Chapter 108: Not Like Before (Part 2)

  Madam Xue heard this and couldn't sit still, she suddenly stood up, her eyes wide open, and hastily asked the maid, "What's wrong with Rongge?"

  The maid said: "I don't know, just now San Ye's room's Man Er came over, I went out for a while, when I came back Man Er was gone, I went to see the young master, the young master's body is scalded and frightening, no matter how I call him, he can't wake up."

  Mrs. Xue heard this and said, "This is unbearable."

  Xue Qian's face also changed.

  Mrs. Xue said: "Go and take a look." She led the people in the house into Mrs. Xue's room.

  Mrs. Xue walked ahead, and Mrs. Xue Qian hurried to support her. Mrs. Xue, the third lady, and the fourth lady all followed. Ronghua noticed that the second lady's expression was different, and the maid who had just come to report was also waiting with her head down in the original place. She thought for a moment and walked ahead with Xue Mingrui.

  Everyone had walked a certain distance before the maid finally reached the side of the second lady.

  "Second wife asked, 'How is it?'"

  This maid is a real one in the house of Madame Xue Qian, always serving at Rong's side. At this moment, she had already turned pale, her hands tightly clenched and slightly trembling, stepping forward to reply: "The slave only went out for a while, don't know how such a thing happened."

  "Where's Man'er?" asked Mrs. Xue again.

  "I really don't know where he went."

  Mrs. Xue nodded slightly and a smile appeared on her face.

  Madam Xue rushed into the house and hurried to Rong's bedside, stretching out her hand to feel his temperature. She couldn't help but worry, "Has a doctor been called? How could he have become so ill in just a few days?"

  Qian hastily said: "It was thought that it would be just a few days of discomfort and then it would be fine, but who knew this illness would suddenly worsen."

  Mrs. Xue saw that Run's face was burning red and her heart couldn't help but feel a little worried, "I think you're just pretending to be busy because you think I'm old and useless."

  Qian's family heard this and panicked, afraid of being blamed by the old lady, hurriedly explained, "Really not, the old lady is wrong to blame me." As she spoke, tears flowed down.

  Third Madame looked at Qian Shi's appearance and immediately curled up her lips, with a face full of disdain. Seeing Rong Hua by her side, she turned her head and smiled deeply at Rong Hua.

  Ronghua stood by silently, the maid who came in just now to report mentioned a person named Man'er, she remembered clearly that last time at the Xue family banquet, she accidentally overheard Mrs. Xue and Mr. Xue's conversation, Mr. Xue mentioned a maid named Man'er, and his tone was particularly attentive, saying that he wanted to promote Man'er as a concubine.

  Madam Xue had promised her son that he could marry Man'er after he married his official wife.

  The rules of the Xue family are clear: it's not possible to take a concubine before marrying a proper wife. What Mrs. Xue said at the time was reasonable, but what that maid just said is: Just now, Man'er from Third Master's room came over, and I went out for a while. When I came back, Man'er was gone.

  Hurriedly reporting back to Young Master's affairs, it turned out that Man Er had taken up a large part of the story.

  Ronghua looked at Runge on the bed, she wasn't standing in the front row, but not far away either. Looking closely, there seemed to be a few small blisters on Runge's red face. In this room full of people, the men didn't pay attention to these trivial matters, the women had their own thoughts, and the old lady was old with poor eyesight.

  Mrs. Xue was so anxious that she only called out Rong's name, while the others were also in a state of panic. Qian Shi cried on the side, making Mrs. Xue even more anxious, and scolded her, "What are you crying about? Why don't you go see why the doctor hasn't arrived yet?"

  Qian was scolded and stunned, feeling wronged, she clenched her fists and stomped her feet, choking back sobs, and hastily went to make arrangements.

  Rong Hua gently tugged at Xue Mingrui's sleeve, and Xue Mingrui looked down to see her whispering: "I had acne when I was young, Master Hou, look if Run Ge has broken out in acne."

  Although Ronghua's expression was hesitant, her bright eyes had a few points of confidence.

  Xue Mingrui took a few steps forward and looked clearly, then said something to the old lady.

  The old lady finally calmed down, looked carefully, and it seemed that there were a few newly raised blisters on Rong Ge's face. She squinted her eyes, and then it seemed like nothing was wrong. She furrowed her brow, turned around hastily, and searched around, spotting Yonghua. She beckoned to her, "Second daughter-in-law, come over here."

  Ronghua finally walked over to Run's bedside.

  The old lady said: "Second grandson's wife, help me see if there are pimples on Run Ge's face."

  Rong Hua nodded and looked over, she hadn't misseen the acne on Run Ge's face earlier. She stretched out her hand to touch Run Ge's forehead, which wasn't particularly hot, so it was clear that the maid had exaggerated earlier.

  Besides, the child is still young, only three or four years old. He's not feeling well to begin with, and Old Lady called out very softly, so it's normal that he didn't want to open his eyes.

  "Please don't worry, madam," Ronghua comforted the old lady. "We'll know soon enough when the doctor arrives."

  The old lady saw Ronghua's appearance and her heart relaxed a few points unintentionally.

  Smallpox is a warm disease, not as severe as smallpox, and the fever will not be as severe as smallpox. Rong Ge has only had a slight fever on his body in the past few days, and he has not become seriously ill, so it is more likely to be chickenpox.

  The old lady was helped to sit on the edge of the bed, looked at the crowd standing below and said, "You all go to the outer room! Don't surround here." She looked at Rong Hua, "You accompany Rui'er to go down too, Rui'er didn't have acne when she was a child."

  The old ant hand-picked the first chapter of the hand-picked lady, who was worried that it would be transmitted to Xue Mingrui. Acne is not only for children, anyone who has not had it before may also be infected.

  Ronghua nodded and walked out with Xue Mingrui.

  The old lady's appearance seemed to have gained some confidence, and the atmosphere was no longer so tense. The doctor hastily entered the house, the men all went outside to talk, and the women waited for news in the side room.

  Xue's second wife accompanied the old lady in the warm pavilion, and everyone's behavior became slightly different from what it had been just before.

  Third Aunt said a few words to Ronghua and Xue's wife, then took the opportunity to walk forward with a warm smile, slowly walking to Ronghua's side, "Second sister-in-law, let's go outside for some fresh air."

  Third Madame smiled repeatedly, and Lady Xue couldn't refuse, so she just glanced at Mrs. Xue, who didn't have any particular expression on her face, and then followed Third Madame outside.

  The sky had darkened, and the lights outside had been lit, making everything look very beautiful. The two of them chatted for a while, and Third Madame laughed and joked in front of Ronghua without any reserve, gradually becoming more and more familiar with him. Her gaze also became somewhat unusual, as if hinting at something. "I think you're a straightforward child, and it's rare to find someone as kind as you. However, there are some things that require careful consideration, or else you might suffer losses in the future."

  She's talking about how she just showed concern for Rong Ge earlier! Xue Er Tai Tai obviously knows Rong Ge's true condition, but is deliberately putting on an act, and everyone around her is playing along, watching as the old lady gets anxious.

  Although this might be Mrs. Xue's usual tactics, the crowd's reaction also revealed a hint of indifference.

  The third wife smiled and said: "Now there are many people making trouble, this is also why I didn't have the opportunity, if I had the opportunity..." She stopped here on purpose. Anyone could hear the implication in her words.

  Ronghua looked at Third Madam again, but Third Madam had changed back to her gentle face, as if the person who just said those words was not her.

  Third Madame pulled up Rong Hua's hand, "You, I really like you more and more."

  On the one hand, speaking ill of Mrs. Two, on the other hand, showing her kindness, and even with a hint of incitement.

  "You're also very lucky, with a long house and a long daughter-in-law." The underlying meaning is that in the future, this family will all be yours, and if you have the opportunity to strike at the second house that is currently proud, don't hesitate. Third Aunt smiled slightly, but it's unclear whether this second aunt-in-law understood or not.

  The Third Lady and Ronghua returned to the house, and after a while, Langzhong came out with the prescription.

  The Second Master Xue Chongyi personally escorted Lang Zhong out of the mansion.

  The old lady and the second mistress also came out of the warm pavilion. Mrs. Xue went forward to ask, "What did the doctor say?"

  Mrs. Xue said: "It's smallpox, it's good that the rash has already come out, and in a few more days, she'll be fine."

  "Mrs. Xue smiled and said: 'As long as nothing's wrong, it's all good.'"

  Mrs. Xue looked at Ronghua with a gentle gaze in her eyes.

  Mrs. Xue paused for a moment before instructing, "Those who have never had smallpox should avoid it. The maids in the house must also be carefully questioned." She then ordered Qian Shi to set up an altar for the Smallpox God and personally selected two maids to take care of Run Ge.

  Everything was handed over in detail, except for that careless and lazy maid, Man Er.

  Under the gaze of San Tai Tai's eager anticipation, Rong Hua smiled slightly.

  After dinner, everyone returned to their rooms. Xue Mingrui went to the study as usual, while Honghua put away his cloak and thought about making another one for him. Just as she was about to call in Red Jade to discuss the style, Mu Jin approached her, wanting to speak but hesitating.

  Rong Hua turned her head to look at Mu Jin, asking softly, "What's wrong?"

  "Madam, I encountered something today and I don't know how to tell you about it."

  Mugun had always been bold, and she never hid anything from her. What was going on this time? She led Mugun into the warm pavilion behind the bedroom. "What's wrong that you can't say?"

  Muxi said, "As it happens, today is the Insect King Festival. I was just thinking of asking one of the maid servants in the mansion to find out what preparations the Xue family usually makes for this festival. Luckily, I ran into Lianrong, and she took me to see the courtyard where they dry books. Since I had never been to the Xue mansion with Miss before, Lianrong took me on a tour around the place. Who knew that halfway through, Lianrong needed to use the restroom, so I waited for her in the courtyard? Suddenly, I saw two old women dragging a maid servant into the small courtyard at the back."

  Rong Hua was startled in her heart, "Did those people see you?"

  Mu Ge said: "I saw these who dare to speak out, later the old woman came out to check around, I hid behind the fake mountain."

  Mugun said, looking at Ronghua with a tense expression, "I don't know which house's maid was tied up."

  Getting rid of a maid is nothing unusual, especially in a place like the Xue manor. No matter which maid overstepped her bounds, she would end up with this result. "What time was it?"

  "Probably around 5 pm (before Madame returned)."

  Rong Hua's face turned stern, and he ordered Mu Jin to bring in Chun Yao and the others.

  Apart from Jinxiu going to the study to attend to things, everyone else went to the warm pavilion.

  "Now, although it's more comfortable than when we were at home, you must remember your duties and not be careless. The rules of the Xue family are not to be taken lightly, and I will have to ask Mother to come and explain them to you again in detail. You must remember clearly."

  Seeing Rong Hua's serious expression, Chun Yao and others quickly nodded.

  After Chun Yao and others left, Rong Hua called Mu Jin over, "Who was the lotus cream you mentioned earlier? Which room is she serving in?"

  Mu Ge said, "If it were someone else, I would not have followed her around. This Lin Rong is the niece of Cui's family and was sold to Xue's house by Cui's brother."

  Ronghua was taken aback, it turned out to be this Lianrong, she had only heard that the niece of Cui's family was in Xue's house after getting married, and hadn't even had time to ask...

  Logically speaking, this Lotus should be someone she can trust, but in the current situation, Ronghua's heart suddenly became suspicious, wondering if this Lotus was trustworthy or not.

  Third Madame had just said so many meaningful words to her, letting her look for an opportunity to slowly turn the current situation around. The maid in her house saw this scene.

  "For now, don't mention anything about our household to Lian Rong."

  Mu Ge nodded, "Madam didn't bring Lian Rong over, and I don't dare to say what's going on in the house. However, Lian Rong was testing me, I'm not sure if Madam meant for her to come in."

  Ronghua thought for a moment, "Where is Linrong working now?"

  "In the kitchen."

  Not in Mrs. Sann's house.

  Rong Hua had just finished speaking with Mu Jin when they heard a maid outside say, "The young master has returned."

  Ronghua was slightly surprised, wondering why Xue Mingrui had returned so quickly after going to the study. She hastily welcomed him back and the maids in the house immediately brought tea over. Ronghua went to help Xue Mingrui change his clothes. "Young Master, do you want to rest now or a little later?"

  Xue Mingrui took a book and set up a small study in the house, it's unclear whether he wanted to read inside.

  "I want to read on the kang for a while."

  Rong Hua nodded and helped Xue Mingrui onto the kang, then brought over a backrest and pillow for Xue Mingrui to lean against.

  Xue Mingrui picked up the book to read, Rong Hua took scissors to cut lantern flowers, and quietly snipped at Xue Mingrui's eyes while cutting the lantern flowers.

  Xue Mingrui was drunk when he came back, and she could smell the wine on him as soon as he returned to Xue's residence. Earlier, when serving him change his clothes, her nose still caught a whiff of the faint scent of wine. His dark, transparent eyes seemed to have been dazzled by the red canopy in the room, and inside, there was actually a hint of shyness.

  He may be feeling tired and came back home to read a book.

  Ronghua put down the scissors, quietly retreated and went out to the outer room, picked up her own "Tianguo Kaiwu" to read, after reading a few pages she felt thirsty and picked up the tea to drink. Suddenly thinking that Xue Mingrui might also want to drink water, she personally poured a cup of tea and took it in.

  Xue Mingrui leaned against the headrest and closed his eyes, as if he had fallen asleep.

  Rong Hua carefully placed the tea on the table, looking at Xue Mingrui and wondering whether to wake him up to rest properly or let him sleep for a while. After some thought, she took off her shoes and got onto the kang, taking out a quilt from the kang cabinet and slowly covering Xue Mingrui with it.

  Ronghua was about to leave with a good blanket when his wrist was suddenly grasped by someone.

  What will happen next?