Chapter 84: Chapter 83: Unrestrained (80+ Monthly Tickets)
The Western clock made a round.
Ninth Madam Miao’s face couldn’t muster a smile anymore.
From the green gauze cabinet, earlier you could still hear the laughter of Du Yunluo and Du Yunru, though the details of their conversation were unclear, it was lively enough.
Ninth Madam Miao also laughed merrily with Old Mrs. Xia, saying that it’s truly pleasing when girls gather together.
Later, the noise inside subsided.
Ninth Madam Miao chatted aimlessly about a few things, and could only quietly wait for Mrs. Miao.
The tea in the cup cooled down, the maid replaced it twice, and only then did Mrs. Miao return expressionless.
Old Mrs. Xia nodded to Mrs. Miao who was saluting.
Mrs. Miao bowed her head and said, "That so-called Second Master is the younger son of Housekeeper Zhao, Zhao Tianhai. His wife had him brought over, but he’s soft as a noodle, confessed everything without much threat. He’s already detained, Madam, Ninth Sister-in-law, should we send him to the government with that rascal, or just beat him to death?"
Ninth Madam Miao’s brow throbbed intensely.
Send him to the government?
The Du Family and the Miao Family, which would want this disgrace?
Ninth Madam Miao looked to Old Mrs. Xia, who calmly blew her tea, ignoring them.
Turning to Mrs. Miao, Mrs. Miao displayed an attitude of "I’ll go along with whatever you say, lest my family accuses me of being overbearing afterward," dumping the problem onto Ninth Madam Miao.
This is what Mrs. Miao meant by the fearless trampling over those wearing shoes.
Facing Mrs. Miao who would risk it all, Ninth Madam Miao could only steel herself and say, "Since Zhao Tianhai was born in the family, we can resolve this behind closed doors. No need to involve the government."
Old Mrs. Xia took a sip of tea and then finally responded slowly.
"Then, when our master returns, have him tidy up the Clothing Shop and find someone suitable to take over, dismiss Housekeeper Zhao’s role, will also be removed, what do you say, Madam?" Mrs. Miao asked again.
"As stated before, you go ahead and arrange it," Old Mrs. Xia paused and added, "Except for those with grave sins, spare their lives if possible, don’t push them to the brink where they have nothing left to live for."
Ninth Madam Miao’s chest ached, this was a slap in the face to Madam Miao, criticizing her for pushing Mrs. Fang to death’s door, though Madam Miao wasn’t here, Ninth Madam Miao took the heat.
Mrs. Miao respectfully responded, turned, and looked at Ninth Madam Miao: "Ninth Sister-in-law, Zhao Tianhai’s aunt spoke nonsense days ago, I reprimanded her. As a result, Zhao Tianhai harbored resentment against me. Seeing the Miao family’s carriage that day, he got greedy. That’s the truth, please explain it clearly to my eldest sister-in-law, she was implicated by me, I’m aware and won’t deny it. I’ve prepared some ginseng and ejiao for her; they’re good for blood and energy, as she injured her head, they’ll be good for her recovery."
Another slap. Ninth Madam Miao felt the other side of her face hurting.
Madam Miao was the type who, after involving someone, would not only deny but also turn it against them.
Ninth Madam Miao opened her mouth, having tasted enough of being caught between them. She knew all too well that returning with the ginseng and ejiao would be futile, Madam Miao might throw them out. Despite having a thousand things to say, she couldn’t utter a single word at this moment, only managed a few random responses, and took her leave.
Mrs. Miao personally escorted Ninth Madam Miao out.
Inside the green gauze cabinet, Du Yunluo had been peeking through the gap, and seeing them leave, she turned to Du Yunru and said, "Ninth Aunt of the Miao family wished no one would see her off, didn’t you notice how her face turned as black as the bottom of a pot?"
"You speak as if you have seen the bottom of a pot." Du Yunru chuckled, "Second Aunt is the same, spouting nonsense. With a rain that heavy, you couldn’t see the road ahead clearly, let alone recognize the emblem on the distant carriage. By the time it’s clear; the carriage was already past, splashing everyone with water. How could anyone throw stones to spook the horses? Zhao Tianhai clearly stumbled upon a dead mouse like a blind cat, just happened to meet Madam Miao. Knowing this full well, second aunt still insisted otherwise, she seems to have risked everything, not caring about family reputation at all."
Du Yunluo pouted, "She wants to care but can’t, the anger got the better of her."
Even if Mrs. Miao recounted truthfully and Ninth Madam Miao reported accurately, Madam Miao would still cause a fuss, blaming Mrs. Miao, it’s better to block her off with ginseng and ejiao instead, let her be angered to death.
"Absolutely, better that way," Du Yunru mused, resting her chin on the table, "Second Aunt acts like the lady of the house, seemingly glamorous, but she tolerates much, just one fourth aunt is enough trouble for her. Over at the marital home she’s careful to avoid disputes, while the maternal side hops around. If she must endure all of this, what’s life worth anymore? Better to be bold and live freely."
Du Yunluo stared at Du Yunru with surprise, never expecting her own eldest sister would express such thoughts.
Du Yunru felt puzzled under her gaze, "Did I say something wrong?"
"You said it perfectly." Du Yunluo’s eyes crinkled with laughter.
She thought Du Yunru had it absolutely right, life is full of unfulfilled wishes, eight or nine out of ten. In her past life, she endured more than enough, in this life, she prefers to live more freely, otherwise, why did she live again?
Isn’t it to protect those she wishes to protect and guard those she wants to guard?
Let those with malicious intentions feed on wolves, that’s worth the fifty years of worship before the green lamp and old Buddha in exchange for this life.
Outside, Old Mrs. Xia made a soft cough.
Du Yunru hurriedly stood up, tidied her clothes, opened the green gauze cabinet door, and walked out with a smile.
Du Yunluo tucked the box containing the folding fan into her sleeve and followed out.
Facing the two, Old Mrs. Xia broke into a smile, pulling Du Yunluo to sit down, she asked, "What did the Marquis Mansion send over for you?"
Before Du Yunluo could answer, Du Yunru pressed her lips, laughing, making Old Mrs. Xia all the more curious.
"Just a folding fan, and it’s a fan from Shengxiang Pavilion; he only wanted to let me know that he went to Lindong some days ago." Du Yunluo took out the fan for Old Mrs. Xia to see.
Old Mrs. Xia took a look, and as Du Yunluo had said, she was reassured.
Du Yunluo carefully put away the fan.
She understood Old Mrs. Xia’s intent; although she and Mu Lianxiao were engaged, the wedding hadn’t been held, exchanging ordinary items was fine, but anything suggestive would be improper.
Du Yunluo didn’t want Old Mrs. Xia to misunderstand Mu Lianxiao, hence she showed the fan openly.
From the courtyard came the cheerful chirping of thrushes, Du Gongfu slowly entered, birdcage in one hand, the cane in the other.
Du Yunluo and Du Yunru quickly rose to salute.
Du Gongfu hadn’t seen Du Yunluo for a while and smiled, "Is your foot healed? Being cooped up for so many days must have been stifling."
"Indeed it was, so as soon as I could put weight on it, I came to Lianfu Garden." Du Yunluo replied cheerfully.
This made Du Gongfu laugh uproariously, "Well then, why didn’t you have someone bring Yaya over? She could’ve entertained you."
Du Yunluo glanced at the thrush in the cage, jumping up and down, laughed, "Grandfather, there’s a pear blossom bully at Qinghui Garden. When it faces Yaya, it can ruin all the flowers in elder sister’s garden, and if my elder sister can’t catch Yaya or the bully, it’ll settle on me."
Pear blossom is the cat Mrs. Zhen had Nanny Zhao raise, called Little Bully by Du Yunluo.
Du Gongfu and Old Mrs. Xia laughed heartily, while Du Yunru felt both amused and exasperated.
