"Besides, it was your Li Family who first hard our Qi Family. My actions are rely to save the Qi Family; your Li Family has no right to criticize ." Master Qi looked at Old Master Li and felt an increasing repulsion toward his appearance: "You should be aware that your Li Family is currently residing in our Qi Family’s house, and all expenses for food and clothing are paid for by our Qi Family. What’s wrong with disciplining a few of your servants?"
"You, humiliating our family’s face like this, aren’t you afraid that I will go to my aunt and complain?" Old Master Li was furious, his face burning fiercely. His own servants being punished by the Qi Family was no different from being slapped in the face.
"Feel free to do so if you want to complain." Master Qi flicked his sleeves dismissively, completely ignoring Old Master Li’s threat.
On hearing Master Qi’s remarks, Old Master Li’s face, already blue with rage, turned livid as if it were the color of pig liver.
"Is Second Young Master around?" From outside the study courtyard door, a slightly elderly voice called out.
Housekeeper Lin, hearing this voice, hurried to greet: "Nanny Chen, why have you co?"
Nanny Chen’s mother was the wet nurse of Old Madam Qi, and due to her mother’s connection, Nanny Chen had been by Old Madam Qi’s side since she was three years old, following her when she married into the Qi Family, serving Old Madam Qi all her life.
Now that she was older, she was honorably provided for by the residence and usually only kept company with Old Madam Qi for chats to relieve boredom, seldomly involving herself in managing affairs unless it was an important matter, when Old Madam Qi would send her.
Therefore, Housekeeper Lin did not dare to neglect her upon her arrival.
Supported by a maid, Nanny Chen said to Housekeeper Lin: "Old Madam asked to inquire what has happened to Second Young Master? Why did he suddenly beco so enraged? Old Madam said, the Li Family are our relatives, and as their family is facing difficulties, we should help if we can. We must not dean them because they ca fleeing famine. If this gets out, it will be scorned by others."
"Old Madam also ntioned, our master is serving as a Hanlin Official in the Capital; he values reputation the most. We might not be able to assist him much back ho, but we must not burden him."
Upon hearing this, Housekeeper Lin broke into a sweat and said, "Nanny Chen, this matter is a long story; the Li Family has really crossed the line."
Nanny Chen frowned deeply upon hearing this: "What do you an by that?"
Hearing Nanny Chen’s words, Master Qi yelled from the study room, "Housekeeper Lin, please invite Nanny Chen in."
Relieved, Housekeeper Lin quickly responded with a smile, "Second Young Master is calling for you, please co with ."
Nanny Chen, advanced in age and slow in pace, was supported by the Maid as she made her way to the study room and addressed Master Qi, "Second Young Master."
"You’ve had a long day, please have a seat." Master Qi waited for her to be seated before reciting all that the Li Family had done, including the involvent of the Gu Family, Jiang Family, and Lei Family’s Trading Team.
Upon hearing the full story, Nanny Chen was shocked—not so much by what the Li Family father and son had done.
Living for sixty years and spending her life in large households, she had seen all kinds of vile acts.
What shocked her was the sheer stupidity of the Li Family father and son.
Selling Gu Daya and her daughter to a brothel could perhaps be feasible, but they should not have acted openly; they could have simply handed them to a broker—certainly, they should not have sold them in He’an Prefecture but rather have sent them far away where the Gu Family People could not find them.
Now, the damage was done, but they left behind so many traces and even dragged the Qi Family into the ss.
Nanny Chen was quite upset and after sitting for a while in the study, she told Master Qi, "In that case, Second Young Master handling this fairly is appropriate, Old Madam would understand."
Old Master Li, confused, asked, "What do you an?"
Master Qi sneered, "What do you an? Naturally, we continue to beat Li Mu and his group until they reveal the whereabouts of Li Duofu and his son."
Upon hearing this, Elder Li Si beca furious and pointed at Nanny Chen, saying, "You old devout woman, my maternal great-aunt sent you to help the Li Family, yet you defy her wishes. You truly are a servant who deceives her master. This won’t do, I’m going to find my maternal great-aunt and have her dispose of you..."
"Shut up!" Housekeeper Lin shouted angrily, interrupting Elder Li Si, "You young punk, how dare you speak to Nanny Chen like that."
Old Madam Qi trusts Nanny Chen deeply, and now, with Nanny Chen saying these words, it ant she was siding with Second Young Master.
Since she stood with Second Young Master, he wouldn’t allow Elder Li Si to insult Nanny Chen.
"Housekeeper Lin, no need to scold him. An old woman like has lived long enough to have heard all kinds of ugly words," Nanny Chen looked at Elder Li Si, then turned to Old Master Li and smiled, "However, since the old woman is eating the Qi Family’s food and receiving their support, I must work for the Qi Family, there is no reason to just watch as the Qi Family is dragged down by distant relatives."
And furthermore...
"Old Madam has always been rciful, she cannot bear to see a family being torn apart. Old Master Li is the son of Old Madam’s cousin, we’re all relatives. Old Madam surely cannot watch her own cousin’s grandson commit sin."
Still as crafty as ever, Nanny Chen’s words were logical and filled with seeming goodwill for the Li Family, leaving Father and Son Li dumbfounded.
Knowing that this old nanny was tough to handle, Elder Li San thought for a mont, quickly stepped forward, ca before Nanny Chen, and deeply bowed to her, saying, "Nanny Chen, please forgive my younger brother, it was an unintentional mistake, I implore you not to take it to heart."
Looking at Elder Li San, Nanny Chen asked him, "Are you Elder Li San? Are your wife and children all with you in the room?"
Elder Li San nodded and replied, "Indeed, it is I. Thanks to my maternal great-aunt’s blessing, my wife, children, and sister all survived the hardship on the road."
Hearing this, Nanny Chen nodded her head and complinted, "Not bad, Elder Li San is capable."
Elder Li San, joyous upon hearing this, knew that Nanny Chen’s words ant he could receive the support of Old Madam Qi.
Now staying in He’an Prefecture, reliant on the Qi Family for survival, having the support of Old Madam Qi ant that taking over the Li family’s business would not be difficult.
Nanny Chen saw through Elder Li San’s intentions at a glance, but indeed, this was what she and Old Madam Qi thought too.
Old Madam Qi doesn’t really care about this distant relative, only out of rembrance of the old affection for Miss, was she helping the Li Family.
Although Elder Li San was born out of wedlock, he was nonetheless the grandson of Miss. If one of them could rise up, that would suffice. As for the rest, Old Master Li and Elder Li Si, whatever, as long as they had food to eat, not letting them starve would be enough.
Nanny Chen looked towards Master Qi and nodded at him.
Master Qi, understanding her gesture, finally felt less angry than before.
Soon after, the Qi Family’s old housekeeper led a group of people, dragging the beaten half-dead Li Mu, Nanny Fang, and Li Erxi to the courtyard of the study.
The old housekeeper went straight into the study, and said to Master Qi, "Second Young Master, we got it out."
Filled with joy, Master Qi quickly asked, "Say it quick, to which mine was Li Duofu and his son sold?"
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