Chapter 73: A Battle of Wits (Part 2)

  The picture had only reached halfway when Chunyao entered the door.

  Ronghua saw that Chunyao's face had a look of anxiety, so she really got up and said to the painter Mr. Chen: "Miss, please wait for a moment, I'll go out and come back."

  Mr. Chen smiled understandingly and stopped writing to take a break, while Mugen hurriedly poured hot tea for the lady.

  Ronghua went out for a while, and Chunyao hurriedly finished speaking.

  Ronghua lowered her head in contemplation, and when she saw Ma Dao's wife in the mansion, she thought that this day would come.

  Chun Yao said: "Miss Eighth should think of a way, I think Madam is about 80% convinced."

  It would be impossible to persuade her to become a nun. However, serving the Buddha in the Buddhist hall within the mansion for several years... Such a request is quite easy to fulfill, and it sounds simple too - just stay in the mansion for a few more years, do nothing else, and be confined to the Buddhist hall.

  It's just that once she really enters the Buddhist hall, it probably won't be that simple anymore.

  No matter whether the elder sister can be good or not, just because Madam Ma said that there will be some disaster in the mansion in the future, she will always pray in front of the Buddha. After passing the age of marriage, no matter what is said, it's too late. Moreover, who can bear to change their heart towards those clay figurines every day? At that time, even if she doesn't change, outsiders will think she's strange. In this way, isn't it the same as going to a nunnery to become a nun?

  Yao Hua is familiar with Mrs. Dai's situation.

  Only she could think of such a gradual and progressive method.

  Ronghua nodded at Chunyao, her eyes filled with gratitude. "You go back first, lest you be discovered. I'll think of a way."

  Ronghua returned to the house, sat down and let the lady continue painting.

  Madam Ma's proposal will soon be spread, and whether the old lady agrees or not depends on whether a Buddhist temple will be built in the mansion. In these two days, seeing the old lady's sorrowful appearance for her elder sister, as a mother, she only thinks of her own daughter at this time, and others' small sacrifices are even less important.

  Expecting Mrs. Darcy to be merciful? How did she die that night, and what else did Mrs. Darcy say? It's as clear as if it happened yesterday.

  The lady teacher showed the finished painting to Ronghua.

  Where is Ronghua going to paint Honghui Princess, and it's clearly Ronghua above.

  Ronghua couldn't help but hesitate, "This... isn't Madame Cai supposed to paint the princess?"

  The lady said, "I discussed it with my wife before I came. Compared to the painting, it's likely to lose its truthfulness, and in the end, no one will look like themselves. It's better to paint Miss directly. This is much better than those lifeless ones."

  Ronghua smiled and saw off the lady.

  When the lady had gone far away, Mu Ge also came back from outside and saw that Fei Cui was loafing around. He whispered: "The wife of Yi Cheng Hou, Mrs. Cai, has arrived. She must be here to take the young ladies back home."

  Elder sister is in no condition to withstand any turmoil, she should still be staying in the mansion for a few more days.

  Ronghua had Jinxiu secretly ask again what Mrs. Cai had said.

  After a while, Jinxiu came back, and Ronghua put down the book in her hand and asked, "How was it?"

  Jinxiu said: "Mrs. Cai and the eldest lady are talking in the house, their voices are very low, most of which I didn't hear clearly, it seems to be related to Wu Mu Hou. But another thing was heard clearly." Jinxiu got closer, leaning on Ronghua's side and saying, "Mrs. Cai's sister, Huagui Fei, was granted the title of Huang Guifei."

  Ronghua couldn't help but raise an eyebrow, this was a great thing. The bigger the tree of Yicheng Houfu, the more reluctant his father was to let go, not to mention there was also Yao Hua's disturbance, how could he possibly marry her off to Yicheng Houfu?

  Jinxiu asked again about Ma Dao's wife, "Miss, can that thing be done?"

  Ronghua smiled and said, "Whether it works or not, it can only be like this. Even if she arranged everything in detail, there might still be some mistakes in the middle. Don't worry, it shouldn't be a big problem."

  Jinxiu clasped her hands together in prayer, "Don't make any mistakes."

  Rong Hua said: "Is there any movement on Yao Hua's side?"

  Jinxiu shook her head, "No."

  Shu Hua had been there several times, but she never saw Yao Hua. Given Yao Hua's temperament, she should have been serving by her sister's bedside. It seems that although the madam didn't say anything on the surface, secretly she has already punished Yao Hua to reflect on her mistakes. This kind of minor punishment may not be a big deal for others, but for Yao Hua who had never been punished before, it was already very severe.

  "What's up?"

  Jinxiu said: "He was beaten and is now recovering from his injuries in the house." It won't be just a matter of being beaten, it depends on who will deal with Chunxiao next.

  Rong Hua thought for a moment and then instructed, "Be careful and take note of the people who will be coming to the mansion over the next two days."

  ……

  Yi Cheng Hou Cai's wife returned from Tao Fu's house. Zhao Xuan De and his son had been waiting in the main hall for a long time, and dinner was already ready.

  Mrs. Cai glanced at Zhao Xuan De and asked, "Has your older brother returned?"

  Zhao Xuan De said: "He hasn't come back. Big brother sent someone to say that there are still some things at the Ministry of War, so he won't be coming back for dinner."

  Mrs. Cai was somewhat unhappy, "The Ministry of War can have so many things to do, and he's always outside every day, I've never seen him like this before." Now he comes home less and less often, and when he does come home, he goes straight into his study. What's going on with Xuan Huan and Shu Hua? Although Shu Hua sometimes has a bit of a temper, it's not to the point where she would do something like this. Xuan Huan is usually gentle towards people, but now he's treating his wife, who he's been with day and night, like this.

  Second Aunt Liu helped Madam Chai change her clothes and smiled all over her face. "Are you going to see your elder sister?"

  Mrs. Cai said: "If I don't go see it with my own eyes, I won't feel at ease."

  Liu looked sideways at Cai's wife's face and asked, "How is sister-in-law? Is she any better?"

  Mrs. Cai's face didn't show any expression, "It's still the same, I'm afraid it will take some time to nurse before seeing any improvement."

  Liu said tentatively, "My father knows an old gentleman who used to work at the Imperial Hospital and is now retired. He's very good at treating women's illnesses. Would you like to invite him over to take a look at your wife?"

  Mrs. Cai's face showed a hint of joy, "The diagnostic fee and the thank-you gift cannot be less, let someone personally go to the mansion to invite," she looked at Liu again, "to thank your father, with this relationship in it, it is more secure than anything."

  The meaning of this sentence is that as long as she knows the old imperial physician's residence, she won't let her natal family interfere again, and she can't say too much to her natal family, lest outsiders find out.

  It seems that sister-in-law's illness is serious, Liu nodded and smiled, "Don't worry, mother."

  Mrs. Cai sat down and let the maids serve the dishes.

  Zhao Xuan De said: "I thought mother would be accompanying grandmother on that side in a lively atmosphere."

  Mrs. Cai smiled, "The formal celebration will be held tomorrow, and we'll all have to go then."

  Zhao Xuande's face was beaming with joy, "Now it's all set, the Emperor has conferred the title of Imperial Noble Consort, and now that our son is noble, we're just one step away." Just as he said this, he felt his wife kick him under the table.

  Mrs. Cai's face fell.

  Zhao Xuande smiled wryly and said, "This isn't at home, is it?"

  Mrs. Cai didn't say anything. After dinner, she went back to her room and lay down.

  Zhao Xuande was scolded by his wife, "The mansion is also full of people with loose tongues, can't you learn from your elder brother to be more steady? You always make me unhappy."

  ……

  It wasn't until evening that Zhao Xuanhuan finally returned to the mansion, changed his clothes and went to pay his respects to Lady Cai.

  Mrs. Cai was playing chess with the maid in the house when she saw Zhao Xuanhuan return, and the maid quickly got up to give Zhao Xuanhuan a bow and then went to pour tea.

  Zhao Xuanhua paid his respects to Mrs. Cai.

  "Come over here and finish this game of chess with me," said Mrs. Cai, beckoning him over.

  Zhao Xuan Huan sat down to take a look at this chess situation and picked up the white piece.

  Mrs. Cai played chess while looking at her son's face, still with a gentle expression, even when she pursed her lips, the lines of her mouth were slightly upturned, as if she was smiling faintly.

  I went to see Shu Hua today.

  Zhao Xuan hesitated for a moment and asked, "How is she?"

  Mrs. Cai said, "I think it's not very good, her face is getting yellower and I'm afraid..." She sighed again, "Your second brother's wife said that the matchmaker knows a retired old imperial physician who specializes in women's illnesses. I was thinking that after two days when Shu Hua returns, we'll go invite that old gentleman to come over and take a look."

  Zhao Xuan Huan seemed to be staring at the chess pieces in a daze, and after a long time, he said: "I'll go ask around again, see if there's an even better doctor, and invite him home." On the surface, it was a gentle response, but in reality, he was rejecting her from afar. What he was really thinking about, he didn't want to reveal at all.

  What is this child thinking, even his mother can't figure it out. If you say he doesn't like Shu Hua's personality, then in all these years, he hasn't gotten close to anyone else either. There are many beautiful maids in the house, does that mean he doesn't think any of them are worthy? Either he doesn't come home, or when he comes home, he hides in his study room, and even the chess games he used to like, he hardly plays anymore.

  The maid brought up the tea and then retreated.

  "Is everything all right on your maternal grandmother's side?"

  Mrs. Cai put down a black chess piece and took away two white ones, "Fortunately, although it's slightly different from what I expected before..." If the Ninth Prince can get married and build a mansion soon, and be promoted to a prince, he will be the youngest prince among all princes, and his status will be different. His sister was originally a noble consort, now promoted to imperial noble consort, although she was promoted one rank, but still under the empress. Plus the request for returning home was also rejected... Nobody can guess what's on their mind.

  "These things can't be rushed."

  Mrs. Cai nodded and made a move on the chessboard, then turned her attention back to Zhao Xuanhuan, "What about what I asked you before?"

  Zhao Xuan Huan picked up the chess piece he was about to put down again.

  "Your father meant this, he must have told you before."

  Zhao Xuanhuan slightly furrowed his brow.

  Mrs. Cai said, "Just choose one! If you think any of them is slightly better, tell me and I'll go find the aunt." The tone was already very clear: previously, the engagement with Shu Hua had been too hasty, now it had reached this point. "I think all of Shu Hua's sisters are extremely good."

  Zhao Xuan Huan thought for a long time and finally put down that chess piece. "I'll go see Shu Hua these two days."

  The mother and son were playing chess when Mrs. Ding came in and said: "Mr. Chen has arrived, the painting to be presented to the palace is ready."

  Mrs. Cai smiled and said, "Please ask Miss to come in quickly."

  Mr. Chen came from a famous family of painting and calligraphy, and was good at figure painting since childhood. After marrying a military officer, the officer died in the western frontier, and after being widowed, she devoted herself to painting even more. Mrs. Cai wanted to find a Mr. to paint, and the lady who grew up with Mrs. Cai recommended this female Mr. This female Mr. was best at capturing people's expressions in an instant, often bringing people to life vividly. Mrs. Cai had also seen her previous works before letting her come to paint.

  Mr. Chen walked ahead, and the maid behind him carefully held the painting, Mr. Chen saw Mrs. Cai and bowed: "The ink is still wet, Madam wants to see it, so I hurriedly sent it over." He said, turning to stand aside.

  Mrs. Cai looked back and her eyes lit up instantly, the painting was like a real person, except for those eyes, which were more spirited than what she saw, and that temperament gave her a very familiar feeling.

  Zhao Xuan Huan also turned his head to look at the painting.

  The woman in the painting is elegant and refined, as if she were a fairy. Especially her eyes are like flowing streams, revealing a strong and calm temperament.

  Zhao Xuan was stunned on the spot.

  Mrs. Cai turned her head to see the expression on her son's face, paused for a moment, and then smiled slightly with deep meaning. She instructed the maid to "put this painting away well." Then she called over Ms. Nü to have some tea and chatted with her for a while before sending her off. After Mrs. Cai returned to talk to Zhao Xuanhuang, she said: "The one in the painting is indeed Miss Tao Ba. She really does resemble your aunt somewhat. The Imperial Consort will surely like this painting."

  "Mrs. Cai paused for a moment and then said: 'If you have someone in mind, just tell me. Before the other family makes a decision, we can still talk.'"

  Zhao Xuan didn't say a word, and Madam Cai stopped asking questions. They finished the remaining chess game, and then mother and son went to rest separately.

  ……

  The next day, the old lady from the Zhuangzi village came to visit with Sun Dajia's grandson. She went into the old lady's house and said a few words, then Sun Dajia's grandson went to the second miss's house to deliver some local specialties.

  Then she went into the courtyard and talked with several familiar women.

  I don't know which old lady asked about Sun Dajia's daughter-in-law.

  "It was a short-lived life, and when giving birth, both the mother and child were lost due to difficult labor."

  "Have you found a suitable marriage yet?"

  Sun's eyes twinkled, "Not yet." But his gaze had already shifted towards Second Miss's courtyard.

  Mu Ge returned from outside and whispered to Rong Hua, "The old lady often calls people from Zhuangzi to come over and talk. However, the wife of the Sun family just came over recently."

  "Didn't you go to Second Miss's place?"

  Mù jiǎo nodded slightly.

  That's it. It must be for mutual appreciation, and it seems she didn't analyze wrongly.

  Two people were talking when they heard someone outside say: "Sister Chunyao, how did you come?"

  Mugong hurriedly went to lift the curtain and let Chunyao come in.

  Chun Yao saw Rong Hua and immediately smiled: "Eighth Miss, Old Madam and Eldest Madam are asking for you."

  "About our young lady?" Mu Ge asked in a low voice.

  Chun Yao said: "There is also Second Miss."

  Rong Hua's heart skipped a beat.

  Chun Yao smiled slightly, "It's a good thing, someone from the Wu Mu Marquis' residence has arrived, probably to invite Madame and Miss over as guests."

  Mugwort finally put his mind at ease and happily went to find clothes for Ronghua.

  The play of Wu Mu Hou Fu.

  Zhao Da's play.

  The crucial moment is approaching. The eighth young lady's wedding is near.

  Tomorrow will announce the list of people who sent signed books, everyone should pay attention.