Mother Xiang also agreed: "Our Second Young Lady is very straightforward. She can't tolerate so many twists and turns in her heart, so she is easily tricked by others."
Thinking of this, Aunt Rong also felt indignant, and her brows were furrowed like a knot.
"The manor is full of servants who are neither important nor respectable. Rou'er has never suffered hardship since she was a child. The master is so cruel that he sent her to such a miserable place. How can I not feel heartbroken?"
As he spoke, his eyes, which were faintly wrinkled, turned a little red.
Mother Xiang quickly tried to comfort her, "Don't worry, Auntie. Mid-Autumn Festival is approaching, and the Second Young Master will be back soon. Your letter has already been sent to Linzhou. The Second Young Master is so filial, he certainly won't have the heart to see you worrying about this, and he will definitely think of a way for you."
When Xue Tingliu was mentioned, Aunt Rong's expression finally improved a little: "Yes, my son Tingliu is the most favored by the master. If he were to come and plead for mercy, I think Rou'er would be back soon."
As they were talking, Xue Zhentong had already finished his shower. He walked forward in his pajamas, still damp and with his round belly swaying.
"What did the master and servant say?"
Because of Xue Panrou's matter, Xue Zhentong hasn't come to see Aunt Rong for some time.
Although Xue Zhentong has been immersed in officialdom for many years and is quite dignified in his daily life, his face is still friendly when he smiles, and he looks like a good old man.
Aunt Rong, who had been angry just now, changed her expression when she saw Xue Zhentong, and her face was full of respect and gentle smile.
"I was talking about the Mid-Autumn Festival. It's approaching, and Ting Liu will finally be back."
Speaking of Xue Tingliu, Xue Zhentong's mood brightened. He chuckled softly, "Yes, Tingliu is young and a new official. I imagine he's experienced quite a few setbacks. He hasn't been home for over six months. I wonder if he's lost weight."
Aunt Rong smiled calmly and passed a freshly peeled orange to Xue Zhentong's lips: "This child is filial. He always asks about the master's health in his letters."
Xue Zhentong held Juzi in his hand and said, "Among all my children, he's the one who gives me the least worry. When he passed the imperial examination, and now he's this young and looks this good, which colleague in the court wouldn't envy me for having such a good son?"
"That's what the master said."
After finishing the oranges, Aunt Rong began to massage Xue Zhentong's shoulders again: "Ting Liu said that during these days in Linzhou, he was looking forward to the family reunion every day."
Xue Zhentong closed his eyes in enjoyment. When talking about reunion, Aunt Rong's hands increased the strength intentionally or unintentionally.
He tutted his words, "Rou'er is really too immature. With such a temper, how can she become a wife in the future? Let her suffer a little this time so that she can learn her lesson. Otherwise, she will suffer in the future."
From an angle that Xue Zhentong couldn't see, Aunt Rong's expression darkened, she looked aggrieved and unwilling, but her voice was still soft.
"Master is teaching that Rou'er is just a little impatient, but she doesn't have any bad intentions. I believe that after this incident, she will definitely learn a lesson and won't dare to do it again."
"Really?" Xue Zhentong laughed dryly and shook his head. "Don't I understand her? She must be full of resentment right now, thinking that I, as a father, am too unkind."
"Master, you worry too much."
Aunt Rong rubbed his shoulders more and more attentively. Although her voice was no longer young, she still pinched her throat and spoke softly in his ears. There was an indescribable weirdness in it, but Xue Zhentong seemed to enjoy it very much.
"Although Rou'er is not a smart child, she can understand the master's good intentions. She also knows in her heart that the master loves her the most and would definitely not want her to suffer."
…
Three days later, the moon rose above the willow trees.
Xue Hanshu had already changed into a light green gauze dress, the willow-colored silk ribbon cinching her waist so tightly that it was barely slender enough to be held in one hand. She had her hair done in a lily-shaped bun, her eyebrows soft and graceful. Her eyes were shimmering, and though she wasn't a striking beauty, her graceful and delicate aura was truly unforgettable.
Youlan knelt down beside her.
"Miss...Miss, you can't do this. If you are discovered, I will be killed!"
"If you try to persuade me again, I will kill you immediately!" Xue Hanshu's eyes were wide open with anger, without any trace of gentleness from before.
"Listen, you stay in the courtyard today and don't leave. No matter who comes, you must kill me. I'm not feeling well today and I'm resting in bed. No one is allowed to disturb me. If this gets out, you and I will both die. Do you understand?"
"Yes... yes... I obey your command..." Youlan lay on the ground, her back trembling with fear.
In the darkness of night, Xue Hanshu quietly slipped out from the back door.
But she didn't notice the corridor not far away, and the next sight was quietly looking towards here.
Shortly after she left the house, another person followed her footsteps.
…
The lights are dim by the river.
Under the Jinlu Bridge, a pleasure boat was parked on the shore.
The streets of Huajing are very lively. Even at night, there are still many people coming and going on the streets. The lights stretch along the river bank. On the pleasure boats on the river bank, the sound of stringed instruments and the fragrance of food are everywhere.
It was probably her first time going out alone at night, and Xue Hanshu still seemed a little nervous and awkward. She stroked her chest gently. This was the first time she was so bold, and at this moment she could only feel her heart pounding.
Finally, a man dressed as a servant came up to her.
"Excuse me, are you Miss Xue?"
Xue Hanshu calmed down the tension on her face and asked him, "Who asked you to come?"
The servant replied respectfully, "The young master just said that if there is a beautiful girl named Xue, please move to the pleasure boat for a chat."
A sweet smile appeared on Xue Hanshu's lips as she walked into a pleasure boat with the boy.
The person who followed Xue Hanshu here could not go any further. He just watched her walk onto the pleasure boat alone, then turned and left.
…………
"What?! Secretly meeting a stranger!"
Aunt Rong's voice was a little excited. She clenched her handkerchief tightly in her hand, her almond-shaped eyes wide open, full of disbelief.
"Heh... I never thought that someone who normally wouldn't even dare to breathe would actually do something so audacious! If the master knew about this, this little bitch wouldn't be able to survive!"
She muttered to herself, her smile growing wider.
"Did you see clearly who the adulterer was?"
Madam Xiang shook her head and said, "I didn't see it clearly, but I think it's correct. I heard the boy say 'our young master' with my own ears."
"Alright...alright! This little bitch is so bold, so don't blame me for sending her to hell! And that bitch Fu Ling, anyone who has plotted against Rou'er, I won't let any of them go!"
…
Before we knew it, it was the night of the Mid-Autumn Festival family dinner.
After nightfall, the Xue Mansion was decorated with lights and the servants had already prepared offerings for worshiping the moon.
The banquet in the main hall of the Xue family had already been arranged, and the servants were busy coming in and out, waiting for the masters to take their seats.
"I heard that the second young master will be back today." Su Yue whispered in Xue Zhiyi's ear.
Xue Zhiyi just smiled and made no comment.
It would be great if he came back. It would be more lively if he came back.
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