Chapter 126: Yesterday's Oath (Part 2)

  Memories of the past came flooding back to her mind, she was playing with a newly engraved seal when suddenly someone appeared out of nowhere and startled her, causing the seal to fall to the ground. She thought the person would pick it up and return it to her, but instead he apologized profusely and refused to give it back, saying he had to compensate her for the damaged seal.

  Although it was a coincidence, how could she talk to a foreign man for so long? She had to hurry away, but unexpectedly, after some time, he really sent her a good seedling through someone, and she didn't know whether to accept or not, nor did she know how to return it to him.

  She had been thinking of returning the seal, but later as feelings developed between the two people, he was even more unwilling to give it back. He also used the poem "Tou Mu Bao Qiong" from the Book of Songs to tease her.

  Seeing her getting angry, he said: "I will definitely return it to you."

  When will it be returned?

  She let Hong Ge reveal some news to Zhao Xuan Huan, the biggest reason is that she doesn't want him to marry Yao Hua and fulfill her wish. Even if Zhao Xuan Huan has suspicions about the death of the fifth miss, he should consider the relationship between the Tao and Zhao families and will not openly speak out.

  But didn't expect...

  If it was indeed Zhao Xuanhuang who did it, then everything would make sense. He knew where the fifth young lady's body was buried and it wouldn't be hard for him to find a peasant woman to accuse.

  Rong Hua pursed her lips tightly.

  This matter will be cleared up sooner or later. How will Zhao Xuanhuan get through this pass with the two families of Tao and Zhao? Obviously, a choice had already been made before, why bother...

  Rong Hua couldn't help but feel a pang, after all, it was her past life's affair. How could she suddenly become completely unfeeling? Human hearts are made of flesh and blood, and Zhao Xuanhuang had gone to such great lengths for the sake of Fifth Miss, so Rong Hua couldn't remain unmoved.

  Suddenly felt annoyed and disheartened.

  If it's said that this matter has nothing to do with her, then it was she who reminded Hongge of Zhao Xuanhuan. If it's said that this matter has something to do with her, then she has already been reborn as a human...

  Xue Mingrui returned to the mansion very late due to his busy official duties.

  Rong Hua helped Xue Mingrui change into casual clothes, and while fastening the buttons, she said: "It's still early, I suppose Old Madam and Madam haven't rested yet. Let's go over to pay our respects first. What do you want to eat? I'll have the small kitchen prepare something." After Rong Hua finished speaking, she raised her head to see Xue Mingrui looking at her.

  "Do you have an older sister named Tao Ronghua?"

  His voice was clear, and her fingers involuntarily retracted. She didn't know what was wrong, but she wasn't as calm as usual, only forcing a smile. "Yes, I originally lived outside the mansion, and it wasn't until after I entered the mansion that I found out I had offended Fifth Sister's name taboo." After a pause, she continued: "However, the family tree has been changed recently, and Fifth Sister's name has been changed to 'Zhuoyuethe Peach Blossom in Winter is Real, Shuomothe Peach Blossom in Summer is Glorious' Rong."

  "Have you read Shen Kuo's 'Brush Talks from a Dream Brook'?"

  "Just flipped through it, didn't finish reading."

  Ordinary families wouldn't have such a complete collection of books. The Tao family is considered a family of scholars, and the young lady from the Tao mansion can read whatever she wants without it being surprising.

  A person's knowledge is naturally revealed.

  Ronghua called Mu Jin, "Just have the kitchen make two simple dishes." Xue Mingrui instructed to only have two dishes, don't be too elaborate.

  Xue Mingrui returned after paying his respects to Madame Xue and the elderly lady, and Ronghua had already ordered the small kitchen to prepare a meal, and also asked Chunyao to make some pastries.

  Rong Hua had never seen anyone eat like this before.

  Whether in the Tao mansion or during the time with Auntie in the outer mansion, the people I came into contact with were either old masters, madams, and young ladies who left more food on their plates than they ate, or occasionally saw maids and wives gathered together chatting and eating, but also without much care.

  Xue Mingrui grew up in a noble family from a young age, but unexpectedly had such a habit. When eating, he was elegant and refined, but by the end of the meal, all the dishes were eaten clean without any waste.

  Is it because of the habits formed in the army?

  That dim sum was also eaten quite a bit.

  A big man yet loves eating sweets so much.

  Rong Hua lowered her head and smiled slightly.

  After dinner, Xue Mingrui saw Rong Hua organizing the books she brought from her mother's house, so he picked up two to take a look. One of them was "The Four Lessons of Laozi", which should be frequently read, and many pages were worn out.

  Ronghua smiled and said, "Master Hou must have also read this 'Letter to a Son'."

  Her bright eyes sparkled, her long eyelashes drooping down, with a hint of unease.

  "The Four Lessons of Yan Hui" is a book for self-cultivation and governance, cultivating virtues and establishing one's destiny. "Now that you know what is wrong, from now on, do not worry about not being awarded honors or having no children. Completely change your ways and strive to accumulate virtues, strive to tolerate the unenlightened, strive to be harmonious and loving, and strive to preserve your spirit. Consider past actions as if they were dead yesterday, and consider future actions as if they were born today. This is the principle of rebirth in this life."

  It was a passage she often read. Could it be that he had discovered something? That night, did she say some suspicious words in her nightmare?

  Rong Hua carefully lifted her head to look at Xue Mingrui, and his slender eyes seemed to have no other meaning.

  "There are many books in my study room, if you like, go and take a look."

  Even the study room was off-limits when Xue Mingrui was around, but now he's telling her she can go in and read.

  At night after washing up and going to bed, Xue Mingrui turned on the light to read official documents.

  Until all the maids outside had finished cleaning up and gone downstairs to rest, the house was completely quiet.

  "Has Shuntianfu said anything about your fifth sister?"

  Ronghua looked at Xue Mingrui, he already knew.

  "Such a case is no trivial matter, Shun Tian Fu will not easily close the case."

  It won't be easy to close the case, and it's difficult whether to clarify or let it go.

  "Your father was in Zhejiang for three years as a Shanglangzhong, and this year he should take part in the examination."

  That is to say, this year will decide whether to promote and stay or leave.

  "Your younger brother is still young, if he were to leave Shuntian Prefecture..."

  It means demotion and transfer.

  Ronghua's heart tightened involuntarily, and if Hongge were to leave her sight, she would really be worried, but now there was no reason for Hongge to stay by her side.

  "Tomorrow you'll go back, and your family will definitely look for you to discuss it. I've found someone to help you, this matter can be temporarily suppressed. Your fifth sister's remains, you can find a good place to temporarily bury her."

  She didn't know how to better solve the problem, but he helped her resolve it with just a few words.

  Ronghua couldn't help but smile at Xue Mingrui in gratitude. If it were up to her alone, she definitely wouldn't have done so well.

  "When I go back, it's just right to tell the family that the Western teacher I invited for my seventh brother is a good friend of mine before. If the family is willing, let Hongge also come and listen."

  Honghua was overjoyed all of a sudden.

  "That gentleman has taught several young masters; if anyone at home asks, just say it's Wu Duanfan, Mr. Wu."

  Ronghua nodded, thinking that this Mr. Wu must be quite famous, and Old Lady Tao might agree readily when she hears about it, after all, Hongge's progress in his studies is not great.

  Xue Mingrui finished reading the document, turned around, and found that Rong Hua had fallen asleep. With her eyes closed, her breathing was steady and peaceful, but she still curled up into a ball on her side.

  Xue Mingrui blew out the lamp and lay down, reaching out to pull Rong Hua over beside him.

  ……

  Yi Cheng Hou Fu, Zhao Xuan Huan entered the house, and Zhao Xin suddenly widened his eyes, sternly saying: "Rebellious son, kneel down for me."

  Madam Cai hastily stepped forward and intercepted him, "Lord Hou, ask clearly before speaking, it's possible that it has nothing to do with Xuan Yuan."

  Zhao Xin's face turned bright red, his forehead furrowed into a ball, and as soon as he opened his mouth, it was like thunder, "Has nothing to do with him? A wife would say something like that?"

  Madam Cai recalled the big fuss Shu Hua made, which everyone in the mansion knew about, and couldn't help but frown. She quickly signaled with her eyes for the servants in the room to retreat far away before speaking softly: "Lord Hou, I've always known about my daughter-in-law's behavior, how can such things be casually discussed? The Shun Tian Fu hasn't even established any rules, how can our household determine right and wrong? Besides, Miss Tao Wu clearly died from illness. Whoever brought up this matter must have a grudge against our family, how could they implicate Xuan He?"

  "No matter how you say it, it has nothing to do with our family's honor. And as for what the daughter-in-law said, it's even more nonsense. When our Zhao family was discussing marriage with the Tao family, Miss Tao had already passed away. How could there be talk of not saving the Tao family for Miss Tao's sake?" Madam Cai said while glancing at her husband and son's expressions, as if trying to discern something from their faces.

  Mrs. Cai did not know the truth of the matter. Zhao Xin looked at Zhao Xuanhuan, but knew that this might not be an unfounded rumor.

  Several people were talking when they heard someone outside say, "The big milk has arrived."

  Mrs. Cai took a glance at Zhao Xin, who let out a cold "hmm" and sat back down in his chair. Before he could even take a sip of tea, Shu Hua rushed in with her hair disheveled and immediately knelt down upon seeing Zhao Xin. "Father, you must help us with the matter at Shun Tian Fu."

  Zhao Xin looked at Shu Hua's appearance, and after listening to her sorrowful cry for help, he sighed, "How could I just watch and do nothing? But this matter is not that simple. Even if our family knows the prefect of Shun Tian, we need to invite him over to discuss it." He then hurriedly asked Shu Hua to get up, "With something like this happening, our household can't afford to be disorderly."

  Shu Hua nodded.

  Mrs. Cai comforted Shu Hua again, and her emotions finally stabilized a bit. Mrs. Cai sent Shu Hua back to the house, had her lie down on the bed, and smiled as she consoled her, "You silly child, when I was your age, there were already several concubines by the Marquis's side, all of whom I had won over. Now you're even better than me - after marrying Xuan Fan, he still hasn't taken a concubine, so you should be happy instead of being suspicious like this. There are some things that should be said and some that shouldn't; you should have some discretion in your mind, and not ruin the relationship between husband and wife with just one careless remark."

  Shu Hua felt wronged in her heart, but she didn't expect that every sentence of Mrs. Cai was directed at Zhao Xuanhuan. Her chest suddenly felt stuffy and she coughed several times, thinking about the hardships she had endured since marrying into this family. The whole room felt suffocating to her, "Mother thinks I'm not sensible, but doesn't know what he's saying. He says he wants to bring back my fifth sister's memorial tablet after marriage, how can I bear it?"

  After finishing the update, I left and took the train.