Chapter 123: The Beginning and End of Love (Part 2)

  Xue Mingrui finished speaking with his confidant, and Zhuo Er hurried into the house to report in detail. He reported everything that had happened at the Tao family's residence in Shuntian Prefecture, including what Tao Zheng'an had said when he returned to Shuntian Prefecture.

  Zhu Er looked at Xue Mingrui's face and said, "If it were according to the Tianfu Mansion's meaning, then the old master of the family would have personally harmed his own flesh and blood. How can this matter be spread around?"

  Xue Mingrui said: "How did Fifth Miss die after all?"

  Zhu Er didn't dare to speak recklessly, "It's a sudden illness, and it was quite a commotion back then. I'm afraid it's contagious." He was buried in the chaotic burial mound, probably also for fear of infecting others. If he spoke carelessly about the affairs of the young lady's family, where would his good fortune come from? Moreover, Master Hou wouldn't easily let people investigate these matters. Now that he mentioned it, he knew it wasn't ordinary, and he didn't dare to rashly report everything.

  "There's also the peasant woman. It's strange, her daughter's body still hasn't been found. If the body can't be found, this case will probably come to nothing. When I went there, the peasant woman cried for a while in front of the yamen and then went back home."

  The case of the biological daughter was finally brought to the court and the coffin was opened for autopsy, but the body could not be found at that time. The peasant woman did not go to the chaotic burial mound to look for it, but instead made a scene in front of the court, and that was the end of it.

  Xue Mingrui didn't speak, and Zhuo Er hastily said: "I've already had someone follow that peasant woman. As soon as there's any news, I'll come back to report to you, Your Excellency."

  Xue Mingrui nodded and Zhu Er bowed down again.

  Xue Mingrui looked at the official document for a while, and the expression of Rong Hua frowning and biting her lips tightly last night appeared in front of him again. Although she said some words intermittently in her dream, he couldn't know what kind of dream she had.

  Rong Chuan returned from the Ministry of War, went into the house and drank a large bowl of tea, then spoke in a string of words, without noticing Xue Mingrui's expression. "So many official documents, I don't know when you finished reading them. The Ministry of War has only that much to do, but until you go to investigate, it becomes complicated like this, I don't know which idiot inside is causing trouble for you. You won't let me ask, if I knew who it was, no matter who it is, I would catch him and beat him half to death, he dares to sue me, but I don't know if it's another handle that falls into my hands." He said, also mentioning the recent changes in the main official positions of the Ministry of War. "This time I'm holding on tight, let's see what tricks they can play. Is there anything in the imperial court that they can't reach? Outside, people say he is the 'Harmonious King', but it seems he can get benefits from his hands."

  "It's no wonder our door is quiet." He paused, "The Prince of Zhuang has been ill at home for two days, right? Every day I pass by his mansion, I see people coming and going, probably sixty percent of the officials in Beijing have gone to visit him.

  "Third brother, do you think I should also buy a gift and send it over?"

  Rong Chuan finished speaking and went to see Xue Mingrui.

  Xue Mingrui raised his head slightly dazed and asked Rong Chuan, "What?"

  This time, Rong Chuan was stunned. "I mean..." Rong Chuan carefully looked at Xue Mingrui, this situation he had rarely encountered before, usually it was him who said the first sentence and Xue Mingrui would guess what came next.

  Rong Chuan was about to repeat himself when Xue Mingrui came back to his senses, "Just send a usual gift, no need for anything else."

  Rong Chuan nodded.

  Xue Mingrui said, "Last time I wanted to invite Mr. Wu to be Mingzhe's teacher, these few days let Mr. Wu meet Mingzhe, and also tell Mr. Wu that Shao Furen's younger brother also wants to invite him to teach together."

  Rong Chuan was slightly taken aback, somewhat unexpectedly, and immediately agreed, "Others may not necessarily, but Mr. Wu will definitely agree to Third Brother's request, besides, he is Sister-in-law's younger brother, not an outsider."

  Xue Mingrui didn't mention anything else to Rong Chuan.

  ……

  Ronghua changed into Chinese clothes and followed Mrs. Xue into the palace, while Mrs. Xue and Second Mistress Xue saw them off at the gate with hanging flowers.

  Looking at the colorful coronet and the elegant dress, Mrs. Xue couldn't help but feel a little envious. The noble lady's magnificent attire made her look even more stunning, with her snow-white skin, big eyes, and full, red lips that were so captivating that one couldn't take their eyes off her.

  Ronghua helped the old lady into the car, turned around and bid farewell to Mrs. Xue and the second wife, before entering the carriage.

  As soon as the carriage moved forward, Mrs. Xue and Second Mistress returned to the garden.

  The two of them walked and chatted about family matters. Mrs. Xue didn't like to talk, the whole garden only heard Second Mistress's laughter, "This is a wonderful thing, but it's something that can't be expected, I'm envious just looking at it."

  "Thanks to Old Madam's blessings."

  Madam Xue glanced at Mrs. Xue and smiled, "I think the old lady is extremely fond of Ronghua. In all these years, who else has the old lady brought into the palace to meet the Empress Dowager?"

  Who else in the mansion has been granted a decree and is qualified to enter the palace?

  The second lady's words were evasive, and Mrs. Xue furrowed her brow.

  As expected, Mrs. Two mentioned her in the next sentence.

  "Even if it's just a sister-in-law, there hasn't been such a thing before. The old lady carefully selected two gifts, fearing that the Empress Dowager would not be pleased. You know, the first time entering the palace is all about being polite and courteous, so as to leave a good impression on Ronghua." As she spoke, the second wife covered her mouth with her handkerchief and smiled, "I think Ronghua has been married into our family for a short time, but she has already surpassed everyone else. The old lady often says in my ear that Ronghua is a well-read and well-mannered good child, and I also like her after chatting with her every day." The second wife glanced at Mrs. Xue with a slanted eye.

  Mrs. Xue's face stiffened slightly.

  "Actually, I think this is a good thing," said the second wife with a deliberate pause, her smile slightly out of sync. "The old lady's house is full of treasures. The other day, she gave Conghua a pair of jade earrings with intricate carvings of 'many children and much fortune'. They're so exquisite that even I couldn't help but be tempted, let alone the kids."

  What does this mean, how can Mrs. Xue not understand? The second brother and sister meant that Ronghua was close to the old lady because of the good things in her room, and she had always been quiet in the mansion, just disliking these idle talks.

  The second lady saw that Mrs. Xue's face had changed, and immediately continued to say: "Sister, rest assured, Ronghua is a clever child who knows how to advance and retreat, and there will definitely be no problem."

  On the surface, it seemed like she was talking about this time entering the palace, but there was another layer of meaning. Although Ronghua is the daughter-in-law of the first wife, she is extremely intelligent and knows how to weigh her options to see which side to lean towards for her own benefit. Mrs. Xue smiled deeply, but in just a few words, she had already conveyed two layers of meaning.

  Xue's wife is a person who can't even keep her daughter-in-law, and Ronghua, this concubine-born girl, only knows how to climb up the social ladder.

  Mrs. Xue's face couldn't hold up, and Mrs. Xue the second smiled even more triumphantly.

  "Ronghua is a good kid with no bad intentions, polite and courteous, everyone will like him. Mingrui is busy every day, not only taking care of the old lady but also letting Ronghua go to the old lady's side to help take care of her more."

  But did not expect to say such a sentence.

  The second lady was taken aback for a moment.

  Mrs. Xue said lightly: "The old lady sent a pair of earrings that Ronghua also showed me, they are very beautiful."

  Mrs. Xue looked at Mrs. Xue and seemed to be beyond her expectation, paused for a moment, and then said, "I just said that there is nothing bad in the old lady's house."

  Madam Xue didn't say anything else and parted ways with Second Mistress in front of the Moon Gate.

  Mrs. Xue's maid, Mrs. Gu, stepped forward and said, "Madam, you see, the young madam is right, it seems that you should listen to her."

  Madam Xue's face turned cold again, "Although it can be said that way, she is so close to the old lady, Rui'er will also be unhappy. Moreover, what kind of person is the old lady? It's hard to guarantee that one day she won't be used by others." Just now she would say that, not entirely because of what Ronghua said in her room this morning, but also partly because she was angry about her second brother and sister-in-law speaking like that.

  Gu's mother smiled and said: "I think Young Madam is a thoughtful person, you should let her finish speaking."

  Madam Xue said: "Wait until she comes back from the palace, and then I'll let her tell everything clearly."

  Gu's mother nodded and smiled, saying that maybe with the arrival of the young mistress, the situation in the main house might slowly improve.

  ……

  Ronghua sat in the car, and Mrs. Xue kindly grasped Ronghua's hand, "Don't be nervous, the Empress Dowager and the Imperial Noble Consort are both very good, they will definitely like you when they see you."

  Ronghua smiled and nodded, "It's always the first time entering the palace, can't help but feel a little nervous, fortunately there is Old Madam by my side."

  The old lady patted Ronghua's hand, "Although there are many rules in the palace, we've gone over everything from start to finish today, so you definitely won't make any mistakes. As long as you follow me, I'll remind you of anything. The first time meeting the Empress Dowager, she won't say too much to you, and you don't have to be afraid of saying something wrong."

  Ronghua smiled and nodded.

  The old lady also smiled, this child is a bit different from when she first met her at the Xue's house. Her eyes are very bright, and every move she makes shows a few points of cleverness and quickness. Whatever task is assigned to her doesn't need to be said twice. She likes smart children, Mingrui was much smarter than ordinary children since childhood, and she always keeps Mingrui by her side, wanting to personally raise Mingrui up. The scene of the grandmother and grandson getting along with each other again appeared in the old lady's mind, if it weren't for what happened...

  The old lady sighed and went to see Ronghua again. This child is different from her eldest daughter-in-law, maybe she will have a chance in the future...

  The old lady was just thinking, when the carriage came to a stop.

  ……

  The mistress of the Tao mansion lay on her bed and heard Chen Mama come back and say, "I went to the Hou Mansion. Jinxiu said that Eighth Sister-in-law left early this morning with Old Madame Xue to enter the palace."

  The old lady frowned, trying to prop herself up, but her arm hurt so much that her face turned pale.

  Mrs. Chen hastily stepped forward to attend to her, "Madam, you should still rest and not move for now."

  The old lady took a few deep breaths. "They're all unreliable, what's our family like now? Shu Hua and Rong Hua have both gone back, not a word of news."

  Mrs. Chen said: "Don't worry, madam, perhaps the young lady will send a message back soon." As soon as she finished speaking, the little servant next to the old master came back with a message.

  The little servant rushed into the house and knelt down, "Madam, the master has been summoned to Shuntian Prefecture to examine the evidence."

  The big wife urged, "What evidence?"

  Xiao Shun replied: "It's said... Fifth Miss has a seal by her side."

  Ahhhh, I'm exhausted today.

  The hospital is too crowded, and there are too many ticket scalpers. I didn't manage to get an appointment with a specialist, but fortunately, I found another doctor who was also very good. Thanks everyone for your suggestions! What you all said is right, it's better to queue up for a special appointment than to buy one.