Chapter 41 Chapter 41 "I'm really awesome! I'm really awesome..."
All the guests who came here understood what was going on. Was this due to the old lady's suggestion?
Laughter rang out again in the living room.
Then it was suddenly quiet again.
After a while, someone asked, "Madam, where is the person?"
Jasmine didn't hear the old lady's voice. It's possible that the old lady spoke softly or just raised her hand.
The next moment, Jasmine felt like she was being watched.
After a while, the living room returned to its previous bustle.
The people sitting in the guest hall were all elderly ladies who got along well with the old lady. As for the young ladies and the bride, they sat down with Jasmine and the others.
There was a transparent screen between the two sides, but the conversation was clearly visible.
"You... are the Duke's concubine?" After chatting for a long time, Liang Zhuzhu always thought that the plainly dressed woman in front of her was the Duke's cousin's wife.
And there are many people who have the same misunderstanding.
Now, Jasmine became the focus of everyone's attention. Even though the eldest and fourth young wives soon helped to divert attention, the eyes of many young ladies kept glancing at Jasmine.
Jasmine was always observant, and she could immediately tell which girl was just curious about her, and which girl was not only curious, but also mocked her.
What's more, there is not only curiosity and ridicule, but also hostility!
Jasmine looked at the young lady with sharp eyes. It was the young lady from Tongpan Mansion, named Meng Rufan.
Miss Meng didn't expect so many female guests, and her aunt suddenly looked at her.
She didn't have time to hide, so she simply gave up and met Jasmine's gaze, staring at her. The provocation was self-evident.
It was Jasmine who looked away first.
"Auntie!"
Yan Pu called her from the doorway. Moli went out and said, "But Master, do you want to see me for something?"
Yan Pu asked respectfully, "Auntie, Master asked where you put his bow and arrow."
The bow and arrow the Duke mentioned was one he had brought back from his time guarding the border. He had used it for over a decade and it was his best weapon. After returning, the Duke would often practice with it.
After practicing before, Zuo Hechunli helped to collect them. Now that the main courtyard is no longer guarded, Jasmine saw it last time and helped to collect it together with Shancha.
She told Grandpa about it.
"I'm finishing up the cabinets in the east room."
"Yes, I'll get it right away."
Jasmine was afraid that he would not be able to find it, so she followed him anxiously: "Wait a minute, I will go with you."
Jasmine came back and said something to the eldest and fourth young masters' wives, then turned around and hurried out.
Everyone present felt a pang of anxiety. Why would a concubine keep the Duke's bow and arrow?
After letting Yan Pu take the bow and arrows, Jasmine decided to sit for a while before going back to the living room. She had never seen so many women in her life.
I wonder who the old lady has taken a fancy to.
"Auntie, do you think Miss Meng is the most likely, or Miss Liang?"
Jasmine: "You noticed that too?"
Shancha curled her lips. "It's obvious what the old lady did. Otherwise, why would she discuss a girl's birth date for no reason? And the conversation was all about a few girls."
Shancha said with a calculating look on her face, "I've got my eye on the Lin family lady. She seems so timid. If she becomes the Duke's wife, we'll have everything we want in this backyard. What do you think, Auntie?"
Jasmine couldn't say she wasn't interested in any of them, so she said vaguely, "As long as it's not that Miss Meng, anyone will do."
Shancha's eyes lit up: "Which one are you talking about, Yue or Fan?"
Jasmine: "That annoying guy."
Shancha: "Yes, that annoying person. I'm really fed up with her. She looks so young, but her calculating eyes are like those of an old woman..."
"Hey, what are you talking about?"
A bolt from the blue!
Jasmine Tea was talking behind people's backs and was caught by the person who did it.
Meng Rufan was followed by two maids, standing at the main courtyard gate with a righteous look on his face.
As he was speaking, someone rushed in.
Jasmine quickly stood up, greeted him with a smile, and explained, "Madam Meng misunderstood."
"What misunderstanding? My maid and I heard it. Are there any other ladies with the surname Meng among those who came? Don't tell me, it's my cousin!"
If she admitted this, it would just be like a concubine gossiping in the backyard. It wasn't a big deal, but it was unpleasant. Jasmine couldn't admit it: "Madam Meng, don't be angry. Madam Meng really misunderstood. We're not talking about you, or your cousin, but someone else."
Meng Rufan didn't believe it at all and pulled Moli's wrist. "Come on, let's go to the old lady and let her judge the matter! How can it be justified for the concubine to hide here and gossip about the guests?"
Jasmine refused to leave, so Shancha simply hugged her aunt's waist.
When Meng Rufan's two maids saw Shancha taking action, they also reached out to help their wife.
The two sides were in a stalemate for a while.
Suddenly, Meng Rufan let go of his hand.
Then he looked around, his eyes falling in surprise on the lanterns and wind chimes under the corridor.
"Isn't this the main courtyard? Why is the Duke's main courtyard arranged like this?"
Meng Rufan said this as she started walking down the hallway. Jasmine stepped forward to stop her.
"This is not a place for women to enter."
"I insist on going in." Meng Rufan glared at her coldly. "My mother and the old lady are like sisters. I came here when I was a child. Back then, this was the courtyard of the old lady and the old Duke. Now, my concubine is entering the house?"
Jasmine was horrified. She had a sharp eye and could see through it at a glance.
"Madam, you are a guest. Please feel free to do as you please." Jasmine said, moving aside.
Shancha wanted to speak, but was held back by Jasmine.
Meng Rufan proudly held his neck high and strode inside.
Jasmine followed closely behind.
"I hope my lady will be careful, this is all the Duke's hard work."
"That's not the Duke's hard work, but my aunt's hard work is more like it, right?"
Meng Rufan picked up a porcelain doll and said, "Don't tell me this belongs to the Duke."
"This really belongs to the Duke."
"Liar."
Meng Rufan put the porcelain doll back, then withdrew his hand, turned away and left, only to hear a "clang" sound in his ears.
Meng Rufan was stunned, then turned around in surprise, and saw that the porcelain doll had somehow fallen to the ground and shattered into pieces.
"I didn't do this!"
Jasmine nodded: "It's just a porcelain doll, it's okay. Madam, don't take it to heart."
Meng Rufan choked up, flicked his sleeves and walked away. Perhaps because his sleeves were too long and he accidentally caught them, or something else, the vase on his left hand fell to the ground.
This time Meng Rufan didn't say anything, so Jasmine said, "It's okay. It's just a vase. I know my wife didn't mean it."
Meng Rufan was stunned. He took two steps back and bumped into two more vases.
This time, Jasmine ran over quickly to help, but she failed to hold on and fell along with the vase.
Shan Cha hurried to help her up: "Are you okay, Auntie?"
Jasmine shook her head.
"I dropped a piece of porcelain, and this dress is so thin, how can it be okay?"
Shancha rolled up her sleeves as she spoke, and sure enough, both of her arms were covered in bloody cuts.
It's very shocking to look at.
Before Meng Rufan knew what to do, his aunt had already spoken: "I'm fine. Today is the old lady's birthday. Please don't tell anyone about this, Madam Meng."
Seeing her say this, Meng Rufan was overjoyed and quickly agreed: "Don't worry, I won't tell!"
At this moment, Mrs. Meng Er's attitude was much better.
Shancha gave her aunt some simple medicine and changed her clothes. Meng Rufan and the two maids took the initiative to clean up the house, and then the two parties returned to the living room.
Everyone in the living room had left.
Jasmine asked and learned that the gentlemen were having a target shooting competition in the front yard. The women had all gone over to watch.
Jasmine and the others naturally went to the front yard as well.
The martial arts training ground in the front yard.
At the foot of the wall stood eight targets, a row of young men with their sleeves tied up, staring intently at the targets, holding their breath and drawing their bows.
Following the shout of the servant from the Duke's Mansion: "Release!"
All the men shoot their arrows at the same time. Anyone who misses or shoots too late loses.
Those who were able to participate naturally had confidence in their skills, otherwise it would be more than just one person who would lose face. Therefore, out of the ten people in the row, all ten hit the target, and three of them hit the bull's eye.
Three rounds of competition had already been held, and including this one, a total of twelve people had hit the bull's eye.
Among them is of course the Duke.
Oh yeah, there's also Zuo He and Chun Li.
Just now, when Chunli was in the group, Shancha didn't even move her eyes. It wasn't until Chunli raised his eyebrows at her that Shancha pretended to be blind and turned her head away, facing him with only the back of her head.
Jasmine looked at Chunli's disappointed face and didn't know what to do.
But right now, she has no time to worry about other people's affairs. She has to look after her grandfather!
Her grandfather had already competed! She didn't even see it!
Fortunately, there is still a chance.
So at this moment, Jasmine stood with her eyes wide open behind the group of girls closest to the Duke, watching him show off his skills next.
"My Lord, please show mercy!"
Someone in the crowd shouted, and the Duke replied, "No problem."
Compared to other gentlemen, the Duke is too eye-catching.
Everyone was extremely serious except the Duke, who looked relaxed, walking and drawing the bow as if it were a common thing.
Everyone else had drawn their bows, but the Duke didn't raise his bow until his servant raised his hand.
Raise the bow and shoot.
Raise the bow again and shoot again.
"Ah, look, the Duke has stacked two arrows!"
When the other gentlemen heard this, they knew they would lose and wanted to follow suit, but they ended up making things worse and were left with regret.
The Duke heard someone exclaim, hesitated, and withdrew another arrow.
Each person draws the bow ten times in total. If anyone is capable, he can even shoot ten arrows at once.
At the end of the game, some people were upset that they accidentally missed the target, while others were upset that they missed the target with two arrows and one arrow.
Many men ran to the target to count.
In reality, the winner was instantly decided. By the time someone announced the score and declared the Duke the winner, he had already turned to leave.
The Duke had survived the battlefield, so why would he care about such a small gain or loss? He was just accompanying the guests for some fun.
The Duke turned around and saw his aunt. It seemed like his aunt had something to say to him?
The Duke stepped forward.
"Stubborn."
Jasmine watched as her grandfather came over with a smile on his face. Was he asking for praise?
That's right, the other girls all applauded, and if she, the concubine, didn't, it would be embarrassing for him.
Jasmine bared her teeth: "Master is so awesome!"
The Duke was startled. Then he saw his concubine dancing and jumping up and down, cheering, "My Lord is truly amazing! My Lord is the most amazing in the world!"
The Duke was afraid that she had sprained her ankle, so he extended his hand to her, and the concubine held his hand and continued to have fun.
The Duke also laughed heartily. He felt that winning this match was quite good.
For a moment, neither of them noticed, and they became the target of everyone's attention.
Some people looked surprised, some looked complicated, and some of course felt it was dazzling!
The old lady quickly sent Nanny Qian to bring the person back.
Only with Madam Qian's intervention did Jasmine realize where she was. She quickly put away her smile.
The Duke, however, was completely unconcerned. He followed Nanny Qian to see the old lady, and even asked her aunt leisurely, "Jiang'er, why did you change your clothes?"
Jasmine: "It's dirty."
The Duke nodded in understanding: "It's true that eating braised pork is easy to get it on your body."
Jasmine didn't reply.
The old lady was standing under the pavilion with the ladies who had come from afar to congratulate her on her birthday.
There is a translucent screen on the side of the pavilion facing the martial arts training ground, so people outside cannot see into the pavilion clearly, but the women inside the pavilion can have a clear view of the situation in the martial arts training ground.
There were also two tea tables inside, which were filled with a variety of fruits and snacks.
The two of them walked up to the old lady under the mixed looks of the crowd.
The old lady didn't look at Jasmine. She only smiled at the Duke and said, "You've been guarding the border for over a decade, so you've met the elders of Kyoto City at court. But I'm afraid you wouldn't even recognize the ladies before you. Mother will introduce them to you."
The Duke bowed and said, "Thank you, mother."
Hearing the call of "Mother," the old lady felt relieved all over! Her voice became even louder: "This is the wife of the Magistrate of Maozhou and his legitimate daughter."
Madam Liang and her daughter greeted the Duke of Guo.
Liang Zhuzhu then spoke: "My name is Liang Zhuzhu, and I am the second mother in the family."
"Why……"
"Be careful."
The Duke was quick-witted and quick-handed. He stepped to the right with his long legs and grabbed the concubine who was about to fall.
"It's fine."
"There are too many people here, let's go down."
"Yes." Jasmine bowed to the Duke, then to the old lady and all the ladies. "I'll take my leave."
"Wait." The old lady called her with a bad look in her eyes.
The old lady's face was cold, she didn't want to embarrass the concubine at this time, but no one here was stupid. She didn't say it just for the sake of the Duke's Mansion's face. If it got out, they would think that the Duke's Mansion didn't know how to teach the concubine!
"My aunt's clothes are very ugly. You should stay in your room. If you want to go out, remember to change into something appropriate." The old lady's words fell to the ground in a loud voice.
Meng Rufan, previously oblivious to her guilt, only now noticed her aunt's red dress. She gasped. How could a aunt dare to parade around in such a conspicuous attire?
The reason the Duke noticed that the concubine had changed clothes just now was because she was so eye-catching. After all, the concubine usually wore plain and simple clothes, and when she suddenly wore bright colors, the Duke could tell at a glance.
The aunt had been sending her snacks for many days, and their relationship was quite harmonious. Therefore, the old lady felt that she had been too lenient.
Now, if the aunt just says "yes" and leaves, everything will be fine.
But unfortunately——
The aunt fell to her knees, her carefully made-up face showing extreme fear and anxiety.
"Please forgive me, Madam. I didn't mean to dress like this. I was just... in a hurry, so I just found something to put on."
Who would believe this!
Why would a concubine like her rush to change her clothes?
Besides, if there is nothing fishy going on in your mind, why would you change your clothes?
It was just put on casually, why not just put on a sack?
The ladies and young ladies couldn't help but complain in their hearts.
Even the old lady frowned.
The Third Young Master's wife looked at the concubine in confusion, not understanding what she was going to do.
But at least the Duke still believed what the concubine said. The Duke was also surprised by the concubine's reaction.
The Duke had no idea that his concubine couldn't wear brightly colored clothes, but now he knew.
But the Duke did not think that it was a rebellious act for the concubine to wear bright clothes. He did not need her to apologize in public.
The old lady hadn't spoken yet. The Duke frowned and without a word, he stepped forward and picked the man up.
"Today is a festive day, so it's not inappropriate for Auntie to wear this."
Jasmine felt that something bad was going to happen. How could she have forgotten that this man would still get involved?
The old lady had originally wanted to say something nice to Jasmine, but she hadn't expected the Duke to get there first. Wasn't this simply a disrespect to the birthday girl?
The old lady was about to speak to establish her authority when Madam Meng beside her winked at her, suggesting that she would help her.
The Duke's marriage was decided by the old lady. The Duke would certainly listen to her. Madam Meng thought she might as well add icing on the cake and be a good person. That would also help the old lady remember her kindness.
Madam Meng stepped forward and said, "The Duke has only been back in Kyoto for half a year, so he certainly doesn't know. Wearing red or colorful ornaments is a taboo for concubines. We can't let the old lady and the Duke's Mansion lose face because of a concubine."
The old lady was simply exhausted. As the wife of a magistrate, she was not afraid to speak out in the Duke's Mansion. Did she have the nerve to do that?
Just as the old lady was about to speak, another person stood in front of her.
The old lady looked up and saw the wife of Magistrate Liang with her big breasts and plump buttocks!
Madam Liang bowed and said, "The old lady has managed this mansion for half her life. She would never have dared to make a single mistake in these decades. I hope that the Duke will not hurt the old lady's feelings."
When the third lady came out to please the old lady, the old lady could not bear it anymore.
Isn't this forcing the Duke to support her old lady and punish the concubine?
Wouldn't that mean she had offended her aunt again and created a rift with the Duke?
Without waiting for the Duke to speak, the old lady quickly said, "It's nothing serious. Auntie has always been well-behaved and sensible. She must have really encountered something today, so she ran to change her clothes. Auntie, is that right?"
Jasmine also quickly replied: "Yes, the old lady is right."
"I wonder what happened to Auntie? Why were you in such a hurry that you accidentally changed the wrong clothes?"
I don't know who in the crowd blurted out this sentence.
Jasmine's face was filled with panic, but her words were incredibly clear: "To be honest, I fell down inside the house. My clothes were torn, so I just changed them."
Excuse! Anyone who doesn’t hear this is an excuse!
Another quick-witted person said, "Why did the concubine fall down for no reason? Didn't she have a maid to serve her?"
Shancha realized she was implicated in the incident and shouted, "This has nothing to do with me! It was Madam Meng Er who wanted to throw the vase, and my aunt tried to save it, and she fell with her. My aunt really did fall. If you don't believe me, you can come and take a look. Both of her arms are injured!"
That’s right! The wound on Auntie’s hand is proof of that! Shancha thought she was really smart.
Then he rolled up his aunt's sleeves.
Except for the Duke, everyone else here was female, so Jasmine wasn't afraid of being seen. She raised her hands in agreement.
Everyone saw that the aunt's two arms were wrapped in white cloth, which was only hastily bandaged. Blood was seeping out of the white cloth, and it looked like the injury was serious.
The Duke immediately said to Yan Pu outside the pavilion, "Go and call the palace physician."
"Yes." Yan Pu took the order and turned around and ran away.
The Duke's face was gloomy as he asked his aunt, "The vase is broken, so what's the point of worrying about it?"
Jasmine felt sorry for her master. With her eyelids drooping, she said aggrievedly, "That's a vase from the main courtyard. It must be very expensive. I can't bear to part with it."
As soon as these words were spoken, everyone looked at Meng Rufan.
Meng Rufan wasn't the second child in the Meng family. It was just that, now that Madam Meng was at the Duke's Mansion with her legitimate daughter and niece, the younger legitimate daughter, Meng Rufan, naturally became known as the Second Lady Meng.
Madam Meng whispered to Meng Rufan, who looked extremely unhappy, "What are you doing in the Duke's main courtyard?"
Not to mention that they were guests, how could they enter the host's bedroom without saying hello? Moreover, the main courtyard was the bedroom of a man like the Duke.
What young lady from a good family would trespass into a man's yard?
How rude! How rude!
Originally, everyone was condemning the inappropriate clothes worn by the aunt. But now, the aunt's matter is no longer a problem.
Everyone stared at Madam Meng Er with sharp eyes.
Meng Rufan couldn't tell the truth, so he said, "I... I just happened to be passing by."
The mother and daughter spoke very softly, but everyone's ears were perked up.
Who would believe this?
Mrs. Meng didn't believe it. But now was not the time to blame her daughter. Mrs. Meng immediately said to the old lady, "Old lady, if you are surprised, it must be because Rufan wants to visit the place where she visited as a child. That's why..."
Madam Meng had spoken loudly in the backyard living room about how she had brought Second Lady Meng to the Duke's Mansion to visit the old lady when she was little. Therefore, everyone understood what she said.
"Yes or no?"
When asked by his mother, Meng Rufan nodded hurriedly, "Yes, I just wanted to take a look at the main courtyard where the old lady lived."
The old lady nodded, smiling lovingly, "Rufan was about seven years old that year. While we were talking, the little girl squatted aside and played around. She only came that one time, so it's amazing that she still remembers it."
"That's right. After we left that day, Fan'er asked me countless times, 'Mother, when will we go to see my aunt again?' She has you in her heart." Mrs. Meng agreed.
Mrs. Liang also came with her daughter today. She and Mrs. Meng are the strongest competitors, so how could she let Mrs. Meng be proud?
Madam Liang: "I wonder why Madam Meng II smashed the vase in the main courtyard?"
As soon as these words came out, Madam Meng and the old lady's expressions changed.
Mrs. Meng made a prompt decision and said with a forced smile, "It must have been an accident."
As Mrs. Meng spoke, she looked straight at her aunt's face: "My aunt was there at the time, was it like this?"
Mrs. Meng felt that this concubine looked a little timid and her face didn't look particularly smart, so she should be easy to fool.
Jasmine was stunned for a moment, looking from side to side at the Duke and the old lady before kneeling down again. "I dare not lie. I don't know."
The old lady was so disappointed with him! He used to be quite clever and could speak without stuttering, but now he turned into a fool at the critical moment!
But it was no wonder. She had never seen the world, so seeing so many people at once would have frightened her. Seeing her aunt's pitiful appearance, the old lady decided not to bother with her.
Jasmine had just knelt down when her grandfather grabbed her arm and lifted her up again.
"No one is forcing you, just tell the truth."
The Duke's voice was not loud, but it was very intimidating.
"I don't know. After I gave the bow and arrows that Master requested to Yan Pu, I was talking to Shan Cha when Second Lady Meng suddenly appeared. She seemed very angry, and I didn't know what she was going to do. She wanted to enter the main courtyard again, and I tried to stop her, but she insisted on going in."
If what my aunt said is true, then the matter is self-evident!
Mrs. Meng Er was not just passing by carelessly; she was clearly trespassing on purpose. She knew the place was no longer the old lady's, so why did she insist on going in?
The Duke was reluctant to question the young lady, so he looked at the old lady. The old lady understood and asked, "Second Lady Meng, tell me, is what the concubine said true?"
Meng Rufan felt that this concubine was deliberately trying to harm him, but no one seemed to notice. Meng Rufan was furious and anxious, his mind still in a mess.
She really didn't know how else to explain it. She stamped her foot and pointed at Jasmine, "I didn't have to go into the main courtyard. It was this lowly concubine who scolded me first, so I went in to argue with her. I beg the old lady and the Duke to understand!"
Before anyone present could react, the Duke of Guo said with a sullen face, "How did Madam Meng teach my wife to be so ignorant of etiquette? How can I, your concubine, tolerate her insults?"
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