Chapter 61: Preparing a New Home
Chapter 61: Preparing a New Home
After such a major incident, staying any longer in the Liu family would only make everyone uncomfortable.
Meng Qianqian bid farewell to Madam Liu, impressing her with her composure and etiquette. However, it was a pity...
Just before getting into the carriage, Minister Xing caught up with her.
"Miss Meng, please wait."
Meng Qianqian turned around and politely greeted him. "Minister Xing."
Minister Xing said, "There is something I need to explain to you, Miss Meng. This matter is by the decree of the Grand Emperor. I will handle it personally, and the certificate of severed ties will be delivered to you within seven days. Additionally, I have negotiated a one-month grace period for you. During this month, even if you stay with the Lu family, they will have no right to interfere."
This was indeed a timely blessing. With the sudden turn of events, she hadn't had time to prepare a new residence and was momentarily homeless.
Meng Qianqian expressed her gratitude to Minister Xing. "Thank you, Minister Xing."
Minister Xing continued, "The reason the Lu family agreed is that I also gave them a month to repay your dowry. If they still refuse to return it by then, the government will enforce it compulsorily."
Seeing that Meng Qianqian remained silent, Minister Xing assumed that she was dissatisfied with the one-month deadline. He sighed helplessly, "I am also handling this according to the law. After all, it takes quite some time to investigate the accounts of the past five years. One month is already the fastest I can manage."
Meng Qianqian sincerely said, "I think it's great. I don't know how to thank you enough, Minister Xing."
Just one month was much faster than she had anticipated, and having the government intervene was far better than doing it herself.
After repeatedly expressing her gratitude, Meng Qianqian finally departed with Tan'er, Li Mama, and Wan Mama.
Assistant Minister Zhu of the Ministry of Justice approached Minister Xing and, looking at the carriage that had disappeared in the distance, asked curiously, "Minister, why are you treating her so favorably? Isn't the certificate of severed ties usually picked up from the yamen by the individual? And as for her dowry, according to the law, she should go and claim it herself. If her marital family doesn't return it, then she should sue them in court."
This process would be extremely cumbersome, from filing a case to the final verdict, taking at least a year or even three to five years, or possibly longer.
Moreover, if the marital family refused to return the dowry and the individual didn't pursue the matter, the government would prefer to stay out of it and not get involved in the muddle.
Minister Xing spoke contemplatively, "Since the Grand Emperor abdicated in favor of the current emperor, which edict has been issued that bypassed the Grand Preceptor and appeared before the public?"
Assistant Minister Zhu was enlightened and suddenly realized, "Yes, when Duke Fuling came to proclaim the edict earlier, the Grand Preceptor did not stop him. Could it be the Grand Preceptor's idea? No, if the Grand Preceptor wanted to issue an edict, he would do so in the name of the current emperor, not the Grand Emperor. So, this edict indeed comes from the Grand Emperor. Why is he helping Miss Meng? And why is the Grand Preceptor turning a blind eye?"
Minister Xing said thoughtfully, "The Grand Preceptor has kept the Grand Emperor under house arrest for several years, and this is the only edict that has not been stopped by him. This Miss Meng is not simple."
Meng Qianqian's carriage met the Wang family's carriage along the way.
Meng Qianqian quickly got out of her carriage, and Madam Wang also prepared to alight. Meng Qianqian spoke from outside the carriage window, "Madam, there's no need for you to get down. I'll just say a few words and be on my way."
"There's no need for words of gratitude," Madam Wang said.
Meng Qianqian pondered for a moment and then said seriously, "But I still want to thank you."
Madam Wang couldn't help but smile at her words, and after thinking for a moment, she sighed, "The world is unfair to women, but few have the courage that you possess."
She was the first woman in the dynasty to initiate a divorce!
"I'm also lucky to have met you, Madam Wang, who has helped me several times," said Meng Qianqian.
"I haven't really been of much help," Madam Wang replied.
She thought that the Grand Emperor's edict had come just in time... Although Madam Wang had her suspicions, she was a very discreet person and didn't pry into the origin of the edict. Instead, she asked, "What are your plans from now on? Are you going back to Youzhou?"
Meng Qianqian shook her head. "I still have some unfinished business in the capital, so I'll be staying here for the time being.
As for the specific details, she didn't elaborate, and Madam Wang didn't press her.
Madam Wang suggested, "Why don't you move to my place first, and we can figure out the next steps later?"
Meng Qianqian smiled. "I appreciate your kindness, Madam Wang. If I still haven't found a place by the end of the month, I'll bother you then."
Madam Wang understood that she wasn't acting on a whim and that she had her plans. "Alright. If you encounter any difficulties, feel free to come to the Wang family."
Meng Qianqian watched as the Wang family's carriage departed.
"Miss, are we going back to the Lu family?" Wan Mama asked.
Meng Qianqian glanced at the gradually brightening sky. "Let's go to the slave market."
Wan Mama widened her eyes. "So we're not moving house?"
"To move into a new home, we need to have a home first," Meng Qianqian replied.
"Oh, right," Wan Mama said, realizing the logic.
On the official road, the government's servants were already clearing the snow, and the carriage proceeded slowly.
Li Mama and Wan Mama had stayed up all night, and they were now dozing off in the carriage.
Tan'er, on the other hand, was full of energy, playing with the tassel on her jade pendant.
This jade pendant had been around Tan'er's neck since the first time Meng Qianqian laid eyes on her. She would take it off from time to time to play with it.
"Sister, that palm strike you used earlier was amazing! What kind of martial art was that?"
"It doesn't have a name," Meng Qianqian answered.
Tan'er hugged herself. "No name... What a pity."
Meng Qianqian asked, "Do you want to sleep some more?"
Tan'er pouted. "No! I've slept for two whole days and nights! Sister, are you going to sleep?"
Meng Qianqian shook her head. "I'm not sleepy either."
She had slept exceptionally well in the spirit hall, without a single dream.
When the carriage arrived at the slave market, the madam was still in the midst of a sweet dream.
Bang bang bang! Bang bang bang!
"Who is it? So early in the morning?" the madam grumbled as she hastily put on her clothes and went to open the door, intending to give whoever it was a piece of her mind. However, her eyes immediately lit up at the sight of a gold ingot.
Her eyes gleamed with greed, and she snatched the gold ingot, a flattering smile spreading across her face. "My dear, what can I help you with—oh, it's you?"
In that instant of seeing Tan'er, the madam's smile vanished.
Meng Qianqian spoke up. "Spring Mama, may we come in to talk?"
Upon hearing the familiar voice and seeing Tan'er standing beside her, a realization flashed through the madam's mind. "You're... a noble lady!"
In the past, whenever Meng Qianqian had come to visit, she had always worn a veil to conceal her face, so this was the first time the madam was witnessing her true appearance.
Having operated a brothel for many years, the madam had seen countless beauties, but never had she encountered such an ethereal and exquisite lady. Meng Qianqian's bearing was like that of a proud pine or bamboo, with an innate dignity that was not arrogant. She exuded calmness and poise in her every action.
Meng Qianqian sat down and placed a ledger on the table. "I want this person."
The madam nodded dumbly. "Ten... Ten Mama! Go find that cripple... I mean, this young master!"
"Also," Meng Qianqian continued, "I want to purchase a residence that is quiet yet conveniently located, preferably close to Zhuque Street."
"Zhuque Street is the most bustling street in the capital, and the surrounding residences are all occupied by high-ranking officials... And you want a quiet location as well. That might be difficult to find."
Meng Qianqian placed another gold ingot on the table.
The madam quickly pocketed the gold ingot. "It's possible! My lady, how big of a residence are you looking for? How much silver do you have on hand?"
Meng Qianqian thought for a moment before answering, "Size doesn't matter. I have one hundred thousand taels."
The madam's face fell. "Erm, one hundred thousand taels... That's not even enough to buy a toilet."
Meng Qianqian stood up. "In that case, I'll have to look for someone else. Return my gold."
The madam quickly guarded the gold in her bosom. "Wait, my lady! Don't be hasty! A residence worth one hundred thousand taels truly doesn't exist! There's one worth fifty thousand, but I can bring the price down to thirty-five thousand for you! To be honest, it's a haunted house where many people have died!"
"Lead the way," Meng Qianqian instructed.
(End of Chapter)
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