Chapter 51 Who is in Charge?
Overnight, several servants in the East Courtyard disappeared without a trace, and even the mistress of the household fell ill. Du Heng had no choice but to report this to his grandmother to discuss the management of the household.
"How can you get sick out of nowhere?"
The old lady did not agree to take charge of the household affairs right away, but asked Du Heng to accompany her to the east courtyard of her eldest daughter-in-law.
Yesterday, Cheng was finally defeated by her son's righteous words. She didn't dare let her mother-in-law know that she had listened to slander and made things difficult for Rong and Su Ying. She also didn't dare let her mother-in-law know that her servants had been colluding to steal and sell her jewelry for years.
Her mother-in-law had reminded her many times about many things. Even regarding Su Ying, her mother-in-law had advised her to give face to the Rong family and praise Su Ying more, but she still did such a narrow-minded thing.
Feeling ashamed to face people, when he heard the servant inform the old lady to come into the house, he hurriedly said, "Mother, please go back. Don't let your daughter-in-law's illness spread to you."
Cheng's voice did sound a little weak. The old lady sighed and consoled her, "Heng'er told me that you became ill because you discovered Xue Yuan was stealing in collusion with others. You too, didn't you discover it in time? It's better than having the servants steal for years without you even noticing! You need to work on your overthinking!"
Du Heng had previously informed Cheng Shi that the East Courtyard had suddenly lost a number of her close associates, and that it was impossible to conceal the fact, especially since they had all been sent to the government office. It would be better to simply announce that these people had been caught stealing together and had been brought to the authorities. She, in her rage, had fallen ill and needed to rest.
In this way, on the one hand, it can avoid the groundless speculation caused by Xue Yuan and others being sent to the authorities, and on the other hand, it can also take advantage of the situation to hand over the household affairs, making it seem legitimate.
Unexpectedly, the mother-in-law's words of comfort were like slaps in the face, slapping Cheng's face. Her pale face and trembling lips really made her look sick, and even her voice was a little short of breath: "Mother, mother is right. These days, I'm sorry to bother you."
The old lady, who was outside the house, responded, "I'm old, and it's not convenient for me to take on all the affairs of the mansion. Ruolan is well versed in numerology and is also the legitimate second wife of the family. Since you are ill, she is the most suitable person to take care of the household affairs. I came here just to let you know."
She said in a light tone, paused, and then said: "Okay, I will go back, you take good care of yourself."
After saying that, she called Du Heng to help her leave.
When Cheng heard this, she couldn't even catch her breath: "Mother, cough cough cough, mother,"
Du Heng spoke up at this moment: "Mother, please listen to Grandma's instructions and have a good rest. We still have children to take care of everything!"
The old lady thought that her grandson was comforting his daughter-in-law, but Cheng knew the meaning of her son's words and did not dare to say anything more for a while.
Last night, Su Ying was very sensible and didn't mention anything, and Rong didn't ask anything either. The aunt and nephew seemed to have a tacit understanding, and neither of them spoke about the library again, but they both couldn't sleep all night.
Rong believed Du Heng had single-handedly handled the matter. Inside the library, he apologized to Cheng and Ying'er in front of her. She knew Cheng's temper too well, and she also knew Heng'er's character. With a single sentence, Heng'er had dismissed the matter as lax management, without mentioning the library's renovation, clearly letting the matter rest. Even so, she felt the need to speak with Heng'er; she longed to know his plans.
However, Su Ying's tossing and turning was caused by an indescribable emotion.
She found that whenever she closed her eyes, Du Heng's gentle voice of relief would ring in her ears. Whenever this happened, she would immediately open her eyes and look at the tent above. If she didn't do so, it seemed as if those eyes, reflecting the mountains and waters, would appear before her in the next moment, making her afraid to look directly at them.
Staring at the tent for a long time, she would unconsciously recall the two years she spent in the Su family. She was clearly the eldest daughter of the Su family, but she was not allowed to behave like a "young lady".
She couldn't be willful, and certainly couldn't act recklessly. Because if she wasn't careful, someone would find fault with her, and if Lin just spread the word, the entire Yueqing Prefecture would know about the Su family's eldest daughter's "good" reputation. Which respectable family would dare to propose marriage?
She couldn't cry easily, because that would reveal her weakness. Lin only needed to look at her, and everyone in the Su family would use these weaknesses again and again to force her into a desperate situation.
She wasn't born strong. She'd also been loved by her grandmother and aunt for years. It wasn't that she didn't know how to act like a spoiled brat, but after returning to the Su residence, she realized that the prerequisite for being spoiled was having someone willing to support you.
The things she took for granted weren't really the way they should be.
Today, in the library, Cheng had been hurling insults at her. Even surrounded by servants with malicious or skeptical looks, she hadn't faltered. She had simply been gathering the strength to fight back, pondering how to speak and act in a way that would free her from the predicament and avoid burdening her aunt.
However, at that moment, a man suddenly appeared and with just one simple sentence, he transferred the bad reputation that was as heavy as a thousand pounds from her to him.
He didn't need her to explain anything, and he didn't ask her to justify anything.
Just tell her that from now on, she can do whatever she wants and she doesn’t have to avoid or hide from anyone anymore.
The next day, when Su Ying and Rong Shi were having breakfast together, tacitly not mentioning what happened yesterday, the old lady's personal maid Zhaoxia came to the side courtyard and said that the old lady wanted to see her.
Su Ying's heart skipped a beat. Could it be about what happened yesterday again?
However, Rong Shi saw her worry and patted her shoulder with a smile, saying, "Heng'er always keeps his word. You don't have to worry. It must be about something else. Auntie will be back soon."
Su Ying nodded and continued to quietly scoop the porridge in the bowl. The porridge seemed to be still hot. She scooped it several times but never put it into her mouth.
In fact, Rong's words weren't just to comfort Su Ying. She knew Du Heng very well. When Du Heng asked Qingquan to escort them back yesterday, he had nothing to do with them anymore.
However, for some reason, her mother-in-law had called her over during breakfast, as if something urgent was going on. She had lived in the side courtyard for many years, and no matter how urgent the matter was, her mother-in-law had never called her over.
Fortunately, she was not a person who thought too much. After adjusting her clothes, she followed Zhaoxia out the door.
Unexpectedly, as soon as she entered the main hall, her mother-in-law said to her straight away, "Heng'er's mother is ill, so you will take over the household chores. Heng'er is preparing for the exam now, and as his aunt, it's not right for you to sit idly by. I know you are very good at divination, so don't shirk this matter. If there is anything you don't understand, just ask me."
Rong was about to decline politely when Du Heng suddenly emerged from behind the screen. He bowed to her and addressed her as "Second Aunt" with a solemn and polite expression. "Second Aunt, three years ago, my father passed away, and it was you who assisted me in resolving the issue of the gift note. Now, my nephew is truly too busy to attend to you, and Grandmother's energy is limited. I would like to ask Second Aunt to come out and help with the difficulties in the mansion."
As if knowing Rong would refuse, he said: "Second Aunt is the Second Madam of the Du family. It is only natural for her to take over the household affairs. Please don't refuse."
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