Chapter 420: Chapter 402: Little Uncle, Behave
For a moment, many people gathered at the gate of the palace. Originally, the Emperor wanted to secretly execute the Third Prince to preserve the dignity of the royal family, but now, to appease the public outrage, he directly threw the Third Prince out for the people to handle.
The Third Prince never dreamed he would die so violently. He could clearly feel his limbs being torn apart, and blood sliding down from his head. His eyes gradually filled with panic, and eventually full of terror.
In the end, he was crushed into a paste.
After hearing the news from the housekeeper, Lin Qiao felt no sympathy; the Third Prince’s death was considered light.
Many families were destroyed because of him, wives were separated from their husbands.
"Exchange the silver in the warehouse for two taels, pack them in bags, and prepare twenty thousand portions."
Song Tingfan’s emotional bond is here, so let it end well here.
Originally, they were going to prepare five taels of silver, but the compensation from the Imperial Palace is only five taels for each person.
The housekeeper understood her meaning and hesitated for a moment, "Madam, did you ask the General?"
He wasn’t disrespecting Lin Qiao, it was just that traditionally, men were the heads of the household.
Lin Qiao smiled, "Don’t worry, he won’t say anything once the money is given out."
"If he asks, just say it was my decision."
Upon hearing this, the housekeeper didn’t hesitate, nodded, "I will give the orders right away."
He hadn’t been gone long when a maid in a green dress ran in, knelt in front of Lin Qiao, and choked with emotion, "Madam, I won’t leave. I want to serve you for a lifetime."
She was one of the family members falsely accused back then.
Lin Qiao helped her up and disapproved, "Why serve me? Doing anything else outside is better than being a servant."
Servants, though not lacking in food or clothing, ultimately have no human rights or freedom.
The maid’s tears fell like peas, choking with emotion, "Madam, my entire family died back then, leaving only me. I don’t know where to go, I have no home."
"I don’t know anywhere else. Madam, I beg you, let me stay here, okay?"
Upon hearing this, Lin Qiao felt complicated. She shook her head, "The mansion won’t hire servants in the future. We are going back to the village."
She paused, "If you are willing, you can come back to the village with us and live in a new house."
"I am willing." The maid nodded fiercely. She had served several families before, and although the General Mansion was strict, they didn’t readily sell or beat them.
Afterwards, another servant came wanting to continue serving them. Lin Qiao gave the same response, and the servant agreed immediately.
She could resolve the matters of the mansion’s servants but couldn’t settle the affairs of those outside the mansion or elsewhere. After the tragedy ended, more people were left homeless.
In the following days, the housekeeper, on behalf of the General Mansion, distributed silver at the gate. After guarding for most of the day, not many came to claim it.
Lin Qiao heard about it, "Have they all left the Capital?"
"No, they’re still over by Ming Alley." The housekeeper shook his head.
Lin Qiao thought perhaps not many knew about it, so she pondered for a moment, "Go distribute over at Ming Alley."
...
After guarding for half an hour, the housekeeper wiped the sweat off his forehead and said to the nearby servant, "Did you tell them?"
"I did." The servant nodded.
The housekeeper was puzzled, about to say something when an elderly woman’s voice interrupted, "You should have some water."
"Take a drink and go back, we don’t want General Song’s silver, it’s we who should thank him." The old woman spoke with red-rimmed eyes, sincerely grateful.
Song Tingfan had helped clear their grievances long ago, and word spread throughout the Capital.
They were already deeply grateful; how could they accept his silver?
The housekeeper was momentarily stunned and then understood, "The General and Madam instructed that this silver is for you to temporarily find a place to stay, and your future living will rely on yourselves."
The old woman waved her hand, lowered her head, and wiped her tears, "Everyone has their footing silver, you should go back."
The housekeeper couldn’t give out the silver, so he sent someone back to inform Lin Qiao. Lin Qiao felt helpless yet warmed, "Then come back."
Unable to distribute the silver, she found another way, booking all the inns in the Capital for a month.
Though brief, at least it could give them some time for respite and decide where to go.
Initially, few people stayed, but over time, more came.
Song Tingfan found out about this matter two days later; he had other things to handle and had been busy outside these couple of days.
Upon hearing Zhou Fu’an mention it, Song Tingfan’s pen paused for a moment, but soon his writing became faster.
He wanted to return home soon.
Gao Qiang and Zhou Fu’an exchanged a glance and then looked towards Song Tingfan handling affairs in the hall. Eventually, Gao Qiang spoke, "General Song, why resign?"
The tone was full of reluctance.
Song Tingfan looked up at them, pursed his lips, and said seriously, "To go home and accompany my wife."
