When Ming Lanshi returned to the Ming Mansion, the entire Ming Garden was completely shrouded in sorrow.

The leaders of the Ming family gathered in the center and cried inconsolably.

Ming Qingda, dressed in a blue shirt, stood aside. He had already cried for a while and was now suppressing his grief while dealing with the rest of the matters.

Ming Lanshi walked over, looked at his father, and said nothing in the end.

Old Madam Ming’s eyes, which had refused to close, bulged outward, and a servant closed them.

Ming Lanshi took a look and felt sad and a little nauseous.

After speaking to my father for a few words, the feeling of nausea became even stronger.

The news that Lady Ming had hanged herself spread quickly, and within half a day, everyone in Suzhou knew about it.

At the same time, the maidservant also said that the old lady Ming had such a tragic outcome because she felt guilty about the national grace in the bidding for the inner treasury.

If one really wants to find a culprit, many people will deliberately turn their attention to the manor by the West Lake.

As Ming Qingda said, Old Lady Ming had a very high status among the people of Suzhou City. This old lady would always do things to help the people every few days.

Even many wealthy businessmen in Jiangnan had benefited from the emperor’s favor. They had all seen the kind face of Old Lady Ming and felt that she was a born good person.

As rumors spread, more troubles occurred.

“That imperial envoy almost forced Old Lady Ming to death. We want to seek justice for Old Lady Ming.”

“Yes, since the Ming family started the inner treasury business, Jiangnan has been completely transformed. There is no problem at all. I think the imperial envoy is here to make trouble unreasonably.”

“With someone like Old Lady Ming here, how can the business fail?”

Since dawn the next day, a large number of Suzhou people have gathered outside the West Lake manor, holding high the banner of seeking justice for the old lady Ming, and surrounded the glamorous mansion.

The Tiger Guards and officials from the Censorate were all busy preventing ignorant people from trespassing.

They carry knives and swords, which can have a great deterrent effect.

However, although the situation was maintained temporarily, hundreds or even thousands of insults still penetrated the walls and reached the manor, causing some people to cover their ears in annoyance.

“What’s going on? There’s chaos outside.” Haitang Duoduo was in this situation. She was so angry that her sweet dream was disturbed early in the morning.

“The old lady of the Ming Mansion died, and the people thought it was you who did it.” Zong Zhui said.

“No, who has time to kill an old woman?” Haitang Duoduo found it unreasonable.

“He hanged himself. Rumor has it that he felt deeply unworthy of the court’s trust due to the inner treasury bidding incident, so he committed suicide to apologize.” Zong Zhui said again.

Haitang Duoduo understood what she heard and said, “So it’s the inner treasury bidding, and this old lady is feeling guilty?”

Ridiculous, so ridiculous.

If we really talk about this matter, then Haitang Duoduo also has some responsibility.

“No, we can’t stay here anymore.” Haitang Duoduo planned to go back to her senior brother.

Lin Ruo was sitting in the yard, and only then did he speak: “Go ahead, there are people outside, if you go out, the mansion will be much quieter.”

Haitang Duoduo covered her ears tightly with her hands and went back to her room.

Wang Shisanlang came back from outside the mansion and sighed, “This old lady said he was a very kind person.”

Zong Zhui snorted and said sarcastically, “I didn’t expect that someone who threatens to kill himself is actually quite vicious.” Shisan Wang looked at Lin Ruo, “How are you going to solve this problem?”

Lin Ruo said dissatisfiedly: “This matter has nothing to do with us. If you think it is related, then you can solve it yourself.”

He also added a cold remark: “Wang Shisanlang, when you look for problems in the future, try to look for them in others first, not in yourself.”

Wang Shisanlang nodded for the first time: “I will remember Mr. Lin. The bidding for the inner treasury is in the next two days. Suddenly, this incident happened. With the public resentment in the whole city, how could any big merchant dare to compete with the Ming family? This matter is obviously beneficial.”

Lin Ruo glanced at it in surprise, then calmed down a lot: “There is nothing wrong with your analysis.”

“What should we do then, sir?” Zong asked.

Lin Ruo waved his hand indifferently: “We didn’t expect to compete with the Ming family. The wealthy merchants in Jiangnan are so corrupt. It’s enough for Xia Qifei to be firm.”

Zong Zhui said worriedly, “But, the people’s grievances still need to be resolved.”

“It will fade away in a few days. There is no need to deal with him. The bidding for the inner treasury is imminent. The key is to add fuel to the fire and make the Ming family even hotter.” Lin Ruo didn’t want to solve the problem. He wanted to do the opposite.

“The illegitimate son of the Ming family has returned and accused the old lady of slaughtering the Ming family concubines in order to fight for property. By then, we will not be the ones to panic. It’s just a matter of waging a propaganda war. Everyone can do it.”

……

In the Governor’s Mansion, the lawyer once again ran into the garden in a panic, waking up Xue Qing who was resting in a chair. Although he had been reprimanded, this news did not allow him to remain calm.

“Sir, Lord Lin is in trouble. The manor is surrounded.”

Xue Qing sat up from his chair and frowned, “Isn’t that group of people going to rush in?”

The master shook his head: “No, but the situation is still very critical. Sir, should we send someone to maintain order?”

“Humph, we are here to maintain order and let those unruly people take their anger out on us?” Xue Qing said coldly, “We are officials from Jiangnan, so we should not go against the people of Jiangnan.”

This made sense, and the master had thought about it, but he had another concern, and said anxiously: “But sir, I’m afraid the imperial envoy will blame me.”

“So we have to find a way to have the best of both worlds.” Xue Qing said calmly, stroking his beard.

Then he said, “Hurry up and tell the Ming family to find a way to deal with this matter.”

The master exclaimed: “Doesn’t this mean we are at odds with the Ming family again?”

In his opinion, this is obviously not a solution that can have the best of both worlds.

Xue Qing glared angrily, wondering who the master was. He was really used to the idle days. “Fool, just ask the Ming family if they want to fall out with the imperial envoy. They know more than you.”

Before the Governor’s Office’s words were delivered, there were already disagreements within the Ming family.

Ming Lanshi had been paying attention to the situation outside the mansion. When he learned that the manor was surrounded, he immediately found his father and said, “Father, shouldn’t you take care of it? If things continue to get serious, it will be irreparable.”

He knew in his heart that the news of his grandmother’s death had spread too quickly.

If this continues, the two sides will fight to the death.

“What do you care? Do you want your grandmother to die in vain?” Ming Qingda changed into mourning clothes and stood up straighter.

“Do you really want to fight Lord Lin to the death? Judging from my meeting yesterday, there is still room for maneuver.”

“What a beast!” Ming Qingda slapped his son in the face.

(End of this chapter)