Everything that happened at Zhaohua Temple was known to the Princely Heir, Luo Shao. When Luo Shao heard that his sister could no longer bear to eat at after hearing of cannibalism, his lips twitched uncontrollably. He wondered what she would think if she knew that their ancestors, driven to desperation, had also resorted to cannibalism to survive.
Of course, Luo Shao only thought about it – he certainly wouldn’t tell Mingzhu about it, for he guessed that it would give her constant nightmares.
Madam Ping was very curious, "Princely Heir, is everything Yueyao said true?" Madam Ping was well-read, but she was unclear about these current events.
Luo Shao nodded and said, "It’s true. In the later years of Emperor Zhaozong’s reign, the emperor was old and muddled. The ministers manipulated power and did not provide tily disaster relief, which led to the tragedy of cannibalism. This event is recorded in the history books, in black and white, which couldn’t be more authentic." After speaking, Luo Shao sighed and said, "I always thought this young lady was only good at painting and calligraphy. I didn’t expect her to be well versed in history as well." If Yueyao were a man, he would definitely have recruited her.
Madam Ping paused before saying, "Princely Heir, I heard from Bai Yi that Miss Lian reads not only historical strategies but also dical books and travelogues. Her range of reading is quite extensive." Everyone says it’s best to have expertise in one area, but this saying seems inappropriate for Yueyao.
Luo Shao smiled and said, "It’s good for Mingzhu to be friends with her, and I have you to thank for this." Ever since his dear sister beca friends with this young lady, she had also started to beco more sensible.
Madam Ping smiled and touched her belly, saying, "Speaking of which, I owe it to Miss Lian for being able to conceive this ti." Madam Ping had not told Luo Shao before that she had insisted on going to the manor outside because it was Yueyao’s suggestion.
Luo Shao was very surprised and asked, "What do you an?"
Madam Ping explained Yueyao’s suggestion.
After hearing it, Luo Shao laughed and said, "The Imperial Physicians at the Imperial dical Bureau are not as good as a child, it seems. People say that it is better to be without books than to believe in them completely, but this child has managed to turn what she learned from books into practical knowledge—quite extraordinary indeed."
Madam Ping touched her belly, knowing that giving birth to a legitimate child would solidify her standing in the Marquis’ household. She wouldn’t have to worry about her mother-in-law arranging a second or third branch in the future.
By the end of November, the Lian family finally ended their mourning period.
Lian Dongfang sent soone to the Ma family to bring Yueyao back, but unfortunately, they failed to bring her back. Lian Dongfang said with a displeased expression, "What did you say? Yueyao went to Zhaohua Temple? When did this happen?" Lady Lian knew Yueyao had gone to Zhaohua Temple, but she had not inford Lian Dongfang. She was confined; how could she be so well-inford about the outside world?
Lian Dongfang couldn’t possibly monitor Yueyao at all tis, and since the Ma family hadn’t sent him any ssages, he had only found out about it now.
Lian Dongfang’s expression was not good. He thought about sending soone to fetch her, but it was getting late, and by the ti they would arrive, it would be midnight, and the temple might have already closed its doors.
After dinner, Lian Dongfang summoned his two sons to the study. Tingli and Tingyi were preparing for the spring imperial examination next year, so now was not the ti to relax.
Zhuang Ruolan, upon hearing that people from Lian Mansion had co to take Yueyao, showed a mocking expression, "They don’t even bother to greet her on a normal day, but now they need her to make an appearance, they suddenly make a show of effort!" Zhuang Ruolan completely disdained the Lian family, despite them priding themselves as a scholarly family.
Cai Yi ca over with a troubled look and said, "Madam, the Old Madam asks for your presence."
Zhuang Ruolan chuckled and said, "Just say I’m not feeling well."
Lady Cheng was patient this ti, trying once and again, up to the third ti, Zhuang Ruolan finally went to visit Lady Cheng, "What does mother-in-law want with ?"
This ti, Lady Cheng sought Zhuang Ruolan to discuss the issue of obtaining an heir by adding a respectable concubine; she had already selected a candidate from her own niece.
Zhuang Ruolan showed a cold smile, "The master and I have discussed this, mother-in-law need not trouble herself." A respectable concubine, she’d have to see if she could even be integrated.
Lady Cheng wielding the imperial sword, said, "The Old Master has agreed to this."
Zhuang Ruolan, uninterested in further discussion, stood up and said, "Mother-in-law, I’m feeling unwell and must retire now." After speaking, she showed no regard for Lady Cheng’s reaction and left the Upper Chamber with her maid.
Cai Yun expressed her concern sowhat worriedly, "Madam, could this be bad for us?"
Zhuang Ruolan scoffed coldly, "She really thinks I’m easy to bully."
What Zhuang Ruolan didn’t know was that right after she left, Lady Cheng fainted, and later that night, Ma Yue sought out Ma Peng, and the two quarreled over this matter, with Ma Yue storming out of Ma Peng’s study angrily after half a day.
Cai Yun was very worried, but Zhuang Ruolan remained unbothered. That night, Ma Chengteng brought Zhuang Ruolan a copy of "Female Precepts," to which Zhuang Ruolan responded with a cold laugh upon seeing the book.
Ma Peng, feeling sowhat guilty, said, "You’ve been put through a lot. Rest assured, I shall never take a second wife." Ma Peng now started to miss the ti when Lady Cheng was absent, when the household was calm and tranquil, unlike now, with constant upheavals every few days.
Madam Tang knew that her mother-in-law intended to find a respectable concubine for her eldest brother-in-law, and her expression darkened. By putting herself in the sa position, she wondered when her own section would also have a respectable concubine added to it.
Suzhu spoke with a grim expression, "Madam, the Second Master had an argunt with the Eldest Master because of what happened during the day. He said to let the Eldest Master properly discipline the Eldest Madam."
Madam Tang’s eyes flashed with indignation, and just when the relationship between the two brothers was finally easing, she didn’t expect her mother-in-law to distort things again. Didn’t she know that her husband’s future still depended on his uncle? Madam Tang truly wished Lady Cheng would leave the Ma Family soon.
Cai Yi looked at Zhuang Ruolan’s grim expression, thought for a mont, and then instructed an old nanny to visit the Zhuang Family. If anyone wanted to bully her young lady, they’d have to see if the Old Master and Young Master would agree.
Zhuang Changhe, upon hearing that the Ma Family wanted to take a respectable concubine because Zhuang Ruolan had not borne a son, was so furious that he slamd the table and wanted to settle accounts with Ma Peng.
Old Master Zhuang, having eaten more salt than Chuang Changhe had rice, said, "Let’s first find out what really happened before dealing with it. It wouldn’t be wise to act hastily." Old Master Zhuang did not believe Ma Peng would want to take a respectable concubine; it must be an issue with Ma Family’s stepmother.
After finding out the truth, Old Master Zhuang told his son, "You don’t interfere in this matter, your father will handle it." Young people are too impulsive; such matters must be resolved quietly. Making a big spectacle would only harm Ruolan.
The next day, Old Master Zhuang went to Ma’s Mansion after finishing his official duties.
As Zhuang Ruolan was tallying the accounts in the shop, she saw Cai Yun coming over with a flushed face, clearly bearing good news. Cai Yun called out, "Young lady, your father is here. He has co to see you and the two young misses."
Zhuang Ruolan was startled, then stood up abruptly and said, "Are you saying my father is here?" She rembered her father had asked her to bring the children to her parents’ house for a visit, and she felt sowhat guilty. She had been busy opening a new shop recently and had no ti to visit ho, not expecting her father to co personally.
Zhuang Ruolan hurried out and saw her father-in-law accompanying her father. The two were talking and laughing, looking very harmonious.
Zhuang Ruolan cald her emotions and said, "Father, Father-in-law."
Zhuang Yuebin looked at his daughter and smiled, "I happened to see your father-in-law as I was leaving the office, so I joined him to visit my two granddaughters."
A hint of sourness hid in Zhuang Ruolan’s eyes; she understood everything. Her father must have heard so news and purposely ca to see her—formally to visit her, but in reality, to lend her support.
Old Master Zhuang, looking at his two granddaughters, said cheerily, "Brother Ma, don’t you think the second girl’s forehead and nose resemble ? Ah, even her eyes do too?"
Ma Chengteng looked carefully, and indeed they did. Suddenly, he felt a pang of sourness; these were his legitimate granddaughters, yet they all resembled the Zhuang family, which ant he was at a loss.
Zhuang Yuebin, seemingly oblivious to Ma Chengteng’s sour expression, smilingly asked, "Brother Ma, Keyue and Yanqi, both nas sound lovely. Did you or your son-in-law choose them?"
Ma Chengteng’s face reddened, embarrassed to reply.
Zhuang Ruolan laughed, "It was Cousin Yueyao who chose them."
Old Master Zhuang, always busy and seldom able to keep up with family affairs at ho, hardly knew the relatives on the Ma Family’s side until he learned they were daughters of Lian Dongbo. He then nodded and said, "Not bad. Both nas are not only pleasant but also aningful."
Zhuang Ruolan suppressed a smile and said, "Father, you don’t know, this child has also caught Mr. Yu Shan’s special attention!"
Mr. Yu Shan, while a Great Painter, was not inferior in other respects. Although prideful, Mr. Yu Shan was very well-liked and could be said to have friends all over the world.
Though not friends with Mr. Yu Shan, Old Master Zhuang greatly admired him, calling him a true hermit of the current era. A masterpiece by Mr. Yu Shan hung in Zhuang Yuebin’s study, which Zhuang Ruolan knew, so she ntioned it on purpose.
Old Master Zhuang turned to Ma Chengteng and asked, "Really? Your niece caught Mr. Yu Shan’s eye?" Mr. Yu Shan’s taste and talent were both exceedingly high.
Ma Chengteng, seeing Zhuang Yuebin’s incredulous look, now wore a smile. His sons might not be comndable, but his niece’s talent was indeed first-rate.
Zhuang Ruolan pointed to the painting on the wall, "Father, this painting was done by Yueyao. What do you think?"
Old Master Zhuang examined it for a long while before asking the question everyone did, "Is this really drawn by the Lian Family’s young girl?" Such profound skill had already reached the level of a first-rate painter.
Zhuang Ruolan nodded, "Yes, these two begonias are from the Begonia Garden where she lives. She is modest and does not wish outsiders to know her background, so we have always kept it from the public." Yueyao wished for no outsider to know, but her father certainly couldn’t be considered an outsider.
Zhuang Yuebin nodded, "With such talent and skill, no wonder Mr. Yu Shan took notice."
Old Master Zhuang and Wen Chengxiang were old school friends, so at this mont, Zhuang Yuebin inwardly wondered why Brother Wen had not taken her as a student. With such talent, even if this child was a girl, it should not be overlooked—Mr. Yu Shan was indeed lucky.
After visiting his two granddaughters, Old Master Zhuang then proceeded with Ma Chengteng to the front court, and consequently, the issue with the respectable concubine ceased altogether.
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