Chapter 22: The Turning Point (Part 2)

  Looking for various tickets~

  Ronghua smiled and replied, "I'll take it, let's just forget about it."

  Madam Chen couldn't help but admire Eighth Miss, if it wasn't for her being fearless like a newborn calf, then she must have had the composure to remain calm in unexpected situations.

  Chen Mama left, and Rong Hua asked Mugun to tidy up her hair ornaments.

  Ronghua sat on the embroidered couch, and Muxin's hands were already slightly trembling. Chunyao had just lifted the curtain to see Chen Mama off when Muxin couldn't help but lean in close to Ronghua's ear, "Miss, what if Madame really is going to...what can we do then?"

  Yes, there are so many things she hasn't had time to do. Originally, it was a step-by-step preparation, but unexpectedly, branches and leaves grew out of nowhere. If she were to be hastily married off like this, she would have no way...

  "Miss, otherwise, otherwise..."

  Ronghua looked at herself in the mirror. She had a premonition about these things, but she had clearly already gained the recognition of the madam, so would she this time again, like before, lose everything at the last moment?

  She stood up with a hairpin inlaid with coral beads.

  Spring returned to the house, and her eyes, which usually didn't show much emotion, revealed a hint of worry. She had just sent Chen's mother away, who had entrusted her with several urgent matters that would keep her extremely busy. Afterwards, Chen's mother added: "These things can only be handled by you; as for Eighth Miss, let Muxin follow her."

  It was clear from every word and tone that Madame wanted to take Eighth Miss to the Hou Mansion.

  Chun Yao knew that the old lady was indirectly asking her to return, and that Eighth Miss would also be married off with Mu Jin. The whole thing had nothing to do with her originally, but for some reason, thinking of Eighth Miss's gentle demeanor every day made her heart ache a little. Such a good person was actually going to become a sacrifice for the family's interests, sent away to be someone's concubine.

  Chun Yao didn't know what to say, when the eighth young lady had already walked up to her side. With a gentle and beautiful smile on her face, she said: "In Jingxi there is a Wangjiu Embroidery House, inside there is an embroiderer with the surname Duan. If you need help, just send someone to let her come into the mansion to assist."

  Miss Ba was telling her about the embroiderer who embroidered the hibiscus flower.

  Chun Yao was stunned for a moment, and then called out, "Eighth Miss."

  Miss Ba smiled, her eyes sparkling as if she understood everything, and nodded slightly in encouragement.

  Ronghua walked out slowly, everyone was struggling in their fate, even if she had fallen into the mud, she was willing to see others walk out.

  Even if it's just a glimmer of hope.

  Ronghua took Mu Jin into Madame's house.

  The lady of the house was chatting with her daughters, and the atmosphere in the room was delightfully pleasant.

  Ronghua bowed to Mrs. Dai and Shuhua, and Mrs. Dai hastily invited her over, "Quickly, come sit down. My sister and I were just talking about you. Your sister said you're beautiful and elegant, and who knows how much face you'll bring to our family when you go out."

  Ronghua's face turned red.

  The old lady smiled kindly, "You see, it's just that you're thin-skinned. I originally said to keep you at home, but your sister said to bring you out and let you experience the world."

  The lady spoke so sincerely, making people feel warm and fuzzy inside.

  "I'll tell you earlier, you'd better prepare yourself. Tomorrow I'll take you to the Hou Mansion together," she said, letting Dongtong take out her jewelry box, "Choose a few pieces of jewelry and dress up nicely. The Hou Mansion is not as casual as at home."

  Ronghua nodded and smiled in response. Dongrui opened the jewelry box, Ronghua picked out a string of crystal necklace and a jade hairpin with an osmanthus branch wrapped around it.

  Shu Hua's eyes watched as the matter was about to be settled, and her heart felt a surge of joy. She took off a jade ice flower bracelet from her own wrist and put it on Rong Hua's wrist, saying: "This bracelet is something I had a hard time getting, the person who sold it to me said that materials as precious as this are rare, wearing it can bring good fortune. Now I'm giving this bracelet to my sister, whether or not it will bring her good luck is uncertain."

  The jade bracelet was on Ronghua's wrist, and Shuhua smiled and pulled Ronghua's hand to show it to the madam. "Mother, look! Eighth sister looks even better than me with this on!" She then looked at Ronghua again, "Sister is so beautiful, if some noble person were to take a liking to her, that would be..."

  Ronghua didn't understand the implication, blinked her eyes, and was given a meaningful glance by Shuhua, immediately looking like a lotus flower with a hint of shyness.

  Shu Hua was even more pleased, deciding a person's fate was so simple. She was just playing along with her mother's drama, and Rong Hua still thought something wonderful had happened to her. If she knew at this moment that she would be marrying someone as a concubine, who knows what kind of expression she would have.

  Toying with a small person, whether she likes it or not, is unable to resist, more stimulating than any pastime. This is why everyone wants to be high above.

  Shu Hua then carefully put on the best jewelry she had picked out for Rong Hua, "The only thing is that the clothes are a bit old."

  Rong Hua replied in a low voice: "There are also several new sets of clothes in the trunk."

  Shu Hua's smile was tinged with mockery, making anyone feel extremely uncomfortable. Shu Hua wanted to dress herself up as a gift and give it to someone else, but in the process of giving, she found pleasure.

  She was thrown into the clouds and shattered to pieces, yet still grateful for everything arranged by Mrs. Dai, only resenting the injustice of fate.

  This has always been Mrs. Big's trick.

  The big wife smiled and looked at them for a while before finally speaking up, "Stop pulling your sister into the conversation all the time, let her go prepare, you still have to leave early tomorrow morning."

  Shu Hua finally reluctantly let go of Rong Hua.

  Mrs. Tai said: "Seeing you sisters getting along so well, I'm happy too. Shu Hua is close to her sister for the first time, and Rong Hua looks lovely, anyone who sees her will like her."

  Shu Hua said: "It's because I and Eighth Sister have a predestined relationship. The first time we met, it felt like we had known each other before. It must be the accumulation of our past lives."

  Rong Hua just smiled slightly beside him.

  Mrs. Dai and Shu Hua had both finished speaking, and then Rong Hua said a few more words before leaving with Mu Ge.

  Back in the house, Chun Yao had gone to do what Chen Mama had entrusted him with, and didn't mention it again. Rong Hua went into the warm pavilion to do some needlework, while Mu Jin stood beside her silently. As the sky gradually darkened, Mu Jin took a few steps forward and stood beside Rong Hua, seeming to have made up his mind. "Miss, why don't we escape?"

  The farther the better, even if I have to live a poor life in the future and marry into a poor family, it's still much better than being treated like an object and sent out like this now.

  Marrying someone as a concubine, not even allowed to wear a wedding dress on the wedding day, just being carried in a sedan chair... having to serve tea to the first wife every day... what a good miss...

  Rong Hua didn't even lift his head, only slightly smiled, "Where can you escape to? You're not someone who hasn't escaped before."

  Mugwort suddenly collapsed, yes, she wasn't one who hadn't escaped before, but in the end she was still abandoned at the chaotic burial mound.

  "What should we do then? Should we go and beg Master or is there another way, perhaps beg Mistress?"

  "Miss, how can you still be so calm... what's the point of embroidering those again?"

  Rong Hua didn't say a word, and Mu Jin was anxious but couldn't think of anything to do.

  Mugun knew that Seventh Aunt had left a sum of money for Eighth Miss, just in case of an emergency. Now that the critical moment had arrived, she had thought of all possible solutions and was at her wit's end, unable to think of anything better than running away. If she waited until after the engagement was settled before trying to escape, it would be even more difficult.

  The young lady would have extra help at home before getting married, and she wasn't unfamiliar with that kind of scene.

  Mugwort was lost in thought, when the door suddenly burst open and a gust of wind blew in, accompanied by a person who rushed in, startling her. After regaining her composure, she cried out, "Second Master."

  Rong Hua put down what was in his hand, raised his head and faced Hong Ge's anxious eyes.

  "Sister, is what they're saying true? Are you going to be married off to the household of the Minister of Justice as a concubine?"

  The news spread so quickly.

  Ronghua hadn't spoken yet, but Hongge was already anxiously saying: "Sister, don't try to deceive me, I already know." As he spoke, he nervously looked around.

  Mugwort immediately understood and hurriedly walked to the door to keep watch.

  "Old Zhang, who guards the back door, loves to gamble and drink with the other women in the courtyard three or four times a month," Hong said quietly. "Today, although Eldest Young Miss has returned home and there's much to be done, these women won't have anything to do. I've instructed someone trustworthy to bring wine and dishes to them, and when they're drunk later tonight, I'll find a way to get the key and send you out through the back door."

  "Brother says, taking out a few silver notes from his sleeve, 'These are all I've saved up over the past three years or so. Although it's not much, it's enough to use for a while. Sister, first find a place to hide for now, and after a few years when I grow up...I'll think of a way to arrange a good marriage for you.'"

  Mugun heard Hongge's words roughly outside, and although she didn't know why Hongge and Ronghua were so close, she secretly rejoiced at Hongge's words. As long as Er Ye helped, Miss would definitely be able to escape smoothly, and with some silver in hand, finding a place to settle down temporarily wouldn't be a problem.

  Ronghua remained silent, while Mugen had already become impatient and walked into the house. "Miss, what are you waiting for? Quickly do as Second Master said! I'll gather our belongings here, some of which can be sold. Once we leave, we'll find a security firm to escort us far away from the capital. After a few years when Second Master grows up, we'll think of a way to contact him again."

  "We can't wait any longer, miss."

  "Brother Hong was anxious too, 'Sister, what are you thinking?'"

  My internet has been lagging all the time.