Although Zhan Feiyu suspected Li Li, he had already crashed to his death in Magistrate Jiao's study, leaving no witnesses.
Furthermore, Magistrate Jiao had taken Li Li under his wing ten years ago, and to this day, he remained unmarried and had a distant relationship with the Jiao mansion's servants. Even if they wanted to investigate, they wouldn't find a breakthrough.
"It's a pity we didn't notice his abnormality back then," He Nuan said with some self-reproach.
If the anomaly had been discovered while Li Li was at Magistrate Jiao's mansion, Li Li could have been apprehended. Once in the hands of the Dragon Guard, even well-trained assassins would confess. Unfortunately, it was too late to say anything now.
Zhan Feiyu did not speak. The carriage had already arrived at Magistrate Jiao's mansion.
A moment later, in the study.
Magistrate Jiao solemnly bowed to Zhan Feiyu, his deep voice filled with worry, "I implore the young lady to lend a hand."
Although Doctor Luo had been using acupuncture needles to treat the wound, as time passed, the wound began to bleed again. If the dagger could not be removed in time, Jiao Lianyu would be in real danger.
"Your Excellency need not be so formal. Ah Nuan has already brought the medicine box. The second young master is blessed with good fortune and will surely turn danger into safety," Zhan Feiyu quickly supported Magistrate Jiao, who was bowing, and let He Nuan go in to save the patient.
Perhaps it was due to excessive worry for his second son, whose life was uncertain, Magistrate Jiao thanked them again and, lacking the energy for pleasantries with Zhan Feiyu, looked anxiously towards the inner room of the study.
Madam Jiao had been persuading Jiao Lianping to go back and rest. They had already fallen out, so why pretend to be affectionate brothers? It would be better to go back and recuperate.
"Mother, I'm fine. It's just a flesh wound." Jiao Lianping's wounds did indeed hurt, but they were within a tolerable range. He just wanted to see the final outcome for Jiao Lianyu, whether he lived or died.
Seeing this, Madam Jiao no longer urged him, patting Jiao Lianping's hand to signal him to sit and wait. She then turned to Zhan Feiyu beside her and said, "I haven't had a chance to thank the young lady for Ping'er's matter, yet I've troubled you to make another trip."
Although Jiao Lianping had been whipped, it was not Zhan Feiyu's fault. Especially since she had specifically sent a letter to explain, Madam Jiao was naturally extremely grateful.
"Madam, you are too kind. Ah Nuan's medical skills are mediocre. I only hope the medicine we brought can help the second young master," Zhan Feiyu replied. To be honest, she admired Madam Jiao greatly. Allowing the scheming illegitimate son Jiao Lianyu to be in front of her every day, Madam Jiao had never made a move. Her magnanimity and bearing were definitely beyond ordinary people.
"What a pity for the young lady's good medicine. After the treatment is over, please do not be polite, young lady Zhan. The Jiao family is a large and prosperous one. Whether it be jewelry, antiques, rare books, or even farmland and shops, please accept them. After all, these external possessions cannot compare to my second brother's life."
Jiao Lianping glanced at the worried Magistrate Jiao and Concubine Huang opposite him and spoke sarcastically without reservation. Since the Jiao family would eventually be handed over to Jiao Lianyu, if he couldn't have it, it wouldn't be bad for an outsider like Zhan Feiyu to benefit. It would be even better if he could empty the Jiao family's treasury.
Madam Jiao helplessly glared at Jiao Lianping, who had spoken carelessly, "Please forgive my son's rudeness, young lady. My son is more than twenty years older than you, but his disposition is worse than that of a seven or eight-year-old child."
"The eldest young master is truly forthright. Then I won't be polite," Zhan Feiyu also replied with a smile. Rumor had it that the eldest young master of the Jiao family was incompetent and often angered Magistrate Jiao to the point of using family law. Seeing him now, it was even more so.
Madam Chen was feeling anxious and restless. Upon hearing Zhan Feiyu's reply, her expression changed, and she blurted out, "How can my husband be so reckless? Young lady Zhan is a scholar, the most noble. How can you mention such worldly possessions!"
Uh...
Zhan Feiyu was stunned. Madam Chen's words, at first glance, seemed fine, but the more she listened, the more awkward they sounded. Was she worried that she would covet the Jiao family's wealth?
Looking at the sheepish Madam Chen, Zhan Feiyu understood. She was worried that if Jiao Lianyu died, the Jiao family's assets would only fall into Jiao Lianping's hands. If she were to make an exorbitant demand, it would naturally be Jiao Lianping and Madam Chen who would suffer.
Madam Jiao's previously calm expression suddenly sank. No matter how unrestrained Jiao Lianping was, in his mother's eyes, he was still true to his nature, a gentleman of integrity.
However, Madam Chen, as a daughter-in-law, had uttered such impolite words, and for the sake of some money. Madam Jiao, with a displeased expression, glanced at Magistrate Jiao opposite her. It was the master who had insisted on arranging this marriage back then. Such an unrefined wife would only drag Ping'er down.
"Mother is still sitting here, and it is not your place to make decisions for the Jiao family!" Jiao Lianping reprimanded Madam Chen even more unceremoniously.
From the moment he knew about this marriage, Jiao Lianping had refused and even resisted, but Magistrate Jiao was the one who made decisions for the Jiao family.
After getting married, Madam Chen appeared gentle and considerate, treating Jiao Lianping, her husband, as the center of her world. In reality, she was narrow-minded, stubborn, and selfish. She would say one thing and do another behind his back.
Whenever Jiao Lianping lost his temper, Madam Chen would cry, apologize, and admit her mistakes. From Magistrate Jiao to the servants in the mansion, everyone thought that the eldest young master Jiao Lianping was too overbearing and strong, and that Madam Chen was constantly oppressed by him.
"Husband, I..." Madam Chen's face turned red, and tears instantly welled up in her eyes. However, she dared not blame Jiao Lianping. Her resentful gaze immediately fell on Zhan Feiyu.
She abruptly stood up and bowed deeply to Zhan Feiyu, apologizing with a choked voice, "Young lady Zhan, please forgive me. I am simply not good with words and have displeased you. I hope you, with your magnanimity, will forgive my unintentional mistake."
The last word was already choked with sobs. Madam Chen bowed almost ninety degrees, as if Zhan Feiyu would not speak or forgive her, she would not get up, displaying her grievance and helplessness.
Instantly becoming a little bully who used her power to oppress others, Zhan Feiyu couldn't help but laugh. She looked sympathetically at the ashen-faced Jiao Lianping, who was on the verge of anger. Dealing with such a bedfellow every day, it was no wonder the proud eldest young master Jiao enjoyed listening to the songs of the chaste singer Xiao Taohong.
Madam Jiao also laughed heartily. As a madam of the inner court herself, Madam Jiao did not take Madam Chen's little tricks seriously. After all, she couldn't cause much trouble.
Madam Jiao did not expect that Madam Chen, who came from an official family, would be so short-sighted. For the sake of a little gold and silver, she dared to offend a distinguished guest like Zhan Feiyu. Did Madam Chen really think that others couldn't see through her affected demeanor?
Magistrate Jiao and Concubine Huang were entirely focused on Jiao Lianyu, whose life was uncertain in the inner room, and did not notice what Madam Jiao, Jiao Lianping, and Zhan Feiyu were saying.
It was not until he heard Madam Chen's choked sobs that Magistrate Jiao turned his head. Seeing Madam Chen's bowing and apologizing posture, he was stunned.
Jiao Lianping also had a rebellious nature. Seeing Magistrate Jiao frown, he raised his voice and said, "Father, the Jiao family cannot forget Young Lady Zhan's kindness. However, mentioning money is too vulgar. Why not donate fifty thousand taels to the army in Young Lady Zhan's name? I believe the heavens will also bless my second brother to turn misfortune into blessings and disaster into safety!"
Fifty thousand taels?
Madam Chen, who was bowing and apologizing, could no longer cry. When she married, her entire dowry was only five thousand taels.
As the young madam of the Jiao family, her monthly allowance was only twenty taels. Madam Chen could not even imagine how much fifty thousand taels was. Would it empty the Jiao family's treasury?
Concubine Huang's expression also changed at this moment. She was worried about her son, whose life was uncertain, but she hated Jiao Lianping, who was deliberately causing trouble. This money would belong to Lianyu in the future, yet Jiao Lianping was donating it in Lianyu's name!
Concubine Huang, being favored, had already quietly figured out the Jiao family's situation. The treasury had at most ten thousand taels. Where would the remaining forty thousand taels come from?
Even if she took out all the money from several shops, it wouldn't be enough. Then she could only sell shops or estates, or sell the antiques and jade in the treasury. But these were Lianyu's possessions.
Concubine Huang lowered her head, concealing the hatred in her eyes. Even Zhan Feiyu, the savior, was resented by Concubine Huang.
Magistrate Jiao was also angered by Jiao Lianyu's words. It wasn't that he was reluctant to part with the money. If fifty thousand taels could save Jiao Lianyu's life, Magistrate Jiao would not be stingy.
However, looking at Jiao Lianping, whose eyes were full of pride and provocation, Magistrate Jiao felt a deep sense of exhaustion. He no longer expected his brothers to help each other; maintaining superficial peace would be a blessing.
"Lianping speaks wisely. Young lady Zhan, please do not refuse," Magistrate Jiao agreed. He knew some of Zhan Feiyu's background and was well aware that Zhan Feiyu did not care about fifty thousand taels.
The previous year, Zhan Feiyu had extorted the Chen family, the maternal relatives of the First Prince, in Nanxuan Prefecture, donating one hundred thousand piculs of grain at once. The annual profits of Meiren Zhuang, tens of thousands of taels, were also sent to the border army camps.