Tai Hexagram (or Tai Hexagram)
Chapter 11 Tai Hexagram (Middle-Middle Hexagram) - Catching Adulterers
The next day after breakfast, Rong Yan watched as Aunt Qiu Shi busied herself with Xie Chengzhi. The room was filled with the strong smell of medicine, and the windows were opened and closed repeatedly to dissipate the pungent odor.
In the short few days since she married into the family, her clothes have been scented several times to prevent them from becoming tainted.
As Aunt Qiushi combed the wheat ears by the bed with her gold hairpin, she seemed to finally be unable to hold back any longer. She lowered her eyes and asked Rong Yan softly, "Young Madam, is there anything you need me to do?"
"No, you're busy, I'm just taking a look."
Autumn Harvest: ...
Normally, Rong Yan would never sit idly in the room like this, staring at them as they worked, for a full half hour!
Qiu Shi: "I understand that the young mistress is worried about the eldest young master. However, the room is dusty from cleaning, which may upset you. Why don't you go for a stroll in the garden before coming back?"
Qiu Shi had no idea that Rong Yan wasn't looking at her at all, but at Xie Chengzhi.
Xie Chengzhi's breathing was even, and his face was slightly flushed. He really did lie motionless for at least two hours, just like someone who was in a deep sleep.
She felt a chill run down her spine. Let alone a normal person, even someone with extraordinary willpower would inevitably reveal a flaw if he lay motionless all day.
Yet, not a single person in the entire mansion realized the deception.
Rong Yan slowly stood up, smiled, and let Hua Li help her out. "Then I'll go for a walk. After all, I'll be very busy today. Remember to leave some candied fruit on the table for our guests."
Although Rong Yan is the eldest daughter-in-law, it would be an understatement to say that she is busy.
Although everyone was a little confused, they still did as instructed without fail.
"Yes, young mistress."
"Aunt Qiushi, isn't this lady acting a bit strange today?"
Qiu Shi shook her head, indicating that she didn't understand either. Although she didn't say anything, her expression seemed to indicate that she had received the answer she wanted.
When Wang's mother was summoned, Rong Yan was admiring the peach blossoms in the courtyard.
With skin as white as jade and an elegant demeanor, Wang Mama was quite beautiful. However, when she saw Rong Yan under the peach tree, she was still taken aback by her appearance and stared at her for a while before speaking, disturbing the picturesque scene.
"Young mistress, this old servant has arrived."
“Hmm, look at the peach blossoms, so vibrant and beautiful, don’t they seem to be vying for the title of the most beautiful flower in the garden?” Rong Yan didn’t turn around, but just smiled gently as she watched the peach blossoms gradually fall.
Mrs. Wang's expression changed slightly. "Peach blossoms are never competitive, but the fact that all the flowers in the garden are blooming slowly gives people the illusion that they are vying to stand out."
"That's true. It just blooms earlier than other flowers, so how can it be its fault? But if I were it, I probably wouldn't bloom so beautifully every year. If it doesn't bloom this year, next year will be a bumper year, allowing it to accumulate nutrients and bloom even more profusely. Wouldn't that be better?"
After a long silence, Wang Mama lowered her head and said softly, "What the young mistress says is absolutely right. This old servant understands."
Rong Yan then turned to look at her, "Wang Mama, please help me send a letter to the Taoist temple."
Wang's mother was so nervous that her knuckles turned white from clenching her fists. She was reminding herself that she had used yesterday's events as an opportunity to retaliate against Rong Shu.
She knew the soil in the pot smelled of saltpeter and that it could make her skin itchy, but she didn't know why it ended up being so severe.
She thought that her action of deliberately reaching out to trip her ankle was done very subtly.
Even so, it couldn't escape the young lady's eyes!
The image of this lazy young lady in her heart had become profound.
While she was still in shock, Rong Yan slowly instructed her, "Be careful on the road. Go ahead, and don't bump into Granny Li later."
She remained calm and composed, offering no blame or punishment, and then withdrew, holding the letter in a daze.
No sooner had she left than someone came to Qu Shen Courtyard. As she passed by, she was so preoccupied that she bumped into the person.
"Ouch!"
Looking up, he saw that the person was none other than Granny Li, who had almost lost her life a few days ago.
When Wang's mother recalled what Rong Yan had said to her not long ago, she was horrified and her expression changed instantly. Li Mama was surprised and said, "What? You bumped into me and I fell, but you seem to be in more pain than I am? Slow down. You're so old, why are you so clumsy and careless? Do you still think you're a young girl?"
Mama Wang gave a dry laugh, which looked worse than crying. She quickly helped Granny Li up and left with a pale face.
Just then, Granny Li entered Qu Shen Courtyard carrying a large bundle of things. Upon seeing Rong Yan, she knelt down before him with a thud.
“Young Madam, I was unaware of your great abilities. I not only failed to heed your warnings but also mocked you for making a mountain out of a molehill, almost causing a serious mistake. I know I was wrong and hope you will forgive me! Here is a small token of my respect; I hope you will accept it with a smile and bless me in the future.”
Rong Yan felt a headache coming on seeing how Yanran was worshipping her like a "grandmaster statue".
After ordering someone to light the lamps, Yu Ling presented her with a hand warmer. As she touched the hot bamboo strips with her cold fingertips, she said, "Granny, there's no need for such a grand gesture. I was just speaking casually that day, it was all a fluke. Granny Li, it would be more worthwhile to offer incense at Hebai Temple yourself, since sincerity is what matters."
When Granny Li looked up, the smoke from the incense burner in her hand was rising in wisps, and her pale face looked even more divine against the backdrop of the smoke, which surprised even Granny Li.
Like a goddess, even the way she looked at her became devout.
Rong Yan was unaware of what Li Mama was thinking, and saw her bow to him.
Rong Yan: ...
"By the way, Granny is an old servant in the manor, and I have something I'd like to ask you."
“Please speak, young mistress. I will tell you everything I know without reservation. Moreover, this old servant can guarantee that no third party will ever know what you ask me today.”
Granny Li was clearly a shrewd person; before Rong Yan could even speak, she had already expressed her sincerity.
Rong Yan smiled and said, "You don't need to be so nervous. It's just a casual question. I'm just curious. I noticed that the layout of the house seems to have been designed by a master. I wonder if you know which master designed it?"
"Oh, young mistress, so that's what you're asking about. Everyone in the manor knows this; it's not a secret. Anyone with a bit of influence in Bianliang is a client of Mr. Qian from Fenglelou. He's incredibly skilled; he can not only read faces and palms, but also predict life and death with a single word. He can even talk about feng shui in the home with great expertise. Our manor used to be handled by him, but unfortunately, he hasn't come much since the eldest young master fell seriously ill. As for the reason, we servants have no idea."
After Rong Yan pondered for a moment, Du Shi and Xie Qisheng also arrived.
After dismissing everyone, Du Chunhong cut to the chase and said, "Daughter..."
Rong Yan made a shushing gesture, and Madam Du, thinking she was just being cautious, swallowed her words. "Madam, have you ever performed divination for Madam Wang?"
After Rong Yan nodded, Du Shi and Xie Qisheng exchanged a glance, and Xie Qisheng couldn't suppress the smile on his lips.
"You have no idea! The yamen officials came to our house early this morning to express their gratitude, repeatedly thanking Madam Hou for her kindness."
Rong Yan raised an eyebrow. "Then what does this have to do with me?"
Du Chunhong smiled. "I don't know the specifics, but everyone in the kitchen knows. I don't know who told the story. They say you told Wang a fortune, telling her to catch her cheating. Your mother-in-law didn't believe it at all. She went back to Fu Lou Restaurant and randomly picked someone to scare, and it turned out to be the accomplice in the crime!"
Rong Yan: ...
She didn't say there was a spy in the building, yet she's catching them in the act...
"Anyway, it was one of Wang's old acquaintances who made a mistake, and she wanted to cover for her old lover, so she helped him. However, the magistrate said that given their intelligence, the two of them would never have thought of such a thing. But the two of them stuck to their guns and refused to mention a third person. They even committed suicide in prison, so the matter had to be dropped."
The divination that Rong Yan performed for Wang Shi was that she should seize the right opportunity to solve the case.
Who would have thought that Wang would be so impatient, going into the building that very day and randomly pointing to someone, thus solving the case? This time, Wang's success was purely accidental.
"I don't think... this is my achievement."
No wonder Granny Li came to visit just now.
"Darling, you're too modest. I know what my daughter is capable of." Xie Qisheng looked proud, even happier than when his handicrafts were praised.
Before the group could finish their private conversation, a maid from the outer courtyard said, "May the Lady of the Marquis be well."
Rong Yan: ?
Du Chunhong: ? ?
Xie Qisheng: ? ? ?
Rong Yan was somewhat taken aback. Her mother-in-law wasn't exactly cold towards her, but she was definitely not warm either.
It's so late; there's absolutely no way he could come into her yard.
Today, her courtyard gate is packed with people trying to get in!
Moreover, Du Chunhong is currently in her own room.
It's one thing for Du Chunhong, as the third aunt, to come and visit, but what's with the third uncle coming in and staying with her too?
The two elders panicked immediately, and Xie Qisheng stood up and said, "Let's go, let's hide."
Before Rong Yan could even give directions, Xie Qisheng nimbly got up, went around the screen, lifted the heavy golden bed curtains, and snuggled into Xie Chengzhi's bed.
Rong Yan: Uh...
Du Chunhong was a step too slow. She looked left and right, and seeing the footsteps outside getting closer, she bent down and hid under the table, letting the tablecloth cover her body.
Rong Yan: Mother, you didn't actually have to hide, and you could have made an excuse.
Huali's voice rang out at just the right moment, "Young Madam, Madam has arrived."
After saying that, she pushed open the door. From behind the slowly opening door, Madam Hou saw Rong Yan's delicate face sitting in a chair in front of the screen, with three teacups on the table.
Rong Yan calmly got up to greet Madam Hou and Mama Fang, and helped her in. "Mother, please forgive my rudeness. I was playing with the cups by myself and hadn't had time to tidy up yet."
Lady Hou had no suspicions. She smiled and patted the back of her hand, glancing slightly at the housekeeper behind her.
Madam Fang tactfully placed the gift box on the table. Madam Hou was very polite. "Yanyan, the matter in the building is resolved, all thanks to you. I thought it was a huge problem, but who would have thought that it could be solved with just a simple gesture? This is the finest sandalwood, for you to burn."
Rong Yan: "...Thank you, Mother."
She was momentarily at a loss as to whether she was lucky or Wang was lucky.
Lady Hou never imagined that such a thorny issue would be resolved by her own casual pointing.
Not only was the case resolved, but the magistrate also solved it for the government with uncanny foresight, and the government official came to express his gratitude early in the morning.
Even the restaurant is packed today because of this.
Overall, she was satisfied with Rong Yan after this incident. However, she still had some doubts about Rong Yan's divination abilities.
She was able to solve the case because she used Rong Yan's divination as an excuse to make random predictions, which unexpectedly led to the discovery of clues about the real culprit.
Only she knew that it was something she had randomly pointed out, and it had nothing to do with Rong Yan's divination. She had used Rong Yan's divination as a pretext to do something, and she had to make up for it in front of these servants.
only……
She still felt uneasy, because she clearly remembered what Rong Yan had said yesterday...
"There's a scoundrel in the building, showing signs of colluding with powerful people."
She gave all sorts of random instructions and actually caught a villain. If the fortune telling is really accurate, then who is this powerful person?
Thinking about it this way, Wang couldn't help but laugh. She had actually taken it seriously; she was a little confused.
"Achoo!" A clear sneeze came from the bed, interrupting not only the Lady Hou's thoughts but also the smiles on the faces of the others.
With a look of utter disbelief, Fang's mother pointed a trembling hand at the bed, "This... this bed, is someone in the bed?"
Just by the voice, it's definitely a man!
Lady Hou's face fell in surprise.
Madam Fang never expected that this newly arrived young mistress would have an affair so quickly, and even in the eldest son's bed!
Even though she had a grudge against her, she didn't dare to speak out about such an outrageous matter.
Lady Hou gave a forced laugh, feigning happiness, "Look, isn't the eldest young master feeling better? He can even sneeze now! Go and see him quickly!"
With her back to Rong Yan, Fang's mother sneered, "Just wait and see, you'll make a fool of yourself!"
The thought that he no longer needed to go to great lengths to eliminate this little mistress filled him with immense satisfaction. What a promiscuous woman!
The table suddenly trembled, but Madam Hou thought it was Rong Yan trembling because he felt guilty. She got up in a fit of anger and urgency, shook off Mama Fang's hand, and went to the table herself.
The woman's reputation is a small matter, but damaging the young master's reputation is a much bigger one!
With that thought in mind, she sternly threw off the heavy bed curtains!
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