After settling Lin Lianshuang, Anning returned to the room, and Xiao Yuan ca back with so wine.
Anning hurriedly ordered soone to bring him sobering tea, then went over to speak with Xiao Yuan.
After drinking the sobering tea, Xiao Yuan’s eyes were already clear.
Anning waved her hand to let the servants leave, then Xiao Yuan embraced her softly and asked, "Is the Lin Family all settled?"
Anning nodded, "Yes, it’s naturally all settled. Tomorrow I will help her move ho; first, let her live in that house not far from our ho, but later, it may still need to change."
Xiao Yuan laughed, "She probably has you on her mind entirely now."
Anning glared at Xiao Yuan, "Who am I doing this for? Isn’t it because you want to use her greatly?"
Xiao Yuan quickly replied, "Yes, yes, I must thank Lady. With you, it saves a lot of trouble."
That’s true, the subordinates under Xiao Yuan are truly loyal to him now.
Among them, Anning plays a significant role.
For anyone Xiao Yuan needs, Anning is always very considerate.
Whether they are civil servants or military officers, Anning can care for them subtly, making them deeply touched.
If an old mother from any household celebrates her birthday, if any children get frightened or catch cold, if any wives get pregnant, Anning rembers it and takes good care. Her care feels warm and heartfelt, making people think the leader values them, and the mistress is considerate and empathetic. Serving such a leader is worth risking everything.
Besides all this, there are many detailed matters.
For example, whenever Xiao Yuan calls his subordinates to his residence for a eting, Anning always takes care of the refreshnts. If they wait too long, she sends food and dishes. The rooms are always tidied diligently. When it’s hot, there are ice basins; when it’s cold, the charcoal burners are always high, making the room warm and cozy. If subordinates arrive in a hurry, Anning has the servants notify their ho or fetch clothes. If the weather changes, she even has servants drive a carriage to send them ho, with dried at or food onboard, ensuring everyone feels incredibly cared for.
At tis like this, all speak about dying for a true friend.
With Xiao Yuan and Anning acting this way, the subordinates are truly grateful, feeling that although they aren’t sure about career advancent, following such a leader at least brings comfort.
"For soone as clever as the Lin Family, playing mind gas won’t work."
Anning nestled in Xiao Yuan’s arms whispered softly, "Only by moving her with emotion can you truly win her over. If you don’t plan to use her greatly, I can let her stay in the back courtyard to help educate our five girls. But if you want her to rise in rank, I’ll naturally help you win her over."
Xiao Yuan stroked Anning’s hair, "Having you is truly wonderful."
Just as Xiao Yuan and Anning were in a tender mont, a coughing sound ca from outside the window.
"Chun Xing, co in."
Anning quickly straightened up and said.
Chun Xing bowed and entered, "Madam, the guard from West Street has sent word: Old Madam has passed."
"What?"
Xiao Yuan and Anning were both startled, "How did it happen?"
Of course, now wasn’t the ti to inquire further, so Xiao Yuan quickly said, "Chun Xing, go wake up the girls and boys, have soone dress them in mourning clothes. Madam and I will get ready and head over to West Street imdiately."
Chun Xing accepted the order and left.
Xiao Yuan and Anning quickly found their mourning clothes and changed.
When they ca out, the children were already dressed and waiting in the courtyard.
Outside, the steward had already ordered the carriage to be prepared.
By now, the sky was dark; it turned into an indigo blue, with a faint hint of red in the west. Against the indigo, it looked more like the color of blood.
Anning glanced to the west, her expression sowhat gloomy.
"Mother."
Xiao Fu ca over to support Anning.
Anning took the five girls and rode a carriage to West Street.
Xiao Yuan took the boys, riding horses or carriages, rushing over.
When they arrived, the outside of the house at West Street was quiet, the pillars at the entrance were still painted red, and there was no white mourning cloth hanging outside.
Xiao Yuan looked up and frowned.
"Open the door."
He said to the gatekeeper.
Soon, the middle gate opened, and Xiao Yuan dismounted to help Anning and the children off the carriage.
Once the youngest, Xiao Yin, jumped off, the family entered through the gate.
Inside, they saw no one was moving around, and nobody thought to hang the mourning cloth or remove red objects from the courtyard and indoors.
Anning spoke coldly, "Sothing seems off."
The group quickly entered the main room, and upon entering, they heard cries echoing.
In the central hall, Mrs. Zhao, Mrs. Wei, and Lady Lan Siniang were crying loudly, while the Old Master sat on a chair, looking gloomy and silent.
Xiao Yuan entered and asked, "Where are the n of the family? Where have they gone? How did Old Madam pass away?"
The Old Master finally looked up at Xiao Yuan, and upon seeing him, there was a glimr in his eyes, as if he had found hope: "Third, you have arrived. Your mother... Old Madam is inside."
Xiao Yuan and Anning didn’t probe further and turned to go into the inner room.
Inside, Old Madam lay on the bed, face up, with dirt and blood still uncleaned. Her face appeared dark, her eyes wide open, and mouth agape. Since she had passed, her cheeks had sunken in, making her teeth protrude.
The abrupt sight of Old Madam in this state frightened the children, causing them to hide behind Anning and Xiao Yuan.
Anning spoke to Xiao Song, "Take your siblings outside to wait."
Xiao Song led the children out, while Xiao Yuan went to help close Old Madam’s eyes, then turned and ca from the room to ask, "What exactly happened? How did Old Madam pass? Where are Xiao Jue and Xiao Su? Where is everyone?"
Anning asked Mrs. Zhao, "Where are Old Madam’s burial clothes? Now that she’s gone, why haven’t they cleaned and changed her clothes?"
The Old Master, tearful, trembled and couldn’t speak.
Mrs. Zhao looked up and glared at Anning, "Before you arrived, how could we wash and dress her? If you ca and accused us of mistreating her, who would explain that?"
Anning laughed angrily, "Isn’t it clear now? How did the blood on Old Madam co to be? Her eyes were wide open at death, indicating an unfinished business. Who caused her to die with unresolved grievances?"
Mrs. Zhao stopped crying, stood up, and coldly said, "Who else but the cold-hearted Third Young Master. A few words and he doesn’t recognize his parents, why wouldn’t Old Madam feel heartbroken..."
Before she finished, Anning reached out and slapped her several tis, "What nonsense are you uttering."
After Anning’s slaps, Mrs. Zhao’s face was red and swollen, blood seeped from her mouth, and a tooth was knocked out.
Anning’s expression carried a hint of grimness, "Our Lord is the eldest son of Xiao family’s first branch, a direct line of the main house. Now our Lord is acknowledging his true parents. If I hear you spouting nonsense again, next ti, it won’t just be a few slaps."
She grabbed Mrs. Zhao’s hair and dragged her into the inner room, pushing her onto the ground once inside, "Speak, what happened with Old Madam?"
Mrs. Zhao was truly terrified.
Her face was hurting badly, her scalp was painful from Anning’s pulling.
She looked at Anning with so fear, "Who knows, in the afternoon she said she had a headache and wanted to rest, but by evening when I ca to call her for dinner, I found her on the ground, covered in blood."
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