Chapter 96 Regret for Not Meeting

  The lights in the main hall didn't go out all night, Fu Yeyang went to the side house to see the two children and asked the nanny a few casual questions before turning around and going back to the main house.

  Luwa had accompanied Fu'er in crying and was now sleeping, exhausted from crying. Poor him, he had a premonition that something had happened to Su Ying, but it wasn't easy to contact her now. The distance between them exceeded what he could bear; usually, the 'mother and son' duo stuck together.

  If he hadn't shrunk into a small doll now, would Young Master have been able to use him like this?

  Even the wet nurses were confused and didn't know what had happened, others were tight-lipped and didn't dare to make a fuss. The people in the main courtyard felt that the old master was in a bad mood, so they all behaved themselves and walked quietly, let alone gossiping behind his back.

  The doll curled up her small fist, and the white tender face still had tears on it, unable to resist the instinct of an infant, fell into a deep sleep.

  Fu Yiyang woke up in the middle of the night and reached out to touch Su Qing's face, only to find it covered in tears. The feeling of being choked by a thousand needles returned, and Fu Yiyang opened his arms to hold her tightly, but was afraid of touching the bruises on her body.

  He carefully wrapped her head in his chest, now even a comforting word felt hard to say, his throat was dry and hoarse, unable to speak, only his hand gently patted her back.

  Su Ying's incident couldn't be covered up for long, even if it hadn't spread to the mansion before. Once the imperial physician entered the mansion, Fu Ye Yang flew into a rage, and soon everyone who should know would find out.

  The third wife scrunched up her eyebrows and drank the medicine, regardless of whether she was really ill or just pretending to be. This time she had no choice but to be genuinely ill, and even bedridden at that.

  Otherwise, she might get into trouble. After the maid on duty went to keep watch in the outer room, Third Lady only wearing a single layer of clothing ran to the window and opened it a crack.

  In the second month, Tianjing City was still very cold. At night, it was even colder. The cold wind pierced through her collar, and San Tai Tai shivered with cold, her teeth chattering loudly. Only when she felt a bit warmer did she return to bed.

  By the next day, Third Madame was indeed bedridden with illness, no, she was even more seriously ill. Yiniu did not dare to delay and hastily went to invite a doctor to come.

  The third wife lay in bed with a headache, thinking that her good aunt was really cruel! If she hadn't wanted to be lazy and refused to go to the Yunruo Temple to pray for blessings for the second wife, pretending to be ill, would she have been bullied too?

  Third Madame felt extremely disheartened, and thought that Eldest Madame was indeed a lucky person, able to encounter noble people who would save her. It couldn't be helped that she could even take the opportunity to climb up to Duke Rui's side, and from then on it would depend on what her good aunt did next.

  No, Third Madam suddenly became somewhat agitated. If this matter was really done by her vicious aunt, what if it's discovered?

  Haha, it's going to be a good show!

  Luwa's son dragged his tender voice - for the first time in a situation where he didn't cry before his brother Fu'er - and had the nanny take him to Su Ying's side, and the two finally met.

  Su Ying was still lying in bed, shocked and pale. The arrival of Luwa made her look a bit better, so Gu Yiniang didn't stop her. Seeing her own milk-fed girl looking unhappy, Gu Yiniang also swallowed the unpleasant things that happened yesterday.

  What happened after all?

  How to say, I almost got hung yesterday. Su Ying simply said the matter, her lost reason was not only that she was calculated by others, but also more because she broke through her own self-righteousness - thinking that she had already integrated well into this world, in fact, she herself automatically constructed a membrane. This is really a heartbreaking fact.

  "Hey, aren't you very clever? How could you still be outsmarted by others?" The system still can't change his habit of being a "dead" (meaning stubborn or obstinate) person.

  It's rubbing salt into Su Yun's wounds.

  Su Ying lay down on the pillow, her whole body aching, of course not because she and Fu Ye had done something that could make her forget the pain yesterday. Such as wrestling, but also for some other reasons.

  Fu Yiyang held her head in one hand, resting it on his chest, and wrapped his other arm around her, gently patting her back from time to time. This posture had a kind of mother hen protecting her chicks with her wings, and this protection lasted until the middle of the night.

  This uncomfortable posture made her even more hurt, and especially the favored surprise, and this protective attitude, constantly reminding who was responsible for making her like this.

  What makes Su Ying even more disgusted is that having such an ending may be partly because she was really too proud of herself, just like what Lu Wa said.

  It's worth bleeding and vomiting one's heart out.

  Su Ying subconsciously hugged Lu Wa tightly and rubbed her chubby cheeks for the first time without malice. [I'm in a terrible mood now~]

  "Is that so? The momentum that had not yet risen suddenly became like an unblown balloon, and with a slight loss of air, it quickly deflated. My tone weakened. "Say, what do you want to do? My brain, my heart, every organ in my body is saying, I support you!"

  Su Ying rubbed her temples and paused for a moment before saying: "Let's observe the situation first, we can't wrong a good person after all."

  When did you become so mature?

  Su Ying refused to answer this meaningless question, she sorted out her thoughts, making sure every detail was considered before asking a question that puzzled her: "I always feel that Prince Zhongrui's attitude is very strange."

  Lucky Doll's suspicious silence was broken, his bright and shiny big eyes blinked, before he asked a question that seemed unrelated to Su Ying: "How long has it been since you last looked in the mirror?"

  Su Ying's eyes flashed with inspiration, and she narrowed her eyes, "You wouldn't think that I now look like the character from the game back then?"

  【…… Congratulations, you're right, yay~ 】 Luwa first suppressed and then raised her voice, 【Actually, you've only just realized that it wasn't your fault after all. After all, there's a big difference between the second dimension and the third dimension. And you can also understand this as the power of the soul. The original body's appearance was already 40% to 50% similar to Su Ce Fei's, but at that time it was thin and bony, not well-nourished. Now that she has been nourished, her appearance is gradually becoming 70% to 80% similar to Su Ce Fei's. 】

  Lucky doll felt that Su Ying was shocked by the big thunder he let out, and his heart was a little relieved, and his tail continued to rise. [Do you still remember Qingyuan, the pure and innocent little white flower from Yunruo Temple?]

  Actually, she and you... no, she and Consort Su have a 40% resemblance, but after dressing up, maybe even more. It's just that she is taking the route of being a pure and innocent little white flower, while Consort Su is taking the route of being a charming and alluring beauty.

  Su Ying fell silent.

  Su Ying's attitude made Lu Wa's tail continue to rise, after all, he is the all-knowing and all-powerful game system.【If life were only like the first meeting, I would regret not meeting before marriage.】Lu Wa summarized this speech with a tone of 'autumn sorrow, spring injury, nostalgia for the deceased'.

  "You think it's whose fault." Su Ying said coolly.

  Luwa's old and tired sigh, [How about thin lucky beautiful delicate girl, together with wings connected branches that day wish.]

  What's wrong with you?

  So you're saying that Lord Zhongrui heroically saved you yesterday? At that time, he descended upon you like a god, did your heart beat wildly with excitement? Lucky asked in an extremely cheerful tone.

  Hehe.

  "Huh? You're getting angry now——alright, let's get down to business and be serious. Lucky Doll slammed on the brakes, only realizing then that his life was still in Su Ying's hands, he couldn't afford to provoke her."

  As Su Ying lay in bed, shocked and frightened, the Hou Mansion finally fell silent.

  Even if this matter is not spread outside, Fu Yiyang cannot but continue to investigate. Those more than a dozen hired bandits who took people's money and property did not expect to end up in such a situation. One by one, they do not want to die, and without using extreme measures, they all confessed.

  Actually, this step was already done very skillfully by Zhong Rui Wang Ye yesterday, what a kind-hearted person. According to their description, that person claimed to be a servant of the Hou Mansion, and his family had been loyal to the Hou Mansion for generations. However, the mistress of the house was stingy and couldn't tolerate them, so she dismissed them from their duties and drove them out, which is why they harbored resentment in their hearts.

  The agreed payment was five hundred taels of silver, and the man paid three hundred first, with the remaining two hundred to be paid after the matter was settled.

  Fu Yiyang found the man's home according to the map, Fu Yiyang's face was terrifying. Yongping said cautiously: "Isn't this Wei Huai's house? He really has a big appetite!"

  Wei Huai is the husband of Wei Ai, the wet nurse of Daiyu. Because Wei Ai stole some of Daiyu's belongings and sold them outside, the whole family was dismissed from their jobs and ordered to compensate for the stolen items.

  As soon as Yongping's words fell, a shrill scream suddenly came from inside the house. Then came a woman's sharp scolding voice: "You heartless thing, relying on me to serve as a maid by my sister-in-law's side every day, eating and drinking well, now you're blaming me too? Has your conscience been eaten by a dog?"

  "My life is so bitter! Big girl, after all, was raised by my mother, the mistress looks at me with disapproval, and drives me out! I think it's just that she can't tolerate big girl, can't tolerate Wei Ya Niang, in the past when Wei Ya Niang was favored, our family was so prosperous, the mistress must be gnashing her teeth with hatred, now taking advantage of Wei Ya Niang's illness to bully her, bullying her to the ground, not even sparing the entire Wei family, what a vicious heart!"

  "I don't know what kind of medicine she gave to the old master, making him so confused that he can't see the evil heart of his wife. It's really heartbreaking for us loyal people in the Hou Mansion!" Then came some even more disgusting and filthy words, which were simply unbearable to listen to.

  The sound of wailing and shouting came through the gap in the door, and Yongping really wished he hadn't brought his ears with him.

  Fu Yiyang's face was shrouded in a layer of coldness, his expression had already sunk.

  At this time, a crisp slap came from inside the house, followed by a rough male voice: "You woman, have you been blinded by your nose! Do you think the big wife is so glorious? Just wait and see her being bullied to death!"

  "What do you mean by this?" Wei Huai's family covered their faces and asked.

  "It's not just our family that looks down on the old lady, think about Deng San, Mao Liang and Wang Zhong's families, they usually look more prosperous than us, just because their mothers flatter the old lady, they have no worries about food and drink!"

  Wei Huai said that the old ladies of these few families used to be reliable nannies in front of the elderly lady, but were dismissed by Fu Yeyang last year due to the Cui, Qing and Xiang incident.

  "Now we don't have to worry about food and drink anymore, but aren't we still waiting for the northwest wind to come!" Wei Huai's family muttered in discontent.

  "Haha, you just don't understand. The old lady's foundation is shallow, but our family's children are connected by bone and tendon," the rough male voice was about to continue talking to his wife, but then thought of something and laughed twice. "Just wait and see, when the time comes, even saliva will be enough to drown the old lady, and then we'll go beg the old lady again, and our errand will be done!"

  "What exactly has Big Madam grasped that's so painful? She's not the same old hen who doesn't lay eggs as before. Haven't you seen how lively those two young masters' full moon celebrations are? They're the old master's precious darlings..."

  "Old Mrs. Wang can still hold on, and there's also Old Lady Li! As long as this matter is settled..." Before she could finish speaking, the door was kicked open from outside.

  Wei Huai and his family were stunned on the spot. They saw Fu Yeyang with a gloomy face, his eyes terrifying, not saying a word as he clenched his fists and came in, kicking Wei Huai's chest with one foot. Although Fu Yeyang was from a literary background, the Fu family had risen to prominence through martial arts, and Fu Yeyang also knew some boxing techniques. This kick was made under furious anger, and judging by the broken door, it could be seen that his kick had great force.

  Wei Huai let out a miserable cry and didn't care about the pain in his chest. Knowing that things had been exposed, he quickly knelt down and kowtowed to beg for mercy.

  Wei Huai's family was so frightened that their souls flew away, and they fell to the ground, shaking all over like a sieve, rolled up their eyes, and fainted.

  Fu's mother's upstairs is going to be lively. Deng San, Mao Liang and Wang Zhong's families were tied up by Fu Yeyang, their mothers turned around and reported to Fu's mother, crying so hard they couldn't catch their breath.

  "Old lady, we just want to find a way out. Our family has been loyal and dedicated to the Hou Mansion with all our hearts, how can Master say take us away just like that? Now all of us old folks will have to follow in despair."

  Another person spoke up, no longer so arrogant. "Old lady, the young master is indeed filial. You ask him one question, and we want to know what's going on. If it's really our family's fault, I'll apologize to the young master on his behalf."

  But these words struck a chord with Mrs. Fu, and she gave the maid who had spoken a cold, hard look. The maid immediately shut her mouth.

  Fu's mother sneered, "Alright, that's enough of this nonsense. This old woman has long since stopped meddling in affairs. The master is now the head of the household, and if he has bound those slaves, then he must have his reasons. What are you all crying about? Do you think the master would wrongfully accuse your families?"

  The few ayahs didn't dare respond, and they repeatedly bowed their heads, saying "I don't dare".

  Fu's mother's words seemed to be a thinly veiled expression of discontent towards the master, and several of the women exchanged knowing glances.

  They had been in the mansion for many years, so they naturally had their own connections. The Wei family didn't have any official duties, and since Madame Wei's family was being ostracized, others were also ashamed to associate with them, making it difficult for news to spread, but these few families had received the news early that morning.

  Yesterday, something happened to the lady of the house, and today several men from their family were taken away. It's natural to think that there's some connection between these events. I reckon it might be because one of the men in the household did something secretly, but if it was just about embezzling money, it wouldn't be a big deal. However, since it involves the lady of the house, it's hard to figure out what's going on.

  They came over to Fu Mu's place and cried, but it was just to test the old lady's attitude.

  The old lady's words, though seemingly dissatisfied with their implicit meaning, were actually intended to blame the master for being unfilial and treating her like a Bodhisattva. Thinking about it, since the imperial edict from the Empress Dowager downgraded her title, she no longer had as much say in the mansion as before.

  In the past, the first wife had no children of her own and was somewhat shorter than others. The old lady could still rely on this to control her. Last year, something happened that made them want to force the first wife to be divorced so they could marry a more obedient one for the master.

  The wheel of fortune turns, and the second wife gains more power, even giving birth to a son. The old lady is probably even more dissatisfied now. Could it be that the second wife's misfortune still has the old lady behind it?

  If it were really so, and the master found out, the old lady being the master's own mother would naturally be spared, but in the end wouldn't they, these slaves, have to bear the blame? The few women measured this in their hearts, and suddenly felt a chill run down their spines.

  Several old women settled down in the upper room.

  Fu's mother was annoyed and had no choice but to have someone go and invite Fu Yiyang over.

  Several old women also turned to smile and said: "It's the old slave who was confused, this isn't a way out so came to disturb the old lady, the old lady you are magnanimous, quickly don't calculate with such confused people!"

  Fu's mother waved her hand to let them go, leaning against the large red embroidered golden silk bat patterned pillow. She closed her eyes and meditated, with Bai Yu and Du Juan waiting on either side, not a sound was made, the whole room seemed unusually quiet. The atmosphere was oppressive and made people feel uncomfortable.

  Just then, footsteps were heard outside the courtyard, and a maid called out: "Master."

  Fu's mother put the teacup in her hand on the table, raised her head to look at Fu Yeyang who came in, saw that he had a thin anger between his eyebrows, and had a plan in mind.

  "Alas!" Fu's mother sighed, speaking in a low voice. "I heard from the servants that your wife is ill, so I had some medicinal herbs collected and was just about to send them over. It's fortunate you've arrived, you can take them to her later. Come to think of it, this matter is also my fault. Originally, I wanted your wife to go with Third Lady, your younger cousin, to the temple to burn incense for our family's descendants' peace and prosperity, so as to bless our household with many children... who would have thought such a disaster would befall us..."

  Fu Yiyang sat down at the lower seat and said in a neither light nor heavy tone: "Mother has been worried."

  Fu's mother ignored Fu Yiyang's words and continued to speak, "Your wife is a lucky one. She happened to meet Prince Zhongrui riding by on horseback. As it turns out, Prince Zhongrui is also a kind and considerate person, and this time he just so happened to save your wife. Our household can't not show any gratitude. However, since your wife was ill, it's normal that she didn't think of this matter. I've prepared some gifts, and another day you can come visit and thank him."

  Fu's mother seemed to have a hidden meaning in her words. But after all, Zhong Rui Wangye was not someone Fu's mother dared to get entangled with. If things went wrong, the entire Hou Mansion would be implicated.

  "It's also true that Mother has always been considerate and meticulous. But I don't know what Mother wants me to come for? Just right, I have something to discuss with Mother too."

  Upon hearing this, Fu's mother, whose hands had already shown signs of aging, suddenly grasped the armrests of her chair tightly, only to release them a moment later. "I'm an old woman who's half-buried in the ground," she said. "I haven't managed the household affairs for many days now. I just want to dote on my grandchildren and live out my remaining years."

  "Since these two grandsons were born, I, as a grandmother, have not been in good health and haven't seen them many times. Yesterday, I was thinking that if this continues, I'm afraid my two grandsons will grow up without even recognizing me."

  Fu's mother said this and it was a bit heart-wrenching. But Fu Yiyang didn't react at all, which made Fu's mother even more angry, holding back her temper to continue speaking.

  "Yesterday, I was thinking of your wife coming back late and worried that my two grandsons had no one to take care of them, so I thought of bringing them here to help you take care of them. It was all good intentions. You too, such a big thing happened, how could you not send any news back to the house, also to let us worry?"

  Fu Yiyang then said, "Yesterday's matter was an emergency. The madam encountered bandits on her way back and fortunately received the assistance of Prince Zhongrui. The madam is safe and sound, and the bandits were also captured."

  Fu Yiyang paused, looking embarrassed and ashamed: "Zhongrui Wangye originally thought that the bandit was coming for him, so he gave him a good scolding. Only later did he realize that the bandit had actually been bribed to harm his wife. Despite this, Zhongrui Wangye still scolded me severely, saying that I was unworthy of being a Confucian scholar's son, and didn't even know the principle of cultivating oneself and managing one's family in order to bring peace to the world. I am deeply ashamed, and it's all my fault that my wife suffered such great injustice, and also caused my mother to worry. It's all my mistake."

  Fu Yiyang's words also had a hidden meaning. Originally, this was a family matter of the Fu family, but once it involved Prince Zhongrui, the nature of the event became different.

  It's also possible that the bandits were lying in wait on the road back to Su Ying, which can also be said to be lying in wait for Prince Zhong Rui. At first, Prince Zhong Rui thought those bandits came to assassinate him, which is understandable.

  Fu Yiyang is not someone who doesn't know how to adapt, otherwise he wouldn't have risen to the position of Hu Bu Shilang in just a few years. It's just that in the past, he didn't want to be hypocritical in front of his mother. It can only be said that the chilly relationship between Fu Mu and Fu Yiyang is not something that happened overnight, and now Fu Yiyang has completely given up on trying to improve their relationship.

  Now that the bandit's case has a clear direction, Fu Yeyang doesn't want Madam Fu to intervene, so he brings out Prince Zhongrui, mainly relying on the Emperor behind him.

  Fu's mother was formidable, but now she could only use filial piety to suppress Fu Yi Yang. However, now that Fu Yi Yang had brought up the emperor, Fu's mother could only retreat and not only that, she also had to comfort him with kind words, letting Fu Yi Yang go to the Qi family, suppressing the fire in his heart, almost causing internal injury.

  ps：