Meng Hexagram (Lower Middle Hexagram)
Chapter 4 Meng Hexagram (Lower Middle Hexagram) - The Third Uncle and Third Aunt in the Marquis's Mansion
In this house—
Some people don't want Xie Chengzhi to live.
Whether it's the Bagua mirror facing the bed or the water vines filling the room.
From a Feng Shui perspective, all of these actions are detrimental to the positive energy within the house, especially for those who are ill, as they bring no benefit whatsoever.
The Seven Star Lamp is a life-extending ritual, but this master used a Bagua mirror to break the south position of the Seven Star Lamp, doing so silently.
He also used water, which is considered yin, to block his rising yang energy, demonstrating his extremely meticulous thinking.
Anyone who can touch the things in the eldest son's room must be someone close to him.
Clearly, Rong Yan knew nothing about Xie Chengzhi. The only reason she agreed to marry into the family was so she could live a more comfortable, carefree life.
She originally thought that the Marquis's mansion was at most a place of intrigue and backstabbing, but she never expected that they would not even spare a short-lived ghost who only had three months to live.
While combing her hair, Yu Ling whispered, "Young Madam, I think the Lady Hou is very unhappy because your Taoist temple was involved in a funeral before the wedding. You should try to please her more today."
Rong Yan chuckled softly, "What's the use of trying to please her? Her kindness towards me is only because of the eldest young master; she'll only be happy for a few months."
Yu Ling dared not reply; everyone knew that the eldest young master probably wouldn't live much longer.
Rong Yan got up and went to the screen in front of the bed. He stood on tiptoe and changed the direction of the Bagua mirror, pointing it at the door.
Karin noticed her actions and asked, somewhat puzzled, "What is Madam doing?"
Rong Yan chuckled, "I'm easily scared if I see it at midnight, so it's better to come from a different direction. Yu Ling, open all the doors and windows today. The sun is shining brightly, and the plants in the house should also get some sunshine."
"But Madam, these water radishes cannot be dried in the sun."
"It's alright, just find some black soil and change the water in the basin. The room is too humid, and there are a lot of mosquitoes."
Yu Ling frowned. The spring chill hadn't passed yet, so even with heavy moisture, how could there be mosquitoes?
However, he dared not question it aloud, saying, "Yes, Madam."
Because of the matter concerning Madam Fang, Rong Yan went to the front hall to serve tea to the Marquis and Madam Wang much later than usual.
When Rong Yan arrived, Rong Shu and Xie Zhezhi were waiting for her at the door. The Xie family's grandmother and the Marquis's wife were sitting at one end, while the Marquis was waiting with a blank expression.
The moment Xie Zhezhi saw Rong Yan, his face lit up with joy, and with a somewhat naive expression, he softly greeted her, "Greetings, sister-in-law."
Although Rong Yan was his wife's sister, she could accept being called "sister-in-law".
Rong Yan smiled slightly and looked at Rong Shu, who stared straight ahead without saying a word.
Rong Yan had no intention of arguing and didn't care. However, Xie Zhezhi coughed lightly and turned to Rong Shu, saying softly, "How can you be so ill-mannered?"
Everyone was waiting. Rong Shu had just entered the family when her husband spoke to her like that, and it was because of Rong Yan. Her eyes instantly reddened, and she reluctantly called out, "Sister-in-law."
The hall was filled with people from various courtyards, a dense, oppressive mass, all of whom were now calmly looking at her.
Long before the wedding, Xie had memorized all her relatives within five degrees of kinship in Kyoto. Now, she was able to greet them all properly, and her demeanor was dignified and graceful, without making a single mistake.
Even as Rong Yan bowed, he could see that Lady Wang's expression was not good. Sure enough, as soon as she served a cup of fresh tea, the Marquis quietly accepted it, lowered his head, and took a sip.
Lady Wang coughed lightly, pursing her lips. The Marquis glanced at her and then put down his cup.
Rong Yan served tea to Madam Wang again, and said with a smile, "Did you sleep in late? Are you feeling better today? Remember to watch what you eat today."
Lady Wang wore an orange-gold jacket over a matching ruqun (a type of traditional Chinese dress), and her hair was styled in a slanted bun adorned with a gold and jade hairpin that swayed as she spoke, giving her a very elegant and imposing air.
He was very polite in public, which surprised Rong Yan.
It seems that this Wang is also a master of domestic affairs, knowing how to put on a show in front of others.
"Thank you for your concern, Father and Mother. I am much better now. It was my fault for being late today and keeping you waiting. I will be more punctual in my morning and evening greetings from now on."
Madam Wang glanced at Rong Yan, who had his head bowed, looking obedient and humble, and was quite satisfied.
"Mama Fang".
"Yes, Madam Hou."
"When you saw the eldest son today, did you think he was feeling any better?"
Lady Wang's actions were merely an attempt to ascertain the effectiveness of the marriage arrangement in bringing good fortune.
Madam Fang deliberately feigned difficulty, "This... when I arrived today, the young mistress was still asleep, and everyone was in a bit of a flurry of activity. This old servant didn't have time to check on her."
Upon hearing this, Wang's face immediately fell.
Mrs. Fang snorted inwardly. With her so arrogant this morning, there must be someone who can keep her in check!
“Young Madam, I think you are well aware that the eldest son married you because your horoscopes are compatible. Although I don’t expect you to be a scholar of poetry and literature and read to him every day, you should at least fulfill your duties as a woman.”
She practically said that marrying her meant she had to serve Xie Chengzhi well.
Rong Shu showed no particular expression on her face, but she was inwardly quite pleased with herself.
When she first married into the Marquis's household, the Marquis's wife repeatedly tried to intimidate her. What is Rong Yan's little bit of suffering compared to that?
She was the legitimate daughter, yet even the Lady of the Marquis treated her extremely rudely, let alone the fact that she was merely a concubine's daughter used to bring good fortune to the family.
She glanced at Xie Zhezhi's expression and saw that he seemed to want to speak up for Rong Yan, so she quickly spoke up first.
"Mother, my sister is young and doesn't know any better. Please don't blame her. She will definitely serve the eldest young master well in the future."
Xie Zhezhi looked reluctant and also advised, "Mother, my sister-in-law has just become a wife. If there is anything, let the nanny teach her properly. There is no need to get so angry."
After hearing this, Lady Hou nodded, then looked up at Rong Shu and said, "Hengyuan is right, but Shu'er, you are being a bit rude. What did you call her? Sister? She's married to the eldest son, you should call her sister-in-law."
Rong Shu's expression tightened, and she raised her eyebrows slightly, but she did not utter a word in rebuttal.
"Yes, Mother, it was your daughter-in-law who was inconsiderate. I know I was wrong."
Rong Yan looked at Rong Shu's humble, docile, and innocent appearance, and saw no trace of her former domineering and arrogant demeanor in the Rong family mansion.
These wolves in human skin, once their disguise is stripped away, it's hard to tell who is truly ruthless.
Rong Yan lowered her head and replied obediently, "Mother is right to reprimand me. It was I who was inconsiderate. I will take good care of the eldest son in the future and will go to the temple every day to burn incense and pray for him, hoping that he will wake up soon."
After hearing this, Lady Hou's expression softened considerably. She nodded and said, "It doesn't matter where you go to burn incense. You can ask questions at home just as well. Sincerity is key. I think you don't need to go to that little Taoist temple."
She had already sent someone to check out the Taoist temple that was part of her dowry yesterday.
The dilapidated little Taoist temple couldn't even compare to a corner of Lingyun Temple; it was only because the title of "master of a temple" sounded good.
To everyone's surprise, Rong Yan agreed, "Yes, the eldest young master is the most important. The Taoist temple has also been in disrepair for many years and needs to be repaired. In my opinion, it would be better to close it for now. That way, I can focus on taking care of the eldest young master in the manor and praying for his well-being."
Everyone blushed with delight at her words, surprised that she was so sensible. The Lady of the Marquis also smiled.
Rong Shu looked at Rong Yan coldly. She never expected that Rong Yan was so different from before, so taciturn. He hadn't learned anything else in the ten years he spent at the Taoist temple, but his smooth tongue had become incredibly eloquent.
After drinking the new tea and receiving a red envelope, the second aunt from the second wife's family specially gave her a pair of gold earrings.
Second Aunt Wenjun praised her with a gentle expression, and Rong Yan thanked her with a smile.
"Thank you, Second Aunt."
Du Chunhong, the third aunt of the third branch, came forward and gave her a gold ring. When she took it and looked at it, she found that it was a best-selling model from Chow Tai Fook in her previous life.
Rong Yan: ...?
Rong Yan looked up and carefully examined Du Shi and her third uncle Xie Qisheng. They were unfamiliar faces, but her third uncle Xie Qisheng was still holding a familiar jade stone with the pattern of a wooden walnut in his hand.
She also noticed a familiar symbol carved on the walnut, a mark created by her father in her previous life.
Rong Yan: !!!
The moment she took it, she gave a soft reply, "Thank you, Uncle and Aunt. This Chow Tai Fook is a very precious item in my hometown."
Both of them were somewhat surprised, "You have Chow Tai Fook in your hometown too?"
"That's right, not only that, there's also Luk Fook and Lao Feng Xiang..."
The two men, who had been watching the drama unfold, suddenly jumped to their feet in shock, their pupils dilating as if from an earthquake. "Who knows, we might even be from the same hometown!"
The Marquis looked at Xie Qisheng with some displeasure, "Third brother, have you had too much to drink again? You're from Bianliang, and I'm from Jiangnan, what kind of fellow townsmen are we?"
Xie Qisheng didn't care. "Brother, you don't understand. No matter where you were in life, after death you're all in Fengdu Township, it's still the same township."
Everyone: ...
Enraged, Xie Qishan kicked him, yelling, "On this joyous day, you're so inconsiderate!"
Grandma Xie shook her head inwardly. Her son's temperament had indeed changed a lot in recent years, but it was rare to see him like this.
Third Aunt Du habitually touched her earlobe awkwardly, and this habit of touching her earlobe when she was awkward made Rong Yan even more excited!
She asked softly, "What is π in mathematics?"
Both of them were startled, then overjoyed, "π?"
Everyone inwardly mocked him, thinking, "What school of thought does Third Uncle have? He just idles around all day."
The crowd didn't understand and were somewhat puzzled.
Rong Yan then asked, "A round-the-world tour?"
Everyone: ? ? ?
Uncle and Aunt's faces showed a mixture of sorrow and joy, and they exclaimed in surprise, "3.1415926!"
Uncle San laughed loudly, "What a fine day! I'll recite a poem! A temple atop the mountain, a pot of wine, and I'll find joy! Hahahaha!"
Rong Yan smiled, a fleeting glint of tears in her eyes.
Everyone: ...
The Marquis looked at his third brother with some disdain. Xie Qisheng's temperament had changed drastically in recent years. He used to like to compete with him, but in recent years he not only stopped competing but also admitted defeat in everything. He spent his days engrossed in trinkets and would carve some wood carvings when he had nothing to do.
Although the wood carving was small, it was quite exquisite. He didn't think much of it, but his mistresses would occasionally ask him to take some, and over time, he became somewhat entangled with his third brother.
My third aunt used to be a vicious person, but perhaps due to the passing years or because she followed the old lady's Buddhist practice, she has become more approachable over the years and has even developed excellent cooking skills.
He once happened to eat that plum blossom cake, and it was even more delicious than the ones he had eaten in the palace.
But he must have been drunk that day. Du was of poor birth, originally a concubine. She outlived the side wife and then the first wife before she finally rose to become the first wife. How could a mere woman have such ability?
Madam Hou spoke up, "Alright, go and sit on the right side of the door. Hengyuan, you all get up and serve tea."
Rong Shu and Xie Zhezhi came in to offer tea. In order to serve tea to Rong Yan, they had to offer tea to everyone. After Wang Shi said a few words as usual, Rong Shu offered tea to everyone in turn.
When it was her turn, seeing Rong Shu gritting her teeth as she served her tea, she felt nothing and just wanted it to end quickly so she could go back and catch up on her sleep.
However, Rong Shu interpreted this expression as impatience towards her.
That bitch, she'll get her comeuppance someday!
She was bowing to each person when she was interrupted by her third aunt.
"Shushu, although Yanyan is your sister, now that she has entered the manor as the young mistress, and you are the second son's second wife, the patriarchal laws cannot be disregarded. You cannot avoid the ritual of kneeling before her."
Rong Shu: !!
bow down? !
She, Rong Shu, is going to kneel before Rong Yan?!
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
