Chapter 92: Counterattack (Part 1)

  Ronghua looked at Hongge's childlike smile and said, "It can't be that easy."

  Hong said: "What's difficult about it? Just tell Eldest Brother straightforwardly that you don't want him to marry Second Sister."

  Rong Hua said: "You're just a child, how can he listen to you?"

  Hong's smile stiffened, "What is she going to make me say?"

  Ronghua said: "My case is still unclear, but sister's case has already had a few clues, with a little attention, it may be possible to find out something."

  Rong Hua simply told Hong Ge about his own speculation, but didn't elaborate on how he was poisoned to death by the old lady.

  Rong Hua cut the lantern flowers, and a spark jumped out. The room became even brighter, but Hong Ge's face next to the table was still gloomy. Rong Hua began to regret it a bit - after all, Hong Ge was just an eleven-year-old child, and she had put too much pressure on him.

  "Hong Ge," Rong Hua said softly, "Don't think too much, one day it will be clear."

  "Brother Hong raised his head and looked at Rong Hua, 'Sister, are you telling the truth? Is Second Sister really related to your death?'"

  Although Jinxiu said so, there are many things in it that are also speculative, and many places have not been fully revealed. At present, it seems like a fog, and the things in the fog are vague and indistinct.

  What exactly did Yao Hua overhear that day? What could make Tao Zheng'an so nervous? To the point where he would personally harm his own flesh and blood, she had previously guessed that it was because the Zhao family didn't want to marry her into their household, so they joined forces with Madame Tao to poison her... But it seems it's not like that. Tao Zheng'an is hiding something, and some of the truth might not even be clear to Madame Tao herself.

  Ronghua herself didn't even understand what was going on, how could she explain it to Hongge? She could only temporarily reveal her conjecture. After all, Yaohua was right next to her, and exposing her true nature in front of Hongge would always be a precaution.

  "So what you're saying is that your previous guess about Ma Dao's wife was also true?"

  Rong Hua nodded slightly.

  "Who would have thought it would be like this?" he said, furrowing his brow. "I still have the maid that my second sister sent over to my place. Xia Tao had warned me before, but I didn't believe her. Now it seems...

  Ronghua saw the strange expression on Hongge's face and knew that the girl named Shanhu was different from other girls in his heart. "As long as you pay more attention to her in daily life, whether it is good or bad will be clear soon."

  Hong Ge nodded, "If she really has a second heart, I will definitely not let her stay."

  It's getting late, Ronghua is going to send Hongge out.

  "Brother will hold your hand tightly, Sister, don't worry, when I grow up, I won't let you have such a life again." With a burning heart but not knowing what to say, after thinking for half a day, it was like a promise, "I will definitely give the best to sister."

  Rong Hua softly said: "I just hope that in the future, Hong Ge will be happy and blissful, that's enough."

  ……

  Madam Xue and Second Madam Xue walked into Old Madam's room laughing and chatting.

  The old lady was about to have dinner and invited Mrs. Xue and Second Lady over, "Come quickly and eat together."

  Madam Xue and Second Mistress sat down with great joy.

  After dinner, the old lady asked: "How is Mrs. Tao's body?"

  Madam Xue said: "Looks like your spirit is a bit weaker, but there's nothing seriously wrong."

  The old lady nodded, "That's good," she said casually, "The Imperial Observatory will come the day after tomorrow."

  Madam Xue exclaimed in surprise: "Has your mother already invited the Imperial Astronomer?"

  The old lady smiled and said: "It wasn't me, but last time when I went to the palace to say that we wanted to repair the garden, the Imperial Noble Consort asked about the date and ordered the astronomers to come over and take a look."

  Madam Xue smiled and pursed her lips, when did the Imperial Noble Consort start caring about the Xue family like this.

  Besides Qintianjian coming over, it's not just about looking at the garden, is it?

  The old lady asked as expected, "How is the Tao family doing?"

  Madam Xue said: "Tomorrow, Madam Ren will go again."

  The old lady nodded, "Even if you get married early and come back, you can still help me," she said, lowering her head to drink tea. She put down the teacup without raising her eyes, "There are many things in my hands that you should take over too."

  Upon hearing this, Mrs. Xue's face suddenly changed color.

  After chatting for a while, Mrs. Xue and the second wife returned to their respective rooms. The second wife, Mrs. Xue, entered her room, dismissed all the maidservants, and then spoke with Xue Chongyi about what Old Madame had said today.

  "Are you saying that just because Eldest Brother has married the widow of his son, he's going to take over all my responsibilities?"

  Xue Chongyi said: "Mother didn't say anything, it's just mother's business."

  "Can there be anything in your hands?" Madam Xue suddenly thought of something and asked, "Could it be those few villages?"

  Xue Chongyi furrowed his brow, "Doesn't Mother have several estates in her hands? Didn't she add three more last year? Are all these estates going to be handed over to the main house for management?"

  Mrs. Xue's phoenix eyes drooped, "I've been eyeing those farms for a long time, and I'm not sure if you're more familiar with them than me," she said, crossing her legs and looking pleased with herself. Mr. Xue hurriedly handed her a cup of tea, and only then did Mrs. Xue smile slightly, "These farms all settle their accounts at the end of the year, so outsiders wouldn't necessarily know which one is the most profitable. Some farms don't have enough grain warehouses, while others have grain warehouses that are mostly used to store grain for other farms. The amount of grain produced from the same land can be quite different."

  "There are some estates that make money, and some that lose money every year. Some estates may have many new servants, but they are actually useful, while others have only favored servants who can't be used by anyone except the mistress. The mistress wants to promote the eldest grandson's wife, perhaps to improve her relationship with the eldest grandson, but if this wife is as useless as the eldest daughter-in-law, the mistress will naturally turn to us in the second house." She said with a smile, "I'd better help the mistress choose some estates carefully."

  Xue Chongyi looked confused and said, "I don't understand these things, you go arrange it."

  Mrs. Xue laughed and said, "You Xues are just like your mother - all you know how to do is ask for money, not manage it." She continued, "This new daughter-in-law has a lot to learn." Thinking of Tao Ba's timid and weak appearance, she thought that someone like her wouldn't be able to stand firm in the Xue household. If things went well with Imperial Concubine Hua, then that would be fine, but if not, she would eventually be divorced anyway.

  "Madam Xue suddenly remembered something and asked, 'Have you seen Mr. Changning recently?'"

  "I've seen it."

  "What's wrong?" asked Mrs. Xue hurriedly.

  Xue Chongyi thought for a moment, "It seems that she doesn't know." He looked at the second wife, "Could it be that she hasn't noticed?"

  "Even if Mr. Changning didn't notice, Mrs. Changning should have known what her own daughter did. How could a mother not know? Either the Changning family is dissatisfied with our engagement or Fourth Miss is too ashamed to mention it. Once Mingrui's marriage is settled, we'll go and inform Mother and ask Baoshan to propose to the Changning family. We'll see what Mrs. Changning thinks then. If she doesn't care about her daughter's reputation being damaged, I..."

  Xue Chongyi hastily said: "This can't be, it's related to the relationship between the two families, how can we let it fall apart."

  Mrs. Xue said: "Then what do you suggest? We can't just call off this engagement."

  Xue Chongyi couldn't think of a solution and could only shake his head, "Don't worry about it for now, we'll talk about it later."

  Mrs. Xue had many misgivings about Mr. Xue's handling of affairs, and she would inquire into every matter in the household, no matter how big or small. On the surface, she wouldn't say anything, but when Mr. Xue went to his study to read, she would find Li Lijia by her side and have someone go to the Changningbo residence to gather information, so that they could report back to her.

  ……

  Marquis Wu Mu Xue Mingrui and the eldest son of Viscount Dingnan, Rongchuan, finished speaking and stood up to leave from the separate courtyard of Viscount Dingnan's residence. The garden was quiet and deserted, with no one else around; if it weren't for the convenience of conversation, they wouldn't have come all the way here, far from the capital.

  "These things will worry them, with Mr. Lu around they can always think of something, and there's still time, Third Brother might as well come with me to the suburban boat house for a while before going back."

  Xue Mingrui glanced at Rongchuan, "The city gate will be closed soon, and we still have to attend the early court tomorrow."

  Rong Chuan suddenly looked disappointed, "When will the Third Brother's mansion be tidy? We won't have to come to such a remote place, not even a place to drink wine."

  Two people rode horses and talked, Xue Mingrui galloped in front, Rong Chuan barely keeping up.

  Xue Mingrui asked, "How's the matter I had you ask about last time?"

  Rong Chuan said: "That person is called Gu Ying, I don't know where he got the evidence from, but he has taken control of Tao Zheng'an..." Rong Chuan glanced at Xue Mingrui, "One thing is related to Su Xiye, and another thing I haven't inquired about clearly, all I know is that Gu Ying wants to become the son-in-law of the Tao family through this." Speaking of which, Rong Chuan smiled, "I think it's not that simple. This Gu Ying has been appointed as an official in the Ministry of Justice without going through the usual channels, and he will take office in two days."

  "It's possible that Gu Ying has more than just Tao Zheng'an's weakness in his hands." As he said this, Rong Chuan glanced at Xue Mingrui, "Are you going to take care of this or not?"

  Xue Mingrui looked ahead and narrowed his long eyes slightly, "Do you know who Gu Ying wants to marry?"

  Rong Chuan said: "The Tao family naturally wants to marry their daughter off to him."

  Xue Mingrui thought of Tao's eighth miss, her bright eyes and calm demeanor.

  "Gu Ying refused."

  Rong Chuan originally wanted to sell a pass, but Xue Mingrui didn't think about it and spoke directly.

  Rong Chuan Dao: "Nature is unwilling."

  Xue Mingrui's face didn't show any expression, but his hand grasping the reins paused slightly.

  Rong Chuan continued: "I heard that someone has already asked for Miss Tao Er's hand in marriage."

  As soon as these words came out, Xue Mingrui stopped asking other questions.

  Rong Chuan smiled slightly, and had already gotten the answer he wanted.

  ……

  Most people in the Tao mansion had gone to sleep, and Tao Zheng'an just came back from outside. The little servant beside him said: "Aunt Chen just came over and said that the old master left a door for the big wife."

  Tao Zheng'an murmured "uh-huh" and then fell silent.

  After a while, someone beside the old lady came over and said: "The old lady is waiting for her husband."

  Tao Zheng'an changed his clothes and hurried towards Old Lady's place.

  The old lady's boudoir was lit up, and Rui Qing directly took the old master to the boudoir. The maidservants brought tea and then retreated.

  The old lady watched Tao Zheng'an drink tea before asking, "How's that matter going?"

  Tao Zheng'an shook his head, "Still no clue."

  The old lady said, "It's easy to buy a crime name. There are still many people willing to sell their lives in this world. At that time, just let Gu Ying beat the person to death, and under the watchful eyes of everyone, Gu Ying will not be able to deny it. Once he is in prison, it will be even easier to deal with him. Think of a way to make Gu Ying confess where those evidences are."

  Tao Zheng'an said: "I'm afraid there's not just one person involved here. With Gu Ying's skills, it's impossible to get those evidences. I need to know who is behind him before taking action."

  The old lady saw Tao Zheng'an's eyes flicker and asked, "Is there still something you're hiding from me?"

  Tao Zheng'an hesitated, "The Emperor has again invited a Taoist priest to refine the Golden Stone Elixir according to the previous method. The court officials have advised against it several times, but to no avail. I fear that if something unexpected happens in the next two years, it will drag out past events."

  The old lady frowned, "I told you not to associate with those people, but you wouldn't listen. You just kept saying that Westerner was so favored."

  Tao Zhen-an said: "I'm not afraid of anything else, it's just that there is a letter written to Westerners, I don't know whose hands it has fallen into."

  The old lady said, "I knew there was such a thing, otherwise you wouldn't be so flustered, otherwise you would have married Wu Mou Hou, and the Duke would still not care about your affair with Su Xi Yao?"

  Tao Zheng'an lowered his head.

  The old lady sighed, "What are you going to do about Baoyu's affair?"

  Tao Zheng'an said, "It's actually the young master we wanted to pursue a relationship with, and since he has taken a liking to Rong Hua and sent someone to propose on his behalf, it's all in line with propriety and etiquette. What more can I say? It's up to the Hou estate to decide now."

  The old lady sneered, "Fortunately, you're not as muddled as your wife. If the Hou Mansion sends someone to guarantee again, I'll have them write down Ba Yatou's eight characters and combine them. When you go back, tell your wife not to harbor any more thoughts..."

  Mentioning Da Tai Tai, Tao Zheng An's face turned iron-green, "Let mother talk to her instead"

  The old lady looked at Tao Zheng'an and didn't make things difficult for him either. "She was also in a moment of desperation, you shouldn't always be so stubborn."

  The old lady mentioned Yao Hua again, "Have you ever thought that if Gu Yan came to propose to Er Ya again, what would you do?"

  Tao Zheng'an said: "I don't know what's going on, outside they all say that Yaohua is seriously ill. I've seen several relatives come in, but every time they opened their mouths, they couldn't speak as they wished."

  The old lady heard this and was silent for a while, then said: "You are a distant relative of the second old lady's side, with a filial piety, they all say that her appearance is extremely ugly, I just feel sorry for Er Ya."

  Tao Zheng'an said: "I'll think of a way again."

  Tao Zheng'an came out of the house, unwilling to go to Madame Wang's courtyard, and unknowingly walked into Old Madame's sick courtyard, thinking about several aunts along the way.

  The one who was most wronged was Second Aunt, who on her deathbed only asked him to take good care of Fifth Miss Ronghua. Who would have thought that he... Thinking of this, Tao Zheng'an grew even more resentful towards Eldest Madam. If she had stopped him back then, it wouldn't have ended up like this... And there was also the matter with Fourth Aunt...

  He made sure she remembered every single stroke.

  Tao Zheng'an walked unknowingly into a courtyard. The people in the house heard the footsteps outside and opened the door, seeing the visitor, they couldn't help but exclaim in surprise, "Master."

  Tao Zheng'an came back to his senses and followed the light to see Da Yiniang.

  ……

  On the second day, Madame Ren indeed came, and Old Lady personally met with her to talk, and also wrote down Ronghua's birth date.

  Mrs. Ren still said as before, "Miss Eighth looks reliable, and her family background is good." The old lady understood and smiled: "Our Miss Eighth has been registered under the name of the eldest lady since early on."

  This remark has hit the nail on the head; at least there is no longer any distinction between legitimate and illegitimate children.

  Mrs. Ren immediately laughed and left before her departure, leaving behind the birthday of Marquis Wu Mu Xue Mingrui, and the old lady also found a famous yin-yang master in Beijing to combine the eight characters.

  Mr. Yin-yang calculated carefully for half a day and replied, "Congratulations to the old lady, this is indeed a high-class marriage, there's nothing to be taboo about," and then he explained it in detail again.

  The old lady ordered someone to take the reward money, wrapped it in red paper and gave it to Mr. Yin Yang. After Mr. Yin Yang left, she asked Rui Qing to accompany her to see Yao Hua.

  The old lady entered the house and saw Ronghua sitting on the edge of Yohua's bed, softly persuading her, "Sister should take care of her body, Old Lady and Madam will pamper you, sisters will care about you, but no one can replace you."

  The old lady said: "It's just what your sister said, you're older than her by a few years and yet you don't know."

  Rong Hua heard the old lady's voice and hastily got up to pay her respects.

  The old lady looked at Rong Hua with a smile, "What a good child, these days serving soup and medicine to your mother, today you come to see your sister, I think there is no one in this house who is more suitable than you."

  Yao Hua lay on the bed, her nostrils filled with the strong smell of medicinal soup. The light gauze canopy beside the bed seemed pale and colorless, giving off a desolate and cold feeling. Standing in front of the bed, Rong Hua's face was flushed pink, her bright eyes sparkling with radiance. Her grandmother looked at her with affection, the two of them speaking in hushed tones, as if they had forgotten about Yao Hua altogether.

  Rong Hua glanced sideways, and Yao Hua had several times "weakly" tried to prop herself up, only to lie back down when she found no one was paying attention. Rong Hua couldn't help but smile slightly again.

  The old lady said: "You're just in time, I have something to tell you later." The grandmother and grandson exchanged a tacit glance, before the old lady asked about Yuhua's situation.

  "Yesterday, Laozi came back and said that outsiders were saying your old illness had relapsed. I was heartbroken when I heard it. Now you must fight hard to recover, get well soon."

  Ronghua listened to this and looked at Yaohua's face again, and Yaohua's expression was indeed not good. Yaohua had hastily come up with a way to win over the old lady's sympathy, but hadn't thought of the consequences. Now everyone outside knew that the second young mistress's old illness had relapsed, which family would be willing to marry a sickly person as their daughter-in-law? Moreover, her older sister still hadn't given birth to a son or daughter for her brother-in-law, and Yaohua's situation was uncertain even if she could live a good life, let alone carry on the family line.

  Zhao Xuanhuan and Yao Hua's "secret meeting" has been going on for some time. Eldest sister must have also spent a lot of effort talking, but hasn't seen the Zhao family take any action. What I'm afraid of is that eldest sister will use her life as leverage to threaten them, and the Zhao family, concerned about saving face, might not necessarily...

  The old lady finished watching Yao Hua and went with Rong Hua to the west wing to talk.

  The old lady smiled kindly at Ronghua and said, "You have never been included in the family tree since you were a child, now I will tell your father to put you under your mother's name."

  Rong Hua couldn't help but be shocked and hastily knelt down to kowtow.

  The old lady stood up and personally helped Ronghua get up, "It's all because your father didn't bring you into the mansion earlier, our grandfather and grandson have only met a few times, and now..." The words were no longer hidden in her tone.

  Ronghua's cheeks turned even redder.

  Two people were talking over here when they heard a sudden coughing fit from Yaohua's side, and the old lady and Ronghua hurried over to see.

  ……………

  Regular update + 120 votes for additional chapters, and there will be another 140 votes for additional chapters tonight which will be posted later.

  Four watches and five watches are impossible, haha.

  I've already written enough. I'm exhausted, but at least I've paid off my debt.