The next day, an autumn rain fell, knocking down a carpet of golden osmanthus blossoms.
The Mid-Autumn Festival is just three days away, and everyone in the Marquis's mansion is busy preparing for the family banquet.
Only Xu Rong remained at ease. She no longer lay in bed, but instead sat on the veranda, where she would sit for half a day. The servants swept and swept in the courtyard, and she watched them idly with her hands in her sleeves, her mind blank and not thinking about anything.
The servants didn't know she was just spacing out and relaxing, but rather suspected she had gone mad from the fall, or perhaps she was heartbroken over Xiao Lun—in short, she was acting strangely.
When Bai Fu heard this, she was so angry that she gathered the gossipy maid and the old women together and gave them a good scolding before things calmed down a bit.
Xu Rong didn't care at all. The days had become very slow for her. She could even observe which of the two osmanthus trees at the gate of the courtyard had more flowers knocked off, and she could also see the clouds in the sky gathering and scattering, sometimes like a small boat, sometimes like a big dog, today like fish scales, tomorrow like cotton.
It was boring, but this kind of boredom was precious, something she had never experienced before when she was constantly busy.
That morning, Madam Xu came over to check on how the wound on her forehead was healing, and took the opportunity to complain about her son: "Zhang'er is really something. Tomorrow is the Mid-Autumn Festival, and he's still running around outside. He didn't even come back last night. He just sent a servant to say that he has found a very effective doctor and that we should go see him."
Xu Rong snapped out of his daze and looked at her: "Didn't come home all night?"
"That's right," Madam Xu continued to complain, as if she had received some help. "I wonder where he's been settled, and whether the boys have taken good care of him. When he comes back, I'll have to give him a good talking to."
Xu Rong subtly reminded her, "Mother, you should also tell your younger brother to settle down. He's still young and always out and about. Don't let him be led astray by people with ulterior motives."
Madam Xu smiled and said, "No, your brother is honest and not a naughty child. He only did this to find a good doctor for you. He didn't used to run around outside."
Xu Rong listened without commenting.
She had been awake for almost half a month and had only seen Xu Huazhang twice. Both times, Xu Huazhang came and went in a hurry.
She wouldn't assume the worst of a fifteen-year-old boy who was still a teenager, but this already said something.
Like all loving mothers in the world, Madam Xu had great confidence in her son. Unfortunately, Xu Huazhang was just like the good-for-nothing sons in those storybooks that educate people. After less than half an hour, Madam Xu's filter of confidence was shattered.
"Something terrible has happened! The Marquis and Young Master Zhang got into a fight, and Young Master Zhang's arm has been broken!"
"The Zhang family has reported the case to the police!"
"The constables from Wanping County arrived at the Jiaofangsi (a government office specializing in music and dance) and arrested the Marquis!"
A series of bad news spread from the main gate to the front yard, and then from the front yard to the back yard, eventually reaching Xu Rong's courtyard.
Xu Rong, who was curled up in the chair and almost asleep, opened her eyes: "What?"
Bai Fu was also stunned and grabbed Qingzao: "Did you mishear? How could such a thing happen?!"
On her way to the laundry to pick up her clothes, she overheard Qingzao stammering, "Sister, no, I heard it clearly, that's exactly what they said. How could I dare to curse the Marquis for no reason?"
Bai Fu paused for a moment: "Don't panic, young lady, I'll go and ask around."
Xu Rong remained calm and stood up, saying, "Let's go together."
She led Bai Fu out of the courtyard, their destination being the main courtyard where Madam Xu resided.
Regardless of whether the news is true or false, Madam Xu must have already received the information about such a major event, as her information is the most accurate.
Xu Rong's prediction was correct. When she arrived, Madam Xu was barely holding on to interrogate a servant named He Nian.
He Nian usually went out with Xu Huazhang to serve him, and it was he who ran back to report the news.
"—He encountered the second master of Commander Luo's household, who insisted on taking the Marquis to relax. The Marquis had been tired these past few days and couldn't refuse his hospitality, so he went. Who knew that the second master Luo would be so absurd as to drag the Marquis to the brothel—"
Madam Xu gasped and said sharply, "Are you all dead? Didn't you know to stop them!"
He Nian hurriedly said, "The servants stopped him, and the Marquis listened to their advice and turned to leave. But Second Master Luo pulled him away, saying that he knew the Marquis was young and that his family had strict rules, so he dared not lead the Marquis to do those things like sleeping with prostitutes. He only wanted to listen to a song. The Marquis then agreed, saying that he would sit for a while, listen to a song, and leave after saving face for Second Master Luo."
Madam Xu clutched her handkerchief, her heart aching as she listened. Forgetting everything else, she hurriedly asked, "And then? How could listening to a tune lead to disaster?"
He Nian said dejectedly, "I had just listened to a song when Young Master Zhang from the Duke of Ying's mansion arrived. By some strange coincidence, the girl the Marquis chose was the one who usually accompanied Young Master Zhang; she's his lover—"
Madam Xu nearly choked: "Why would you order a girl?! We just want to hear a song!"
Xu Rong stood by the courtyard gate, lowering her eyes.
Having already stepped into that territory, only Madam Xu would believe that "I'll just take a look and won't do anything."
He Nian stammered in reply, "Everyone else has girls to accompany them, and our Marquis couldn't just sit there doing nothing, so—but he didn't do anything else. I was worried, so I went in to keep an eye on him!"
He carefully observed Madam Xu's expression. "We hadn't been sitting for long when Young Master Zhang arrived and started arguing with the Marquis. Madam knows that our Marquis has a good temper and never acts rashly—"
Madam Xu nodded in agreement: "That's true, so why did they start fighting again?"
"The Marquis felt it was beneath his dignity to argue with Hua Niang, so after a few words, he was about to leave when Second Master Luo also tried to persuade him, saying that the Marquis had only come to relax after days of hard work and that it was his first time in such a place, so he had no ill intentions. Young Master Zhang, however, was hot-tempered and refused to back down. He brought up the eldest daughter in his words, saying that the whole city knew that the eldest daughter was disfigured and that even the best doctor would be of no use. He mocked the Marquis, saying that all his efforts were in vain."
"When the Marquis heard him insult the eldest daughter, he finally couldn't hold back and started making a scene over this, which escalated into a big fuss." He Nian's voice lowered.
Madam Xu nearly fainted: "What kind of family education does the Zhang family have! How dare they mention my Rong'er in such a lowly place! This...this ill-mannered little beast!"
“What you say is right, Madam,” He Nian said, perking up at Madam Xu’s reaction. “Madam is wise. The Marquis didn’t mean to hurt Young Master Zhang. If things get chaotic, we can’t be sure what will happen.”
"That little beast deserves it!" Madam Xu sneered. "I know why. His whole family is probably holding a grudge and just wants to cause trouble for us. And here he is."
Xu Rong didn't understand what he was saying—why was the Xu family at odds with the Duke of Ying's mansion?
She didn't dare ask, but watched as Madam Xu stormed out of the main room. When she saw her, she paused, "Rong'er, why are you here?" Without time to ask further, she quickly reassured her, "Don't take the gossip outside to heart. Zhang'er is in trouble, so I'm going to the Zhang family. You should rest at home."
He then left in a hurry.
Xu Rong slowly turned around.
Bai Fu followed with a worried expression: "Miss, this is terrible. Young Master Zhang is the late-life son of the Duke of Yingguo. The Duke and Duchess spoil him rotten. Of all people to hit, the Marquis had to break his arm. His family will definitely not let this go."
Xu Rong nodded slightly. That was to be expected. Even if the Zhang family had come knocking on their door directly, there would still have been room for negotiation. However, by silently using the power of the government to imprison Xu Huazhang, they were truly enraged and willing to make enemies.
So far, Xu Huazhang only has a vague image in her mind. She vaguely remembers that his eyebrows and eyes are decent. She can't feel anything about his experiences. All she hears along the way is Bai Fu's nagging.
Bai Fu wasn't usually talkative, but out of worry, she couldn't stop talking: "I wonder if Madam's trip to the Zhang family will be of any use. We've been having such a falling out with the Xiao family lately, and the Duke of Ying's mansion isn't looking good either. If this happens again, sigh."
Xu Rong's heart skipped a beat, and he asked, "I haven't left the house for many days and I don't know what's going on outside. Has the Duke of Ying's mansion also been implicated?"
"Somewhat," Bai Fu replied honestly. "Although Madam Xiao has married out of the family, she is still the eldest aunt of the Duke of Yingguo's mansion, and the young master Xiao is also the Duke of Yingguo's grandson."
Xu Rong stopped in his tracks.
I see.
That would completely change the nature of the matter.
“That Second Master Luo—” She rubbed her forehead, as if deep in thought.
Bai Fu knew that her memory had deteriorated after hitting her head, so she quickly interjected, "You're asking about him, Miss? The Luo family and our family have a long-standing relationship. When the old Marquis was alive, we often visited each other. Back then, Master Luo wasn't even a commander yet. After the old Marquis passed away, Second Master Luo, who was closer in age to our Marquis, would often come to visit him, thus continuing the friendship between our two families. However, I'm always in the inner courtyard and haven't seen him. Why are you asking about him, Miss?"
Because this Luo Er is incorrect.
His appearance was both crucial and coincidental, like the hand that threaded a needle, stitching Xu Huazhang and Zhang Xiaoye together.
“I was thinking,” Xu Rong began, “was Master Luo also arrested? If not, since Brother Zhang was involved in such a big incident with him, shouldn’t he at least have come to inform us?”
Bai Fu paused for a moment: "What you say is true, I'll go and inquire again."
She accompanied Xu Rong back to the courtyard, then went out again, only to return empty-handed: He Nian had been taken to the Zhang family by Madam Xu as a witness, and the other servants who had gone out with Xu Huazhang had not yet returned home and were likely to be taken to the county government office by the yamen runners.
Bai Fu was very uneasy: "Miss, what should we do?"
Xu Rong said, "Send someone to the Luo family. Master Luo has to go home eventually. If you find out, don't alarm him. Keep an eye on him and see what he does next, who he meets, and then report back to me."
Bai Fu listened attentively, a look of bewilderment flashing in her eyes—she knew that the girl's personality had changed after being stimulated, but at this moment she still felt an indescribable sense of unfamiliarity.
Xu Rong looked at her calmly: "What's wrong? Is there no one in the manor capable of doing this?"
Bai Fu snapped back to reality: What was she thinking? The appearance and the voice were clearly that of the girl, without a doubt. Her feeling was just too strange. Should she tell others that she thought the girl had become a different person?
—Zhi Tao and Zi Yan are no longer in the courtyard, and they have developed a grudge against her. Even if she wanted to confide in someone, who could she talk to?
She's just making trouble out of nothing and overthinking things.
Bai Fu calmed herself down and felt ashamed of her unfounded suspicions. With a desire to make amends—or perhaps to numb herself—she hurriedly said, "My brother can go. He is a steady person and will do his best to fulfill your request."
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
