Master Luo, also known as Commander Luo, was an official third-rank commander of the Embroidered Uniform Guard. Note: This was a nominal title with a nominal salary; he did not take office or handle affairs.
In plain terms, it means taking the money but not doing any work, and not having any real power under this terrible official title.
As the official system of this dynasty developed to this point, many official positions changed accordingly. For example, Master Luo, the commander of the Embroidered Uniform Guard who came from his family's hereditary privilege, could only be considered an honorary title. He did not have an official seal and could not even be transferred to the rank of Embroidered Uniform Guard Captain. When his son was arrested by the Duke's Mansion, he could only ask the Marquis of Ji'an's Mansion, with whom he had an old friendship, for help.
In the reception hall, Xu Rong stood behind Madam Xu and overheard a few words to get the gist of it: Zhang Weiling beat and kidnapped people in broad daylight. The teahouse couldn't stop him, but it didn't dare to take responsibility for it either. There were all sorts of idle people who came to drink tea. One of them recognized Master Luo and told the manager, who then hurriedly sent someone to inform his family.
These are no ordinary people; let the gods fight it out. This small shop can't handle them.
Madam Xu sat there, feeling bewildered and dejected: "Master Luo, it's not that I'm unwilling to lend a hand, but my Zhang'er is still in jail. What can I do?"
Master Luo, a stout man, was already covered in sweat from the long journey. Upon hearing this, a few more drops of sweat appeared on his forehead. "Madam, you can't say that," he said. "My second son has never had any dealings with the Duke of Ying's mansion. The fact that he was suddenly captured by that devilish young master Zhang can only be because of what happened with my nephew earlier. If I don't come to you for help, who else can I turn to?"
Upon hearing this, Madam Xu also felt resentful: "Master Luo, is this Zhang'er's fault? If your second son hadn't dragged Zhang'er to that filthy place, he wouldn't have suffered like this. I've been busy with things at home these past few days and haven't had time to argue with you, but you've blamed me for it!"
Master Luo hurriedly said, "No, no, that's not what I meant. It's just that the messenger described it so horrifyingly. He said he was beaten half to death and his face was swollen to twice its size. Oh dear, as parents, you can imagine how I feel. His mother fainted on the spot, so I, who can't speak, had to run here."
His conciliatory manner was quite appropriate, and Madam Xu's expression softened a bit. She said, "I don't know how this happened. Did your second son offend Young Master Zhang again?"
"Impossible! My second brother was terribly frightened by what happened to my nephew. He's barely left the house lately, trying to stay as far away from that young master Zhang as possible. Why would he go looking for trouble with him? He only made an appointment to have tea with a friend today, who knew—alas!"
Master Luo sighed heavily and pleaded repeatedly, "Madam, please come with me to the Duke of Ying's mansion. If my second brother has done something else that is disgraceful, I will accept it. But if it is the same as before, I am afraid that my going alone will not be of any use. We will have to meet together to clarify the cause of the trouble so that my nephew can get out of his predicament as soon as possible."
Madam Xu was gradually persuaded by him. She didn't care about how Master Luo was doing, but it had been five or six days since Madam Xiao returned. She had sent someone to inquire once, but Madam Xiao only replied that she should take it slow and not rush it. She didn't know how well Madam Xiao had done. Now that she had this opportunity, it wouldn't be bad to go to the Duke of Ying's mansion to find out.
Xu Rong said at the right moment, "Mother, I'll go with you."
Madam Xu was taken aback: "What are you going there for?" She gently advised, "This isn't a place to play around. I'm afraid there will be a lot of unpleasant things to say. You shouldn't go and suffer any grievances."
Xu Rong was too lazy to make up an excuse and insisted, "I want to go."
Madam Xu had just exchanged her for her son, so she couldn't be very assertive. But after being pestered like this, she had no choice but to agree: "Alright. You stay by your mother's side and don't wander off."
**
When they arrived at the Duke of England's residence, it was already past noon.
Xu Rong came out twice in a row and didn't have time to eat lunch. However, she had eaten a lot of snacks at the teahouse before, so she wasn't hungry and had the leisure to look around the scenery of the Duke of Ying's mansion.
At first glance, the buildings look quite similar to those of the Marquis of Ji'an's residence. However, once the gatekeeper announced their arrival and invited them inside, the differences gradually became apparent as they walked along the road.
The difference lies with the people.
The British Duke's mansion was much larger, with far more servants. Various servants and attendants came and went along the way, carrying all sorts of utensils, yet the process was orderly and quiet, revealing the family's profound traditions and discipline.
Xu Rong reflected on his own residence—hmm, it was truly free and unrestrained. So, on the surface, it seemed to be doing alright, mainly because Xu Huazhang had led the biggest mess, while the servants' misbehavior was relatively insignificant.
"Young man, the person that Master Zhang arrested is my son. How is he now?" Master Luo asked the servant leading the way anxiously.
The servant glanced at him and shook his head: "I don't know. We'll be at Ruihua Hall soon. Please ask our old lady yourself, sir."
The Duke of England, along with his eldest and second sons, were stationed outside. The person who was in charge of the Duke of England's mansion year after year was the Duchess of England. Madam Zhang was not only the Duke's first wife, but also bore him one daughter and three sons—the youngest being Zhang Weiling, who was born when he was over forty. She not only held great power within the mansion and was the only one who could have the final say, but she was also highly respected in the entire circle of nobles in the capital. No one dared to offend her.
Master Luo had no choice but to shut up.
They arrived at Ruihua Hall, but the head seat was empty; Old Madam Zhang had not yet arrived.
The maidservant brought tea and explained in a soft voice, "It's an inconvenient time. The old lady has just finished her afternoon nap and needs to get up and rest before she can come over."
What could Madam Xu say? She could only wait.
**
The inner courtyard of the British government.
The maid was not lying; Madam Zhang had indeed rested for a short while, and only when she heard that Madam Xu was requesting an audience did she get up again with the help of her attendants.
"It's better not to see them. They're both such a worry, keeping you up at night." The head maid complained as she knelt down to put on Madam Zhang's shoes.
Madam Zhang rubbed her forehead: "What's there to rest? I'm just lying here doing nothing." She put her hand down, sighed, and said meaningfully, "You're right, they're all troublesome. How can I close my eyes?"
Another maid brought over the tea. Old Madam Zhang didn't want to drink it, but the maid gently persuaded her, and Old Madam Zhang took it, touched her lips to it, and then handed it back to her, asking, "How is your son, that rascal, doing? Has he stopped causing trouble?"
The head maid replied, "Granny Chu is personally overseeing things there, so the old lady can rest assured."
Old Madam Zhang's voice turned cold: "Where is that Luo fellow? Is he dead or not?"
"No, the doctor brewed the medicine and then forced him to drink it. The young master's arm is still broken, but it doesn't hurt him too badly. The blood on his head is just for show."
Madam Zhang snorted coldly: "That's too good for him."
The head maid put down the teacup, took the headband, and gently tied it on for her, saying, "Madam, your health is important, please don't get angry. If you want to vent your anger, why don't you ask that Luo fellow to accompany Lord Xu?"
Another maid chimed in, "You forgot? The eldest aunt just came back the other day to plead for him. The old lady dotes on her grandson and has already agreed to release Lord Xu. That cell is now available for the Luo family to live in alone."
The two maids, who were in the inner courtyard, were not fully aware of the situation. They just wanted to comfort Madam Zhang, so they spoke to her one after the other. However, Madam Zhang did not show a smile on her face, and the lines on her forehead deepened.
Clearly, their worries and anxieties have intensified.
The two girls: "..."
Gradually, I stopped daring to say anything.
They quietly helped Madam Zhang get dressed, and Madam Zhang sat on the daybed, not moving for a moment.
After a long while, he sighed and said, "Children are all debts!"
**
Madam Zhang finally arrived.
Madam Xu Rong and Master Luo stood up together to greet them.
Madam Zhang's gaze lingered on Xu Rong for a moment, then she spoke kindly to Madam Xu, "Did you bring your eldest daughter along too? She's so fresh and beautiful, and she's growing up to be even more lovely. It's just a pity that she doesn't have a destiny with our family."
Madam Xu had made several trips for Xu Huazhang's sake, but she had never seen Old Madam Zhang so kind before. She was flattered and said, "Oh, oh, you flatter me."
Unable to come up with a clear answer, they didn't even consider the deeper meaning behind Madam Zhang's words.
Xu Rong's eyes flashed; she had understood.
As arranged by Madam Xiao, her marriage to Xiao Lun was terminated, and she was reconnected with Xiao Xin. Both her legitimate grandson and illegitimate grandson are grandsons. Madam Zhang could not say "there is no fate" in public. The fact that she said this can only mean that in Madam Zhang's mind, the Xu family and the Xiao family had severed their ties.
This was Madam Zhang's decision.
He's truly an old fox, quick-witted and outspoken.
Xu Rong suddenly felt relieved. Now her purpose in coming was simply to observe. Following Madam Zhang's words, she smiled and curtsied.
Her relaxed demeanor drew another glance from Old Madam Zhang. Meanwhile, Master Luo, who had been waiting for this moment, reached his limit and, disregarding everything else, knelt down, saying, "Old Madam, my son has been unruly and has somehow offended the young master. He has had him arrested and must have vented his anger enough. I beg you, Old Madam, to have mercy and allow me to take this little beast back and discipline him!"
After he finished pleading for mercy, Madam Zhang nodded and said, "Then you may take him back."
Master Luo: "..."
He was so startled he could hardly believe it, and with a comical expression, he tilted his fat neck back: "Old...old lady?"
Madam Zhang said calmly, "Your son has indeed made a mistake. Your son didn't arrest him without reason. You should ask him what he did when you get home and give him a proper lesson. If he still can't be taught properly, and I find out that he's doing things or saying things he shouldn't be doing outside, then don't blame me for overstepping my bounds and going to write to the Duke and asking him to teach him for you."
Upon hearing that the Duke of England would be alarmed, Master Luo was even more terrified. The joy of easily saving his son vanished in fear, and he repeatedly said, "Yes, yes, I will definitely discipline him properly when I get back. If I can't discipline him, I won't let him out!"
Madam Zhang immediately ordered someone to lead him to fetch Master Luo.
Master Luo was the one in charge, but he was dismissed with just a few words. He went there, stumbling and confused, and even forgot to say goodbye to Madam Xu.
Madam Xu was at a loss for words and remained stunned for a while. Only after Old Madam Zhang sat down at the head of the table did she remember and hurriedly said, "Old Madam, they've all been released, but what about my Zhang'er—?"
She was anxious and uneasy, but dared not finish speaking, afraid of angering Old Madam Zhang and being kicked out.
Madam Zhang nodded: "Release them too."
In front of Madam Xu, he sent someone to the Wanping County government office to deliver a message.
Overjoyed, Madam Xu wept, unable to stand or sit still. Clutching her handkerchief, she prepared to take her leave, forgetting to ask any more of the questions that had been asked.
What a foolish thing to do.
No wonder they treat such a large marquis's mansion like this.
Old Madam Zhang was too lazy to say anything more to her. When she saw Xu Rong standing to the side, Xu Rong also remained silent. When Madam Xu was about to leave, she followed beside Madam Xu, seemingly obedient and gentle. However, upon closer inspection, her demeanor was different from that of Madam Xu.
There was no naivety in her eyes, but rather a clear and bright look.
That look must have come from someone who "knows".
That matter can't be left so vaguely.
Madam Zhang spoke up: "Madam Xu, please wait, I have something else to say."
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