Bi hexagram, the most auspicious hexagram
Chapter 8, the Hexagram Bi (比), the Most Auspicious Hexagram - Wang Mama in Mourning Period
Rong Shu sat upright on the stone bench, her back ramrod straight. When she saw Rong Yan return, a subtle smile finally appeared on her usually stern face.
She snorted coldly, "Why am I here? You'll have to ask Granny Wang in your courtyard."
Wang's mother had a death in her family, so Fang's mother arranged for her to live in Rong Yan's courtyard, which Rong Shu knew.
After all, the people of the Marquis's mansion looked down on this little concubine's daughter, and they would never dare to treat Rong Shu like this.
So, who else could have dared to send tribute oranges to her courtyard, except for Rong Yan's instructions?
At this moment, Wang's mother, who was kneeling on the ground, changed her expression. She held a bowl of tangerines above her head in fear. She had obviously been holding it for a long time, and her arms were aching and trembling, but she dared not put them down.
If the tangerine blossoms on the ground, it could be a matter of losing one's head.
"Young Madam, it was my fault. I offended the Second Madam. Please punish me, Young Madam and Second Madam."
Rong Shu shook her dress, stepped on Wang Mama's thigh with a little force, and looked down at her: "Mama is also an old servant in the Marquis's mansion, how can you be so reckless. Sister, you don't know, my dress was dirtied because of Wang Mama."
Xia Xiang, the maidservant behind her, joined in the mockery, "Mother, the lady's dress was made for her by the Marquis's wife at Jiuzhen Clothing Shop. You know how hard it is to get a dress from that shop, and this is the first time she's worn it..."
As Rong Shu spoke, her ankle remained still. Faced with this fabricated charge, Wang's mother dared not utter a single word in rebuttal.
Rong Yan glanced at it and smiled slightly. The makeshift stage was already set up; it turned out they were just waiting for him here.
She raised her eyebrows slightly, and her chin followed suit. "Xia Xiang, why are you saying that? Mother Wang didn't mean it. It's just a dress."
"Sister, what a big mouth you have. It's just a dress? Pshaw, look at yourself. You came back from home without bringing any gifts. Father is so 'good' to you, and you came back so late that even your mother-in-law didn't ask you a single question before going to bed. You're unloved by your father and mother, and even your husband's family doesn't value you. How dare you say to me that it's just a dress?"
Rong Shu's words were merely sarcastic.
In terms of reputation, Rong Yan was nothing more than a concubine's daughter abandoned in a Taoist temple; in terms of charm, she was no match for Rong Yan's understanding of men's minds; in terms of talent, she began her studies at the age of six, wrote lyrics at the age of eight, and composed poems in seven steps at the age of ten.
A mere concubine's daughter actually thought that by sheer luck she had become the young mistress of the eldest son, and that she could truly rise to the top overnight?
Her sister, who is inferior to her in every way, has now returned in glory. How can she possibly feel at peace with this?
Rong Yan clearly heard her sarcasm, but he was too lazy to respond. He just smiled and walked slowly closer without saying a word.
I was quite tired after climbing the mountain today, so I sat down at the stone table in the corridor. Immediately, a maid served me fragrant tea.
Rong Shu was unwilling to give up after her failed attack. Seeing that she was now in a position of power and privilege, she was even more frustrated.
She was trying to find a way to deflate her arrogance when Rong Yan spoke up: "Sister, you are a lady of high status. To quarrel with a little girl over a mere dress is a loss of face. If word gets out, it won't just be about a dress. If word gets out, everyone will say that Lord Rong has a narrow-minded daughter, which will be a great disadvantage for you."
"Sister, you're really quite arrogant. Don't think that just because I call you 'elder sister-in-law' in the Marquis's mansion, you're so noble that you can lecture me. I'm still your older sister, don't drag me into your petty affairs. It's all because of your shabby Taoist temple that your mother-in-law specially sent a woman still in mourning to fight mourning with mourning—you deserve it! Don't try to use your little tricks on me; I've seen through you long ago. You deliberately sent her here just to pass on bad luck to me? What a vicious thought!"
Rong Yan smiled slightly as he looked at her. If we were to truly discuss the cause and effect, it would be the Rong family who first abandoned her at the Taoist temple.
Therefore, according to the law of cause and effect, this consequence will not fall upon her.
However, Rong Shu never imagined the implications of this situation.
In terms of malice, how could she possibly compare to Rong Shu's self-centeredness?
Rong Yan gently set down the cup, smiled, and stared at her intently.
Wang Mama's hands were trembling like a sieve, and even Rong Shu's foot, which was standing on her, was shaking. Rong Shu looked at Rong Yan's nonchalant appearance and was suddenly filled with anger. She immediately kicked her hard. Wang Mama reflexively grabbed Rong Shu's ankle. Rong Shu cried out in pain and tried to pull her foot back. She lost her balance and fell on Wang Mama.
Because of Rong Shu's collapsed body, Wang's mother could no longer protect the tangerine with her hands, and the living potted plant was crushed by Rong Shu.
Soil from the flowerpot spilled on the two of them, causing Rong Shu not only a stinging pain in her ankles but also severe pain in her arms.
Madam Wang was terrified and hurriedly gathered the soil from the flowerpot together, pleading, "Please, young mistress and madam Rong, don't blame me, please don't blame me!"
The potted tangerine was overturned and the soil was scattered all over the ground, which gave off an extremely strong fragrance.
Rong Yan's indifferent expression suddenly turned serious. He glanced at the soil on the ground again, which was still shimmering with a pale blue phosphorescence.
Enraged, Rong Shu kicked Wang Mama to the ground, yelling, "Get out!"
Looking at her filthy clothes, she became even more furious. "What a jinx! She never brings anything good. I will definitely tell my mother-in-law about the oranges being thrown! Xia Xiang, drag this mother-in-law out and beat her to death!"
"Wait, who dares to touch the people in my yard?"
Rong Yan wouldn't take minor squabbles to heart, but if it came to a serious matter and the servants in her courtyard were to be beaten to death, then she wouldn't be so polite.
Normally, Rong Yan is always smiling and has a somewhat lazy yet cheerful demeanor. Now, however, he exudes a powerful aura, his expression serious and unsmiling, which momentarily intimidates Rong Shu's subordinates.
"Madam, let's go. If the Lady of the Marquis sees us, she might criticize you," Xia Xiang advised cautiously, observing Rong Shu's expression.
Rong Shu was both angry and resentful. When had she, Rong Shu, ever had to consider the whims of this little illegitimate daughter?
Now that she has become a second wife, she has to endure this humiliation for a while.
She was so angry that she was trembling all over, and Xia Xiang helped her up.
“Madam, in terms of status, she is still the eldest son’s legal wife. You should bow your head.” Xia Xiang added quietly.
"The young master is still not awake, yet he's already so arrogant. I'd like to see how long you can keep up this act!"
Rong Yan didn't even look at Rong Shu directly, but turned to Hua Li and said, "Sister, she is delicate and precious. The eldest young master has been ill for a long time and needs to rest. In the future, do not let her come in without my permission, so as not to disturb the eldest young master's peace. If my mother-in-law finds out, she will definitely not let it go easily."
Rong Shu pursed her lips and gritted her teeth. "You, Rong Yan! How dare you threaten me with the Wang family?!"
Rong Shu was so angry that she took a big step forward, wanting to teach Rong Yan a lesson. Suddenly, her right foot, which had been feeling heavy, twisted and she fell to the ground.
"ah!"
She was in so much pain that tears welled up in her eyes. Just then, Yu Ling suddenly called out to her from behind, "Hello, Mrs. Du."
Rong Shu tried to stand up straight, but she couldn't manage it no matter how many times she tried. It was Wang Mama who got up and helped her up. She forced back the tears in her eyes.
Rong Shu turned around and found a group of women standing at the door.
Rong Shu, like her mother, was also very good at reading people and always presented herself in a respectable manner. However, her rude remarks had been seen by everyone, so she quickly tried to distance herself from the situation and instead reprimanded Xia Xiang, the maid who had accompanied her in the dowry, trying to shift the blame for her earlier remarks onto her.
"Xia Xiang, how dare you, a mere maidservant, speak to the mistress like that?! Guards, slap her!"
Xia Xiang was startled and quickly knelt down.
Du Chunhong: ...
She spat inwardly, "Pah, this shameless woman, she's using her own words to slander Xia Xiang."
When they can't see people or hear voices, that's when they can't see people or hear voices.
The second wife, Wenjun, stepped forward to smooth things over, saying, "Oh dear, Xia Xiang really needs to be taught a lesson. Who is the young mistress? How dare you speak to her like that?!"
Wenjun shook her head, as if she thought Rong Yan was being a bit immature. She turned around and patted Rong Yan's hand, saying, "Please be more tolerant of her. After all, she's been raised in luxury since she was little."
This statement sounds more like a persuasive speech.
Du Chunhong sneered, a laugh that even Wenjun from the second wife found somewhat baffling. "Hehe, Wenjun, I'm saying that the eldest daughter-in-law will enjoy wealth and honor for the rest of her life. Does that mean that as her older sister, I have to take care of her every day?"
Wenjun said, bewildered, "Chunhong, why are you taking your anger out on me...?"
"I'm just stating the facts."
Wenjun glanced at Rong Yan, and seeing Du Chunhong's somewhat sarcastic expression, she, who had originally intended to stay, also followed towards Rong Shu's courtyard.
Madam Wang caught up with Rong Shu, saying, "Shaoqing, why are you getting angry with her? Didn't I teach you to be more magnanimous on the surface? The eldest young master won't live for more than a few days. In the end, won't you be the one calling the shots in the inner quarters? How can you not control your temper!"
"Why should I give in? Before I got married, what did she ever get that I wanted? Now, I can't even get what I want most, and you're telling me to put up with it? I never put up with it before, so why should I put up with it after I get married!"
Madam Wang was somewhat speechless after Rong Shu's words, and sighed, "People can't have everything go their way. Your current misfortunes are all paving the way for your future success. The more glamorous she is now, the more lowly you will be when you take power. Keep your anger bottled up, and we'll settle things slowly in the future."
Since Rong Shu entered the household, she has been using money to pave the way for the future of the inner quarters.
Xiao Wangshi was the first person she bribed. Now she is suppressed by her mother-in-law in everything, and there is absolutely no possibility of her turning the tables. It would be better to support her as the next person to take power.
Little Wang was a smart woman; she knew that she would certainly benefit from it.
With no one around, Rong Shu looked at her ankle and discovered that there was a bruise on her ankle bone. No wonder she couldn't stand up earlier.
She rubbed her ankle in confusion, but it was ice cold to the touch. Upon closer inspection, the bruise looked like it had been scratched by the knuckles of her fingers!
That night, Rong Shu's courtyard was suddenly brightly lit.
The courtyard was bustling with people, and maids were constantly coming and going.
Even in Qu Shen Yuan, which is quite far away, some noise could be heard.
Bai Qiong stood guard at the door, preventing the maids who wanted to go in and report from entering from taking their places. With no other option, the maids had to shout through the door, "Young Madam, something terrible has happened! Madam Rong has a high fever and is experiencing alternating chills and fever. She laughs and cries at the same time. Everyone says she's delirious from the fever, but Aunt Wang says she's being haunted by something evil. Please come and take a look."
After a long while, there was still no sound from inside the house.
With all this noise outside, they still haven't woken Rong Yan up?!
Just as they were about to fetch their mothers to ask for help, the people inside spoke.
"Although I am a cultivator, Taoist medicine is not my forte. If you want me to perform divination, that is certainly possible."
What's the point of going there for divination?
Everyone was speechless.
She never liked to meddle in other people's affairs, especially since this was Rong Shu's own doing.
Going to help would be troublesome. Not going, on the other hand, might harm Wang's mother.
She picked up the copper coin from beside her pillow, glanced at it a few times, and said, "Then let me ask you, whether I go or not, you make the decision for me this time?"
After saying that, he set up the money tortoise and casually tossed the divination stick once.
The resulting hexagram surprised her somewhat. "Wow, it's an extremely auspicious hexagram!"
Not only that, it's also a money divination, an extremely auspicious one!
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