Chapter 53: The Legacy of Disaster (Part 1)

  Mrs. Xue couldn't help but sigh again, now everything was leaning towards her nightmare, what if all of them came true in the future?

  Rui's future marriage is even more worrying for her. Rui was originally a taciturn person who didn't speak his mind, and he married into such an unsuitable family. No one helped him share his inner troubles, and he was always so lonely and isolated, making her feel heartbroken. She had already secretly made up her mind that Rui's marriage must be with someone suitable for him, but where could she find such a good match...

  In a moment, they arrived at the Hou Mansion and stopped in front of the Weeping Flower Gate. Madame Xue got out of the carriage with the support of Nurse Guo, and as soon as she entered the gate, she saw someone carrying a sedan chair over. Madame Xue turned to ask Nurse Guo, "Why did you still have them prepare the sedan chair?"

  Madam Gu had always known that Mrs. Xue was a proud person, how could she use these things, especially in the Hou Mansion, with so many eyes watching, and everyone knew that she had fled in disarray last night, and today when she returned to the mansion, how many people were secretly looking at her?

  Madam Xue's face fell.

  "Mother Gu hurriedly stepped forward to explain, 'There was no arrangement, perhaps it was for someone else.'"

  There is someone else there.

  Madam Xue snorted, and Gu's mother had already asked the young servant who was carrying the sedan chair, "Who told you to come?"

  The little servant hastily said: "The second madam told us to wait for the first madam here."

  It's really like that. When watching comedies, she is always there, but if you truly care about her, she won't show up in person.

  Madam Xue entered the house, and just as Qingxiang had poured a cup of tea, they heard someone stumbling in from outside. "Milady, something's wrong! Master Hou has met with an accident."

  ……

  Looking at Shu Hua's pale yellow complexion and dim eyes without a hint of spirit, the mistress couldn't help but feel heartache.

  Mrs. Cai also complained: "You child, just sending a car is enough." The words spoken in the conversation also showed concern for Shu Hua.

  Shu Hua plucked up her courage, fearing that the mistress would worry, "I couldn't sit still at home either, so I might as well come and take a look." Miao Teng supported Shu Hua on one side.

  The big lady looked at her daughter carefully, and Shu Hua's fingers seemed to be trembling unconsciously. The last time she saw Shu Hua, Shu Hua's face was still rosy, how did it become like this now? Looking at Mrs. Cai on the side, there were also a few surprises and doubts in her eyes, looking up and down at Shu Hua at this moment, probably didn't expect Shu Hua to change like this either.

  "Is this because you were startled last night?"

  Shu Hua forced a smile, it was only natural to be afraid when encountering such a thing for the first time. Upon hearing the news, her second brother and sister came to her room to discuss countermeasures. Fortunately, her second brother had returned, and the mansion finally had a mastermind. If the road to the Tao Mansion hadn't been blocked by the rebels, someone would have been sent to check on the situation here long ago.

  Zhao Xuan was not at home, and everything was arranged by the second uncle. Most of the people in the Hou Mansion were on the side of the second house. Shu Hua listened to those idle words and felt extremely uncomfortable in her heart. Qiu He was seriously ill, and several times when she woke up, she heard the servants discussing those things, and she struggled to run to her side, taking all the blame upon herself, saying: "If Miss hadn't pitied me, a slave, I wouldn't have been treated this way. If I had known that I didn't have good fortune, even if I died, I couldn't have agreed." Shu Hua saw Qiu He like this and felt that she was to blame for being incompetent, and even the maid by her side had to suffer with her.

  In front of her mother and Mrs. Cai, she couldn't say those words, so she just said: "I was frightened last night and didn't sleep all night."

  Madam thought so too, but since Mrs. Cai was by her side, she didn't dare ask further questions.

  A few people were talking, and then Tao Zhengchuan led Lang Zhong into the mansion. Seeing Mrs. Cai, Tao Zhengchuan hurried over to pay his respects, exchanged a few words with Da Sao and her niece, and then bid farewell to everyone and hastily left.

  Shu Hua didn't understand what was going on and asked Madame Wang, "Who is ill in the mansion?"

  Mrs. Tai originally didn't want to tell Shu Hua about Liao's family, so as not to make Shu Hua worry and think about her own situation, but now that Shu Hua asked, she couldn't help but say, "Your third aunt had a miscarriage last night due to a fright, your third uncle is worried that she might develop some illness, and even invited several doctors to come up with a prescription."

  Shu Hua felt even more uncomfortable in her heart, Third Aunt was just a stepmother, but Third Uncle treated her so well. In contrast, Zhao Xuanhuan didn't care about her at all. Thinking this way, her chest suddenly felt like it was on fire, and her fingers trembled even more violently. Shu Hua quickly hid her hands in her sleeves, pretending nothing was wrong, and found Yao Hua behind the first wife's back, seeing that her sister was fine, she smiled.

  Yao Hua's body is not good, and she was worried that last night's commotion would cause Yao Hua to relapse into her old illness.

  The old lady saw the deep and inseparable bond between Shu Hua and Yao Hua, and advised Shu Hua: "Hurry back to rest and recover, you can come back to see your sister when you're feeling better."

  Shu Hua nodded, and the maids helped Mrs. Cai into the carriage.

  Shu Hua bid farewell to her mother and sister, and stepped onto the bus.

  The old lady saw Shu Hua getting on the car with a trembling manner, and her heart felt like it was pressed by a stone. A married-out daughter should put her husband's family first in everything, and she could no longer be pampered and protected as she was at home. She wanted to take care of her daughter, but she also had to consider the face of her son-in-law's family.

  Yao Hua understood her mother's thoughts, "After the winter solstice is over, why not discuss with Mrs. Cai and let sister and brother-in-law come back to stay for a few days, it's also good for sister to nourish her body."

  The lady hesitated for a moment, "How can this be."

  Yao Hua said: "Sister is not always coming home, just tell Hou Fu well, and it will certainly be agreed to."

  After hearing this, Madame felt relieved and looked out of the carriage window for a moment before leading Yuhua back.

  As they entered the courtyard, they heard the steward say: "The master has returned."

  The lady of the house sent someone to inform the old master, and she instructed some things that would be done soon. She also entrusted Yuhua, "With so many relatives coming to the mansion, especially the sisters from the second and third branches, you need to help take care of them." She called Chen Mama over, "The courtyard originally prepared for the second and third branches needs to be swept again. Now the third lady is recuperating in Ronghua's room... If the third lady's body is not convenient, don't move her. Have Ronghua clean up another courtyard and move there instead."

  "Old Lady Chen replied, 'Don't worry, madam. Last night you had several young ladies stay in your courtyard, and I already had someone clean up the place overnight. The young ladies have all gone there now. It just so happens that next door is a suite of rooms, why not have someone clear it out for Eighth Miss to live in?'"

  The lady nodded, "It's also good this way." She then led Dong Yue and others into her own courtyard.

  Tao Zheng'an entered the government office and had someone bring in his second brother, Tao Zhengqian, to ask about what happened when he encountered the rebels last night. The two brothers were talking inside when the elder lady arrived, not knowing whether she should enter or not, so she stood outside and listened.

  Tao Zheng'an scolded his second brother for abandoning the three houses and returning alone, Tao Zhengqian felt guilty and just listened with his head down.

  In this way, the big wife is even more reluctant to enter, lest she lose face in front of her second uncle.

  It's not surprising that Second Uncle acted this way, when disaster strikes, who doesn't think of themselves first? Especially those born in peaceful times, no one has experienced this before, and in the midst of panic, some only thought of escaping with their lives. Moreover, Second Uncle is still young and has a big family to take care of. Even so, his two sons didn't return until later.

  The second uncle went out, and then the lady came out of the next room into the main house.

  Tao Zheng'an seemed to have something on his mind, and he didn't speak even as he sipped his tea. Mrs. Tao knew her husband's temper and that he hated being disturbed at times like this, so she quietly waited by his side.

  Tao Zheng'an was indeed somewhat worried and annoyed, the emperor's anger after the disturbance, although he still had a youthful and vigorous spirit, but his body was weak due to illness, and the medicine from the imperial hospital did not seem to be effective, so he wanted to invite those Taoist priests who were skilled in refining elixirs into the palace to refine golden stone elixirs.

  Mentioning Dan medicine, Tao Zheng'an can't help but think of that thing three years ago.

  Three years ago, the emperor took the Golden Stone Elixir and suddenly began bleeding from his mouth and nose, falling into a coma. The Taoist who had prepared the elixir was arrested.

  Zhao Xin learned of this and came to the mansion to find him...

  Tao Zheng'an sighed, the emperor at that time deeply believed in a Westerner from the Imperial Observatory, who was a Taoist alchemist recommended by the Westerner. The Westerner also had some ability, observing astronomical phenomena to predict good or bad luck, and making some ingenious toys to please the emperor. When the emperor wanted to take golden elixir medicine, the Westerner searched everywhere for the method of refining the elixir, but in the end it was he and Zhao Xin...

  Who would have thought that such a great disaster would occur. After the incident, he and Zhao Xin lived in fear every day, afraid that the Westerners would implicate them and did not dare to mention it to their family members at all. Unexpectedly, when he was discussing countermeasures with Zhao Xin that night, someone overheard and left.

  He and Zhao Xin were suddenly shocked... At this critical moment, another ugly incident that damaged the family's reputation was discovered. After some thought, he made a decision...

  Now that the rumors are circulating, some people are eager to try, but he is still haunted by the past. The last time the Westerner died, the case was not pursued further, if this alchemy goes wrong again, it will drag out the previous case, and both the Tao Mansion and the Yi Cheng Hou Mansion will be in big trouble. After careful consideration, only the imperial son born to Empress Huagu can ascend to the throne as emperor and ensure eternal peace of mind.

  In case the Zhao family falls, he cannot sink with this big ship, and must think of a foolproof plan.

  Tao Zheng'an thought about all these things, only to find that his wife had been serving tea beside him, complaining with her mouth, "Come in without a word." But in her heart, she was warm, still understanding him.

  The old lady said: "Since Master is thinking deeply, I won't disturb him."

  Tao Zheng'an nodded, "I've already heard about what happened last night," he raised his head to glance at the mistress, with a hint of discontent in his eyes.

  Mrs. Tao was guessing what Tao Zhengan had said.

  Is it a thief breaking into the mansion, Liao's wife giving birth prematurely, or Fourth Aunt being pregnant...

  Tao Zheng'an said, "Yan Hua was kidnapped by thieves and it's inevitable that our reputation will be damaged. Fortunately, she was rescued, but what about the third young lady of the San House? Whoever it is, it concerns the reputation of our Tao family."

  "Better let Ronghua hurry over and get Miss Shi dressed first, or else rumors might have already... This matter will naturally be suppressed as much as possible. I've instructed the servants in the courtyard that anyone who dares to spread rumors will be severely punished."

  Tao Zheng'an glanced at the lady, "How can this be hidden," paused and said: "You go discuss with Sanfang, when outsiders know about it, it will be hard to control."

  The lady thought of Miss Ten's weak and timid appearance, still shaken...and couldn't help but feel a pang of regret.

  This wave, and then another one, and another one, all in the back, will only take a breather when things are settled.