Jin Hexagram (Middle-Upper Level)
Chapter 35, the Hexagram of Advancement (Jin), a Middle-Upper Hexagram - The Show Is About to Begin
When Rong Yan came out of Old Madam Xie's courtyard, her mind was still somewhat heavy.
Old Mrs. Xie was a woman of deep thoughts and unfathomable cunning.
She definitely didn't say that unintentionally; it was clearly a warning to herself.
However, she chose not to say it explicitly.
She looked at the flowerbeds around the courtyard, which were arranged in an orderly fashion, each variety carefully selected. Suddenly, she felt that the Marquis of Runan's mansion was like a huge net, enveloping people within it.
If you're not careful, you can easily slip and become prey for predators.
Judging from her cautious actions and the fact that she dismissed everyone else to speak with her, it seems that each courtyard has been infiltrated by the master's people.
And how many people are watching her?
Old Madam Xie must be one of them. She didn't just send someone to keep an eye on her after this incident; probably someone had been reporting to her ever since she entered the mansion.
She originally thought that as long as she paid more attention and was careful with her words and actions, she could live comfortably in the mansion.
She still felt as if she were still covered in the rich scent of sandalwood, and the bittersweet taste in her mouth lingered for a long time.
The tension that had been building up inside her finally eased.
Looking at the rare good weather outside the courtyard, with clear skies and a gentle breeze, she felt a chill all over her body, as if the warmth of the sun had not penetrated her heart at all.
She looked up at the sky for a long time, then passed by Fuxi Hall, which was Wang's courtyard.
She still refused to see her.
For several days in a row, she refused to see anyone, including Xie Chengzhi and Xie Ningling.
Unable to enter, Rong Yan had to stay outside the courtyard for a while before slowly walking back to Qu Shen Courtyard.
Just as you enter the courtyard through the archway, at the end of the winding corridor, stands a person wearing a mink cloak, looking at the red plum tree in front of him that has a slightly crooked neck.
Rong Yan slowly approached and gently called his name, but he seemed not to hear her, lost in thought.
"Husband?"
Looking at his profile, he had a full forehead and a straight nose, and his facial features were very defined. He didn't turn his head, but simply spoke softly, "You tell me, why does this plum tree, with its neck crooked, still strive to grow towards the sun?"
His voice was indifferent, even somewhat cold, and this coldness, mixed with the painful memories of his past that Xie Ningling had shared with her earlier that day, began to slowly seep into her heart.
She looked at the crooked plum tree with a hint of pity.
The plum trees were in full bloom with vibrant red plum blossoms, as bright as blood. She said, "Perhaps it refuses to accept its fate. Although its neck is crooked, it is the earliest blooming plum tree in the manor. It can see a different kind of scenery. Aren't we the same?"
Xie Chengzhi remained expressionless after hearing this. He didn't speak again, and Rong Yan didn't say anything either. They just stood quietly beside him, looking at the red plum tree together.
In the afternoon, two guests arrived at Qu Shen Courtyard.
Xie Chengzhi used the excuse of going to the west wing to fumigate with medicine to treat his wounds.
When Rong Yan saw that the visitors were his second aunt Wenjun and Xiao Wangshi, he was not surprised at all, but he pretended to be delighted.
"Second Aunt, Aunt Wang, you've arrived! Please sit down. Huali, go brew a pot of bitter tea."
When Aunt Wenjun heard that it was bitter tea, her face lit up with joy. "Is this the tea from Grandmother's place?"
"Second Aunt, do you also like tea? Grandmother gave some to my husband, and I brought some to drink. Please drink it while it's hot."
Concubine Wang was merely a concubine who brought her orphaned daughter with her when she entered the household. Old Madam Xie never really liked her. Firstly, because of her lowly status, and secondly, because she was completely illiterate, unable to read or write a single character from the Four Books and Five Classics.
To be able to climb up to a marquis, one must have some tricks up their sleeve.
Old Mrs. Xie was a shrewd person and naturally disliked this kind of person. So, when it came to bitter tea, she was unaware of it. Old Master Xie wouldn't waste tea leaves to invite a concubine to taste it.
However, since her second aunt had no children and did not need to be busy with the affairs of the mansion, she would go to Old Madam Xie's courtyard whenever she had free time. Old Madam Xie was happy to have someone to chat with.
Therefore, when Rong Yan mentioned brewing bitter tea, she knew that it came from Old Madam Xie.
Little Wang took the small teacup with a smile, lowered her head and took a small sip, pursed her lips, and smiled somewhat awkwardly. Second Aunt, on the other hand, took a small sip and then a small sip, saying, "Yanyan, it's quite a treat to have a cup of tea like this here today."
"If you like it, come more often when you have time. Next time I'll brew some tea that I brought from home for everyone to try." Rong Yan spoke very politely. Little Wang hesitated for a moment before speaking first, mentioning Wang Shi.
"Alas, with such a thing happening in the manor, I am rather disheartened. I wonder how the madam is doing. The Marquis won't let her go out, and she won't let anyone in to see her either."
When Second Aunt heard Wang Shi mentioned, she sighed deeply. "She's proud by nature. Whether she did it or not, she wouldn't allow the Marquis to humiliate her like that. I think she's really heartbroken this time."
Mrs. Wang slowly shook her head. "I think she's too hot-tempered. If it wasn't her, wouldn't most people be eager to distance themselves? Her anger came so suddenly and impulsively, which is nothing like her usual personality. However, what I'm saying today is just what I felt, so just listen and forget about it."
After she finished speaking, she glanced at Rong Yan, afraid that if word got out from Rong Yan, it would spread that she had made up stories about the mistress.
Rong Yan smiled but didn't speak. Her second aunt asked, "Didn't we ask you to investigate this matter? Dao Heng is in poor health, and Grandmother knows you are intelligent, so she entrusted such an important matter to you. Do you have any leads?"
Madam Wang wiped her lips with a handkerchief and hurriedly asked, "Yes, do you already know who did it? I heard from the maid in the outer courtyard that the main gate of the mansion was opened."
"I don't really know about this either. I was confused by those testimonies and couldn't help at all. I'm afraid my grandmother will blame me." Rong Yan looked embarrassed and smiled awkwardly.
Madam Wang nodded in agreement, "It really puts you in a difficult position. Your grandmother asked you for help, but you have no experience, so it's not easy for you either. I saw the mansion gates were open and thought things were looking up. It seems like it'll all just end up being left unresolved."
Her second aunt comforted her, "Yes, you did your best, your grandmother won't blame you. Besides, what ordinary people like us know how to investigate cases? Maybe reporting it to the authorities will solve it."
Rong Yan looked up at her and said softly, "I heard it's not broken yet."
The second aunt was somewhat surprised, "It's still not broken? It's so difficult to investigate??"
Rong Yan: "I don't know about that."
Xiao Wang was also a little surprised. She and her second aunt stood up and looked at the cabinet for a while. Her second aunt, Wenjun, picked up a booklet and flipped through it. She was quite surprised and said, "Your handwriting is very neat and beautiful. It's no worse than your sister's."
Rong Yan hadn't expected her reading notes to be opened, and just smiled and said, "My master has beautiful handwriting. I've only managed to imitate about 10% of it, which is hardly worthy of being called elegant. I'm sorry to have embarrassed you, Aunt. Your handwriting, on the other hand, is just like you, fresh and refined."
Second Aunt's face stiffened, and Rong Yan smiled and said, "The current household expenses are arranged thanks to you, Aunt. My sister doesn't have your abilities at all; she's just benefiting from your influence."
Little Wang pursed her lips, then smiled as she watched Wenjun beam with joy. "Yes, Second Aunt is very capable, it's a pity that the younger generation gets all the credit."
Second Aunt: "What are you saying? It doesn't matter who steps forward, as long as the Marquis's mansion doesn't cause any trouble."
Rong Yan smiled slightly and lowered his head to slowly sip his tea.
After the two had some tea, Xiao Wangshi made an excuse and left with her second aunt.
Huali came over to tidy up the tea set on the table, somewhat puzzled. "Young Madam, did they really come all this way just to drink tea?"
Rong Yan touched the rim of his cup, lowered his eyes, and spoke softly, "When I was in the palace, I sensed something was amiss. It seemed that Consort Rong intentionally invited me to the palace, but in doing so, she was actually doing a favor for Prince Yan. The poem I wrote just moments before was already known to Prince Yan. It's the same in this vast manor. The mistress said that she's not the only one watching me. I had barely returned from my grandmother's courtyard when someone came looking for me. I originally thought that although the people in this manor came from a wealthy family, they were just a bit cunning. Now it seems I underestimated them."
Rong Yan felt a little tired. Although there were some minor squabbles when she was in the Rong family, she saw them as nothing more than children arguing, and the methods were low-level. She didn't need to pay too much attention to them and could resolve them easily.
But now that she's entered the Marquis's mansion, she feels that this "strangeness" has become more sophisticated. It doesn't matter, there are many things in this world that require surprise, so she can only deal with whatever comes her way.
As expected, the Marquis gathered everyone in the main hall that evening, and Rong Yan knew that the grand show was about to begin.
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
