Well Hexagram (Upper Auspicious Hexagram)
Chapter 48 The Well Hexagram - Auspicious Hexagram - A Gift
After the two went inside, there was another figure at the entrance of the Marquis's residence, and it turned out to be Ji Kong.
With a look of regret in his eyes, he sighed softly and slowly turned around.
She always said he was a gentleman, but in fact, he wasn't, nor did he want to be.
Eleven years ago, Rong Yan was not sent to Hebai Temple by the Rong family.
A carriage went out of control, startling the woman inside. He stepped forward to try and save her.
The person in the carriage was Rong Yan. She was only five years old that year, yet her features possessed a natural beauty. He was eleven years old that year, and when he first met her, he never imagined that they would have such a chance encounter.
She always believed that he was the one who saved her.
For the first few years, he was unaware that she had misunderstood.
When he found out, he didn't want to explain anymore.
Because it was the young and impetuous Xie Chengzhi who jumped onto the horse and pulled it back.
After stopping the rampaging horses, he left immediately.
Unexpectedly, eleven years later, the two would get married.
Thinking of this, Ji Kong felt a pang of unease. He knew she had misunderstood that it wasn't because of his saving her life. His initial inability to explain and his current deliberate concealment were simply to ensure that she would still have feelings for him.
He thought that he and Rong Yan would become Daoist partners in the future, but he never expected such a sudden marriage arranged to bring good luck...
He turned around and glanced at the plaque of the Marquis of Runan's residence behind him, sighed softly, and felt that things had changed.
He originally planned to reveal his true identity later and then propose marriage to the Rong family.
Unexpectedly, a moment of slowness led to a grave mistake.
The grass is swirling and the tender buds are just sprouting in the secluded courtyard. If it were Rong Yan in the past, she would have been delighted by this scene.
Unfortunately, she was preoccupied with matters at the temple. The wine stall at Tianbao Mountain was about to open, which would attract a group of people to visit Hebai Temple together. So she had been preoccupied lately and felt that the fun she had was much less.
Wang still refused to see her, and the Marquis was unwilling to back down either, so the two sides remained deadlocked. According to Wang's mother, Wang continued to send the divorce papers to the Marquis every day, which angered the Marquis so much that he simply stopped returning to his residence.
When a couple has a falling out, everyone in the mansion suffers.
Rong Shu was in charge of managing the household affairs, but she made mistakes everywhere. She sent the wrong portions, made mistakes in registration, and made countless management errors. Everyone was angry but dared not speak out, which caused a lot of trouble for her subordinates.
Even Gaoshanju came to her, saying, "Young Madam, why don't you help your sister with the affairs of the inner quarters? I don't think her talent lies in this; she'll only cause trouble for herself."
Rong Yan: ...
Even he came to find her, just how bad is Rong Shu?
“Mr. Gao, I think if I were to take over, as a newcomer, I might not be able to do as well as my sister. She has been in the manor for several months longer than me, and she is much more familiar with the place. If I do well, I will naturally be praised. But how many people will remember my good deeds? Most will probably think it is my due. If I do not do well, everyone will remember and talk about it, just like Rong Shu is now. I am unwilling to do it, firstly because I know my abilities are limited, and secondly because I do not want to end up in such a lowly position.”
Gao Shanju never expected that Rong Yan, at such a young age, could utter such insightful words. How could he possibly imagine that Rong Yan's long speech was merely a ploy to avoid doing any work?
“Since Madam Rong took over, the expenditures have increased significantly in terms of finances, and the centralization of power has become more severe in terms of personnel. I, too, am finding it increasingly difficult to manage.”
Rong Yan's large, watery eyes darted around for a moment before she smiled. "I have a plan, but I don't know if it's feasible. If we were to grow our own vegetable garden, how much would the cost be? Sir, could you calculate it? I think it would save a lot. If we want to decentralize power, then let's divide the power. Let the nannies' work be distributed among the madams, and the madams' work be further distributed. This way, we can also avoid embezzlement. Mr. Gao, you don't need to do everything yourself. Just focus on the major issues, and let the madams decide the minor ones."
Gao Shanju was enlightened by her words and immediately calculated that if the nannies and mothers grew vegetables in the yard, they could save several thousand taels a year!
"I never thought of the division of power you mentioned. Managing a household is like governing a country; such a simple principle, yet you expect the young mistress to reciprocate. I am ashamed. However, I wonder if the old lady would agree to the idea of planting vegetables in the yard, as it would be somewhat unrefined..."
Realistically speaking, Rong Yan knew that his suggestion was harmless, but if the Marquis's family were to be concerned about appearances, it was hard to say.
She's not in charge, and the problems aren't hers to worry about.
Therefore, she only secretly gave Gao Shanju the suggestion, instructing him to keep it a secret and ask for instructions.
At this point, she missed her mother-in-law very much. When her mother-in-law was alive, she really managed things very well. The Marquis never showed her any consideration and even showed affection to her at every turn, which really hurt Wang's heart.
“Wang Mama, send someone to deliver a pot of peonies to Mother. Pick out some of all colors. If you can say something to her, help me persuade her. If she asks about the affairs of the manor, tell her that Rong Shu is too busy to manage the affairs of the manor and that if this continues, something terrible might happen.”
Madam Wang was somewhat puzzled, "This...won't it just make the Lady of the Marquis even more troubled?"
"Mother has managed the household for so many years, and it would be very worrying for her to suddenly relinquish it. Only by keeping her at ease can there be a chance for her and the Marquis to make a difference. Of course, if she truly believes you are dead, then tell her that I will take good care of this inner courtyard for the eldest son, so that she can have peace of mind."
"Yes, this old servant will take care of it." After saying that, Wang Mama stepped aside.
As evening approached, the sun gradually set, and the last glimmer of light disappeared at the western end of the courtyard. Xie Chengzhi, feeling unwell, went to the imperial physician's office and sent someone back to inform him.
"The eldest son has something to attend to today and is staying at the palace. There's no need to wait for him."
"I understand. You must serve the young master well."
Qingzhu took out a small wooden box from her sleeve and handed it to Huali. "Young Madam, this is a gift from the eldest young master to congratulate you on the reopening of Hebai Temple tomorrow. He probably won't be able to make it back tomorrow, so he asked me to deliver it to you first."
Huali opened the wooden box Xie Chengzhi had given her, and Qingzhu was somewhat displeased, "How dare you, a mere maidservant, open a gift from the eldest young master?"
Huali looked away from the box and glanced at Rong Yan with some helplessness.
"It's alright, Qingzhu. Please thank Lord Zhao and my husband for their gifts. I will return the favor another day."
Qingzhu's slightly reproachful gaze fell on Huali. Even with Rongyan speaking up for her, Huali was still somewhat restrained, her fingers clenched tightly together.
Rong Yan's gaze fell on the wooden box, inside which was just a small box of ordinary Osmanthus Longjing Pastry.
However, she felt a slight unease; how did he know she liked this?
In the middle of the night, Rong Yan tossed and turned, probably because he was excited about the reopening of Hebai Temple the next day, which made him unable to sleep.
In the past, when Xie Chengzhi was in the house, she never dared to sleep however she wanted.
As usual, she should feel very comfortable tonight. In such a big house, she can sit however she wants and sleep however she wants.
She shook her head, telling herself not to overthink it. After all, Hebai Temple was going to fight its first battle tomorrow, so she should get some rest.
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