Chapter 62: Gains and Losses (Part 2)

  Jinghua covered her pale face half-hidden and wore dark clothes, dejectedly carrying things to Old Lady Tao's courtyard.

  When she saw Old Lady Tao, Jinghua called out "Grandma" in a sorrowful tone and her eyes immediately turned red.

  The old man and his grandson went into the green silk room without saying a word.

  As for Liao's side, just because Tao Zhengchuan couldn't find out what had happened to that person and was anxious, a letter was sent from outside. Liao took the letter in hand, saw the seal of the Wu Mu Hou Fu, and his heart skipped a beat. He then opened the letter and pulled out two sheets of paper from inside.

  The first letter is from Mrs. Anguo to her, only a few sentences of greetings are mentioned, without mentioning anything else. The paper attached behind writes about the situation of a person, with surname, name and where he works.

  When she saw the words "not yet married", Liao's face couldn't help but reveal a hint of a smile, and her whole body relaxed. It was still the day when Wu Mu Hou came to the house that she sent her personal maid to tell Hou Ye to ask for his help, to see if he could find that person.

  Didn't expect to get accurate news so soon.

  Liao carefully read the letter again, savoring every word, afraid that there might be some meaning she had missed.

  Tao Zhengchuan had asked so many people to go out and inquire, but still nothing was gained. It's all said that under the big tree it's good to take a cool, this big tree she wants to think of a way to lean on.

  Liao was just thinking about it when a maid rushed in from outside and said, "Third wife, the old lady has arrived."

  Liao heard this and was taken aback, forgetting everything else, hastily got out of bed, put on his outer garment and shoes, and dressed while rushing to welcome him.

  Mrs. Tao, dressed in a yellow auspicious longevity jacket, was supported by Rui Qing as she lifted the curtain and entered the house. Liao Shi took a few more steps forward to welcome her and saw Jing Hua.

  Liao hastily stepped forward and saluted, "Mother, how did you come?"

  The old lady hastily stretched out her hand and said, "Get up quickly. I came to see you. If you're like this, it will ruin my good intentions. Hurry back to bed."

  Liao refused.

  Mrs. Tao deliberately put on a stern face, and Liao's wife only then supported the old lady together to the inner room, and the two sat down on the bed again.

  The maid brought tea, Jinghua handed it over to Liao Shi, Liao Shi handed it to the old lady, the old lady took a sip, and Liao Shi hastily took it back.

  The old lady smiled, the new daughter-in-law was like this, everything was careful and meticulous, just seeking to be polite and courteous. The eldest daughter-in-law was also like this when she first entered the house, not too clever, but a smart and clever little girl. Over the years, so many things have happened in the mansion that they have all been worn away by her former temperament.

  The old lady held Liao's hand while thinking, and the three daughters-in-law, although older, had a steady demeanor in every move. The old lady asked warmly, and Liao responded carefully on the side, especially about taking care of the eldest branch, Liao was full of praise.

  After saying so much, the old lady's gaze finally fell on Jinghua. Jinghua knew it was her turn to speak, and she didn't want to be present, so she said: "I'll go refill the heater." She made an excuse and retreated.

  Jinghua left, and there was no one else in the house. The old lady sighed, "I came over this time to ask you too, do you have any idea about Jinghua's situation?"

  Liao had already mentally prepared herself, thinking it over and over again. Jinghua's matter still needed to be decided by the old lady, so hiding it would be useless. Taking out the thing openly and honestly would also make her seem closer to the old lady. So she got up and went to the head of the bed, took out the letter and handed it to the old lady to read, "Mother, take a look at this."

  Mrs. Tao took a glance at Liao, took the letter over, pulled out the letter inside, the first sheet of paper was a letter from Mrs. Anguo to Liao, she didn't look much, the second sheet of paper wrote about someone's situation, all written in detail, Mrs. Tao looked carefully and asked Liao, "Is this the marriage you found for Jinghua?"

  Liao's face turned red. "To be honest, we shouldn't be in a hurry, but when something like this happens," she paused and told the old lady about what had happened that night.

  How did he save Jinghua and yet accidentally tear her sleeve?

  Mrs. Tao said: "So, it turns out that Jinghua's miserable state is all because of him."

  Liao nodded, "At that time, I just tried to save people, and was also anxious."

  The old lady's tone sank, with a hint of resentment, "You too, something like that happened and you didn't even ask him clearly before letting him go."

  Liao was a new mother and had little experience with many things. At that time, her situation was not optimistic, and she could only think of escaping, without considering anything else. "It's all my fault."

  The old lady sighed, "It's not your fault, anyone would have overlooked it." She looked at the words on the paper again and snorted, "You're a ninth-rank official with a blue feather hat, your family can't be ordinary, how come you don't understand the rules here? Don't you know to send someone to ask politely? If we hadn't found him, wouldn't Jinghua's reputation as a chaste and innocent girl have been ruined for nothing?"

  The old lady Tao glanced at Liao, although there was no smile on her face, but her expression was not as heavy as when she entered the house. "Hurry up and find someone to ask him about it, we must get an explanation." She said this with a faint smile on her face, "If things go smoothly, then the tenth girl won't be too miserable either."

  The private conversation was over, and Mrs. Tao ordered the maids to bring up the things prepared for Liao Shi.

  "Still, it's your second niece who thought of everything, she helped me pick out all these things," she said, pointing to the clothes. "Although they're ready-made, I think they look very good too."

  The maid placed the items one by one on the table, and Old Lady Tao took out a stack of silver bills again. Liao Shi firmly refused to accept them, "How can I take mother's private money."

  Old Lady Tao smiled and said, "These silver coins are left for you to spend, besides, I know that this time you have suffered a great loss, and there is no family property. As the head of the household, you have difficulties, how can I stand by and do nothing?"

  She also called in Xing Hua, "Your second sister asked me to prepare a set of clothes for you. You should dress up nicely these days."

  Jinghua lowered her head again, and her eyes reddened once more.

  The old lady Tao again instructed Mrs. Liao a few words, and then took people back.

  Liao called Xinghua over and asked him about today's events.

  All the places from Huahua 1510 have been told to Liao Shi.

  Liao said: "You too, why didn't you discuss with me before going to the old lady's side? What if the old lady doesn't want to intervene, what can you do?"

  Jinghua's eyes reddened, "I'm afraid Mother will tire herself out because of me, anyway... I've already made up my mind, no matter what, I won't let Father and Mother lose face in front of our relatives. If it weren't for Eighth Sister comforting me, I might have..."

  Liao pulled up Jinghua's hand, "Don't even think about it again." Thinking that this marriage had already been settled halfway, Liao couldn't help but smile a little, "Now it's all right, the old lady is willing to show her face, your matter..."

  Jiang Huai's face suddenly turned red with shame.

  Liao said: "That night I saw him once, and his character seemed to be okay too."

  Jinghua hung her head in shame and joy, with a few worries. What if the other side didn't agree to this marriage, what would she do?

  Liao said: "No matter what, I must thank you well, Eighth Sister." After a pause, he added: "It seems that Second Sister also spent her mind on our family's affairs."

  Jinghua feared that her mother liked Erjie more than Bazhi, so she hastily said: "If it weren't for Bazhi, even if I went to Grandmother's place and said something, there wouldn't necessarily be any results."

  Liao nodded, "I've counted this in my heart, but you and Second Miss should also take some action."

  Jinghua replied, "These past few days, Second Brother's family's sisters often go to Second Sister's place, so I haven't gone over."

  Liao knew the reason for this, as his own daughter had been wronged and the young ladies from the second household were hiding far away, afraid of being implicated in the scandal. Although he was uncomfortable about it, he didn't say much.

  Jinghua came out of Liao's house and went straight to Ronghua's yard.

  Mugunghwa and Cheon-ah were talking outside, while Yonghwa and Seonghwa sat together, with Seonghwa recounting the whole thing.

  Rong Hua smiled with pursed lips, "It's all right now."

  Jinghua's face immediately turned red, and although she was shy about mentioning the matter, she stammered: "It hasn't been decided yet, what if...the other person is unwilling."

  The Tao family is also considered to be reputable, so it's only natural that they would form a good marriage alliance. If the man's side were unwilling, not only would the Tao family's reputation suffer, but the man's side would also lose face. So this marriage should be able to happen. Rong Hua smiled slightly and shared her thoughts with Jing Hua, who then revealed a smile.

  Jinghua suddenly remembered something and asked Qian'er to bring over the dress that Second Miss had given her. "Second Sister gave me a set of clothes. Second Sister is also quite strange, sometimes I think she doesn't care about people, but sometimes she's actually very considerate, especially towards the elders in our family who all like Second Sister very much."

  Jade Hua is indeed good at sensing the direction of the wind, and she can always find out one or two things about any movement in the mansion. These days, she has been observing Jade Hua, even if she is being extremely cautious, Jade Hua still doesn't plan to let her off easily.

  From this matter, Yao Hua will definitely see the benefits of relying on the Wu Mu Hou Fu. Yao Hua may think of a way to grasp both marriages in her hands, and if one side doesn't work out, there's still the Hou Fu side to fall back on, making it a second choice.

  Rong Hua and Xing Hua are talking over here.

  Rui Qing supported Mrs. Tao to Thousand Years Residence for a walk, and the big madam was busy asking after her well-being.

  The mother-in-law and daughter-in-law were still as usual.

  The old lady didn't mention the fourth aunt's matter, and neither did the big lady. They just took the old lady to take a look at Qian Xi Ju.

  The lady still handed the conversation over in a roundabout way, "Some of the calligraphy and paintings were damaged, it's a pity, and several decorative pieces were also liked by Niangzhu. At that time, I saw that Qian Xi Ju was being ruined like this, and my heart was also panicked." This is also the truth, seeing the situation in the mansion, one would want to bring the fourth aunt, the mastermind, over to settle accounts.

  Mrs. Tao sighed, "Losing some things is a small matter, the most important thing is that everyone in the house is safe." She paused and continued, "That night also scared me to death, fortunately you are a steady person and don't muddle through big things."

  These words were beyond her expectation, and from the tone of the old lady, she didn't seem to be willing to admit her mistakes. The mistress slightly let out a breath of relief, "Everything is almost packed up here, you can move back tomorrow, Mother!"

  The old lady nodded in agreement.

  The lady said: "Mrs. Xue Zhongyun from Zuichunfang has come, and she is still talking about that marriage proposal, asking us for a definite answer."

  Old Lady Tao's face was full of disapproval, "The Wang family in Jiangning is not a renowned aristocratic family, it just so happens that they have produced a first-rank official. Moreover, his younger brother has such an attitude, do you think we would readily agree? I think you should return to the Wang family and call off this engagement."

  The lady's face suddenly changed, "We had all already..."

  "Whatever is it? Did you promise him something? The customs have changed over the years, and now we have to be so sycophantic that we can't even care about our family's reputation. I didn't interfere with San Niang and Si Niang's matters, but this marriage is not acceptable, and you can't make decisions on your own. Our family has distant relatives who came to rely on us; it's pitiful that the widow and her children have been living in a slanted alley for years. I think their daughter's age is suitable, so I'll take charge of this matter. You go talk to the Wang family, if they agree, let them come over to take a look, if not, then forget it." After a pause, she continued: "As for Liu Niang, lately, she hasn't been acting right, you should discipline her properly, but marrying her off to the Wang family would be unfair to her."

  That distant relative's family had declined, and the ancestral property had been sold off, leaving only a widowed mother with one young lady. The elder madam thought for a moment, the old lady's mind was made up, she couldn't refute it, so she nodded, "I'll go talk to her."

  The old lady Tao was satisfied, "Have you prepared the 99 Cold-Removing Diagrams for each family?"

  "Alright, everything is ready. The rice balls are also done. The ancestral worship has been prepared according to the family rules, so don't worry, Old Lady."

  Mrs. Tao raised her hand and Rui Qing hurried over to help the old lady get up, while Eldest Lady wanted to go forward.

  Old Lady Tao said: "Recently there have been many things in the mansion, enough for you to be busy with, take good care of your body."

  The lady smiled and saw Old Lady Tao out.

  Old Lady Tao and her entourage came out of the Millennium Residence, walked through the corridor, and Old Lady Tao ordered Rui Qing, "Go take a look at the second young lady's courtyard."

  The second young lady liked quietness, at this time the maids were mostly doing their work in their own rooms. Old Lady Tao entered the courtyard, and Rui Qing was just about to lift the window curtains when she heard someone talking inside the house.

  Rui Qing listened carefully and found out that it was Chu Xiao who was speaking on behalf of Second Miss.

  Miss is too good to people, unlike some people who put in effort on the surface, making others happy. You worry a lot behind their backs, but what's the result? For so many days, Tenth Miss hasn't come to visit you, instead she's always with that person.

  "Second Miss scolded, 'Don't talk nonsense.'"

  Xiao Dao said: "I didn't talk nonsense, only Miss you are truly good to people, without expecting anything in return."

  Having heard this, Rui Qing turned her head to take a glance at the old lady. Seeing that there was no particular expression on the old lady's face, she coughed and lifted the curtain.

  The people inside heard the voice and rushed out to greet them.

  Xiao saw it was an old lady and immediately smiled: "Second Miss, it's the old lady who has come to see you."

  Yao Hua hastily put down the book in her hand, came out from the inner room, and couldn't help but smile when she saw the old lady. She quickly went forward to pay her respects, then took the old lady's hand from Rui Qing's hand, and affectionately said: "Grandmother, how did you come?" As they walked into the house together.

  The old lady turned her head to look, and on Yuhua's delicate face hung a quiet smile, with long eyelashes and a pointed chin. There were not too many decorations on her body, revealing a sense of elegance. And thinking back to what Chunxiao said earlier, the meaning seemed to be referring to the new eight-tailed fox in the mansion.

  Ba Ya Tou looked like an obedient child, how did she become hypocritical after hearing Xiao's words earlier? Thinking about Liao Shi and Madame Anguo's relationship, could it be that Ba Ya Tou was scheming against the marriage between Wu Mu Hou and their family?

  The old lady sat on the warm bed and chatted with Yaohua for a few words, then asked: "Have you been feeling better these days? Are those medicines effective?"

  Yao Hua nodded and smiled: "My hands and feet are warm, I feel much better, just occasionally coughing twice, nothing serious."

  The old lady was very satisfied, "Now I can rest assured." As she said that, she pulled Yao Hua's hand over again, and indeed it was no longer as cold as before.

  The grandmother and grandson were talking when Xiang Zhu came in and said: "Eighth Miss and Tenth Miss have arrived."

  Yao Hua slightly raised her eyebrows.

  The old lady smiled and said: "Quickly let the two girls come in."

  Ronghua and Jinghua entered the inner chamber, Old Lady Tao looked up and saw that Jinghua was already wearing the clothes Yaohua had given her - a pale pink jacket with a dark red skirt, while Ronghua wore an emerald green skirt with a twisted branch pattern. Both of them were smiling as they approached the old lady, who was slightly startled, and hastily came forward to pay their respects.

  The old lady praised, "Yaohua's clothes are well chosen, and Jinghua looks good in them."

  Jinghua's face turned red with embarrassment as she looked at Ronghua, "Eighth sister also said it looks good, let me wear it to show second sister."

  Yao Hua looked at Rong Hua, who was slightly awkward and stood aside with a gentle smile. She couldn't just sit back and wait for death, harboring illusions. At this point, she could only take a gamble, "I and tenth sister came to find second sister to play chess, we've long heard that second sister plays well, always wanted to come over, but..." The rest didn't need to be said, everyone in the mansion knew.

  Old Lady Tao smiled and said, "Your second sister is the best at playing chess in this mansion. Now that you're back, it's good, otherwise she would be bored staying in her room reading books all day. Now that her health has improved, it doesn't matter if you two move around frequently."

  Ronghua nodded, and then took out a sachet from her sleeve. The yellow fabric had an embroidered longevity character on it. "I made a sachet for my grandmother, but I didn't have good incense to put in it. I remembered that last time when I met Big Sister in the courtyard, I could smell a fragrance from afar. And I heard that Big Sister's sachets were always given by Second Sister, so I came specifically to ask Second Sister for some incense." As she spoke, she looked at Yao Hua beside her.

  The old lady spoiled Yuhua, but she wouldn't let her do whatever she wanted. Jinxiu asked her sister-in-law to find out what those Taoist nuns usually did when they entered the mansions of wealthy families.

  Jinxiu's sister-in-law came back and said that there were many harmful tricks inside, one of which was to make people miscarry. Although she didn't believe that Yaohua would harm her own sister, some things could be tried out to see the results. To test Yaohua, it would be best to have someone else present, in case Yaohua showed any reaction, it wouldn't just be her who saw it.

  She also came up with this plan for self-protection. As long as the people in the mansion don't suspect Ma Daopo, it's possible that she'll be the next one to take a turn.

  Two chapters become one chapter...

  It's getting more and more expensive.

  Hehe.

  Here is the part of the female lead and the second young lady.