After the morning meal the next morning, the two carriages from the Lin Mansion drove towards the General's Mansion in the west.
Everyone greeted each other and took their seats in Ning Huitang. After some polite greetings, Lin Yanqing got straight to the point.
"The Lin and Gu families have been married for so many years. Brother Gu has taken great care of the Lin family. Qinglan died young just to give birth to heirs for the Lin family. Now the Lin family has failed to restrain itself and has actually raised servants who are greedy for Qinglan's dowry. I really feel shameless to face my in-laws."
Gu Hongzhang, who was sitting in the upper seat with Lin Yanqing, asked: "How can this person be so cowardly?"
Lin Yanqing was speechless for a moment: "To be honest, although the mastermind has not yet been found out, there are various signs that my unfilial young son and his wife may also be involved. I came here today to express my gratitude and to plead guilty to Brother Gu. I I am incompetent in educating my children, and I am ineffective in restraining my disciples. I am ashamed of Brother Gu."
Gu Hongzhang raised Lin Yanqing's clasped hand and said, "It doesn't have to be like this. If others dare to touch Qinglan's dowry, I won't let it go! But the Gu and Lin families are related by marriage, and An'er and Yan'er have been well-educated by you. , the relationship is naturally close. Today you are willing to go to the house with Siyuan to tell the truth and not hide anything because your children and grandchildren are involved, which shows that your father and son are honest people. I will leave it to you to investigate for yourself, and I can rest assured. After the investigation, I will decide what to do with you. Negotiate on your own.”
Lin Yanqing thanked him again, and the father and son said some words of apology and thanks.
When the others had finished talking, Lin Jinyan stood up and stepped forward with a smile.
"Grandpa and dad don't need to blame themselves so much. It was the greed of the servants who did the bad things. How could grandpa and uncle not know about it? Now grandpa and dad come to the house to tell the truth and show their sincerity. Grandpa and uncle are Hehan Jianghuai How can I get angry over such a trivial matter?"
Although Gu Hongzhang deliberately kept a straight face when he heard this, his eyes could not stop the doting smile.
"Humph, you girl flattered me and your uncle just because you felt sorry for your father and grandfather."
Lin Jinyan looked serious: "This is not flattery, Yan'er is telling the truth. The illustrious names of you, your uncle, and the Dingbei Army can stop children from crying, so why do you need the flattery of a child like me?"
The amused words made Gu Hongzhang smile on his face, and the atmosphere in the hall became much lighter.
Lin Yanqing also looked at Lin Jinyan with admiration. When he was about to speak, Gu Zhong, the steward of the General's Mansion, walked in.
After saluting, he said: "General, Shopkeeper Zhou who came to the house a few days ago is here again, bringing three people with him who want to see Madam."
Gu Hongzhang looked puzzled: "What is Shopkeeper Zhou?"
Bai Yiran smiled and said: "Father, he is the old shopkeeper of Qinglan's dowry shop. It was he who revealed the new shopkeeper to his daughter-in-law. I told you after I found out last time. You have never seen this person, so you don't know. Uncle Zhong , did the shopkeeper say anything to me this week?"
Gu Zhong cupped his hands and said, "Shopkeeper Zhou only said that the old shopkeeper who brought a few ladies to the shop has something important to inform Madam."
Bai Yiran stood up: "That's it, father, my daughter-in-law is going to go. Tutor, brother-in-law, sit down for a moment, I'll take my leave first."
Lin Yanqing: "Please stay, Madam General. There are no outsiders here. Why don't we call a few people to the hall for questioning. Since he is the shopkeeper of Qinglan's shop, he must be here for the business of the shop. The Lin family is looking for Liu Jie to check the shop. Call him Come and ask. Brother Gu, what do you think?"
Gu Hongzhang nodded: "Since the in-laws said so, Gu Zhong, please bring the person here."
Gu Zhong took the order and stepped back. Bai Yiran and Lin Jinyan took their seats again and looked at each other without trace.
