At this moment, Xue Yuanchu's heart-wrenching howl came from the direction of Lanyue Pavilion. This sudden sound was like a sharp blade, instantly cutting off Hong Yingrong's thoughts.
She looked up at the clock in the main hall, and the hands were pointing to the time when Doctor Qi usually came to the house to change the medicine.
Every time the dressing was changed, Xue Yuanchu's howling would come as expected, disturbing the peace in the mansion.
At first, Hong Yingrong felt distressed, but as time went on, such cries became commonplace, and she was even too lazy to visit Lan Yue Pavilion anymore.
Although I can imagine the pain my son is feeling at this moment, all this pain is caused by his own fault.
And some things cannot be solved simply by caring and sympathizing.
Hong Yingrong took a deep breath and temporarily suppressed the anger in her heart. The most important thing now was to find a way to face the upcoming difficulties and protect those she cared about.
She walked out slowly from the Prajna Hall. The afternoon spring sun slanted down the corridor, penetrating the window frames covered with gauze, creating mottled light and shadows, as if in a dream.
Next to the stone steps of the flower bed outside the Prajna Hall, the child Guanyan was washing the steps barefoot. He was carrying a bucket of water and a gourd ladle, and was busy all the time.
During the time he lived in Prajna Hall, his personality became increasingly cheerful, and a naive smile that matched his age finally appeared on his face.
Hong Yingrong looked at him and kindly reminded him, "Why are you barefoot? Be careful not to catch a cold."
Hearing the old lady's words, Guan Yan quickly turned around, stepped onto the stone steps, and responded: "Old lady, everything is fine. I was afraid that my shoes would get wet when I put them on."
"Remember to dry your feet later, otherwise you will easily get sick if they come into contact with cold water." Hong Yingrong reminded again with concern.
"Yes, old lady." Guan Yan replied, carrying the wooden bucket, and this time turned to the stone bench in the pavilion.
As the sun shone sideways, Hong Yingrong inadvertently caught a glimpse of Guan Yan's face. His slender eyebrows and fair skin made her feel that he was somewhat similar to Chen Jin.
"Uh..." She let out a short sound of surprise, and her eyes involuntarily moved down to Guanyan's bare feet.
The child's feet were covered with old injuries, whether from beatings or burns, leaving many brown scars, especially a dark wound on the side of the little toe of his left foot.
But not six fingers.
Hong Yingrong subconsciously sighed in disappointment. It seemed she was overthinking it...
At this time, Aunt Zhao walked into the courtyard holding some freshly made cakes from the kitchen.
"Madam, the weather is nice today. The sun makes us feel warm. Why don't we have some tea and cakes in the corridor?" she suggested softly.
Hong Yingrong nodded slightly, sat down on the round chair placed under the corridor, and turned her gaze to the blooming flowers in the yard.
She casually pointed to a plate of exquisite snacks and said, "Give this to Guanyan."
"Yes, old lady!" Zhao Mama replied with a smile on her face, "This child is really hardworking. He wants to take on all the work in our yard."
As she spoke, she picked up the fragrant chestnut and date paste cake and walked towards Guanyan.
"Guan Yan, stop and eat some cakes first."
Seeing this, Guan Yan hurriedly wiped his hands under his clothes and carefully took the plate.
As soon as he saw that it was his favorite snack, he couldn't wait to pick up a piece and take a bite, his face full of satisfaction and happiness.
Nanny Zhao looked at him with a smile, and a wave of emotion welled up in her heart. She had been with Hong Yingrong all her life and had never married.
At this moment, she couldn't help but imagine that if she had married back then, perhaps she would now have a lovely grandson, just like Guanyan's age, lively and cute, which would make people happy.
Hong Yingrong picked up a piece of pine nut crystal cake, chewed it slowly, and said casually, "Ah Zhao, tell the kitchen to make some nourishing cakes and send them to Shuxiu and Shanqiu."
Upon hearing this, Madam Zhao immediately responded respectfully, "Madam, I have already instructed the kitchen to make bird's nest and red date cakes and white jade frost square cakes and sent them to the young lady and the fifth young lady."
She then added, "Young Madam is now living alone in Tingyu Pavilion and is busy handling daily affairs in the mansion. I have asked the kitchen to stew a bowl of red date and snow frog soup for her every day to nourish her body."
Hong Yingrong nodded in satisfaction at Zhao Ma's ability to handle affairs, but a trace of helplessness still crossed her face. "Shuxiu and Yuanchu have a knot between them now. We can only let things take their course and can't force anything."
Madam Zhao nodded in understanding. "During this period, the Young Madam has been managing the affairs of the mansion in an orderly manner, while the Second Young Master has been busy collecting new rice outside the mansion. However, it is indeed not easy to gather double the amount in such a short time."
At this point, she changed the subject, "Oh, by the way, Madam, when I passed by Xiangyun Hall just now, I heard from Madam Han that the private shops owned by the Crown Prince are in chaos. The shopkeepers and the shop assistants even came to ask for their wages. The young lady has already dealt with it."
"Old lady, do you think you need to go and take a look in person?"
Hong Yingrong shook her head slightly, her tone firm, "Since the power to manage the household expenses has been handed over to Shuxiu, she should handle it entirely. I don't need to interfere in everything; she will handle it properly."
At this moment, seven or eight shop owners of Xue Yuanchu's private shops gathered in the Xiangyun Hall, and some shop assistants were standing beside them.
In the corridor outside the hall, many people were quietly waiting to be questioned.
Ever since the news of Xue Yuanchu being confined to the Marquis' Mansion spread, problems kept arising in the shops under his name.
Some shopkeepers became greedy and absconded with the money in their accounts; some shops were already poorly run and were now left with only an empty shell. Without money to circulate, they found it difficult to even raise the money needed to purchase goods.
This chapter is not over yet, please click on the next page to continue reading!
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
