudge against me.”
After saying that, he took out a letter from his bosom, placed it on the table, and pushed it in front of Madam Xiao.
Madam Xiao didn’t accept it immediately, but asked suspiciously, “What is this?”
Xiao Chengyan said, “You’ll know once you see it, Madam.”
Madam Xiao picked up the letter with some skepticism, opened it, and began to read it carefully.
Before she finished reading, her expression changed drastically. “Aunt Yue is lending money at exorbitant interest rates and has even driven someone to their death?”
Xiao Chengyan nodded. “Not only that, her brother, relying on the Marquis’s name, has been seizing land in the countryside and has also caused a death. The victims are filing complaints everywhere.”
Hearing this, Madam Xiao put the letter down. “What use is this to you? Shouldn’t it be more useful to your father?”
Xiao Chengyan looked at Madam Xiao and said, “I remember that Madam has a nephew who works in the capital’s government office. Doesn’t Madam want her nephew to do the Marquis a favor?”
Madam Xiao remained silent; when it came to her family’s affairs, she was clearly more cautious.
Xiao Chengyan noticed her hesitation but didn’t care. He continued, “Aunt Yue sent someone to complain to the Marquis, causing him to lose face in public and fly into a rage at home.”
“Your nephew took over Aunt Yue’s case but kept it a secret, coming to inform the Marquis late at night to prevent him from being criticized. The Marquis will surely be grateful for your family’s help and won’t let Aunt Yue off easily.”
Madam Xiao immediately understood his intention. He was telling her to retaliate, vent her anger, and make the Marquis remember her family’s kindness.
It was indeed a good show!
Madam Xiao also instantly understood Xiao Chengyan’s purpose in relaying the message. He had no one backing him and wanted to use her power to deal with Aunt Yue.
Therefore, he had prepared evidence and a method to his advantage.
This Xiao Chengyan was truly courageous an d resourceful!
While admiring Xiao Chengyan’s methods, Madam Xiao couldn’t help but think of her son, and her eyes changed instantly.
That good-for-nothing, all he thinks about is womanizing all day, he can’t help her at all!
After leaving Madam Xiao’s courtyard, Xiao Chengyan went straight back to his own. He had a very low profile in this Marquis’s mansion; if someone specifically called him out, you’d never see him.
But this time, he unexpectedly ran into Xiao Chengmo on his way back.
“Second Brother!”
Looking at the smiling third son of the Xiao family before him, Xiao Chengyan’s eyes remained unchanged, his expression indifferent. “Is something wrong?”
Xiao Chengmo nodded, smiling, “Indeed, I have something I’d like to discuss with Second Brother. Would it be convenient for you?”
“Speak your mind.”
Clearly, Xiao Chengyan didn’t intend to give him that face. People were constantly coming and going in this courtyard; what could Xiao Chengmo say?
Therefore, Xiao Chengmo’s smiling face immediately darkened, and he looked coldly at Xiao Chengyan.
He’s already angry?
So young, unable to hide anything.
Xiao Chengyan ignored him and walked away. As he passed Xiao Chengmo, he suddenly heard him say, “Xiao Chengli is good-for-nothing, always chasing after women and causing trouble. Just because he’s the eldest son, he has all the advantages. All the good things go to him. Doesn’t Second Brother have any thoughts about this?” Xiao
Chengyan paused slightly, a faint smile curving his lips. “You said it yourself, he’s the eldest son,”
Xiao Chengmo said through gritted teeth. “But if things continue like this, he’ll drag the Marquis’s mansion down with him sooner or later.”
“What are you trying to say?” Xiao Chengyan’s eyes remained unchanged, his tone still calm.
“Madam never pays attention to Second Brother, so her sudden invitation can’t be anything good. Second Brother, I just overheard Father telling Madam that if the eldest son doesn’t live up to expectations, they’ll send him to Hanshan Temple.” ”
There are only two paths at Hanshan Temple: either take the imperial examinations or be abandoned and die alone.”
Xiao Chengmo said obsequiously, “Second Brother, with just a little effort, he won’t be able to get out. Once you return from the examinations, the Marquis’s mansion will be yours.”
Xiao Chengyan looked at him, his lips curling into a deeper sarcasm, “You’re doing this for my own good?”
Xiao Chengmo nodded heavily, his slightly immature face filled with sincerity. His acting was excellent, but he forgot to hide the shrewdness hidden in his eyes.
“Second Brother, I know Madam called you to win you over. I rushed here to tell you these things, and I really have no other purpose than to do what’s best for you.” ”
Besides, I don’t want to lose the wealth and glory of the Marquis’s mansion. If someone has to inherit the title, I’d rather it be you, Second Brother.”
Hearing this, Xiao Chengyan chuckled and patted his shoulder. “You’re still young. Studying and practicing martial arts is the best course of action. Don’t worry about anything else.”
With that, he turned and left, not saying another word to Xiao Chengmo.
Xiao Chengmo stood there, his face dark, his fists clenching tightly.
A moment later, he turned his head to look in the direction Xiao Chengyan had left, his eyes filled with malice.
This scene did not escape Xiao Chengyan’s notice.
To be precise, it did not escape Shadow’s notice.
Therefore, as soon as Xiao Chengyan returned to the courtyard, Shadow appeared.
“Master, the Third Young Master intends to harm you.”
“I know.”
Xiao Chengyan went into the study, took out a book, and flipped through it, not taking Shadow’s words to heart at all.
“Should I go and teach him a lesson?”
A fierce glint flashed in Shadow’s eyes. Xiao Chengyan didn’t even raise his head, his voice indifferent. “No rush. I never intended to let him live anyway. Keep him alive for now.”
There are few people in this Marquis’s mansion who can be spared, but killing them all now is premature.
The shadow didn’t say anything more and silently withdrew.
Xiao Chengyan was reading alone when, after a moment, he suddenly looked up from the book.
Lord Xiao had locked Xiao Chengli in the study, specifying that only his wife and servants could attend to him, and he wasn’t allowed to go anywhere else.
Wouldn’t Xie Wanning have to take care of him personally?
Xiao Chengyan’s eyes changed slightly.
Hongye said that Xiao Chengli was trying to swindle money from her, and since he hadn’t succeeded this time, he would definitely try again.
He didn’t want Xie Wanning to spend a single penny on this spendthrift, so he simply had someone report the matter to Lord Xiao, but he forgot that Xiao Chengli had been beaten and needed her care.
Moreover, with Xiao Chengli in the study, it wouldn’t be so convenient for her to come and go.
Xiao Chengli was injured, and although he wouldn’t touch Xie Wanning for the time being, the thought of those fair and tender hands touching his back suddenly ignited a fire in his heart.