Chapter 52:

Chapter 52:

Ms. Zhus back was lying on the couch. Old Jiang was pounding her shoulders. Another maid was kneeling beside her, kneading her legs and feet.

Does Madam feel more comfortable? Old Jiang asked in a whisper.

Mrs. Zhu closed her eyes and complained: If she makes offerings to Buddha, she can take her good granddaughter-in-law with her. Why must I go with her? When she went back to Zhongshan, why didnt she invite me? Im sure the Qiao girl must have said a lot about me in front of her.

Old Jiang looked at the maid on the side and instructed her to go down. After only she and Mrs. Zhu were left in the room, she came to her ear and whispered a few words.

Mrs. Zhu sat up at once: Really?

Old Jiang nodded: Just as Zheng Shu ordered before, this servant girl took advantage of todays rare opportunity to tamper with it. As long as the Master sees it, he will question it. Lets see how the Qiao girl defends herself!

Mrs. Zhu exhaled a breath: I remember Erlang kept this mahogany box for many years. It is very important. Usually, when the servants in the west room clean it, they are not allowed to move it easily. Even I dont know whats in it. A few years ago, I went to his house, and when I saw it and asked in passing, he did not tell me. He treats it like a rare treasure.

Old Jiang said: What else? It must be a love token from the Su girl for the Master. Speaking of this, Master is affectionate. After so many years, he still keeps it well.

When she heard the Su word, Mrs. Zhu frowned: Is it her stuff?

Old Jiang said, Otherwise, what else could it be that could make the master keep it carefully for many years?

Mrs. Zhus face showed a look of disgust, lost in thought for a moment, and asked, Are you doing things properly?

Old Jiang said: In the west house, there is a rough servant surnamed Sun, who usually secretly gains many benefits from me. She said the box was in the Masters study. Previously, except for the sweeper, no one was allowed to enter the study. But recently, the Qiao girl frequently came in and out on her own. Today the west house was empty. I asked Old Sun to sneak into the study when no one was around and deliberately left traces of tampering on the lock of the box. When the Master finds out, he will be angry with the Qiao girl. Even if the Qiao girl denies it, he will not believe it. Master is a lord. Not only has he not married in the past ten years, but he did not even have a concubine. What is it if not for the sake of the Su girl? He married the Qiao girl and was bewitched by her beauty, but the Su girl must be incomparable in his heart. The Qiao girl tried to break the lock and take a look, but with the Masters temperament, he will not forgive her. Let that Qiao girl slander Madam in front of the Old Madam!

Mrs. Zhu said hesitantly, What if Erlang is charmed by that Qiao girl and listens to her arguments?The source of this content nov(el)bi((n))

Old Jiang said, Madam, dont worry. According to the Old Sun, she spied on the door a few days ago. The Qiao girl moved the box and then put it back. The Qiao girl married into the Wei family for over half a year. She must have known about Su girls former relationship with the Master and guessed what was in the box. She was upset, spied on the Masters personal belongings, then attempted to unlock the lock is logical. Where does it not make sense?

Mrs. Zhu nodded and smiled: Heaven help me! It turns out that the Qiao girl moved first, so she cant blame us! Old Suns side, is it secure?

Old Jiang said: Old Sun once stole the east house belongings. She is now in my control. When asked about this matter, she would testify that the Qiao girl went into the study and moved the box. If someone testified and the Masters heart stirred, how can he not believe it?

Mrs. Zhu said, Very good. Thank you for your hard work. After Chuyu left, you were the only one willing to think about me. Last time you had to suffer a lot for my sake. You had to lie down for a long time before you could stand on your legs.

Old Jiang is grateful and sincerely says, This servant girl was once in trouble. If not for Madams kindness in taking me, I would have become a lonely wild ghost. How will I survive in this world? As long as you are happy, I am willing to die in return!

Mrs. Zhu was touched and ordered to stop pounding her back and rest. At that time, a maid came to report the Marquis had arrived.

Old Jiang looked scared immediately. Mrs. Zhu knew she had suffered previously. Old Jiang had palpitations and was avoiding her son when she saw him. She was afraid she would anger him again at this moment, so she told her to leave.

Old Jiang hastily climbed up. She reached the door, looked up, and saw Wei Shaos figure striding in. He had already reached the door. She could not hide and took a few steps back in panic. She bowed towards Wei Shao, then hurried to leave. Suddenly, Marquis Wei barked you stay. Old Jiang shivered, stopped, and slowly stood next to the wall.

Wei Shao walked up to Mrs. Zhu. He looked at his mother, who had risen and sat on the couch. He looked serious, not saying a word.

Mrs. Zhu saw he looked not good and was feeling a little weak. She forced to smile: My son suddenly came here. Is there something? Its late. Im going to rest now.

Wei Shao slowly knelt in front of Mrs. Zhu and said, I came here because I have something to ask Mother.

Although it was a bit difficult to ask, Wei Shao finally asked.

Chun Niang said softly, The lady is inside.

Wei Shao did not speak, straight across the steps and pushed open the door. He went inside, looked up, and froze.

Xiao Qiao kneels on the couch. On the table, there is a box placed squarely.

It was the forbidden box.

Wei Shaos gaze paused on the box, then turned back to her face and met her eyes.

His expression was slightly frozen, and his gaze was tinged with doubt.

Although he tried his best to maintain a calm mood, perhaps only he knew his heart was vaguely dissatisfied.

He did not understand.

He repeatedly expressed he did not want her to touch the box. He regretted being angry at her. When he came in, he thought about what to say and do after going in and eliminating the unpleasant experience tonight.

But the moment after he came in, the scene that caught his eye made him unable to control himself.

He did not understand why she had to go against him, not listen to him. Is it really as his mother, Mrs. Zhu, said? Once a woman is favored more, she will inevitably be arrogant and not put her husband in her eyes.

What do you mean by this ?

After a pause, he asked, walking towards her.

Xiao Qiao raised her hand. Her fingers skillfully moved the nine positions on the nine-grid locks. Soon, a slight pop sound came from the box, the sound of the pop-lock mechanism correctly triggered.

Wei Shao revealed a look of surprise.

Xiao Qiaos hand left the box and placed it on her lap, maintaining a standard sitting posture, and raised her eyes to look at Wei Shao and said: Husband, the heavenly stems on the Jiugong lock represent numbers, arranged in a number array, no matter vertical, horizontal, or oblique, the sum of the numbers in the three directions is equal to fifteen, and five of them are in the middle and eight different types can be formed. This is not difficult. As long as you learn how to calculate, you can solve it. I unlocked it in front of you to let you know I never touched the lock. If I really couldnt control my desire to see what was in the box, I would have opened it secretly. Why bother to leave scratches to make you suspect me?

Wei Shao stood in front of her, did not move, and did not say a word, but his look slowly turned ugly.

Xiao Qiao looked calm: Since I can unlock the lock, you must be suspicious that I have opened and seen the contents. I can swear to God that just now, in front of you, was the first time I opened the lock. Indeed, I do not deny that I was curious about the contents of the box. Especially after I went to Zhongshan with Grandmother and met Madam Yulou, I was even more curious. This is why when I saw it by chance yesterday, I couldnt help but take it out. Im not going to lie. At that time, I shook it a few times. I felt the inside is a paper type of thing. Then I put it back.

Wei Shao heard Madam Yulou from her mouth. His eyes jumped and looked uglier.

The words I said just now, whether you believe it or not, all depends on you. I dont force it, and I dont care. The reason why I clarified to you that I didnt try to break the lock is not to shrug off the mistake I made in this matter. After you left in anger, I did reflect on myself. What I did was not different from breaking this box. Ignored your previous warning and moved your private property without your permission. I was indeed at fault. Once again, I admit my mistake and swear I will never make the same mistake again, let alone have the slightest interest in thinking about whats in here.

Wei Shao kept looking at her. His expression changed from calm to astonished, astonished to ugly, and now he slowly recovered a bit.

Then what is your intention when you unlock it in front of me?

I will admit my mistake. I didnt do it and I dont want to be framed. Thats why I unlocked it in front of you.

Xiao Qiao replied in a calm tone.