The hexagram Xiaochu (小畜) is considered an unfavorable hexagram.
Chapter 9, the Lesser Accumulation Hexagram (Lower-Lower Hexagram): By not interfering with cause and effect, one can be at ease in all things.
The maids looked at the faint blue light emanating from the room and heard some strange noises coming from inside. Before long, the door opened.
The light inside the house came from the pair of luminous jewels that Third Uncle Xie Qisheng had acquired. They were brought into the courtyard in the afternoon, and people in his courtyard said that he had sent them to the young mistress as soon as he received the treasures.
They hadn't expected that the young mistress would be so unreserved and use it that very night.
As she was thinking this, the heavy, simple door opened, and Bai Qiong obediently squatted beside her.
"I'll go with you."
Two red lanterns hang under the eaves of the main gate of Qugao Courtyard, softly emitting a crimson glow.
Bathed in sunlight, pots of camellias in full bloom exuded a delicate fragrance.
Rong Yan, inhaling the faint floral fragrance in the air, suddenly remarked something unrelated, "This floral fragrance is indeed very pleasant."
Everyone was taken aback. At this crucial moment, they realized she was referring to the fragrance of camellias. It took them a beat to react. "Yes, this year's camellias are indeed much more fragrant than in previous years. These flowers were originally part of Qu Shen Courtyard's allowance. Because the eldest young master loves camellias, Princess Yongqing used her connections to bring them back from Lingnan. Madam Rong was also very pleased to see them and asked Madam Hou several times to let them stay in their courtyard for a while before sending them back to our courtyard."
"Oh, I see."
Seeing that Rong Yan had no expression on her face, everyone assumed that she disliked their mention of Princess Yongqing and regretted saying the wrong thing.
As soon as Rong Yan entered the room, he heard Rong Shu's unbearable groans, "It hurts, it hurts so much."
“Madam, please bear with it. The doctor said there is no bone injury in your leg. He has already examined your tendons and bones. Imperial Physician Zhang said that you are probably frightened and have developed hallucinations.”
That was Xie Zhezhi's voice, followed by Fang's mother's voice, "But what's with that black mark on her ankle? The more I look at it... the more it looks like a handprint..."
"Nonsense. Imperial Physician Zhang is Consort Rong's personal physician. He said that the bruise was originally a whole patch, but some parts have faded, which is why it looks like a handprint now."
The maidservant bowed respectfully to Rong Yan, and everyone in the room turned their gazes to her. She was not nervous at all, and slowly approached, focusing only on Rong Shu.
Rong Shu smelled wonderful, so much so that Rong Shu had to cover her nose.
Others might not be able to smell it, but she knew very well that the fragrance on Rong Shu's body was more of a bone fragrance than a floral one.
Everyone inside was very tense, which made Rong Yan's expression seem calm and composed.
As soon as Madam Fang saw Rong Yan sit down gracefully in front of the bed, she turned her head and winked at Xia Xiang, signaling her to call Madam Hou over.
She actually dared to come.
She said that Rong Shu had encountered something unclean and invited Rong Yan over, seemingly to give her a chance to stand up and show herself, but in reality, it was a scheme to make her look incompetent.
Everyone says that Rong Yan, who was abandoned in the Taoist temple for ten years, actually learned some real skills.
Others might believe these rumors, but she, a mother immersed in the inner quarters of the household, would never believe them.
It's likely that her knowledge of divination was something she created herself, simply to gain favor with her father.
Very well, she might try to deceive Lady Hou with this trick, but with her there, that's absolutely impossible. Since she's going to take the lead, let her make a good impression on Lady Hou.
As a person, you should know your own limitations. Since she lacks self-awareness, I'll just help her out.
Her smile was deep, pressing down on the wrinkles on her face. What kind of female Taoist priest did she think she could see through this?
She's neither a Taoist doctor nor a half-baked female Taoist, yet she dares to take on this responsibility; she's truly overestimating herself.
Mother Fang is a very vengeful person. Ever since Rong Yan offended her on their wedding night, she has been trying to make him suffer at every turn.
However, the Lady of the Marquis didn't seem to care much about her affairs, so she didn't dare to make a move.
Now that she's delivered herself to her doorstep, it's a golden opportunity that she'll naturally make the most of.
Rong Shu's face turned pale with pain in her ankle, and cold sweat kept seeping from her forehead in the freezing night.
She kept writhing on the bed, and the fragrance intensified. Even the housekeeper thought to herself, "Why is she in so much pain? She was perfectly fine during the evening meal."
Rong Shu wouldn't listen. She shook her head frantically, her eyes filled with both resentment and submission as she looked at Rong Yan. "Quickly..."
Xie Zhezhi frowned, his face pale. Perhaps seeing his wife suffering like this was unbearable for him. He quickly stood up and looked at Rong Yan.
“Sister-in-law, I heard you’ve been at Hebai Temple for ten years, so you must have accumulated far more incense smoke than we do. I’ve been by her side all day and haven’t been hurt, but the marks on your ankles look like paint…”
As he spoke, Rong Yan himself lifted the lid, looked at it, and then put it back down.
This isn't paint; it's clearly a charred human handprint, the skin is completely blackened.
It didn't look like he had bumped or bruised himself at all, no wonder he insisted on having Rong Yan invited over.
Xie Zhezhi was about to say something when he was interrupted by the sound of the door opening, and it was Madam Hou who came in.
After Lady Hou entered, she gestured to everyone not to stand on ceremony.
Rong Yan didn't explain much, but simply said, "Go get the cooling mint ointment and apply it to her. You, come down and kneel down."
She casually pointed at Rong Shu.
Everyone was puzzled, but Fang's mother was very cooperative and was even the first to help Rong Shu down.
"Just do as the young mistress says, don't just stand there."
She was secretly pleased with herself, thinking that her trick of flattery to kill was flawless. On the other hand, Rong Yan was calm and even happier at the thought that she was about to embarrass herself in front of the Lady of the Marquis.
Rong Shu's face was swollen from the pain, and she couldn't care less about objecting, letting Fang Mama help her kneel down.
Rong Yan was silent for a moment, then said, "You're not kneeling before me."
Then, she brought out the statues of the Three Pure Ones, saying, "Apply the plaster thicker, even thicker."
He glanced at the incense while speaking, then began to burn incense.
Then, holding the incense stick, he circled her three times before sprinkling the incense powder on the charred area of her ankle and then circling her ankle several more times while still burning it.
"Take this carefully and go offer incense. Remember, the incense must not be broken; put all three sticks into the incense burner together, then grab a handful of ash from the burner and rub it on your ankles. Huali, where's the tea I brought?"
"Young Madam, over here."
Rong Shu's lips turned white from the pain. She glanced over and realized it was the cup of tea that Qu Shen had asked her to drink that evening in Qu Shen Courtyard.
Seeing that the young lady was quite skilled at such things, resembling the tricks of a charlatan, Madam Fang paid her no heed. Seeing that Lady Hou was following along with the prayers with a devout expression, she also bowed.
Rong Shu felt a sense of relief. The sandalwood scent as Rong Yan circled her body earlier made her feel as if something heavy had finally lifted from her body, and even her muscles and bones felt much more relaxed.
She looked up at everyone in the room, and then, in a soft and gentle manner, did exactly as Rong Yan had instructed.
Rong Shu watched as she bent down to heat the incense on her ankle again, feeling disdain. Even the imperial physicians couldn't cure the pain, yet she actually thought she could.
Inviting her here is nothing more than her getting herself involved!
"Sister, I'm so sorry for offending you." After saying that, he poured strong tea and hot soup down her ankles.
Everyone was startled and gasped softly. Fortunately, it was freezing cold, so the hot soup wouldn't harm anyone.
"Ouch!" Whether it was from pain or the heat, Rong Shu let out a painful howl.
Everyone saw her in pain and tears were streaming down her face. But in a moment, the pain turned into surprise. Even Rong Shu herself did not expect that the pain in her bones would actually disappear immediately!
She lifted the hem of her skirt in surprise, and everyone saw that the charred marks had not disappeared.
Lady Hou's face clearly showed disappointment.
Madam Fang sneered, "Young Madam, it seems we've wasted our time. This is terrible. Mr. Qian from Fenglelou is not here. Madam Hou, you'd better hurry to the palace and invite Lord Zhao from the Imperial Observatory."
Xie Zhezhi glanced at Rong Shu, "Wife, what do you think?"
“Sister, I know I offended you before, but you can’t… I kindly waited for you to return in the courtyard, wanting to chat with you. I thought you must be unaccustomed to many things since you first entered the Marquis’s mansion. But who would have thought that you would instruct Wang Mama to hurt me first, and now… now you dare to hurt me again in front of everyone!” After saying this, her soft, weak eyes reddened, and she shrank into Xie Zhezhi’s arms.
Lady Hou frowned, seemingly displeased with her demeanor.
Everyone: !!! It was the young mistress who ordered Granny Wang to do it?!
The injury on her ankle was inflicted by Rong Yan? How did she manage that?!
Rong Yan packed his things expressionlessly, and when he looked up, a hint of disdain seemed to appear on his face.
Yes, it's disdain.
If you want to frame someone, you need to use your brain, right?
She dusted off the cigarette ash from her hands and smiled smugly. "Your injury is nothing more than the saltpeter and phosphorus in the dirt from the tangerines. If you hadn't kicked Granny Wang first, causing her to fall and break the tangerines, getting her hands covered in mud and then scratching your ankle, you wouldn't be in this state. You say I instructed you to hurt you, but did I instruct you to kick Granny Wang first?"
Rong Shu was speechless, her face turning pale, especially in front of so many people.
This little bitch, who has been so lowly and silent for ten years, how did she become so sharp-tongued?!
Panicked, she heard Wang ask, "The tangerines fell?!"
She covered her face and burst into tears, saying, "I didn't mean it, why did you have to say it like that, sister?"
Wang glared at Rong Shu. With such petty thoughts, how dare she try to show off in front of her? She was not only ashamed, she despised her!
Wang ignored Rong Shu and asked Rong Yan, "You said that the tribute oranges contain saltpeter and phosphorus?"
Rong Yan raised his eyes, "It's not just the tribute oranges, but also the camellias."
Wang's expression changed abruptly, and she quickly interrupted her, not letting her continue.
"Enough! This is so annoying. Madam Fang, once her foot is better, please give her the proper etiquette for me. No one is allowed to tell anyone about tonight's events. If I ever hear a word of it from anyone else, I'll send a slave trader to teach you all a lesson!"
The maids in the courtyard were all confused about what had happened and fell silent, only daring to nod in horror.
Rong Shu was both angry and aggrieved. She had suffered, while Rong Yan hadn't been hurt at all. He even forbade the people in her courtyard from talking about it. It was so unfair to favor her like this! Tears immediately streamed down her face, making Xie Zhezhi look somewhat distressed.
"Does it still hurt?"
"Ouch, it hurts."
Rong Yan didn't even glance at Rong Shu. "Impossible. If you're still in pain, it should be because you're heartbroken."
Rong Shu: ?
“Young Madam, why speak like that? If Madam Rong’s ankle is not healing, she should seek another doctor. We are all sisters, why be so sarcastic?”
Madam Fang was a favorite of Lady Hou. She often spoke to Rong Yan in such a manner, and even Lady Hou did not reprimand her for being unruly, so no one else would dare to say anything.
Seeing how much Fang's mother was helping her, Rong Shu pretended to be even more weak.
Wang looked somewhat somber and absent-minded. She waved her hand, as if to leave.
Rong Yan knew that this matter was not simple. The powder from the camellias outside the door clashed with the saltpeter and talcum powder. If one came into contact with the camellia pollen, the stronger the talcum powder would be, the greater the pain would be.
She had already washed Wang Mama's hands, but it was Rong Shu's stubborn refusal to do so that caused this situation.
The tangerines have already been delivered to Qu Shen Courtyard, and the camellias were originally intended for her courtyard as well. If it weren't for Rong Shu's matter, she would likely have been the one to suffer.
She was able to break this deadlock thanks to her Taoist physician brother, Ji Kong. Having grown up with him since childhood, she had learned some basic skills from him.
The imperial physician invited by Xie Zhezhi couldn't possibly have missed this trick, so why didn't he expose it?
Remembering that he had heard earlier that the imperial physician invited was Consort Rong's personal physician, he realized that this matter was quite serious.
I thought that by marrying a dying man, I could become a couch potato and enjoy this extravagant life of wealth.
Unexpectedly, troubles piled up one after another. First, there was the blood-red aura layout in the room, and then there was this matter of the tribute oranges.
She neither interferes with the cause nor receives the result, thus she can be at ease in all things.
What I fear is that she is already caught up in this cause and effect.
Madam Fang was somewhat annoyed. She had invited Madam Hou to see Rong Yan make a fool of herself, but unexpectedly, she ended up putting on a show for Rong Yan.
"Thank you, sister-in-law, and thank you for the blessing of Hebai Temple. Tomorrow, my wife and I will go to Hebai Temple to offer incense. Ziyan, please prepare ten strings of cash for me."
Rong Yan smiled slightly. So the fortune slip referred to "mountains of gold and silver".
"Second Brother, I closed Hebai Temple yesterday."
Xie Zhezhi looked somewhat surprised and glanced at Wang Shi.
"Then, I'll have someone deliver a few sets of clothes to the yard another day. Thank you, sister-in-law."
Madam Wang waved her hand casually and said, "Mama Fang, tomorrow deliver that yellow peach-green jade to Madam's courtyard. I'll deliver it myself. If Second Brother wants to go to a Taoist temple, wouldn't Lingyun Temple on Dibao Mountain be better?"
"Yes, Mother."
Madam Fang was shocked. "Madam Hou, you mustn't do this! That fine jade was part of your dowry, worth at least several hundred strings of cash!"
After Wang gave her a glare, Fang's mother reluctantly shut up.
Rong Yan smiled sweetly and said, "Thank you for your generosity, Mother."
"Yanyan, come here for a moment."
"What brings you here, Mother?"
"What you just said... was it true?"
"That's certainly true."
Lady Hou looked somewhat preoccupied and embarrassed, but after much consideration, she finally spoke up.
"Keep tonight's events to yourself. Don't ask what you shouldn't ask, and don't hear what you shouldn't hear. This is for your own good and Daoheng's."
"Mother, I understand."
"That's good. I came to you because I need your help with something." After saying that, he looked around, seemingly unwilling to say more here, and then led her out of the courtyard.
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