It was a classic case of the mantis stalking the cicada, unaware of the oriole behind.
The two in the east wing conversed animatedly, believing their actions to be secret and unknown.
Little did they know, this was the Prime Minister's residence.
Furthermore, Su Xiaoqi had always been wary of them and naturally had people watching.
So, as soon as the two entered the east wing, Ziyan emerged from a side alley, crouched down, and pressed her ear against the window of the east wing.
She clearly heard their machinations inside.
"Miss Meixin, I just overheard that several families have sent things to the front."
"Oh, do you know why they sent her things?" Meixin asked with some confusion.
Logically, Su Xiaoqi managed the household affairs of the Su residence, so there was nothing strange about people coming and going.
However, she had a hunch that this matter was unusual.
"Miss Mei, that's a good question. I just went to inquire at the front, and I heard that those people came to thank the madam."
"Thank her? What did she do?" What could she possibly do? Meixin was quite dismissive.
What could that bumpkin from the countryside, Su Xiaoqi, possibly do to warrant so many high-ranking ladies coming to thank her?
Ziyu hadn't managed to find out everything, only that those people were exceptionally respectful when delivering items to the gatehouse, repeatedly expressing their masters' gratitude.
Meixin couldn't figure it out herself, so she stopped forcing it and held onto Ziyu, saying, "Can you help me send a letter somewhere?"
Ziyu hesitated for a moment, and Meixin, being very discerning, said, "Don't worry, it won't be a wasted trip."
As she spoke, she took off a pearl-inlaid gold hairpin from her head.
When Ziyu saw it, she liked it very much and took it, playing with it incessantly.
Meixin, knowing that she had agreed, immediately ground ink and wrote a brief letter, asking Ziyu to deliver it.
"The third house on Heyebaba Alley. Be sure not to deliver it to the wrong place," Meixin repeatedly instructed.
Ziyu was getting a bit impatient. "Don't worry, Miss Mei, I know the way."
Meixin choked up. She still had some instructions to give, but seeing her like this, she suddenly lost the mood to speak.
Never mind, she'd say it later.
She concealed the dislike she felt for Ziyu in her eyes and gave her a handful of dried fruits.
As soon as Ziyu left, Ziyan went to Su Xiaoqi's room and recounted everything she had overheard while hiding under the eaves.
"You did very well," Su Xiaoqi said, taking a small silver ingot from her embrace and giving it to her.
Ziyan quickly waved her hands, refusing.
Su Xiaoqi thought she found it insufficient and took out another, only to see Ziyan suddenly kneel on the ground.
This utterly bewildered Su Xiaoqi.
"Madam, I do this not for money, but to repay your kindness."
Ziyan said that since Madam bought her and Ziling into the manor, they had been provided with good food and drink, good living and good clothing, and the work they did was not tiring.
Most importantly, the masters were very easy to get along with, gentle in temper, and never took their frustrations out on them, the maids.
Moreover, they could even have days off each month. Even when women had their monthly flow, they could receive the excellent "menses pads" sent by Madam.
It was said that such things were not even available in the homes of noble ladies from other families.
They were sold expensively outside, yet Madam was willing to give them to use.
She felt that her fortune was good, to have found such a good household.
This was Madam's kindness, the Shen family's kindness, and it was only right for her to do anything.
Ziyan was straightforward, and when she said these words, she was very direct and emotional, even shedding tears a few times.
This even moved Su Xiaoqi.
She patted Ziyan's shoulder heavily, helped her up from kneeling on the ground, and said gently, "You know, it's good to be grateful, but these silver ingots are from me, so you should keep them. You don't lack money for expenses now, so save them for your dowry when you marry."
Ziyan's face immediately turned red upon hearing this.
Su Xiaoqi smiled, pulled her up, and told her to continue keeping an eye on Meixin.
Ziyan responded with an "Aye" and left.
Su Xiaoqi waved her hand behind her.
Zhang Yu appeared and whispered, "Zhang Lei has already sent people to follow her."
Su Xiaoqi nodded.
She was very curious about who Meixin's letter was for.
She had known for a long time that Meixin had accomplices in the capital, but she had always concealed them well and never sought them out.
Instead, she would stay at home chatting with Madam Zhao, or she would take an embroidery frame and a brocade stool, sit in front of Madam Zhao, and pretend to embroider.
If she could continue like this, Su Xiaoqi wouldn't make things difficult for her.
After all, Madam Zhao was bored staying alone in the manor, and having an old friend to talk to was something she and Shen Yun were happy to see.
But the premise was that Meixin wouldn't cause trouble.
If she made any mischief, Su Xiaoqi would naturally not tolerate it.
Soon, Zhang Yu came to report.
She said that the people Zhang Lei had sent out had returned.
Following Madam's orders, they had allowed Ziyu to go to Heyebaba Alley.
She knocked on the door, delivered the letter, and left.
Inside, there was only a deaf and mute old woman. There were no other clues at the moment.
"Making it so mysterious!" Su Xiaoqi frowned. "Investigate the origin of that courtyard."
The more she acted mysteriously, the more Su Xiaoqi felt that there was a problem.
Zhang Yu said that His Excellency had returned, and she had already asked Zhang Lei to handle this matter.
Upon hearing that Shen Yun had returned, Su Xiaoqi was immediately relieved.
With him around, things would definitely be handled properly.
As they were talking, Shen Yun had already entered.
He was still wearing his green official robes, and Su Xiaoqi stepped forward and willingly helped him change.
Zhang Yu then consciously withdrew.
"Husband, how did things go?"
Su Xiaoqi was very concerned about the progress of yesterday's Kongshan case.
Shen Yun, while enjoying her service, said, "I have secretly reported this matter to the Emperor. He has handed over this case to the Ministry of Justice for primary investigation."
Su Xiaoqi's hand, as she tied his belt, paused. She asked, "Didn't you find out anything beforehand?"
She was very concerned about the matter of the Dingbian Marquis's heir.
Shen Yun lowered his head, kissed her forehead lightly, and even playfully licked her tongue, making her look disgusted.
"Husband, hurry up and tell me, is that scoundrel Kongshan's son?"
Su Xiaoqi loathed the Dingbian Marquis's heir.
Just today, she had sent someone to follow Ziyu on an errand and heard that people from the Dingbian Marquis's manor were watching them outside the alley.
She knew he had ill intentions, and by sending people to watch, he was certainly trying to do something bad.
"My dear wife, rest assured. This matter has been corroborated by Kong Yuan. They are indeed father and son. He won't be able to swagger around for much longer."
Shen Yun would naturally not let go of anyone who coveted his wife.
He had already envisioned a hundred ways to deal with him.
The reason he hadn't immediately leaked the news was that the Ministry of Justice was still investigating other matters concerning Kongshan.
Once all the matters were investigated, it would be the opportune moment he was waiting for to strike.
"Kongshan has committed evil deeds for over twenty years. How many people in the capital have sought him out to have children over the years?
How many people's parentage will become unclear? If his affairs are exposed, won't it cause great chaos in the capital!" Su Xiaoqi couldn't help but worry.
If the situation became chaotic, no one would benefit.
Shen Yun shook his head. "It won't become chaotic. No matter how big a matter is, it can be smoothed over when it falls into the hands of the Ministry of Justice." It would be reduced to nothing.
This was also the Emperor's intention.
Although his illness was recurring and his health was not good, he wanted the capital's situation to stabilize more than anyone.
Especially now, with the convergence of powers, many people were watching secretly, either betting, participating, or causing upheaval...
Su Xiaoqi nodded and said, "I think so. Perhaps it's not just court officials. I heard that Kongshan once entered the palace."
Shen Yun suddenly lowered his head and precisely sealed Su Xiaoqi's lips.
He kissed her for a while, then leaned close to her ear and whispered, "My dear wife, don't talk nonsense."
Su Xiaoqi disdained, "If others dare to do it, why shouldn't we dare to say it?"
"My dear wife, calamity comes from the mouth. It's fine if you say it to your husband, but you must know not to say it outside," Shen Yun, always cautious, meticulously warned Su Xiaoqi, for fear that she might say the wrong thing outside.
Su Xiaoqi agreed, and Shen Yun's hand naturally slipped under her clothes.
"Husband, you haven't bathed since you came back..." Su Xiaoqi said with disdain, patting his hand.
Shen Yun chuckled lowly and said that it was easy, he would go bathe immediately.
Saying this, he embraced Su Xiaoqi and refused to let go.
When Su Xiaoqi urged him, he simply bent down, scooped Su Xiaoqi into his arms, and they entered the bathroom together.
When they emerged again, Su Xiaoqi was already panting, her face flushed.
She still couldn't help but ask, "Husband, whose person is Meixin?"
This was a question she had always wanted to ask, but she always felt that no answer was suitable.
"Hmm, it seems my dear wife is not tired yet. Then let's continue!"