Fu (Return) Hexagram (Central-Central)
Chapter 24 Fu Hexagram - The Middle Hexagram - Architectural Diagrams for Dwellings
Turning around and seeing Xie Chengzhi, she abruptly stopped talking, feeling slightly embarrassed. "How come it's you?"
Xie Chengzhi raised the corners of his lips slightly, but unusually said, "It can't be the young master of the Liu family."
Rong Yan: ...? ? ?
What did he mean by saying that? And what does this have to do with the Liu family?
Wait a minute, the Liu family?
He's investigating her?
Back in Jiangdong, the two families had arranged a marriage between their children when they were young. It was originally a marriage between the direct descendants, but because the Rong family was materialistic and disliked associating with the Liu family, the marriage of their eldest daughter was instead arranged for her.
Knowing that the Rong family was not worthy of their status, the Liu family allowed the Rong family to bully them. Later, when the Rong family was promoted, the Liu family tacitly withdrew from the marriage. It was only when Rong Yan arranged for Rong Shu to marry into the Marquis of Runan's family that the Liu family took the initiative to send a letter of divorce.
This move was ridiculed by the Duan family, who considered it a pointless exercise by the Liu family.
She then realized that when he mentioned the Liu family, he must be referring to the Liu family of Jiangdong.
Rong Yan immediately sensed that he must have encountered something that made him unhappy, which was why he was speaking in such a sarcastic tone. She could only smile and say dryly, "Hehe, that's true, just like how it can't be like the two new female servants who know about pharmacology that my husband has added."
Xie Chengzhi's eyes flickered, and he pursed his lips without saying a word.
My gaze fell on the dirt on his chest, which seemed to be stained with fruit color. I knew he had come in to change his clothes, so I gave up my spot behind the screen, but he called me back.
"Come on in."
Rong Yan: ? ? ?
I picked out a light gray outfit for him, and as soon as I helped him change, he frowned and said, "Change into something else."
Rong Yan nodded; it was she who had made the decision on her own. She then picked up a light green set and asked him, "How about this one?"
After describing the colors and patterns of the clothes to him, and seeing him nod, she put them on him. But as soon as she put them on, he shook his head again, "No good."
Rong Yan: ...
She looked around some more and found a set of crescent-colored silk satin with a subtle pearlescent sheen that looked very beautiful.
Fortunately, Xie Chengzhi didn't find any mistakes this time. He was tall and strong, and when she changed his clothes, her fingertips were slightly cold. She didn't complain of the cold when she touched his skin, especially the back of his neck, which was warm and made her fingertips feel softer.
Although it was just a touch of skin between their fingertips and wrists, the breath flowing between them made the temperature in the room seem to rise considerably.
She wrapped her hands around his narrow waist belt, getting very close to him, and could smell the faint scent of Chinese medicine on him. The atmosphere became somewhat ambiguous.
At this moment, Rong Yan was thinking that the big meal would be late again.
When the two arrived at Liushui Shangyuan, everyone was already waiting there.
Wang's expression was somewhat unpleasant. Her second uncle and aunt were present, but Xie Ningling was still on the mountain and not here at the moment. However, the usually cautious Xiao Zhou was also present.
Rong Shu and Xie Zhezhi were eating in the small courtyard because of Duan Shi.
Xie Qisheng and Du Chunhong went to the Taoist temple to supervise the construction in her place. The Marquis was rarely at the dinner table, and even Rong Yan seemed to have gotten used to it.
Rong Yan quickly stepped forward to bow, but her second aunt said, "Don't be so polite, come and sit down at the table."
Wang nodded without saying anything more.
Rong Yan knew that this meal with everyone was bound to be bad news.
Sure enough, no sooner had they sat down than roasted duck slices were served. The glistening, oily slices were truly appetizing. Before Rong Yan could even take a bite, Madam Zhou spoke up, "Madam, that pearl-embroidered dress was a gift from the Marquis, ordered from Huashang Shop before the New Year, as promised to me. Regardless of how difficult it was to obtain such a dress, now that Yan Yan is going to the palace, how can we simply hand it over to her?"
It turned out that the clothes she was to wear to the palace the next day were taken from the portion that Xiao Zhoushi had been given to. Xiao Zhoushi was obviously impatient, and when she saw her coming, she didn't bother to chatter in private, but brought it up in front of her.
They showed her no respect, and they gave Wang Shi no face either.
Before Rong Yan could speak, Madam Wang frowned and casually said, "It's just a cheap dress. Yan Yan had to go to the palace at the last minute, so I only took one of your allowances. How could you be so inconsiderate? Besides, the dress was made to fit you before you had a belly. Now that you're so heavily pregnant, you can't fit into it anymore. Just let it go for now, and I'll make up for it later."
Although Wang's words were unpleasant to hear, they were the truth.
Xiao Wang didn't dare to say a word, and her daughter Wang Musong also ate her meal silently, not intending to participate.
However, Wenjun, the second wife, comforted Xiao Zhou Shi a few times, saying, "Now that you are pregnant, I don't need to wait for the new clothes to wear. If you really want to wear them, I will give you my clothes and have them altered."
With a wronged look and red eyes, Xiao Zhou looked up at Wenjun and nodded. "Thank you, Second Sister-in-law, but I want my share."
Xie Chengzhi clearly had no interest in these trivial matters. He suddenly asked her, "Are you going to the palace?"
Rong Yan glanced at him, and was stunned by what she saw. His expression turned very cold, and she unconsciously hummed in agreement.
Xie Chengzhi didn't say anything more, so Rong Yan turned his head back.
Madam Wang wanted Rong Yan to be dressed presentably, which is why she said she was there to prepare his clothes.
"That's enough! Don't think that just because you're carrying the Marquis's child, I won't dare to reprimand you. As the mistress of this mansion, I have the final say on the distribution of provisions within the mansion!"
You must understand, Rong Yan isn't entering the palace now as a member of the Rong family. If Madam Zhou had realized this, she wouldn't have made such a scene at the dinner table.
Even the second uncle spoke up for Madam Zhou, saying, "Madam Zhou, you're sixteen years old this year, how can you still act like a child? It's just a matter of giving way, why make such a fuss over a piece of clothing?"
Auntie stepped in to smooth things over, saying, "I still have a lot of new clothes that I haven't worn yet. If you like them, come to my place and I'll pick some out for you. Your waist is a bit big, but with a little alteration, they'll fit you perfectly."
Little Zhou was sobbing with her neck stiffened, ignoring everyone, which made Wang's anger rise.
Rong Yan pondered for a moment and said, "Mother, this is my fault. I do have a set of clothes from Jiuzhen Shop, which Father gave me as a coming-of-age gift. If Mother thinks it is acceptable, I can wear that set tomorrow."
Her coming-of-age ceremony was held just before her marriage, and she only wore that outfit once; it was brand new.
Madam Wang glanced at Madam Zhou, then looked at Rong Yan, "After all, this is your first time entering the palace, and you are a new bride, so it would be best if you wore new clothes."
Little Zhou cried for a while, and when her crying subsided, she looked up and said, "Mistress, I'll give in. But I want to change houses. There are ponds on both sides of the west courtyard, and it's too cold in winter, which isn't good for the baby in my belly."
Everyone fell silent. This young Zhou was indeed becoming arrogant and spoiled.
A mere courtesan, who is pregnant with the Marquis's child, is now looked down upon even by the West Courtyard.
The Marquis's mansion was built with the help of a court geomancer who had chosen the best feng shui location. Although it wasn't a place of absolute nobility, it was still a place of excellent feng shui.
Now, this young Zhou is spouting nonsense, wanting to change courtyards.
Wang's face was pale, but she managed to hold back and asked, "Which atom do you want to exchange for?"
"She is naturally the mistress..."
"What?! How dare you, a mere concubine, live in the main courtyard with the Marquis? Do you really want to rebel?!" Madam Wang had originally wanted to watch a good show, but seeing this, she was furious at Madam Zhou's brainlessness.
Second Aunt Wenjun was also somewhat surprised; no one knew what was going on in little Zhou's head.
Then Madam Zhou smiled and said, "What I mean is, among the courtyards next to the main wife's, I think Concubine Wang's courtyard is quite nice."
Ms. Wang: !!!
They're picking on the weak!
Madam Wang was so angry her face changed color. "You!"
Wang Musong, who was standing nearby, nudged her mother with his elbow, signaling her not to say anything inappropriate.
After pointing her finger fiercely at Xiao Zhou, Xiao Wangshi said to Wangshi, "Sister, although I am also a concubine, what kind of logic is this? She was living comfortably in her own courtyard, but she wants to move to ours just for the sake of the one in her belly, causing trouble for the people in both courtyards."
“Madam, it’s not that I want to cause trouble, but the feng shui master said that my courtyard has too much yin energy, which is bad for a woman’s health… For the sake of the Marquis’s offspring, I beg you to make a wise decision.”
The new chef at the Marquis's residence is not as skilled as Chef Gan, and the taste of his dishes is not as good. However, one of his dishes, stir-fried pickled mustard greens with edamame and bamboo shoots, is both fresh and tender.
Unfortunately, the women at this table all ate like birds.
Even her second uncle and Xie Chengzhi didn't eat much, so she dared not pick up too much food with her chopsticks, making the meal quite tiring. The food tasted like cardboard; ever since they entered the Marquis's mansion, everyone had become a master of drama.
Her courtyard was a place where the wind could gather and the energy could be concentrated. Although it could not be considered the best residence, it certainly could not be considered to have a heavy yin energy.
After Wang gave a heavy snort, she was about to say something when she was interrupted by Madam Fang, "Madam, isn't the young mistress the last disciple of Taoist Gouxiang? She must know about geomancy, otherwise, wasn't the selection of the burial site and auspicious spots for the Li family's son before the marriage also handled by the young mistress?"
Her words, though spoken softly, were like a small pebble dropped into a clear lake, creating ripples that spread out in concentric circles.
"Yes, I forgot. Yan Yan has this skill. Why don't we talk about Yan Yan and see if her courtyard is really unsuitable for living?" The second aunt turned her head and helped Wang Shi throw the problem to her.
Rong Yan: ...
A house is considered best if it can retain wind and gather energy; even if she wants to be a lazy bum, she has to be able to hide it.
If she helps Xiao Wangshi, she will inevitably offend Xiao Zhoushi.
vice versa.
Rather than offending someone whether she tells the truth or a lie, she might as well tell the truth; the rest is not something she should worry about.
Rong Yan smiled somewhat awkwardly. Looking at the young mistress who was about the same age as herself, Madam Zhou frowned. "At her age, are you just making things up to fob me off?"
"Nonsense!" Madam Wang slammed her hand on the table.
"Who is she, and who is you? If you want to act high and mighty, you'll have to wait until the baby in your belly is born!"
Madam Zhou initially looked somewhat bewildered, but upon hearing Madam Wang's words, her expression turned somewhat fearful. "Madam, could it be...? With everyone here today, if something were to happen to my belly, you would surely be suspicious."
Madam Fang stepped forward and slapped the maid behind her hard across the face. "Watch your words! I can't hit you, but I can teach your maid a lesson! As a mistress, you must have the dignity of a mistress! You know what to say and what not to say. It seems you haven't learned your manners!"
Everyone's expressions were different, and Fang's mother was the first to not believe Rong Yan.
Not to mention Madam Fang, even Madam Wang didn't believe it. However, she had never made things difficult for Rong Yan before, so she wasn't worried that Rong Yan would make up lies to harm her.
However, young Mrs. Zhou was too young and spoke without thinking, which led to her being taught a lesson.
Wang suppressed her anger, her face not looking too good as she turned to Rong Yan and said, "Tell me, is her courtyard really unsuitable for living?"
Rong Yan looked up and smiled gently, "It's good in some ways, and bad in others."
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