Chapter 109: Turbulence Rises Again (Part 1)

  Rong Hua's heart skipped a beat as she lifted her head and saw Xue Mingrui's clear eyes.

  He hadn't fallen asleep after all.

  Rong Hua bit her lip, "Lord Hou is tired, so let's get some rest early. I'll go and have the maid come in to serve and help with washing up."

  She lowered her head, furrowed her brow, and her eyes showed a few hints of shyness and panic. Her bright red lips pursed slightly, as if trying to conceal her emotions, but instead revealed a hint of softness.

  Xue Mingrui shifted his gaze, "Your younger brother Hong Ge and you have a good relationship."

  Ronghua was taken aback, not expecting Xue Mingrui to mention Hongge. The previous tense and awkward emotions suddenly dissipated, and with Xue Mingrui's slender fingers gently releasing her hand.

  Rong Hua felt even more relieved in her heart.

  "My family doesn't know this, but actually, I and Hong Ge," Rong Hua looked up at Xue Mingrui, "he really treats me like a sister."

  Xue Mingrui thought of the expressions on the faces of the Tao family members when she returned home today, and it was clear that they did not put this married-out daughter in their hearts. Everything was for the benefit of the family first, everything was a pawn being manipulated, marriage, career, even socializing with what kind of people, all were designed by others in advance, must follow this path, otherwise would be abandoned.

  Xue Mingrui couldn't help but think of things from before.

  Ronghua looked back and felt that Xue Mingrui's expression became more and more profound.

  It wasn't until quite a while later that Xue Mingrui spoke up: "I heard that Hong Ge has entered the Left Wing Sect Academy."

  Rong Hua nodded, "It's thanks to the help of the Yi Cheng Hou Fu."

  Xue Mingrui said: "You have seen Seventh Brother, and it turns out that Seventh Brother is also studying at the Left Wing Zongxue Academy."

  Ronghua thought of Qiye's straightforwardness and casualness, which was somewhat similar to Hongge's. If there was an opportunity to bring the two together, they might even become close.

  "Left-wing theology doesn't necessarily learn anything."

  Rong Hua looked up in surprise, "Isn't Zuoyi Zongxue the best school?"

  Xue Mingrui got up from the kang, Honghua hurriedly followed to serve him, and also called the maid to come in and attend to his grooming. Finally, he lay down on the bed, and Honghua thought that Xue Mingrui would not continue with that topic.

  "I was also studying at a left-wing theological seminary before, but it didn't satisfy my doctoral pursuits."

  Rong Hua looked at Xue Mingrui's relaxed eyebrows, extremely surprised. "I previously heard Madame Tai say that the young master had a photographic memory when he was younger, how could it be..."

  "It's not that having a good memory means you can accomplish anything. The PhDs in the left-wing faction are all old and set in their ways, they can't stand new things, and when they talk about something it's dry and tasteless, without any meaning." Xue Mingrui paused for a moment before continuing: "I was invited by my father to be a western-style teacher, and afterwards I went into the military."

  The sons of nobles and aristocrats were not allowed to take imperial examinations, they could only join the army as soldiers.

  Rong Hua hesitantly said: "Young Master Hou's meaning is to let Seventh Young Master also..."

  Xue Mingrui said lightly: "It depends on what Old Seventh himself wants."

  Ronghua lay down but couldn't fall asleep, Hongge had mentioned to her more than once that the left-wing sect was meaningless, if she wasn't always by his side supervising, Hongge might have given up early on, and he might not even have passed the previous small exam.

  Rong Hua hesitated, unsure whether to speak up or not. Xue Mingrui brought up Hong Ge first, was that the intention?

  Xue Mingrui blew out the lamp, and the room fell dark. Rong Hua then said: "If Master Hou really wants to invite a Western teacher for Seventh Brother, could... Hongge and Seventh Brother be roughly the same age."

  In the darkness, Xue Mingrui's expression couldn't be seen clearly, and Rong Hua felt a little nervous, it had been a long time since she tried to ask anyone for anything.

  "Let's wait for Xi Shi to come over and take a look."

  Rong Hua involuntarily floated up a faint smile, "Thank you, Marquis."

  ……

  Xing Changyuan's family returned from outside and whispered to San Taizi: "Man'er has not been found yet."

  The third madam smiled coldly, "With such a big thing happening, how could they still find the person. Has Xue Ming'ai returned?"

  Xing Changyuan's family also had a look of watching the show, "Third Master is back and didn't see Man'er, so he ran to Second Madam's room to ask for someone."

  Third Madame first had a proud and pleased smile, then became sorrowful and regretful. "Man'er is also a lovely person, she even made me a pair of shoes, clever and perceptive, with a round little face that looks auspicious. At first, I wanted to take her in to serve Mingying, but who knew she would prefer the second household. Thinking that following the second household would bring good prospects."

  Xing Changyuan's family accompanied him and smiled again: "It seems that San Ye will not give up easily."

  Third wife said: "What can't be done, today in the public eye, that Man Er did something wrong and hid, what does it have to do with Second Wife, no matter how much fuss is made, nothing will come of it."

  Xing Changyuan's heart had a few points of certainty, but he still asked Third Madam, "Why would Second Madam go to such great lengths to collect Man'er? Logically speaking, Man'er is obedient and has a very gentle temperament. In the future, when Third Master marries his first wife and raises Man'er as a concubine..."

  Third Madame smiled lightly and said, "I'm afraid it's because Second Madame was careless this time that trouble arose. You know Old Madame dislikes this the most, otherwise she wouldn't have...".

  Third Aunt's words confirmed what Xing Changyuan's family had been thinking, "Second Aunt is always hitting geese, but the goose pecked her eyes."

  Third Aunt smiled and said, "I reminded Second Brother's wife of the same thing. If Eldest Brother's wife makes an issue out of this matter, it would be a case of tit for tat revenge for past grievances. Only someone as kind-hearted as I am would do such a good deed, so Eldest Brother's wife should appreciate my kindness."

  "That's natural." As he said this, Xing Changyuan's gaze flashed, "But I see that the Marquis is not as cold to the young madam as we previously thought. Today, when the young madam returned from her natal family, she was still wearing the Marquis' cloak."

  Third Madame picked up her tea and took a sip, "It's all about self-interest, after all. The reason why Master Hou doesn't want to marry into a high-ranking family is that he's afraid of being tied down. Everyone knows the real reason why he chose Miss Tao as his legitimate wife - it's because she's a concubine's daughter and can be easily replaced if something happens in the future. If Master Hou gains the trust of those above him and has a bright future ahead, do you think he'll have trouble finding fault with her and demoting her from her position as legitimate wife? At that time, it will all be settled with just one imperial decree, and everyone will be happy."

  Xing Changyuan's family motto: "It is still Mrs. who thinks of the future."

  Third Aunt continued: "Men, in the past, have always prioritized their careers over family matters. Who would pay much attention to children's private affairs? Second Cousin-in-law had just entered the Xue household and knew many things, not to mention there was also a Jing Su previously."

  Xing Changyuan's family said: "Isn't Jing Su already dead?"

  Third Aunt glanced at Xing Changyu's house with a hint of a smile, "You rough man don't understand the intricacies here. I think the men in the main house of the Xue family are all sentimental. And then there's Jing Su..." Third Aunt deliberately sighed, recalling the Peony Pavilion, "Love knows no bounds, it goes deep at once, life and death can be exchanged. How do you know Old Lady didn't leave a trick up her sleeve?"

  ……

  Mrs. Xue lay on the warm kang, and the maids in the house withdrew one after another, leaving only Li Mama accompanying the old lady.

  The old lady opened her eyes, and the amiable expression on her face was gone. "Have you asked every house?"

  Mrs. Li nodded, "I've asked everyone. The maid in Third Master's house said that Second Mistress came to Third Master's house yesterday and said that Man'er was a careful person, and since Young Master has not been feeling well lately, she told Man'er to go help out in the main courtyard. I was afraid this might not be true, so I asked several other maids, and they all said the same thing, so it's probably correct. As for Second Mistress's side, apart from Third Master coming back and searching everywhere for Man'er, there wasn't much movement on the part of Third and Fourth Mistress's houses." She paused, "As for Eldest Mistress's house, when Young Mistress and Lord Hou came back to pay their respects, the maid in Young Mistress's room was actually wandering around the garden for half a day."

  Madam Xue slightly raised her eyebrows.

  "Should I go around and remind them?" asked Li's mother.

  The old lady said, "That's not necessary. Although I agreed to this marriage, it's not easy for her, a concubine's daughter, to marry into our family over several older sisters. I want to give her an opportunity to see how much thought she has."

  ……

  Rong Hua initially only felt a faint scent of grass at the tip of her nose, the soft blanket brushing against her face was warm and comfortable. But in the next moment, it became unfamiliar, the intimate breathing sound fell on her ear, Rong Hua felt slightly ticklish, involuntarily moving lightly twice, then opened her eyes.

  In the slightly dim light, Xue Mingrui's facial features were slightly blurred, and his clear eyes also had a few more points of haziness than usual. The coldness and indifference on his face seemed to have dissipated somewhat in the warm air.

  Her long body leaned over, fingers slowly reaching into her small clothes, the unfamiliar feeling made her heart start beating irregularly.

  Rong Hua wanted to pull back, but his lips pressed down lightly on hers, her heart tightened, and she hastily stretched out her hand to grab his arm, gradually his entire breath invaded...

  Chun Yao and Jin Xiu waited outside the door for half a day without seeing any movement inside.

  Yan Lingdao said: "No need to announce our arrival, Master Hou has never been late."

  Chun Yao glanced at Yan Ling and said, "Since we haven't been late before, where does it come from that we should go in and shout."

  The goose had some resentment but didn't dare speak again.

  Chun Yao said, "It's just the fourth watch of the night, and there is still some time before Master Hou goes to court. Let's wait a little longer, as long as we don't miss the morning court." Then he arranged for the maids to prepare the washing utensils, and when the door opened, they would go in to attend to him.

  After a while, Yung-hwa's voice came from inside the house.

  Jinxiu hastily pushed open the door and went in, listened to the instructions and immediately came out again.

  "What's wrong? Are you getting up?"

  Jinxiu's face was slightly flushed, "I want water."

  Mu Ge's face also turned red, and he hurriedly went to make arrangements.

  Rong Hua stood up first, then helped Xue Mingrui change into his official uniform. It was still the first time she saw Wu Mouhou wearing an official uniform. The buttons on the collar were fastened, making him look even more stern and rugged. In comparison, the softness he had just shown made people feel a little dizzy.

  "It's still early, go back to sleep for a while."

  Ronghua nodded and saw Xue Mingrui out. "Tomorrow is the Worm King Festival, do you want to take out the books in Master Hou's study?"

  Xue Mingrui hesitated slightly, "Just take out the books from the big study in the courtyard, don't touch the small study." The big study was adjacent to Xue Mingying's study, while the small study was built later next to the new house.

  Xue Mingrui goes to the small study every day. The maids are very careful when they go in to clean.

  After sending off Xue Mingrui, Rong Hua ordered Mu Jin to wake her up at the beginning of the hour.

  I didn't expect to sleep so soundly, and after waking up, my body still felt a bit sore and soft. Jinxiu came in to comb Ronghua's hair, "Just now, Cuier went out to wash the bedding and came back saying that everyone outside is looking for Man'er in Third Master's house."

  Rong Hua hesitated for a moment and asked: "Has anyone asked her if she has seen it?"

  Jinxiu said: "I asked, Cui'er is someone we brought from home and doesn't know Man'er at all, she said she's never seen her."

  Ronghua nodded and was about to speak.

  Mugun came in and said: "The Gao Jinyu family has arrived."

  She brought the accompanying rooms from the Tao family, except for those originally on the Zhuangzi, she had not made specific arrangements for others. According to Mrs. Dai's intention, Gao Jinrui's family and Feng Lichang's family were all going to stay in the Xue Mansion.

  Gao Jinrui's family entered the house and stood beside Ronghua with a faint smile, occasionally glancing at Jinxia and Mugui in the room.

  Ronghua said: "Mother Gao has something to say, just speak freely."

  Gao Jinrui's family laughed and said: "It's nothing, but I'm afraid it's a bit of trouble for the young lady to go outside and take a look."

  Gao Jinrui's family had openly said that she was brought in as a concubine, but actually the first wife had sent her over to "supervise" her. I don't know what she wants to talk about by coming so early.

  Ronghua glanced at Mugen, and Mugen retreated from the room.

  "Madam, the daughters-in-law you brought with you are all very skilled at hairdressing. It's not that Jinxiu's skills are bad, it's just that she hasn't seen many of these hairstyles before. Why don't you choose one of the daughters-in-law to come and specialize in dressing your hair?"

  She had thought about it, but hadn't had a chance to do it yet. Her house indeed needed an older daughter-in-law. Chunyao and Jinxia were still young after all, and didn't understand some things.

  Kan Ronghua didn't speak, and Gao Jinrui's family accompanied him with a smile: "My wife just said something nonsense." After a pause, he stepped forward quietly and asked: "Has the lady heard about the affair between Master San and Man'er?"

  Ronghua did not expect that Gao Jinrui's family would bring up this matter.

  "Servants get old and can't help but talk too much about some things, it's not easy for the mistress to have such an opportunity," she said, stepping forward and whispering a few sentences. "Although the person may be gone... but some things can't be escaped... as long as the undertaker is called over... I heard that Third Master values Manni very much, how could he let the undertaker tarnish her reputation at will and do nothing? With this commotion, everyone in the mansion knows the truth, no one can cover it up."

  Gao Jinrui's family mentioned these words, their faces didn't change color.

  It's no wonder you'd come up with such an idea, truly worthy of being by the madam's side.

  "Madam, you can't be too soft-hearted. You have to understand that the situation now is that the second house is suppressing our main house. If we don't give them a hard time, when will our main house ever turn things around?" He said with a slight smile, "Chui's family's niece, Lian Rong, has already gone to see Old Madam..."

  Haha haha haha haha. Tomorrow I'm going out la la la.

  The recent plot has been laid out, and it will become tense soon.

  As for Xue Er's problem, it will be solved slowly, everyone should have confidence.

  Is there still anyone who hasn't got their pink ticket by the end of the month?