SGEIRS -Chapter 137 Taking Control

Meng Jinyao sent a glance toward Ningdong.

Ningdong nodded in understanding and immediately took a silver note from her pouch, handing it to Li Cheng.

It was a silver note worth one thousand taels.

Li Cheng, seeing the amount didn’t match, looked puzzled but didn’t dare question it. He could only stammer a reminder: “Miss… this… this is a one-thousand-tael note.”

Meng Jinyao nodded lightly. “That’s right, one thousand taels.”

Seeing the thousand, Nanny Qiao looked at Meng Jinyao with a mixture of confusion and anxiety. They had agreed on six thousand, and suddenly it was only a thousand. Could she be going back on her word and playing with them?

Unable to hold back, Li Cheng urgently asked, “Miss, didn’t you say six thousand taels?”

Meng Jinyao replied calmly, “The one thousand taels earned at the estate should be submitted with the accounts to Madam Sun soon, right? Take this one thousand to fill that gap for now.”

She paused, then looked at Nanny Qiao with a faint smile. “As for the remaining five thousand, that depends on your sincerity, Nanny Qiao. If you handle things properly when you return, and I see your sincerity, then naturally the remaining five thousand will go to you. And Steward Li, don’t worry—there are still eight days left before the gambling house’s deadline.”

Hearing this, neither Nanny Qiao nor Li Cheng dared object. It was an uncomfortable feeling to have someone else firmly in control. Panic set in, but they couldn’t refuse. If they reneged later, given Miss’s temperament, the two signed documents would be delivered to the Madam, and the consequences would be unimaginable.

Nanny Qiao, showing her tact, forced a smile and respectfully replied, “Yes, Miss. We won’t rush on the five thousand for now.”

Meng Jinyao then gave Nanny Qiao some detailed instructions before letting the mother and son leave.

Once outside the private room, Nanny Qiao and Li Cheng exhaled in relief. Who could have thought that the least favored girl, who even servants had dared to slight back then, would now hold their fates by the throat?

Nanny Qiao glanced at the closed door and lowered her voice to admonish, “Cheng’er, after this, you absolutely must never go to a gambling house again. Next time, no one will be there to help fill the gap. Miss is helping now, but dealing with something like this is like negotiating with a tiger; one small mistake and it could cost our lives.”

Li Cheng was truly frightened this time; he would never set foot in a gambling house again. The weight of six thousand taels had kept him on edge for days.

Nanny Qiao asked again, “And the gambling companions you were with? Did they come looking for you after you parted yesterday?”

“They drew off half the thugs and never showed up again,” Li Cheng shook his head, his face darkening. “Maybe they were beaten half to death and had to hide to recover. If Miss hadn’t passed by to save me yesterday, I probably wouldn’t have survived.”

Hearing this, Nanny Qiao felt a chill, her face pale. “Stay away from such bad company in the future. If it weren’t for him, you wouldn’t have caused this huge trouble.”

Li Cheng hurriedly replied, “Mother, your son understands.” His tone carried a plea. “Please help your son first. After we return the five thousand to the gambling house and complete Miss’s request, we’ll leave the capital. I’ll make sure to honor and care for you properly in the future.”

Nanny Qiao shot him a reproving glance. Even without his words, she knew they couldn’t stay in the capital. Once the matter was settled, they had to leave—but their mother-and-son contracts were still in the Madam’s hands. Miss’s help would be required.

Thinking this through, Nanny Qiao dared not mess things up. Whatever Miss instructed, she had to carry out perfectly. If Miss was satisfied, she might even grant them this favor.

Lowering her voice, Nanny Qiao cautioned, “Cheng’er, remember, don’t leave the slightest flaw, or we’ll be finished.”

Li Cheng’s face showed panic. “Could it be that Miss would—”

Nanny Qiao shook her head gravely. “It’s not Miss.”

It was the Madam.

The Madam could have Cuier killed and could also kill you and me. If they betrayed the Madam and she found out, she wouldn’t spare them—they’d be eliminated.

Inside the private room.

Meng Jinyao looked at the two documents Nanny Qiao and Li Cheng had signed, a sly smile flickering in her eyes.

In our dynasty, filial piety is valued above all. Children accusing their parents is seen as unfilial. Regardless of the truth, the children would face three years in prison and twenty strokes of the cane. She wouldn’t report them—but she could make Madam Sun suffer worse than death.

Meng Jinyao instructed, “Qingqiu, put these away properly.”

Qingqiu nodded and folded the letters into envelopes.

Ningdong moved to the window to check and saw Nanny Qiao and Li Cheng leaving the teahouse. Only then did she dare to speak: “Madam, your move was brilliant. I’ve learned a trick from you.”

Meng Jinyao smiled faintly. “It’s all about mindset. Whoever’s mind isn’t steady, loses. With six thousand taels weighing on their heads, the more I act indifferent, as if they’re irrelevant to me, the more anxious they get, afraid to try anything clever. Little do they know, I’m the one who’s truly anxious.”

Ningdong was excited. “Madam, what do we do next?”

Meng Jinyao replied, “Next, it depends on Nanny Qiao’s ability. We observe quietly for now. Let’s go out too, stroll around the streets, maybe buy a few things.”

Qingqiu and Ningdong responded in agreement.

Though it wasn’t midsummer yet, the sun was already strong.

Shortly after leaving the teahouse, a thin layer of sweat appeared on Meng Jinyao’s forehead. She glanced at the glaring sun and felt weary, losing interest in wandering or shopping.

Qingqiu took out a handkerchief to wipe her sweat and, understanding her, suggested, “Madam, it’s almost noon. Why don’t we find somewhere to have lunch? There’s a restaurant not far ahead; we’ve been there before, and the food is quite good.”

Meng Jinyao nodded. “Alright, let’s eat first and rest a bit before continuing.”

As the three walked, a familiar figure emerged from a jewelry shop ahead.

Focusing, they saw Meng Jinyu, accompanied by a richly dressed young lady—Princess Jingning.

Qingqiu and Ningdong exchanged glances, silently cursing: “Small world, indeed.”

Seeing her elder sister, Meng Jinyu paused in surprise, then smiled and approached to greet her. “Big sister, what a coincidence to see you here.”

Meng Jinyao forced a polite smile. “Second sister.”

She then bowed slightly to Princess Jingning. “Greetings, Princess Jingning.”

Princess Jingning glanced at Meng Jinyao coolly. Though she disliked her, she maintained face for Lord Gu. “No need for formalities, Madam Gu.”

Meng Jinyu looked at her sister, her eyes bright, and warmly invited, “It’s almost noon. You haven’t had lunch yet, right? Why not join us? The Princess and I are heading to a restaurant up ahead.”