Chapter Thirty-One: Calm

  Tōsho-in East Wing

  For the ordinary maidservants of the Hou Mansion, today's events were undoubtedly a mix of great joy and sorrow. The joy was that Second Master Chen Jiu had finally been released, while the sorrow was that the title of Duke of Yangning had actually been stripped away! However, compared to the worst possible outcome of having their household confiscated and sold off, the current situation wasn't the most terrible after all. Yet, despite this, every single person was still listless and lacking in energy when doing things, even the usually haughty maidservants from the Lianxiang Institute were no exception, each with their heads hung low, and even their speech and responses were weak and spiritless.

  After Zheng's mother saw the doctor off, she went out. Yu Rong took Xiaoyu to decoct medicine, while Lü Hua went to Cuiliu House in Sanfang to visit Xu Furen who was still ill due to Zhu Shi's instructions when she was awake. The other two first-class maids were worried about the situation at home and were busy monitoring everywhere, leaving only a few small ones in the main room. Chen Lan sat on the edge of Zhu Shi's bed, seeing her pale face and closed eyes lying there, gently lifted the corner of the quilt.

  "Third Miss, the medicine is ready."

  When Chen Lan heard the sound coming from behind, she turned around to see Yu Ruo holding a small lacquered tea tray and got up to take the medicine bowl from her, placing it on another small table beside the bed. She then bent down and softly called out twice. Seeing Zhu Shi slowly open her eyes, she helped her sit up. Yu Ruo quickly fetched a pillow to support Zhu Shi's back, but just as she was about to wrap a large handkerchief around her chest, she was suddenly pushed away with great force.

  Seeing this, Chen Lan's heart moved slightly. Without saying much, she gently stirred the medicinal soup with a spoon and handed it over to her. She said without lifting her head, "The doctor just said that Old Lady's body is fine, although there are some minor issues, but nothing serious. Just don't get angry in the future. This nourishing soup is neither hot nor cold, just right. Please drink it."

  Ms. Zhu, at her age, was most afraid of illness. Hearing Chen Lan's words, even though she knew it was just comforting herself, she still managed to calm down a bit and insisted on taking the bowl from him, finishing the entire bowl of medicine in one gulp. She waved her hand to decline the box of honeyed fruit that Yu Xiang brought over, then nodded at Chen Lan and said: "Good child, lucky you stayed behind, otherwise this household would be in disarray."

  "This is what the old lady said, let alone Zheng Mama, even if it were just Green Orchid and Jade Sis, they would be able to manage things here in an orderly fashion. It's just that everyone was caught off guard by the sudden news and didn't know what to do with themselves. I thought about going back but it wouldn't have been a problem, besides, we rested for a while at the Temple of Protecting the Country today, so naturally I'm feeling spirited enough to serve here."

  Zhu thought of the incident at Huguo Temple and quickly asked, when she learned that Chen Lan had a headache and was resting in the temple without seeing King Jin, her face showed a hint of disappointment. But when she heard that Weiguo Gong's son Luo Xuan and the commander of the Brocade Guard Yang Jinchou were also traveling with King Jin, she nodded again.

  "It's best if outsiders don't see us, men and women should be separate, so people won't say that the Chen family is without rules..."

  Chen Lan smiled and said again about the incident where Wei Guo Gong's son Luo Xuan sent gifts and then came to intercept them, and immediately took out that fan. Zhu Shi unfolded it to take a look, and then said thoughtfully: "I knew he was making trouble, but I didn't expect him to be like this even outside... A good son of the Wei Guo Gong family, going around imitating book paintings, can't find anything else to do? However, since he has spoken, when he invites you another day, you will go and that's it. After all, the Wei Guo Gong is now the commander-in-chief of the Central Military Command."

  Although it was said so, Chen Lan saw that Zhu's two hands were tightly clasped together outside the quilt, and knew that her mood must not be as calm as the surface. Therefore, she seemed to have missed the point and advised a few more words, until Zhu showed signs of fatigue, only then did she retreat. When leaving the house, it was Lü Yu who personally came to see her off.

  "Fortunately, Third Miss is here today. Otherwise, once Zheng Mama leaves, it would be difficult for us to manage the household." Lü'e was a servant born and raised in the manor, and now that she had reached marriageable age, she encountered this situation, which made her anxious. "Old Madame's mood has been fluctuating greatly these past few days. Although the imperial physician said it's nothing serious, he did mention that at her advanced age, she needs to take care of herself at all times."

  "Just remember this, Green Orchid sister, and mention it to Zheng Mama at most. Don't bring it up in front of the old lady. Besides, our Hou Mansion has gone through so many years, what big storms haven't we seen? Although this sudden change is unexpected, as long as everyone works together with one heart, it's not necessarily a major obstacle. Please advise her more, I'll come see the old lady after dinner."

  Lu Yu hastily responded and saw Chen Lan off with Hong Luo at the entrance of the hall. As soon as she turned around, she saw Lan Xin peeking out from behind her back. She had never liked Lan Xin's sly ways, and now she was too lazy to bother with her, so she walked straight down the steps into the house. But before she could take a few steps, someone caught up with her.

  "Green Bud sister!" Orchid Heart hastily caught up with Green Bud, and only then did she glance outside to say, "Hong Luo has been gone for a long time at Third Miss's place. Normally, she wouldn't even come back to pay her respects to Old Madam. In the past, she would always say that she only had Old Madam in her heart, but now that she's following a new master, she's completely forgotten about Old Madam's face - truly heartless."

  Lu Yu's mind was preoccupied with the news of Er Lao Ye being stripped of his title, and when she heard Lan Xin bringing up her past grievances with Hong Luo at this time, she suddenly became furious and shot back without turning around: "It's not about having a conscience or not in normal times, it's about critical moments! You'd better stop trying to curry favor with Old Lady all day and focus on your own affairs!"

  Lan Xin was taken aback by the words, and saw that Lü'e had already gone into the house after rolling up the curtains. She stomped her feet in frustration, but then suddenly remembered what had happened before and felt a chill run down her spine again. Born into poverty, she was also the third child in her family, and never got to enjoy any luxuries until she entered the Hou Mansion and experienced good days for the first time. If the Hou Mansion really fell, wouldn't she have to sink back to her previous miserable state?

  She stood there stupidly, a good handkerchief had been twisted into rags.

  After passing the west corner gate of the alley, the scene of people constantly entering and exiting through the walls disappeared, and the surroundings became much quieter. Hong Luo took two steps forward in a timely manner, only half a step behind Chen Lan. Despite her usual cautious nature, she had experienced so much today that she was still somewhat overwhelmed. Even if she didn't worry about the Hou Mansion, she had to worry about her own and Chen Lan's future. Therefore, after suppressing herself repeatedly, she couldn't help but ask a question.

  "What shall we do now, miss?"

  "What to do?" Chen Lan stopped for a moment, then continued walking steadily forward, saying slowly and calmly, "Do what we did those few days before, don't forget the words I instructed at the Huguo Temple, when going to the Lianxiang Institute with me, chat more with Lu'e and the others, pull Zheng Mama's sleeves for a couple of sentences, and stay close to Old Lady for a while."

  "But... but it's not the time to think about that now..."

  "What shouldn't be considered first?" Chen Lan turned his head to look at Hong Luo, seeing that her face was full of anxiety and worry. He thought to himself that no matter how mature she seemed, after all, she was just a 13 or 14-year-old girl, an age that would be considered most innocent in later generations. So he turned his head back and said, "You also heard it today, Second Uncle's title is being revoked, but revoking the title is different from destroying the imperial edict. If the imperial edict is destroyed, then there will be no chance for a comeback. As long as the imperial edict is not destroyed, there will always be opportunities. Besides, Second Uncle has already been released."

  As she spoke, she had no time to consider whether Hongluo understood or not. She was just guessing that the Supreme Emperor's reluctance to establish a crown prince was undoubtedly unwilling to create a second-in-command, and although King Jin seemed to have been subdued, there were still two powerful families behind him: the Korean Public House and the Yangning Marquis House. Although they had already been loyal servants for many years and no longer enjoyed their former glory, they still had old roots in the military. Now that the Emperor had promoted a rising star, Weiguo Gong, and brought out a new king of Lu, he could sit back and watch the battle unfold. As for her second uncle, Chen Jiu, who was imprisoned for only three days before being released, only to lose his title again, he was undoubtedly a sacrifice to scare the tiger.

  No matter whether this guess is correct or not, she has to calm down. She doesn't have any strong backing to rely on, and can only depend on herself!

  The title of Marquis Yangning will probably be returned, but it's unknown when. After suffering such a loss, I hope the old lady can truly understand. She doesn't expect this grandmother to really get close to her, but hopes she can reduce her calculations by a few points. Apart from that, she needs to keep an eye on Chen Yan, at least bring in those few family members' sons and give him some of his own backing.

  Back in the Jinxiu Pavilion, she sat down on the warm kang, feeling exhausted and not wanting to get up again. Rui Xue, who had stayed behind at home, was busy brewing tea and recounting what had happened that morning in the Shuijing Hall when they were dealing with household chores. Without her, Chen Hu and Chen Quan, the two sisters, each took charge of their own tasks, managing their own affairs separately. Compared to Chen Hu's struggles, Chen Quan's mother was very capable, handling several matters efficiently and effectively.

  Kui De Rui Xue had a good memory, and she recounted everything in detail without missing a single point. When Chen Lan heard that she had been standing there like a mute for the entire morning, he couldn't help but praise her with two sentences. Rui Xue immediately showed a face full of joy.

  It wasn't until dinner time that Qin Fang and Yun'er, who had been nowhere to be seen all day, finally returned one after the other. Qin Fang brought back news that Old Master Hou had indeed acknowledged a relative in Gansu during his lifetime, but they hadn't been in contact for many years. There had been rumors of a marriage arrangement, but it was unclear which young lady was involved. Yun'er, on the other hand, looked dejected and said that the gates of Cuiliu Residence were heavily guarded, and she hadn't been able to see Jikui at all. However, after making a detour to the second gate, she had obtained another piece of information.

  Today, Luo Niang went out to the Wei Guo Gong Fu and returned before noon. When she got off the car in front of the second gate, her face was iron-green. She, who had always been gentle with people, suddenly lost her temper because the car was not parked well, and immediately forbade anyone from entering or leaving the Cui Liu Ju!

  P.S. I recently found that many famous authors have launched new books, and I'm very interested in taking a look at them one by one. Now, let me recommend some good books that I'm currently following.

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