Yi Gua (益卦) - The Most Auspicious Gua
Chapter 42, Hexagram Yi (益卦), the Most Auspicious Hexagram - Pleading for Help
When the old lady belittled Rong Shu, she showed no regard for Rong Yan's status as her elder sister, even in front of Rong Yan.
Although Rong Yan felt that what she said was true, he still wanted to stand up for Rong Shu.
“Grandmother, you are mistaken. My elder sister started her education at the age of six and has been intelligent since childhood. Her family’s teachers are all renowned, and she always learns things faster than others. If Grandmother were to give her this opportunity, she would surely do exceptionally well.”
The old lady gave her a meaningful look, then grinned. "I think you're quite clever. I've already told you, I gave her a chance, but she didn't cherish it. Don't try to fool me by deliberately making a mess; this is your responsibility."
Seemingly afraid that Rong Yan would refuse, the old lady sighed and said, "You should also take good care of the family affairs for your mother-in-law."
Rong Yan was slightly moved. She really didn't want to take over, but what the old lady of the Xie family said was right.
By safeguarding the Wang family's control over the household affairs, peace and tranquility can be ensured in the future.
Rong Yan thought of the learned accountant Gao Shanju, "Grandmother, I've thought of a good candidate. My mother-in-law is just harboring a lot of resentment; she'll have to take back control of the household affairs sooner or later. You're just worried that my sister might cause trouble, so why not ask Mr. Gao for help? With his assistance, there certainly won't be any mistakes. Besides, I still have the responsibility of managing the Taoist temple. I really have neither the will nor the ability to be distracted by the affairs of the inner quarters. To be honest, I received a recommendation from Consort Rong, and I'll be taking the exam for a Taoist official at the beginning of next month. Although I know I won't pass, if someone doesn't show up, it might cause trouble for the Marquis's mansion, so I still need to prepare for the exam."
Old Madam Xie's eyes widened and her eyebrows were raised. "Consort Rong? She recommended you for the Daoist examination?"
After receiving Rong Yan's affirmative answer, Old Lady Xie's expression became somewhat strange.
"Very well, go and prepare for your exams in peace. I'm not afraid to tell you the truth. I've seen the household accounts. The Marquis's monthly expenses are a staggering 2,700 taels. Such exorbitant expenses, yet Fu Lou's income barely reaches 700 taels in three months, meaning a monthly income of less than 100,000 taels. Add to that the income from other small shops, tenant rents, etc., and the monthly income is only 1,700 taels. This 300 taels deficit was entirely covered by my good daughter-in-law. She truly has nothing to say about the Marquis's household, so over the years, I've pretended not to know about her little schemes against the Marquis's mistress. Although she dislikes that Concubine Zhou, she doesn't neglect the flowers in her courtyard. They are treated to the same standard as the other courtyards, showing impartiality. She can arrange even the flowers and plants so meticulously, how could she harm her unborn child? I know she's not a bad person by nature, and neither is Wenjun. This knot in her heart will inevitably explode sooner or later. Of course, wrongdoing should be punished. Both of you are not young anymore, yet you've made a mistake."
Rong Yan didn't respond. In her view, the two people's mistakes were different. Even if she was a courtesan, she was still a human being. How could she be lower than the life of a noble?
Even though I've been here for ten years, I used to live in a Taoist temple and didn't have such a strong conflict with the conservative ideas of this era.
But now, being caught in the middle of it all, we have no choice but to observe and experience.
Seeing that she remained silent, Old Madam Xie did not continue speaking, but instead started a conversation, "You are so focused on pleading for your elder sister, but I'm afraid that even if she takes over the power of managing the household affairs, she will not be grateful to you in the slightest."
“Grandmother, I did all this not to seek her gratitude.”
What she did was only for herself.
Grandma Xie suddenly burst into laughter, "Then so be it. However, in my opinion, given her temperament, she might just show off to you."
"It doesn't matter what others think of me; what matters is that I am at peace with myself."
Grandma Xie murmured, "My heart is at peace..."
"You may go back now, I am tired. By the way, this sachet is something I asked the imperial physician for. It will be very beneficial to your and the young master's health. You must always carry it with you."
Rong Yan accepted it, and a faint floral fragrance immediately lingered on her hand, very delicate and to her liking. "Thank you, Grandmother."
Within a day, the news had spread throughout the entire prefecture.
Everyone thought that the power to manage the household affairs would fall into Rong Yan's hands, but unexpectedly, it was Rong Shu who took over.
Rong Shu, however, did not care. "She is just a concubine's daughter. So what if she is the eldest daughter-in-law? It's not for nothing that I fawn over the Marquis's wife every day. Everyone in the mansion can tell who is capable of taking on a major role. I started my studies at the age of six and have become a great talent in Bianjing. Who can say that I am not the most suitable person to be the mistress of the house? So, just because someone becomes the eldest daughter-in-law does not mean that they can automatically take power. They still have to rely on their real abilities."
Hua Gui, standing behind her, dared not respond, afraid that she would say the wrong thing instead of pleasing her.
After talking to herself for a long time, Rong Shu felt that no one agreed with her, and she found it boring. She was even more dissatisfied with Hua Gui.
"You're like a block of wood every day. Everyone else is a maid, and you're a maid too. I think you'll only ever be a lowly maid. Go back to Madam's place and invite my mother and father here. Remember, have Father bring that string of jade walnuts. Wasn't Rong Yan very arrogant yesterday? I'm going to avenge myself on the day Princess Yongqing's maid slapped me! Tonight's dinner must include the eldest young master and her. Let the whole manor see what kind of person she really is!"
"Yes, madam."
Meanwhile, Rong Yan, completely unaware of the situation, slept soundly until Hua Li woke him up.
"Young Madam, Madam Rong has sent someone to invite you to dinner. She said that many things have happened at the manor, and the Old Madam and Master have also come and wanted to visit you as well. Madam Rong has invited them to stay for dinner as well."
Rong Yan covered her mouth and yawned softly, "No, no, I'm too tired. Chef Gan isn't here, and the food in this mansion isn't very good anymore."
Du Chunhong has been busy lately and hasn't had time to cook for her.
Little did Rong Shu know that even though she had prepared her moves, Rong Yan wouldn't take them.
Rong Yan only turned his head to ask Wang Shi and Wen Shi. Hua Li said, "The Lady of the Marquis used to only eat vegetarian food for a few days a month. After that day, I heard that she eats meat every day and no longer eats vegetarian food."
Rong Yan was quite shocked. It seemed that this blow had completely changed her mindset.
"And what about the Wen family?"
"There's no news, and the old lady can't see anyone."
Rong Yan nodded. Seeing that Xie Chengzhi had returned, and thinking that their relationship would need to be clarified sooner or later, he decided to wait until after dinner to bring it up.
"My husband, if you have nothing to do tonight, please come home early. I have something to tell you."
*
Meanwhile, in the dining hall, Rong Shu was so angry that her chest ached, but she couldn't vent her anger on the people at the table. She could only speak to her grandmother in a gentle tone, asking her not to keep the whole family waiting for her to eat.
Old Madam Xie was a woman of great character. Seeing such a spectacle, she was happy to watch the show and went along with it, helping Rong Shu out.
"Granny Zhao, go and invite them. Just say it was my idea."
"Yes, madam."
Rong Shu and Duan Shi exchanged a glance, and Duan Shi lowered her head and smiled gently.
Rong Guangmao's face was expressionless, but he seemed somewhat helpless.
“Grandma Xie, it is my fault for not teaching my daughter well. She is so rude. Not only does she not pay her respects to us morning and evening, but she also makes many elders wait. In the end, it is our fault for not teaching her well.”
Grandma Xie chuckled dryly, "It's not your fault. After all, you never had a tutor and started learning late. How can I blame you?"
Her sarcastic remark embarrassed Rong Guangmao and made Duan Shi lose face as well.
Doesn't this mean that her stepmother didn't hire a tutor to give her a proper education?
Duan smiled awkwardly, "We were truly impolite. We will have to trouble you all with the task of disciplining Changyu in the future."
Rong Shu was somewhat disappointed to see that the eldest son was not among the figures who arrived late, but her third uncle and aunt were present.
But it doesn't matter, as long as Rong Yan comes, that's fine.
Little did Rong Yan know that when they arrived at the hall, their expressions were as if they were looking at him like a monkey.
Wow, there are so many clowns.
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