Mrs. Xu put the cat that came in from outside the room on her lap, and after a moment of contemplation, she asked, “Is there any news about the case of Country Marquis’s wife?”

Old Zhong said: “This servant is just about to report to Old Madam. There is nothing special about this woman. She had been living in Luoyang. Last year, when the Country Marquis died, her aunt sent her back to her ancestral home in Yuyang. She lived in seclusion in Yuyang and did not usually interact with others. But ……”

She hesitated and said, “This servant has unintentionally found an acquaintance that has some relationship with her.”

Mrs. Xu said, “Which acquaintance?”

“It’s the one from Zhongshan, Miss Su. When she lived in Luoyang, there was a time when they had close contact, often dining and traveling together. Later, due to this woman and someone involved in an illicit affair, Miss Su severed their relationship to avoid suspicions. All these happened several years ago.”

Mrs. Xu slowly stroked the drowsy cat in her arms, pondered for a moment, and then asked, “How did Old Jiang interact with that Country Marquis’s wife? Are there any clues?”

Old Zhong said: “This servant is useless. That woman and Old Jiang died one after another after the incident without any confession. However, the servants at Country Marquis’ house said they had never seen Old Jiang entering or leaving their residence. It is confusing how they get involved.”

“Did you investigate Old Jiang’s origins?”

“Old Jiang was originally Madam’s mother’s housemaid. She was a young widow with a son. Madam once helped her, and she has served her for thirty years.”

“Where is Old Jiang’s son now?”

“He died of a severe illness a few years ago when he was just a teenager.”

“What illness?”

“I don’t know what the illness is. This servant found an old servant, who had served Madam with Old Jiang, but she was expelled by her more than ten years ago and heard something from her. At that time, Old Jiang’s son was reported dead because of an illness, but it seemed related to Madam’s brother. Her brother used to keep a male prostitute.”

These days, it has long been the custom for noblemen to keep male prostitutes.

Mrs. Xu frowned: “Is he the one who went to the Luoyang Flower Festival two years ago and drowned in the pond for several days before floating up?”

“Exactly.”

Mrs. Xu stopped talking, looked away for a long time, then suddenly said, “During these two days, did you notice that Shaoer is angry with my granddaughter-in-law again?”

Old Zhong hesitated but did not say anything.

Mrs. Xu shook her head: “He went all the way to the south to get my granddaughter-in-law back as if she was a treasure. It’s only been a few days with nothing important pressing in Jinyang, but he said he wanted to leave and asked me to leave her behind to serve me. If this is not anger, what is it?”

Old Jiang said: “When that matter happened, Master was still young, and the pain is inevitable. There were some matters that we could not change at once. Fortunately, Lady is gentle and open-minded. Old Madam, don’t be anxious. Master will be able to let go of his knot over time.”

Mrs. Xu only said, “A stubborn donkey!”Old Zhong said: “They are a young couple and currently experiencing problems. I’m afraid it’s not appropriate if they separated for five or six months. It’s not that I’m being nosy, but perhaps Old Madam should ask Master to bring Lady with him. I think after some time, they will be fine.”

Mrs. Xu said: “Have you ever seen a stubborn donkey that is whipped but unwilling to move forward? He seemed so upset when I asked him to bring his wife. I can’t bear to humiliate my granddaughter-in-law.”

She thought for a moment, stroked the cat’s head with her palm, and laughed: “The New Year is over, and there is nothing to do at home. It’s windy and dusty in this Yuyang. I miss the nice weather in Wuzhong City a bit.”

……

When Wei Shao returned in the evening, he did not see Xiao Qiao nor Chun Niang in the room. He still didn’t see her after he came out from the bath, so he asked Old Lin.

Old Lin said, “Old Madam has called Lady to accompany her to have dinner.”

With hesitation, Wei Shao went outside and just reached the door when he heard footsteps coming from the courtyard corridor. He raised his eyes and saw two maids holding lanterns. Xiao Qiao had returned. Wei Shao stepped over the threshold and headed for the study.

After returning from patrolling the border city these few nights, he came to the study room first and then went back to bed later, without any problems with Xiao Qiao.

Xiao Qiao caught Wei Shao’s silhouette and called out. “Husband, Grandmother looking for you. She says she has something to say.”

Wei Shao glanced at her and lifted his feet to go to the north house.

When Wei Shao arrived at the north house, he saw several large open wooden chests on the floor with clothes and other miscellaneous things for daily use inside. The servants were busy moving around with small and large boxes. Old Zhong stood by one of the large chests, instructing one of the servants, “It’s still cold there, so take that fox-fur cloak and pack it carefully… …”

When she saw Wei Shao come in, she welcomed him and smiled: “Master is here? Old Madam is inside.”

Wei Shao said, “What is this for?”

Old Zhong said, “Old Madam is preparing to go to Wuzhong City.”