Chapter Eighty-four: A Turn of Events (Part 2)

  His surname was Gu, and his name was Ying. He was originally a small official under Tao Zheng'an's jurisdiction, but he was dismissed from office after committing an error. Tao Zheng'an never thought that someone like Gu Ying, who seemed to pose no threat to him, would one day do something to threaten him. Moreover, Gu Ying had in his possession not only evidence of Tao Zheng'an's bribery of the Governor-General of Sichuan and Shaanxi, Su Xi-yao, but also the unresolved case of the alchemist from that year.

  He couldn't even find out how Gu Ying had found this alchemist.

  Gu Ying's parents died early, and his grandfather raised him to adulthood. Now that the old master Gu has also passed away, Gu Ying is left alone, making it difficult for anyone to take action against him. This reckless and fearless person would not be intimidated by threats of death, but killing him would risk losing track of the evidence he holds, while sparing his life would require constant vigilance against being exposed by him.

  Tao Zheng's hands were shaking with rage as he cursed, "Is there such a scoundrel in this world? He keeps saying it's to repay the kindness I showed him, otherwise he would have taken the evidence to find someone else."

  The lady's face was also filled with anger, "Does he mean that Master should thank him instead?"

  Tao Zheng'an sat dejectedly in his chair, "If it weren't for someone wanting to deal with Su Xiyao, there wouldn't be today's trouble." And the matter of refining elixirs, he had made great sacrifices for this, how could this thing still linger and follow him everywhere.

  "What if he really finds someone tomorrow?"

  Tao Zheng'an said, "What else can be done? Even if I really beg my daughter, there must be a way to do it. Moreover, once he becomes the son-in-law of the Tao family, if something happens to the Tao family, what benefits will he have?" If he really marries his daughter to Gu Ying, he can get temporary peace, and then wait for Gu Ying to let his guard down before going to trick him and see what else he knows.

  Tao Zheng'an thought for a moment and said, "I don't know when the Hou Mansion will come to propose marriage. People in the imperial court all say that the case of Su Xieyao is most clear to Master Hou. If something really happens on this matter, I'm afraid we'll still have to rely on Master Hou." After thinking for a moment, "When marrying into a noble family, dowry cannot be lacking, or it will become a laughing stock. Even if silver and money are not available at the moment, we must think of ways to transfer a few estates over."

  The old lady nodded, "Don't worry, sir, I've been thinking about these things." She then asked, "If that person really comes to propose tomorrow, what should we do?"

  Tao Zheng'an thought for half a day but couldn't think of any solution. He just looked at the big wife and said, "Don't ask me about household affairs."

  The lady's face sank, as always. Whenever he encountered something that couldn't be solved or wasn't easy to solve, he would push it all onto her. If she didn't handle it well, he wouldn't hesitate to complain.

  Tao Zheng said after a long while: "It's mainly about Yao Hua and the marriage with the Hou Mansion, getting this matter settled is more important than anything else."

  The mistress's house was quiet, and Chunyao had just come out when she suddenly remembered that the eighth young lady had not finished making the embroidered edge of the mistress's trousers, so she hurriedly walked towards the eighth young lady's room.

  Miss Ba leaned against the head of the bed and read under the lamp.

  As soon as Chun Yao walked in, the tranquility of the room was immediately disrupted.

  Chun Yao spoke and left, Rong Hua pondered under the lamp.

  "Miss, what can be done?" Mu Gei exclaimed, clenching his fists in anxiety.

  Jinxiu looked at Ronghua's contemplative appearance, stretched out her hand to pull the wooden door to one side, "What's the use of being anxious again? Don't disturb Miss, let Miss think carefully before speaking."

  Muxin still wanted to speak, but saw Jinxiu's face sink, losing her usual calmness, and only then did she realize that Jinxiu was just as anxious as she was. Looking at Eighth Miss again, she seemed to be thinking about something in silence.

  "Otherwise, send someone to the Xue family to reveal it?"

  Jinxiu shook her head, "That day when we went to the Xue's for a visit, Mrs. Xue was only slightly nicer to Miss than the other girls, and she didn't say anything, so how could it be spread around?"

  Mu Ge said: "What about Third Madame's side? After all, our young miss did save Third Madame and Tenth Miss."

  Jinxiu said: "What's the use of that? The third house can't interfere with the first house's affairs."

  Mu Jin tightly bit her lip, "Only Second Master is left. But what can Second Master do? Unless Miss wants to escape, it's not certain whether she'll succeed or not. Didn't Old Madam find a door-to-door relative for Sixth Miss? Maybe Old Madam..."

  Jinxiu didn't say a word, Ronghua had already sighed, "That's because Fourth Aunt is in front." Besides, this matter was pressing, if they had to send one person away, how could the old lady bear to abandon others to protect her.

  Mugwort looked at Eighth Miss, "Now that you mention it, is there no other way?"

  No matter who her family wants to marry her off to, she has no right to express her own wishes now, and others can't be relied on. Rong Hua let Mu Jin come in to serve and wash, then lay down on the bed herself.

  Ronghua looked at Jinxiu and Mugen in front of the bed, "You two go down first, let me think again." He also instructed Mugen, "Don't mention it to Second Master for now."

  This was probably the biggest hurdle she faced after becoming Miss Eighth, Rong Hua lay quietly for a while, her mind in a mess without any direction, and fell into a daze, suddenly waking up with a start, vaguely remembering something. Since that person could do such coercive things, he must have had ulterior motives, wanting to form an alliance with the Tao family, he would certainly look for someone reliable, otherwise why would he give up?

  Thinking of this, Rong Hua propped up half her body and loudly called for Jinxiu and Mugen to come into the house.

  Jinxiu and Mugen were both awake due to tonight's events, and upon hearing Ronghua's voice, they hastily got up, put on their clothes and shoes, and walked over.

  Ronghua looked at Jinxiu and said: "The clothes made of jade for me? Bring them to me tomorrow to wear."

  Jinxiu was taken aback for a moment, "Where did Feicui make clothes for Miss before?"

  Mugwort suddenly remembered, "How could Feicui possibly make clothes for the young lady? Last time I indeed saw her making a jacket, but it was for Second Miss."

  Ronghua smiled slightly, "You're the ones who are confused. Feicui has been in my room recently and just went to Second Miss's place. How could the clothes she made be Second Miss's?" After finishing speaking, she lay down on the bed, "Tomorrow morning go ask Feicui to come over, don't forget to thank her for me." She paused and pointed at the small garment on her body, "The flowers on this aren't embroidered by Feicui? It's only been worn twice and it's already ruined. Your needlework isn't good enough to mend it. Tomorrow tell Second Sister to lend Feicui to me for half a day."

  Jinxiu vaguely guessed the meaning of this, but Mugen was still confused. However, seeing Miss Ba's expression, she might have already thought of a solution, and her heart suddenly felt a bit more at ease.

  Ronghua added a few more words and then the three of them went back to sleep.

  ……

  Mrs. Xue returned from the palace, and the Xue family gathered together for dinner. At the dinner table, they heard Mrs. Xue talk about things in the palace, nothing more than that all the princesses were safe and sound, and the Empress Dowager still missed them.

  Everyone who heard this remark couldn't help but thank him, with smiles on their faces that were all the same, yet in their hearts they were a riot of colors.

  Everyone knows that during this period of time, something big will definitely happen in the Xue family.

  Finally, the old lady kept the wives of Da Fang, Er Fang, San Fang and Si Fang to talk, except for those young masters and ladies who didn't understand the world, the rest of them understood that the marriage of the marquis should be officially put on the agenda. Who knows which family's miss will become the future marquise?

  The old lady and the four daughters-in-law sat in the house, plus each person's personal maid and the maid serving tea, already a full house of people.

  Mrs. Xue and the third Mrs. Xue were not talkative, so they just listened to the second and fourth Mrs. Xue chatting. The second Mrs. Xue said that the tea in her room was not as good as the one in the old lady's room. The fourth Mrs. Xue teased her, "It's because you spent all your money on decorations, using such good silk for curtains, I wouldn't be willing to part with it if I were you. Your room has soft screens and green silk, if I didn't go there, I wouldn't know what a warm and cozy place was like."

  The four ladies' faces turned red after hearing these words.

  The old lady said: "There is only one shameless person in this house, and that is you."

  The second lady raised an eyebrow and shot a flying glance at the fourth lady, smiling and saying, "How dare someone do it, I don't even dare say?"

  Third Sister-in-law also smiled and sipped her tea, while Mrs. Xue just sat on the side drinking tea.

  Mrs. Xue said: "I'm looking for you to talk about something serious."

  Everyone finally quieted down and listened.

  Mrs. Xue thought for a moment, "I remember you all said that each of your houses needs some repairs, but I didn't agree to it before because I thought it was too much trouble for such small things. Now... go back and discuss carefully, report the places that need repair, I'll find someone to take care of it, and the silver will come from me."

  Several people's faces showed joy. But why did they think it wasn't worth it before, and now they have to come and fix it? Of course, there must be a big event to be held in the mansion.

  Madam Xue and Second Madam both felt a spark of understanding in their hearts.

  Madam Xue said, "Mingrui's study is too far away, it's not convenient. Let someone tidy up his courtyard and build a few more rooms on the west side. Choose a slightly larger one as a study. The expenses will also be borne by me."

  Mrs. Xue's face was slightly awkward, "How can this be good!"

  Mrs. Xue laughed and said, "What's the big deal? I have many of these at home, which you all often use to show your filial piety. Now that we need them at home, it's just right to take them out." As she spoke, she looked at Mrs. Xue again, "There are some things you can't handle on your own, so let them help you. If you don't need their help, they'll come and tell me..." By the end of her words, she was laughing too.

  The second lady, third lady and fourth lady all said: "How dare you?" The second lady also said: "Elder sister has something to do with it, just let us know."

  A few people chatted for a while, and then Old Mrs. Xue kept only Mrs. Xue behind, waiting until everyone had walked far away before bringing up the main topic, "You had something to tell me earlier, was it about Mingrui's marriage?"

  Mrs. Xue nodded.

  Mrs. Xue hesitated for a moment and then asked: "Don't you already have someone in mind?"

  Mrs. Xue looked at Old Mrs. Xue's expression, she had previously mentioned Rui'er's marriage to Old Mrs. Xue, who had said that as long as the two families were of equal social status, it would be fine. Although the Tao family was not considered lowly, Eighth Miss Tao was after all a concubine-born daughter. Mrs. Xue asked: "Mother, what do you think of Eighth Miss Tao from the Tao family?"

  Mrs. Xue glanced at Mrs. Xue and said without surprise, "A young lady born out of wedlock is never a pleasant thing to talk about."

  Mrs. Xue said: "The daughter-in-law is also a good child who knows books and etiquette."

  Mrs. Xue also thought for a moment, the eighth Miss Tao was knowledgeable and courteous, looking very honest and proper, and had no background in her maiden home. This time entering the palace, the Empress Dowager mentioned that the Imperial Noble Consort's family brought a painting, the woman in the painting looked somewhat like Princess Honghua, let her take a look. For several years she had been suffering from some incurable illnesses, never entered the palace, after Cai was conferred as Princess Honghua and quickly married far away, Mrs. Xue also didn't get to see her, but heard that this Princess Honghua had a very good reputation in the inner palace.

  The palace maid slowly unfolded the painting, and upon seeing the person in it, she couldn't help but be extremely surprised. The person in the painting was actually Miss Tao's eighth daughter. Old Lady Xue naturally brought up her intention to choose a suitable marriage for Rui'er from among several talented young women...

  At this point, Huang Guifei also looked at her with intention.

  The situation is becoming more and more obvious, now even the Empress Dowager has taken a stand on the side of the Imperial Noble Consort.

  When to express one's attitude, how to express it, and how to leave room for oneself.

  "Now that you've seen her, be careful about it. Doesn't Miss Tao Ba have several sisters? With the order of seniority, this matter still needs to be carefully discussed with the Tao family."

  Mrs. Cai smiled and said: "Yes." Then she discussed with Mrs. Tai who should be in charge of guarding the mountain.

  It depends on whether Rong Hua can pass the first test himself.

  Hehe.

  Going back to my husband's hometown tomorrow.

  A person is on a journey.

  But it will be updated as usual.