Chapter 72
Yining was directing the maids to clean up the tree that was broken by the wind last night. The broken branches and leaves were all over the ground, and some flowers and plants in the yard were damaged.
Seeing that it was the maid from Luo Shenyuan's room coming over, Yi Ning put down the scissors and raised her head and asked, "What do you want from me? Third brother didn't tell me."
Shi Lu bowed and said, "Seventh Miss, please follow me. I'm afraid the matter is urgent and the Third Young Master didn't have time to explain it clearly."
If it wasn't an emergency, he wouldn't be in such a hurry. But what was it? His maid said he had hurried to his father's place, and Aunt Qiao had also gone there. Thinking of Aunt Qiao's smile when she looked at her this morning, Yi Ning always felt a little uncomfortable. That kind of cold smile, even with a hint of pity.
Yi Ning turned around and said to Xue Zhi, "Go to father's study and take a look yourself. If there's anything wrong... come back and tell me immediately."
She returned to her room, packed two books, and took them to Luo Shenyuan's. His master was away, and his study was quiet. The pot of green ivy wasn't growing well, so Yining watered it. Outside the door, she heard what sounded like a maid whispering. She listened intently, but heard nothing.
Yining let out a breath, summoned the concentration he had gained from practicing calligraphy, and read the book in his study.
In Luo Chengzhang's study, he was meeting with a steward. When he heard that Concubine Qiao wanted to see him, he actually didn't want to see her. Today was Cold Clothes Festival, and thinking that Concubine Qiao was the person his mother disliked most during her lifetime, he naturally didn't want to see her. But she said she had something important to discuss and she had to see him, so Luo Chengzhang let her in.
When Aunt Qiao came in, she saw Luo Chengzhang drinking tea.
She knelt down with her maid and said, "Master, I want to tell you something. I'm afraid you won't like it, but I have to tell you for the sake of the Luo family. I first ask you to forgive my sins before I can continue."
Luo Chengzhang frowned when he heard this. Why was Aunt Qiao so hesitant? He nodded: "If you have something to say, just tell me. How could I blame you for it?"
Aunt Qiao smiled bitterly and said, "If Master still thinks so after hearing this, then I have nothing to say." Without further delay, she spoke immediately, "I knew about this a few days ago, but I've been hesitant about whether to speak out. After all, this is such a huge truth. But today, when I saw the old lady's tablet, and saw our Seventh Young Lady, who is living a life of luxury, and thought of the rumors I'd heard, I was overcome with grief! If I don't tell you, I'm afraid I'll have a guilty conscience for the rest of my life."
Her expression grew more serious, and her tone deepened. "Everyone thought the old lady was seriously ill, but few knew there was a hidden story behind it. I was also shocked when I found out. Our old lady...she died of rage. She raised a granddaughter with her own hands, but she had no blood relationship with her. I wonder if her spirit can rest in peace in heaven!"
Luo Chengzhang placed the teacup in his hand on the high table and took a step forward. "Qiao Yuechan, do you know what you are talking about?"
Aunt Qiao raised her head slightly, her eyes sincere. "I'm not telling a single lie. Our Seventh Young Lady is merely a legitimate daughter, a child passed off as yours. She's not your biological daughter at all. She's the illegitimate child of the former Second Wife... and a lowly guard."
Luo Chengzhang's face suddenly turned cold. He lowered his head and grabbed Aunt Qiao's chin, his tone also cold and hard: "Don't be crazy! Minglan has always been gentle, virtuous, dignified and cautious. Now she is dead, and the dead are the greatest! If you make up a story now and still question the identity of the young lady in the mansion, I will not forgive you!"
Aunt Qiao was pinched by him so hard that it hurt, but she knew that Luo Chengzhang cared about her.
For Luo Chengzhang, the young Gu Minglan was the bright moonlight in his heart. Even if he didn't love her so much, he would still sigh at the woman's deep affection for him and miss the fact that he once had such a good wife. Thus, he remembered her deeply, but now Aunt Qiao wanted to break his memory, how could he bear it?
Concubine Qiao became even more resolute. "It is because I know that the dead are the greatest that I want to speak a fair word for the old lady. After seeing Madam Zheng, the old lady fell seriously ill and could not get up. That was because Madam Zheng told her that Miss Seven was not her biological granddaughter. The old lady was so angry that she became like this. Later, under the auspices of Madam Xu, all of her things were left to Miss Seven. I am afraid that the old lady is the one who is most heartbroken!" Concubine Qiao stood up straight. "I am not talking nonsense. Master may have had doubts for so many years, right?"
"Seventh Miss looks nothing like you. Back then, Second Madam gave birth prematurely for no apparent reason. And even then, Second Madam became inexplicably enthusiastic towards you..." Aunt Qiao watched Luo Chengzhang slowly let go of her hand and knew that he was hesitating.
Luo Chengzhang had never paid attention to these things before, because this inference was really absurd and ridiculous! Today, when Aunt Qiao laid out these things one by one, he seemed to have doubts.
Aunt Qiao continued, "I'm not just making up stories. I've brought a maid who used to serve the Second Madam with me this time. You should ask her yourself. Was it because the Second Madam fell in love with a guard that she used the excuse of going to the temple to meet him, and not to avoid my pregnancy? You and I blamed ourselves for Madam's actions back then, but now it seems we were ridiculous. Madam had an affair with this guard, got pregnant, and became passionate about you because she wanted to hide it. You're so kind to Madam and her daughter, but you don't know that this is Madam's child with someone else. She's not worthy of the status of a Miss Luo..."
"Shut up!" Luo Chengzhang said sternly. Aunt Qiao looked at Luo Chengzhang and knew that she had successfully angered him, so she finally stopped talking.
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